Chapter 2 The Second Game
Lu Li already had a prototype for his second game.
Call of Duty!
If there was one game character that Lu Li felt most regretful about in his gaming career, it would undoubtedly be Ghost!
This mysterious man, wearing a skull mask, left an indelible mark on Lu Li with his final ending.
At that time, he was just a gaming novice, and Call of Duty had delivered a harsh lesson to his young heart.
As a military-themed game, Lu Li naively believed that the theme would be mostly related to battlefield missions, guns, and cannons.
Players would act as common soldiers, undertaking impossible missions with the glorious mission of saving all of humanity.
While enjoying victory, they would furiously unleash firepower to dispel their worries.
Call of Duty, however, took a unique approach, breaking from traditional thinking and successfully creating multiple characters centered around the 141 Special Operations Unit.
Especially Ghost, who, with his limited screen time, was portrayed as a mysterious and all-capable special forces operative.
He gained countless fans worldwide.
When all players, as usual, were carrying out their daily missions with Ghost.
The damn developers, without any foreshadowing, brutally eliminated him.
Lu Li was stunned to the point of speechlessness, sitting in the internet cafe for a full ten minutes.
It was a soul-shattering experience for a hundred years!
He could never forget that scene.
Pain!
So much pain!
Lu Li clenched his fist, a sinister smile on his face.
Now, this kind of suffering was the turn of the Blue Star players.
He believed that at that moment, the players' resentment could solidify into substance.
There was still some distance to that day, but for now…
Lu Li opened the video of Dai Xiaomei's breakdown, took a deep breath, and savored it with a look of intoxication.
"Although it's not very fresh, it'll suffice to quench my thirst for now."
...
Clack, clack, clack, clack!!
The crisp sound of keyboards echoed.
"Wah!!... Wah!!... Wah!!!"
Dai Xiaomei's hoarse shouts were deafening.
"I'm playing your x!! I'm going crazy!!!"
Accompanied by the sound of her slamming her keyboard, Dai Xiaomei raged like a madwoman in front of the screen.
Beside her was the 'Game Over' death notification from Undertale, which she was currently playing.
"Hoo~ Hiss~"
"Hoo~"
Lu Li narrowed his eyes, emitting low, beast-like growls.
This sound of collapse, this forceful exertion in rage, all of it… truly beautiful!
If he were there in person, it would be an instant ascent to ecstasy.
After replaying it over fifty times, Lu Li reluctantly exited the video.
Helplessness, breakdown, rage, despair – these pure expressions were like vibrant works of art in Lu Li's eyes.
If he could observe them up close, it would be like a cinematographer at a film set!
Lu Li secretly resolved that if he had the chance, he would create a game where players could compete on the same stage, preferably a chase and hide-and-seek game.
Preferably, he would be the hunter, hunting down prey on stage and reveling in their desperate cries!
Preferably, he would be able to see their fear-twisted faces up close!
Tsk tsk…
Lu Li lightly clicked his tongue, the slight curve of his lips resembling a demon's whisper.
After a moment of deep thought,
He suppressed his agitated emotions. There was a feast scheduled for the evening, and he needed to prepare before indulging.
...
The moon was bright and sparse, casting its glow.
Lu Li eagerly opened the Shark platform and first navigated to Dai Xiaomei's live stream.
Contrary to his expectations,
Dai Xiaomei was still struggling with the Asgore battle, but her expression was much calmer.
This great boss, who had previously caused her to break down, had already been defeated by someone earlier in the day, and a guide had been created.
Dai Xiaomei was watching the guide while attempting the boss, her technique becoming more practiced. Clearing the stage was only a matter of time.
Lu Li was somewhat disappointed; the breakdown and collapse he had envisioned were not continuing.
【Mo Zhi has started streaming, tackling the Genocide Route today】
An inconspicuous bullet comment drifted by in the corner, and Lu Li's eyes lit up instantly!
Brilliant!
Too brilliant, Mo Zhi!
