novelraw Chapter 169: As long as Alexander was there, the situation was anything but normal
Chapter 169: As long as Alexander was there, the situation was anything but normal
Who would have thought that the ’Ghost Computer’ would chicken out like this!
Though Alexander had anticipated that this guy would wimp out, he never expected it to be so thorough, going from a world-class mathematical problem to the most basic of math questions.
And the most crucial part? It’s a multiple-choice question!
Looking at the mathematical question on the screen, Alexander touched his nose.
"Come on, big bro, make your choice soon, or you’ll time out. Is this question too hard? Should I switch to addition? How about 1+1?" asked the virtual shadow in the computer, seeing that Alexander had frozen.
"Switch? As if! Who are you looking down on!" Alexander was furious!
Watering down the question was one thing, but making a multiple-choice question for 1*1 felt like an insult to his intelligence.
But he couldn’t exactly force the computer to pick a harder question, right? What if it misunderstood and came up with some conjecture, how embarrassing that would be!
Alexander decisively chose option A!
Suddenly, fireworks erupted on the computer screen, filling the entire display with brilliant colors, and an enthusiastic voice rang out:
"Congratulations, O handsome chooser, you’ve solved the challenging problem of 1*1=? with unparalleled wisdom, defeating me, the shameful and despicable one, and earning a point."
"Don’t announce it next time, keep it low-key!" Alexander hadn’t expected this part and quickly turned red-faced, hastily interjecting.
The Ghost Computer thought its flattery had worked, thinking Alexander was just being modest.
But it hurriedly said, with a righteous tone, "That won’t do! Big bro, you may be humble, but I won’t let your talent be buried... Okay! Okay! I appreciate your low-key attitude!"
However, the Ghost Computer changed its tone mid-sentence, seeming very understanding of Alexander’s request. Seeing the Ghost Computer act so sensibly, Alexander was satisfied and lifted the knife from the computer case.
"Holy cow! Boss, you’re awesome! You solved the problem so quickly! I knew the boss was extraordinary, my intuition was right, currying favor with Alexander was indeed a wise choice!" exclaimed Cain, who had been closely following Alexander, sitting at another computer.
Seeing Cain act like a loyal watchdog, Alexander wasn’t planning to do much for him, but he still courteously smiled at him.
But this smile, in the eyes of the Ghost Computer in front of Cain, was different.
The boss?
Was this chosen one Alexander’s henchman?
If it ended up killing or crippling Cain, its fate would undoubtedly be terrible, and perhaps the entire case would need a "dusting" by Alexander.
Shortly after, the question on Cain’s screen changed:
9*9=?
A81
B82
C83
Although it seemed slightly more challenging than Alexander’s question, it was still a very simple one for all the chosen ones.
Cain decisively chose A, feeling thrilled inside.
Just as expected!
His intuition, which had saved him countless times, was right!
Pleasing Alexander was the way to survive!
At that moment, Alexander’s screen was already flashing with questions.
All were multiplication and division problems within nine, and all were multiple-choice.
for example:3*8=?
A8888888888
B9999999999
C24 (correct answer)
The Ghost Computer even kindly noted the correct answer, as if fearing that Alexander might choose wrong.
Alexander quickly answered the questions, and most importantly, there was no embarrassing announcement, which would have felt like an insult to his intelligence.
When it was Alexander’s turn to present the question, the Ghost Computer even skipped that part and chose to give up.
"Big bro, congratulations on completing the first round of competition. How about... switching to another computer? I recommend the one next to this brother!" the Ghost Computer’s screen displayed, with a somewhat obsequious shadow appearing.
Next to them, Cain, who had just completed his questions, stood up. A ghostly figure suddenly leaned out from the LCD screen, giving Alexander’s computer an evil glare:
"You’re a real good brother, thank you!"
"No need to thank me! No need!" Alexander’s computer quickly withdrew its "neck" and went into standby mode.
"What’s this, do you have a problem with me?" Alexander asked with a "friendly" smile on his face as he walked over.
"Not at all, not in the slightest!" The ghostly figure’s attitude changed dramatically, its face full of obsequiousness. "My lord, which type of competition would you like to choose?"
"Let’s try combat this time!" Since the competition was a sure win, Alexander naturally wanted to see what was different.
The so-called combat competition didn’t involve physical fighting with ghosts but rather playing a fierce game on a computer screen.
The two sides were playing a game called ’Ghost League,’ where, after selecting their characters, they would face off, with the victor being the first to destroy the opponent’s crystal.
Obviously, even if the chosen one had great skills, it would be impossible to beat a ghost that could directly control the characters, not to mention that the ghostly computer could cheat!
By making the chosen one’s keyboard or mouse malfunction at critical moments or even causing the screen to freeze for a few seconds, it made winning almost impossible.
Since the computers at the internet cafe were set up on a local network, when Alexander chose the combat competition, four nearby computers lit up. The opponent’s crystal had five heroes ready, while Alexander was alone.
These were not the ordinary, weak AI-controlled enemies but intelligent ghosts that could control their characters with mere thoughts. Even professional players would struggle to beat them!
Under normal circumstances, these ghost computers would not give the chosen ones a chance to win; They would only use it as an excuse to torment them and gain benefits from their fear.
But as long as Alexander was there, the situation was anything but normal.
Without even touching the mouse, Alexander put his human-skin face saw on the table and played with his dagger, watching the screen.
Although he did not control his character, the ghost computer had modified the rules to ensure his victory.
Two tree-like monsters, much larger than the ordinary minions, emerged from Alexander’s crystal, following the minions down the middle lane.
Tree spirits? Two at once? Had all the neutral monsters on both sides joined his camp?
These ghost computers really knew how to cheat!
Alexander watched the whole game without touching the computer, enjoying a battle where the neutral monsters stormed the high ground.
The five computers put on an energetic performance, trying to make it look like a well-matched and exciting contest. Alexander happily AFKed in the fountain, watching the game.
Soon, he completed ten competitions, stopping only when his score reached its maximum.
Normally, completing this step would be enough, but since Alexander had finished in less than forty minutes, he didn’t just sit and wait but walked over to the internet cafe manager.
"Admin, my match is over; can I apply to end the instance early?" he asked.
"Of course, you can leave as soon as you pay the internet fee. Just hand over that saw and dagger, and we’ll call it even!" the manager replied greedily.
"Are you sure?" Alexander asked with a "friendly" smile.
"Absolutely!" the manager nodded, brimming with confidence. As a Fierce-level evil ghost, he was not to be compared with those non-combatant ghost computers. If Alexander dared to make a move, he would kill.
The next moment, the manager’s eyes widened in horror, his face turning pale as he saw the seven black tentacles floating before him.
It was the terrifying tentacle monster from the motorcycle race!