章 11: Chapter 8 Puppet God_1

On the EMP Virtual Mode Forum of Sky Message, a post stealthily climbed up the popular list, sparking intense discussion.

The post was submitted by "Kepler's Pirate King" with the title, "A Thread Dedicated to the God of Puppets — Does the Virtual Zone Puppet Master have the ability to challenge the Real Zone?"

The forum had already seen tens of thousands of discussions. Puppet was quite famous in the virtual battle zone, with thousands of high-score battles under his belt. Although he'd set himself to be hidden, overtime, many have encountered him and shared their insights from battling with Puppet. This guy was truly terrifying, proficient with many types of mechas, without any known defeats, and many virtual mode experts have lost to him. To this day, no one has claimed to have beaten him.

So, the question arises, is he a pure leisure gamer?

If it's for leisure, there is no need to hide at all. Winning is just for showing off, otherwise, what's the point?

But nobody has ever chatted with Puppet, nor does anyone have Puppet's friend slot.

"I predicted it, Puppet God would definitely switch to real mode. He no longer has any rivals in the virtual mode!"

"Cut it out, he never even participated in any virtual zone competitions. How can you say he has no rivals? Casual gaming and competitive gaming are two different things!"

"His skills are there, maybe he came from a military academy and is too shy to reveal it."

"I agree, I really look down on this type of player. If you're good, stay and play in your own zone. What's the point of going to the virtual zone and beating up on the weak!"

"Just a common player, what's there to discuss? Do we virtual zone players have no dignity!"

.........

In the dormitory, "Kepler's Pirate King" sat with crossed legs, watching everyone bluster, a smug smile on his face. "Newbies, you guys lack the insight of your big brother."

Zhuang Zhou, a first-year journalism student at the Sky Star Mechanized Military Academy. He wanted to major in mecha, but lacked the grades. Settling with a choice that allowed him to be close to these mecha gods was a consolation.

The virtual zone and the real zone are two completely different worlds. Those virtual zone gods, after gaining fame, always want to prove themselves in the real zone. However, often "reality" is cruel, they all get beaten up badly. This is the current state of the virtual zone, and it's true not only in the USE but also in other federations.

Zhuang Zhou usually switches between "real mode" and virtual mode. When he becomes too tired from playing in the real mode, he relaxes in the virtual mode. Although he's not top-tier in his preparatory class, his win rate in virtual mode is quite high, especially when dominating self-proclaimed experts, which always perks him up.

Until he met Puppet.

Yes, it was a total nightmare. He was piloting the high-performance NUP light super-mecha, while his opponent was in a Kailong. To his dismay, Zhuang Zhou was torn apart in that battle, and his morale was crushed.

Feeling reluctant to accept his defeat, he tried to get Puppet for a rematch, only to find out that Puppet ignored everyone. Zhuang Zhou, being tenacious, continued to quietly observe Puppet's ID, and noticed that Puppet never blocked spectators. He followed Puppet's battles like a man possessed, rushing over whenever Puppet's ID lit up in the battle records.

However, all he saw were victories. Actually, this isn't surprising. All the stronger academy students can demonstrate astonishing maneuvers. Using a common saying: don't challenge others' professions with your hobbies.

However, Zhuang Zhou found something different in Puppet's gameplay, a color discrepancy in the mecha!

His dominant golden gene was particularly useless, simply put, it could be described as a "woman's sixth sense", that sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. He vaguely felt that something was wrong, so he repeatedly watched and compared Puppet's battles until he finally found the problem.

There are subtle color differences between EMP's two modes. The virtual mode, mainly for entertainment, has brighter and more eye-catching mechas. In all of Puppet's battles, his mecha color differed slightly from that of his opponents, it was subtly more like the real mode's color.

Zhuang Zhou began to mock himself. It seemed impossible and illogical. Could there be someone with masochistic tendencies?

But after half a year of following Puppet, he confirmed it wasn't his imagination. The opponents genuinely had a color discrepancy. In other words, was there someone using the real mode to play the virtual mode?

He tried it himself and was disgusted with the result. Even if he wasn't special enough to be in the mecha class, he was still a top player in the virtual mode. When he attempted to switch, it felt like the apocalypse.

Concrete motives required for playing virtual mode in real mode, what kind of madman would do this?

And for what reason?

When Zhuang Zhou realized the unusual circumstances, his blood started to boil. This Puppet definitely has a problem.

This is why he believed Puppet would eventually return to the real mode. When that happens, what will it be like?

Zhuang Zhou monitored Puppet every day. Sometimes he'd even check in the middle of the night when he had to use the bathroom, fearing he might miss something. Until yesterday, he finally got what he waited for.

Yes, a real mode grand battle!

Puppet's first opponent was "Eternal Starlight". Although the information was hidden, any seasoned EMP lover could recognize at the first glance, it was the training number for Freeman, the pioneer of Star Mechas at NUP. It was expected to be a fierce duel, but Zhuang Zhou could hardly believe his own eyes.

