Challenging
1363 Words
[Entering the system]
[You have gained 61 new “Fortunate” points]
The amount was close to what Gao Yang had anticipated. Two days equaled 48 points, and the attack from Fat Jun doubled the earnings, adding a few extra points.
—I want to draw a talent.
[Spending 30 “Fortunate” points to comprehend a new talent. Confirm?]
—Confirm!
[Comprehending...]
[Comprehending...]
[Comprehension failed]
—What the heck! That's too much! Is it really that hard?
[To re-comprehend, you need 30 “Fortunate” points]
—What a rip-off! Fine, use the remaining 31 “Fortunate” points to boost my “Fortunate”.
—I'm about to have an interview. Being a little stronger can't hurt.
[Adding points successful, “Fortunate” is now 132]
[Congratulations! You've gained an additional 20 permanent agility points, which can be freely allocated]
—Then add it to my “Fortunate”.
[Stacking not allowed]
—Fine, let me think. Add it to charisma.
[Adding 20 points to charisma. Confirm?]
—Confirm. Just 20 points won't significantly improve other attributes. Better to improve the impression I make.
[Physical Strength: 27 Stamina: 28]
[Strength: 17 Agility: 27]
[Spirit: 37 Charisma: 39]
[“Fortunate”: 132]
[Session over, system hiding]
[Bleep—]
Gao Yang opened his eyes and turned to Qing Ling, "Does my face look any different?"
Qing Ling glanced at him indifferently, "No difference."
Gao Yang persisted, "Look closely, there should be some changes. Like, more spirited eyes, sharper features, smoother skin..."
"Thicker skin," Qing Ling remarked.
This woman has no aesthetic sense. Never mind, don't argue with her.
Gao Yang took a deep breath, straightened his shirt collar, and strode into the arcade.
Before them was a small 20-square-meter storefront with two rows of old arcade machines lined up against the walls. The screens of the machines played brightly colored promotional animations, casting a retro fluorescent camouflage hue over the dim space. Above, a ceiling fan turned lazily, occasionally making creaking noises.
A young man sat in the corner, deeply engrossed in a game.
Gao Yang and Qing Ling exchanged a glance. Gao Yang stepped forward and said, "Hello, we're here for the interview."
The man didn't respond but showed no hostility either.
Approaching, Gao Yang saw that the man was playing "Three Kingdoms War Chronicles," choosing Zhuge Liang as his character, wielding an ice sword, and exploiting a bug to infinitely freeze the final boss, Cao Cao.
Wow, this guy has no sense of fair play in gaming.
The young gamer, slightly skinny and dressed in studded leather clothes with a high-standing, bright yellow mohawk, looked a bit like a punk. He had tattoos all over his chest, neck, and arms with bizarre patterns, including one that looked like a hairdryer-shaped Peppa Pig, which Gao Yang recognized.
"Ah—" In the game, boss Cao Cao screamed as his health bar depleted, indicating the game was cleared.
The young man, still seated, glanced up at Gao Yang, "Just you?"
Gao Yang felt a bit deflated. After all, he had just added 20 points to his charm.
"And me," Qing Ling spoke up.
The young man's eyes lit up as he saw Qing Ling behind Gao Yang. He quickly stood up, flamboyantly adjusting his mohawk, "So, it's the two of you."
"And me?" Officer Huang entered, pushing aside the blue cloth, "Sorry for being late. Haven't started yet, have we?"
"We just got here," Gao Yang replied.
Officer Huang courteously introduced the mohawked young man, "Let me introduce our interviewer for tonight, Mr. Wu Dahai."
Wu Dahai stood with his hands in his pockets, looking cocky, "Just call me Brother Hai."
"These are my new partners, Gao Yang and Qing Ling," Officer Huang said with a smile, "I lost the challenge last time, so this time I brought companions for the challenge. That's okay, right?"
"No problem, but if you lose tonight, don't bother me for the rest of the month," Wu Dahai said arrogantly.
