Clearing the Newbie Village in three days, unlocking a new map, the progress shouldn't be considered slow.
Not sure how it compares to other players,
Yang Qizhou thought of the Deceit Bureau members and chuckled mischievously. He didn't deny the nobility of their character, but as for their combat power—they were truly lousy.
Let's keep going, the journey across the Old World is a long one, there's no room for slacking off.
"You're glad Lena will come and invite her to seek aid together in 'Dark Mist Town.'"
"Lena refused. The blessing of the Fire Stealing Ancient God is fading away, unknown terrors in the wilderness are already eyeing Fire Stealing Village, and bad things have started to happen. She must stay behind to protect the villagers' safety."
"You feel a sense of regret,"
"Driven by curiosity, you impulsively ask Lena—'What exactly is a wizard?'"
"Lena didn't seem too surprised. Perhaps she's already guessed your interest in 'wizards' from your earlier plan to visit the 'Desecration Stone Plate.'"
"Lena's expression turned grave, and after hesitating for a moment, she spoke up."
"According to the revelations of the Ancient Gods, wizards are desecrators, calamities, and taboos. They brought devastating disaster to the Old World in the last epoch. The world nearly perished at the hands of wizards, until the Three Ancient Gods awakened from their slumber, rallied the Ancient Gods, and jointly defeated this group of evil wizards."
"Because of this, in the Old World, whether Ancient Gods, Evil Gods, Hidden beings, divine descendants, or Ancient Dominators—they all regard 'wizards' as taboo. Whenever encountered, they kill them without mercy."
"You thought of the [Kan Rui's Wizard Ring] imbued with moonlight power, the artifact embedded in the Moonlight Ancient Holy Statue and belonging to wizards."
"You didn't fully trust Lena's words, but you said no more."
"After an emotional farewell, you stepped onto the divine path, following the signposts toward 'Dark Mist Town.'"
Yang Qizhou became intrigued.
Wizards, in the Old World, would fall to a fate of utter loathing—reviled by Old Gods, detested by Ancient Gods, hunted by countless Hidden beings. Surely, there's far more underneath than the snippets Lena revealed. During the previous epoch, who knows what earth-shattering deeds they might have done?
The hints disclosed in the text were also captivating. The game character didn't even believe Lena's account.
Could there be deeper truths hidden here?
"I think I'm becoming addicted to this game. Without unraveling the mystery, I truly don't feel satisfied," Yang Qizhou muttered, downing a large gulp of his sugary drink before continuing the game.
The text continued to refresh on his phone screen.
"The divine path was forged by the Ancient Gods, imbued with the power of blessing, protecting believers traveling between towns from the horrors of the wilderness."
"You tread upon the radiant, many-hued road, gazing at the landscape ahead—a vision akin to a divine kingdom."
"This was the symbol of 'authority' left behind by the Ancient Gods who forged the divine path."
"With leisurely steps, you assumed that the divine path's blessing would ward off threats from the wilderness, ensuring a relaxing journey."
"You suddenly froze,"
"You saw the seven-colored shimmering road abruptly come to an end before you, ahead lay the unknown and mysterious wilderness."
"The divine path disappeared."
"You cursed Lena for being unreliable, after all, she had assured you that the divine path was guarded by the blessing of the gods and posed no danger."
"The time for choices has arrived once more—so what's it going to be, you reckless explorer?"
"Will you continue onward, heading toward 'Dark Mist Town'?"
"Stay in place and wait."
"Or go back to 'Fire Stealing Village' and inform Lena of the situation?"
As expected, no surprises there, this trashy game wouldn't make it smooth sailing to Dark Mist Town for the character after all.
But come on, this is too cruel—
They shattered the divine path, forcing the character to trek through a wilderness teeming with both mystery and terror.
"I'm no longer the newbie I once was! With [Hidden God's Clothes], [Ancient God's Lantern], and [Shepherd Dog Field Key] capable of commanding two Rootin Hunting Dogs, any terror lurking in the wilderness dares to approach—I'll sic my dogs on them!" Yang Qizhou's confidence surged. He not only refused to back down, but seemed eager to take on the challenge.
Wonder which plotlines these three choices correspond to.
Yang Qizhou pondered briefly, then chose 'two,' to see what would happen with the character staying put.
"You choose to stay in place and watch how things unfold,"
"Unknown evil beings in the wilderness have noticed you, but as you remain within the range of the divine path's blessing, they do not strike."
"You wait."
"You keep waiting."
"Another twisted lifeform notices you, but it deems you too insignificant to challenge the divine path's blessed power and refrains from attacking."
"You continue waiting,"
"Becoming slightly impatient, you resolve to resume your trek toward Dark Mist Town."
"In the distant wilderness, you spot a figure in a long dress. Her face carries a strange, eerie smile, her shadow twisting into grotesque forms. An aura of malevolence surrounds her, and vegetation withers instantly where she treads."
"She says, 'You finally left the village. I've been waiting a long time.'"
"She also says, 'No one has ever dared to toy with me. Even Ancient Dominators must revere me. But you—you are the one bastard explorer who dared to deceive me and steal my wealth.'"
"This person is none other than Alice."
"The powerful oppressive force makes your body tremble, yet you recall that you now command two 'Rootin Hunting Dogs.' You're no longer the weakling you once were, and your chest swells with confidence."
"You issue the command for your 'Rootin Hunting Dogs,' creatures unobservable as they move between the realms of illusion and reality, to attack Alice."
"Your two 'Rootin Hunting Dogs' age rapidly and perish before they can get close to Alice."
"You realize your teeth have fallen out, your skin visibly shrivels, your hair turns white in an instant, and you collapse, drained of strength."
"You're dragged into the darkness by Alice, faintly hearing, 'With two low-grade hounds lacking even a semblance of hierarchy, you dare attack me? Your punishment shall be becoming nourishment for the Night's Child.'"
"Invisible monsters tear you apart."
"You're dead."
???
The character had already gone far from Fire Stealing Village, yet this vindictive Alice managed to show up. She's seriously got it out for him, huh?
They say women hold grudges. Looking at things now, it does seem true.
Yang Qizhou could only sigh in defeat.
Moving on—back to gaming.
"The explorer, already well-acquainted with death, once again finds himself at the River of Death."
"You've drawn the attention of unknown entities."
"The protective flame still flickers, the dark crow calls. Now this time—will you choose to harness the power of destiny to rewrite the outcome of your death? Or desecrate fate and return to the moment of your last decision?"
"You choose to harness the power of the 'Dark Crow of Profane Fortune' and return to the moment of your last decision."
"The 'Rootin Hunting Dogs' are resurrected."
"You open your eyes to the severed divine path."
"Alice is nowhere to be seen."