Jing Zhao was standing in a premium cultivation pod navigating towards the new game, Rampage Titans. Even though he was the patriarch of the lynx tribe of Evernight forest, he was excited as he started the game. His whole life had been coordinating with the other four top tribes, alongside the minor tribes, to prevent humans from expanding further. The establishment of this shop was an unfortunate failure, but the benefits it brought outweighed his feelings of guilt.
The pod he was using changed as the game started. Panels wrapped around the pod as Jing Zhao was lifted into the air. The scenery around him shifted into plains as he saw a pack a wolves stroll past him. A montage of the lead wolf was shown as he led his pack against a small camp of humans, to assaulting small villages, to attacking medium towns, to finally standing in front of a wall that protected a large city. This was followed by two other similar montages that displayed a small ape and a young lizard as they also experienced their own battles against other beasts and humans.
Jing Zhuo noticed that all three spirit beasts arrived at the same large sprawling city that covered by array formations, and had cultivators floating in the air ready to defend it. As if there was an unheard signal, the three beasts rushed towards the city. They broke through the protective shield and wall before reigning destruction on everything. The three made their way towards the central part of the city from different directions until they caught sight of each other. The wolf howled, the earth dragon roared, and the ape beat its chest before they beelined towards the others. The three were about to attack each other, but at the last second before the ape's fist, the earth dragon's bite, or wolf's teeth could do any damage, the title screen appeared.
Jing Shao saw 'Rampage Titans' in front of him, and below that was the word, 'Start'. By now, he was familiar with how games worked that he sent a mental command and his surroundings changed. Four options now floated in front of him with the default choice being the earth dragon, and his surroundings consisted of a beach with mountains in the background. He changed to the next option and everything around changed as well. An ape was in front of him, and the environment changed to a jungle. As expected, when he changed to the third option, a wolf was standing there and the jungle became a vast plain. Then he selected the fourth choice and to his surprise, it was himself that appeared walking through a snowy mountain forest.
Without hesitation, he selected himself and three more options appeared.
[Beast mode - Offense]
Become the dominate spiritual beast as you challenge humans and other beasts.
[Beast mode - Defense]
As a spirit beast of a beast tamer cultivator, team up with other humans and beasts to defend your home.
[Human mode - Defense]
Defend your lands against a tide of beasts.
(All mode available in solo or multiplayer formats.)
Jing Zhao picked the first option, but the game stopped and a window opened in front of him.
[To play this mode, the player must shift into their beast form.]
Jing Zhuo smiled as he complied, it was truly a game that catered to spiritual beasts. Once he changed forms, he no longer saw 'himself' walking in the forest. He was sitting in the same place where his copy was previously walking. He was surrounded by trees, he smelt the fresh pines, he heard All the smaller animals moving around, and he felt the cold wind blowing.
[Welcome to Rampage Titans, the objective is to find food and materials and grow into the strongest beast around.]
Jing Zhuo's first move was instinctual, he climbed to the highest point he could find to get a lay of the land. On his perch, he looked around but didn't find anything so he engaged all his senses as he traveled from one high point to another. It took a few minutes but eventually he picked up the scent of some humans, and began to follow them. Ten minutes later, he found the outer wall of a small village. If it was normal, he could wipe out a small place like this with ease, but something he noticed when first entered the game was that his current strength was being suppressed to his much younger days. Taking this into consideration, he began his investigating the village to plan the most effective attack. He wasn't worried about others interfering with his plan since he had picked the solo mode so after taking a quick look, he prepared for his first attack.
The next day, Jing Zhou exited the pod he was using but his aura caused everyone around him to shutter. A sense of oppression was released towards him in response causing him to retract his blood energy in embarrassment. He did his best to ignore all the attention he garnered by lightly coughing, and turned his head towards the strange object on the wall called a clock.
Jing Zhuo had the urge to return to the game he had played for a day, but his hunger overcame that desire so he initiated the auto clean function and went to the restaurant. As he sat in the private booth, he recalled his experience in Rampage Titans. It was a strange but satisfying feeling because he was able to play in his normal form. The game started with him in his juvenile form, and his objective was to grow. Even though it was set on a snowy mountainside, his ideal hunting ground, he was too low level to hunt his prey. This led him to infiltrating tiny villages to steal food.
