Chapter 3

The way humans perceive things is different from AI, or Nafuga. Directly injecting intense stimuli into the brain would only result in severe consequences—such as adding another drooling idiot to the world. In short, they need a certain buffer to adapt.

This sci-fi style circular staircase is a kind of psychological buffer. It allows users to prepare for the subspace they are about to enter, to avoid perceptual confusion that might make them think they have suddenly traveled through time. After all, everyone knows that once they step up, Nafuga will perform a secondary virtual projection according to their instructions. With this in mind, there won't be any confusion.

I've always been curious about the virtual space Liu Tao uses to search for information, but Nafuga didn't agree to my request to enter. According to her, there are hundreds of thousands of pieces of information flowing every minute, and someone like me, who isn't good at processing information, would vomit after just three to five minutes.

Hundreds of thousands of pieces of information per minute, are you kidding me, thinking you're making a fortune?

Since the owner of the virtual space doesn't agree, let's just play the game. Standing on the staircase, I took a deep breath, calmed myself, and pressed the projection button to enter the game.

"Frontline" is a game specifically created by Nafuga for humans, commissioned by the three major countries, utilizing her almost bug-like computational power and her control over vast network resources. Although it's nominally a game, since it involves the political machinations between countries, things are naturally not so simple.

In fact, the game is a virtual battlefield among the three countries on the internet!

Nafuga used the data provided by humans to perfectly recreate their various weapons in the virtual space. Although the most secret trump cards are certainly not made public, all active weapons can be found in the game, and their performance is almost identical to reality.

The three countries can compete with each other in terms of weapons and tactics here, demonstrating their strength to their opponents without worrying about casualties or property damage.

Of course, ordinary netizens, including myself, don't know about these intricacies. Everyone regards this incredibly realistic game as a classic masterpiece provided by Nafuga. More importantly, the game is completely free. You don't need to buy game cards or virtual weapons and equipment. Anyone can drive their favorite weapon and participate in the battle—Nafuga, as the operator, doesn't need money—thus attracting countless players worldwide.

However, the game is not a typical FPS but a real-time strategy game.

On a map, the two opposing sides start with a certain number of troops based on the situation (such as terrain advantages). These troops are usually controlled by ordinary players, ranging from infantry, tanks, mechs, self-propelled artillery to air forces, and everything in between. At first glance, it might not seem special, but the key comes next.

The game has no concept of "respawn." In other words, if the infantry you control is headshot by the enemy sniper, congratulations, you can directly exit to the main menu and find another game. Of course, you can stay and watch the battle from various perspectives, but few people choose to do so.

For the commander who gives orders to each unit, the number of troops under their command will only decrease until they are all wiped out by the enemy. Therefore, they must carefully allocate forces to occupy terrain and conduct reconnaissance, striving to preserve every combatant in the firefight or decisively use some as cannon fodder and pawns.

It's like a real battle.

No one knows how the players responsible for commanding are selected, as when applying to join the game, there are only options for different types of soldiers—of course, popular and rare types like fighter jets will make you wait in line until you fall asleep—there are no options for commanders. Over time, rumors spread that the commanders are military officers arranged by Nafuga, who designed a special game mode for them to conduct simulation training.

Many people believe the rumors are likely true because in every game, there is always a unit commander that all players must protect. If he is killed, the game is lost. This character is stiff and far less flexible than player-controlled infantry, initially thought to be an NPC, but now it seems likely that they are the avatars of these officers.

Perhaps their game view is the classic bird's-eye view? The method of commanding units is by clicking the mouse? No one knows, and the military has never responded to this. However, for players, these details are not important. The most exciting part is experiencing a realistic battlefield where you only have one life.

Moreover, the teammates you fight with are definitely from the same country, and the opponents you face are always players from other countries.

After two world wars, it's impossible for there to be no hatred between countries. Although everyone now promotes peace, it's fine to fight to the death in the game, right?

In a half-dream, half-awake state, my consciousness finally returned.

I was on a wide plateau with little vegetation. The only cover and hiding place was a small forest near the edge of the map. In front of the plateau was a valley filled with boulders, also with little vegetation, but the large rocks provided excellent cover. The only path to the plateau was a winding slope in front of us. On the right edge of the map, a small village was situated below a cliff formed by a part of the plateau that jutted out, and there were likely some supply props inside.

No need to think, it's a standard attack and defense map.

"Unit 13, can you tell me your name?" A steady male voice came through the communicator, interrupting my thoughts.

"Damn, is my unit number so unlucky this time!?" I quickly confirmed my number and then, with a hand on my forehead, said, "I hope I don't get killed first."

"Unit 13, tell me your game ID." The voice continued, but the tone was slightly more severe.

The in-game radio communication system is specially designed to avoid command confusion. The person who can initiate contact during the preparation phase is naturally the commander of the unit.

"Hunter," I replied with a slight smirk, "So, I'm honored to be chosen as the first cannon fodder?"

The commander ignored my sarcasm, and a marker soon appeared on my cockpit's GPS map: "Two mechs, six light tanks, one anti-aircraft vehicle, one supply vehicle, and a few infantry under your command. Defend this position. Also, I won't send reinforcements, report when your troops are all dead."

This guy is definitely a soldier! The position he designated is the cliff above the village. Although there are many trees, it's still like being under the enemy's nose, and they won't let us play hide and seek near their logistics base.

To draw enemy forces and relieve pressure on the main battlefield... I looked around at the meager forces and could only nod helplessly.

The better the terrain, the fewer troops the game assigns. Despite many nearby players frowning at this ragtag force, this commander is clearly not a rookie who just graduated from military school and is clueless on the battlefield (even if it's a virtual one). He plans to try to hold out and wait for reinforcements.

"Alright, sir. But why me?"

"Because among all of you, only you and I look at the terrain before the troops."

What kind of reason is that, and are you misunderstanding something, big brother? Although I had a lot to say, the other party had already cut off the connection and moved on to control other units.

I look at the terrain first just out of personal habit. I drive the Empire's mass-produced sniper mech, the White Lancer, and I need to find a suitable position before the battle starts. I'm definitely not a hidden tactical genius among the civilians, and I'm better at solo operations than commanding a squad!

Since the opponents are from other countries, no one wants to lose face. Plus, with the rumor that the unit commander is a real soldier, everyone is generally willing to follow orders in the game. Looking at the temporary subordinates gathered around me, waiting for further instructions, I suddenly felt a great pressure.

"OK, looks like you're the boss until we die and start another game," a standard action movie hero character with a sleazy uncle's voice said, walking in front of my mech. "Hmm, did you get promoted because you're a rare sniper mech? Should I practice more when I go back?"

I think you should just start over with a new character!

After all, only a few players have virtual projection devices, and most use traditional computers, so it's inevitable that their in-game characters don't match their real selves. I slapped my face to regain my composure and then led the mech towards the cliff: "Come on, guys. Let's try to survive longer under the enemy's nose."

"Damn, is this a suicide mission? Sounds exciting, I like it!" someone in the group cheered.

Looks like our team will be the first to get wiped out...