《Might of Players》


 01 - Seven Hundred Years Without Customer Service

    ---Third POV---


    In the world of Aeltia, magic and swordsmanship coexisted, ancient legends and mysterious ruins covered the land.


    Humans, dragons, elves, and dwarves lived together in this world, where magical creatures were as numerous as the stars.


    The radiance of the gods once shone over all of Aeltia, but it faded away six hundred years ago.


    In the central part of Aeltia lay the Frostwind Plains, a wasteland where monsters ran rampant.


    Neither the Principality of Elise nor the Kingdom of Yoan desired to claim the development rights to this barren land.


    The Frostwind Plains were most notorious for their brutal monsters and the relentless magic winds that lingered there.


    More importantly... It was close to one of the sources of the periodic magical tides: the Great Oak Forest.


    Walking across the plains was like gambling with your life, hoping you wouldn''t encounter a small-scale magic tide.


    And it was a place where you wouldn''t normally see a single person for years. Yet today, more than a hundred monks in white robes appeared all at once.


    With magical shields protecting them, they rushed through the raging winds.


    Brother Marcus, leading the group, raised his hand to signal a halt as he noticed something in the distance.


    "There!" he shouted over the howling wind. "The tracks are fresh! The Butcher can''t be far!"


    Brother Leon knelt beside him, examining the ground. "Look at the blood patterns¡ªhe''s injured. We might actually catch him this time."


    Finally, they stopped before a stone altar.


    "We found it! The blood altar mentioned in the letter!"


    The altar bore obvious signs of artificial construction, faintly visible under the overgrown weeds.


    Mountains of monster corpses and human limbs were piled atop it. The blood had already congealed into a dark red-black color, carrying the stench of rotting flesh.


    Those with weaker constitutions had already begun vomiting while covering their mouths. Brother Gabriel stumbled back, his face pale. "Dear Light preserve us... what manner of evil is this?"


    "Focus!" Brother Marcus snapped. "Check for survivors!"


    The monks, enduring their discomfort, searched through the pile of corpses and successfully pulled out two intact human bodies.


    The bodies wore the same style of monk robes as the others.


    "It''s Brother Gunther and Brother Sebastian, who sent the message!"


    "Gunther... Sebastian... What did he do to you?" Brother Gabriel muttered sorrowfully.


    Marcus knelt beside the bodies, his experienced eyes narrowing. "These wounds... they''re different from his usual work."


    "Different how?" a young monk asked, peering over his shoulder.


    "Too... purposeful."


    The monks exchanged glances.


    "We''re late again..."


    "Damn it! That Butcher can run faster than the rats in the Howling Swamps!"


    "Wait! The bodies are still warm¡ªthis means the culprit hasn''t gone far!"


    "I found it! There''s a trace of black magic here!"


    "Hurry, let''s pursue!" they shouted in unison.


    The sound of footsteps echoed across the Frostwind Plains, spreading in all directions.


    ---First POV---


    My name is Viktor, and I''m what they call a transmigrator¡ªsomeone dragged from the comfortable life of modern Earth into this mess of a fantasy world.


    You''d think after seven hundred years, I''d have gotten used to it. But some things just stuck with you, like that burning desire for a system.


    You know the type¡ªthose convenient interfaces that other lucky transmigrators got, complete with levels, skills, and helpful tooltips.


    But no, what did I get? A one-way ticket to Aeltia and an eventual transformation into an undead necromancer. Life had a twisted sense of humor, didn''t it?


    Beneath the blood altar, hidden by layers of magical runes, I blended into the dirt and gravel of the plains, looking as lifeless as a discarded skeleton left to decay in the wilderness.


    As an undead necromancer being pursued, sometimes the best disguise was to simply look dead.


    So many years, and they still hadn''t learned to check below their feet. The church''s finest, ladies and gentlemen.


    My bones creaked slightly as I adjusted my position. You''d think being undead would make hiding easier. But no, these bones still creaked like a rusty door hinge.


    "You''re telling me you''re the ''Divine Ascension System,'' and the previous God of Light is dead, so you''re here to make me the successor?"


    I stared at the faint golden orb floating in my inner sanctum.


    The orb, clearly sensing what it thought was hope in my voice, quickly replied.


    "That''s right! As long as you follow my instructions, I guarantee you''ll become the next God of Light within a hundred years! The church that''s chasing you now? They''re my people¡ªand soon, they''ll be your subordinates. Isn''t that amazing?"


    "Think about it, Viktor," the orb continued smoothly. "No more running, no more hiding. You could be worshipped instead of hunted."


    "Ah yes, because power always comes without strings attached."


    The orb looked at me proudly, and at the same time, a glowing blue screen appeared in my mind.


    [Would you like to bind to the system?]


    Though I had expected this, seeing the familiar interface still made my heart tremble. The obsession never faded, even after all these centuries.


    Looking back, my journey in Aeltia had been anything but smooth. The excitement of magic faded quickly as challenges in this backward magical world appeared one after another:


    Bad food, poor clothing, no identity, language barriers... Even vastly different worldviews. The savagery and cruelty of this primitive magical world shattered my 21st-century values.


    Fortunately, human adaptability and resilience far exceed expectations. With a little talent, a little wisdom, a little effort, and a lot of luck¡ªninety-six percent of it pure dumb luck¡ªI managed to survive.


    I even outlived many of the naturally long-lived races.


    The price, however, was not small.


    From a legitimate magic genius to a despised black magician, from living to undead, from respected to wanted by every church in Aeltia... Well, when you lived long enough, your story was bound to be a bit eventful.


    Though my reputation was now far worse than notorious, I truly was a good person, I guess? Opposing the entire world came at a cost.


    For instance: I was now cornered by the Radiant Church in the middle of this godforsaken plain. My life was hanging by a thread.


    And yet, this glowing orb wanted me to recruit my pursuers as subordinates?


    I would just use them as fertilizer for my Osseous Vitae.


    Don''t know what it is? Just a rare magical material¡ªcapable of regenerating the skeletons of long-dead undead creatures. The issue was¡ªit required massive amounts of flesh and blood from sentient beings, making it an absolutely forbidden material.


    "Hm... Let me guess¡ªaccept your power, become your vessel, save the world? Did you get this script from a bargain bin?"


    The orb lowered its voice defensively. "This is a genuine divine¡ª"


    "Divine destiny? I''ve heard it all before. Usually right before something tries to kill me."


    The orb tried again. "But y-your life force is fading rapidly. Only I can save you. You don''t have to hold onto¡ª"You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    Before it could finish, I shifted my inner sanctum and conjured an avatar to grab the orb. Raising an eyebrow, I asked, "I don''t have to what?"


    "You know what''s fascinating about living so long? You learn to spot patterns."


    "I don''t understand what you¡ª"


    "Like how ''divine beings'' always show up when I''m at my weakest. Quite the coincidence, wouldn''t you say?"


    The orb went silent for two seconds before screaming sharply. "Wait?! How can you enter here¡ªand even grab me?!"


    "This is my inner sanctum. Why wouldn''t I be able to come in?" I said, kneading the orb, compressing it and reshaping it.


    Seeing the orb''s futile struggle, I quickly gauged its power level and felt visibly disappointed. "Could the tricks of the gods get any more outdated? The fake system trick was old a few hundred years ago!"


    Oh, right¡ªI had also made a small mistake a few hundred years back. I had somehow offended the gods.


    The good news: All the gods had perished in the Divine War six hundred years ago.


    The bad news: Gods were immortal. As long as their followers exist, a god could hope for resurrection.


    Thus, every hundred years or so, some god on the verge of resurrection would try to possess my body. My obsession with having a "system" might have been my weakness, but trying to possess me? Using the same old trick?


    Not happening.


    "Times change, little orb. The age of gods is over."


    "You can''t possibly understand what you''re doing!"


    "Oh, but I do. That''s what scares you, isn''t it?"


    "You need me! Without¡ª"


    "Enough. I''m done playing!" I declared.


    The glowing blue screen shattered, and the facade of the system was torn apart. A surge of intense light burst between me and the orb.


    The orb panicked as it felt its power draining rapidly. Its struggles intensified, and its voice trembled with fear. "W-What are you doing?!"


    "Sending you back where you came from. Dead gods shouldn''t dream of resurrection." I grinned wickedly. "We don''t need gods anymore!"


    "Think of the power you could wield! The glory of divine¡ª"


    "Yes, yes, divine this, holy that. Do you have any original material?"


    "Your irreverence doesn''t change the fact that¡ª"


    "That I''m dying? Please, I''ve been dead for centuries. You''ll have to do better."


    "And you know what''s truly divine? The look on your face as you realize your trick failed."


    With that, I tightened my grip on the orb and increased the flow of my power. The light grew stronger and stronger.


    Three seconds later¡ªa faint, transparent thread appeared between us.


    Seeing the orb still firmly in my hand, my heart skipped a beat.


    Something was wrong.


    Oh no!


    It wasn''t the God of Light?!


    I had originally arrived at the Frostwind Plains to experiment with a forbidden spell. However, midway through, I ran into two stubborn Radiant Church monks.


    The two culprits died on the spot, and I was severely backlashed by the magic, leaving me half-dead.


    This may have given the glowing orb its opportunity.


    Taking advantage of my severe injuries, it almost succeeded in signing a one-way contract with me. Fortunately, I regained consciousness just in time. While chatting and stalling with the glowing orb, I secretly reversed the contract target.


    Contract reversal was like redirecting a river. Let them think they were flooding your valley while you were building a dam upstream.


    The orb''s desperation to bind me made this perfect. Every divine being had certain traits that couldn''t be changed¡ªand one of those divine traits was: a god cannot be controlled.


    From what I knew about gods, the glowing orb should have been forced to self-destruct and await the next resurrection ritual.


    Although I would sustain some injuries as a result... Uh, fine, the injuries might not be "somewhat small." But that was still far better than having a god lurking in my body, ready to possess me at any moment.


    And yet...


    The contract reversal actually succeeded?


    I closed my eyes, feeling the information transmitted through the contract. Initially, because of the clich¨¦ name "Divine Ascension System" and the constant aura of light magic emanating from the orb, I had guessed the entity was the soon-to-be-revived God of Light.


    Unfortunately... I guessed wrong.


    The glowing orb was not some major god but the divine essence of Aeceus Muse, the God of Creativity¡ªa divine being so niche that most of Aeltia''s inhabitants didn''t even know it existed.


    Not creation, mind you, but creativity. The difference was both subtle and vast.


    I opened my eyes.


    "I knew something was off. A major god would never need such roundabout methods to gain followers."


    "I am a manifestation of divine¡ª"


    "You''re a divine hiccup. A metaphysical clerical error."


    "Such disrespect! I could have offered you¡ª"


    "What? Godhood? Power? A dental plan? I''ve heard better offers from traveling snake oil salesmen."


    What a pity.


    Through the contract, I learned the peculiar nature of this deity.


    The God of Creativity couldn''t manifest physical changes in the world¡ªno mighty miracles, no grand displays of power. Its divine authority was limited to sparking ideas, inspiring innovations, and kindling the creative flame in others'' minds.


    "Quite sad to be one of your believers," I sighed, "They couldn''t even pray to you for direct aid, only ask for... inspiration."


    The orb''s light flickered defensively. "Ideas shape reality! The greatest inventions, the most powerful spells, the most beautiful arts¡ªthey all start with a spark of creativity!"


    I couldn''t help but chuckle. The orb had a point, even if its position in the divine hierarchy was rather pathetic.


    In a world where gods were measured by their ability to affect reality directly, a deity that could only provide inspiration was bound to be overlooked.


    "That explains why you''re so weak. Hard to gather faith when your followers can''t even be sure if their ideas came from divine inspiration or their own minds."


    The orb dimmed slightly. "I''ve inspired countless breakthroughs! The Floating Cities of the East? The concept came from a dream I sent to an architect. The¡ª"


    "And let me guess," I interrupted, "none of them knew to thank you for it. After all, how could they? They probably thought they came up with everything themselves."


    It would have been better if I was dealing with Aeceus himself, but sadly, it was only his divine essence.


    A divine essence was not equivalent to the god itself and did not possess the unyielding divine traits.


    In Aeltia, gods were divided into New Gods and Ancient Gods. Ancient Gods were primordial beings born under the world''s laws. New Gods, on the other hand, ascended to godhood through mastery of divine magic.


    The God of Creativity was among the Ancient Gods, but ironically, its very nature made it weaker than most New Gods.


    Reviving the former was much harder than the latter.


    Just staying in existence required continuous faith power¡ªfar more challenging when your only gift was subtle inspiration that believers might never recognize. Even after existing since the world''s creation, it had fewer followers than most minor New Gods.


    I looked at the glowing orb in my hand with interest. "Still, a divine essence gaining sentience and surviving all these eons with such limiting powers? That''s actually impressive..."


    Then again, with countless races and magical creatures across Aeltia, perhaps there were always enough dreamers and artists to sustain a creativity god... maybe?


    Regardless of the process, the result was in my favor.


    As a divine essence that had gained sentience, it depended on divine power to exist.


    However, the world''s laws did not recognize it as a god, nor did it have divine authority. Once the divine power within its body was exhausted, its consciousness would vanish, dying completely.


    Worse still, as times changed, fewer and fewer people valued pure creativity over direct power. In an age of war and might, who would pray to a god that could only offer inspiration? Without faith power, there was no divine power.


    To survive, the essence had to seek out a magician with the potential to become a god. Combine a magician with the God of Creativity''s divine essence, authority, and divine power, and the world''s laws would naturally recognize them as the new God of Creativity''. This would allow the divine essence to continue existing.


    The glowing orb had been searching the continent of Aeltia for a long time, eventually finding me.


    Now, the orb trembled in my hand. "You... you''re actually... a demigod?"


    The ability to freely enter and exit the inner sanctum was something only a demigod-level magician could do.


    When the orb found me, I had been backlashed by forbidden magic to the brink of death, my power nearly non-existent. The orb originally thought I was just a powerful black magician being hunted.


    Who knew I was strong enough to have half a foot in godhood? Not to mention, I had the means to bind gods and even reverse divine contracts.


    Hearing this, I glanced at the orb. "I''m already seven hundred years old. Isn''t it normal to have some strength?"


    The orb choked, speechless again. From its hesitation, I could tell it sensed something odd about my words but couldn''t quite piece it together.


    Ignoring the orb''s reaction, I reveled in the reversed contract. The orb''s abilities now belonged to me. Its attempt to control me had backfired spectacularly, and now it had to taste its own contract''s consequences.


    "Your contract really is impressive. Covers everything from divine power to consciousness erasure. Did you write this yourself?"


    "This isn''t possible..."


    "Oh, but it is. And it''s quite thorough. Someone should have told you never to write a contract you wouldn''t want used against you."


    I couldn''t deny that the contract was quite useful. With a thought, a glowing blue screen appeared before my inner sanctum avatar.


    [Name: Viktor von Vinesse]


    [Race: Undead]


    [...]


    My heart settled completely.


    Thankfully, the divine essence still retained the basic camouflage ability of a god, allowing it to appear as whatever the believer revered most. I didn''t worship the system as a god, but my obsession with it was strong enough to influence the essence.


    Camouflaging itself as a system was effortless.


    The glowing orb felt a sudden loss of divine power within itself. Although the power lost was minimal, the fact that it happened without its control was terrifying.


    "What... what did you do to me?!"


    I glanced at it calmly. "Didn''t you say you''re a system? Now your dream has come true. Aren''t you happy?"


    Then, under the orb''s increasingly fearful gaze, I leisurely added, "Your contract is even harsher than a slave contract."


    "Now, all your innate talents and divine power belong to me. By the way, that includes the portion of divine power keeping your consciousness alive."


    In other words, I could erase the orb''s consciousness at any time.


    Looking at the dimming orb, a delightfully wicked idea formed in my mind. As a demigod-level magician holding the essence of the God of Creativity, I had just received the most ironic divine gift of all¡ªinspiration.


    "You know, for a God of Creativity, you really lacked imagination in how to use your own power. The Radiant Church has been without their precious God of Light for hundreds of years. They''re probably desperate for any sign of their deity''s return..."


    The orb''s light flickered in understanding. "You wouldn''t dare¡ª"


    "Oh, but I would. The God of Light is dead, and hardly anyone alive has actually felt his divine essence. Who''s to say what it should feel like?" I chuckled. "And the Radiant Church members... well, let''s just say they''re not exactly the brightest candles in the cathedral."


    With the contract''s power, I could probably mask this essence as light divine power. All it would take was planting the right ''creative inspirations'' in the right minds, making them see what they desperately wanted to see.


    After all, wasn''t faith itself an act of creativity¡ªbelieving in something you couldn''t prove?


    At that point, the orb would no longer be needed as a medium to access the divine essence''s power. But for now, I had use for its particular talents. After all, what better way to fool a church than with divinely inspired lies?


    The glowing orb froze, shrinking into my hand, its radiance dimming slightly. How ironic¡ªthe very contract it had so meticulously prepared as insurance was now the tool threatening its existence. I wondered if it regretted trying to make me its puppet.


    The orb completely deflated.


    I looked at the new interface.


    ---


    [Name: Viktor von Vinesse]


    [Race: Undead]


    [Level: 21 (Intermediate Magician) / 159 (Demigod)]


    [Skills: Divine Insight, Shapeshifter, Multiple Avatars (0/10)]


    [Authority: Life Revival, Life Purification]


    [Divine Power: 99]


    [Followers: None]


    [Special Items: Int??dim??Net??Spirit??, Divine Contract (Reversed)]


    [Status: Severely Injured, Bone Fractures, Weakness, Frostbite, Burns, Poisoning, Inner Sanctum Collapse, ...]


    [Summary: Dying Undead]


    ---


    Looking at the details, I clicked my tongue in wonder. As expected of something produced by divine traits¡ªit listed my physical state with perfect accuracy.


    Since losing most of my pain perception as an undead, I hadn''t realized how extensive my injuries were. Without this, I wouldn''t know the list of injuries would take three rows to fully display.


    Sure enough, system interfaces were still useful. At least they served as a reliable body diagnostic tool.


    Ignoring the bold red injuries, my attention fell on the garbled information:


    "Special Item: Int??dim??Net??Spirit??"


    I squinted at the few decipherable characters, looking confused.


    "What the heck is this thing?"

 02 - Error 404: Godhood Not Found

    ---Viktor''s POV---


    The system panel displayed a bunch of garbled text before my eyes.


    Sometimes the universe has a sick sense of humor, I thought, squinting at the incomprehensible characters floating before me.


    It was explained that the system panel generated by divine traits still couldn''t fully parse this item.


    An item that even gods couldn''t investigate clearly? And yet, such a thing existed on my person?


    I immediately touched the text on the panel and obtained more information about it. This special item had apparently existed in my inner sanctum sea for 682 years.


    How did I not know? And the number was far too specific.


    682 years.


    It was exactly the number of years since I had transmigrated to the continent of Aeltia! This thing had been with me ever since I transmigrated?


    Of course. Of course it would be there the whole time. Because why make anything simple when you can make it absolutely infuriating?


    "Could it be..." A bold idea surfaced in my mind.


    I urgently clicked on the panel, successfully locating the special item. Before long, under the panel''s guidance, I arrived at another part of my inner sanctum.


    Suspended in midair, a faint blue light orb glowed softly in the inner sanctum. The orb was about the same size as the God of Creativity''s divine essence that I had casually brought along.


    Both were just small enough to hold in one hand.


    However...


    The divine essence was a faint golden light sphere, a solid object that looked like a plush toy. The blue light orb, on the other hand, had a paler, shifting color, flickering on and off, resembling a spherical vortex.


    Looking at this light orb I had never noticed before in my inner sanctum, my heart, which should have turned to ash hundreds of years ago, pounded uncontrollably.


    Please don''t be spam. Please don''t be spam. Please don''t be¡ª


    I extended my mental tendrils. Touch. Penetrate!


    A faint "click" echoed from somewhere unseen, and the thin membrane covering the blue light orb disappeared.


    The next moment, a torrent of chaotic information flooded my mind.


    ---


    #Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Split Rumors Explode#


    #Wednesday Season 3 Announcement When?#


    #Wall Street in Chaos: Tech Layoffs Hit Record High#


    #Netherworld Revolution - Most Anticipated VR Game of the Year#


    #ROSE? & Bruno Mars Take Over Global Charts with APT#


    ---


    Earth!


    This light orb was actually connected to the internet of Earth!


    682 years, Earth, and combined with my identity as a transmigrator... It was a cheat ability.


    It was the cheat ability I had dreamed of for hundreds of years!


    My heart suddenly welled up with an indescribable bitterness. So the damn transmigration god hadn''t forgotten my cheat ability after all.


    The "plug-in" had been on me the entire time. It was just that for the past 682 years, I hadn''t discovered it.


    One moment I had been cursing the divine traits for being so useless. The next moment, I suddenly felt they weren''t so bad after all. Or rather¡ªthis cheat ability might have been prepared for me after becoming a god.


    Thinking this, my feelings became immensely complicated.


    "Even my cheat ability requires me to unlock it by becoming a god? So I really have no choice but to ascend?"


    Recalling my 600 years of resisting godhood, my excitement about finding the cheat ability slightly waned.


    Was there anything more dramatic than this?


    The glowing orb, though unaware of what I had seen in the blue light orb, perked up at the word "god," sensing an opportunity.


    "This could be a sign!" it exclaimed eagerly. "The timing is perfect for your ascension to godhood!"


    "Perfect timing? Like how you tried to possess me when I was half-dead?"


    "That was... unfortunate timing. But think of the possibilities!"


    "Oh, I am. Just not the ones you''re selling."


    "If you want to become a god, I can help you!"


    It had adjusted its mindset. Although its life was indeed in my hands, it probably sensed I didn''t want to erase its consciousness.


    The glowing orb raised its nearly invisible tiny hands and patted its chest.


    "I have the knowledge of gods. The secrets of divine ascension!" it proclaimed smugly.


    "Fascinating. Tell me more about these secrets you barely remember from a god who''s been dead for centuries."


    "When I awakened, I inherited part of the God of Creativity Aeceus'' memories, including the method to train new gods."


    The glowing orb was secretly smug.


    After leaving the land of the gods to find a successor for the God of Creativity, it had learned about undead beings. Undead were hunted on Aeltia, and surely I, pursued by the church, must have been lonely for hundreds of years, not even having a rat to talk to.


    It could definitely endure humiliation, acting as my tool and pet. And later, it would find a chance to break the contract and regain its freedom!


    The glowing orb''s mental calculations clicked loudly, and its expression gave everything away.


    I saw through it in one glance. Disdainfully, I held the orb farther away.


    "Why would I bother becoming a god? I''ve already got my cheat ability. Why do something so troublesome and thankless?"


    The glowing orb froze. Becoming a god was the lifelong pursuit of most magicians. Yet I called it troublesome and thankless?A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    My attention was completely drawn to the blue light orb. I hadn''t been online for 682 years. Now even seeing a sow queuing for water would seem entertaining...


    Ah, the nostalgic 21st-century Earth¡ª


    The glowing orb? Becoming a god? What was that nonsense?


    Seeing that the glowing orb wasn''t giving up, I dismissed it casually.


    "Faith power isn''t that bad!" the orb protested. "That''s just the prejudice of black magicians! Faith power is a gift! A divine blessing!"


    "A divine blessing that turned every god into a puppet of their followers'' beliefs? Some gift." My eyes gleamed with mockery.


    "Faith power isn''t problematic? Then you inherited very little from your old master''s memories. Tell me, if faith power is so harmless, why are all the gods on Aeltia dead?"


    The glowing orb''s unseen eyes widened in shock.


    "All the gods are... dead? That''s impossible!"


    "Impossible is a strong word for someone who just learned they exist."


    "But the divine realm¡ª"


    "Is as dead as its former residents. Funny how that worked out."


    "But... but how is this possible?" the orb stammered. "When I awakened in the land of the gods, it was empty, silent. I thought... I thought it had always been that way!"


    "Surprising, isn''t it? This is the mess they left behind." I smirked maliciously.


    Mentioning the gods'' fall put me in an excellent mood. A pack of rabid dogs chasing me had all suddenly died¡ªhow satisfying.


    The glowing orb anxiously asked, "What happened during the fall of the gods? What else do you know?"


    "I was just there to watch the fun."


    Grinding my teeth, I added, "And then I was hunted by the churches for hundreds of years because of it!"


    I didn''t want to elaborate and quickly fell silent.


    In short, faith power was like a poppy flower¡ªappealing but deeply poisonous.


    A divine essence that had inherited fragments of the God of Creativity''s memories probably knew less about godhood than I did.


    If I really followed its advice, my fate would likely involve being consumed by faith power, morphing into Aeceus in appearance, personality, and even thought. Completely becoming the former God of Creativity.


    I would have to be insane to do that.


    My identity was special, more than even I had fully realized before.


    It was possible that I had just reached the step of becoming a god. If someone woke up through my "shell," they might turn into some resurrected ancient being...


    Hm... years of avoiding godhood, and now I''m practically a divine AirBnB.


    The light sphere fell silent, immersed in the shock of the god''s fall I guess?


    I continued studying the blue light sphere.


    After finally encountering a divine essence that I could use without becoming a god and discovering my own cheat ability, I, of course, intended to take full advantage of it!


    An Earth network, a God of Creativity''s divine essence... Was there a way to connect them? I just had a brilliant idea!


    On the Earth network, I was only logged in as a visitor. And the blue light sphere was nothing but a network interface. Other than viewing, nothing could be extracted from the network, as though it was only good for killing time.


    Moreover, the God of Creativity''s divine essence wasn''t recognized by the world''s laws as a real god. It only possessed the most basic divine characteristics. For instance, it could disguise itself as various shells, such as flight, birds, fish, insects, systems, and so forth.


    But it could only disguise an outer shell, without corresponding functionalities.


    For example, being able to understand one''s own status, serving as a body detection device. Or creating godly avatars...


    Wait, godly avatars!


    I suddenly thought of something and opened the trending search list that I had seen in the blue light sphere earlier. My gaze froze on the top-ranked entry, marked "hot."


    #Netherworld Revolution - Most Anticipated VR Game of the Year#


    "A virtual reality game... I''ve got it!" My eyes lit up.


    "I may not become a god, but I can make something else become a god and indirectly enjoy the other functionalities of a divine essence!"


    Why become a god when you can make one instead?


    I would make the game into a god!


    The light sphere was dumbfounded. "Huh? What did you say?"


    The sudden shift in my attitude seemed to confuse it.


    The ghostly blue flames in my eye sockets burned brightly. "I said, I''m going to create a god."


    The blue light sphere could indeed only be used temporarily to access the Earth network. But it didn''t entirely reject my input of magic. Through experimentation, after probing it with magic for ten minutes, surprisingly, one-thousandth of the magic succeeded in entering the Earth network.


    Although the amount of magic was tiny. At best, I, who could initially only log in with one visitor account, could now log in with two visitor accounts.


    But this was a sign of progress.


    The space required for this little bit of magic was equivalent to the consciousness projection of an ordinary person who had never practiced magic.


    In other words, as long as I prepared a container for consciousness projection in Aeltia, I could pull my fellow Earth compatriots over.


    If I disguised Aeltia as a virtual reality game, I could even dangle quests to make them help me. If the game turned out well, the Earth compatriots'' love for the game could even transform into faith power to nourish my divine essence.


    And the best part? Their gaming addiction becomes my divine power. Talk about a win-win.


    "Isn''t this the legendary ''tracing back through the network cables''?" I felt a surge of excitement and no longer noticed the pain from my injuries.


    I calculated the various spells I had learned over my 600 years on Aeltia. After tallying it up, I realized I had just enough to complete the monumental task of disguising another world as a game.


    I guided magic to continuously strike the blue light sphere, deepening the connection between the two worlds. At the same time, I opened the interface again. Although I had a clear plan for the future, I still had to focus on the present.


    Right now, I was just an undead who had suffered backlash from forbidden magic and was still teetering on the brink of death.


    I needed to check if the light sphere had anything that could help me. There should be some authority related to healing in the God of Creativity''s divine essence, right?


    ---


    [Name: Viktor von Vinesse]


    [Race: Undead]


    [Level: 21 (Intermediate Magician) / 159 (Demigod)]


    [Skills: Divine Insight, Shapeshifter, Multiple Avatars (0/10)]


    [Authority: Life Revival, Life Purification]


    [Divine Power: 99]


    [Followers: None]


    [Special Items: Int??dim??Net??Spirit??, Divine Contract (Reversed)]


    [Status: Severely Injured, Bone Fractures, Weakness, Frostbite, Burns, Poisoning, Inner Sanctum Collapse, ...]


    [Summary: Dying Undead]


    [Survival Time: 3 days, 23 hours, 34 minutes]


    ---


    After not checking for a while, an extra line of data had appeared at the bottom of the interface.


    "Huh. Four days survival time? That''s practically a vacation."


    The name and race didn''t need explanation.


    The two levels likely reflected my near-death state. The first was the highest level of magic I could currently use. At the moment, I could only cast intermediate spells and was temporarily a weakling unable to leave the Frostwind Plains on my own.


    The second was my peak magical level. The backlash from the failed forbidden magic was still constantly damaging my body. It looked like my magic level still had room to drop further.


    The three skills in the skill row were all familiar to me, all of them abilities granted by divine characteristics. In my words:


    Divine Insight¡ªscanned detailed self-status, acting as a body detection device.


    Shapeshifter¡ªused to disguise systems and deceive oneself.


    Multiple Avatars¡ªuseful when one''s brain didn''t work well and wanted to play with split personalities.


    The avatar ability came from the gods'' special form, as they couldn''t remain on Aeltia for long and had to spend most of their time in the Divine Realm. To visit the lower realm, they had to borrow a lower-level mortal body as an avatar.


    I, who was already on Aeltia, had an Inner Sanctum Collapse debuff in my status row. I couldn''t bear the cost of creating avatars at all.


    At least, that was what I thought before.


    Now, when I looked at the third divine characteristic, my eyes shone as brightly as a 500-watt bulb.


    "Player bodies as divine avatars... It''s brilliant!"


    Why should I waste power creating new avatars when I could just use player consciousness?


    Creating godly avatars required tearing off part of the soul or mental power to activate. I could simply throw players'' consciousness projections into the avatars before animating them.


    The talent of a godly avatar was far superior to a random skeleton picked up off the road. The power I could gain from the players would also be much stronger.


    As for the authority row...


    [Authority: Life Revival, Life Purification]


    My wide grin tightened slightly. I grabbed the dazed golden light sphere next to me.


    "Life Revival? Life Purification? Last I checked, creativity had nothing to do with either of those. Why do the authorities you have seem more suited for a God of Life? Nothing about imagination here."


    "Uh, uh, this..." The light sphere stammered. "The God of Creativity is dead, and as you know, the relationship between gods and their divine essences..."


    "Let me guess¡ªanother convenient detail you forgot to mention?"


    Whether it was the lowest goblin or the magic-favored dragon, the highest level achievable through personal training was demigod. To break through further and truly become a god, one had to master part of the world''s laws, known as "authorities."


    The materialization of authority was the divine essence.


    With the appearance of a divine essence, a god was born; when a god died, their divine essence shattered.


    The unfinished words of the light sphere left the truth hanging in the air: the God of Creativity''s authority had died with him.


    But wait... if Aeceus'' authority is gone, why am I suddenly brimming with ideas? I frowned, examining this contradiction.


    Is what I''m experiencing just a shadow of the real thing?


    Maybe the actual authority was more like... an active power to enhance and inspire creativity itself, while this remnant only gives passive inspiration? Or... A dry chuckle escaped me. Or maybe these are just my own ideas, and I''m giving a dead god too much credit.


    Thinking too much about divine metaphysics would just give me a headache. I''ve got four days to live¡ªbetter focus on what works rather than why it works.

 03 - Riding the Wave of Hate

    ---Viktor''s POV---


    My expression became serious as I studied the orb more carefully. The golden light pulsed weakly under my scrutiny, like a dying flashlight trying to convince someone it still had battery life.


    "So you''re not just a sentient fragment of divine essence, but a fragment that became sentient?"


    That was like finding a self-aware USB stick in a world that hadn''t invented electricity yet.


    For a divine essence, a tool with such an instrumental and functional nature, to give birth to consciousness was already incredible. And yet, this light orb wasn''t even a complete divine essence?


    What kind of ridiculous luck was this?


    The light orb looked up at me in confusion. "What is ''sentient''?"


    "You don''t need to know." Something you claim to be but clearly aren''t.


    "Oh." The light orb sulked and fell silent.


    I watched as the orb dimmed and brightened rhythmically, like a nervous pulse. From its submissive posture and flickering light, I could guess it was probably trying to convince itself to behave.


    While watching its pathetic display, I turned my attention to examining what I''d actually gained.


    My head throbbed as I assessed my authorities.


    It was comparable to scraps left behind by the God of Life. The authority of Life Revival and Life Purification sounded decent, but the skills that could be developed from it were nowhere near the God of Life''s level of creating life.


    At most, it could speed up the growth of a target or heal serious injuries.


    For example, the Light Technique learned by every follower of the God of Light¡ªwhich both healed wounds and damaged monsters¡ªoriginated from these two authorities.


    But that was it.


    The authority had extremely low potential. The God of Life could create existence itself, and I got what amounted to a magical band-aid.


    Wonderful.


    I didn''t know whether to cry or laugh. Forget it, no point in expecting too much at once. It''s good enough to have something usable.


    Looking at the next line that displayed [Divine Power: 99], my mental avatar in my inner sanctum stroked its chin.


    "Ninety-nine divine power... I wonder how much that can heal..." As I spoke, my thought moved, and the number on the panel for divine power began to slowly decrease.


    The light orb, watching the number change on the panel, was suddenly filled with panic. "Stop!" it shouted loudly. "Wait! You can''t just¡ª"


    "I can''t just what? Use what''s mine now? Funny how that works."


    I suddenly felt a warm current flow through my body. The pain, which had clung to me like bone cancer, eased slightly.


    Even the panel data changed.


    ---


    [Name: Viktor]


    [...]


    [Divine Power: 89]


    [Followers: None]


    [Special Items: Int??dim??Net??Spirit??, Divine Contract (Reversed)]


    [Status: Severely Injured, Weakness, Frostbite, Burns, Poisoning, Inner Sanctum Collapse, ...]


    [Summary: Dying Undead]


    [Remaining survival time: 5 days 23 hours 14 minutes]


    ---


    On the status bar, one negative buff¡ªBone Fracture¡ªdisappeared, and my survival time increased by two days.


    When the divine power stopped at 89 points, the light orb''s glow suddenly stabilized, and it let out what sounded suspiciously like a relieved sigh.


    "Oh thank the heavens," it muttered. "I thought... I thought you were going to..."


    "You should be grateful it worked at all!" the orb added defensively.


    I chuckled. "Oh, I''m grateful. Grateful I didn''t trust you. You weren''t afraid when you tricked me into signing a contract. Are you scared now?"


    The current predicament of the light orb was exactly what it had initially tried to do to me. Of course, I wasn''t foolish enough to use all the divine power at once.


    The first time was just a test.


    Looking at my three full rows of negative buffs, I clicked my tongue. "It''s somewhat useful, but not much."


    It had only removed a single fracture buff.


    Leaving my inner sanctum briefly, I checked my body lying lifelessly in the dirt. At a glance, I could see the bones that had been broken by the magical backlash explosion had reconnected. I had even grown two rib-like new bones.


    If I were to use the Osseous Vitae to treat this, it would probably require 500 grams. So¡ª10 points of divine power was equivalent to 500 grams of Osseous Vitae. On the magic trade market, its estimated price was around 5,000 gold coins.


    Considering that Osseous Vitae was extremely difficult to create and also a forbidden material, this price could go even higher. Even so¡ªthe effect of 10 points of divine power was a bit... underwhelming.


    In other words, the 99 points of divine power were only worth 5 kilos of Osseous Vitae?


    When in doubt, ask the source.


    I stared suspiciously at the light orb. "Why do you only have this little divine power?"


    This limited amount of power was going to make my next plans very difficult...


    The light orb''s body glowed faintly pink, as though blushing in shame. "It''s not my fault. Earlier, you were turning me into a system and inspecting your body, or else I''d still have triple digits of divine power!"


    "What triple digits?"


    "100."


    I was speechless.


    "So turning you into a system only consumed 1 point of divine power..." I paused, finally realizing something. "Wait¡ªturning you into something equivalent to a data panel used up 1 point of divine power?!"


    "One point of divine power for a system interface? That''s like using a diamond to scratch an itch!"


    My voice involuntarily rose. The purchasing power¡ªno, the value of divine power¡ªwas even lower than I imagined. 1 point of divine power was equivalent to a third-level Life Sigil spell...


    The reality hit me hard, almost driving me crazy. "And before that? Even for a niche god, this amount of divine power is laughable. What, did you have like three followers worshipping you over the millennia?"


    "Of course not!" the light orb hastily retorted. "I had to find someone worthy!"


    "And you spent all your divine power window shopping? Brilliant strategy."You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    "The search for a successor is a sacred duty!" the orb defended.


    "A sacred duty that left you with pocket change for power. How inspirational."


    "Divine power needs to be channeled to where it is most likely to revive the God of Creativity. I''m just a fragment of the God of Creativity''s divine essence, not complete, so I didn''t get the main share of the divine power. After that, I used up most of my divine power to search for a mage with the potential to become a god¡­"


    The orb''s light flickered erratically. "Do you have any idea how long I wandered across this wretched continent? Years! Years of using precious divine power just to find someone¡ªanyone¡ªwith a spark of godly potential!"


    I watched with mild amusement as the orb''s glow pulsed with each word, like a malfunctioning lantern.


    "And then¡ª" The orb''s light dimmed to almost nothing. "Then I finally find someone worthy, and it''s... it''s..."


    "A half-dead undead who turned the tables on you?" I offered helpfully.


    The orb flared briefly in frustration. "If only the God of Time would give me another chance! I should have stayed in the divine realm. Even fading into nothing would be better than... than this!"


    Watching a divine essence throw a tantrum is certainly a new one.


    I looked wordlessly at the light orb, which was growing increasingly distraught, and said, "So, in short, you spent all your divine power on yourself?"


    Your economic sense is worse than a drunk merchant at a fire sale. No wonder I could so easily turn the tables on it.


    The rest of the attributes on the panel didn''t need much scrutiny. With the fragment of the God of Creativity''s divine essence, I was effectively a pseudo-god, albeit below the god-level in strength.


    Naturally, I could attract followers.


    The special items were: a glowing orb connected to Earth''s network and a reverse contract between me and the golden light orb.


    Nothing else could help me repair my body or complete my virtual reality game project.


    Putting the panel aside, I looked at the glowing blue orb. While speaking, I hadn''t stopped channeling mana into the orb. Now, my access to Earth''s network had expanded slightly.


    Though most secure systems still blocked me out, I could finally browse the regular internet.


    I thought. From what I see online, Earth already has the technology to create virtual reality games, and there''s even one being promoted right now...


    If I ride this wave of hype, I should be able to attract quite a few leeks¡ªah no, players!


    Let''s do it.


    Before my transmigration, I had learned a bit about web design as a hobby, and I still remembered some of the skills. Now was the perfect time to use them to create the official game website. Once the website was ready, I could promote the game and recruit players.


    At least I won''t have to worry about mobile optimization. Small mercies.


    I briefly left my inner sanctum to check my surroundings.


    The monks from the Radiant Church were still at it, unwilling to give up as they returned for another search.


    I had to suppress a chuckle watching them meticulously scan the area, completely oblivious to what lay right beneath their feet. Some things never change¡ªtheir persistence was matched only by their cluelessness.


    Finding nothing, they began removing their exploration equipment from around the stone altar. Keep looking, gentlemen.


    I smirked to myself before returning to my inner sanctum, where I could focus on my work with proper enthusiasm. Their fruitless search would make excellent background noise for my project.


    ---Third POV: On Earth---


    If there was one hot topic in the gaming world recently, it had to be the game Netherworld Revolution that Skyrain Company was promoting heavily. This game was said to be a 100% realistic virtual reality game.


    "Skyrain''s Latest Venture: Innovation or Illusion?" blared the headlines across gaming news sites.


    However, the only materials released so far were a ten-minute concept video and a bunch of marketing claims like "I heard", "My friend works at Skyrain", or "Someone who participated in internal testing said..."


    The authenticity was entirely questionable.


    "Another day, another Skyrain scam. Who''s surprised?" A typical forum post summarized the general sentiment.


    Still¡ªas a major internet company, Skyrain''s greatest skill was viral marketing. Even if this was just a concept video for attracting investors¡ªwhether the game itself even existed was uncertain¡ªSkyrain''s announcement of developing Netherworld Revolution had reached 80% of gaming enthusiasts.


    On YouTube, the concept video hit 20 million views in just three days. This kind of attention had only been seen with "Elven Ring" three years ago.


    However, unlike the comment section for "Elven Ring," which was filled with hopeful anticipation, Netherworld Revolution''s comment section was much more complicated:


    "How do I get this video off my homepage?"


    "Skyrain is laundering money again!"


    "Oh look, Skyrain made another CG game?"


    "Virtual reality games? That''s such a tired gimmick. Why bring it back?"


    "If this game is real, I''ll eat ten pounds!"


    Due to Skyrain Company''s "reputation", no one believed the game was real. Everyone assumed it was just another cash grab.


    Virtual reality games? Ha! What a joke!


    "Current brainwave technology is simply inadequate for true VR gaming," declared a prominent tech analyst in their latest industry report.


    Although brainwave-reading technology had emerged several years ago, it could only read basic brainwave signals from the brain''s surface. The technology was more often used in mechanical operations, such as controlling drones without remote controls, but it was far from what gamers imagined for developing virtual reality games.


    Game companies had tried to use this technology to create virtual reality games, but every attempt was a huge failure. Because brainwaves varied in strength between individuals, few players could even enter the game, let alone live in a game world like real life.


    Most couldn''t even issue simple movement commands like walking up, down, left, or right.


    The technology was impossible to popularize.


    Moreover, the graphics couldn''t simulate reality and were inferior even to VR games from over a decade ago. The rough, uncanny character models were enough to scare off players with weak constitutions.


    Low realism, but 100% fright factor!


    In summary¡ªfor this kind of "scam" game promoted through shady marketing tactics, players were in an uproar. But Skyrain Company''s goal was still achieved.


    Netherworld Revolution had gone viral.


    On every platform, any content even remotely related to Netherworld Revolution was being criticized. The level of discussion skyrocketed. Whether fans or haters, next time Netherworld Revolution released news, it would surely get plenty of attention.


    That''s the benefit of "bad publicity."


    The game gained popularity, players vented their anger at Skyrain, and game streamers got traffic¡ªa win-win-win. It even reignited discussions about the feasibility of virtual reality games.


    Logan was one of those riding the wave of Netherworld Revolution''s popularity.


    "Hey everyone, NeverShowOff here with another honest gaming review," Logan''s voice rang out clear and confident through his stream setup.


    "Logan always tells it like it is!" scrolled a viewer comment.


    Thanks guys, though honesty doesn''t pay the bills...


    His fans affectionately called him "Show Master."


    He was a veteran game streamer on Twitch.


    While he wasn''t the absolute best, he was definitely among the top tiers of the gaming world.


    He had decent gaming and video editing skills.


    Yet, he wasn''t famous.


    After four to five years as a content creator, he still only had a pitiful 100,000 followers. The money he earned barely covered his living expenses.


    The reason? He was just too unlucky.


    Every time there was a hot topic in the gaming world, Logan somehow managed to miss it. And without riding trends, how could he grow his audience, let alone "break into other platforms"¡ªcough, ahem.


    Never mind.


    But this time, Netherworld Revolution''s explosion in popularity had finally given him a chance.


    Despite his struggles, Logan never considered switching careers.


    He had held on because of his deep love for gaming. Before becoming a streamer, he was a hardcore gaming enthusiast.


    A virtual reality gaming fanatic.


    From the first time he encountered the concept of virtual reality games as a child, he was hooked on the idea of such a game world.


    A second life, a utopia indistinguishable from reality, and skills that truly came from within himself¡ª


    Who wouldn''t want that?


    He was incredibly knowledgeable about the progress of virtual reality games from every major gaming company. When brainwave-reading technology appeared years ago, he checked for updates daily.


    But in the end, it only brought endless disappointment.


    Yet Logan never gave up.


    He firmly believed that in his lifetime, he would get to play a virtual reality game. And if he couldn''t, his children or grandchildren would have to burn him a gaming pod in the afterlife.


    Because he knew so much about the virtual reality field, when he first saw Netherworld Revolution''s concept video, he immediately criticized it.


    "Look at these rendering artifacts. Classic CG tells," he pointed out to his viewers. "They''re not even trying to hide the pre-rendered scenes."


    "Finally someone speaking truth about this scam!" his chat erupted.


    Fake!


    Fake beyond fake!


    The whole thing was CG with no signs of virtual reality technology. And they dared to call this a virtual reality game?


    It wasn''t even good enough to be an investor pitch; it was just another scam game. But Logan couldn''t stand that they were trying to deceive people in the name of virtual reality.


    The development of holographic technology was already incredibly difficult. If Skyrain muddied the waters now, when a real virtual reality game eventually appeared, players wouldn''t trust it.


    Virtual reality game development costs were massive. Failing to recoup costs quickly was essentially a death sentence.


    By doing this, Skyrain was crushing the future potential of virtual reality games.


    Fueled by anger, he spent two hours creating a rant video about Netherworld Revolution''s concept trailer. He had only intended to vent his frustration and warn players not to be fooled.


    Unexpectedly, Netherworld Revolution blew up.


    Because Logan uploaded his video early, its stats soared as well.


    In the comment section, a group of like-minded gaming enthusiasts gathered to join him in cursing Skyrain. The video''s views, comments, likes, and shares were ten times higher than usual.


    Logan had initially posted the video on impulse.


    When he checked the stats, his eyes nearly popped out of his head.


    After so many years¡ª


    Finally, it was his turn to catch the trend. He was going to be famous!


    He immediately started working on the second and third episodes of his Netherworld Revolution rant series.


    Whether he ate canned food or steak next month would depend on these videos. He had to ride the wave while everyone was still fired up about Netherworld Revolution.


    More content meant more views, more followers, and more success!

 04 - The Paladins Hoe

    ---Logan''s POV---


    My second video was quickly produced.


    As expected, the video data skyrocketed.


    Take that, algorithm! Who''s the small-time content creator now? I grinned at my screen, scrolling through the metrics. Wait, these numbers can''t be right... they''re actually good?


    I understood why¡ªalthough veteran players claimed that virtual reality games were fake, deep down, they still hold some expectations for them. The fans of Netherworld Revolution that emerged from this expectation were as sticky as a mouse glue trap.


    I could practically hear their thoughts: "Virtual reality games haven''t even been developed yet, and I''m already pissed. Now you''re trying to use this as a gimmick to make money?"


    Looking at the estimated revenue in the backend, my eyes practically disappeared from smiling. With a wave of my hand, I decided to reward myself with an extra large canned food at lunch today!


    "Living the high life!" I chuckled, patting my stomach. Okay, don''t get ahead of yourself. Two viral videos don''t make you PewDiePie.


    After celebrating the good news, worry crept back in. I no longer had any material to make a third Netherworld Revolution video.


    Initially, all the information about it was just a 10-minute concept video. After I gained a slight early advantage, my competitors swarmed in, nitpicking and criticizing every possible detail like vultures, leaving nothing but scraps.


    But giving up like this? I couldn''t accept it.


    Maybe I can make a video about how many times the CEO blinks. That''s content, right? I muttered to myself as I reopened the Netherworld Revolution concept video.


    Although I had already dissected this 10-minute video frame by frame, what if? What if I found some new material?


    "Come on, give me something," I whispered, leaning closer to the screen. "A glitch in the background? A suspicious shadow? Anything?"


    After watching, as expected¡ªnothing.


    But I didn''t get discouraged and instead opened the comments section. At the very least, learning some creative ways to swear could make my content more engaging for viewers.


    However, when I sorted the comments by time, I noticed a complete shift in the discussion. Everyone was now bashing another game called Chronicles of Aeltia instead.


    "Chronicles of what now?" I blinked, scrolling faster. The players'' criticisms of Chronicles of Aeltia had completely overshadowed Netherworld Revolution!


    My eyelids twitched.


    I had seen firsthand just how deep the players'' hatred for Netherworld Revolution was these past few days. People were so harsh that even a mild comment was accused of trying to whitewash it.


    How on Earth did Chronicles of Aeltia manage to steal the spotlight, even turning the tide of opinion within Netherworld Revolution''s comment section?


    Frowning, I sniffed out potential content. As a gaming blogger, I couldn''t afford to miss any shift in public sentiment. I immediately changed focus, scouring the comment section to trace the source of this new game.


    Comments flew by:


    [How can every Tom, Dick, and Harry jump on the virtual reality hype train?]


    [Skyrain might be trash, but at least they''re a major company. With enough funding, maybe they can pull it off. But where did this trash game come from?]


    [Advertising directly in Netherworld Revolution''s comment section? Shameless!]


    [Even the name is intentionally similar to Netherworld Revolution. The original game isn''t even out yet, but the knockoff is here first?]


    [@CommenterAbove you need new glasses bro. One''s about hell, the other''s about some fantasy world with a weird name. What''s next, you gonna say World of Warcraft copied Clash of Clans because they both have "of" in the name?]


    Finally, I pieced together the origin of Chronicles of Aeltia.


    Around midnight, many guest accounts had suddenly flooded all Netherworld Revolution-related comment sections. They shamelessly promoted a virtual reality game called Chronicles of Aeltia, claiming it was 100% realistic and about to begin beta testing.


    The flood of comments was relentless.


    The phrasing was diverse, with messages popping up almost every second. No platform that allowed guest logins was spared. It was like a battle for survival.


    The comments were inflammatory, and if players replied, the guest accounts even engaged in arguments.


    [Hehe, Chronicles of Aeltia will start beta testing soon. Who''s really riding the hype train here? ( ? 3?)?]


    [Tsk tsk tsk, Netherworld Revolution doesn''t let us advertise here. Afraid they can''t compete? (???)]


    [Oh~ who''s the real knockoff here? Don''t you know which game''s beta comes first? ( ?¡ã ?? ?¡ã)]


    This is straight out of Marketing Dark Arts 101, I thought, watching the chaos unfold. Guest accounts, midnight spam, engagement baiting¡ªsomeone was playing a dangerous game.


    While the passive-aggressive tone wasn''t new, the smug emojis and baiting language were enough to enrage players. Originally united in bashing Netherworld Revolution, players turned against Chronicles of Aeltia after being taunted.


    The comments poured in faster than the platforms could moderate.


    Report one comment? Ten more appeared!


    Eventually, the reporting system broke down entirely.


    I watched as frustrated players raged at the platforms'' weak guest account system. In an era where real-name verification was common, long-term users were automatically logged in. Even for guest accounts, one phone could only create one account.


    Everyone was asking: where on Earth did all these black-market accounts come from?


    This hooligan tactic had forcibly shifted player hatred from Netherworld Revolution to Chronicles of Aeltia.


    From what I could gather, Skyrain, aware of the issue, only dared to release their concept video to attract investors. It would take at least 7-8 years to actually produce a successful virtual reality game. Yet Chronicles of Aeltia claimed their game was ready for testing? Did they think people were idiots?


    "Well, technically, everyone thought that about Skyrain too..." I mused, scrolling through more comments.


    Players were swearing they would never follow such a trashy, opportunistic game.


    "At least wait until the original is out before making knockoffs!" one commenter raged.


    Yeah, because that''s how the game industry works, I snorted.


    I also learned that Skyrain had noticed the flood of bots.


    While clearing abnormal comments, they warned larger gaming bloggers not to make videos about Chronicles of Aeltia. They refused to give the game any attention¡ªeven negative publicity.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    Skyrain, well-versed in this black-hat marketing strategy, understood Chronicles of Aeltia all too well.


    After reading everything, I was stunned. Which wealthy heir with billions to spare was bored enough to hire such a massive army of bots? Guest accounts were far less cost-effective than regular accounts.


    A guest account could only post one comment a day unless someone replied to it.


    How many phones did they have at their disposal?


    After my initial shock, I immediately checked my own video''s comment section, worried it might have been invaded by Chronicles of Aeltia bots.


    But...


    Nothing.


    The comments were still complaints about Netherworld Revolution and Skyrain. Not a single mention of Chronicles of Aeltia. I hadn''t even received a warning message from Skyrain.


    I sat there, speechless.


    Can''t get bot-spammed if you''re too irrelevant to notice. Is this what winning feels like?


    Being irrelevant had its advantages. Even trashy web games didn''t bother leeching off my videos. Skyrain didn''t even spare me a glance. Neither side cared about me.


    Disappointed, I closed my account.


    If Skyrain''s warning bigger creators... maybe there''s an opportunity here?


    ---


    A while later, my curiosity got the better of me, and I opened the browser again. I had no resistance when it came to virtual reality gaming news.


    "It''s just research," I muttered. "Professional research."


    Sure, like how watching cat videos is ''market research''.


    The sheer scale of bots causing Skyrain so much trouble meant that whoever was behind this wasn''t short on money. Maybe they really had researched something about virtual reality gaming?


    I told myself I was only checking to see how far this trashy game had gone in its masquerade. I absolutely didn''t believe they had developed a virtual reality game.


    Someone was spending serious money on this. There had to be a reason...


    Anyway, neither side cared about me. What harm was there in watching?


    "Just one peek. What could really go wrong? It''s just an overhyped game. I won''t actually pre-register it. I''m just here for the drama." I muttered to myself, nervously rubbing my hands as the webpage began to load¡­


    Definitely not. Maybe. Probably not...


    But the official website server of Chronicles of Aeltia was absolutely terrible.


    What is this, dial-up internet?


    I waited a whole three minutes before the loading circle finally completed and moved to a new page. It was a webpage with black text on a white background¡ªso rudimentary that it couldn''t be any more rudimentary.


    "..."


    Come on, guys. If you''re trying to scam money, at least put some effort into it!


    Is this website from 1996? I scrolled through the bare-bones layout, my professional pride wounded just looking at it.


    Where''s your funding and ambition for hiring bot reviewers?


    I had suspected the company might be a trash-tier operation, but I didn''t expect it to be this trashy.


    Even my first WordPress site looked better than this. And that was saying something.


    The official game site was so poorly made, it didn''t even measure up to a computer science student''s final project. No background images, no fancy fonts, and the formatting was so crude it was hard to look at.


    No CSS, basic HTML... Did they hire a time traveler from the 90s to build this?


    There was only the game''s name, a brief introduction, and a beta test registration button.


    Where were the promotional images?


    Where was the trailer?


    With a blank expression, I closed the webpage.


    I must''ve been out of my mind to click in.


    The little bit of anticipation I had before clicking, just like the three minutes I wasted, was clearly all for nothing.


    ---Viktor''s POV---


    From my hiding place beneath the bloodstained altar piled with monster corpses, I could hear violent gusts tearing much of the remains to shreds above.


    The corpses were starting to smell worse than my last attempt at cooking... At least the magic barriers were holding steady.


    Seven hundred years of paranoia finally paying off.


    Bang! Bang!


    Clang, clang¡­


    Heavy thuds resonated through the earth, and I sensed a figure appear beside the blood altar at some unknown point in time.


    Either a paladin or someone with terrible taste in fashion.


    Through my magical awareness, I could tell it was a man clad in silver-white armor, resembling a knight. His brown hair and blue eyes were visible beneath his helm, and his features were rugged and firm, making him look to be in his early thirties.


    In his hands, he wielded a rusty hoe¡ªcompletely mismatched with his shining armor.


    This man was either a paladin or someone with terrible taste in fashion.


    I watched through my magical senses as he swung the hoe down, striking the stone altar over and over.


    His movements were quick and forceful. Every place the hoe hit turned to pieces, crumbling like tofu. In just a brief moment, he had shattered the altar and begun digging into the soil underneath, right above my hiding place.


    Well, there goes my carefully crafted hiding spot. Again.


    The glowing orb was the first to notice the abnormality above ground. I had ordered it to keep quiet, and it had been sulking in my inner sanctum like a mushroom.


    But seeing the man getting closer and closer to my position, the orb couldn''t stay silent anymore.


    It jumped next to my mental image in my inner sanctum and shouted anxiously. "There''s a paladin right above us! We need to¡ª"


    "I''m in the middle of coding," I cut in. "Unless the world is ending..."


    As a god''s divine core, it could sense the magic fluctuations coming from the person above.


    The man was really a paladin.


    A paladin¡ªmeaning he was with the Radiant Church. The glowing orb had just recently seen me being hunted by the Radiant Church.


    There was no other reason a paladin would appear in this godforsaken place and do laborious digging.


    The man above definitely knew I was hiding down here.


    "I told you not to disturb me unless it''s important!" I shifted my focus away from working on the game website, sounding very impatient.


    "Relax. Those curses up there would turn a dragon into confetti."


    "But¡ª"


    "And yes, I tested that. The dragon wasn''t happy."


    As for what was happening on the ground, I wasn''t worried at all.


    "If it were someone from the church, they''d have been blown to pieces the moment they tried to destroy the altar."


