Reborn with Steve Stand

Chapter 749: Kartel (3)

If we have to discuss it, the mechanism itself is an inseparable part of the game.

Whether it's sandbox games, like the ones Fang Mo is fond of, or online games like Dungeon Fighter, or even single-player games like the Souls series, fighting games, or simulation management games, each has its own distinct mechanics.

However, what Fang Mo has always disliked is not these 'mechanisms' themselves, but the people who come up with certain mechanisms.

Take the DNF (Dungeon Fighter Online) game in front of him as an example. He is currently in the Commander's Office of the Kartel, a location that used to be an ancient map in the game. Like the King's Relics where Bolodin resided, these were difficult dungeons that were very challenging for ordinary players.

If the damage output was insufficient, one would have to go through several rounds of mechanics to take down an elite monster.

But for those who spend money in the game, their damage output is always excessive. No matter the dungeon, as long as the boss shows its health bar, they can take it down with one set of skills.

And this is where the most irritating part of this map comes in.

In the second map of the Kartel Commander's Office, there's a blonde elite monster named Long Spear Max.

When players enter the map, this creature forcibly triggers a mechanic, jumping onto a stone platform that the player can't reach, and starts dancing while shooting bullets at the player. It doesn't matter whether you're a paying player or an ordinary one; you'll get shot all over by this guy.

Fang Mo was most annoyed by this guy back in the day. Every time he reached the second map, Max would trigger invincibility and waste time.

At that time, Fang Mo's equipment was quite luxurious. He was a top-tier character, the Red Lord of that version, with a bunch of high-enhancement red-lettered gear. He could even take down the map's boss, Landorus, with one skill set, yet he still had to go through the mechanics when facing this guy.

So, of course, Fang Mo felt it was unfair.

If I didn't spend money, I'd have to go through the mechanics... But even after spending money, I still have to go through them. Then what was the point of spending money?

So he decided to stop spending on the game. Instead, he opted to buy some stable hacks. The Slaughter Blade with +15 enhancement couldn't kill this guy, but with one press of the F1 key, the hack could instantly kill him. It was clear which was more effective.

And this is what Fang Mo found to be the most foolish part.

What's the point of spending money in the game? Isn't it for efficiency and the satisfaction of instant kills?

In Fang Mo's view, a healthy online game should be like this: both time-rich and money-rich players should be able to clear content quickly once their equipment is ready. One pays with time, the other with money. Since they've paid the price, they should receive positive feedback and satisfaction. Otherwise, why would anyone play the game?

As for those who have neither money nor time...

The game designers shouldn't crush them but should encourage them to clear content by spending more time engaging with the mechanics.

Let each player show their strengths in their way.

That's what a game should be like in Fang Mo's mind.

As for those monsters that are purely stat-based or mechanics that waste players' time in an annoying way... they should disappear from the world along with the designers who created them.

Of course, it can't be said that Fang Mo is too extreme.

After all, some people don't even understand the simple idea of "say you love him, trick him into spending another five thousand dollars," yet they mock the players as idiots... For those people, life itself is a burden, isn't it?

Similarly, there are those designers who forcefully teach you how to play the game.

And certain overly greedy, unpleasant game planners.

Honestly, it's only because Fang Mo can't go back. If he could find a way home, he would definitely create those legendary items one by one and then personally shove them into the eyes of the designers so they could experience the wrath of the Fourth Calamity.

"Tch, how weak."

Fang Mo said indifferently as he pulled the Sea Sword from the opponent's chest: "Just another trash relying on mechanics to drag out the time."

"You... seem to have a lot of animosity toward him, huh?"

Summon, witnessing this, seemed somewhat surprised: "Did you know him before?"

"Sort of."

Fang Mo couldn't be bothered to explain. He casually brushed off the question while carrying the Sea Sword forward: "Look, as the God of Pure Love and the Bull Hunter, is there anything wrong with hating blondies?"

"Huh?"

Summon obviously didn't get the reference: "But... what does hunting Minotaurs have to do with blondies?"

"He just shot at you."

