First kill, rewards...
As an Undercover among NPCs, Lin Bai always managed to precisely strike the most sensitive nerve in the Players’ hearts.
...
To gain the NPC’s trust and keep his hard-won mission, Dragon Breath felt it necessary to maintain his dignity as The Chosen One.
So, with Lin Bai’s encouraging gaze, this level-one rookie once again wielded his kitchen knife to challenge that impossible mission.
"You runt! I’ve been rciful to you ti and again, and you still don’t get it?" The mont Dragon Breath arrived again, Alpha’s voice, now utterly furious, sounded out.
Then, Dragon Breath was thrown out even faster than the previous two tis.
He was tossed even higher.
He was flung even further.
This ti, the furious Alpha didn’t go easy on him. Dragon Breath landed face-first. When he got up, his face was already disfigured, blood streaming from his nose.
Lin Bai instinctively sucked in a sharp breath, relieved it wasn’t him. With his slight build, he wouldn’t survive a few throws like that.
Alpha was too brutal!
It was a good thing Players didn’t feel pain; otherwise, he might have quit the ga after that throw.
...
He lost HP!
What a ruthless BOSS.
His HP bar dropped by a quarter in an instant.
Dragon Breath wiped the blood from his nose, the thought of retreating beginning to form. At his current Level, he was simply thrown out the mont he stepped inside. What kind of useful information could he possibly gather?
"Young man, stop playing around. You’re bleeding! Unleash your true strength! It’s ti to show them what you’re made of!" Lin Bai’s death-knell-like urging voice once again echoed in Dragon Breath’s ear.
Are you really stupid? Or just pretending? I think you’re just a henchman, in cahoots with that thing inside... If I were a real person, you would have gotten killed several tis over by now. Dragon Breath roared silently.
It must be that the Emotional System’s current task is to collect positive emotions. Otherwise, Dragon Breath could definitely help Lin Bai rack up a ton of spirit points right now. Stupid System, not flexible at all.
"Shopkeeper, I’m not in good shape today, and I don’t have a suitable weapon. Give two days, just two days. I’ll definitely co back and help you take care of him." Unable to withstand even a single move, Dragon Breath didn’t want to waste any more ti and turned to Lin Bai.
"I suspect Alpha doesn’t dare to kill anyone," Lin Bai mused, staring at the shop as if he hadn’t heard Dragon Breath. He continued his analysis, "If Alpha were truly powerful, he should have fought you for three hundred rounds instead of just throwing you out. There are only two possibilities: one, he can’t beat you, or two, he doesn’t dare to kill. Either way, we’re in an unlosable position."
"..." Dragon Breath was stunned, staring blankly at Lin Bai. An intelligent NPC giving out strategies online? Is this guy really stupid or just pretending?
But it had to be said, he was persuaded again. He struggled to his feet, looking at the pitch-black doorway. "Maybe... I should try again?"
"Go for it! Believe in yourself, you can do it!" Lin Bai clenched his fists in an encouraging gesture. "The old Immortal said that every Chosen One possesses infinite potential. If you don’t push yourself, you’ll never know how outstanding you are."
He looked earnestly at Dragon Breath. "Young Chosen One, I can tell that perhaps due to your youth, your strength isn’t as formidable as the old Immortal described..."
Dragon Breath’s face turned slightly red!
"...Nevertheless, when you heard about my difficulties, you stood up without hesitation, neither retreating nor evading. Such a righteous deed is countless tis greater than any Knight-Errant I’ve ever encountered. With such noble character, you are destined to beco a great figure standing at the very peak in the future. Please allow to express my deepest admiration for you." Lin Bai stood straight and once again bowed deeply to Dragon Breath, his sincerity palpable.
In the dim surroundings, Lin Bai’s heartfelt words were incredibly persuasive.
At this mont, Dragon Breath even forgot he was playing a ga. He rubbed his eyes. What’s this strange feeling of being moved? Am I really that great in the eyes of an NPC? Is this what it feels like to be needed, acknowledged, and respected?! To think, the first ti in my life I’ve been genuinely moved was by an NPC in a ga. Perhaps pursuing a realistic ga isn’t without rit.
When the ga is imbued with new aning, the significance of playing it is instantly elevated.
[Emotion from Dragon Breath 1, Reward: 1 Charisma (Already issued)]
[Open Positive Emotions Side Quest: Collect ten positive emotions triggered by you. Reward: 3 Charisma]
The sudden System prompt stunned Lin Bai. So, positive emotions can be obtained by dishing out motivational speeches? He was an expert at that! Parental guidance, teachers’ lectures... he grew up steeped in that stuff! Players really are his lucky stars!
The 1 Charisma took effect instantly.
To Dragon Breath’s eyes, Lin Bai seed slightly different than before. He sighed. Alright, it’s hard to hold a grudge against soone who praises you, even if they’re an NPC!
He shook his head, trying to dispel the feeling of being moved by the NPC. Dragon Breath looked at the dark doorway and sighed inwardly. Whatever, I’ll go in a couple more tis. Just consider it grinding the NPC’s favorability! All for the sake of the instance.
"Alright, I’ll go in and take another look." Dragon Breath shook his head, picked up the kitchen knife from the ground, and slowly walked towards the shop. Even though he was moved, knowing it was a futile effort, his mindset was no longer as proactive as before.