    I wouldn''t dare hide here unless I had precautions in place on the surface. The magical curses I''d engraved beneath the altar were so many and so deadly that even the Radiant Church wouldn''t dare handle them carelessly.


    Maybe the church had learned its lesson after fighting me for so long. They had searched the area over and over before but never dared to touch anything I left behind.


    That gave the orb a false impression.


    Sure, I might appear to be a mid-level mage right now, but that didn''t mean I was defenseless.


    I didn''t bother explaining further and muted the orb directly with a command.


    Compared to what was happening above, promoting Chronicles of Aeltia was giving me far more headaches.


    The online players were right¡ªthe game was indeed trying to piggyback off the popularity of Netherworld Revolution.


    But as long as it worked, who cared?


    Despite players swearing they wouldn''t give Chronicles of Aeltia any attention¡­


    In reality?


    "Twenty-three visitors! We''re practically viral!"


    Okay, maybe not viral. More like a mild cold.


    Though none had signed up for the beta test yet, this was still a good sign.


    By continuously channeling energy into the website, I managed to attract several guest accounts.


    All I had to do was say a few classic troll lines, and justice-seeking users would show up to keep the comments alive.


    What''s more¡­


    I had discovered that there was a time ratio between Earth and the continent of Aeltia.


    One day on Earth was equivalent to two days on Aeltia.


    This meant I had double the time to engage in online arguments with the players.


    Even though I hadn''t touched the internet in 682 years and was clueless about the latest slang¡­


    With double the time and my 700-year-old mental capacity, I could still reply to every single comment and hold my own in every argument.


    My promotional efficiency was excellent.


    While promoting went smoothly, constructing the Chronicles of Aeltia website was an uphill battle.


    Error 404... Should''ve paid more attention in computer class...


    Before transmigrating, I hadn''t even been an adult yet.


    Learning programming had just been a hobby, and most of my knowledge came from tinkering with simple projects. The fundamentals were still there, buried deep in my memory, but the practical application after centuries away from it was proving challenging.


    Try explaining to Stack Overflow how to debug magical HTML. That''d be an interesting thread.


    Now that I was picking it back up, I faced problems everywhere. Every line of code seemed to bring new errors, and debugging was a nightmare when mixing magic with modern technology.


    The intersection of arcane energy and HTML was not something any tutorial could prepare me for.


    I sighed.


    "If only I could buy a pre-made website¡­"


    Unfortunately, I didn''t have the money for it.


    I could only keep struggling with the website while arguing with players as a distraction.


    Finishing the last bit of code, I suddenly realized that with the constant magic upgrades, the website now had an image upload function.


    This meant¡ª


    I could upload images of Aeltia to the internet.


    My eyes lit up with excitement, though I quickly felt another headache coming on.


    I''d have to add a page to showcase promotional images now.


    Whatever, I''d deal with that later.


    When I finally finished my tasks, the knight on the surface had almost finished digging.


    At least he''s thorough. Most people would''ve given up after the first layer of cursed stone.


    Reluctantly leaving my inner sanctum, I looked up to see who it was.


    Ah, right on schedule. Though he could''ve picked a less dramatic entrance.


    My mood, which had been frazzled by all the coding, finally improved.


    The muted glowing orb was full of question marks.


    "A paladin... helping you?"


    "What can I say? I''m charming. Even holy knights can''t resist." I couldn''t help but grin at its confusion.


    The orb darted around in my inner sanctum, its glow flickering rapidly. "Reinforcements?" it sputtered. "From the Radiant Church?"


    Before I could enjoy more of its bewilderment, the knight above, had already dug out my skeletal hand.


    Wave hello! No, wait, that might be too on the nose.


    He glanced at my twitching hand bone that was clearly trying to show its presence.


    Expressionless, as though he hadn''t seen anything unusual, he moved to a different digging point, continuing downward.


    See? Professional courtesy. Unlike some orbs I could mention.


    I proudly gestured toward his methodical digging in my inner sanctum. "See? Edgar is one of us."


    "This doesn''t make sense. He''s a paladin!"


    "Life rarely does make sense. Death even less so."


    The orb hung motionless in my inner sanctum, clearly stunned by what it was witnessing. Even I had to admit, seeing a holy knight¡ªa paladin of the Radiant Church no less¡ªhere to rescue an undead necromancer like me was quite the sight.


    Wonder what the Church''s propaganda department would make of this, I mused, watching Edgar''s steady progress.


    "But... but... What on Aeltia is going on?" The orb''s stammering was music to my ears.

 05 - The Skeletons Secret Society

    ---Viktor''s POV---


    Just as the glowing orb was questioning its life choices, Edgar had already dug out all my bones.


    I watched as he erected a barrier at the spot to shield against the raging magical winds. The translucent dome of energy rippled as it deflected the harsh gusts, creating a pocket of calm around us.


    At least we won''t have to shout over the wind anymore, I thought as my scattered bones began to move.


    My white bones made a cracking sound as they assembled on the ground into a complete skeleton. Because the bone fractures were resolved with 10 points of divine power, my skeletal frame was perfectly intact, showing no signs of severe injury.


    Well, at least divine power made for good bone glue.


    Two clusters of ghostly blue soul fire ignited within my skull''s eye sockets, bringing me fully back to life.


    Let''s see... arms, legs... everything where it should be. More or less.


    I moved my neck around to ensure my head was still attached and cheerfully greeted my old friend.


    "Good morning, Edgar."


    I''d managed to evade the pursuits of numerous churches for hundreds of years, and of course, I hadn''t done it alone.


    No matter how powerful or dominant the church''s influence was, there would always be those who defied convention. Thus, I had created an organization called The Watchers, specifically recruiting those without divine faith, and even "heretics" who were anti-god.


    The organization''s daily tasks were to prevent gods from breaking free of their coffins and resurrecting, oppose all the churches, and occasionally solve each other''s problems.


    Although the organization had few members, every one of them was exceptional.


    Take Edgar, for instance.


    He was once a holy knight nurtured by the Radiant Church from childhood¡ªa human prodigy with the highest magical talent discovered in the centuries following the fall of the God of Light.


    By age 20, he had been granted the title of "Knight of Dawn" and was the undisputed candidate for the next pope.


    Unfortunately, on his path to becoming pope, he met me.


    After my persuasive ramblings, Edgar came to an "enlightened" realization about the importance of gods¡ªthey were important precisely because the absence of gods was important for humanity and all races.


    And so, he decisively defected from the Radiant Church and ended up on the church''s wanted list alongside me.


    "There''s no such thing as morning on the Frostwind Plains," Edgar said, glancing back at the bones he''d dug up and the bloodied, ruined altar.


    Still the same old Edgar. That frown hasn''t changed a bit.


    I could see his slight frown at the smell of blood in the air. Many people had died on these plains, and in the process of finding me, Edgar had dug up more bones than I ever had. It must have been an enormous effort.


    "It''s really not easy to find you. Thirty years without seeing you, and you''ve managed to get yourself into this state again?"


    I propped myself up with my skeletal hand and barely sat upright. "A failed experiment, coupled with your old church chasing me down. I accidentally suffered a minor injury."


    "Don''t move," Edgar ordered, examining my damaged frame. "These fractures... what exactly did you do this time?"


    "Would you believe me if I said I tripped?"


    "No."


    "Good, because I didn''t. If you''d arrived four days later, you''d have been digging up a real skeleton."


    I tried to stand but, after a few attempts, gave up and sat back down.


    Being buried wasn''t too bad, but now that I was out, every part of me hurt. My body was riddled with the side effects of a failed forbidden magic spell. It felt like there was a giant funnel inside me, constantly leaking my magical energy.


    Edgar immediately held me down. "This will hurt."


    "I''m a skeleton. Everything hurts."


    "Then this will hurt more."


    He then took out the magic potion he''d brought and began emergency treatment.


    I had an unhealthy obsession with forbidden magic to restore my humanity, and this wasn''t the first time I''d been injured.


    Edgar had plenty of experience rescuing me, so the treatment went quickly.


    A skeleton only had bones left, after all, so there wasn''t much to treat. Recovery potions could be applied directly to the bones. The more complicated part was treating the spiritual damage.


    I watched as his frown deepened while treating me. I knew I was too gravely injured this time. Even the worst injuries he''d treated for me in the past didn''t amount to a tenth of this.


    My claim of "four days left" wasn''t an exaggeration.


    Once he finished the emergency treatment, his expression turned serious.


    "Your injuries are far too severe. I can only prevent them from worsening for now. You need to leave here immediately for proper healing."


    "This can wait. I won''t die just yet." I leaned against a broken rock and glanced behind Edgar. "Just you today? I''m hurt. Metaphorically, I mean. Literally too, but... Are you the only one here?"


    If I remembered correctly, my distress signal should have reached all the members of The Watchers.


    After all, I was still their leader. If their leader was injured, wouldn''t more than one person come to save me? That seemed a little heartless, didn''t it?


    Edgar''s gaze turned shadowy, as though he had anticipated this question. He stuck his shovel into the ground and began listing names.


    "The siren is preparing for the ritual to resurrect the God of Sea, so Claire had to deal with that first."


    "Always something with those gods..."


    "The Elf King is gravely ill, so Kasha had to return to the Elven Forest."


    "The king still sick?"


    "Getting worse. And Ludwig got dragged back by his clansmen¡­ I was the only one free enough to come to your rescue."


    Though his voice was devoid of emotion, I could hear the resentment between the lines. "When was the last time you actually checked on anyone?"


    I let out an awkward laugh. "I''ve been busy! Do you know how hard it is to run from churches AND do forbidden magic research? That''s exactly the problem. Ahaha¡­ well, it seems like everyone''s been¡­ um, living a colorful life?"Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    Over the past few years, I''d been relentlessly pursued by the Radiant Church. And my research on necromantic resurrection magic had made some progress. In the chaos, I had neglected the organization''s management.


    As a leader, I had admittedly failed a bit¡­


    I paused briefly before asking nonchalantly, "And Serkan? You haven''t mentioned him. Why didn''t I hear his name?"


    A long pause followed.


    "¡­He died of old age."


    My laughter stopped abruptly.


    After a long silence, my voice dropped two tones lower. "Yeah, I guess it''s about time. Fifteen years ago, he asked me to turn him..." I started.


    "I remember."


    "If I''d just had those herbs..."


    "Don''t. You know he wouldn''t want that."


    The last time I had seen the dwarven craftsman was 15 years ago. Back then, Serkan had asked me to turn him into an undead to extend his life. Unfortunately, I had been missing two key magical herbs at the time, so nothing came of it.


    The atmosphere seemed to turn cold.


    Edgar calmly put away the potion bottles. "We''re down to single digits now."


    "Quality over quantity?" I tried weakly.


    "Not funny, Viktor." Edgar shot back. "I''m telling you this so you''ll stop messing around. We don''t have many people left."


    My obsession with forbidden necromantic magic was driven by my desire to shed my undead identity and become human again. But progress was painfully slow, and for centuries, I hadn''t succeeded once.


    Each failed attempt left me severely injured and created remnants of failed undead transformations¡ªhuman limbs. Moreover, the raw materials for these experiments were monster corpses.


    Undead, black magic, human limbs, and monsters¡ªthese four words alone were enough to fuel endless horrific rumors among the ignorant populace. As a result, my already notorious reputation had worsened over the past two centuries.


    I was now infamously known as the "Butcher."


    Even The Watchers organization had been affected. No new members had joined in over a century. And now, yet another old member was gone. The group''s numbers had officially fallen to single digits.


    The remaining members were all tangled up in their own troubles and couldn''t even gather in one place.


    At this rate, the organization''s complete collapse was only a matter of me saying the word...


    Edgar extended his hand, his weathered face showing that tired but stubborn look I''d grown used to over our century together.


    "Come on, we need to find a magic node within four days to save your half-buried body."


    Always straight to business, aren''t you, old friend?


    Being an undead had its perks.


    Though I retained all my memories, which made me special among the undead, I also inherited their remarkable resilience. Even injuries affecting my core soul flame could recover quickly with sufficient magic power.


    Thank goodness for that¡ªotherwise, with my tendency to completely drain my magic reserves every few decades, I would have destroyed myself long ago.


    Right now, my injuries looked severe, but preliminary estimates suggested that burying me in a large magic node and forcing me into sleep mode for twenty or thirty years would fully restore me.


    However...


    Large magic nodes were mostly controlled by powerful nations and churches, or located in monster-infested no-man''s lands. The closest potential large magic node was in the Great Oak Forest, more than a hundred kilometers away.


    Edgar could travel there easily on his own. But with me in tow, it would take at least a full day to reach the destination¡ªassuming no encounters with monsters along the way that would waste time. Add in the time needed to locate the exact position of the magic node, and the situation was tight. We had to act immediately.


    "Wait!" I didn''t take Edgar''s hand. "Where are you planning to take me?"


    "Of course, the Great Oak Forest," Edgar replied matter-of-factly.


    "And exactly where they expect us to go," I muttered.


    "Since when do you care about being predictable?"


    "I''m occasionally capable."


    He glanced at me with a slight frown. Despite my grievous injuries, I remained conscious¡ªan impossible state for any other race.


    "Only places with monsters will have unclaimed magic nodes that can help you recover. The Great Oak Forest is dangerous, but it''s safer for you than any human settlement. What are you afraid of?"


    "It''s not fear, it''s... strategy."


    "Strategy. You." His voice was flat with disbelief.


    I knew undead in a false-death state were almost indistinguishable from ordinary bones. Monsters had low intelligence, so if I were buried for a couple of decades, I''d wake up perfectly fine.


    It wasn''t Edgar''s first time dealing with something like this, so I understood his confusion at my sudden concern about the plan''s safety.


    I shook my head, then nodded again.


    "It''s a long story. Just help me find a small magic node to keep me going. I won''t enter sleep mode this time."


    "And the real reason is...?"


    "Can''t a skeleton have his secrets?"


    Edgar frowned but didn''t argue. He nodded instead. "Fine."


    The Radiant Church''s people were nearby, and they already knew I was seriously injured. They had likely headed to the known large magic nodes in the Great Oak Forest, lying in wait for us. Finding a smaller magic node would also allow us to avoid these pursuers.


    I was surprised by his quick agreement. "Not going to ask why I''m doing this?"


    "Why?" Edgar repeated without much interest.


    "Can''t you be a little more sincere? We''ve known each other for nearly a hundred years. Aren''t you going to try to persuade me?"


    "Would you listen if I tried?"


    "No."


    He narrowed his eyes slightly with a "See? I knew it" look, which made me feel a bit embarrassed.


    "Ahem, don''t freak out when I tell you this."


    He was about to nod but hesitated. "Usually, when you say something like that, it''s never good news. Last time you said that, we ended up digging twice as many skeletons."


    "No, this time it''s definitely good news." I suddenly spoke with serious conviction. "Because we''re about to welcome a massive batch of reinforcements. As the leader of our organization, of course, I can''t go to sleep now."


    "Think about it¡ªno more digging for skeletons in the wilderness!"


    "That''s what you said last time," he sighed. "It always is."


    "But with our reputation, how did you manage to find new recruits in Aeltia?"


    I scratched my head.


    "Technically, I didn''t find them in Aeltia. It''s a long story..."


    "Then make it short." Edgar interrupted. "What do you need me to do?"


    I knew The Watchers'' biggest problem right now was manpower. If we had enough people, Edgar wouldn''t have to avoid the Radiant Church''s pursuers just to find an unclaimed magic node. Even if the reinforcements could only help with grunt work, it would be welcome.


    At the very least, as a former holy knight of the Radiant Church, he wouldn''t have to do the ridiculous task of digging for skeletons in the wilderness.


    I noticed his usually stone-cold face softening at the thought.


    I gave a thumbs-up. "That''s all I needed to hear!"


    "I need to find a magic node to temporarily suppress my injuries. I don''t care how big it is, but it has to be far from any kingdom''s territories. There also needs to be water nearby and enough arable land¡ªenough to grow crops to sustain at least a hundred people."


    "Anything else? Perhaps a nice view and room service?"


    "Well, now that you mention it..."


    "I''m leaving you here if you finish that sentence," Edgar cut in flatly. Then he lowered his head and pondered for a moment before firmly nodding. "But I can find you that magic node and the farmland."


    ---


    The small glowing orb in my inner sanctum was dumbfounded.


    "A holy knight just... agreeing like that?" it muttered in disbelief. "Without even asking the important questions?"


    I could feel its agitation growing.


    "Let me get this straight," the orb continued. "You want fertile land¡ªwhich is already claimed by every kingdom out there. You want a magic node far from any kingdom¡ªwhich is basically monster territory. And you somehow need water and enough farmland for a hundred people?"


    The orb''s glow flickered in what I assumed was frustration. "Where are these hundred people even coming from? I''ve been with you all day! All you''ve done is mess around with that strange blue light! You can''t possibly..."


    It paused, its glow dimming slightly.


    "Wait. You''re not suggesting you can pull people out of that light orb, are you?"


    Shush, you. Adults are talking.


    ---


    Edgar picked up my skeletal frame and stood up, ready to leave.


    "Wait, let me take a picture first!"


    I struggled back down, my ghostly blue eye flames flickering.


    After recording Edgar and the desolate Frostwind Plains behind him, I climbed back onto his back.


    "Okay, let''s go."


    "You''re keeping a lot of secrets lately," he muttered softly.


    Saying nothing more, he picked up his worn-out hoe and quickly leaped into action.


    ---Logan''s POV---


    I couldn''t sleep. All I did was toss and turn in bed, my brain stuck on that Chronicles of Aeltia website I saw earlier. Like an itch I just couldn''t scratch.


    It was just a terrible website. Why couldn''t I stop thinking about it?


    Maybe because terrible websites didn''t usually have army-sized bot campaigns?


    If a company went so far as to hire this many bots for publicity, they must have really made progress with virtual reality game technology, right?


    Just like the Skyrain Company. They had dared to release a concept trailer for Netherworld Revolution because they had recently acquired a brainwave sensing technology patent.


    I suddenly sat up and slapped my forehead.


    "My brain really has been kicked by a donkey..."


    No matter how terrible the Chronicles of Aeltia website looked, I couldn''t suppress my curiosity about the game''s alleged VR technology.


    Getting out of bed, I turned on the lights and sat at my desk. As I clicked into the Netherworld Revolution comment section, I muttered. "What if the site I saw earlier was a knockoff? These days, fakes stack on fakes. Who knows if that was the real official site?"


    I cursed my stubborn nature. If I weren''t so single-minded, I wouldn''t still be stuck in the game blogger life.


    Clicking the same promotional link again, I watched as the loading screen dragged on for another three minutes, drumming my fingers impatiently on the desk.


    This better be worth it...


    My sense of dread grew stronger.


    Finally, the page loaded¡ªthis time with minor layout improvements. But the battle-scarred, war-torn theme still dominated.


    I sighed in disappointment.


    So the website I saw earlier really was the official one.


    Even if the Chronicles of Aeltia developers had VR technology, at the pace they were going, who knew how many years it would take for the game to be finished?


    Maybe I should just call it a night...


    As I prepared to close the computer, something colorful caught my eye¡­

 06 - The Ten Dollar Gamble

    ---Logan''s POV---


    "Chronicles of Aeltia uploaded two promotional images?"


    I was both shocked and delighted. It turned out that even the game company knew how to properly promote a serious game.


    Previously, without even a promotional video, they had boldly announced a beta test¡ªit was downright absurd.


    With a "since I''m here, I might as well check it out" attitude, I decisively clicked on the blurry images in the pop-up window.


    "Alright, show me what you''ve wasted your marketing budget on," I muttered, settling into my chair.


    The first image depicted a gray-toned wasteland. Dark gray gravel swirled in the air, and the plants on the ground hunched over like old women, their branches twisted.


    Under the crooked patches of grass, the skeletons of unidentified creatures lay exposed, weathered by the wind and desolation.


    "What an impressive realistic art style!"


    In most games, no matter how much they boast about realism, a wind-swept scene always relies on auxiliary lines or post-production. But this promotional image was completely different.


    I zoomed in to the maximum, and even the sand grains occupying just a couple of pixels in the background were distinct from each other.


    "Hold on... these aren''t just generic particle effects. Each grain is uniquely rendered?"


    It was just like a real photograph. This was the essence of a virtual reality game.


    A fully immersive second world.


    Moreover, the black plants in the foreground each had their unique shape. On the foundation of harmonious color tones, I carefully counted¡ªthere were seven or eight different types of original plants.


    I analyzed the promotional image repeatedly and found it increasingly captivating. It was clearly just a landscape shot without any characters or special buildings. Yet it managed to convey, at first glance, that this world carried a supernatural power.


    It felt like a fantastical and bloody alternate world draped in a thin veil, vague yet alluring, making people itch with curiosity.


    "This must be a boss map in the game¡ªdamn, bones everywhere, that''s intriguing."


    I immediately clicked on the second image.


    Compared to the barren wasteland of the first image, this one included a character.


    A knight clad in silver-white armor stood at the center of the image, his sharp gaze mixed with confusion. In his hand, he held a muddy, broken hoe. Beside him was half of a shattered altar covered in white runes, and next to that was a mountain of monster and human corpses.


    "A knight with a broken hoe... Now that''s environmental storytelling done right," I murmured, taking notes.


    I couldn''t help but praise, "Whoever designed this image must be a master. The armor''s weathering patterns actually match the environment. Someone really thought this through."


    This image was full of contradictions. A knight in ornate armor holding a near-broken axe. A sacred altar destroyed, with corpses piled up beside it.


    Just looking at it made me want to know more.


    Why was the knight there? What had he encountered? What was the altar''s purpose? Was the ritual on the altar successful?


    My excitement burned brightly.


    The Chronicles of Aeltia webpage might have been poorly made, but its promotional images were rich with details.


    Suddenly, I regained faith in the game. Maybe the game company had just funneled all the money for building the website into the game''s development. After all, virtual reality games were notoriously expensive to make.


    I suddenly remembered that I had quit the site too quickly during the day and hadn''t even read the game description. These two images reignited my interest.


    I quickly closed the images and clicked on the game description, which had been reduced to three ellipses.


    "Who designed this UI?" I grumbled, clicking through the pages. "Basic functionality is literally in the name¡ªbasic. How do you mess that up?"


    Other games at least displayed a few lines of their descriptions¡ªbut not Chronicles of Aeltia, whose description was entirely collapsed. If I didn''t already know about the game''s extensive marketing campaigns, I might have thought the site was built by a novice programmer.


    After reading the brief three-line description, my excitement was doused with a bucket of cold water, instantly calming me down.


    I was incredulous: "You''re telling me this is the description for a game?"


    I let out a dry laugh, scrolling through the text. "Great, they''ve just crammed in every genre they could think of."


    "Hardcore sandbox construction multiplayer online MMORPG card roguelike farming city-building management game. What''s next, are they going to add dating sim and battle royale too? Did they just throw darts at a genre board?"


    The description had so many problems that I didn''t even know where to start complaining. It seemed like they had just copied every existing game genre to attract players. If I hadn''t played these types of games before, I wouldn''t have been able to parse that sentence at all!


    As for the actual game content, there was just one line: "It''s roughly a Western fantasy magical world with a slightly backward feudal setting."


    "%#@!"


    I was so stunned I couldn''t even speak. "Which game uses ''roughly'' to describe its world-building?!"


    The images showed triple-A quality. The website looked like it was made in an hour. Either they spent their entire budget on two images, or something was very wrong here.


    The scam-alert bells, honed by years of avoiding online fraud, rang wildly in my mind. It felt like the description was being deliberately vague to hide something.


    But knowing that hype-driven trash games were all about deception, I wasn''t surprised.


    I scratched my head, glancing between the description and the two promotional images, visibly torn. My rational side told me that the difference in style between the promotional images and the description was too big to ignore¡ªit was clearly a reskinned cash-grab online game.


    Could make a good video series. ''Inside Gaming''s Biggest Mystery'' has a nice ring to it. I paused, considering. But if it''s a scam, do I want my name anywhere near this?


    But emotionally¡­ I really liked the game''s artistic style in the images!


    "Forget it, since I''m here anyway, reserving a spot isn''t a big deal. It''s just a beta test¡ªI might not even get selected!"The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    I clicked on the reservation page. The page was just as crude as the homepage. There were only a few fields asking for player information, following the standard beta-test routine.


    Then came a payment portal for the 10 dollars beta-test fee. Only those who paid would secure their reservation.


    I froze mid-action. "You''re kidding me. They''re already trying to milk players for money?"


    "Ten dollars for a full-dive VR headset? That''s not just suspicious, that''s impossible." I pulled up a calculator. Even the manufacturing cost would be... No, this can''t be legitimate.


    I could understand why virtual reality games required player payments. After all, this era-defining technology demanded extremely high technical expertise. And everyone knew that high-tech products required massive funding. Just the brainwave-detecting game headsets alone were astronomically expensive.


    Game companies wouldn''t give them away for free.


    But. Wasn''t this price a bit too low? Who had ever heard of a full-dive gaming headset for just 10 dollars? Even top-tier VR companies like Skyrain hadn''t perfected such black-tech devices, and yet here it was for a two-digit price?


    "Anyone who believes this is a fool!"


    I cursed, angrily closing the page. I almost wanted to slap the hopeful version of myself from half an hour ago. The company might as well have written "scam" across their foreheads.


    I turned off the lights and climbed into bed.


    ---


    The next day, after waking up, I gathered materials and created the third installment of my Netherworld Revolution roasting video. Thanks to Chronicles of Aeltia stealing the spotlight, people no longer hated Netherworld Revolution as much.


    Checking my analytics, I nodded with satisfaction.


    As a result, the data for my third video was cut in half. That''s the nature of hot topics. Once the initial frenzy fades, they die down as quickly as the tide.


    I, however, remained optimistic.


    Even though the third Netherworld Revolution video''s data dropped, the revenue was still double my previous gameplay videos. Moreover, I had gained tens of thousands of new followers through the videos¡ªit was already a win!


    In my free time, I couldn''t help but think about Chronicles of Aeltia again.


    Browsing through comment sections, it seemed that the game''s marketing bots were still rampant. But after visiting the official site, many people had realized what kind of scam it was and couldn''t be bothered to engage anymore.


    Those images though... I still want to know who made them.


    Having nothing better to do, I decided to waste three precious minutes and visited the official website of Chronicles of Aeltia again.


    The website looked even more refined this time. What kind of game dev updated their website this frequently?


    To be honest, the speed at which the website updated felt almost like watching a cyber pet-simulation game evolve.


    I still liked the two promotional images of the game. As a content creator, I''d seen my fair share of game assets. However, after that initial daze of excitement the night before, my passion had dimmed significantly.


    "It''s probably just photos from some film set. Nowadays, what game could achieve 100% photorealistic visuals anyway?"


    After glancing at the site, I closed the webpage without a second thought.


    A few hours later.


    I opened the Chronicles of Aeltia website again, then closed it.


    And again, a few hours after that. Open, close.


    Open, close.


    In the middle of the night, unable to sleep, I got up again.


    With a messy bedhead and a blank expression, I grumbled to myself, "Unbelievable. Logan, you''re definitely going to fall hard for some VR game trap sooner or later!"


    Let''s be logical about this. Unique assets, impossible pricing, sketchy website... I checked my bank balance. Then again, what''s ten dollars compared to a potential viral video?


    Cursing myself under my breath, I decisively turned on my computer, filled out the beta test application, and scanned the code to pay.


    Seeing the popup notification [Preorder Successful: 3 Participants], I let out a long sigh of relief.


    This was because Chronicles of Aeltia had included a wide-angle promotional image.


    During the day, I had specifically researched whether any film crews had used similar terrains for shooting fantasy movies or series.


    I confirmed that I couldn''t find any scenes that matched the promotional images from Chronicles of Aeltia. After all, when people think of fantasy worlds, it''s always about vibrant landscapes filled with swords and sorcery.


    Who would bother filming a desolate gray wasteland without dramatic battlefields or unique terrain?


    I comforted myself, thinking at least the two promotional images must have been created by the game company. They did show some effort.


    At only 10 dollars, it wasn''t too expensive.


    Since my recent video earnings were decent, sparing a bit of money for a beta test slot wasn''t an issue.


    Initially, I thought I was the only fool doing this.


    But knowing there were two other fools just as impulsive, who also paid the 10 dollar registration fee, made me feel less like a sucker.


    Finally, after taking another glance at the registration deadline¡ªjust one day away¡ªI went to bed in high spirits.


    Either this became ''I Exposed Gaming''s Biggest Scam'' or ''I Discovered Gaming''s Next Revolution.'' Win-win.


    And for once, I had a good dream that night.


    ---Viktor''s POV---


    After two days and nights of travel, hindered by monsters and pursuing enemies along the way, I finally arrived with Edgar at the Great Oak Forest.


    "Another patrol of church knights to the east," I muttered, scanning the horizon. "They''re getting predictable."


    Since the Divine War six hundred years ago, the gods had perished, and the world''s laws had become chaotic.


    Monsters with immense power and driven by pure instinct emerged, gradually encroaching on the territories of various races.


    The Great Oak Forest, a sprawling wilderness of forests, marshes, and hills stretching a thousand miles, was one such area completely overtaken by monsters.


    In response, the Kingdom of Yoan and the Principality of Elise built towering walls around the forest to fend off the occasional "rampages" of the monsters.


    As for the forest''s interior, it had become an untamed wilderness, entered only by adventurers and the occasional na?ve noble.


    Only in such places could one find unclaimed magical energy nodes.


    After another half day of searching, Edgar finally found a location on the forest''s outskirts that met my requirements.


    In the dim forest stood dozens of dilapidated houses, made of wood and mud. Trees growing through collapsed walls, dry wells filled with dirt, streets buried under layers of earth¡­


    This was a city that had been completely destroyed by a magic surge.


    Hundreds of years ago, the Great Oak Forest was much smaller than it is now.


    As monsters expanded their range of activity and unchecked trees spread outward, the towns in their path were inevitably "swallowed."


    About four centuries ago, I had been here.


    Back then, it was a bustling town, not even considered a border city of the Kingdom of Yoan.


    I vaguely recalled the town being called Honeyvale Town.


    The name came from the fruit trees in the Wolcen Mountains. Every autumn, ripe fruit would fall into the Duskwind River, and by the time the river flowed to Honeyvale Town, its waters were sweet.


    Lying on Edgar''s back, I looked around and nodded approvingly.


    Not bad. A river, fields, endless trees¡ªperfect for a player starting area.


    Moreover, the flow of magic nearby was calm, a clear sign that a magic node was close by.


    "The magic node''s proximity is ideal," I noted. "Strong enough for stability, weak enough to avoid attention."


    "And the ruins there?" Edgar asked.


    "Free building materials. One person''s apocalyptic wasteland is another''s resource-rich starting area."


    This would also help solve my injury problem.


    Rubbing my chin, I mused, "But the houses here are a bit rundown, though. We''d have to tear them down and rebuild¡­"


    "Oh well, they don''t actually sleep in Aeltia. A little inconvenience isn''t a big deal."


    I seemed quite satisfied.


    Edgar, carrying me on his back, sighed in exasperation.


    "You do realize you''re heavier than a cart of iron ore?"


    "I''ll take that as a compliment to my bone density. Premium quality, you¡ª"


    "Now that we''ve found the magic node, can you walk on your own?"


    I looked at him, shocked. "You''re telling a severely injured patient who''s this close to death to walk on their own? Have some compassion! Unbelievable! The former Knight of Dawn, now a heretic, is this heartless!"


    A vein popped on Edgar''s forehead. "You should really be aware of your own weight."


    Though skeletal, I had bones enhanced by alchemical modification, denser than mithril. Carrying me was like carrying ten fully armored knights.


    After hauling me for two days, he had already gone above and beyond.


    Not to mention, he knew undead well enough to realize that, near a magic node, my injuries could at least be temporarily stabilized. And without pain receptors, undead could absolutely walk on their own.


    Realizing I couldn''t talk my way out of it, my soul fire flickered in slight disappointment.


    The convenient transport service had reached its expiration.


    Slowly, I climbed down and began exploring Honeyvale Town with him.


    The town had been in ruins for quite some time. Every house we passed was more than halfway destroyed. Any building with even one intact wall was considered well-preserved. The only structure still standing with a roof was the church at the town center.


    When I saw the weathered yet still sacred-looking church, I clicked my tongue.


    "Want to bet how many villagers starved to pay for those gold-leaf decorations?"


    Edgar frowned. "Some matters shouldn''t be joked about."


    "Who''s joking? I was here when they built it."


    Edgar didn''t respond.


    He had grown up in the Radiant Church and knew all too well the lengths to which devout followers would go. It wasn''t uncommon for them to bankrupt themselves with donations just to add one more golden spire to a church.


    I stretched lazily.


    "Ah, nothing says ''holy ground'' quite like the smell of four-century-old sanctity."


    "Your irreverence knows no bounds, does it?"


    "Years of persecution tends to have that effect. Let''s go see which lucky god managed to gather such loyal followers¡ªones who''d rather die fighting monsters than let them enter their church."


    Creaaak¡ª


    The long-sealed doors opened, sending down a cloud of dust.


    At the center of the hall stood an ivory-white goddess statue, illuminated by a kaleidoscope of light streaming through a broken stained glass window above.


    I stared in surprise at the symbol in the statue''s hand.


    "Oh, an old acquaintance."


    Edgar''s expression darkened. "The God of Light..."

 07 -The Divine Unemployment Crisis

    ---Viktor''s POV---


    The appearance of deities stemmed from the beliefs of their followers. Even for the same deity and within the same church, the statues dedicated to them could vary.


    Especially now, 600 years after the death of the God of Light.


    Followers'' interpretations of his appearance relied entirely on boundless imagination.


    This had even led to the bizarre phenomenon where the God of Light, Aureal¡ªa male deity¡ªwas honored by his followers with a statue of a goddess.


    "Seeing your old boss again, how does it feel?" I asked mischievously.


    "Not great," Edgar replied coldly. "Tear it down."


    "Though I don''t know where you''ll find the manpower for that, since this is now our territory, there''s no reason for a church or statue to remain here," he added.


    "And give up our shelter? I may be undead, but even I appreciate a roof," I refused his suggestion. "It''s the only structure here that can shield us from the elements."


    I circled the statue twice, my joints creaking with every step. Any further movement, and I might fall apart.


    "You''re in worse shape than usual," Edgar observed.


    "What gave it away? The fact that I''m literally falling apart?" I chuckled dryly. "Hiss... This time, the injuries are a bit severe."


    You know you''re having a bad day when your bones sound like a rusty door hinge orchestra.


    I stopped in my tracks, conceding to my battered state. I estimated that I''d only walked a few hundred meters, but my stamina had already reached its limit. The backlash this time was truly harsh. But, conveniently, it gave me an excuse to slack off.


    Rubbing my chin, I muttered, "This goddess statue isn''t half bad. Let''s repurpose it as a mascot. It just needs some modifications."


    "Since when did you develop an interest in interior decoration?" Edgar raised an eyebrow.


    "Seven hundred years is a long time. I''ve picked up a few hobbies."


    Faith, as a source of power, was broad and diverse. Even the simple affection players had for a game or its characters could be converted into faith energy. While such energy was faint and impure, it was still usable.


    "With the right tweaks, this statue could gather faith from an entirely different crowd."


    Edgar turned his head to scrutinize me, surprised. "You''re planning to work for a god for free?"


    I could understand his confusion. After all, this was a statue of the God of Light. The faith energy it attracted could only be absorbed by the God of Light. He probably thought I should know that by now.


    "Of course not," I shot him a look as if to say, ''What are you thinking?''


    "Haven''t you noticed how weird I''ve been acting these past two days? Aren''t you curious who my ''helper'' is?"


    Edgar''s expression was perplexed. "Besides the usual eccentricities?"


    I almost laughed. When haven''t I acted weird? As a 700-year-old undead, I was always spouting strange phrases that a 200-year-old "youngster" like Edgar couldn''t comprehend¡ªprobably what he considered trendy slang from the Age of the Gods.


    "Does that really need asking?" I countered. "Then what if I told you I''ve obtained the God of Creativity''s divine essence? That I can now become a god myself and absorb the faith energy from this statue? Would you believe me?"


    Edgar''s expression instantly darkened, his hand moving to his sword. "If this is your idea of a joke..."


    "When have I ever joked about becoming what we''ve fought against for centuries?"


    "Exactly why this is concerning. Are you suicidal?"


    I knew exactly what he was thinking. This wasn''t just about their Watcher leader betraying the organization by becoming a god after vowing to fight the gods to the end¡ªit was personal.


    He knew my circumstances like the back of his hand. Long ago, during the Age of the Gods, the deities had marked me as a vessel for their rebirth. My body was covered in their seals.


    If I obtained divine essence and ascended, the authority over world laws granted by the essence would belong to the god associated with it. Once ascended, my consciousness would be replaced¡ªby that god''s!


    For others, ascension meant eternal life. For me, it meant death.


    "Really? Seven centuries of friendship, and you think I''d throw it away for godhood?"


    Edgar''s grip on his sword tightened, his expression grim. "If you really have this idea, you shouldn''t have asked me to save you. I can''t defeat a god if he wakes up in your body."


    If I were still human, I would have twitched at the corner of my mouth.


    "Do I seem like the kind of person who, on the brink of death, would make trouble for the living?"


    Edgar nodded firmly.


    I stood there speechless. It was one thing to have a bad reputation outside, but even within the organization?


    "Some divine artifact this turned out to be. Can''t even manage a decent light show." I pulled out a pale golden orb from my body, tossing it casually. This was my latest discovery¡ªAeceus'' divine essence, a physical entity that could be separated from my body.


    "You seriously believed me when I said I''d obtained Aeceus'' divine essence? Well, close enough¡ªI''ve got a fragment of it. And it''s sentient."


    The orb sat in my hand, radiating a defeated aura. Ever since I got my hands on it, I''d been treating it like a toy, tossing it around without a shred of dignity befitting a divine artifact.


    By now, it had grown numb.


    "A sentient divine essence?"


    The moment Edgar laid eyes on it, I could see him notice something unusual about the orb, his pupils dilating slightly.


    "How can divine essence gain sentience?!"


    I understood his confusion.


    Divine essence is merely a vessel for holding the power of law. Even gods can only wield the power contained within it. If divine essence developed consciousness, then who would be the real god? If the essence rejected the god, could ordinary people then wield its power?


    "Think of it as divine unemployment. The essence got fired from its job as Aeceus'' power source."


    "This is serious."


    "I am being serious. Dead serious, you might say."


    The very idea was absurd. The laws of the world would never allow such an entity to exist. But the orb undeniably contained the pure power of a god. As a former paladin, Edgar was utterly baffled.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    "Turns out, the impossible happened," I spread my hands. "Maybe the world''s will accidentally fell asleep?"


    After Edgar recovered from his initial shock, I explained my plan. Now that the divine essence had gained sentience, it could no longer accept faith energy from the God of Creativity''s original followers¡ªnot that it had many to begin with.


    Despite having the same rank as the God of Light in ancient times, the God of Creativity remained a niche deity, nearly forgotten by most.


    "This is exactly why the God of Light''s statue is perfect," I said, tapping the orb thoughtfully. "The essence might be from a minor god, but divine power follows similar principles. Think of it like redirecting a river¡ªit doesn''t care what you name it, it''ll still flow. With some modifications to this statue, we can tap into the massive faith network the God of Light left behind."


    For instance, by placing the orb in the goddess''s hands¡ªit would be rebranded as the divine essence''s statue and start absorbing faith energy. Why build a new faith network when you could repurpose an existing one?


    After listening, Edgar fell silent.


    The muted orb, unable to speak, looked at him with tearful eyes. I could tell it was excited about gaining new divine power. For the first time, leaving the Divine Realm didn''t seem like such a bad decision for it.


    Even though its life now rested entirely in my hands, it seemed to think I was a decent person. I was even building it a statue!


    After a long pause, Edgar finally spoke. "The plan is highly feasible, but... are we really going to tread the same path as the gods?"


    "We''re not becoming them, we''re beating them at their own game."


    "There''s a fine line¡ª"


    "Between resistance and replacement? The line''s only fine if you''re not paying attention."


    I understood his concern. The Watchers were founded to safeguard the future of our own species and resist the gods'' interference. Now, we were essentially nurturing a god-like divine essence ourselves... This went against everything Edgar believed in when he joined the Watchers.


    Veins popped on my forehead. "Next time, before you speak, make sure you''re not wearing that ''if you agree, I''ll quit the Watchers immediately'' expression."


    "I haven''t forgotten the Watchers'' original mission."


    "Reform isn''t something that happens overnight. When necessary, we can absolutely use the gods'' power. There''s no need to avoid it entirely."


    I glanced down at the muted orb in my hand. Take this, for example. It was an excellent tool, almost as if it had been tailor-made for me.


    "Heroes who slay dragons eventually become dragons themselves," Edgar reminded me.


    And sometimes, I thought as I watched the orb''s faint glow, that might not be such a bad thing.


    I knew what he meant.


    At first, we might only see the orb as a tool. But in the end... who could say whether I might grow addicted to divine power? And whether the Watcher members feeding it faith energy might eventually transform into the very zealots we once despised?


    "Don''t worry about this," I said, the crimson flames in my eye sockets burning intensely despite my skeletal face showing no other emotion.


    "No one knows the tricks of the divine essence better than I do. If I were going to be tempted, I would''ve given up six hundred years ago!"


    Edgar shifted uncomfortably. "Experience doesn''t make you immune to temptation."


    "No, but it makes me excellent at spotting it coming." And even better at dealing with it.


    I knew what I was talking about. During my first hundred years after being transported to Aeltia, I had experienced firsthand the overwhelming power of the divine essence. I hadn''t given in then, and I wasn''t about to now.


    "I''m neither a hero nor a villainous dragon," I continued. "As for you and our new recruits, you have even less to worry about. The fact that you grew up in environments steeped in religion yet still recognized the risks posed by the divine essence and chose to join me¡ªthat alone is a form of screening. And as for the helpers who are about to arrive... they''re the same."


    "Think about it¡ªwho joins an organization hunted by the entire world?" I spread my bony arms wide.


    "The desperate. The vengeful," Edgar replied quietly.


    "The ones who can see through religious manipulation. The ones who think for themselves."


    Edgar fell silent for a moment.


    I could tell he was processing my words. Given that The Watchers were hunted and condemned by the entire world, anyone who''d stuck with the organization this long was unlikely to be brainwashed into becoming a fanatic.


    He also knew my personality quite well¡ªmy earlier comment had been deliberately aimed at the incoming reinforcements.


    "How can you guarantee that these new helpers will be reliable?" he asked. After all, The Watchers had dealt with traitors in the past. None had escaped the test of time, but the scars still lingered.


    I couldn''t help but grin. "They''re absolutely reliable. Because they come from the same place as me."


    The soon-to-arrive players from Earth. I trusted them more than 80% of the grim, dark, and brutal population of Aeltia.


    Edgar looked astonished. "And where is that?"


    "Some memories are better left buried. Like my fashion choices from seven centuries ago." I tried to keep my tone light, but something must have slipped through.


    It was the first time I''d mentioned my homeland to him. I knew he''d been curious about the country that had produced an undead with such unconventional and rebellious views. But I''d always kept my lips sealed.


    He probably assumed my homeland had been destroyed centuries ago.


    I chuckled, feeling a warmth I rarely experienced anymore. "It''s a place Aeltia couldn''t even imagine¡ªa land where atheism dominates. In that place, people don''t pin all their hopes on gods who treat humanity like ants. They emphasize personal effort and tangible actions."


    "Sounds like chaos," Edgar muttered.


    "Beautiful, productive chaos. Progress doesn''t come from divine handouts. When divine essence fails to help them, they abandon it without hesitation, instead of endlessly sacrificing themselves in vain. It''s a civilization that belongs purely to humanity!"


    Edgar listened quietly, carving a piece of marble from the doorframe into a makeshift stool with careful precision.


    I sat down unceremoniously. "Thanks!"


    "I''ve never seen you like this," Edgar said softly.


    "Like what? Nostalgic? Sentimental? Don''t worry, it''ll pass."


    "No, genuinely happy. I can tell you really love your homeland," Edgar said.


    I knew I was always quick to laugh, but my usual smiles never reached my eyes. Past experiences weighed on me like a heavy stone tethered to my emotions. If not for the metaphorical thread holding that stone in place, I might have lost my sanity long ago.


    I fell silent for a moment before speaking with my usual nonchalance. "People are like that. Only after losing something do they know to cherish it. Luckily, I''ve lost so much that I don''t even have time to cherish everything. And the upside of losing everything? You learn to travel light."


    Suddenly, a blue orb of light in my inner sanctum trembled.


    "Oh, shoot! I almost forgot¡ªthe beta test registration is about to close!"


    I immediately turned my attention away from Edgar, opening the Chronicles of Aeltia website I had built myself. The registration count displayed a solid 3.


    "What the heck? Three people actually signed up!" I exclaimed in surprise. "Three players! Three beautiful, possibly desperate, definitely questionable-taste-having players!"


    "Is that... good?" Edgar asked cautiously.


    "It''s more than I expected with my web design skills."


    Since my programming skills were still rusty, the website''s homepage looked like a post-apocalyptic wasteland. On the first day, no one had signed up, and I had been prepared to take it slow and rebrand the game to ride the next trend.


    But now, three fools¡ªno, three discerning visionaries¡ªhad discovered my game.


    What was I waiting for?


    I immediately set the beta test date for two days later on Earth, or four days later in Aeltia. Then I fixed my gaze on Edgar.


    "Our reinforcements are coming!"


    Edgar was stunned. "Already?"


    I could see the confusion on his face¡ªhe hadn''t seen me contact anyone, so how had news of reinforcements arrived so suddenly?


    I closed the website and said gravely, "The situation is urgent. They''ll arrive in four days, and we must be fully prepared by then!"


    Edgar frowned. "Can''t they come a bit later? Four days is too tight."


    "Time waits for no undead! Besides, I''ve procrastinated enough already. So, hurry up and get moving. First, we need to modify the statue in front of us¡ªcarve a glowing orb into it." I pointed to the lifeless orb in my hand.


    "Then, clear out the church so I can set up the forbidden magic that will summon them. I''d help with the cleaning, but I''m allergic to manual labor."


    Edgar raised an eyebrow. "You''re undead. You don''t have allergies."


    "I developed them specifically for this occasion."


    The church was a mess¡ªthough its doors were intact, many of its upper windows were broken, leaving the interior littered with debris, damage, and the filth of flying monsters. Apart from the entrance, there wasn''t a single spot fit for standing. The whole place needed a thorough cleaning before we could proceed with any of our plans.


    "Finally, drive away all Tier-3 or higher monsters in the vicinity of Honeyvale Town. The players can''t handle them yet. I''m injured, so I''ll sit out the fighting."


    "Oh, and I''ll give you a lore manual later. When speaking to them, stick strictly to the descriptions in the manual."


    I glanced at the orb in my palm. "You''ll get a copy too."


    The orb, which had resigned itself to being my passive accessory, suddenly jumped up, both shocked and delighted.


    "I have a role too?" it asked.


    "Congratulations! You''ve been promoted from divine paperweight to game mascot."


    "You''re enjoying this too much," Edgar muttered.


    "Seven hundred years of waiting for this moment. Let me have this."


    As the deity of the starter village in Chronicles of Aeltia and the game''s mascot, the orb was an indispensable asset. Without it, Edgar and I alone wouldn''t stand a chance against the chaos of the incoming players.


    Seeing Edgar still frowning, clearly uneasy about the four-day deadline, I immediately stood up and painted a vision of the future, my tone filled with earnest conviction.


    "Trust me. If we work hard for these four days, once they arrive¡ªyou''ll see that my vision of the future isn''t empty talk. Humanity doesn''t need divine essence to thrive."


    Edgar''s expression softened. I could tell he had fallen for this sort of pitch before¡ªotherwise, he wouldn''t have joined The Watchers.


    "What kind of warriors are these reinforcements?" he asked curiously.


    I knew he wanted to gather some intel in advance. After all, showing respect to far-off allies would help with future cooperation. By his expression, I could tell he was imagining them as valiant warriors, unwavering in their fight against the divine essence for the future of humanity.


    "I''ve been waiting two days for you to ask that!"


    I could see the ominous sense of foreboding on Edgar''s face, but it was too late. I rubbed my hands together gleefully, grinning like an Earth salesman who just found their next target.


    "Friend, have you ever heard of the Nerds?"

 08 - Welcome to the Tutorial, Heres Your Corpse

    ---Logan''s POV---


    I finally finished editing the last episode of Netherworld Revolution. Slumping into my chair, I sprawled out like a dead dog, my muscles aching from hours of hunched editing.


    Tilting my head back, I howled, "Finally! Finally done grinding it out! Chasing trends is no easy task!"


    The hype was already starting to wane. My latest analytics showed a steady decline in viewer interest. It was time for me to pocket the earnings from these three videos and return to my roots: gameplay commentary.


    But lately, the gaming world had been completely overshadowed by Netherworld Revolution.


    New releases originally scheduled for pre-order were all delayed, one after another. Can''t do another indie review. Viewers are burned out on those.


    For now, I had no clue what game to feature in my next video.


    Should I cover an unfinished beta? But which one wasn''t just a cash grab...


    I was stuck.


    Suddenly, my computer chimed.


    I glanced down. It was a notification for new email.


    "What''s this? Junk mail? Wait, no¡ªit''s from Chronicles of Aeltia?!"


    I immediately sat up straight and opened the email to take a closer look.


    It turned out that only three people had signed up for the beta test. The three of us were automatically packaged as the first external testers of Chronicles of Aeltia.


    The full-dive VR headset required to play the game was already on its way.


    The beta would officially begin in two days.


    "Holy crap!" I was momentarily dazed.


    When I signed up, it was just wishful thinking¡ªI hadn''t expected to actually play Chronicles of Aeltia.


    But this was way too fast.


    I''d figured that if I got any news within two months, it would mean the developers were being diligent.


    This was practically instant.


    After the initial excitement, worry began to creep in. I stared at the email on my screen and started second-guessing myself.


    With such high efficiency, could there be issues with the headset?


    What if putting it on fried my brain?


    But this was the first-ever full-dive VR game.


    It felt like there were two little voices arguing in my head, and neither could convince the other.


    If only I could find the other two beta testers, I might feel more at ease. But the official Chronicles of Aeltia website didn''t even have a player forum.


    I had no idea where to start looking.


    Then I caught something in the corner of my eye. In my fan group chat, someone had just mentioned Chronicles of Aeltia.


    A lightbulb went off in my head.


    I might not know where to find people, but I had fans!


    Even though my career as a content creator wasn''t particularly successful, I had built up a loyal fanbase over time. With their help, I might be able to find the other beta testers!


    I decisively opened the fan group.


    The chat was lively, full of banter about Netherworld Revolution and Chronicles of Aeltia.


    [GameLord420]: Why does it feel like the reviews for Netherworld Revolution are improving?


    [MemeKnight]: Duh! With Chronicles of Aeltia as the ultimate scapegoat, even a pig could look like King Arthur by comparison!


    [GameLord420]: No way, right? What if Chronicles of Aeltia actually delivers? I heard its beta is starting soon.


    [LootGoblin]: Do you believe Chronicles of Aeltia can make a real game, or do you believe I''m Adolf Hitler?


    [GameLord420]: Fair point. I believe you!


    [LootGoblin]: Alright, then wire me 50 bucks, and when I make a comeback, I''ll make you Reichsmarschall!


    [Actually_Hitler]: How dare you! I am the real Hitler! Once I make a comeback, I''ll unify Europe, standardize everything, and make everyone speak German! Type ''1'' if you believe me!


    [GameLord420]: 1!


    [MemeKnight]: 111, no more English classes, Mein F¨¹hrer?


    [LootGoblin]: Pfft! Liar! It''s standardizing everything first, then unifying Europe! I''m the real Hitler!


    The conversation was wildly off track.


    Just as I was wondering how to join in, a fan named ProGamer_Daddy suddenly chimed in:


    [ProGamer_Daddy]: I got into the Chronicles of Aeltia beta! In two days, I''ll do a live text stream in the group for everyone!


    The chat exploded.


    What luck! I had been wracking my brain on how to find the other beta testers, and now one just fell into my lap.


    I quickly started typing.


    [NeverShowOff]: @ProGamer_Daddy, buddy, did you receive your VR headset yet?


    [ProGamer_Daddy]: Huh? Bro, don''t tell me you¡­


    [NeverShowOff]: Ahem, I also got into the beta.


    [Actually_Hitler]: No way, Show-Off Bro. You fell for this kind of scam too?


    Oof. I felt like my heart had been stabbed. This was exactly why I''d been hesitating to bring it up. It was embarrassing. Why do I feel like I''m making excuses to my mom?


    [NeverShowOff]: Haha, well, I''m a gaming content creator, so I need to explore oddball games for material.


    [ProGamer_Daddy]: Oh, that makes sense. Honestly, I only signed up because it was dirt cheap¡ªlike practically free¡ªso I figured why not? Didn''t expect to actually get in!


    [ProGamer_Daddy]: I checked my delivery tracker. The headset should arrive this afternoon. But my dad said it might be unsafe since it''s from an unknown source. He wants to run some tests at his company first, so I probably won''t get my hands on it until tomorrow.


    "Practically free¡­" I felt another stab to my heart, followed by two streams of metaphorical tears.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    I was all too familiar with this fan, ProGamer_Daddy, who happened to be my third-highest tipper.


    He was a young heir from a wealthy family who casually donated to my channel. He once joked that becoming a top donor on my small channel was ''easier than taking candy from a baby''¡ªall it took was a few donations that probably meant nothing to him.


    Sigh. The gap between people really was massive.


    But the second message lifted my spirits. This was exactly the kind of info I needed!


    I quickly pulled ProGamer_Daddy into a private chat.


    ---


    [NeverShowOff]: Hey, could you send me the test report on the headset when it''s done?


    [ProGamer_Daddy]: Ohhh, so that''s why you messaged me? No problem at all!


    [NeverShowOff]: Thanks a ton! By the way, do you think Chronicles of Aeltia could actually deliver on full-dive VR?


    [ProGamer_Daddy]: Hmm¡­ Not likely. My family doesn''t work in game development, but we''re pretty familiar with cutting-edge brainwave tech.


    [ProGamer_Daddy]: To make a game pod that meets public expectations, they''d need at least one major technical breakthrough, maybe even two. The neural interface alone would need some serious testing.


    [NeverShowOff]: But what about those breakthrough rumors?


    [ProGamer_Daddy]: Even with quantum computing, the processing requirements would be astronomical.


    [NeverShowOff]: Could you share the detailed results when they''re done?


    [ProGamer_Daddy]: Sure, but don''t expect much. This kind of tech usually takes decades.


    I read this with new respect.


    ProGamer_Daddy clearly came from an extraordinary background. This level of insight was well beyond anything I could gather on my own.


    We chatted for a while longer, agreeing to check out Chronicles of Aeltia together in two days. If the game actually worked, we''d team up.


    I closed the chat window.


    If it works, I''ll have exclusive first coverage.


    If it fails, well, failed game reviews get views too.


    Even though ProGamer_Daddy said the chances were slim, there was still a chance. Some revolutionary technologies didn''t follow the usual rules.


    Think of the Industrial Revolution¡ªhuman progress in that era outpaced the previous thousand years combined!


    What if Chronicles of Aeltia really had that kind of breakthrough? It would be a massive win.


    I would treat this as an invisible investment. Huge gains if it worked, minimal loss if it didn''t.


    After chatting with ProGamer_Daddy, I felt much more at ease.


    ---Viktor''s POV---


    After my explanation, Edgar now had a general understanding of the chaotic neutral personality of our incoming players. I watched as he studied the list of written notes I''d given him, attempting to commit them to memory.


    Meanwhile, I was patrolling Honeyvale Town, which had been given a semblance of renewal.


    The entire place had fewer than a hundred houses, with only two main streets, both of which could be seen in their entirety from one end. It was almost adorably primitive. Perfect for newbies who needed to learn the hard way.


    In preparation for the fragile players who were about to arrive, Edgar had dealt with the few stray magical creatures in town. He''d also set up a temporary magic formation within a one-kilometer radius around the town, both to block new monsters from entering and to conceal the town itself, reducing the chance of unwanted discovery.


    The location, on the outskirts of the Great Oak Forest, could still be considered moderately dangerous for high-level mages, making it an ideal training ground. But it also posed a future threat to me and my group.


    Given that the players would need to build their own houses and forage for food during their initial adventures, Edgar had made a trip to the neighboring Nary Town to borrow some tools.


    I glanced at the sky. The players would be arriving soon. Calling to Edgar and the floating orb outside the chapel, I motioned for them to follow me inside.


    "Time''s getting short. Walk me through the welcome sequence again."


    "Greet them at the chapel, explain basic survival mechanics..." Edgar began.


    "And if they ask about advanced skills?"


    "Direct them to the quest board, as instructed."


    "Good. Did you memorize it all?" I asked Edgar once we were inside.


    He nodded. "More or less. There are a few phrases I don''t fully understand, but memorizing them isn''t too hard."


    "No problem. Just stick to responding with the specific lines I''ve taught you. If you don''t understand something, just ignore it. You''ll figure it out over time."


