Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!

Chapter 871: Chapter 870: A Glimmer of Light in the Darkness

Fang Zheng’s judgment was naturally well thought out. Indeed, if it were a typical online game, as Tooth King said, the first batch of beta testers would have some advantage. Their familiarity with the system and skills, and their proficiency with the quest processes would indeed ensure that these players are more skilled and familiar in the early stages compared to those who just entered the game.

However, the planners and operators are not without ways to address this, as Fang Zheng mentioned. The primary focus of game beta testing is to assess the game’s overall smoothness and whether various data meet the requirements.

For example, there might be a quest where you have to collect ten rabbit furs to complete it and get a bandage. Perhaps during the beta test, players only need to kill ten rabbits, or they might even get ten furs from just one rabbit. After all, the test is merely to confirm whether players can obtain rabbit fur, whether the fur can be smoothly dropped, and whether they can successfully complete the quest to obtain the bandages and experience.

But when it comes to open beta or official release, the drop rate is bound to be adjusted. In the beta, you might get one fur from one rabbit, but during the open beta or official release, you might need to kill two to three rabbits to get one fur.

Similarly, the drop rates of various items and equipment that always drop from bosses during the beta will naturally be adjusted.

In this way, it indirectly hinders the early players, making it not so easy for them to stand out.

Moreover, from Fang Zheng’s perspective, even if those early players have various advantages, a single disadvantage could overshadow all their advantages.

Error tolerance.

Perhaps in other online games, dying three, four, or five times is not a problem, but in this world, you have only one life, which means that when you play this game, the error tolerance is zero. Any mistake in judgment could lead to your untimely demise.

And when you die, Miss Angel won’t be there to resurrect you.

So if those closed beta and beta players think they can act recklessly just because of their foresight, Fang Zheng is sure that nine out of ten won’t see the next morning’s sun.

”Ugh......”

At this moment, Tooth King was so choked by Fang Zheng’s words that he was left speechless, his face flushed, and his eyes almost popping out of their sockets. After a long while, he finally squeezed out a sentence.

”Stop talking nonsense, how do you know it will be like this?”

”Because I’m a game designer.”

Fang Zheng slyly glanced at Tooth King.

”At least I know more than you in this regard.”

”Ugh......”

Now, Tooth King was completely speechless.

But Fang Zheng certainly wouldn’t miss this good opportunity. The reason he wasted time talking to this fool naturally wasn’t just to hurt his feelings. This is a game, an online game, where interaction is key, meaning that communication and trust between people are important. Fang Zheng intended to use this opportunity to leave a first impression among the others so that it would be more convenient for him to act in the future.

So Fang Zheng looked again at the players beside him and spoke.

”Since everyone is here, let me give you some friendly advice. Many of you might be experienced gamers and very confident in your skills and awareness. However, let me be blunt, this might be the root of your failure. To be honest, those who have never played online games or even any games at all might have a longer life expectancy than you.”

”What makes you say that?”

”Yeah, yeah!”

Upon hearing Fang Zheng’s words, some people in the crowd were immediately displeased. Indeed, many of them were big fans of online games; otherwise, they wouldn’t have rushed to buy and play the game as soon as it was released. They were also very confident in their experience. Even if they hadn’t played this particular game, they believed that with their experience in online games, they could at least protect themselves, if not dominate.

But this guy suggested that they were worse than those newbies who had never played before?

How could that be tolerated?

Hearing the crowd’s rebuttal, Tooth King sneered. In his view, Fang Zheng was getting cocky, thinking after saying a few reasonable things, he could start messing with people. However, Fang Zheng remained composed and was even a bit happy. To him, these players’ willingness to oppose him meant they had taken his words to heart; otherwise, they wouldn’t bother wasting time here.

So Fang Zheng raised his hand, signaling everyone to listen, and began to speak.

”Since many of you are seasoned gamers, you should remember when you first started playing games, you would cautiously control your character, afraid of it getting even a bit harmed, always trying your best to protect your character’s safety, right?”

”.........”

Hearing this, many players nodded, as this was how most beginners got by.

”But now, what about you?”

Fang Zheng smiled slightly once again.

