In the classroom, Enzo was browsing various online game inquiries about "Infinity," and his ideas gradually became clear.
He traveled through time and space to this magnificent era called the "Era of Online Games."
The world he lives in is the parallel world of his hometown "Earth," "Astra." Ten thousand years ago, the mysterious online game "The Endless" came to Astra. All Astra people can enter "The Endless" and explore the vast and boundless world of the Endless.
In the boundless world, even if a person is disabled, as long as he is willing to work hard to develop, not only can his limbs be restored, but he can even gain infinite life and extraordinary power.
It was with the blessing of this great power that the people of the entire Astra developed rapidly and built three behemoths in ten thousand years.
The official forces composed of officials from various countries form the "Astra Federation."
The Solomon's Family, a terrifying group that has risen rapidly with special bonuses.
An ordinary system headed by countless ordinary players.
Compared to the "Astra Federation," comprised of officials from various nations, the news reports clearly indicate that the Solomon's Family is the most powerful force in the online gaming era, even the "Astra Federation" being slightly inferior.
Honestly, at first glance, the idea of the officialdom being suppressed by the family seems illogical.
But existence is truth, and there must be something unknown to this newbie, someone who hasn't even logged in yet...
At the same time, unlike other time travelers, his journey seemed to be his own doing.
He remembered clearly that he had just returned home from work as a drone when he accidentally logged onto the website of some "Time Travelers' Lodge," where he was a "lucky person" randomly selected over billions of epochs and filled out a "Time Travel Application Form."
He had chosen the online game world "Boundless," the "Freight Train" method of travel, and it all matched.
Even the "degeneration back to a baby" and "recovery of memories at 18" scenarios were his own choices, and they all matched.
He also remembered that the difficulty level of the online game world he had chosen, "Boundless," was maxed out, the highest "Despair Level..."
"What was the golden ticket I chose?" Enzo was thinking when he heard footsteps outside the classroom. Soon, a handsome young man walked in.
He was wearing a slim-fitting silver jacket and trousers, standing upright on the podium, his eyes sharp as an eagle, scanning the audience before speaking slowly.
"Congratulations, children, you have successfully reached the watershed of 18 years old.
In the British Empire, this age is an age when you can stand on your own feet.
In the vast world, it means that you can officially enter it and pursue everything you want.
Without further ado, the teacher will reiterate three things here."
The young man spoke in a sonorous voice, stretched out three fingers, and put them away one by one while speaking.
"First, protect your first three chances to die. This isn't thousands of years ago, where resurrection potions can be easily acquired. Once used, you'll either remain in the endless void, a skeleton beneath the feet of others, or find a way to obtain those incredibly rare resurrection potions."
"Second, in the vastness of the world, don't believe everything anyone says before you have sufficient strength. Although you have learned a lot of basic theoretical knowledge over the years, it is ultimately just theory. Actual implementation is far more difficult than theory."
"Third, Astra is the best haven.
Thanks to its mechanism that prevents any form of killing, if you encounter a life-or-death crisis, you can attempt to escape and return.
Also, while you can't bring your strength back to Astra, you can bring your lifespan back.
So, do your best to upgrade and raise your level as high as possible.
Do you understand?"
The young man's voice fell silent, but no one responded.
They all looked at him with eyes filled with anticipation and fighting spirit.
He chuckled softly.
As someone who had experienced this, how could he understand the children's feelings? "Very good."
I see in you the youthful energy and vigor of a new player.
In seven days, I look forward to your glorious return.
Now, everyone, hold your breath and focus, following the instructions in the textbook.
Visualize the four characters 'Boundless' and log into the Boundless World.
Finally, I wish you all the best in randomly selecting the perfect talent and a perfect start."
Enzo took a deep breath, suppressing all distracting thoughts.
He held his breath and concentrated, visualizing the four characters "Boundless" in his mind using the method described in the textbook.
The next second, a faint light emerged from the void, piercing the depths between Enzo's eyebrows.
Then, lines of words emerged...
"Detecting that you have recovered your memory, you have obtained relevant information"
"Main World: Earth"
"Strategy World; Endless"
"Difficulty: Despair"
"Golden Ticket: Destiny's Beacon"
"Start: Orphan"
"Target: None"
"Travel Mode: Wearing a body + baby-like body + ambulance"
Enzo showed a look of sudden enlightenment. He remembered that the cheat code he chose was "Destiny's Beacon," a very powerful and exaggerated ability.
"You are connecting to "Infinity"
"Detecting the population in your area"
"Astra - Human Race - British Citizen - Number 000099999, Welcome"
"Your physical fitness is being tested and your new talent is being randomly generated for you"
"You get a personal attribute panel"
With a "swish," a panel that only Enzo could see appeared in front of him.
