"I'm fine..."
Given his depressed and bitter tone, you wouldn't think so, but he currently doesn't have the strength to pretend he's fine. He doesn't even know what else to say.
His throat tightens, he should apologize for the fiasco. Yet when he opens his mouth, no sound comes out and he remains there, sheepish, his eyes downcast toward his clothes, unable to look up.
As his sense of failure weighs heavily on his shoulders, the GM, in his inscrutable electronic wisdom, intervenes again, offering an unexpected solution:
[ Easy Mode is now available. Would you like to activate this mode? Please note: The cost of this activation is not specified. ]
Faced with this new proposal, Shoi-Ming finds himself at a crossroads.
On the one hand, activating easy mode could offer him a second chance, an opportunity to rectify his path without having to endure, once again, the relentless persecution of the GM.
On the other hand, the unspecified cost of this option weighs heavily. What kind of payment could an already capricious GM demand? Could his luck, already preserved from the reset, be put at stake? Or would the price be more subtle in nature, perhaps even ethical or spiritual?
But beyond this immediate decision lies a deeper question: how much value do we really place on ease when it comes at the price of the unknown?
No, there's something that bothers him much more than that.
Easy?
He's so useless that someone is offering him this shortcut? It's really insulting.
When you're in deep shit, you always tell yourself that it can't get any worse. That's not true. Many people take advantage of our vulnerability to push us further down. If it seems like a good deal - remember the word "seems."
He doesn't know.
He looks right and left, as if searching for a way to escape this choice, without success. What if the price to pay is his soul? A part of himself? His luck? The sect? The scenario taking a dramatic turn? An important character dying because of him?
He slaps himself.
Nothing.
He doesn't wake up, and he feels the heat on his cheek, which stings despite its microbial strength.
If he takes the easy way out, won't he be proving all those who made fun of Shoi-Ming right? Sighing heavily, he can only admit that he's stuck and frustrated.
"Enough! I want to wake up in my own body! I don't like being so powerless in this ridiculous guy. I didn't even pass the tutorial, so I'm not going to bet on his survival. How will easy mode be any different, huh?!"
Sighing again, he declares, annoyed:
"If I choose easy mode...can I switch back to normal mode during the game and recover what I've lost? And will I, at least, know what I've lost? What will I gain from this: easier points? More time on the timer in the future? More information in the investigations?"
As Shoi-Ming struggles with his thoughts and doubts, the GM answers his questions with disconcerting simplicity, almost as if he were enjoying the player's distress:
[ Easy mode only applies to one quest at a time and will be offered randomly. This quest will not earn you S-points, but you will automatically return to normal mode after completing it. This option can be disabled and is part of the latest game update, called "Help for Lost Players." ]
The GM's response is direct and concise, but it provides clarification.
This means that he can receive temporary assistance to overcome his current difficulties, but this does not represent a permanent solution.
"Oh come on. What's this, a microtransaction thing? The more I use easy mode, the more I get screwed? I don't even know what quest I'm using it for, what's the point?!"
He clenches his teeth, annoyed.
"And I'll lose something every time I use it? Besides, you didn't answer my question! Will I know what I'm losing once I've chosen?"
[ Easy mode does not result in any direct losses, but potential rewards may be lower. The scenario will undergo minor changes. Details of specific changes will be disclosed when easy mode is activated for a given quest. ]
"Fewer rewards? What's the point, then?! I'm not going to follow your script, I didn't ask for anything. Activate it if you want, but I'm out of here!"
Just as he was about to get up to do his business, Zi Xuan called him back, keeping him lying on the bed and insisting that he rest and take better care of himself.
[ Easy mode has been successfully activated. Congratulations!
The tutorial quest has been advanced to the final act. ]
Was it that long?
But before he could fully digest this news, Zi Xuan mentioned some important news.
"Jun Hie has found a way to delay the corruption for a while. He asked to see you as soon as you wake up. Shall I send him here?"
Of course he failed and the other guy succeeded easily. Is this world here to torture him? Damn it, he was a good playmate, wasn't he?
GM, you're such a sadist. Is this the thanks he gets after being so loyal to your universe? It's unfair, all because he couldn't stand those two guys, now you're making his life hell? Is this purgatory? Let him out of here, damn it!
His furious gaze betrays his anger as he mutters under his breath:
"N.o t.h.a.n.k.s."
It's not against you, Zi Xuan bro, but he's not in the mood to put up with Jun Hie, who won't hesitate to detail his exploits and show how easily he's better than him.
He already knows that. You don't have to be a genius to know that everyone is more talented than Shoi-Ming, and at the same time, it's not that difficult.
He has lost his dignity and risks losing his sanity if he listens to him. Nope, he'll pass. He'll just have to report to the others, but not to him.
Fine, his shixiong wants him to rest? He'll pretend to be asleep and run away! The further away he is from trouble, the better his chances of survival. The GM can try to screw him over all he wants, but if he runs away every time, maybe even the GM will eventually give up on him and let him live a peaceful life.
To think that he's basically a man of action who loves getting involved in the story... But when you have such a rotten character, there comes a point when you have to face facts.
"I'm going to rest a little longer."
Zi Xuan, understanding Shoi-Ming's desire to conserve his strength, nods gently with an understanding expression. Without pressing the matter further, he stands up.
"I understand. Get some rest. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call me."
With these reassuring words, he leaves the room, leaving Shoi-Ming alone with his thoughts. No new notifications from the GM disturb him for the moment, offering him a rare moment of freedom.
The latter waits a moment until he is well on his way, then quickly straightens up with a mischievous smile and rummages through his belongings. He pulls out his dagger and a whetstone, which could come in handy. Maybe... something warm to wear and some food lying around, he doesn't know how long he'll be gone after all.
Suddenly, the GM appears in front of him.
[ OOC Alert! OOC Alert! Shoi-Ming would never abandon his comfort zone, prepare for punish... ]
"Oooooh no, I don't think so!!"
He points his accusing finger with a rather irritated look on his face.
"You're wrong. Shoi-Ming would run away without looking back, if his life were in danger, and would take everything he could with him to maintain a minimum level of comfort. I'm not OOC! I'm staying in character - a selfish jerk who thinks of himself first before anyone else, a guy who runs away when faced with difficulty! You wanted me to respect the character? C.o.n.g.r.a.t.u.l.a.t.i.o.n.s."