Great Hero of Humanity

Xiao Yu wondered what this meant. Why was he suddenly being asked to watch TV? He rarely watched TV. However, Esmehalda sounded very excited and left no room for doubt.

Since it was just a casual thing to do, Xiao Yu turned on the TV and switched to channel 46, which was a fairly popular channel. The most popular program on this channel was "Great Hero of Humanity".

"Great Hero of Humanity" is a reality show that airs monthly, with each episode having a different theme. The biggest draw of this reality show is its authenticity, and its slogan is to find hidden heroes among humanity.

Before each episode of the reality show begins, the production team finds a group of lucky individuals (or unlucky ones, depending on your perspective), and then tells them a ridiculous yet realistic story to convince them that they will become key figures in saving humanity.

For example, in the last episode, they sent two people to pose as scientists and tell the chosen ones that they had built a time machine to send them back to ancient times to help humanity's ancestors fight against the invasion of another ancient civilization. Only by defeating this hostile ancient civilization could humanity's ancestors survive and thrive to this day; otherwise, humanity would perish.

Then they commissioned a game company to create a virtual ancient world, and after confusing these candidates with genuine belief, they sent them into the game. As a result, these candidates actually believed they were saving humanity and fighting against an evil ancient alien civilization. They painstakingly helped humanity's ancestors develop technology and manufacture weapons, and then used their strategies to defeat the powerful and barbaric alien civilization, ultimately helping humanity become the rulers of the Earth. The story is as exciting as a science fiction blockbuster.

And because these winners completely believed it to be true, it all seemed incredibly real.

So what will be the theme of this episode?

As Xiao Yu pondered this, he looked at the television, which had just started broadcasting.

As usual, the first person to appear was an old man with a white beard, who was also the host of the show.

"Hello everyone, welcome to the reality show 'Great Hero of Humanity.' In the last episode's Legendary challenge, we witnessed the Legendary experiences of several time travelers who bravely defeated the ancient savages who threatened our human ancestors, becoming Great Hero of Humanity. But this time, we have even more exciting stories waiting for you to watch."

"Of course, as is customary, let's first conclude the background story of this Legendary challenge, which was created by our famous online writer Zhang Xinghun."

"Once upon a time, there was an advanced alien civilization called the Phantom Spirit Race, which once ruled the Milky Way for hundreds of thousands of years. However, it was destroyed by a terrifying alien civilization from outside the Milky Way. This alien civilization obviously wouldn't give up so easily and might invade the Milky Way again in the future. In order to give hope to those who come after, they left behind a game and hid the Phantom Spirit Race's technology in this game. At the same time, they provided access terminals to the game to those galactic civilizations that had developed quantum computing technology. Humanity is one of these civilizations. Humanity must send its Warrior into the game to seize the technology left behind by the Phantom Spirit Race in order to gain a place in the Milky Way."

"Therefore, twelve of the most suitable candidates were selected to complete this task. You see, dying in the game means dying in real life—at least that's what the contestants of this reality show believe. So without a doubt, the winner this time will become Great Hero of Humanity."

"Now let's see if our heroes can bring us victory."

The host spoke excitedly and passionately, but Xiao Yu felt as if a thousand alpacas were galloping wildly through his mind.

(Holy crap! This is ridiculous! Thank goodness I didn't fall for it!)

Xiao Yu was speechless. He never expected that the agent from the Heavenly Eye Bureau was actually a staff member from the reality show "Great Hero of Humanity" in disguise. No wonder he always felt that the story they told him was too far-fetched. Moreover, those two Heavenly Eye Bureau agents looked like they had stepped out of a science fiction movie. No wonder their Amnesia Flashlight had no effect on him.

Thankfully, I didn't fall for it. Although this kind of thing is technically not dangerous and not too shameful, it would be too embarrassing to save the world and then be watched as a reality show by audiences all over the world.

"Wow, how did you know that the reality show production team contacted me?" Xiao Yu asked curiously.

"What! A reality show approached you?" Esmehalda was even more surprised than him.

Xiao Yu asked curiously, "You don't know? Then why are you showing this to me?"

"You'll see when you keep watching."

Xiao Yu continued reading.

Then, twelve winners of different ages and genders entered the frame.

In a huge, high-tech-looking room, there are twelve gaming pods, their white casings looking quite impressive.

Standing nearby were various so-called scientific and technological personnel dressed in white coats and isolation suits, as well as armed security personnel dressed in black combat uniforms—all of them, of course, played by members of the reality show crew.

You know what, it actually looks pretty convincing. Xiao Yu figured if he weren't watching the scene on TV, but was actually there, he might have believed it too.

The twelve volunteers were all dressed in white bodysuits, looking like spaceship pilots from a science fiction movie.

An elderly man with a dignified air stood before the twelve people. "Gentlemen," he said, "Whether humanity can stand at the pinnacle of civilization in the galaxy this time depends entirely on you. Remember, once you die in the game, you will truly die in reality. Therefore, you only have one chance. For the future of all humanity, and for your own lives, do your best. If you can seize the technology left behind by the Phantom Spirit Race, you can become heroes of all mankind. If you cannot—then there's nothing more to say. Alright, now, please enter your respective game pods."

Xiao Yu's gaze swept across the faces of these people. Now he finally understood why Esmehalda had made him watch this program. He was surprised to find that he recognized three of the twelve people: Shen Yuan, Merlin, and Naiser.

"Holy crap, these three actually joined a reality show?"

The scene shifts to an in-game setting. This game planet of the Phantom Spirit Race is a desolate world, with remnants of ruins occasionally visible amidst the sandstorms. An advertisement also appears in the shot.

[Wilderness Planet] is a game developed by Excellence Technology Game Company. It will be released to players soon after this reality show. Players are welcome to try it out.

Xiao Yu was completely dumbfounded.

I'm glad I didn't participate.

He thought to himself with renewed relief.

In the video, the twelve members have left their spawn point. They look no different from real people, appearing in the game as real people. Next, they will collect weapons, explore ruins, and uncover the technology of the Phantom Spirit Race on this Wilderness Planet, bringing hope to humanity—or at least that's what they believe.

In reality, they were participating in a reality show.