Famous for his spectacular performances at the Mechanized Military Championship, Freeman was actually toyed by Puppet. Did we just witness a miracle?

The defeat in the Mecha War Competition had left all USE supporters holding their breath, hoping to bounce back somewhere. After the competition, the online rate of EMP's virtual mode had increased by 300%.

What excited Zhuang Zhou was that the Puppet was likely someone from USE, because USE medium-sized mechas dominated in his collection. This was probably a subconscious preference; people from other federations were less likely to have such a preference.

Zhuang Zhou took great interest in this person. If such a person had participated in the last competition, would the results have been different?

Feeling that the heat of the forum topics had subsided, Zhuang Zhou opened Sky Star News, called up the operation interface, and posted a second post, "Puppet in Real Mode: Highlights of Seven Victories".

With a straightforward title and a clip edited overnight, it was perfect.

With both hands behind his neck, reclining in his chair with legs crossed, he didn't try to create any buzz. Let them discover the hidden details themselves, it's more interesting that way. If no one noticed, he would make a review with an alt account.

For now, let the bullets fly for a while.

Soon, his roommates returned to the dorm. Coming from across the country to attend the Mecha War competition at Tianjin, everyone was very excited. Zhuang Zhou turned off Sky Star News. People who do great things should maintain a bit of mystery; he believed the Puppet Master felt the same.

"Tianji's resources are really good, guess who I saw today?"

"Who?" Zhuang Zhou was always good at picking up cues.

"Goddess Tong, Goddess Yi, and Sister Sheng Man. Three goddesses in one frame, different flavors, same level, superb."

Whenever the topic of beautiful women came up, especially women of fame, the first-years would get excited. Zhuang Zhou however, didn't have much interest. Even though most of the students who get admitted to the journalism department were gossipy, he didn't want to show off to a bunch of kids. He had goals, and his sixth sense was telling him he found a big fish.

A humble worker, after finishing the delivery, flattering the boss, receiving today's wages, returned happily to the school.

Since it was still early, Bleem's nature drove him to reach 3000 points; he was definitely not doing this just for the points. There were likely bigger tasks ahead. He was already more than halfway in uncovering the truth, he didn't mind stepping on the gas.

After grabbing something to eat to replenish his energy, Li Hao arrived at the EMP Building. The new semester officially started, and the entire EMP building was bustling with excitement. Of course, during non-vacation periods, only the Mecha and Starship departments could use the EMP building. Others who wanted to play might need to find a place outside. However, most EMP's outside were only virtual mode.

After waiting a little more than ten minutes, Li Hao got a training room. The rule of EMP was that the more victorious points you gained at the start, the more bonus points you'd receive. However, it became more difficult the further you progressed. 3000 points wasn't easy to obtain. In a calm situation, Li Hao tried to maintain adequate rounds. He made a rough estimate and figured the problem wasn't too big.

Ding dong ding dong ding~~~~~~~~~~

A torrent of notification sounds poured in. Li Hao frowned, wondering what was going on. He opened one message, which was either a friend request or a challenge invitation. Li Hao tidied up his notifications by moving them all into the Junk Box, then turned off friend requests and challenges.

He just wanted to quietly increase his points. He hoped for a competent opponent today.

"Mr. Puppet, you have entered match mode. Please wait patiently..."

The system prompted, and Li Hao closed his eyes to recuperate.

Meanwhile, at Sky Star Mecha War on the Moon, Feynman, ambitious like a small lobster, was known as a young genius. Having entered Tianjin, become a team member, and then secured good results, it would be an understatement to say he was in high spirits.

He had encountered strong opponents before, but he had never experienced such an "insult" as he did yesterday. He was boiling up with rage and felt if he didn't reclaim his honor, he would explode.

Alz had tried to persuade him, but to no avail, due to Feynman's direct nature.

Feynman rushed eagerly to his account on Sky Star News and entered matchmaking. Although the chances were extremely low, since they had faced off before, there was a certain probability of encountering each other again. The rest was up to prayers. God, if you are listening, please give me a chance!

Tianjin Mecha War.

Zhuang Zhou was still bragging with his roommates when he instinctively checked his Sky Star News. It was his habit, and he realized a notification had popped up. He instantly put on his holographic glasses, "Guys, I've got something to do. You carry on."

Li Hao was a bit puzzled. What's up? No one? Why is it taking so long?

With EMP's popularity, finding an opponent should have been easy. However, Li Hao's situation seemed odd to the system but still conformed to EMP's mechanism, which caused a bit of a delay.

Li Hao's opponent was confirmed: The Eternal Starlight.

An instant later, a roar echoed throughout Sky Star Mecha War. By heavens! Even God heard his prayers. If I do not beat the hell out of you, I will take your last name!

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