[ Chapter VI (6): "PASSIVE INCOME & SYSTEM MISSION" ]
[ PLAYER NO. 13 MADE A LVL. 1 PLANT SEEDLING SPROUT; SUNFLOWER ]
[ +21 SYSTEM CREDITS TO PLAYER ]
[ PLAYER NO. 8 MADE A LVL. 1 PLANT SEEDLING SPROUT; PEASHOOTER ]
[ +23 SYSTEM CREDITS TO PLAYER ]
[ PLAYER NO. 1 MADE A LVL. 1 PLANT SEEDLING SPROUT; WALLNUT ]
[ +24 SYSTEM CREDITS TO PLAYER ]
Arthur inhales sharply, his excitement evident to his usually stoic face, now having a toothy dumb grin that one would like to smack in seeing. The reason for this fact is simple, a. he is playing Minecraft, b. he now has a passive income through the Players; just like how he theorized.
He had read the rule book of the System extensively and knows that a thing called passive income does in fact exist. He knows he could tap with that, but he doesn't know how, so in reading and reading more-and-more, he found out.
Albeit only a theory, but in not doing anything worthwhile since he arrived in this place, other than the creation of the For Honor Game, he thought it would be a worthwhile experience. So he did.
Just like what he thought, it did in fact work. Unlike playing the For Honor Game, wherein he could get hurt, get damaged, or even killed. He could instead do this, lay back and build for himself a giant redstone base underground in Minecraft.
As he then drinks mountain dew on the side, apparently from the description it has on the System Shop, it is an upgraded version and would cause the person who's drinking it to be more active, if related to gaming, the downside is you'll lose sleep if you drink plenty more than you should.
[ "Wait..." ] He paused midsip before then placing it in front of him, the description for the thing appearing in front of him, so does the name tag, and the fact that it is halfly drinken is also recorded by the System.
He thought, hey, can't I do experiments using this things? In this world, in this realm, he isn't the only one occupying it. As thousands of miles away in the void, unbeknownst to the people, he is also in the Lobby but unlike them who are growing plants which is masked as manual labor.
Arthur is instead chilling, in his small house, on his computer, his feet up the table, drinking mountain dew². The Creator that they theorized to be omnipotent, omnipresent, omniwhatever, is instead this chill dude... A human with a creative mind.
Wouldn't that blow their mind? No, he shaked his head to the side, as he then was overwhelm with theories. One of them is, can they drink stuff like this? The mountain dew² or-so, just like how that maniac; Kid, Player No. 13 just drank water from the watering can without hesitation.
Curious, he pulled out the videofeed and glanced at it, noticing that the Lobby— or Paradise as what the Players seems to call it, is now messy, chattered about dirt here-and-there as the active Players all plants and take care of their own... This includes Player No. 13 Ned, or Kid.
[ "Holy, this is cool!" ] Through the feed, Arthur could see the boy smile and play with a small sentient Sunflower and Peashooter, smile in their faces; name tags hovering above their heads, the growth and level they have and everything also there.
Wanting to test his theories out, he bought about 8 mountain dew² and 8 chocolate chip cookies that is sweetier than normal. As he then divided it, throwing it to the Inventory of the Players as he watches chaos unfold. [ "Let's see." ]
About to click okay and confirm it, he paused, as he thought of something. In video games, usually when a Player achieved something they are given a prize, in this case everyone is being given something even though they didn't do a thing, or reach a certain threshold yet.
So in remembering about the Quest/Mission/Task function given in most games, to drive Players to do more, or to do this. Arthur actually moved and did everything in accordance to the System's wish for more Credits and/or experience.
That's why he spent about 1/3rd of his time inside For Honor, slashing, murdering, and beating everyone inside the game. For him to gain Credits and do whatever he wants, i.e. the promise of it, through the System Mission function.
So thinking he should code this, he did. He talked to the System and pulled some invisible strings here and there, something his Developer Class is unique in. Before viola, a new function aside from the Exit and 12 Hour Gaming Limit is set.
He clicked okay and gave the items as prize, for each Player. The requirements to attain it? To make the all the Plant Seeds they have sprout, to apparently turn Lvl. 1, in exchange they'll get food and water that they don't need in this realm...
