My Players Are So Fierce

Chapter 125:

Expecting players to keep such an explosive big news a secret was completely a pipe dream!

Murphy’s reminder was just following the NPC’s routine, reinforcing his character setting. According to his estimation, at most ten minutes later, this news would spread like wildfire on the forums. But to be honest, he didn’t mind and even looked forward to it a bit.

A good game needs to occasionally come up with some positive gimmicks like this. Not only can it strengthen the existing players’ game stickiness, but it can also attract outside attention.

Of course, Murphy’s situation with?Reality Realm?was a bit special. It didn’t really need outside publicity, but as a forum administrator, Murphy also needed to maintain a good community atmosphere.

At present, there were only 60 players on the forum who had received test invitation codes, but Murphy had already approved many test applications.

This meant that they could also share real-time in-game content news on the forum, allowing their curiosity about this game to continually accumulate until they became reliable and useful “Murphy’s personal fourth horsemen of the apocalypse.”

As for the “Experimental Prototype Midnight Child No. 1” title that Cheche and Niuniu had just obtained, that was created by Murphy himself using the title system. As a test administrator, he had this authority, but limited by the current game progress, he could only create some basic titles.

Most importantly, the titles bestowed by the “game” title system all had specific effects when worn!

This meant that titles in this game could never become commonplace and could even reach a rare and scarcely seen degree, completely qualifying as part of a player’s strength.

?Experimental Prototype Midnight Child No. 1: As an assistant helping Murphy explore the mysteries of a new race, you have been granted this unique title for your efforts.

Please note!

Aside from the name, all effects and achievements of this title are exactly the same as the ‘Midnight Child’ title.

While wearing this title, your life and spirit recovery is accelerated in night environments, and the speed at which you gain reputation with various Vampire clans is increased.

Current test personnel are at the Professional rank and can equip: 0/1 titles.

Titles currently owned: Kingslayer, Experimental Prototype Midnight Child No. 1/Midnight Child.

Equip new title? Yes/No?

“Confirm! Give me a hardcore confirmation!”

As they walked out of Lady Tris’s alchemy workshop, Invincible Tyrannosaurus Cheche punched his fist forcefully in the air.

In the next moment, his in-game ID changed to “Experimental Prototype Midnight Child No. 1, Invincible Tyrannosaurus Cheche”, and Niuniu also equipped the title beside him.

The two instantly felt more awesome, and even their walking postures gained an air of dominance.

Unfortunately, only players could see this title, “NPCs” would never be able to see the unreasonable mess atop their heads. As for how this title and appellation would take effect among the natives, that depended on the actual situation.

However, this continent did have a tradition of addressing others with titles, such as Tris’s unique nickname “Crimson Witch”. Its special effect was that anyone who knew the Crimson Witch’s story would have a unique emotion upon seeing her.

Whether anger, fear, or reverence.

Well, if evaluated by the game’s data standards, Tris’s title would probably be considered an epic or legendary title.

As Murphy had expected, less than ten minutes after the two brats left, a thread appeared on the forum with them as the main characters, detailing the entire process of their quest.

There were even specially taken cool photos to commemorate the occasion.

The main focus was just showing off.

Meow King, as one of the three survivors, was very unhappy about this and vented greatly in the post’s comments.

But facts proved that one could only choose between the Vampire faction and the Witch Hunter system. As an Oak Apprentice, it was normal for him to be excluded from Lady Tris’s experiment.

As a result, the thread somehow shifted to discussing the character interface screenshot Cheche had taken during his “new race preview”, where players quickly became curious about the Vampire’s initial 40 attribute points and started a heated debate.

Murphy felt that as an administrator, he didn’t need to step in yet and let them continue discussing. It could be considered building hype and heat for the new race and version.

“Why are you still lingering here? Don’t you have anything to do?”

Tris’s voice startled Murphy, who was sitting in a chair browsing the forums. He closed the character card interface and turned to look at Tris’s disdainful expression, unable to help saying:

“Am I really that unwelcome now? It was just a little kiss, was it that big of a deal? You’re almost 500 years old, don’t be as sensitive as an inexperienced little girl.”

“Tsk, who was the one making those weird moves and saying those weird things last night? You should be grateful I even let you through the door today.”

Tris said mockingly as she crossed her arms:

“And we’re not elders and blood descendants anymore, Mr. Murphy. Now we have an official superior-subordinate relationship, so, to use your words, shouldn’t a certain someone have a sense of boundaries?”

