"Pirates"

Ten minutes later, a pale gray coastline appeared directly ahead of the boat.

"There seems to be a village by the beach." Zhou Zhi gazed into the distance for a while. "We're not really going to... kill people, are we?"

"What nonsense are you talking about? We're Pirates!" The Russian rowed excitedly. "My God... a completely realistic game where I can do whatever I want without breaking the law! You weren't wrong about one thing, mate. This is definitely the most thrilling game in the world."

"I'm glad you're satisfied." The Host gave a slight nod.

"Of course, of course I'm satisfied!" Chekhov grinned. "This million-dollar ticket was absolutely worth it!"

Zhou Zhi swallowed, and even his rowing grew a little stiffer.

The Host patted him on the shoulder. "Relax. It's only a game."

"I know... but..."

"But once something becomes real enough, the boundary between illusion and reality is no longer clear. Is that what you mean?" The Host nodded. "I understand. This is also a new question brought about by technological advancement. But I also remember that the Paradise project brochure explicitly stated that this game's main feature was an unparalleled sensory experience, suited for players seeking unknown thrills. The moment you pressed the payment button, you accepted the relevant terms. Like the other participants, you were one of those who pursued excitement. Since that was the case, why hesitate now?"

"I..." Zhou Zhi's expression changed. "That's none of your business, is it?"

"Indeed. You have obtained the right to participate. What you do next is your freedom."

"I said from the start that this game needed an age limit." James had recovered considerably by then. He smoked as he shouted, "If you're scared, just stand aside and watch later! Pirates need someone to handle logistics too!"

Zhou Zhi gripped the oar tightly and said nothing more.

As they drew closer to shore, they saw things more clearly. There truly was a village ahead. It was not large, with dozens of thatched huts scattered haphazardly along the beach. All sorts of fish-drying racks and fishing nets stood beside the houses, and rows of dried fish hanging from the racks were clearly the villagers' source of livelihood.

They were not the only ones who had noticed the village. The villagers seemed to have spotted the boat rapidly approaching as well. Panic visibly spread through the crowd. Women slaughtering fish and washing nets by the shore fled toward the village, while incomprehensible cries and shouts rose one after another.

"Hah, they even took the language barrier into account?"

"That's good too. Saves us from hearing them beg for mercy."

"I have one last question." James looked at the Host.

"Please."

"What if... I mean, what if we suffer severe injuries? Would that affect reality in any way?" He chose his words carefully. "Like in those movies..."

"Mental trauma manifesting physically? No, no... nothing like that will happen." The Host shook his head repeatedly. "Please rest assured, this game is absolutely safe. No matter what happens here, it has nothing to do with any of you. The excitement will only linger briefly in your shallow memories for you to savor afterward. To avoid unnecessary risks, the nerves' pain threshold has even been greatly lowered. Please enjoy this journey to your heart's content."

"That puts my mind at ease." James tossed aside his oar and picked up a well-worn longsword. The moment the boat rushed into the shallows, he was the first to leap into the water.

"We're following too!" Chekhov went after him.

Even Asahara Naruko jumped from the wooden boat without hesitation, spear raised as she splashed through the seawater toward the shore.

Zhou Zhi looked hesitantly at the Host, only to receive a soft laugh in response. "I hope you enjoy yourself."

"Fuck, it's just a game!" He stamped his foot and leaped onto the beach.

The group quickly rushed into the village. By then, chaos had already broken out. Many people were fleeing in every direction, most of them elderly people and women. There were barely any adult men to be seen.

"Damn, this is too real." Chekhov licked his lips.

"What are we supposed to do?" Zhou Zhi could not help asking.

"Didn't you hear what the Host said? Do whatever you want." Qiao James stared at a thatched hut with reddened eyes. Just seconds earlier, he had watched a shapely woman clutching a child run inside. "See you later."

"The American is no fun. After finally getting an opportunity like this, all he can think about is playing with women." Chekhov snorted.

"What the hell do you know? This isn't the same as usual." The other man did not even look back.

"Suit yourself." Chekhov hefted his machete and fixed his eyes on a fleeing villager. "I'm guessing the game will use Points to determine the winner in the end? Let me test it out."

Before he could make a move, however, a burst of urgent hoofbeats suddenly sounded from one side of the dirt road!

"What's going on?" The Russian froze for a moment.

Before his words had faded, two fine horses charged out from behind the thatched huts, heading straight for Qiao James, who was looking for the woman!

"Fuck—"

James did not even have time to finish cursing before the galloping horse struck him head-on.

The tremendous impact sent him rolling through the air. When he hit the ground, chunks of blood poured from his mouth. Though he had not died immediately, the obvious depression in his chest made it clear that he would not survive.

—They were cavalry.

Unlike the raggedly dressed villagers, these men wore matching uniforms with badges on their chests. Whether in bearing or strength, they were on an entirely different level from the cannon fodder.

Zhou Zhi screamed!

"Don't just stand there! Grab a weapon!" Naruko shouted at him.

"So this is the real challenge? Not bad!" Chekhov spat. "Just killing savages who can only run away really would be boring. Opponents like these are worth fighting."

"Hah!"

On the other side, Asahara Naruko had already charged forward.

She was as fast as a cheetah!

Her new body was clearly only around four feet nine inches tall, yet the power she unleashed was no different from that of a wild beast! At the same time, her spear made up for her smaller stature. The instant she thrust its tip forward, the more than ten meters between them vanished in an instant.

The opponents apparently had not expected their counterattack to be so decisive. In the blink of an eye, one of them was knocked from his horse!

"What beautiful skill," Chekhov praised. "Leave the other one to me!"

"Wait, something's wrong!" Naruko's expression suddenly changed.

The man she had knocked off his horse quickly rolled over and climbed back to his feet, as if he had not been injured at all. He drew his sword and hurled it at Naruko, forcing her to withdraw her spear and shift from offense to defense, knocking the sword aside with a sweep of her shaft.

"They're wearing armor under their clothes!" Naruko shouted in warning.

"What did you say!?" By then, Chekhov was already locked in battle with the other cavalryman. Compared to Naruko's thunderous movements, his fighting was far more disordered, relying entirely on instinct to swing his weapon. After only four or five exchanges, he was already clearly at a disadvantage.

"Kid, get over here and help me!"

But before Zhou Zhi could move, two more cavalrymen charged out from the flank, and the situation instantly became overwhelmingly unfavorable for the "Pirates."

What drove Zhou Zhi into even deeper despair was that the cavalrymen closing in this time raised the guns in their hands.

That was right... they had muskets!