Novice Village Chief?

[Grass, grass, grass! I love the grass; the dawn is rising, and I'm coming! Wakakakaka!]

[Three hours to go—here it comes! Excited hearts and trembling hands; the dawn is rising, and your brick-moving party has arrived!]

[Wuhu! Let's take off! People have resigned and are ready to move bricks!]

[But did you notice? The price of gold coins at the recharge entrance seems to have changed in the latest update!]

[Yes! The original price of one gold coin was 20, and now it's 50. But this is a good thing for me as a brick-moving party member, hehehe.]

[But why are some people heading to the Sun Federation? The charlatan missions there seem fascinating.]

[What's the point? The anchor who took on the task has gone crazy! Promoting that any god needs to read thick scriptures has driven the Christianity believers in the game mad.]

[By the way, host, there are 7-8 million people watching you right now. Can you continue to tell us about this game? I'm a bit nervous as I'm about to enter it!]

[I agree! College students here are politely asking for advice, please!]

Wei Lu read the lively comments and felt a surge of excitement. The game Dawn Rising was a sensational hit, with unprecedented influence. If spots weren't non-transferable, a single game spot could fetch millions.

"I've said everything that needs to be said, but I want to remind you that Dawn Rising is different from other games. It's best to study the laws. As long as you don't break the law, you should be fine."

The guard smiled and added, "You can steal things, but make sure they're worth the risk. Some players learned that the hard way. I remember a guy who stole a Barrett rifle. The recoil was so powerful, he ended up killing himself with one shot!"

Wei Lu sighed, "One last point: the most stable profession for brick-moving parties is alchemist. Travel parties can also choose alchemist, but game parties should avoid it."

"Alchemists focus on knowledge, but we can't grasp such a vast system. For example, learning how to make a potion can lead to mastering various applications, but for players like us? Unless you're a super genius who can acquire real pharmacy knowledge like an NPC, you'll need four or five skill points just to get the healing potion level up. Can you believe that?"

"I was on a god-level mission and learned a few natural awakening skills, but suddenly all my skill points were gone."

[I see! So the Alchemist profession is like going from screwing in reality to screwing in the game, right?]

[I understand! In reality, being exploited is unavoidable and tedious. But if I go to a brothel, how would you respond?]

Wei Lu chuckled, feeling somewhat helpless. "In short, this game feels like hidden professions are superior to warriors, assassins are next, followed by mages, then alchemists, and finally, divine magicians."

"Hmm?" Wei Lu paused, a bit confused. "Why is that? I thought I explained it. It's about the characteristics of the Federation. I didn't see anyone worshipping gods in Dongwu City."

"As for why they don't offer sacrifices, it's linked to the laws of Dawn. People are focused on survival, so no one bothers with faith."

"The Sun Federation is the opposite. Civilians there pray daily, and they have food to eat. If you become a fanatic or even awaken to become transcendent, you gain power and everything. Thus, the Sun Federation has the highest faith on the continent."

"Sure, that federation is a bit deformed, but they still have schools, warriors, mages, and other professions. However, 70% of the extraordinary individuals are divine magicians. That means almost everyone believes in God! Didn't you see the players in North America? They were initially seen as miracles and worshipped as gods."

"But the next day, the legend issued a decree defining them as wonders. How badly were they targeted? They couldn't even buy food because they couldn't recite a few verses from the gods."

Wei Lu glanced at the time, took a sip of water, and continued, "The other two federations are at the opposite end. The Star Federation is the strongest, where mages and alchemists reign supreme."

"And what are the most notable traits of these two professions? They are faithless. Most divine magicians there are theorists, akin to scholars."

"It feels to me like we should prepare for the possibility that the gods won't return. Divine magicians? Let's leave that for now."

"Lastly, the divine magician profession is a pitfall!"

"Warriors and assassins can gain experience through training; alchemists through crafting; mages through meditation and practicing spells. But for divine magicians? Besides slaying monsters and completing quests, the only way to gain experience is by chanting scriptures!"

Wei Lu looked surprised. "Do you know how thick a religious scripture is? How brainwashing it can be? Don't play a game and turn yourself into a true believer!"

"You can choose anything in Europe or North America, but it's best not to choose something from China."

[I get it, but I have 130 pounds of flesh and 129 pounds of rebellious bones, so I chose the divine magician. Thanks for the insight!]

[All I want is to know about mythological stories. Thanks to the host for helping me choose the divine magician!]

Wei Lu noticed the difference in style between his informative approach and the rebellious nature of the players.

There were mostly spectators on the Demacia side, as its entertainment-oriented style was more suitable for casual watching.

[Please summon Xiao Mo as soon as you log in. I haven't seen it for two months, and I miss it!]

[+1] × n

Demacia watched the countdown and took a deep breath. "Don't worry; I miss it too! I count down every day!"

[Mago, can I touch Xiao Mo when we log in? I'm curious about what it feels like.]

[I want to, too!]

[+1] × n

"Uh, it's not that I don't want to share. I'm just afraid it'll be scared to death by you. It almost died when it saw the White Plague, let alone you jackals." Demacia was speechless.

It was rare to see such a timid Mordekaiser, but it had its benefits. His live-streaming income had made him financially free, making him a true god of wealth.

[Hehe, there's a picture! Ma Ge, wait for me, hehehe.]

[Hehehe] × n

Demacia: "What do you want to do? What if it really gets scared? Don't mess around; I'm still waiting for it to evolve and take me flying!"

