Chapter 46

Chapter 46 Wilderness.

Chi Cheng stared firmly at the rules, his expression deep and grave.

The game had publicly revealed the real names of the ten Crown Princes, as well as their forum nicknames. It was almost as if it was only one step away from posting their photos as well.

Below these names and nicknames, there was an additional clause. The clause clearly stated that the identity of Crown Prince could be transferred.

This point had already been mentioned in an earlier announcement by the game. Now it was brought up a second time, making it even more explicit.

And the way to transfer the Crown Prince identity was through the death of the previous Crown Prince.

Whether dying in the game due to failing to clear a stage, or dying in reality due to some accident, the outcome was the same. It was just that in the former case, the transfer of the Crown Prince identity was random, while in the latter case, it was directed.

At this point, there was no longer any need to consider the intention behind the game publicly revealing these ten Crown Prince names.

At the very bottom of the latest faction war rules, there was also a line of reminder from the game.

“Every player will be a participant in the faction war. Apart from the Crown Princes, all other players may choose one faction to support. Before the final result is announced, players may change the faction they support at any time.

A friendly reminder: there will only be one winning side. A draw is impossible.

Then, the losing side, as well as players who choose neutrality without standing on either side, will be lost in the game forever.”

Forever lost?

It was nothing more than a euphemistic way of referring to death.

Chi Cheng steadied himself and looked at the names of the ten Crown Princes.

Seven of them were ordinary players whose nicknames he had never seen before.

The other three were all on the overall leaderboard, and their rankings were very high.

Among them, the third place on the overall leaderboard, Wilderness, and the fifth place on the overall leaderboard, Storm, were both in the Tyrant faction.

Meanwhile, the fourth place on the overall leaderboard, Sweet Sweet Big Laugh, was in the Benevolent Monarch faction.

Seeing this, Chi Cheng clearly understood in his heart that the player base had indeed already been split into two sides.

So the question was, would Wilderness and Storm, as highly regarded public figures and guiding lights in the eyes of countless players, choose to switch factions?

After all, they had always appeared in the public eye with positive images, and the Tyrant faction did not quite align with the stance they had previously shown.

However, even if they intended to change factions, it would not be now.

Chi Cheng lightly tapped the armrest of the chair with his fingers, looking at the other seven names with a thoughtful expression.

These seven were clearly pawns pushed out by the game system, tools meant to let players slaughter each other. These ordinary players, having been given the identity of Crown Prince, were like a child carrying gold through a bustling market—aside from attracting fire, there was no benefit at all.

They could not hold onto this position.

Only one outcome awaited them.

And that was—death.

From all the available information, it was clearly not the right time to rush in and compete for positions.

Even if one did fight for it now, the chances of holding it were extremely low.

The struggle for the ten Crown Prince positions had only just begun; at most, this could be considered a small appetizer.

The real slaughter was still far behind.

Only later would it truly enter an era of blood and chaos.

By then, all rules would be rewritten.

At that time, a Crown Prince position would become unimaginably precious, with countless people staring at it.

From ancient times to the present, there had always been only one who could ascend to the supreme throne.

Not to mention, that position now carried the temptation of “wish fulfillment.” This “wish fulfillment” naturally included all desires.

Pool Present said to the person beside him, Pool Silk, “If you want the Crown Prince position, you’ll still need to wait patiently for now.”

Pool Silk couldn’t help but ask, “Dad, how long do we have to wait?”

Pool Present couldn’t bear to disappoint her, so he said, “Wait half a month first.”

After half a month, the names of the ten Crown Princes would be hidden. By then, perhaps they could try to step in and seize a position.

Thinking of this, he said in a serious, instructive tone, “Silk Silk, the game has clearly entered a new era. You must improve your skills as quickly as possible so that in the future, you’ll have the ability to hold onto a Crown Prince position.”

“Your skill—Rollback—has great potential.” As for emotions and such things, in the face of the future, they were not worth mentioning. But he did not say it directly, afraid of hurting Pool Silk’s feelings.

Pool Silk smiled and said casually, “Got it, Dad. I’m working very hard right now.”

Pool Present patted her shoulder and said nothing more, turning back to continue studying the announcement, in case he missed any important information.

Updates to the game in reality would not affect players much, but updates to the horror game could affect countless lives.

This time, the game update contained a lot of content. Apart from announcing the rules of the faction war, other areas were also adjusted.

The most obvious change was that the “Trading Tower” would now be open to all players.

It should be known that previously only veteran players could use the Trading Tower to trade; new players did not have this function.

But now, all players were treated equally.

From this change, Pool Present analyzed quite a lot.

Why were only veteran players allowed on the Trading Tower before? Because at that time, new players were very poor. Even if they could access the Trading Tower, they could only look and not buy anything. In that case, there was no need for the game to open the Trading Tower to new players.

But now, new players could also use the Trading Tower.

Clearly, the situation where new players could not afford the Trading Tower had already changed.

Why was that?

Because of hidden identities?

Were hidden identities that powerful?

Compared to the fiercely competitive Crown Prince positions, Pool Present was clearly more interested in hidden identities.

The current game environment was obviously unfair to veteran players.

At present, it seemed that only new players possessed hidden identities, while veteran players’ skills were somewhat outdated. In Pool Present’s view, the game would eventually give veteran players a chance to unlock hidden identities.

