Chapter 4: Meager Initial Data
With a mischievous, somewhat lecherous grin, Li Xin enthusiastically tried to persuade the waitress, Xiao M, to linger a while longer, doing his utmost to foster a good relationship with her. Yet, given his reticent, unsociable nature, trying to play the rogue was no simple feat. Even Xiao M, who had only known him for a few days, seemed well aware of this.
Her laughter, clear and melodious as silver bells, lingered as the pure and lovely Xiao M, reminiscent of a water lily, took her leave. As soon as he saw her off, Li Xin leaned against the doorframe, muttering to himself, “Strange, we were so close—how did she not see the purple electric light around me?”
“Did she really not see it, or is she pretending not to?” He frowned. “There’s something odd about the way this little girl looks at me, but I can’t quite put my finger on it.”
Puzzled, Li Xin tentatively addressed the NPC, “Is initialization still not done?”
[Mechanical voice]: Five more minutes are required. Please wait patiently.
“Seriously? That long? Are you messing with me?” Li Xin grumbled, casting a contemptuous glance at the empty air. Since he still had to wait, he might as well eat first. Only by restoring his energy could he bring his condition and mental faculties to their peak.
So far, Li Xin knew little about this so-called “King of Games.” He only knew it was a virtual-reality game, but what kind? Turn-based? Competitive? Real-time? Or perhaps something entirely new? With no information, he couldn’t prepare at all.
In truth, with his current physical condition, he couldn’t play for long. Gaming meant sitting for extended periods, but he couldn’t last that long—his limbs would soon go numb, and his mind would become dazed.
He recalled the past, when keyboard and mouse were his awe-inspiring weapons, dancing nimbly at his fingertips, creating one classic moment after another. But memories, after all, are just memories—destined to drift away with the wind. What remained, what awaited him, was the future.
What meaning was there in clinging to the past?
He finished his meal as quickly as possible, then settled in at his computer desk. Only ten seconds remained.
At last.
[Mechanical voice]: Attribute initialization data collection complete. Preparing to enter the game interface. Please wait.
[Mechanical voice]: Generating attribute panel for the bound player. Please wait.
[Mechanical voice]: Title advancement system is being refined. Please wait.
Beep, beep, beep, beep...
Ding!
[Mechanical voice]: Game preparation phase 100% complete. Entering the game in 5...4...3...2...1...
The series of mechanical prompts, though somewhat dull, left Li Xin feeling both excited and eager. He had been waiting for this moment, fully prepared.
A beautiful piano melody began to play, gently calming Li Xin’s thoughts. He found it remarkable, as if it were a meditative technique from Shaolin martial arts.
Suddenly, the scene before his eyes blurred rapidly.
He was still in his room, but everything around him was fading away, replaced by a display reminiscent of a computer’s LCD screen.
Li Xin was amazed, even awestruck. As a professional gamer, he had experienced 2D and 3D games, and even the latest “God of Light” with its helmet simulator, but none could create an experience as extraordinary as this. How to describe it? After pondering, Li Xin chuckled softly.
It was like Tony Stark’s robotic glasses in “Iron Man,” only his were even more advanced.
The interface took shape.
It was divided into three panels—left, center, and right—resembling a car’s dashboard.
On the far left was a rotating figure, beside which was a column of annotations: his attribute panel.
Player: Li Xin
Strength: *
Speed: *
Intelligence: *
Agility: *
Mental Power: *
A row of blank spaces—Li Xin understood that the system had yet to finalize his attributes.
Looking to the right, he saw a long table—the title advancement system.
Level: Title
1-10: Spirit of Games
11-20: Game Expert
21-30: Game Guide
31-40: Game Mentor
41-50: Shadow of Games
51-70: Soul of Games
71-80: Lord of Games
81-90: Venerable of Games
91-99: God of Games
100: King of Games
It was a clear and straightforward progression system.
In the center was a colorful blank area, the function of which Li Xin did not yet know.
[Mechanical voice]: King of Games is officially starting. Final assessment of the bound player’s attributes is underway.
Ding!
[Mechanical voice]: Attribute assessment complete. Bound player Li Xin, initial level: 3.
“Only level 3?” Li Xin frowned. He had hoped the system would assign him a starting level of 20 or 30, given that he had once been the world-renowned nine-time champion of CF.
[Mechanical voice]: Apologies, but your physical condition is poor and you are temporarily unable to attain a higher level.
Suddenly, Li Xin understood—the system had factored in his Parkinson’s disease. Truly advanced and comprehensive.
Ding!
The left panel flickered, and his attributes now displayed data, with explanatory notes.
Player: Li Xin
Strength: 4 (Determines the power of the player’s attacks)
Speed: 3 (Movement speed, also reflects overall bodily coordination and attack speed)
Intelligence: 9 (Player’s intellect and adaptability; the “CPU”)
Agility: 7 (Reaction speed, i.e., the ability to respond to sudden situations)
Mental Power: 7 (Perception, determines the fluency and control of virtual-real integration and other factors)
The right panel also updated, the title advancement table replaced by current game data.
Li Xin: Spirit of Games
Level: 3
Growth Experience: 0/300
Special Skills: None (Note: One is unlocked every ten levels, upon title advancement.)
Staring at such meager, pitiful statistics, Li Xin felt utterly disheartened. He had expected his rich experience would earn him a higher starting level. Yet here he was, tossed straight into the novice ranks.
But soon, he calmed down and even felt a touch of exhilaration.
This was a one-of-a-kind game in the universe—what did poor stats matter? No one else would be competing with him. With his current state and abilities, he might as well treat it as a simple pastime. After all, burdened by illness, who could say how long he would live?
Ding!
The mechanical voice chimed again: The game has begun. Good luck, player. The NPC will now be reset and await your next summon, which will be available upon your next title advancement.
A series of urgent beeps followed. Li Xin silently thanked the poor NPC and wished it well.
Suddenly, he recalled something and shouted, “Hey, don’t go yet! The game’s started, right? Where is it?”
[Mechanical voice]: The game is all around you.
Ding!
In that instant, Li Xin felt as if an intelligent brain had been sealed away in the void, vanishing without a trace.
“The game is all around me? What does that mean? This is just a room—where’s the game?”
“Why do I suddenly feel like I’ve been tricked? Must just be my imagination.”
Disappointed, Li Xin tried using his mental power to click the scarlet x in the upper right corner of the screen.
Exit.
His vision returned to his bedroom. Glancing at the clock, he saw it was already 11 o’clock. With a sigh, Li Xin tucked the mysterious, magical King of Games away in his heart and climbed into bed, drifting off to sleep.