Chapter 1 (1/2)
Chapter 1 – Oh No, An Error!
Edited by: Tin
This was a forest. The towering trees with their luxuriant foliage tried their best to cover the sky. However, the rays of the sun did not give in, forcing their way through and scattering across the face of the youth lying on the ground below.
The sunlight, the shadows of the trees, the light breeze, the buzzing of insects, as well as the scent of the earth that wafted over, all felt inescapably realistic, to the point where people were unable to believe that this was only a fict.i.tious world.
Except for that flying bird frozen in midair.
Ling Xiaolu had already been motionlessly staring at that bird for half a minute, afraid that it would drop and crash onto his face.
Still, if the bird did not move, he did not move as well. Not because he did not want to, but because he could not do so.
On the surface, he quietly laid there. However, the earth knew he was restless. His rapidly pounding heart, despite being separated by his slender back and thin s.h.i.+rt soaked in sweat, could still be transmitted to the ground, not to mention his unusually high body temperature. Fortunately, the earth could not see his face. If it could, it would have seen his face that was red like a fully-ripened autumn's apple.
Although the narrator had tried their best to describe this situation as elegantly as they could, it was likely that the listener had already guessed it. Ling Xiaolu, this pitiful, miserable, unlucky person, at an unsuitable time, in an unsuitable place, had gone into heat.
A handsome face appeared in his vision, blocking that bird. On his head was a name in gold.
The person who had caused Ling Xiaolu to go into heat, this gold-named benefactor called Ji Meng, cluelessly showed Ling Xiaolu his concern.
”You don't look very good. Your face is very red, are you feeling uncomfortable somewhere?”
If not for the fact that he could not move, Ling Xiaolu really wanted to let this person know that when he felt ”uncomfortable”, he would have violent tendencies.
Just like now, he really, really, really wanted to use the Deer Fist pa.s.sed down from his ancestors to pound in Ji Meng's face that had undergone physical modification.
As for the origin of this incident, we would have to go back to even earlier than today…
The game store was deserted. The only salesperson was idly playing a virtual s.p.a.ce construction game. These small, casual games were very good for wasting time, and he also would not miss out any customers who might enter the shop.
The automatic door quietly opened and closed. Walking in was a youth of about seventeen or eighteen years of age, and his hair was dyed an eye-catching gold.
In this era where everyone shopped online, and customers could have everything delivered with a tap of their terminals, people who were willing to browse through a physical store were decreasing. People who turned up would usually be students with free time on their hands, or customers who needed some technical help.
With the salesperson's experience in studying people, the new arrival must belong to the first category. Especially now that it was the school holidays, he was even more confident of his speculation.
He snapped his fingers, and the b.a.l.l.s of light on the panel in front of him scattered one by one, like a mini display of fireworks. They glowed brilliantly, and Ling Xiaolu who saw this upon entering the shop whistled in surprise.
”Cool.”
”Welcome, is there anything I can help you with?”
Ling Xiaolu skipped to the counter, giving off an impression of a lively youth.
”I just saw this at the traffic stop.”
He showed a photograph, and on it a huge, handsome, silver dragon could vaguely be seen.
”Do you know what game this is?”
To be able to have an advertis.e.m.e.nt by a traffic stop, it definitely would not be some unpopular game. The salesperson recognised it straight away.
”This is the VR game <spirit contract=””> developed by the Xinshan Company. What you saw was probably their newest teaser, <the hidden=”” dragon=””>.”
”Yes, it's this one! May I know where I can buy it?”
The salesperson casually dragged his hand in midair, and the icy clear blue counter rotated sixty degrees counter-clockwise. This type of counter that would automatically move by itself was made out of photons. When turning, the edges would glow with a blue light that had a science fiction feel to it, then slowly stop.
The salesperson tapped lightly on the counter, and the top gradually opened, rose, and s.h.i.+fted backwards. Not only were the items within displayed to the customer, the upright top now converted into a 3D LCD display, and started playing various promotional images from the game.
”That's right, it's that one!” A dragon identical to the one in the photo was flying across the screen. Its silver scales reflected a blinding light, and every line was displayed clearly.
”<spirit contract=””> is an online roleplaying game where the main focus is on pet battles. What you're seeing now is one of the top combat-pets Wind Pterosaur that is coming soon, and it's a flying, dragon type.”
All these terms of combat and type, Ling Xiaolu did not understand a single bit of it. He only knew the most direct one.
”Is it powerful?”
”So far, according to the data released by the developers, the strength and agility of the wind dragon is the most outstanding amongst all the pets, and there's no need to even mention the HP level and magic level of the flying dragon type. It can be said to be a rare offensive type dragon with both strength and magic. Its all-round balance is impeccable.”
”That's great! How much is it going for?”
The salesperson now felt awkward. This sort of rare pet was very difficult to obtain. To preserve its value, before the next promotional update, the developers would not release more than three of them, and only a few elite players would be able to get any. For a new player, it would be impossible for him to get even a dragon scale.
Of course, he would not say it like that.
