Dice In The Darkness: Cthulhu Calls

Chapter 2: The First Role-Playing Session (I)

After all, the audience for the Cthulhu tabletop role-playing game in China is relatively small. As a result, no developer is willing to invest time and capital to establish a platform specifically for the Cthulhu RPG. Moreover, all players need for the Cthulhu RPG is a piece of paper, a pen, a set of dice, and their voice. There's no in-game purchase or microtransaction, so following the principle of "no profit, no early rise," the game has never had its dedicated online platform. The Cthulhu RPG's Online Game Groups typically rely on communication tools like QQ or the only dedicated web-based platform in China, Duo Dong Doufu.

Now, Liu Xing was stunned to discover a platform dedicated solely to the Cthulhu RPG. Naturally, he was overjoyed, as this was something enthusiasts of the game had long dreamt of in China.

Liu Xing glanced at the bottom right corner of his computer screen. It was only around 6 pm, leaving him ample time to try out a short session. With a hint of self-interest, he planned to play first on this Cthulhu Role-Playing Game Hall and then recommend it to his friends. After all, if the platform turned out to be a rip-off, any premature promotion by Liu Xing would surely invite criticism.

Curious, Liu Xing clicked on the desktop icon. Suddenly, a black hole appeared in the middle of the computer screen, and an avatar of 'Ke Zong' (a nickname used by Cthulhu fans for Cthulhu) emerged.

"How clichéd," remarked Liu Xing, who had mentally prepared himself for something of the sort.

Next, a registration page appeared, asking only for Liu Xing's identification and phone number.

"Don't they need a username and password? Or is it directly linked to my Teng Xun account?" Though puzzled, Liu Xing provided his genuine details, finding it too cumbersome to fabricate any.

"Registration successful. Welcome to the Cthulhu Role-Playing Game Hall," the Ke Zong avatar displayed in blood-red letters, then vanished.

Impressive effects.

Liu Xing nodded, now even more intrigued by the game hall. Or more accurately, by the people running it. To him, it seemed they were running the Cthulhu Role-Playing Game Hall at a loss.

The black hole in the center of the screen didn't disappear with the Ke Zong avatar. Instead, it expanded to cover the entire screen until the interface of the Cthulhu Role-Playing Game Hall finally emerged.

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Around the borders of the Cthulhu Role-Playing Game Hall were Ke Zong's iconic green tentacles interspersed with a few skeletons. It gave Liu Xing an indescribable sense of awe—very Cthulhu.

"Please enter your game ID." A synthesized voice of a young woman suddenly rang out, and the interface automatically switched to the user's profile.

"I'll just use my old ID," Liu Xing mused, being notoriously indecisive with names. As a result, all his game IDs were virtually the same.

"Welcome, Old Chinese Medicine Doctor, to the game. Please claim your newbie package." That's right, Liu Xing's game ID was "Old Chinese Medicine Doctor" because he had been learning traditional Chinese medicine from his grandfathers since childhood, making him quite an expert by now.

"I wonder what goodies are in the newbie package," Liu Xing thought as he clicked to open it.

"Congratulations, you've received 10 points!"

Liu Xing stared blankly at the computer screen, at a loss for words.

"Are you kidding me? Just 10 points for the newbie gift pack?!" Liu Xing exclaimed in disbelief.

Suppressing the urge to curse out loud, Liu Xing clicked on the shop, hoping that these 10 points could fetch something worthwhile.

Upon glancing at the shop's first section, Liu Xing instantly felt the game was exceptionally generous.

The points were redeemable for yuan, with one point equating to ten thousand yuan. No wonder the previous advertisement had claimed, "Play and get a gift of one hundred thousand yuan."

With this revelation, Liu Xing, on a whim, thought, "Why not give it a shot?" and promptly chose to redeem, converting all his 10 points into yuan.

However, something felt off. He didn't remember entering his bank card details. Would the redemption even work?

Before Liu Xing could process his thoughts, his phone, which was lying next to him, began to vibrate insistently.

"100,000.00 yuan has been credited to your bank account today." Liu Xing scrutinized the sender's details and confirmed it wasn't some scam message.

"It's legit! Teng Xun is really stepping up their game," thought Liu Xing. He recalled linking his bank card to his QQ Wallet, which led him to believe that the Cthulhu Role-Playing Game Hall must be under Teng Xun's umbrella.

Yet, what Liu Xing failed to notice was an additional app that had mysteriously appeared on his phone.

"Since I've taken their money, I might as well see how this game hall is set up," said Liu Xing, still slightly befuddled but following the principle of reciprocation. Elated, he set his phone aside, gearing up for his first Cthulhu role-playing adventure.

"I wonder how many players are online in this game hall right now," pondered Liu Xing, clicking on the start button in the game hall.

Successfully navigating to the second interface, he noticed it was segmented into four areas: Ghoul, Shub-Niggurath's servants, Tindalos Hounds, Cthulhu, and Azathoth.

Clearly, these five levels corresponded to beginner, intermediate, advanced, epic, and hellish difficulties. Ghouls were basic mythological creatures, while Shub-Niggurath's servants were of a higher rank, evolved and more powerful than some ordinary mythological entities. The Hounds of Tindalos were relentless pursuers of those who traveled through time, often termed as a time-traveler's nemesis. Cthulhu, a primary deity of the Old Ones, needed no introduction. Azathoth, the origin of all things in the Cthulhu mythos, had power beyond comprehension.

"Do I have to enter to select a specific room?" Liu Xing wondered. Out of the five areas, only the Ghoul section was unlocked. With no other option, Liu Xing clicked on it.

"Since it's your first time in the game, you will automatically join a newbie room."

The synthesized female voice echoed again. Liu Xing joined the so-called newbie room, which had four slots. Three other players were already marked as ready.

"This seems to be a four-player group. Being a beginner room, it shouldn't take long," Liu Xing reasoned, stretching leisurely. Clicking 'ready', he thought, "This looks intriguing. My first Cthulhu role-playing experience should be quite memorable."

"The game will commence shortly. Please be prepared, and we hope you make it back alive," the same electronic voice intoned, but Liu Xing felt an odd sense of schadenfreude in it.

"Why do I get this weird feeling?" Liu Xing pondered, rubbing his nose.

The game begins!