The Northstar Games Exhibition was already buzzing with energy.
Inside the massive venue, the three sub-exhibition halls slowly filled with people. More than ten thousand visitors had already checked in for the event, and the sheer number alone proved how popular the exhibition had become. What began as a simple game showcase had now turned into a full-scale gaming celebration.
With the support of Skybound, a company famous for organizing large festival events, the entire venue was tightly secured. Security guards stood at every corner. Most of them were college students hired as part-time workers, but wearing the official uniforms, small helmets, and carrying metal batons made them look surprisingly professional.
Combined with the strict security checks at the entrance, the exhibition felt extremely safe.
Fire safety equipment had been installed everywhere, and the venue itself was spacious enough to comfortably hold thousands of visitors.
Hall 5 was especially lively.
The hall was divided into four massive zones designed for entertainment and shopping. Visitors could explore a Pokémon specialty store, a Northstar Games merchandise shop, a Stardew Valley Town recreation, and a large section dedicated to anime collectibles.
Unlike the other halls, Hall 5 focused mainly on commercial activities. It was a place where visitors could relax, shop, and take photos. Many attendees even treated the event like a cosplay convention, posing for pictures in themed areas.
And Adrian Brooks was completely immersed in it.
At the moment, Adrian was wandering around Hall 5 while waiting for the game trials scheduled for 2 PM. Earlier, Daniel had advised the trial players to explore the venue first. Once the trials began in the afternoon, they would likely be too busy to see everything.
The trial session would run from 2 PM to 5 PM, a full three hours of gameplay.
After finishing the trials, that group of players would remain inside the hall while the rest of the visitors slowly left.
So Adrian decided to explore first.
Soon, he arrived at the Northstar Pokémon Store.
From above, the shop looked like a giant cube. Walking through the commercial area, Adrian stared excitedly at the merchandise on display.
There were Pokémon cards, masks, plush toys, and dozens of collectible items.
Everything looked amazing.
Curious, Adrian walked to a small stall selling snacks shaped like Pokémon characters.
The sign above it read:
"Togepi Dessert Shop."
Adrian realized he hadn't eaten breakfast and was starting to feel hungry.
"How much is this?" he asked.
The employee behind the counter looked only a few years older than Adrian. He wore a neat uniform printed with the Northstar logo.
"Fifteen yuan. Two boxes," the employee replied.
Adrian raised an eyebrow.
"Two servings, please."
After scanning the payment code, he received two adorable pastry boxes printed with an eggshell pattern. Of course, Adrian immediately recognized it.
It wasn't a cracked egg.
It was Togepi.
The cute Pokémon stared up at him with big shining eyes.
Togepi had always been one of the most beloved Pokémon characters, rivaling Pikachu in popularity. Naturally, the shop was packed with fans, many of them girls.
If Adrian hadn't used the special entrance lane, he probably wouldn't have reached the counter at all.
Opening the boxes, Adrian inspected the contents.
One box held thick chocolate-chip cookies—about ten of them.
The other contained four soft pastries in different flavors: matcha, pork floss, red bean, and strawberry.
At first, Adrian thought the price seemed expensive.
After all, his school cafeteria sold a full lunch with meat and vegetables for only eleven yuan.
But after taking one bite of the strawberry pastry, his opinion instantly changed.
The pastry was soft and sweet.
Inside was an actual freeze-dried strawberry—large, flavorful, and slightly sour.
It tasted incredible.
Adrian suddenly felt the price was extremely reasonable.
In a city like Shanghai, where even a bowl of noodles could cost eighteen yuan, buying four delicious pastries and cookies for fifteen yuan was practically a bargain.
And this was inside a major exhibition hall.
It almost felt like the place had gained a "tourist attraction buff."
Satisfied, Adrian continued walking.
Soon he reached the entrance of Stardew Valley Town.
Compared to the Pokémon store, this area was much larger. Colorful pixel-art graffiti covered the surrounding walls. At the entrance stood a giant archway painted with bright blue and green colors.
Across the arch were the words:
"STARDEW VALLEY."
Adrian instantly loved the aesthetic.
However, entry required a ticket.
The price was 25 yuan.
After buying a ticket, Adrian received a special card with eight empty slots.
Inside Stardew Valley Town, these slots could be exchanged for games, food, and activities.
As soon as he stepped inside, Adrian's eyes widened.
"Whoa!"
The interior looked like an actual small town.
Artificial rivers, trees, wooden paths, and miniature buildings filled the space. Hundreds of visitors wandered around, taking photos and exploring different attractions.
Adrian eagerly walked to the nearest stall.
It was a balloon shooting game.
A friendly employee wearing a hat greeted him.
"One slot for ten bullets," the staff member explained. "Shoot balloons to earn points. See that horse plushie? Fifteen points and it's yours."
Adrian looked toward the display.
His eyes lit up instantly.
It was the horse from Stardew Valley.
In his own game save, Adrian had named his horse Pearl.
