Dying In Real Life Is Another Way To Play - Chapter 39 Switching To The Other Side

“What a peculiar request?”, Zhang Shan thought to himself. He just declared his stance to HIVE NEURAL TECH earlier and now they were reaching out to him? That was truly absurd.

Zhang Shan didn’t dally much longer as he answered “No”. He understands that at the very least, being a Royal Demon himself, the quest wouldn’t end with just helping out these guys obliterate their enemies in the other end of the continent.

The quest itself wouldn’t end unless he, Titiana and Carnalia aren’t obliterated as well. He’s not the suicidal type who would just jump into anything presented to him, besides they aren’t speaking in his preferred language since they don’t exactly know him.

After selecting his preferred response, there were no further quest notifications that popped up. The next thing he did was jump in with the others discussion.

“Lan Ranyan, how come you guys didn’t experience any pain during the facial change process? Titiana and I had to suffer just for the sake of it…” Zhang Shan curiosly asked.

Lan Ranyan thought for a bit and said. “We did experience pain a bit but it was tolerable. I’m thinking it’s due to our races or that we only have partial demonkind genes unlike you two who are pure royal blood demons”

“Well, that does make sense…” Titiana answered.

“What do we do next?” Ye Qian asked in a concerned manner

“I’d like to know as well since were all together now and most likely, we are now being “hunted” as well, unlike you guys that won’t die, we three have chances of dying for real” Ye Qing said

Everyone looked at Zhang Shan since their fates are now tied to him. Zhang Shan thought for a while in silence and said.

“We should be expecting visitors again, one that I’m really waiting for… I plan to stay here for a while until they rendezvous with us…”
for visiting.

“How’d you know they know where to find us?” Lan Ranyan asked.

“Leito just did and invented something really interesting, just by helping you guys look for me, those “Signal Throwers” of his were really helpful. I believe my german research division would have been working something regarding that for some time now. They know what to do with regards to supplying something that has yet to be in demand…” he said.

“Do you mind if I ask you something?” Ye Qian interrupted the two… “Who are you really ZhangShan?”

The five were on all ears to his answer.

“Me? I’m a Pro-gamer, but not the active type who does PVP and not the adventuring kind, I mostly run the economic scene of the games I play. That’s how I meet people, you could say almost all big players in games know me, except I don’t have the exact fame in public as the other Players out there.” Zhang Shan answered casually

“Then how come Leito and Garam calls you “Looter God Zhang”?” Ye Qing asked, trying to probe more.

“We’ll that used to be one of my In-game names, I’m known to play with the “Looter Zhang” alias.” he answered.

Lan Ranyan added “No, were more intrigued with the “God” part…”

“Oh, that one, well, mostly because I’m generous with my friends and guild members… I also offer in-game and real life financial assistance… It’s one reason I’m flat broke and living in a studio type apartment… I’m not rich in real life any more, but inside games… that’s where my money is stored…

“I think the branding of “God” has got to do with my benevolence… and something about my inborn abilities, just like Lan Ranyan’s sixth-sense for things, I have one as well which they all ended up calling “God-sense”… Though I call it “Phytagoras-Switch”.” Zhang Shan explained.

“I know that, its an old and defunct TV show from Japan?” Lan Ranyan said

“Yeah, I guess you can say that, we used to watch it together… that’s why you’re familiar” Zhang Shan said

“Waaaaaiiitttt…. Nooooo! Really? you guys knew each other from the start?” Ye Qian asked excitedly

“I only found out after what she called me earlier, only one person in this world would call me that, and that was when I was 5 years old.” Zhang Shan said.

“She told me back then that we’re lovers from that day onwards… by lovers she meant-”

“He’s my pet and I’m the owner…” Lan Ranyan interrupted Zhang Shan and finished his sentence.

Hearing this, Ye Qing, Ye Qian and Titiana were giggling leaving Carnalia confused.

Lan Ranyan crossed her arms and said “In fact, I only learned of it when I logged out earlier and met my mom, I found out that they went at Zhang Shan’s funeral… Qian-er, he’s the guy I told you before that pisses me off.”

“So, you really left her at the altar?” Ye Qian nodded and asked with amazed eyes

“Woah! it didn’t get up to that point… there wasn’t any ceremonies to begin with, I don’t know where you got the idea of being left at the altar from.” Zhang Shan defensively answered raising his hands in surrender

“It’s more or less the same, but I’m thankful you did that… Who would be in their right mind would willingly enter and get in an arranged marriage at this day and age?” Lan Ranyan followed up

Zhang Shan nodded and kept silent before he told everyone to follow him back into Carnalia’s house, he and Titiana still needed to clear things up with Carnalia’s parents and why they kept calling them Emperor and Empress. The three nodded and were excited to hear something about it as well.

As soon as every one was inside, Carnalia fetched her parents and asked them to enlighten them about this concern.

Carnalias Parents bowed to Zhang Shan and Titiana as everyone found their seats to listen to them as they started telling the reason they addressed them as such.