“I’m just here to report to Her Excellency on my work.”

Murphy raised his hands in surrender.

He formally took out the summary of the territory’s current status compiled by Miriam from his spirit bag, intending to report it to Tris. However, the Blood Vulture Lady Sovereign waved her hand, saying:

“Don’t bother telling me, I’m too lazy to listen. Kadman City and the surrounding areas are your territory. How you handle it is your business, I don’t care about those details.

Since you’re playing the puppet ruler, you need to look the part. I shouldn’t interfere too much, lest I threaten your authority and you use the extreme method you used to kill Salrokdar, sending me into eternal oblivion as well.

But you came at just the right time, as there’s something I need to give you.”

Tris turned and retrieved something from beside her alchemy table, handing it to Murphy. The object had an irregular outline.

It was unmistakably a Fragment of Desire.

This made Murphy look at her in astonishment and say:

“But isn’t this your Sovereign’s badge? Why are you giving it to me?”

“For you to safekeep! It doesn’t mean much for me to hold onto it, but if you can learn to wield the true power of the desire fragment, it will greatly aid your future endeavors.”

Tris said with a serious expression:

“The seven deadly sin powers possessed by the Vampire civilization’s stone tablets are not just for the Sovereign’s personal use, but can also be transferred to others through custodianship and possession.

These mysterious ‘sin abilities’ don’t mean much in combat, they’re more auxiliary functions. Given the Blood Vulture Clan’s current dire situation, I estimate we won’t need to use them for a long time.

I’ll teach you how to wield the ‘power of desire’ bestowed by the stone tablets. I’ve seen Salrokdar use it before, it’s truly a mysterious power.”

“Alright, I trust you won’t harm me.”

Murphy accepted the desire shard and used his spirit energy to levitate it at his fingertips. He had appraised this item before, and upon taking it in hand again, he saw the familiar information tag:

Name: Vampire Civilization Stone Tablet ?1/7? – Fragment of Desire

Quality: Miracle Artifact

Status:

1. This item has been bound! Currently bound to Tracy Cavendina Chia Lorraine Lessenbra, with Revnor Murphy Lessenbra as first inheritor.

2. The special power trait ?Original Sin Ability – Desire? can be unlocked and awaits allocation. Allocation slots available: ?2/2?.

“Are you ready?”

Tris asked.

Murphy nodded, and he saw the Blood Vulture Lady Sovereign extend her fair finger to lightly tap the rotating Fragment of Desire. A crimson point of light coiled around her fingertip, which she then moved to press against Murphy’s forehead.

“Humm”

Murphy’s vision went black, and wondrous fragmentary visions began flickering through his mind.

He could vaguely make out several vampires dressed in strange uniforms gathering somewhere strange, discussing something. But the next fragment jumped to a cataclysmic disaster erupting in an even grander location, with swaths of bizarre creatures fleeing in terror from a giant structure.

The fragments flashed by rapidly, not giving Murphy time to examine further before his vision returned to normal. A new note also popped up on his character card:

?Special power trait ?Original Sin Ability – Desire? has been obtained!

This power trait originates from the Fragment of Desire, an external power that can be reclaimed by the fragment’s binder at any time.

The specific effects of this power trait are as follows:

Grants the bearer the ?Desire Perception? talent, allowing the bearer to more keenly sense the deepest desires in the minds of surrounding lifeforms.

This talent is passive and always active. A perception target can be designated, with the success rate depending on the mental attribute gap between the two parties.

This effect is influenced by charisma. When the perception target’s attitude is friendly/admiring/intimate, the success rate increases. The reverse causes the success rate to decrease.

Currently, ?Original Sin Ability – Desire?’s personal compatibility with the user is: Low!

As compatibility improves, this special power trait will unlock additional talents.

But users beware – morality can only restrain oneself, while desire can dominate others!?

Murphy read through the description of this power trait.

He felt a bit muddled and didn’t quite understand what this “desire perception” meant.

Tris in front of him was also blinking her eyes at him. She had only seen Salrokdar use this power before and wasn’t very familiar with how it manifested. However, she could confirm that this ability was absolutely useful for a true ruler!

Salrokdar’s ability to stabilize Kadman City and the entire Transia region for 400 years stemmed from the empowerment of this power of desire.

She really hoped Murphy’s fledgling endeavors could proceed smoothly, as compensation for forcing little Murphy to sever his blood pact with her.