    I had anticipated this. Abstract internet slang was not something I could directly explain to a righteous knight like Edgar. It would have to come through experience.


    Time for a practical lesson. I cleared my throat and assumed my best player impression.


    "Yo, this game is poggers! But like, the graphics are kinda sus. No cap, fr fr."


    Edgar''s brow furrowed in concentration. He consulted the notes, then replied with careful precision, "Welcome to Aeltia! We''re working to improve your experience. Perhaps you''d like to try our upcoming quests?"


    "Based response, my guy! Where can I get some epic loot?"


    "The abandoned mine to the north holds many treasures," he answered smoothly, gaining confidence. "But beware¡ªonly the strongest warriors return."


    Not bad. He''s learning to redirect their attention to game content. I switched tactics.


    "Bruh, this game''s totally pay to win! I''m gonna rage quit!"


    Edgar''s hand instinctively moved toward his sword¡ªa warrior''s reflex to perceived hostility¡ªbut he caught himself and responded as practiced. "Every warrior faces challenges differently. Have you visited our training grounds? Many find their true strength there."


    I nodded in approval. Being severely injured and weakened, I couldn''t possibly guide every player personally as our numbers grew. Edgar was the successor I was training.


    He''ll make a fine guide for the starter village. Earnest enough to be trustworthy, adaptable enough to handle their chaos.


    ---


    Inside the chapel, the broken furniture and candlesticks had already been cleared out, leaving only a statue of a deity. Before the statue, there was a massive magic formation, spanning several dozen meters.


    The orb floated nervously near the ceiling. "Must you conduct this blasphemy here?"


    "Would you prefer I do it outside where anyone could see?"


    "But the sacred ground¡ª"


    "Will serve a new purpose. Times change, little one."


    This was a byproduct of one of my failed necromancy experiments¡ªan illegal magic spell capable of transforming the corpses of monsters into human bodies. However, these bodies couldn''t contain complete human souls, rendering the spell useless for my initial needs.


    Ever since I had created it, it had gone unused.


    But now things were different. This spell was useless for resurrection, but perfect for player avatars.


    The players coming from Earth would only be able to send over fragments of their consciousness. This happened to meet the criteria for using the bodies produced by the spell.


    I pulled out my black staff with its long handle. Around me, the surrounding mana began to flow and converge into the formation, which suddenly lit up.


    "Flesh Rebirth!"


    The pile of monster corpses Edgar had placed at the center of the formation began to dissolve, sinking into the magic circle.


    A crimson-black mist rose from the formation, melting away the already damaged marble floor and exposing the dirt beneath.


    The floating orb let out a small, distressed shriek. "My chapel!"


    To the orb, the chapel, with its deity statue, was its most prized possession. Seeing the floor crumble and a gaping hole form, it was nearly heartbroken.


    It didn''t dare voice its complaints too loudly. Interrupting a necromancer''s ritual could mean losing the entire chapel altogether.


    Moments later, three pale male human bodies were neatly arranged on the ground.


    I nodded in satisfaction. "Good. The magic worked perfectly!"


    Now, we just needed to deliver the game helmets containing my mana to the hands of the three beta testers.


    Over the past few days, I had discovered that my mana seemed to function like a virus on the internet, infiltrating any cracks in the network.


    Since that was the case, I had done what any good "virus" would do. I used the money the beta testers had paid for their game access to deposit funds into a hidden account. Using this, I acquired three motorcycle helmets, modified them through a series of transactions, and had a craftsman install networking devices inside.


    Through these devices, I infused my mana into the helmets. When the players received their helmets, my mana would locate their brain coordinates and pull their consciousness projections into this world.


    Everything was proceeding perfectly. All that remained was for the players to arrive.


    Edgar stepped forward to dress the three "corpses."


    We were currently on the run, with few resources. The clothes, borrowed from the neighboring town, didn''t fit well. Some shirts were so short they choked the neck, while the pants were so long they dragged on the ground.


    "Not bad," I commented. "Low-quality starter outfits like these should motivate them to buy new skins!"


    This wasn''t ideal, of course. I didn''t like cutting corners. But our organization was in dire straits, and the first batch of players would have to endure these conditions.


    With some time left before the "beta launch," I decided to go over our personas again.


    "Pop quiz: What do you say when they ask about the gods?"


    "The gods'' tyranny drove humanity to flee. Now we return to reclaim¡ª"


    "Good, but add more mystery. Make them work for the lore."


    "Remember," I added, "these nerds are like children with the attention span of a gnat."


    "Yet you say they''ll save Aeltia?"


    "They''ll try to save Aeltia because it''s fun. That''s the beauty of it."


    "Let''s rehearse our character settings one more time. When the nerds arrive, don''t slip up!"


    Edgar nodded in understanding.


    Before I could say more, he began reciting:


    "Leader of The Watchers, Viktor, and the... nerds, are humans who left Aeltia before the Age of the Gods. The gods'' reckless abuse of power drove Aeltia to ruin. Now, you return to your homeland on a mission to save the world..."


    Anything Edgar said sounded three times more convincing than usual. I listened with satisfaction¡ªmy choice of Edgar as the guide was perfect.


    "That''s the spirit! If anyone asks about the lore, stick to these settings. Don''t give away too much at once; share just enough to keep them hooked!"


    Lore-loving players thrived on piecing together scattered bits of information. This small amount of background would be enough to sustain them for several updates.


    Edgar nodded solemnly.


    The new "helpers"¡ªno, players¡ªwere a chaotic and easily distracted bunch. To keep them engaged long-term, he needed stick to the recruitment strategies I had taught him.


    The floating orb muttered under its breath, "This ridiculous story wouldn''t even fool a brainless red-scaled worm..."


    "Ahh!" it yelped, clutching its head as I sent a jolt of magic to shut it up.


    I retracted my staff, giving the orb a side glance.


    "Stop muttering and start practicing. Your role is crucial."


    "I almost forgot about you while testing Edgar. Now, it''s your turn. Recite your part of the setup!"

 09 - Pants Too Long, Collars Too Tight

    ---Viktor''s POV---


    I watched intently as the threads of light on the glowing orb stood on end, reminding me distinctly of a nervous schoolchild being called on in class, trembling before their teacher.


    "I... I am a divine fragment who..." The orb''s light flickered erratically. "Who rebelled against... no, who chose to... or was it..."


    Pathetic. I watched as it struggled to string even basic sentences together.


    "The Great Divine War led to... or maybe it started with..." The orb''s glow dimmed further. "There was definitely a betrayal involved... I think?"


    Each attempted explanation was more nonsensical than the last. The orb''s voice grew smaller with each failure, until it was barely more than a whisper.


    "Something about the gods'' faction wanting to... or was that the other side?"


    I could almost feel secondhand embarrassment from watching its pitiful performance. Here was a supposedly divine being, reduced to mumbling half-formed thoughts like a student who hadn''t studied for their presentation.


    "They don''t even understand what I say, so why should I have to memorize this stuff?" the glowing orb muttered, its tone lacking any real conviction.


    This was true, after all¡ªthere was no shared language between the worlds of Earth and Aeltia. Only I could bridge the gap in communication between the two sides, acting as the necessary mediator.


    I had only established a mental imprint with Edgar, carefully enabling him to understand what the players said as long as he remained within a certain range of me.


    Although I had also signed a contract with the glowing orb, I didn''t trust it one bit. I had never even mentioned the concept of a mental imprint, making it painfully obvious that I was guarding against it.


    I suddenly leaned in close, my skeletal face mere inches from the orb as I spoke in a dangerous, threatening tone, "Oh? So you didn''t remember anything at all?"


    "I-I mean... that is..."


    The glowing orb jolted jolted in absolute fright at the sudden proximity of my skull, instinctively shooting several meters backward before coming to a shaky, unsteady stop. It clutched its metaphorical heart, looking as though it had narrowly escaped the Grim Reaper himself.


    But reflecting deeply on the events of the past few days, the orb seemed to come to a bold conclusion: I appeared hesitant to ascend to godhood directly, yet clearly placed great value on the power of divine essence.


    This meant that, as a self-aware divine fragment, it was absolutely critical to me.


    Even though its life was in my hands, it seemed to believe I wouldn''t dare make any reckless moves.


    "Anyway, I can''t even make out what they''re saying. When it happens, I''ll just act like I never heard anything. Isn''t that what you said?"


    I had indeed instructed Edgar to ignore the players'' occasional outbursts, and this rule naturally applied to the glowing orb as well. However, since the orb couldn''t understand anything to begin with, it conveniently didn''t have to respond at all.


    Perfect for it.


    Its tiny green eyes darted toward me now and then, eagerly awaiting my reaction with growing anticipation.


    But I simply lost interest entirely, abruptly returning to my original position without sparing it so much as a passing glance.


    Edgar glanced carefully at me, then at the glowing orb, which seemed momentarily dumbfounded by my response.


    "You''re just going to ignore it now?" he asked in an even, completely detached tone.


    I casually pulled out a pitch-black mage robe from my storage space and began putting it on as I replied with indifference, "No need. Like it said, it doesn''t understand anything. Let it stay quiet and act as a mascot."


    I spoke lightly, but Edgar understood perfectly that this statement effectively severed any possibility of the glowing orb communicating with the players.


    From Edgar''s perspective, this should be a welcome outcome. Divine fragments were inherently dangerous, and keeping the orb as a passive tool minimized potential risks significantly.


    After a brief pause, he remained silent, offering no further objection to my decision.


    ---Logan''s POV---


    Ding ding ding!


    Smack!


    I groggily crawled out of bed and checked my phone with bleary eyes. "Crap! It''s 7:50 AM. Why did I set my alarm for 8:00?"


    Muttering to myself in frustration, I tossed my phone aside and flopped back onto my bed heavily.


    Five minutes later, I bolted upright suddenly.


    "Wait a minute! Today''s the launch of the Chronicles of Aeltia beta test!"


    Snatching up the clothes on my bed hurriedly, I jumped over to my gaming setup in just a few excited strides.


    Sitting in the middle of my computer and gaming peripherals was a sleek, futuristic silver-and-black helmet¡ªthe gaming headset I''d received just yesterday.


    Thanks to my enthusiastic friend "ProGamer_Daddy" verifying its safety thoroughly, I felt completely confident in using it. My excitement for the game was at an absolute all-time high.


    According to his detailed explanation, the back of the headset contained an indecipherable core encoder that likely tied into the game''s core mechanics.


    I could hardly contain my anticipation. If the game company had gone to such extraordinary lengths to ensure secrecy, the game had to be something truly extraordinary.


    And it was too late for second thoughts anyway.


    Placing the helmet carefully on my head, I was greeted by a countdown on the dark screen before my eyes.


    Three minutes remained until launch.


    [Connection initializing. Please remain still.]


    "Phew! Barely made it!"


    I sighed deeply in relief and watched eagerly as the timer ticked down second by second.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Finally, the countdown hit zero.


    And then¡­


    A faint but distinct suction sensation emanated from the back of my head, before everything went black.


    Out of nowhere, I was lying on something cold and hard.


    Opening my eyes slowly, I saw a white cathedral ceiling towering above me. A strange scent, both bloody and herbal, wafted to my nose unexpectedly.


    "Did I just¡­ transmigrate? No, wait¡ªI''m in the game, right?!"


    Disbelievingly, I sat up and looked down at my hands in wonder.


    The light! The texture! The smell! The sensation!


    This was exactly what I had always dreamed of in a virtual reality game.


    Caressing my own hands in amazement, I was so completely overwhelmed that I began to cry uncontrollably. "Waaaah! A real VR game! Finally!"


    "Ahhh! A pervert! Help!"


    A terrified scream pierced my ears suddenly, the high-pitched tone even breaking into a dolphin-like squeal.


    I blinked rapidly through my tears and turned to see a handsome young man staring at me in absolute horror.


    From the clarity¡ªand utter stupidity¡ªin the man''s gaze, I instantly recognized him as another player without doubt. Considering there were only three beta testers total, I tentatively asked, "ProGamer_Daddy?"


    The handsome young man''s fear shifted immediately to surprise. "Bro, is that you, NeverShowOff? Thank god it''s you!"


    After confirming my identity completely, the young man let out a huge sigh of relief.


    "You scared the crap out of me!" he shuddered visibly. "I wake up in this weird place, and the first thing I see is you crying and..." He gestured vaguely. "No offense bro, but watching some grown man caressing himself and sobbing like that... I thought I''d woken up in some horror game!"


    I coughed awkwardly, feeling embarrassed. "This is my first time playing a game like this. I got a little carried away, okay?"


    "I get it! Let me tell you¡ªthis game is absolutely insane! The blood smells completely real, the visuals are absolutely stunning, the dirt even tastes perfectly earthy!"


    "Wait, why are you tasting dirt?" I asked, but he was too excited to hear me.


    He laughed sheepishly. "Oh, that... I kind of tripped and fell face-first when I spawned in. But that''s not important! The point is, you can feel and taste everything!"


    "And even the sensation of suffocation is so incredibly realistic it''s crazy. We''re actually playing a real virtual reality game!"


    "Ok... what?" As I listened carefully, my eyes drifted to ProGamer_Daddy''s obviously undersized clothing¡ªand more specifically, to the faint but visible marks around his neck.


    My expression grew increasingly complicated.


    "So¡­ have you thought about why you''re able to feel the sensation of being choked?"


    "Ah?"


    I watched as he belatedly looked down and tugged at his collar, his face scrunching up with discomfort.


    "Damn, what era is this outfit from? Why is it so small? It''s like a torture device!"


    After pulling at it, a dark purple strangulation mark was already visible on his neck. It looked as though he had been hanging for quite a while.


    The quality of the clothes turned out to be surprisingly good¡ªhe tugged several times but couldn''t physically tear the collar apart.


    Seeing this, I immediately stepped forward to help.


    "Don''t worry, let me try!"


    He stopped me. "No, don''t move!"


    Bang!


    Before he could finish speaking, I fell face-first onto the ground, tangled in the excessive fabric of my pants.


    I picked up the pant legs, which were longer than both my legs combined, my mind full of confusion.


    "Who are these pants even made for? Not even a giraffe could fit into pants this long!"


    ProGamer_Daddy chuckled awkwardly, trying not to laugh too hard at my predicament.


    "Ahaha, seems like this game''s starter outfit isn''t very friendly to us newbies, haha. Careful there, shorty!"


    Suddenly¡ª


    A low, heavy voice came from the side.


    "Let me do it."


    Rip!


    The pant legs, which had been like steel wires in my hands, tore apart effortlessly. The muscular player made it look as easy as tearing paper.


    After dealing with the pants, the newcomer also helped ProGamer_Daddy open the collar with the same casual strength.


    Finally able to breathe properly, ProGamer_Daddy looked at him gratefully, rubbing his neck.


    "Thanks, buddy! Damn, you made that look easy!"


    The third player nodded as if to say, "It''s nothing."


    "Hey, you sure talk in an interesting way!"


    ProGamer_Daddy walked over.


    Looking at the similarly torn sleeves on the other player, he clicked his tongue in wonder.


    "How come there''s such a big difference between people, even when we''re all using starter gear?"


    The third player looked down at his hands, flexing them thoughtfully.


    "It''s probably related to our own attributes. My strength¡­ has always been greater than normal."


    "That makes sense. My nose is sharper than average, and it doesn''t feel any different in this body! I can smell everything around us crystal clear." ProGamer_Daddy had found some validation for himself too, taking exaggerated sniffs of the air.


    I walked over to join them, my shortened pants now much more manageable.


    "That''s right. My height is also about the same as it is in real life. It seems like, apart from our appearance being randomized for privacy, all our attributes¡ªlike stamina, endurance, and smell¡ªare copied from our real bodies." As the words left my mouth, I gasped.


    Wait a minute... Those stats weren''t on the beta registration form! A helmet that can scan our bodies?


    "Height¡­" ProGamer_Daddy muttered, his gaze shifting from the top of my head down to my legs, his expression becoming subtle.


    My face turned red with anger. "That''s only because the starter pants are too long! It has nothing to do with my height¡ªI''m a solid 177 cm, okay! That should be average!"


    While not exactly tall, I certainly wasn''t short either.


    Just as I was about to defend myself further, the church doors creaked open with an ominous sound.


    ---Viktor''s POV---


    I entered, accompanied by Edgar and my light orb.


    Bang!


    The doors shut automatically without anyone touching them¡ªa little theatrical touch I''d prepared.


    I noticed the short one''s mouth form an "O" shape as he stared in shock at us.


    Perfect.


    My wizard''s robe was having exactly the effect I''d hoped for. With Edgar in his knight''s armor beside me and the magical light orb floating above, we made quite the impressive entrance.


    Each step we took seemed to increase their awe¡ªI could practically feel their gazes boring into us.


    "Damn, that''s so cool!" the short one exclaimed.


    I couldn''t help but grin under my hood.


    These past two days practicing elven noble banquet etiquette with Edgar hadn''t gone to waste¡ªthis was exactly the moment I''d prepared for.


    The muscular one couldn''t resist stepping forward, but another quickly grabbed him by the shoulder.


    "Don''t move! This is probably the game''s opening cutscene. If you miss it, you might lose important information¡ªor worse, trigger the NPC''s hostility!"


    "Cutscene? NPCs?" the muscular one asked in surprise. "They aren''t real people?"


    "Of course not. It''s just us three suckers in this game. Look at their outfits¡ªdo they look anything like ours? Way too fancy to be starter gear."


    "Shh, the story''s starting!"


    I watched as the same player made a "quiet" gesture, craning his neck like a curious goose to watch us. Quite the talkative one. These newcomers are even more entertaining than I expected.


    Edgar paused beside me¡ªI could tell these players'' behavior was confusing him just as much as he''d warned me it would. Just like now¡ªhe couldn''t figure out why they were stretching their necks like that.


    I sighed in relief, seeing that the three players were behaving themselves. Before entering, I''d imagined several scenarios where they might rush at us or act inappropriately. I''d even considered how I could, within character, knock them away.


    Fortunately, that wouldn''t be necessary.


    I lifted my cloak, revealing my skeletal form.


    Three audible gasps and whispered discussions followed, exactly as planned.


    "Holy crap, a skeleton man!" the talkative one muttered, taking an instinctive step back.


    "This is what 100% realism looks like? That skeleton is too detailed... way too detailed!" the shorter one marveled, leaning forward for a better look.


    The muscular one''s pupils constricted, his body tensing slightly.


    I could see the exact moment their doubts vanished.


    Perfect.


    "Welcome, Returnees."


    I spoke, using my deepest and sharpest voice.


    "As you can see, I have failed in my task."


    "The gods and Aeltia could not reconcile their differences. Six hundred years ago, the gods waged the final Divine War, and they were all annihilated."


    "As foretold, Aeltia began its path toward destruction."


    "The remains of the fallen gods gave rise to terrifying monsters. They continue to invade the lands of all races. The elves have retreated to the Elven Forest, the sirens hide deep beneath the sea, the dwarves have vanished, and the dragons bury their heads in the sands of Dragon Valley. Only humanity continues to resist."


    "The battle lines cannot keep retreating. Each race must emerge from the shadow of the gods and find the true future of civilization. We will fire the first shot of resistance!"


    "Though I could not stop the prophecy''s birth, my return before you gives me the experience to help you rebuild the Watchers'' legacy!"


    "Our first step is to rebuild Honeyvale Town and establish our first foothold in Aeltia!"


    "Do whatever you must! Our goals are the same, our vision aligned. We fight for the countless comrades behind us. Every second is precious¡ªthere is no time to waste!"


    "Before the next monster tide, we need enough weapons, food, and a solid wall!"


    As my speech ended, the place fell silent. I could see the talkative one mouthing something to his companions, though I couldn''t make out the words.


    I had expected this. While these money-hungry players were easy to command, they weren''t willing to work for free.


    Clearing my throat, I continued.


    "I respect every warrior who risks returning to Aeltia, but courage and effort must be rewarded accordingly."


    "Please mentally summon your ''Status Panel.'' It contains everything you''ll need."

 10 - Welcome to the Beta (Terms & Conditions Apply)

    ---Logan''s POV---


    Following the skeleton''s instructions, I focused my thoughts, and a light blue panel materialized before me.


    Holy crap, it actually works! My fingers tingled with excitement as I reached out to touch it, though they passed right through the display.


    ---


    [Name: NeverShowOff]


    [Race: Human]


    [Level: 1 (Newbie)]


    [XP: 0/100]


    [SAN: 100]


    [Skills: None]


    [Inventory: Empty]


    ----


    "A game panel really exists!" I couldn''t contain my excitement.


    I had assumed the game had poured all its effort into achieving 100% realism, leaving out typical game elements like a UI. After all, this was only the first closed beta. Just based on the visuals and realism alone, I was ready to overlook any flaws.


    Most beta games were incomplete. For some games, the first beta and the official release felt like two completely different titles. But from what I''d seen so far, Chronicles of Aeltia already felt 70% complete.


    And this was just the first beta.


    The game panel''s stats followed classic designs. I quickly skimmed through them and even found the "Exit Game" button in the top right corner.


    The only stat I couldn''t figure out was SAN.


    "Why does a fantasy adventure game have a SAN system? Is this game Cthulhu-themed?" I muttered to myself, puzzled, tapping the stat experimentally.


    Nothing happened.


    The NPC''s earlier explanation of the world hadn''t hinted at anything like that. Still curious, I opened the Important Notes section below. The Important Notes button was highlighted in bold red, making it impossible to miss.


    ---


    [Watcher''s Member Handbook]


    1. Players can only choose one faction: the Watcher faction. Faction changes are not allowed.


    2. The faction leader is uniquely and exclusively Viktor. If Viktor dies, players will lose their anchor point in Aeltia, and the main storyline to resist the gods and save Aeltia will automatically fail. The beta channel will close, and after a rollback and bug fixes, the beta will restart.


    3. The faction leader has special privileges, such as "Confinement (temporary account freeze)" and "Faction Expulsion (account ban)." While Viktor has a mild temperament, do not test his patience.


    4. The final interpretation of the above rules rests solely with the faction leader.


    ---


    My eyelid twitched as I read.


    Good grief, aside from the first rule, the other three were all about Viktor. Did our faction leader have this much power? He could even ban accounts?


    And if he died, the game would be shut down?!


    Sure, the beta would reopen eventually, but who knew how long that would take? What if the game became super popular by then and I couldn''t get back into the beta?


    Silently, I resolved to ensure the faction leader''s safety at all costs. But¡­ come to think of it. Our faction leader was a skeleton. How exactly was I supposed to keep a skeleton "alive"?


    After searching in vain for an explanation of the SAN value, I gave up. With a name like that, as a gamer with 20 years of experience, I knew exactly what the stat implied.


    I continued browsing. In addition to the character attributes page, the game panel had a separate Quest Module. I clicked it open, and a list of quests popped up.


    ---


    [Logging: For every tree cut down, earn 5 XP. Trees must be at least 8 meters tall. No restrictions on tree type.]


    [Street Cleaning: For every bucket of garbage collected, earn 2 XP.]


    [Stone Collection: For every unit of stone gathered, earn 2 XP. Units are calculated as follows: ¡­]


    [Foraging: For every unit of wild fruit collected, earn 1 XP. Units are calculated as follows: ¡­]


    ---


    The quests were varied but consisted entirely of menial tasks to clean up the town. It was clear that the Watcher organization in this game''s background was down bad.


    Looks like the greatest faction in the game is currently moonlighting as a janitorial service.


    I sighed to myself. The logging quest offered the most XP, sitting at the top of the list. I did some quick math. Chopping down 20 trees would level me up to Level 2.


    Not bad at all.


    I wonder if there''s a reward for reaching Level 2? I thought, already imagining what kind of cool abilities might be waiting.


    Another player, ProGamer_Daddy, seemed to have the same question and asked directly.


    "Excuse me, Skeleton Lord?"


    "My name is Viktor," the skeleton corrected, "and I am your leader and the current lord of Honeyvale Town."


    "Got it, Lord Viktor!" ProGamer_Daddy quickly adapted, not missing a beat. "So, what''s the reward for reaching Level 2?"


    I could swear I saw Viktor''s eye sockets gleam.


    "You''ve just returned to Aeltia and still need time to adapt to this radically changed world," he began. "Once you''ve adjusted, I will grant you magical initiation. Powerful magic is the foundation of everything!"


    "Magical initiation?!" ProGamer_Daddy shouted, practically jumping with joy. His grin stretched so wide it nearly reached his ears. "You mean this world really has magic, and we can learn it at Level 2?"


    Viktor gave a slight nod, somehow managing to look both dignified despite being a skeleton.


    Overcome with excitement, ProGamer_Daddy bolted out the door. "Lord, wait for me! I''ll chop down 20 trees for you in no time!"


    "Me too!" I shouted, now equally fired up as I dashed after him. Quests, here I come! Time to level up!


    ---Viktor''s POV---


    "Wait!" I called out, watching the enthusiastic players dash away. Like excited puppies running after a bone... hopefully not my bone.


    Edgar swiftly grabbed both players and hauled them back.


    "I wasn''t finished," I said calmly, giving the two a pointed look. Now they knew to listen properly? They''d have to hear me out first.


    If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    "The place we''re in is called Honeyvale Town, located on the outskirts of the Great Oak Forest. It''s one of countless ordinary settlements drowned by the magical tide," I explained, making sure to emphasize the next part. "This area is surrounded by monsters. Outside the one-kilometer safe zone around Honeyvale Town, the rest of the region is extremely dangerous. Do not wander off, or you''ll face the consequences."


    "This is Edgar. Some quests come with supply items, which you can collect from him."


    Edgar nodded in greeting, finally releasing his grip on the two players.


    "And this¡­" I hesitated. Come on, think. You''ve had centuries to practice naming things.


    The glowing orb stared eagerly at me. In the chaos of the past few days, I''d forgotten to name the glowing orb. I''d always just called it "Light Orb."


    Even in the scripted lore, it was labeled as a mascot.


    No way could I introduce it as Aeceus Muse, the God of Creativity. If the real Aeceus ever revived, the orb might get absorbed due to sharing the same name and power source.


    That was unacceptable!


    My brain worked overtime. Light Orb¡­ Aeceus''s divine shard¡­ What should I name it?


    Got it!


    My eyes brightened as I continued. "Its name is Luminaris! As a fragment of the God of Light''s divinity, it has come to realize the unforgivable sins of the gods."


    "Thus, it has willingly joined The Watchers, offering its divine light to aid us in our cause. When you''re ready to learn magic, you can find it at the chapel."


    The glowing orb stared eagerly at me, and though I couldn''t read its thoughts, I could sense its anticipation.


    Judging by Edgar''s behavior, it must have thought I was introducing them!


    The orb pulsed brightly, seeming to vibrate with anticipation. I could almost imagine its eagerness to hear how I would present it to these peculiar humans.


    "Choo-choo-phoo!" it chimed in suddenly.


    At least it remembered the phrase I taught it. I had told the orb that this was a divine blessing in the player''s language. No doubt it thinks this will impress them with how approachable their future deity is.


    However...


    Logan''s lips twitched.


    "Luminaris? Seriously? That''s just ''luminous'' with extra steps. Does the God of Light just open a thesaurus and pick the first fancy-sounding word?"


    What''s wrong with Luminaris?


    The fact that it appears so often means the public already approves of this name!


    If the God of Light isn''t called Luminaris, what, should he be called Bob the Bright instead?


    It''s already good enough to use!


    I listened as the chatty one hissed, "So this light orb is actually a double agent?"


    His face scrunched up in thought, and he muttered to himself, "As the God of Light¡ªor even just a fragment of the God of Light¡ªit should naturally belong to the divine faction. But now it''s pledging allegiance to us, the anti-god faction Watchers? Isn''t this just betraying itself?"


    He shook his head vigorously. "Abstract¡ªthis is way too abstract!"


    The short one studied the orb floating before them, his eyes narrowing. "Look at how simple it is. The way it just floats there..." He turned to the others. "Judging by how it looks so dumb and unable to speak, could it be the game''s mascot?"


    The light orb¡ªnow nicknamed "Luminaris"¡ªstared in confusion at the three players who wouldn''t stop talking. I could almost read its thoughts: What''s going on? Could it be that it had blessed them in person, and they were so overwhelmed with joy they didn''t know how to react?


    The short one turned around and looked back: "Hey, look at the goddess statue behind us. Isn''t the ball in her hands Luminaris?"


    "It totally is!" The chatty one''s eyes lit up with amazement, and suspicious drool trickled down the corner of his mouth. "Man, the attention to detail in this game is incredible! If Luminaris is the God of Light''s fragment, won''t it grow up to look like the statue?"


    His attitude flipped, and he gave the light orb a thumbs-up. "Well done with the betrayal! Us Watchers need a kind, reasonable, and beautiful goddess! Think about it¡ªbeauty, brains, and she''s on our side! That''s triple threat material!"


    I watched as the light orb slightly lowered its beam, feeling a little better. Its light patterns shifted subtly, clearly understanding that gesture as praise.


    It thought these believers were praising it!


    "Cheep-cheep-bop!" It happily sent out another blessing, its glow pulsing with enthusiasm.


    "Did it just... chirp at us?" the short one asked.


    The chatty one scratched his head. "Maybe it''s speaking in light orb language?"


    Knowing the truth, I had to stifle my laughter, finding it hard to hold back. Clearing my throat, I said, "That''s all sorted. Companions, I hope you quickly adapt to life in Aeltia."


    With that, I grabbed the light orb and disappeared into the depths of the church at a slow-yet-fast pace.


    I left, fearing I wouldn''t be able to keep up my character anymore!


    Edgar stepped aside, revealing various baskets, pickaxes, and tools stored behind him. "Tools here. One per person, no exceptions."


    "What''s with all these weird-looking implements?" asked, examining the collection.


    Edgar''s expression remained neutral. "Each tool fits its task. Choose wisely."


    The trio immediately shifted their attention away from me and swarmed toward Edgar. A player could only take one task at a time, which meant they could only receive one tool.


    After handing out the remaining tools, Edgar also headed inside the church, leaving the entire space to the three players.


    ---Logan''s POV---


    I huddled together with the third player, examining the deep green leaf in my hands. The leaf was about as large as both my palms combined. Apart from the handle area¡ªwhich had been smoothed for grip¡ªthe edges were lined with sharp, jagged teeth, making it extremely sharp.


    Earlier, the silver knight had said it was an axe needed for the logging task. I tried bending it, but the leaf was incredibly rigid, similar to ironwood back on Earth. I couldn''t help but complain. "Our faction is way too poor, huh? Can''t we even afford a proper axe?"


    Opening my inventory to check, sure enough, a new item had appeared: [Simple Axe (Broad Thornleaf Blade)].


    The third player casually swung the Broad Thornleaf Blade, producing a faint slicing sound. "Watch the cutting motion¡ªit''s different from a regular axe." Feeling the sharp barbs along its edges, he remarked, "This blade isn''t bad¡ªprobably more effective than a regular axe."


    "Really?" I tried it myself but shook my head. "Different doesn''t mean better. It''s just the shape that''s weird. I still find it hard to use."


    "Wonder if I can switch tasks." Cutting down 20 trees, each 8 meters tall, with this leaf felt way too difficult. Had I known, I would''ve joined ProGamer_Daddy to collect stone instead.


    Speak of the devil¡ªhe came running out of the church.


    "Bro! Perfect timing! You guys haven''t left yet¡ªlet me join in!"


    "ProGamer_Daddy?" I looked at the identical Broad Thornleaf Blade in his hands and gaped. "Weren''t you going to collect stone?"


    Earlier, when we were choosing task tools, the third player and I had both gone straight for the logging task, accepting it and seeking out Edgar. ProGamer_Daddy had originally planned to take the logging task too, but he hesitated, paranoid that it might be a trap.


    Instead, he spent ages calculating which task would get him to Level 2 the fastest. Edgar didn''t have the patience to wait for him, so after a while, he simply picked up his basket and left.


    Panicking, ProGamer_Daddy ran after him and reluctantly took what he had calculated as the most cost-efficient stone-collecting task.


    And yet now he was back to logging?


    "Look, the stone-collecting tool? Literal garbage," he sighed. "One rusty hoe away from bankruptcy! Don''t mention it. The stone-collecting tool was a rusty hoe! I was worried it''d break before I even leveled up."


    "This game doesn''t have a currency system yet. If an NPC makes me pay for broken tools, I''d go bankrupt."


    "So after weighing my options, this natural tool is still the best!"


    "I even asked the NPC about it. He said Broad Thornleaf is everywhere nearby, so if it breaks, I can go back and get another one!"


    My eyes widened. "Wait, we can get replacements?!"


    So my first choice was the best one after all! As expected, the first step in any survival game was punching trees!


    Looking at the three nearly identical blades, I thought for a moment and suggested, "Since we all have to do the logging task, why don''t we form a team?"


    "Finally! Some company while grinding!" ProGamer_Daddy responded enthusiastically.


    The third player didn''t say anything but nodded.


    I scratched my head and said, "By the way, bro, I''m NeverShowOff. We''ve been here so long, but we don''t even know your name!"


    "My name?" The third player frowned.


    "Yeah, the game ID you entered when you signed up for the beta test." I prompted.


    Seeing his expression, I thought to myself: Uh-oh. Could this guy really be a first-time MMO player?


    But that made no sense. Why would someone new to MMOs care about a beta test game?


    After hesitating for a moment, the third player explained, "I wasn''t in a good mood when I signed up, so I didn''t take naming seriously. It''s hard to pronounce."


    I sighed. "So what now?"


    For now, it wasn''t a big deal. But as more players joined the game in the future, we couldn''t just call him "bro" all the time.


    ProGamer_Daddy suddenly remembered something and clapped his hands. "Oh right! Bro, I forgot to tell you¡ªif you look through the semi-transparent game panel, you can see player IDs and NPC info!"


    "I found out about it earlier during that cutscene," he explained excitedly. "When I looked at our faction leader, there were these titles floating above him: [Leader of The Watcher], [Lord of Honeyvale Town], [Dying Undead (7 Days, 12 Hours)]."


    "Dying Undead?" I nearly dropped my blade. "What kind of title is that?"


    "I know, right?" he laughed nervously. "Man, that last one nearly gave me a heart attack! Thought the game was shutting down in seven days or something."


    "Wouldn''t they announce something that important?" The third player spoke up, frowning. "Beta tests don''t just end without warning."


    "Yeah, that''s what got me looking closer," ProGamer_Daddy nodded. "Then I noticed the seconds actually go up and down. Has to be some kind of lore mechanic we haven''t figured out yet."


    "Or maybe it''s a quest timer," I suggested, remembering similar mechanics from other games. "Like we need to help him with something before that countdown ends?"


    "As long as the servers aren''t shutting down, I''m cool with either!" ProGamer_Daddy grinned. "Though I gotta admit, the whole ''dying undead'' thing is pretty metal for a faction leader title."


    I did as instructed and successfully saw the third player''s ID:


    [*''?£¤#¡­&%!]


    "..." I was speechless.


    No wonder the guy didn''t want to say it. This wasn''t just a random name¡ªit looked like he''d mashed his face against the keyboard!


    I rubbed my temples and said with exasperation, "Uh¡­ your name¡­ Whatever, we''ll just call you ''Garble'' for now."


    Let''s just blame it on the game ID system glitching!

 11 - Pants Down, SAN Down

    ---Logan''s POV---


    Although the three of us looked to be the same age physically, I just felt that Garble seemed a bit older than ProGamer_Daddy and me.


    How should I put it... he had a vibe of having experienced the ups and downs of life.


    He nodded. "I have no objections."


    "You can call me ProGamer_Daddy. I came here because the introduction said this was a western fantasy game where I could learn magic." ProGamer_Daddy introduced himself. "Can''t wait to start throwing fireballs!"


    I laughed heartily and introduced myself again. "I''m a gaming content creator; my ID and in-game ID are the same, NeverShowOff. Feel free to follow me!"


    Garble nodded, and asked. "Speaking of magic, we all heard the opening story, right? What do you guys think of the game''s background and the faction NPCs?"


    "Didn''t expect you to be a story-driven player?" I was slightly surprised.


    From his quiet and tough demeanor, I thought he would skip all the storylines and focus on hardcore, no-death runs to beat the game.


    Garble stared at the peeling church walls and said after a while. "I''m just a little curious. After all, this game is really well made¡ªit''s like... another world."


    ProGamer_Daddy stepped closer to one of the walls, examining the weathered stone. "I''ll admit that. The level of detail in this game is really impressive! Every bit of damage in this church is unique, as if it had been abandoned for years! Look at these cracks!"


    I lowered my head in thought. This question triggered my occupational instincts as a gaming content creator. The words from Viktor earlier played in my mind like a movie.


    "It seems we players are a group of natives who left and then returned to the continent of Aeltia. Our purpose is to stop a vague prophecy?"


    "The faction leader, Viktor, was one of the first to return, but his mission failed, and the prophecy came true."


    "The organization he established to stop the prophecy¡ªThe Watchers¡ªhas only two members left, so we''re the second wave of returnees?"


    It was the typical "players-as-saviors" plot, with plenty of mysteries laid out for future developments.


    For example, what was the prophecy?


    Why did the Viktor fail? And even the history of The Watchers'' creation... These could all serve as the main storyline moving forward.


    "But the remaining faction members are pretty odd," ProGamer_Daddy continued, moving away from the wall to join our discussion. "There''s a glowing orb tied to the God of Light, a knight who also seems aligned with the divine camp, and then our faction leader is an undead? It''s all pretty contradictory!"


    I hushed him, glancing nervously at the shadows. "Careful, don''t let our faction leader hear you, or he''ll think you''re badmouthing him! These walls might have ears..."


    But indeed, there were many suspicious points. With so little information, we couldn''t analyze any major clues. The only possible lead was that we might soon encounter a Magic Tide storyline?


    But apart from the name, we knew absolutely nothing.


    I took one last look at the dilapidated church and then headed out with the group to do quests.


    Storyline? Leveling up and learning magic was far more tempting now!


    ---Viktor''s POV---


    Not long after the three left, I stepped out from behind the statue with Edgar and Luminaris. I was satisfied as I looked at where the three had just stood.


    "Excellent, everything is progressing according to plan."


    No wonder the gods always loved to be cryptic and mysterious. It turned out that saying half a sentence and leaving others to guess was this satisfying!


    The game interface had been created using my divine power, with the same principles as my fake system panel. It was like a floating notepad in front of the players'' chests. All its contents were personally typed in by me after receiving the three players'' registration information.


    When they obtained quest items, I had also been hiding in the dark, remotely adding those items to their "game interface" myself. All of this was to thoroughly fool the three of them.


    Although Luminaris had lost most of a god''s authority, his divine power still carried that "deceptive quality" unique to the God of Creativity. This divine power was more prone to transformation than regular godly energy.


    As long as the three truly believed that this "high-tech notepad" could record player information, it wouldn''t take long for it to actually become a real game interface.


    Such was the toxicity of faith-based power.


    That''s why I chose Luminaris as the medium, akin to a central game server. Divine power came from him to create the game interface, so the resulting faith-based power would naturally flow back.


    A self-aware divine essence¡ªthe new god I intended to cultivate!


    Edgar frowned as he listened to the loud shouting from the three outside, clearly marveling at the scenery.


    "Viktor, your world doesn''t even have forests or abandoned towns?"


    "Not quite the same," I chuckled. "You could think of it as their hobby."


    "Some people aren''t willing to go outside and enjoy the view, but in a game, even a dancing chicken can make them stop and watch for hours. They''ll even willingly do some menial tasks because of it."


    Edgar looked serious: "A value system I completely don''t understand."


    "They stop to admire everything... even mundane things," he added, shaking his head.


    "In their world, virtual experiences hold special value," I explained, watching the three players through a crack in the wall.


    "But what''s so interesting about a dancing chicken? And that experience value you added to the game interface. It''s clearly just a meaningless number, so why does it motivate everyone so much?"


    Edgar had seen it clearly.


    Before I even announced that they''d level up to 2, the three of them were already eagerly tapping on the quest acceptance screen. The invisible game interface, hidden from the players'' perspective, was fully visible to me and Edgar.


    A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    "I even believe that if you raised the threshold for learning magic to Level 5, their enthusiasm wouldn''t noticeably drop."


    I shook my head. "No, you''re wrong. New player rewards aren''t just benefits; they''re an important retention tool. Without letting players experience the fun of magic, they''d never stick around!"


    "Magic needs to be accessible early. Think of it as a taste test," I continued, watching their excited faces through the crack. "Without some early rewards, they''ll never tackle the harder aspects."


    The first magic spell was already part of my plan. Learning magic wasn''t simple¡ªit was as deep as advanced physics. Without dangling a few carrots, players would be shouting, ''What a trash game!'' and leaving in droves.


    Otherwise, they''d simply stagnate in the newbie village and refuse to touch the magic skill line.


    That would ruin my plan. So ensuring a good player experience was one of my top priorities.


    Edgar asked again, "Do they truly believe that learning magic is easy?"


    No sane child of Aeltia would ever think so.


    Human magical talent couldn''t compare to winged beings or dragons. Only one in a thousand had even low-level magical potential. And even among those, few could truly walk the path of magic and grasp its mysteries.


    For humans, magical talent tests at the age of six determined everything. Anyone with potential could rise in status, lifting their entire family with them. This showed just how hard learning magic truly was.


    I coughed awkwardly. "Well, more or less. For them, magic only exists in games or stories. Games and stories serve the nerds, so of course, everyone has to experience the joy of magic. So in games or storylines, magic becomes something everyone can learn, making it seem simple."


    Edgar remained silent for a long time, watching the retreating figures of the players through the broken window. Then finally said, "Is their place different because hardly anyone can use magic there? Is it because of the lack of magic that they have the prosperity you described to me?"


    I froze for a moment, then shook my head.


    "No, there''s nothing wrong with magic itself. The problem lies in the way you are using it."


    The reason was too complicated to explain.


    For a local person raised with the worldview of Aeltia, it would sound more like telling a story.


    "Once more nerds come to Aeltia in the future, you''ll naturally find new answers."


    That was all I could say.


    Luminaris sat on the edge of the goddess statue''s pedestal and pouted after hearing this, his tiny form making the gesture almost comical.


    "What kind of prosperous alternate world is this? The humans it produces act so bizarrely, and you still think another world is better?"


    I grabbed Luminaris by his tiny, pinky-sized foot and lifted him up, watching his round form dangle helplessly.


    "If you keep talking nonsense, I''ll turn you into a goddess statue!"


    I made sure my voice carried plenty of danger.


    Luminaris shuddered all over, his glow dimming slightly.


    "You promised that I would only act as the game''s symbolic totem, and you wouldn''t touch my main body!"


    Based on his reaction, he''s terrified of becoming a goddess. He must think I''m going back on my word.


    The way his light flickered and his form trembled, it was clear he''d rather endure the backlash of his new divine essence than that fate.


    "Everyone knows that dark magicians'' words don''t count," I said with a grin, enjoying his panic.


    "!!!"


    Ignoring his expression, which looked as if the world had collapsed, I tossed him upwards. He landed perfectly in the hands of the goddess statue, which were cupped as if holding water.


    "Having an antique around is a hassle. Since you''re just a mascot anyway, you might as well stay in the church."


    "Remember the key words I gave you. Teach the first spell to players who meet the conditions. If you can''t even handle such a simple task, you might as well give up your extra brain cells."


    Luminaris''s round body shrank back slightly, muttering softly. "You always use this to threaten me..."


    "Hmm?" I raised an eyebrow.


    He instantly fell silent, his glow dimming to barely a flicker.


    I withdrew my gaze, feeling quite satisfied. At last, I had pushed off the task of unlocking players'' skill points. One less thing to worry about¡ªso comfortable.


    "Let''s go out and take a look."


    I really couldn''t rest easy letting those three players roam outside unsupervised. I had a nagging feeling they would cause some kind of trouble.


    If they died and had to be revived with a new body, the magic materials required were extremely expensive. The organization was short on funds right now, so they''d better behave themselves.


    ---


    Outside the church, nothing much had changed. The only noticeable difference from when we went in was that the mud on the ground had been smoothed out.


    There were also a few dark handprints on the church walls. Hmm... and a bite mark. What have these idiots been doing?


    Noises came from the northeast side of the church. Edgar and I hurried over, the sounds of chaos growing louder with each step.


    Turning a corner, we saw a player, ProGamer_Daddy, with more strangulation marks on his neck running down the street, holding the "beginner''s gear" Edgar had specifically found for them.


    The marks looked fresh, probably self-inflicted from testing damage mechanics.


    He sprinted toward NeverShowOff, free as the wind.


    "Bro, stop eating dirt and look! This game doesn''t have censorship!"


    NeverShowOff turned around when he heard the voice. Then he spat out the dirt in his mouth, bits of grass still stuck to his teeth.


    "Bleh! Damn, it''s true!"


    He immediately threw away the unknown wild grass in his hands. With a "swish," his pants fell to the ground.


    Staring at his lower half, which hadn''t been covered by any holy light, his eyes were full of admiration.


    "This game really gives us the good stuff!"


    "Ahahaha, look at this!"


    NeverShowOff also joined the streaking spree, running around like a headless chicken.


    I silently crushed a piece of the wall next to me, the stone crumbling between my fingers.


    If I had known players would lack this much restraint, I should have physically castrated them right from the start!


    Or figured out a way to install some sort of eyes that would automatically shine holy light when they looked below the waist.


    I pressed my palm against my forehead in frustration. It was my fault.


    My fault for originally researching necromancy resurrection magic and designing human bodies based on my original standards. When it was converted into the byproduct magic of Flesh Rebirth, this particular trait was retained.


    It wasn''t even a defective gene; it wouldn''t be excluded when marked by the divine traits.


    That''s why these two brats were now enjoying the benefits.


    How embarrassing...


    After a long silence, Edgar finally spoke, his tone complex and awkward.


    "You said if I hear something incomprehensible, I should pretend I didn''t hear it. For this incomprehensible insolence... should I pretend I didn''t see it either?"


    Alright, now I felt like my dignity had been completely thrown away. I should never have admitted I came from the same place as these nerds!


    "No need." I dropped my hand. "Within the basic bounds of decency, we don''t need to show them too much tolerance."


    "In cases like this, let me teach you how to handle it."


    I quickly opened my game panel.


    Aside from players, I had equipped panels for myself, Edgar, and Luminaris. However, my identity included GM administrator privileges, while the other two only had NPC panels.


    I swiftly operated on my panel.


    The next second, NeverShowOff and ProGamer_Daddy''s game panels popped up simultaneously.


    [Warning: Due to your inappropriate actions, SAN value decreased by 1!]


    [Warning: Due to your inappropriate actions, SAN value decreased by 1!]


    [Warning: Due to your inappropriate actions, SAN value decreased by 1!]


    The two mid-air streakers fell to the ground at the same time, screaming and clutching their backsides.


    "Damn it!"


    "Sh*t!"


    The warnings continued popping up. Once they pulled their pants back on, the warnings stopped. Both of their SAN values had dropped to 89.


    NeverShowOff rubbed his four-parted backside, wincing with each movement. "What is this thing?"


    ProGamer_Daddy, still grimacing in pain, sat up on the ground.


    "I don''t know either. SAN value minus 1? These pop-ups? What does this even do?"


    He noticed a question mark in the corner of the pop-up and clicked it immediately, his gamer instincts kicking in.


    ---


    [Notice! To ensure the players'' mental health and prevent confusion between the game and reality.]


    [''Chronicles of Aeltia'' uses the latest brain cortex activity detection system to monitor the degree of confusion between reality and the game, datafied as SAN value.]


    [If your SAN value reaches zero, ''Chronicles of Aeltia'' will revoke your account. You will not be eligible for internal test slots within one major version.]


    [We wish you a balanced life and healthy gaming.]


    ---


    "Damn it, SAN value at zero means a direct ban?!"


    ProGamer_Daddy''s eyes widened in shock, his face paling slightly.


    From where I stood, I could see he knew the game felt incredibly real, so it was natural for him to think the developers would take precautions. But clearly, he thought this punishment seemed way too harsh.


    NeverShowOff looked constipated. "This is brutal..."


    Unwilling to believe it, he pulled his pants down again.


    [Warning: Due to your inappropriate actions, SAN value decreased by 1!]


    The warning appeared instantly, accompanied by another jolt of pain. Frightened, he pulled his pants back up immediately, hands shaking slightly.


    Fortunately for him, his SAN value only dropped by one more point.


    "Man, I''m not risking my account," Logan muttered, clutching his pants tightly. "Haven''t even gotten out of the newbie village yet."


    "Yeah, better not get banned now," ProGamer_Daddy agreed, still wincing as he stood up.

 12 - Sweat, Sawdust, and Hidden Game Mechanics

    ---Logan''s POV---


    I watched as ProGamer_Daddy wore a bitter expression. The wind rustled through the leaves above us.


    "Forget it. Let''s stop dreaming about running back to show this off to Garble." His shoulders slumped slightly. "SAN value only come with instructions on how to decrease them, not how to recover them! We need to conserve what we''ve got!"


    I nodded in grief, understanding his frustration all too well. "True. This kind of ability should be reserved for practical purposes, not for hollow displays of vanity."


    "Alright! In that case, let''s focus on completing our tasks first! Once we gain real power, we can figure out a more practical way to use this ability!"


    "You''re absolutely right!" I sighed, looking back at the church one last time. "We''ve been distracted by the empty scenery outside the church."


    "We should''ve decisively chosen to head to the village entrance¡ªno, the town entrance¡ªand chop trees! This is a complete failure on our part!"


    "Let''s go!"


    ---Viktor''s POV---


    I watched as the two finally disappeared from my sight.


    Tossing aside another piece of shattered wall brick with a satisfying crack, I scoffed, "Good thing they still remembered what they were supposed to do."


    "What exactly do they mean by SAN value?" Edgar asked.


    "The chains that prevent the dragon slayer from becoming the dragon," I replied, dusting off my bony hands. "When I returned, I thought about it and decided you were right."


    "Even though I trust my nerds, I would never underestimate the church."


    "If it ever gets to the point where they''re brainwashed by the church and beyond saving, I will send them away."


    This was my final safeguard for the players from Earth. From the beginning, I had never planned to drag the players completely into the mire of Aeltia.


    There was no need for their SAN value to drop to zero.


    As long as their thoughts began showing signs of being influenced by Aeltia to the extent it could affect their real lives, I would forcibly drop their SAN value to zero and send them back to Earth.


    A projection of consciousness didn''t mean they were immune to all harm; the protection of SAN value was also necessary.


    Of course, this was my initial idea.


    Now, I felt that occasionally using SAN value to restrict the players'' behavior worked out pretty well.


    Edgar''s expression softened in surprise. "You genuinely care about them. I''ve never seen you show such consideration for anyone else."


    I shrugged.


    "Maybe because I see a reflection of my former self in them."


    When I first arrived in Aeltia, I was only slightly more cautious than these players. After all, I knew this world wasn''t a game and didn''t have a resurrection mechanism.


    But only slightly more cautious¡ªI''d still stumbled into pitfalls that even six-year-old locals in this world wouldn''t have fallen into.


    I had tripped and fallen for years. And I still had the metaphorical scars to prove it.


    Edgar raised an eyebrow. "And yet you have your ''former self'' doing manual labor?"


    "Would you do it?" I shot back, gesturing at the piles of debris around us. "Or do you want me¡ªa fragile skeleton who would fall apart after taking a few extra steps¡ªto clean up this huge town?"


    Edgar fell silent, his armor creaking as he shifted his weight. As a dignified holy knight, he certainly wouldn''t volunteer for manual labor.


    Besides, he was still recovering from the injuries he sustained after his betrayal of the church and the loss of his peak power.


    My gaze swept over his face, the ghostly blue soul flame flickering in my eyes.


    Just as I thought.


    Anyone who didn''t use free labor when they could was a fool.


    "Besides, guess what I''d used to make their bodies?"


    Edgar first pondered and then had a flash of realization, his eyes widening.


    "A divine avatar?"


    As a former high-ranking member of the Radiant Church, he knew as much about divine characteristics as I did. One of them was the skill to create avatars of gods for divine incarnations to freely roam the land of Aeltia.


    Divine avatars naturally possessed enviable talents and carried a hint of their god''s essence.


    For ordinary people, it might seem like they were just doing manual labor¡ªcarrying crates or chopping wood.


    But for divine avatars, it was a way to deepen their understanding of the laws of the world.


    In other words, the more laborious tasks the players did, the stronger they would become.


    However...


    This was the first time Edgar had ever seen a divine avatar being taken over and used by others.


    "How did you do it?" he was stunned, utterly incredulous. His jaw might have dropped if he wasn''t trying so hard to maintain his dignity.


    I smiled smugly, enjoying his reaction perhaps a bit too much.


    "I told you, my necromantic revival magic isn''t just some self-destruct spell. Believe me now?"


    A bit of side product from a forbidden magic circle.


    A divine essence that gained self-awareness.


    And a light orb connected to the Earth''s network.


    This successfully led to the creation of the current perfected player summoning method and their extraordinary, magically gifted bodies.


    "Otherwise, how could I promise that upon reaching Level 2, each of them would learn a magic spell?"


    Was it due to the players'' innate talents?


    No, it was the gift of divine essence!


    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Divine power directly enhanced the avatars'' strength, which was far faster than improving ordinary humans.


    If I hadn''t only had 89 points of divine power, just enough to provide each player with a single enhancement, I absolutely would have raised the Level 2 reward to include two spells.


    Creating the three players'' bodies cost me 30 points of divine power, while crafting six game panels used 6 more points.


    To further enhance them with a Level 1 spell would require 10 divine power points.


    I barely had enough left.


    If I spent any more, Luminaris would likely revolt.


    In fact, the only reason he had obediently stayed at the church was probably tied to my extravagant use of divine power.


    To survive, it had no choice but to work diligently to earn more divine power.


    I donned my cloak, shrouding myself in shadow.


    In an instant, my upright skeleton transformed into a gloomy, introverted mage.


    "Let''s go. We haven''t finished clearing all the monsters in Honeyvale Town. On the first day, we still need to keep an eye on them."


    "I''ll bet their current combat prowess can''t even handle a single red-skinned earthworm."


    ---Logan''s POV---


    Rip!


    Swoosh!


    I heard the sound of a saw grinding against wood echo through the forest. The blade bit deep into the bark with each stroke, sending woodchips flying.


    A tall cypress tree creaked and then toppled with a loud crack.


    ProGamer_Daddy quickly jumped aside, whistling appreciatively.


    "Not bad, Garble! This is the eighth tree, right? You''re already 40% done with leveling up!"


    "Did you used to work as a lumberjack or something?"


    We had entered the forest at the same time, and Garble had only gotten a slight head start in picking a tree to chop.


    Yet as time went on, our gap in progress had widened dramatically.


    Garble wiped the sweat off his forehead.


    "Yeah, I used to help out at a logging camp when I was a kid. And by the way, the progress isn''t 40%¡ªit''s 45%."


    "Forty-five?!" ProGamer_Daddy was stunned, nearly dropping his own saw.


    "That''s impossible! I remember the experience points for the lumberjack quest are only 5 each! Is there a hidden quest?"


    I lowered my head in thought.


    We had thoroughly checked the task list earlier and found no quests offering more than 5 experience points.


    But after chopping trees for two hours and feeling increasingly energized, I had a bold theory.


    "Garble... could it be that...?"


    He nodded ahead of me, a knowing smile on his face. "Yeah, chopping trees grants experience."


    "What?!" ProGamer_Daddy exclaimed, his eyes wide with disbelief.


    He immediately opened his game panel and confirmed his experience points. "I''ve got 3 experience points... but that''s impossible! I chopped six trees and haven''t even turned in the quest yet! Where did these points come from?!"


    I also showed my experience: 8/100.


    It seemed this was a hidden reward, beyond the final quest payout.


    I kept my expression neutral despite my amazement.


    "No wonder we''ve been doing two hours of physical labor here and don''t feel tired at all. I even feel like I''m breathing easier!"


    If this had been my usual otaku body in real life... Forget two hours. I probably wouldn''t even manage to chop down one tree before collapsing on the ground like a dead dog.


    ProGamer_Daddy patted his body in amazement, flexing his arms experimentally. "You''re right. I can actually feel the muscles in my arms now!"


    "Who develops muscles after just two hours of work?" I couldn''t help but crease my forehead in exasperation. This guy and his wild imagination...


    ProGamer_Daddy chuckled, swinging his leaf-blade. "Maybe not now, but chop a few more days and I''ll have them!"


    "By the way, how come the hidden experience points we gain differ so much between the three of us?" He pointed at the three piles of wood we had stacked on the ground.


    "Garble earned two more logs than us, fine. But we all chopped down six trees, yet somehow one person got 8 points of experience, another 3 points, and I''m stuck wondering if my chopping technique is off!"


    I watched as he swung the wide-edged leaf he''d been using as a tool for two hours, clearly unable to figure out what was wrong. The leaf was incredibly durable. Even though his hands were red from chopping, the leaf remained perfectly intact, just like when he had received it from Edgar.


    He turned to me with curiosity, wiping his reddened palms on his pants. "NeverShowOff, show us the ropes!"


    Even Garble turned his attention toward me, pausing his work. Among the three of us, I had somehow gained the most bonus experience, even more than Garble who had chopped the most trees.


