[Name: Fu Shi
Quintessence: 2
Players: 5/10]
My players dying are putting a strain on my finances. I hope the beta expansion pack I prepared would be able to limit them but still promote their growth.
Upgrading the system is still too far for me. I felt that it is possible to expand my player limit with more quintessence, but I prefer the holistic development brought by an upgrade.
The more players I have, the better!
Moreover, I still have player empty slots that need filling.
I just have too few players, but it is not so bad, considering that my current 'game' is still in the beta phase.
Beta Expansion Pack!
Appearing in the system interface of my players is my announcement.
[The System Providence Sect's debut— Get out there, and spread your name for the Sect's honor and glory. No matter what you do, the system has your back! Go Wild!
Revenge? Adventure? Larceny?
Go for it! Just be reminded, if it dishonors the Sect in any way, the Game Master will personally punish you. Remember, borderline evil is permissible, but don't go overboard. A little pickpocketing and slaughter won't harm anyone, LOL. Depending on the amount of fame you gathered, you'll be rewarded according to your rank.
REWARDS
1st place— A 3-star art book
2nd place— A 2-star art book
3rd place— A 1-star art book
"Also, there will be now a penalty of reduced Exp points in every resurrection, so try not to die, kay?"
Sincerely, the Game Master]
This should be good enough. I comfortably lay in my gaming chair as I post this announcement through my PC. This PC is a better investment than I thought. I don't even need to use quintessence just to post a quest or in this case, an expansion announcement.
Still, this is a bummer. Rereading my announcement, I realized how shitty I am when it comes to scriptwriting… Go wild, really? Go for it, surely? Blegh!
My words are sincere though, and it is not like I can convincingly treat this world like a game, even though I said it myself that I'll turn it into one.
Anyhow, I wonder what my dear players would do.
…
Ping!
Stay still for 14 hours straight 14/14 hours
It was a joyous moment for Lurker. After some idiot disturbed him staying 'still' that took him a good 4 hours… and then fighting the said idiot for another 4 hours… and then dying the next hour… and then another fighting, this time, against the female cultivator with the bunny for another 4 hours--- Lurker finally found a moment of peace as the Game Master ensured his safety one last time.
Counting the wasted hours, it was a total of 13 hours! Lurker wasted 13 hours fighting his fellow sect members! Is this hazing? Or are they just torturing him!
Lurker swear he'd get back at them especially that swordsman who called him a retard!
"Stop it, idiots! I don't have any quintessence anymore to resurrect you lot!" The Game Master's words at that time truly saved his ass.
Learning that the resurrections have limitations, Lurker felt more grateful for his new life. "The Game Master must be thinking highly of me, thank heavens!"
Delusional but is still alive.
That is when.
Ping! Beta Expansion Pack!
…
At the news of the Expansion Pack, Nee Chen and Xiang Ya immediately made plans for their revenge. They are not really straight up going into the Bones Devouring Sect to seek trouble.
First, the two wish to make a connection with different sects. They are not idiots. They would love to take down the Bones Devouring Sect by themselves, but they are not strong enough.
For now, they want that deplorable demonic sect to be kept in check... Nee Chen and Xiang Ya after all cannot have them continue growing stronger.
Nee Chen and Xiang Ya formed a party as they decided to visit the Flowing Blade Sect. At their current level, they are not confident of posing any threat to the Bones Devouring Sect.
They still need to grow. In this journey, the two of them hoped to become stronger.
"Chen, why do you think little Gao decided not to join us?"
"Huh? I don't know, but he must've plans of his own. Though he is a kid, he has the ability to think for himself. Xiang Ya…."
"What?"
"Would you please stop being suddenly affectionate to me? Just call me Nee Chen like you usually do. You cling to me like this… feels strange. I… can feel your boobs…"
"Tsk, why don't you just be a man and take it?"
"…"
'Elder Fu, forgive me! I don't have impure thoughts towards your granddaughter.' Nee Chen and Xiang Ya departed as the latter continue to tease the former.
"Don't worry, if someone would have impure thoughts, then it would be me." Xiang Ya said teasingly as if she can read Nee Chen's thoughts.
"..."
Nee Chen's silence has become more than silence. He reached a state of profound emptiness that even monks would be unable to replicate. This is the emptiness of the mind brought by awkwardness.
…
Meanwhile, Lu Gao approached a certain figure.
"Mr. Jaded Jaws, would you like to form a party with me? I will be going to the royal capital of Biron Kingdom… Though you have a quarrel with my elder sister and elder brother, I don't think that it is necessary that we treat the friends of your enemy as your enemy…"
"I accept."
"…"
Wasn't that too easy? Lu Gao deliberated whether he is being led or not. Lurker who possesses wisdom brought by old age recognized the young boy's skepticism.
"Don't overthink. I accepted because there is something I want to confirm through Biron's royal archives. Anyways, nice to meet you, please call me Lurker."
In response to Lurker's introduction, "I am Lu Gao." Lu Gao cuffed his fist in greeting like how a martial artist would. Lurker responded the same way, awkwardly cuffing his fist.
"Good, let's be on our way. I will take the lead."
'He looked like a nice guy.' Lu Gao thought.
The pair of child and oldie start their journey towards the royal capital of Biron Kingdom... The city of Blood and Iron... The Biron Capital!
...
In the Bones Devouring Sect's secret conclave, a group of demonic cultivators gathers in a circle.
"How is the collection of the bones?"
"It is going very well, Sect master..."
"The Biron Kingdom?"
"They remain unaware of our ploy..."
"Excellent, we shall rain blood in this kingdom at the resurrection of our Demonic God!"
…
While my four other players decided to go and explore the world, Bi Yuan decided to remain. I don't know why, but the little bunny insisted on doing her hunts in the Butterberry forest with strange fanaticism. I don't know what it is that is going in her head, but she's getting more reckless lately.
It's like she is suppressing her bunny instinct to stay alive. I worry for that rabbit...
Diving deep in a herd of 1st stage monkeys is still impossible for her. It is a herd! Not just a couple of dozen beasts, but a hundred! Through my Mind's Eyes, I watched Bi Yuan battle a horde of monkeys with only a fork in hand.
I don't know what to do with that bunny. Sigh… I guess I should just be supportive of her, and if I notice that she's going on the wrong path, I'll just have to set her straight.
Sitting on my comfortable gaming chair, I focussed on my task at hand. It's time I do a recruitment drive. Turning people into players isn't really an easy thing.
First, the individual has to accept the system of their own free will. Second, the individual has to do it with sincerity and cannot be forced. I have tried it on different beasts of different cultivation levels.
After that, I realized that Bi Yuan, that little bunny is a very rare coincidence. I thought that I could replicate it. But so far, not a single ordinary beast accepted the system.
I wasn't even confident that I can recruit Lurker. Though what I did to Lurker is considered forceful, the croc was intelligent enough to choose what is right for him... His sincerity in accepting the system greatly speaks of this. It felt contradictory yet reasonable.
It seems that the system has a criterion of its own. Perhaps, is the system actually alive?
Sure, why not? It better be my type, it definitely has to be buxom, and most of all, it has to be nice, sweet, and gentle…
My perverted thoughts aside, it looks like the Mindless Monk is almost at the Azuon Empire's borders. Good, with several clicks on my mouse, I made the monk speed up. Crossing the Sandwyrm dessert, the Mindless Monk tirelessly ran since I made it do so after recruiting the croc into my fold.
"This should be for the best."
END OF VOLUME 1: IMMORTAL GAMER