บท 5: A Surprising Revelation
It was Sunday morning, and both Pond and Palm were enjoying their weekend together. They had just finished a delicious Thai breakfast, featuring a sumptuous spread of khao tom, a comforting rice soup with tender chicken and seasoned with a dash of fish sauce and fresh herbs. The soup was accompanied by kai jiew, a fluffy Thai omelet filled with minced pork and thinly sliced onions, served over steamed jasmine rice. Aromatic and spicy nam prik kapi, a shrimp paste-based dipping sauce, provided a flavorful contrast to the meal, while crunchy slices of cucumber and cherry tomatoes added a refreshing touch.
After finishing the hearty breakfast, they sat down in their cozy living room to discuss the game that had captured Pond's imagination: The Chronicles of Xylo. As they sipped on cups of freshly brewed Thai tea, they reminisced about the in-game adventures Pond had shared with his friends Xiao Ming and Anastasia. Palm was especially interested in the intricacies of the game's mechanics and the lore of its world, his curiosity piqued by the tales Pond recounted.
Pond eagerly described the challenges they had faced and the victories they had achieved together, his eyes gleaming with excitement. Palm listened intently, laughing at the humorous anecdotes and asking thoughtful questions about the game's various job classes and skill sets. The brothers' conversation flowed effortlessly, their shared enthusiasm for gaming creating a warm and engaging atmosphere.
Pond's eyes widened in astonishment as Palm sipped his Thai tea and revealed a surprising piece of information about the game. "You know, Pond, this game is actually almost 100% generated and managed by the biggest quantum computer AI in the world. It's called AJ-34 and is owned and operated by Beyond Corporation, the largest AI engineering company in Asia."
Pond raised his eyebrows in surprise, the cup of Thai tea in his hand momentarily forgotten. "Really? That's incredible! No wonder the world feels so immersive and alive. It's like the game is always evolving and adapting to the players' actions." He took a sip of his tea, lost in thought as he pondered the implications of this revelation.
Palm nodded, his expression serious. "That's not all, Pond. The Chronicles of Xylo is actually part of a research project designed to analyze the power and limitations of AJ-34. The game serves as a testing ground for the AI's capabilities, and the results of the research could have significant implications for the future of technology and AI development."
Pond leaned forward, completely captivated by Palm's explanation. "So, how does this research affect the players, though? Are we all just lab rats in some grand experiment?" he asked, half-jokingly.
Palm chuckled and shook his head. "Not at all! The players' experiences and enjoyment are still the top priority. The research aspect is more about observing how the AI adapts to the players' actions and decisions, and how it shapes the game world accordingly. In fact, many of the game's staff, including myself, play the game to gather firsthand information and data for the research."
As they continued discussing the remarkable technology behind The Chronicles of Xylo, Pond felt a newfound appreciation for the game world and its intricate details. He couldn't wait to dive back into the game with his brother by his side, ready to explore the incredible world created by AJ-34 and unravel the mysteries it held.
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Palm explained further. "My duty is actually to operate and maintain that AI system. The game itself is part of a research project aimed at analyzing the power and the limits of AJ-34."
Pond's curiosity was piqued, and he leaned forward in his seat. "So, does that mean you can play the game too, even though you're part of the staff?"
Palm chuckled at Pond's eagerness. "Yes, I can. Even though I'm one of the game's staff, I can't interfere with the system because it's entirely AI-managed. Many staff members play the game to gather research information, both for the company and for personal enjoyment. In fact, my job class in the game was generated based on my background and personal information."
Pond's eyes sparkled with excitement. "That's so cool! I can't wait to see what kind of character you have in the game. What's your job class?"
Palm grinned, clearly enjoying the anticipation. "Well, I don't want to spoil the surprise, but let's just say it's a class that suits my real-life skills and interests quite well. You'll see for yourself when we enter the game together."
As they continued discussing their upcoming in-game adventure, Pond couldn't help but feel a growing sense of anticipation. He was eager to explore the world of Xylo alongside his brother and witness firsthand the amazing job class Palm had hinted at. With their weekend plans now set, the brothers looked forward to embarking on their virtual journey together
Once they were both logged in, Pond excitedly introduced Palm to Xiao Ming and Anastasia. Palm's in-game character was a tall, well-built man with a serious demeanor. His job class was a Time Manipulator, one of the rare starter job classes that allowed him to manipulate the flow of time in battle.
