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

Chapter 870: Chapter 869: Encountering a Wild ZZ

The entire square had fallen into a deathly silence, with everyone unable to believe their ears in the face of this sudden turn of events.

According to the Red Robed Figure, they couldn’t log out of the game voluntarily, nor could they forcibly remove or stop the Meteorite helmets, otherwise the game device would emit microwaves that would destroy the human brain, killing them completely. Moreover, if any of these game players’ HP hit zero, they would also be killed.

”If you want to escape this game, there’s only one way...”

The Red Robed Figure seemed to enjoy the attention of the crowd, spreading his arms again, and a map of Aincrad appeared before everyone.

”Now, you are all located on the very bottom layer of Aincrad, which is the first floor. Defeating a boss unlocks the next floor, and if you can clear through all 100 floors, you will be able to leave this game.”

”What? 100 floors? Clear them?”

Upon hearing this, the players immediately began to stir.

”How could something like this be possible!”

”Stop kidding around, let us out!”

”That kind of thing is just not possible...!!”

”Heh heh heh...”

Watching the noisy crowd below, the Red Robed Figure let out a cold laugh as his figure began to gradually disappear. However, at that moment, a voice suddenly rang out.

”I have a question.”

Unlike the panic-stricken players, this voice sounded quite calm and composed, and upon hearing it, not only the Red Robed Figure, but also the players around turned their heads to look at the questioner.

However, facing their gazes, Fang Zheng remained indifferent, casually crossing his arms and looking at the Red Robed Figure with interest.

”You’re saying that if we clear the 100 floors, we can leave this world, right?”

”...That’s correct.”

”Then, I want to ask, is it that only the team that clears the 100 floors can leave this world and return to reality? Or can everyone return to the real world once the 100 floors are cleared?”

”—————!”

Hearing this, almost all the players were taken aback. Due to their earlier panic, they hadn’t considered this question at all. Now, after hearing Fang Zheng’s inquiry, these players suddenly had similar thoughts. They all looked towards the Red Robed Figure, waiting for his answer.

Facing Fang Zheng’s question, the Red Robed Figure hesitated for a moment before answering.

”As long as one team clears the game, everyone will be liberated.”

Having said that, the Red Robed Figure swiftly vanished into the air, and soon the blood-red sky gradually faded, returning the starting square to its original appearance.

”......”

Yet at this moment, the players remained dumbfounded, seemingly unable to believe what they had just heard or seen. This was understandable. What began as a casual game had suddenly become a life-or-death struggle, with the threat of actual death. Such a revelation would hardly be instantly acceptable to anyone.

But to Fang Zheng, this was quite expected.

”Indeed, I knew it wouldn’t be this simple...”

As he spoke, Fang Zheng shook his head. How could the system let him smoothly play through a MMORPG storyline, leveling up and defeating monsters without restrictions? Clearly, there were constraints. Of course, Fang Zheng wasn’t truly worried about dying, but he had to be cautious. At worst, death might just mean being booted from the instance... Failure of the mission wasn’t something Fang Zheng wished to see.

”What do we do now, master?”

At this moment, Ester also approached Fang Zheng’s side, asking in a low voice. Although she and Restia had heard what that guy, Kayaba Akihiko, said, neither seemed concerned. After all, being Sword Sprites bonded by contract with Fang Zheng, they shared in his honor and in his risks.

”For now, let’s just leave. There’s too many people here...”

Glancing at the surrounding crowd, Fang Zheng shrugged, then casually led the two out of the square. As they were leaving, Fang Zheng saw a delicate-featured, black-haired boy pulling a red-haired man along as they squeezed past, hurrying into a nearby alleyway.

What’s going on?

Seeing their backs, Fang Zheng blinked in surprise.

Could these two be engaging in some secret transaction? But this is the game world, that shouldn’t be possible... or is it?

”Damn... those damn cheaters!!”

Just as Fang Zheng was pondering whether to find a place to check the system’s functions first, a loud voice suddenly caught him off guard. He turned his head towards the sound, seeing an unattractive man glaring furiously ahead. There, figures sprinted into an alley like they were in a 100-meter dash, disappearing in the blink of an eye.

”What’s wrong, Tooth King?”

Soon, a curious companion next to the man asked, and that player called Tooth King angrily clenched his fist, shouting.

”What’s wrong? Isn’t it obvious? Didn’t you see how fast those damn bastards ran? They’re players who participated in the beta test! Those bastards are off to monopolize the high-efficiency leveling spots and gather high-level weapons!”

