A Race to The Top

"Sorry, we are sincerely sorry for your unprovoked accident like this."

The man in suit and leather shoes politely bowed to Ling Xiaolu ninety degrees, but this did not reduce his grievance.

"Dare to ask who are you?"

"I'm sorry, I forgot to introduce myself." The man manipulated the communicator a few times, and Ling Xiaolu received a business card exchange request from him. "I am the customer service manager of Xinshan Company. You can call me Ke Ming."

"Hello, Manager Ke, I just want to know why this ghost can't be taken down, isn't it just for research?"

"That's it, I'll explain it briefly for you." Ke Ming stretched out his two hands to simulate a rectangular viewfinder frame, and expanded outwards. An enlarged virtual projection screen appeared in front of the Lingxiao road, densely covered. It is numbers and graphs.

"The ability values ​​of the battle pets in the game seem to be random on the surface, but in essence they all follow the numerical laws designed by the initial numerical planning. This is also to maintain the balance of confrontation in the game.

"Each of us also has our own hidden attribute ability value. The problem that has plagued us for a long time is the mismatch between the player's value and the pet's value system, which caused the host to judge it as a'plug-in', thus rejecting this part of the player's Sign in.

"After our multi-party testing, we found that players can only pass the review if the matching degree is higher than 92.7%. Therefore, we call 92.7% the critical point for login.

"Although the critical point has been found, it is a pity that very few users can reach this value. Up to now, only 37 people have passed the test, and the highest match rate is as high as 98.5%."

"You mean my match with the system exceeds 92.7%?" Ling Xiaolu asked.

"It's more than that." He touched the virtual screen, and a human-shaped silhouette appeared on the left of the screen, and on the right were many values ​​that Ling Xiaolu couldn't understand, as well as the percentage of rapid beating in the center of the screen. It jumped to 100.08% before stopping.

"...Is this me?" Ling Xiaolu said for a long time.

"Exactly."

"What is 100.08%?"

"It's the system matching degree just mentioned."

"Since it is data matching, how can the matching degree exceed 100%? My math is very good, don't lie to me."

Ke Ming sighed: "This is also the problem that bothers us."

"Then when can you overcome this problem?"

"The technical department is working hard to troubleshoot the problem, and we will definitely do it as soon as possible."

"How long is it as soon as possible? One hour? Half a day? One day?"

"Because this is the first time we have encountered such a situation, so there is no way to give you an accurate time to solve it." Ke Ming was embarrassed.

"You have studied the problem of not being able to wear this thing for more than a year and you haven't studied it. How long will it take to study if you can't take it off?" Ling Xiaolu scratched his hair in anguish, "I don't want to wear this thing all the time."

"For the inconvenience caused to your life, we will make corresponding compensation. I have applied to the company's senior management to temporarily hire you as a non-staff tester. As long as you wear this device, you can calculate the effective working hours. We will calculate the effective working hours according to the number of hours. Pay your salary."

"Then if I can't get it in one day, can I get 24 hours' salary?"

"Exactly, and given the special nature of your job, your hourly salary is double that of other testers, non-working hours are calculated as overtime, and holidays are doubled."

"But, wearing this, I can't do anything, I can't even get out the door."

"Can I take the liberty to ask, what is your occupation?"

"student."

"High school student? Or college student?"

"I just finished the entrance examination, and I will be a first-year college student again." Ling Xiaolu was a little frustrated, and finally got admitted to the ideal school. What if it was a delay in starting school.

"No wonder you will buy game peripherals at this time. Can you take the liberty to ask which college you have been admitted to?"

"Smoky Mountain University."

"Wow," Ke Ming exclaimed heartily. "That is a well-established school with a long history, with nearly 500 years of school history. The talents who can pass the exam are extraordinary. I don't know which major you have taken. ?"

"The direction of superionic materials for the interstellar navigation and communication major of the Galaxy Institute of Engineering."

"It's still a popular major, so your grades must be excellent."

Not just anyone can become a customer service manager, and targeted compliments are at least very effective for young people like Ling Xiaolu who have not been involved in the world.

"It's okay." His tone and expression became much calmer.