Pond couldn't help but grin as he gestured towards his brother. "Guys, meet my brother Palm! His job class is a Time Manipulator. Isn't that awesome?"
Xiao Ming and Anastasia exchanged impressed glances, both eager to learn more about this fascinating new job class. Palm, sensing their curiosity, began to explain the intricacies of his abilities.
"As a Time Manipulator, I have the power to control time itself, at least to a certain extent," Palm began. "I can manipulate time to slow down or speed up specific targets, affecting their movements and actions. This can be incredibly useful in battles, both for supporting our team and hindering our enemies."
Palm then delved into the details of his starting skills, explaining each one in turn. "First, I have Time Dilation. With this skill, I can slow down time around a specific target, causing their movements and actions to be delayed. This is particularly useful in battles, as it can hinder enemies and give us an edge in combat."
"Next, I have Temporal Acceleration," Palm continued. "This skill allows me to speed up time around a chosen ally, increasing their movement and attack speed temporarily. It's valuable for supporting teammates and turning the tide of battle in our favor."
Palm's eyes sparkled as he described his third skill, Time Warp. "This one's pretty cool. I can manipulate time to instantly travel a short distance, effectively teleporting from one point to another. This skill allows me to evade attacks or quickly close the gap between myself and an enemy or objective."
Finally, Palm introduced his fourth and final starting skill, Chrono Shield. "With Chrono Shield, I can create a protective barrier around myself or an ally that absorbs a limited amount of damage. As the barrier takes damage, it appears to rewind time, repairing itself and protecting the target from harm."
Xiao Ming and Anastasia were visibly impressed by Palm's unique abilities, and Pond couldn't help but feel a surge of pride in his brother. As they exchanged stories of their adventures and learned more about each other's job classes, the group began to strategize how they could best utilize their combined strengths in future quests and battles.
With their team now expanded and their bonds growing stronger, Pond, Palm, Xiao Ming, and Anastasia looked forward to the challenges and adventures that awaited them in the world of Xylo.
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As they ventured through the lush landscapes of Xylo, Pond, Palm, Xiao Ming, and Anastasia bonded through their shared experiences and engaged in lighthearted banter. The four friends marveled at the vibrant colors and enchanting wildlife that populated the world around them. Along the way, they stopped to admire the view from a hilltop or to help a fellow adventurer in need.
It wasn't long before Pond discovered that Palm had a mischievous side when he used his time manipulation abilities to play harmless pranks on the others. During one memorable moment, Palm used his Time Warp ability to sneak up behind Xiao Ming and startle him, causing the Cheerful Bard to hit a hilariously off-key note in the middle of his song. Even Anastasia couldn't help but chuckle at the spectacle.
Another time, Palm used his Temporal Acceleration on Anastasia just as she was about to cast a spell, causing her to unleash an unexpectedly powerful blast of magic that left a nearby tree scorched and smoking. Despite the mishap, the Battlemage couldn't help but grin at the sheer force of her amplified spell.
As they continued their journey, Xiao Ming and Anastasia found themselves laughing more and more at Pond and Palm's antics. The two brothers seemed to have an endless supply of clever tricks up their sleeves, and their playful rivalry added a new layer of fun to their adventures.
When they weren't engaging in mischief, the four friends spent their time learning more about each other's abilities and sharing their experiences from their lives outside the game. These conversations served to deepen their bond and further solidify their friendship.
As they journeyed through the varied landscapes of Xylo, the party faced a multitude of challenges and obstacles. From dense forests filled with giant spiders to rocky mountain passes guarded by fierce trolls, they encountered creatures and enemies of all kinds. But no matter what they faced, they always stood strong and fought together as a team.
Palm's Time Manipulator abilities proved to be particularly useful in battles against tough foes. With a flick of his wrist, he could slow down an enemy's movements, giving the others an opportunity to strike. Alternatively, he could speed up his allies, allowing them to dodge incoming attacks or close the distance to their targets.
One memorable encounter saw the group facing off against a pack of rabid wolves. As the beasts circled around them, teeth bared and growling, Palm stepped forward and raised his hand. Time seemed to slow to a crawl as the wolves' movements became sluggish and their attacks less coordinated. Pond and Anastasia, emboldened by the advantage, charged forward to engage the wolves in melee combat while Xiao Ming provided ranged support with his trusty bow.
As they emerged victorious from the fight, Xiao Ming couldn't help but tease Palm about his abilities. "So, are you like a time wizard now or something? Can you reverse time and make us all younger?" he joked, earning a chuckle from the others.
