Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

  In comparison to “unlimited thrill,””new adventurer” and “mercenary legend stage” were not as popular as their game quality was not as good.

  “Unlimited thrill” could allow the player to become a low-level explorer and go through many unthinkable missions. Although they could be scary at times and there were already many games regarding explorers, the quality and similarity to reality was striking. There were some explorers who, having tried the game, had remarked that it felt just like their missions in real life, with an 80% accuracy. The remaining 20% difference was that real-life missions were not as scary and life-threatening. If the missions were really so hazardous in reality, sane people would never take up the explorer role. To explain this another way, the name of the game was really apt as it was indeed interesting while being extremely daunting at the same time.

  The other two games, conversely, were not as interesting. “New adventurer” was a simple word game about someone who was completely foreign to exploring. It taught one how to prepare for exploring and told you about the more famous explorers’ stories. To someone who had no experience in this field, it was informative and interesting. However, for past explorers or people with knowledge, if one played it repetitively, it soon became dull.

  On the other hand, “mercenary legend stage” was a bit more interesting. The drawings in the game were rather intricate, and several monsters looked quite real. Those who played the game sometimes even mistook monsters in real life as the game ones, and this was not due to issues with their brain or eyes! Secondly, the content was more satisfactory, and there were many missions where one could find lost animals or solve mysteries. This game was also rather popular, with many lining up for it each day. However, it could not be compared to “unlimited thrill.” For example, this could be booked with only one or two days’ notice effortlessly.

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  Another thing that determined the differing levels of popularity was the game controller. For “unlimited thrill,” one had to go to Void Mask Temple to experience it exclusively as one had to lie into a round box similar to that of a coffin to play. However, for the other games, they were sold in this world, and one could play it at home steadily as long as they created an alter for the Void Mask Lord and maintained it well. These past few years, many wealthy families had already bought their own controllers. Even those of mid-level income also came together to share one game controller set among a few families.

  Because of these games, there was more variety in the lives of the Garth City citizens; at least, that was the opinion of those outside of the city. They did not like watching musicals and were not amused by other forms of entertainment and preferred to return home to play games. There was even a famous scholar who criticized Garth City and said that this was a trade treasure spot but a cultural desert.

  “Is it really that serious? Have they all really become addicted gamers, like an Internet-addicted army?” Sui Xiong entered Leon’s office and discussed the issue of the game controllers.

  “Internet-addicted army? What’s that?”

  “It refers to a group that would need the help of a certain Professor Yang…… Have the Garth City people really become so addicted that all they want to do with their time is play games?”

  Leon smiled and shook his head.

  “How can that be! However, it’s true that apart from resting, drinking or traveling, most wealthy Garth City citizens do make gaming a pastime. They enjoy the “mercenary legend stage.” I calculated this before, and there are about 20,000 regular players of the game.”

  “20,000!? My goodness…… I remember that a game controller costs about 500 gold coins, right? If there are 20,000 players, wouldn’t that cost hundreds of thousands!? Are the Garth City citizens really so rich!?”

  “You’ve calculated incorrectly. Many share a game controller with a group of friends or families. It is rare for an individual to own one. According to my calculations, 1 in every 5 people own a controller.”

  This was still shocking to Sui Xiong as that would still mean an expenditure of 100 gold coins per person, and this was not a small amount. In comparison, to chase a dangerous criminal, it would only cost 1000 to 2000 gold coins! Furthermore, among the 20,000 players, that would still mean about 20,00000 gold coins! Even the reserves of the kingdom would not be able to accommodate this amount.

  “Are the citizens really so rich!?” Sui Xiong couldn’t help but ask.

  “I think so. They’ve accumulated savings over the years. Furthermore, Kalisa has organized several game controller sales, which are subsidized…… One person may only need to spend 60 gold coins to own a controller.”

  “That is still not a small amount!”

  “To the farmers, it’s a lot, but to citizens in a busy city…… How do I put it? As it is a lot, they find that it’s worth it. Furthermore, even the less interesting games such as “new adventurer” are educational and come with a basic literacy education system. Think about it, if you could use the system to learn how to read and write, 60 gold coins would not be considered expensive.”

  Sui Xiong thought about it and nodded. In this world, becoming literate was expensive. Using merely 60 gold coins to buy a system that one could use as an educational tool for years was a steal.

  “Thus, the literacy rate here is high. Originally, when the scholar had criticized us in the past, Kalisa had been extremely indignant and gathered a huge group of citizens to debate with him; this group consisted of a few thousand citizens. Upon seeing this crowd, the scholar was so overwhelmed that he immediately left.”

  Sui Xiong laughed upon hearing this. If only the gamers on Earth could be so strong as well!