[Task complete, currently logged-in Players: 1/15.]
Golden subtitles popped up in front of Alex.
The numbers behind them flickered rapidly.
1/15, 5/15, 7/15, 13/15, 15/15.
All fifteen group members who received reservation slots had logged in.
It was clear they were all looking forward to this game.
They wanted to see just how realistic it truly was.
[Task complete, rewards issued.]
Alex received a total of 3000 Faith Points.
Adding the previous 500 Faith Points.
He now had a total of 3500 Faith Points.
[Congratulations, you have gained experience.]
[Level: LV2 -> LV3.
Skill learned: Frenzy (Group Skill, increases user's movement speed and attack speed, reduces damage).
Skill learned: Light of the Emperor (Can dispel and suppress Warp creatures).]
"Finally, I have company."
Alex, sitting at the control panel, grinned.
He reached out and closed the projection, then quickly walked to the shrine.
He chose to spend all his Faith Points to upgrade two skills: Melee Combat and Firearms Shooting.
[Melee Combat (Beginner) upgraded to Melee Combat (Proficient).]
[Firearms Shooting (Beginner) upgraded to Firearms Shooting (Mastery).]
Immediately after the skill upgrades, fifteen rays of light flashed in front of the shrine.
After the light dissipated, fifteen Players logged into the Warhammer Universe.
"Holy Terra, is this really that realistic?!"
The Player shouting was John.
He looked around, his eyes filled with shock.
The smoke and light emanating from the burning flames in the brazier.
The flickering firelight made his shadow sway along with it.
He also heard the humming sounds from the machinery leaning against the walls.
Looking out the viewport, several giant, pockmarked asteroids happened to drift by.
Visuals, audio, smell, lighting effects, dynamic simulation—everything was there.
It truly gave one an immersive sense of reality.
He just wanted to give a thumbs-up to the game's developer and say, "Boss, awesome!!"
"Holy Terra, Holy Terra, Holy Terra, this game is truly amazing."
"A fully immersive virtual game, set against the backdrop of Warhammer 40k, my goodness, it must be the Emperor's blessing, otherwise how could I get to play such a game."
"Damn it, why isn't such an awesome game in the news??"
"I must have helped the Emperor save the galaxy in my past life, otherwise how could I be so fortunate to play this game in this life."
"It's too realistic, it feels like a real world."
"Even if I die, even if I'm nailed into a coffin, I will use my decaying vocal cords to shout, this game is truly amazing."
The other Players were also very excited, jumping up and down.
Slap!
John casually slapped his companion next to him.
"Damn it, what are you doing?" The companion, covering his face, demanded.
"The feel of hitting someone is exactly the same as in Holy Terra (Earth/Reality), and the pain is the same, a one-to-one recreation?"
"Damn it, if you want to test it, hit yourself, why hit me!!" The companion was furious.
"The helmet uses brainwave technology; if you hit yourself, the helmet might simulate a hit signal to the brain. You need to hit someone else and use their reaction to determine the realism of this world," John explained.
"Damn it, then why hit me?"
"You were the closest."
"Damn it, you bastard."
...
"Alright, stop arguing."
Alex walked over and stood in front of the Players.
"He has equipment and is wearing carapace armor, so this must be an NPC."
"This carapace armor should be standard issue for Cadia soldiers; could it be that our identity is Cadia soldiers?"
"Cadia? I wonder what the current time point is? Has it fallen?"
"Fallen? How could it fall? Cadia never falls."
The Players looked at Alex while whispering to each other.
"Quiet."
Alex walked up to the fifteen Players. "I don't want to repeat that word to you a second time."
The air instantly became silent.
The Players became like obedient children, quietly watching Alex.
After Alex looked at each Player, he continued.
"Welcome to hell, Emperor's worthless currency."
"I am the Guide, the Emperor's chosen saint."
"The Despoiler destroyed Cadia Fortress, and the Eye of Terror lost control, tearing apart the galaxy."
"The terrible Age of Darkness has descended once again, human civilization is on the brink, countless ordinary people are plunged into despair and fear, and the heavy burden of saving them falls upon your shoulders."
Hearing this, the fifteen Players straightened their backs and pricked up their ears, afraid to miss a single detail.
After Alex finished his opening remarks, he continued to speak like a guiding NPC.
"The freedom of this game is one hundred percent. You can choose any profession; as long as you meet the professional requirements and acquire enough Faith Points, you can choose your desired profession."
"Faith Points are very important. When you die, you can consume Faith Points at the shrine to accelerate your resurrection, and you can also use Faith Points at the shrine to strengthen and upgrade skills."