Reaching the entrance, Dragon Breath stopped and decided to try a different approach. "Alpha, inside! Hold your fire for a mont! I want to talk to you."
"Okay," ca Alpha’s muffled reply.
Dragon Breath confidently walked in.
WHOOSH!
Dragon Breath flew out faster than before, Alpha’s angry voice trailing behind him, "Talk, my ass! Haven’t you had enough?! Get lost! If you dare to co in again, I’ll kill you!"
PLOP!
He spat out a mouthful of blood.
Dragon Breath lay on the ground, gazing at the moon, and muttered, "Damn it, no respect for martial ethics! We agreed to talk! The NPCs are so crafty, and the BOSS is shaless too. This ga is unplayable!"
Lin Bai pretended not to hear Dragon Breath’s muttering and approached him. "Young Knight, are you alright?"
Dragon Breath assessed his injuries and shook his head. "This ti... I’m really done for!"
"Young Knight, there are so things I don’t want to say, but I must. Don’t give up. If you give up once, you’ll give up countless tis. Persevere, and victory will be just ahead." Lin Bai looked at Dragon Breath, continuing to ladle out the ’chicken soup.’ "Although I don’t know your na yet, I believe that when you stand at the apex in the future, you will definitely not forget this day when you refused to retreat..."
This bowl of ’poisonous chicken soup’ choked back Dragon Breath’s words of refusal.
Dragon Breath stared blankly at Lin Bai. This guy really knows how to talk! But being moved once or twice is one thing; a third and fourth ti just seems too intentional! Do you really take for an idiot?
Dragon Breath’s eyes were vacant. I can’t go on like this. I need to co up with a plan. This ga is clearly different from others; the NPCs are too intelligent, too crafty.
He was sure that if he left, this scummy NPC would dare to find soone else. Then the first kill of the instance, the rewards, and everything else would definitely have nothing to do with him.
Once soone else gets the first kill, he’ll be left with nothing today but a broken kitchen knife. How can I leave safely and still retain ownership of the instance?
Dragon Breath looked at Lin Bai, who was expectantly waiting for him to eliminate Alpha, and a flash of inspiration suddenly crossed his mind.
The emotional card! This world is real for NPCs; he can totally play the emotional card! So, it’s ti to put on an act!
"Shopkeeper, you’re right. I won’t give up." Dragon Breath clutched his chest, a wry smile on his face as he struggled to sit up. "This isn’t just your problem anymore; it’s a War between him and . It concerns the honor of a Chosen One. I can only win, not lose. I won’t back down! Rember . I am Dragon Breath! One day, this na will resound throughout the entire Continent!"
"..." Lin Bai was taken aback. Damn it, you’re a Player! What’s with this sudden burst of Chuunibyou nonsense?
"Idiot! He’s tricking you into getting yourself killed..." Alpha, inside, couldn’t listen anymore. Having been harassed all night, his patience had reached its limit.
"Shut up, you evil creature that endangers the world! Don’t try to bewitch anymore! Even if I die, I will eliminate you today and restore justice to the world!" Dragon Breath suddenly raised his voice, glaring angrily at the doorway as he roared with righteous indignation.
"’Idiot.’" Alpha, not being good with words, hesitated for a mont before squeezing out the word through gritted teeth, full of resentnt for his foolishness.
Dragon Breath ignored Alpha inside the shop and looked at Lin Bai, his eyes exceptionally bleak. "Shopkeeper, to be honest with you, although I am The Chosen One, I am indeed no match for him. Tonight, it’s highly likely I will die here..."
"..." Lin Bai watched Dragon Breath’s clumsy acting, the corner of his own mouth twitching. "Why don’t we just... not fight?"
"No, you’re right. If you back down once, you’ll keep backing down. Don’t try to persuade ; I can’t back down today, even if I die." Dragon Breath’s eyes turned resolute. "In this situation, dying is my best option. If I can scout out so information about Alpha before I die, then my life will have been worth it."
"..." Lin Bai.
Seeing Lin Bai suddenly fall silent, a hint of smugness flashed in Dragon Breath’s eyes.
Be moved! Cry! Let that favorability score skyrocket! Is there anything more touching than death? Who doesn’t know how to play the victim card?
He coughed, forcing a smile onto his wound-covered face. "Shopkeeper, don’t be sad. Don’t forget, I am The Chosen One. The Chosen One is fearless."
Which of your eyes saw looking sad?
Lin Bai silently watched the Player’s cringeworthy performance, utterly speechless.
"When I die in a little while, don’t be afraid and don’t report it to the authorities. Just help bury my body. I have a resurrection spell, so when I co back, I’ll help you fight him. Shopkeeper, seeing how hard I’m trying, please don’t look for other Chosen Ones. The Alpha inside must be left for , alright? This concerns my honor, the dignity of a Chosen One. If he’s eliminated by soone else, it will beco a thorn in my heart forever, tornting for the rest of my life."
Holy crap! For the sake of the instance, you’re even willing to throw away all your dignity!
Speechless, Lin Bai decided to play along. "Can you... really be resurrected?"
"The price is steep, and I’ll likely be greatly weakened. However, if it ans restoring peace to the world, it’s worth it." Dragon Breath, like a hero about to march onto the battlefield, took two steps forward, then turned back to Lin Bai with a smile. "Trust , I am the invincible Chosen One."
"..." Lin Bai was utterly exasperated. Damn it, I’m a guy! Who are you trying to scare with that sleazy smile?!
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