Becoming the Strongest as a Game Dev

Sam stepped into the shop, his eyes drawn to the array of Hunter equipment lining the shelves. He had decided to give this life a try, to see what it was like to be a Hunter.

His gaze swept across the selection, from the beginner-level gear to the high-end, top-of-the-line tools of the trade. The basic equipment caught his eye first, their price tags in the tens of thousands. But as he moved down the aisles, the equipment became more advanced, more specialized. These top-tier items carried price tags in the billions.

Sam's gaze lingered on the top-tier equipment, his curiosity piqued.

He approached a display case, his eyes drawn to a high-frequency sword that glowed a deep, crimson red. The blade seemed to hum with power, its edges shimmering with barely contained energy.

Next to it, a wooden bow stood, its surface etched with intricate runes. The weapon is capable of unleashing devastating magical attacks without the need for arrows.

These were B-Rank and C-Rank items extracted from B or C-Rank simulations. Developers sell them to gain money and increase their brand.

He examined the equipment with growing fascination, his mind racing with the possibilities these powerful tools could unlock.

Sam's gaze drifted to the more basic, beginner-level equipment. The D and E-rank items appeared deceptively simple, but he knew they often contained hidden potential.

A set of lightweight body armor caught his eye, its matte black surface gleaming. Though not as advanced as the high-end gear, Sam recognized the protective value it could offer a novice Hunter. Beside it, a selection of firearms stood, ranging from compact pistols to assault rifles. Their simple designs belied the lethal power they contained.

Intrigued, Sam picked up one of the pistols, feeling its weight in his hand. He cycled through the functions, impressed by the intuitive controls. This was the kind of equipment a rookie Hunter would need to survive the dangers beyond the city walls.

A clerk approached Sam, asking if he was looking for anything specific.

"Yes, actually," Sam replied. "I'm new to this whole Hunter thing and I'm not sure where to start. Do you have any recommendations for beginner equipment?"

The clerk nodded. "Of course, let me show you some options that would be good for a novice Hunter."

He led Sam over to a display of basic armor and weapons. "This lightweight body armor is a popular choice. It offers decent protection without weighing you down too much." The clerk picked up the sleek black vest, handing it to Sam.

Sam examined the armor, impressed by the craftsmanship. "And what about weapons?" he asked.

"Right this way." The clerk guided Sam to the firearms section. "These compact pistols are a great starting point. Easy to use, but still pack a punch." He picked up one of the pistols and demonstrated the controls. "And for longer range, these assault rifles are reliable and durable."

Sam examines the armor, finding it unimpressive. He knows he can extract the body armor from the Batman simulation, which would provide much better protection. The guns, however, seem useful. He considers extracting Ebony and Ivory from the DMC simulation, but the twin pistols cost 20,000 Mana. The other devil arms are also more expensive, and their abilities seem downgraded. For instance, the Yamato lacks its dimensional cutting abilities, which Sam guesses is because the D-Rank simulation gem can't extract its full potential. He realizes he'll need to upgrade the gem to have a chance of extracting the Yamato with all its powers.

Sam contemplates the tradeoffs. While the beginner equipment may not be as impressive as what he could obtain from his own simulations, the guns could still serve as a useful starting point. He doesn't want to risk draining his mana reserves by attempting to extract the more powerful devil arms, at least not yet. Deciding to compromise, Sam selects a compact pistol and a basic assault rifle, figuring they'll provide a solid foundation as he embarks on his journey as a Hunter.

Sam asked the clerk, "Are there any C or D-rank weapons that are particularly useful?"

The clerk nodded and gestured to a display case. "This D-rank sword has the capabilities of a C-rank weapon. It can emit powerful electric shocks and has a remarkably sharp edge." He carefully removed the sword from the case, handing it to Sam.

Sam examined the weapon, feeling the hum of electricity in the blade. "This could be quite handy. What else do you recommend for a beginner Hunter?"

"Ah, yes, let me show you some other essential items." The clerk led Sam to another section of the store. "These healing potions can quickly restore your health if you sustain injuries. And these antidotes can counteract minor poisons."

He pointed to a small, ornate amulet. "This amulet is also quite useful. It creates a temporary shield when you take fatal damage, potentially saving your life."

Sam considered the items, impressed by their capabilities. "I'll take the sword, the potions, and the amulet. Anything else I should have as a starting Hunter?"

The clerk thought for a moment. "Those are the essentials I'd recommend. Of course, you can always come back and upgrade your equipment as you gain more experience and resources."

Sam paid for his purchases and then asked the clerk, "Where do these D or E rank items come from? What simulation are they from?"

The clerk replied, "Ah, most of this basic equipment comes from a simulation called 'Soldier.' It's a simulation created by the government where you play as a soldier in the army."

Sam's brow furrowed. "The government creates simulations? Are the developers working for the government then?"

"That's right," the clerk explained. "The government has its own team of developers who create these simulations. They don't have the same freedom as independent developers, but their livelihood is more secure. A lot of developers who couldn't make it on their own end up joining the government team."

Sam nodded, processing the information. "I see. So the mana they receive is limited, but at least they have a stable job."

"Exactly," the clerk confirmed. "The government simulations aren't as innovative or exciting as the ones created by independent developers, but they serve an important purpose for training and preparedness."

Sam thanked the clerk for the explanation and left the store, his mind churning with this new insight into the world of simulations and the role of the government. He wondered what other secrets and opportunities might be waiting for him beyond the city walls.

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Advance chapters in my P@|r$0n/Najicablitz