Free Web NovelChapter 243: Chapter 207: New Toy Craze 2
Even the battle scenes were all jumbled up; for example, sample footage of Tyrannosaurus Beast fighting Garuru Beast had also been edited in.
"What’s that entertainment channel?"
"You don’t know? It’s been all over the forums for days. The Magic Vision Device is getting a new channel."
"What do you mean?"
"It’s that knob on your Magic Vision Device. You know, the one that’s useless right now? Afterward, you’ll be able to turn it and switch to another channel. Both channels will have shows playing at the same time, and you can watch whichever one you want."
"What if I want to watch both?"
"Uh, I honestly hadn’t thought of that. Maybe you could just buy another Magic Vision Device?"
And while people were discussing this, a Golem Agumon appeared on the street outside the store.
"But what does this cartoon have to do with toys? Isn’t this a trailer shown by a toy store?" someone asked, confused.
"They’re obviously launching toys alongside the cartoon. That’s a no-brainer. Just like when they sold Yo-Yos and Mechanical Armor."
"So what kind of toys do you think they’ll be?"
"Most likely just Digital Monster statues. At best, they’ll have a transformation function, kind of like those Blast Balls, letting them change into their evolved forms."
"That’ll probably be pretty cool. I’ll definitely buy one when they’re out."
"I’ll pass. I already have more than enough statues at home. There’s no room."
Just then, a roar suddenly came from outside the store.
"ROAR—"
It was the same as the Tyrannosaurus Beast’s cry from the trailer.
"Look outside!"
Someone was the first to spot it.
An employee from the toy store was seen standing behind the Golem Agumon, holding a Tyrannosaurus Machine identical to the one in the cartoon.
"Ha! See? I told you it was a statue, just a really big one," the same person from before said.
"But what’s the employee doing standing there?"
"He’s obviously going to demonstrate how it transforms. A statue that big can’t just change by itself."
However, before his words had even faded, the employee raised the Tyrannosaurus Machine high and shouted with complete conviction.
"Agumon, evolve!"
A powerful blast of music erupted, and just like in the cartoon, the Agumon began to glow and spin, growing into a Tyrannosaurus Beast nearly two stories tall.
For a moment, everyone was dumbfounded, unsure if this was a toy demonstration or if a Warlock had just summoned some kind of Hell Devil.
Some people were so scared they started screaming for help. "The Guard Corps! Get the Guard Corps! A Warlock is opening the Gate of Hell here!"
The Guard Corps did not arrive. There was only the majestic, domineering Tyrannosaurus Beast, roaring toward the sky.
Mothers held their frightened children tight, while the more timid ones dropped into a crouch, covering their heads and starting to pray.
Only then did the employee casually begin his introduction: "The new Agumon Pet Golem, featuring a wealth of interactive functions, is the perfect choice for a playmate. It also includes a powerful evolution mechanic..."
’I’m sorry, my wallet, but I really need an Agumon right now.’
"Didn’t you just say you have no room for statues at your place?"
"Is this a statue? This is a good partner who will fight alongside me!"
The employee continued his pitch: "For our new product launch, the original price is 998 Gold Coins, but with our promotional discount, it’s just 968 Gold Coins! You’ll also receive a special gift: an exclusive Digital Monster Machine.
"If you purchase now, you can also claim a special Digital Egg and a massive amount of training resources when the cartoon airs."
After hearing the price, the man who had just been apologizing to his wallet immediately lost all his excitement. He muttered dejectedly, "Actually, my place really isn’t big enough. I mean, look how tall it is..."
His friend beside him mercilessly twisted the knife. "My advice? You should just get a multi-story house, then."
A toy at this price was something no one could afford, aside from people like Craig.
When had the Zog Group started abandoning the average player?
Many people were quite dissatisfied with the price, feeling it was a form of betrayal. In the past, no matter what toy the Zog Group released, there was always an affordable, low-spec version for the masses. There was a huge difference between having a budget option and having nothing at all.
"Additionally, every player can become one of the chosen children! Purchase a Digital Monster Machine to raise your very own Digital Monster. Lucky players will even have a chance to win a Golem in our lottery!"
The employee finished his announcement, feeling a little panicked. ’The mood almost died just now,’ he thought. ’It looked like the crowd was about to start jeering.’
