Chapter 38: Chapter 38: Hunter’s Debut
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Huaxia Sports Television is a large network covering several planets, specializing in broadcasting all kinds of sports events.
Years ago, e-sports had been officially included in national competitions, and there was even an Olympic event.
With the increasing popularity of e-sports, the treatment of professional players has improved. Over the years, it has become the hottest profession.
However, it’s too difficult to become a professional player, especially due to the low threshold and fierce competition. A previously unknown kid could potentially become a star player, but more likely, many will struggle for years without even being able to participate in any regular competitions.
The same goes for the commentary business, which is why Li Yao’s parents opposed him going this route; it’s too hard and there is just too much uncertainty.
It’s the weekend, and right after dinner, their daughter wouldn’t let them go out to visit friends.
“Child, if there’s something you need to say, say it. Why do we have to watch TV? I’m not interested in these games.” Li’s father complained, but he wasn’t upset at all. Instead, he seemed engrossed in the TV show.
Li Jia, leaning on her father’s arm, huffed and said, “Don’t pretend. Mom told me that you’ve been practicing a game character, leveled up to 5, you’re not in a hurry to go out, you just want to play the game.”
“Ahem, it’s a political task assigned by the leadership. Do you understand what a political task is?” Li’s father said embarrassly.
Li’s mother came out with a plate of fruit and said, “What political task? Who pestered me everyday to level up together, and also asked me to keep it a secret from Li Jia?”
“Eat fruit, eat fruit.” Li’s father covered up.
Li Jia covered her mouth and laughed, “Now my brother is also making money. Dad, don’t get mad at brother.”
“Humph, is that little money enough to do anything?” Li’s father was dissatisfied with his words, but he was actually very satisfied. He was not concerned about how much money Li Yao brought home, but whether Li Yao could stand on his own outside.
“Listen to him being stubborn. I don’t know who couldn’t sleep all night from laughing when he heard his son could earn hundreds of thousands. Also, it’s your dad who explained to his friends about your brother being slandered by that Xiaoyao workshop. In the end, he was heavily criticized and was angry all day.” Li’s mother chipped in once again.
“Would you stop talking?” Li’s father couldn’t keep his face straight anymore.
Li Jia’s eyes squinted into a line. Ever since her elder brother left, her parents haven’t been this happy, which made her not want to go home. The feeling now is really good. Even the fruits taste better than usual. As Li Jia was watching TV, her heart flew away.
“Spit it out. What TV program today do we have watch together?” Li’s mother had a vague suspicion.
“Look, it’s here.” Li Jia pointed to the TV, and her heart also let out a sigh of relief.
How could she receive a communication from her sister Feng Yi? It turned out that her brother was going to participate in a live broadcast of a groundbreaking competition and might even appear on TV. She immediately knew then. Feng Yi knew his brother too well. Her brother wouldn’t tell their parents, but Feng Yi wanted to take the opportunity to ease the relationship at home. But then a new question arises, hasn’t Feng Yi been separated from his brother for a long time?
Host Tian Na said, “KB, we’ve seen quite a few guilds’ progress in leveling. How do you think their progress will be today?”
KB smiled and said, “Although players’ levels and gear are improving, it’s still difficult to level in this level 5 quest line. Most guilds are currently stuck at the second platform. The monsters there are too densely packed, and the difficulty of advancing is too high, it won’t be easy to get past.”
“That’s true, the progress in other administrative areas is about the same.” Tian Na glanced at a line of characters that popped up on the screen nearby. She was momentarily taken aback but quickly resumed her smile. “I just received unexpected news that would probably be heartening for many.”
KB was curious: “What news?”
Tian Na asked back: “KB, you’re also a veteran in the commentary field. You must be familiar with Xiayao, aren’t you? Do you know what she’s like?”
KB smiled: “Of course I do, and we are pretty good friends too, though we only interact online. I haven’t had the chance to meet her face-to-face. Not just me, this is a regret shared by many. So, are you saying that Xiayao is finally going to reveal herself?”
“Yes, Xiayao finally agreed to the game’s official live broadcast. And now, her live broadcast has started. I just got the news that Xiayao’s live broadcast has only just started, and there are already hundreds of thousands of viewers.”
