My Players Are So Fierce

Chapter 3:

When he heard that slightly accented “hometown dialect”, Murphy immediately understood what kind of things he had summoned. A surge of wild joy rushed into his heart.

Although they weren’t the blazing, world-destroying Titan he had hoped for, these two fellows represented an existence even more terrifying than the Titan in a sense.

But they called me NPC?

So in their eyes, this was a game?

Heh, such mortal wisdom!

Murphy had been living here for a month, and he could confirm that this place was definitely not a virtual game, but the very real Other World. Theoretically speaking, these two little players had also experienced a journey across worlds.

And the most amusing part was that they themselves were unaware of this fact.

In that instant, with narrowed eyes, Murphy had already outlined over tens of thousands of words for the subsequent storyline in his mind. But he immediately calmed himself down.

The most important thing now was to keep these two steady and further deepen their preconceived notions, lest they be frightened by the truth.

Painting a big, round pie was the basics. Going further, one could talk about ideals and aspirations. As someone who had scrambled in society for over a decade, Murphy was an expert at this.

?Novice Guide Quest (1/6): Initial Summon (Completed)

Reward: Test Invitation Codes replenished to 10.

Hint: Currently 2 invitation codes have been used, do you want to send out the remaining codes?

Developer’s Note: Some things aren’t better in greater numbers, just like how some things aren’t better at a larger size. Sometimes small can be cute too. More often than not, you need to take it step-by-step, and not rush headlong into every hole you see.

I could go on, but I think you get my point.?

“Send them! Why not send them?”

Seeing the prompt, Murphy immediately chose to send out the remaining 8 invitation codes. What could he do with just 2 little players? He couldn’t even clear a dungeon!

If the locals saw this, they would think Murphy couldn’t summon any more sentient little players. Moreover, he was currently shouldering a suicidal mission, so the more help the better.

However, after confirming the send, Murphy’s “Otherworld Creature Summoning” display was still at ?2/2?.

It seemed that recruiting these “testers” also took time. Although he didn’t understand how this worked in the players’ world, that was obviously not something Murphy needed to consider right now.

?Novice Guide Quest (2/6): Direct test subjects to complete basic operation testing (walking, jumping, attacking and daily actions), test duration: 30 minutes.

Reward: New feature unlocked.

Developer’s Note: Projects always encounter all sorts of bugs and whiners in the early stages. But don’t panic when you run into problems, take a deep breath first, you can’t solve them anyway, so just feed them some lies and move on.

That shouldn’t be too hard for you, right??

“Ahem.”

Murphy gave a cough to draw the attention of the two little players, who were jumping around looking curiously at everything.

He really had to take charge of these two!

The short one was rather reserved, trying to take off the four-corner underwear that came with “entering the game”, while the tall one had already run off to rummage through the basement’s trash cans.

What the hell did he expect to find there besides the various bottles left by the “Queen of Waste” Tris? Was he planning to collect seven broken bottles to summon the Queen of Waste and fulfill his wish of becoming an Other World bum?

Don’t lose hope, brother, you already have a miserable living example right in front of you!

“Kekeke, not bad quality for this batch of summons.”

Murphy let out a cold, gloomy vampire laugh.

His eyes flickered with light in the dark basement, the pulsing crimson making the short player shrink his head and mutter something about it being creepy.

Well, duh?

An ordinary person would have been scared stiff meeting the very real vampire Murphy in a dark basement. Only the fearless little players would still have the nerve to poke fun.

“Rude and vulgar fools, stand at attention!”

Murphy put on the demeanor of an NPC, placed his hand on his sword hilt, and with a flick of his right hand, a small cluster of dark spiritual energy coalesced into a spark that shot out, startling the player rummaging through the trash can.

“Listen up! I’m preparing for a great undertaking, but regrettably this world is full of fools, so I have to explore other realms. You two may be a bit weak, but you seem smart enough.

Perhaps you can be of help.”

The vampire pulled his hood lower, trying to exude a dark creature vibe.

He stroked his chin and said:

“But I need to see if you’re healthy first, if you have enough vitality, if you’re sharp enough. I don’t want any defective goods. If you fail my test, then I’ll have to offer you as ‘backup blood bags’ to that terrifying vampire princess upstairs.”

He tried to intimidate the two little players, but couldn’t sense any fear from their expressions, which left him deflated. He then waved his hand dismissively and turned to say:

“Move around here for now. This dilapidated place is barely livable, but I don’t have time to personally explore the secrets it has hidden for over 300 years.

Go find them.

Put your wits to use, and bring me the most valuable things you find in 30 minutes.

This is the first test.

Oh, and remember my name, remember the one who summoned you from another world into this vibrant realm.

I am Murphy!

Revnor Murphy Lessenbra.