Jing Zhuo quickly learned that he had to navigate through this situation very carefully, or he would face death an a game over screen afterwards. Low level prey or spiritual plants were guarded by higher level creatures, and the humans in the village would team up to overwhelm him. Once he was able to obtain food, his growth would accelerate and his level would increase. This confused him so he checked the sanctum to find out why. The answer was reasonable but made him slightly embarrassed. Spirit beast have long lives and are slow to advance in power, so the game was designed to speed things up to make things more fun. After a few deaths, he was able to grow big enough to destroy the smallest villages. In fact, his last run went so well that he had destroyed all the villages and he grew bold enough to attack a medium sized town. Everything went well until cultivators appeared resulting in a game over screen again.
Jing Zhuo finished his meal, and returned to the pod cafe with a full belly and new ideas how to overcome the next challenge.
In Blue Moon city, Peng Hui was also in pod but instead of Rampage Titans, he was looking at the start screen for 'The Legend of the Fairy and Sword, Chapter 3'. He looked around to see himself standing on a cliff before he checked his surroundings. Below him a sea of clouds blocked the ground from his sight. Turning his head, the view of a grand sect built on top of the mountain caused to pause. His own sect was also built on a mountain as well, but it didn't have the majesty of the sect he saw in front of him.
In the distance, Peng Hui saw more structures but this time it wasn't the architecture that amazed him. Unlike the other buildings he already saw, these other buildings were built on a giant floating rock.
"How's this possible?", he exclaimed, "I've never heard of floating rocks before much less ones that could serve as sects."
Excited, Peng Hui started the game and the clouds that filled the valley rose around him. He couldn't see anything until this clouds receded, and now he felt like he was standing on cloud.
"Fei Peng", a voice caused Peng Hui to turn around.
He saw two beings floating above the clouds looking like terrifying deities.
"I have come to challenge you", the figure floating to the left brazenly called out, "I wonder if heaven's greatest divine general is stilled chained here like an obedient dog."
"The Heavenly Court has forbade any future battles, Chongluo", Fei Peng replied, "Yet, you still continue to challenge me."
"Of course I do", Chongluo laughed, "Across all the realms I have only found one worthy to cross blades with. If you're going to use the court as an excuse, perhaps I was wrong about you."
"You mistake restraint for fear", Fei Peng responded.
Peng Hui's breath hitch when he felt the demon lord Chongluo swell with power. The clouds around Chongluo expanded away from him and began to swirl around.
"Then prove it", the demon lord smiled.
"Everytime to fight, countless beings suffer", Fei Peng admonished his opponent, "Why continue to pursue this again and again?"
"Eternity is boring", Chongluo looked annoyed he was still being asked questions, "Demons fight for strength while you gods hide behind the order of heaven. But you are different."
"Different?", Fei Peng's face looked puzzled.
"Your sword should be able to surpass heaven", Chongluo explained, "But you're a mere general, actually you're just a guard. When our blades met I could tell your spirit desires more."
"You think you can see my heart's desire", Fei Peng looked amused.
Chongluo drew his sword, and a crimson red aura filled half the sky.
"The only thing that matters in the world is strength", he declared, "If you continue to follow the orders of heaven, you will die today."
Without another word, Chongluo swung his sword. A crescent moon shaped slash the color of blood went straight at Fei Peng. The divine general seemed to sigh as he unsheathed his own sword. The other half of the sky was bathed in gold as Fei Peng unleashed his own power, and blocked the attack.
"Fine", he relented.
What happened next caused Peng Hui's eyes to shine as he witnessed the battle between the two. When the third chapter of the series was announced, he had been somewhat worried. The first two chapters of the legend of the fairy and sword had very impressive battles, and he was unsure if the third chapter could continue the trend but his worries were eased now. A clash between the two brightened the sky, and caused Peng Hui to shut his eyes. When he opened them, he saw words in the sky [3 days later].
The land was much different now. The valley was no longer hidden by clouds, and deep scars were carved into the land. The battle between the two continue to rage until an oppressive force came down on both of them. Even Peng Hui felt like an ant under this power, it reminded him of when the owner of the pavilion would oppose troublesome guests.
