Chapter 372 Gotham City

In the virtual world of Cybernet, Caesar had God create two special gaming areas with AI character NPCs, where players could engage in PvP battles, follow storylines, and complete missions.

The first area was set in the early stages of World War II, allowing players to randomly choose which country to join.

Players could control their characters to enlist in the military, undergo rigorous training and assessments as new recruits, and then join highly realistic AI-controlled military units. 

Equipped with vintage weapons of the time, they would immerse themselves in the battles of the European and Pacific theaters. The outcome of the virtual wars in this world might diverge significantly from reality due to the participation of players.

(Here, Caesar intentionally set up a game Easter egg: players could join the Hydra organization, but once they did, they could not leave. The system would also issue bounties and assassination quests targeting players from all other factions. 

Hydra faction players would be hunted or assassinated to death, dropping a game item called "Red Skull Underpants"—this was Caesar's dark humor towards the Hydra organization.)

Players could also experience life as merchants, doctors, civilians, and more, escaping war-torn countries and exploring nearly 100% freely in areas untouched by the conflict.

Characters in these special areas had only one life. Once their health reached zero and they died, they would lose all items and money, their attributes and skills would reset, and their ranks and titles in the special areas would be revoked. Their main avatars would respawn at the initial light pillar birth platform in Cybernet.

This gaming space satisfied all firearms enthusiasts and also served as Caesar's reminiscence and tribute to the Second World War, as it marked the beginning of his journey from obscurity to legendary hero.

The second gaming area was Gotham City.

Set in the same year as reality, 2009, with the basic map modeled after the real New York City but heavily modified, Gotham City leaned more towards a neutral, gray-toned atmosphere. Committing illegal activities would lead players to become criminals and be hunted by the police and special individuals.

The design and creation of this gaming area probably only made sense to Caesar and his alter ego, Kyle. However, the allure of this special gaming area continued to attract countless players.

In the virtual platform of Cybernet, in the area of Gotham City.

Under a sky devoid of stars and moonlight, dark clouds loomed ominously. Gothic-style modern buildings towered high, while dim neon lights illuminated the bustling streets. However, most of the lights did not reach the dirty alleys, where cats and dogs occasionally prowled, their eyes glowing with a faint green light.

On the bustling commercial street, AI individuals resembling ordinary gentlemen and ladies went about their lives— some busy with business, others returning home from work, and still others shopping. They seemed to have lived in this city from birth, leading orderly lives.

Among them, there were many pedestrians with strange appearances—these were players, wandering in small groups, exploring the city's inner workings.

At a crossroads on the commercial street, a nearly fifty-meter-high cathedral towered above.

Unnoticed by anyone, a handsome blond youth sat on the edge of the eaves, his feet dangling outside. Facing the gentle night breeze, he looked down at the cityscape below with his azure eyes.

A black cat with sleek fur jumped lightly onto his shoulder, its tail swaying from side to side. Its feline face wore a deeply contented expression.

Caesar glanced at the cat, then grumbled, "Eddie, why did you create your game character to look like this?"

The black cat lifted its small face and spoke human words, "You always sit on my shoulder in the real world, so at least let me sit on your shoulder in this virtual space."

"Whatever." Caesar couldn't understand Eddie's quirky ideas.

The black cat looked down at the street below. "Master, I don't quite understand the intention behind your creation of this Gotham City gaming area. The setting here is strange; there's never daylight, just this eerie darkness."

Caesar chuckled. "Eddie, you don't understand. Only darkness possesses the charm that daylight lacks, and it easily induces darkness and fear in people's hearts."

"A style of darkness series?"

The black cat twitched its mouth corners in a human-like manner, pondering, "You even had God set this up as a high-crime area with ineffective law enforcement. Is this all deliberate?"

"It adds immersion. Besides, the original New York isn't much better than this."

Caesar shrugged, sidestepping the topic. "This area is like a simulated life playground. Players can engage in the jobs they want and live the lives they desire, making it the best virtual zone for experiencing a second life."

The black cat squinted, retorting with a tsukkomi, "It doesn't feel that simple. You little devil, you're quite mischievous!"

"Of course, it's not that simple. I've also created some special AI characters in here," Caesar said with a meaningful blink. As soon as he finished speaking, a powerful explosion rocked a nearby bank, throwing the previously peaceful and bustling street into panic and chaos!

"What's going on?" The black cat raised its fur, peering downward.

The bank erupted in flames, thick smoke billowing out, shattered glass littering the area. AI pedestrians at the entrance scrambled in panic, while some players caught in the chaos were left bewildered. Many players watched from a safe distance, perplexed by the sudden turn of events.

Shortly after, three vans screeched to a halt outside the bank, and a dozen masked gunmen stormed in, systematically looting and keeping a lookout. In no time, they loaded bags of money onto the vehicles.

Meanwhile, five patrol cars approached, but the gunmen paid them no heed. From the vehicles, they retrieved rocket launchers and sent the police cars flying with explosions, engulfing the street in chaos.

"Is this a robbery? It's too brazen!" The black cat, like other players, felt a chill run down its spine, momentarily stunned by the scene.

Caesar shrugged helplessly. "The firepower of the thugs surpasses the police setup. This is the normal rule of Gotham City."

The black cat vented its frustration, claws out. "What kind of setting is this? It's too unfair! How can players dare to settle here? They're randomly being stripped of their equipment by thugs!"

"Don't worry, just wait a bit longer," Caesar said with a smile but remained silent. He estimated that it was about time for the special AI characters to make their entrance.

Down on the street, no one could stop the armed thugs. After plundering the bank, they prepared to leave in their vehicles.

A wounded AI officer lay in a pool of blood, unwilling to yield. With great effort, he pulled out an item resembling a flashlight from his pocket and switched it on.

The bright beam illuminated the night sky, revealing the silhouette of a bat with outstretched wings, exposing the AI characters and real players in the city.

(End of chapter)

You can read ahead up to 80 chapters on my patreon and I've also activated (date to date) subscription model on my patreon https://www.patreon.com/marvel6395