I am your guide, your protector, your beginning and your end!”

With that, Murphy didn’t bother with the still dazed little players and swiftly vanished like a ghost into the basement entrance.

The door slammed shut, and the hapless vampire playing NPC for the first time also took a deep breath.

“That acting tough then running away is quite thrilling.”

He said, then crouched down and peeked through the gap under the basement door to watch the two little players now busying themselves searching around the vast basement.

Murphy hadn’t lied to them.

This basement, like the manor itself, was incredibly ancient, its history spanned not just 300 years but far beyond that. However, there was definitely nothing of value to be found.

But their activity would satisfy his second novice guidance quest.

Murphy soon had another headache, how was he going to explain the origins of these two “Otherworld Creatures” to the mistress of the manor, Lady Tris?

Maybe he could just say they were his blood servants?

But the players’ behavior and speech were so out of sync with this world, and their language, were major issues. Maybe he could have the two players pretend to be mute?

Come to think of it, he hadn’t even asked for their names yet.

How rude of him!

As an NPC, that was totally unqualified. Theoretically, even if a player named themselves Xie Te, he should still greet it with a smile and praise like “what a great name.”

Well, he could make up for that later.

Murphy hurried back to the main building to tidy up, but as soon as the vampire entered, he saw that Tris was not resting as usual. Instead, she was uncharacteristically standing by the window.

She stood like a statue, staring blankly out at the scenery of Kadman City, not even noticing the annoying sunlight burning her fingertips.

Wisps of gray smoke were rising from Tris’s pale fingers, the first sign of a vampire being burned by sunlight.

“What are you doing? Have you finally realized how much of a failure your life is, so you’ve decided on a creative way to kill yourself and reroll? Too late! Five hundred years too late, so please just live properly.”

Murphy rushed over, yanking Tris away from the window and quickly closing the blinds, casting the room into darkness.

“Cough cough.”

Violent coughing came from the startled Tris. Murphy used a handkerchief to wrap her burned fingers while softly asking:

“The wounds hurt again?”

“It’s fine.”

Lady Tris was nonchalant, as if already used to this pain. She tried to bandage herself but was too weak, needing Murphy’s assistance to complete the action.

Murphy was well aware of the reason behind Tris’s weakness.

It was a month ago.

The real vampire Murphy, unwilling to be a mere waste of existence, attempted a dangerous spirit summoning ritual in the manor’s basement with some unknown spiritual energy device.

The raging spiritual energy from the star realm nearly tore him apart completely.

That fateful night, the sober Tris happened to be there and desperately rescued her progeny from the explosion of spiritual forces, but at the cost of her already poor physical condition worsening further.

To be precise, the real Murphy who had sought to defy fate and change his destiny had gotten his wish. He died in that failed ritual.

Tris had rescued someone else.

But without her, Murphy would have become history’s first unfortunate vampire to die of blood loss on the very night he crossed over into this world.

For that reason, over the past month, Murphy had been utterly devoted to caring for Tris, understanding the debt of gratitude he owed her for saving his life.

As they say, adversity reveals true feelings. This month of “impoverished cohabitation” after Murphy’s inauspicious entry into this otherworld was enough for him to develop a sense of “interdependence” with this unreliable elder. After all, putting it bluntly, though dilapidated this house at least provided Murphy shelter from sleeping on the streets, right?

Now, the former Blood Vulture elder gazed at Murphy dutifully bandaging her fingers, and a silence fell over the ramshackle house, so quiet one could almost hear heartbeats.

Vampires did have heartbeats, just much slower than humans.

After more than ten seconds, Tris spoke:

“I was just reminiscing about my life over the past hundred-plus years, little Murphy. I had turned so many in the beginning, but most were driven out of Transia to fend for themselves. A small portion struggled to survive in the Blood Vulture clan but went to great lengths to disassociate from this waste that I am. Yet misfortune always found them.

There was a period where I survived by turning those afraid of death in exchange for a lavish lifestyle, so they called me ‘money-hungry Tris’.

I’ve seen all sorts of people, but you’re the sole exception.

Little Murphy, only you have stayed by my side like a blood servant caring for me, making me feel like I’ve experienced the mundane yet cozy life that foolish mortals crave.

Yet, you should leave.

You’ve grown up.

You need to learn to stay away from danger, and misfortune.”

“But how can you travel far in this state?”

Murphy immediately caught Tris’s underlying meaning, but this cunning social creature chose to play dumb. Glancing at Tris, who could barely even stand, he shook his head and said:

“Don’t worry, I’ve requested some blood servants from those who sent me on this suicide mission. When I leave, I’ll leave some behind to take care of you. Don’t worry about me.

The task is dangerous, but I think I can make it back alive.

Once you’ve recovered, we’ll discuss where to go next.”

