"It's not an illusion, this text is floating right in front of my eyes. It disappears when I take off the helmet."
"But why is this happening? There's no visor or goggles on the front of this helmet. How is this countdown appearing? Projection technology? But I don't see any projection device."
Chen Yan repeatedly checked the helmet several times, still unable to figure it out. This made his heart feel like it was being scratched by a cat.
"No, I can't be the only one suffering and struggling here."
Thinking of this, Chen Yan immediately called his good buddy Xu Ruofeng, saying he had an urgent matter and needed his help right away.
Xu Ruofeng didn't suspect anything and quickly arrived at Chen Yan's house.
"What's the matter? Why did you call me over in such a hurry? I didn't even do my hair before coming."
As soon as he entered, Xu Ruofeng started complaining. He was an extremely vain person, and going out without doing his hair was torture for him.
"Actually, it's not a big deal... It is a big deal! It's a big deal!"
Chen Yan looked at Xu Ruofeng, who was rolling up his sleeves, and immediately changed his tune.
Then, he explained the whole story.
"You're saying you clicked on a game pre-order link, and then a helmet was delivered to your door, and when you put it on, it showed an internal beta countdown?" Xu Ruofeng summarized simply.
"Yes, and this game is also claiming to be a virtual reality game," Chen Yan nodded.
"Are you sure you're not filming some kind of prank video?"
Xu Ruofeng looked around, trying to find hidden cameras.
"I'm sure. If I'm lying to you, I'll never be able to marry Miku in this lifetime!"
"Uh, okay, I'll believe you for now."
He knew Miku's importance in Chen Yan's heart, so at this point, he basically believed what he was saying.
"Where's the helmet? I want to try it on."
"Wait a moment, I'll go get it for you." Chen Yan went inside, got the helmet, and handed it to Xu Ruofeng, watching him put it on.
"Are you sure I'll see the countdown after putting it on? Why can't I see anything?" Xu Ruofeng took off the helmet, puzzled.
"How is that possible? I can definitely see it." Chen Yan snatched the helmet back, put it on himself, and the text and countdown reappeared before his eyes.
"It seems this helmet is bound to an individual. Only the person it's bound to can see it. But how did this manufacturer get your personal information?" Xu Ruofeng was a bit confused.
"How would I know? The address can be explained by them knowing my IP address after clicking the link, but this personal binding is indeed a bit unexplainable."
"So what are you going to do? Call the police?"
"Call the police and say what? That I clicked on a game pre-order link, and not only did I not suffer any loss of life or property, but they even gave me a free helmet?" Chen Yan rolled his eyes.
"Indeed, that's not appropriate. And this helmet is personally bound, so others can't see anything even if they wear it. They definitely won't believe what you say."
"Forget it, let's just leave it at that. We'll find out what this game is up to tomorrow anyway," Chen Yan said somewhat resignedly.
"For now, that's all we can do. If there's nothing else, I'll head back first. Share the link with me, and I'll pre-order it and try it out too."
"No problem. You happen to have a camera at your door. We'll see who delivered the package then."
After seeing Xu Ruofeng off, Chen Yan picked up the game helmet again.
"I hope you can bring me some surprises tomorrow."
"Boun boun!" (Delicious!) "Eat slower, no one's going to take it from you."
Ryan lifted Bounsweet up a bit; its whole body was about to fall into the food bowl.
"Look how happily Bounsweet is eating. It seems this food tastes good. Are you really not going to try some?" Ryan said to Scyther.
"Scythe!" Scyther disdainfully turned its head away.
"I know you're upset. Back then, Father only took Nidoking to resist the beast tide and left you in the territory. Do you feel like you were abandoned?"
"Scythe!" (That's not it!)
"You know you weren't abandoned either. Father left you in the territory to deal with any stragglers. There will always be some Pokémon that break through the defense lines." Ryan said as he slowly approached Scyther.
"The facts prove he was right. If it weren't for you, our territory wouldn't have just suffered damage to a few houses."
"Scythe?" Scyther looked at Ryan standing in front of it with confusion. In its memory, this young master had always been very afraid of them and had never dared to get this close.
"Father has disappeared, and everyone is very sad, but that's not a reason for us to be depressed. Father left you here to guard this territory, which he poured countless efforts into."
Ryan tried his best to make his tone more impassioned.
"But looking at you now, don't even mention guarding the territory, it would be good enough if the territory isn't dragged down by you. Are you worthy of Father's trust in you?! Or are you so scared by the beast tide that you plan to just stay here and wait to die?!"
"Scythe!" Scyther angrily raised its head, its gaze fixed on Ryan.
And Ryan wasn't afraid at all, instead moving even closer to Scyther.
"What? Am I wrong? You're not even eating now, aren't you just trying to starve yourself to death to escape all this?"
Ryan placed his hand on Scyther's shoulder.
"Even a coward like me, who has been afraid of you since childhood, can pull myself together for the sake of the territory and dare to touch you. What do you have to run away from?"
Scyther looked at the hand on its shoulder, and its angry emotions gradually subsided.
Although it hadn't watched Ryan grow up from childhood like Nidoking, it had spent many years with Ryan and naturally knew how terrified Ryan was of them.
But now, Ryan dared to touch them for the sake of the territory, which had a significant impact on its heart.
"Besides, Father has only disappeared. If he comes back one day and sees you like this, how disappointed would he be?" Ryan slowly softened his tone.
"Don't let down Father's trust in you. Pull yourself together and guard this territory with me, okay?"
Ryan pushed the food forward.
Scyther looked at the food in front of it, then at Ryan's face, which resembled his father's. Finally, it lowered its head and began to eat.
Ryan looked at the eating Scyther, feeling somewhat guilty.
The words he had just said were indeed a bit harsh and had a hint of emotional blackmail.
But there was no other way. The territory was in ruins and desperately needed Scyther's combat power.
But its personality was too proud. No matter how many good words he said, it wouldn't work. He could only use these words to ignite its fighting spirit.
"Young master, Lord White said he has something to report to you. He's waiting for you in the study."
"I understand. Let's go, Bounsweet. Let Scyther stay here for a while."
Ryan picked up Bounsweet and returned to the study.
"Young Master Ryan, the damage to the territory's houses has been tallied. Twenty-eight houses are severely damaged and basically uninhabitable. There are also nearly a hundred houses that need repairs, but our territory doesn't have that much lumber at all right now."
As soon as he entered, White began to report the situation.
"Moreover, during the previous resistance against the beast tide, in order to gain a better view and build fortifications, Lord Nord ordered all the trees around the territory to be cut down. Now, if we want to log wood, we can only enter the Flowing Firefly Forest, but the lumberjacks are afraid of the magical beasts and would rather be punished than go. What do you think we should do now?"
"There's nothing we can do if they're unwilling to go. The beast tide has just ended, and it's a time of unrest. We can't push them too hard. Let's waive the punishment. Once the lumber arrives, let them help repair the houses together."
"As for the lumber problem, I'll take care of it. You go and prepare a few carts for transporting lumber. I'll need them tomorrow," Ryan instructed.
"Yes, sir! I'll go prepare them now."
After White left, Ryan looked at the pattern on the back of his hand.
"This is the beginner's quest for the players. The locals are afraid of Pokémon, but the players aren't. This is a good opportunity to let them witness the wonders of Pokémon."
"Everything is ready, only the east wind is missing. I hope all those who pre-ordered will log in tomorrow."
Ryan was full of anticipation for tomorrow.