”If you purchase the deluxe edition of <the hidden=”” dragon=””> expansion now, you can gain a lucky draw chance to obtain the Wind Pterosaur, a chance to get an ultrrare pet, as well as all sorts of other prizes. The chance to win a prize is 100%.”
On Ling Xiaolu's face was an expression as though the dragon was already his. ”Alright, I'll buy this deluxe edition you're talking about!”
”The price for the deluxe edition is 888 dollars.”
”Oh, it's not expensive.”
”However, before this, can I check if you own the Xinshan Company's peripheral device?”
”What's that?”
”Is this the first time you've come in contact with Xinshan's VR games?”
”That's right,” The youth nodded. ”Don't even talk about Xinshan, this is the first time I'm playing a game.”
”All Xinshan's VR games require a peripheral device for you to access them. You won't be able to play the game if you just buy the game client only.”
”Oh, it's like this? Then how much is the peripheral device?”
”Every style is charged differently. I suggest you choose this one; it's also one of the most popular options amongst the players.”
He took out a bracelet from the counter. Its width was about two centimetres, of a metallic texture. Engraved on it was the company's logo, and its design was well-received by youths.
”This is the bracelet-styled device, and most younger males prefer this one. It costs 8888 dollars, and if you purchase it together with the game client, you can get a 5% discount.”
”It's 10 times more expensive?!” Ling Xiaolu exclaimed.
”Although it looks very expensive, the device is a one-time purchase, and will have free lifetime upgrades. It can be used for any games by Xinshan. You only need to download the game data, or plug in the game chip and use it straight away.”
Ling Xiaolu was still somewhat hesitant. ”Do you have any other options?”
”Around the same price we have the headbands, ear studs, necklaces etc. There's no differences with their functions, only their style.”
Ling Xiaolu kept shaking his head. ”No, no. The headband is a little stupid, and the rest are too girly.”
The salesperson smiled. ”The necklace and ear studs are mostly purchased by female players. We can also modify the device into a wrist watch, or even embed it into your communication device. However, that would require customisation, and the price will be even higher. You will also need to wait for the item to be produced.”
”Forget about the customisation.” Ling Xiaolu bent over to look at the devices in the counter, and one of them caught his eye.
”Wow, there's also a ring! This one seems pretty good!”
”That's not the actual device, it's only a model. We don't have any stock available in the shop for the ring, you'll need to order it from the company website.”
”Why? It's very rare?”
”This is not an ordinary ring. It's a VIP device produced according to the request made by some of our VIP players. Players who use this device can also receive VIP treatment in the game. Online, people have a special nickname for these players, calling them benefactors.”
”The accounts are even divided into ordinary and VIP ones? Won't that alter the balance of the game?”
”There's no game that is designed to be completely balanced. With the appearance of the benefactors, the game's fairness has definitely been affected. However, the price of the ring has also determined that there would be very few players who can enjoy such treatment.”
The salesperson rattled on, ”When Xinshan first released this design, many players had also raised their objections, and even stopped playing as a protest. However, as time went on, as well as the small number of benefactors, most of the players gradually started to accept its existence. As for the benefactors, players moved from ostracising them and protesting against them to admiring them and pursuing them. And now, in the game, no matter where the benefactors are, they'll be the center of attention.”
”Huh?” Ling Xiaolu found it very interesting. ”It turned out like this? Then, how much does it cost?”
”5 million.”
Ling Xiaolu's feet slid from under him, and he nearly fell to the ground.
”Obviously, the production cost of this ring is not so expensive, and the VIP treatment that the benefactors can enjoy are also not worth this value. The reason for this sky high price is solely to make sure it's not widely available, and increase the barrier to being a benefactor.”
”I don't believe that there's really anyone who would spend 5 million to buy a game device.”
”Comparing the ratio of players in <spirit contract=””>, the number of benefactors to other players is 1:10000. Ever since the ring has been released, less than a 100 people have purchased it.
Ling Xiaolu sucked in a breath. ”There are actually so many rich tyrants with nothing better to do. You're right, if the cost of this VIP treatment is 5 million, I really don't mind that these suckers affect the balance of the game, just like… I wouldn't be jealous that w.a.n.g Sisuan is richer than me, nor be jealous that Wu Yansun is more handsome than me 1 .”
”It's exactly like that. Also, the layout of <spirit contract=””> is pretty big. If you're not watching any important matches or anything, there's a very small chance that you would happen across these benefactors.”
Ling Xiaolu nodded to show that he understood, and he s.h.i.+fted his gaze to the next item. It was also round and metallic, but the size was a few times bigger than the bracelet.
”Where is this supposed to be worn?”
”On the neck.”
”The neck?”
”That's right, this is a collar.”
”A what?”
”A collar.” The salesperson repeated. ”It's made of the identical material used to make the ring, and the production cost is fairly expensive. It can be said that it's a larger version of the ring.”
Ling Xiaolu's jaw dropped. ”Such a tiny ring already cost 5 million, won't this thing cost 5 billion then?”
”No, this collar is free. Or to be exact, it's free for the person using it.”
Nothing could describe Ling Xiaolu's shock.
”You're kidding?”