Chapter 120 Evolution
As the System's voice faded, a flurry of activity swept through the virtual realm. Players scrambled for suitable locations to log off, their conversations a mixture of annoyance and anticipation.
Grumbling about the untimely interruption was quickly overshadowed by the realization that night had fallen in Divine Realms: Legends. With most activities limited to trading and socializing, the impending downtime seemed less like an inconvenience and more like a well-timed respite.
Eric, however, had alternative arrangements in mind. He hastily made his way towards the Willowbrook Town auction house, his determination fixed on a spending spree. Ores, herbs, rare materials—he bought them all, his insatiable hunger for resources fueled by his recent windfall. His backpack bulged at the seams, overflowing with valuable commodities. He even contemplated a quick dash to the bank to deposit his haul before returning for more.
A timely System notification, reminding him of the rapidly approaching deadline, brought his spending spree to an abrupt halt.
"Time waits for no man, or blacksmith," Eric sighed, resignation tinging his words.
Nonetheless, the transactions he had engaged in previously had endowed him with a satisfactory financial buffer. He had succeeded in amassing an impressive cache of goods, the value of which exceeded ten gold coins, serving as tangible evidence of his newly acquired affluence.
As he made his way to the inn, preparing to log out, he couldn't help but overhear snippets of excited chatter. Players, buzzing with anticipation, speculated about the upcoming System upgrade, their voices filled with hope and excitement.
Eric couldn't suppress a wry smile.
The evolution of Divine Realms: Legends, while undeniably beneficial, was often a double-edged sword.
Upon reaching the inn, he casually tossed 10 copper coins to the innkeeper, securing himself a comfortable night's rest.
The other players, witnessing his extravagant display of wealth, gasped in astonishment. Ten copper coins represented hours of back-breaking labor for them, yet here he was, tossing it around like loose change. However, a quick glance at Eric's level, a respectable 7, silenced any potential snide remarks. In Willowbrook Town, a level 7 player commanded respect, even fear. Crossing such an individual was akin to signing your own death warrant. So they kept their envy and resentment to themselves, their bitterness masked by forced smiles and polite nods.
Money, as they say, talks.
Ignoring their stares, Eric retired to his room, uninterested in explaining his actions.
As the first rays of dawn pierced through the gaps in his curtains, Eric stirred from his slumber. Removing his advanced virtual helmet, he glanced at the clock—8:00 AM, the perfect time for his morning workout.
A sudden ring shattered the morning stillness. It was Tonny.
"Tonny, what's up?" Eric answered, his voice thick with sleep. Tonny rarely called unless it was important.
"Eric, you won't believe this!" Tonny's voice, breathless with excitement, crackled through the receiver. "Turn on your TV! It's everywhere!"
Intrigued, Eric switched on the old, battered television in his sparsely furnished apartment. Flipping through the channels, he realized Tonny wasn't exaggerating. Every single channel was dominated by the same breaking news.
"At 5:00 AM today," a well-dressed news anchor announced, her voice laced with barely contained excitement, "most of the world's top 1,000 conglomerates announced their official entry into Divine Realms: Legends, citing a desire to foster the development of the virtual economy. Each corporation has also established its own dedicated Divine Realms: Legends studio."
Another newsflash, this one featuring a montage of bustling crowds and long queues, flashed across the screen.
"The latest reports indicate that following the announcement, demand for Divine Realms: Legends virtual helmets has skyrocketed. Sales points across the globe are reporting unprecedented crowds and depleted inventories. The number of registered players has surged by an astounding 800 million, with over 1.8 billion concurrent users online, shattering all previous records for virtual gaming."
News reports, interviews with industry experts, and promotional segments praising Divine Realms: Legends as humanity's "second world" filled the airwaves. The message was clear: Divine Realms: Legends was no longer just a game; it was a global phenomenon. To further incentivize participation, the price of basic virtual helmets had been slashed from 8,000 to 4,000 credits, while the price of advanced helmets and virtual storage remained unchanged.
'They certainly didn't waste any time,' Eric mused, a knowing smile playing on his lips.
He wasn't surprised by the news, though the timing was slightly ahead of his expectations.
In his previous life, this wave of corporate interest had arrived ten days after the game's launch. The influx of resources and talent had propelled Divine Realms: Legends into the global spotlight, eclipsing all other virtual games. Gaming veterans and casual players alike flocked to this brave new world, eager to claim their stake in this digital frontier. The sudden surge in players, however, had also intensified competition for resources and opportunities.
Virtual games, despite their vast and boundless potential, were ultimately constrained by the limitations of their programming. A town designed to cater to a few thousand players suddenly found itself overwhelmed and at capacity with ten times the anticipated number. The laws of supply and demand took hold, driving up prices and creating a fiercely competitive environment.
"That explains it," Eric realized, a thoughtful expression crossing his face.
The sudden demand for Glowing Outfit Design Blueprints was a direct result of this corporate gold rush. These new players, eager to gain a foothold in this rapidly evolving world, were willing to pay a premium for any advantage they could get their hands on. The Glowing Chestplate, with its early-game stat boost, was the perfect solution.
"Pity these newcomers," Eric thought, a flicker of sympathy softening his gaze. "They've arrived at the worst possible time."
The System upgrade, while touted as an improvement, was essentially a reset, a recalibration of the game world. The playing field would be leveled, new challenges would emerge, and those who had adapted to the previous iteration would find themselves struggling to keep up.
Eric preferred to think of it as an "evolution" rather than an "upgrade." Evolution implied adaptation, a struggle for survival where only the fittest thrived. As players lived and breathed within Divine Realms: Legends, the main System diligently collected data, analyzing their every move, their every decision. Upon reaching a critical mass, this data initiated a qualitative transformation, a progression intended to bolster the realism and complexity within the virtual realm.
And Eric had a sneaking suspicion that he was partly responsible for accelerating this process.
In his previous life, the first System upgrade had occurred a month after launch, triggered by the players' collective progress, specifically their first successful completion of the Infernal-level team dungeon. Now, history had repeated itself, but at a much faster pace.
A sobering thought crossed his mind. He needed to tread carefully.
His recent success, his lucrative deal with Rosewater, had been a stroke of luck. Replicating such a feat would be difficult, if not impossible. The arrival of the corporations, coupled with the System evolution, threatened to disrupt his carefully crafted plans.
Shaking off his unease, Eric turned his attention back to the television. The news reports, while informative, held little appeal for him. He had more pressing matters to attend to.
His morning workout awaited, a ritual he refused to neglect. The arrival of the corporations meant an influx of skilled players, many of them handpicked from the ranks of professional gamers and martial arts champions. These individuals, guided by expert coaches and armed with the latest training techniques, would pose a significant challenge in the virtual arena.
In order to preserve his competitive advantage, Eric was aware that he must subject himself to more rigorous efforts. He elevated the difficulty level of his exercise regimen, his form becoming a whirlwind of activity as he fine-tuned his reflexes and endurance. The nutritional supplements he had purchased earlier seemed to surge through his veins, fueling his muscles and sharpening his mind.
This would also improve his combat skills in Divine Realms: Legends.
His workout complete, Eric headed out, his mind abuzz with plans. He needed to replenish his stock of supplements and, perhaps, find a more suitable living space. His current apartment, cramped and poorly lit, was hardly conducive to a healthy lifestyle. With his newfound wealth, he could afford to be more discerning.
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