Pokémon, but cultural invasion

...

The following morning at nine o'clock, the newly recruited team at Tingxiang Studio, responsible for server management and maintenance, kept a close eye on the number of online users.

The game package was already available for pre-download, and within three seconds of going live, the number of online players exceeded 100,000 and continued to surge.

They have fully anticipated the number of players, and more than ten large servers are operating simultaneously to distribute the load.

500,000... 800,000... 1 million...

Players come from all over the world, and even high latency in remote areas cannot dampen their enthusiasm.

Two million... three million...

When the peak number of online players reached five million, the first batch of players started ranked matches, further increasing the burden on the servers.

"Start the backup server."

The team leader broke out in a cold sweat. If something went wrong on the first day of the game's launch, he, who had only been with the company for a short time, could be fired.

The growth in player numbers slowed down after reaching eight million, but then surpassed ten million in half an hour.

But he knew the test was far from over; the peak of entertainment activities would begin after 6 p.m.

"I know Tingxiang's games are very popular, but isn't this a bit too much?"

...

A large influx of players, among whom those who are quick-witted and learn rapidly, immediately recognized the opportunities inherent in the game after playing just one round.

First of all, the champions in Teamfight Tactics are all familiar elves, categorized by attributes, making them simple and easy to remember.

However, their professions are completely unfamiliar territory, and the skills and strength of the pieces are also unknown.

Secondly, the sheer variety of Hextech items is dazzling, and the effects and combinations of each item make it difficult to choose.

These players realized the difficulties that the general public might encounter when playing games.

Unknown information and unfamiliar mechanics trapped the clueless new players like a fog.

They desperately need a guiding light to dispel their confusion.

This guiding light can be a recommendation for strong team compositions, an evaluation of equipment, a ranking of the strength of individual units, or even a Hextech rating.

Demand drives supply.

Quick-thinking individuals began testing, evaluating, and explaining everything the players wanted to know.

As night fell, video websites were flooded with content about Teamfight Tactics.

[Hextech Encyclopedia and Ratings: This is the answer when you're undecided.]

[Recommended Powerful Lineup: Eight-Inferno Brawler, the Fire Moth that burns everything!]

[The perfect equipment combination: Metronome and Spy Cloak, giving you a superior understanding!]

Players who are too lazy to think, and those who desperately need information gaps to boost their rankings, flock to the videos and watch them indiscriminately.

Video bloggers who selflessly share their insights and dare to speak out on the platform naturally have persuasive power.

Players who abandoned critical thinking and blindly believed in the results of others' tests were moved and came to accept them wholeheartedly, thus giving birth to the "Formula Man".

As the year draws to a close, even the Alora region, with its southern charm, is experiencing increasingly cold weather.

Digital averse individuals who rarely use the internet are surprised to find themselves surrounded by many gamers glued to their screens.

New terms such as "D-card," "dog luck," and "system targeting" are gradually becoming popular among students and office workers.

You can always find Tingxiang's new works unexpectedly.

A suited man on the subway after get off work, engrossed in his phone; children gathered on the street, watching; screenshots shared on social media; a snippet of a live streamer that you accidentally stumble upon...

All of this indicates that a phenomenal game for the masses is on the rise.

Chapter 196 New Year's Gift

The Kanto region is busier this year than it has been in the past decade or so.

Yuhong and Jinhuang, the filming locations for "Crazy Elf City" and "Hachiko: A Dog's Tale", attract tourists from all over the world.

They made a special trip to Kanto before New Year's Eve, deciding to spend the New Year's Eve in a crowded square after their pilgrimage to the holy sites.

This year is significant not only for wealthy and leisurely tourists, but also for ordinary people.

A phenomenal explosion of video games, a film industry seemingly returning to its golden age, and television dramas with record-breaking ratings...

The abundance of cultural and entertainment content provides them with a richer life.

The father would hold his child's hand and lovingly promise to let him choose a favorite toy from the game center as a New Year's gift.

The family would go to the nearby cinema to watch the recently released hit movie "Hachi: A Dog's Tale" on a night when the year was drawing to a close.

On New Year's Eve, when families reunite and elders chat, young people of similar age don't have to worry about awkwardness from not seeing each other for a year hindering conversation. They can sit together and play games, always filled with laughter.

Quanshu walked through the golden streets of Jinhuang City on New Year's Eve. Along the way, there were shops of all sizes with their doors tightly closed. The shop owners had either returned to their hometowns or reunited with their families.

A new year begins, bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new.

Profound memories are hard to forget, and it's always good to have a new outfit to welcome the new year.

On New Year's Eve, only some large shopping malls in the city center remained open for clothing stores.

The girl in the wheelchair, the young man pushing her, the owner of the hall behind him, and Kuroko walking at the back, taking selfies from time to time.

Passersby frequently cast strange glances at him, but dared not look too closely.

“The Dean has difficulty walking, Naz, why don’t you accompany her into the fitting room?”

While the two were trying on clothes, Quanshu sat on the low sofa outside, perfunctorily dealing with the resentful live streamer.

"Brewing Electric Frog: I already have an eight-hour anniversary live stream tonight, and President Yeci even made me responsible for New Year's patrols all over Padiya! (Pikachu rolling around.jpg)"

"Electric Frog: I'm exhausted! (Pikachu collapses.jpg)"

"Thoughts flow like a spring: President Ye Ci, who likes to put the Crystal Flower as the grand finale, is clearly not a kind person."

