At the command of the Western Emperor, the Earth system uploaded the game 'Red Alert World' at its fastest speed. They did so using official channels, and the game was forcibly downloaded to everyone's smartphones without giving them a chance to object.
Many suddenly found a new icon on their phones, which appeared to be a game.
The game's title was strikingly similar to the name of their Empire. Out of curiosity, some people clicked on it.
A moment later, a warning page appeared on their screens.
They could only play this game in a safe location, like at home. Many were puzzled. Were people not allowed to play games outside anymore?
However, a tiny fraction who happened to be in safe locations delved straight into the game. As they did, their actual bodies fell into a deep sleep.
The consciousness of ordinary people was too weak to split and enter the game. So, when they entered, the System simply made them fall asleep.
Only Transcendents of fifth rank or above could send a sliver of their consciousness into the game while also maintaining control of their bodies in reality.
Furthermore, the Red Alert Empire updated its official website with content related to 'Red Alert World.'
Historically, whenever the Empire conquered a planet, the official website would post news about it. Generally, they'd describe how they took over a planet with minimal cost. Every Earthling would swell with pride upon reading such news.
After all, this was about conquering entire planets, not mere countries!
This man was a homebody. He was one before the Apocalypse, and he still was one now.
Thankfully, after becoming a resident of the Empire, he was well-off. Now a second-rank Transcendent, not only had his lifespan increased slightly, but his physical condition had also dramatically improved.
With Earth at peace, he continued his reclusive lifestyle. He occasionally posted game strategies on forums and was hailed as an expert. That's how he earned his living.
Upon opening the official website, he was surprised to see the Empire advertising a game.
He felt like question marks were popping up over his head. What was this about?
Who was behind this 'Red Alert World' game? Having such a prominent platform as the Imperial Official Website promoting it was unimaginable.
According to the website, this game was first released on Earth, making it a pilot test here.
The game was forcefully downloaded onto everyone's phones and couldn't be uninstalled. Every resident of the Empire had to play!
It was as if the Empire commanded you to play. If you dared not to, they might just come knocking!
The man's lips twitched. He grabbed his phone, saw the 'Red Alert World' icon, and without hesitation, tapped on it.
The next second, he felt as if he had been transported to a strange space. There were only two doors. One read 'game,' and the other, 'life.'
Then, a soft female voice said, "Player Lu Chenghu, Empire Resident ID: XXXXXXXXX, identity confirmed. Please select your game username."
A box appeared in front of Lu Chenghu, along with a handy virtual keyboard. He could type his name directly.
"It seems no different from typical games, but…" Lu Chenghu's eyes twitched, "I never imagined it would be a virtual game world. Has the Empire's technology matured this much?" ȓÀ𐌽ՕᛒÊS
Virtual gaming had existed even before the Apocalypse. However, compared to what he saw now, those games were rudimentary.
The environment here felt incredibly real. He gazed intently at his palm, where every line was crystal clear. No ordinary game could achieve such realism.
"The Tiger Descends the Mountain."
This was his favorite username, approved in one go.
"Player 'The Tiger Descends the Mountain,' please choose a region to enter. Friendly reminder: if you wish to enter the gaming area, you must first complete a small test."
Lu Chenghu immediately dismissed the idea of the living area; he was here to play.
"I want to enter the gaming area."
Suddenly, Lu Chenghu's vision blurred, and when it cleared, his surroundings had transformed. He quickly noticed many individuals around him, dressed in military uniforms, weapons in hand, firing incessantly ahead.
The environment was occasionally disrupted by explosions. Whether they were from tanks or grenade cannons, he wasn't sure.
All he knew was one thing: if he kept standing dumbfounded, he'd be dead in no time!
Without hesitation, Lu Chenghu dropped to the ground. A soldier not far behind him took a bullet to the head and fell instantly.
"Damn! It's just a game! Why's it so intense?" Lu Chenghu was flabbergasted.
The surroundings felt too real, blurring the line between fiction and reality. Even though he knew it was a simulation, the vividness of the environment was staggering.
"This is a 'small test'? Or am I just being sent to die?"
In a panic, Lu clutched his weapon, scanning his surroundings, clueless about his next move.
"Rookie! What the hell are you doing? Shoot!" An authoritative voice suddenly shouted.
Lu looked up to see a muscular man yelling at him with a fierce expression that sent shivers down his spine.
In his anxiety, Lu raised his weapon and began firing aimlessly.
He couldn't tell how long the battle lasted, but by the time he gathered his wits, nearly half of the soldiers around him were gone, either shot down or obliterated by tank shells.
Witnessing such brutality for the first time, Lu Chenghu couldn't help but vomit.
Just as he felt he was at his limit, the familiar female voice returned: "Congratulations, player 'The Tiger Descends the Mountain.' You are now eligible to enter the gaming area. We hope you continue to excel."
In a blink of an eye, he found himself in a rather plain-looking room, lying on a bed, his eyes vacant.
The scent of the battlefield still lingered, and the impact of that "small test" weighed heavily on him.
"Was that place real?"
"It was all virtual. Please be assured, player."
Lu Chenghu sighed in relief. However, it quickly dawned on him: if the entry test was this brutal, what would the actual game be like?
"Is this what they call the legendary 'Hell Difficulty Start'?" For the first time, Lu Chenghu felt that virtual gaming might not be as wondrous as he'd imagined. (To be continued)
[Read at.com/maxnkoga , without ads and support the work.]