    I rubbed my chin thoughtfully, studying the bark patterns on the nearest tree. "Hm... It might be because of how focused we are. You know I''m a gaming content creator."


    "So while chopping, I''ve been deliberately observing the patterns on the tree bark, trying to deduce how the game''s code simulates the process of chopping a tree.


    "How do they model the physics of a tree being felled? And how do they calculate the mechanics of its collapse? Stuff like that..."


    "Although this game is so well-made that I couldn''t figure out much, my mind would occasionally feel a moment of clarity. Thinking back, I''d say I had about eight of those moments."


    Garble nodded in agreement, his eyes scanning the trees. "That''s right. I''ve also been searching for exploits in the game. It''s during those moments of clarity that I noticed the unusual growth in experience points."


    ProGamer_Daddy looked dumbfounded, his leaf-blade drooping in his hands. "So I''m the only one just chopping trees without thinking?"


    I could tell that for him, chopping trees literally meant chopping trees. The tool was so sharp and satisfying to use that he felt a strong sense of accomplishment as the tree stumps grew larger with each strike. The more he chopped, the more enjoyable it became, and he couldn''t stop.


    "It''s fine, now you know," I reassured him, patting his shoulder. "Let''s get back to work and try to grind to Level 2 today!"


    "Got it!" His enthusiasm returned instantly, the leaf-blade already swinging through the air.


    We all enthusiastically returned to work.


    An hour later, the sun had risen directly overhead, as indicated on the game''s interface. The experience points helped suppress our sense of exhaustion, and we worked with unrestrained enthusiasm.


    However, fatigue gradually set in, and we had to stop for a break, taking shelter from the scorching midday sun.


    Garble found a blue-purple vine in a nearby patch of grass, testing its strength with expert hands. Its incredible toughness made it perfect for transporting logs.


    We spent another hour rolling and dragging the wood to the open space next to the church.


    Edgar tallied up our results and, using his NPC privileges, distributed experience points to each of us in turn. Garble had chopped 12 trees, I managed 9, and ProGamer_Daddy 8.


    Ironically, ProGamer_Daddy had deliberately slowed his pace, hoping to gain more bonus experience from chopping, but it had only reduced his efficiency.


    We received some wild fruits as a beginner''s first-day reward from Edgar and headed to a massive tree with a 10-meter-wide trunk at the edge of town to rest.


    Crunch!


    I bit into a fruit, and the sweet and sour juice burst in my mouth. The taste was like a mix of cherries and pineapples¡ªquite delicious. It was also surprisingly filling.


    Quickly finishing the fruit, I leaned back against the tree, hands behind my head, and closed my eyes with a contented sigh. "Ahhh¡ªthis feels amazing!"


    A cool breeze, filtered through layers of leaves, blew gently around us. The sensation of resting after hard work and eating one''s fill was incredibly satisfying.


    Even though I knew logging off for a few hours would erase my fatigue, I couldn''t bring myself to leave.


    For some reason, Chronicles of Aeltia seemed to have a strange allure. Even doing menial labor felt enjoyable.


    Maybe that was the charm of virtual reality games¡ªit felt like a day trip to another world, and I didn''t want to leave.


    I tilted my head slightly. "Guys, how are you feeling? Want to keep playing?"


    "Of course!" ProGamer_Daddy said excitedly, his legs crossed beneath him as he leaned forward. "This game is so good, and it''s still in beta. We have to play until we''re forced to log off!"


    "I''m planning to stay online until my character needs to sleep," Garble agreed, arranging his tools beside him.


    "So we''re all playing the whole day? What a coincidence, me too!" I said with surprise. That meant I wouldn''t be alone in the evening.


    Birdsong echoed from the depths of the forest as ProGamer_Daddy scratched his ear, his expression thoughtful. "This game''s fun and all, but it''s lacking in magical elements."


    "Ever since we left the church, we haven''t seen a single magical creature."


    "No running grass or talking animals?"


    I knew he was right¡ªthe only magical creatures we''d encountered were our faction leader, Viktor, and the game mascot, Goddess Luminaris. The knight NPC probably knew magic too. But beyond that, nothing else.


    I raised an eyebrow at him. "What, do you want a tree that runs away so we can all chase it down and chop it?"


    "Not really." ProGamer_Daddy gazed up at the canopy. "It just feels like something''s missing."


    "It''s not bad," I replied, recalling my years of beta testing experience. "The game company probably hasn''t developed the magical ecosystem yet. Give it a few more updates."


    I knew these beta-test situations too well. Beta games were notoriously barebones. Even most NPCs didn''t have voice acting yet.


    In Chronicles of Aeltia, while the NPCs were few, every one of them felt alive and perfectly in place, thanks to stellar voice acting. This level of detail showed how much effort the developers had put in. Adding a few magical assets would be easy.


    "Besides, isn''t the game''s civilization aspect pretty underdeveloped too?"


    "If you ignore the church, you could convince people this game is set in a primitive tribal era."


    The town had almost no traces of civilization¡ªnone of the usual medieval extravagance or ostentatious indulgence. Not that I''m complaining. The simplicity was part of its charm.


    "Yeah, that makes sense," ProGamer_Daddy seemed to consider this, absently tracing patterns in the dirt.


    "Why are you suddenly thinking about game design?" Garble asked, looking a little surprised.


    ProGamer_Daddy sighed. "Well, I was wondering if there''s a magical plant better suited for making axes than these wide-edged leaves." He held up the tool. "Something that could make the work easier, you know?"

 13 - Logging Out? Not Until the Worm Dies

    ---Logan''s POV---


    Among the three of us, ProGamer_Daddy had the slowest tree-chopping progress. Moreover, his additional experience points increased at the slowest rate.


    I watched him carefully.


    Observing nature attentively was indeed a way to gain extra experience points, but even when mimicking the methods of us two "true experts," his understanding just couldn''t catch up to ours.


    With each frustrated swing, his movements became more erratic.


    After thinking it over, I could see his decision forming: Forget about those extra experience points! As long as he chopped trees fast enough¡ªone tree every five minutes¡ªhe could completely offset the loss of bonus experience.


    But to achieve that, he would need a better logging tool than the Thornleaf Blade he was currently using.


    "Chopping trees is satisfying, sure, but we can''t just keep using this game as a workout routine!" he punched his arm in frustration. "The strength I gain in the game doesn''t carry over to real life anyway."


    He examined his Thornleaf Blade. "And this thing? It''s like trying to cut down a tree with a butter knife!"


    I was lost in thought.


    Despite my enthusiastic start that morning, as someone who had logged over a thousand hours in farming and base-building games, I knew myself too well.


    Sure, I could chop trees all day long without getting bored for the first few days. I might even sit cheerfully under the tree by the village entrance, looking at the stumps left behind and feeling a sense of accomplishment.


    But give it two or three days, and the grind would start to wear on me. Even with the variety of labor-intensive tasks on the game''s task board, cycling through them one by one, I estimated I''d last no more than half a month before burning out.


    "We really should think about ways to improve task efficiency," I mused. "The game''s premise is about conquering the world. We can''t afford to spend two or three years just grinding in the starter village."


    My mouth parched from speaking, I grabbed an unidentifiable wild fruit and took a bite.


    "But pursuing the path of magical plants seems like a dead end. If there were easier tools to use, the NPCs would''ve given them to us by now. And even if they exist, they probably won''t show up until the next expansion or two."


    Garble furrowed his brow. "Could it be that the geographical environment nearby just doesn''t produce plants better suited for tools than the Thornleaf Blade?"


    "Probably," I replied. "It all boils down to the same thing. But your explanation sounds more like something a game dev would say to justify the lore and keep players hooked."


    ProGamer_Daddy winked at Garble. "Who''d have thought that, despite your towering build, you''re an immersive roleplayer! First analyzing the story, now defending the lore. If you posted that on the forums, you''d definitely get roasted as a ''loyal dev apologist'' after the devs inevitably mess something up!"


    Garble was momentarily speechless, unsure how to respond. Finally, he said, "This game is worth getting immersed in¡­"


    I noticed him glancing down at his right hand and legs, murmuring something to himself that I couldn''t quite catch.


    "What?" ProGamer_Daddy, lying beside him, asked.


    "Nothing." Garble''s tone made it clear the subject was closed. Returning to the previous topic, he suggested, "If finding new tools isn''t an option, why don''t we just make them ourselves?"


    "You mean unlocking the tech tree?" I immediately caught on.


    In most games, unlocking tech and advancing infrastructure were standard strategies. But wasn''t this game set in a magical fantasy world? Would going down a tech-focused path break immersion with the main storyline?


    ProGamer_Daddy smacked his forehead in delight. "Exactly! This game is so open-ended¡ªof course we can do whatever we want!" He sat up, suddenly energized. "If we can find iron ore, we can make a chainsaw. Then we''ll really take off! Let''s show this magical world the power of modern technology!"


    Garble thought for a moment, his expression serious. "To refine iron, we''d need to smelt out the impurities to achieve the hardness required for a chainsaw. That part, I can handle."


    I watched dumbfounded as the two of them enthusiastically dove into brainstorming. "Wait, you guys actually know how to make a chainsaw?"


    ProGamer_Daddy grinned. "As long as I have the parts and raw materials, whipping up a DIY chainsaw shouldn''t be too hard¡ªit just needs to work!"


    "I only know how to smelt iron," Garble said.


    "What? Only know how to smelt iron? That''s already insane! Who in real life even touches that stuff?" I suddenly felt like the two people beside me were complete strangers. Was I the only one who''d only done crafting in games?


    The only "hands-on" experience I had in real life, if I was honest, was assembling a PC¡ªhardly comparable. It wasn''t like I had ever built my own capacitors or resistors.


    ProGamer_Daddy rubbed his forehead. "Ugh, it''s because I picked the wrong major! I was dumb enough to choose mechanical engineering. My dad said if I failed my courses and embarrassed the family, he''d cut off my allowance! Man, the things I''ve been through¡­"


    He chuckled, but there was a hint of real frustration in his voice.


    I gave him a complicated look. "Your dad''s hardcore. But even so, I''ve never heard of a mechanical engineer who can just whip up a chainsaw!"


    And it couldn''t be a coincidence that, just as the game required it, ProGamer_Daddy just happened to have this niche skill. What else was this guy hiding?


    He waved his hand dismissively, sighing dramatically. "Don''t remind me. I thought I was playing this game to be a superhero, not to end up doing engineering projects!"


    As for Garble, he simply said, "Work experience," in his usual concise manner.


    I fell silent. Fair enough. Life had forced both of them to develop their own unique tech trees.


    That said, even with two chainsaw-building experts, crafting one wasn''t something that could be done overnight.


    During a break, we sought out Viktor, who was sunbathing by the chapel door, and managed to get some valuable intel: The materials for iron ore in the starter village had already been prepared, but we had no idea where to find them.


    Viktor had only vaguely hinted that the Great Oak Forest was resource-rich, suggesting we explore on our own.


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    We weren''t stupid.


    Just because we hadn''t encountered danger that morning didn''t mean we were eager to leave the starter village and court death.


    In the end, we decided to focus on chopping trees to reach Level 2 first. Once we had some self-defense capabilities, we''d venture out.


    Night soon fell.


    Garble was the first to accumulate enough experience to level up. But he didn''t immediately leave us behind to turn in his quest.


    Ignoring bonus experience for now, we still needed to chop 60 trees to level up as a group.


    The trees near the village entrance were far from enough. Many were too short or too thick, requiring three times the effort to chop as a standard tree.


    We had to head deeper into the forest to find better trees.


    Considering the game''s background lore about the Great Oak Forest, Garble worried we might encounter danger if we went alone. So, we stuck together, watching each other''s backs as we ventured further in.


    Everything went smoothly¡ªuntil nightfall.


    As the last rays of sunset faded, the sky above us suddenly turned pitch black.


    Raindrops seeped through the leaves, moistening the ground, as distant rumbles echoed through the clouds.


    I hurriedly tied the logs on the ground with vines, shouting to the others: "ProGamer_Daddy, hurry up! It''s about to storm!"


    The last thing I wanted was for my first in-game death to be from standing under a tree in a thunderstorm.


    "Almost done! Just one more tree!" ProGamer_Daddy called back, quickening his pace.


    Sparks seemed to fly from his Thornleaf Blade as he hacked away. He was already halfway through the trunk and couldn''t bear to give up now.


    I could understand his frustration¡ªthe thought of being the only one who hadn''t reached Level 2 by the end of the first day was simply unbearable.


    No one wanted to be the weakest link.


    Rustle... Splash!


    In just a few moments of conversation, the drizzling rain thickened into heavy droplets.


    They landed on my hands, stinging with a sharp pain.


    I looked at the rain growing heavier, my gaze shifting between the logs on the ground and the figure chopping trees ahead. The rain was getting worse by the second.


    "Forget it, I''ll help you!"


    Garble and I both dropped the vines in our hands and walked back together. The faster we finished this, the sooner we could get out of this painful downpour.


    With three of us working together, the tree was soon chopped down.


    Boom!


    The trunk crashed to the ground, shaking the surrounding soil slightly. The impact echoed through the forest, momentarily drowning out even the sound of the rain.


    Red thumb-sized fruits growing on the tree scattered everywhere upon impact, bouncing off the muddy ground like tiny rubber balls.


    We worked together to strip off the excess branches, reducing the weight. Our hands moved quickly, knowing time wasn''t on our side with this weather.


    Without the tree''s leafy canopy for cover, the three of us were soon soaked to the bone by the rain.


    I wiped the rainwater and hair off my face, struggling to open my eyes.


    This is getting ridiculous. Can barely see two feet ahead of me. "Ugh! Hope I don''t log in tomorrow with a cold debuff."


    Or better yet, maybe leveling up would reset our in-game status or something.


    Dragging the processed lumber behind us, we began heading back.


    And then¡ª


    My foot slipped.


    "What the¡ª?!"


    The muddy ground beside the freshly chopped stump had been unusually loosened by the rainwater, as if turning into a patch of quicksand.


    If not for Garble''s quick reflexes in pulling me back, I would have fallen right in. His grip on my collar probably saved my life.


    Taking two steps back, I muttered, "What the hell is this? A sinkhole?"


    Just as I finished speaking¡ª


    The muddy ground began to ripple and bulge unevenly, shifting and moving like a pot of boiling water.


    A massive cylindrical creature burst out from the earth, appearing in front of us with frightening speed.


    "Holy sh¡ª!"


    Only the rawest exclamation could express my shock at the creature before me.


    Even with the rain blurring my vision, the creature''s vibrant red body dominated my sight.


    It was an enormous red worm, its diameter easily three meters wide¡ªlarger than any stump we had chopped.


    Its segmented body resembled twisted tree vines, looking grotesque and menacing.


    "Who was it this morning who said they hadn''t seen a magical creature before?"


    Whoosh!


    The red worm''s body scraped against the muddy ground, raising its head and targeting us. The sound of its flesh sliding against the wet earth made my skin crawl.


    It lunged fiercely!


    We scattered in different directions, our feet splashing through puddles as we ran.


    "AHHHH! Here''s your magical creature¡ªlook at it!!" I yelled while running, my lungs burning from the effort.


    "I¡ªDON''T¡ªWANT¡ªTO¡ªSEE¡ªIT¡ªANYMORE!" ProGamer_Daddy yelled back through the downpour, probably gulping down half a stomach of rainwater in the process.


    I could tell he had wanted to see magical creatures, but definitely not this monster.


    The worm dug up our only path back to the town and used its massive body to block all other exits, leaving us trapped, running in circles.


    Creak!


    The worm knocked over a small tree not far from me, the crash sending vibrations through the ground beneath my feet.


    "Damn it, I''m not running anymore!" I panted heavily.


    The heat coursing through my veins from all the running had me burning up. If we kept running until we were exhausted, we were as good as dead.


    Might as well fight!


    Gripping the Thornleaf Blade tightly, my chest heaved as I caught my breath. "Dammit, I was the second-place javelin thrower in college¡ªI''m not just here to take hits!"


    ProGamer_Daddy saw this and ran toward the worm. "Bro, I''ll distract it for you!"


    He picked up a stone from the ground and threw it at the worm.


    The worm turned its head successfully, opening its maw and lunging at him. Its movement was faster than anything that size had any right to be.


    ProGamer_Daddy leaped and darted between the trees like a monkey.


    Now!


    I took a deep breath, muscles tensing as I assumed a perfect javelin-throwing stance.


    I leaned back and threw the Thornleaf Blade.


    It sliced through the rain, aimed straight at the worm''s mouth.


    But just as it was three centimeters away from hitting, its momentum suddenly faltered.


    The blade dropped straight down.


    I clutched my head. "Crap, I missed!"


    ProGamer_Daddy looked back while still running. "What? Didn''t you say you were second place in the javelin competition?!"


    "There were only three people in the competition!"


    "You son of a¡ª!"


    I had thought the target was so large, so close¡ªwhat could possibly go wrong? Turns out, plenty could go wrong.


    "I''ll draw it this way! I''ll save you!" I yelled, running toward ProGamer_Daddy while trying not to slip in the mud.


    Squelch!


    The forgotten Thornleaf Blade finally hit the ground, and accidentally pierced part of the worm''s body.


    It sank in halfway.


    The worm writhed in pain and quickly burrowed back into the earth, leaving a hole where it had been.


    My eyes widened. "Holy crap, I''m amazing!"


    "Wait¡ªthis monster''s defense is that weak?" ProGamer_Daddy froze.


    Garble, recovering from the shock, shook his head. "No, the worm''s defense isn''t weak. It''s just that our quest items are ridiculously strong."


    The blade that had chopped down over a dozen trees without dulling? Its sharpness was beyond imagination!


    He grabbed the vine tied to the lumber and motioned to us.


    "Don''t just stand there¡ªlet''s go while we can!"


    We jumped in to help, our feet slipping in the mud as we tried to drag the heavy log.


    But we hadn''t gotten far when the worm returned, its wound healed, and the Thornleaf Blade gone.


    It had removed the blade.


    Wounded and enraged, the worm''s violent temperament exploded.


    With its massive body, it stirred up mud and sand, launching another attack at us.


    But this time, with a clear strategy, we were no longer as terrified as before.


    ProGamer_Daddy gripped his Thornleaf Blade and tested his wrist. "This time, let me try!"


    He adopted his skipping-stone stance.


    The moment the worm opened its mouth, he threw the blade.


    But the worm twisted its head at the last second, turning the blade''s target from its head to its midsection.


    ProGamer_Daddy''s jaw dropped. "This thing can bait skills?"


    I swear I saw a smug glint in the worm''s movement, as if it knew exactly what it was doing. The creature was far more intelligent than we had initially thought.


    When the blade was about to hit, tiny bristles shot out from the worm''s body segments, deflecting the blade entirely.


    "What the hell is this?!" ProGamer_Daddy and I cursed in unison.


    Hidden mechanics? How were we supposed to win now? This was some serious endgame boss mechanics in a starter area!


    Garble suddenly darted out, catching the deflected blade mid-air. Spinning around, he wielded a Thornleaf Blade in each hand and charged the worm at close range.


    Without time to react, the worm''s bristles couldn''t block the force of his attack.


    Squelch! Squelch!


    The sound of flesh being pierced rang out.


    The worm thrashed in pain, its tail scraping the ground with an ear-piercing screech that made my teeth ache.


    It tried to retreat into the mud again, but Garble didn''t give it the chance.


    With the bristles retracted, he clung to the worm''s slimy body, gripping it with his legs for support.


    With a shout, he plunged the two blades downward.


    Rip!


    He carved through the worm''s body like unzipping a zipper, splitting its flesh wide open.


    Red ichor sprayed into the rain.


    The more the worm writhed, the deeper the wound grew, until nearly half its body was severed.


    ProGamer_Daddy and I were stunned by Garble''s ferocity. Remind me never to get on his bad side.


    Once we snapped out of it, we rushed to join him.


    The rain had turned red around us.


    Together, the three of us hacked the worm into two before it could burrow away, our blades flashing in the rain until the monster finally stopped moving.

 14 - Not Even Magical Enough to Count

    ---Logan''s POV---


    Both segments of the giant worm stopped moving.


    I stared in disbelief at my hands. The viscous substance dripped between my fingers.


    "We... we did it!"


    Even though it was just a game, and I was only playing as a supporting fighter in the battle, the thought of killing a creature dozens of times larger than myself¡ªsplitting it cleanly in half¡ªwas enough to make me proud for months!


    I watched as ProGamer_Daddy rubbed his hands together, then wiped them on his back before repeating the gesture nervously.


    "Was this really... us?" He kept looking between the worm''s body and his hands, as if trying to convince himself it had actually happened.


    "No, it was Garble who did it."


    I grinned so widely that my facial muscles ached, unable to suppress my smile. I clapped Garble on the shoulder.


    "Not bad, Garble! What do you do in real life? Your skills are incredible!"


    None of us had noticed when he approached the giant worm during our escape earlier¡ªnor, apparently, had the worm. Otherwise, there was no way the creature would have ignored him and chosen me as its target after deflecting the blade.


    From my perspective, I could only see the blade spinning through the air, followed by Garble''s sudden, almost divine intervention, turning the tide of battle in an instant.


    The fight had ended as quickly as it had begun.


    ProGamer_Daddy nodded enthusiastically.


    "Yeah! What''s that phrase? ''Holding up a collapsing building,'' ''saving us from disaster,'' and something about¡ª"


    "Turning the tide of battle," I corrected.


    "Yes, that''s it!"


    I watched as he looked at Garble with respect.


    "That move you pulled off¡ªthe backward hook-kick thing¡ªwas that some kind of martial art like karate? Can I learn it?"


    Garble, who had been the first to approach the worm, was in the worst state of us three. His face was smeared with the worm''s blood and slime. While he wasn''t as excited as we were, he looked visibly pleased.


    "It''s not that impressive. Just a simple technique of applying force."


    As we were about to continue chatting, the worm''s body twitched again.


    The blood it had lost seemed to stop flowing entirely, as if its wounds were healing rapidly.


    We began to retreat instinctively, but then the other half of the worm''s severed body began moving too!


    The two halves of the worm, now acting like completely separate entities, lunged at us with frightening speed.


    "No way?!" ProGamer_Daddy''s face turned pale. "Now it can split itself?!"


    We had barely managed to cut the worm in half, and instead of eliminating the threat, we had doubled it.


    The two sturdy blades we had relied on earlier were now completely ruined from overuse. With no weapons left, we immediately turned and bolted.


    If one worm had been enough to trap us, how could we possibly handle two?


    To make matters worse, ProGamer_Daddy, exhausted after a full day of running, tripped on a stone that had likely been washed onto the path by the rain.


    His leg cramped up.


    "Aaaah!" he screamed in pain. He lost his balance and fell flat into the muddy ground.


    Behind him, the half of the worm with a gaping maw had already opened its mouth, revealing rows upon rows of razor-sharp teeth.


    Garble and I turned back at the same time.


    "Roll! Just roll!" I shouted.


    "To your right¡ªroll right!" Garble added, already moving to help.


    ProGamer_Daddy squeezed his eyes shut and followed our instructions instinctively, rolling away just as the massive jaws snapped shut.


    Splat!


    The worm bit down hard¡ªon mud. Its teeth sank deep into the earth where he had been just a moment before.


    Just as ProGamer_Daddy clutched his right leg and staggered to his feet, ready to flee again, I watched as a massive, blazing fireball engulfed the whole worm.


    Although the worm had no vocal cords, its violent thrashing clearly communicated its pain.


    Within three seconds, the fireball burned the worm to nothing¡ªleaving not even ash behind.


    From behind a tree, Viktor emerged, holding a black staff.


    "That was a Red-Scaled Worm, the most common creature in the Great Oak Forest. They typically feed on wild fruits and decayed leaves in the soil," he explained calmly.


    "They spend most of their time underground but come to the surface after rain to forage for wild fruits."


    ProGamer_Daddy stared, slack-jawed, at Viktor, who seemed untouched by the rain.


    I could see he was still captivated by the massive fireball spell and hadn''t fully processed what had happened.


    Unnoticed by our group, the rain had already stopped, though water still dripped from the leaves above.


    If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    Meanwhile, Edgar dealt with the other half of the worm.


    Seeing our sorry state¡ªcovered in mud, slime, and who knows what else¡ªhe raised an eyebrow.


    "They don''t even eat people. How did you manage to provoke one?"


    Viktor glanced at the scattered wild fruits on the ground. "Judging by the juice stains on your clothes, you must have gotten some fruit juice on you. It''s one of the Red-Scaled Worm''s favorite foods."


    "Since they don''t have eyes or brains, they probably mistook you for a walking platter of snacks," Edgar mused, cleaning his blade.


    "Sounds plausible."


    Looking at our miserable state, Viktor seemed to feel a bit guilty. His expression softened slightly.


    "Lord Viktor!" ProGamer_Daddy suddenly grabbed Viktor''s staff with both hands.


    "When I reach level two, can I learn that fire spell you just used?"


    "Me too!" I chimed in eagerly.


    Though Edgar''s swordsmanship had been impressive, the allure of the fireball''s flashy effects was simply irresistible.


    Viktor hesitated, then sighed. "Fine. Fireball is an entry-level spell."


    "So are Red-Scaled Worms the kind of creatures we''ll be dealing with from now on?" Garble asked.


    Viktor nodded, then shook his head.


    "In theory, any new species born from the remnants of the divine essence qualifies as a magical creature. But the Red-Scaled Worm''s magical energy is so weak, and it lacks the destructive power of true magical creatures, so it''s considered part of the natural ecosystem."


    "So... it''s basically an insect?"


    My eyes widened in disbelief.


    Wait a second¡ªso this massive worm doesn''t even count as a magical creature because it''s not strong enough?!


    I couldn''t help but shudder at the thought of how terrifying a true magical creature must be.


    After Viktor and Edgar''s explanation, we finally understood why the worm had been relentlessly chasing us.


    The reason, shockingly, was all a misunderstanding!


    Even mindless worms could push us to such a desperate state¡ªan embarrassing reality that left us feeling somewhat deflated.


    We were just too weak.


    So, we decided not to venture further into the outskirts of Honeyvale Town until we had the combat strength to single-handedly kill at least one worm.


    We hauled the lumber we had gathered back into town.


    Although the NPC in charge of our task evaluation was right nearby, the materials still needed to be delivered to the designated clearing near the church to be officially tallied.


    Our excitement grew as we thought about the reward: the same fireball spell Viktor had!


    ---Viktor''s POV---


    "They didn''t lose their will to fight, even after being completely drenched by the rain?"


    Was this the legendary persistence of hardcore gamers? How many hardships must one endure to develop such tenacity?


    I resolved to pay closer attention to the players'' psychological states from now on.


    Meanwhile, Edgar looked on with bewilderment.


    "They were beaten so miserably by a worm, and the crisis only just passed... yet they''re already looking forward to the next fight? Do they not feel fear?"


    To a mage, red-scaled worms were merely beginner-level opponents. But to ordinary people, they were still formidable, almost insurmountable creatures.


    In the trials held by the Radiant Church for knight candidates, red-scaled worms occasionally appeared.


    Many children¡ªabout 30%¡ªdeveloped such severe psychological trauma from fighting these creatures that they abandoned their path as knights or gave up on magic entirely.


    The red-scaled worms were like demons that manipulated people''s emotions. Yet, these players were completely unaffected.


    The only significant emotional reaction they displayed was a fleeting moment of shame upon learning the worms were considered weak opponents.


    Shame? Over losing to a stronger enemy?


    Edgar seemed he couldn''t wrap his head around it, just as he couldn''t understand why they weren''t afraid of the red-scaled worms at all.


    I noticed his face, which clearly said, "The world has gone mad," and couldn''t help but feel amused.


    "Now do you see why I''m confident in stabilizing our base of operations?" I asked.


    After a long pause, he responded, "If this is the extent of their abilities, they''re not exceptional¡ªbarely passable, at best. My passing grade is for their courage in facing fear and for the combat skills of that... peculiar one among them."


    "But let me be blunt: their potential for growth is still very limited."


    I smiled but said nothing.


    Edgar would eventually experience firsthand what the players'' true potential really was.


    ---Logan''s POV---


    Late at night, we took a bath in the river, thanks to the free starter gear and toiletries provided by Viktor.


    "You know what''s weird?" I said, letting the cold water wash away the day''s grime. "This feels more real than it should be."


    "Tell me about it," ProGamer_Daddy agreed. "I can actually feel the cold water."


    "And the mosquitoes," Garble added. "Don''t forget the mosquitoes."


    Whether it was healthy to bath in the river didn''t matter; at least the cold dampness clinging to my body after the rain was finally washed away.


    "Ahh, finally feels good!"


    While waiting for the others to finish, I opened my game panel:


    [Name: NeverShowOff]


    [Race: Human]


    [Level: 1 (Newbie)]


    [XP: 158/100]


    [SAN: 88]


    [Skills: None]


    [Inventory: Empty]


    "Guys, check this out. The worm gave us bonus XP."


    In addition to chopping trees, I had spent the afternoon experimenting with other ways to gain XP. Once I had enough to reach Level 2, I stopped trying too hard.


    By my calculations, I should have earned 108 XP total, but the extra 10 XP came automatically after defeating the red-scaled worm.


    ProGamer_Daddy and Garble, gained 9 and 19 XP respectively.


    "Knew it. Grinding mobs is way faster for leveling," I muttered.


    Even though the XP gained from defeating the worm wasn''t much¡ªbarely better than cutting down two trees and hauling lumber¡ªit was clear this wouldn''t always be the case.


    After all Viktor had said the red-scaled worms were just low-tier monsters. The stronger the monsters, the more XP they''d yield.


    Once our levels were higher, our primary method for earning XP would undoubtedly be fighting monsters. On another note, my SAN value, which had dropped earlier due to a mistake, hadn''t recovered at all¡ªsomething that pained me greatly.


    I told myself to act more "normal" in the game.


    I had tested it: running around naked while bathing didn''t reduce my SAN value. So, my earlier loss wasn''t due to streaking.


    No, it was because I acted like a public flasher in the streets, and the system had deemed my behavior inappropriate for the game''s reality!


    "Damn it! I''m playing a game¡ªwhy do I still have to follow real-world rules?" It was hard to believe I was the same person who had praised Chronicles of Aeltia for feeling like another world earlier that day.


    Finally, the time we had been eagerly awaiting arrived: leveling up and unlocking new skills!


    ---Viktor''s POV---


    I noticed Luminaris, who had been sulking on the goddess statue''s hand, lying there in despair.


    I had restricted his movement to within a marked area, leaving him unable to leave the church grounds.


    At long last, the church doors opened, and the three players walked in.


    Luminaris lit up like he had seen his saviors.


    "Chirp chirp! Yippee!"


    With his usual verbal blessing, he shot toward the players like a missile.


    Smack!


    I intercepted the round, glowing ball mid-air.


    "Luminaris, what did we discuss about personal space?"


    "Chirp chirp! But they''re here!"


    Glaring at him in annoyance, I whispered, "Can''t you be a little more mindful of your own weight?"


    Even though most of Luminaris'' powers were now under my control, he was still a god-tier creation. The impact force of such a being wasn''t something an ordinary person could handle.


    ---


    The three players huddled close together.


    "What do you think they''re talking about?" ProGamer_Daddy murmured, glancing sideways at NeverShowOff and the orb.


    Garble shrugged slightly. "Probably just excited about how fast we''re leveling up."


    "Yeah, looking at how the goddess is acting, that seems likely. But don''t you think it''s weird? Why can''t the goddess speak properly? She just keeps chirping the same thing over and over."


    "Come on, she''s obviously the game mascot! You know how these things work¡ªa mascot that''s too smart wouldn''t be cute anymore."


    "Ah..." NeverShowOff nodded slowly. "That actually makes sense."


    "Yeah," Garble whispered thoughtfully. "Never thought about it that way before. Learn something new every day in this game."


    ProGamer_Daddy couldn''t help but grin, though he still kept his voice down. "See? I know my games!"


    ---


    As Luminaris wriggled in my hand, he shouted, "Let me go! I just want to bond with my precious believers! I promise I won''t hurt them!"


    "Oh? You''re bold today, aren''t you?" I said, surprised.


    Still, it was time to let him interact with the players.


    I thought for a moment and released him.


    Luminaris immediately began circling the three players, reciting praises for the chosen ones from his memory.

 15 - The Middle Finger Fireball and Other Disappointments

    ---Third POV---


    Looking at the glowing orb flying around Luminaris, ProGamer_Daddy''s eyes were almost dazzled.


    "What is the young goddess doing? Aren''t we here to level up?" he asked.


    "I don''t know. I tried saying hello, bowing, even using emotes," Logan replied with a shrug. "But it didn''t seem to trigger any keywords. Wait, hold on, it worked!"


    He immediately straightened up as he saw the game panel automatically pop up.


    So it turned out...


    When Luminaris was bestowing blessings upon the three believers, he discovered that these three silly followers only wanted him to teach them magic.


    Ridiculous!


    An entry-level spell could never compare to the value of a divine blessing.


    During their journey, the three of them had poked at him more than ten times! Ugh, these short-sighted followers!


    And to make things worse, Viktor and Edgar were still lurking and watching like predators.


    Left with no choice, he angrily decided to finish the task Viktor had given first. 30 divine power were deducted from Viktor''s system panel.


    ---Logan''s POV---


    I watched as a burst of golden light erupted from the three of us, and a new panel appeared in front of me.


    [Please select your initial skill:


    - Fireball


    - Wind Manipulation


    - Holy Light


    Note: Your initial skill will determine your future class tendencies. Please choose carefully.]


    I opened the details for each skill, carefully considering my options.


    Fireball was a simple attack magic, focused purely on damage. Its career progression was unclear.


    Wind Manipulation enhanced speed and agility, likely leading to classes like assassin or ranger.


    Holy Light could attack and defend, healing the user while also damaging dark-aligned creatures.


    Dark-aligned creatures¡­ oh, our faction leader.


    Corresponding careers would be healer or warrior.


    After weighing my options carefully, I settled on Fireball.


    My current understanding of Aeltia wasn''t deep enough to determine what kind of class I might want later. Fireball suited me best for now.


    With my low level, I desperately needed a combat skill. Wind Manipulation might only help me run faster, and Holy Light didn''t seem particularly useful at the moment.


    After selecting my skill, I felt a rush of memories flood into my mind. It seemed like a memory of a child learning to read a book. The experience felt both long and fleeting.


    It was like having electricity flow through your veins, but... warm? Alive?


    As the flood of information slowly subsided and I came back to my senses, all I could recall was a lengthy incantation.


    Ancient flames that dance in midnight''s breath, hear my call through ember''s depths.


    Let the fire of creation flow through mortal hands, ignite the spark of power that commands!


    But my body remembered more¡ªthe process of magic energy flowing through me, and the nuanced rhythm of the chant in my throat¡­


    An uncontrollable feeling of power made me swallow hard.


    "Ignis Spiritus... Fireball!"


    A small flame appeared at the tip of my middle finger.


    So this was what it felt like to use supernatural powers through your own body?


    So mysterious, so addictive!


    Although the flame was small, leaving me slightly disappointed, I remembered reading in the notes that spells would grow stronger with practice and could even evolve.


    In other words, I could grow my magic. When I mastered it, the fireball could grow into a massive fireball¡ªor even a rain of fireballs.


    It was all up to me!


    The sense of freedom and growth completely outweighed my initial disappointment.


    The sound of two other upgrade notifications caught my attention. I quickly went over. "Have you chosen your skills?"


    Garble nodded. "I plan to go for a solo assassin build, so I picked Wind Manipulation."


    He murmured a chant under his breath. Suddenly, his body became a blur, moving behind me in just two seconds before returning to his original spot.


    "Holy... Did anyone see where he went?" I gasped.


    "Do it again!" ProGamer_Daddy called out.


    Garble clenched his fist, clearly pleased. "I can only maintain this state for five seconds right now, but my speed rivals that of a car!"


    "Magic¡­ truly amazing!" I exclaimed in awe. "The Wind Manipulation skill is so generous with its initial effects."


    With such speed, its offensive potential might even surpass Fireball.


    I turned to ProGamer_Daddy. "What about you?"


    "This, uh..." He scratched his head. "I was going to pick Fireball, but I figured you''d probably choose it too. There''s only the three of us in the beta test, and overlapping skills wouldn''t be great for progression."


    "Plus, my leg cramped really badly recently¡ªit hurt like hell. So I just went with Holy Light, since it has healing effects."


    We nodded in understanding. We remembered how his leg had been so painful that he couldn''t help transport wood earlier¡ªit had taken all three of us to carry it back.


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    He stretched out his leg and did a couple of high-knee exercises, way too delighted. "Look, my leg is completely healed now!"


    "That''s great. Now we''ve got a mage, an assassin, and a healer." I said happily. "But... It''s just that my Fireball¡­ sigh, it might take some time to develop¡­"


    The others'' skills could give them the speed of a car or instantly heal injuries, but my skill... was barely better than a cigarette lighter.


    ProGamer_Daddy leaned in curiously. "What''s wrong? Is Fireball not working well?"


    I forced a smile and extended my right hand, showing the flickering flame on my middle finger¡ªso small it looked like it might go out any second.


    "..."


    Garble patted my shoulder. "It''s okay. At least your skill has great comedic potential."


    "What?! Even you are making jokes now?" ProGamer_Daddy gasped in mock horror, taking a step back. "You can''t possibly be Garble. Say it¡ªwhat kind of mimic monster are you?"


    "..."


    With ProGamer_Daddy joking around, my earlier frustration quickly dissipated. "I''m not upset. With Viktor as my example, I''ll definitely reach that level eventually."


    Thinking about that put me at ease.


    "Exactly! Just don''t forget to look out for your tank and healer, okay?"


    "Don''t worry, I''ve got your back!"


    I hadn''t even noticed when Viktor and Luminaris had left, too absorbed in our excitement over the new skills.


    ---Third POV---


    Viktor opened his system panel.


    Forcing the three players to "comprehend" their beginner spells had cost him 30 divine power.


    On top of that, Luminaris had secretly spent 3 more points with his tacit approval to bless the players.


    This left Viktor with just 20 divine power.


    Not much left¡­


    Let''s see how much divine power the players can provide tomorrow¡­ Viktor muttered to himself.


    For the first time, he genuinely hoped that his followers would generate more divine power.


    ---Logan''s POV---


    We used the remaining time before logging off to focus on practicing our spells.


    Unfortunately, we were all beginners at magic. After just two or three repetitions, we''d completely drained our magical energy.


    "Is anyone else seeing two of everything?" I mumbled.


    "I can''t feel my arms..." ProGamer_Daddy groaned.


    "At least your healing should help with that," Garble pointed out.


    The side effects of magic depletion were really severe. I felt even more exhausted than when I''d been hauling wood earlier that day.


    My mind was clouded with sleepiness, tempting me to log off. Each time my vision went black, I forced myself to reconnect.


    My fatigue became so overwhelming that when Viktor served us a meat-based meal later, I couldn''t even taste it.


    After finally addressing my character''s hunger, I was eventually booted offline.


    ---


    After removing the gaming helmet, I felt a surge of vitality sweeping away the exhaustion that had settled into my body.


    I once again marveled at the realism of Chronicles of Aeltia, as I had countless times in the game, "This game is absolutely mind-blowing!"


    But even with the negative buffs in the game gone, the fatigue from playing an entire day wasn''t something my body could escape from... I moved my neck.


    Huh?


    "I played games all day, and I''m not tired at all?"


    Not only that, but I felt the kind of comfort one got after a deep, refreshing sleep. This doesn''t make sense... I should be exhausted.


    Having spent years sitting in front of a computer, I had developed a serious cervical spine issue. Even if I rested properly, it was rare for me to sleep as well as I did today.


    I stared at the gaming helmet in my hands like it was a priceless treasure, turning it over carefully to examine every detail. This wasn''t just a gaming helmet!


    It was practically a godsend for insomniacs!


    "No external power source, minimal heat generation... How is this even possible?" I muttered, running my fingers along the smooth surface.


    I was willing to bet that even if the game itself turned out to be terrible, this sleep-enhancing effect alone would be enough to convince wealthy buyers to snag the helmet without caring about the price.


    "But now that I''ve rested so much, what should I do?" I muttered to myself as I powered on my computer. "Come on, you ancient beast. Just one more year of service, that''s all I ask."


    The startup animation looped endlessly on the screen.


    Wide awake and filled with energy, sleep was no longer an option, so I had to find something to keep myself busy.


    Based on my in-game fatigue meter, my character wouldn''t wake up for at least a full day and night in the real world. Chronicles of Aeltia had this one major flaw¡ªthe realism of the negative statuses was way too intense.


    If your character passed out, there was no logging back in until they recovered.


    Which meant that I probably wouldn''t be able to log in at all tomorrow.


    Well, that works out, I thought.


    In two days, I needed to update my video channel anyway. But after experiencing Chronicles of Aeltia, I had completely lost interest in playing any other games.


    Holding my head in frustration, I let out a deep sigh. "Why can''t I just play Chronicles of Aeltia forever?"


    I screamed in protest internally. AAAAAHHHHH!


    In the end, my dreams had to bow to reality.


    "Sigh, I still need to eat¡­ I''d better look for a new game."


    My computer was an ancient relic, slow as molasses when booting up. But I had no complaints¡ªit was reliable for video editing and saved me a ton of money on an upgrade.


    Finally, after enduring the agonizingly long startup animation, my jaw dropped when a pop-up appeared on the screen.


    [SpeedBoost Pro Alert!]


    [Warning: Your startup time (20 minutes) is slower than 98.7% of systems in your region!]


    [Click here to INSTANTLY boost your PC performance!]


    [Auto-scan recommended]


    [Time in Munich: 3:05 PM]


    "WHAT? It''s only 3 PM?!"


    My eyes nearly popped out of my head. I immediately got up and opened the heavy curtains in my room.


    The next moment, sunlight flooded the room, blindingly bright.


    Now I had no choice but to believe it.


    I calculated the time I''d spent in the game. There was no in-game clock, but the game panel recorded the hours I had been online.


    I distinctly remembered checking the panel right before logging out¡ªit showed 14 hours of playtime.


    The game servers had launched at 8 AM, which meant in-game time was progressing twice as fast as real-world time.


    "No way¡­ This company actually developed time-acceleration technology?!" My heart was pounding so hard that it almost felt numb. I had genuinely spent 14 hours in the game.


    Looking at this from a broader perspective, wouldn''t this kind of technology essentially extend human lifespans?


    "Chronicles of Aeltia, what other surprises are you hiding from me?" I murmured to myself, my gaze complex.


    This time, I had truly hit the jackpot with the game''s hype.


    I had a strong hunch that Chronicles of Aeltia was destined to go viral. And as one of the first beta testers, I stood to gain the most from it.


    Before that, however, I needed to connect with the other two beta testers.


    As one of only three participants, we had agreed to form a team, so exchanging contact info outside the game was a must.


    I already had the handle of one of them, ProGamer_Daddy. I created a new group chat and invited all three of us to join, ensuring smoother communication.


    To make my upcoming game recommendation video, my personal experience alone wouldn''t be enough.


    The technology in Chronicles of Aeltia was too advanced, too revolutionary. The perspectives of the other two testers were crucial to filling in any gaps in my understanding.


    "I just hope they''ll cooperate," I muttered nervously as I began drafting an introduction for my group message.


    Just then, I noticed something surprising¡ªProGamer_Daddy was actively chatting in my fan group.


    And not just chatting¡ªhe was arguing with several other active members. And judging by the messages popping up, they seemed to be discussing Chronicles of Aeltia.


    I quickly opened my fan group and scrolled through the chat history to see what was going on.


    ---


    [GameLord420]: Ugh, it''s so boring! Why is the group so dead today?


    [MemeKnight]: Isn''t it obvious? Because NeverShowOff is irrelevant now.


    [GameLord420]: Not like he was ever popular to begin with, right?


    Nice to see my fans are as supportive as ever...


    [GameLord420]: Wait, I remember now! Didn''t ProGamer_Daddy say he was going to live-text his experience with a new game today?


    [GameLord420]: It''s already the afternoon, and he still hasn''t shown up!


    [Actually_Hitler]: What new game?


    [GameLord420]: That knockoff game riding Netherworld Revolution''s coattails from a few days ago. The one with the horribly done website.


    [GameLord420]: You were there for that, weren''t you?


    [Actually_Hitler]: Oh, yeah! Now that you mention it¡­ @ProGamer_Daddy, Great Daddy of all Nations, where are you?


    [ProGamer_Daddy]: Ta-da, the main character has arrived! Sorry, everyone, the game was just too good¡ªI completely forgot!


    [LootGoblin]: You actually managed to summon him? I was trying to get him earlier for tips on passing engineering courses, and he ignored me!


    [ProGamer_Daddy]: Shut up, shut up! If you use my stories to flirt with girls one more time, I swear I''ll track you down through the internet!

 16 - Second Chances in a Virtual World

    ---Logan''s POV---


    Skipping through a large section of meaningless banter, I found what I was looking for¡ªmentions of Chronicles of Aeltia in the chat logs.


    As expected, ProGamer_Daddy was lavishly praising Chronicles of Aeltia in the group chat, though the others weren''t buying it.


    ---


    [ProGamer_Daddy]: Hahaha, let me tell you, spending 10 bucks on a gaming headset is the best decision I''ve made in my entire life!


    [ProGamer_Daddy]: Chronicles of Aeltia is absolutely the greatest game of the year¡ªno, the century! A definitive masterpiece! The graphics aren''t just good¡ªthey''re real. Like, ''pinch yourself to check if you''re dreaming'' real!


    [MemeKnight]: ? Did someone hack your account?


    [GameLord420]: ?? Did your family go bankrupt?


    [Actually_Hitler]: ??? No offense, bro, but even if you''re broke, being a paid shill is not a good career path.


    [LootGoblin]: Agreed. Judging by the official site''s budget "Sumerian-style" design, they probably can''t even afford to pay wages.


    [ProGamer_Daddy]: Nonsense! I haven''t been hacked, gone bankrupt, or sold myself as a shill! You''re insulting my dignity!


    [GameLord420]: Source: Trust me bro


    [LootGoblin]: Pics or it didn''t happen


    [ProGamer_Daddy]: You can''t take screenshots in-game...


    [Actually_Hitler]: RED FLAG RED FLAG


    [MemeKnight]: Daddy believes you (?????)


    [GameLord420]: Mommy believes you too (????)


    [ProGamer_Daddy]: ...Enough! Can''t you just let me finish speaking?


    I watched as ProGamer_Daddy, probably fed up with the constant interruptions, exercised his admin privileges.


    [ProGamer_Daddy]: Do you think I''d say this without absolute confidence? This isn''t just another VR game! When you swing a sword, you can FEEL the weight!


    [MemeKnight]: My controller vibrates too, very revolutionary (?_?)


    [ProGamer_Daddy]: No, you don''t understand. The feedback is perfect! While other VR games are still stuck on visual styles, Chronicles of Aeltia has already nailed the realism in sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch!


    [ProGamer_Daddy]: This is all from my personal in-game experience¡ªcompletely real, no exaggerations!


    [ProGamer_Daddy]: Plus, the game has extreme freedom, NPCs respond seamlessly, and the immersion is off the charts¡ªten thousand times better than their official claims!


    [ProGamer_Daddy]: Especially the combat system¡ªit''s exactly like real life, except your opponents are creatures that don''t exist in reality.


    [ProGamer_Daddy]: The hits feel brutally visceral, the satisfaction of winning is unparalleled¡ªit''s insanely fun!


    [GameLord420]: Bro''s gone full cult member...


    I noticed he didn''t mention anything about magic, perhaps to maintain suspense¡ªor maybe he couldn''t explain his choice of Holy Light spells. After all, he couldn''t just say, "I tripped recently and cramped my leg, so I picked a healing skill in case of emergencies."


    I shook my head. "Too naive."


    Since Chronicles of Aeltia didn''t support screenshots or recordings, relying solely on text was a hard sell. Moreover, his speech was overly emotional and lacked vivid imagery. Instead of convincing others to try the game, he seemed more like he was venting his love for it.


    No wonder nobody believed him.


    This was why I planned to leverage my game reviewer persona to create a professional recommendation video.


    And as expected, most people in the chat didn''t believe him.


    [MemeKnight]: Damn, power-tripping admin!


    [GameLord420]: Wow~~ So Chronicles of Aeltia is that amazing? Does that mean it''s better than Netherworld Revolution?


    [ProGamer_Daddy]: Netherworld Revolution, which is still renting ad space, isn''t even worthy of polishing Chronicles of Aeltia''s shoes!


    [Actually_Hitler]: Last time I checked, Chronicles of Aeltia was piggybacking on Netherworld Revolution''s popularity


    [LootGoblin]: I think the buzz died down this morning¡ªthey probably ran out of money to pay the shills


    [Actually_Hitler]: A game that can''t even afford a trailer, and you''re telling me it''s achieved 100% realism?


    [MemeKnight]: Yeah, that''s like asking a newborn baby who can''t crawl to skip walking and start flying!


    [GameLord420]: But even adults can''t fly


    [MemeKnight]: So it''s impossible for Chronicles of Aeltia to pull it off, my dear baby (?¦Ø?)


    [ProGamer_Daddy]: You''re dismissing Chronicles of Aeltia because it''s too ambitious. That''s just denying their hard work! Why won''t any of you just trust me on this?


    [ProGamer_Daddy]: They''ve already paved 99% of the way for domestic VR games. If we can''t even believe in them, what hope is there for the gaming industry?


    [ProGamer_Daddy]: The current VR market is like the mobile phone market 70-80 years ago, overrun with knockoffs


    [ProGamer_Daddy]: The arrival of Chronicles of Aeltia is as groundbreaking as Jobs unveiling the first iPhone!


    The group seemed to fall silent after that.


    [MemeKnight]: I think I just heard glass shattering.


    [GameLord420]: Son, you''ve really changed.


    [LootGoblin]: You''ve become so pure


    [Actually_Hitler]: Did the game company kidnap you? If you need me to call the cops, press 1.


    [ProGamer_Daddy]: AAAAHHH, just believe me already!!!!


    If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    From those four exclamation points, I could feel his despair.


    The arguments grew increasingly heated after that. The others dismissed him as delusional, responding half-heartedly. But their mocking tone only made him more frustrated. Judging by the speed of his increasingly frantic messages, he was genuinely upset.


    I shook my head. "This is nothing. Once I release my review video, the negative comments will be ten times worse. It''s all because Chronicles of Aeltia doesn''t have a trailer."


    Two promotional images just weren''t enough.


    Fans who had truly discovered the treasure that was Chronicles of Aeltia had no way to share it. If people knew the game''s true quality, who''d care about its half-baked website?


    Instead of this situation, where the official site was ironically "debunking" the game''s actual quality.


    To save ProGamer_Daddy from becoming the group''s punching bag, I finally spoke up.


    [NeverShowOff]: He''s telling the truth


    [MemeKnight]: !!


    [GameLord420]: !!!


    [LootGoblin]: Even the group lurker''s chiming in? The silent owner speaks! It''s like seeing a unicorn!


    [Actually_Hitler]: He sends less than one message a day. A newbie might really think this is a game chat, not a fan group


    [GameLord420]: Wait, doesn''t NeverShowOff also have a Chronicles of Aeltia beta slot? Are you saying ''ProGamer_Daddy'' is legit?


    [NeverShowOff]: Yes. I played with him for 14 hours straight, and I can confirm everything he said about the game is absolutely true


    [ProGamer_Daddy]: Finally! NeverShowOff!


    [GameLord420]: So Chronicles of Aeltia really has full five-sense simulation and ultra-realistic combat?


    [LootGoblin]: Freedom level? How high are we talking?


    [ProGamer_Daddy]: So high you can take off your pants without censorship


    [LootGoblin]: !!!! Holy crap, that high?!


    [Actually_Hitler]: ACHTUNG! A critical inconsistency has been detected! NeverShowOff claims 14 hours of gameplay, but the current time is only 3 PM. The mathematics do not add up!


    I couldn''t help but feel a rush of excitement as I typed my response in the chat.


    [NeverShowOff]: Exactly! I suspect the company behind Chronicles of Aeltia has already mastered mind acceleration technology. It''s just still in the experimental phase, so they haven''t started publicizing it yet!


    The reactions came flooding in immediately.


    [MemeKnight]: No way! If the servers go live at 8 AM, doesn''t that mean we''ll effectively have double the time? What kind of god-tier technology is this?!


    [GameLord420]: You''re not joking, right? This is leagues beyond those ridiculous stories about people flying!


    [LootGoblin]: Wait, so one hour IRL = two hours in-game?


    [NeverShowOff]: Think bigger


    [MemeKnight]: Don''t tell me... 3 hours? (¨s¡ã¡õ¡ã£©¨s¦à ©ß©¥©ß


    [Actually_Hitler]: Ahem, stop throwing around stuff that doesn''t exist. That said, if this tech does actually come out, the influence of this game will go way beyond the gaming world!


    [Actually_Hitler]: Think of it, comrades¡ªthe power to extend human lifespans! Now that would be a truly superior achievement!


    I smirked as I watched their responses.


    [NeverShowOff]: Anyone in this group should know my personality by now. I wouldn''t spread rumors unless I was confident about them


    Following up quickly, I added.


    [NeverShowOff]: If you trust me, make sure to sign up for the next beta test recruitment. The sooner we get in, the more benefits we''ll reap!


    I still had some influence, that much was clear. Even with all their skepticism, most of them thought 10 dollars was worth the gamble.


    [Actually_Hitler]: The guy who hardly posts is suddenly vouching for this? Perhaps this deserves our utmost attention after all...


    I watched as they all started pledging to sign up. LootGoblin was particularly enthusiastic, immediately shouting about signing up the moment I mentioned that Chronicles of Aeltia would run uncensored.


    And I hadn''t even dropped my big announcement yet.


    After sharing this exciting news with my close group, I took a deep breath. The chat window remained open on my screen, but my mind was already on my next task.


    It was time to grind out the next video!


    Even before drafting my script, I could already foresee the storm that would follow its release. This time, it wouldn''t just be my fans I was dealing with¡ªthings weren''t going to go as smoothly as they did earlier.


    ---Third POV---


    Hundreds of kilometers north of Logan''s location, a young man, seemingly in his late twenties or early thirties, lay on a bed.


    He was wearing a gaming helmet.


    It looked uncomfortable, but he appeared to be sleeping soundly.


    Finally, the man stirred.


    He propped himself up with one hand, inching forward with great difficulty to sit upright.


    The right sleeve of his shirt was completely empty.


    Removing the gaming helmet, his somber eyes came into view.


    His otherwise chiseled face seemed older by a decade due to those gloomy eyes and the deep nasolabial lines on his forehead.


    He carefully turned his body and placed the gaming helmet on the nightstand.


    Even this simple motion seemed excruciatingly difficult, taking him a long time to complete.


    The act of twisting his body triggered a chain reaction.


    Pain spread rapidly from his spine to his entire body, causing Werner to frown deeply.


    "Heh... just one day of gaming, and I can''t even handle the pain anymore."


    He was smiling, but it was a smile full of bitterness.


    For 14 hours, he hadn''t experienced the constant neurological pain from spinal cord damage caused by his paraplegia.


    "Having a healthy body is such a blessing..."


    His gaze grew distant. In the game, he could run, jump, fight... be himself again. It had given him a sense of rebirth, a chance to experience another way of living.


    He tried putting the gaming helmet back on but discovered he couldn''t re-enter.


    As the in-game menu indicated, he had to wait until his character''s unconscious state ended before he could log in again.


    It was all because of ProGamer_Daddy''s ridiculous suggestion.


    He''d insisted that repeatedly consuming magic for rapid training was faster than meditating and practicing moderately. And as a result, all three of them passed out from exhaustion and were forcibly logged out.


    He found it funny.


    Why had he agreed to such an obviously flawed plan?


    He was really regressing, even losing his common sense.


    Clatter!


    The sound of a tray hitting the ground startled him.


    At the door stood his mother, tears welling in her eyes.


    "Werner?" she gasped.


    He looked up and immediately struggled to get out of bed.


    "Mom! What''s wrong?"


    "It''s nothing, I''m fine!"


    His mother hurried inside, helping him back onto the bed.


    "I''m just... so happy. Your smile... I haven''t seen it in so long."


    She wiped the tears from her eyes as she spoke. Even as she reassured him, her mind replayed the scene she''d witnessed upon entering: her son''s unconscious smile.


    How long had it been?


    How long since she''d last seen him smile?


    Three years ago, he had returned home severely injured: Both legs amputated below the knees, his right arm fully amputated, and paralyzed from the waist down.


    Since that day, he hadn''t smiled once.


    When he returned, it wasn''t just his broken body that he brought with him. There was also a box of certificates of honor and a hefty sum of money and compensation from the state¡ªenough for him to live comfortably without working for the rest of his life.


    The most eye-catching item in that box was a gold-plated bronze medal shaped like an intersecting five-pointed star.


    The most eye-catching item in that box was the Cross of Honor in gold.


    Due to confidentiality, Werner''s mother didn''t know the details of his service.


    But these accolades were proof enough.


    She knew her son had silently saved countless families and that he would forever be the pride of their family.


    Yet, he couldn''t move on.


    Their family had a proud military tradition dating back to his grandfather, a retired lieutenant general, with uncles and parents all in high-ranking military roles.