[Hehehe] × n

Demacia: "It's starting. Don't mess with me; I know how to handle you."

As Demacia entered the game cabin, everything went dark before his eyes.

When he opened them again, he found himself staring at the familiar wooden house roof.

"Hey, I'm not stepping out just yet. Let me renew my old relationship first." After saying this to the livestream, Demacia promptly began the summoning.

"Woo~"

With a whimper, a large purple carnivorous plant appeared and lunged at Demacia, biting his head before he could react.

"Whoa! I've told you so many times, don't bite my head! You'll suffocate me!"

Demacia struggled to pry the plant's jaws off his head, gasping for breath.

"Huh~ Huh~ I almost died!"

"Woo~"

[You are attacked by your summon and become slightly poisoned, losing 0.03% of your health per second.]

Slurp~

[The toxins in your body are neutralized, and the poisoning effects are lifted.]

Demacia looked at the Piranha Plant biting his shoulder, feeling exasperated, yet the stream of "hahahaha" and rewards flooding the screen lifted his spirits.

"I just got bitten, but traffic equals money!"

"There's no one around; come down quickly, and I'll feed you."

Demacia gently patted the Piranha Plant's head.

Suddenly, the plant's tightly closed eyes slowly opened, scanning its surroundings with fear. One of its roots, resembling a leg, tested the air before cautiously landing on the ground.

Demacia pulled out a packet of plant growth hormone. "Open your mouth."

The fear in the Piranha Plant's eyes faded as it bent its body, opening its enormous mouth wide enough to swallow half an adult.

Demacia carefully measured out a milliliter of the growth hormone and poured it into the plant's mouth.

Although Bai Yi had mentioned liquid measurements, the employees at the planting base had joyfully given him the latest product after he paid a gold coin.

"This method has no side effects," they assured him. "Just one spoonful a day can make the plant grow faster." That gave Demacia hope for raising it before it reached its maximum level.

"Hmm~"

The Piranha Plant squinted in delight, obviously growing bigger. From 1.5 meters, it had stretched to 1.8 meters now.

Once it reached three meters, Nocturne's Piranha would reach adulthood, with its talents rising and temperament changing drastically. Demacia eagerly anticipated that moment.

The Piranha Plant twisted its body, and upon opening its eyes, it looked at Demacia with affection. Suddenly, it extended its nearly half-meter-long tongue, licking Demacia vigorously.

[You are attacked by your summoned creature, HP -5%.]

Demacia:

Seeing the plant's tongue, he quickly canceled the summon, muttering, "Why does it act like a tiger? Its tongue has barbs!"

When Demacia opened the door, he was immediately stunned by the scene before him. Six million players filled the area, with thirty cities, each hosting two hundred thousand players. It was a massive crowd, overwhelming to behold.

"Whoa! Look, everyone! It's the chief of the Novice Village!!!"

"Where? Where? Is there really a novice village chief in this game?"

"Wow, he really looks like the chief of the Novice Village. What a classic image!"

Demacia, momentarily shocked, instinctively looked in the direction of the players' excitement and was stunned.

In an open area, an old man in a robe, holding a staff, stood before the players. He was not very tall, with white hair and a beard, gazing at the crowd with great interest.

This figure resembled the quintessential village chief from a game.

Demacia was taken aback and stepped forward. "Whoa!"

Suddenly, his feet felt empty, and before he realized it, he found himself right next to the village chief.

He quickly messaged the guards: [Is there really a Novice Village Chief?]

The guard replied almost instantly: [Don't go near him! No, that's a congressman; I saw it on the news.]

Demacia:

"Village Chief, do you have any missions for me?"

"Village Chief, can I help you with anything? Look, I'm an orc; I'm very strong!"

"Village Chief, check me out!"

Heidinger:

The interest in his eyes began to shift to confusion. What were these wonders doing? Why were they so familiar with him?

As more players gathered, some recalled Wei Lu's popular science sessions and quietly reached out behind Heidinger.

Boom!

A thunderous sound erupted, and a group of players behind him transformed into white light.

Heidinger stared at the players, speechless. "Kids, didn't anyone tell you not to touch a wizard's staff?"

Without waiting for their reaction, the space around him flickered, and he vanished in an instant.

The number of players was larger than he had anticipated, and the malice in some of their eyes was too obvious. If he stayed any longer, he feared his solidified magic might activate and wreak havoc.

"No way! Which idiot tried to steal the village chief's staff? Is everything okay? The village chief has vanished!"

"Seriously, can you play the game properly?"

"What the heck! What kind of monster was that?"

Boom, boom, boom.

Heavy footsteps echoed as players turned to see a dwarf leading a dozen muscular men over three meters tall approaching them.

Players gulped nervously. These figures looked tough—each one resembled a boss.

"Brothers, there are so many bosses. Should we kill them?"

Someone nervously asked. The nearly 100% realistic touch caused some players' legs to tremble, the oppressive aura of the cyborg too strong to bear.

Demacia's eyes lit up, and he dashed over.

He spotted several familiar faces, like Wei Lu and Feng Chen, nearby.

Seeing this, the other players, despite not knowing what was happening, followed along, shouting, "Let's take down the boss!"

Demacia, feeling somewhat speechless, yelled, "Mr. Sabo, I'm Demacia! Long time no see; nice to meet you!"

As soon as he finished, everyone, including him, froze instantly, their movements reduced to a crawl.

Demacia glanced at the panel.

[You are cursed, Agility -99%.]