Chapter 8: Good Deduction, But Don't Do It Again Next Time
"So, your real target has always been the forum users, right?"
Youying Yeshen said this in the large QQ group of the Dark Diablo 3 forum.
10 minutes ago, Thin Dog, Fox, and Lin Tang were bragging like crazy in the group, hyping up "Apocalypse Online" as the next-generation masterpiece, the one and only game under heaven, and that life would be incomplete without playing it.
They really went overboard!
Then, a group member asked if there were any photos to see.
The three of them were all stumped, saying that they hadn't explored the game's photo-taking function yet.
At this point, Youying Yeshen, who had been lurking for a long time, finally spoke up.
"Actually, when you said that you received the helmet but there was no postage fee earlier today, I already guessed this possibility. But since you three are all old-timers in the forum, I didn't continue to make deductions in this direction. But now, you're too eager to set the trap, and instead exposed your clues."
Thin Dog: "??? Yeshen, did you misunderstand something? Don't mess around. Time is very urgent now. We must hurry and reserve spots, otherwise once the news spreads, our own people in the forum may not be in the first wave of reservations!"
Youying Yeshen: "Thin Dog, I know you're in a hurry, but please don't be hasty first."
"I've seen through all your tricks! There is only one truth, and the culprit is among us!"
Ghost Face Fox: "?"
Lin Tang: "???"
Other group members: "Although I don't understand, it seems impressive. I'll have a beer, soda, mineral water, peanuts, melon seeds, eight treasure porridge. Make way for those in front!"
"Eating melons."
Youying Yeshen: "Obviously, this is a series of traps set by acquaintances, with a post as the starting point of a large-scale performance!"
"They used their fame in the forum to spread the concept of 'fully immersive virtual reality game', then appeared in person to prove it. From initial disbelief to later confirmation, they gradually painted a beautiful picture of the 'fully immersive virtual reality game', making all group members yearn for it."
"That's right, our Dark Diablo 3 forum has been established for ten years, and the number of players is gradually declining. The forum is restless with various disputes. The fundamental reason is that everyone is tired of the game and there's nothing to talk about. At this time, everyone is looking forward to a new grinding game to replace Dark Diablo 3. As moderators and old-timers in the forum, they clearly perceived this phenomenon. Then on a dark and windy night, one of them suddenly had a great idea to get rich quick!"
"That is to promote a game that doesn't exist at all! Hype up this game to the sky! Then sell this non-existent game to the forum users and make a fortune!"
"Everyone can try out ordinary mouse and keyboard games, but not virtual reality games. Everyone has heard of it, but no one has seen it. And the content inside can only be experienced after buying the helmet. This provides a natural soil for your scam!"
"Forum friends! Everyone can think back to what the three of them said."
"Nothing more than the clichés of 100% virtual, full five senses, fully randomized world, NPCs with flesh and blood, hidden missions, immersive experience... Isn't this all the content that has been written to death in online game novels?"
"I dare to say, whoever believes their story today and goes to the website to apply for a reservation has already stepped into the trap. You just wait to pay!"
"The payment method is the same as what I said during the day. It's cash on delivery. When you see the helmet, you pay. Oh right, after you put on the helmet and find that you can't play, when you ask them, they will definitely say that the account hasn't been activated, and you can only log in after paying to activate the account. Then they scam you for another sum."
"There are 2.16 million people in the forum. If they scam 10,000 people, they can make several million. And all they need to do is put on a magnificent performance and provide 10,000 cheap custom helmets. Then they disappear without a trace, never to be seen again."
"Now, tell me loudly, do you still want to make a reservation?"
Youying Yeshen's typing speed was top-notch!
With a stream of output, flowing like clouds and water, without any pauses, it left everyone dumbfounded.
Cainv Girl's Little Mushroom: "Damn it! The group members treat you as a role model, but you treat the group members as leeks! I actually wanted to make a reservation just now. I must be blind!"
Lord Self-Respecter: "There can't really be people who believe in virtual reality games, right? No way, no way."
Foodie Mage: "The group members are getting more and more torturous."
Even the trio who had just entered the game in the afternoon fell into brief contemplation.
Thin Dog: "Did I really play the game?"
Fox: "Is it possible that I was just used?"
Lin Tang: "Why do I feel that what he said makes a lot of sense?"
Of course, this doubt only appeared in their minds for a moment before being quickly dispelled by reason.
[Group member 'Youying Yeshen' has been muted for 1 day by group administrator 'African Thin Dog'.]
African Thin Dog: "Ahem! I think Yeshen is a bit ill at the moment. Let's give him some time to calm down. Just treat it as a joke. After so many years, everyone should know what kind of person I, Thin Dog, am."
Cainv Girl's Little Mushroom: "For money, what's integrity worth! I firmly support Youying Yeshen! Come on, privilege dog, ban me!"
Melon-Eating Group Member: "That's right! Reputation is worthless in the face of money!"
Youying Yeshen 2: "One Youying Yeshen has fallen!"
Youying Yeshen 3: "Thousands upon thousands of Youying Yeshens have risen!"
Lin Tang: "Holy shit! What shadow clones!"
Thin Dog looked pained: "Bro, when did you join with so many alt accounts!"
Ghost Face Fox: "...Youying Yeshen often used alt accounts to chat because he was frequently reported and banned for posting NSFW pictures. He specifically told me about it."
At this time, group members were saying all sorts of things, and the voices of doubt were incessant.
[Group owner has enabled group-wide mute.]
The group owner 'Weakest Player in This Group', who had been lurking for a long time, spoke up.
"Everyone quiet down and listen to me."
"You may not understand Thin Dog. What he just said doesn't prove how reliable his character is, but that his family is really wealthy. I read Yeshen's deduction and it's interesting, but with Thin Dog's family background, he probably doesn't care too much about these few million."
"Let me put it this way. Do you know about the Duo Yu Group? Founded by Thin Dog's grandfather. Thin Dog is one of the descendants of the Pu family. The Duo Yu Building in Beijing now is where Thin Dog collects rent."
"Yeshen's deduction was not bad. Next time, don't deduce anymore."
[Group owner has lifted the group-wide mute.]
['Youying Yeshen' has been unmuted by the group owner.]
The group instantly exploded!
"Top-tier rent collector? Awesome!"
"I only knew that Thin Dog didn't go to work every day. I thought he was a loser like me. I didn't expect that I'm the only loser."
"Thin Dog, you deserve to die!!! Why are you so rich! I feel so bad!!! It feels like there are ants crawling on my body!"
The group owner is the forum owner, so his words still carry a lot of weight and are more accepted by everyone.
At this moment, the three Youying Yeshens quietly entered lurker mode.
More than 200 new accounts were added to the reservation list on the official website of "Apocalypse Online", and it was still increasing.
Among them were Youying Yeshen 2 and Youying Yeshen 3.
If there really was a 100% virtual reality game, which veteran player wouldn't want to try it?
After experiencing a farce, Thin Dog said in their group of three:
"Check the forum, the sentinel has spoken!"
(End of chapter)
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