On a cloud, Peng Hui saw a throne with a man sitting upon it.
"General Fei Peng", the words from the newcomer caused the battle to halt, "You have defied the orders of the heavenly court. I will render judgement upon you."
When Fei Peng saw the man on the throne, he immediately stopped and bowed, "Heaven Emperor."
"For your disobedience, you will lose your standing as a divine general of the heavenly court", the heavenly emperor announced, "You will become mortal again, and your soul will enter the wheel of reincarnation again."
As soon as the heavenly emperor announced the verdict, Fei Peng immediately vanished leaving only his sword which fell to earth. Peng Hui watched where the sword landed until sunset when the world went dark. For a moment, he could no longer see anything until the sun rose the next second. He noticed once the light came that he was no longer at the landing site of the sword, instead he was in the bedroom of an unfamiliar building.
Peng Hui realized he was laying in bed as the main character.
'Am I Fei Peng?', he thought.
He got out bed, got dressed, and walked through the building. When he reached the main room, he noticed it many shelves along the walls and in the center of the room along with a counter top on the left side of the room. Confused, he walked out the front door and looked at the sign hanging by the door. Peng Hui was shocked to see [Pawnshop] written on the sign.
"Jing Tian", a passing villager greeted him, "Aren't you late in opening your shop today?"
He kindly bowed back before ducking back into his shop.
"Who is Jing Tian?", he tried to figure things out, "It's me? I thought I would be Fei Peng. I wonder if the descendants of Li Xiaoyao are also in this game?"
Just as Peng Hui's curiosity started to soar, a chat text box appeared in front of him.
[Sect Leader Feng Guo
Elder Peng Hui,it's time for you to escort the participants to True Martial Hall for the competition.]
His face fell, and he stood there shocked. After taking a deep breath, he exited the game and wanted to cry knowing he be gone for at least ten days or more.
Today on the island, ten people were standing in front of a small building that Fang Shi had called a entertainment cafe. The following people were Magistrate Qui Zhen, Fleet admiral Shen Kuo, Chief Strategist Fan Yiru, Liang Renwei, Shen Lanyue, Garrick Stonefall, Elias Thorn, Kadeem Arashi, Riven Solari, and Mira Velan. Originally, when Fang Shi had told the leaders of each group about the computers, the members of the Azure Tide empire had tried to monopolize all ten chairs. Obviously as a merchant, he wanted word about his shop to spread out to everyone. He didn't pick who would be first, and instead waited for the chosen to arrive in the morning.
When Fang Shi opened the door to the cafe today, he looked at the ten who were waiting and saw there were servants and guards standing in the distance ready to serve their master's needs.
"As I said yesterday, there are only ten computers", Fang Shi informed his guests, "But it looks like there's one guest too many. Why are there ten of you here?"
Magistrate Qui looked confused, "My Lord, you said there were ten of these 'computers'. And you also said that you wanted members of the empire, the mercenaries, and the alliance here to be the first to try them. After much discussion, these are the first ten to accept your invitation."
"Where am I supposed to sit?", Fang Shi looked at the magistrate with interest.
Qui Zhen suddenly felt his back sweat, "My Lord?"
"Do you already know how to use a computer?", Fang Shi had an amused expression on his face.
"No, My Lord", Qui Zhen replied timidly.
"How did you plan on learning on how to use it then?", Fang Shi continued his questioning, "Perhaps you don't feel I am a capable teacher?"
Qui Zhen stayed silent as he noticed Fang Shi was looking at the ten of them.
"I see that empire claimed the most seats so I will kindly ask that one of will have to wait", Fang Shi's words sounded more like an order than a request.
Qui Zhen looked at his group, and focused on Shen Lanyue, "Young lady, if you heard the lord, you should understand what I'm about to say to you."
Shen Lanyue did her best not to look upset, "Of course, Magistrate."
Fang Shi also looked at her, "Even though you won't be one of the first, it's fine to come in."
He turned back to magistrate, "Although there are only ten seats, others can watch the ones that are using my computers. As long as they don't mind standing and don't block the walkway, I don't mind additional people inside."
Qui Zhen smiled and had his servant invite a few more high officials over.