“A few months ago, Emperor Arja and Empress Nakara arrived secretly and introduced themselves, they were looking for the last area were the “Ratu Al Draka’s” were seen. They said they needed to check and see for themselves if they have ever been truly wiped out from existence.” Ranola, Carnalias mother started to speak

“In the Ancient holy scriptures, the “Ratu Al Draka” had been referrd as the eternal food of the Demon Gods, which is also why the Royal Demonkind had been raising them, trying to imitatate the Gods.” Ranola continued

Lan Ranyan interjected and asked, “If they were food, why did they use them for war and invasion?”

Carvahal, Carnalia’s father, answered her

“The Ratu Al Draka was never meant for war and invasion… It was due to the limited resources in the land of the Royal Demons that they have ended up being herded here, before they arrived, the land and vegetation was abundant… the whole continent of the Elkadi Empire was meant as a pasture ground.”

Everyone was amazed by these revelation.

“Does that mean to say that the humans and wild life that used to live in ancient times in this continent were only seen as food?” Titiana asked curiosly

“Yes, the people that lived here including all the beasts and humans were nothing but mere feed for the Ratu Al Draka” Carvahal answered

Ye Qian spoke in lament as he said “Poor “players” should they choose to be a Draka, they would just end up as “Cows” without knowing it.”

“In that case, where do the Royal demons originally come from?” Ye Qian asked

“The Royal demons and all other demons come from a different land way beyond the seas. The Ratu Al draka are not capable of crossing the seas which is why this continent was the best place for them to multiply… There used to be a gigantic bridge to deliver the Ratu Al Draka here, athough they have a high reproduction rate, they could only give birth to one “Draka du Azur” or the source in their colony, this is what the royal demons are truly after. It was said that this offspring is the source of their lineage and has a unique ability to raise a Royal Demon into ascension to the “God” state.” Ranola answered her

“What does it look like?” Lan Ranyan asked

Carvahal shook his head and said “No one knows and how it could work out, but the Emperor and Empress said they will recognize it when they find it.”

The Lan Ranyan, Ye Qing and Ye Qian looked at Zhang Shan and nodded.

“Does that mean that I have eaten and took for myself the “Draku du Azur”? That could be the reason why he was so pissed when I killed it, I may have taken what they were looking for.”

Hearing this, Carvahal and Ranola were both surprised.

“What do you mean? Are you telling me you are not the Emperor and Empress?”Ranola asked

Carnalia then spoke and told him Zhang Shan and Titiana’s story before coming here, which her parents listened solemnly to. After the retelling of the events, Carvahal said.

“The Emperor and Empress have mentioned that they were in a race against time, they were others coming after them and the “Ratu Al Draka” as well, These were the Empresses brother and his men who also wanted to take the throne for himself… If what you told me is true, then the Empress’s brother may have succeded in killing them….” Carvahal said with sadness in his eyes as his wife consoled him silently by holding his hand and squeezing it lightly.

“Although you may have taken the Emperor and Empress bodies for yourselves, I believe there could be a reason for that… I think the Ancient Demon Gods have planned all this to happen as they may already be unworthy of their powers and we demons are no longer worthy of their guidance… Just like what happened with the humans in this continent when their Ancient Gods left.”

“Father, do you mean to say you know where we demons came from? Have you seen it before?” Carnalia asked

“Foolish child, although we have long life spans, at best we could not live longer than the Emperor and Empress… It was passed to me through stories by my father and his father before him….” Carvahal answered as he pinched Carnalias cheek.

” Do you believe that Zhang Shan and Titiana had truly become your new gods?” Lan Ranyan asked Carvahal

“Yes, the feats they have done so far were indicated in our Holy Scriptures, only the Ancient Demon Gods can do that… This is why whatever they decide to do, our Vinkarra Village will follow them…” Carvahal said as he and Ranola bowed their heads in Zhang Shan and Titiana’s direction.

….

At the “Babel tower”, Leito, Scarlette together with her team members started making “Signal Disrupters” and “Signal Throwers”.

“Can you tell me how it feels like to be under the direct command of God Zhang?” Leito asked Scarlette

“It’s actually feels different, there is a sense of honor, pride and this weird and amazing feeling that everything is going to work out whatever happen.” Scarlette answered

“How long have you guys been “playing”?” Leito asked again, trying to build rapport

“We’ve been playing for 6 years now” Shana answered while smiling

“Wow! that long? Are you like part of HIVE or something?” Leito asked

“Yeah, we were here for sometime now, I’m guessing you already know the truth from God Zhang, though he never really expected to be stuck here in Gaea… Although we did inform him before that there was something weird about the project, he never knew it would be this earth shaking… Last we got into contact with him was 6 years ago before we started.” Scarlette answered him.

“Wait, how did he know about HIVE back then?” Leito was confused.

