Chapter 4: The Fated Circle

“Welcome to the intensely thrilling ‘Chicken Dinner Battlefield’! I’m Nina, your player guide~ This is a real battlefield simulating battle royale games, absolutely not to be missed~”

Just then, a saccharine female voice, delivered in an overly sweet tone, uttered peculiar remarks that resounded in Wang Tianming’s mind.

“Detecting player’s specific conditions, granting special ability… Player Wang Tianming, owing to your inability to move your legs, you are bound to a hospital bed, and so the system has specially granted you the unique ability known as ‘Fated Circle’.”

“‘Fated Circle’? What on earth is that? This game has special abilities? Wait, you said special abilities? Introducing special abilities into a battle royale game is essentially condoning cheating, isn’t it?”

Wang Tianming’s mind immediately reeled upon hearing Nina’s words.

“So, in other words, this isn’t actually a battle royale game, but rather a clash of immortals?”

“Please open the game menu yourself to find explanations for abilities and equipment.”

Rather than offering Wang Tianming a detailed explanation, Nina instructed him to explore the game’s mechanics on his own.

“Have fun playing, and may you not die too soon. May you strive for great fortune and prosperity, and earn that chicken dinner tonight~”

“Game menu? What’s that? Huh? Where did this come from?”

As the words ‘game menu’ registered in Wang Tianming’s mind after Nina’s explanation, a large, semi-transparent screen unexpectedly materialized before his eyes.

Upon closer inspection, it appeared to be merely a projection, lacking any physical form, yet the exact point of its projection remained unknown.

“‘Fated Circle’: A paramount special ability, specifically designed to compensate players who are rendered immobile.

Ability Effects:

One, regardless of time or location, until the player’s death or the game’s end, the toxic zone will invariably shrink, its epicenter remaining the player.

Two, cannot be targeted by firearms or melee weapons.

Three, only one player, at most, will possess this skill per game.”

“Ah, this, this is nothing short of an invincibility cheat! No wonder it’s called ‘Fated Circle’; it truly lives up to its name!”

Wang Tianming, gazing at the ‘Fated Circle’ skill description displayed on the large screen, was instantly stunned, nearly cried out.

“However, it’s not without its drawbacks.

Firstly, this skill is tailored for the immobile, meaning such a player would essentially lack any means of resistance, leaving them utterly defenseless and a certain kill if targeted.

Furthermore, while immune to the toxic zone’s effects and impervious to damage from firearms, blades, or bare fists, they could still sustain injury or even be eliminated by a vehicular collision or the blast radius of an explosion.”

“So, should I just ‘turtle up’ (TL Note: A common gaming term for playing defensively, similar to the Chinese slang ‘gou’) and survive until the very end?

Even though I can’t move, could I not simply lie motionless and impersonate an NPC?”

Wang Tianming glanced at the large screen’s interface, then scanned everything within his field of vision.

Noticing the absence of any enemy-detection radar or similar devices, he realized that a convincing disguise could potentially deceive many.

A plan forming in his mind, Wang Tianming immediately sealed his lips, settling into an unmoving tableau on the bed.

His eyes narrowed to slits, he cautiously observed his surroundings and the every move of passing enemies.

As expected, numerous players traversed the area, coming and going.

Some even cautiously fired a few shots in Wang Tianming’s direction.

Failing to register any damage, they concluded he was merely environmental scenery and moved on, unaware their shots had simply gone astray.

Still others didn’t even spare Wang Tianming a glance, convinced that such an utterly immobile figure could only be an NPC, and therefore saw no reason to expend valuable ammunition, retreating directly.

Having waited for a considerable time, Wang Tianming heard the distinct roar of an airplane overhead, a sound that likely heralded the arrival of an airdrop nearby.

Moreover, he witnessed figures soaring above him, some extending elongated arms to strike out wildly, while others, akin to the Flash, sprinted past him faster than an airplane, their forms a mere blur as they vanished from sight.

‘Heh, what a truly comfortable situation this is!’

Wang Tianming thought this to himself, but dared not utter it aloud.

For directly beside him, a figure stood, gun in hand, meticulously scanning the surroundings, either guarding against an ambush—or poised to launch one themselves.