C172: There Is True Love in the World, and They Are All Good People!

Backstage at the Neon game exhibition area, Chen Xu picked up yogurt from the refrigerator and took a sip, a cool sip. He took out his mobile phone, opened the work chat, and tagged the on duty employees. He instructed them to launch a simple game on the Neon game platform.

The name isn't too convoluted. Chen Xu decided to call it Raising the Hammer, a name fitting both gameplay and the theme of the ending animation.

Online, players were buzzing with discussions. Many envied those at the exhibition who could experience the demo of dark souls' prequel, Three Kingdoms, and JellyMan. Chen Xu hadn't yet uploaded any of this content online.

To ensure fairness, the small game, created specifically for the exhibition's attendees, was now accessible to players eagerly awaiting it online. "They are dear to me to," Chen Xu thought. 

"How could I favor one over the other?" Imagining their expectant gazes, he couldn't bring himself to do this.

At the exhibition, Song Ren, looking for games to lower his blood pressure, as he felt increasingly frustrated.

He reworked the game, returning to the familiar scene, only to fall again. This time, the background music changed. The new lyrics were catchy, and the melody was undeniably brainwashing:

"Go home often to see your wife…"

Listening to the lyrics, Song Ren deeply felt the malice. The so-called 30-minute experience was an excuse to torment players!

This was no ordinary game—it is cruel, mercilessly challenging reflexes and patience. Unlike Dark Souls, where challenges made sense once the strategy was uncovered, this game required only pure muscle memory. Every swing of the sledgehammer demanded precision in strength and angle.

One wrong move, and it was back to square one!

Song Ren glanced at the player beside him, who was also struggling in the game, sitting in a water tank setup. A crowd had gathered behind them, drawn by the spectacle.

The onlookers laughed and shared their thoughts on the game:

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"Oops, they fell again!"

"Hey, the background music changed! This one's pretty good!"

"I like the track about 'success or failure being heroic'—it feels passionate."

"Actually, they all fit the game's tone pretty well!"

"Why isn't that player moving?"

"Probably trying to catch their breath. This game is too good!"

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The playful banter only added to the lively atmosphere, as everyone embraced the chaotic charm with a mix of frustration and joy.

Listening to the words of the players watching from behind, Song Ren nodded in agreement.

Yes, this fragile heart couldn't bear it for long. Even such a simple game is more haunting than the experiencing of Silent Hill PT.

The brother who had just advised about good attitude and laughing while playing games was now roaring with frustration as he fell from the peak. The sound of the whistle grew louder with every fall.

Song Ren noticed how flushed his face has become.

Gaia! The desperate shout echoed, though unclear.

"But is it really that difficult?" Some new players muttered to themselves, puzzled. "I don't think it's that hard to operate. Isn't it just climbing a mountain with a sledgehammer?"

To those unfamiliar with the mechanics, it seemed straightforward. As long as the distance was well-maintained, wasn't it manageable?

Meanwhile, veins bulged in Song Ren's hand as he gripped the inflatable sledgehammer. Suppressing his emotions, he turned with a kind smile to a nearby player and said warmly, "Friend, I've been playing for a while. Why don't you give it a try?"

"Hey, I haven't queued yet!" the player stammered, caught off guard. He'd only been spectating, curious about the commotion, though he chooses to try.

Hearing this, the surrounding players chimed in enthusiastically.

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"Don't worry about the queue—go ahead and play!"

"Yeah, yeah, brother. This is probably your first time at Chen's exhibition area, right?"

"Everyone's a player here. It's no big deal. Go ahead and enjoy the game first!"

 "Exactly! From your accent, you're not from the capital, right? Traveling here for the game show must've been hard. Go on and play first!"

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The crowd's warm encouragement made the player's heart swell with gratitude. He nodded, still a bit hesitant. "Thank you, everyone! I'll just play for a few minutes."

But the others wouldn't hear it.

"No, no, brother, take your time!"

"Yeah, play as long as you want—even until the show closes! We're happy watching you play!"

"Yes, yes, we like to watch other people play games," someone chimed in.

Hearing this, a group of players standing nearby waved their hands dismissively, clearly agreeing with the sentiment.

Similar scenes unfolded as new players wandered over, curious about the commotion but unaware of the gamers' depression.

Soon, new operators sit on the water tanks with a hammer. Song Ren and the group who had been playing earlier, although their session hadn't technically ended, willingly gave up their spots. They stepped aside neatly and explained how to operate the game with great care.

To ensure the newcomers could enjoy the experience from the beginning, they even restarted the game, allowing them to see everything as it was originally intended. This thoughtful gesture left the new players welcomed.

It was clear that the players on Mr. Chen's side were different from those in other exhibition areas. Here, camaraderie and genuine joy filled the atmosphere.

With gratitude and excitement, the new players began their own sledgehammer journey. However, within ten minutes, strange sounds erupted from the area.

One player let out a shrill scream: "Don't!"

Another bellowed like an elephant: "Ahhh!!! Oh my god!"

These dramatic reactions sent laughter through the sea of the crowd.

It wasn't an exaggeration—the players really did love watching others play the game. Their laughter and delight created an infectious energy. For some, it seemed even more fun to watch than to play.

Soon, sounds of what could only be described as pig slaughtering reverberated through the exhibition area, piquing up the curiosity of nearby players.

"What's going on over there?" someone wondered aloud.

"Are they playing a horror game?" another guest.

Glancing at the Neon Games booth, someone speculated, "Did Chen Xu bring Silent Hill PT to the exhibition?"

Drawn by the lively scene, more players gathered, eager to see the commotion for themselves.

Meanwhile, developers from other booths in Exhibition Area No. 3 looked on in confusion. They had previously heard that Neon Games didn't have any major new releases or demos for their popular Dark Souls series.

Yet here they were, attracting a crowd. "What's happening over there?" one of them murmured, clearly baffled by the unexpected spectacle.