”What?!”

Many around were startled by this revelation, while Fang Zheng simply shrugged, shaking his head.

”What an idiot, let’s go.”

However, just as Fang Zheng was about to turn and leave, perhaps Tooth King noticed his reaction, he rushed over in a few steps and blocked Fang Zheng’s path.

”Wait!”

”What? What’s the matter?”

Looking at the guy blocking his way, Fang Zheng raised an eyebrow and coldly stared at him. Although Fang Zheng couldn’t release Dragon Might at this moment, he was someone who had survived countless deadly battles. On the other hand, the person in front of him was just an ordinary player. Just a glance from Fang Zheng was enough to make him shiver.

”Ugh....”

Feeling Fang Zheng’s gaze, Tooth King trembled, but looking at the surrounding players closing in, he mustered the courage to glare fiercely at Fang Zheng.

”That’s what I want to ask you. Why, looking at your expression, you seem to disagree with what I just said?”

”Nonsense.”

Fang Zheng glanced at him dismissively.

”Listening to the kind of idiotic statements you make is a waste of time.”

”Id-Idiot?!”

Hearing Fang Zheng’s response, Tooth King immediately blushed with anger.

”You actually called me an idiot? Are you one of those damn closed testers too? You want to leave us behind and take all the good leveling spots and wealth for yourself, don’t you!!”

As Tooth King roared, more and more players gathered around them. This was quite normal; after all, they had just heard some shocking things, and their minds hadn’t yet processed it. Instead of forcing themselves to face reality, it was easier to focus on other matters. Tooth King’s loud commotion had already attracted the attention of a large number of players, not to mention his words touched on concerns shared by others, so naturally many people came over to watch.

Seeing more and more people gathering, Fang Zheng frowned slightly, but soon regained his composure.

”Although what you said sounds reasonable, unfortunately, everything you said is completely wrong.”

”Wrong? Then tell me, what’s wrong with what I said?”

Looking at Fang Zheng before him, Tooth King felt a bit anxious. He originally thought this young man would shout or argue with him, but seeing him so calm made Tooth King nervous. However, looking at the crowd gathering, Tooth King gritted his teeth. No matter what, he had already attracted so much attention, so as long as he could refute this young man’s nonsense next, he would gain immense attention!

”Let me ask you a question first.”

Fang Zheng shrugged and looked at Tooth King.

”You said that those who participated in the closed test would use their prior knowledge of the game to take the best leveling spots and wealth, right?”

”That’s right!”

”Then, do you know why closed testing is conducted?”

”This........”

Faced with Fang Zheng’s sudden question, Tooth King was momentarily dumbfounded.

Why conduct closed testing?

He was just an ordinary player, how would he know!

However, Fang Zheng didn’t even glance at Tooth King. Instead, he swept his gaze around and then began to speak.

”Closed testing is conducted by the game company to test the game itself, to see if there are any bugs, any changes in value increases, whether the task chains are complete, whether each setting is logical, and if there are areas that need adjustment.....”

Saying this, Fang Zheng’s lips curled slightly.

”In fact, games often undergo significant data changes after closed testing. You mentioned some players would gain advantages by being first? Do you really think you’re the only one who considers this? Do you think the game company’s planning and operations are idiots? This isn’t a single-player game; it’s an online game. If being first decided everything, who would still play online games in the future? Not to mention, during closed testing, to comprehensively test the task chain, the game company wouldn’t make regular players spend the same amount of time as playing a normal online game. They might increase Experience Points gained or adjust certain weapon values to ensure a smooth completion process, to see if the entire task chain operates correctly, and these.....”

At this point, Fang Zheng paused, looking at the players around, and continued.

”......are adjusted and modified after the internal tests conclude. Otherwise, why do you think internal tests involve data wipes? It’s because the equipment and values obtained by trial players are too strong, disrupting the game’s balance. Why do they get such powerful equipment and values?”

”..........”

Hearing Fang Zheng’s words, more and more players fell into thought. Then, someone suddenly changed their expression, realizing something.

”Wait, does this mean......”

”That’s right.”

Fang Zheng nodded, snapped his fingers, and looked at Tooth King again.

”You said those closed test players would gain advantages from their early experience? Quite the opposite, I think they will be among the first to die. If they still use their closed-test experience to fight monsters and bosses...... I think it won’t be long before we’ll see their names on that Black Stele......”

As he spoke, Fang Zheng pointed to the Black Stele standing not far off the square.

”......we’ll see their names there.”