In short this is slavery, apparently... As he sucks in air through his teeth, not wanting to think of this as that, but the connection and parallels is there. So he ignored it, before then he continued playing Minecraft, not wanting to think about it anymore.
...
[ "Hey, guys... Am I seeing things, again?" ]
[ "No, Kid, you aren't seeing things." ]
Player No. 13, Kid could be seen glancing at the floating notification in front of him. One that he hadn't seen yet, and judging from the reaction of the others to their own respective notification, they hadn't seen it either. So he glanced and read it carefully.
[ PLAYER MISSION: "MAKE 6 LVL. 1 PLANT SEEDLING SPROUT" ]
[REWARD: MOUNTAIN DEW 16oz, CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE 1pc ]
Tapping at it, he quickly became curious about the Mountain Dew and Chocolate Chip Cookie part. He had proven it earlier to the others, and to himself, that this body is fully capable of drinking water.
Actually, they had proven that much more earlier, when they arrived. When they each respectively swallowed their own salivas, that is considered drinking; but other than their saliva, they can seemingly drink water.
If they can drink water, then judging from the first-ever Mission given to them, then they can also drink a Mountain Dew, and eat also... Which was also confirmed to be possible earlier, when he tried eating a small piece of dirt.
It was disgusting, but at the very least they now know that they can eat, and drink in this place— they can't sleep though no matter what. In this place, even though they don't starve or be thirsty, they can at the very least eat and drink. [ "Hey, I-uhhh, I got 3 seeds sprouted." ]
He glanced at the small Sunflower on the side, nearby another Sunflower and a Peashooter. The things eerily cartoon, smiling at him, except for the Peashooter, it does that through the eyes.
All three of which are completely planted deep within the soil, but not that deep, as they move side-to-side, happily dancing. Name tags could be seen appearing above their heads, as other similar plants could be seen scattered on about.
Also beside their apparently Gardener, which being are the other Players. As he could see some more Sunflowers, Peashooters, and even a small brown Wallnut which he doesn't have as of yet.
[ "Hey, uhh- Kid!" ]
[ "Yeah, what you want?" ]
[ "How many seed you sprouted?" ]
[ "Uhh... 3?" ]
[ "Cool-cool, wanna have a race? Whoever completes this Mission owns the other a solid. Yeah?" ]
[ "..." ] Not responding, Kid looked at him, before then smiling as he abuses the fact that he could get a headstart on their bet. Quickly grabbing his bronze can, as he then frantically sprays water to the unsprouted seeds; causing the bar above their heads to be fuller the minute. [ "Hey, not fair!" ]
Not listening to him at all, or the fact that he cheated. Player No. 13 also known as Kid dumps all the water inside his can, as he then waits for the cool down to disappear in doing so...
Waiting patiently-impatiently as he wants to taste the mountain dew and chocolate chip cookie version of this new world they found themselves in... Unbeknownst to him, actually tapping his foot in the ground in thinking so. [ "Damn it, seed, quickly grow up. I-I can't lose." ]
The other Players also motivated by the promise of a mountain dew and chocolate chip cookie, also worked faster. As even Mrs. Quezon, the 60s something mother of the group, though having diabetes imbedded in her blood since she was born, wanting those sweets and unholy juices.
Out of them all, even though she is the oldest, she seems to be the one working the fastest. Not at all worried about the weird looks she is receiving... Can't blame her, she hadn't tasted chocolates or sweets due to her health; which, caused her to be sad at some times.
Shrugging their shoulders, they then continue working, before they get pulled out by that devilish 12 Hour Gaming Limit imposed on them— in fear that this Mission might expire after they logged back on after the ban is lifted.
...
[ "Huh, that's nice." ] Arthur on the other hand, the one that did all of this to them. He could be seen munching on chocolate chip cookies without care, the sweetness traveling all-over his tongue as he then swallows. [ "This is life." ]
Compared to the other Players which are slaving away just for a single round chocolate chip, he is here, playing Minecraft chilling about; building his redstone base underground, a complex base that he has been theorizing since long.