Just then, the screen was switched over to Xiayao’s live broadcast, which was extremely lively, with barrage comments filling the entire screen, making the actual game screen almost invisible.
Not only on the internet, everyone watching television, as well as all the players from various guilds, immediately rushed over to send gifts if they could, and more importantly, to catch a glimpse of what Xiayao looks like. Although it isn’t her real appearance, they can at least discern how beautiful she is.
“That’s great! Is she also live broadcasting the level advancement? I’m curious about which guild she’s doing the live broadcast for?” KB was curious about which guild or club was able to invite this legend. After all, Xiayao’s debut would undeniably create a sensation.
“This person is also familiar to you. Just watch.” As Tian Na spoke, the screen switched to Qin Fengyi’s screen. She laughed and said, “I’m now trying to connect, hopefully she’ll give me some face.”
“My God, it’s Prairie Fire.” KB exclaimed.
“Yes, I was very surprised too. It seems like we’re in for a good show today.”
KB shook his head, “Wait, this is Xiaoyao Workshop’s leveling area. Oh my, I messaged Xiayao privately, she said they’re planning to level up in the nearby level 10 area. This is shocking.”
“KB you’re an expert, could you explain why this is shocking? Do you think they won’t make it?” Tian Na asked.
“Not just will they fail, it’s downright suicidal. How could Xiayao be so careless for her first live broadcast. How do I put this, you saw yesterday’s leveling, they were all top players and professionals from Huaxia, and even they were cautious when dealing with the level 5 elites. Also, in this game, monsters inflict doubled damage to players when they are two levels higher. Do you know what this means? A level 5 player attacking a level 7 elite and getting hit by the monster would get insta-killed. Let alone being 5 levels apart, to players, the monster is like a skeleton-level beast — harder to kill than a boss.”
Tian Na laughed, “So you think Prairie Fire will fail? You must remember that
Prairie Fire is a well-known solo boss slayer, I think he will succeed.”
KB shook his head resolutely, “It’s impossible. Even if both Prairie Fire and the Starfire Gods worked together, it’s impossible. Let’s put it this way, if they succeed in leveling the area, I hereby agree to acknowledge Prairie Fire as my elder brother, right here.”
“Our audience in front of the TV can be the witnesses, you’ve promised.” Tian Na laughed, “It seems Xiayao still gives me face. The communication is through.”
In front of the TV, Li Jia was pointing at Li Yao, “See, my brother is on TV, he is really on TV.”
Li’s father frowned, “It’s a joyous occasion and still prefers to show off. What’s a level 10 area? Does he think leveling a level 10 area is a piece of cake? If he embarrasses himself, I’d like to see how he could come down from the stage.”
However, Li’s mother laughed, “Children have their own ideas. Listen to you. My son can solo bosses, and you can’t even defeat elites. If it wasn’t for me healing, you would have respawned countless times.”
“Can’t you save face for me in front of the child?” Father Li was upset. “Okay, but I’ve given it a thought, and I’m still unsure where your face is.”
Father Li’s face turned even darker.
Li Jia was laughing sweetly, staring intently at the TV.
In the game, Qin Fengyi ended the call with Tian Na and said, “As you see, my fans and KB don’t believe in our success this time. Over a hundred fans have said that if you could make it to the first platform, they will gift you ten gold ingots.”
Li Yao didn’t choose to go up the spiral corridor, instead, he wandered around the floating platform. It looked more like a large floating pavilion, with a level 10 elite inside and a classic elven architecture dome at the top.
Upon hearing this, Li Yao said: “Let them prepare the ingots. I have also streamed live before, but I have never received any ingots. Also, tell KB to get ready to bow and become my follower.”
The gold ingot is a universal gift for live broadcasting in the Huaxia District, with one ingot equivalent to a thousand credit points.
In his past life, the hapless Li Yao could count the ingots he received, it was truly pitiful.
Li Yao’s words instantly exploded Xiayao’s streaming room, with fans claiming that the ingots are ready and waiting for them to take down the first platform.
KB’s face darkened. He didn’t expect Prairie Fire to be so straightforward. It seemed this bet couldn’t be avoided. But he wasn’t worried, he knows this game too well, it’s impossible for level five members to clear a level ten dungeon.
