Translator: Larbre Studio
Editor: Larbre Studio
He exchanged identities with the other two Investigators. After all, he would have to bestow his own life to his comrades, even though snitchers were commonplace in TPRG games. Things like using teammates to block Shoggoth monster attacks had happened before too. There were three advantages to TPRG games, though: crowbar, the elder sign, and friends. Furthermore, this was all in a virtual world, so there was less psychological pressure. To be fair, Yu Yi didn’t see these two as his real teammates. He considered them as expendables if the need arose.
Everyone was new anyway, so there were no punishments for tearing cards. Nothing wrong with that. If Yu Yi met someone who had survived seventeen games, he would never try to backstab him. The thought of seventeen games itself was horrifying. If players who had gone through these had their cards torn, they might just stab Yu Yi twice in real life through the internet cable. Stabbing Yu Yi twice would be a light punishment, actually. Yu Yi had met these players in real life before. Even the KP would be horrified by them.
Two teammates, three people, three games. Yu Yi himself was a police detective. Yatok from America was a doctor, while Opaci from Canada was an artist. Henceforth, the positions of these three were determined by their occupations. As the artist, Opaci would interact with others, while Yatok, as a doctor, would be in charge of medical aid. Yu Yi was the warrior of this game as he was adept at martial arts, kicking attacks, and was accurate with a pistol. Generally, the warrior would die the earliest unless he was able to avoid facing off with the enemy.
.
As the sightseeing elevator moved up, it passed through a red fog and brought them before the floating island. The island was breathtaking, as though it was a paradise. This was a place that can never be seen in real life. With a beautiful scenery, the game was made much more attractive to players. In fact, players would even join the game just to experience the environment. Apart from many modes, the game was essentially an open world where players could pause to take a break. The open world was not a completely safe space, however. Sometimes, random public events may occur.
Yu Yi’s friend had once told him that he had played a public mission before. The Siege of the Hound of Tindalos. With just the name of the mission, one could already imagine how dangerous it was. Other missions such as cleaning the Cthulhu Shrine and banishing the Colors Out of Space would appear randomly as well. Although the rewards and the difficulties of the missions were proportionate, no one was able to complete the Siege of the Hound of Tindalos until the end of the beta.
“KP, since we’re here on a tour, shouldn’t we have a map?”
The main theme of the game was to play a game of wits with the KP. If there was no map to be found, Yu Yi would look up and request for it directly from the KP. Usually, as long as no rules were broken, the KP would almost always agree.
[Look for it yourself after entering the island]
Obviously, Yu Yi’s KP was a classic shitty KP.
“No, I’m a detective. I’ll always prepare adequately before entering unknown territory. Not only maps, I’ve inspected hotels and accommodation too. Also, as you’ve said just now, this is a famous sightseeing spot. Since it’s so well known, the map must be easy to find.”
[…throw a dice]
[.rd=17]
Afterwards, Yu Yi got the things he wanted, which was a map. The map also recorded the hotels on the floating island.
Obviously, if the dice throw didn’t pass, then what he would get was “Obviously, these items had been left at a corner due to your excessive excitement.”
“Ahem… since I’m a police detective, doesn’t that mean that I should have a gun?”
[You are asking for too much!]
“Pfft.”
It was clear that the map and basic information was all that he would get.
His other two teammates seemed to have a sudden realisation. The game could be played this way! This was new! Obviously, the two newbies were shocked by the methods of an experienced player. Imitating Yu Yi, they requested their own items.
“KP, I’m a doctor. Isn’t it common sense that I should have some basic medical supplies such as medicine and bandages?”
“KP, as an artist, I would definitely bring a video camera on a trip.”
[You are here as tourists!]
“As a dedicated doctor, no matter where I go, I’ll always bring my equipment.”
“That’s why I need the video camera.”
[…]
Afterwards, Opaci got the video camera he wanted, which he couldn’t take his hands off of. It seemed as though he had always wanted this camera in real life, but had never been able to get it. However, Yatok only got some basic bandages and medication. Medical equipment was not possible as scalpels couldn’t be brought onto planes anyway.
Yep. It was responses like these that made Yu Yi feel like the KP was not AI, but was in fact a real person, just like a game in reality. The KP had its own ability to think and draw limitations, which allowed it to grant privileges to players as long as the game progression was not affected. If it was an AI, then it would likely reject all player requests. Yes would mean a hard yes. No would mean a hard no. This was the way machinery operated – it would have no input and never give way to player requests.
Yu Yi examined the huge map after opening it. The map detailed the route for each different route that could be taken on the island. In fact, the entire process of the sacrificial ceremony was recorded with an itinerary that identified the best places to watch the ceremony.
Would the plot progress if they participated in the ceremony?
Since the KP had suggested that it was an activation-style plot, it would mean that the Investigators would have to find ways to activate the plot. This meant that participating in the ceremony was likely part of the plot.
Yu Yi spread the map before his teammates.
“There’s still a bit of time left before we reach the floating island, so we can take this time to examine the map. Hmmm, I think it’s best to use your phones to take a photo of the map. However, your phones might run out of battery so a physical photo would be best. Since it’s an activation-style game, we might have to go our different ways. So, every night we’ll rendezvous at the hotel. If one of us disappears, then something would be wrong.”
As an experienced player, Yu Yi was able to predict everything before the KP began laying his traps. It didn’t matter if it was a communication cutoff or forcing the players to lose their ways, Yu Yi was able to handle all of these events.
“What do you think, man?”
Although Yatok had played a few games, he was still not sure about how exactly the game worked. After Yu Yi revealed his demanding nature, the focus immediately fell on Yu Yi.
“This is my first time, so I’ll listen to you guys.”
Opaci kept his camera away. He had photographed the map and would develop the photos when they reached the island.
“Alright, seems like Yu Xing is the experienced Investigator here, so we’ll follow you. Tell us your analysis of the situation.”
After a quick conversation, they came to an agreement. Opaci would be in charge of interacting, while Yu Xing would be the mastermind. As mastermind, he would be in charge of propagating the plot and analysing the situation.
“Since KP said it was an activation-style plot, that would mean that we might not have much time left. In activation-style plots, the story is always linked to time. At first, the events may prove to be harmless, but as time passes, later activation of events could be fatal. The KP mentioned the sacrificial ceremony multiple times, so I believe that the related events must be triggered after the ceremony. In 12 hours before the ceremony begins, we can collect some useful stuff. Things like information, cultural context and items. We can exploit the NPCs that take part in the ceremony.”
“Wait, NPCs can be exploited?” Opaci asked, raising his hands. He was truly a newbie.
“Of course, they can be used as shields. When you detect danger, you can dupe them into testing the waters for you.”
If one asked these sorts of questions, then they would definitely be newbies.
The sightseeing elevator stopped gradually as they were talking. The doors opened.
“Welcome, tourists, to the Floating Island!”