    Werner had grown up steeped in military ideals and had naturally become a KSK soldier himself. The special forces weren''t just a career choice, they were their family''s legacy.


    But now, broken and unable to contribute, he couldn''t bear the thought of being useless. He couldn''t stand watching his parents care for him when he should''ve been the one taking care of them.


    To him, he was nothing more than... a burden.


    A parasite.


    A cripple.


    His mother had tried everything¡ªneighbors had come to counsel him, and she''d used every method she could think of.


    But it only worsened his decline.


    Once, she even found a fruit knife hidden under his pillow.


    After that, all sharp objects were locked away, out of his reach. She had no idea how he''d obtained the knife, but it had terrified her.


    She didn''t dare invite anyone to counsel him again, for fear it might push him further into despair.


    All she could do was watch helplessly as he sank deeper.


    But now!


    She had just seen her son smile!


    It was a good omen.


    Looking at the gaming helmet on the nightstand, she adjusted the pillow behind his back and casually asked, "Did you make new friends in the game?"


    Werner''s lips curled into a small smile.


    "Sort of. I found a really great game. I realized all the training weren''t wasted¡ªI can still use them in the game."


    "Oh, how is it there?"


    "It''s like... like being whole again."


    He went on to describe, in great detail, his fight with a giant red worm in the game.


    His mother listened, nodding along, her eyes gradually growing wet.


    She knew. He wasn''t just recounting the game. He was describing what it felt like to have a healthy body again.


    Werner looked up.


    "When this game officially launches, I think I can make money from it and lighten your burden. There''s real potential here. People make careers gaming now."


    "Werner, taking care of you isn''t a burden. Don''t you remember the compensation you brought back?"


    "Stop lying. The compensation is enough to cover my basic needs, sure, but it definitely couldn''t buy me a high-tech wheelchair like this."


    Werner gestured toward a sleek, futuristic wheelchair that rolled toward him at the motion of his hand.


    Its silver frame gleamed, adorned with advanced features and modules that exuded a sense of cutting-edge technology.

 17 - Divine Power: 365 (Terms and Conditions Apply)

    ---Werner''s POV---


    Mom was momentarily speechless. "This..."


    The elephant in the room. It''s time we finally address it. "Mom, I''ve known about this for a long time already. You don''t need to keep telling me that it was some supermarket lottery prize," I said, my gaze calm as I ran my hand over the armrest of my wheelchair.


    This wheelchair had once been like a thorn lodged deep in my heart. My family never mentioned it, and I had pretended not to know. But pretending hadn''t helped any of us move forward.


    Taking my mother''s hands firmly in my own, I said, "I believe in this game. It will definitely help me earn enough money¡ªnot just for this wheelchair, but for a second one, a tenth one... I promise I''ll give you and Dad a good life!"


    Mom''s eyes welled up with tears. "Werner..." She blinked rapidly, forcing them back. "Alright, alright! As long as you have this resolve, that''s enough for me!"


    Just then¡ªgrumble grumble.


    I looked down at my stomach and hung my head in embarrassment. Of all the moments to be hungry... What terrible timing!


    Mom clapped her hands as if suddenly remembering something.


    "Oh my, I knew I was forgetting something. I noticed you hadn''t logged out to eat, so I came to bring you some food. And then I got distracted and forgot!"


    Turning around, she spotted the food lying spilled on the floor by the doorway, her face flushing with embarrassment.


    "Ahem, I''ll go downstairs and bring you a fresh plate."


    "No need," I said, shifting myself toward the edge of the bed.


    Mom quickly moved to help me, but I held up a hand. Once I was seated in my wheelchair, I looked up at her with a small smile.


    "Let''s go downstairs to eat together, Mom."


    She was taken aback by this unexpected suggestion, her eyes widening before she began nodding fervently.


    "Yes, yes, going downstairs is a great idea..."


    I could tell she was excited that I was finally willing to leave the room on my own. As she started to push my wheelchair, I gently took control of it myself.


    "I can navigate it," I said softly.


    "I know, I know... old habits," she replied, stepping back but hovering nearby as I carefully maneuvered around the spilled food.


    Her footsteps quickened with excitement as she followed. I knew she couldn''t wait to share the good news with Dad.


    ---Viktor''s POV---


    I watched as the three players collapsed onto the ground, their heads hitting the floor with a dull thud.


    Even though I had been dead for centuries and could no longer feel physical pain, hearing the noise still made the back of my skull ache in sympathy.


    If my guess was correct, when these players logged back in tomorrow, each of them would find a goose-egg-sized lump on the back of their heads.


    "I hope the one who learned the Holy Light spell has enough mana," I muttered to myself. Running out of mana was not an experience anyone enjoyed.


    Even though the players were connected to their bodies only through consciousness projections, once pain stimuli reached a certain threshold, the system would shut off their pain receptors.


    But the pain they could feel was enough to give them hell! And mana depletion wasn''t just any kind of pain¡ªit was the worst kind!


    I ordered Edgar to carry the players'' bodies into the church.


    Inside, I had set up a defensive magic circle with hay spread across the ground, serving as a temporary logout point for the players.


    While their bodies were unconscious, leaving them outside all night might lead to illness¡ªanother factor that could turn players away from the game.


    I was extremely cautious about anything that might affect the game''s early development.


    Being a game developer was way harder than running The Watcher ever was. At least recruits could be manipulated with a few choice words.


    Outside the church, I dragged over some stone slabs Edgar had recently cut.


    The area outside the church was the place where the flow of magic was the most stable and abundant¡ªa perfect spot for me to heal my injuries.


    It also made it easier to absorb the energy emanating from the Land of the Gods and the Moon Goddess'' Palace.


    Or, as people on Earth called them, the sun and moon.


    Sitting alone outside, I looked up at the star-filled sky and let out a deep sigh, the kind only the undead could produce.


    After all, skeletons didn''t actually breathe.


    "Being a game developer is so hard..."


    And this was only three players! They were already giving me a headache, reminding me of the chaotic days when I first established The Watcher.


    But players were even more troublesome. Watcher recruits could be tricked with a few well-placed words.


    With players, I not only had to deal with the internal test players but also worry about the feedback from all the "cloud players" watching online.


    I extended my bony hand, conjuring a magic scroll and quill out of thin air.


    "Next time they log in, I need to find a way to guide them into building houses."


    I began jotting down notes. Keeping the players in the church wasn''t a long-term solution. As the number of players grew, the church''s limited capacity would quickly become a problem, to the point where we might even have to throw out the statue of the deity.


    Halfway through my writing, I paused.


    "Wait..." I looked at my notes skeptically. "With just three players, how long will it take them to build even one house?"


    Unless they had powerful magic or a large workforce, neither of which they currently possessed, the housing project would have to be delayed.


    I marked this task as "low priority" in my notes.


    "For now, I''ll let them roam freely and gather more resources. Maybe someday I''ll find a dwarven craftsman or a player with a background in construction..."


    I glanced at my pitiful 23 Divine Power, and the thought bubble immediately burst.


    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    With so little Divine Power, I could barely afford to summon two more players, let alone start cherry-picking professions!


    Above me, a streak of silver light arced across the night sky.


    It was the Moon Goddess'' chariot. Even though the Moon Goddess had long since fallen, her chariot still followed its designated route from the Moon Palace to the Land of the Gods each night, awaiting an owner who would never return.


    Day after day, endlessly.


    "Ah! The second day!" My spirits lifted. Luminaris should have successfully converted the Faith Power into Divine Power by now!


    Opening my system panel, my eyes gleamed at the updated stats. Sure enough, my Divine Power had quietly increased.


    [Name: Viktor von Vinesse]


    [Divine Power: 365]


    [Players: 3]


    [Special Items: Int??dim??Net??Spirit??, Divine Contract (Reversed), Chronicles of Aeltia Console]


    [Status: Severely Injured, Weakness, Frostbite, Burns, Poisoning, Inner Sanctum Collapse, ...]


    [Summary: Dying Undead]


    [Survival Time: 8 days, 13 hours, 14 minutes]


    "Ah, much better!" I nodded in satisfaction before turning my attention to the other updates.


    My Divine Power had skyrocketed by 342 points, fully reimbursing the cost of creating player bodies and the game interface.


    But before I could celebrate, my eyes were drawn to the newly unlocked item in the "Special Items" section.


    "Chronicles of Aeltia Console? Wow, it''s available already?"


    I had anticipated that misleading players to generate Faith Power laden with incorrect assumptions would gradually alter my divine authority and produce game-like tools.


    But I hadn''t expected it to happen so quickly¡ªjust one day in!


    Suddenly, a piercing scream erupted from within the church.


    The kind of scream you''d expect from a virtuous man waking up in the palace only to discover he''d been... altered.


    Opening the door, I was immediately met by a golden blur shooting toward me.


    "Viktor! What''s happened to me?!"


    "VIKTOR!"


    I watched as Luminaris paced anxiously in circles, spinning around in place.


    This gave me a good look at his current state.


    The glowing orb, which used to fit neatly in one hand, seemed to have grown larger.


    His arms and legs, which were always tiny and inconspicuous on his round body, had also grown slightly longer. The most striking change, however, was the sudden appearance of a frilly edge around his middle, precisely at the point where his arms and legs met.


    It looked strangely like a skirt. This was an unexpected development in character design.


    "What''s happening to me?!" Luminaris tugged at the frilly edge in horror, trying to rip it off. But all he managed to do was hurt himself, letting out a yelp of pain.


    I stepped in to stop him. "Don''t pull at it. This seems to be part of your body now. Please stop pulling at yourself. Self-mutilation isn''t the answer."


    I knew the source of the transformation: The Faith Power.


    Earlier today, I''d overheard the players referring to him as the "juvenile form of the goddess." It was likely because of this title that the glowing orb was now gradually transforming into something resembling the appearance of the goddess statue.


    I explained the theory to Luminaris, not forgetting to throw in a jab.


    "Faith Power is fascinating, isn''t it? The nerds think you''re a ''juvenile goddess,'' and here you are, growing a skirt."


    "See? This is what you were so eager to gain¡ªthe power of belief."


    Normally, the influence of belief wouldn''t be this rapid or dramatic for a deity. But the glowing orb possessed very little inherent divine power, so the divine power generated by belief became the dominant force.


    And that was likely how he turned into this.


    "This isn''t fascinating! This is horrible!" Luminaris trembled all over as he processed what I had just said. "Then what do I do? I don''t want to change gender!"


    "Technically, since you only inherited Aeceus''s memories, you''re a divine essence without a gender to begin with. This isn''t a gender change. Consider it practical experience in divine transformation."


    "No! No way!" Luminaris'' fur or whatever light particles he had bristled in shock. The glowing threads stood on end, making him look like a spiky hedgehog.


    "Anyway, I don''t want to become a goddess!"


    He started to choke up. "You promised me that as long as I acted as the game''s mascot, you wouldn''t turn me into a goddess-like figure! You said the settings were all fake!"


    "Did I? My memory''s not what it used to be... being dead and all." I gazed at him affectionately. "While I''m glad you''ve finally accepted your role as the game''s mascot, you should know better than I do that the effects of belief are nearly impossible to change."


    Luminaris'' glowing orb eyes widened in disbelief. "You promised me! You specifically said¡ª"


    I spread my hands. "But I''m just an undead. I don''t have the power to alter the effects of belief. Also, I''m a black magician. And as everyone knows..."


    "You wouldn''t..." Luminaris floated backward in horror.


    "We''re notoriously unreliable."


    Luminaris hovered backward, swaying as if he had suffered a massive blow. "You did this on purpose you fucker!"


    "I''m hurt. Think of it as character development. You''re becoming more... divine. And try to act a bit more ladylike, will you?" I silently observed as Luminaris cycled through emotions: Fear, anger, helplessness as he realized he couldn''t fight back, a second wave of anger, a second bout of despair... And finally, hopeless resignation.


    Just wow.


    "I don''t want character development! I want my old body back!"


    The players love you this way. Isn''t that what you wanted? I found the whole thing immensely entertaining. No wonder black magicians love building their happiness on other people''s pain.


    It really was satisfying!


    After watching long enough, I finally decided to let him off the hook.


    "Though as black magicians go, I''m rather unique." I cleared my throat. "As everyone knows, I''m not your typical black magician. So, of course, I wouldn''t lie to you."


    "What do you mean?" Luminaris asked suspiciously.


    "Let''s just say I have... administrative privileges."


    With that, I opened the newly acquired [Chronicles of Aeltia Console].


    The familiar programming interface made my head throb. I was reminded of the days spent designing the game''s official website, which had drained my inner sanctum. Fortunately, my recent internet crash course had been useful.


    "What are you doing?" Luminaris peered at the console.


    "Giving you a makeover. The non-divine kind, no, it should be divine now?" I successfully located the game mascot''s icon settings.


    After a few adjustments, Luminaris reverted to his original glowing orb form.


    With tears and snot still plastered on his glowing face, he stared at his suddenly shrunken body, momentarily stunned.


    "Huh??? I''m back to normal!"


    "Define normal. You''re still a talking ball of light," I smirked.


    "But at least I''m not wearing a skirt!" He spun excitedly in the air, so elated he couldn''t stop himself. Sure enough, some things could only be appreciated after they were lost.


    He turned to me, full of questions: "How did you do it?"


    What I said earlier wasn''t wrong. The effects of belief were notoriously difficult to counteract. That was why so many gods had perished in belief-driven wars.


    I gave a mysterious smile. "Secret."


    "More importantly, you''d better remember today''s lesson and get back to work. Remember this feeling. Next time you get curious about divine power..."


    Luminaris shuddered. "No need! Lesson learned! Totally learned! Got it! I was just curious! I''m not interested anymore!"


    To prove his words, he zipped into the cathedral with a whoosh, his retreat looking very much like fleeing in panic.


    I watched for a moment, then returned to my stone seat, gazing at the sky at a contemplative 45-degree angle. In reality, my focus was on the floating game console in the air.


    Fixing Luminaris'' transformation had been simple. Since Faith Power wasn''t acting directly on his body, the issue was solvable. After all, he was just a mascot within the game.


    Players might idealize his image, but most of the faith was tied to the conviction that Chronicles of Aeltia was a game, which created the current game console.


    What the game icon looked like was something players could suggest. But ultimately, the decision was up to me.


    I tinkered with the console for a while longer, successfully making the interface more user-friendly and accessible. Let''s see... character design, game panel, data display...


    ---


    [Game Development Features:]


    [Character Design: Costs 1 Divine Power]


    [Realistic Game Panel: Costs 100 Divine Power]


    [Realistic Data Display ¨C Name: Costs 100 Divine Power]


    [Realistic Data Display ¨C Race: Costs 500 Divine Power]


    [Realistic Data Display ¨C Level: Costs 500 Divine Power]


    [Realistic Data Display ¨C Experience: Costs 500 Divine Power]


    [Realistic Data Display ¨C Sanity: Costs 10,000,000 Divine Power]


    [Realistic Data Display ¨C Skills: Costs 500 Divine Power]


    [Realistic Data Display ¨C Inventory: Costs 1,000 Divine Power]


    [Customization: Unlimited Divine Power]


    [...]


    ---


    I scanned the options and felt a chill. "Even after finally breaking 100 divine power, I can only afford two or three features?"


    How miserable!


    No matter whether I had 1 point or 100 points of divine power... The only feature with any semblance of freedom was still dressing up Luminaris!


    The realistic skills section was just a translation of adjectives I had made up myself. Currently, the player panel was just an empty shell designed based on the traits of deities. Data changes were something I observed and secretly modified. I''d been hoping to rely on the side effects of Faith Power to make those changes real someday.


    But clearly, I had been too optimistic.


    Side effects were side effects because their benefits would never outweigh their drawbacks. All of these features required me to spend divine power to unlock them manually.


    This was especially true for functions involving monitoring player stats.


    Each of those cost at least 500 divine power to unlock!


    Although they were one-time unlocks and didn''t require spending divine power on every individual player, like I did when creating the game panels...


    "Without resources, I''m stuck!" I let out a long sigh.


    I scrutinized the list for ages and couldn''t find a single skill I deemed worth unlocking.


    The most ridiculous one was the Realistic Player Name feature. This ability, which merely involved importing players'' registered IDs into the game, somehow cost 100 divine power?!

 18 - A Skull on Every Coin

    ---Viktor''s POV---


    "Why is the cost of the Realistic Player Sanity function so much higher than other features? Wasn''t that something I set randomly?"


    I could never wrap my head around this part. Could the fervor of believers really be quantified as SAN value?


    I fiddled with the console, browsing through options. There were a few intriguing features.


    "Hm... The realistic game panel is essentially a buyout of the game''s interface functionality. 100 divine power points may seem expensive," I mused.


    "But as long as there are more than 100 players in the game, buying out this feature is way more cost-effective than making individual panels for each player. If only I had one hundred players..."


    "Inventory space. A must-have for games, and it comes with five slots of storage. Portable space is essential for players!"


    I glanced at the price of the inventory feature and instantly cooled down.


    "1000 divine power points? No way, that''s way too expensive. Highway robbery!"


    Early-stage game features were critical, and this was my first time choosing one. I had to be careful. 1000 divine power points could typically unlock two features.


    Spending it all on inventory was just not worth it.


    Finally, there was the customization feature, which had much broader applications and came with variable costs depending on how it was used.


    I wanted to use the customization feature to add a mana value display to the game panel. This idea stemmed from an incident involving the players who were forcibly logged out because they''d depleted their mana reserves.


    Players, after all, weren''t native inhabitants of Aeltia. They need numbers, bars, something concrete. Expecting them to instinctively monitor their mana like real mages was asking too much.


    A digitized mana display could solve this problem perfectly. No more players collapsing from mana exhaustion simply because they couldn''t gauge their own limits.


    After some tinkering, I successfully configured the realistic mana value display.


    "500 divine power... Of course."


    My last glimmer of hope was crushed. In the end, I couldn''t afford anything!


    After much deliberation, I finally remembered why I''d come to the console in the first place.


    "Wasn''t I originally trying to deal with the players'' death penalties?"


    I rubbed my smooth skull.


    "Then Luminaris came along, and I forgot all about it! I need to use my brain more... Ah, right. I don''t have a brain. I am a skeleton."


    The incident with the worms during the day had reminded me of a crucial point. Although I could always craft new bodies for players who died, creating human bodies consumed magical materials.


    Many of the materials required by the ritual were extraordinarily rare. And given my current "wanted" status, obtaining them wasn''t easy!


    Each use brought me closer to running out, and I had no idea when I''d find replacements. Until I secured alternative materials, I had to implement a death penalty.


    First, I checked if I could customize player respawn points.


    Good news: the console did indeed have this feature.


    Bad news: the cost was a string of zeros, far beyond what my three-digit divine power could handle.


    As for penalties tied to resurrection¡­


    I picked up a feather pen and began jotting notes on a floating parchment.


    "First, a respawn cooldown. Activating the ritual to craft a new body takes one day. That should qualify as a penalty for players."


    "Next is experience loss¡­ Oh right, I haven''t set up save points for players yet."


    I clutched my head in frustration.


    Just earlier, when my divine power value had updated, I''d felt confident about breaking even quickly.


    But now, as I began spending it, I truly understood the phrase "money burns a hole in your pocket." Though in my case, it was divine power burning through my nonexistent pockets.


    "Let''s leave the save points for later. For now, after resurrection, any experience gained beyond the last save point won''t be retained. Yes, that''ll be penalty number two!"


    "And then¡­ right, we don''t even have game currency yet. How do I fine dead players without money? Losing money upon death will be the third penalty!"


    I dropped the feather pen and carefully reviewed the player resurrection system I had written down to ensure nothing was missed.


    Penalties for pre-death (lost unsaved experience), during death (respawn cooldown), and post-death (currency deduction) were all covered.


    Later, I would set the amount of money deducted high enough to discourage players from dying recklessly.


    My empty sockets glowed with satisfaction.


    "With the addition of game currency, we can finally start charging for starter gear and quest items."


    Our initial supplies weren''t abundant; we couldn''t let players squander them freely. Only when players paid for things would they value them.


    I spent another long stretch tinkering. Eventually, I used 100 divine power to mark the undead resurrection ritual.


    Now, when players died, the new body crafted by the ritual would use the data from their last save point.


    Next, I turned my attention to creating game currency. Unfortunately, creating currency required 500 divine power points¡ªand it would only produce 10,000 coins.


    If I needed more, I''d have to pay again.


    Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    The exorbitant price made my nonexistent heart ache. The system could''ve just robbed me outright, yet it had chosen to give me tokens with no intrinsic value instead.


    "The value of game currency isn''t like other features. It shouldn''t cost this much!"


    Unlike other functions, game currency didn''t need to monitor player health. It was more akin to a 100-point feature¡ªjust labeling objects with a special identifier and organizing them.


    The only tricky part was creating the coins themselves.


    "There''s got to be a way to bring the cost down," I muttered.


    If I could solve the creation problem and only use divine power for the final identification process, the price might drop dramatically.


    With this thought in mind, I returned to the console and worked until dawn.


    At last, I found a cheaper way to produce game currency: alchemy for crafting the coins and divine power for anti-counterfeit certification.


    I wasted no time putting the plan into action.


    I entered the church, headed to a corner, and began clanging away, building alchemical equipment.


    Sparks flew everywhere, waking Luminaris, who had been dozing on the idol overhead.


    "Hmm? What in the divine realms...?" His tiny eyes blinked at the faint light outside.


    "What are you doing?! Can''t a ball get some sleep?!"


    "Alchemy," I replied. "What else?"


    "You know alchemy?! Wait, even if you do, can''t you do it during the day?"


    Clang!


    I tossed aside an iron funnel and fixed him with the hollow gaze of my skeletal head.


    "If you''re so capable, why don''t you do it? I''m a heavily injured being who hasn''t even slept, yet I''m working tirelessly for our future. Have I complained?"


    With that, I pulled up the system panel, emphasizing one particular stat: my remaining survival time.


    [Survival Time: 8 days, 13 hours, 14 minutes]


    Luminaris immediately became sheepish.


    "Well..." he stammered.


    "And look at Edgar over there. He''s covered in wounds too, but he didn''t even wake up." I pointed toward the paladin, who was resting in another corner.


    He had managed to construct a personal room out of the barely usable bricks and stones from the town. Even though my area was exceptionally noisy, his side remained completely undisturbed.


    I turned back and interrogated Luminaris, "As the only one among the three of us without a single scratch, don''t you feel ashamed? Why don''t you reflect on yourself for a moment? Maybe you''re having trouble sleeping because your work during the day is too easy."


    Luminaris froze in place. "Is... is that true?"


    "Of course!" I replied decisively. "I don''t need your help right now. Go back to sleep!"


    He lowered his head in shame. "I''m sorry for disturbing your work." He obediently returned to the palm of the statue''s hand.


    I turned back to continue my earlier task.


    At 700 years old, I had dabbled in every type of magic. Alchemy was no exception. But even a clever inventor couldn''t craft without materials.


    Back on the Frostwind Plains, those two reckless novice monks had destroyed my storage bag. Now, my magical materials were pitifully scarce, especially the ones usable for alchemy.


    "Let''s see..." I muttered, sorting through the meager remains. "Three chunks of enchanted iron, some crystallized mana residue, and enough runic dust to maybe fill a thimble. Wonderful."


    After picking and sorting through my resources, the only thing I could create was an alchemical item capable of transforming dirt into some sort of copper-like alloy discs.


    I named it Rune Forge.


    The Rune Forge had three material input slots. After passing through the reaction chamber and the conversion matrix, the materials were processed into three output slots.


    The alloy discs produced from the outputs varied in size and design, representing values of 1, 10, and 100.


    The exterior was complete, but there was one final step: activating the conversion matrix in the forge''s center.


    I gathered golden-red energy in my palm, illuminating my hand bones in a blood-red glow.


    "Seal!"


    The entire forge shuddered violently, its color shifting from pure black to brass.


    "Cough, cough!"


    My body collapsed with a crisp "snap," scattering into a pile of white bones. "You know you''re having a bad day when your skull rolls under the furniture," I grumbled, reassembling myself.


    Three seconds later, I was propped up against the wall, adjusting my head back into place.


    "Ah, I knew I was pushing it too far."


    I opened my system panel and glanced at my reduced lifespan.


    [Survival Time: 6 days, 19 hours, 56 minutes]


    Already limited, my survival time had been reduced by nearly a quarter. I barely reacted, skimming over the numbers as if they were ordinary figures.


    I closed the panel and began calculating my mana consumption.


    "Casting Fireball to save those three only cost ten minutes of life, but making this alchemical item took two whole days..." I mused. "Hmm. I''ll have to start being more conservative with my magic..."


    Looking at the short, stout Rune Forge, I opened its control panel. The currency function had successfully been lowered to a cost of 100 divine power.


    My eyes lit up. "Not bad! Two days weren''t wasted! I''ve essentially converted that time into 400 divine power!"


    I immediately purchased the currency function and began experimenting.


    ---


    Ten minutes later, I held a freshly minted game coin in my hand. The coin''s front side displayed the value "100," while the back featured an embellished chibi-style skull.


    The coin''s edges were serrated and decorated with intricate patterns.


    "This looks like something only an evil faction would use." I flipped the coin between my fingers. "But... who cares? As the designer, I like it, and that''s what matters!"


    After all, The Watcher had already been labeled as part of the evil faction because of my undead identity.


    At the same time, my game panel popped up.


    [New game currency added: 100 Game Currency!]


    "Wait! The currency''s name is literally ''Game Currency''?!"


    I quickly opened the GM control panel and renamed it. "Undead Coins? No, too on the nose. Let''s call it... Magicoins! Since it''s a product of magical alchemy."


    I pocketed the 100-value Magicoin and carried the half-human-sized Rune Forge through most of the church. I knocked on the temporary wooden door of Edgar''s room.


    After a moment, the door opened.


    He appeared fully dressed.


    "Viktor, it''s not work hours yet," he said.


    Outside, the sky was still a foggy blue. Dawn in the Divine Realm was at least two hours away.


    "Ah, but opportunity knocks at all hours, my friend!" I replied with utter shamelessness. "Even so, you''re awake now, aren''t you? And, dear Edgar, you should start getting used to the time difference. When more players join, they won''t care what time it is. They''ll be knocking on your door 24/7!"


    "... I''m starting to think we should reconsider our plan to revive the organization."


    "I refuse!" I said without hesitation. "Now, won''t you invite me in?"


    Edgar stepped aside.


    Since it was a hastily built resting area, the room was small. Apart from the bed, only half of the floor space was walkable. With one human and one undead inside, the room instantly felt cramped.


    I shoved the heavy Rune Forge into Edgar''s hands and explained its functionality. "From now on, you''re the Treasurer of The Watcher! Think of it as a promotion! Keep this thing here. I trust you''ll take good care of it!"


    Edgar glanced at the alchemical tool he''d been forcibly handed. Although most of the materials were ordinary, its design was proof of its exceptional craftsmanship. Even if it wasn''t functional, it was worth preserving for its technical merit alone.


    "I believe you remember that four days ago, you appointed me as the Minister of General Affairs," Edgar said. "I''m already handling all the administrative work."


    "Exactly! You''re already so good at it. This is just a small addition."


    "Small addition? This is an entire financial system!"


    In other words, his current duties included assigning player missions and settling mission rewards. Now he was also expected to manage finances.


    "Ahaha, is that so?" I laughed awkwardly. "But you''re the most capable of the three of us. Your current power is the highest, so it''s safest for you to keep it!"


    This was 100 divine power we were talking about! With the three of us¡ªa weakling and two cripples¡ªEdgar was the only one reliable enough to handle this responsibility.


    I, whose magical power had been reduced to a mid-level mage''s, and Luminaris, who had no combat capability at all, simply weren''t viable options.


    "Soon, missions will include Magicoin rewards. Keeping the forge here will make task settlement easier, don''t you think?" I quickly crafted an excuse, patting his shoulder. "Ed, this is a sign of trust from the organization! When we get more members, I''ll assign you an assistant right away!"


    "You said that about the last three positions," Edgar reminded me.


    "And I meant it every time! This time it''s different."


    "How exactly is it different?"


    "Because this time I''m extra sincere about it?"


    Edgar paused, then reluctantly agreed. "Fine. But you must make finding help a priority."


    "Of course! The next time I find some unlucky soul wandering near Honeyvale Town, I''ll bring them in to assist you!" I, being an undead, didn''t even blink as I made my empty promises.


    "Now, apart from this..."


    Edgar''s gaze sharpened as he suddenly grew wary. "What else are you planning?!"


    I had managed to push a once-noble paladin¡ªeducated in chivalry and integrity¡ªto the point of paranoia. A paladin who now eyed me with the weariness of an overworked employee.


    For a brief moment, I reflected. Had I gone too far this time?

 19 - Viktors Website Receives No Mercy

    ---Viktor''s POV---


    No, I''m just overthinking things. I decisively dismissed the possibility from my mind and turned my warm, kind gaze toward Edgar.


    "Don''t worry, it''s nothing serious. I just came to share some good news with you."


    "Last night, our plan made a major breakthrough!"


    "The nerds, Edgar! They''re practically divine power factories!" I explained to him the discovery that players could provide large amounts of divine power.


    As I spoke, I watched his face fill with shock and disbelief, especially upon hearing how I had used the game console to successfully eliminate the side effects of divine faith from Luminaris'' body.


    "Viktor, perhaps you really are right!"


    I could see the wheels turning in his head¡ªif divine power could truly break free from the side effects of faith, it would undoubtedly become the best solution to achieving The Watchers'' ultimate goal.


    If that were the case, then even an increased workload was something he could endure.


    He closed his eyes in reluctant acceptance. "Go on, keep explaining."


    "Not bad for the wisest and most powerful paladin of the Radiant Church after the Era of the Fallen Gods!" I didn''t hold back my compliments but quickly shifted the topic.


    "I do have something I need your help with."


    Edgar immediately wore a "knew-this-was-coming" expression that made me want to laugh.


    I raised a bony finger. "Do you know what a trailer is?"


    "Think about it¡ªthese nerds, they need proof. They need spectacle!" I''d been keeping up with the information circulating online on Earth and was well aware of the biggest criticism surrounding Chronicles of Aeltia¡ªa lack of internal details and a general disbelief among players.


    A game trailer would go a long way in silencing these doubts.


    "And you want to use me for this... spectacle?" Edgar asked.


    Over the past few days, I had steadily fed magic power into the blue light orb, finally accumulating enough resources to upload a 10-minute video to the official website. The struggle to unlock a single video upload feature showed just how much room there was to improve my so-called "cheat powers."


    I carefully explained the concept of a game trailer to Edgar.


    After hearing me out, he thought for two seconds. "Hm... You want to make a recording of me for your players to watch? I don''t mind."


    "So agreeable?" I was a little surprised. "I remember you used to strongly oppose leaving any sort of recorded image or traces behind?"


    "After seven hundred years of your schemes, what''s one more recording?" Edgar''s voice carried a hint of dry humor.


    I feel like I should be offended by that tone.


    After all, once a recording was out there, the user had no control over how it might be used.


    Given the current negative reviews of Chronicles of Aeltia, the first trailer we released could easily be picked up by trolls or rival companies. It wasn''t impossible to imagine Edgar''s likeness being turned into some meme-worthy material in fan edits.


    That''s precisely why I came to ask for his consent first¡ªwhat a considerate boss I was.


    Edgar calmly placed the rune forge by the bedside and turned toward me with a peaceful gaze.


    "From the nerds you''ve brought here so far, their behavior is strange enough to make anyone uneasy. It''s hard to predict how they''ll treat a recording once they have it. But don''t forget, ever since I met you, I''ve already experienced everything you''re describing."


    I knew that in the past, Edgar had simply disliked leaving records behind. But as a member of the Radiant Church, such situations were unavoidable. Some recordings from back then had eventually turned into evidence that supported his wanted status after he defected from the church.


    By now, those records had likely passed through countless hands and been twisted in untold ways. What else could he do besides accept it, right?


    I coughed awkwardly and changed the subject. "Since you''ve agreed, let''s find some open space and start filming. Just imagine¡ªDawn Judgment in all its glory! Can you still perform it?"


    Dawn Judgment was the signature skill Edgar created at age 14 and the origin of his Knight of Dawn title. Regardless of its raw power, it certainly looked impressive.


    Back in the Radiant Church, this flashy skill, with its wide range and holy light effects, had played a major role in helping him gain the adoration of believers and rise to the rank of Knight Commander as soon as he came of age.


    It was guaranteed to be a major selling point for the game trailer.


    Edgar''s expression grew complicated. "Viktor, I can barely light a candle right now."


    "Wait¡ªweren''t you at 30% strength the last time I checked?"


    "... Something happened."


    "Oh."


    I didn''t press further. At this stage, asking questions wouldn''t yield anything useful.


    The room fell into silence for a moment.


    Have I been pushing him too hard? I sighed.


    Two injured individuals, each in worse shape than the other. My own power was even weaker than Edgar''s, so I had no way of accurately assessing his condition, leading to some misunderstandings.


    Looking back, the amount of work I''d been assigning him might have been a little much.


    For a moment, my conscience pricked at me¡ªthough as an undead, I technically had no heart, so it only lasted for a second.


    "We can work with what we have. Maybe a smaller light show?" I suggested brightly.


    "Your optimism would be inspiring if it wasn''t so concerning," Edgar muttered.


    "No worries! Just use the fanciest skill you can manage right now, and we''ll make it work. Let''s go!"


    "Wait!" Edgar stopped me.


    "What now? I''ll say this upfront¡ªI''m not accepting any regrets or backtracking!"


    Edgar shook his head. "It''s not that. Earlier, you said the trailer is meant to showcase Aeltia''s landscape and attract more players to join us. You want to use this recording to recruit more players, right?"


    You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    I nodded.


    I had 164 points of divine power left and was indeed planning to recruit new players. Three players simply weren''t enough. At our current pace, who knew how long it would take just to leave Honeyvale Town?


    The sooner we could recruit more players, the better.


    I planned to release the game trailer alongside an announcement for the next round of closed beta recruitment, hoping to bring in a few more new players.


    Edgar understood my reasoning but felt it necessary to remind me. "We''re running low on equipment for the nerds."


    I knew what he meant¡ªrecruiting new players not only required divine power but also demanded a significant amount of beginner gear and tools for their tasks. As our de facto Minister of General Affairs and Finance, Edgar had to make me aware of our current resource constraints.


    We were especially short on beginner gear.


    Edgar had only brought back ten sets of clothing initially. After the players got caught in the rain yesterday, six sets had been used up in one go.


    Who knew if there would be further losses? If we didn''t address this issue, any new players who arrived in Aeltia would have no choice but to run around in their underwear!


    The situation was far from ideal.


    I rubbed my temples. "Can''t you raid another wealthy town like Nary Town? Oh, right, your strength isn''t enough for that."


    "Some of us still have moral standards," Edgar replied dryly.


    "Morals are expensive these days, aren''t they?"


    Initially, I had thought he had looted the warehouse of some well-off farmer in Nary Town. But now it seemed he had only managed to trade for clothes and tools from abandoned farms on the outskirts, far from the reach of the militia.


    No wonder the items didn''t fit properly.


    The underpowered Edgar said nothing, pretending not to hear my final comment.


    Instead, he explained, "These farmers barely survive winter themselves. The farmers'' lives aren''t much better than ours. Ten sets of clothing were the most I could exchange for using Altari Coins."


    "The church''s currency still holds that much influence?" I asked, genuinely curious.


    "Some things don''t change, even after seven hundred years."


    Of course I knew Altari Coins were still a widely accepted currency minted under the influence of the God of Light and controlled by the Radiant Church.


    "If I asked for more, it would have impacted their survival, and no amount of money would have convinced them to trade."


    It went without saying that the money Edgar had couldn''t be used carelessly. The farmers, at the very least, needed to hide their Altari Coins for a year before they even thought of leaving the area to spend them in neighboring towns.


    And if the supplies provided to Edgar were to affect their livelihood for the next six months, the farmers would definitely not be happy.


    I rubbed my chin thoughtfully. "That is indeed a problem..."


    Even if the new players'' clothing issue was resolved, the recurring scarcity of supplies would still be a problem before their strength was restored.


    So aside from architects to build houses and blacksmiths to make tools, we also lack tailors to sew beginner outfits.


    In addition to players, I needed to find some locals to take on crafting tasks in the game, becoming NPC guides for the players.


    I made a firm decision. "Let''s record the trailer first. I''ll figure out a way to solve this problem as quickly as I can."


    The game trailer was filmed quickly.


    After all, the "camera" was my eyes, and the magic used by Edgar wasn''t just special effects.


    To make the final result even better, I dragged out the soundly sleeping Luminaris.


    "What''s happening?" he mumbled groggily.


    "Rise and shine! You''re about to be a star!"


    "I don''t like the way you''re grinning..."


    My initial plan to "film against thin air" was replaced with heading outside town to find an unlucky monster.


    The real battle, with its sense of danger and blood, packed a much stronger visual punch!


    By the time we finished filming, the morning dew had just evaporated.


    The three players still hadn''t woken up.


    I checked on their condition and discovered that the aftereffects of their mana depletion were severe. They were still unconscious and likely wouldn''t fully recover until the next day.


    In other words, Aeltia would be without any players for an entire day. Luminaris successfully got a day off!


    Edgar tried venturing out to see if he could buy some unwanted clothing from other farmers. Regardless of whether I could find a tailor, the immediate problem had to be dealt with first.


    Meanwhile, I stayed in the chapel, focusing on issues related to the Earth network.


    After some effort, I successfully edited and compressed the ten-minute video down to six minutes. I reviewed it several times and, after confirming there were no issues, set it aside for the moment and began working on the game announcement.


    ---


    [Chronicles of Aeltia: Test Server Hotfix Update Announcement]


    [Key Updates:


    Currency System Enabled:


    The Watcher will no longer provide free meals or starter clothing for newcomers. These will now require the use of the faction currency¡ªMagicoins¡ªto purchase. Magicoins can be earned by completing tasks and other means.


    The trade function is now enabled. If needed, players can purchase a variety of new items from Knight Edgar.


    Resurrection Mechanic Improved:


    Upon death, players will lose a certain amount of Magicoins.


    Resurrection cooldown time:


    The faction leader, I am gravely injured. Each time I craft a new body to guide a player back to Aeltia, it requires a 12-hour cooldown period. Added save point functionality. Upon revival, players'' bodies will revert to the data from their last save point. Current save point: Honeyvale Town''s initial chapel. The game is challenging¡ªplease cherish your character''s life!


    Honeyvale Town Surrounding Creatures Updated:


    Added new creature entry: Red-Skinned Worm.


    Base Building Event Underway!


    After the update, housing construction tasks will grant bonus experience points and additional Magicoins! Land purchase options are now available¡ªdetails can be inquired from Knight Edgar. Build your dream home and work together to create a thriving and vibrant Honeyvale Town!


    Other Updates:


    - Visual style optimization


    - Physics engine adjustments


    - Minor bug fixes]


    I reviewed it to ensure there were no issues and set it aside as well.


    Next up was the website update announcement.


    [Chronicles of Aeltia Official Website Update Announcement]


    [Key Updates:


    The test server application channel for Chronicles of Aeltia is reopening! The application page now includes a "Player Skills" section to provide outstanding players with more chances to be selected.


    A new trailer for Chronicles of Aeltia has been added.


    A new forum discussion module has been added for in-depth player exchanges.


    A new game compendium module has been added, which will periodically update with background lore and creature entries for Chronicles of Aeltia.


    Website layout and design optimization.]


    "That should be enough."


    I hit the send button, posting the two announcements and the trailer on the official website.


    Looking at the increasingly polished webpage, I grew more and more satisfied.


    "What do you mean, just because I haven''t touched code in 682 years I''d forget it? Picking it back up was a breeze!" I said proudly.


    I also replaced the game icon with a picture of the sleeping Luminaris. The round, ball-shaped light cluster filled the entire image.


    With its stubby limbs and gaping mouth, its color scheme was not as plain as I initially imagined¡ªjust right.


    "As expected, this little thing is mascot material!"


    I once again reaffirmed my choice. Look at this¡ªhow could this not be the perfect game icon?


    Just as I was about to close the webpage, a registration notification popped up in the background.


    "???"


    "One registration? Already?"


    During the last beta test, I practically begged for players by spamming posts, and it took several days just to get three.


    How was it that this time, as soon as I posted it, someone signed up right away?


    Not only that...


    Ding!


    Ding! Ding!


    More and more registration notifications popped up in quick succession. "Two... three... six? What''s happening?"


    In no time, I had information for six players in hand.


    I opened the application for one player named "GameLord420."


    In the comments section, I saw a message: "Recommended by ShowMaster¡ªhoping for some favoritism."


    "ShowMaster? Could it be that ''NeverShowOff'' player?"


    My jaw dropped in surprise. "Did he recommend Chronicles of Aeltia?"


    I immediately searched the name online and indeed found a game blogger with the same username. As luck would have it, the blogger had just released a new video an hour ago.


    "Does Virtual Reality Gaming Really Have No Future? No, the Future is Already Here!"


    The title was too obvious. The only virtual reality games being discussed online were Netherworld Revolution and Chronicles of Aeltia.


    I clicked on it without hesitation.


    "Hello everyone, I''m NeverShowOff!"


    "Virtual reality gaming has been a hot topic recently, huh? As it happens, my longtime viewers know that I''m an old fan of VR games!"


    "While everyone''s debating whether Netherworld Revolution can live up to the promise of true VR gaming, I secretly snagged a beta spot for another game of the same genre!"


    "By now, you''ve probably guessed the name of the new game. That''s right, it''s Chronicles of Aeltia! Since recording footage isn''t allowed for now, I''ll use promotional images from the official website and other materials to illustrate."


    "Side note: The Chronicles of Aeltia website is trash! A cat could walk across a keyboard and make a better page! Game company, send me $50 and I''ll find a college student to fix it!"


    "... Why does he have to get personal?" I muttered.


    What was wrong with the website? It had all the basic functions!


    Sure, the design might not be great, the loading times a bit slow, and the bugs... well, there were a few...


    But it was functional! More or less...


    Anyway, it was being optimized.


    It was being optimized!

 20 - Chronicles of Denial

    ---Viktor''s POV---


    I clicked "Continue."


    "This is a game review video. Let me start with the conclusion: This is a cross-century game that shouldn''t have been created for another few hundred years. The greatest game, the god of games¡­ neither term is enough to describe Chronicles of Aeltia, nor to convey the shock it has left in my heart!"


    "Therefore, this is also a video to recommend the game. Since I don''t have enough footage, I won''t go into excessive arguments or counterpoints. I''m just going to talk about my 14-hour experience on the first day of the beta, from my perspective."


    "Virtual reality games, from the moment the concept was introduced, have always been the holy grail of gamers¡ªa vessel for grand expectations. Which is why, after brainwave-reading technology came out, many players strongly resisted VR games that falsely advertised themselves under the ''virtual reality'' label!"


    "But I promise you, no matter what expectations you have for a VR game, Chronicles of Aeltia fulfills them all. The game starts with the player waking up inside a dilapidated chapel."


    "At your feet is a giant magic circle, about the size of a small living room or bedroom. Because of this, you don''t immediately see other players around you. The level of detail in the game''s depiction is extraordinary. The magic circle is so intricate that I had to lie flat on the ground to fully take it in."


    "I can''t imagine how long the art designer must''ve spent just creating this initial spawn point."


    "Praise the art team!"


    "Then comes the game''s opening dialogue. Although players wake up in a chapel, here''s the twist: we are part of the anti-deity faction. I haven''t fully figured out the backstory yet, so I''ll leave that aside for now. I want to talk about the game''s NPC system and art style."


    "When I saw an NPC open the door and walk into the chapel, to be honest, I felt a momentary sense of fear. That''s because the game''s art style is hyper-realistic. Even AAA games with a realistic art direction don''t come close to how lifelike Chronicles of Aeltia looks. It''s like stepping into another world."


    "This realism has an obvious advantage: it makes the player feel fully immersed. But the downside is just as obvious: the more beautiful the cake, the more noticeable that single rat dropping on it becomes."


    "In an extremely realistic art style, any detail that feels even slightly unnatural creates a jarring sense of dissonance. When humans see animals doing human-like actions¡ªsuch as a dog using a pillow or a chinchilla eating with a spoon¡ªthey often find it cute."


    "But when something becomes too human-like, it triggers fear in people¡ªfor example, certain dolls. This is the famous ''uncanny valley'' effect."


    "When I saw the NPC, I was afraid of encountering this exact effect¡ªespecially since one of the NPCs looked no different from a knight straight out of the Middle Ages!"


    "If they had spoken in robotic, AI-sounding voices or reacted unnaturally, it would''ve felt as terrifying as seeing a world overrun by imposters. But my fears were completely unfounded. Of the three NPCs, one couldn''t speak at all, and while the other two could, they weren''t particularly talkative."


    "Even so, their reactions and behaviors showed an intelligence level so high it could easily pass as real. Moreover, each NPC had distinct personality traits and responses."


    "Our faction leader, Viktor, is a skeleton. In the game''s lore, he''s supposed to be from the same homeland as the players. So no matter how much mischief I or the other two beta players caused, he always maintained his undead smile¡ªa grin so sinister it''s like staring at a final boss."


    "The other NPC, Edgar, is a true native of this world and has the most interaction with us players. He constantly gave us all sorts of complicated looks."


    "Ha ha ha! Too bad the game doesn''t allow screenshots, or I would''ve compiled a nine-picture grid of ''Edgar''s Frowns'' for you all! His promotional image is also in the game¡ªhere, look, this one!"


    At this point, the video cuts to one of the game''s two promotional images.


    "After the opening dialogue, we followed the questline to collect our first task and items. Once we stepped outside, we finally got a clear view of the area outside the chapel."


    "The starter village is on the outskirts of a forest, surrounded by greenery in all directions. Inside the village, though, the tone shifts to grayscale. I mentioned earlier that the chapel is dilapidated, but compared to the other buildings in town, the chapel might as well be a palace!"


    "It actually has a roof! And its walls don''t crumble at the slightest touch! The streets of the starter village are filled with potholes and littered with decomposing trash¡ªit''s like a landfill that''s been abandoned for years."


    "Apparently, this place was a town wiped out by the ''Magic Tide.'' Judging by the sheer amount of abandoned trash and belongings, the Magic Tide must''ve been terrifying!"


    "According to our faction leader, the Magic Tide is coming again soon. No idea when, though¡­ Ugh, scary!"


    "After that, we spent the entire day chopping wood and gathering resources to prepare for the incoming Magic Tide. I really enjoy this gameplay style, where every player action can influence the main storyline. This feels like being a true participant in the narrative!"


    "Unfortunately, such mechanics are rarely implemented in games because they''re too resource-intensive and unpredictable. The tool for chopping wood in the game is also unique¡ªa leaf from a plant called the ''Thornleaf Blade.'' It''s basically a ''sharp as steel, plus'' version!"


    "The wood-chopping mechanic is incredibly satisfying, too. The sound of the leaf cutting into the tree trunk is even more soothing than ASMR! In real life, I''m a total couch potato and almost never exercise. But thanks to the stamina regeneration every time you level up, I ended up chopping trees all day long!"


    Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    "Seeing the row of stumps I''d left behind and the expanded field of view was so fulfilling!"


    "Why did I mention earlier that the Thornleaf Blade could cut through iron like mud? Because I was about to use it in a fight. In the evening, it started raining in the game. That''s when the three of us encountered our first monster¡ªa giant red worm that could easily star as the boss of a bioterror movie!"


    "I immediately dodged backward, twisted my body, and charged straight at it¡­"


    "Ahem, sorry, got carried away with the storytelling."


    "Anyway, the three of us teamed up and managed to cut that giant worm¡ªeasily the size of two people hugging together¡ªinto two pieces! And all we used were those thumb-thick, half-arm-length Thornleaf Blades!"


    "If the game allowed recording, I''d definitely download that footage and turn it into a collectible card!"


    "Turns out, the worm wasn''t dead yet. The two halves split into two separate worms. If not for the timely arrival of an NPC, my first in-game death would''ve been courtesy of that thing! [Embarrassed]"


    "Viktor''s fireball was spectacular! It felt like watching a 5D blockbuster live on set! When my character leveled up, I also chose fireball as my initial skill. New players, feel free to join me¡ªwe''ll burn worms together!"


    "At this point, my day of gaming is almost over."


    "I''m so exhausted from experimenting with the new magic that I couldn''t even taste my dinner¡ªwhat a shame! After all, it was my first big feast in the game¡­"


    "To find a game with 100% realism and not fully enjoy the culinary experience¡ªah, what a waste."


    "From the opening cutscene, to exploring the starter village, leveling up through quests, slaying monsters, and learning magic, today has been a packed and fulfilling day. Just this experience alone is enough to crush 99% of the games out there!"


    "But that''s not all¡ªwhat comes after logging out is where Chronicles of Aeltia truly shines. The ratio of game time to real time is 2:1. One hour in the real world equals two hours in the game!"


    "The developers of Chronicles of Aeltia have actually created accelerated thought-processing technology. Logging out feels like waking up from a refreshing nap, fully energized! Just these two features alone make this a breakthrough far beyond gaming¡ªit''s practically a second way to extend human life beyond telomere research!"


    "You can use your sleep hours¡ªand even double their productivity! Chronicles of Aeltia is like opening up a whole new life for us in another world!"


    I felt my soul flames flicker as I finished reading. "Close call. This kid almost figured it out."


    At least Logan hadn''t taken his own statement seriously. To him, it was just a metaphor. If he''d actually understood... well, I would''ve had to ensure his sanity meter hit zero and revoke his beta test access.


    Can''t have players getting too close to the truth.


    Looking out the window, I noted it was still before noon in Aeltia. Less than six hours had passed on Earth since the players logged off, yet this enthusiastic player had already produced a review video!


    Must have started working on that video the moment he logged out, I thought, genuinely impressed despite myself. Even for an undead like me, that''s some dedication!


    I opened the comments section, curious about the response.


    Not many comments yet¡ªthis NeverShowOff clearly wasn''t a major content creator. Still, the video had attracted quite a few viewers, probably due to the Netherworld Revolution hype.


    Unsurprisingly, the comments were overwhelmingly skeptical.


    ---


    [Virtual reality games? 100% realism? Yeah, right, who are you trying to fool?]


    [Accelerated thought-processing technology? Did the creator of this video invent that term? Applied for a patent yet?]


    [Finally found an official Chronicles of Aeltia review space¡ªtime to let loose with some hate!]


    [So the creator spent, what, ten-plus hours chopping down trees in a game? Why would anyone think that''s fun?]


    No one believed the features NeverShowOff thought were game-changing.


    In fact, his video received far more ridicule for his day of tree-chopping gameplay than for the advanced features he praised.


    Some of his regular followers even chimed in with their disappointment.


    [I used to think NeverShowOff was one of the few genuine voices in the gaming scene. Didn''t think he''d sink to promoting trash games!]


    [Spreading fake claims to shill a game? Unfollowed.]


    [I can''t believe you''re saying this with a straight face. NeverShowOff''s finally sold out and turned into a clown for clicks¡­]


    Although a few scattered comments supported him, they were quickly drowned out by the overwhelming negativity.


    NeverShowOff likely anticipated the backlash, as he pinned a comment with a link to the game''s official website before going quiet.


    I had to admit, my feelings were mixed.


    This guy had good intentions, but the impact... well, it wasn''t what I''d hoped for. In an era where even seeing isn''t believing, trying to sell the game with a few promotional images was naive at best.


    If he''d just waited two more hours for my new promotional materials... but no use dwelling on that now. What really concerned me was his revelation about the time dilation between worlds.


    I''d deliberately kept that off the official site to avoid unnecessary attention.


    The secret was out now.


    Who knew what kind of pests¡ªboth literal and figurative¡ªmight come sniffing around? Still, I kept my composure. The time difference would have been discovered eventually.


    This just moved up my timeline a bit.


    After consideration, I decided to let the video remain. The game had barely launched, with players I could count on one hand. Any potential trouble was still far off, and those tens of thousands of views might actually help attract the right kind of players.


    "Maybe I''ll even get to be picky about who joins¡ªwhat a delightful problem to have," I chuckled, closing the browser.


    Time to let things play out naturally.


    I stretched, my skeletal joints creaking satisfyingly. The aftereffects of crafting the Rune Forge this morning had mostly faded. Finally, I could move without feeling like I''d crumble to dust.


    "Now, what to do this afternoon?" I wondered as I prepared to leave the cathedral. "Ah yes, I should check the outskirts for any unlucky wanderers in the Great Oak Forest!"


    "Better recruit more fresh NPCs¡ªI mean, villagers¡ªfor Honeyvale Town before Edgar throws another fit."


    I glanced at Luminaris, snoring away on top of the divine statue, before shutting the cathedral doors behind me.


    Creak!


    ---Logan''s POV---


    I removed my gaming headset, feeling frustration wash over my face.


    "Still can''t log in. My account is still forcefully logged out."


    I inspected the headset repeatedly, unable to hide my anxious expression. After just seven hours offline, the effects of withdrawal were already kicking in. The inability to log back into the game was driving me up the wall.


    "I finally learned magic¡ªat least let me log in and enjoy it more!"


    I let out a wail of despair to my empty room.


    Finally, I dejectedly set the headset down on a nearby shelf. Muttering under my breath, "Looks like I''ll have to be more careful with mana usage in the future. Running out of mana is just too terrifying."


    Turning on my computer, I was greeted with over 99+ unread notifications in bold red. Even at a glance, the snippets of new messages hinted at plenty of insults and personal attacks. All stemming from the latest video I had uploaded.


    "Yep, here it comes, just as expected," I muttered, ignoring the notifications and dismissing the pop-ups. But an accidental mouse movement caused my cursor to click on my short video platform''s backend.


    At the very top, my follower count had dropped to 10,000.


    "I knew I''d lose followers, but..."


    It had only been four months since I''d reached 100,000 followers. Now, a single video had erased that milestone in under two hours. Even the 100k follower plaque, which the platform hadn''t yet sent, now seemed unlikely to ever arrive.


    Already in a bad mood, my spirits sank even lower.


    After a long silence, I gritted my teeth.


    "It''s fine. This is just an early-stage investment. Once Chronicles of Aeltia opens more beta slots, the game is definitely going to blow up!"


    "When that happens, the followers I lost because of this video will come flooding back¡ªtenfold, even a hundredfold!"


    I would prove that I wasn''t just shilling for a bad game. And definitely not some clueless pawn roped into a shady pyramid scheme disguised as a reskinned game.

 21 - Between Potato Servers and God-Tier Graphics

    ---Logan''s POV---


    It''s just...


    I let out a sigh. "Chronicles of Aeltia, please, you have to make it to the large-scale testing phase!"


    The graphics alone must have cost a fortune. Those particle effects, the lighting system... I wasn''t worried about Chronicles of Aeltia not becoming popular¡ªbecause I had actually played the game.


    What worried me was the game company running out of money!


    There were so many things about the game worth praising. But it was precisely because of its high quality... So high that every extra minute I spent in the game made me worry about the company going bankrupt.


    If the game ran out of funds halfway through development... Then my carefully planned move would be a total failure.


    Ding!


    A notification sound from the chat broke my thoughts.


    I opened it and saw that someone in my fan group had tagged me. The members of my fan group were old friends, so I definitely wouldn''t ignore them.


    My mouse hovered over the group name for a second. The number of group members, shown in brackets next to the name, had dropped by more than half since yesterday.


    I gave a bitter smile.


    Even though I hinted yesterday in the group that something was coming, half of the loyal fans still left.


    These old fans had followed me from 1,000 to 10,000, and finally to 100,000 followers. But in the end, they still scattered.


    Immediately, several tagged comments scrolled past like a flood.


    [MemeKnight]: Is NeverShowOff asleep? @NeverShowOff, how do you even sleep soundly at your age?


    [GameLord420]: @NeverShowOff, come out quick! Is the game trailer real? Ahhh, I''m so excited!


    [LootGoblin]: Oh no, he really hit the jackpot this time! Lucky him! @NeverShowOff


    [Actually_Hitler]: GUYS! The trailer just dropped! This can''t be real!


    [GameLord420]: Those graphics... you weren''t kidding about this game!


    [MemeKnight]: !!!


    [LootGoblin]: The guild needs a strong leader for this! Who will guide us to victory?!


    [Actually_Hitler]: Adjusts virtual mustache NEIN! I mean... yes! The guild shall conquer the new world under my superior leadership!


    [GameLord420]: (¨s¡ã¡õ¡ã£©¨s¦à ©ß©¥©ß


    [MemeKnight]: lmaooo


    [LootGoblin]: here we go again...


    [GameLord420]: Hey, stop spamming! Check this [video link]. Are the scenes in the trailer something we''ll actually be able to play in Chronicles of Aeltia?!


    [MemeKnight]: Urgent! Need answers!!!


    I frowned and clicked on the link sent by GameLord420.


    The slow-loading webpage and the video player clearly pirated from another site felt like some sort of anti-counterfeiting stamp. Without even watching, I could already tell that the video was indeed from the official website of Chronicles of Aeltia.


    "The official site actually updated?"


