Chapter 67: Beta Test (Part Two)

Baator City, player spawn point.

In five years, this once desolate land had transformed into a thriving town.

Today, Baator City spans several square kilometers, housing over five hundred residents. The town has shops, taverns, blacksmiths, and tailors, each Teifling managing their role. Though these buildings are rudimentary, more like wooden stone-built camps, they evoke memories of life in Northwind Fortress, giving the residents a renewed hope for the future.

In the center of the town square stands a colossal stone statue—a red dragon, the master of this place.

Unlike typical towns, monsters and humanoid beings coexist here: goblin guards patrol the streets, drakes rest in the square, and ogres order meals for ten in the tavern.

While some conflicts do occur, Medrolash’s oversight keeps basic order in Baator City intact.

But the order he has painstakingly maintained may be broken today.

“Listen up, everyone. Don’t believe a single word they say.”

“Anyone who attacks directly—execute on the spot.”

Medrolash led a squad of guards toward the cave, his face solemn, braced as if facing a formidable foe.

According to the master, these peculiar “Starfallers” were nothing to take lightly, though they might be a force worth utilizing.

Mantou noticed a white light before his eyes and, in a blink, found himself in a cave. The ground was solid rock, and flickering torchlight danced on the walls, with light streaming in from a distant exit.

He tried moving his arms and legs, pinched his cheek—there was no lag or awkwardness. It felt almost identical to reality, which left him in awe.

“Whoa, this is insanely real.”

“Watching a video can’t convey this. Right now, it feels—this is literally like the real world.”

Filled with anticipation, Mantou walked out of the cave and into a small square at the entrance, where hundreds of players were already gathered.

Above their heads floated a variety of nicknames. His “I Eat a Mantou” was quite normal compared to names like “The Great Confucius,” “Filth Queen Worm,” or “Heaven Has a Well, But It's Naturally Empty,” names that were already accepted as usual.

“No beginner quest here, huh?”

“But this immersion is insane. I have to rope my friends into this.”

“So, what can we do now?”

“DM me for study materials. Over 1000G of full immersion content—endless knowledge awaits!”

“Wow, there’s even an ‘Oats Guy’ in here.”

“Get lost! I’m destined to be a grand wizard—beauty won’t distract me from my path.”

“You fiend, take this!”

Players chattered excitedly in the square, curiously examining everything around them. After all, 《Erezaghe》’s fully immersive experience was hailed as unprecedented, offering a “100% real tactile sensation” that astonished them.

“Following tradition, let’s check—whoa, what the heck!”

“Can this even be shown?”

Mantou was about to check his interface when he noticed a player next to him, with the ID “Wings of Freedom,” stripping off his tattered clothes. As he stood there bare, his lower half was conveniently covered by a blinding holy light.

“Finally, I’m free—!”

The guy spread his arms wide, mimicking Rose’s pose at the front of the Titanic, his radiance dazzling nearby players.

“Dude, you’re for real?”

“Don’t you know this is a face-scan game?”

“Huh?”

Mantou left with a parting word of friendly advice, leaving the poor guy to wail in regret.

“Turns out, there are still plenty of people who click through the user agreement without reading, skipping straight to the game without a thought. Ultimately, they pay for their own recklessness.”

Mantou sighed.

Well, at least it made for good content.

But soon, players’ attention shifted from the “Holy Light Guy” to the approaching Teiflings, forming a line and stealing the spotlight.

“These must be our guide NPCs. But I did some research, and there’s a favorability system, so be careful what you say.”

Mantou whispered to himself.

A player named “White-Water Wanderer” shouted, “What are those red-skinned horned NPCs—demons? Can we kill them?”

“How about we try?”

Instantly, dozens of Teiflings fixed their gaze on him, their eyes brimming with anger. Were it not for their leader’s command, they’d have likely minced him on the spot.

“Never mind, forget it.”

“Haha, I was just kidding, why so serious?”

White-Water Wanderer gave an awkward laugh, his screen flashing with -50 favorability notifications.

“See? Told you, don’t run your mouth. But the AI here is legit; it even recognizes what players say.”

Mantou smirked, somewhat pleased at White-Water Wanderer’s predicament as he continued his commentary.

He knew this guy, a notorious full-immersion troublemaker whose claim to fame was stealing chickens in Elder Scrolls 10 and getting chased down by an entire village.

But of course, that wasn’t the end of it.

White-Water Wanderer slipped to the back of the line of Teiflings and tossed a small stone at the lead Teifling’s head.

“Whoosh—”

The stone traced a graceful arc in the air, only for Medrolash, without turning, to catch it.

But the next instant, another pebble struck his armor with a crisp “clang.”

The air grew tense, and everyone stared in stunned silence.

At last, Damacus, who had been silent, hesitantly asked, “Captain…what should we do?”

Even the usually composed Medrolash was at a loss for words.

Medrolash had seen all types, even those who stripped in the square—but never had he encountered someone reckless enough to risk their life just to toss a pebble.

“Assaulting the army… kill!”

He crushed the stone in his hand, his voice tinged with rare irritation.

The Teiflings, having long endured White-Water Wanderer’s antics, seized this opportunity and drew their bows, aiming every shot at him.

Within seconds, he was bristling with arrows.

Raising an arrow-pierced arm, White-Water Wanderer used his last breath to say, “Though I die… I am still… White-Water Wanderer!”

With those final words, he exhaled contentedly and passed away.

But instead of frightening the players as Medrolash had hoped, the players erupted in laughter.

“Good NPCs still outnumber the bad ones.”

“RIP White-Water Wanderer.”

“No way, I’m sneaking into his pod later to max out his pain threshold.”

Mantou was laughing to tears. “Hahaha, this guy’s a legend! He just pulled a borrowed arrows move and turned himself into a porcupine!”

The Teifling guards watched these humans, irritated by their careless laughter.

But Medrolash folded his arms, thoughtfully observing the crowd.

“It seems we can’t judge these… Starfallers by common sense.”

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