Without hesitation, he exchanged one slot for bullets and began shooting.
Ten shots later, Adrian checked his score.
Four balloons popped.
Four points.
He scratched his head.
"Not that hard…"
Since he had eight slots, that meant eighty bullets total.
At that rate, he could probably win the horse.
And outside the exhibition, official merchandise like that could easily cost over a hundred yuan.
Yet here it only required a 25-yuan ticket.
What Adrian didn't notice was the nervous expression on the employee's face.
The toy's retail price was actually 288 yuan.
But the rules were strict.
Vivian Frost, the boss of Northstar Games, had personally ordered that the exhibition must not cheat visitors.
If a prize could be won fairly, then players should win it fairly.
Running a business wasn't charity—but it also shouldn't be dishonest.
After finishing the round, Adrian used his four points to exchange for a small pixel-style keychain instead.
The employee secretly tested the gun afterward.
Two shots.
Both bullets bounced off the balloons.
He stared at the gun in confusion.
"Am I just unlucky…?"
---
As Adrian walked deeper into Stardew Valley Town, he video-called his dorm roommates.
"This place is incredible!" he said excitedly. "Northstar Games is ridiculously generous!"
Eventually he reached the food street.
The air was filled with delicious aromas.
One stall sold molecular ice cream balls.
Two slots could be exchanged for three ice cream spheres.
Curious, Adrian bought a serving.
When he bit into one, cold mist puffed out of his mouth like smoke.
Startled, he covered his mouth.
Even worse, when he closed his mouth, the mist escaped through his nose.
It looked ridiculous.
But also hilarious.
Just as he was laughing, he heard a familiar voice nearby.
"Baby, we're out of slots. Stop trying everything."
Adrian froze.
The man speaking wore a mask.
Beside him stood a girl in a yellow hoodie and cap.
"If it's not enough, just buy more!" she said stubbornly.
The man sighed helplessly.
Adrian stared carefully.
Something about the man's eyebrows looked familiar.
Suddenly, realization hit him.
"Eth—"
Before Adrian could finish the name, the man raised a finger to his mask.
"Shhh."
It was Ethan Reed, the founder of Northstar Games.
He leaned closer and whispered.
"You're a trial player, right? Daniel should have told you—if you see me here, don't reveal my identity."
Adrian nodded frantically.
Beside Ethan stood a girl with long black hair and bright eyes.
It was Vivian Frost, the beloved mascot and executive of Northstar Games.
"We're secretly touring the exhibition," Ethan whispered. "If people recognize me, I'll get dragged back to work."
Then he slipped a card into Adrian's hand.
"Here. A small gift."
The card still had four unused slots.
Adrian stood there in stunned silence as Ethan and Vivian walked away toward the ice cream stall.
His phone exploded with noise from his dorm roommates.
"BRO YOU MET ETHAN REED?!"
"And Vivian Frost too?!"
"Are they dating?!"
Adrian grinned.
"I definitely heard him call her 'baby.'"
The dorm chat immediately turned chaotic.
But one roommate calmly said something shocking.
"So what? That's normal."
Everyone paused.
"My mom and dad should be together," the roommate added confidently.
The call instantly erupted with laughter.
---
Meanwhile, across the internet, the exhibition was going viral.
Posts flooded the Official Blog and gaming forums.
Players praised the event endlessly.
The ticket price was 68 yuan, which wasn't cheap.
But once inside, any store with the Northstar logo guaranteed good quality and fair prices.
Food, merchandise, and games were all about 30% cheaper than typical conventions.
Thousands of visitors who traveled across the country to attend the exhibition were amazed.
Many had originally come only to try the Cyberpunk 2077 demo.
Instead, the entire event exceeded their expectations.
Soon, the online hype became unstoppable.
People who couldn't attend were filled with envy.
But eventually, everyone remembered the real highlight of the day.
At 1:50 PM, a bell rang across the venue.
A broadcast echoed through the halls.
"All trial players, please arrive backstage ten minutes early. Roll call has begun."
At 2 PM sharp, the largest venue opened.
Four hundred high-end gaming computers waited in the center.
Thousands of spectators surrounded the area.
Adrian found his assigned seat.
To his surprise, two famous streamers sat beside him.
On his left was LilySixSix.
On his right sat Ryan Silver.
Adrian took a deep breath.
Then he put on the headphones.
The Cyberpunk 2077 demo launched.
Within seconds, the screen faded into Night City.
The sunlight reflected off towering skyscrapers.
Crowds walked along busy streets.
Police aircraft roared overhead.
Every detail looked unbelievably real.
Adrian stared at the screen in shock.
"Is this… really a domestic game?"
Then suddenly a voice echoed in his headset.
"V, what the hell are you doing? Aren't you going to start the job?"
Adrian quickly opened the map.
A mission marker appeared.
He climbed into an old car.
The radio turned on.
Music filled the speakers.
And as the car rolled forward through the streets of Night City, Adrian couldn't help but grin.
This game was insanely fun.
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