Civilization Paradise

Chapter 24 Star Wish Club

Guangwei Street is one of the most bustling commercial streets in Shanchengshan, and it is adjacent to Shanchengshan No.1 High School.

Long Ming used to come here often when he was in school, but he hasn't come here since he graduated.

Two years have passed and the place has changed a lot. It is much more prosperous than before, with many new shops opening on both sides of the street.

"Whoo~"

Long Ming let out a slight breath and walked forward.

Soon Long Ming arrived at a Star Cafe called Yue Lan, which was the best in the area, and he had been there several times before.

After Xingka opened in Civilization Park, it upgraded its equipment and started operating a new business.

However, there's nothing that can be done about it. After all, Civilization Paradise is an officially registered game, and its impact is incomparable to any previous game.

If they don't transform, they will ultimately be eliminated.

Long Ming walked in and arrived at the lobby of Yue Lan Xing Cafe. He glanced around and found that although the layout hadn't changed, it had been slightly modified.

All the computer desks in the lobby were removed and replaced with a giant projection screen.

The screen displays videos of players exploring the Civilization Paradise.

Many people gathered here to watch.

As for the original private room area, all equipment has been replaced with helmets for guests to use.

Long Ming walked straight to the bar.

At this moment, a beautiful waitress dressed in black stockings and a bunny girl outfit said with a smile.

"I'm Xiaowei from Yuelanxing Cafe. Would you like to board?"

"Hmm, I heard you have gaming pods here."

"Yes, our Moonlit Star Cafe is equipped with the latest model of gaming pods."

How much does it cost?

Long Ming then asked Xiao Wei about the specific costs.

"The game pod costs 200 Mountain Coins per hour. In addition, the game pod is equipped with three doses of nutritional supplements, each costing 1000 Mountain Coins."

Xiao Wei glanced at Long Ming's clothes and then explained the specific fees to him.

"So expensive?"

Long Ming's heart sank when he heard Xiao Wei's words.

Based on a three-day period, the cost would be as high as 17200 mountain coins, which was far beyond what he had on hand.

In fact, Long Ming knew that the chance to get into the game pod was very expensive, which is why he specifically borrowed 1 mountain coins from Wang Yang. However, he did not expect it to be so ridiculously expensive.

This was far beyond his means. Although he could raise the money, it would be a real problem if the dungeon exploration failed.

Xiao Wei smiled and said after hearing Long Ming's words.

"It is indeed very expensive, but unfortunately there are many people in need. Our Star Cafe game pods are already booked for a week from now. Even if you want to use them now, there are no machines available."

"OK, thanks."

Hearing Xiao Wei's words, Long Ming reluctantly gave up and turned to leave.

Long Ming soon came out of the Moonlit Star Cafe.

He stood by the roadside, watching the young men and women chatting and laughing on the street, his expression somewhat melancholy.

This is a real problem; even with money, it's impossible to rent a game pod.

Crackling sounds~
Just then, the sound of firecrackers rang out not far away.

Long Ming also looked over upon hearing the sound and saw that a new Star Cafe had opened diagonally opposite Yue Lan Star Cafe.

A group of hot girls in matching uniforms were making announcements with big smiles through megaphones.

"Star Wish Cafe Grand Opening Special: 50% Off Everything!"

Upon hearing this, Long Ming's mind immediately stirred. A 50% discount for the entire event?

If this Star Cafe also has a game pod, then wouldn't it only cost 8600 Mountain Coins? If that's the case, then he could barely afford it.

Thinking of this, Long Ming immediately headed towards the newly opened Star Wish Cafe.

When he arrived at the Star Wish Cafe, he found that the cafe was huge, having rented two six-story buildings with exteriors covered in off-white stone.

This is one of the most bustling commercial streets, and not only is the rent very expensive, but it's also difficult to rent even if you have the money, let alone rent two buildings at once, especially two adjacent ones. If he remembered correctly, these two buildings were originally shopping malls.

In addition, Longming discovered that although the two buildings are both Star Wish Cafes, their functions seem to be quite different.

The building on the left is labeled "Star Wish Cafe," and the one on the right is labeled "Star Wish Club." Long queues formed at the entrances of both buildings.

Long Ming then walked to the back of the Star Wish Cafe line and joined the queue, before looking curiously at the club's line.

A girl dressed in a pink maid dress and wearing cat ear hair clips was seen enthusiastically calling out to the people in line.

"Star Wish Club is recruiting pioneers of Civilization Paradise. Professional players and retired players are given priority. Once accepted, you will receive six types of insurance and one housing fund, enjoy 16 months' salary, and have free access to game equipment, plus additional benefits." At this moment, a thin man wearing black-rimmed glasses excitedly said to his companion.

"The benefits are amazing!"

"It's good, but I heard that the assessment is quite strict, and many people have failed."

"What are you afraid of? I'm a professional gamer!"

Just then, a burly man standing in front of them turned his head and looked at the two of them, coldly snorting.

"What good are professional experts? This isn't a video game; it's all about real skills."

"You say I can't do it, but does that mean you definitely can?"

Atao immediately retorted, somewhat unconvinced.

"Nonsense, I'm a veteran who's been to the battlefield. If I could afford a gaming pod and they were offered for free here, I wouldn't be here."

The burly man before him replied arrogantly.

Atao immediately fell silent.

Upon hearing this, Long Ming also showed a thoughtful expression.

He never expected that these clubs would be willing to offer such generous compensation to recruit players.

Long Ming was somewhat tempted, but he quickly dismissed the idea. Given his current physical condition, even a slight cough would scare people, and besides, the high-intensity training required by clubs like this was something he simply couldn't handle.

Time passed second by second.

Long Ming was quickly seated at the door.

At this moment, a beautiful woman in a blue uniform, with a pretty face and full of youthful energy, led Long Ming and said.

"Please come in, sir!"

"Ah."

Long Ming then went inside.

The entire lobby of Star Wish Cafe exudes luxury and spaciousness, and its design concept is inspired by the Moonlit Star Cafe across the street, which has designed this space as a viewing room.

Using the latest equipment, we projected and played videos of the Star Wish Club's top players running dungeons.

It attracted many passersby to stop and watch.

Long Ming also stopped and looked at the projected image. He hadn't expected that the game could be recorded.

The video playing at this moment shows a nimble man tying a rope to a balcony of a high-rise building, grabbing the rope and sliding down.

"handsome!"

"As expected of Brother Lei, he's really fierce!"

The crowd erupted in excited shouts.

Long Ming was also excited to see this, so he walked towards the bar.

"Hello sir, I'm Xiaoqi. How can I help you?"

At this moment, a girl with an oval face and cherry lips, dressed in a black and white maid dress, greeted them warmly.

"I'd like to ask, does your 50% off sale include gaming pods?"

"Including."

"Then could you please turn one on for me?"

Long Ming immediately said to Xiao Qi.

"I'm sorry, sir, we're having a grand opening promotion and there are just too many customers, so all the game pods are full."

Xiao Qi explained to Long Ming with great apology.

"When will the game pods be available?"

"It will be at least three days from now."

"Thank you."

Upon hearing this, Long Ming turned and left, somewhat disappointed.

Long Ming soon walked out of Star Wish Cafe.

He stood at the door and sighed softly, never expecting that the little hope he had just ignited would be extinguished so quickly.

It seems he now has to choose between two options: either give up and go back, or raise more money and go from one Star Cafe to another looking for game pods.

Just as Long Ming was about to leave.

Suddenly, a slightly unexpected voice came from inside.

"Hey! Isn't this Long Ming?"

(End of this chapter)