Chapter 145: Host-Exclusive Cheat Mode
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 145: Host-Exclusive Cheat Mode
[Server System Administrator (★)]
– Allows the server host to access the Multi-Server System and create systems.
– Drafts system laws that apply to the entire server.
1.
The new Host-Exclusive Cheat Mode was definitely different from the existing cheat modes.
Just looking at the description, it seemed like I could pull off something incredible.
But because the explanation was so broad, I couldn't quite grasp what I should do first.
"Hmm."
I was on my way out to test my Level 4 Enhanced Scalpel and do some work since I'd already received my Coins, when I remembered the Cheat Mode I had almost put off, temporarily forgotten in my dopamine rush. As I checked it, I fell into deep thought.
How can I make the best use of this?
What kind of system should I implement to make the server more interesting?
Just looking at the brief description, a few ideas came to mind, but there was no way to know if they were the right approach.
Of course, there was no one to tell me what was right or wrong.
Since I was the server host and could do whatever I wanted, whatever I made would be the right answer.
Even if it was a bit strange or unbalanced, it wasn't like a game company where they could just patch it.
Or could I? If I could modify it later, that would give me some breathing room.
[Once established, system laws cannot be replaced.]
[Detailed rules within the system laws can be modified.]
[Modifying rules consumes Points and Coins.]
[One law slot is created per Cheat Mode level.]
"I'd better do it right the first time."
What would be good?
Since this was a system that would apply to the entire server, I had two options.
Add a system to make the server more fun overall.
Or add a system that only benefited me.
The first thing that came to mind was that people currently had no way to spend their Coins.
Although the Black Market Dealer system existed, the probability of even finding one was too low. And even if you did, their inventory was limited and heavily overpriced, so there was rarely anything worth buying.
In that sense, I could introduce another piece of content, like a "Dungeon," to help sink some Coins.
It wasn't like I had come up with some groundbreaking, original idea.
It was the very content I had just enjoyed: Enchanting.
Enchanting was currently enabled through my Predation Cheat Mode, but I wondered if I could add an "Enhancement" system for everyone.
That way, survivors could use their hoarded Coins in more diverse ways. Instead of just wasting Coins on consumable provisions, they could enhance their current weapons or obtain better ones, allowing them to go out and farm food themselves.
And while doing this, I could add a chance for dungeons or high-level zombies to drop Enhancement Stones.
This would add engaging content to the entire Multi-Server while simultaneously bringing benefits to me.
If I set "Enhancement Stones" to a "Rare" grade or higher, other people would have an extremely low chance of getting them. Meanwhile, thanks to my Cheat Mode effects, my drop rate for "Rare" items was high, allowing me to farm and use them much more easily.
And there was one more important thing.
"Enhancement Shops will appear in very small numbers at random locations worldwide. When clearing a Level 3 or higher dungeon, there is a low probability that it will turn into an Enhancement Shop, where Black Market Dealers act as Enhancers and charge a hefty enhancement fee. Around 50 Coins per attempt."
In the end, this content wasn't just focused on "Enhancement."
While I was creating "Enhancement" as new content, if I could bring about systemic changes that could sway the entire server, there was no need to waste a Cheat Mode on such a minor tweak.
1-1. Upon clearing a 2-Star or higher dungeon, there is a very low probability that the cleared dungeon will transform into a "Black Market Mart." The "Black Market Mart" sells various food items and survival supplies. The Owner of Paradise can sell desired items through the "Black Market Mart," and the entire revenue from these items will be transferred to the Owner of Paradise.
1-2. Upon clearing a 3-Star or higher dungeon, there is a very low probability that the cleared dungeon will transform into a "Black Market Enhancement Shop." At the "Black Market Enhancement Shop," various items can be enhanced, and the Black Market Dealers will charge an enhancement fee. The Owner of Paradise can sell Enhancement Stones through the "Black Market Enhancement Shop," and the entire revenue from these sold Enhancement Stones will be transferred to the Owner of Paradise.
1-3. An "Enhancement" system is added. Upon a successful enhancement of an "item," its performance is improved. Upon failure, there is a chance the item will be damaged.
1-4. An "Enhancement Stone" item is added. "Enhancement Stones" can be obtained from monsters and dungeons, and are classified as "Rare" grade or higher.
