Chapter 17

▪️HYPE IT UP!

“For us, this is not just a game, but also a peaceful sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life…”

“Every tree, blades of grass and flowers, even the most mundane things like the pieces of wood in this game looks so real.”

“With all our senses being fully recreated and NPC’s that are so lifelike that you could easily mistook them for acutal people…”

“Sigh…If it weren’t for the game elements like the system interface and needing a stable internet connection in order to access this game, I would’ve really think that I had transmigrated into a real fantasy world of swords and magic.”

“Do you guys remember the promotional video? I think I have finally understood the true meaning behind the game publisher’s words in that video about creating the most realistic, immersive, and epic fantasy game with the highest degree of freedom in all history.”

“The one who made this game really wants to depict a real world for us to explore and experience…”

Li Mu ardently exhaled before turning to his party members, and said with a smile,

“By the way guys, have you noticed that we’ve been here for so long yet did any of you actually stopped and think about what we’ve been doing all this time?”

The others looked at each other with dumbfounded expressions before shrugging each of their shoulders.

“Chopping trees?”

“Sweeping the floor?”

“Teasing NPC’s?”

“…”

Li Mu pointedly stared at Demacia, who spoke last, and elaborated,

“In fact, we’ve been doing hard labor for almost an entire day now. If this were in real life, it would be like working as a construction worker! Who would want to do such boring work inside a game? But look, hundreds of us are excited like idiots doing menial tasks like chopping trees all throughout the day. Why do you think that is?”

Demacia tugged at the fringe of his crimson hair and answered with a tone of uncertainty,

“Maybe it’s because we can let loose here and do stupid sh*ts like going around naked or something.”

Li Mu let out an exasperated groan as if fed up with his shenanigans and retorted,

“It’s the sense of immersion! Everything here feels so real that we’ve unconsciously forgotten it’s just a game. It’s as if we’ve been given the chance to start a new life in another world. I believe that’s the essence of this game.”

The others felt deeply in agreement upon hearing this.

“You’re right, bro. Now that you’ve said it, I kinda feel the same way too. Maybe it’s because this forest and the scenery around us are too beautiful. I feel like I’ve forgotten all my troubles while playing this game.”

“Me too, me too! Sometimes, I wonder how great it would be if this game was actually real… casting spells and going on endless adventures… I couldn’t ask for anything more, man…”

Li Mu nodded as he listened to his companions.

“Yes, I firmly believe that this immersive sensation that we are all experiencing is the essence of ElvKing… The people who created this game truly are geniuses you know!”

“I get what you’re saying bro, but what does it have to do with Alice’s favorability?” Demacia asked as he took a sip of the beverage he was holding.

Li Mu didn’t immediately respond but instead finished the berry he’s eating before spitting out the seeds. He then wiped his mouth off using his hand before responding,

“Since the essence of this game is immersion, we, the players, can’t treat the NPCs like we usually do. ElvKing isn’t an ordinary game where you can simply complete a task for an NPC to raise their favorability value. This isn’t a dating-sim where the characters have a fixed dialogue. Instead, you must communicate with the NPC’s on an equal footing as if they are actual people in real life.”

Li Mu stood up steadily and jaunted towards the bonfire, leaving a profound impression upon his teammates as they viewed his back in silence. He then halted his steps and slowly gazed back with a look of calm akin to an enlightened elder teaching his students.

“As long as you are in this game, you should treat it as if it’s reality. Similarly, you should respect the NPC’s in the same manner you would respect a real person. Only then can you truly improve your relationship with them. I think this is the true intention of the developers, and also the core ideology of the favorability system.”

“The reason why I have a favorability score of fifteen with Alice is simply because I have never seen her as just a mindless NPC, but rather, a genuine real saintess who is worth admiring and communicating with. It is precisely because of my respectful attitude towards her that I have gained her approval.”

After digesting Li Mu’s words, his teammate’s eyes lightened up and stated,

“So that’s how it works!”

