According to Bei Li, the settings for these class templates had all been created based on how Players absorbed and distributed soul power after killing underworld creatures.
For example, after a Player chose the Berserker class, the soul power extracted from slain monsters would primarily enhance the Player's strength.
Likewise, when Wang Damang, who had chosen the Hidden Assassin class, strengthened himself, it naturally focused on strength and agility.
After choosing his class, Wang Damang was equipped with a Coarse Cloth outfit and a Novice Dagger condensed from yin energy.
Although this beginner equipment was weak, it did not consume soul power. Lu Wu relied on these Players hunting underworld creatures to earn soul power for him.
At that moment, Lu Wu's mind stirred, and a message appeared in Wang Damang's mind.
Novice Quest: Kill ten Wandering Souls. Reward: 5 Soul Coins
Wang Damang was excited to receive the quest. Such a polished game made him eager to keep playing.
He then opened the map according to the prompt and discovered that his current location was marked as the Underworld of Beiqi. The Ghost Mountains encircled the area, while everything beyond was shrouded in mist. The upper-right corner also showed: Bei Qi Territory Exploration Progress: 0.01%.
Gripping his dagger, Wang Damang was filled with bold ambition. He rose to his feet and headed toward the outskirts.
As he followed the map coordinates, Wang Damang observed his surroundings. The game's realism astonished him time and again, because its attention to detail had reached a terrifying level.
After walking for some time, Wang Damang suddenly heard waves of low sobbing in the distance. The mournful sound made fear rise in his heart.
But remembering that this was only a game, Wang Damang gathered his courage and headed toward the sound.
Soon, a floating white figure appeared before him.
Wang Damang's appearance startled the Wandering Soul as well. With a shrill cry, it suddenly lunged at him.
The realistic sight made Wang Damang's heart pound wildly, but he was a professional Player after all, and his nerves were solid. Tightening his grip on the dagger, he charged at the Wandering Soul.
Bang! As the dagger struck the Wandering Soul, the damage data Bei Li had set appeared above its head in red: -5.
A black gash appeared where it had been stabbed.
However, since there was no health bar, Wang Damang had no idea how many strikes it would take to kill the Wandering Soul. He sidestepped its pounce, then turned and stabbed it again. This strike showed -6.
"This hit feedback... the person who made this game is a fucking genius!" Wang Damang said excitedly.
The injured Wandering Soul's cries grew shriller, but Wang Damang was no longer afraid. He even beckoned provocatively at it.
Relying on his nimble footwork, Wang Damang excitedly carved one wound after another into the Wandering Soul. It grew increasingly transparent, as though it might dissipate at any moment.
"I'll use you to christen my blade!" After dodging another pounce, Wang Damang raised his dagger and lunged forward, stabbing fiercely at the Wandering Soul's back.
But at that moment, Wang Damang's right foot struck a rock. His body abruptly sank, and he crashed heavily to the ground. A red -3 floated above his head.
"Fuck, did it have to be this realistic?" Wang Damang said in astonishment.
Even the environment had to be considered in battle. It was so realistic that Wang Damang was speechless.
He looked up, about to get back on his feet, but the Wandering Soul pounced on him. Its nearly transparent claws tore wildly at his body.
Blood-red numbers appeared one after another above his head, and then the screen began to darken.
You have been killed by a Wandering Soul!
Lu Wu and Bei Li, who saw this, instinctively covered their faces. That death had been far too pathetic.
Removing the Virtual Helmet, Wang Damang slammed his fist onto the computer desk. "You bastard! You dared to kill me? Just wait until I get my revenge!"
Furious, Wang Damang put the helmet back on, selected Battle Online, and clicked Start Game.
You have died in-game. Resurrection time remaining: 3 hours.
After taking off the helmet again, Wang Damang's face turned livid.
There was actually a cooldown after dying in this game? How was anyone supposed to make money like that? Did the developers of this damn game not need salaries?
