Bizarre Voyage: Summoning The Fourth Crisis

Spirit Candle Official: ”We have received all your suggestions, dear players. After careful consideration and the sacrifice of another programmer who’d gone bald from overwork, we have decided to release 10 special ’Friendship’ slots!”

”A ’Friendship’ slot is a game slot that can be obtained by a player who is already in the beta test, provided they meet certain conditions. It can be used to grant game access to a designated account.”

”To obtain a Friendship slot, all you need to do is have your player friend offer 150 Wax Oil to our handsome NPC, the Candlekeeper!”

”For all you aspiring sailors who want to join the game and navigate the mysterious seas, go motivate your friends!”

It was currently nighttime in the real world. Many people were surfing the web with their virtual reality helmets on, so there was no shortage of players active on the Spirit Candle Forum, waiting with bated breath.

When they saw the announcement from the Spirit Candle officials, they immediately erupted with excitement.

Bees don’t like flying: ”First comment! Looking for lewds, and also a game slot, thanks!”

Lightning Puppy: ”Holy shit! My friend grinds and I get to play? I’ve gotta whip my good son into gear!”

My Son Failed, But I’m On Shore: ”Got it. Pushing my friend now. If I don’t get a slot, I’ll solo kill him immediately (threatening_meme.jpg).”

Nannan: ”What if I don’t have any friends in the game? But I really want to play (crying emoji).”

I Suppress All Foes: ”What bullshit friendship slots? Just let us pay! Shitty devs, shitty game! I’ll f***ing...!”

Peace Every Year: ”Hehe, someone’s triggered! (Jerry laughing meme).”

Failed Man: ”Even though he’s an idiot, I agree with him. Just let us pay! It’s not like we can’t afford it! (angry)(angry).”

Third Master Jie: ”Honestly, this game is too wholesome. They’re passing up a chance to make money, only asking for Game Coins. For real, I’m so moved I could cry!”

”...”

After seeing the official announcement, the aspiring players who hadn’t gotten into the game yet had mixed feelings.

Some were so excited they immediately started encouraging their friends offline, some were disappointed because they didn’t have any friends in the game, and still others were moved that the Spirit Candle officials hadn’t opened a channel for in-game purchases.

As for the players already in the game, most of them also received ”encouragement” from their friends.

”Hey Miaozi, aren’t you the one who’s always telling me how great this Spirit Candle game is, and how awesome you are in it?”

”Well, now’s your chance!”

”Hurry up and get your old man a slot so I can see what it’s all about. Or else... hmph, hmph.”

Li Miao’s roommate said in a deceptively friendly tone.

”...” A cold sweat broke out on Li Miao’s forehead. He forced a pained smile and said, ”Bro, this thing might not cost real money, but 150 Wax Oil is not easy to save up...”

’It would be fucking better to just pay for it...’ Li Miao found the whole situation to be a massive pain.

”Less talk, more grinding!”

...

Many other players received similar encouragement from their friends.

This gave all of Candle Island a fresh new look. Many of the more casual players, who would normally fish one day and slack off the next, began to grind, either voluntarily or because they were forced to.

But 150 Wax Oil was no small amount.

Even for a veteran player like Li Miao, it would take several straight days of grinding to save up that much.

This made them complain endlessly. Some players even started begging on the forums for the Spirit Candle officials to open a way to purchase slots, saying they’d rather pay...

But Luo Ge was naturally unmoved. ’What would I need money for?’

’Just grind your hearts out and earn me that Wax Oil!’

Of course, the players’ requests to pay were mostly just jokes. It wasn’t that they were short on cash.

But in their view, being able to grind out a precious game slot for a good buddy without spending money was a pretty cool thing to do.

And so...

For a time, the entirety of Candle Island was pulsating with a vibrant energy, a scene of flourishing competition.

Seeing this, Luo Ge couldn’t help but smile.

With just a slight nudge, he could get these prospective players to motivate their friends, making them willingly earn more Wax Oil for him.

And for this, the players even had to praise and thank him!

Just think about it.

The players who weren’t in the game were happy because they had a chance to get into this insanely fun game.

The players already in the game were also happy. Being able to grind out a precious slot for their friends meant their efforts would be recognized, which would definitely give them bragging rights.

As for Luo Ge, he was the happiest of all.

The rate at which his little farmers gathered Wax Oil had increased, and the 10 slots would net him a return of 1,500 Wax Oil. It was a massive windfall!

Luo Ge wins, the players’ friends win, and the players themselves only have to suffer a little, so that’s a win too.

This was killing three birds with one stone. A four-way win, with Luo Ge winning twice!

It was a legendary win, like Qin Shi Huang eating peppercorns—a victory so complete it’s numbing!

...

The players miserably hoarded their Wax Oil.

Meanwhile, Luo Ge took advantage of the night, when most players were offline. He went to the Spirit Fire Port, boarded a Spirit Fire Raft, and headed off in a certain direction.

He was, of course, going to find the special manta ray he had sensed.

The coastal waters near Candle Island at night were sprinkled with the faint glow of the Moon and stars.

In the distance, the Dark Boundary still maintained its terrifyingly dark aura, making the night in this small corner of the world seem insignificant by comparison.

Relying on his perception from the Spirit Candle Power, Luo Ge easily bypassed the vast majority of monster clusters in the sea.

Before long, he arrived at a seemingly calm stretch of ocean.

Luo Ge took out his fishing rod and baited the hook with Sand Worm Essence Meat Bait.

These near-shore monsters were mostly attracted to Fine Meat Bait, making it perfect for luring them out.

After casting his line into the sea, Luo Ge began to wait quietly.

Before long, his target took the bait.

Luo Ge quickly jerked the rod to hook it, and a powerful counter-pull came from the sea.

At the same time, a strange red light began to glow in the dark water, as if some power was gathering!

Luo Ge’s eyes narrowed.

The next moment, the water’s surface broke, and a beam of red light shot toward Luo Ge’s chest with a dangerous aura.

Fortunately, his reflexes were sharp. He dodged it with a quick sidestep, then unhesitatingly pulled even harder on the fishing rod.

The bullet-like red light attack continued unabated, rising several dozen more meters into the air before gradually dissipating.

Meanwhile, Luo Ge’s battle was already nearing its end.

As the owner of the Spirit Candle, Luo Ge had already raised all the Attributes of his Candle Spirit Body to their limits, and that naturally included Power.

The monster under the water, however, didn’t seem to excel in contests of strength.

Soon, with a low shout from Luo Ge, his Power erupted. A large manta ray, just as he had sensed, was yanked from the surface of the sea, letting out a strange cry!

Seizing the opportunity, the long-prepared Luo Ge swiftly drew his Broken Sword and swung with ferocious speed!

As the Broken Sword swung, an azure flame filled its body, extending the blade and striking the large manta ray with terrifying killing power!

In an instant, the manta ray monster was bisected by the Flaming Sword...

SPLASH!

The monster’s mutilated corpse fell into the sea and turned to Ashes, leaving behind only a few faintly glowing drops.

[You have slain (Unnamed)]

[Acquired: Wax Oil x12]

[Acquired: Unknown Bone Staff x1]

[Acquired: Unknown Glowing Stone x1]

As the battle concluded, Luo Ge let out a breath. He wasn’t surprised that the drops were all listed as ”Unknown.”

Any drop that had not yet been identified by the Spirit Candle Power and recorded by him would appear this way.