Seeing that the videofeed of his Players are a bother, he then threw it away, causing the said floating window to hover around him repeatedly before then settling behind his back. The voices from the other side not being transmitted to him, as he has already turned off the audio earlier.
[ "What's this?" ] Focusing on his Minecraft game, Arthur could be seen digging in the game. Preparing enough space to build his storage room, before then he was rudely interrupted by a ton of Zombie noises seemingly a few blocks in front of him...
[ "A spawner?" ] He knows it's a spawner, probably a spawner, if not then tons of Zombies. So he mined away in front of him, curious if it really is a Zombie Spawner or just a big hoobla of nothing.
Seconds later, his questions was immediately answered as he finds a deep ravine filled with mobs— hostile and otherwise, and also a Wandering Trader hanging by a leash, seemingly being focused on by Zombies. [ "Oh..." ]
[ "Yeah, uhm, let's close all of that up." ] To Arthur that doesn't have Diamonds yet, only a full iron armor and set of weapons, he knows that he wouldn't survive this. Especially because there's also a group of Illagers there, so he went back and covered the holes he made. [ "Not today." ]
He then ran back the way he came from, before then clicking his bed, making sure it is day... It isn't, so his player character— a bland Steve; apparently Jack Black in the new live action he hadn't seen yet.
Apparently couldn't, as even though he has a computer that could boot up any game he wants aside from the online aspect of games. He still couldn't load up any movies he wants, or tv shows, as this place sucks.
Even if he wanted to upgrade his computer, or buy other gadgets, it is pretty expensive actually. He didn't even bought this computer in the first place, it was freebie when he picked the Developer Class— so he has that going for him.
Now he needs to earn more Credits to upgrade his in-game Character in For Honor— the real-time version and complete one of those Monthly Mission, to gain skills, to gain more control in the For Honor Game.
As at the moment he could only pick one Player from his Lobby, to go into For Honor Game he created, and that'll be thanks to his skill— Champion Selection Skill. But for about some time now, he hadn't picked it yet, he doesn't want it to bind into someone cowardly and run away...
Because if he did bind it into someone cowardly and if they did run away, then he would never be able to take back that binding on them, ultimately rendering his skill useless, as all of the work and Credits he spent be for noth.
For some time now, while he is inside the For Honor game, as his Character, slashing on Vikings and such. He has been eyeing this so-called Barry Allen— blonde blue-eyed, just like what the Comics depicted him as. He isn't sure yet, if this is the Flash, or pre-Flash version.
As he doesn't have any ways to find out. But judging from the observation he did, that doesn't matter at all, as he has close relationship with the other Players. Seemingly a loner from his story that he heard, so this UTOPIA to him is important, and the connection it brings with it.
Aside from him, the other 14 Players he has isn't fit at all to enter the For Honor Game. As, he is sure they'll be traumatized if he did, he doesn't want that. Plan B for him is to wait, earn small income here-and-there through this, and buy more Player Slots and Characters for other Players to enter.
And amongst them can he pick a suitable Champion to enter For Honor, to earn Credits for him... That sounds slow, but is less likely to fail than just barging in and picking Barry Allen without his consent, to enter For Honor and suffer just like him.
He wants to make a decision, but also not to waste his Credits that he painstakingly earned for 4 Months inside this hell... Ultimately he decided to wait for a few more days and see how this so-called Flash acts, if he would likely accept being his Champion and such, so he waits.
In the meantime, he continues playing his Minecraft, happy in actually not needing to enter the For Honor Game for once. To suffer and such-and-such. A novel experience no matter how novel quickly becomes stale, as the more-and-more one gets to experience and suffer in it.
Lost in his thoughts, he wasn't able to notice a limbless green creature with a frown to his face approach his standby character. Only being alerted to such fact when he hears a sizzling noise through his headset, [ "Creeper!" ]
[ YOU DIED! ]
[ SCORE: 132
[ RESPAWN ]
[ TITLE SCREEN ]
[ ——— ] [ ——— ] [ ——— ] [ ——— ]
[ 05/27/2025 ]
[ 05/28/2025 ]