After every game task completion, players would earn game points, which could be used to purchase items from the virtual store.
Even in the later stages, it was possible to use the "trusteeship" mode, where powerful characters could solve tasks on their own and earn game points.
"So that's how it is. The more characters I own as subordinates, the more clues I can unearth, and the greater the profits!" Wang Hao pondered, "A character collection type of game, that's OK, I can accept that."
He clicked on the [Game Store], which was filled with an array of items.
[Random Game Clue: 500 points]
If you're out of clues but still want to play the game, you can pay for one. The price is quite expensive, a single clue for 500... compared to an empty wallet, it's a bit pricey to consider buying.
[Basic Training Camp: 500 points]
As the name suggests, this training room is the core of the "Game."
It's also the main rear base.
It can help strengthen a character's abilities, and with one purchase for permanent use, it seemed like an essential good buy.
But it was a bit expensive, with only 600 points currently on hand, buying something worth 500 points... I'm poor!
[Character Resurrection Cross: 100 points]
In the official game, a character's death meant hardcore mode...
Permanent death!
But by installing a "Character Resurrection Cross" beforehand, a character could be resurrected.
Therefore, this item was considered standard.
"Looking at it this way, the difficulty has gone up more than just a notch!"
In the initial beginner's game, you had infinite lives and could roam freely, whether exploring the story or enjoying the freedom of play. But now with only 600 points and a Resurrection Cross costing 100 points each, it meant just having seven lives.
And if all were lost, that meant... no more play?
Thinking of this, Wang Hao immediately bought a Character Resurrection Cross and installed it on the precious character "Li Qingshan."
As my only character, you are now my treasure!
…
…
At this moment, Li Qingshan was still in isolation. Twenty hours had passed, and the flame in his mind was still burning fiercely without causing him any harm.
He even had a good sleep of over eight hours in his bedroom.
Psychological resilience was an essential quality for an elite Black-clothed Guard Investigator. Even if the sky were falling, they needed their rest. Lack of sleep would significantly reduce mental resistance, which was not a good thing.
"I didn't encounter any issues in my sleep, and I'm feeling good now. Do I need another psychological counseling session?"
"No, not for the moment... We've observed that your brainwaves during sleep are normal, meaning this supernatural phenomenon does not involve Dreams."
Suddenly!
Li Qingshan stood frozen.
He found a small cross pendant had appeared on his neck!
It was transparent and felt somewhat cold to the touch. Under the embrace of a mysterious force, it seemed to slowly seep into his soul.
…
…
…
Wang Hao continued to browse the store, which included a large section [Strange Objects].
[Note: The existence of Strange Objects can effectively reduce the game's difficulty. In copies with difficulty level 5 or higher, it is advised to equip some Strange Objects to enhance the characters' survivability.]
[Random Ordinary Level Strange Object: 1,000 points]
[Random Rare Level Strange Object: 3,000 points]
[Random Epic Level Strange Object: 9,000 points]
[Random Mythical Level Strange Object: 27,000 points]
[Random God Level Strange Object: 100,000 points]
When Wang Hao saw this line of text, his eyes turned red, and a desire began to stir deep within.
Is there a microtransaction system?
I'd spend a million right now, bursting it on a Mythical!
After searching for a long while, he was dumbfounded.
There was no microtransaction system.
None!
Damn, I forgot, it's a demo game, not yet on the market, fuck!
…
…
Outside Li Qingshan's small villa, Black-clothed Guard Investigators were starting to get anxious.
"Am I the only one who can see this Cross Pendant... can't you see it?"
"Yes, we indeed cannot see it. Neither can the electronic cameras. Please come to the window and face it."
Following directions, Li Qingshan held the necklace and went to the window.
A few seconds later, a neutral electronic voice said, "Unfortunately, our 'Eagle Eye' Superpower User saw nothing either... It appears to be visible only to you."
"Please assess its quality and composition and see if it can be removed."
Li Qingshan nodded and aimed his phone's camera at his neck.
The camera truly did not see the necklace.
But it was clearly there.
Could it be... an illusion?
He pulled hard, and the Cross Pendant suddenly became like a phantom, passing through his fingers.
Li Qingshan frowned and said, "It feels a bit like metal, with a cold sensation."
"As for the weight... I can't feel any... If I pull too hard, it passes through my fingers."
"I can't take it off, nor can I break it."
"It makes me feel very stable... it gives me an incredible sense of security. Unbelievable."
"Or perhaps my sanity is declining, creating some kind of illusion."
A sigh came from the phone, "Unfortunate... we need a large ether-measuring device to inspect what you've described, but we don't have such equipment here. Otherwise, we would have to seek help from the local Supernatural Organization."
"Let's just figure out how to get back to the country," Li Qingshan said with a wry smile, aware that the Black-clothed Guard and local Supernatural Organizations didn't have the best relationship, even a competitive one.
"As long as I'm not dead, anything is possible."
…
…
"Shall I play a game?" Wang Hao was wrestling with a thought in his mind, which kept egging him on to morph into the shape of a Game.
But playing a game first thing in the morning, that sounded too decadent, right?
My cousin would be so jealous if she knew.
But since my cousin had gone to school and it was time to start, why not play just one round?
Play one round, and then immediately work out!
He opened the only game clue he had.
[Your current world: Historical World 003241-23-7, Ideal Level, Two Stars.]
[Script: The Downfall of Li Family Village.]
[Main Task: Rescue the ancestor of Li Qingshan, 'Li Dazhu,' from his destiny of probable death in the annals of history.]
[Task Difficulty: Two Stars.]
"Good fellow, I truly am a good fellow—turns out I need to save a whole string of Li Family bloodlines!"
Since the number of passes for this round was limited, Wang Hao couldn't help but gather his spirits—he needed to complete the game with the fewest lives possible!
[Detection of your current character. Do you wish to use the character: 'Li Qingshan' to join this game?]
[Confirm]!
…