"You must remain loyal to the Emperor and loyal to humanity. As the Guide, my command is His will, and you must obey unconditionally."
"In this highly free world, before making any important decisions, it is best to consult me first. Once unpredictable consequences are caused, it will be considered a violation."
"For violators, I have the right to use methods such as clearing data, kicking out of the game, and permanent banning."
Alex's words made the Players realize that this Guide in front of them was not just a simple NPC.
He might also be an insurance measure set up by the game company, possessing GM permissions.
Even games with less freedom could be played in abstract and creative ways by those exceptional Players.
In a game with absolute realism and one hundred percent freedom, who knew what abstract operations those exceptional Players could come up with.
This GM was an insurance policy.
Once it was confirmed that a Player's behavior would threaten the game's operation itself or affect other Players' gaming experience, action would be taken.
"Now, free activity. You can walk around, get familiar with your bodies, or go to the shrine and perform the aquila salute to the Emperor to pray. Afterward, you can open the information interface to view your personal information."
"Gather in ten minutes; I will take you to execute your first mission."
After Alex finished speaking, he strode towards the control panel to inquire about the Imperial Glory's related information.
He wanted to lead these Players out to recapture this moon-class battleship.
As soon as he left, the Players immediately reverted to their curious selves.
They looked around, touching everything they saw.
Several Players walked to the shrine, and as prompted, after performing the aquila salute and praying, they opened their personal information interface.
"Why is the name fixed too!"
John looked at the game name on the interface, somewhat speechless.
[Name: 'Warhammer Most Courageous Bro'
Level: LV1
Skills: None]
Another Player leaned over and looked at John's ID.
"Zigman, it seems that whatever our ID was when we made the reservation, that's what it is now."
"What did you call me?"
"Zigman."
"Damn it, let me see yours. 'Crazy Kisses Nurgle's Chubby Face', so it's Little Fatty."
"The name Little Fatty doesn't suit my temperament."
"It's better than you calling me Zigman."
...
"Is this a Cogitator wetware?"
"So realistic."
Tenjiro pressed his face against the glass tank immersing the Cogitator, his face full of wonder.
His ID was One Night Output Slaanesh Ten Times.
When chatting, the group members would all call him Tenjiro.
"It's indeed very realistic. I didn't know that our country had such advanced virtual world technology," Old Bird (Blue Two-Headed Bird! Loyalty) also walked over.
"The value of this game is unimaginable; once it goes into open beta, it will definitely turn the gaming world upside down."
Tenjiro shook his head. "It's not just the gaming world; the entire society will be shocked. Such a realistic virtual reality, what kind of computing power would it require to achieve that?! I'm becoming more and more curious about the boss behind this game."
"It must be a very awesome person," Old Bird guessed.
"I think this game is an opportunity; it might bring about a new round of social change," Warmaster (Second Empire Warmaster) leaned in next to Tenjiro and Old Bird. "As the first ones to try it, if we play our cards right, financial freedom isn't a dream."
Tenjiro nodded. "Warmaster is right, we really need to seize this opportunity. Alright, enough with the digressions. Let's focus on the game first, look around, and gather information."
"Ten minutes are up, come gather."
Alex shouted at the Players.
He then threw out some iron pipes, large wrenches, and so on.
These were the weapons he had managed to get during this time.
There were no weapon reserves in the Strategic Room.
He could only use what was available, getting some iron pipes and wrenches for emergencies.
Once they fought their way out, he would find the armory and get new equipment.
"The crew of the Imperial Glory have become monsters due to Warp contamination. Your first mission is to clear them out and regain control of the Imperial Glory."
"There are no weapons here, only these. Just make do with them for now."
The Players walked over one by one, forming two lines to receive their starter equipment.
Warmaster picked up a large wrench, swung it a few times; it was heavy, more than enough for a headshot.
"Indeed very Warhammer!! Give me a wrench and tell me to go fight Mutants."
Old Bird swung a pipe. "Hahaha, it's really Warhammer. In the age of stars, without even a laser gun, fighting on a starship with a pipe, it's a bit of dark humor."
"Complaining is meaningless; will and fists are your best weapons," Alex said. "The Emperor is watching you; do not disappoint Him."
Once all the Players had their weapons, Alex strode to the blast door and pressed the opening button.
The warning light above glowed red, rotating continuously.
The sound of gears turning echoed as the heavy blast door slowly opened.
Alex loaded his bullet, ready to lead the Players into their first battle after transmigrating to the Warhammer Universe.