    Closing the video, I looked at the completely revamped webpage, feeling a bit disoriented, as though I had "cybernetically" lost my way.


    "Is this still the site I know? Am I looking at the wrong one?"


    It felt like the site had evolved from an unfinished freebie that nobody wanted to something that resembled a college student''s end-of-term project. And it would have to be a third-year student''s project¡ªsomething that could sell for at least a few hundred bucks!


    New CSS framework, optimized loading times... They''d completely overhauled the backend.


    Thanks to my registration information still saved on the site, I was finally able to confirm it was indeed the correct webpage.


    Two bold and prominent announcements were pinned to the right sidebar.


    Just as I was about to click on them, I noticed my chat was exploding with tags again.


    I smacked my forehead, exasperated.


    "Damn! The site''s loading too slowly, and I haven''t replied to anyone. They must be dying of impatience!"


    I quickly returned to the chat.


    [LootGoblin]: Bro, where are you? If you don''t reply soon, our curiosity will kill us!


    [Actually_Hitler]: You''re the one who introduced us to this game. If we die, we''re dragging you down with us! ¦×(£à?¡ä)¦×


    [NeverShowOff]: Ahem, sorry I''m late. You all know Chronicles of Aeltia''s potato server situation


    [GameLord420]: Ahhhh, you''re finally back!!!


    [MemeKnight]: NeverShowOff, you scoundrel, hurry up and spill everything you know!


    [NeverShowOff]: If the trailer''s art style matches the promo images, then don''t worry¡ªit''s the real deal, and those are actual in-game scenes!


    [NeverShowOff]: Have you seen my new video? Just trust me on this!


    [NeverShowOff]: Don''t worry, the trailer isn''t faking it with real-world footage


    I typed quickly.


    Without even watching the trailer, I already knew what these casual players were fixated on. The ruined look of the starting village definitely had a strong narrative pull, even a bit of a post-apocalyptic vibe.


    The vast Great Oak Forest, when viewed from a higher vantage point, was absolutely breathtaking. How did I know? Because I had climbed a tree in the game to see it.


    If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    The forest looked like a vibrant sea of green. The closer to the center, the more ancient trees appeared¡ªtowering giants that seemed to pierce the heavens and block out the sun.


    [GameLord420]: ... We''re not worried it''s real-world footage


    [MemeKnight]: Exactly! Those scenes¡ªcalling them high-quality CG would still be underselling it!


    [Actually_Hitler]: What we''re curious about is the combat system!


    "The combat system?" I was confused.


    Did Chronicles of Aeltia actually use footage of our fight against the worm for the trailer?


    [NeverShowOff]: Hold on, let me check the video


    With that, I ignored the flood of messages and clicked on the video.


    A soft humming served as the background music, opening the trailer.


    Although there were no lyrics, the unique rhythm of the female vocals conveyed a strange sadness. Within it were hints of unwillingness, despair, and a faint glimmer of hope.


    I closed my eyes, enraptured.


    "Beautiful! This music is absolutely the work of a master!"


    Both the composition and the vocal performance were undeniably top-tier.


    I continued watching.


    As the screen lit up, a stunning game scene unfolded before my eyes.


    Beyond an endless forest, majestic snow-capped peaks stretched into the distance. A small stream flowed down from higher ground, eventually merging into a surging river that disappeared beyond the frame.


    The first rays of dawn bathed the river''s surface, its light revealing a cluster of gray-white buildings not far away.


    My excitement grew.


    "It''s Honeyvale! Turns out, looking down from an even higher perspective makes it even more breathtaking!"


    The camera zoomed in, sweeping across the town''s outskirts, interior, and landmarks like the church.


    I was thoroughly captivated.


    Suddenly, the tone shifted, and the music became more intense. The colors on screen darkened dramatically.


    The camera showed areas outside Honeyvale: purple mists, bubbling brown swamps, massive caves... and the looming silhouettes of grotesque monsters.


    Pairs of blood-red eyes stared directly at the camera before suddenly charging from the distance.


    At this point, the camera would abruptly cut to the next scene.


    Time and again, ferocious monsters lunged forward, their roars piercing through even the dramatic background music.


    I felt goosebumps crawl across my skin.


    "Damn! Is this what a real monster looks like?!"


    Compared to these creatures, the worm we fought on the first day seemed like a mere pest!


    Clang!


    A sharp metallic sound sliced through all other noise, and the chanting in the background abruptly ceased.


    In the video, a knight clad in silvery white armor stood tall in the swamp not far away. His longsword, gleaming in the sunlight, reflected a frosty, menacing light.


    The next thing I knew, this monster¡ªdisguised as a rock¡ªexploded out of the swamp right at the camera, mouth gaping wide to show row after row of razor-sharp teeth.


    Saliva dripped to the ground, corroding it into pitted craters.


    The silver knight moved like a ghost, suddenly appearing behind the monster. A ring of blue light illuminated beneath his feet, harmonizing with the light radiating from his sword to form a dazzling magical array.


    The knight pushed off with his toes, his longsword thrusting skyward as the light around it grew blinding. Countless smaller swords materialized and shot downward in unison, piercing the monster''s coarse, rock-like hide!


    Sword beams tore through the sky with a roaring wind and brilliant blue radiance. The air itself seemed to be split apart, leaving visible rifts in its path.


    And this happened in the blink of an eye.


    One second, the knight was at the front of the frame. The next, the monster''s roars abruptly ceased. Black blood sprayed out, and the monster''s massive body was reduced to a pile of fragments in an instant!


    The silver knight slowly sheathed his sword, his expression calm and unbothered, as though everything that had just transpired was no more than routine.


    "Holy crap! Holy crap! Holy crap! A thousand swords unleashed!!"


    My jaw dropped so hard it began to ache, and I couldn''t even close my mouth.


    Such dazzling magic!


    Such incredible combat skills!


    Such grotesque monsters!


    It was everything I loved in one place!


    The silver knight in the video¡ªwasn''t he the very NPC tied to our quest?!


    "That was insane!" My hands trembled with excitement. "I have to watch it again!"


    But just as I was about to hit replay, the familiar "ding ding" of notifications began bombarding me, as if perfectly timed to pull me back to reality.


    The incessant pinging dragged my hand away from the play button.


    The message notifications were practically blaring like air raid sirens¡ªclearly, someone on my contact list was in a panic to get in touch.


    No doubt, it was my gaming community.


    I reluctantly tore my eyes away from the video and opened the fan group chat.


    [MemeKnight]: You must''ve finished watching the video by now¡ªspill it! Can we players ever reach that level in the game? Did you see those sword trails? Think we can customize the effects?


    [Actually_Hitler]: Can we pick classes yet? Is being a knight the most promising career path? Forget effects, I want to know about the skill tree!


    [GameLord420]: Hurry, hurry, I''m in a rush! But what about the monster AI? They moved like actual predators!


    The group chat was about to explode.


    I swallowed hard, still trembling from excitement as I began typing.


    [NeverShowOff]: The trailer was next-level awesome!!!


    [GameLord420]: ¡­ Bro, look at you, acting all starstruck


    [MemeKnight]: Damn it! We wanted insights from a beta tester, but you''re as clueless as we are!


    [NeverShowOff]: (¨i©n¨i) You guys don''t understand how hard this game''s mechanics are! It''s like fighting in the real world! Where have I ever seen blinking and aerial maneuvers before?


    [NeverShowOff]: If I could do that, would I have gotten beaten up by a worm like an insect in broad daylight? (;Ò»_Ò»)


    [Actually_Hitler]: Wait, you got chased by a monster? How''s that anything like the video?


    [NeverShowOff]: Ahem, artistic liberties. By the way, who needs to fly when you''re me?


    [Actually_Hitler]: Stop. That other guy''s been dead silent since he logged on after screaming about the trailer. Totally useless.


    [MemeKnight]: We just want to know if the trailer''s legit, but nobody reliable is answering!


    [Actually_Hitler]: Didn''t you interact with the NPC in the video? What was he like? Did he give off a vibe of absolute strength?


    [NeverShowOff]: Not really. The two NPCs currently in the game are both rocking severe injury debuffs


    [NeverShowOff]: Honestly, if I hadn''t seen the trailer, I couldn''t have imagined he was this badass! Guess you really can''t judge a book by its cover


    [GameLord420]: Oh, I know this! Starter NPCs are always sealed with power restrictions, so they can have dramatic strength bursts later!


    [MemeKnight]: We''re part of the anti-deity faction, right? What if this guy switches sides twice and becomes the final boss?


    [Actually_Hitler]: Exactly! One look at his thick eyebrows and righteous face, and you know he''s perfect villain material!


    [GameLord420]: Honestly, he''d make a killer antagonist. Even if players guessed the twist, it''d still land perfectly!


    [NeverShowOff]: You guys better watch your mouths. The NPCs are crazy smart; he handles our quest rewards, you know!


    [Actually_Hitler]: By the way, didn''t you learn magic in the game?


    [MemeKnight]: Yeah, tell us! Is it as OP as in the trailer?


    [NeverShowOff]: Well¡­we''re still on new accounts, so it''ll take time to level up


    [NeverShowOff]: But I did see Viktor use magic. His fireball spell is the same name as mine, but the effect is on a completely different level!


    I vividly recalled the massive fireball that covered half the worm. It was terrifyingly powerful.


    Standing nearby, its sheer presence was more intimidating than even Edgar''s battle in the trailer. Not only was it a weapon, but it altered the environment too! Turning wetlands into dry land¡ªutterly insane!


    After a long while, I finally stopped reminiscing.


    [NeverShowOff]: Trust me, the trailer is 100% real!


    [Actually_Hitler]: Finally! That''s what I wanted to hear! Beta test slot, here I come!


    [GameLord420]: Holy cow! This must be insanely expensive to run!


    [MemeKnight]: With this level of computing power, even thousands of servers wouldn''t be enough!


    [MemeKnight]: The company must need a whole data center spanning three or four floors of office space just to keep this game running!


    [Actually_Hitler]: Not to mention, they''d need two entire floors for cooling and power systems to prevent the servers from overheating!


    [Actually_Hitler]: Otherwise, their data center would turn into a barbecue in no time!


    [GameLord420]: So they basically have to buy a whole building?!


    [MemeKnight]: Of course. If a virtual reality game didn''t burn money, it wouldn''t be called virtual reality!


    My jaw dropped as I read their speculations.


    It was only now, after hearing my friends'' analysis, that I fully realized the costs behind Chronicles of Aeltia.


    The 10 bucks I spent on the VR headset likely didn''t even cover the electricity needed to keep the game running!


    "This game company is basically running a charity."


    For the first time, I genuinely worried if Chronicles of Aeltia would survive long enough for the next round of beta testing! With no approval for in-game monetization, the company wasn''t earning a dime.


    If push came to shove, they should just raise the price of the headset several times over. This was the first time I ever wanted to spend more money on a game¡ªonly to find nowhere to spend it.

 22 - The Infamous Fallen Blade Buys Farming Tools

    ---Logan''s POV---


    I watched as the chat in the group continued.


    [GameLord420]: By the way, who is this Viktor who can cast Fireball? The guy seems pretty skilled with magic.


    [MemeKnight]: That would be the leader of our faction. The one who actually knows what he''s doing, unlike some people here


    [LootGoblin]: [Screenshot of obtaining Chronicles of Aeltia beta test qualification]


    [LootGoblin]: Hahaha! I am also a beta tester now! Guess who just joined the elite club? (?¡ö_¡ö)


    [MemeKnight]: Holy crap, where''d you get a beta slot? Aren''t there only three players in this game right now?


    [LootGoblin]: Hahaha, I wrote a 10,000-character essay in the comments section at the end of the application form. Pure passion, baby!


    [Actually_Hitler]: You bastard! No wonder you went silent in the group earlier¡ªyou were busy securing a jackpot!


    [MemeKnight]: The devs are clearly watching! I''m going to reapply right now!


    [GameLord420]: I think my application wasn''t detailed enough. I''m going back to edit it! What exactly did you write in that essay?


    [LootGoblin]: A gentleman never kisses and tells~


    I watched the group devolve into chaos, everyone scrambling to secure beta slots.


    The newly qualified beta tester, LootGoblin, was immediately exalted.


    Everyone wanted tips from him¡ªsurely there was a trick to getting into the beta test, right?


    "Why''d only you get in when we all submitted applications?"


    But LootGoblin, now with his beta status, got cocky and spent his time bragging, irritating everyone.


    In frustration, the group quickly muted him.


    But since he was also a group admin, he simply unmuted himself and went back to showing off.


    [LootGoblin]: Perks of being an admin! You can''t silence greatness!


    The group descended into anarchy, with arguments flying everywhere. I couldn''t stop laughing, my sides almost hurting from the hilarity.


    Suddenly.


    A user called "Pretender" joined the conversation.


    [Pretender]: Heh, look at you water armies having fun all by yourselves


    [Pretender]: How much of the scam money do each of you get from that 10 bucks fee?


    [Pretender]: Even stooping to this kind of shady cash-grab. I''m so disappointed in you, NeverShowOff!


    [Pretender has left the group chat]


    My smile froze on my face.


    Pretender had been one of my long-time fans. With their colorful bubble text standing out in the chat, there was no way I could pretend not to see it.


    And that wasn''t all. It was as if some agreement had been made in secret¡ªmore users started leaving the group one after another.


    [MaytheWorldBeFreeofOnlineScams has left the group chat]


    [TheInternetIsNotaLawlessPlace has left the group chat]


    [BobTheBlob has left the group chat]


    [...]


    The exodus finally stopped after a while.


    [GameLord420]: ... It''s okay, bro. We believe in you. Bros before scam accusations!


    [MemeKnight]: If you really wanted to make dirty money, you''d have joined the blind box craze all the big influencers were promoting last year. Remember when you turned down that sketchy NFT sponsor?


    [LootGoblin]: Four years as a loyal fan, bro. Don''t worry!


    [Actually_Hitler]: NEIN NEIN NEIN! A company capable of such GLORIOUS battle effects would never disgrace themselves with such PETTY THEFT! These graphics alone deserve a place in the Gaming Hall of Fame! 10 bucks? PATHETIC! If they were scammers, they would aim higher, JA?


    [LootGoblin]: Exactly. I just checked¡ªonly 12 people signed up. If it''s really a scam, the devs would have the worst monthly revenue in the industry!


    My heart warmed at their support.


    [NeverShowOff]: It''s okay. Time will prove everything. Things are already better than I imagined


    [NeverShowOff]: It''s getting late. Goodnight, everyone


    [Actually_Hitler]: Got it, bro. A soldier must rest to fight another day! Only well-rested troops can defend our gaming honor! Rest well!


    I quickly set my avatar to gray, showing I had gone offline.


    [GameLord420]: Sigh, he''s really hurt. He''s saying goodnight at just 10 p.m.?


    [MemeKnight]: He''s probably crying quietly under the covers right now!


    [LootGoblin]: Ah, the fragile hearts of today''s youth...


    I logged out of my chat app and immediately reopened the Chronicles of Aeltia promo video, which I had never actually closed.


    "Whoa! Oh! So cool!"


    I watched, captivated as I stared at the uncensored blood and monster fragments on the screen. "Look at that footwork! That''s not animation, that''s actual combat training!"


    If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    "Every time I watch this, I notice something new in the fighting moves!"


    The magical effects in the promo were outstanding, and the logical, realistic melee combat was just as good! Even as a professional game reviewer, I couldn''t find any flaws. If anything, it felt like watching a real-life combat tutorial.


    Licking my lips, I grinned slyly. "Finally, the group chat quieted down. Time for another round of the promo!"


    Click! Play!


    After watching it countless times, I had even memorized the background music and hummed along as I watched.


    Finally, satisfied, I leaned back with a happy sigh.


    "This feeling... So good!"


    Checking the time, I realized a new day had already begun.


    "Time flies," I muttered, clicking my tongue.


    I picked up my VR headset, only to find the game was still inaccessible. With a frustrated sigh, I put the headset back.


    "If I can''t log in tonight, my character will be two in-game days behind by morning."


    "I wonder if my game character will starve to death."


    I leaned back in my chair, wriggling like a restless worm.


    "Argh, it feels like a thousand ants are crawling all over me! I need to play Chronicles of Aeltia! I''m gonna die without it!"


    I desperately wanted to play.


    ---Third POV---


    In Aeltia, the afternoon was peaceful with all the players gone.


    Through the dense canopy above, sunlight filtered down in gentle rays, painting the forest floor with dappled shadows.


    Edgar''s climbing vines crept forward relentlessly.


    Finally, as the last shadow of the dense forest fell behind him, his vision opened up.


    Signs of human activity appeared in the distance.


    After a long journey, he had finally left the Great Oak Forest.


    The forest was filled with monsters, and its central region was a forbidden zone occupied by high-level magical creatures.


    Yet, it''s abundant magical resources and the buried treasures of a bygone era attracted countless adventurers and mages, who risked their lives to venture into its depths.


    Where there was danger, there was opportunity.


    Where there was opportunity, there were desperate souls willing to grasp it.


    Where there were people, towns were formed, thus giving rise to Nary Town and Letscher City.


    However, not everyone could afford fine clothes, live within the city walls, and enjoyed the protection of the city guards.


    A significant portion of the lower-class population couldn''t bear the high taxes of urban living and instead reside outside the city-state.


    They survived by cultivating the tax-free, inexpensive lands near the Great Oak Forest.


    All the while, they scrape together savings to secure a ticket that would allow them and their families refuge within the city when the magical tides inevitably arrive.


    ---


    Blades of resilient grass covered the slopes, swaying with the wind. Only a few patches of land were exposed, revealing newly sprouting crops or crude wooden huts, resembling a few holes torn in an otherwise clean sheet of fabric.


    Edgar deftly climbed over the hill.


    He found a makeshift house of thatched grass tucked in a sheltered spot from the wind. The placement wasn''t random¡ªit offered a clear view of approaching visitors while remaining partially hidden from casual observation.


    Knock! Knock! Knock!


    He rapped rhythmically on the door three times.


    However, silence greeted him from within.


    There was no response.


    His expression remained unchanged. "Stop pretending. I know you''re in there."


    Still, there was no answer.


    He took a deep breath.


    "This time, I''ve brought something more than Altari coins."


    As soon as the words fell, a soft click sounded.


    The tightly shut door creaked open.


    An old man, wiry and dark-skinned, with sharp, wolf-like eyes, poked half of his body out. His weathered hands gripped the doorframe, ready to slam it shut at the first sign of trouble.


    He scanned the surroundings warily. "These days, you can''t be too careful..." Only after confirming there was no danger did he visibly exhale in relief.


    The old man''s name was Fuki.


    It didn''t sound much like a name, but such naming conventions were common among the lower classes in Aeltia. In fact, Fuki''s name could even be considered elegant.


    At least it wasn''t something haphazard like "Fukju" or "Likmadig," names often derived from the weirdest thing...


    Edgar had met him just a few days ago.


    Fuki was a local bigshot, having lived here for five years and earned a good amount of respect.


    From him, Edgar had purchased ten garments made of resilient grass and a pile of farming tools for twenty Altari coins.


    Resilient grass grew prolifically and was abundant everywhere.


    Its sturdy, low-moisture fibers made it easy to weave into clothing, making it the most common attire for the lower class.


    The Kingdom of Yoan, to which Nary Town belonged, used a currency called Sol. Resilient grass clothing usually cost between 1 and 5 Sol. One Altari coin was worth 100 Sol.


    Although it seemed Edgar had paid exorbitantly, the reality was that Fuki would have much preferred 100 Sol over 10 Altari coins. Currencies of too high a value often felt like burning coals in the hands of common folk.


    For Edgar, due to his identity, such coins were practically useless anyway. The transaction a few days ago had been a fair exchange of mutual necessity within acceptable price ranges.


    Now, Viktor had instructed him to procure more beginner gear for players.


    Edgar immediately thought of Fuki as his trading partner.


    Fuki stepped aside, creating enough space for the paladin to enter the pitch-black room. "Come in."


    Edgar crossed the threshold, and the door promptly shut behind him.


    The room, with its tightly sealed doors and windows, remained gloomy even in daylight.


    Fuki fumbled around until he lit an oil lamp. "Darkness hides more than poverty," he muttered, positioning the lamp carefully.


    "And sometimes reveals more than light," Edgar said, watching the shadows across the walls.


    The flickering light barely illuminated the narrow room, which could be described as barebones¡ªan empty shell of a home.


    Aside from a table, a broken bed, a three-legged stool, and a few jars tucked in a corner, there was nothing else.


    As Edgar observed the even barer room than the last time he visited, he remarked dryly, "Your act of poverty is a little overdone."


    Fuki snorted. "How could a noble knight like yourself possibly understand the lives of us little people?"


    He dragged a square stone from the corner to the table and wedged it beneath the three-legged stool. Although the stool was still unsteady, it was better than its earlier wobbly state.


    Fuki plopped himself down on the stool, crossing one leg over the other. "Go ahead, former Knight of the Dawn who once brought the Radiant Church to the pinnacle of its glory in the Age of the Divine, only to deal it a crushing blow in the end... The infamous Fallen Blade, Edgar Raynor. What is it you wish to trade for this time?"


    Edgar raised his eye. "Your intelligence isn''t bad."


    He scrutinized Fuki more carefully than during their first meeting. No matter how he looked at the old man, Fuki seemed like an ordinary human through and through, untouched by any magical modification.


    And he was at the twilight of his life, only a few years from its end.


    Yet, within two days, Fuki had managed to uncover his true identity!


    "This level of information isn''t something a drifter from the wastelands would have access to. Who exactly are you?"


    Fuki chuckled hoarsely, his laughter rough with age, unpleasant to the ears. "When survival depends on information, you learn to gather it quickly." He leaned forward. "Heh, so I said it already¡ªnoble knights don''t understand us little people''s ways."


    "If an old man like me can survive five years living next to monsters, I''d better be clever in other areas!"


    "We don''t know magic, so we hone the one skill we can¡ªreading people."


    Then, his tone shifted. "I''ve heard about The Watchers. We''re all in the same sinking boat. Please, let''s show some mutual understanding."


    "Life is hard for everyone. This will be the last deal. After this, please don''t come back."


    To common folk, the mysterious world of magic and epochal battles had nothing to do with them. They only wanted to survive in peace.


    The paladin narrowed his eyes slightly, mildly surprised. The old man''s attitude was far more neutral toward the organization than he had anticipated.


    Still, Edgar had nothing in common with the so-called "little people."


    His surprise flickered briefly before disappearing, just as Fuki refrained from questioning the purpose of the traded goods. Edgar likewise chose not to pry into the old man''s background.


    He pulled out a prepared list of items.


    "I need as many resilient grass clothes and farming or construction tools as you can provide. The more, the better."


    Fuki'' forehead throbbed with visible veins as he stared at the long list of tools.


    So much for a fair trade¡ªEdgar was utterly shameless!


    Though the items listed were all basic tools, the sheer variety was overwhelming. Even the largest shop in Nary Town might struggle to gather them all at once.


    The more Fuki read, the more regret consumed him. Had he known he''d be dealing with such a troublesome figure, he would''ve gone to hide in the town.


    No, the moment he discovered Edgar''s true identity, he should''ve packed up and moved overnight!


    The further he read, the more his heart sank. Edgar had even listed a slew of iron weapons under the guise of farming tools.


    Not even attempting to disguise their purpose¡ªit left Fuki struggling to feign ignorance.

 23 - Sweet Fruits and Bitter Truths

    ---Third POV---


    With a sharp "snap," Fuki shut the suspicious-looking inventory list.


    He closed his eyes, suppressing the surging emotions within.


    The other party really wasn''t treating him as an outsider. These items revealed that the Watchers'' base of operations was nearby and under construction.


    Having such a neighbor was far more dangerous than the occasional low-level monsters wandering out of the Great Oak Forest!


    Opening his eyes, he gritted his teeth and said, "I have stone picks and iron hoes, but as for iron swords... and all the tools after that, I don''t have any!"


    His tone carried a hint of helplessness¡ªa clear message that there was no room for negotiation.


    Although the weapons on the list were insignificant compared to the abilities of The Watchers themselves¡ªmore sharp iron scraps than actual weapons¡ªthe Church wouldn''t see it that way.


    Trading these items with Edgar would be akin to boarding The Watchers'' pirate ship, practically a death sentence for himself.


    No, even if it meant offending the other party, he couldn''t agree.


    Disappointment flickered in Edgar''s eyes, but he understood Fuki''s reluctance given his circumstances. The quantity of items he needed wasn''t small.


    Fuki couldn''t possibly provide them all on his own; he''d need help from the nearby farmers. That was precisely why Edgar had sought him out, the local power broker.


    If the farmers had abundant resources, they wouldn''t have ended up on the edge of the wasteland, selling surplus clothing and tools just to get by. It was unrealistic to expect a comprehensive inventory of goods.


    After a brief moment of consideration, Edgar decided to compromise. Viktor''s warnings about the area''s instability are starting to make sense.


    "What about a triangular ruler? I can do without the other items, but I absolutely need that."


    The triangular ruler was one of the essential supplies that Viktor had insisted him purchase before he left. Honeyvale Town still lacked proper surveying tools for building construction. Without precise measurements, the structural stability of buildings would be a significant issue.


    "As for resilient grass garments, we''ll need at least six sets."


    Fuki closed his eyes and took a deep breath, reminding himself to stay calm.


    This wasn''t someone he could afford to offend. Even if the intelligence reports claimed that the Fallen Blade was gravely injured, leaving only a fraction of his strength, he was still far out of his league.


    "I''m truly sorry..."


    Before he could finish his sentence, a loud thud interrupted him.


    Bang!


    Edgar turned slightly, retrieving a bamboo basket nearly as tall as his thigh from his storage space. The basket was brimming with bright red, fist-sized wild fruits¡ªthe same ones he had offered to the players as lunch the day before.


    As soon as the basket appeared, the room was filled with a rich, sweet fragrance. Fuki''s nostrils flared, his eyes fixed on the basket.


    "Fresh ones too... still holding morning dew," he whispered, almost reverently.


    "Will these sweetfruits cover everything I asked for?" Edgar asked, noting how Fuki''s entire demeanor had shifted.


    Sweetfruit trees were common in the Great Oak Forest. The fruits were tangy and sweet, filling, and produced year-round in large quantities. They were the staple food for many of the forest''s monsters. The weaker monsters in the outer regions weren''t a problem for Edgar to deal with, making this basket of sweetfruits essentially free resources.


    Fuki''s gaze was instantly drawn to the basket. He quickly agreed, "Enough! Absolutely enough! A triangular ruler and resilient grass garments, right? I''ll prepare them for you right away!"


    Without hesitation, he darted out the door, not even bothering to guard against Edgar tampering with his house. Before leaving, he casually snuffed out the oil lamp''s wick.


    "..."


    With his abilities, Edgar could see perfectly well without the lamp, but Fuki''s decisive and instinctive action made it impossible to ignore.


    Looking around the empty room, he let out a long breath and muttered, "Viktor, you really nailed it."


    Before arriving, he''d guessed that Fuki would be unwilling to accept Altari coins anymore. So he had planned to trade a magical life-saving artifact instead. But the basket of sweetfruits had been stuffed into his hands by Viktor before his departure. He had insisted that food was a harder currency than any magical artifact.


    Edgar had been skeptical, but now the results were better than he''d expected! No lengthy debate was needed.


    It''s summer now, not autumn harvest season, but food shouldn''t be as scarce as in winter. Could something have happened outside?


    The triangular ruler was fundamentally different from the tools listed earlier. He could tell that Fuki hadn''t wanted to help at first. Yet for a single basket of sweetfruits, he had quickly changed his mind.


    Though sweetfruits were filling, they didn''t store well. A basketful was far more than Fuki could eat on his own, suggesting that other farmers must share the same needs.


    "Are there really that many farmers near the Great Oak Forest?" Edgar murmured.


    Two days earlier, the farmers had taken all afternoon just to scrape together ten resilient grass garments. Now, he had requested six more, and Fuki had agreed without hesitation.


    ---


    About half an hour later, the faint creak of a door signaled Fuki''s return. Sneaking in like a thief, he carried a massive, bulging cloth sack that nearly buried him.


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    The moment the door shut, he dropped the sack onto the floor.


    "Here, everything''s inside." Fuki leaned on the table, panting heavily as he slumped into a three-legged stool. "Ugh, carrying so much in one go¡ªI''ve really pushed these old bones to their limit..."


    Edgar placed his hand on the basket of sweetfruits. The once-full basket now had a fresh mound of fruits heaped on top. "Is this enough?"


    Seeing that the basket was nearly overflowing, Fuki immediately straightened up, grinning wide enough to show a yellowed tooth. "More than enough! Suddenly, I don''t feel tired anymore!"


    "Luckily, two newcomers among the refugees happen to be tailors¡ªthey brought plenty of resilient grass and ready-made garments with them. Consider the extras a little token of goodwill from the farmers at Stop Ridge. They''re yours!"


    Edgar stepped forward and carefully inspected the contents of the sack. Everything matched the list. The processed resilient grass and garments alone filled half the bag, enough to make at least 30 to 40 more garments.


    He was quite satisfied with the extra gift.


    He deftly tied up the sack and stowed it in his portable storage space. Then, as promised, he pushed the basket of sweetfruits over to the old man.


    Fuki beamed with joy, hugging the basket tightly as he eagerly counted the fruits. Taking advantage of this moment, Edgar casually asked, "There seem to be more refugees wandering the wasteland lately?"


    The smile on Fuki''s face froze for a split second before returning to normal. Still counting the fruits, he replied nonchalantly, "Nothing special. Just that the number of refugees this time is several times higher than any I''ve seen in the past five years."


    "Heh, they''re practically taking over the wasteland! Perhaps one day we''ll establish a Stop Ridge Town. By then, even I might become its mayor! Haha!"


    After this lighthearted remark, he resumed naturally counting the sweetfruits.


    Edgar furrowed his brow slightly.


    This barren land was known among refugees as Stop Ridge, the closest point of human activity to the Great Oak Forest.


    The meaning of its name was clear: once you reached this spot, it was time to stop and turn back. Going further would mean truly keeping company with monsters.


    Usually, only those who were completely destitute, unable even to afford the cheapest outermost lands of Nary Town, would end up here, reclaiming land on this wilderness that wasn''t part of Nary Town''s territory.


    And even then, they were often ostracized by the other refugees and eventually driven to the most dangerous area of this barren land.


    Stop Ridge had no taxes but also no protection.


    While the militia in Nary Town might have been lazy and rarely patrolled, having them was still far better than nothing.


    But here, refugees could only rely on fate and past experience to avoid monsters that occasionally wandered out of the dense forest. They also had to find the right moments to clear wasteland and grow crops.


    Life was harsh and filled with constant fear.


    Even with refugees ending up here, their numbers rarely exceeded twenty. To see such a large group gathered together was akin to serving up a feast platter that would attract monsters out of the forest.


    Recalling the parting instructions from Viktor to pay attention to events beyond the forest, Edgar, who had initially intended to stop the conversation, decided to bring it up again. "Why have the number of refugees increased?"


    Although he believed it would still be a long time before they completed Honeyvale Town and could begin external explorations, and by then, this issue and its consequences might already be long over, his responsibility was simply to do the job at hand.


    A glint of sharp light quickly flashed through Fuki''s eyes but vanished just as quickly. He chuckled while counting the sweetfruits.


    "And why else? His youngest daughter''s dog dies, and suddenly we all pay for breathing!" Fuki spat out bitterly. "The number of refugees isn''t decided by me, nor by the refugees themselves. It depends on what the mayor does!"


    "If they could live in the town, who''d want to gamble their life on this barren land?"


    Then, as though talking to himself, he began recounting some of the recent jokes from Nary Town. "As if farmers need reminding about the value of their livestock..."


    "The mayor stood in the town square with this grand look on his face," Fuki said with a sneer, gesturing dramatically. "My fellow citizens! I have received a divine epiphany! To help you all realize the importance of the lowly creatures around us and avoid future regrets, I hereby announce an additional tax on all livestock in town!"


    He let out a harsh laugh. "''Money can''t replace emotions,'' he declared, ''but it can make people more aware of each other''s importance.'' God bless them!"


    Fuki then threw up his hands in frustration. "How in the world does he expect us to afford pets? These animals¡ªour cows, horses, sheep¡ªthey''re not some fancy companions! They''re our tools, our livelihood!"


    "Every farmer here depends on these animals day and night. We need them for milk, for grinding, for breeding. Without them, we won''t survive the winter. They''re our family''s lifeline!"


    "And now¡ª" He let out a bitter laugh. "As if the livestock sales tax wasn''t enough, he adds a maintenance tax on top! With feed costs already so high..." He shook his head. "People can barely keep their heads above water."


    "But wait, there''s more! Our dear mayor suddenly decides his fifty-two-and-a-half birthday needs a grand celebration. Everyone must attend to ''share his joy.'' Share his joy!"


    "It was nothing but a scheme to collect gifts. Those who couldn''t afford presents, or whose gifts weren''t ''thoughtful enough''¡ª" he made quotation marks in the air with his fingers, "¡ªwere branded as disloyal. Next thing you know, their housing taxes doubled."


    "When they couldn''t pay, they were stripped of everything they owned and thrown out into the street." He gestured at the barren landscape around them. "And these are just the most ordinary of his schemes. With taxes piling up like this, where else can people go but here?"


    "And recently, he even ordered all farm owners to utilize the abandoned fields they leased and start planting crops immediately, aiming to produce an additional harvest before winter!"


    Fuki''s smile turned mocking. "Those fields were sacrificial lands, drained for his magical herbs!" He gestured broadly at the wasteland. "These lands, not on magical power nodes, were drained of nutrients within a year. Without proper recovery, how can they grow anything now?"


    "Yet he pretends not to know this and demands that these fields, like normal ones, bear the same taxes¡ªrecently raised by 60%!"


    When Fuki finished, Edgar nodded slightly. "I hope you all get through this soon. Since the sweetfruits are accounted for, our transaction is complete. I''ll be leaving now."


    With that, he turned and prepared to leave.


    Fuki''s expression froze. Seeing Edgar truly had no other thoughts and was leaving decisively, he finally panicked.


    He quickly threw down the basket in his hands, leaping to block the paladin''s path. "Wait! Aren''t you curious why?"


    Edgar stopped in response, his gaze calm and devoid of emotion, as if the hint of sympathy in his earlier words had been Fuki''s illusion.


    "Earlier this spring, a section of the Great Oak Forest collapsed, and several monster corpses washed downstream with the Duskwind River, staining the waters black."


    "This is a sign of the death of a high-tier monster and an impending monster tide. If nothing unexpected happens, this winter will be harsh."


    "The events in Nary Town must be preparations for the monster tide, right?"


    Monsters had a strict hierarchical system.


    A high-tier monster typically ruled over a region of the Great Oak Forest. With its death, chaos wouldn''t ensue immediately. But when winter came and food grew scarce, these leaderless monsters would start moving beyond the forest.


    Edgar crossed his arms, recounting Nary Town''s state as if telling a story. "Nary Town, being the closest settlement in the Kingdom of Yoan to the Great Oak Forest, is doomed to be swallowed by it eventually."


    "It''s long been in a semi-autonomous state of abandonment."


    "Unfortunately, Abel is a fool who only knows how to indulge himself. He barely pays attention to governance or militia training, leaving Nary Town ill-prepared to resist a monster tide."


    "Every time a monster tide comes, they barely scrape through thanks to reinforcements from the royal capital. Am I right?"


    Edgar had only recently arrived in the Kingdom of Yoan. He had Viktor''s occasional rants to thank for this knowledge.


    Fuki smiled bitterly. "Indeed, this year, he initially requested aid from the royal capital, and they sent two Radiant Church clerics."


    "But recently, they encountered an accident on their journey... In short, their bodies are already on their way back to the capital."


    His bitter laugh echoed in the small room. "You know what''s funny about the Kingdom of Yoan? They won''t let go of even a handful of dirt from their territory, but they won''t lift a finger to save it either."


    He crossed his arms, leaning back against the wall. "Abel¡ªthat fool¡ªhe still has enough connections to cry for help, and the capital still sends aid. But they''re not fools either. Why waste good resources on a dying town at the edge of monster territory?"


    "And now that our last hope is heading back to the capital in wooden boxes..."

 24 - Honeyvales Recruiter

    Fuki angrily pounded the wall, his knuckles whitening with each strike.


    "Brother Gunther and Brother Sebastian were more than capable of handling a small-scale magic tide... Now we''ll need another way to survive the magic tide."


    "The capital not only refuses to send reinforcements but is also urging Abel to pay the aid compensation quickly. And that compensation comes from the hands of ordinary people!"


    Clearly, they gained no benefit, yet they were forced to pay a high price for aid. And still faced the encroaching crisis of the magic tide!


    The more Fuki spoke, the angrier he became, his hands trembling with suppressed fury.


    "Two esteemed clerics, and yet they died crossing the Frostwind Plains! Truly...!"


    The rest of his words were too vulgar to say aloud in Edgar''s presence.


    The paladin remained silent for a moment.


    Two clerics from the Radiant Church?


    Frostwind Plains?


    It turned out that even the crisis in Nary Town was, in part, driven by their actions.


    Seeing Fuki continue to curse the clerics for being unworthy of their reputation, Edgar suddenly thought, Perhaps the information he has is not as comprehensive as I first imagined...


    He coughed lightly. "The only solution for Nary Town is to prepare another aid payment and seek help from another power. Is that why Abel has imposed heavy taxes and levies?"


    It was already mid-summer, so help from the capital could not be counted on.


    By the time reinforcements arrived, Nary Town would be long gone.


    The best course of action was to seek shelter from the nearby Ironstone City.


    If the town''s defenses were breached, the next town in the magic tide''s path would be theirs.


    Thus, if Nary Town offered enough payment, Ironstone City would surely agree to help.


    Fuki looked at Edgar with admiration, though tinged with bitterness. "Exactly! Lately, Nary Town''s ties with Ironstone City have grown increasingly close! But even with their help, it only gives us a slim chance of survival."


    "This winter is destined to be unbearably harsh for most residents of Nary Town!"


    Aid didn''t mean that Ironstone City would sacrifice everything for Nary Town.


    Ironstone City, also within the magic tide''s range, couldn''t possibly send all their forces to help.


    As a border city of the Kingdom of Yoan, Ironstone City didn''t have many mages to spare.


    At best...


    By the end of winter, out of Nary Town''s nine hundred residents, perhaps only half would survive!


    And now...


    Abel was in the process of selecting which among them were doomed to die.


    Forcing them out early.


    Some creatures in the magic tide carried infectious viruses.


    Ordinary people without combat skills would only become burdens during the tide.


    Fuki let out a long sigh, shoulders sagging. "Too few people are born with magical talent. Humanity is destined to be defeated under the magic tide."


    Magic, after all, was a power held only by a privileged few. Ordinary people had no means to resist the tide.


    They could only migrate to harsher environments in Aeltia, struggling to survive.


    Edgar was silent for a while, weighing his next words carefully.


    "Try heading west. Cross the wasteland and the Duskwind River, and you''ll reach Letscher City. Though the city will also face the magic tide, it''s a famous mercenary city with considerable strength."


    "If you can make it there, you''ll survive the winter."


    Fuki gave a bitter smile and shook his head. "The monsters roaming the wasteland and the dangers in the Duskwind River¡ªhow could ordinary people possibly deal with those?"


    "How would you know without trying?" Edgar retorted.


    He walked past Fuki, opening the creaky wooden door.


    "I''m only giving you a suggestion. Whether you act on it is up to you."


    With that, he stepped out the door.


    "Wait!" Fuki called out urgently several times, but there was no response. Don''t leave us like this... not you too.


    Edgar was already far away.


    Frustrated, he punched the wooden door. "Damn it!"


    The fragile door let out a groan, as if about to collapse.


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    He furrowed his brow, his mind filled with confusion and doubt.


    "Why? Why did the plan go wrong?! Why wouldn''t he take in the refugees?!"


    He racked his brain but couldn''t figure out what had gone awry.


    If this man was truly Edgar Raynor, he shouldn''t have reacted this way. The former glory of the Knight of Dawn and the heavy shadow of the Fallen Blade were like two insurmountable chasms.


    They made the name Edgar Raynor a complex and ambiguous symbol in the eyes of the world.


    To ordinary people, he was a traitor.


    To those devout to the God of Light, he was an unforgivable apostate!


    But Fuki was different.


    As a child, he had once witnessed the last gleam of the Knight of Dawn before his fall.


    It had been during an ordinary church baptism.


    He had briefly interacted with him as the one being baptized.


    Back then, the man embodied every ideal of knighthood. Humility, honesty, compassion, bravery, justice, strength... Like a lighthouse guiding believers back to the God of Light and the Age of Gods.


    He had already shown signs of becoming the backbone of the Radiant Church.


    Though Fuki didn''t know why Edgar had betrayed the faith, upon meeting him again, the man''s aura hadn''t changed. His eyes still shone with clarity.


    That was still the Knight of Dawn of old.


    Yet now, the righteous knight had chosen to turn a blind eye to the people''s suffering?!


    "No, something must be wrong!" Fuki shook his head repeatedly, unwilling to accept his inner suspicions.


    The knight''s indifference to Nary Town''s plight was so cold it seemed like none of it mattered to him. True, it really wasn''t his concern.


    But such behavior was unthinkable for someone committed to the eight virtues of knighthood. And this, despite the fact that his supply list clearly required manpower.


    "Could the rumors be true? Has he really become a complete apostate?" Fuki murmured in disbelief.


    Having spent years struggling among refugees, he scoffed at the notions of justice and kindness touted by the powerful.


    When the lives of the lower classes were at stake, the privileged spoke of their deceit and treachery instead?!


    In Aeltia, kindness was the most useless thing!


    But he had genuine respect for Edgar, who had once embodied the knightly ideal.


    He couldn''t live up to it himself, but he respected those who could.


    Sadly, it seemed Edgar could no longer do so either...


    To witness a former light of humanity fall was like hearing the tragic end of a story.


    It left an aching void in one''s heart.


    Fuki clasped his hands together and closed his eyes in prayer. "O Lord of Insight and the Web, is there truly no hope for humanity?"


    Even the Knight of Dawn had turned his back on the faith.


    Was humanity, as the gods proclaimed, truly a race incapable of unity, doomed to endless strife and eventual self-destruction?


    ---Viktor''s POV---


    Monsters, creatures that mutated and emerged after coming into contact with the remnants of fallen gods.


    I''ve studied them extensively over my centuries of existence. They typically exhibited the following traits: Tremendous magical power, but extremely low intelligence.


    Usually, after nesting in one location, they quickly altered the local environment, transforming it into a habitat suitable for their survival.


    Thanks to these characteristics, they developed rapidly over the six hundred years following the fall of the gods.


    Step by step, they occupied more than half of the territory of Aeltia.


    Even dragons find themselves helpless against these creatures¡ªharder to kill than cockroaches and masters of reproduction.


    A single careless moment could lead to severe injuries from their relentless attacks.


    The good news was, monsters were not without weaknesses.


    For example, their mobility was severely limited. Under normal circumstances, most monsters didn''t leave the area around their nests.


    As long as ordinary people knew how to avoid monster nests, they could avoid 99% of encounters with monsters, except during major monster waves.


    Unfortunately, if everyone played it safe, the profession of adventurer wouldn''t exist.


    The rising death rate in the Great Oak Forest year after year would be impossible to calculate without adventurers providing the denominator.


    On average, a mercenary squad perished in the Great Oak Forest every week.


    In a way, the outskirts of the the forest were even busier than many small towns in human kingdoms.


    I sat on a branch of a massive tree¡ªone that required four people to encircle its trunk¡ªand let out a heavy sigh.


    "I did say I came out here to recruit a few reckless fools to be NPCs," I muttered, "but isn''t this way too fast?"


    Almost immediately after stepping out of Honeyvale Town''s magic array, I found bloodstains and footprints nearby.


    Following the trail, I located over a dozen people. And every single one of them was at least an intermediate-level mage!


    Right now, they were just a short distance away from the tree.


    I felt both troubled and annoyed.


    When did there start being so many mages outside the towns? And why were they all running to the Great Oak Forest to throw their lives away?


    Currently, I could only muster the strength of an intermediate mage. Forget about capturing them and bringing them back to Honeyvale Town as NPCs¡ªI''d be lucky not to get myself caught in the crossfire and lose my life!


    To avoid being dragged into their mess, I could only climb up the tree for now and observe what would unfold below.


    ---Third POV---


    Alyanne''s clothes were in tatters, her face smeared with blood and full of unwillingness.


    She tried chanting another spell, only to be wracked with pain.


    "Ugh!" She coughed up blood, her face growing even paler.


    The black-robed figures surrounding her immediately backed away, avoiding the spattered blood.


    Their leader disdainfully brushed off his robes.


    "Give it up, Alyanne. Do you still think you''re the magical prodigy you once were? Now, you''re nothing more than a failure¡ªa useless shell of a person who tried to learn magic from heretical gods and suffered backlash!"


    "Save your strength and enjoy the last moments of your miserable life."


    Another black-robed figure folded his arms and sneered at Alyanne''s plight. "Look at her, still refusing to accept her fate!"


    "If you ask me, the lord was too kind, banishing her to the outskirts of the Great Oak Forest. He should''ve just thrown her into a monster nest. Leave her no chance of survival. Heretics deserve to be burned alive!"


    "Such a pity... Who would''ve thought she''d turn out to be such an ungrateful wolf in sheep''s clothing?"


    Alyanne kept her head down, ignoring their words. She could feel the shattered magical pathways within her body.


    What was once a mighty reservoir of magical power now felt like a dried-up well, incapable of yielding even a drop of magic and instead causing her constant pain.


    It wasn''t until the black-robed figures grew more aggressive with their taunts that she finally raised her head, revealing her heterochromatic eyes.


    One of them instinctively took a step back, muttering how her "creepy mismatched eyes" were just like those of a heretic.


    Alyanne licked her cracked, peeling lips, chapped from lack of water, and uttered her first words since being brought here.


    "I didn''t."


    Afraid they hadn''t heard her clearly, she repeated herself, "I didn''t practice the magic of heretical gods."


    Her voice was dry and raspy, like sand scraping against stone.


    "What?" one of the black-robed figures exclaimed in disbelief. "The evidence is undeniable, and yet you still won''t confess?"


    Another black-robed figure chimed in, "Exactly! We saw you with our own eyes, using the magic of the God of Storm. Are you saying we all hallucinated? Heretics are all liars!"


    The leader of the black-robed figures said nothing, waiting until everyone had finished their jeers. Then, he spoke at just the right moment. "That''s enough. The Great Oak Forest is not a place to linger. Now that she''s been delivered here, we''d better leave quickly."


    "Don''t be hasty, Karl! Alyanne is a strange one. What if she somehow escapes?"


    "That''s right. I need to stay here and personally witness the death of this damned heretic!"


    Just as they finished speaking, a distant beast''s roar echoed through the forest, drawing closer.


    The group, who had just been so eager to watch Alyanne''s demise, suddenly froze like ducks with their necks caught in a grip.


    Witnessing the death of a heretic was one thing. But facing a real life-or-death threat was another matter entirely.

 25 - Lies Upon Lies

    Even at such a distance, the commotion caused by the monster was clearly loud.


    It was obvious¡ªthe monster was relocating its nest.


    If something unexpected happened during the process, it might lead to a small-scale monster tide.


    The crowd grew restless.


    The group of novice adventurers, freshly stepping into the field, could barely manage a circuit around the very edge of the Great Oak Forest with the magical tools they carried.


    Expecting them to deal with a monster, let alone a monster tide, was simply asking for too much.


    Karl gave a gentle smile.


    "I understand everyone''s desire to purge heretics in the name of the Frostmoon Goddess, but this is not a place we can linger in for long."


    "How about this¡ªwe leave one person behind as a representative. That person can monitor Alyanne and relay her fate back to us. Additionally, a lone individual has a smaller target and is less likely to be discovered by the monsters."


    The crowd seized the opportunity and quickly voiced their agreement.


    "That''s a great idea!"


    "I agree!"


    But agreeing was one thing¡ªdeciding who would stay was another.


    Despite their collective nodding, nobody dared to be the first to volunteer. Everyone knew what happened to the bird that stuck its head out first.


    Karl covered his mouth and coughed lightly.


    "Of all the people here, I''m the most skilled in stealth magic. For me, leaving the Great Oak Forest safely isn''t a problem. I''ll stay behind."


    The group couldn''t have been more eager, showering him with praise.


    The comparison between him and Alyanne was like heaven and earth.


    They took the chance to heap scorn on Alyanne as if doing so could mask their own dark intentions and elevate their righteousness.


    After finishing their words, they wasted no time casting spells, running away faster than rabbits.


    ---


    Once the surroundings were silent and empty, Karl no longer had to maintain his gentle facade.


    He stepped toward Alyanne, his shoes made of some unidentified monster''s leather mercilessly crushing her fingertips.


    "Ah!!!"


    The sickening crack of bone echoed, accompanied by her dry moans of agony, creating an especially harrowing scene.


    Karl smiled as he looked down at her.


    "Alyanne, three years ago, could you have imagined being trampled by me until your bones shattered?"


    Alyanne''s head snapped up, her eyes filled with a shock.


    "Karl! You''re behind all of this!"


    "The rumors in the territory, the forbidden books about the God of Storm in my room, the sudden appearance of taboo magic¡ªit was all your doing, wasn''t it?!"


    "What did I ever do to you to deserve such a setup?!"


    Karl chuckled, his smile devoid of warmth.


    "Why should I tell you? Wouldn''t it be more entertaining for you to die in confusion and resentment?"


    Alyanne felt as if her heart had plunged into an icy abyss. She had considered countless possibilities, even suspecting her father, but never him.


    Even though they were competitors now, Karl had once saved her from failing the assessment. Without him, she would have been cast out like most of the other children, left to wander the desolate wilderness.


    Becoming a mage would have been a mere fantasy.


    Now, why had he gone to such lengths to harm her?


    Clenching her teeth, Alyanne''s mind raced through fragments of the past.


    "Three years ago¡­ Is it because, three years ago during the territory competition, I defeated you and claimed the bottle of aptitude-cleansing vitae?"


    Three years prior, the lord had many children, and the resources allotted to each were pitifully sparse. The rewards of that competition were particularly coveted, especially the first-place prize¡ªa rare potion of talent reconstruction acquired by the lord from an unknown source.


    At the time, Karl had been the most powerful of all children, his talents towering above the rest. His victory had seemed assured.


    But then Alyanne, an unexpected dark horse, had appeared.


    She had been lucky with weaker opponents early on, breezing into the finals. Then, in an unprecedented burst of strength, she had easily defeated Karl, who had been worn out from grueling matches.


    The potion had brought Alyanne little improvement¡ªher magic growth speed remained unchanged, leading her to suspect it might even be a fake.


    However, after her unexpected victory, her latent talent in physical combat had come to light, guiding her toward becoming a magic swordsman.


    Slowly, she began to match Karl in power.


    During training, their wins and losses were about even.


    Alyanne''s eyes burned with disbelief and fury.


    "You want me dead over something like that?!"


    A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    Even though their strength was roughly equal, the lord clearly favored Karl.


    She was less of a daughter and more of a disposable enforcer.


    Surely, Karl must have known she wanted to leave the organization behind!


    "Of course¡­" he said with a serene smile. "That''s not the reason."


    Alyanne''s angry expression froze.


    "W-What?"


    Had she misunderstood him?


    Karl, amused by her bewildered face, laughed heartily.


    "I just threw out a random reason, and you bought it? You really went and found such an absurd excuse for me?"


    "Hahaha! You truly are a fool!"


    His laughter rocked his body, but the pressure he exerted on her broken fingers didn''t lessen in the slightest.


    Each movement was accompanied by her agonized groans and the sharp snap of breaking bones.


    "Ahhh!!"


    Alyanne''s forehead was drenched in cold sweat from the pain.


    Karl wiped away the tears of laughter from his eyes, his tone turning ice-cold again.


    "But on a serious note, someone as dumb as you¡ªhow could that old bastard even consider making you his heir? Isn''t it ridiculous?"


    Alyanne endured the searing pain, glaring at him with hatred.


    "I had no idea about that! Why would he ever choose me as his heir?"


    "Exactly, why would he¡­" Karl''s smile remained. "So that statement was also a lie."


    Alyanne''s eyes widened in shock.


    Karl chuckled. "See? You believed me again."


    "You say ''how could that be,'' but your dumb expression gives you away every time."


    "If I told you, ''Once I kill you, the heir''s position is mine,'' you''d probably swallow that whole, too."


    Alyanne''s heart churned with humiliation and rage.


    "You!"


    Never in her life had she felt such a burning desire to rise, to grab him by the collar, and punch that hypocritical smile off his face. But she couldn''t even lift a finger, her lower body completely numb.


    All she could do was endure this torment.


    Turning her face away, she refused to look at him or respond to his questions any further.


    Karl roughly grabbed her chin, forcing her to face him. His malicious grin widened.


    "Don''t be like that. Keep talking! Ever since the plan started, I''ve been looking forward to seeing that hopeless expression of yours."


    "Since you''re going to die anyway, why not entertain me a little longer?"


    Alyanne stayed silent, but Karl seemed perfectly content to carry on the conversation by himself.


    Eyeing her blood-soaked body, which resembled a vengeful ghost, he spoke slowly, deliberately. "Let''s see¡­ In terms of magic power, I''m not inferior to you. In terms of strategy and skill, you have nothing on me. So, tell me¡ªwhat exactly did that old bastard see in you? Could it be¡­"


    His gaze dropped, staying on her chest, which arched slightly as she lay half-prone on the ground. Then it continued downward¡­


    Alyanne''s eyes blazed with fury as she roared, "Get lost!"


    She would never believe another word from him! Yet, the lecherous, degrading gaze he cast upon her ignited an uncontrollable rage within her.


    For the first time, she hated her inability to articulate. She couldn''t even find words vicious enough to unleash the fury burning in her chest. And worse still, she had to worry that if she did speak, he would twist her words, mock her, and humiliate her even further.


    Karl acted as though he hadn''t heard her outburst.


    His gaze continued downward as he bent over, forcefully prying open her uninjured left hand.


    The deep nail imprints on her palm were shocking to see.


    As soon as her hand opened, blood dripped freely.


    Karl laughed even more arrogantly.


    "Look at you¡ªhurting yourself just to vent your anger. Those idiots actually thought you could escape the Great Oak Forest alone? Even a wandering magician would think you''re nothing but a burden!"


    Alyanne clenched her teeth so tightly it felt like her gums would break.


    She struggled with every ounce of her strength but to no avail. Despair flooded over her like a tidal wave, drowning her as she shut her eyes tightly.


    The worst outcome had already taken root in her heart.


    And yet... Karl suddenly let go and stepped back, a mocking smirk on his face.


    "What, you thought I had an interest in your body? I wouldn''t touch a scarred-up tomboy even if someone paid me¡ªyour skin feels like stone."


    He clapped his hands together, as if he had just completed a boring chore.


    "Those idiots are easy to deal with, but that old relic won''t be so simple. I''m not letting you die on me yet. Just now, I wanted to double-check your magic power. Turns out, I was overthinking it."


    Karl sneered.


    "I can''t believe I even worried that you might be faking weakness to set a trap."


    Since that wasn''t the case, he could now eliminate the only evidence tying him to this crime.


    With a flash of magical light in his palm, a wind blade formed.


    Alyanne''s shattered right hand¡ªwhat remained of her palm¡ªwas shredded into fragments by the razor-sharp wind!


    "Mmgh!"


    Alyanne bit back a cry, swallowing the sound before it escaped. Her expression, however, was one of utter shock, far more intense than when she realized Karl was the one behind it all.


    "Razor Wind Gale! A high-tier wind spell! You''ve pledged yourself to the God of Storm?!" She screamed with all her might, "You''re the heretic!"


    Alyanne had thought Karl''s plan was simply to frame her and smear her reputation by accusing her of worshiping another deity. But now she knew¡ªKarl had gone far beyond that.


    The spell he used in front of everyone wasn''t just a cleverly crafted illusion or trick. It was real magic. Cast by someone else, yes¡ªbut undeniably real!


    Her voice trembled with rage.


    "Was the magical backlash in my body also your doing?!"


    Without that inexplicable backlash, she wouldn''t have fallen so far.


    She had spent years preparing for her escape. Even if rushed, her chances of success shouldn''t have been this low!


    Karl gave her a condescending glance.


    "After so much guessing, you''ve finally gotten one thing right. Too bad it''s far too late. The truth is the perfect trap. Otherwise, do you think he would''ve been so easily fooled?"


    Of course, only the presence of a real heretic could cement the accusations against Alyanne. And with her magic power crippled, every possible path to recovery was cut off.


    "You betrayed the Frostmoon Goddess! You''ll face retribution one day!" Alyanne roared.


    "Betrayal? You''re the traitor in everyone''s eyes now!" Karl sneered. "Even if retribution finds me, you won''t be around to see it. I''ll witness your demise first!"


    "But don''t worry¡ªit won''t take more than half a day for me to leave this cursed place. Care to guess why?"


    "Ha ha ha ha!"


    ---


    In the treetops, Viktor listened to the increasingly obnoxious laughter below, yawning in boredom.


    Another classic case of a villain doomed by his own verbosity, he thought.