You're like a goddess delivering nuclear weapons in a snowstorm!
There's no one more suitable to attempt the Genocide Route than Mo Zhi, who had just completed the Pacifist Route with overwhelming joy!
This way, the slaughter would elevate the feast to its absolute peak.
Your contribution today would be my dose of happiness!
Lu Li decisively switched channels.
Mo Zhi was in good spirits today, wearing a cool little tank top, her proud 36D chest a dazzling sight.
"I heard the Genocide Route has a lot of sad moments?"
Mo Zhi had started streaming early. She felt that her insomnia had been cured by Undertale, and she hadn't slept so soundly in a long time.
"Everyone, even though I made a promise, I'm still a little hesitant."
She was still conflicted, even though the stream title had been changed to Genocide Route Trial.
However, her reason told her not to try it under any circumstances, as she would definitely regret it.
On the other hand, her pervasive curiosity always hinted that this was just a game, and she should start killing quickly.
'Ah! Look what treasure I found! My eyes!'
'If I could drive a car like this once in my life, it would be worth it!'
'Hey, hey, hey! Please respect the streamer, okay? This is a green stream, a green stream!'
'Just asking if you like watching it?'
'Love it! *slurp!!*'
'You guys are truly something else.'
'LSPs in the stream, clean up your act, you're drooling all over the screen!'
...
Mo Zhi's popularity had surged because of Undertale, but it seemed that most of her viewers were LSPs?
This seemed to be inconsistent with her initial intention of showcasing her skills while playing the game.
Mo Zhi shook her head helplessly at the wildly off-topic bullet comments. Maybe she should just start playing? These people couldn't offer any useful advice anyway.
Suddenly,
Ten super rockets filled the entire screen, and a golden bullet comment floated by:
【But think carefully, the Genocide Route is tear-jerking, and some of the bosses are much harder than before!】
"Thank you, Boss Lu Li, for the super chat… Wah! Lu Li?! Are you the designer of Undertale himself??"
When the viewers heard that the designer of Undertale was in the stream, they erupted!
'Is this really the great designer? Please tell me your address, and I'll send you some local specialties.'
'Ooh!!! Is he here to test the quality of his work?'
'Caught a wild designer, locking him in a dark room for 24 hours to make games non-stop.'
...
Not only the viewers present,
Mo Zhi also sat up straight, her voice trembling slightly, "Thank you. Your game cured my insomnia, and thank you for the gift."
"Actually, you didn't have to give gifts. Since the game is free, you haven't made much money, and you still spent extra. That's quite awkward."
【It's alright, you deserve it.】
"Ah?"
Mo Zhi was confused, tilting her head as if she didn't quite understand:
"I deserve it? Are you planning to pay me compensation for emotional distress in advance? Is the Genocide Route that outrageous? How are you so sure I'll play the Genocide Route today?"
【We shall see.】
Lu Li's hands trembled as he typed these words. With this push, she was definitely going to play the Genocide Route today!
This money was his entire net worth.
It felt good to show off and then disappear. He just wanted to quickly see Mo Zhi collapse and break down in the Genocide Route.
More than money, he cared about enjoying this journey of breakdown in every detail.
Three minutes later.
"Oh dear, everyone, I give up. As expected of the designer of Undertale, he has completely grasped my mindset.
For the past few minutes, no matter what I do, I can't stop thinking about the Genocide Route."
Mo Zhi finally surrendered, saying aggrievedly, "Mr. Designer, can you give me a little hint about what details I need to pay attention to during the playthrough?"
'......'
Silence.
Did he leave?
Mo Zhi awkwardly scratched her head. On an impulse, she dove headfirst into the Genocide Route.
—This is a path from which there is no return!
—Are you ready, [Mo Zhi]?
The solemn BGM started, and large, bold white text on a black background appeared in the center of the screen.
Faintly, one could see Mo Zhi's delicate face on the screen, wearing a hint of melancholy.
Although everything seemed the same, Mo Zhi felt a heavy sense of oppression in the air as she entered the game again.