"It's the beginning of June, and there are still three full months before the start of colleges and universities in September. I believe that within these three months, our technical department will definitely be able to come up with follow-up solutions."

"Then what about my daily routine? You won't let me take this out in the summer."

"There are two ways to solve this problem. One is that the company is responsible for sending daily necessities to your door. As long as you need it, we can meet it. If you want to buy online by yourself, the company can also reimburse it in full. stay at home."

"What about the second way?"

"With our company's current game technology, you can completely solve all your physiological needs in the game. That is to say, as long as you maintain a normal diet in the game, you will also take in the same amount of nutrients in reality, not for health. Worry about the problem."

"Such advanced?"

"In fact, a small number of players have lived in the game for a long time. Our host will monitor various indicators of the player's body in real time. So far, there has been no problem."

"Then I have to be caught as a pet, is there any way I can enter the game through the bracelet?"

"Sorry, this is not possible for the time being. The host can only process one peripheral's access request at the same time, and the collar as a special peripheral has the priority to read. We cannot modify this for individuals."

The clerk on the side helped lobby: "In fact, human pets will also receive a lot of privileges and preferential treatment in the game."

"What kind of preferential treatment?"

"For example," Manager Ke introduced, "Players don't need to pay any game fees. In a free state, the game is completely free. After signing the contract, the owner is responsible for paying for peripherals, monthly card fees, and mall item costs. ."

"Who?" Ling Xiaolu's mouth twitched.

"It will be paid by the person who signed the elf contract with you." Manager Ke changed his words wisely.

"Also, what did you just say, there are monthly cards and paid items?"

"For ordinary players to play the game, the first eighteen levels are free. After that, they need to purchase a 50-money monthly card every month. The items in the in-game mall are voluntary consumption, and if you do not buy it, it will not affect the game experience."

"What kind of charging model is so bad?"

"This is based on the operating experience of a certain keyboard online game produced and developed by Jinshan Technology, the predecessor of Xinshan Company hundreds of years ago, and it is a mature charging model that has been tested by the market."

"Keyboard online games," Ling Xiaolu sighed, "It's really an old term."

"Yes, it has disappeared a long time ago. In our generation, there are no old players of keyboard online games. Now this era is the heyday of holographic online games."

"After all, there is only monetary compensation. I am now bargaining with the big boss who wants to support me. Although I am a poor man, I am not too poor to sell myself. I still have a monthly card of 50 renminbi a month. Affordable."

"The owner and the pet need to sign an elf contract before both parties agree. Given that human pets are currently scarce and in short supply, the decision is actually in your hands. If you disagree, no one can force you."

"Yes, once the signing is completed, my decision-making power will be in the hands of others. I said that the ratio is 3:1, and the local tyrants will definitely do everything possible to force me to submit." Ling Xiaolu is not stupid at all on the key issue.

"In addition, human pets can learn all the existing pet skills in the game. This is a game experience that other players cannot have."

"Oh?" Ling Xiaolu finally got a little interest.

"It's like the exclusive skill of the undead, the famous corrosion of all things and the spread of plague." The clerk added.

"What kind of skill is this! Just listening to the name does not have the desire to learn!"

The clerk regrets: "These are two very powerful skills. Once acquired, they will cause sores, pus, and decay, so that all players will turn around and run when they see you."

"What's my picture!!"

Ke Ming warned him with his eyes, and the acquainted clerk silently shut up.

Seeing that Ling Xiaolu is still very repulsive of pet status, the experienced Ke Ming has an idea.

"It is your freedom to use the collar to play the game, but if you are willing to try, the technical department of our company will also fully cooperate to meet your in-game requirements as much as possible."

"For example?"

"I know your biggest concern is that you don't like the identity of the battle pet. Although this cannot be changed, the technicians will try to help you pretend to be an ordinary player, even if you are a dater, you can't tell it."

Ling Xiaolu rekindled hope: "That means I won't be caught as a pet?"

Ke Ming did not correct his statement, only said: "We will do our best to protect your game freedom."

"Then can I have a pet that pulls the wind like a wind-breathing pterodactyl?"