"Brewing Electric Frog: That's right, Ye Ci is a devil. Aoki has developed dark circles under his eyes from being tortured by her."

"Thoughts flowed like a spring: Master Aoki, well, that's a bit hard to say."

"Brewing Light-Electric Frog: Also, you're not allowed to sleep before midnight tonight. I'm going to send you the first 'Happy New Year' message of the new year."

"The Electric-Belly Frog: Absolutely no playing dead!"

"Thoughts flow like a spring: Received, understood."

Riding the wave of popularity from "Hachiko: A Dog's Tale," Gastly's personal social media account is thriving.

Hei Kui, who plays the daughter, is youthful and beautiful, and has won the hearts of many viewers.

In addition, Gastly's perfect control of the rhythm and regular uploads of meticulously crafted depictions of the young lady's daily life quickly garnered a group of fans who value beauty above all else.

Gastly, having made a successful plan, has become quite complacent and has been getting a bit cocky lately.

"Hey, isn't it ready yet?"

Hei Kui lazily applied eyeliner, complaining, "I'm in a rush to attend the New Year's Eve party."

Quanshu glanced at it; it was the evil influence it had picked up after rashly venturing into the internet.

"If you keep talking like that, I'll send you to the Elf City."

"Jie Jie!"

Gastly put away its makeup box and sat up straight.

It had no social gatherings to attend, and it never expected that even pretending to say a few lines would get it threatened by Izumi.

Gastly already knew what Elf City was; it was entirely the private domain of the mysterious elves.

He seemed very interested in Gastly's intelligence, which was no different from that of humans, but unfortunately Gastly, whose entire body is composed of gas, cannot be cloned.

A moment later, the fitting room door was pushed open.

A high-necked knit sweater covered Nazi's snow-white neck, and she wore an apricot-colored wool coat, which accentuated her tall figure.

Lanxing wore a light white down jacket, a cinched waist with a skirt that reached her calves, and brown Martin boots.

Her clothes were loose, her delicate face was surrounded by the collar, and she looked tiny sitting on the chair.

According to Quanshu's previous understanding of her, she was like a hedgehog.

"Does it look good?"

While Lanxing was still hesitating, Nazi asked the first question.

She turned around and looked herself over. A girl who had never cared about her appearance before was now experiencing her first crush, learning how to dress according to social media, hoping to show her best side.

"So lovely."

Quanshu praised her without reservation, nodding with a smile: "The Dean's daughter is the same."

The two, their cheeks slightly flushed, watched him pay the bill.

Before returning to the orphanage, Izumi bought some more ingredients and seasonings, as well as New Year's gifts for the Pokémon.

Everyone was carrying large and small bags, including Gastly and Latias.

After the procured supplies returned, the Pokémon are giving the orphanage a thorough cleaning.

Water-type Pokémon use their water guns to wash away the stains, Grass-type Pokémon wield their vine whips and use rags to wipe the surfaces, while Flying-type Pokémon clean up the debris left on the roof during the windy day.

However, the elves' collaborative work can easily turn into a farce.

The walking grass that accidentally ran into the house left a row of muddy footprints on the ground.

Marie, who had finally managed to clean herself, angrily rinsed herself again with a water gun, but accidentally splashed the pangolin that was wiping the windows nearby.

The pangolin was terrified by the water gun and started arguing with Marie, whose aim was off to the left.

Similar small-scale events occur frequently.

It took the entire afternoon to complete the thorough cleaning at the welfare home.

Izumi Tree begins distributing New Year's gifts to the Pokémon.

They had been given advance notice that every little elf involved in the work would get a share, so they were especially enthusiastic about cleaning today.

"First, there are water-type spirits, pendants made from damp rock scraps in various shapes, and freshly squeezed passion fruit juice."

They love the pendants that are compatible with water-related energy.

"Then there are Grass-type Pokémon. Usually, Oddish and Bellsprout are always fighting for soil before sunrise."

"This time, we've satisfied your expectations with dark soil rich in various minerals and nutrients."

A large bucket of soil was divided up by large scoops, and the Grass-type Pokémon were overjoyed, clutching their respective portions of soil in preparation for photosynthesis the next morning.

Seeing how happy they were, Quanshu didn't mention that the soil was actually just a bunch of worm castings.

"Next up are Flying-type Pokémon..."

...

The Pokémon at the orphanage were immersed in a joyous atmosphere, enjoying their New Year's Eve dinner together.

Quanshu personally made dumplings and rolled out glutinous rice balls using the ingredients she had prepared in advance.

In his past life, people in the north preferred dumplings, while people in the south preferred glutinous rice balls. He happened to miss both kinds of food, so he decided to make them together.

The dumplings were put into the pot, and they rolled around in the boiling water, soon producing bubbling white foam.

"Snowing..."

While watching TV, Lanxing suddenly wheeled herself closer to the windowsill, and tiny snowflakes began to fall softly.

"Dinner is ready."

There were three sets of bowls and chopsticks on the not-so-large dining table.

Lanxing and Nazi curiously picked up the food they had never seen before with their chopsticks.

The piping hot dumplings were juicy, and the girls ate them until their faces were flushed and they were covered in sweat.

Quanshu savors the first New Year as memories awaken.