Linked World, on the first day of the public test server opening, a hot post popped up on the forum.
"Shock! On the first day of Linked World, a high-level NPC appeared! A newbie guide using Elemental Heroes?"
The content on the forum wasn't particularly abundant on the first day of the server opening, so this post drew a lot of attention. Soon, many people started replying... though initially, most replies were abusive.
"OP, wake up, where are Elemental Heroes in the DM background of version 1.0?"
"OP might be a cloud fan of Yu-Gi-Oh."
"I thought the shock department had disbanded, but it turns out they're still secretly operating?"
More and more replied, and the post's heat gradually increased. However, the original poster didn't respond for quite some time after posting, possibly planning to develop a wave and strike big when the attention was high enough.
A large number of silly players flooded into this post, starting to follow the trend and chat. However, what they didn't know was that the NPC mentioned in the post was also sitting behind a shop counter pretending to nap while browsing the forum.
Indeed, silly players are always silly, just like he remembered.
Seeing the original poster inactive for some time, the silly players began to chat in the post. Some telling jokes, some going off-topic, some providing standard fifteen-word spam, and others posting cross-dressing photos...
Then, the boasting from the silly players became increasingly ridiculous. One by one, they began to post comments like "people cannot be generalized," with mentions of heroes like Leopard Brave, Wolfbane, and mighty War Gods who could slap people 40 meters away, or Speedster running 30 kilometers a minute. The whole post was filled with a lively atmosphere.
Seeing the post going more off-topic, the long-missing original poster finally returned.
"Cut the nonsense, just show the picture!"
The game screenshot showed Youyu's battle against his hired tool, Keita. Opponent had a pitiful Red Ogre with its attack power reduced to 700, while Youyu had three fusion Elemental Heroes.
"Damn, it's actually real!"
"Elemental Heroes... and they seem to be the ones used by Yuki Judai in the GX manga?"
"This NPC has a story!"
"Am I the only one who thinks this NPC is super handsome?"
"You're not alone!"
The female players were especially excited.
"I like this little brother!"
"Ah, so handsome, I can't handle it..."
"Did anyone notice his name is Youyu! Any name starting with 'You' is a part of the monster series."
"So why is his hairstyle so normal..."
Youyu read this and couldn't help but touch his head and ponder.
Should I... go for an edgy style?
Though we should trust science and not superstition, in Yu-Gi-Oh, edgy styles seem stronger than average...
Chinai noticed his action by the counter: "What's wrong? Is your head uncomfortable?"
"...No." He replied, "By the way, Chinai, how does my hairstyle look?"
"Looks good." Chinai didn't hesitate, "All of it looks good."
Youyu: "..."
Never mind, asking her is pointless.
At this moment, his spirit, Dark Magician Girl, also floated out, her little face full of seriousness: "I also think Master looks good!"
Youyu: "..."
Really, even you?
Come to think of it, these days Dark Magician Girl's favorability towards him seemed to be rising.
However, since they're bonded, being inseparable daily, Youyu didn't find it strange.
Now he couldn't help but wonder if this magician spirit girl... also has feelings for him?
...
...Ahahah! How could that be?
She's a spirit, a spirit, how could she have those other things in mind?
Favorability and such... isn't it normal for a spirit to be loyal to its master?
By this time, the forum had started inquiring about the address of this special NPC.
Heard that in this NPC's private shop, it's filled with SRs and URs?
Even Pot of Greed and Graceful Charity can be exchanged?
...Nani, there's even an animated exclusive version of Card of Demise!? Are they kidding?
The OP shared the address of Dream Card Shop, and a big wave of players hurriedly headed towards it.
This development was exactly as Youyu expected.
When playing games, if you don't share and show off, there's no fun. Players would definitely screenshot Youyu's situation and post it on the forum, attracting more attention.
This way, he only needed to step out once to show off, and information about him would naturally spread, word by word, until all players heard of him.
Youyu saw this and nodded in satisfaction.
Silly players are indeed reliable. He doesn't even have to personally go out to show off, as long as he sits at home, someone will help him.
As expected, another wave of excited players soon rushed in.
Chinai was stunned as she watched a bunch of crazies jumping and approaching from outside the window, momentarily frozen.
What's happening lately?
Is this some new trend? Why does it feel like more and more weird people are appearing recently...
Youyu watched delightedly as players rushed into the store one by one, seeing them not as players, but as mobile crystal stone generators.
It felt like a farmer during harvest season, sitting at home, watching high-grade chives jump into his basket one after another, unable to help but reveal a satisfied, contented smile...
Seeing the message, players rushed over from all parts of the city. With so many people, the store couldn't fit them all, so they even formed a long line outside...
Chinai-chan was dumbfounded. She never thought her little shop would ever have so many customers, even lining up to the street corner and turning back, can you believe it?
She looked at Youyu with growing amazement.
Could Youyu be... the type who appeals to both men and women?
This is totally a national idol!
More interestingly, NPC Duelists passing by the street noticed the long line outside the card shop, and couldn't help but stop, curious about what was so special about this shop.
Humans are sometimes like this. Seeing a queue, they can't help but want to join the fun, thinking "if it's not something good, why would there be so many people?"
Gradually, a bunch of NPCs joined the line, ready to buy card packs...
Players gradually realized something wasn't right: "Damn! The person I'm lining up after looks like an NPC?"
"Nani? Is this game so realistic? Do we have to line up with NPCs for spots?"
The shop's business instantly boomed.
Youyu intentionally let Chinai mainly attend to the NPCs, while he personally handled the players.
Seeing the sea of people outside, lining up to the end of the street, Youyu couldn't help but recall the grand scene during the launch of some online game by a certain penguin agent. Players, excitedly logging in with their invitation codes, were greeted with the painful message: "Queue in progress, xxxx people ahead of you, estimated wait time 2 hours."
At that time, Youyu was exasperated. He thought about it, let the game queue, and went to eat. Returning, he almost spat blood on the screen — the wait time increased from 2 hours to 3 hours...
He was infuriated and went to the customer service for answers. After another patient wait, the customer service, suspected of being a burly man pretending to be cute, finally responded: "Hello! That's because you're not a distinguished penguin member, dear! Charging for penguin membership grants priority queueing privileges, and top members don't need to queue and can log in immediately..."
Penguin's marketing gave him a nice idea.
What? Don't want to queue? Want a fast track?
Sure, then pay up, buddy!
Get a membership card to instantly enjoy member priority access, and avoid the agony of queueing!
Once the system matures, members can be divided into Silver, Gold, and Platinum, with higher-level members having higher priority!
If you can't queue without a membership, those limited rare cards will definitely be snapped up by higher members in front.
This is when you should seriously consider — how can you become strong without paying? (Penguin Warning.JPG)
Youyu couldn't help but give himself a thumbs-up for his cleverness.
Ha, it was a great loss for Tencent not to hire me as a planner back then!