She didn’t want this incident to create a rift between her and little Murphy.

As Murphy was about to discuss with Tris the manifestation of this peculiar ability, when he looked into her bewitching eyes flickering with crimson light, a voice suddenly seemed to echo faintly in his ears:

“This outrageous scoundrel, he makes my heart flutter every time I see him. Ah, what attitude should I take towards him? Be a bit cold? Or stay the same as before?

Or be more passionate and give him some sweet rewards?”

“Come to think of it, this feeling of being pursued is quite novel.

In the past, guys were either terrified of me or nutcases like Palanno. Hmm, that kiss last night was so strange. Maybe if we do it again I can get used to it? Should I take the initiative and kiss him?

Ah!

Damn thoughts!

Go away!

The Crimson Witch shouldn’t be having such lewd thoughts!”

“Hah, I think I know how to use it now.”

Murphy gave Tris a bright smile and said.

As she was about to inquire, she saw Murphy reach out and grab her wrist, gently pulling her back, recreating last night’s scene as their lips met again.

Tris was startled, immediately pushing Murphy away.

She scolded him:

“Have you gone mad? It’s daytime!”

“But I heard it.”

Murphy pointed to his ear and said to Tris:

“I can hear your innermost thoughts, those drifting desires, or perhaps they could be called cravings?”

“Ah this!”

Tris’s cheeks flushed red as she stomped and cursed:

“What an indecent ability!”

“It’s alright, at least it’s good for me.”

Murphy maintained an elegant posture as he stood up, straightening his collar and squinting at Tris:

“At the very least, it confirms a certain Lady Sovereign’s troubled thoughts, and that the source of that trouble is me. For a pursuer, this is already the highest praise, no? What did you do?

I can’t hear you anymore.”

“Just a simple mind barrier!”

Tris said coldly while pinching her fingers:

“Wantonly prying into others’ minds is very unethical behavior. Everyone should have their own deep, dark secrets buried in their hearts that cannot and should not be revealed, little Murphy. I’m really angry!”

“Then I sincerely apologize to you, my Lady.”

Murphy bowed in apology where he stood, but as he raised his head, he suddenly said to Tris:

“Morality can only restrain oneself.”

“Desire can dominate others.”

Tris naturally spoke the second half of the phrase, then stared at Murphy in astonishment and said:

“That was Salrokdar’s catchphrase! Where did you hear it from?”

“It’s not just a catchphrase.”

Murphy raised his hand, letting the Fragment of Desire rotate at his fingertips.

Gazing at this ancient object, he explained:

“It’s also the basis and core for the power of desire to function. I can clearly sense this power’s influence on the mind, and it can be shared between two people. Yet Salrokdar monopolized it. Come, Tris.

You are its owner, you should also partake in this deadly sin’s power.”

He held the Fragment of Desire before Tris’s eyes. The Crimson Witch was quite curious about Murphy’s explanation of the manifestation of the power of desire, so she reached out, bestowing that power upon herself as well.

In the next moment, she cocked her ear to listen. As the other living being in the room, Murphy gazed at her tenderly, making no attempt to conceal the profound yearning in his heart at that moment.

Tris heard it.

Her face immediately flushed red! She instantly grabbed the golden stirring rod used for alchemy solutions beside her, gripping it like a dagger as she shrieked at Murphy:

“You lewd scoundrel, get out! Who wants to hear your saccharine innermost thoughts? How did I not notice before what an insufferable brat you are?”

“I merely hope for a conciliatory and sufficiently warm embrace, nothing so unnatural.”

Murphy quipped:

“You’re almost 500 years old, big sister. Don’t tell me in that long life you’ve never experienced anything like this?”

But seeing Tris already fuming and clenching a pulsating crimson mass of concentrated spirit energy in her hand, ready to fling it at any moment, Murphy chose to temporarily avoid the attack.

He backed up to the cabin entrance and seriously asked:

“About my spirit profession advancement -”

“Go be a summoner!”

Tris dissipated the dangerous spirit energy from her hand and flung a handbook from her spirit bag, saying sternly:

“You clearly have a talent for it, and combining it with your swordsman talents will allow your potential to manifest more quickly. Don’t rush past the Black Iron rank’s power limitations, the better your foundations, the smoother your future progression will be.

For this stage, the key point is: the slower, the better!

Understand?

And one more thing!

Stop praising me in your mind!

I know my figure is great, but that won’t make me happy. You lewd little brat!”