Having experienced the game, Wang Damang was full of anticipation for it. He glanced at the game's release date on the webpage and found that it had launched today. At that moment, he vaguely sensed that a game destined to sweep the world had appeared.
Seeing the notification in the lower-right corner that Atlantis had finished updating, Wang Damang suddenly found it dull and uninteresting.
With the keen instincts of a professional Player, he made a decision at that moment: he would settle into this game and bet that it would become an absolute hit.
At that moment, the Penguin Group began chiming. Wang Damang opened it and found that his teammates were all calling for him to come online and prepare to take down a BOSS.
After thinking for a moment, Wang Damang typed a line into the group chat:
"I found an incredibly fun game. I'm planning to quit Atlantis. (maniacal laughter.jpg)"
Strike_Gold: "(confused kitten.jpg) Bro, are you serious? Is there really a game more fun than Atlantis?"
Young,Wild&Free: "Da Mang, quit messing around. Hurry up and come take down the BOSS. If we don't get there early, someone else will steal it. (blood-dripping cleaver.jpg)"
Kuang Zhan Shi Wu Di: "What game is it? It actually got you this obsessed? Tell us about it!"
Looking at the increasingly lively group chat, Wang Damang thought for a moment before sending the Battle Online game link into the group.
"This Battle Online game is so fun that you won't believe it unless you try it yourself."
After seeing Wang Damang's recommendation, many people clicked the link. But when they saw the data package size and introduction, the group chat erupted again.
Strike_Gold: "Diagnosis complete. Da Mang is either crazy or drunk!"
Young,Wild&Free: "800MB??? Fuck, I almost thought my eyes were playing tricks on me and I'd mistaken a T for MB."
Kuang Zhan Shi Wu Di: "Da Mang has really gone crazy. We've lost a powerful assassin teammate. Let us mourn!"
Seeing his teammates' messages, Wang Damang widened his eyes and slammed a hand onto the keyboard before typing:
"Stop talking shit. Try the game. If you aren't satisfied, I'll give each of you 10,000 gold!"
Strike_Gold: "Screenshot taken."
Young,Wild&Free: "Screenshot taken."
Kuang Zhan Shi Wu Di: "Screenshot taken. Downloading now! We'll be back in five minutes to slap you in the face. Waiting to collect our money. (happy face.jpg)"
At Wang Damang's urging, a wave of Players began entering the game.
Meanwhile, Lu Wu was staring intently at Bei Li, making her lower her head shyly.
"Xiao Li, why did you set a resurrection time after death?" Lu Wu asked curiously.
"Of course I had to set one. Although their bodies in the underworld are condensed from yin energy, once those bodies are destroyed, their souls return rapidly to their original bodies, which still causes some mental damage. Of course, such minor damage can be repaired with just two hours of rest."
Bei Li's answer made Lu Wu suddenly understand. Smiling, he rubbed her head. "You truly are the best gift my ancestors left me!"
At those words, Bei Li's face immediately flushed red, and she bashfully shrank her head back.
"Oh, right. If a body formed from yin energy dissipates, would the Player's level decrease too?"
Lu Wu suddenly thought of a crucial issue. If someone worked hard to gain several levels, only to lose them all after accidentally dying, that would be miserable.
"Of course not. What strengthens them is soul power. I set the divine artifact so that the soul power in a Player's body will not disperse after death. Instead, it will be collected by Battle Online's server. When the Player resurrects next time, it can be placed into their new body."
Lu Wu had not expected Bei Li to have considered even this issue. Excited, he picked her up and kissed her hard.
"Haha, you really are too smart!"
Bei Li was left dazed by the kiss, looking as though she might collapse at any moment. The sight made Lu Wu laugh again.
At that moment, notifications from the divine artifact suddenly appeared one after another:
Ding! Player Xueli has logged into the Battle Online server! Ding! Player Sun Hongkun has logged into the Battle Online server! Ding! Player Chen Ziyu has logged into the Battle Online server!
More than a dozen Player login notifications appeared in total, leaving Lu Wu immensely surprised.
Before you continue