“Pfft!”

Murphy’s response made Lady Tris’s eyes go wide before she covered her mouth and laughed out loud.

She had meant for Murphy to leave alone, but this naive lad actually planned to bring her, a huge burden, along. So cute and innocent.

“What’s so funny?”

Murphy asked gruffly. Tris waved her hand and said:

“Nothing, I just thought of something amusing. Hmm, you look quite dashing in that outfit. What’s all that noise downstairs? Burglars?

Excellent!

Dinner is served!

Ah, thank you Mother Night for your gift! Let’s celebrate the Feast of Blood early tonight.”

Excited by the sounds from the basement, Tris even bared her vampire fangs. But Murphy immediately stopped her with a dismissive wave.

“It’s nothing, just some blood servants I’ve summoned to clean up. Don’t worry about them, you should rest. I’ll have your dinner ready before I leave tonight.

I’ll be back in a week at most, I promise.

And don’t drink too much.”

He helped Tris back to her upstairs bedroom, secured the window coverings, then went out to pack his own belongings.

Thirty minutes later, Murphy stood at the basement entrance as the two little players proudly presented their findings.

Two sealed bottles of dwarven ale.

The labels showed they were over 250 years old, perfect for toasting Lady Tris.

A set of exquisite drinkware in a decaying box, its origins unknown but with an elven artistic style, likely left behind by a previous manor owner.

Lastly, a dented, battered old pocket watch.

Murphy recognized this item.

It was the one real Murphy had dropped in the basement the night he was blasted by spirit forces, still stained with blood.

But those three items were not the most outrageous part.

He glanced down at the pile of coins at his feet, besides the rusted coppers and dull silvers, there were even a few shining Portia gold coins.

This made Murphy eye the panting little players suspiciously, truly wondering where they had found all this?

In his month living here, he had not discovered even a fraction of what these two had scrounged up in just half an hour.

So this was the terrifying talent of players?

“Not bad, you’ve done well! I’m quite impressed with you, otherworld warriors.”

Murphy pulled back his hood, revealing his handsome face, and said warmly to the two players:

“I’ve seen your keen potential, you are precisely the assistants I need! Now return to your realm and prepare yourselves!

Once I am ready, I shall summon you again along with the otherworld spirits I have chosen. At that time, you will have the profound honor of participating in my grand plan!

Heh heh, I eagerly await our reunion.

Oh, and what are your names?

Please understand, but I must record this moment for the bards to sing of the beginning of our legend in a century’s time.”

Faced with Murphy’s inquiry, the two players glanced at each other, puffed out their chests, and declared in unison:

“I’m ‘Meow King’!”

“I’m ‘Leading Pigeon’!”

“As expected of players chosen by me, such delightfully nonsensical names! Full of abstract beauty.”

Murphy gave them a mental comment as well as a thumbs up, but outwardly he nodded in satisfaction, smiling as an NPC should, and said:

“Splendid names indeed, befitting your sharpness and bravery. Then, my warriors, until we meet again.”

He raised his hand, dismissing the summons.

The two players’ bodies rapidly dissolved into motes of light before his eyes, reversing the process of their spirit-woven arrival, until only a swirling point of light remained, spiraling around Murphy before descending.

?Novice Guide Quest (2/6): Basic Operation Test (Completed)

Reward: Perception Scanning unlocked.

Hint: You can now scan targets to obtain information, but this action can be perceived and has inherent danger.

Developer’s Note: There are two prerequisites for using this ability well. First, you can’t be a Paladin! Second, you can’t have a habit of kicking down tavern doors.

Of course, if you’re badass enough and don’t mind the occasional account reset, feel free to disregard the above.?

?Novice Guide Quest (3/6): First Combat, direct test subjects in basic combat operation tests (including but not limited to attacking, dodging, charging, dying and soul release, etc.)

Reward: +5 Test Invitation Codes, new feature unlocked.

Developer’s Note: Since you’ve learned to walk and jump, why not go slay a dragon for practice??

“?! The quest difficulty just spiked, and what kind of note is that? Heh, I’m in a good mood, so I’ll humor you this time.”

Murphy scoffed, looked around, then bent down to scoop up the pile of coins. Humming a tune, he headed out of the manor to purchase some food and drink, lest the “Queen of Waste” Tris starve herself in his absence.

The hapless vampire walked briskly in the shadows along the walls to avoid sunlight, nodding politely at every passerby.

Projecting the utmost elegance.

Yet in his heart, Murphy was grinning wickedly:

“These little players are so useful, truly essential tools for traveling and murder. Though I don’t know the details of my grand plan yet, with you all around, how could this mighty one fail to achieve great things? Muahaha!

Tremble, world!

A legend shall rise from this very night!”