The camera switched to other guilds, and the TV station’s phone was bombarded with calls. The audience threatened to switch to online live streaming if the broadcaster didn’t return to Xiayao’s channel.
There were so many calls that the station’s leadership was alarmed and decided primarily to broadcast Prairie Fire and Xiayao’s progress today.
It was only after Tian Na explained that she would respect the viewers’ opinions that the phone calls gradually died down.
News spread, causing discontent among professional players who thought they had a shot at being featured. It was infuriating. Appearing on television was not easy; many players had made mistakes in order to snatch more screen time.
The first platform was at a distance of hundreds of yards from the ground. There were pairs of patrolling guards, level-ten elites, on the spiral corridor which extended upwards with several turns.
On a relatively high hillside, Dumay stared in confusion, asking, “Big Brother, why don’t we go to the corridor, what are we doing here?”
“Don’t tell me you have a special strategy?” Since Li Yao had made a decision, she naturally wouldn’t back down.
Li Yao nodded and said, “Even if we had a tank, we wouldn’t be able to withstand level-ten elites. To clear this dungeon, we need tactics, not brute force. There are too many monsters in the corridor, we can’t clear them all. We will go directly to the first platform.”
Shadow Dance estimated the distance and said, “Boss, even if the terrain is high here, the platform is still dozens of yards above us. Can we fly up there?”
“Flying is out of the question. I’ll use an old method. You all just need to attack from here, and I’ll go up alone.” As Li Yao spoke, he chose the highest point of the hillside and began to assemble the crossbow.
“A crossbow isn’t going to be much use, we don’t deal much damage. Even if the crossbow breaks the guard, by the time the elite gets here from the platform, we’re done for.” Dumay thought Li Yao was going to use the crossbow to pull the monster.
“I can’t explain it clearly now, but you’ll see. Today, I’m going to show you what a real hunter is,” Li Yao said.
“I’ve already seen it.” Dumay was confused.
While quickly assembling, Li Yao said: “The hunter’s long-distance weapons include the longbow, shortbow, crossbow, double-hand light crossbow, single-hand crossbow, fire gun, and single-hand gun. Close combat weapons can be the great sword, great axe, long halberd, long spear, single-handed sword, single-handed ax, and so on. There are no weapons that can’t be used except for the hammer which is too heavy. Also, hunters can control various pets, master a variety of trap techniques, and have ever-changing strategies. Remember, hunters are masters of weapons and tools. Depending on the scene or monster, the weapons, tools and combat strategies used should always be adaptable. We turn the impossible into the possible.”
In the last life, even though there were very few players who played as Hunters, they were known as the kings of solo dungeons, and their various methods often made people’s minds blow.
While talking, Li Yao had finished assembling the crossbow and started adjusting the angle. He chose a slope, the crossbow arrow pointed towards the platform a few dozen yards away.
Everyone remained silent, watching him busy. Li Yao took out a special steel arrow, which had a different arrowhead and a rope connected to the tail of the arrow, coiled up loosely.
After loading the arrow shaft, he kept adjusting the angle, and after a while, he seemed satisfied and nodded.
Vroom…
With a sound, the steel arrow shot out, trailing a rope.
Under everyone’s gaze, the steel arrow embedded itself into the edge of the dome on the first platform with a snap.
“Don’t touch the rope; wait for me to get up.”
Li Yao said and then pulled hard on the rope, beginning to climb it like a monkey.
Whether in the streaming room or in front of the TV, everyone was stunned at the sight of the monkey-like figure.
KB quickly explained their questions: “This is the effect of the basic climbing skill book, my God, I didn’t know it could be used this way.”
In the scene, Li Yao just got on the dome and the steel arrow fell off a few seconds later. Li Yao pulled the rope up and carefully hung it on the tip of the dome.
He then tied it around his waist. Due to the spherical shape of the dome platform, it was impossible to stand without leverage, so Li Yao was left hanging on the dome.
Tian Na was puzzled: “Even if he hangs up there, he can’t hit the monster on the lower platform. If he lowers himself to fight the monster, it’s even more dangerous. The elite also have long-range skills.”
KB shrugged, “If I knew, I’d be a gaming god too. But he must have a plan. He’s probably relying on his teammates, but I really can’t figure out what he’s up
to..”