’A miscalculation. I should have introduced the Digital Monster Machine first.’
Another good thing about Zog’s Toy Store was that they offered trial plays for all new toys.
When a player got his hands on the exquisitely crafted Digital Monster Machine, he was immediately captivated by its metallic texture.
He turned it on. A strange Digital Monster appeared on the screen. The image was so vivid it was as if the creature were really living inside the little machine.
Opening the field guide, he saw it was a Beiz Beast.
The smallest of the Digital Monsters, it is intensely curious and has a strong desire to interact with the outside world. Its large, charming, bright red eyes can sometimes stir the emotions of others.
It is a baby Digital Monster that everyone adores. When encountering a foe, it spits bubbles from its mouth to blind them before escaping.
’Oh, so it’s a baby. How cute.’
’I bet it can also evolve into a powerful Digital Monster like Tyrannosaurus Beast.’
’How do I evolve it?’
The player began to experiment with the Digital Monster Machine’s various functions: feeding, training, and even playing with it.
He laughed at the Beiz Beast’s adorably clumsy way of rolling around. After a long day at work, this was exactly what he needed to soothe his weary soul.
He had thought about getting a cat or dog before, but he didn’t think he’d be able to properly care for one. His job at the factory was exhausting enough, and he couldn’t just leave a pet cooped up all day.
Many of the stray animals in the city were abandoned by people who bought them on impulse and later realized they couldn’t care for them.
Many of those poor creatures had no ability to survive on their own, and they also created problems for the city’s residents: noise, waste, and even potential harm to children.
One person’s mistake resulted in a tragedy for both sides.
He despised that kind of behavior.
But this Digital Monster Machine seemed to have none of those drawbacks. Contained within a small device, it could still provide that same rich emotional fulfillment.
He could even take it to work.
He had a bold thought.
’The Beiz Beast is trapped in the small cage of this machine, and I’m just trapped in the big cage of the factory.’
’There’s no difference.’
’Maybe the Beiz Beast, without so many thoughts, is happier.’
He interacted with it again and again. It had been a long time since he had felt such pure happiness.
It was so pure it almost made him want to cry.
After a long time of repeated interactions, a notification popped up on the screen.
"Beiz Beast’s affection for you has increased!"
A pink progress bar then appeared, filling up completely before a number behind it changed from 1 to 2.
’Affection you can actually see!’
He couldn’t help but be moved by the sight. His girlfriend of two years had been all lovey-dovey that morning, but that night she had suddenly told him they weren’t compatible and that they should break up.
He had tried to win her back, but it was no use.
Feeling dejected, he had actually started to believe the "incompatible" excuse, only to see his ex walking arm-in-arm with a school senior the very next day.
That senior’s family lived in a multi-story villa downtown.
What incompatibility? It was more like she was just trading up.
Her affection for him had never increased at all.
Looking at the creature on the screen, he felt its big eyes truly stirring his emotions.
His vision blurred. ’The Beiz Beast is good,’ he thought. ’The Beiz Beast won’t deceive me.’
He already couldn’t live without it.
’I’m sorry, my wallet, but I really, really need a Digital Monster Machine now.’
"How much is this?"
"During the promotional period, it’s only 68 Copper Coins."
’That’s only two weeks’ salary. I can afford that.’
"I’ll take it. This one. It has to be this specific one."
Normally, the trial units weren’t for sale. If a customer wanted to buy one, a brand-new, unopened one would be brought out from the warehouse.
But if a customer insisted, then the rules could be bent for the sake of customer satisfaction.
"Of course. Please wait a moment while I remove the security chain from the trial unit and repackage the accessories for you."
While waiting for it to be packaged, he calmed his emotions.
’If I love it, I have to give it the best. I have to evolve this Beiz Beast into its ultimate form.’
"Is there a strategy guide for Digital Monster evolution?" he asked the employee.
"There are no shortcuts to raising them," the employee replied with a smile. "However, there are a few tricks. If you purchase other games for our console, you can unlock opportunities to challenge exclusive enemies. Defeating them will reward you with training materials.
"And if you can’t win, you can always buy a Battle Enhancement Potion. They’re just one Copper Coin each..."
The earnest player had no idea just how deep a hole he had jumped into—the bottomless pit of a spending trap.
