Chapter 6: Shockwaves Across the Player Base

[Animalking:Most likely some rich landlord's spoiled kid, right? This game is so good at milking money from players. And even if you spend money, you're still in a virtual world. With so much money, you could have foot massages for days!]

[LoyalDogofLinghua: These high-difficulty dungeon tasks in the game are impossible even with an s-tier ghost protecting you, so I won't spend money.]

[CannonFodderB: I agree. I think anyone who spends money on puzzle games like this is a sucker. As a casual player like me, I just log in to enjoy the scenery and raise my cute little ghosts. That's good enough.]

[ZeroSpenderLeo: Check out my ID, guys. I haven't spent a single cent, but I've cracked two b-tier eerie dungeons. How awesome am I?]

[FoolishCrowdTwelfthTraveler: Wow, the person above must be the legendary grinding master. Without checking guides, you think you can crack them? The developers are really sly, and they've designed the angles so tightly that you can't possibly pass!]

[BraveGirlWarrior: Newbie seeking strategy! I'm stuck on the Haunted Night at the Winery Castle level. Ugh, can't I just pay to pass it? It's so frustrating!]

[Swan: @BraveGirlWarrior, just join any guild. There are usually dungeon guides from c-tier to b-tier inside, but they require contribution points.]

As players continued to discuss Female Spirit Guardian in the game's public chat, questioning the value of spending money to become a virtual-world tycoon, the in-game announcement echoed:

[Congratulations to player Female Spirit Guardian for first-time completion of the s-tier eerie dungeon "Bus No. 13," with a completion rate of 100%!]

After a brief silence, the game's server erupted with excitement!

LeatherArmorHero: Isn't that the same guy who spent a few million earlier? He actually cleared it, and with a 100% completion rate! This is the power of spending, I guess!

EternalWanderer: Unbelievable! They triggered the hidden ending with a 100% completion rate. Female Spirit Guardian, you're amazing!

SwordOfDestiny: Mind officially blown! How did they manage to pull that off?

The impact of the achievement was profound. The news of Female Spirit Guardian's success spread like wildfire, dominating discussions across the virtual realm.

Amid the buzz, players began to speculate about the rewards for completing an s-tier dungeon for the first time.

PhoenixRising: First-time completion of an s-tier dungeon must come with hefty rewards, right? Maybe an s-tier ghost or a top-notch s-tier weapon?

MysticMist: These s-tier eerie dungeons must have amazing rewards, and no one knows how they were completed. If Female Spirit Guardian writes a guide, they could easily make tens of thousands!

SongBingJia: First of all, Female Spirit Guardian must be quite wealthy. Secondly, they must have incredible deduction skills to clear an s-tier dungeon with a 100% completion rate. It's unbelievable. I'm starting to suspect they're an official dog plant from the game developers!

The name "Female Spirit Guardian" started to circulate throughout the entire Blue Star player base, and their fame began to skyrocket. Many players left messages on Ken's game profile and sent friend requests, hoping to chat with him privately.

...

In the Lin Corporation headquarters, the CEO's office erupted with exclamations.

CEO: Wow, this Female Spirit Guardian is amazing. They actually cracked an s-tier eerie dungeon!

Lauren sat huddled in her office chair, gripping her phone tightly as she watched the game's global chat feed with unwavering focus. Just as she was engrossed in the unfolding events, her in-game character triggered yet another eerie dungeon event—a vampire count rising from a coffin, clad in a suit, with a deathly pale complexion and crimson eyes.

Vampire Count: (sinister chuckle) How sweet you must taste. Your blood must be exquisite.

The vampire count stared intensely at Lauren, licking his lips, revealing his sharp fangs.

The next moment, he lunged towards Lauren like a bat-like vampire!

Lauren's face turned pale in fear, "Oh my god! Why is he back again!"

At this critical moment, one of Lauren's summoned creatures stepped in.

A petite and cute mummy-like zombie stood in front of the vampire, baring its fangs, its eyes wide and round under the bandages, emitting an inhuman growl!

"Stay... away from... Master!!!"

With a swift movement, its bandages began to unravel, swirling towards the vampire!

However, this mummy-like zombie was just a weak C-grade creature, how could it stand a chance against a vampire lord?

Soon, it was knocked down by the vampire.

The mummy-like zombie clung to the vampire's thigh, revealing its sharp teeth and biting down fiercely!

The vampire lord cried out in pain and kicked the mummy-like zombie away, "Get lost!"

Following that, the vampire started approaching Lauren's in-game character with a slow and steady pace.

...

[The vampire cruelly sucked your blood... You have failed the quest.]

Quickly, Lauren's screen turned blood-red, displaying a failure notification.

Lauren pouted, clearly displeased, "This game is so frustratingly difficult!"

However, this only fueled Lauren's desire to overcome the challenge and become stronger in the game. She couldn't help but think about how to complete this quest, and how to train her creatures!

"Master, I'm sorry... I'm just too weak... I'll work harder next time!"

Back at the Ghost Companion Sanctuary, Lauren looked at the pitiful and tearful mummy-like zombie in the corner, who was apologizing to the players outside the screen.

Touched by the scene, Lauren exclaimed, "Aw, this little one is just too adorable! No, no, I'm definitely going to spend money to train you. Together, we'll make a comeback!"

With determination, Lauren quickly made a few in-game purchases, boosting the mummy-like zombie's level and obtaining powerful weapons from the gacha pool.

However, her actions were seen as a bit foolish by others. To most, investing so much in a low-grade creature like the C-grade mummy didn't seem worth it.

In fact, she could have spent her resources more efficiently to train more formidable creatures!

As Lauren immersed herself further into the game, the office door was knocked.

"Knock knock knock, President Lauren, may I come in?"

A woman's voice came from outside.

Lauren quickly lowered her legs from the chair and turned off her phone screen. She put on her round golden-framed glasses, transforming herself into an icy and composed beauty, radiating an aura of seriousness and coldness.

She cleared her throat and said, "Come in."

A female assistant entered, her expression showing a hint of difficulty. "President Lauren, regarding Mr. Lin's intention to sell his shares in Lin Corporation, there's significant opposition from the shareholders' meeting. They would like to invite you for a discussion."

Frowning, Lauren responded, "Am I supposed to accommodate them? Did the annual dividends decrease? Ken's shares are his own wealth, he can use them as he pleases. Tell those shareholders to keep quiet!"

The assistant trembled slightly, her voice shaky. "The main concern is that the company's performance has been good this year, and this sudden move to sell shares at a low price might affect the company's stock price and reputation. President Lauren... maybe you could try persuading Mr. Lin again. I'm just thinking about the company's best interests."

Raising an eyebrow, Lauren retorted, "I am well aware of the situation. Since when did it become your job to remind me?!"

The assistant, filled with fear and trepidation, nodded hastily. "I apologize... President Lauren, I will go and respond to the shareholders who have concerns."

As the assistant hastily left, Lauren took off her golden-rimmed glasses, massaging her forehead. Almost instinctively, she picked up her phone.

"All these power struggles and manipulations... I find solace in the little ones inside the game."

Lauren's expression froze as she looked at her phone screen, her eyes filled with shock and confusion.

Several eye-catching notifications appeared in the game's chat feed.

[Congratulations to player Ghost Patroness for successfully completing the S-rank eerie quest, "Abandoned Amusement Park," with a completion rate of 100%!]

[Congratulations to player Ghost Patroness for successfully completing the S-rank eerie quest, "Cherry Blossom Town," with a completion rate of 100%!]