“No wonder Miss Alice’s complexion only improves a little, no matter how many tasks I complete. It seems that my favorability value has never been high all along.”

“I’m done for! Oh f*uck, why did I have to be so damn curious and tried to touch Alice’s hair back then?”

“Bruh…Demacia, I think you just like to cause trouble man.”

“Whoa, I was just curious you know! I didn’t have any malicious ideas when I did it…”

“Isn’t it true though?”

“S-Shut up dude…”

“Hahaha!”

As the other players teased Demacia, Li Mu suddenly turned around and showed them a lighthearted smirk.

“To be honest, the immersion is only one aspect, but what really made me fall in love with this game is not just its realism.”

“What is it?”

The players were stunned.

Li Mu chuckled as he shrugged his shoulders and said,

“Don’t you feel that in this game, your effort wouldn’t be wasted since you will be rewarded just as long as you work hard? We can see our experience points rise, even though it’s very little and once we complete a difficult task, we can get a big bonus as well…I think this sense of achievement is what’s the most important factor in any games!”

After hearing this, everyone nodded.

“That’s right! I also feel that way exactly.”

“Although cutting trees is indeed slow, our EXP points are still actually increasing, however small it may be.”

“Although you can level up in most games through effort, I always feel that ElvKing’s way of making us players feel good whenever we gained a level is more unique and refreshing!”

“That’s right! It’s the perfect combination of immersion and a sense of achievement!”

“The feeling of clearly getting stronger is so great!”

“The immersive use of magic is amazing as well!”

“And don’t forget the swordsmanship man! I always think that doing the Cross Slash skill is so cool you know!”

“Exactly!”

Upon seeing everyone’s agreement, Li Mu revealed a mischievous grin. He then opened his own status screen while speaking to everyone, “That’s right. The combination of a sense of accomplishment and immersion is the most wonderful feeling. But do you guys know what’s even more wonderful?”

Pausing for a moment, Li Mu clicked on the level up button, much to everyone’s eager anticipation.

‘Ding–‘

With the prompt sound from the system, Li Mu ascended to level five amidst a brilliant glow.

As he looked at everyone’s envious gazes, Li Mu grinned triumphantly, revealing his white teeth before laughing.

“It’s when I leveled up and see those envious and jealous looks from you guys…”

“…”

“Everyone, I’m sorry to say this, but I’m one step closer into acquiring a job-class. You guys need to work harder in order to catch up to me hahaha!”

“Damn it!”

The impromptu festival continued on passed midnight.

However the player’s real bodies still experience fatigue.

For low level beings, sleep is essential. Although players can turn off the feeling of tiredness caused by lack of rest in the system settings, what they cannot completely avoid is the mental fatigue.

What’s more, the mind acceleration further exuberates the rate of cognitive stress thus it is essential for every players to properly manage their own mental health.

If a player simply ignores their mental fatigue, the overall functions of their real body will then decrease to some extent, and it may even lead to death, if it reach a severe state.

Therefore, except for some hardcore few, most players chose to rest after calculating the gains and losses of the day, planning to log out first, and play again later after their mental health recovers in a few hours. At that time, the in-game time will shift into daytime, and it should be more convenient to move around then.

Countless players entered the well-built wooden cabins, crowded together, and fell into a deep sleep, while their consciousness woke up back on earth.

Li Mu also chose to log out like the majority.

He stepped out of his game pod and checked his watch to find that only four hours of time in the real world had passed since he started playing, as if what he experienced inside the game just now was merely a dream.

Taking a deep breath, he felt an overwhelming surge of emotion within him, akin to the sensation he got after playing a game for the very first time.

“ElvKing will be the greatest game that will go down in history!”

After sighing with profound emotions, Li Mu finally opened his computer and prepared to make a quick video review based on his recent experience.

This time, he was going to hype ElvKing up so darn much!