World of Experts

Chapter 1: Buying Helmet

Five minutes before the early morning of September 30th, 2143. A very special moment will occur in five minutes.

Shi Hao, an ordinary freshman of University C in Province H, was currently lining up in a game equipment store outside the school.  

At the moment, a roommate of Shi Hao named Feng Tianhao was tagging along with him. Feng Tianhaos height was standard, the versatile 185 centimeters. His body build was also pretty good, the muscle lines were visible. Everyone could tell from a glance that it was the result of professional training. In contrast, Shi Hao was shorter in height, about 170 centimeters. Although he was not fat, he was obviously not as well-built as Feng Tianhao.

Shi Hao and Feng Tianhao immediately hit it off at their first meeting. They became like brothers just by a month of getting along together.

Little Hao, do you think we could still grab the game helmet when its our turn? A hint of anxiousness could be seen in Shi Haos handsome face. If not for the crowd of girls who were also focusing on fighting over the game helmet, they would have probably been charmed by Shi Hao.

The game helmet was an essential equipment to enter the online game called Kingdom. The first batch of the product will go on sale only on September 30th. Only those who were lucky enough to get the first batch would have the honor to be the first to enter the online game Kingdom.

Kingdom was the first online game to have a major breakthrough in the gaming industry. It was a game of establishing and rewriting history, building territories, and fighting with each other in wars. The flow of time between the game and reality was 10:1, meaning that ten days in the game was equal to one day in real time. Within the game, there would be some historical figures who will appear as NPC. All of the NPCs had a very high humanoid intelligence. 

Moreover, the humanoid intelligence of the NPCs in Kingdom was reaching a record high. Until now, apart from the information that the leaders of several large countriesincluding Country Zbeing involved within the game, no one knew its true origin. However, this didnt affect the popularity of the game, because the leaders of the various countries have made it clear that theyll promote the game at all costs so that everyone could participate in it.

To this end, Country Z with its abundant financial resources specially released the policy to sell the bronze-grade of the first batch of the game helmets by promoting them at a low price. Besides, the government had guaranteed to put the players who could achieve outstanding performance inside the game in an important position within the government.

No worries, our position is pretty good. Were only a bit away from the door. Wait a minute, Ill snatch some lines. You should find somewhere empty to squeeze into. said Feng Tianhao. 

Eventually, their turn came.

Everyone is rushing through! Be they male or female, old or young, all of them were swarming around. 

What the f***! Feng Tianhaos muscles bulged up, his veins visible. But him doing so didnt actually help them much with the situation.

S***! Shi Hao who stood behind Feng Tianhaos protective back was suddenly being pushed aside without reason and lost his precious position.R𝒆ad lat𝒆st ch𝒂pters on n𝒐v𝒆lbi𝒏(.)c𝒐m

Shi Hao and Feng Tianhao finally entered the game equipment store after they struggled for a long time, only to find that it was already completely empty.

Shi Hao and Feng Tianhao returned while feeling disheartened. To make things worse, they ran into a boy behaving with unbearable insolence at the school gate.

The boys name was Wu Batian. Wu Batians family was very rich. His father was the boss of a local public company. His mother was a senior financial consultant of a finance company. Hence, Wu Batian had lived in an excellent environment since he was young. He was even admitted to a famous university in Province H. Now, Wu Baitian was Shi Haos schoolmate and rival.  

Wu Batian liked Shi Haos childhood sweetheart. The goddess name was Su Xiao.

Su Xiao came from a wealthy family, at least not much different from Wu Batians family circumstances. A few days before the school opening, Su Xiao helped Shi Hao to move his luggage to University C. They happened to run into Wu Batian on their way. Wu Batian fell in love at first sight with Su Xiao. Unfortunately, Su Xiao gave him the cold shoulder. After that, the two had to deal with a lot of questions from Wu Batian. Shi Hao and Su Xiao cant be considered dating, after all. Moreover, Su Xiaos family strongly disapproved of Shi Haos ordinary circumstances. Su Xiaos brother, Su Wu, one to many times had harshly criticized Shi Hao. He thought of Shi Hao as a hideous toad lusting after a swans flesh.  

Oh! You two sure look a lot like stray dogs. Could it be that you cant get even a single game helmet? Wu Batian winked and casted a glance at them, hands holding a shining game helmet. Some of his little brothers followed after him from behind. He made all the efforts to ridicule Shi Hao, while also ridiculing Feng Tianhao in passing.

