MMORPG: I was BUGGED-Chapter 242: Fame and Concealment

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The DEVELOPERs Distress

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"But why didn’t they disclose their names? It’s strange, considering the fame and recognition they would receive."

"Maybe they were just a temporary group formed on the spot."

"Damn it . . . If only we knew who they were."

"It is indeed unusual that they opted for anonymity. Any guild would be vying to recruit them after such a feat."

"But disclosing their identity might make them a target for every curious player out there. Staying hidden could be a smart move as well."

"They could be a group of skilled solo players."

"We need to uncover the truth behind this dungeon clearance. It’s probably already making rounds online."

"Do you think it could be . . . Lord Schrödinger?"

The room fell into a brief silence before erupting into laughter.

"That’s highly unlikely!"

"Absolutely! Lord Schrödinger is only at level fifty at most, and that’s with constant grinding. There’s no way he could handle a dungeon of that caliber."

"Alright, team, let’s start digging online for any potential leads."

"By the way, do you think they managed to awaken Evangeline?"

"Not a chance."

"Exactly."

"Awakening Evangeline is incredibly difficult. You’d need the luck of the devil to find all the necessary items just to encounter her in the final room."

"That’s true. Just missing one piece, and you wouldn’t even meet her in the last dungeon."

"They could face the Vampire Lord, Valerian, if they had both pieces of the scroll. But that only happens if they manage to retrieve the key from the cauldron first, which has a mere 4% success rate of revealing itself. And without the shrooms, which can only be harvested with a [Golden Tool], Evangeline wouldn’t even appear."

"And even if they had all the luck in the world and managed to release Evangeline, they still wouldn’t be able to clear the Abandoned Fortress."

"Oh, why’s that?"

"Because Evangeline would simply kill them all. After dealing with the Vampire Lord, she’d weaken and then ask the players for help."

"T-Then . . ."

"Heh. Heh. Heh . . . Players would mostly think of helping her, right?"

The developers exchanged glances and let out sighs. "Hmm . . . they would. They’re simps after all."

"Exactly! They’d definitely help a vulnerable, beautiful girl."

"Once they offer their blood to her," one of the developers mimicked a cutting motion across his neck, "they’re as good as dead."

"Ah, I see now."

"So, there’s no possibility that Evangeline was released. Her stats are off the charts. Lazy Cat wouldn’t have stood a chance if they encountered her. They’d be dead before they could even clear the dungeon."

"Exactly. Evangeline wouldn’t be set free so easily."

"So, even Lord Schrödinger’s infinite CHA wouldn’t have worked on the Vampire Queen?"

". . ."

". . ."

A heavy silence fell over the room.

Then one of them shouted at Lumina. "Lumina! Did Evangeline, the Vampire Queen, get released?!"

<Affirmative. Evangeline, the Vampire Queen, has been released.>

. . .

. . .

Tension settled in the room like a thick fog, clouding the developers’ faces with an ominous shadow.

Then, one by one, they fell to their knees.

"T-this . . . this can’t be . . ."

"So, Lord Schrödinger indeed belong to Lazy Cat?"

"We should have notice it because his account name is also a cat’s name not to mention his race is also a cat."

"W-we’re not sure yet. Let’s gather more information first."

"Let’s not jump to conclusions just yet!"

"Everyone! Gather all information about this Lazy Cat."

"I don’t think we could gather much if they’re just players who randomly created a group to explore the dungeon. It’s a challenge with millions of players online."

"Not to mention, there will be fakes for sure, claiming Lazy Cat’s achievements for themselves."

"Just search about it. It’s better than having no lead at all!"

"What would happen if Evangeline is freed?"

There was a short pause before one of them sighed.

"Nothing."

". . . Huh?"

"Wait. All that trouble and stats for nothing?"

"Well, we programmed her to rule over the realm, just for fun, but . . . she just likes to sightsee, shop, and eat, so there’s not really a problem."

"I see . . . that’s good then. This would minimize her presence in the gaming world and avoid further complaints."

"But . . ."

"But?"

"But she occasionally wants blood, and we programmed her to drink only players’ blood."

"Wouldn’t that cause trouble in Guildbane?"

"Well, it’s to prepare for the arrival of new races, such as the vampires. But since Evangeline is already freed, looks like we have to hasten the plan."

"It was reserved for a Halloween event, but . . . looks like we have to launch it now."

The others sighed.

"Just go with it then."

"Wait . . . could you access Evangeline’s program and see the players she had interacted with?"

"That’s a good idea! We can even track Lord Schrödinger through her if he really was the culprit!"

"Let’s try it then!"

Just as they were about to ask Lumina to proceed, the central system had already beaten them to it.

<ERROR! All players’ identities are confidential. Accessing their identity through NPCs is prohibited.>

"Damn it!"

"We should definitely have another central AI! This one is a failure!"

<ERROR! You created Lumina, so you’re the failures.>

"It’s even talking back now!"

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Back in the real world, Xin was having breakfast with Xiaxia and Seraphina.

"Look at this, big sis," Xiaxia exclaimed, showing her phone. "A group called Lazy Cat just cleared the Abandon Fortress! The whole world is going crazy over them right now."

"Hmm . . ." Seraphina stared at the phone, her expression a mask.

"You play Guildbane, right?" Xiaxia turned to Seraphina. "Who do you think they are?"

Seraphina smiled and replied, "They must be solo players forming a group on the spot if they don’t belong to any existing guilds."

"That’s what everyone is thinking too." Xiaxia beamed, though a hint of jealousy flickered across her features. "How lucky. It must be amazing to have a first clear and your name etched in the hall of fame. But I wonder why these guys didn’t announce it."

"They probably don’t like the fame," answered Seraphina.

"I would definitely announce it if it were me. My guild would surely benefit from it," Xiaxia said.

"Do you even have any first bloods?" Xin asked, his tone bored.

Xiaxia’s expression fell.

"I see why you want one."

Xiaxia gritted her teeth. "Why do I feel like hitting you?"

"You’ve been in the game for four years. At least have one first blood."

"It’s not easy, you know! With all the competition, all the easy dungeons have been cleared. The remaining ones are just too hard."

Xin didn’t spare his sister a glance as he ate his food. "Is that an excuse?"

"Ugh! Why am I even talking to you?" Xiaxia growled and ignored Xin altogether.

Her expression then changed when she faced Seraphina. "By the way, big sis, you play Guildbane, right? What’s your account name?"

There was only a slight pause before Seraphina answered with a sweet beam. "It’s a secret."