> [Comprehensive Reward Evaluation for Player Lucas:]
[Main Story Clear – "Changming Ghost School": +500 Points]
[Hidden Plotline Clear – "Changming Ghost School": +1000 Points]
[Overall Evaluation: S-Rank]
> [Player Lucas' total livestream views have surpassed 150,000.]
[His video has been added to the paid viewing section of the platform.]
> [Achievements Unlocked:]
– Highest reward for any newcomer in this broadcast cycle
– First newcomer to be featured in the recommendation section
– Highest-rated clear of "Changming Ghost School"
– Only player to clear the instance in this newcomer cycle
– First to unlock hidden missions in the dungeon
– First to complete all serial hidden quests
– 63,419 player collections and 20,384 points in total gifts
– Peak simultaneous livestream viewers: 60,000+
– Ranked #498 overall sitewide
– Eligible for hot promotion display
The broadcast had ended. Lucas' stream window faded to black, leaving only the flurry of system messages echoing in the broadcast hall.
No one spoke.
All eyes were fixed on the interface as one reward announcement followed the next.
Finally, when the last reward chime echoed and faded away into silence, the entire room erupted like a volcano.
"An S?! A newcomer actually pulled an S-rank clearance?!"
"Didn't I say it? That guy is something else. Didn't you see his mental value? A full 100 until the end!"
"He's a menace. I mean that in the most respectful way. That guy's mental state is scarier than the dungeon!"
"That final combo... That head chop was cinematic."
"One dungeon cleared, top 500 ranking unlocked. I want to kneel!"
"The man's a ghost hunter AND an influencer now. Lucas is going places!"
While most comments were filled with admiration, a few people chimed in with cynicism.
"So what if he passed a level-one solo instance? Doesn't mean he'll survive the next one."
"All this spotlight? He'll be on someone's hit list by next week."
Still, those scattered comments were overwhelmed by the sheer volume of praise filling the room.
One player posted a video link to Lucas' full dungeon clear on his homepage:
> "The only rookie who ever embarrassed me on stream. Watch his Changming Ghost School run. S-rank. Watch and learn. (Disclaimer: Don't copy this. If you do, you're on your own.)"
The tone was clear: respect, admiration, maybe even fear.
Cream of the Crop, the platform's most prominent strategist, had previously analyzed Lucas' run and called it reckless brilliance. His followers doubled after backing Lucas. With his support, the player's popularity soared even higher.
Then, out of nowhere—
Golden text scrolled across the screen.
> President of the Five Tigers Guild:
– Sent 10,000 flowers
– Sent 10 planes
– Sent 5 super rockets
Message: "The Five Tigers Guild formally extends an invitation to player Lucas. We welcome newcomers with guidance, support, and a full toolkit of resources to help you grow. We have game experts, strategy guides, and even... attractive teammates. Message sent privately. Looking forward to your response."
: 666!
: Okay, that's a whole sponsorship contract in gifts.
: Five Tigers doesn't mess around.
In another room, Cream of the Crop, known offline as Baili Tiaoyi, watched this unfold with a sigh.
"The Five Tigers Guild…" he muttered. "They don't waste time."
As the Thriller Game expanded, players realized they needed alliances.
Survival wasn't just a test of courage—it was a test of structure.
And so, guilds were born.
Of the elite few, the Five Tigers Guild sat at the top.
They recruited promising newcomers through professional agents, investing heavily in their growth.
It was common knowledge: being accepted by the Five Tigers could turn a player into a powerhouse overnight.
In a game where death was permanent, backing from a guild wasn't just helpful. It was life insurance.
But Cream of the Crop had always walked alone. A lone wolf in every sense. Still, he saw the same spark in Lucas that once burned in him.
He didn't send an offer.
He didn't speak publicly.
He simply sent a friend request.
It was his way of saying, "You're worth watching."
...
Elsewhere, the buzz around Lucas reached another level.
Someone, using the hospital gown seen in the livestream as a clue, traced the source of the outfit.
Through some combination of technology, hacking, and obsessive curiosity, they uncovered Lucas' medical records.
And posted them.
On the Thriller Game public forum, a new topic was pinned to the top:
> [Lucas – Medical Archive Extract]
Name: Lucas
Gender: Male
Age: 26
Notes:
– Subject experiences vivid hallucinations. Psychological cause unknown. Patient is cooperative, shows no signs of violence or self-harm. Placed in general ward for observation.
– Patient requested access to a kitchen knife. Request denied.
(Redacted)
– After receiving a kitchen knife (under undefined circumstances), the patient's behavior stabilized. He was moved to a special observation room.
– Hallucinations worsened. Patient began holding conversations with empty walls. Evaluation pending.
(Redacted)
– Despite severe hallucinations, subject displayed normal empathy, comprehension, and reasoning. No signs of abnormal behavior outside of illusions. Doctors questioned whether diagnosis was accurate.
(Redacted)
– Discharge approved. Subject claimed: "If I leave, you will all die."
– Added: "I consider you all friends. Thank you for helping me."
...
The forum fell into stunned silence. Then the replies came rushing in.
: Wait... he was institutionalized?!
: Not just that—he was... calm when holding a kitchen knife?!
: Now it makes sense why ghosts fear him. He's different. Like horror movie protagonist-level different.
: My guy skipped the whole character arc and went straight to final boss energy.
: That last line, though... 'I consider you friends.' Bro. Stop. You're making me feel things.
: He's not just dangerous. He's dangerous AND polite. That's the worst combination.
As these revelations circulated, Lucas' reputation only grew.
People no longer just admired his gameplay—they debated his very humanity.
Was he a prodigy? A psycho? A savior? A ticking time bomb?
No one knew.
But one thing was certain—
Lucas had become a legend.
...
Back on the livestream board, the platform moderators pinned a message to his page:
> "Warning: The playstyle demonstrated in this stream is not recommended for casual players. Viewer discretion advised. Do not replicate this behavior without serious preparation. If you feel mentally unstable, please consult in-game support or your real-world physician."
Still, the views skyrocketed.
Clips of his decapitation combos, his knife swings, and his bloodstained smile were turned into memes, GIFs, and battle strategy breakdowns.
"Lucas Method: Interrogate with the head of the dead."
"Lucas Style: Ask first. Slice second. Ask again later."
...
Somewhere, the real Lucas sat in silence.
He wasn't reading the forums.
He wasn't watching the comments or the gifts.
He simply stared at the kitchen knife in his hand.
The blade, no longer just steel, seemed to hum.
He wasn't smiling. He wasn't speaking.
He simply sat with a look that said, "I'm not done yet."
And indeed, he wasn't.
___________________________________
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