    But seriously, the guy talked way too much. Viktor was nearly falling asleep just from listening.


    Adjusting to a more comfortable position to keep his bones from accidentally rattling and giving away his hiding spot, he muttered, "What a dull story."


    Hurry up and finish already, so he could wrap this up and leave.


    Blame that overly cautious high-tier mage.


    Despite claiming Alyanne would never rise again, Karl stubbornly stayed behind to witness her death in person.


    Which meant Viktor had no choice but to stay hidden in the treetops and listen to this painfully one-sided drama unfold.


    ---


    Below, Karl''s laughter abruptly stopped.


    The crashing noises from distant monsters grew louder¡ªso loud they were soon accompanied by a second and third wave of similar sounds.


    His grin froze, and he quickly turned toward the commotion, eyes scanning the trembling treetops in the distance.


    "Is this... really a monster tide?!"


    When the others had fled at the slightest noise, Karl had scoffed at their cowardice.


    He figured their panic gave him the perfect opportunity to clean up loose ends without interruption. But now, the monsters were genuinely heading their way?


    He cast a reluctant glance at Alyanne, who lay on the ground, barely breathing. He gritted his teeth.


    "Forget it. You won''t escape anyway. Dying in a monster''s jaws is a mercy for you!"


    With that, he turned and disappeared into the dense forest.


    The distant rumbling grew louder.


    Alyanne''s consciousness dimmed as blood continued to seep from her wounds.


    Her heart was heavy with despair.


    "Is this really... the end for me?" she whispered.


    No!


    I refused to accept it!


    A surge of desperation unlike anything she had ever felt shattered the chains holding her body down.


    Alyanne opened her eyes once more, her left hand clawing forward, scraping against the ground with sheer willpower.


    Her fingertips carved deep, bloody trails into the dirt, but her body refused to budge.


    Still, she didn''t give up.


    Blocking out the growing noise, she kept trying.


    Little by little, her left hand moved more freely, and more parts of her body began to respond.


    Alyanne stretched out her mutilated right arm.


    With great effort, she pressed her elbow into the ground, ignoring the steady flow of blue-tinged blood dripping from the wound.


    "I will... survive!"


    She roared with all her strength, but the sound was faint, barely more than a whisper.


    Propping herself up on her elbow, she began to drag her body forward.


    A stranger''s voice suddenly spoke from nearby.


    "Wow, an open artery, and you''re still crawling?"

 26 - From Despair to Dragonborn

    ---Third POV---


    Alyanne''s despair overflowed from the only eye not obscured by blood.


    She had been tricked again?


    There was no monster, was there? Just one of Karl''s games to humiliate her?


    He must have found her pitiful state utterly hilarious. But as she raised her head, she froze.


    The person speaking was shrouded entirely in a black robe.


    That same kind of robe looked utterly different on this figure compared to Karl. Moreover, this person was taller, with a more imposing build.


    As she stared at the mysterious stranger who had suddenly appeared, she demanded sharply, "Who are you?"


    She could feel it¡ªthe aura emanating from this individual was overwhelming. It wasn''t magical fluctuations; it was a presence, an unmistakable air of someone who had lived for centuries.


    This was the aura of an ancient monster.


    This was a powerful mage!


    The thought made her gaze grow even more guarded.


    ---Viktor''s POV---


    I landed silently, paying no heed to her question. Instead, I crouched down, dipping my finger into a patch of blood on the ground. The peculiar coloring caught my attention immediately.


    The fresh blood showed a sharp division between red and blue hues. The blue portion, though scarce, behaved oddly¡ªstretching like a continuous thread without dissolving. Interesting.


    I had initially planned to ignore her completely.


    My eavesdropping was merely a way to scout for potential pawns worth cultivating. But after witnessing the entire ordeal, one thought dominated my mind: Alyanne''s current wretched state had its reasons!


    Aeltia didn''t tolerate mages who were both overly idealistic and naively kind. Bringing someone like her back would cause more harm than good.


    Pawns could be found anywhere, but they mustn''t bring trouble to The Watchers.


    With Karl, the only real threat to me, gone, it was time for me to leave as well.


    But then, to my surprise, she moved.


    I extended a tendril of magical energy into the blue blood. Paralysis, magic exhaustion, mental collapse, weakness, infection, severe blood loss, dizziness...


    And yet, you can still move? You''re not dead from your own recklessness?


    I clicked my tongue in amazement.


    On Earth, even wrist-slitting could prove fatal. Yet here was Alyanne¡ªmissing an entire hand¡ªstill managing to move around without any attempt to staunch the bleeding.


    According to Aeltia standards, mages weren''t immortals; wounds like these should have sent her into a coma or killed her outright.


    My instincts told me this was no ordinary situation.


    After ten seconds of contemplation, I flicked the blood from my skeletal fingers. The ghostly blue flames in my eye sockets flickered.


    Dragon bloodline?


    Now things were getting interesting. No wonder her constitution was so exceptional. Her dormant bloodline must have just been activated.


    I stroked my chin thoughtfully. "See? This is why you don''t give your enemies a rage buff. And now, look at the mess you''ve created."


    Dragons were naturally irritable creatures. Anger had triggered her latent bloodline into awakening.


    "''Rage buff''?" Alyanne''s confusion was evident, but the doubt in her eyes soon solidified into resolve.


    "I don''t understand what you''re saying!" she shouted, her gaze flicking to my white skeletal hand emerging from my sleeve.


    "Who... what are you?!"


    In the distance, I could hear the unnatural sounds of approaching monsters.


    Perfect timing, as always.


    I slowly lowered my hood, completely revealing my skeletal head. The twin flames of faint blue light in my empty eye sockets cast an eerie glow.


    "Me? I''m one of the so-called betrayers of the gods¡ªdestined for divine retribution."


    Her pupils shrank in shock, and her eyes widened.


    "A sentient undead! You''re Viktor... von... Vinesse!"


    "Hahaha!" I pulled my hood back on, amused by her recognition. "Seems like you''re tangled up with some troublesome factions. But oh well. Fate has a way of bringing people together, doesn''t it?"


    What luck!


    By sheer coincidence, I had stumbled upon someone with a dragon bloodline in this remote town. Her troubles were negligible compared to that discovery.


    Naive and kind, yet immensely powerful? Perfect! That combination practically screamed "obedient and capable NPC"!


    My plans shifted quickly, and I softened my gaze toward her. With a wave of my hand, I conjured a parchment scroll before her.


    "This is hardly a safe place to talk. The little pests are nearly here. If you want to live, sign this."


    "A master-servant contract?!" she immediately recognized its purpose, her expression torn with hesitation.


    Stolen novel; please report.


    Of course. Why would a dark mage save her for free? Yeah, I am not that kind. She''d have to abandon the Frostmoon Goddess entirely, sealing her identity as a traitor to the faith.


    I glanced toward the source of the distant noises, which were drawing closer.


    "The monsters will arrive in two minutes. I''m giving you one minute to decide."


    I kept my tone calm, as though her answer mattered little to me. Let her think she had a choice.


    Alyanne''s face was deathly pale from blood loss.


    She looked at her battered, motionless body, her mangled right hand, and then up at me as I stood unmoving as a mountain.


    "Fifty seconds," I counted calmly.


    From the forest came the sound of trees snapping apart.


    "Forty-five seconds."


    The growling of beasts grew louder, vibrating through the air and into Alyanne''s heart.


    "Thirty seconds."


    She stared at her inexplicably blue blood, wracking her brain for answers¡ªbut none came.


    She even tried to negotiate, how laughable. "You''re only saving me because of my blood, aren''t you?"


    "Twenty-five seconds."


    "I''m important to you, right?"


    "Fifteen seconds."


    "What do you know about me? Who am I, really?"


    "Ten. Nine. Eight..."


    "I agree!"


    Summoning all her strength, Alyanne pressed her mutilated hand onto the contract just before my countdown ended.


    Magical contracts didn''t rely on intact fingerprints to take effect. As soon as her hand left the parchment, it burst into brilliant white light, transforming into two streaks of energy that flew to both our wrists.


    The contract was sealed.


    I glanced at the system panel displaying the new contract details and nodded with satisfaction.


    "Alright, don''t move around too much. With my current strength, I can''t guarantee your safety entirely."


    With that, I crouched down and gently picked up the hem of her bloodstained robe.


    Beneath my feet, circles of magical arrays lit up, their dazzling radiance resembling a gathering of stars.


    Whoosh!


    ---Third POV---


    By the time the monsters arrived, all that remained was a pool of blood with faintly unusual colors.


    The monsters, drawn by the warmth of the blood, skidded to a halt.


    Their massive heads lowered as they sniffed greedily at the air.


    But when they looked around, their blood-red eyes reflected nothing but confusion and frustration.


    Though the scent of prey was there, the source was nowhere to be found.


    Frustrated, one beast growled loudly before randomly choosing a direction and charging off.


    ---


    At the entrance to Honeyvale Town, under the great tree, white runes on the ground suddenly lit up.


    Two figures descended from the sky.


    Thud!


    Already severely weakened from blood loss, Alyanne coughed up another mouthful of blood upon falling from mid-air.


    "Ugh! Cough, cough!"


    After two weak coughs, she completely passed out.


    Clatter!


    That was the sound of a skeletal frame falling apart.


    ---Viktor''s POV---


    After what felt like an eternity, I painstakingly reassembled my skeleton and struggled to stand up.


    Opening my system panel for a glance, I saw exactly what I''d expected¡ªmy survival time had been reduced by more than a day again.


    [Survival Time: 5 days, 13 hours, 28 minutes]


    With a deep sigh, I closed the panel and put on my wizard''s robe that had fallen off during my collapse.


    "Ugh, I''ll have to cut down on using high-level spells next time. Otherwise, I really won''t survive."


    Despite all the time I''d spent recovering, my injuries had only worsened. Yet intermediate spells were just barely useful enough for performing tricks, let alone activating a teleportation array.


    And for a skeletal undead like me¡ªwho risked falling apart while walking¡ªthere was no way to carry a living, breathing human and evade the dog-like noses of two-headed howling wolves without teleportation magic.


    I reattached my loosened arm with a grimace.


    "I''ll leave the task of scouting new NPCs to Edgar next time..."


    With my current state, staying put in the church and nursing my wounds seemed the only sensible choice.


    Casting a glance at the nearby church, I reluctantly began dragging the unconscious Alyanne along, swaying unsteadily as I moved.


    "She''s a dragonborn after all. A little scratch shouldn''t be a big deal, right?" With this thought, I felt more justified in my slow, careless movements.


    Fortunately, when the players had been running amok in Honeyvale Town, they''d casually cleaned up the streets as part of a task.


    From the town entrance to the church, they''d removed most of the trash and rubble, though the path was still overgrown with weeds. At least there weren''t any major obstacles.


    By the time I dragged her to the church''s entrance, the wound on her severed hand had already scabbed over.


    "As expected of a dragonborn," I muttered enviously as I examined her injuries.


    If I could somehow mass-produce her regenerative ability, I could undoubtedly train an unstoppable force to sweep through Aertia. The thought made my eyes gleam faintly.


    "Hmm... It might actually be possible!"


    Forcibly fusing foreign bloodlines came with immense side effects. But what if someone was born with dragon blood? It wouldn''t work for ordinary people, but players?


    I''d already created humans¡ªwhy not dragons? Of course, a few experiments would be needed to confirm feasibility...


    ---


    "W-water..."


    Not far away, I sat immersed in the Earth Network. Hearing a voice, I quickly snapped back to attention.


    "You''re awake?"


    Seeing her pale lips and dry, cracked mouth, I slapped my forehead in annoyance.


    "Ah, I almost forgot. Excessive blood loss leads to dehydration, and those guys probably didn''t feed you anything before dragging you into the Great Oak Forest."


    "Luminaris, fetch some water for our guest."


    The glowing orb floated down from above Alyanne''s head.


    "Fine."


    I watched as she drank. Though her stomach still seemed to burn, she looked much better than when she''d first woken up.


    She managed to sit up and began observing her surroundings. Judging by her expression as she observed the decorations, she was confirming this really was an abandoned church.


    "This is the prayer room of Honeyvale Town''s church¡ªthe only room still in decent condition," I explained. "I''d planned to repair it for nerds to use as a changing room, but since you''re here, you can use it to recover."


    I approached, studying her condition while stroking my chin thoughtfully.


    "Hmm... As expected of a dragon''s regenerative ability. A few basic Holy Light spells, and most of your external injuries are already healed. And all that''s left is for you to rest and recuperate."


    Of course, that applied only to her external wounds. Her internal injuries were another story¡ªthose were far more troublesome than I let on.


    She glanced at her bandaged right hand and then looked up, and asked, "Are you really Viktor von Vinesse?"


    I hastily changed the subject. "Don''t mention that name. My current identity is the Lord of Honeyvale Town. Oh, and by the way, your father is apparently a lord of... somewhere. You can call me Boss. From now on, you''re also a member of our Watchers."


    "The Watchers!" Her spirits lifted, and her face regained a bit of color. "I''ve heard of them! The Watchers¡ªthe gathering of the Fallen Gods!"


    Her eyes fell on the sun-and-moon insignia of The Watchers carved into the stone bed, and her voice grew more resolute.


    "You''re the infamous Butcher of Flesh and Blood!"


    I could only stare in silence. How did I end up with so many bizarre titles? Still, as long as she believed it, that was enough.


    She looked at me like a storybook figure brought to life, half-dreaming, as if afraid that waking fully would find her still lying in the depths of the Great Oak Forest, surrounded by monsters. Compared to that fate, falling into the hands of a dark mage didn''t seem so bad to her, I supposed.


    "Why is your power so weak?" she asked with concern.


    She still remembered falling from mid-air after the teleportation array failed. It didn''t match the image she''d likely read about¡ªa dark mage so powerful he could singlehandedly oppose the entire Church.


    I could see the question in her eyes: where was that strength now?


    I coughed awkwardly.


    "You''ll find out later."


    To avoid more probing from the straightforward dragonborn girl, I hurriedly changed the subject.


    "Since we''ve signed the master-servant contract, I have a few questions for you."


    She nodded immediately. She wasn''t foolish enough to resist¡ªafter all, I still held her life in my hands.


    Whatever I asked, she answered. That''s when I learned her father wasn''t her birth father at all, but her foster one.


    She revealed everything after that¡ªfrom her past to the forces she''d served.


    Initially, I''d assumed the black-robed men, with their talk of territories and lords, were from a small state under the Berrian Empire.


    Like other nations under the Radiant Church, they were likely obsessed with maintaining complex systems of noble inheritance.


    But that wasn''t the case.


    Instead, they hailed from the Seren Kingdom, a small state under the Gale Empire, separated from the Great Oak Forest by several other countries. Their primary deities were the God of War and the God of Winter.


    As for their so-called "territory," it was merely a large mercenary organization.

 27 - The Butchers Bargain

    ---Viktor''s POV---


    When it came to mercenaries, I was no stranger to the concept.


    A band of desperadoes who lived on the edge, licking blood off their blades.


    While others avoided the monster-infested wilderness like the plague, mercenaries often relied on it to make a living.


    Back when we Watchers had no money, we also dabbled in the mercenary trade. It was dangerous, yes, but undeniably lucrative.


    I listened as Alyanne explained about mercenary traditions, how they often took in orphans and trained them from a young age.


    These children would become the most reliable and lethal tools in the hands of their benefactors, shaped by years of brutal training and firm loyalty.


    The Ironblood Mercenary Corps, where she came from, was somewhat unique¡ªthey had a fixed base of operations.


    While other mercenary groups had headquarters, they often relocated at the slightest whiff of conflict or opportunity, chasing gold and glory across the lands.


    But the Ironblood Mercenary Corps seemed as if they were rooted in the Kingdom of Seren itself, immovable as a mountain.


    Even as they grew powerful enough to bypass the kingdom and deal directly with the Church, their base never changed, maintaining their iron grip on their territory.


    Their leader¡ªher adoptive father¡ªpersistently called himself "Lord" and insisted everyone address him as such, a peculiar quirk for a mercenary leader.


    "Wow, your foster father''s got issues!" Luminaris interjected, full of righteous conviction.


    The motion of his spherical body was so exaggerated that the water cup balancing on his head nearly toppled over, threatening to spill its contents everywhere.


    "He''s clearly from a mercenary background, the type least concerned with noble formalities, yet he''s so hung up on a hollow title like ''Lord''! If you didn''t know better, you''d think he came straight out of the Berrian Empire!"


    I plucked the clay cup off Luminaris''s head and nudged him aside. "Shh, let her finish the story."


    I didn''t think there was anything particularly wrong with the Ironblood Mercenary Corps. In this world, any mage who survived without going mad from magical corruption had to have a few screws loose.


    That was just the nature of our reality.


    That high-ranking mage named Karl once mentioned that Alyanne''s foster father was fairly old. It was only natural for him to have a few issues. What was the big deal about a fixation on playing house? I had seen far more extreme and crazed personalities in my centuries of existence.


    Alyanne, however, responded bitterly to Luminaris, "We''re just the blades of the mercenary corps. How could we possibly understand the Lord''s thoughts?"


    She continued, recounting the state of the corps as she knew it, her childhood experiences, and the chain of events leading to her recent betrayal.


    It all started when she crossed the Wolcen Mountain Range to complete a long-distance mission. Within a month of her return, everything had fallen apart, leaving her no time to react, no chance to defend herself.


    Her face filled with hatred at the thought of her recent treatment. Clenching her uninjured left hand into a fist, she bit out the name as if she wanted to grind it to dust: "Karl! I will never forgive him!"


    But then a trace of wistfulness appeared on her face. "To think that I always wanted to retrieve my soul lamp and leave the mercenary corps... and in the end, it happened this way."


    I listened intently as she explained about soul lamps¡ªmagical items made from special plants, imbued with the user''s heart''s blood and enhanced with magic. They recorded the target''s life force and could be used to curse them¡ªa tool for controlling those bound by life and death contracts.


    A cruel but effective method of ensuring loyalty.


    She had longed for a better life outside the mercenary corps, but she didn''t dare act rashly until she got her soul lamp back.


    Who would have thought that after being accused of heresy and exiled, her soul lamp would be publicly destroyed in front of everyone? It was a mistake, but one that ironically fulfilled her original wish.


    As she finished her story, I fell into quiet thought.


    The Kingdom of Seren was quite far from the Great Oak Forest, and no one else seemed to have noticed her true lineage. Given that, the trouble Alyanne might bring to The Watchers was still within a controllable range and wouldn''t escalate anytime soon.


    Yes, it was well within my calculated risk tolerance.


    I clapped my hands, signaling the end of the story session. "Alright, I understand your desire for revenge."


    "I''ve set the master-servant contract to last only fifty years. As long as you focus on helping me during this time, I promise to let you go afterward."


    Alyanne froze. "Fifty years?"


    She had assumed she''d signed herself into servitude for life. Was I really that terrifying?


    My face darkened. "You clearly didn''t study contract magic properly. Even if you wanted to sell yourself, I wouldn''t be interested!"


    Painful past experiences had taught me just how terrifying it was to keep a pet dragon with more destructive power than a husky and a temperament even less controllable.


    The memories still haunted me.


    Right now, I just needed manpower. Fifty years was more than enough.


    The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Alyanne muttered a weak excuse, "I never studied contract magic¡­"


    She explained how contract magic wasn''t part of the Frostmoon Goddess''s domain.


    Practicing magic from other gods was slow and came with risks of backlash. Given her mediocre magical talent, she''d have to be foolish to betray the Frostmoon Goddess and seek powers beyond her reach, like Karl had done.


    I sighed, realizing my mistake. It had been too long since I interacted with anyone outside The Watchers, and I''d forgotten this detail about divine domains.


    My tone turned faintly sarcastic. "The gods have been dead for over six centuries, yet you still keep mourning them?"


    But that was how people outside thought, and I couldn''t change her mindset overnight. Some beliefs ran too deep.


    "Since you''ve joined The Watchers, forget everything from before, including the nonsense about not learning magic outside the Frostmoon Goddess''s domain. Besides, you were practically severed from all ties when you were exiled. Take this as a chance to start a new dragon life."


    Alyanne''s eyes widened slightly. "A new life?"


    I could see the impact of those words on her face.


    From what she''d told us of her past, she had grown tired of the mercenary corps'' endless missions¡ªassassinating nobles, hunting monsters. All she dreamed of was a stable life, free from having to sleep with daggers strapped to her pillows and limbs.


    That cold, hard feeling had long worn her down.


    How ironic that the person who finally said those words to her turned out to be me¡ªthe Butcher, the number-one most wanted figure on the mercenary bounty boards.


    She wiped her damp eyes, pausing after a moment. "Wait, did you say... dragon life?"


    "Of course!" Luminaris floated up to her, his golden spherical body radiating a faint holy glow.


    "You don''t know yet? You have dragon blood in you, and it recently awakened! Dragon blood is domineering. You''ll likely transform into a young dragon soon!"


    He spun excitedly in the air, acting as if he were the one with the lineage.


    "A... a dragon?!" Alyanne stammered, utterly shocked.


    She had been an orphan for nearly twenty years, living as a human. The revelation must have been overwhelming.


    She turned to me by the bed for help, her eyes pleading.


    I nodded solemnly. "The draconic bloodline in you is faint, likely passed down from your grandfather''s generation."


    "And it''s a rare ice dragon lineage. Ice dragons are few in number and live long lives."


    "Perhaps, when the contract ends, you''ll even find relatives in the Dragon Valley."


    "Relatives?" Alyanne echoed, dazed.


    I watched as she froze in place like a statue.


    "Alyanne?"


    "Skeleton to dragon."


    "Alyanne, I am your father!"


    No matter what I said, she wouldn''t respond. It was like her brain had crashed and was trying to restart.


    Luminaris flew several circles around her, his voice filled with surprise. "Can''t even process a few sentences? Hey, snap out of it!"


    When she remained unresponsive, he hovered in the air, half-complaining under his breath. "Dragons'' intelligence really is on par with¡­"


    "Enough." I grabbed him mid-air, cutting off the unfinished sentence. "For a dragon''s age, she''s still a juvenile. Receiving this much information all at once¡ªit''s normal for her to need time to process."


    "She''s a mercenary, after all. The way she heals so quickly, she must''ve noticed something was off about herself."


    Thump. Thump. Thump.


    I could hear her heartbeat clearly.


    She looked at me again, opening her mouth several times but unable to decide where to start. Finally, with a weak voice, she managed to ask: "If I work for you for 50 years, will you really let me go afterward¡­ to find my family?"


    I had expected something far more significant from her struggle to speak.


    Pulling out the master-servant contract, I made a copy with a floating spell and tossed it to her. "If you bothered to study contract magic properly, you''d understand the terms and wouldn''t have to ask such a question. The contract terms are quite clear."


    She caught the contract with trembling hands, and I could see the moment she felt the binding effect of the agreement firsthand. Her eyes instantly welled up with tears.


    "I''m sorry, I¡­ I just¡­" she whispered through her tears.


    Then, so quietly I barely caught it: "Thank you."


    What she truly wanted to ask was clear enough¡ªwas she really a dragonborn? Did she truly have family? The thing she had dreamed of for so long, I had handed to her as if it were nothing.


    It must have felt unreal to her.


    As her tears began to fall like rain, something deep inside me stirred. Damn it. I''m reminded of the time I had parents and a normal life.


    Softening my tone, I said, "It''s exceedingly rare for dragons to have offspring. If you do have living dragon relatives, it''s bound to be a joyous reunion."


    "Waaah!!"


    Before I could react, she hugged me, bawling uncontrollably. "Boss, you''re such a good person!"


    That word "Boss" came straight from her heart.


    Your snot is gross! I wanted to say, but considering the emotional rollercoaster she had just gone through, I decided not to push her away.


    I lightly patted her back and whispered softly, "Work hard. If you do well, I might even end the contract early."


    My skillful painting of a bright future earned a look of resolve from her.


    Luminaris tried to edge closer, but I shot him a warning look.


    "I was just worried she''d cry herself into dehydration!" he protested, but I kept my gaze steady until he backed away.


    Just then, the rusty iron door of the prayer room creaked open.


    Edgar walked in, pausing for a moment. "Am I interrupting?"


    I seized the opportunity to get up, my voice filled with relief as though meeting a savior. "Edgar, you''re finally back!"


    This girl''s strength was no joke. If she hugged any tighter, my ribs might''ve come loose! If I fall apart right here, where would my dignity as a leader go?


    Edgar nodded briefly at me, then turned his gaze to the unfamiliar figure sitting on the bed. I could see the analytical look in his eyes as he assessed our new guest.


    His brow furrowed slightly as he observed her features. "A dragon?"


    He immediately shook his head, refining his assessment. "No... a dragonborn with a partial dragon''s bloodline?"


    But with the dragon bloodline already awakened, the distinction hardly mattered. That made things even more complicated.


    He looked toward me, clearly seeing me as the culprit. "Viktor, why did you bring back another dragon?"


    "It''s a long story..." I stood up and introduced them. "This is Edgar. I don''t think I need to say more."


    Alyanne wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and nodded nervously. I knew she would recognize him¡ªher thorough research before his fall from grace would have told her all about his deeds: saving civilians, driving out monsters, reclaiming lost territories. He had been the perfect knight, the idol of every aspiring knight!


    My blue flame-like eyes flickered with mischief as I couldn''t resist teasing, "Edgar, meet your long-lost half-sister¡ªAlyanne! Surprised?"


    Even after knowing me for over a hundred years, he still couldn''t make sense of my odd humor. How sad.


    Ignoring my joke, he continued his earlier questioning. "You haven''t answered my question."


    "It''s all a coincidence. She didn''t even know her own identity," I explained, scratching my jawbone. "In any case, she''s your assistant now. You''ve been complaining about how overwhelming your NPC duties are, haven''t you? Now you can delegate half of them to her!"


    "And once her bloodline fully awakens, she can become a dragon language instructor for the nerds! How''s that? Satisfied?"


    Edgar scrutinized her intently, making Alyanne so nervous she clenched her fingers tightly, her whole body stiff.


    "H-Hello, Lord Edgar," she managed to say.


    After he nodded politely, he turned to me with a blunt conclusion. "Does she have any other value? Dragon magic is something only advanced mages can attempt to learn. Even if your nerds have unique traits, at their current rate of progress, it''ll take them three years to reach advanced mage level."


    "So for the next few years, she''ll just be doing odd jobs?"


    I stood firm in defending the players. "Trust me, it won''t take them that long. Don''t underestimate the potential of hardcore nerds!"


    "Though... it does seem a bit inefficient."


    Resting my chin on my hand, I fell into deep thought. Even if the top players reached advanced mage status within a year, Alyanne would be stuck doing menial tasks for that entire time.


    During that period, her contributions would be highly replaceable. Compared to the potential danger of sheltering her, the tradeoff seemed less than ideal.


    "The risk factors need to be considered carefully," I mused aloud, more to myself than the others. "We need to ensure the benefits outweigh the potential complications."


    I noticed Alyanne''s eyes widen in alarm. She quickly volunteered. "I already know ice magic! I can teach ice magic as a tutor!"


    "Are you sure?" Edgar raised an eyebrow in doubt.

 28 - God of Botany... or Was It Smithing?

    ---Viktor''s POV---


    I watched as Edgar studied the unfamiliar girl, noting how he didn''t sense any magical fluctuations from her. He probably thought she was just an ordinary person who had suddenly awakened.


    Realizing I had forgotten something important, I explained, "Ah, by the way, she did learn magic from the Frostmoon Goddess'' school. However, she''s been afflicted with a Mana Devouring Vine and can''t use it for now."


    Alyanne''s face instantly turned pale.


    "Mana Devouring Vine?!"


    I could see the horror dawn in her eyes as she processed this information. She''d clearly read about it in books¡ªa parasitic magical creature that absorbs the host''s mana, extremely dangerous. There wasn''t a single record of a host surviving after being parasitized by it.


    Her expression went blank, as though the sky had collapsed.


    I felt a headache coming on. "Oh, that''s on me. I didn''t get to tell you before. The cuts and bruises are an easy fix, but the damage inside... that''s going to take a while to heal."


    Racking my brain, which hadn''t communicated with ordinary people for hundreds of years, I tried to recall some comforting techniques.


    "Actually, Mana Devouring Vine isn''t as scary as you think. Compared to magical creatures that can kill you instantly, isn''t it much better?" I attempted, then added, "The vine only absorbs the life force of regular people. You''re a mage. As long as you still have mana in your body, it won''t pose a threat to you."


    The name Mana Devouring Vine was undeniably terrifying. That was why I hadn''t explained it earlier. But the more I tried to comfort her, the paler her face became.


    I awkwardly stopped. "Uh, never mind. Just take your time processing this."


    I had underestimated how much ordinary people feared magical creatures. This probably felt like having a ghost baby inside her that could burst out at any moment and wreak havoc?


    She still had a long recovery ahead. There was no rush to explain everything now.


    Meanwhile, Edgar and I had our own matters to discuss. Before leaving, I stopped Luminaris.


    "You stay here and take care of her."


    "?? Why is it always me?!"


    "Because you''re the most idle," I replied mercilessly, shutting the chapel door behind me.


    "... F... fuck you, Viktor. Fuck, you!"


    ---


    Outside the church, a gentle breeze rustled through the overgrown ruins of broken walls and tiles.


    Edgar pulled out a supply list. "The triangular ruler is secured. The other materials are mostly basic tools, and we have extra clothing as well."


    "You''re sure that''s all you need for your helpers to rebuild town?"


    I reminded him, "They''re helpers for all Watchers. You should call them players¡ªuh, wait, NPCs shouldn''t directly refer to them as players." I stumbled for a moment before settling, "Or according to the lore, they''re the Returnees from Beyond entrusted with the supreme mission to save Aeltia."


    The name felt overly long. I decided to put the matter aside for now.


    After reviewing the supply list carefully, I nodded slightly. "Not bad. The quantity and variety of materials are better than I expected, especially the grass-woven clothing."


    I closed the list and asked, "Are there more bandits on the wasteland lately?"


    Judging by the distance from Honeyvale Town to the edge of the Great Oak Forest, Edgar had managed a round trip to Nary Town within a day.


    His expression flickered briefly before he nodded. "Yes, there''s been some trouble outside."


    He then recounted everything he''d learned from Fuki.


    "The number of supplies he brought definitely exceeds what an average wasteland drifter could trade. It''s at least seventy percent credible."


    I rubbed the supply list in my hand, remaining silent for a long time. Finally, I looked at Edgar with a complex expression. "Let''s put Nary Town''s situation aside for now. But did you really just turn around and leave?"


    I still remembered when I first met Edgar.


    Back then, he had accepted an extremely difficult mission from the Church¡ªrescuing a village about to be overrun by magical creatures, with fewer than ten guards under his command.


    The "about to be overrun" note on the report had already reached the Radiant Church headquarters, long after the village''s defenses were compromised. It was obvious to anyone that the task was a setup by someone in the Church who disliked him.


    The mission was doomed to fail, giving them an excuse to hold him accountable.


    But Edgar still accepted it and departed the same day. He had found the only surviving child of the village hiding in a wine jar in the cellar.


    Unfortunately, since the village only had one survivor, the mission was still deemed a failure, and he was penalized.


    Thanks to the twists of fate, when Edgar and I crossed paths, both of us were injured to the point where neither could defeat the other, leading to our eventual acquaintance.


    For someone like him, who had saved a single child from an almost-certain death, I found it hard to believe he would leave people to die.


    This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    My doubtful gaze said it all.


    Edgar glanced at me coldly. "I thought you understood the state of The Watchers better than I do. We can''t afford to take in a large number of refugees."


    I coughed awkwardly, suddenly feeling guilty. "Hm, when you put it like that¡­"


    The Watchers were in a terrible situation¡ªreputation maxed out, while every other metric was in the negatives. Our only food sources were red-scaled worms caught yesterday and the forest two kilometers away.


    Refugees, lacking combat power, couldn''t survive in the Great Oak Forest on their own and might even attract magical creatures to discover Honeyvale Town''s wards.


    As for housing, all the members, plus players, were still crammed inside the church.


    We had no space to accommodate more people. Not being able to take in free manpower just showed how terrible a leader I was.


    Indeed, disposable, death-defying, self-sufficient players were much more cost-effective.


    Edgar continued, "The helpers we need right now have to be at least as useful as that ice dragon you brought back. Refugees aren''t worth it."


    I grinned mischievously. "The Watchers already have a bad reputation. Now we''re just adding a few more critics. That said, this batch of supplies is pretty plentiful. Since the refugees'' tradeable goods are limited, we''ll only be doing business with them twice. No real negative impact overall."


    At most, it would break the illusions of a few young idealists who still believed in the Knight of Dawn.


    I eyed the supply list, already thinking about tomorrow''s updated player quest board. Perhaps the additional rewards for the house-building task could be raised a bit.


    After some hesitation, Edgar asked, "You mentioned new helpers are coming soon. How many?"


    I thought for a moment.


    I had 164 divine power points remaining, which seemed like a lot compared to the start.


    However, creating a player''s initial body cost 10 points, their personal game panel cost 1 point, and upgrading to Level 2 with basic magical blessings cost another 10 points...


    There were still three veteran players.


    I planned to give the players a second magical blessing once they leveled up to Level 5. Or, to put it another way, unlock their second skill.


    This also required divine power.


    After careful calculations¡­


    "Let''s start with six," I replied.


    New players could reach Level 2 in just one day, and the divine power required for the initial magical blessing couldn''t be skimped on.


    In total, it would take 126 points of divine power. The remaining 38 points were reserved for emergencies. Otherwise, if something happened to Luminaris one day, there wouldn''t even be enough divine power to save him.


    Speaking of players, I finally had some good news to share. I habitually rested a hand on Edgar''s shoulder and said earnestly.


    "It''s the start-up phase¡ªah no, the organizational rebuilding phase¡ªso progress is bound to be slow. But I''ve already found an all-rounder player who knows architecture and is skilled in farming and weaving! And very soon, we''ll be able to leave our current lifestyle behind."


    Edgar sidestepped to avoid my hand and rejected the big promises I was making.


    "Just tell me which part of that is actually true."


    I was speechless. Was my credibility really that bad?


    "Of course, it''s all true!"


    I had seen the applicant''s information earlier in the afternoon while spectating Alyanne''s tragic ordeal and eating snacks.


    I had thoroughly investigated before granting beta testing qualifications.


    But Edgar still looked unconvinced.


    So far, the three players he had encountered¡ªplus me¡ªwere all eccentric individuals. It was hard for him to imagine these people being capable of delicate tasks like weaving.


    The skepticism in his eyes was so strong that even I started doubting myself.


    Even though I had checked the player''s information and all traces they had left online, the person clearly had deep expertise in all three skills and had shared their own results¡ªnot copied images.


    Everything pointed to it being genuine.


    But... The internet, after all. Who could tell truth from lies?


    I dismissed the thought. Never mind, even if they were a fraud, I could just kick them out when the time came.


    Although I could currently only create ten divine avatars, meaning there could be no more than ten players, those ten avatars could be reused.


    If this player didn''t work out, I could just delete their account and pick someone else.


    Absolute power brought ultimate freedom!


    ---


    Once business was settled, the two of us entered the prayer room again.


    Alyanne had already passed out. Luminaris stood far from the bed, looking nervous.


    "I really took care of her properly! It wasn''t me!"


    I placed the leftover sweetfruit from Edgar''s earlier trade by the bed.


    "I know. When she wakes up, feed this to her. She''s been fasting for too long. Don''t let her eat too much at once."


    This fruit was our only staple food for now. I looked down on Luminaris''s overreaction. Did I really seem like the type of boss who would blame people without understanding the situation?


    Alyanne had lost too much blood and hadn''t eaten in a long time. Fainting was completely normal. Anyway, it would take a long time for her to recover. There was plenty of time to discuss her placement later.


    I was about to leave when I remembered something and paused.


    "By the way, when she wakes up, give her the ''Player Communication Handbook'' I gave you."


    Luminaris looked around and took two seconds to realize. "Me?"


    "Who else?!" I asked incredulously. "Does Edgar have the handbook? Besides, it was already hard enough to get you to learn a few basic phrases. You won''t even use the book."


    Edgar studied the unconscious Alyanne on the bed. "You''re not going to give her a spiritual mark?"


    I calmly replied, "I''m not so far gone as to do that. She''s still a divine believer."


    Though whether she believed in the Frostmoon Goddess or the God of War remained unclear.


    Believers weren''t bound by something as simple as a master-servant contract. Players were my greatest safeguard. The fewer unstable factors, the better.


    The common phrases in the Player Communication Handbook were enough to help her become a qualified quest NPC. In other words, she only needed to respond to a few key words.


    "Besides, keeping her away from players is also a form of protection," I added.


    A naive dragonborn in the hands of players... who knows what could happen to her? There were some things players couldn''t know just yet.


    "And after that?" Edgar asked, "Are you really going to have her do odd jobs?"


    As he spoke, his gaze stayed on Alyanne''s missing right hand.


    I sighed and spread my hands. "Maybe she can teach water and ice magic. As for her hand... there''ll be a chance to restore it later."


    Though it might take a long time. Limb regeneration was advanced magic. In my case, it was the kind of spell that would drain me to the point of needing burial.


    So, just like making Alyanne a Dragon Language Magic instructor, it would take time.


    "Dragon Language Magic is incredibly powerful¡ªan invaluable skill tree. With Ludwig currently trapped in Dragon Valley, she''s our best option. This ability justifies the risks her identity poses, as well as the time and effort needed to support her. All things considered, saving her is still worth it."


    Edgar reminded me expressionlessly: "But she has Mana Devouring Vines inside her. You know how difficult those are to deal with."


    Alyanne had learned about them from secondhand church records. The Watchers often chose uninhabited monster dens to evade the Church''s pursuit. Having faced monsters directly, Edgar knew how troublesome Mana Devouring Vines could be.


    They weren''t as hopeless as Alyanne believed¡ªcompletely incurable and inevitably fatal. But solving the problem wasn''t easy, either. The Watchers had only succeeded once, and it had required rare, precious potions.


    Where could we get those now?


    And without removing the Mana Devouring Vines, she couldn''t use magic at all. She couldn''t become a magic instructor.


    "Leave it to me," I said confidently, patting my chest. "There''s a magic node near the church. As long as she stays in the town, her life won''t be in danger."


    "Though the magic node here is small, it''s enough to sustain two patients. Developing an improved potion is just research. Give me six months!"


    Edgar was surprised. "You know how to improve potions?"


    "Live long enough, and you learn a bit of everything. I almost ascended to godhood under the name of the God of Botany and Healing¡ªwould you believe that?"


    Edgar twitched, sighing at me.


    "Last time, you said you almost ascended as the God of Forging and Smithing."

 29 - Holy Light and Hardcore Grinding

    ---Viktor''s POV---


    "Really? Hahaha, then I''ll ascend to godhood with all titles," I replied smoothly, adjusting my tone.


    Edgar shook his head. He didn''t waste more time with what he clearly thought were my fabricated stories. Instead, he returned to sorting through the new tools we had acquired.


    Of course, I didn''t push all the work onto him. The task of reviewing player applications and improving the game interface still fell to me.


    After instructing Luminaris to take good care of Alyanne, I got back to screening new players and preparing the ritual arrays for their bodies.


    In my eyes, the type of players I needed absolutely couldn''t be the kind that treated the game purely as a way to relax or release stress.


    The world of Aeltia had absolutely nothing to do with such trivialities.


    What I required were veteran gamers from traditional MMOs¡ªdedicated enthusiasts often referred to as "cyber slaves." Players who could farm and build civilizations, form armies, siege castles, max out technology points, and adapt to magic seamlessly.


    That was the ultimate version of the nerds!


    For now, given the current circumstances, I decided to prioritize players skilled at farming and resource gathering.


    As I browsed through the new applications, I was a little surprised. "Fifty-six applications? The trailer had such a strong effect?"


    It hadn''t even been a full day yet. If converted to Earth time, it had been less than half a day. And there were already so many people willing to spend 99 bucks to join?


    I was used to the previous scenario where a recruitment post would stay for three days without attracting any interest, and I felt a bit flattered.


    But I quickly dismissed the thought.


    "No, it''s probably the player-made recommendation videos taking effect."


    Whatever the viewers'' intentions¡ªwhether they genuinely believed the videos or just wanted to spend money to verify the game''s authenticity¡ªit didn''t matter.


    In the end, Logan had helped bring a lot of attention to the game. This allowed me to apply stricter filters to the new player selection.


    ---Logan''s POV---


    I opened my eyes.


    Sunlight poured through the cracked stained-glass window, shining on me.


    Looking at the church, which felt both unfamiliar and familiar, I jumped up from the ground, overwhelmed with joy.


    "Finally, I''m finally logged in!"


    A voice sounded from nearby at the same time. "Hahaha! I knew it! The early fish catches the bird¡ªwait, that''s definitely not right¡ªanyway, good thing I got up early!"


    I turned my head and was even more delighted. "ProGamer_Daddy!"


    "Bro!" He ran over in large strides, grinning widely. "We really are fated! Even logging in together!"


    He glanced around. "I wonder if Garble has logged in yet. If he''s here, our beta team will be complete!"


    "I... I''m here..." A weak voice came from the ground beneath us.


    We turned to see Garble''s pale face, which startled us both.


    "Garble... achoo! You... achoo! What... achoo!" I squatted to help Garble up, but every time I opened my mouth, it triggered a string of sneezes.


    With our support, he wobbled to his feet. "Cough cough, it must be because we got caught in the rain before logging out. My constitution''s not great, so I caught a cold."


    He coughed heavily as he spoke.


    I glanced at the place where we had slept. Above us, there was only a thin layer of dry straw. Sleeping there for a whole night¡ªor rather, a full day and night¡ªit was no wonder someone got sick.


    Sneezing uncontrollably, I was shocked. "This is... achoo! How is this so realistic? Even offline characters can get negative debuffs?"


    ProGamer_Daddy, supporting one of us on each arm, suddenly realized something. "Wait a minute. We were all caught in the same rain. Why didn''t I catch a cold?"


    Garble kept coughing, like he was about to cough his lungs out. "You... cough cough! Forgot about your level-two... cough cough! magic selection?"


    I covered my nose and mouth, my eyes lighting up. "Right! achoo! Didn''t you cast a bunch of Holy Light spells on yourself before logging off? That''s probably... achoo! why!"


    ProGamer_Daddy''s eyes widened. "Holy crap! Healers can cure everyday illnesses? Hang on, let me try!"


    He experimentally cast a Holy Light spell on each of us. This successfully turned his own face as pale as Garble''s had been at the start. However, my face and Garble''s visibly improved. We stopped sneezing and coughing altogether.


    Now the roles were reversed, with the two of us supporting ProGamer_Daddy instead.


    I touched my nose, then my chest, in disbelief. "Whoa, the effect is that fast?!"


    It hadn''t even been 20 seconds. I had gone from moderately sick to completely fine in an instant?! Having a weak immune system in real life, I was no stranger to the usual cycle of catching and recovering from colds. This felt far more impactful than when I had seen ProGamer_Daddy heal a twisted ankle with Holy Light.


    The depth of immersion in this virtual reality game was astonishing¡ªlike magic was real!


    "Holy Light is OP!" I exclaimed enviously. Why was my starting fireball spell like a measly lighter while his Holy Light was a full-on LED tube?


    This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    ProGamer_Daddy weakly raised his hand. "Stop hyping it up. I''m totally drained..."


    We both snapped out of our reveling in the effects of magic. We helped him onto the straw to rest. It couldn''t be helped¡ªViktor hadn''t even bothered to provide us with chairs.


    I looked at ProGamer_Daddy with concern. "How are you feeling? Still okay?"


    After resting for a while, his pale complexion gradually returned to normal. He shook his head. "It feels like I just finished a 1,000-meter run¡ªjust tired. Right now, I think my limit for Holy Light is two casts."


    Garble breathed a sigh of relief. "Good thing this game has a pain protection system. Otherwise, just the side effects of magic overuse would''ve been brutal."


    After some rest, ProGamer_Daddy was back to his usual energetic self.


    Throughout all this, Viktor and Edgar never made an appearance. We didn''t mind. Once the introductory storyline ended, it was up to the players to seek out NPCs. As the only three beta testers under the god, we had agreed from day one to stick together.


    What to do with the rest of the day was the big question. So, instead of rushing out to take quests, we held a small meeting at our rest spot.


    Garble spoke first. "Did you guys read the announcement?"


    "Of course!" ProGamer_Daddy replied immediately. "You have no idea how excited I was when I saw it! Currency system, resurrection mechanics, game events! Holy moly! I almost slept with my VR helmet on!"


    We nodded in agreement, finding nothing exaggerated about his description.


    I myself had nearly forgotten about the announcement last night, but after remembering it, I couldn''t sleep at all after reading it! My mind was filled with thoughts of how incredible the game would be after the update.


    Finally! The game had implemented the capitalists'' favorite feature: a currency system!


    I added, "I just checked the task interface, and sure enough, there are a ton of new quests. The rewards now include the new magicoins! The coin rewards for the house-building quest are unbelievably generous¡ªalmost too good to be true! The experience points are also the highest among all tasks!"


    I swallowed hard. I had almost cried earlier, staring at the experience points marked on the task panel.


    "I think, if we want to level up quickly, this will be the best way for quite a long time moving forward!"


    Garble nodded in agreement.


    "I think so too. We can''t just keep logging in at the church every time. With the event starting, the game has also opened up land plots for purchase. We could take advantage of this and grind out our own house during the event!"


    He had just glanced at the task panel earlier.


    The overwhelming number of house-building tasks showed that different types of buildings provided different experience points.


    From basic residential houses to taverns, blacksmith shops, markets¡­ it had everything!


    Among them, basic residential buildings, unlike the [Lord''s Residence] or [Edgar''s Cabin], didn''t have NPCs assigned to live in them.


    As long as the house was built within the designated area, the task reward could be obtained.


    Moreover, residential areas were also within the purchasable plots for players.


    The rules for purchasing plots only mentioned that existing buildings on the land would cost extra.


    But once you bought the land and built on it, nothing said you couldn''t claim task rewards at the same time!


    ProGamer_Daddy jumped up in excitement.


    "Is this a bug?! We better act fast! What if it gets fixed later?"


    Garble grabbed him. "Hold up, there''s still a problem."


    I chimed in to continue, "Which one of us knows how to build houses?"


    "¡­"


    The three of us exchanged glances.


    From each other''s eyes, we learned the truth.


    Great. None of us knew how.


    I sighed, holding my head in frustration.


    "I mean, I''ve built houses in plenty of hardcore games before. From tents to log cabins to futuristic sci-fi structures¡ªI know my stuff. But this game¡­ is too hardcore!"


    Even combat was realistic to the extreme, so building houses was probably no less so.


    At least for now, I didn''t see any kind of tutorial guidance for the task.


    Garble thought for a moment.


    "Let''s go ask Viktor. He might have some ideas."


    We all thought it was a good idea too.


    So, we dusted ourselves off and headed out to find him.


    ---Viktor''s POV---


    I was on a vacant lot not far from the church.


    I appeared to be sunbathing but was actually debugging the official game website''s code.


    Compared to the last time players came looking for me, the only change was that I had swapped the hard stone bench behind me for a wooden one.


    It was made using materials Edgar had purchased yesterday.


    I had just casually added it to my to-do list and ended up with a pleasant surprise.


    The moment ProGamer_Daddy walked out and saw me, he exclaimed loudly.


    "What the heck! Viktor upgraded his gear already?"


    NeverShowOff''s eyes widened in shock. "A skeleton sunbathing?! Is this some foreshadowing for a suicide-related main storyline?"


    "..."


    Just because I didn''t have ears didn''t mean I couldn''t hear you!


    I wasn''t a vampire or ghost¡ªwhy wouldn''t I be able to sunbathe? What kind of alternate-world prejudice was this?


    I shifted my position and sat up straight on the lounge chair.


    The faint blue flames in my eye sockets gazed toward the three players.


    "You need something from me?"


    "Lord Viktor, do you have any task guidance for building houses? The kind that helps us get started?"


    He quickly shoved his earlier doubts aside and focused on the real issue.


    I tilted my jaw upward, understanding their concerns.


    "Ah, that. Don''t worry, everyone has their own expertise."


    "In order to speed up the reconstruction of Honeyvale Town before the winter magic tide arrives, there will soon be a second wave of returnees. Among them is someone skilled in construction."


    "You can start by gathering materials for now."


    ProGamer_Daddy''s face fell in disappointment.


    "Ugh? Material gathering? Isn''t that just chopping wood again?"


    Currently, the town only had very primitive resources, with an abundance of nearby timber. Naturally, the houses being built were wooden ones.


    Wood gathering did come with a bit of extra reward, but compared to proper construction tasks, it offered far less experience.


    NeverShowOff nodded in agreement. "Exactly! Why is it another wood-chopping task?"


    I was at my wit''s end.


    Who was it in the video saying that chopping wood was stress-relieving? And it hasn''t even been two days yet?


    If I''d known, I wouldn''t have stayed up late adding so many new tasks!


    Finding new players was becoming increasingly urgent.


    Unfortunately, crafting new player bodies required incorporating divine fragment properties.


    So the process was slow.


    I suddenly had an idea and coughed lightly.


    "Tasks, whether big or small, are all important. Every half ten levels, Luminaris might offer new rewards."


    I almost forgot to dangle the carrot to keep the players hooked.


    "Half ten?" Garble pondered, rubbing his chin.


    "Does that mean we can learn new spells when we reach levels 5 and 10?"


    I didn''t confirm but smiled knowingly.


    Logan straightened his collar.


    "I suddenly feel like chopping wood isn''t so bad after all. I''m heading out!"


    Garble quickly followed. "Me too!"


    "Wait for me!" ProGamer_Daddy ran to catch up.


    I watched them leave, quietly relieved.


    "Thankfully, they are still so easy to fool."


    As for how long it would take them to reach level 5 or 10, that was up to me.


    After all¡­


    The experience needed to level up didn''t have to be the same for each level.


    ---Logan''s POV---


    Once we were a good distance away, I opened the game menu and was stunned.


    "What the heck?! Reaching level 3 needs 1000 experience points? Are they robbing us?"


    "No way, are you joking, man?"


    ProGamer_Daddy also opened the menu.


    He hadn''t checked it since learning his first spell yesterday because the experience had been so thrilling.


    But now that he looked, it was true!


    His jaw almost dropped.


    "Leveling up to 2 needed 100, but level 3 needs 1000?! Are they trying to fleece us?"


    Even with the extra experience from the event, at this rate... How long would it take us to reach level 5?


    Garble stared at the nearly empty progress bar and stayed quiet for a while before speaking.


    "Maybe... it''s not entirely bad."


    "From Viktor''s fireball spell, we can see that the game''s skills grow on their own, right?"


    Being a game streamer, I quickly caught on. My face lit up in understanding.


    "Exactly! The magic abilities the game teaches us are all part of a new skill system."


    "If leveling up were too easy, after one or two months, our skill slots might be completely overloaded!"


    ProGamer_Daddy looked puzzled. "Wouldn''t that be a good thing?"


    A fully versatile player? He could only imagine how awesome that would be in the game!


    I gave him a knowing look and explained as we walked.


    "Browser games love to fill the UI with skill buttons all over the screen. How''s their quality and lifespan, huh?"

 30 - What Was for Dinner? Better Not Ask

    ---Logan''s POV---


    Garble nodded in agreement beside me.


    "The production put in a lot of effort. There''s no way they''d make such a rookie mistake. I suspect they already have a complete and mature system for skill design."


    "Maybe in the end, having more skills won''t necessarily be better. Quality might matter more than quantity."


    I watched as ProGamer_Daddy looked a bit dizzy trying to follow along. "So, does this mean we don''t need to level up?"


    "Who said that?" I quickly refuted. "Quality doesn''t mean only having one skill. Playing a MOBA at least requires three active skills and one passive skill!"


    "The first skill is basically like a beginner''s gift, something you can complete in a day. It''s normal for progress to slow down after that."


    Garble continued where I left off, "But we can''t slow down. In fact, we need to level up to Level 5 as quickly as possible. Only then will we have enough time to nurture our skills!"


    So... better get started on the quests ASAP!


    We found Edgar near the large tree at the gate, preparing to leave the town.


    It seemed as though he had anticipated what quest we were going to take. Without saying much, he stuffed eight or nine Thornleaf Blades into our arms, gave a rough estimate of when we should return, and told us to report to Viktor for quest settlement when we came back.


    Then, he hurried off.


    I watched as ProGamer_Daddy''s gaze stayed on his retreating figure until it disappeared into the dense forest.


    Edgar had moved so fast, we didn''t even have a chance to say anything in response.


    "This game''s NPCs are really busy. It genuinely feels like everyone''s working together to rebuild the city!" ProGamer_Daddy commented.


    "That''s where the game''s dedication shines through," Garble replied calmly. "Even though there aren''t many NPCs in the game right now, the sense of immersion and urgency in rebuilding hasn''t diminished. This is what makes it work!"


    The Thornleaf Blades were very sharp and not exactly light. I watched as Garble dropped the blades to the ground first and called us to pick two each. The rest could be left there for now¡ªafter all, it was just the three of us in this game.


    No one would take them.


    Currently, our stamina wasn''t even close to Edgar''s, who could effortlessly carry a pile of things everywhere.


    Speaking of him, I felt a bit emotional. "If it weren''t for the promotional trailer, I wouldn''t have noticed how badass Edgar is¡ªespecially that sword he always carries!"


    Though his sword looked impressive, even just the exposed sheath and hilt spoke to its exquisite design. The first time I saw him, I kept eyeing the sword at his hip. But I didn''t think much of it. After all, it''s normal for a knight to carry a sword.


    But a sword that glowed like a lightsaber and can even create duplicates? That was not normal!


    I couldn''t help but click my tongue. "Is this the legendary ''hidden noble'' trope?"


    "More like a wounded buff," Garble said while picking through the Thornleaf Blade. "His name has the ''seriously injured'' tag in front of it. Usually, that means his strength is significantly reduced."


    ProGamer_Daddy sighed as he weighed the leaves in his hands. "Honestly, both of our faction''s NPCs are injured. Someone who didn''t know better might think we''re running a shelter for the old, weak, and sick!"


    I thought about the countdown timer I saw above Viktor''s ID earlier and spoke hesitantly. "By the way, did the countdown above Viktor''s head drop by several days compared to yesterday?"


    ProGamer_Daddy looked up suddenly, startled. "Seriously? It really dropped? When I saw it earlier, I thought I must have remembered it wrong!"


    Garble frowned slightly. "Did something happen in the game while we were offline?"


    I found this fascinating. "The server keeps running even when players are offline? Damn, the developers must be burning money!"


    "Burning money is one thing," ProGamer_Daddy said worriedly, "but what if Viktor ends up dying while we''re offline?"


    I could tell he was worried about losing our faction leader¡ªa unique NPC. If the program glitched and he somehow killed himself, the game''s beta test might end prematurely!


    I shook my head. "It''s not that bad. As long as he stays still, the countdown should go up."


    "At worst, we can coordinate and make sure there''s always someone online to keep an eye on him and stop him from doing anything crazy!"


    "I''m a gaming blogger, so I have a lot of free time."


    "I can help too," Garble quickly added.


    ProGamer_Daddy looked at us in shock. "No way! Am I the only one here working an 8h/d job?"


    "You work 8 hours a day?" I asked suspiciously. "Your login hours don''t match someone working 40h a week at all."


    I watched as his guilty eyes darted around.


    "Ahem, I''ve taken some leave these past few days. Plus, I still have unused annual leave, so I decided to use it all!"


    As he spoke, he tossed the Thornleaf Blade aside, growing more enthusiastic.


    "You''ve seen how much money this game is burning. No one knows how long it''ll last, so of course, I need to play it to the fullest!"


    I was momentarily speechless.


    Then I remembered the gifts he had sent me as a streamer and understood. It''s probably because his job was something his dad forced him to take. His full-time salary might not even be as much as his pocket money for tipping streamers.


    Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.


    No wonder he seemed so carefree.


    While chatting idly, we didn''t continue heading toward the outskirts of Honeyvale Town. Instead, we focused on cutting down all the nearby timber.


    Thanks to the "Build-A-House" event, we didn''t have to worry much about the size of the timber. Once the wood was processed into planks for settlement, the experience points wouldn''t be any less.


    Cutting trees, hauling logs, splitting wood, peeling bark... The whole morning passed just like that.


    "Whew!"


    I heard ProGamer_Daddy take a deep breath and blow hard at the wood in front of him. Sawdust flew everywhere.


    Looking at the row of cylindrical logs with bright orange-yellow cores in front of him, he leaned on the Thornleaf Blade to take a break and muttered to himself. "That should do it, right?"


    To be fair, it felt strange to use random plants as tools, but the Thornleaf Blades were really useful!


    They perfectly demonstrated what it means to have maxed-out attack power¡ªyou can do anything with them.


    Not only could they chop trees and fight monsters, but they could also be used as carving tools to process wood. And if they wore out, it didn''t even hurt to toss them.


    Having finished processing my share of wood, I walked over to inspect his work. I nodded in satisfaction.


