Chapter 2: The First Role-ying Session (I)


    After all, the audience for the Cthulhu tabletop role-ying game in China is rtively small. As a result, no developer is willing to invest time and capital to establish a tform specifically for the Cthulhu RPG. Moreover, all yers need for the Cthulhu RPG is a piece of paper, a pen, a set of dice, and their voice. There''s no in-game purchase or microtransaction, so following the principle of "no profit, no early rise," the game has never had its dedicated online tform. The Cthulhu RPG''s Online Game Groups typically rely onmunication tools like QQ or the only dedicated web-based tform in China, Duo Dong Doufu.


    Now, Liu Xing was stunned to discover a tform dedicated solely to the Cthulhu RPG. Naturally, he was overjoyed, as this was something enthusiasts of the game had long dreamt of in China.


    Liu Xing nced at the bottom right corner of hisputer screen. It was only around 6 pm, leaving him ample time to try out a short session. With a hint of self-interest, he nned to y first on this Cthulhu Role-ying Game Hall and then rmend it to his friends. After all, if the tform turned out to be a rip-off, any premature promotion by Liu Xing would surely invite criticism.


    Curious, Liu Xing clicked on the desktop icon. Suddenly, a ck hole appeared in the middle of theputer screen, and an avatar of ''Ke Zong'' (a nickname used by Cthulhu fans for Cthulhu) emerged.


    "How clichéd," remarked Liu Xing, who had mentally prepared himself for something of the sort.


    Next, a registration page appeared, asking only for Liu Xing''s identification and phone number.


    "Don''t they need a username and password? Or is it directly linked to my Teng Xun ount?" Though puzzled, Liu Xing provided his genuine details, finding it too cumbersome to fabricate any.


    "Registration sessful. Wee to the Cthulhu Role-ying Game Hall," the Ke Zong avatar disyed in blood-red letters, then vanished.


    Impressive effects.


    Liu Xing nodded, now even more intrigued by the game hall. Or more urately, by the people running it. To him, it seemed they were running the Cthulhu Role-ying Game Hall at a loss.


    The ck hole in the center of the screen didn''t disappear with the Ke Zong avatar. Instead, it expanded to cover the entire screen until the interface of the Cthulhu Role-ying Game Hall finally emerged.


    Around the borders of the Cthulhu Role-ying Game Hall were Ke Zong''s iconic green tentacles interspersed with a few skeletons. It gave Liu Xing an indescribable sense of awe—very Cthulhu.


    "Please enter your game ID." A synthesized voice of a young woman suddenly rang out, and the interface automatically switched to the user''s profile.


    "I''ll just use my old ID," Liu Xing mused, being notoriously indecisive with names. As a result, all his game IDs were virtually the same.


    "Wee, Old Chinese Medicine Doctor, to the game. Please im your newbie package." That''s right, Liu Xing''s game ID was "Old Chinese Medicine Doctor" because he had been learning traditional Chinese medicine from his grandfathers since childhood, making him quite an expert by now.


    "I wonder what goodies are in the newbie package," Liu Xing thought as he clicked to open it.


    "Congrattions, you''ve received 10 points!"


    Liu Xing stared nkly at theputer screen, at a loss for words.


    "Are you kidding me? Just 10 points for the newbie gift pack?!" Liu Xing eximed in disbelief.


    Suppressing the urge to curse out loud, Liu Xing clicked on the shop, hoping that these 10 points could fetch something worthwhile.


    Upon ncing at the shop''s first section, Liu Xing instantly felt the game was exceptionally generous.


    The points were redeemable for yuan, with one point equating to ten thousand yuan. No wonder the previous advertisement had imed, "y and get a gift of one hundred thousand yuan."


    With this revtion, Liu Xing, on a whim, thought, "Why not give it a shot?" and promptly chose to redeem, converting all his 10 points into yuan.


    However, something felt off. He didn''t remember entering his bank card details. Would the redemption even work?


    Before Liu Xing could process his thoughts, his phone, which was lying next to him, began to vibrate insistently.


    "100,000.00 yuan has been credited to your bank ount today." Liu Xing scrutinized the sender''s details and confirmed it wasn''t some scam message.


    "It''s legit! Teng Xun is really stepping up their game," thought Liu Xing. He recalled linking his bank card to his QQ Wallet, which led him to believe that the Cthulhu Role-ying Game Hall must be under Teng Xun''s umbre.


    Yet, what Liu Xing failed to notice was an additional app that had mysteriously appeared on his phone.


    "Since I''ve taken their money, I might as well see how this game hall is set up," said Liu Xing, still slightly befuddled but following the principle of reciprocation. ted, he set his phone aside, gearing up for his first Cthulhu role-ying adventure.


    "I wonder how many yers are online in this game hall right now," pondered Liu Xing, clicking on the start button in the game hall.


    Sessfully navigating to the second interface, he noticed it was segmented into four areas: Ghoul, Shub-Niggurath''s servants, Tindalos Hounds, Cthulhu, and Azathoth.


    Clearly, these five levels corresponded to beginner, intermediate, advanced, epic, and hellish difficulties. Ghouls were basic mythological creatures, while Shub-Niggurath''s servants were of a higher rank, evolved and more powerful than some ordinary mythological entities. The Hounds of Tindalos were relentless pursuers of those who traveled through time, often termed as a time-traveler''s nemesis. Cthulhu, a primary deity of the Old Ones, needed no introduction. Azathoth, the origin of all things in the Cthulhu mythos, had power beyondprehension.


    "Do I have to enter to select a specific room?" Liu Xing wondered. Out of the five areas, only the Ghoul section was unlocked. With no other option, Liu Xing clicked on it.


    "Since it''s your first time in the game, you will automatically join a newbie room."


    The synthesized female voice echoed again. Liu Xing joined the so-called newbie room, which had four slots. Three other yers were already marked as ready.


    "This seems to be a four-yer group. Being a beginner room, it shouldn''t take long," Liu Xing reasoned, stretching leisurely. Clicking ''ready'', he thought, "This looks intriguing. My first Cthulhu role-ying experience should be quite memorable."


    "The game willmence shortly. Please be prepared, and we hope you make it back alive," the same electronic voice intoned, but Liu Xing felt an odd sense of schadenfreude in it.


    "Why do I get this weird feeling?" Liu Xing pondered, rubbing his nose.


    The game begins!