Palm laughed along with them, happy to be part of such a close-knit group. "Well, I haven't tried that yet," he replied, "but I'll see what I can do." They all laughed at his response, feeling a renewed sense of camaraderie and joy in each other's company.
As they continued their journey, the party knew that they would face many more challenges and obstacles, but they also knew that they could overcome them as long as they stood together and used their unique skills and abilities to their advantage.
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One memorable encounter involved a group of bandits attempting to ambush the party as they passed through a narrow canyon. Palm, sensing the impending danger, used his Time Dilation ability to slow the bandits' movements just as they leaped from their hiding spots. This allowed Pond, Xiao Ming, and Anastasia to react quickly and launch a coordinated counterattack. As the bandits stumbled, slowed by the altered flow of time, the party made short work of the would-be assailants
The bandits' cries of outrage were drowned out by the party's cheers of victory. "That was amazing, Palm!" Pond exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear. "You really saved our hides there."
Palm simply smiled in response, pleased with the successful use of his abilities. "Well, it's all in a day's work for a Time Manipulator," he replied.
Xiao Ming couldn't resist adding his own quip to the conversation. "I guess time really is on our side now," he joked, eliciting a groan from Anastasia.
Despite the danger they had just faced, the group found themselves laughing and joking as they continued on their journey. It was clear that their friendship had grown stronger through their shared experiences in Xylo.
As they traversed through the winding paths of a dense forest, they suddenly heard a loud screech from above. Looking up, they saw a large wyvern perched on a tree branch, glaring down at them with fierce eyes.
Without hesitation, Anastasia raised her staff and unleashed a bolt of arcane energy at the wyvern. The creature screeched in anger and took flight, circling above the party and raining down fireballs.
Pond quickly sprang into action, using his Beast Whisper skill to summon a nearby flock of birds to distract the wyvern. Xiao Ming followed suit, playing a lively tune on his lute that caused the wyvern to momentarily falter in its attack.
Using the distraction to their advantage, Palm used his Temporal Acceleration ability to boost the speed and agility of his friends, allowing them to dodge the wyvern's attacks with ease. Soon, the wyvern was vanquished, and the party emerged victorious once again.
"That was intense," Xiao Ming breathed, wiping sweat from his forehead. "But we make a pretty good team, don't we?"
"Absolutely," Pond agreed, patting his friend on the back. "We've come a long way since our first day in this game, haven't we?"
In another battle, the group faced off against a formidable elemental beast that could control the forces of nature. As the creature unleashed a torrent of wind and lightning.
Palm grinned as he manipulated time to shield Anastasia from the raging storm created by the elemental beast. "Don't worry, Anastasia! You can count on me to protect you!" he exclaimed as he focused on maintaining the Chrono Shield.
Xiao Ming added his own touch to the battle by playing an upbeat tune that lifted the spirits of the party and boosted their resilience. "Let's keep fighting, everyone! We've got this!" he encouraged them with a smile.
As they fought, Pond noticed a pattern in the elemental beast's attacks and managed to find a weakness. He seized the opportunity and delivered a swift blow to the beast, causing it to momentarily lose control of the elements. "Now's our chance!" he yelled as he signaled the others to attack.
Anastasia channeled her magic to unleash a spell that shook the ground and caused the beast to stumble. "Take this, you elemental brute!" she yelled triumphantly as her spell landed.
The beast roared in fury, unleashing a barrage of lightning strikes in retaliation. But the party was prepared. Palm's Chrono Shield absorbed most of the damage, while Xiao Ming's Harmonious Chorus helped them to shrug off the remaining shockwaves.
In the end, the party emerged victorious, battered but triumphant. As they caught their breath, Pond couldn't resist teasing Palm, "Hey, I thought Time Manipulators were supposed to be overpowered! You barely did anything!"
Palm chuckled, "Hey now, I was busy protecting our dear Anastasia here. You guys would have been toast without me!"
Xiao Ming joined in on the fun, "Yeah, I think we need to give Palm the award for best support player of the battle!"
Through these encounters and more, the four friends honed their skills and learned to work together as a cohesive unit. They quickly discovered that the unique combination of their abilities allowed them to overcome even the most daunting of obstacles. As they continued their adventures in Xylo, their bond as a team only grew stronger, and their confidence in one another soared to new heights.
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The sun was setting over the calm waters of the lake, casting a warm orange glow across the sky. The group sat on the soft grass by the shore, enjoying the peaceful serenity of the moment. Pond took a deep breath of the fresh air and smiled contentedly. "This is the life," he said.
