Tonight was not just a sleepless night for Dongwu City; many offline players chose to log back in due to the forum's bombardment of activity. The Wei Brigade was among them.
Though it was already 2:00 AM, Wei Lu was still sorting through the final pieces of information in reality, preparing to upload details about the mysterious town.
He also needed to organize the data on the mecha. Even though no players had been present during the battle, nearly ten thousand eyes had been watching.
Players weren't particularly surprised by mechas; after all, the Star Federation had a mechanical sky city, and most high-level alchemists possessed their own mechas.
However, the mechs of the Star Federation belonged to them, while Wei Lu needed to compile information on the Dawn's mechs.
He didn't play this game just for fun; he preferred to delve into the backstory, which was his usual approach.
Realizing that his resurrection time was nearing, he pulled up the panel and continued editing the video.
As the video neared completion, he felt the familiar sensation of resurrection approaching.
When he stepped out of his room, he stretched and reflected on how fulfilling this game was. He had never experienced anything like it before.
The various histories and epics were dazzling, and each character had a unique story.
He was increasingly convinced that this game was more than just a game. The current technology of Blue Star could not produce something of this caliber.
His dream had always been to explore the game world, and now it felt like he could transform that dream into reality.
"Hey, shouldn't you be editing a video? Why are you online so soon?" Demacia greeted Wei Lu with surprise when he spotted him.
"The new function just went live. I wanted to check it out," Wei Lu replied, walking toward the nearby legion base.
Despite the late hour, the legion base buzzed with activity, filled with players.
"Tsk, it wasn't long after Dongwu City announced the military merit system that almost all major cities followed suit, each with unique exchange options," Demacia remarked, glancing at the forum. "Sure enough, while we're playing the game, the game is also playing us."
"This game is insane!"
This Legion Mode was no different from others. Players could apply for positions in player legions, with NPCs providing guidance and teaching skills; everything else was determined by the players.
However, becoming a legion commander required a hefty investment. Once they obtained that status, they'd need to purchase land for their base.
Each garrison would have a quartermaster and an instructor, with NPCs stationed there.
Once everything was set, they could recruit soldiers from the player camp and build a force that truly belonged to them.
"This mode feels familiar, but leading a legion will surely drain more resources," Wei Lu mused, examining the rules. "But look at this: accepting the call of the badge and taking down designated targets grants double points. It seems Dongwu City wants to control the players to some extent."
"Who cares? Are players afraid of quests?" Demacia shrugged. "Besides, I doubt many can form a legion. That's more a guild specialty."
"True," Wei Lu nodded. For ordinary players, the badge was the primary goal; other aspects were secondary. With four legion bases, they could default to four legions.
After all, there were no superior benefits to joining a player's legion; only guilds might reap the rewards.
"But the legion does have its perks. This game is incredibly realistic. If players form a legion, their influence in this world will grow." Wei Lu paused, noticing a post on the forum. An old guild had a badge that not only granted land in the outer city but also rights to build there.
Moreover, the panel showed a surge in positions and legends, even a title.
"Tsk, there's a title system too?" Demacia exclaimed, abandoning his previous thoughts as he turned to Wei Lu with newfound interest. "How about it? Want to form a legion? I'll be your deputy commander! That position sounds quite lucrative!"
As they were discussing, it came time for them to pay.
Wei Lu considered it for a moment, then extracted ten gold coins and handed them to a mid-silver elf. After receiving the badge, he entered his fingerprints and dripped a drop of blood before following Demacia.
"No thanks. I'm used to working alone. At most, I can lead a small team. Too many people would be hard to manage. It's better for the guild to handle the legion," he said, walking toward the inner city.
"Where are you headed?" Demacia asked curiously.
"I'm going to buy some history books and check out the black market. I need information that isn't available online."
"Making another video? Never mind, I'll head out on my own." Demacia waved goodbye and exited the city.
Many players with newly acquired titles were also leaving, eager to test the effects of their badges.
There were plenty of enticing items available for exchange.
Finding an isolated corner, Demacia summoned two rats.
As soon as the two mice appeared, they looked around cautiously. Once they confirmed no one was nearby, they relaxed.
Seeing Demacia's gaze, the second mouse stood tall, looking at him defiantly: "Squeak squeak squeak!"
A # symbol appeared on Demacia's forehead. Next time, summon them when there are others around. This little guy was a bully in its comfort zone.
"Alright, alright, you're strong, I get it!" Demacia chuckled, feeling somewhat exasperated. "We're leveling up. I won't feel safe until I hit max level."
The second mouse puffed out its chest, turning to scurry across the ground. Though weak and lacking combat skills, it relished hearing its summoner call it powerful.
Demacia hopped onto the two rats.
With a flap of their wings, they soared into the night sky.
Demacia felt a rush of excitement. Flying was a long-held desire for the human race, especially for those from Blue Star. Although he rode on mice, he could easily imagine himself soaring on a sword beneath him, with the sword taking the shape of a mouse!
"Wuhu~!"
"Squeak, squeak, squeak!"