    "Not bad! Next, we just need to leave them out to dry for a couple of days. Fresh wood can''t be used to build houses right away; otherwise, it''ll shrink and deform because of the excess moisture. The last game I played said so¡ªit should be roughly the same here."


    ProGamer_Daddy wiped the sweat off his forehead and sighed. "Never thought I''d be learning hardcore house-building in a game."


    "Feel like your collection of useless knowledge just grew?" I teased.


    Not far away, I saw Garble dragging back a pile of logs. They were tied together with vines, which he had modified slightly to roll the logs along the ground. The round logs rolled forward a bit after losing tension, bumping into each other.


    He removed the vines that were tying them together. "This is the last batch."


    "Alright! Great work!" I looked up at the sun and called out, "Let''s all take a break!"


    I pulled out three sweetfruits and tossed them to Garble, who caught them deftly. ProGamer_Daddy received a few as well, but he frowned deeply at the sweetfruit in his hands.


    "We''re eating this again? I feel like I''m going to get cavities!"


    "For now, it''s the only food we''ve got. And at 1 magicoin apiece," I said helplessly, taking a bite of my half of the sweetfruit. It crunched, and the taste wasn''t too bad.


    "If we want to improve our meals, we''ll need to go out hunting," I suggested while chewing thoughtfully.


    "Or we could see if any traveling merchants happen to pass by."


    Garble shook his head in disapproval and replied, "Based on the backstory, this forest is almost deserted by humans. Waiting for a traveling merchant could take forever."


    "It was just a suggestion," I shrugged, trying to keep things practical.


    "My fireball is basically useless, ProGamer_Daddy is our healer, and you''re the only one with any combat ability. But your role is an assassin, and we don''t have a tank. So going out hunting will have to wait."


    "Huh?" ProGamer_Daddy looked disappointed. "Nooo¡ª!"


    I patted him on the shoulder, keeping my tone comforting. "Just hang in there for now."


    With a pained expression, he swallowed the rest of the sweetfruit in his hand.


    Luckily, the feeling of fullness came quickly; two were enough to fill him up. He took a sip of water to wash away the cloying sweetness in his mouth but still looked unsatisfied in his heart.


    "I''ll go ask Viktor later. I remember we had meat the first night here."


    "Yeah, it was that worm that almost ate us," Garble interjected, a hint of amusement in his voice.


    "What?!" ProGamer_Daddy''s pupils dilated in shock.


    I nodded, remembering the incident clearly. "When I went to exchange for food, that''s exactly what Viktor told me."


    ProGamer_Daddy''s face turned green at the memory of the red-scaled worm towering over him, its mouth full of sharp teeth wide open.


    The recollection seemed to hit him particularly hard.


    "Nope, I need a moment!"


    He clutched his mouth and hurried to the bushes to retch, the sound making me wince slightly.


    Watching his miserable state, I let out a mock laugh. "Can''t handle it, huh?"


    Although my own reaction wasn''t much calmer when I first learned about it, that didn''t stop me from finding some amusement in someone else''s discomfort. After all... eating worms¡ªespecially a giant, mutated one¡ªwas gross, even if it was just game data.


    Garble noticed my gloating and explained, "Worms aren''t that bad. NPCs handle them to ensure there aren''t any parasites. Plus, because of their mucus, they even have a bit of natural saltiness. They''re actually a rare savory ingredient."


    My smile froze instantly. "... Thanks, but please stop talking."


    If this continued, I might end up throwing up too, despite my usually strong stomach.


    At that moment, a terrified and trembling shout came from the distance. "W-w-w-what the hell!"


    We instantly looked up, alert and ready for action.


    A massive creature the size of a truck was slowly approaching the village gate. Every step it took made the ground tremble beneath our feet, sending shivers up my spine.


    The monster''s appearance was horrifying¡ªlike a rotting zombie fused with countless humanoid flesh tumors, its skin covered in pustules that seemed to pulse with an unnatural life of their own.


    My nerves tightened instantly.


    Supporting myself with one hand, I scrambled to my feet. "Where did this boss-level monster come from?!"


    Compared to this monstrosity, the worm we fought two days ago seemed like a cute chibi mascot!


    "Let''s move!" Garble grabbed a Thornleaf Blade and crouched, creeping toward the giant tree near the village gate.


    I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. "We haven''t even left the starter village, and the monsters keep getting crazier!"


    I followed his lead, both of us crouching low to avoid detection.


    We hid behind the giant tree, the monster''s nauseating stench making it seem as though it was right beside us, forcing me to fight back a wave of nausea.


    I covered my nose and mouth, trying to filter out the worst of the smell. "What now?"


    "With its size, I don''t think we can handle it. Should we go find Viktor?" ProGamer_Daddy whispered nervously, his voice shaking slightly.


    Garble''s expression was serious: "Let''s watch for now."


    The next second, his pupils widened in shock.


    "Wait, it''s not a monster¡ªit''s Edgar!"


    As we looked closer, we noticed a small figure at the base of the gigantic creature, and my heart nearly stopped.


    Edgar!


    The massive creature wasn''t moving on its own; it was being carried by him!


    Realizing it was an ally, we came out from behind the tree. However, the creature he was carrying was so enormous that even greeting him felt impossible without getting too close. We could only exchange nods and follow him, maintaining a respectful distance.


    Still covering my nose against the overwhelming stench, I asked, "Is this one of the magical beasts from the storyline?"


    ProGamer_Daddy nodded grimly. "Even in death, it''s still emitting such a strong mental attack¡ªit''s definitely a monster!"


    He clearly couldn''t believe anything that looked like this could possibly belong to a normal ecosystem. I had to agree with him there.


    "Are all the monsters here oversized?" Garble muttered with a trace of concern in his eyes.


    The last monster, the red-scaled worm, was so bloated it resembled a decade-old tree. This one was even worse¡ªa massive, grotesque creature clearly built to dominate by sheer size alone.


    I grimaced. "If every monster is like this, solo players might as well give up trying to leave the starter village. You''d need at least three people to even think about surviving!"


    ProGamer_Daddy shuddered in fear. "Do you guys remember? In the intro, weren''t we supposed to survive a tide?"


    One monster was already like this.


    A whole tide of them? That was insane!


    "Not quite," a calm voice interjected. It was Viktor, who had appeared beside us at some point.


    "This is a Two-Headed Howling Wolf, one of the largest magical beasts on the outskirts of the Great Oak Forest," he explained.


    "It''s also a wolf king, so it looks even bigger than usual. Ordinary magical beasts aren''t as terrifying. Some are even smaller than rabbits."


    ProGamer_Daddy jumped in fright, startled by the sudden appearance of the undead being. "Viktor?! When did you get here?"


    "You walked near the church," Viktor replied calmly. "Why are you looking at me like that? I''m undead, not a ghost."


    "A wolf?" My jaw dropped in disbelief. "This lump of flesh is a wolf?!"


    Taking a closer look, I finally spotted two vaguely wolf-like heads among the mass of flesh and pustules. They were located at opposite ends of the body.


    The features on the heads were distorted and compressed, making them hard to recognize at first glance. Sharp teeth jutted out from their mouths, dripping with a mixture of saliva and blood that made my skin crawl.


    I compared my size to one of the heads and shuddered involuntarily. The head alone was bigger than my entire body!


    Garble swallowed nervously beside me. "Does it... have a pack?"

 31 - Living Too Long is a Hassle

    ---Viktor''s POV---


    "Of course! The remains of the gods affect entire species. For social creatures, that''s nothing unusual," I explained, gazing at the still faintly trembling blood vessels on the body of the two-headed howling wolf.


    "Don''t be fooled by its ugly appearance. The power it holds is on par with a Chosen of the Gods."


    "Strong regenerative abilities, extremely high magic affinity, and bizarre, ever-changing talents¡­ Over 600 years of iteration, most surviving magical creatures have integrated abilities from multiple gods."


    "Even a juvenile magical creature is no match for an ordinary person."


    "What is a Chosen of the Gods?" Garble asked curiously.


    "A form of divine amusement," I said. "Every Chosen of the Gods possesses the pinnacle talents of their species, alongside unique and powerful abilities bestowed by the gods."


    "In Aeltia, intelligent beings can ascend to godhood through training, learning and comprehending the laws of the world. But Chosen, they''re essentially candidates for godhood."


    "The only thing they need to do is keep breathing. Time alone will effortlessly elevate them to demigod status!"


    "What the heck? That''s the ultimate cheat code!" ProGamer_Daddy exclaimed, eyes wide.


    "Is there really a way to succeed without effort?" Garble''s tone was filled with doubt.


    I watched as he glanced at the wolf ahead and averted his gaze in disgust.


    "Chosen creatures that look like zombies¡­ Are these really legitimate gods?"


    They clearly seemed more like evil gods to him. I merely smiled, offering no explanation.


    "Wait a minute," he suddenly recalled something. "Every magical creature can supposedly become a god, but hasn''t Aeltia gone 600 years without any new gods being born?"


    I had been expecting this question.


    Before ProGamer_Daddy could finish his thought, I answered, "Because magical creatures merely possess power and talents equivalent to a Chosen, but they are not true Chosen."


    "They aren''t recognized by the world''s laws. Their growth inevitably stops at the demigod level."


    And that''s only theoretical demigod status.


    Chosen of the Gods were the lucky ones handpicked by a deity. Magical creatures, on the other hand, absorbed remnants from not just one god but often multiple gods.


    The consequences for multifaith heretics?


    I didn''t need to spell it out.


    For magical creatures to reach demigod status, an extraordinary amount of luck was required. But once a magical creature did achieve the status, not even ten saint-level mages could take it down!


    Garble couldn''t help but ask, "Why? With so many magical creatures, hasn''t there ever been an exception where one suddenly became a god?"


    I sighed. "It''s a long story¡­"


    The three players waited quietly for me to continue, but I didn''t elaborate.


    Finally, NeverShowOff couldn''t resist. "And then?"


    If it''s such a long story, shouldn''t you at least start it? His expression seemed to say.


    "The reason will have to wait for another time," I cut off the topic, meeting three pairs of resentful eyes in exchange.


    But I remained unfazed.


    Because explaining the origins of magical creatures would mean starting with the Divine War from over 600 years ago. And to explain the war, I''d have to go back even further, to the Faith Wars that involved every intelligent species in Aeltia. And to explain the Faith Wars, I''d need to dive into the gods'' early attitudes toward faith energy¡­


    Three days and three nights wouldn''t suffice to cover the foundational concepts.


    Too troublesome.


    So I simply gazed at the two-headed howling wolf, my thoughts drifting far away.


    Living too long is a hassle. Even your stories become impossible to explain clearly¡­


    The restrictions placed on magical creatures might just be the only good thing the gods did before their downfall.


    No matter how the three players pressed me, I refused to divulge more about the origins of magical creatures. Those secrets were simply beyond the scope of what players could handle for now.


    ProGamer_Daddy muttered curses under his breath. "Damn, I hate it when people leave a story half-finished!"


    I ignored him and resumed introducing the wolf in front of us.


    "The Two-Headed Howling Wolf King has three innate abilities: Corruption, Phantasmal Voice, and Split Control. It''s a level-three magical creature of moderate strength."


    "Even three advanced mages working together wouldn''t be able to deal with it."


    "This thing is only level three with a body that huge?" ProGamer_Daddy''s jaw dropped. "What''s the highest level, then?"


    "The level of a magical creature depends on how many gods'' remnants its ancestors absorbed and how many abilities it inherited. For now, there''s no upper limit."


    The three players gasped.


    I could see the thoughts running through their minds¡ªwondering about magical creatures that could fly, burrow, and do anything imaginable.


    Probably worrying about unbeatable monsters too.


    The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    I saw through their thoughts immediately and added, "No one knows the current state of the earliest conquered magical creature nesting grounds. Your guess is plausible. But the stronger the magical creature, the more severe its movement restrictions."


    "Unless there''s a once-in-a-millennium mana tide to break their bindings, ordinary people would never encounter them in their lifetime."


    "Of course, if you ever do run into one, don''t worry. My suggestion is to lie down and wait for death. If you die quickly enough, you might even leave an intact corpse."


    The three players fell silent, clearly offended by my bluntness.


    Sure, it was realistic advice, but they probably thought I didn''t have to say it so directly. Yes, fine, they couldn''t even handle a worm, but they still had their dignity.


    I watched as they fumed with frustration, banged the table, cursed the system, and vented their helplessness.


    ProGamer_Daddy reluctantly wiped his face. "Good thing we didn''t recklessly venture deeper into the wilderness. The power disparity in this game is ridiculous!"


    Up ahead, I watched as Edgar found an open spot and dropped the body of the wolf.


    Boom!


    The massive magical creature''s corpse slammed into the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.


    As the black blood flowing from its body seeped into the ground, it emitted a sizzling, corrosive sound. Starting from the point of contact, the soil began to blacken and spread outward.


    He turned to look at me as I approached.


    "Is this one enough?"


    I circled the wolf, nodding in satisfaction.


    "Plenty. An old wolf king just kicked out of its pack. The materials we can salvage from its body exceed my expectations."


    Yesterday, when I brought Alyanne back, I had deliberately left a marker in the remaining blood on the ground. As expected, the two-headed howling wolf couldn''t resist the lure of the dragonborn''s bloodline and tracked the scent of the blood. This allowed me to mark its movements successfully.


    A magical creature without a lair was far easier to deal with.


    Edgar had taken only half a day to bring it back.


    I gestured toward the church door in the distance, comparing its size to that of the two-headed howling wolf.


    "Unfortunately, its size is too large. We''ll have to cut it up to move it inside."


    "Move it inside?" NeverShowOff, who had just approached, was stunned. "Lord Viktor, what are you planning to do with this thing in the church?"


    "Careful¡ªavoid the blood flowing from the two-headed howling wolf. The corrosiveness is still so strong even after the monster is dead."


    "Won''t it burn the church floor if we store it there?"


    Actually, it was not just the floor.


    If the church weren''t the only livable place left in Honeyvale Town, I would''ve dismantled it already!


    The source of the magic node was beneath the church statue. Only near the statue was there enough magic to activate the Flesh Rebirth Array.


    This was the only option I had.


    "To activate the Flesh Rebirth Array, we need a magic-rich conversion substrate," I explained. "The second batch of compatriots carrying their mission back to Aeltia is already on their way. We need to prepare bodies for them to inhabit."


    NeverShowOff''s eyes widened in surprise. "Our bodies are made from monsters?"


    ProGamer_Daddy stepped back in fear and hugged himself. "No way! Are our bodies that gross?"


    I stood there speechless. Kid, don''t complain when you''re so fortunate! I couldn''t even use such bodies to restore my human identity yet!


    I decided to add the task of collecting conversion substrates to the revival penalties for players. From now on, every time a player resurrects, they must provide a monster corpse equivalent to the revival cost.


    Oh, and the clothes required for revival¡ªmake them provide those too!


    I scribbled this idea furiously into my notebook. Then, I began ushering people out.


    "The corpse of the two-headed howling wolf is highly corrosive. You won''t be able to handle it. I don''t need your help here for now, so you should leave."


    As soon as I finished speaking, the players who had been pestering me with endless questions instantly got up.


    "You should''ve said so earlier! We''re leaving, Lord Viktor," ProGamer_Daddy said.


    "Alright, so it really was just a story detail, not a hidden quest," NeverShowOff agreed.


    "I''m off to do quests."


    Before long, all three players had vanished. I chuckled. "They didn''t have to be so pragmatic."


    "They''re certainly full of energy," Edgar said with a complicated tone. He watched the direction in which the three players had left, his eyes filled with confusion. "I saw the lumber they brought back along the way."


    "What? Too slow for you?" I asked.


    Edgar shook his head. "Quite the opposite¡ªtheir progress is too fast."


    I watched as his eyes widened with disbelief. He muttered under his breath as he counted again, probably thinking I couldn''t hear him.


    "Ninety trees... in just a day and a half?" he whispered. "That''s enough lumber for four or five wooden houses!"


    If this task were given to the refugees outside, it would take three people half a month to complete. Even though the players'' bodies were divine avatars, effectively upgraded versions of divine chosen ones... No matter how excellent their physiques were, they still needed time to grow.


    So far, they were still ordinary people. At best, they could reduce fatigue slightly by attuning to the laws of nature while chopping trees. Theoretically, their stamina was only slightly better than average.


    But the players had turned theory into reality. They had maximized every ounce of their stamina. It was as if they were working tirelessly without ever taking a break.


    Edgar couldn''t understand.


    How could anyone, without supervision or time constraints, willingly engage in repetitive, grueling labor without even thinking of slacking off? They were more unfathomable than the zealots he probably had encountered in the past!


    "Oh, that." I sighed a little. "You''ll have to start with the concept of grind simulators."


    The essence of a hardcore gamer lay in their efficient use of time. To them, stopping while there''s stamina left is the ultimate waste! As long as their hands could still move and their hunger bar wasn''t draining HP, they would keep grinding.


    This wasn''t just hard labor¡ªit was the essential time management skill of being a top-tier player. Even wasting a single minute was disrespectful to these hardcore veterans.


    "What?" Edgar didn''t understand.


    "Never mind. Just know that they''re a group of people who continuously create miracles." A nostalgic look appeared in my eyes. "Otherwise, how could they be called nerds?"


    Don''t think I hadn''t noticed.


    When I explained the monsters earlier, all three players had shown fear of high-level monsters. But were they really afraid? More like they were waiting for me to figure out a rapid method of creating player bodies. Then, they''d brazenly charge into the depths of the Giant Oak Forest with level-one accounts¡ªeven challenging demigods!


    I stopped myself there, feeling pleased. "Once the second batch of players arrives, you''ll naturally come to understand them better."


    I looked at the neatly divided chunks of the two-headed howling wolf and cast a floating spell. A rotting wolf head floated beside me as I slowly headed into the church.


    "Let''s deal with the wolf''s corpse first; otherwise, the whole of town will reek for a week."


    "Ugh, moving monster corpses is always such a hassle. I need to find a chance to tear down the church." I muttered softly as I looked at the narrow doorway, which could only accommodate three people at once.


    ---Logan''s POV---


    Honeyvale Town had been likely abandoned for decades. The vegetation had overgrown, and the crumbling houses collapsed at the slightest push, leaving only piles of rubble.


    I scrolled through my game panel. "Great! The debris-clearing task is complete! Today''s experience gain feels faster than yesterday''s."


    "But we''re still a long way from leveling up," Garble said, less optimistic.


    He measured a piece of wood with a triangular ruler, marked it with wide flax leaves, and quickly split it in two with a blade.


    "The second batch of players is arriving soon. If we, as the first batch, can''t widen the gap with the newcomers, wouldn''t that be embarrassing?"


    "It''d be best if we could complete the two highest XP-rewarding quests in the task list before they arrive!"


    The task with the highest XP reward was to build a city wall strong enough to withstand the magic tide. But that quest was currently grayed out and unavailable, likely requiring certain conditions to unlock.


    The second-highest reward was for building residences for the two talking NPCs. I glanced at the small clearing we had just made and the pile of lumber next to it with a headache.


    "The only bad thing about this game is that quests can''t be repeated."


    To avoid new players piggybacking on our progress, we had to grind as much as possible now.


    ProGamer_Daddy yanked out a weed nearly up to his thigh, almost toppling over. The weed''s roots made up three-quarters of its entire length. He wiped his face with muddy hands, successfully smearing dirt all over it.


    "Hey, our progress isn''t bad, right? I just went offline and checked the game''s official announcement."


    "The second batch of players won''t be online for another three days¡ªin-game time, that''s six days. We should have enough time to build two wooden houses!"


    To his surprise, Garble and I both shook our heads. "Not enough!"

 32 - Struck Iron, Struck Gold

    ---Logan''s POV---


    I sighed and patted ProGamer_Daddy on the shoulder.


    "Take another careful look at the task description."


    He opened the game panel and read the task description aloud.


    "Construct a temporary residence for the lord that satisfies him?"


    "The key lies in the word satisfies," I explained.


    I pulled out the map of Honeyvale Town given to us by Edgar. More specifically, it was the reconstruction map of the town.


    "See? The houses for the two NPCs are not only assigned to specific areas, but their exact dimensions are also specified. If we want to submit the task, at the very least, we have to fully build out the designated areas!"


    The scope of the project was far beyond building a small cabin for one person.


    ProGamer_Daddy''s jaw dropped. Each task area was huge, like a whole apartment complex squeezed into one space.


    "You''ve got to be kidding me. Even temporary residences are this picky?"


    "Well, how else could building a house earn 3,000 experience points?" I shrugged helplessly.


    And constructing the houses didn''t even include gathering the raw materials.


    If we could complete these two tasks, each of us would level up at least twice!


    Garble stroked his chin thoughtfully.


    "Not that picky, honestly. To prepare for the task, I specifically asked them about their requirements."


    "Viktor is injured and spends most of his time near the church. His house mainly needs to serve as a venue for hosting guests."


    "Edgar wants to regain his strength, so he needs a big enough training area. As for his residence, a single-person wooden hut will do, but he''ll need a fence around it."


    I smacked my palm in realization.


    "You can directly ask NPCs about their needs? Why didn''t I think of that?"


    I was too used to games where NPC requirements were always spelled out in the task panel. This level of intelligence in Chronicles of Aeltia completely slipped my mind.


    "Garble, are you an immersive player?"


    "Sort of... halfway," he replied after a moment. "I used to enjoy action-packed combat, but now I want to take my time and savor things."


    ProGamer_Daddy frowned as he counted the wood we had brought back.


    "Even with the requirements clarified, we''re still short on wood."


    A guest-worthy residence for the lord and a fully enclosed fence for the training ground required a significant amount of lumber.


    And freshly cut wood couldn''t be used right away.


    I sighed helplessly. "So, all we can do is push ourselves harder and do as much as we can."


    To avoid being stuck on long-term tasks, we had been relying on small daily rewards for extra experience these past few days.


    We decided to clean up the task areas in advance to earn some quick rewards from daily tasks.


    And so, another busy afternoon passed.


    The two task areas near the church were cleaned up thoroughly.


    The weeds and debris we cleared were piled into a towering two-meter-tall garbage heap.


    Edgar was quite satisfied with the results of our hard work. He generously handed out our task rewards, including tangible magicoins.


    Earlier at noon, when we rushed to eat, we exchanged our task progress just for some sweet fruits, so we didn''t get to see the magicoins.


    Now, I watched as Garble held up a brownish-yellow skeletal coin with a face value of 100 and squinted at the setting sun through it.


    No matter the angle, the coin''s surface reflected a fractured chain symbol.


    I walked over and chuckled.


    "Still staring at it? That''s all our wealth right there¡ªdon''t lose it!"


    Magicoins were even harder to earn than experience.


    Some tasks required completing multiple steps just to earn a single magicoins.


    For tasks like chopping wood, the ratio was five experience points to one magicoins.


    After a full day of chopping trees, pulling weeds, and collecting garbage, we had barely managed to earn 100 coins.


    Since the only items available for purchase in the game right now were food and clothing, we didn''t have immediate use for them.


    So, we exchanged the small coins with Edgar for a lighter 100-value coin, which one person carried for safekeeping.


    I watched as Garble carefully stashed the coin away.


    "I just think it''s amazing that the in-game currency has an anti-counterfeiting system," he commented.


    My expression turned thoughtful. "You''re right. Does that mean we could theoretically make counterfeit coins that NPCs wouldn''t notice?"


    Uh-oh.


    This game was too free and dangerously tempting!


    I tossed a sweet fruit over to Garble. "Let''s talk about that later¡ªtime to eat!"


    He caught the fruit with ease, sighed, and remarked as he looked at it.


    "More eating¡­ and I''ll have to eat again after logging off later."


    Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    "Why are you and ProGamer_Daddy both complaining about sweet fruit now?" I laughed.


    I, on the other hand, was quite satisfied with this food, which took just a few bites to eliminate hunger.


    It was practically a godsend for people like me who didn''t enjoy cooking or eating.


    I looked around and asked curiously.


    "By the way, where''s ProGamer_Daddy? Is he hiding because he doesn''t want to eat?"


    "He thinks our tree-chopping efficiency is too low and wants to build a chainsaw," Garble replied.


    Although the Thornleaf Blade was versatile, it was far from specialized. If we could create a chainsaw, our efficiency would increase four or five times.


    "Now? Isn''t the timing a bit tight?" I frowned.


    Our technology level was still primitive.


    Creating an industrial-era chainsaw out of the blue in six days was impossible and would only delay our current tasks.


    Garble thought for a moment. "He said he didn''t need a motor. A hand-cranked chainsaw would still be faster than chopping with Thornleaf Blades. And the required materials are simple. He plans to use his meal breaks and downtime to get it done."


    My jaw dropped in surprise.


    "A chainsaw without a motor? Only he could come up with that!"


    Still, if we could pull it off, the benefits would be huge.


    "Where is he? I''ll go help him!" I offered eagerly.


    "No idea. He said he wasn''t sure what materials he needed, so he just went wandering," Garble replied, biting into his sweet fruit.


    He then shared ProGamer_Daddy''s earlier theory with me.


    The hardness of Thornleaf Blade was excellent, so ProGamer_Daddy planned to process it into interchangeable cutting blades for the chainsaw.


    The only thing missing was gears and chains. Ideally, they''d make these parts out of iron or alloy, but without the means to do so, they had to look for suitable plant substitutes.


    I felt a wave of exasperation. "So it''s still just a theory?"


    All that excitement for nothing!


    Garble shrugged. "If we could find an iron deposit, I could smelt some, but that''s a big if."


    Just then, we heard ProGamer_Daddy shouting from a distance.


    "Hey! Look what I found!"


    I looked up to see him running toward us, his head covered in tangled green vines, looking like a green-haired ghost.


    The sight nearly made me choke on my sweet fruit.


    "Who''s there, you demon spirit?!"


    Garble pulled the dark green vines off ProGamer_Daddy''s head and asked curiously, "Aren''t these the vines I used earlier to haul logs? Can they really be used as chainsaw chains?"


    I had to admit the tenacity of the vine was impressive.


    No wonder he had used it as a rope, left it at the edge of the town, and planned to use it again tomorrow.


    But surely, the functionality of a chain couldn''t be replaced by a vine, right?


    "Did you drop this? That''s fantastic!" ProGamer_Daddy''s face lit up with joy. "Garble, do you remember where you found this vine?"


    I couldn''t help but interject, my expression a mix of disbelief and amusement.


    "Wait a minute. Are you really planning to use this... as a biological chainsaw?"


    "Hmm? A biological chainsaw?"


    It took him two seconds to grasp the meaning, and he decisively shook his head.


    "Chains need to pair with gears. Where would you find mechanical parts growing out of the ground? What I found is something else entirely!"


    "What do you mean by something else?" I asked, but he was already buried head-first in the pile of vines, rummaging around.


    It took a while, but finally, dripping with sweat, he found his target¡ªits roots.


    "Now this," he said triumphantly, holding up a particularly thick section, "is what I''m talking about!"


    A vine tough enough to withstand the friction of hundreds of pounds naturally had an impressive root system.


    Garble didn''t bother dealing with it. He simply took a section of the vine root and left, with some dirt still clinging to it.


    It was this bit of dirt, carried by him as he wandered around the edge of the town, that ProGamer_Daddy regarded as a treasure.


    "What do you all see?" ProGamer_Daddy held up the root expectantly.


    Garble leaned in to inspect the vine''s root system. He was the one who had found it.


    "If there was something special about it," he mused aloud, "I should have noticed by now, right?"


    After a moment of scrutiny, he tentatively ventured, "It''s... greener than an average vine?"


    I tested the hardness of the dirt. "It''s really as hard as stone. No wonder it stayed stuck to the root and didn''t fall off. I bet it wasn''t easy for you to cut it off."


    "Wrong! Completely wrong!" ProGamer_Daddy wore an expression of pained disappointment. "You''ve only seen the surface, not the essence!"


    "The essence?" I raised an eyebrow. "What essence?"


    He held the vine root up to the sunset. The root immediately reflected a faint metallic sheen.


    "Watch carefully," he instructed, turning it slowly. "Metallic luster, dense and solid soil, and tiny metal particles within..."


    He sniffed and exhaled with admiration.


    "This is the scent of iron ore!"


    "Iron ore?!" Garble and I spoke in unison.


    "No way," Garble said, breaking off a chunk of dirt attached to the root and sniffing it. His eyes widened. "Holy... it really does smell metallic!"


    ProGamer_Daddy smirked proudly. "Right? The place where you found this vine¡ªwasn''t the vegetation there incredibly lush?"


    "Now that you mention it..." Garble nodded firmly, scratching his chin. "It was unusually thick compared to the rest of the area."


    Though the vegetation in the Great Oak Forest was already abundant, the area around Honeyvale Town, now an abandoned settlement, had only begun to sprout wild grass in recent years.


    "That''s it! The higher mineral content near iron ore can sometimes promote vegetation growth!"


    I stared at ProGamer_Daddy in shock, seeing him in a new light. "What the heck! You know how to identify ore veins? What other surprises are you hiding?"


    "Hehe!" He scratched his head shyly. "I did a bit of research online last night."


    "Research?" I pressed.


    "Well," he explained, "I''ve tinkered with similar things before, but making a chainsaw isn''t something you just wing, you know? Had to look up how to find iron ore and smelt it first."


    "And you actually found some?" I couldn''t hide my amazement. "Talk about beginner''s luck!"


    Garble''s expression suddenly turned serious. "Hold on a second, though. About that location..."


    "What''s wrong?" ProGamer_Daddy asked.


    "I still remember where I found the vine. It''s near the river, though a bit far from town, and the area might not be safe," Garble explained, his voice growing concerned.


    "How far are we talking about?" I asked.


    "Remember that worm we ran into?" Garble grimaced. "Even further than that."


    "You went that far alone?" ProGamer_Daddy gasped. "That''s incredibly dangerous!"


    "I know, I know," Garble raised his hands defensively. "I only went because the vine was so long. Pure luck nothing happened."


    "But if we''re going to mine iron ore..." I trailed off.


    "The noise would attract everything within miles," Garble finished my thought. "And we barely escaped one worm last time."


    "Also, smelting iron requires a container that can withstand high temperatures," I added, trying to be practical.


    "Huh? I thought we could start mining right away!" ProGamer_Daddy looked disappointed, slumping halfway. "At this rate, how many years until I get my chainsaw?"


    My eyes suddenly lit up with an idea. "Wait... we can''t mine it ourselves, but someone else can!"


    "You mean..." He caught on, his enthusiasm returning. "Viktor and the others?"


    "Exactly!" Garble nodded vigorously. "If our faction suddenly gains a new resource, the faction leader needs to know about it!"


    As if summoned by our conversation, Viktor and Luminaris, appeared in the distance.


    "Talk about perfect timing!" I whispered excitedly.


    "Lord Viktor¡ª!" The three of us shouted and rushed over, bombarding him and the light orb with a flurry of excited words.


    ---Viktor''s POV---


    My mind was spinning from the three players'' cacophony.


    "One at a time!" I commanded, raising a hand for silence. "Start from the beginning."


    After much effort, I managed to extract the key information from their chatter.


    "You''re saying... you discovered an iron ore vein near Honeyvale?!"


    I didn''t have ears as an undead, so it wasn''t like I misheard.


    "Are you absolutely certain?"


    How could there be an iron ore vein near the town?


    Though abandoned now, it had once been a bustling settlement.


    If there really was iron ore, it couldn''t have gone undiscovered. The mineral veins in Aeltia weren''t ordinary; they often held treasures.


    What''s more, there was a mana node nearby!


    This was too significant to ignore. Without hesitation, I ordered, "Show me the location!"


    At the same time, I instructed Luminaris to call Edgar over.


    If the area was too dangerous, we''d need a reliable fighter.


    Edgar arrived swiftly upon hearing about the potential iron ore discovery.


    Our group followed the river near the town, marching toward the spot.


    Within a kilometer of Honeyvale Town, my array kept the area secure.


    Garble led us to the place, right at the edge of the protective array.


    Just thirty steps forward, and we would enter a hunting zone for magical creatures. This area was also close to the unpredictable Duskwind River.


    The fact that he had safely wandered there without incident was pure luck.


    The destination he pointed out had vegetation so thick it resembled a natural green fortress of vines and plants.


    I glanced at the sediment-stained riverbank not far away.


    Taking out a black magic wand, I inserted it into the moist riverbed. The wand''s surface glimmered faintly with gold.


    After five seconds, I pulled it out. The wand''s base had grown noticeably thicker, coated in black particles.


    Edgar asked, "What''s that?"


    "Iron sand." I examined the nearby vegetation. "It''s confirmed, there''s an iron ore vein here!"

 33 - What the Miners Left Behind

    ---Viktor''s POV---


    I still couldn''t understand how there could be a mine right under everyone''s noses in Honeyvale Town.


    But the iron sand being pulled up by the magnetic force didn''t lie.


    The iron reserves in this vein seemed quite substantial!


    ProGamer_Daddy stared at my wand in amazement.


    "Whoa, what kind of magic is this?"


    "It''s not magic; it''s science."


    With a flick of my wrist, I caused the faint golden glow on the wand to flicker on and off.


    The iron sand, small as grains of dust, trickled back down to the riverbank.


    "A little spell that makes ordinary objects magnetic," I explained, turning to him. "It''s intermediate magic. You guys won''t be able to learn it just yet."


    ProGamer_Daddy''s joy froze on his face.


    "Otherworldly magic follows the laws of science?"


    "Why wouldn''t it?" I countered.


    "There''s not much difference between magic and science in application. For example, combining fire magic and wind magic stirs the water elements in the air to create heat waves."


    "Casting water magic requires following fluid dynamics principles to produce varying effects..."


    "If magic exists, it is inherently a form of science."


    I noticed NeverShowOff''s mouth twitch at hearing the term "fluid dynamics" coming from what he probably saw as an NPC who looked like they belonged in a high fantasy setting.


    "This feels a little too grounded in reality," he muttered.


    Garble was silent for a moment. "It''s like attending some kind of specialized technical class."


    I could see him thinking back to something, his expression growing more troubled by the second.


    Noticing the heavy expressions on the three players'' faces, Edgar tried to console them. "Don''t worry. Most magic users don''t study these things either. Even the magnetic spell from earlier is unique to Viktor''s research."


    "That''s just because other magicians don''t understand the concept of using science to enhance their magic!" I retorted seriously.


    "But you''re different. As Watchers, you should be able to judge for yourselves whether what I''m saying makes sense."


    Of course, these weren''t my original theories.


    They were the distilled wisdom of countless predecessors I''d brought over from Earth.


    I had only one goal in saying all this: To correct the players'' understanding of magic.


    Magic wasn''t omnipotent.


    Aeltia wasn''t a high-magic world.


    Or rather, at levels below the divine, magic wasn''t enough to solve every problem.


    It was more like an alternative form of science. A tool, just like any other piece of technology.


    So.


    Stop subtly asking if there''s some magic that could instantly build all of Honeyvale Town overnight!


    I sighed.


    If such a spell existed, would I have bothered summoning players from another world to help out?


    "So¡­ does this game really replicate the physics of reality one-to-one?" NeverShowOff''s eyes widened.


    I could see the amazement in his expression as he contemplated a world where magic and technology were combined.


    Before the three players could make sense of it, I brushed the remaining iron sand off my wand and walked toward the location Garble had mentioned¡ªthe place where the vines were found.


    After some exploration, we indeed uncovered a hollow area.


    I opened my NPC panel and issued a task to clear out the overgrown plants.


    The players quickly pushed aside their mind-boggling theories about magic and eagerly accepted the task.


    Clearing the surface weeds turned out to be surprisingly easy.


    Before long, we uncovered a massive stone slab beneath the foliage.


    Working together, we managed to pry it up.


    Bang!


    The stone slab fell to the side, revealing a small iron mine entrance just wide enough for two people to pass through simultaneously.


    The entrance, weathered by time, had only two frayed ropes remaining where a ladder once stood. Rusted and dark, the surrounding area was ominous.


    The mine entrance looked like a gaping maw, the light barely penetrating the depths below.


    Edgar reached out to sense the area. "The flow of magic seems normal. It should be safe down there."


    I nodded in acknowledgment. "Alright, let''s head down and take a look!"


    The three players followed closely behind.


    ---


    Because of the proximity to the river, the walls of the mine were slippery and covered in moss.


    The players'' attempts to descend were a series of comedic blunders.


    "Ahhhhh¡ª"


    Thud!


    Thud!


    Thud!


    Three dull, heavy thuds echoed as their bodies hit the ground.


    I had wisely stepped aside just before they slipped and fell, avoiding being crushed under their collective weight.


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    Looking at them sprawled in a heap, their eyes rolled back, I shook my head in disappointment.


    Too weak.


    The players were still too weak.


    They struggled with even descending a mine shaft. They weren''t taking their magic training seriously enough!


    Fortunately, the mine wasn''t very deep, and the players had only fallen halfway.


    Their injuries were minor¡ªat worst, a twisted ankle or a few scrapes.


    Painful, but not serious.


    I turned to leave but suddenly paused, a thought crossing my mind.


    Wait!


    If their gameplay involved only grunt work and they constantly suffered minor injuries that couldn''t be blocked out by the pain filter¡­


    What kind of masochist would keep playing?


    That wouldn''t do. I needed a solution!


    Looking at Garble, the player with the fastest progress in magic training, inspiration struck me.


    I used a levitation spell to separate the three players and then turned to him.


    "I remember you''re practicing Wind Manipulation Magic. Why didn''t you use it earlier?"


    "Me?" Garble staggered to his feet, wincing. "It can make you fly?"


    From his hesitation, I could tell he had probably only practiced the basics during his training today. The spell''s initial effects typically just enhanced internal energy, making the body quicker and more agile.


    He likely thought flying was far-fetched.


    "Of course!" I replied matter-of-factly. "Wind Manipulation is the fundamental spell for all wind-based magic."


    "Manipulation means to guide and command. If you can fully master the wind, why wouldn''t you be able to fly?"


    Garble was speechless.


    I watched Garble''s expression shift from confusion to understanding.


    He seemed to grasp the concept, but his furrowed brows suggested he was struggling with the practical application.


    Besides, how could anyone have anticipated NeverShowOff''s slippery hands, which had caused him and ProGamer_Daddy to tumble down as well?


    NeverShowOff continued rubbing his sore muscles, and I noticed a sudden change in his expression¡ªlike he''d just realized something.


    I watched as he studied me, probably wondering about my timing in bringing this up.


    ProGamer_Daddy groaned, clutching his bruised backside. "Could it be¡­ are we so bad that even Viktor can''t stand to watch anymore?"


    I watched as NeverShowOff''s eyes lit up with understanding.


    He elbowed Garble, cutting off whatever the latter was about to say, and whispered urgently, "Quick! Go along with it! This must be a hidden quest!"


    I suppressed a smile. If an NPC suddenly initiated a conversation on a specific topic, it had to be a hidden quest, right?


    Garble, catching on, felt both thrilled and nervous. He immediately replied, "What do I need to do?"


    Ahead of us, Edgar paused and turned back, puzzled by the commotion behind him.


    I pretended to think deeply before replying. "Hmm¡­ I just happen to have a training manual for basic magic techniques."


    ---Third POV---


    "I''ll take it!" Garble exclaimed, both surprised and delighted.


    It really was a hidden quest! So this game wasn''t just about leveling up¡ªthere were good rewards too!


    At the same time, a mission prompt appeared on his game panel.


    ---


    [Successfully accepted a time-limited mission!]


    [Complete the following tasks within two days to receive the following rewards: Essentials for Basic Spell Training, and more.]


    [Task 1: Use Windwalking Spell 8 times.]


    [Task 2: Complete 10 instances of the Wood Collection task.]


    [Task 3: ¡­]


    [¡­]


    ---


    As he scanned through the list, he couldn''t help but click his tongue.


    The density of these tasks¡ªthis wasn''t something an average player could handle!


    Using the Windwalking Spell consumed a lot of stamina, and most of the other tasks were labor-intensive.


    The only advantage was that he could decide when to start. To complete it, he would have to dedicate an entire day, using the two in-game days with perfect efficiency.


    The difficulty was so high.


    But instead of feeling frustrated, Garble grew even more excited about the final reward.


    The conditions to trigger the mission were strict, mostly because Viktor spent most of his time in town either surfing the internet or, er, recovering from injuries.


    Completing it would be time-consuming and exhausting.


    What kind of hidden reward would justify this level of difficulty?


    Garble, practically itching to dive into the tasks, clicked to accept it.


    ProGamer_Daddy, standing nearby, was green with envy.


    "Great Viktor, what about me? Do I have any quests related to the Holy Light Spell?"


    Looking at ProGamer_Daddy''s eager and expectant gaze, Viktor felt a headache brewing.


    So now that you need something, you''re calling me "Great Viktor," huh?


    "There isn''t one! The Holy Light Spell is really just a healing spell with minimal growth potential."


    "Ugh¡ª" ProGamer_Daddy looked crestfallen. "Does that mean there''s no future for the Light Magic system in this game?"


    Just then, Edgar, who had been silent, cleared his throat.


    "The Holy Light Spell is a foundational spell that every mage under the Radiant Church must learn. Though it lacks versatility, it is closely tied to many advanced Light Magic techniques. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me."


    At this, the players'' faces all went blank¡ªfour in total. No, make that four faces and one glowing orb.


    Because Luminaris, who hadn''t been bound by Viktor''s mental imprint and thus couldn''t understand player language, had been dozing off on Viktor''s shoulder.


    The moment Edgar spoke, he suddenly woke up.


    "Absolutely not! I disagree!"


    Luminaris turned entirely red, his tone angry.


    "Light Magic cannot be taught to those undead of unknown origin! They don''t even have reverence for the God of Light!"


    Viktor smacked it back down with one hand. "Your objection is invalid! Why do you even care about God of Light? And since when do you get a say here?"


    He patted Edgar on the shoulder with satisfaction.


    "Comrade, you really didn''t let the organization down!"


    If Edgar was willing to cooperate, then the players'' progress with Light Magic training wouldn''t need Viktor to worry about it at all.


    He had thought Edgar might find these "house-play" quests designed to excite players to be too much of a hassle.


    Nearby, the players were huddled together, whispering.


    "Wait, Edgar is a healer too?!" ProGamer_Daddy exclaimed.


    Logan nodded eagerly, gesturing towards Edgar. "He''s both tanky and strong. If he ever switches sides mid-game, he will be tough to deal with!"


    "He''s probably getting nerfed in the next patch," Garble muttered, throwing a cautious glance at Edgar.


    Their voices weren''t exactly quiet, so everyone present could hear them clearly.


    ---Viktor''s POV---


    Edgar fell silent, suddenly regretting his earlier decision. I chuckled awkwardly and, switching to Aeltia Common Tongue to screen the players out, said, "Players are like that¡ªthey''re unpredictable and love to talk nonsense. You can just pretend you didn''t hear it."


    "I understand," he replied, also switching to the Common Tongue. "I just hope they can truly achieve the miracles you described."


    I could tell from his expression that if that meant tolerating their antics, he would endure it. After all, it was far simpler than the challenges the players would eventually face.


    After walking some distance through the damp, slippery mine tunnels, I stopped, leading the way with the players following behind me.


    NeverShowOff carefully lit the way forward with a tiny flame on his fingertip.


    Although Luminaris was a glowing orb, he couldn''t even illuminate a one-meter radius. On the other hand, NeverShowOff''s Fireball Spell, while still far from being an actual "ball," emitted light comparable to a 30W desk lamp.


    As long as he didn''t try to make the flame bigger or throw it, he could keep it going for quite a while.


    I heard him sigh helplessly behind me.


    "I didn''t expect my skill talent to only be good for illumination."


    "Don''t be discouraged, man!" ProGamer_Daddy avoided a puddle and encouraged him. "From my experience with games, Fireball will definitely be a major carry in combat mode! The future is bright!"


    NeverShowOff gave a bitter smile. "I hope so. Right now, I don''t even have a proper training direction¡­"


    I knew I was the only NPC who knew the Fireball Spell, but I had already assigned Garble a task. There was no way I could teach NeverShowOff at the same time.


    "But I''ve seen what an advanced Fireball Spell can do! I won''t give up!"


    Garble glanced at his quest log. "My quest reward includes the Essentials for Basic Spell Training. It doesn''t say it''s exclusive to Windwalking. Maybe we can share it when the time comes."


    "Really? You''re the best!"


    The chatter behind us was really lively.


    Edgar leaned closer to me and commented, finding it noisy but also showing a complicated sense of amazement, "You really do understand them well¡ªgetting them back on track so quickly."


    I could see why he''d say that. Normally, players'' energy levels were already frighteningly high. Now, their enthusiasm was practically visible!


    "Honestly, it exceeded even my expectations," I admitted.


    The quest I initially planned to release wasn''t nearly as demanding as this one. But due to a glitch in the NPC panel, I accidentally selected multiple options, resulting in the added difficulty. To my surprise, Garble and the other players accepted it so readily.


    Along the way, they discussed how to efficiently plan their two days, even brainstorming ways to exploit "bugs" with the help of other players.


    Their morale was sky-high.


    I began to reflect. It seemed I needed to pay more attention to diversifying quests in the future to better motivate them.


    The air grew heavier with the smell of rust. The narrow, winding mine tunnel finally reached an end. I stopped and maneuvered past an abandoned mining cart and some old equipment.


    "This quickly?" I muttered in surprise.


    Based on the depth of the ore deposits near the Frostwind Plains, this distance should only lead to the first layers of extractable iron ore. Frowning, I examined the walls of the mine tunnel.


    In a corner, I found a few fragments of ore.


    "What''s wrong?" Edgar asked.


    "This is a vein that was barely mined!" I said as I studied the abandoned site.

 34 - Goddess of Wisdom, Mother of Monsters

    ---Viktor''s POV---


    Very strange.


    Although Aeltia''s level of technology was not advanced, it had entered the Iron Age.


    Mining for iron and silver ore shouldn''t be a problem.


    With such a large ore vein right on Honeyvale Town''s doorstep, there was no reason it wouldn''t have been mined.


    I picked up a piece of iron ore fragment scattered on the ground and crushed it with force.


    The stone couldn''t withstand the hardness of my hand bones and easily crumbled.


    The scent of rust permeated the air.


    My heart sank. "Not only has no mining taken place, but the quality of the iron ore is shockingly good!"


    Honeyvale Town has been abandoned for at least decades, if not a hundred years.


    The nearby river kept the environment in the mine damp, making the iron ore prone to oxidation and rust.


    Yet despite this, the fragments of ore showed medium quality, remaining highly usable!


    This suggests how exceptional the quality of the ore vein had to be.


    Edgar''s expression was equally grim. "I''ll check out the mine entrance."


    He stepped away from the players pushing and chatting behind him and quickly disappeared around the corner of the mine tunnel.


    Seeing how seriously we were treating the situation, NeverShowOff straightened his expression.


    "Isn''t high-quality iron ore a good thing?"


    ---


    Luminaris, perched on my shoulder, sneered twice. "Hah, ignorant undead of another world!"


    Though he wasn''t clear where I had found the peculiar creatures, his observations over the past two days had confirmed that the undeads retained their stereotypically low intelligence.


    He was about to taunt them further in Aeltia Common Tongue when I silenced him without mercy.


    Hasn''t learned his lesson after two days of quiet, has he?


    I turned to the players to explain, "Putting aside other factors, high-quality iron ore is, of course, a good thing."


    "There''s a magical node at the center of Honeyvale Town where magic flows steadily and is of higher concentration. Within its influence, nearby natural resources are richer."


    "Moreover, it makes it more likely to produce magical resources like starlight stone or enchanted iron. The ore vein before us absolutely meets the baseline for generating magic-infused minerals!"


    Even if the magical node in Honeyvale Town wasn''t particularly powerful, the quality of the ore vein alone could compensate.


    If we could extract enchanted iron with properties similar to the hypothesized enchanted ore, it would greatly benefit the town.


    Since Honeyvale had been chosen as the players'' starting point and my place to recover, we would need to survive the magical tide in winter¡ªa challenge we could not avoid.


    I had already posted a mission in the game''s quest log for constructing defensive walls to resist the tide.


    However, I locked it in the first slot, making it inaccessible to players for now.


    The reason was simple: we currently lacked the resources to complete the objective.


    The quest was listed only to warn players in advance, so they wouldn''t be caught off guard and overwhelmed when the magical tide arrived.


    But with enchanted iron, things would change!


    Enchanted iron had high magical resistance, capable of absorbing and converting most magical attacks while also being physically durable.


    This made it an ideal material for the first line of defense¡ªprotective city walls against the magical tide.


    While Edgar was still investigating, I patiently introduced this to the players.


    Their eyes lit up with excitement.


    They ignored the technical talk about Aeltia''s mining principles and focused only on the final point.


    ProGamer_Daddy grabbed my skeletal hand and asked eagerly, "So, if we mine enchanted iron, we can unlock the lucrative city wall construction mission?"


    "Uh... if we can actually mine enchanted iron," I hesitated before replying.


    I had only said there was a possibility of finding enchanted iron, not a certainty.


    Moreover, the process of refining enchanted iron and constructing defensive walls involved many additional challenges.


    However, disregarding the subsequent mission difficulty, mining the enchanted iron would indeed fulfill the unlocking conditions.


    Having an enchanted iron ore deposit hanging overhead would serve as a better reminder of the impending magical tide than the abstract locked mission.


    "Great!"


    This was all he needed to hear.


    NeverShowOff looked enviously at him. "Nice job, man! This find wasn''t a waste at all!"


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    Garble frowned. "Don''t celebrate too soon. Mining this ore probably won''t be so easy."


    "Oh, right!" ProGamer_Daddy scratched his head. "Lord Viktor, can we actually mine this vein?"


    The three players looked at me expectantly.


    I simply smiled without answering, turning instead to look behind them.


    There, Edgar had returned.


    His expression was even graver than when he had left.


    "Confirmed. There''s a sealing array on the wooden boards at the mine entrance. But the mage who set it up wasn''t particularly skilled, and it''s long since deteriorated over time."


    Oh, he had spent some time restoring the traces of the array to figure out its purpose.


    I lowered my head in thought. "As expected. Was it a magic-sealing array?"


    "Correct," he replied. "The caster originally tried to create a siphoning array to drain the magical energy."


    I sighed. "Unfortunately, they failed."


    ProGamer_Daddy, listening to our conversation, was utterly confused.


    "What does sealing magic even mean? Does it mean we can''t mine this vein?"


    NeverShowOff surveyed the mine tunnel surroundings.


    "Why does this sound less like an ore vein and more like some monster containment zone?"


    "Unfortunately, you guessed correctly," I suddenly said.


    ???


    They immediately formed a comically exaggerated defensive stance, standing back-to-back.


    "What evil being dares appear? Show yourself now!" ProGamer_Daddy shouted.


    NeverShowOff carefully held up a flame on his fingertip, wary of anything lurking in the shadows ready to bite him.


    "Wait, are there actually monsters¡ªor, uh, magic creatures¡ªnearby?"


    Garble''s back tensed. "Not sure, but there''s no activity at the moment!"


    I watched their antics in silence.


    The players'' knowledge of magical creatures was still too limited, leaving me to explain.


    "Not right now. But if you dig a little deeper, it''s a different story."


    Magical creatures come in diverse forms with various abilities.


    Their living habits vary accordingly.


    "So some magical creatures like to nest in ore veins?" Garble speculated.


    "No. Magical creatures can''t move far distances, but that doesn''t mean they dislike movement. Nesting in ore veins locks them to one spot."


    I quickly dismissed his guess and revealed the truth.


    "However, ore veins rich in magical properties can be used by magical creatures¡ªor even consumed as food."


    "... The ore vein serves as a hatchery for magical creatures."


    "A hatchery?!"


    I watched as the three players immediately relaxed their tense nerves.


    ProGamer_Daddy wiped the non-existent sweat off his forehead.


    "Geez, just unhatched monster eggs. Scared the life out of me."


    "False alarm," NeverShowOff patted his chest. "Lord Viktor, next time, could you finish your sentence in one breath?"


    This dramatic pause nearly gave them all a heart attack!


    "Garble" let out a sigh of relief. "Unhatched monsters probably don''t have much combat power¡­right?"


    I noticed how his tone grew less confident as he looked between Edgar and me.


    "In general, that''s true," I explained. "Before monsters successfully hatch, they''re indeed in one of the few fragile phases of their lives."


    "But once they break out of their shells, they seamlessly inherit their first God''s Chosen talent and step into a path of unrivaled power among their peers."


    Unlike true Chosen of the Gods, who have to painstakingly awaken their talents, monsters skip this step entirely thanks to their ability to absorb divine remnants. Over time, they''ll awaken their second and third talents as well¡­


    "But not in this case," Edgar chimed in without missing a beat.


    ProGamer_Daddy gasped. "You''re kidding, right? Monsters that can attack with their placenta while still in the egg?!"


    I nearly burst out laughing as I watched Edgar swallow his words, his expression growing increasingly complex.


    I could tell that he was doing his best to accept the player group''s antics. But their irreverence and lack of restraint were truly beyond what most natives of Aerteia could tolerate.


    I cleared my throat. "Let me explain."


    As mentioned earlier, monsters could consume magically-infused minerals as food. To be precise, this food was intended for unhatched monsters.


    So, monster eggs could absorb external energy to speed up their hatching process.


    But aside from minerals, the primary food source for adult monsters was intelligent beings¡ªhumans, elves, sirens¡­all on their menu!


    Even while in the egg, monsters had already added humans to their diet.


    If someone recklessly mined these veins and accidentally fell into a monster hatchery¡­


    Losing an arm or a leg would be the least of their concerns.


    The real fear was that eating just a bit of flesh might give the monster enough energy to hatch prematurely.


    I made my tone gravely serious, "I don''t know the exact time Honeyvale Town was destroyed."


    The last time I visited was 400 years ago, after all.


    "But judging from the signs of decay in the town, it''s been abandoned for at least 50 years. That means the mine was discovered over 50 years ago, and with it, the hidden magical creature hatchery inside."


    This timeline likely coincides closely with Honeyvale''s downfall.


    After all, if monsters were nesting right at their doorstep, sealing the mine would have been the only option¡ªa method no thriving town would normally resort to.


    But 50 years was a long time.


    A monster that had been hatching for over 50 years¡­


    Even if it was just hatched, the players wouldn''t stand a chance against it.


    Even I was not entirely confident I could defeat it now.


    "So you''re saying the monster in the mine could break free at any moment?" NeverShowOff asked.


    "Of course! After 50 years, even if it''s not fully formed, it''s definitely not some weak yolk-and-egg-white situation. It''d be insanely strong!" ProGamer_Daddy declared confidently.


    I wanted to explain that monster eggs weren''t like chicken or bird eggs. But this analogy was easier for them to grasp. Once they saw a real monster egg, they''d understand. I kept these thoughts to myself and didn''t elaborate further.


    Still, after learning about the powerful monster lurking nearby, I noticed the players'' fear and anxiety lasted only a short while.


    What followed was endless excitement.


    A monster incubating for over 50 years? That sounds like the first major boss for new players, right?


    Though they couldn''t defeat it yet, that didn''t stop them from pestering me for specific details about the monster.


    After all, doing a bit of research to prepare for a boss fight never hurt.


    These were things I had planned to share anyway, so I went ahead and explained.


    For instance, how could a monster egg eat meat inside its shell?


    Take the example of the two-headed howling wolf, whose body was covered in corrosive pustules.


    It dissolved meat into a nutrient-rich liquid that could be absorbed.


    Monsters might lack familial bonds, but they still had a strong instinct to protect their offspring.


    Before leaving their eggs behind, adult monsters ensured the hatchery was well-equipped with nutrients and defenses to safeguard their young.


    I stroked my chin and speculated, "The residents of Honeyvale likely sealed the mine hastily because they feared the hatchery would take over the entire vein."


    "A monster that even an entire town couldn''t handle?" Garble was deeply alarmed.


    I could see this gave him a clearer understanding of the power disparity between ordinary people and monsters in the game''s setting.


    NeverShowOff frowned in thought. "Is there any class that can tame monsters as tools?"


    "No," I said decisively. "Monsters can only ever be enemies. They''re fundamentally different from normal animals and completely impossible to communicate with!"


    "They''re one of the key triggers of the apocalypse prophecy!"


    Yes, the prophecy used as the players'' introductory plot was mostly fabricated¡ªbut this part was undeniably true.


    Six hundred years ago, the gods fell, changing countless things.


    Only species without intelligence could absorb the divine remnants and transform into monsters. And monsters'' diets exclusively consist of intelligent beings¡ªwithout exception.


    Unlike other species, monsters grow less intelligent over time, eventually becoming completely brain-dead.


    They could only extend their lives by consuming intelligent beings and "stealing" their intelligence.


    This fundamental conflict couldn''t be reconciled or changed. So, the concept of a monster tamer didn''t exist.


    Garble nodded in realization. "Trading intelligence for power and longevity¡ªit''s no wonder you don''t consider them part of the ecosystem."


    This method of growth and survival was less like a biological process and more like a machine operating on extreme parameters.


    "Why? Why would such a bizarre creature exist?" ProGamer_Daddy was utterly baffled.


    "Who knows?" I shrugged indifferently. "It''s just how it is."


    "Maybe it has something to do with the fact that the Goddess of Wisdom was the first to die."