Why the bug I wrote became a core gameplay mechanic?!
Chapter 156: Angel’s Grand Chessboard (Three more updates, seeking monthly passes!)

Chapter 156: Chapter 156: Angel’s Grand Chessboard (Three more updates, seeking monthly passes!)

Xiamiel had an expression that read, "Keep talking, I’m listening."

Gu Fan continued, "I hereby solemnly declare! Nitiandang, this company, was founded by Lilith, and all the games are also from her design!

"Especially the shameless smearing of you in the last game was Lilith’s personal act and had nothing to do with me!

"Back then, I promptly and sternly tried to dissuade her, but she was obstinate. Being bound by the contract, as a pitiful programmer, I could only reluctantly follow her plan to create the game.

"But even so, I have always stood on the side of righteousness, heaven and earth as my witnesses!"

Xiamiel showed a meaningful smile, "Alright, I understand.

"You have indeed been trying hard to stop Lilith from collecting negative emotions, and I have noticed this.

"Heaven will not forget the outstanding contributions you have made in the fight against Hell Demons."

Only then did Gu Fan relax a little, "Then, Director Xia, could you speak well of me in Heaven? Especially, could you help me get rid of the contract and lead the heavenly soldiers to drive out these despicable demons back to Hell and restore peace and clarity to the Human World?"

Xiamiel shook his head, "Oh, that’s not possible."

Gu Fan barely kept his composure, "Ah? Why not?"

Xiamiel explained, "It’s simple, because Heaven needs you to help collect more Positive Emotion Value."

Gu Fan instantly became excited, "That’s easy to handle!

"Isn’t it simple to collect Positive Emotion Value from players? I’ve already got lots of ready-made games in my mind as reference!

"Use salary to create happiness... oh no, my point is, to let every player feel the joy of games anytime, anywhere!

"Director Xia, I’m fully prepared. Just help me break free from Hell’s contract, and I can switch sides at the speed of light, ready to labor for Heaven!"

Xiamiel spread his hands, "But unfortunately, we in Heaven do not have the ability to directly collect Positive Emotion Value from players through games."

Gu Fan, "Ah?"

Xiamiel sighed with a hint of helplessness, "Ah, you know our Heaven and Hell operate on completely different management models. We belong to the system, so there is less pressure and motivation, while Hell is dominated by contract workers, who value a wolf-like culture, hence their stronger spirit of innovation...

"Hell took the lead in finding ways to collect negative emotions through games. We in Heaven also take this very seriously. Under the leadership of Michael, we also started research immediately...

"But in the end, we were unable to figure out a method to directly collect Positive Emotion Value from players through games.

"We can only steal it from demons.

"Ah no, I mean justly take it."

Gu Fan’s mouth twitched slightly, clearly shocked by the revelation.

"How do you steal?"

Xiamiel waved his hand, "I’ve already said that it’s a just takeover.

"Specifically, although for demons, the Positive and Negative Emotion Values cancel each other out, we angels have our own core technology: when demons collect less negative emotion for various reasons, we can steal, oh no, justly take these Positive Emotion Values.

"Negative Emotion Value can be used to strengthen the power of Hell Demons, likewise, Positive Emotion Value can enhance the angels’ power of faith!

"So, this is a large chess game.

"To allow Heaven to acquire more Positive Emotion Value, you’ll have to continue to go undercover, and redouble your efforts."

Gu Fan, feeling somewhat helpless, "So you mean, you can only earn a differential?

"Couldn’t our Heaven invest a little more in core technological research? Always letting Hell lead, that doesn’t sound good at all!"

Xiamiel spread his hands, "Mind your own business about Heaven’s affairs!

"In any case, your mission is to continue your undercover work at Nitiandang games, to stop Lilith from collecting negative emotions while gradually gaining her trust, and possibly become a high-level confidant of Hell’s Earthly Office of Negative Emotion Collection.

"When the time comes, Heaven will not treat you unfairly."

As Xiamiel was about to leave, Gu Fan hurriedly stopped him, "Wait, Director Xia, I understand the importance of continuing to be undercover, but the problem is... for doing such dangerous work, surely there must be some benefits, right?"