As the two rats spun and soared, Demacia and his pets cheered joyfully.
Warrior players below watched enviously.
Time passed quickly, and after Demacia found another wild goblin to defeat with his staff, he exhaled in satisfaction.
Glancing at the fading moonlight and the slight increase in experience points, he felt he had made the most of his night.
Breathing in the slightly bloody yet invigorating air, he sighed contentedly, "Even if you two are a bit useless, I feel like my summoner's physique is really strong!"
But no squeak of discontent came from his side.
Demacia turned, momentarily startled. "Second Rat?"
The jungle was completely empty, devoid of the bat that had been resting in its nest.
He quickly opened the summoning list and realized the bat had ventured five or six kilometers away without him noticing.
A surge of excitement filled Demacia. This rat was touted as a treasure-hunting rat!
Had it found something?
He dashed toward the second mouse's direction, his agility allowing him to cover six kilometers in about eight minutes.
After catching his breath, he approached the rat, which was frantically digging. Leaning down, he whispered excitedly, "Rats, what's going on? Why did you run off so suddenly?"
"Squeak, squeak, squeak!"
"Oh? You found something good? Move aside, let me handle it. My staff is quite sturdy."
"Squeak, squeak, squeak!"
"Hey, what do you mean 'yours' and 'mine'? If there's something valuable, how about I use it to buy you something delicious?"
"Squeak, squeak, squeak!"
Seeing the second mouse's suspicious expression, Demacia patted his chest reassuringly. "Don't worry, when have I ever lied to you? I'll take care of it."
Reluctantly, the second mouse moved aside, choosing to trust its summoner.
Demacia licked his lips, excitement lighting up his face. The treasure-hunting rat was finally living up to its name.
He summoned Xiao Mo, and the moment the creature appeared, both the bat and the Piranha Plant froze in surprise. The Piranha Plant rushed toward Demacia, while the bat scampered away on all fours.
"Stop! There's something delicious!" Demacia called.
Both creatures halted simultaneously.
Demacia skillfully produced a peach radiating an extraordinary aura and a piece of flesh.
He retrieved the shovel from Xiao Mo, decisively dismissing the eager Piranha Plant.
"Squeak, squeak, squeak!"
"Hey, don't sweat the small stuff. Ershu will help you dig for treasure tonight." Demacia laughed, brandishing the shovel.
It would be strange to have a treasure-hunting rat without a shovel, right? Many of his items were stored in the Wood Spirit Realm, making Xiao Mo feel like a portable space.
By 4:30 AM, the moon had set, but the sun had yet to rise. This was the darkest hour of the night.
Demacia, sweating and digging enthusiastically, suddenly heard a metallic clang.
Ding!
His face lit up with joy as the two rats nearby mirrored his excitement.
They all gazed into the pit, where a door appeared, hidden just beneath the surface. Flames flickered in Demacia's hands, illuminating a stone door.
"Uh, this isn't a cemetery, is it?"
"Squeak, squeak, squeak!"
"You can't be a grave robber, right? That's immoral… but I like it!"
"Squeak! Squeak?"
"Watch me!" Demacia exclaimed, picking up his shovel and digging around the stone door. Once it was fully exposed, he gently opened it, revealing a dark underground passage.
An eerie aura rushed out, sending shivers down his spine.
He looked at Ershu hesitantly. "How about you head back to your world first? I can summon you when it's safe."
The second mouse hesitated but eventually shook its head and, with wings folded, entered the passage first.
Demacia breathed a sigh of relief. As long as Ershu was willing to venture into the unknown, it meant there was likely no immediate danger.
This had been proven in previous encounters.
As they descended the passage, Demacia couldn't help but marvel at how people in this world seemed to prefer building their bases underground.
They soon entered a dimly lit room, chaos evident everywhere, as if the previous occupant had left in a hurry.
"Squeak, squeak, squeak!"
The voice of Ershu echoed as a golden light flashed. The mouse transformed into golden bats, dispelling the surrounding darkness.
"Whoa, when did you get that feature? Why didn't I know about it?" Demacia exclaimed.
"Squeak, squeak, squeak!"
"Okay, okay, you're the most versatile. Go find something quickly. I'm feeling sleepy. If you can't do it, we'll save it for later."
"Squeak, squeak, squeak!"
Suddenly anxious, the second mouse darted to a corner, following its instincts. It soon uncovered a small treasure chest and pried it open.
To Demacia's astonishment, a dark blue object caught his eye. "Whoa, a soul crystal? This is a fortune!"
His excitement surged as he hurried over, standing upright with keen interest.
While he was preoccupied, Ershu accidentally knocked over some documents, causing a small letter to drift down before him.
Demacia's eyes widened. "What? Night Rose?"
He glanced around and asked, "Is this a base of Night Rose?"
Picking up the letter, Demacia opened it eagerly, but soon the paper disintegrated in his hands without triggering a task. Disappointment washed over him as he tossed it aside.
"Ah, as expected, this organization is gone. How could there be any missions left?"
