C18 True Hero

The post sprawled across several pages, and while it wasn't exactly a guide, it was chock-full of useful tidbits. It particularly captivated those netizens who hadn't yet had the chance to play the game, prompting a chorus of laments in the comment section. Naturally, there were also a few lucky players who had snagged a spot in the second round of testing, and they weren't shy about flaunting their triumph!

"Ugh, I'm green with envy! I want to play too!"

"This is the most comprehensive post I've seen. From the author's detailed account, it's clear this game has a lot to offer, with meticulously crafted settings. I can't wait for the open beta to launch."

"Kudos to the original poster for the heads-up. Now I know exactly what to focus on and which missions to tackle first when I dive into the game tomorrow!"

"Seriously?! Why didn't I get a spot!!!"

Then there were those with off-the-wall perspectives, viewing things through a lens quite different from the average person.

"Is the guy upstairs talking about gameplay for real? I don't even wash dishes at home, and now you expect me to manually build a house in a game?"

"Exactly, the premise is over the top. After slaving away all day in the real world, why would I want to exhaust myself in a game too?"

"In the real world, a carpenter earns a decent day's wage, right? The game's economy seems a bit off. I've seen screenshots of characters hauling stones—moving bricks earns you a solid day's pay. Why would I go into a game to break my back for nothing?"

Some readers paused, struck by the logic, but then reconsidered. After all, isn't every game filled with life skills and trades? If you enjoy it, go for it; if not, there's always monster-slaying. Nobody's forcing your hand, and besides, this is a groundbreaking game that countless people are eager to dive into—even if it means virtual manual labor!

Most gamers had little patience for such nitpicking, especially when discovering a gem of a game is no small feat. To them, it seemed likely that such naysayers were just trolls, possibly sent by rival gaming companies to stir up trouble.

"Looking down on those few fools above, most games are just endless grinding. Screw that. Games should stand out, offer something different. Those obsessed with stats often end up with a dull experience."

"Right, like in Minecraft, some people love RPG elements, while others relish the role of an architect. Isn't it more rewarding and unique to build something with your own hands? Imagine the pride in constructing your own home in-game—what an achievement! And who knows, maybe it'll even lead to some special moments with your girlfriend on that homemade bed."

"Wake up, and don't forget the healthy gaming guidelines. Plus, aren't those body parts supposed to be off-limits for settings?"

"Cheers from us single folks—long live the officials! Dream on, buddy. You really think you can get cozy with your girlfriend like that?"

Amidst the flurry of posts, one unassuming entry had been bumped to the top of the first page—a feat typically reserved for the earliest players' posts, which usually quickly sank into obscurity. Any other post achieving this was virtually unheard of.

Driven by curiosity, Faang Qiubai gave it a look and was astounded by the player known as 'Lost Dog.'

"Boost me up, folks—I'm the lost catfighter streamer! If the powers that be grant me a test slot, I'll perform a crossdressing handstand while eating kiviak! You have my word!"

A shiver ran down Faang Qiubai's spine as he read the post, and he could see why it had garnered such attention. Even he was intrigued about how the streamer planned to eat kiviak upside down—wasn't that a recipe for disaster?

Kiviak is a traditional Inuit winter dish, where freshly killed little auks are stuffed into a seal's stomach and sewn shut. Typically, a seal would be packed with over two hundred birds. The air is then squeezed out, the seal's skin is coated with seal fat to ward off flies and maggots, and it's buried under a heavy rock in the permafrost. After three months of natural fermentation, the seal is unearthed, and the little auks are extracted. Since the feathers don't ferment, the birds maintain their original shape.

Eating it involves pulling off the auk's tail and sucking out the fermented, decomposed innards directly from its body, resulting in a sponge-like texture and an intensely pungent taste—reputedly one of the foulest and most challenging foods in the world. The viscous substance, whose name eludes description, can even be squeezed out and spread on other foods for grilling.

The mere description was enough to make one's skin crawl, let alone tasting it. But with a brave soul ready to take on the challenge, Faang Qiubai pondered for a moment before mischievously posting on the forum under the username 'Official Account 01'.

We've received the proposal from the user known as "Lost Dog," and we're honored that they're such a fan of our game. After careful consideration, our team has decided to make an exception and grant this netizen a test account. Please respond with your address in a private message to our official account, and we'll dispatch the game helmet immediately. It will arrive alongside the second wave of players.

Please note that this is a one-time exception, and we won't be making such offers in the future. We urge our community to exercise restraint and avoid taking actions that could be harmful.

"Wow, this account is legit from the official team? That's pretty bold!"

"I'm so jealous of Erha for actually managing to snag an account. I want one too!"

"Too late now. Didn't you see the official statement? They won't be giving out accounts like this anymore. The first one to try something new always reaps the benefits."

"Benefits? I bet the officials just want to see how Erha will fail... That's Kiwiak we're talking about!!! Look at the last line of the post; they're just in it for the spectacle!"

Amidst the chaos among the players, Faang Qiubai had already logged off. The game's future planning required further research. If Morphy and his group could survive underground, there must be other survivors out there.

The challenge lies in allowing players to find these survivors to 'trigger quests' while preventing them from attacking NPCs on a whim. These NPCs are living beings; losing one means one less in the game. They can be resurrected using the Book of Creation, but the cost is substantial.

The previous creator exhausted so much energy preserving the lives within his world that he couldn't heal his wounds or find a successor without leaving behind only a fraction of his power. Qiubai is determined not to let his energy be squandered in the same way.

The road ahead is long, and while there's a workforce of players striving hard, the energy needs are insatiable. To prevent a future shortfall, Qiubai must continue to work tirelessly behind the scenes.