Fang Mo, his mind filled with memories of past games, didn't feel like explaining anything, so he simply made something up: "I found him annoying, so I killed him."

"You..."

Summon pursed her lips, but didn't say anything more.

However, judging by her expression, she seemed rather pleased, even her steps appeared to be lighter.

Fang Mo didn't pay attention to this. He was focused on observing his surroundings. Based on his memories from back in the day, after dealing with Long Spear Max, the third map should be up ahead, with another elite green-named monster, probably named Patrol Captain Bella or something like that.

And as expected.

This guy was also an old actor.

Years ago, on the continent of Arad, there was a dungeon called Passionate Third Avenue, with a boss named Rocket Man. You can think of him as a rocket-flying soldier in a red outfit.

As for Patrol Captain Bella, he was essentially a reskin of Rocket Man... a rocket-flying soldier in a green outfit.

However, unlike the former, this guy couldn't be taken down with regular skills because this elite monster required mechanics.

This elite monster flies around in the air, so regular skills can't hit him. Players must operate the anti-aircraft guns on the map to whittle him down bit by bit. In the Kartel Commander's Office map, there are indeed quite a few monsters like this that rely heavily on mechanics.

After walking forward a bit.

Soon, Fang Mo heard the sound of rocket engines.

He looked up and quickly noticed a figure flying around in the distance.

As mentioned before, the Kartel Commander's Office is located deep in a mountainous region, with a complex and steep terrain. Ahead is a small platform with several anti-aircraft guns on it.

To the left of this small platform is an abyssal gorge, and on the other side of the gorge is another flat platform with some buildings that seem to be part of the Kartel's military camp. You can vaguely see people moving around over there.

As for Patrol Captain Bella, he was flying back and forth above the gorge like a pesky fly.

Perhaps noticing Fang Mo, he pulled out a walkie-talkie and started shouting something. However, the noise from the rocket engines was so loud that Fang Mo couldn't hear clearly.

Not that he cared to listen anyway.

Fang Mo raised his hand, spreading his fingers towards the airborne Patrol Captain Bella.

"Universal Pull."

Under the immense gravitational force, the rocket soldier in the air was instantly dragged down, right into Fang Mo's grasp around his mouth.

"Mm...ugh!?"

Patrol Captain Bella struggled desperately, but it was clearly in vain. The strength in Fang Mo's grip was terrifying. Although it couldn't be seen, Bella's teeth were all shattered, and the force was still increasing, almost popping his eyeballs out.

But just as he was frantically struggling, Fang Mo suddenly loosened his grip.

Caught off guard, Patrol Captain Bella fell to the ground, right in front of Fang Mo. In that instant, he suddenly felt a sense of impending death.

Before he could think further, Fang Mo raised his right foot and stomped down on his head.

With a 'splat,' the guy's head burst open like a watermelon, with red and white matter spreading out in a circular pattern, leaving a large flower of blood on the ground.

"Ugh..."

Summon reflexively covered her mouth at the sight.

However, Fang Mo ignored her and, as if sensing something, suddenly looked up toward the military camp on the other side of the canyon. At that moment, several members who seemed to be snipers were already lying on the ground, aiming at him.

This was probably the support that Captain Bella had just called for.

It had to be said that the psychological resilience of these Kartel members was indeed remarkable. Even after witnessing their captain's brutal death, they continued to resolutely carry out their mission.

However, when facing these Kartel snipers...

Fang Mo merely tilted his head slightly and easily dodged a bullet. Then, he pointed with one hand toward the other side of the canyon.

"Hadō No. 91: Senjū Kōten Taihō."

The Zanpakutō in his storage space trembled violently, and spiritual pressure began to surge.

Behind Fang Mo, dozens of terrifying light cannons appeared. As his hand dropped, these light cannons instantly struck the opposite cliff. In an instant, the entire mountain peak was engulfed in blinding flames. Not to mention the snipers and the military camp—even the entire cliff began to collapse under the intense tremors, falling into the endless abyss below.

After dealing with these two mechanical monsters,

Fang Mo was in a noticeably good mood, humming a tune as he continued toward his destination.

