Something Seems Off About My Way of Clearing the Game

Cheng You spends all his time playing single-player games and is great at them. He's a genuine speedrunner.

But his livestream often leaves viewers fuming because of one fatal flaw: he almost never checks a guide or listens to NPCs. No matter what kind of game it is, he insists on exploring and figuring out strategies bit by bit, doing things his own way until it drives everyone crazy.

That is, until he starts playing the hugely popular, world-class game The Vacation at Langham.

Cheng You thinks the game has it in for him.

The NPCs' behavior is always hard to predict, his teammates inexplicably lag at crucial moments, even the loot from monsters is strange and varied, and the terrifying final bosses all find different ways to "humiliate" him.

Yes, "humiliate."

For example, one throws away its weapon before the duel and wants to "fight him hand to hand."

The viewers wave flags and shout: Pick it up! That's the rarest drop from a Fallen Angel!

Or one suddenly drops to one knee in a cutscene and "surrenders" to him.

The viewers are baffled: Why is the Heroic King interacting with the player?

Or one throws flowers at him in the middle of a fight, in fits and starts, to "taunt" him.

The viewers' blood pressure shoots up: So where's Leviathan's world-destroying second-phase ability?

Everything's gone haywire. Nothing is remotely like the guides and introductions said it would be. It's as if the game has changed into something entirely new, but only for Cheng You.

Over time, the viewers with a brain start to notice something, while Cheng You, who's all about the stats, only cares about how many health bars his opponent has.

The mouse is his spear, the keyboard his shield.

"If it has a health bar, I'll kill it, even if it's a god."

...Is it possible they're just trying to woo you?

Barely a month after the new game The Vacation at Langham opened its forums, a shocking story broke:

Famous streamer gets together with an NPC from the game, and the NPC turns out to be the top-ranked player.

Cheng You: My max-level character can't even beat the Hall of Heroes. The computer must be broken.

A certain Heroic King: I really can't beat it. Streamer, want to bring a group?

Viewers: Top-ranked player, you forgot to switch accounts.

Steady, mature top × tsundere bottom who gets flustered easily

Notes:

1. The NPCs are all played by real people. The top plays multiple roles, not the traditional meaning of multiple split selves.

2. Most of it is the top and bottom flirting online.

3. This is a very casual idea. Don't think too hard while reading.

4. Updates are irregular, depending on my mood.

5. I love Shiki!

Theme: Learn to find a different approach when facing difficulties.