33: The Game of Life
The world map, when unfolded, was much larger than the previous school map. There were also more actions available, somewhat similar to tabletop role-playing games of later times.
After going around the large map once, the characters of each girl had undergone significant changes.
“Nya moves forward 3 spaces, entering the Northern Grassland region. Here you can undergo beast-folk class advancement,” Bumansha reminded.
“I’ll choose this one,” Nya looked through the setting table, then pointed out one to Bumansha, who nodded.
Nya advanced to War Sequence 5 · Blazing Great Axe, gaining fire attack ability. Her attributes changed to Attack 24, Life 23, Charm 4. She currently had 500 followers and 5 coins per turn. (Each follower required 1 coin.)
“Then I want to conquer this area,” Nya requested according to the game rules. She didn’t have much money left.
“Alright, do you want to conquer it by force or buy it with money?” Bumansha continued to ask.
“Let’s fight. I don’t have much money,” Nya shook her head.
“Okay, the war will increase your followers’ combat power based on your personal strength, Law skill, and Combat skill.”
“The final comprehensive combat power is 41,283,000.” (A roll of 72 or higher is needed to succeed.)
Dice result: 74. Check successful. Nya led her subordinates and brothers to cause a big commotion in her hometown, driving away the original rulers. She gained a piece of land in the Northern Grassland, becoming the local tribal leader and earning the title “Great Chieftain”.
“Nya has really caught up, hasn’t she?” Leticia said enviously. Her character was still running a shop to make money. She then rolled the dice.
Leticia advanced to an event square and drew a card. A pandemic event occurred.
Bumansha happily announced: “Because Leticia’s shop had better toilets than those nearby, many customers came to use them, indirectly gaining a lot of popularity. The shop level increased to 4, with an income of 100 per month.”
“Hohoho, the Toilet Queen, Leticia,” Alena couldn’t resist counterattacking.
“What? How can there be such an event?” Leticia said in disbelief, opening her folding fan to cover the lower half of her face.
Then it was Lily’s turn. She rolled the dice and advanced to the capital of the Azure Moon Kingdom.
“I want to see the prince!” Lily exclaimed excitedly.
“With Reputation above 150, you can make a check.” (A roll of 65 or higher is needed to succeed.)
“Dice result 25. Check failed. The prince is in a bad mood today and doesn’t want to see you,” Bumansha announced mercilessly.
“Sigh, and I raised my Literature and Charm so high,” Lily looked at her character, Nature Sequence 4 · Azure Charm Dancer, Attack 16, Life 16, Charm 15, then said reluctantly.
“If I could marry the prince, I could make a fortune and get a lot of land for free.”
Then it was Alena’s turn. This girl seemed to want to pursue the path of a beast tamer, but due to her Silver Elf starting point, she had lower affinity with animals. Currently, she had only tamed three magical beasts: Sequence 2 · Black Mountain Boar, Sequence 3 · Red-striped Leopard, and Sequence 1 · Gliding Duck.
She rolled the dice and advanced to the Northern Grassland square, not far from Nya’s conquered territory. An event occurred, and she drew a card.
“You encounter a large-scale epidemic on the grassland. Because your Literature (herbal knowledge) level is sufficient, you help the locals resolve the epidemic. They decide to teach you a certain ability,” Bumansha announced.
“Let me see what abilities are available,” Alena picked up the setting book.
“I choose this one: Magical Beast Breeding, which allows large-scale cultivation of magical beasts,” she exclaimed excitedly, finally obtaining this crucial ability.
“Okay, do you want to use it now?” Bumansha continued to ask.
“Yes, yes, right now. Use it on the Red-striped Leopard.” (Sequence 3 increases the difficulty of the check. A roll of 85 or higher is needed to succeed.)
“Dice result 12. Critical failure. The Red-striped Leopard dies due to difficult labor,” Bumansha announced regretfully.
“Why, why, why? My little leopard,” Alena hugged her orange tabby cat, pretending to cry, rubbing her face against the cat. The little tabby looked disgusted, trying to push her away with its paws.
Then it was Wimia’s turn. After graduation, this girl had used the seed to acquire a square of land, where she started growing peanuts, earning 40 coins each turn.
Wimia rolled the dice and advanced to an adventure square. She drew a card: Encounter with a Witch.
“Now this is interesting,” Bumansha took out several cards for Wimia to draw again. Wimia hesitated for a moment before drawing one.
“Crimson Witch Kitty, can destroy all characters and buildings on one square.”
“Wow, that’s incredible,” Lily called out in surprise. A card with a background of red flames was turned over. The card seemed to be coated with a layer of iridescent color, reflecting rainbow-like halos under the light. A witch wearing a magical hat spread her hands, facing away from the flames, seemingly laughing maniacally or crying. Only her mouth was drawn, with no eyes visible.
“Now, which square does Wimia want to destroy?” Bumansha asked curiously.
“Can I choose not to destroy anything?” Wimia asked reluctantly, her voice sounding a bit uneasy.
“No, the witch card is mandatory. You must choose one,” Bumansha explained.
“Then let’s choose a square with no people and no buildings,” Wimia could only answer this way.
“The only squares without people or buildings are in the sea,” Leticia said, looking at the map.
“Well…” Wimia hesitated for a moment before nodding. After all, it was just a game, she told herself not to think too much about it, then pointed to a square.
“Flames fall upon the great sea, evaporating nearly a thousand miles of ocean. The seabed is baked into glass, and all life is swept away. But soon after, the seawater flows back,” Bumansha announced, then looked at Wimia before putting down the witch card.
Next was Loranhil’s turn. She rolled the dice and advanced to an event square. Due to your great reputation, even the prince has heard of your legend. He decides to propose to you. Accept or reject?
“Of course, reject,” Loranhil smiled, her black hair swaying.
“But the prince has great power. You might not be able to completely refuse.” (Due to the difference in status, the difficulty increases. A roll of 90 or higher is needed to succeed.)
“Are all princes so domineering?” Alena commented casually.
“Domineering princes are my favorite!” Lily declared, swooning.
“Marrying a prince doesn’t seem bad either,” Leticia pondered.
“I still hope Sister Loranhil can gain her own freedom,” Nya said softly from the side.
Two ten-sided dice were thrown, spinning in the bowl as everyone awaited the result.
An orange figure jumped down, then scampered away, its paws stepping on the bowl. The two dice flew out, rolling into the gaps between the cushions.
“The kitty ran away,” Nya said softly, watching the tabby cat escape from their clutches.
“Oh no, you silly cat! Don’t run around, or I won’t be able to protect you anymore,” Alena stood up and hurriedly chased after it.
Just as everyone was about to look for the cat and stand up for a break, a clear voice came from nearby.
“I’m awake.” A girl with cream-colored twin tails stood at the bedroom door. She was petite, looking only about 14 years old. Her silver eyes observed the chaotic scene in the room. Her features were delicate, as perfect and flawless as a doll.