Chapter 7: The Doctrines (2/2)

“Then I’ll be a ranger, I’m great at using a slingshot!” The last boy decided.

And so the four youngsters quickly picked their classes.

Xi Wei who had been watching the entire exchange had wanted to remind them that they could choose the same classes, but seeing how well it went he decided against it.

“Right, tell me your names.”

Seeing the four starting to examine their system pages, Xi Wei suddenly remembered to ask their names.

“I am Edward Kennington,” said the young man who decided to be a mage.

“My name is Jessica Weiss,” muttered the girl who chose to be a cleric.

“You can call me Joe Paul!” declared the one who chose to be a warrior.

“My name is Gou Dan1,” said the one who decided to be a ranger.

Xi Wei’s eye twitched. “Why is your name so… special?”

“My father was a refugee who didn’t have a family name,” Gou Dan confessed truthfully.

“Then from today on your name is Doug Ag,” Xi Wei decided.

For what it was worth, these people were the first believers he had developed that might become his disciples in the future. If this boy kept the name Gou Dan, his church might not even feel prestigious anymore!

Gou Dan… or Doug stared at Xi Wei for a moment before enthusiastically nodding his head.

Snapping his fingers, he created white words that floated on the top of their heads, with their name written.

“This sign can only be seen by ‘players’ who are believers of the God of Games. If you see anyone else who has these words floating on their heads, they’re your fellow believers!” Xi Wei advised them, “Even though our church does not ask for all of you to love each other, but you can’t trip each other up on purpose alright?”

Hearing so, the five youngsters nodded and memorized that their believers were called players.

Eleena was most familiar with Xi Wei, hence the one who was the least timid to speak with him stepped forward and asked, “Mister Xi Wei, what are the doctrines of our church?”

Xi Wei spaced out momentarily as he had not thought of this, but then started speaking without thinking too much.

“First: Life is just a game. The moment you started believing in the God of Games, you became a player.

“Second: Time is money, my friend. Money can buy everything except your experience points, so you can’t buy happiness with your salary1.

“Third: Even if you hold the responsibility of saving the world on your shoulders, why not take a breather and play some cards?

“Fourth: Everything that has a Health Point gauge can become Experience Points, so remember that slaying monsters are just a means—slaughter is not your goal.

“Fifth: Strength completely depends on the current version. Never blame yourself for the path you have chosen—if you want to blame someone, then blame the cursed game designers.

“Sixth: Never throw away your honor as a player, or you will be punished by the God of Games!

“Seventh: Before you take an arrow to the knee, enjoy it with all your heart!1

“Eight: The God of Games reserves the right to final interpretation of the doctrines hereinabove.