Hacking the Game Didn't Go as Intended [Part One]

CHAPTER 95: The Sex-crazed Narcissist

Ben's eyes went wide, as if he had finally solved a difficult question he had been struggling with all this time. "Ah, so that explains how you can be here right now," he grinned with a nudging gesture. "You must be interested in investing in our little operation, too, huh?"

Daisuke's gaze narrowed. "Then you're the one calling the shots?"

Ben shrugged nonchalantly, a grin playing on his lips as he adjusted his hair with a casual flick. "Nah, not exactly," he replied in a laid-back tone. "I pitched the idea for the experiments and chipped in with most of the cash, but the Mhaledictus are the ones running the show. They'll be raking in most of the profits when all's said and done."

Daisuke's anger finally boiled over, his golden eyes blazing with intensity as the name of the organization rang in his ears. "So you've thrown in your lot with that filth," he spat out, each word dripping with venom.

Ben recoiled, a cold shiver running down his spine. Why's he so angry? Did he fail a quest or something?

Before he could conjure up another possible theory, his vision suddenly dimmed, engulfed by the shadow of Daisuke's approaching palm. Steel-like fingers enclosed around his face in a vice-like grip. He let out a pained cry as the silver-haired assailant zipped across the chamber with him, slamming the back of his head into the wall. The force left a deep crater, cracks spider-webbing outward like the gnarled branches of a petrified tree.

Ben groaned weakly, warm blood trickling down the side of his head from the wound. W-What the hell? I lost... one-third of my health from that single attack?

Daisuke seized the flabby bastard by the neck and lifted him effortlessly off the ground, his rage lending him a strength beyond his usual. "Spill everything you know," he growled, his grip becoming tighter with each passing moment.

Ben gasped for air, his face turning blue. He desperately tried to break free, but he couldn't escape Daisuke's monstrous grip. What's with this ridiculous strength? He thought incredulously. Isn't this guy supposed to be an assassin?

"Speak!" Daisuke hissed menacingly, his eyes burning.

"D-Don't be an idiot!" Ben wheezed, his voice strained. "I don't know what kind of quest you've got, but it's seriously about to destroy your life. You're playing a game you can't win. The Mhaledictus isn't a group you want to mess with—they're ruthless. If you go after them, you'll be signing your own death warrant."

"Now where have I heard that line before," Daisuke said mockingly, his grip still tightening.

"Dude, just hear me out," Ben persisted pleadingly. "You're an otaku, right? Most gamers are. Then have you never considered it?" He took a breath. "There are hundreds of different species of girls in the game... just ripe for the picking. Don't tell me you've never... fantasized about spending a hot night with even half of them?"

Daisuke's jaw clenched, his gaze sharpening like a honed blade as his fingers kept tightening around the despicable bastard. Despite his gasps for air, Ben continued to babble, insistent on forcing Daisuke to comply.

He explained that when a player reached maximum affinity with an NPC, the intimacy gauge became available. The opportunity to engage in sexual relations with NPCs hinged entirely on the level of intimacy achieved. If these two attributes were the only requirements to do the steamy deed, then it wouldn't have been so bad.

But in addition to the intimacy level, there was an additional hurdle: players must first attain noble status, which, of course, was no easy feat. Zenith justified this demanding requirement as a means to distinguish dedicated players and reward their commitment to the game.