Passing through a narrow corridor, she encountered familiar little flowers.
The clever Mo Zhi didn't foolishly reach out to catch the friendship pellets this time.
The little flower looked stunned: "Hey, pal, you didn't catch it? Shall we try again, okay?"
*Bang!*
Mo Zhi dodged and moved away.
"Are you messing with me?"
"Are you brain-dead?"
The little flower was somewhat angered: "Hit me… bullets!! Friendship pellets!"
*Bang!*
Mo Zhi dodged again.
The little flower: "You know what's going to happen, right? You just want to see me suffer!"
"Die!!"
The little flower stopped pretending and directly arranged the friendship pellets in a circle, hurling them at Mo Zhi.
As expected, the Goat Mother appeared at the opportune moment, saving Mo Zhi, who was surrounded by the little flower.
Seeing the Goat Mother's kind face again, Mo Zhi felt a mix of emotions.
The best Goat Mother in the world.
Who guided the young and helpless self through the underground world when first entering, helping me familiarize myself with the environment.
Who made the most delicious pies for me.
A good mother who tried her best to control her magic orbs, unwilling to hurt me when I decided to fly solo for battle.
You don't know that I'm here to end you out of my own curiosity, do you?
Following the familiar plot,
Mo Zhi's mind had already wandered far away. She arrived at the battle interface with the Goat Mother.
This time, the Goat Mother still carefully controlled her fireballs, avoiding burning Mo Zhi.
When it was Mo Zhi's turn, she chose to fight for the first time.
*Bong!*
-22042!
The Goat Mother's health was instantly depleted!
The BGM abruptly stopped.
Mo Zhi's heart skipped a beat, lagging half a beat.
"This....."
Mo Zhi was stunned.
She thought that the Goat Mother, who was on par with the King, would at least be able to fight her for more than ten rounds, even if she was holding back.
She never expected that the Genocide Route would obliterate the Goat Mother in a single blow!
The game tells you that once the arrow is released, there's no turning back; you must take responsibility for your choices.
'I remember earlier it was mentioned in the lore that monsters have infinitely low defense if they don't have the will to fight. The Goat Mother didn't want to fight the player at all, which is why she was instantly killed. She really… I'm crying!!!'
'Wow… As an old viewer who has followed along, this single blow honestly felt heavy in my heart!'
'Huff~ Everyone, I'm going to smoke a cigarette first.'
...
The viewers were also shocked by the consequences of this attack. They wanted to comfort the stunned Mo Zhi, but their words got stuck in their throats.
"Do you hate me that much?"
"I get it now, keeping me here wasn't to protect you, but to protect them, ha… ha… ha…"
The Goat Mother dissipated after leaving her final words.
Mo Zhi was dumbfounded!
She couldn't believe what she was seeing, nor could she accept that the Goat Mother had disappeared from this world just like that.
She didn't rush to advance but turned back to the Goat Mother's house.
Wandering aimlessly, she tried to retrace the Goat Mother's steps.
The cozy big house was meticulously kept by the Goat Mother. The fireplace still contained freshly added firewood, and the house was warm.
In the bedroom, toys prepared by the Goat Mother for her were piled up.
In the kitchen cabinets, cinnamon pies, freshly made not long ago, were stored.
Even more infuriating was the light and warm BGM that played. Every step Mo Zhi took brought back memories of the Goat Mother guiding her through the environment when she first entered the game.
A strong sense of guilt washed over her.
Gradually,
Mo Zhi's eyes reddened.
And gradually,
Mo Zhi found that she could no longer see the screen clearly.
Finally,
No matter how deeply she breathed, Mo Zhi's tears flowed like a dam bursting, dripping incessantly.
The live stream was unusually quiet, with only the sound of tears falling.
The bullet comments also stopped their lewd remarks.
Unprecedented harmony.
"Wuwuwu wah!!!"
"Trash game."
Mo Zhi sobbed with a heavy, tear-choked voice, "I can't see the screen through my tears at all!!!"
...