Chapter 25 Shocked People
"Huh? Why was I forced out of the game?"
"Me too, what's going on?"
"No way! I was fighting a monster and felt like I was just a few hits away from killing it!"
The original monster hunter itself was a game that, once you got through the difficult early stages of pioneering, became more and more fun and addictive.
And this characteristic also applied to the virtual reality version, even more so.
When players first entered the game, they would initially struggle to even defeat the weakest Thief Wyvern due to various unfamiliarities.
But once they gradually familiarized themselves with the game,
When they personally defeated monsters that originally seemed too powerful to overcome, the sense of accomplishment from growing stronger step by step and overcoming difficulties was simply exhilarating.
Not to mention the cool combat of Su Ran they had seen earlier, which served as a goal.
So, everyone was completely engrossed in hunting at this moment, unable to extricate themselves.
But then, they were suddenly forced out of the game.
Instantly, the entire Internet Cafe erupted.
Everyone rushed to the counter to ask what was happening.
"Boss, I just paid to extend my time, why can't I play anymore?"
"Boss, why can't the computer turn on? It just shows a system upgrade!"
"Boss, what exactly is going on? Please help me fix it so I can get back into the game! I'm still fighting a monster, it's driving me crazy!"
Su Ran could only explain to everyone: "The computers are currently undergoing an upgrade and maintenance. You won't be able to play until the maintenance is complete. But please rest assured, each of your data has been recorded. The amount you paid and your remaining time will not be shortchanged!"
"No, Boss, are we worried about that little bit of money? We just want to know when we can continue playing!"
"Yes, how long will the upgrade and maintenance take?"
"We'll just wait here!"
Su Ran truly didn't know that this system upgrade required downtime for maintenance, nor did he know how long it would take. If he had known, he definitely would have waited until after 10 PM, when the Internet Cafe closed, to upgrade, saving himself trouble.
However, Su Ran now turned his head to look out the window. It was completely dark, and looking at the time, it was already past 8 PM, approaching 9 PM, so it wouldn't be long until the Internet Cafe closed.
Su Ran couldn't help but add: "Also, to the new customers, this Internet Cafe's operating hours are until 10 PM. After 10 PM, it will not be open. So, even without the maintenance downtime, you would only have less than an hour to play. So, it's better to come back tomorrow!"
However, Su Ran's words clearly made more people feel frustrated.
"No way, closing at 10 PM? Boss, your operating hours are too short!"
"Exactly! Not to mention taverns and other entertainment venues, even bookstores and theaters usually stay open until early morning!"
"That's right, like Spring Breeze Pavilion, I remember it's open all night!"
"I'm busy during the day and only have time in the afternoon and evening. This little bit of time is definitely not enough to play!"
Many people started complaining.
"Boss, may I ask your name?"
Just then, Liu Chengfeng, dressed in luxurious brocade robes, stepped forward.
"Su Ran!"
"So it's Boss Su, hello. Let me introduce myself, I am the First Prince of Feiyun Country, Liu Chengfeng!" Liu Chengfeng said, slightly raising his head as he mentioned his identity, and an air of authority naturally emanated from him.
"Oh, hello. Is there something you need?" Su Ran nodded, his expression showing no significant change.
"It's like this, this machine of yours called a computer is truly fascinating. I plan to buy a few to take back. You don't have to worry about the price, how about one million gold per unit?" Liu Chengfeng said with a confident smile, certain of success.
He felt that Su Ran would surely not refuse such terms.
In his opinion, wasn't Su Ran opening this shop to make money?
If so, with ready money being offered, allowing him to save ten years of struggle, there was no reason for him not to accept, right?
However, under Liu Chengfeng's confident and expectant gaze, Su Ran merely replied with a few simple words.
"I'm sorry, not for sale!"
"Ah? What did you say?" Liu Chengfeng's expression froze slightly. He suspected he had misheard: "Not for sale?"
"Correct."
"Heh heh, if you think the price isn't right, I can add more. Name your price!"
"It's not about the money. The computer is a non-negotiable item of this shop!"
"I am a Prince!" Liu Chengfeng was somewhat annoyed and emphasized.
"I don't care if you're a Prince. Even if the Emperor came, it would be useless, still not for sale!"
"My Imperial Father coming wouldn't be useful? How dare you!"
Liu Chengfeng stomped his foot abruptly, enraged: "Do you believe I'll send people to raid your shop?!"
Many people around also felt that Su Ran's words were incredibly arrogant. Although this computer was indeed magical and fun.
But a game was still just a game.
How could something fake be taken seriously?
Their attitude towards Su Ran was still polite and respectful, simply because they had just seen how skilled Su Ran was at playing the game, which made them somewhat admire him.
But upon closer observation of Su Ran in reality, it was clear that although Su Ran showed signs of cultivating Martial Qi, he had not condensed a star ring and wasn't even considered a martial artist.
With such meager strength in the territory of Feiyun Country, wasn't he afraid of being beaten to death for speaking such treasonous words?
"Alright, instead of shouting here, you all should first check the Martial Qi within your bodies!" However, just then, Wu Lei, who was standing nearby, suddenly interjected.
"Wu Lei, what do you mean by that?"
"Check Martial Qi?"
"Why should we check our Martial Qi?"
The others were somewhat bewildered when they heard this.
But they still did as told.
One after another, many people saw Martial Qi Star Rings appear on their wrists.
Most were Bronze, indicating that the majority were only Bronze-level martial artists, but among them, a few had silver star rings, such as Liu Chengfeng.
"This, this, how is this possible?"
"Why has my Martial Qi surged so much?"
"I feel like I'm about to break through!"
Then they were seen standing in place, one by one, with stunned expressions, somewhat at a loss, their voices even beginning to tremble.
"Brother Zhao was right, playing the game really can increase one's strength!"
"This… this is too incredible. Playing a game once is even more effective than consuming a dozen elixirs refined from heavenly treasures!"
Wu Lei swept his gaze over everyone with an expression like he was looking at idiots, finally looking at Liu Chengfeng: "Do you understand now? The game you're playing isn't just a simple game; it can also enhance your cultivation and accelerate your training. So stop dawdling and hurry home to consolidate your cultivation. Don't disturb the Boss's rest, what do you say, Your Highness?"
Present, from just now until now, the only ones who hadn't spoken were Wu Lei, Ouyang Qing, and the other old customers of the Internet Cafe.
Because only they had personally experienced the magic of this Internet Cafe.
Liu Chengfeng also felt the surging Martial Qi within him at this moment. He couldn't help but take a deep breath, and when he looked up at Su Ran again, his expression was somewhat complex, and he spoke rather stiffly.
"Boss, just now… just now, I was presumptuous!"
He wasn't foolish. If this computer was merely a simple gaming tool, then it would be nothing. But this computer could also enhance one's cultivation so rapidly. He had never even heard of such a thing, let alone seen it.
At this point, after personally experiencing the magic of the game, everyone actually wanted to play even more.
But in the end, they no longer haggled and left quickly.
On one hand, they were eager to go back and consolidate their cultivation, and on the other hand, they naturally dared not offend this mysterious Boss, otherwise, how would they play the game in the future?
And it wasn't until everyone had left and no one was disturbing him anymore that Su Ran continued to study the system.