1-5. The Owner of Paradise can check the locations of "Black Market Buildings" on the "Paradise Map" and manage them.
1-6. A host-exclusive "Enhancement" mode is added. Its level increases in tandem with the host-exclusive Cheat Mode, "Server System Administrator."
Even though I had only sketched out a rough outline, it turned out quite long.
The system even automatically fleshed out the details of the "Enhancement" system once I set up the basic framework.
It was pretty convenient that even though I was the one creating the system, it would auto-generate the specifics as long as I provided a general outline.
Ideally, I would have liked to take 100% of the Black Market Dealers' revenue, but there was a limit to how high I could set my share of the profits.
I guess even though I could create systems, it still prevented me from completely breaking the game balance.
Still, this was more than enough.
A 10% commission on all items sold by Black Market Dealers worldwide would add up to a massive sum.
It might not seem like much right now, but as time went on, the number of Marts and Enhancement Shops would grow. Active spending would occur even outside of Paradise, and a 10% cut of all those transactions would be incredibly lucrative.
After all, according to the overarching Law 1, I would pocket 10% of all sales and enhancement fees, even for items I didn't personally supply.
"Will this apply right away?"
[Would you like to finalize the system?]
[The established system cannot be changed.]
[Detailed specifications can be modified using Coins and Points.]
"Setup complete."
The system I had spent so much time agonizing over was now being applied.
In truth, I couldn't immediately tell if it had taken effect.
Nothing had visibly changed.
But a moment later, just as I was about to head out to resume my work, a series of messages appeared, confirming it.
[System update complete.]
[The "Enhancement" system has been added.]
[The "Mart" system has been added.]
[Upon clearing a 2-Star or higher dungeon, there is a very low probability that the dungeon will transform into a "Black Market Mart."]
[Upon clearing a 3-Star or higher dungeon, there is a very low probability that the dungeon will transform into a "Black Market Enhancement Shop."]
[Zombies will now drop "Enhancement Stones."]
["Enhancement Stones" can now be obtained from dungeons.]
"Wow."
So this is how it announces it.
I opened the Paradise Gallery, and it was in absolute chaos.
Everyone was asking what the hell this was.
Is this really a game?
There were countless posts wondering if the world was actually getting updates.
This felt strangely refreshing.
Whenever I felt frustrated or disappointed while surviving the zombie apocalypse, there was nothing I could do but swallow my complaints.
Even if I tried to submit an inquiry.
Even if I wrote a hundred posts on the Zombie Apocalypse Gallery, the world of the zombie apocalypse never changed.
But now that it had become a Multi-Server and I was the host, I had been given a way to fix those grievances myself.
Was it telling me to handle any further feedback on my own?
The Multi-Server itself was already a server that fully reflected my feedback requests.
But with this single Cheat Mode, I could customize and add even more to suit my exact tastes.
Of course, I wasn't sure how far I could push the limits.
For now, adding systems worked, but that might only be because it was a reasonable system that I could also use.
Seeing how the commission rate was capped at 10%, I figured there might be restrictions to prevent me from making the server completely unplayable or boring for others.
Not that I minded.
I wouldn't want that anyway.
As long as I could maintain a comfortable advantage over everyone else.
That was more than enough.
"This is going to be so much fun."
Of course, since the first law was based on content that had already been somewhat proven, I was able to come up with it and implement it quickly. But I felt like I would need to put a lot more thought into the next ones.
Compared to other Cheat Modes, which only required 1 Point to upgrade to Level 2, this host-exclusive Cheat Mode required a whopping 10 Points just to reach Level 2.
"That's terrifying."
If the cost scaled tenfold, reaching Level 10 would require 70 Points...
For now, since there wasn't any other content I desperately wanted to add, I decided to wait and see how things played out.
I'd go out, hunt some zombies, and if I managed to get an Enhancement Stone, I'd come back and try enhancing something.
This was possible because now that "Black Market Dealers" belonged to Paradise, I could add Enhancement Shops and Marts to my Safe Living Facilities.
"...Wait, am I a bit late?"
Somehow, the Level 3 Membership and escort package request that had come in during the day was only getting underway now, just as the sun was setting.
They haven't died, have they?
I quickly ran off.