"That's fine."
"Let's start," Qing Ling said, summoning a Tang sword in her hand.
"Wow, nice weapon! It even extends!" Wu Dahai's eyes gleamed, "That's not yours, is it? Where'd you get it?"
"None of your business," Qing Ling got into a fighting stance.
"Feisty!" Wu Dahai didn't seem offended, lazily cleaning his ear, "Which one of you three wants to go first?"
"I'll go first," Officer Huang said.
"Alright, the usual rules, three challenges!" Wu Dahai spread his arms, "Choose any three games. Beat me three times, and you pass."
"Choose what?" Qing Ling asked.
Officer Huang smiled, "Forgot to tell you, the interview is about competing in arcade games. Pick any three games, beat him, and you're qualified.
I've challenged him several times, always losing. You guys are young and should be good at gaming. We should have a good chance this time."
"Officer Huang, when you say you're weak, you mean at gaming?" Gao Yang was somewhat speechless.
"That's right."
Qing Ling frowned, not understanding, "Why not just cut this fool down?"
"Ha ha ha ha ha… Cut me down?" Wu Dahai laughed uproariously, "Girl, you know nothing about power! This is me giving you a chance! If it comes to fighting, not just the three of you together..."
Wu Dahai shouted, "Even if you come at me one by one! I still can't beat you!"
Gao Yang was embarrassed; this was the classic "bragging with the weakest punchline."
Wu Dahai looked smug, "Hmph, I'm not a combat-type talent, so of course, I can't compare with you. But if you dare to hurt a single hair on me, there are plenty of big shots in the organization ready to deal with you."
"Alright, alright, we are all awakened, we should aim for harmony, not internal strife," Officer Huang quickly intervened to smooth things over. "I'll go first. I choose a shooting game."
He went to an arcade machine, inserted a coin, and sat down. Wu Dahai also came over and inserted his coin.
Gao Yang went over to take a look and saw that they were playing Psikyo's Strikers 1945.
This game was Gao Yang's childhood nightmare. He'd lose within minutes after inserting a coin, especially disliking flight shooting games.
Officer Huang and Wu Dahai each selected a fighter jet and started the game.
"Same old rules, we each have three lives, but for the match, we only get one. No bombing allowed. Whoever dies first, loses."
"No problem."
The game began.
The first level was relatively easy, with fewer enemy bullets. Both players breezed through it, acquiring the best firepower.
In the second level, the enemy's bullet barrage intensified. Without bombs to clear them, they relied solely on regular attacks, significantly increasing the pressure. Both players dodged nimbly, moving flexibly.
By the third level, both were clearly more engaged.
Given Officer Huang's sharpshooter talent, he likely had an edge in such shooting games. He played calmly and steadily with quick reflexes.
During the third level's boss battle, Officer Huang chose to stop attacking entirely. His intention was clear: he hoped to eliminate Wu Dahai with the boss's barrage.
Wu Dahai, though nimble, seemed somewhat panicked. He frantically shot at the boss while dodging the barrage.
Officer Huang, with one hand on the joystick and the other lighting a cigarette, focused solely on dodging.
Gao Yang had to admit, Huang's act was top-notch.
Amid the intense bullet storm, Wu Dahai's plane was unfortunately shot down. Officer Huang's plane in the game was also hit the moment he let go of the joystick — he lasted just one second longer than Wu Dahai.
He stood up, "Thanks for letting me win."
"Hmph, you're only good at shooting games," Wu Dahai grumbled, slightly displeased. "Let's continue."
"The next round is up to you two," Officer Huang said.
"You were playing pretty well, weren't you?" Gao Yang commented.
"No use, I've tried them all," Officer Huang said with a wry smile. "Apart from shooting games, he crushes me in everything else."
"Next, who's up?" Wu Dahai asked.
Gao Yang and Qing Ling exchanged a glance, and Qing Ling spoke up calmly, "I'll go."
- Writer