And he was waiting for that opportunity.

Who wouldn’t want a hidden identity?

Pool Silk was indeed a new player, but unfortunately she did not have a hidden identity. However, nothing in the world is perfect. Her skill was already strong enough; if she also had a hidden identity, it might disrupt the balance of the game.

At the same time, the forum was in an uproar of wails. Apart from a small number of ambitious players who were full of anticipation for the future of the game, another group of players was clearly confused and lost about what lay ahead.

“The neutral ending is actually death. Choosing any faction still gives a 50% survival rate, but staying neutral means 100% death!”

“On the bright side, at least players can change factions at any time. When the time comes, whichever faction’s Crown Prince is stronger, we just choose that side.”

“But in half a month, the Crown Prince names will be hidden. How are we supposed to know who they are?”

“The game has even changed its name to ‘One Thousand and One Dreams’.”

“Clearly, for some players, the game is no longer a nightmare but a dream, so the game thinks ‘Dream’ fits better.”

“Just from the rules listed, you can tell Crown Princes have privileges. The 68% discount in the shop is obviously just one of them—they can even enter personal dungeons.

As for more, we can’t know. Not to mention, the future ruler who emerges from the ten Crown Princes can fulfill any single wish. Haha, if I weren’t too weak, I’d be tempted.”

“Hey, haven’t you noticed? Why is Wilderness in the Tyrant faction? Why make him stand against humanity?”

“I was thinking the same thing… If you want to switch factions, the Benevolent Monarch side clearly has to lose one person. But if you don’t switch, him being in the blue-side Tyrant faction really doesn’t seem right?”

“It’s obvious. The game just wants to intensify player opposition and make them slaughter each other more fiercely.”

【Oh my god, it’s only been a short time since the faction war rules were released, and the Crown Princes have already started getting replaced?】

Two of the ten Crown Prince names had already been changed to others.

Clearly, human competition had already begun.

What were the odds that two Crown Princes would simultaneously have accidents and die inside the game?

【Everyone calm down, don’t fall for the enemy’s schemes! Humans are one whole entity, don’t kill each other, don’t kill each other, don’t kill each other!】

At this moment, a collapse post appeared on the forum.

【I don’t want to be a Crown Prince, why was I chosen? I don’t want to be a Crown Prince at all!】

After seeing this post, some players couldn’t help but empathize with the original poster.

Being inexplicably matched as a Crown Prince, yet lacking the strength to protect oneself… one could only say this OP was truly too miserable.

Some players couldn’t help but click into the post.

It wasn’t hard to see the OP’s breakdown.

【Why me? Why? I’m just an ordinary player! My skill is very ordinary, I’m also very ordinary as a person, I can’t be a Crown Prince, please don’t harm me okay? If it can be voluntarily transferred, I can transfer this identity to you all! I don’t want this position, I really don’t want it!!!】

Unfortunately, the Crown Prince identity cannot be actively transferred; it can only be passively transferred due to certain conditions.

After two of the ten Crown Princes were replaced, the national team reacted quickly and immediately sent many members to protect these Crown Princes.

Because their names and nicknames were known, finding them was not difficult at all.

The game had just been updated. Perhaps they could find a better method—one that could preserve more players. In any case, the national team’s goal had always been the same: to let more players survive!

Half an hour after the rule update, all players in the top ten of the overall leaderboard who were not currently inside the game stood up.

The one selected into the Benevolent Monarch faction, Sweet Sweet Big Laugh, immediately started an online livestream.

In the livestream, she clearly stated, “We will all live well. The game will definitely leave our world one day. Please believe in this. Just like my nickname says, we will once again stand under the sun and the starry sky, laughing sweetly!”

Sweet Sweet Big Laugh’s statement was full of positivity, and many players spammed in the comments: 【Benevolent Monarch faction will win!】

But gradually, another voice emerged among these comments.

【Benevolent Monarch faction will win? Don’t be ridiculous. The final winner will definitely be the Tyrant faction!】

【Our Tyrant faction is the strongest!】

【Long live the Tyrant!】

【@Wilderness, @Storm, say something!】

The Wilderness who was called out by Tyrant faction players was still inside the game, while Storm had not been in good condition recently and had not appeared publicly for a long time.

After being called out, Storm, like Sweet Sweet Big Laugh, also chose to start a livestream immediately.

In the livestream, the young man’s face was thin yet handsome. It was obvious that his condition had indeed been poor recently—his paleness and exhaustion were visible at a glance.

He forced a bitter smile toward the viewers in the livestream and said, “I don’t know why I was chosen into the Tyrant faction, but please believe me, my heart is entirely with the players. I hope that one day the game can completely leave our world and return us to peace and tranquility.”

【We believe you!】

【Storm, being assigned to the Tyrant faction is really too tragic. I’ve been your fan for years—I watched you climb step by step into the top ten of the leaderboard. The hardships… probably only you truly understand. I personally witnessed you go from a newcomer potential player to a strong veteran player. I don’t know why this game is so hostile toward veteran players, actually putting two veteran players into the Tyrant faction.】

【Hope we can all survive.】

Storm curved his lips slightly and smiled. “We will. We will all survive…”

Under the livestream camera, his right hand was tightly clenched into a fist. In his palm was a small ID photo.

On the ID photo, the girl’s smile was bright and radiant, yet it had been forever frozen at that moment…