“He didn’t but he was partly a “hidden” owner of the Game Company that HIVE purchased back then.” Scarlette said

“What? how did that happen?” Leito was surprised

“Playing games is one of his most favorite hobbies, and when he was told about what HIVE wanted to do back then, regarding improving the VR scene, he told the board of directors to sell the game company.” Scarlette answered

“So, when did you guys took part in all these?” Leito asked again

“We’re actually consigned by HIVE for some initial trials back then, it wasn’t a beta testing part… God Zhang was already interested with the game’s progress, that’s why he reached out to me… It’s more of a bet really… and I lost miserably… That’s when the “Fate Engineering Team” was created.” Scarlette said as she stared into the distance

“What’s the “Fate Engineering Team” exactly?” Leito asked curiously

“It’s hard to explain, but think of it as a group who can make things “happen”… he taught us how to do it… it’s something he is born with if you ask me….” Scarlette continued.

Shana who was listening to them interrupted “Captain, I told you many times before,the correct term is “Godly Battlefield Awareness” or he calls it the “Phytagoras-switch”… That’s how she- we lost anyway…”

“What kind of “battle field awareness are you talking about?” Leito asked Shana as Scarlette stayed silent

“Think about this, you’re in a fight against him, no matter how many people you have on your team, you can’t win against “God Zhang” for some reason, he seems to see the whole surroundings in a “God’s Eyeview” and create strategies innadvance, well… In our team we actually refer to him as “God Phytagoras”…. Though I’m not sure if he was able to adjust in Gaea yet… In comparison, what we can do as a Team, he can do it alone.” Shana added.

“I understand now, he can see it like looking at a monitor when playing games, that’s like “Macro Control” right?” Leito said

“I’m not sure you can call it that, for some reason, things he couldn’t even see would happen to take part and affect the battle as well…” Scarlette said as she shrugged her shoulders and continued “That’s why we call him a “God”.”

“That does seem too far fetched…” Leito said yet nodded.

“Wait…. ” Scarlette stopped Leito, ” I’ll have to log off first, our General just sent us a message, he wants to meet all Captains and Majors” Scarlette said as she looked at her system notifications

“Okay… we’ll continue here and wait until you get back…” Shana replied

…

When Scarlette logged out and reawakened in her capsule room, she went straight to the meeting room without removing her “IFD-VR” Suit.

As Scarlette entered the meeting room, she went directly beside Major Serlinas and saluted.

“Scarlette, what’s the progress on Hal Toria? I thought you guys where there already, have you captured the players who did this?” Major Serlina asked

Scarlette spoke “Reporting! Major, we are currently in the “Tower of Babel” trying to check on things that the players may have damaged or affected, so far we have yet to see any other issues, aside from the summoning area, we did check the “Unit Creation Chamber” but it seemed to be out of order, the nearest Kingdom reinforcement from the Pantheon and scientists may arrive within two days.”

“I see, we can’t send additional back-up since our hands are full at the western front, the other Avatars that Captain Lee and Sergeant Anders of the Bug Deleters Team couldn’t revive and would be coming from a neighboring Kimgdom as well, it seems their Avatars died during the trip back to Hal Toria… We’re counting on you to fix this mess until reinforcement arrives…” Major Serlinas added.

“Yes Major!” Scarlette saluted and then sat beside her

After a few minutes, every one was gathered and were waiting for General Mu Zheng. Once he arrived, every one stood up and saluted the General.

“At ease everyone, this will be brief, as we are limited in time. After the stunt that happened with the “Royal One, two and three” plus a three more players that had been identified to be recipients of the GAIA chips, our scientists have tried two more and verified that the GAIA chip is working as designed. I would like to inform everyone that our shipment had also arrived this morning…”

“Anyone who wants to go there may install it in their capsules. As indicated on the previous report sent to all Captains and above, You will disappear on Earth and “technically” are considered dead, but you will reappear in Gaea. Although there are risks, it would be far more effective, in this case your Body Calibration and Resonance will reach 100% with the “Crystal Cores”. Some of our scientists have already crossed over and even a few of our security personnel have done so. This is not compulsary though and you may install it if you would like to proceed.” General Mu Zheng finished.

A Captain raised his hand and asked, “General, will you be “crossing-over?” he asked

“Not at this time, no…. But I’ll definitely go there eventually.” General Mu Zheng answered, satisfied the Captain sat back down.

After his statement, he signaled a few details in the area to distribute boxes containing the GAIA chips and instructions on what would happen and what to expect during the transition.

“Major Serlinas, are you crossing over?” Scarlette whispered

“I want to, Captain… but I have a family here… How about you?” she asked back

“I think it’s worth a shot… besides, the scientists on the other side have been working on a reverse GAIA crystal on the other side to check and see if we can return here as well… So, I don’t really mind, I just need to survive until then… our life spans would be longer on the other side as well unlike here on earth… So being there and waiting is better than doing it here” Scarlette answered.

“I wish you and your team the best… be careful…” Major Serlinas replied

Scarlette saluted and went forward to get her team’s devices.

After the meeting, Scarlette went back and logged-in, she then told the others what happened, everyone was excited as they started logging off after finishing the last batch of the devices. Scarlette then looked at Leito and said.

“Wait for us, once we’re back, we’ll go to God Zhang…. Then the show will truly, begin. I hope you won’t call us “God’s” too by then.”