My players are too fierce!

"Don't laugh! You wouldn't pass the second level either!"

"The village's first primary school student!"

"A Soulslike mini-game! Come join the fun if you're not afraid to die!"

Late at night, in a university dormitory in a mountain city.

The bed curtains were drawn, and the tissues were ready.

While selecting flights in the "Sexy Group," Super Captain Li Yanda suddenly noticed the abstract "GG" posted by the group admin.

Kashima: "@BanshiDaWang (Group Owner)?"

The group admin had been lurking for over half a month, and now he suddenly comes online, not with anything suggestive or offensive, but with a "GG" (Girl) status? It's really hard to get used to.

"A Soulslike Mini-Game in Closed Beta! The game is exactly what the player looks like!"

Looking at the same link below, a serious look flashed in Li Yanda's eyes, and he slowly sat up from the bed.

It's a trap!

He remembered being tricked by this old bastard using the same trick when he first joined the group. After playing some indescribable sound in the dormitory, he promptly put on his headphones.

Hakimed (Administrator): "Is it really a game?"

"The first domestically produced mini-program-based soul-based game! No download required! Just click and play!"

"Brand new immersive dream game technology! Bringing you a different gaming experience!"

"The most realistic interactive experience!"

David Day (Administrator): "So you've been lurking in the water for over a month, actually going to make games?"

The group members all agreed that the so-called dream game was nonsense.

Level 8 Gale (Admin): "Looks like you're busy with your graduation project. Didn't you say you were studying game design before? (laughs) If you need anything, just let me know, and I might make one for you (grinning)."

Before long, more and more group members started posting.

"Garlic bird! Garlic bird! It's the Lunar New Year! The kids have it tough too!"

It seems the group admin got really angry, and sent several more messages with GG keywords and links, which were obviously copied from some obscure place.

For a moment, the group was filled with a joyful atmosphere.

Since he was already there, Li Yanda became interested in this mysterious connection.

The chef has already served the dishes; shouldn't we taste them to see if they're salty or bland?

What if this shit tastes good... ptooey, ptooey, this shit is interesting, and I forward it to other groups? Wouldn't I then become a philanthropist who shares happiness?

[Will you participate in the closed beta test?]

Current number of beta testers: 2/5

Oh, what's this old foodie?

With one click, you can agree to all sorts of random things like player rules and closed beta test instructions, and simply enter your nickname: Kashima.

Li Yanda shifted to a more comfortable position on the bed, casually checked to enter the game, and was immediately struck by a strong ringing in his ears.

My vision was plunged into darkness, as if my soul had fallen into an abyss.

ha?

Are you serious?

This startled him.

Worse still, his body was completely unresponsive.

It's like being paralyzed by a ghost.

"On that day, the sun died."

"The world was plunged into eternal night and sank into madness."

Whispers reached my ears.

My vision gradually cleared, and I could vaguely see a dying fire in front of me.

"Are you awake, stranger?"

He shuddered as a young man in a black robe sat in front of the fireplace, offering him a steaming cup of coffee.

The dim firelight, the worn-out sofa, and the lingering aroma of coffee created a scene reminiscent of a lucid dream.

This...this isn't right, is it?

I remember I was just lying in bed, where did this come from?

Kashima jumped up in surprise.

The young man in the black robe withdrew his hand slightly, with a hint of disdain, to prevent the clumsy newcomer from spilling the coffee.

Kashima patted his face, and the feedback from his face and hands was incredibly realistic.

Was the group admin, that old geezer, not lying? He really created the dream game?

The disbelief in my heart was quickly replaced by the facts before my eyes.

He glanced at the young man in black robes but didn't take the coffee from Roland's hand.

joke!

This NPC looks like the village chief of the beginner village; talking to him will trigger a story event!

With such a high degree of freedom, if this game is a sandbox game, then what's the point of doing the main quest?

A barely perceptible glint flashed in Roland's eyes.

These group members used to play online games with him every day back then, and he knew what they were thinking with his eyes closed!

He simply stopped pretending and leaned back.

Kashima froze.

【Hello, Closed Beta Test Player #01!】

Thank you for trusting our studio and participating in the testing of "God's Ashes".

Please abide by the "Player Rules (Closed Beta v1.0)": 1. Participate in the main storyline; 2. Complete the main quests assigned by NPC Roland. This is the core NPC for this closed beta, utilizing state-of-the-art AI real-time calculation technology to guide players through the game.

[If you violate the relevant provisions of the "Player Rules", we will take a series of punitive measures, ranging from banning to account suspension, depending on the severity of the violation.]

Please respect player privacy!

Seeing the system notification suddenly appear in his field of vision, he realized how much he had grown at that moment.

At least, he realized that there were some user guidelines he should still take a look at.

He put away his playful smile, walked up to Roland, and stood still.

So serious, as if he were leaving tomorrow and never to return.

Roland paused for a moment, seemingly pondering what his players wanted to do.

"My lord! Please give me a task! I'll do anything!"

She bowed at a 90-degree angle, her face turning bright red with embarrassment.

This startled Roland.

"You...I...this..."

He had prepared several opening lines, such as "Our family has declined..." and "Welcome to..." but none of them worked.

Next time, we need to add a rule: no skipping scenes!

"Ahem...Please sit down. I do have some work that I need you to do," Roland said solemnly to Kashima, his face hardening again. "As you can see, our sun has fallen, and now we need to ignite a new flame."

"Our embers are still too weak; their light isn't enough to directly destroy those monsters. Therefore, we need to build some protective measures to prevent the embers from being extinguished by those monsters outside."

"I need to stay here to reinforce the fortifications and guide the other newly awakened companions. The task of gathering materials is up to you."

Kashima was incredibly excited when he heard this.

A realistic sandbox game with role-playing elements! An open world with a weak main storyline!

You can also collect trash and build houses!

The taste is absolutely amazing!

"So, Kashima... Kashima Warrior, I need you to go to that house across the street and collect some wood and rags. Can you do that?"

Roland's lips twitched, but he had to pretend he didn't understand the player's nickname. He hadn't interacted with anyone for over a month and almost couldn't hold back his laughter.

"receive!"

Kashima laughed like a three-year-old fool and ran towards the tavern door in two strides.

Beyond this dilapidated gate lies his second hometown!

bang-

A rotting, festering face filled his entire field of vision.

[Sanity -20]