Afterward, he encountered two more elite monsters—something like the Defense Captain Kulkyp and the Mechanical Child Gulu. Fang Mo easily took care of them with a single strike each.

And after crossing a suspension bridge,

Fang Mo quickly arrived at a broad platform.

In the center of this platform, a burly man was standing there, waiting for him.

Fang Mo glanced at the man and instantly recognized his true identity. This was obviously the real power behind Kartel—the legendary Rantilus.

"Hmm?"

Seeing Fang Mo stop, the Summoning Jade Emperor also curiously glanced at Rantilus ahead.

Rantilus was a very burly soldier, wearing a black beret and sporting blonde hair. Unlike other Celestial beings, his physique was not slender but rather exceptionally tall and strong. He was dressed in a set of special high-tech equipment, giving his upper body a broad, V-shaped appearance, exuding a powerful aura.

Perhaps noticing Fang Mo, Rantilus also slowly walked toward him.

"Are you the one who invaded this place?"

As he got closer, Rantilus spoke directly.

It is worth mentioning that although Rantilus was speaking, he surprisingly showed no hostility. Instead, he wore a faint smile on his face. Although he was a soldier, at this moment, he seemed as amiable as a neighborly uncle.

"I think..."

Fang Mo glanced back at the split mountains, the shattered platform, and the countless corpses scattered along the way. He instinctively touched his chin and said, "Wouldn't it be better if you used the word 'annihilate'?"

"Annihilate? That is indeed a word I like very much."

Rantilus smiled calmly. "You don't seem to be one of us Celestials, so are you an ally of the Royal Army?"

"That's correct. I was invited by the Royal Army."

Fang Mo said, carrying his giant sword, "Oh, by the way, the Royal Army asked me to deliver a message to you..."

"Oh?"

Rantilus seemed a bit surprised. "What message?"

"The Royal Army said that as long as you, Rantilus, are willing to surrender, they will guarantee you endless wealth and honor." Fang Mo said, as he somehow pulled out several gold ingots. "There's plenty of gold, too."

"Hah..."

Rantilus chuckled at the sight and said, "Sorry to interrupt, but may I ask if you joined the Royal Army for money?"

"Who would join the Royal Army for something as trivial as money?"

Fang Mo immediately denied it. "You're really underestimating me. With my strength... do you think I'd ever be short on money?"

"It seems... you're indeed someone like me."

Rantilus smiled confidently. "So, if I may ask, what conditions did the Royal Army promise you? Perhaps Kartel could offer you double that..."

"They promised to marry the princess to me."

Before Rantilus could finish speaking, Fang Mo immediately grinned and said, "Once I rescue her from you, we'll get married as soon as we return to Ghent."

"???"

Rantilus's confident smile instantly froze on his face, his expression turning to one of utter shock as he looked at Fang Mo. "What did you say? The princess???"

"What's the matter?"

Fang Mo asked with a puzzled look. "Is there a problem?"

"Get married immediately?"

Rantilus seemed genuinely stunned, instinctively muttering, "How old is the princess now... has the Royal Army gone mad just to defeat us Kartel!?"

"Hey, hey, what's with that attitude?"

Fang Mo immediately raised an eyebrow in dissatisfaction and said, "Didn't you just say we were the same kind of person?"

"I..."

Rantilus was left speechless.

"I remember you saying Kartel could also promise me the same conditions, right?" However, Fang Mo enthusiastically urged him, "So go and find me someone. If you can find a girl as cute as the princess... I'll immediately defect to Kartel and destroy the monarchy!"

"Sorry... I have to take back what I just said."

But upon hearing this, Rantilus took a deep breath and said, "We are not the same kind of person."

"Damn it, how can you be like this? Are you discriminating against my preferences too?"

Hearing this, Fang Mo immediately 'flipped out,' raising his giant sword with a cold voice. "Kartel truly disappoints me. Someday, everyone will worship the princess... but unfortunately, you won't live to see that day. Draw your weapon, Kartel scum!"

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