Chosen Evolution: I can load the protagonist template

Chapter 596 The arcade that's even older than Cheng Tian

Tianxuan Space is Cheng Tian's personal space featuring a pure, primitive, and mixed style.

"Are you trying to stir up trouble with the Black Pearl again?"

As always, the Red Moon Goddess Fina, who was lounging around drinking tea, spoke to the returning group while maintaining a leaning-back posture.

Cheng Tian didn't answer directly, but instead threw the black pearl back at him.

Although Cheng Tian can also utilize the power of the Black Pearl through the contract, its true masters are still the Twin Moon Sisters. In other words, the Twin Moon Goddesses can also use the Orochi summoning effect added by the Black Pearl.

In Cheng Tian's hands, theoretically, the Eight Heroes Contract can only be signed with players during the main storyline, but things are a little different in the hands of the Goddess.

If Fina, who possesses the power of freedom, were to use it, she would be inclined to be free and unrestricted in all aspects. She could even open a bounty instance themed "The Black Grail War" by simply requesting permission from the space, allowing players to fight each other for the winner.

If Rhea, who possesses the power of order, were to use it, the contract terms could be further refined, reducing disadvantages and increasing advantages, such as adjusting the already low 8% Holy Grail tax rate upwards.

It's somewhat similar to how the Two Towers were brought back to space; the Holy Grail War system was also brought back to some extent, although the wish-granting mechanism differs somewhat from the Fate universe.

This trip to the FATE world had a significant impact on Cheng Tian.

First and foremost is Bazett after completing the mission. Although his identity is still listed as "Cheng Tian's Servant/Heroic Spirit," he is no different from other players and does not occupy any party contract.

Eileen might fall slightly behind, but Bazett, who will share 100% of Cheng Tian's main storyline attribute points and skill points, will definitely catch up.

Furthermore, Bazett has re-established a link with the original world and can return to the FATE world during periods of non-space confinement. Based on Cheng Tian and his group's previous actions, this will inevitably trigger a series of events.

Then, without any intention of visiting, he directly entered the clone Qiuqiu into his own private space.

As a near-perfect clone that possesses the complex genes of Cheng Tian, ​​Gao Nicole, and the Great Serpent, yet has not collapsed, Qiuqiu's inherent arrogance may be more resilient than anyone imagines.

Even though Cheng Tian had already suppressed and attacked her on the level of strength, she would only outwardly submit, but secretly she would choose to hold back her anger and try to find a way to get back at some point in the future.

Intimacy? Qiuqiu doesn't need such boring things!

In her eyes, Cheng Tian is both a despicable old man whom she will try to surpass and trample underfoot sooner or later, and also a goal and role model that she can only look up to at the moment!

All the losses suffered at Cheng Tian's hands will accumulate and settle at Qiu Qiu's hands, and then all of them will become catalysts for climbing to even greater heights.

Finally, there's the Black Pearl, which introduced new rules for the Holy Grail War.

Cheng Tian also crossed out the "Silver Side Quest" on his end. Now, the only unfinished events left are "Demon Village" and "Round Table Knights Festival".

I wonder what kind of extra treatment I will receive when I go to the Knights of the Round Table after gaining the approval of Arthur of the Moon.

However, as the saying goes, a balance between tension and relaxation is key. Cheng Tian has now switched to a completely energy-saving mode after going from simply observing to personally getting involved and stirring things up. He urgently needs to recharge.

For Cheng Tian, ​​who has already made the Chosen Space the main focus of his life, there is clearly only one way for him to recharge – in the real world, in Shengjing, at the United Game Hall.

Unlike Cheng Tian, ​​who made a special trip to Tianjin to experience the largest collection of retro games in North China, the place that appeared before Cheng Tian now made him feel as if he had traveled back thirty years to the 1990s, before he was even born.

The old industrial city features mottled brick surfaces, cramped and suffocating old spaces, and various old machines placed on both sides of the room, further shrinking the already narrow passageways.

Cheng Tian took a deep breath, just like his brother Qian'er taking a drag on a cigarette—

The top notes are like a lot of dust accumulated on electronic components stored in a warehouse.

The middle note is the pungent and unpleasant smell of different brands of cigarettes mixed together.

The aftertaste is a chaotic fragrance of instant noodles, roasted sunflower seeds, spicy strips, fried rice, carbonated drinks, and other food and beverages.

...Then the various odor particles that penetrated his nasal cavity and went deep into his lungs made Cheng Tian cough involuntarily, feeling as if his lungs were about to be coughed out at any moment.

Meanwhile, Bazett, who was wearing a mask and was standing next to Cheng Tian, ​​punched him hard in the back twice.

In the real world, without any equipment to enhance his abilities, Cheng Tian, ​​whose strength was just over twenty points, was almost hammered to the ground by the female tyrant, but she successfully helped him recover from the unique yet familiar scent.

Damn it! That's the taste!
If Tianjin's MaiX Bear Arcade is a physical museum that all players who love old arcade games dream of, then Shengjing's Lianhe Road Arcade is a place of nostalgia where time seems to have stood still.

There are no claw machines, no dance machines, and no coin pushers here. All you see are rows and rows of battle-damaged arcade machines with yellowed shells, stained surfaces, and bandages wrapped around them.

The only arcade on Lianhe Road has been open for 35 years. It is almost the only remaining arcade in Shengjing that mainly plays old arcade games. Apart from some new machines, freezers and fans added with the times, and some mahjong machines and fruit machines removed, the layout, decoration and even the owner are not much different from 35 years ago.

Similarly, the same group of people who came to visit 35 years ago are now coming to visit 35 years later, either alone or with their children.

Cheng Tian was clearly one of these players.

Moreover, you can hardly see any "female" units here. From children to older men, from uncles to grandfathers, they are all men. So Bazett's appearance is quite eye-catching.

Cheng Tian casually rummaged through the yogurt container at the bar, which held coins, and found more than a dozen coins of at least seven or eight different designs.

These are not the game tokens currently used in the United Arcade, but rather different designs collected over the past thirty years from arcades scattered throughout Shengjing and even across the country that have long since closed down.

Chinese and Western styles, Guilin, Yimei...

There were a few coins with patinas inside, even older than Cheng Tian himself, and they deserved to be called "coin seniors".

Cheng Tian selected a King of Fighters '97 arcade machine, beckoned Bazett to sit next to him, and then casually took out a donkey meat sandwich he had bought from next door from his pocket and naturally put the game tokens into the coin slot.

(End of this chapter)