Chapter 22: Crisis in Reality

The very first post was actually about himself. Tang Shen couldn’t help but be startled, then his face lit up with delight. Seeing all those questions, his heart swelled with pride. He thought to himself, “No matter how you people guess, you’ll never figure out who I really am.” With that, he scrolled down the screen with a smug grin, eager to see how these people would comment on him, how they would praise him.

But as soon as he saw the first reply, Tang Shen almost choked.

First floor: “There’s definitely some shady deal going on behind this.”

Tang Shen felt a wave of exasperation—Shady deal? What nonsense! If he ever ran into this guy, he’d make sure to teach him a lesson. He continued reading, hoping the following comments would be more reasonable. Fortunately, things did improve, though now and then a few fools would pop up with their sour remarks.

“I bet it’s one of the big family’s kids. They know the inside scoop. For us ordinary folks, it’s really not fair.”

“Nonsense, didn’t the government say ‘Second World’ is a fair game? There are no secrets.”

“There shouldn’t be any backdoor deals! Besides, those monstrous beasts are so hard to kill, and everyone starts with the same setup.”

“I agree with the second comment. They say there’s no insider info, but who really knows? I don’t believe those big families don’t have any advantage. They control the top, how could they not get special treatment?”

“Exactly! If there’s no insider info, then how do you kill such powerful beasts? I get killed before I even get close. Just thinking about that kind of death scares me.”

“The world was never fair to begin with. Kid, you’re thinking too simply.”

“Does anyone know who this Monkey D. Roger is? I want to buy his guide. How did he manage to kill a beast right after entering the game?”

“Same here! I’ll pay ten thousand credits if anyone can get me his contact info. Message me at 154XXXXXX.”

“Wow! A real big spender above! Bow down to the tycoon, please take me under your wing.”

“Awesome!”

“I’m in Novice Village: Tarrock Village. I’m planning to set up a studio in real life. Players in the same village can join my studio. There’s a fixed monthly salary; just follow the arrangements. Contact: 129XXXXXX.”

“Another big shot above, impressive, but I’m from another village. Can you take me in?”

“I’m from Tarrock Village too, what’s the pay like?”

“DM me!”

“This guy must just be incredibly lucky. Even if he’s not from a big family, he’ll end up as their lackey sooner or later.”

“This game makes killing beasts way too hard, impossible to succeed. He must have some background, otherwise I’ll never believe it.”

“OP, do you know any inside info? Share it with us!”

“Damn, just when we ordinary people finally have a chance to get stronger, these big families are secretly hoarding resources again. Why can’t they share for the benefit of humanity? Damn those big families.”

“If anyone has any real-life info on this Monkey D. Roger, DM me. I’ll make sure you’re well rewarded.”

...

Some envied him, others tried to find out Tang Shen’s method for hunting beasts, some were jealous, while a few lamented the world’s unfairness.

The shrewder ones had already begun organizing teams in real life. After all, one person’s strength was limited; gathering more people was the most basic strategy. If you had money, you could get things done, and many people were happy to do so. After all, most were struggling to make a living, and this way you could both play the game, get stronger, and earn money—why not?

Tang Shen’s eyes narrowed, turning sharp and dangerous. He hadn’t expected people to already be looking for him, even trying to find him in real life. Clearly, these people were up to no good, hoping to control him while he was still weak.

This made Tang Shen’s heart tense. Thankfully he hadn’t been so proud as to brag everywhere, or he might not have even known how he died. This was a realistic world—a world where people preyed on each other. It wasn’t some novel where all the side characters were fools and the protagonist was invincible. He had to keep a low profile.

He was just getting started and already had this much attention. If his identity was exposed, he couldn’t even imagine what he’d face.

He absolutely could not reveal himself—at least not until he was truly strong. He had to stay under the radar.

Tang Shen kept scrolling. Though there was plenty of noise, he could clearly see a group of people trying to dig up information about him, using all sorts of tricks—money, seduction, persuasive words like “let’s meet and discuss,” or even appeals to duty, claiming it was for the evolution of all humanity.

Tang Shen only sneered as he read. Society was treacherous; in his previous life, he’d seen that all too clearly. His mind and soul were nothing like those of an ordinary eighteen-year-old.

He clicked on the second featured post, which turned out to be written by an ordinary person—a lucky one, the second player to log into the game, right after Tang Shen himself. The poster said he was a programmer who had accidentally discovered that the login screen could be skipped. Driven by curiosity about what the Second World was like, he entered and received a gift pack containing two items: an auxiliary skill called Detection, and a refined steel dagger.

His words were full of pride and boastfulness, completely unaware of the danger.

Just like a child showing off a new toy to others.

The comment section below was lively.

“So you could skip the screen? Damn, there was a trick like that?”

“What a rip-off! I was too stunned to act, otherwise I could have gotten those too.”

“An auxiliary skill and a refined steel dagger? That beats the beginner’s wooden sword by a mile. Boss, please take me with you!”

“Wow, awesome! Bro, you’re so lucky. I’m really jealous.”

“Hey, are you selling that steel dagger? I’ll pay a thousand credits.”

“OP, I’m a cute girl, I can cook, do laundry, and keep you warm. Let’s date!”

“Damn! So the earlier you get in, the better the rewards? Now I really regret it.”

“Checked the official site—there’s no way to get auxiliary skills, it’s all luck. You have some amazing luck.”

“The refined steel dagger is way better than the wooden sword. So this is how the full-immersion game works!”

“So envious, really too envious. Bro, can we be friends?”

“Master, which Novice Village are you in? Let’s team up to hunt monsters, you’ll be the leader.”

“Friend, are you interested in selling? Contact: 129XXXXX.”

“I’m from the Zhao family, sincerely inviting you to join my team. Ten thousand credits monthly salary, with bonuses for extra contributions. Contact: 138XXXXX.”

...

The further he read, the more people were trying to recruit the poster, openly leaving their contact information and using all sorts of blatant temptations: money, power, women—they pulled out all the stops.