"Please follow me", Fang Shi said to the small crowd.
Elias followed behind Garrick as small group followed the immortal. Inside was a counter made of wood, and he saw the immortal lord walk behind it.
"When you enter, if you have the desire to play you must first come here to find out availability and pay", the lord spoke, "Whoever is sitting here will let you know if a booth is ready. Please look now to see the rules."
The lord pointed at the wall where several lines of text were written:
1) Shop hours are 6 am to 12 pm.
2) No fighting inside the shop, violators will be expelled and will not be welcomed back.
3) Payment is due before service is provided.
4) Guests can only use the equipment for 6 hours.
5) Due to limited supply, 1 drink and 3 food items can be purchased every 6 hours.
"As I said yesterday, today will be a demonstration", the shop owner told everyone, "Please pay, and I'll show everyone how to use my computers."
Elias watched as the magistrate paid eight essence crystals for the four from the empire. He remembered this should grant access to the demonstration, and an hour of use. Garrick and himself didn't have these stones and apparently the three from the alliance didn't either since he saw pay with metal coins.
"All accounts are settled", the shop owner affirmed, "Please follow me."
The nine guests waited for the owner to exit the counter, and followed him into the other room. Elias saw ten small private rooms with open doors.
"The tour starts here", the lord said as he reached the closest door, "Above the door handle, you'll see either a red or green light. Green indicates the room is empty, red means its occupied."
Elias noted that all doors currently had green lights above the handle.
"Each wall houses a screen as well", the shop owner explained, "When playing a game, you can turn it on to broadcast your current activity to others. You can also not turn it on, but if you watch a show or movie, it will stay off."
Elias scratched his head, he didn't understand what the store owner meant but he decided it wasn't important.
Fang Shi walked into the open door, and everyone looked inside. Elias saw a chair and table. On the table was several objects that he couldn't identify.
"This is the computer", the shop owner told them, "Touch here to turn it on."
Fang Shi's hand touched a circle on a small box like object that was on the left side of the table. A flat thing that sat in front of the store owner came to life turning from a dull black to a scene of an enormous mountain with clouds circling the summit, very similar to the embroidery on the lord's clothes.
The explanation from the immortal continued, "Using this small item I call a pointer, you can focus on what you wish."
He slid his hand slightly, and everyone saw a small arrow move across the strange flat screen.
"For those who can read and write, you can use this to type letters on the screen", Fang Shi highlighted a keyboard sitting in front of the screen, "But no worries if you can't. This device has the ability to hear you voice, and display them on it as well. For the ultimate experience, I recommend using the helmet. It can synchronize with your eyes and thoughts for the most convenient way to control the computer."
At this, the shop owner placed a strange helmet on his head that covered his face.
"This helmet will allow anyone to experience everything like you are actually there", he was more like a merchant in Elias's eyes now, "So please observe either inside or outside the room."
Elias grew curious at his words so he stepped back out of the small room to see the wall displaying the same image as inside. The arrow moved over to a small image of a sword stuck in the ground, and a moment later the screen changed. Just like the strange images yesterday, Elias watched the same scenes: the starry sky, the face of the beautiful lady, the giant city, and the strange metal dragon that raced along. Right when he thought he would see what would happen when the steel dragon stopped, the image on the wall turned off. Elias looked back into the room only to see the store owner had removed the helmet.
"I believe this will suffice well enough to get all of you started", the lord said, "Or does anyone have a question?"
No one answered, but Fang Shi looked unbothered, "Excellent, please enter the rooms that correspond with the key you have been given. Also, I'm going to play now so leave my room immediately."
The nine of them quickly cleared out, but before Elias went to his assigned room, he invited Markus to join him. He had gotten this idea when he saw Garrick invite Corvin, and realized he needed to train his teammate since it was doubtful that the store owner would demonstrate for everyone. Once in the room, he did his best to repeat everything Fang Shi had said to Markus before placing the strange helmet on his head.
Once the helmet activated, Elias was shocked. He felt like he had entered a whole new world even though he knew the room he was in was not real. Excited, he thought about Zuizhong Huangxiang and everything around him changed again. The world became small with a giant sword sticking out of the ground standing in front of him. A gentle melodious tune started to play from an instrument he couldn't recognize. Grabbing the sword in front of him, his head instinctively lifted and the starry sky appeared before him.
