[Task completed. Currently logged-in players: 1/15]
Golden text popped up before Qin Yun's eyes.
The number at the end quickly changed.
1/15...5/15...7/15...13/15...15/15.
All fifteen group members who got the pre-registration slots had logged in.
It was clear they were all very excited about this game.
They wanted to see just how realistic it really was.
The task was complete, and rewards were issued.
Qin Yun received a total of 3000 Faith Points.
Adding the previous 500 Faith Points.
He now had 3500 Faith Points on hand.
[Congratulations, you have gained experience.
Level: LV2 -> LV3.
Skill Learned: Zealotry (Group skill, increases user movement speed and attack speed, reduces damage taken)
Skill Learned: Emperor's Light (Can banish and suppress Warp entities)]
"Finally, I have company."
Qin Yun, sitting at the control console, grinned.
He reached out to turn off the projection, then quickly walked to the shrine.
He chose to spend all his Faith Points to upgrade his Close Quarters Combat and Firearms Proficiency skills.
[Close Quarters Combat (Novice) upgraded to Close Quarters Combat (Proficient)]
[Firearms Proficiency (Novice) upgraded to Firearms Proficiency (Skilled)]
Just after upgrading his skills, fifteen flashes of light appeared before the shrine.
As the light faded, fifteen players logged into the Warhammer universe.
"Holy shit, it's real??"
The one shouting was Zhang Wei.
He looked around, his eyes filled with astonishment.
The smell and light of the smoke from the burning flames in the braziers.
The flickering firelight made his shadow flicker along with it.
He could also hear the humming of the machinery leaning against the walls.
Looking towards the viewport, he saw a few giant, pockmarked asteroids drifting past.
Visuals, hearing, smell, lighting effects, dynamic simulation, it had everything.
It truly gave a sense of immersive realism.
He just wanted to give the game's developers a thumbs up and say, "Big shots, you're amazing!!"
"Holy crap, holy crap, holy crap, this game is really freaking awesome."
"A fully immersive virtual game, set in Warhammer 40k, my god, it must be the Emperor's blessing, otherwise how could I get to play such a game?!"
"...Damn, why isn't such an amazing game all over the news??"
"I must have helped the Emperor save the galaxy in my past life; otherwise, how would I have the fortune to play this game in this one?"
"It's so realistic, it feels like the real world."
"Even if I die, nailed into a coffin, I'll use my decaying vocal cords to shout, this game is really freaking awesome."
The other players were also excited, jumping around.
Slap!
Zhang Wei casually slapped the buddy next to him.
"Hey, what are you doing!" The buddy covered his face and questioned him.
"The feeling of hitting someone is exactly the same as the real world, the pain too, a one-to-one replica?"
"Hey, test it on yourself! Why hit me!!" The buddy was furious.
"The helmet uses brainwave technology. If you hit yourself, the helmet might simulate the 'being hit' signal to the brain. Hitting someone else and using their reaction is the way to judge the world's realism." Zhang Wei explained.
"Hey, then why hit me?"
"You were the closest."
"Dammit, you bastard."
"..."
"Alright, stop arguing."
Qin Yun walked over and stood before the players.
"He has equipment, and he's wearing flak armor; this must be an NPC."
"This flak armor looks like the standard issue for Cadian soldiers. Could our identities be Cadian soldiers?"
"Cadia? I wonder what the timeline is? Has it fallen yet?"
"Fallen? How could it fall? Cadia stands!"
The players looked Qin Yun over while whispering among themselves.
"Quiet."
Qin Yun walked in front of the fifteen players. "I don't want to repeat that word a second time."
The air instantly went silent.
The players became like obedient children, quietly looking at Qin Yun.
Qin Yun scanned each player before continuing.
"Welcome to hell, you worthless currencies of the Emperor."
"I am the Guide, the Emperor's Chosen Saint."
"The Despoiler destroyed the Fortress World of Cadia. The Eye of Terror lost control, tearing the galaxy asunder."
"A terrible Age of Darkness has fallen once more. Human civilization hangs by a thread, and countless ordinary people are plunged into despair and fear. The heavy burden of saving them falls upon your shoulders."
Hearing this, the fifteen players straightened their backs and pricked up their ears, afraid to miss a single word.
After finishing his opening lines, Qin Yun continued, much like a guiding NPC would.
"The freedom in this game is 100%. You can choose any profession. As long as you meet the profession requirements and have enough Faith Points, you can choose your desired career."
"Faith Points are very important. When you fall in battle, you can consume Faith Points at the shrine to accelerate resurrection. You can also use Faith Points at the shrine for enhancements and skill upgrades."