Xiamiel looked slightly puzzled, "You want benefits for serving Heaven? Isn’t it your honor?

"Well, if I must say, although we can’t offer you concrete benefits, we can give you the deny stamp when you’re eligible to enter Heaven."

Gu Fan was shocked.

Well, it turns out Heaven and Hell are no good guys after all!

While their approaches are wholly different, neither seems like the good guys here!

I thought after making a connection with the angels I could escape the sea of suffering, but not only did the angels fail to break the contract, they even wanted me to continue my undercover mission.

And not even a concrete reward to speak of, not even a promissory note?

"You could have just promised me a job in heaven a hundred years from now!"

"Don’t tell me you’ve eaten all the benefits Michael gave to me as a kickback!"

Gu Fan was very reluctant, "But demons have contracts, you angels must have some divine power, right?"

"Don’t try to fool me, I remember Lilith said that angels can influence luck to a certain extent."

Xiamiel nodded, "Yes, otherwise why do you think those streamers are always able to trigger various coincidences and find the bugs you hide in such a short time?"

"If Michael and I didn’t intervene, do you think such things would happen frequently?"

Gu Fan’s eyes lit up in an instant, "Huh? Isn’t that just what I need?"

"Director Xia, I’m not asking for much, just give me a good luck aura, preferably the kind where I can win five million on a lottery ticket with any purchase..."

Xiamiel shook his head, "That’s not possible."

"Although we angels can influence Earthly luck and happiness to some extent and can bestow humans with good fortune, angels are subject to restrictions on Earth, and our divine power is limited."

"If it’s a series of low-probability events, we can indeed slightly increase their likelihood of occurring, but it’s impossible to increase the chance of an impossible event to 100%."

"At most, I could make you win a few extra tens of dollars when playing scratch cards."

"Plus, if we use it on you, then we won’t be able to discover game bugs earlier."

Gu Fan had no choice but to give up.

"Okay then, bugs are more important.

"But...you angels can also manage happiness? Could you enhance the joy players feel while playing the game?"

Xiamiel nodded, "In theory, yes but there are restrictions."

"We angels can only amplify players’ acquisition of positive emotions within a limited scope, and it requires the expenditure of a certain Positive Emotion Value as the cost."

"I do have some authority to utilize Positive Emotion Value, but if I end up in the red...

"I’ll be held accountable."

Gu Fan sighed, "It seems that heaven’s system is a bit rigid, no wonder it’s being..."

Xiamiel asked, "Being what by Hell?"

"Cough cough." Gu Fan coughed twice to cover up his embarrassment, "Nothing. If possible, could you enhance the positive emotions for a specific group of people, or rather, when using a specific gameplay approach?"

Xiamiel, "What kind of people?"

Gu Fan, "Speedrunners. I think it would be a very cost-effective investment."

Xiamiel thought for a moment and then nodded, "Alright, I’ll consider it."

She went to the door, ready to leave, "That’s all I came to talk to you about today. If there are new tasks, I’ll come to find you again."

"The way we angels come to the Human World is different from demons. We can only borrow human bodies, so when I come to see you, don’t say strange things to this young girl in the meantime."

Gu Fan sat on the sofa, somewhat helplessly.

It seems angels aren’t too reliable!

As a transmigrator, why is it so hard for me?

...

At night.

Lilith refreshed on time.

"Eh, Gu Fan, you don’t look very well. Don’t tell me you’ve been up to no good behind my back?" Lilith asked with a suspicious face.

Gu Fan replied with a dark face, "Try being forced to come up with a plan in five days! I’m only human, not a demon, and it’s only because I’m a well-tested programmer that I can withstand the pressure. Anyone else would have dropped dead by now!"

Lilith nodded, "Oh, that makes sense."

Gu Fan sighed, "What brings you here today? Any issues?"

The design plan for "Ascension" was nearly set in stone, and the development phase was about to begin. Logically, there shouldn’t be anything pressing for Lilith to worry about with the game for the time being.

Gu Fan was almost startled by Lilith’s question just now, fearing he had been caught out as a traitor so soon.

Fortunately, it was just a false alarm.

Lilith sat down on the sofa, "What else could it be? It’s about Hell Frontline!"

"They’re starting to work on a new game!"