Dont be so full of yourself. When the next batch of the game helmets arrives, well catch up. Shi Hao said disdainfully. He didnt feel like seeing his look of a villain holding sway. What the eye doesnt see, the heart doesnt grieve over.

Haha! Youre such an idiot. How did you even get admitted into University C with that IQ of yours? I dont get why Su Xiao liked a fool like you. Wu Batian burst with laughter, then said, Could a poor wretch like you even afford the price of the game helmet? If it were not for the government subsidizing most of the cost to promote the helmet, would you even have the qualifications to line up in the store? 

What Wu Batian said was right. The price of the cheapest game helmet was tens of millions. The most expensive one was even much more unimaginable. The range of the prices was at least within the amount of 100 million. Such high-grade helmets have a price but no sales, because after the helmet was brought into the game, players could enjoy the privileges of high-level VIP. The main advantage was that they could get more starting goodies when they were distributed. 

According to the promotion content of Kingdom, an ordinary person bringing a bronze game helmet to the game would find out that theyll only have the initial funding of 1000 copper coins. On the other hand, the ones with the highest Diamond VIP level would be surprised to find out that other than the initial funding of 1000 copper coins, theyll also get three Diamond Grade lottery tickets.  

If they were on a roll, they could draw a lot of incredible treasures from the lottery. If they draw an uncommon weapon by chance, theyll become unstoppable. Even if luck wasnt on their side, they could at least draw some copper coins, which was certainly enough to make them more powerful than ordinary people.

Furthermore, this kind of special treatment was very important in the initial stage. Using the advantages, the player would be one step ahead of everyone else, taking the lead in every step.

It was said that the players who could bring a high-level helmet into the game were remarkable ones. At least for someone with such an overweening attitude like Wu Batian only got a not-so-high-grade helmet. But Wu Batian regarded this helmet as a treasure like his own life.

Idiot. Just keep your eyes on how Su Xiao and I are going to be touchy in the game! Oh, I certainly wont be forceful. You wont be able to see that kind of thing though, haha! Wu Batian put on the golden game helmet and left with the group of little brothers.

Shi Hao and Feng Tianhao returned to their dormitory. When looked carefully, they noticed that University Cs condition was actually pretty good. The dormitory was ideally a two-person room. Shi Hao slept on the lower bunk, and Feng Tianhao slept on the upper bunk. 

Its alright, Little Hao, dont mind him. Feng Tianhao consoled him and said, When the second batch of the game helmet is out, Ill buy two of them. Dont worry, I still have enough money!

Feng Tianhao wasnt bragging, his familys condition was indeed very good. His parents were senior managers of two local companies, it wasnt difficult for them to earn the annual household income of millions. Feng Tianhao had originally prepared the fund of a million Yuan to buy a silver game helmet. With that silver helmet, he might be able to develop and establish his own territory rapidly in the game. 

However, he had no choice but to give up on his plan for Shi Haos sake. Feng Tianhao intended to use the funds to buy two bronze helmets instead. He wont get the advantage of getting lottery tickets for the initial stage, but the lottery was nothing compared to his brother. Only by having a brother could one have the whole world. The world where the king stood was also where his brother stood. 

But Shi Hao felt deeply moved. He wanted to turn down Feng Tianhaos kindness, but was unable to say it out loud. He cant turn him down at all, because Shi Hao not being able to enter the game was equal to giving up his beloved Su Xiao to someone else.  

A few days ago, Su WuSu Xiaos brothermet Shi Hao in secret. Su Wu had clearly told Shi Hao that he wasnt qualified to be the son-in-law of Su Family at all and asked him to leave Su Xiao. Nevertheless, Su Wu loved his sister dearly, so considering Su Xiaos devotion towards Shi Hao, he implied a way out for Shi Hao. 

At that time, Su Wu said, Try playing the online game Kingdom. If you could join a powerful force in the game and acquire the position of a core member, Ill give you and Little Xiao a chance.

 His words had been disturbing Shi Haos mind for a long time, unable to fade away. Shi Hao liked Su Xiao a lot. She wasnt just his girlfriend he had known since childhood, but also a goddess every boy longed for. Shi Hao had long since given Su Xiao the role of his wife. Su Xiao herself had always regarded Shi Hao as her husband, too. What was left for them to overcome was Su Wus words.

Su Xiao, Ill definitely succeed, so wait for me! said Shi Hao resolutely.