"You must remain loyal to the Emperor and loyal to humanity. As the Guide, my commands are His will, which you must obey unconditionally."
"In this high-freedom world, before making any important decisions, it's best to consult me first. Once unforeseen consequences occur, it will be deemed a violation."
"For violators, I have the right to use methods such as data wiping, kicking from the game, and permanent bans."
Qin Yun's words made the players realize that this Guide before them wasn't just a simple NPC.
He might also be a safety measure set up by the game company, possessing GM privileges.
Even games with lower freedom could be played by those defying heaven players in abstract and bizarre ways.
Who knows what kind of abstract stunts those players could pull in a game with absolute realism and 100% freedom.
This GM is an insurance policy.
Once a player's actions are confirmed to threaten the game's operation or affect other players' experience, action will be taken.
"Free activity for now. You can walk around, familiarize yourselves with your bodies, or go to the shrine, perform the sign of the aquila, and pray to the Emperor, then you can open your information interface to check your personal details."
"Assemble in ten minutes. I will lead you on your first mission."
After speaking, Qin Yun walked towards the control console to query information about the Imperial Glory.
He was going to lead these players to fight their way out and reclaim this Luna-class battleship.
The players, seeing him leave, immediately reverted to being curious kids.
Looking around everywhere, touching everything they saw.
A few players walked to the shrine. Following the prompt, they performed the sign of the aquila, prayed, and opened their personal information interfaces.
"Why is the name fixed too!"
Zhang Wei looked at the game name on the interface, somewhat speechless.
[Name: Warhammer's Most Ballsy Bro
Level: LV1
Skills: None]
Another player came over and glanced at Zhang Wei's ID.
"Brother Ballsy, looks like whatever our ID was during pre-registration is what it is now."
"What did you call me?"
"Brother Ballsy."
"Damn... let me see yours... 'Kissing Nurgle's Chubby Cheeks'... so it's Little Chubby."
"The name Little Chubby doesn't suit my temperament."
"Better than you calling me Brother Ballsy."
"..."
"Is this a Thinker wetware?"
"So realistic."
Ten times, he pressed his face against the glass tank containing the Thinker, his face full of wonder.
His ID was 'Output to Slaanesh Ten Times a Night'.
When chatting, group friends called him Ten-times.
"It really is very realistic. I had no idea domestic virtual world technology was this advanced." Old Bird (Blue Double-Headed Bird! Loyalty) also walked over.
"The value of this game is unimaginable. Once it goes into open beta, it will definitely turn the gaming world upside down."
Ten-times shook his head. "Not just the gaming world, the whole world would be shocked. Such realistic virtual reality, what kind of computing power would it require!! I'm getting more and more curious about the boss behind this game."
"Must be a really badass person." Old Bird guessed.
"I think this game is an opportunity; it might bring about a new round of social change." Warmaster (Second Empire Warmaster) sidled up to Ten-times and Old Bird. "As the first to eat the crab, if we play our cards right, financial freedom isn't just a dream."
Ten-times nodded. "Warmaster is right. We really need to grasp this opportunity properly. Okay, enough off-topic talk, let's focus on the game for now, look around, gather intel."
"Ten minutes are up, assemble over here."
Qin Yun shouted to the players.
He casually threw out some iron pipes, large wrenches, and the like.
These were the weapons he had managed to procure during this time.
There were no weapon reserves in the strategic planning room.
He could only use locally available materials, getting some iron pipes and wrenches for emergencies.
Once they fought their way out and found the armory, they could get new equipment.
"The crew of the Imperial Glory have been transformed into monsters due to Warp corruption. Your first mission is to clear them out and retake control of the Imperial Glory."
"There are no weapons here, only these. Make do for now."
The players walked over one by one, lined up in two rows, and received their starter equipment.
Warmaster took a large wrench, swung it a few times. It was heavy, more than enough for head-bashing.
"Very Warhammer indeed!! Give me a wrench and send me off to fight mutants."
Old Bird brandished a water pipe. "Hahaha, truly Warhammer. The interstellar age, not even a lasgun, fighting on a starship with a water pipe, it's a bit of black humor."
"Complaining is meaningless. Will and fists are your best weapons." Qin Yun said. "The Emperor watches over you. Do not disappoint Him."
After all players had their weapons, Qin Yun walked to the blast door and pressed the button to open it.
The warning light above glowed red, spinning continuously.
The sound of gears turning echoed as the heavy blast door slowly opened.
Qin Yun chambered a round, ready to lead the players into their first battle since arriving in the Warhammer universe.