”For you all, perhaps character death has long become a habit. Maybe the death of a character will make you feel a bit heartache, but you won’t particularly care. That is your weakness. I need to remind you again, this game has zero fault tolerance, it almost doesn’t allow you to make a mistake and resurrect. If you die this time, then you are really dead. Perhaps you remember this now, but in the process of killing monsters and doing quests, you might unconsciously forget this. Perhaps you’ll only remember this setting when you find your HP critically low ——— but by that time......”

As he spoke, Fang Zheng spread his arms wide.

”......it’s already too late for you.”

”.........”

This time, the crowd fell into a silence even longer than before. Most of these players are not fools. They were just too shocked or confused to think of this point. But now, after Fang Zheng pointed it out, they began to face their own problems seriously.

”So, so...... what should we do?”

After a while, a swordsman finally asked uneasily. Hearing his question, Fang Zheng nodded slightly to himself, clearly, through that speech, he had initially established a trustworthy image in these players’ hearts. What he needed to do next was to deepen this image.

Thinking this, Fang Zheng held up two fingers.

”Currently, we have two options.”

”Two?”

”That’s right, the first is to wait for government rescue.”

Fang Zheng looked at the players in front of him and, combining the knowledge he had gained since arriving in this world, began to analyze the situation for them carefully.

”You should all know that this is the world’s first fully immersive online game, and this time the number of participants is as many as tens of thousands. With such a major incident happening, the government absolutely cannot just sit back and do nothing. You have to know that this kind of thing will definitely attract global attention, and even if only to avoid being accused of inadequate response by other countries, the government will exert great effort to ensure our safety. At the very least, our physical bodies should be protected so that we don’t die from lack of food and water.”

Upon hearing this, many players’ previously tense expressions relaxed considerably. It seems that many people were indeed worried they would starve or die of thirst on their beds at home ——— a death not worthy of any praise.

”Although Kayaba Akihiko said he designed this game, there are plenty of geniuses in this world. During the time when our bodies are safe, the government will surely assemble experts and scholars from home and abroad to decrypt the entire server, striving to undo Kayaba Akihiko’s lock and setting. So the first thing we must ensure is our survival. Otherwise, if you die in the game, and then the next day, the settings are lifted, and we all wake up, wouldn’t that be a huge loss for you?”

At the end, Fang Zheng made a small joke, but the crowd couldn’t laugh at it. Indeed, as Fang Zheng said, if they died and then the next day everyone else logged out, they’d truly die with regret!!

”Then what’s the second option?”

Perhaps feeling a bit relieved, the initially tense atmosphere among the crowd eased significantly, and soon someone asked. Of course, Fang Zheng provided a response.

”It’s very simple...... self-reliance.”

”......???”

”You should have already heard from that guy claiming to be Kayaba Akihiko that as long as you clear all one hundred floors, everyone can leave the game. You all have played online games and know that this is not a short process. Since Kayaba Akihiko set the condition so high, it means he surely has enough confidence in his design. So on one hand, we need to protect ourselves, while on the other hand, we need to be ready for battle.”

Saying this, Fang Zheng shrugged his shoulders.

”Of course, I don’t mean everyone should go and fight. You should know, not everyone in online games enjoys fighting. If you think waiting for rescue is too slow, you can choose to fight and take your fate into your own hands. Conversely, if you don’t want to take risks, you can work on logistics, gathering, or forging, as these professions will also enhance the combat capabilities of frontline players, ensuring we clear the game faster.”

Upon hearing Fang Zheng’s words, many players displayed expressions of relief. It’s no wonder, the shocking news they heard earlier had already left them quite disoriented, making it impossible to think clearly. But Fang Zheng was different; firstly, he was an adult, at least compared to those inexperienced middle and high school students. He gave off a more reliable impression, not to mention he also revealed himself to be a game designer, speaking logically and persuasively.

And Fang Zheng’s natural charm was high; while it wasn’t enough for him to command complete obedience, at least his words did reach the players.

”......I, I want to do logistics, I really like gathering!”

”Then the task of making potions and gathering is up to you. We’re going to level up!”

”I want to learn forging. I’m sure I can be of help!”

Seeing the players setting clear goals and actively discussing among themselves, Fang Zheng nodded in satisfaction. Then he, along with Restia and Ester, turned and walked out of the crowd.

”I really didn’t expect you’d say such things, Master.”

Following Fang Zheng, Restia said cheerfully, while Fang Zheng pointed to his own head.

”This is a trial of wisdom, Restia ——— remember, wisdom is the most important thing.”