Thats right! Lets go to the store to keep an eye on the helmet again tomorrow. Someone might scalp the helmets by then. After all, this batch of bronze game helmets were all sold at a low price. A lot of butter would probably resell things by scalping. Rather than waiting idly for the next batch, itd be better for us to immediately buy one tomorrow! Buying the helmet earlier might close the gap between us and those who got it first. said Feng Tianhao suddenly. 

The next morning, Shi Hao and Feng Tianhao went to the doorway of the game equipment store again. A great number of veteran butters were playing a waiting game.

Hey, young lads! Take a look at my bronze game helmet. Ill sell it to you as soon as I get it. Its a fixed price, only 400 thousand Yuan for an item. said a butter uncle.

Feng Tianhao looked at the bronze game helmet carefully and noticed that there wasnt anything unusual about it. He responded, 400 thousand is too expensive. I want 400 thousand for two helmets.

Hey, why dont you two just rob? The butter uncle gave them a disdainful look. 400 thousand for two bronze helmets, right? Kingdom will officially open the server at 9 PM. Thats just how the market price of the bronze helmet right now. If you dont have money to play the game, dont come out just to fool around. Go away, dont interfere with my business!

Shi Hao and Feng Tianhao tried to stroll around nearby, but the prices being offered to them were mostly the same.

How about we just use 800 thousand Yuan to buy two helmets? We wont use the money for anything else, anyway. As long as we could enter the game earlier, spending this amount of money wont make us lose anything. said Feng Tianhao, his voice somewhat irritated.

Feng Tianhao had a reason to get angry. The price of a bronze game helmet was only 10000 Yuan after the compensation. Even without compensation, a new bronze helmet only costs around 150 thousand Yuan at full price. 300 thousand Yuan should be enough to buy two helmets at full price, but it became 800 thousand Yuan now.

Above all, just a bit more than a million was already enough to grab a silver game helmet! For those who will enter the game, a silver helmet was much more valuable than a normal bronze helmet.

No! We wont let that bastard off. Shi Hao was even angrier than Feng Tianhao.

Looking at how these butters trying to pit Feng Tianhao who had paid the helmet for him, the Shi Hao who had never accepted defeat cant just leave the matter at that.  

Shi Hao stated, Lets go to another place. No one is offering a reasonable price here, but there must be some in another further place! 

Shi Hao and Feng Tianhao continued their tough trip. They drove a small luxury car of Feng Tianhaos father and went traveling all over the places around the university town, be they large or small.

Eventually, Shi Hao and Feng Tianhao ran into an uncle who gathered junks. 

Uncle, are you selling these helmets? Feng Tianhao took a look at the uncle from head to toe. He didnt have anything valuable with him except two dirty helmets in his hands. Standing from this distance, Feng Tianhao cant quite see the color of the helmets nor its grade clearly. 

Yes! As long as you paid enough money, Ill sell them to you. The junk-gatherer uncle replied with a smile. For him who didnt really know the use of these two helmets, they were obviously useless. As long as he could get some money for him to eat, drink, and sleep well, it was better than nothing.  

Okay, how about 50 thousand Yuan? Give me both of the helmets and 50 thousand Yuan will be yours.  Feng Tianhao took out a wad of bills, then counted it. It was exactly 50 thousand Yuan, just the right amount.

No. I picked these from a garbage can in a laboratory. The security of that laboratory is very tight. Its thanks to me being crafty that I could get them, other people wont be able to do so. Therefore, the price had to be 100 thousand Yuan. Give me 100 thousand and these helmets will be yours. 

Alright! Feng Tianhao took out a pile of money. He didnt count the amount again and immediately handed 50 thousand Yuan over to the uncle, then took the two helmets into his hands in passing. Feng Tianhao rubbed the anti-counterfeit label on the helmets lightly as he noticed that the label wasnt fake.

Feng Tianhao grinned, then dragged Shi Hao back to the dormitory with him.

However, the junk-gatherer uncle also had a broad grin on his face by this time. Actually, he stole one of the helmets. Last night, he came across a crowd of dead drunk fellows. He smoothly raked a cyan helmet and even overheard them saying that it was worth 10 thousand Yuan. The other helmet was indeed gathered from a research laboratory. It was a peculiar one, perhaps it was just junk. He originally thought that hed be able to sell these helmets at approximately 20 thousand Yuan at most. Little did he know that a foolish spender would come and gave him 10 thousand Yuan at once. Hence, the junk-gatherer uncle showed a beaming smile all over his face.