"I'm really sorry, this is technically impossible, because you are a battle pet, and the system stipulates that a battle pet cannot raise another battle pet. But if you like this new battle pet in the expansion, I can call the shots. Give you a mini version."

"Mini version?"

"That's what we often call non-combat pets."

Ling Xiaolu didn't really distinguish the difference between combat pets and non-combat pets, but the various compensation conditions proposed by Xinshan Company showed sincerity, and he seemed unkind if he didn't follow or forgive him.

"Okay, that's the end of the matter, even if I disagree, there seems to be no choice."

"Are you agreeing to experience the game? That's great, and it will be of great help to our research and improvement of peripherals." Ke Ming said gratefully.

"What should I do next?"

"You need to do an identity registration. Are you over eighteen years old?"

"It's full, is there any problem?"

"The game "Elves Contract" has two ratings in the online game rating system, R14 and R18. That is to say, only players over 14 years old are allowed to enter the game, but players over 18 years old are allowed to enter the game. Can experience the full content of the game."

"What's the difference?"

"First of all, there will be a big difference in the picture. All the exposed bones of the skeletons will grow muscles, the corpses will turn into tombs, and there will be no blood and light effects. Overly exposed clothing will be re-sewn; secondly, minors. The account will be included in the anti-addiction system, and the income from online for more than two hours will be halved, and the income will be zero after five hours; in the end, no **** with other players is allowed."

Ling Xiaolu caught the point at once: "Can you have **** with other players?"

"If the two or more parties voluntarily."

"How much can it be?" He was dumbfounded.

"We are a free and open game." Ke Ming said with a smile.

The clerk held up a pupil pattern scanner: "If you have reached the age requirement, please do an identity scan here so that we can verify your information."

In this era, there is no ID card, and personal information is stored through the pupil pattern. The clerk uses an instrument to quickly scan Ling Xiaolu’s eyes, and his information is listed in detail on the display—

Name: Ling Xiaolu

Sex: Male

Age: 18

Hometown: Hushuo City

Occupation: Student

…

"Please verify that the information is correct."

"Incorrect." Ling Xiaolu confirmed.

"Identity confirmation is OK, the peripherals have been bound, and there is still the last step to implant in the client."

He bent down and took out the "Hidden Dragon" deluxe version client gift box from the counter. It is indeed a deluxe version. The packaging is so exquisite. The original game painting is exquisite, similar to the material of colored glaze. Look closely at the top of the box and there are colored streamers. surge. All the flowing light points to the same destination, and the end of the convergence happens to be a pearl inlaid in the eyes of the wind-breathing pterosaur.

"You can now open the gift box yourself."

Ling Xiaolu lightly touched the surface of the bead, and the cube box immediately rose slowly into the air and began to rotate clockwise. It was very slow at first, and then faster and faster, until the naked eye could not catch its speed.

Just when Ling Xiaolu was dazzled, a few lifelike goldfish suddenly jumped out of the box, swimming flexibly around Ling Xiaolu, making him stretch out his hand to catch it. The goldfish slipped away from his fingers, entangled with his companions until it turned into a swimming dragon condensed by ink and wash, and circled back and forth in the air with the melodious ancient music. After a dragon roar, it turned again. The smog disappeared, and only three calligraphy characters with flowing clouds and flowing water were left in the air-Dongtianling.

"It's so beautiful," he sighed sincerely. "It would be great if it didn't have this thing on my neck."

The luxury version of the packaging gift box has quietly fallen back to its original place. The original closed top cover is open, revealing the pure black inner box inside. The center of the inner box is embedded with a golden metal chip.

The clerk carefully took out the chip, inserted it into the slot at the bottom of the collar, and wiped it with his hand. There was no trace on the metal surface.

"Everything is ready, you are now free to go back and forth between the real and virtual world, I wish you a happy game."

"We will send dedicated customer service to **** you to ensure that your game progresses smoothly. If you have any questions, you can ask customer service or contact me." Ke Ming added.

"I have a problem now."

"Please speak."

Ling Xiaolu pointed to his neck: "How do I go back wearing this?"