Though somewhat disheartened, he tucked the soul crystal away. When he noticed the big bat searching elsewhere, he shrugged and casually sifted through the remaining documents.
"Squeak, squeak, squeak!"
As he flipped through the pages, the bat let out an excited cry. Demacia quickly ran over. "What good stuff did you find?"
The big bat held up a pitch-black shield, its texture indicating it was a remarkable item.
Demacia rubbed his hands together with excitement. "Let me see!"
As his fingertips brushed against the towering shield, the panel, which had been silent until now, suddenly lit up.
[Triggering hidden task.]
[Mission: Counterattack in the Night.]
Task Attributes: Hidden.
Mission Description: Only a few members of Night Rose remain, but one is brewing a conspiracy that could destroy Tobu City. You possess something that can turn this crisis around. Stop it from unfolding and save this glorious city.
Mission Difficulty: Hell.
Mission Reward: Five-star title: Savior, attribute points +10, skill points +10, optional expertise × 1.
Introduction: The final counterattack of the night is always tragic, but the night will always be dispelled by the sun.
Demacia was stunned, then exhilarated. There was an actual mission! And a specialty!
[Because the player explored a very small map, 3 mission hints have been obtained.]
Demacia was taken aback again. Hints! This game actually had hints!
He looked at the second mouse beside him, a grin spreading across his face as he hugged it tightly and planted a kiss on its head. "Ahhh, Mouse, you are truly my lucky star!"
"Squeak?"
Early Morning.
As the sun rose, Bai Yi began to explore his new expertise.
Well, it was mostly boredom; he didn't want to leave his comfortable realm.
Great changes had occurred in this idealistic dimension. The sunshine, grass, and lakes were nearly indistinguishable from those in the outside world.
Bai Yi was becoming increasingly familiar with this dimension.
At the same time, he was gaining a deeper understanding of his expertise.
This truly was a realm of idealism. The lights, grass, and lakes here were all mere illusions—decorations.
They lacked substance or energy; they existed only because Bai Yi envisioned them.
In essence, this space was a product of rules that emerged when his mental power reached a certain threshold.
In Bai Yi's understanding, it felt akin to intercepting his peculiar thoughts from the turbulence of dimensions.
This sensation arose when his mental power reached 800 points. Without the panel, awakening this specialty would require a sudden epiphany or perhaps a dream.
The panel materialized these options, utilizing its power to consolidate them in advance.
In theory, Bai Yi could potentially awaken previously unselected specialties if he acquired the corresponding treasures.
Of course, this excluded special specialties like the Extreme Evil Specialty, which could only be awakened through killing after the Extreme Evil Creatures specialty had manifested.
That required absorbing the strength of others and eventually transforming through growth.
Unless he could defeat Cersis again, he'd have to rely on the panel's power to awaken the two extremely evil specialties he had acquired previously.
As he contemplated this, Bai Yi's figure appeared on a lawn. His mental power flowed, and he finally felt his virtual body. He sighed, realizing that his new expertise was indeed a product of idealism.
He could create anything here, but those creations could only exist in his imagination—except for time!
Buzz!
Suddenly, time around him slowed to a crawl, then sped up dramatically. The upper and lower limits of time flowed in tandem with spirit and soul.
The stronger the spirit and soul, the greater their influence on this idealistic dimension. Theoretically, as long as there were no limits on spirit and soul, time could flow without restriction here.
He tried to slow down time inside and attempted to create a potion from available materials, but the effort ended in failure.
His real body was not present, and the virtual form couldn't produce tangible items.
As his mind began to feel strained, he restored the flow of time.
Suddenly, that sensation of disconnection vanished.
Looking thoughtfully at the landscape, Bai Yi noted that time here could indeed affect objects that entered.
However, if he wanted to think and study in this temporal space, he would need to devote all his energy to it, even severing contact with the outside world; otherwise, the world would tear his consciousness apart.
It was complex. To simplify, only a single individual could fully enjoy the baptism of time when immersing themselves completely. Others might not withstand the separation.
For example, when Bai Yi's thoughts flickered, a silver-level flower appeared. On one side, time slowed down; on the other, it sped up.
Instantly, the flower on the accelerated side withered while the side slowed remained unchanged.
Moments later, the flower was neatly severed in half, one side entirely decayed, while the flower itself succumbed to death.
Feeling a sensation wash over him, Bai Yi withdrew from the idealistic dimension.
Zero's voice resonated in his mind.
[Message from Demacia: Lord City Lord, I have found the trace of Night Rose. I need your help.]
Bai Yi paused, surprised. He had just planned to consult the God's Showcase last night, and now the players had uncovered the relevant task?
But could players really contend with something like a black dragon?
[Send a message to the guards at the City Lord's Mansion and have them bring him in.]
He glanced at Diane, who was peacefully asleep beside him, her face slightly flushed.
Bai Yi carefully got up, covered her with a quilt, kissed her forehead, put on his clothes, and stepped outside.
As he opened the door, a light snow fell, changing his demeanor from gentle to resolute.
The time for gentleness had passed; a busy life awaited him once again.
(End of this chapter)