Just like he had seen before, the sky changed to a lady's face before she stood up and walked into a city. But now the city felt more alive than ever. Strange carts traveled down the street, flameless lights brightened everything, and the same sequence played out until he flew high above the whole city. Finally, the steel dragon made its appearance again and Elias landed on it. The strange convoy slowed down, and stopped in front of the eight strange buildings that had blue-green energy exploding out of the top. He wasn't sure what to do but several people jumped from this steel dragon, and began to attack the building's guards.
There was a man with black hair, a brown haired woman, a fat man, and a black man. When he saw them, information filled Elias's head with their names: Biggs, Jesse, Wedge, and Barret. Elias noticed that they did use some martial arts to fight, but their primary weapon was a small object in their hands with the exception of Barret. He had a large strange device instead of his right hand.
After quickly dispatching the small number of guards outside, the first three ran inside first as Barret called out to him. Elias hopped down without question, and the he saw himself. Wearing a blue sleeveless outfit with blond spiky hair, blue eyes, and the same giant sword he had seen earlier on his back. Elias received the information that his own name was cloud, and he had been hired to attack the building in front of him.
Elias followed after Barret, and began to learn more about the situation.
The Shen Luo Electric power company built special equipment that drained the environment of natural and spiritual power to use from military and domestic use. The company had become so powerful that even the mayors of the different villages and cities of the continent had no choice except to listen to the company's president.
This small group of people were resistance fighters who realized the detrimental effects the company had on the world, and he had been hired for a measly amount for this mission. As a mercenary himself, Elias was sure why this cloud character would accept a mission like for so little pay but to be a mercenary in the game greatly interested him so he continued.
The small group was called avalanche, and as they infiltrated the building, Elias learned more about them. But that wasn't the only thing that interested him, the building itself was more than anything he has every seen before. Strange screens were on the walls with many buttons and levers. Door could move on command, and a strange platform could be used to move it between floors.
Elias and Barret navigated to the heart of the building with the help of the other three as the pair fought guards, guard dogs, and strange two legged metal monsters with people riding inside.
Since it was a demonstration, Elias would get hints and clues during battles on how to fight. The giant sword could dish out amazing damage but it also could be used as a shield against the strange projectiles the enemies used. It also held a essence crystal that he could use to strike foes with lightning. When the pair reached the destination, everything looked different. The screens and buttons were replaced with ladders and pipes.
Elias followed Barret to the target place when he suddenly froze, and memories poured into his head. Another place with a similar look appeared in front of him, and he saw a man in black with silver hair for just a moment. Barret looked at him with concern, but also wariness. Once Elias confirmed everything was fine, he stepped forward and completed the mission using the information fed to him.
It was then a giant metal scorpion monster ambushed him and Barret. It had its claws and tail, but it also had strange weapons hidden as well. It had a tendency to counter attack at certain times with its tail keeping both men moving. Elias used all his knowledge to fight against this guard but still discovered two things. The first was that cloud had special attacks he could called limit breaks, but it took time to use it, was easily interrupted, so he had to use it perfectly. (Note: in the original FF7, limit breaks were available once a character took a certain amount of damage but that doesn't make sense in this setting. I changed it to this so it could still be strategically used but not spammed.)
The second was a second essence crystal that was implanted in his sword. It required a lot of energy to activate, but when used Barret and him would be removed out of harms way and a giant flood dragon would appear and attack the enemies with a tidal wave.
After several game over screens, Elias learned how to survive against the enemy and finally vanquished it.
Just when he wanted the celebrate, Barret's words poured cold water on his mood, "The bomb is still counting down, we have to go."
Elias had received information as the bomb when he set it down and armed it so Barret's words caused both men to sprint back to the elevator. A few situations happened but Elias had cloud help the trio of Barret's subordinates, and just when the finished seconds counted down m, everyone escaped.
A giant explosion ripped through the building just as the five of them safely exited the building, but before Elias could feel good, a message came up.
[Thank you for playing, the demonstration ends here. Look forward to the full release in the near future.]