Palm nodded in agreement, sipping from a flask of water. "Indeed it is. And to think, just a few hours ago we were battling for our lives against that bandit ambush."
Xiao Ming chuckled. "Yeah, I think I pulled a muscle with all that dodging and weaving. Good thing we had Palm's time skills to slow them down."
Anastasia nodded. "And Pond's beast skills came in handy too. That pack of wolves didn't stand a chance against his animal whispering."
Pond grinned. "Hey, I have a way with critters. It's a gift."
The conversation soon turned to their lives outside the game. Pond shared stories of his work as a veterinarian, recounting the joy he felt when he successfully treated a sick animal, and the heartbreak when he couldn't save one. Palm explained the intricacies of maintaining the advanced AI that powered the game world, revealing the challenges and rewards of working with such cutting-edge technology.
Xiao Ming and Anastasia listened with fascination, chiming in with their own experiences and anecdotes. They talked about their families, their hobbies, and their dreams for the future. The more they talked, the closer they became. They laughed at each other's jokes and teased each other playfully.
As the night grew darker, the group huddled together under a blanket, enjoying the warmth and comfort of each other's company. Palm pulled out his guitar and began strumming a soft melody, and Xiao Ming soon joined in with his flute. Anastasia hummed along, and Pond tapped his feet to the beat. They played and sang until the early hours of the morning, lost in the magic of the moment.
As they finally drifted off to sleep, the group knew that they had formed a special bond. They were not just comrades in arms, but friends who had shared their lives and dreams with each other. The world of Xylo had brought them together, but it was their friendship that would keep them together, both in the game and in the real world.
ความคิดของผู้สร้าง 
ASAH1
ASAH1 updated skill lists for each party member:
Pond - Beast Savior:
Grooming: Calms and tames wild creatures, making them more receptive to Pond's commands.
Pledge the Vow: Establishes a bond with a creature, allowing Pond to communicate with them and gain their assistance in battle.
Beast Empathy: Enables Pond to sense the emotions and needs of creatures, helping him to understand and better care for them.
Beast Whisper: A passive skill that allows Pond to communicate with any creature in the game, regardless of their species or level.
Nature's Embrace: A powerful healing ability that allows Pond to mend wounds and cure ailments with remarkable efficiency.
Xiao Ming - Cheerful Bard:
Inspiring Melody: Plays a tune that boosts the morale of the party, increasing their attack and defense for a limited time.
Healing Harmony: Performs a soothing song that gradually heals the party members' wounds, restoring their health over time.
Battle Hymn: Sings a powerful anthem that increases the party's critical hit chance and damage output for a brief period.
Hypnotize Melody: Performs a mesmerizing tune that stuns the target, rendering them temporarily unable to act.
Harmony's Chorus: Bolsters the party's defenses and amplifies their attacks.
Anastasia - Battlemage:
Arcane Shield: Creates a magical barrier that absorbs a certain amount of damage, protecting Anastasia and her allies from harm.
Elemental Strike: Channels the power of the elements to imbue her weapon with fire, ice, or lightning, dealing additional elemental damage to enemies.
Battle Meditation: Regenerates health and mana for Anastasia and her allies over time, allowing them to endure prolonged battles.
Mystic Blade: Enhances her weapon with arcane energy, increasing its damage output and granting a chance to inflict status effects on enemies.
Infernal Tempest: Unleashes a storm of fire and destruction upon her enemies, capable of dealing massive area-of-effect damage.
Palm - Time Manipulator:
Time Dilation: Slows down time around a specific target, causing their movements and actions to be delayed. This skill is particularly useful in battles, as it can hinder enemies and give Palm and his allies an edge in combat.
Temporal Acceleration: Speeds up time around a chosen ally, increasing their movement and attack speed temporarily. This skill is valuable for supporting teammates and turning the tide of battle in their favor.
Time Warp: Manipulates time to instantly travel a short distance, effectively teleporting from one point to another. This skill allows Palm to evade attacks or quickly close the gap between himself and an enemy or objective.
Chrono Shield: Creates a protective barrier around himself or an ally that absorbs a limited amount of damage. As the barrier takes damage, it appears to rewind time, repairing itself and protecting the target from harm.
Chrono Field: Slows down time in a large area around Palm, affecting enemies and allies alike. This skill can be used to gain a tactical advantage in battles or to create a temporary safe zone for the party.
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