Real name: Enzo
Level: 1
Attack: 1-2
Magic: 0-0
Health: 30/30
Mana: 0/0
Armor: 0
Attack Speed: 1.0/s
Speed: 1.2m/s
Water attribute reduction: 0
Fire attribute reduction: 0
Wind attribute reduction: 0
Thunder attribute reduction: 0
Ice attribute reduction: 0
Wood attribute reduction: 0
Light attribute reduction: 0
Dark attribute reduction: 0
Experience: 0/100
Fate Hint (Unique): When you face a fate choice, fate will give you a concrete hint
Seeing his own talent, even though Enzo had almost integrated the memories of this life, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but rise.
In the era of online games that has been developed for 10,000 years, talents are divided into six levels: C, B, A, S, SS, and SSS. Enzo has never heard of the "only level," but as a time traveler's cheat code, it is reasonable for him to get the "only level."
"This attribute panel is just like what the textbooks say; it's horribly bad." During the eighteen years on "Astra," whether it was the content taught in textbooks or various hearsays, they all showed Enzo a corner of this "desperate" world.
Putting aside other things, the movement and attack speeds on the panel alone were truly laughable. 1.2m/s, whether before or after the crossing, was a laughable speed, as this speed was only equivalent to the walking speed of an adult.
Although the textbooks say that in the "Boundless" world, level 50 is equivalent to an adult in reality, and level 1 is almost equivalent to a baby in the present world, a baby's constant speed is 1.2m/s.
At first glance, this is a very reasonable explanation, but compared to this explanation, Enzo is more concerned about the hearsay version: It is rumored that the Solomon's Family a long time ago, bit by bit cut the attack speed and movement speed of the initial login players, and forcibly reduced the attack speed and movement speed from the basic value of 10.0 to the 1.0 range.
As he pondered, the light between Enzo's eyebrows grew brighter and brighter, soon bursting out from between his eyebrows, enveloping him completely.
Then, a huge hole appeared above his head, completely pulling him into the "boundless" world.
Not only him, but every eighteen-year-old student in the class, and indeed in the world, vanished at that moment.
The young teacher pressed his hands on the desk, staring at the disappearing students in a daze. The vigor and fighting spirit on his face were gone, replaced by a sense of desolation and bitterness.
"After three years of educating students, how many of them will be alive when the first round of logins comes back?" the young teacher whispered.
This wasn't the time when "The Endless" had just launched.
After ten thousand years of development, many things couldn't be changed by the new generation.
Even within the vast and boundless world of "The Endless," class systems had become rigid.
Resources, beauty, power—all had been divided up over the past ten thousand years.
If one didn't surrender one's dignity and toiled like a slave, it would be difficult to achieve anything.
Thinking of his own experience, the young teacher sighed deeply.
"Welcome to 'Infinity'"
This is a vast and boundless world, where you can see elves, dwarves, and Titans left over from ancient times, as well as technology and the power of photons left over from even earlier times.
Everything here changes with time. In other words, this is a real other world.
"But no matter what the situation is, it is waiting for you to explore and develop"
You obtain the "Endless" public log.
"Your progress in obtaining the first expansion pack of Endless: 'The Age of Legends'"
"The Age of Legends"
"Total progress of the expansion pack: 80%"
"Chapter 1: The ancient legend 'The Rise of the Solari Empire': 100%"
"Chapter 2: The Tragic Ancient Legend 'The Fall of the Solari Empire': 100%"
"Chapter 3: A Cry from Ancient Times 'Hero King Kellan's Holy Sword': 100%"
"Chapter 4: The Eternal Roar of the Ancient Mechanical God 'Neutrino Sinking Cannon': 100%"
"Chapter 5: The Clash of Magic and Mecha 'The Tragedy of Mutual Silence': 100%"
Chapter 6: The Rise of a New Generation 'From the Players' Disdain': 100%
"Chapter 7: The Grandeur of the New Empire 'The Glory of the Solari Empire': 100%"
"Chapter 8: A Peaceful and Harmonious Generation 'Golden Years': 100%"
"???"
"???"
You were born in Ravenwood, a remote area of the Solari Empire.
As the information was compiled, the white light surrounding Enzo dissipated, and he found himself standing in a crowded square.
"Is this the world of an online game that's been running for ten thousand years? It feels so real!"
"You're talking nonsense! Aside from the initial three resurrections, once you die, you're truly dead. Tell me whether it's real or not."
"Whoever touched my butt, stand up and see if I can't kill him!"
"Is this the initial speed of 1.2m/s? It's really... quite funny..."
"What is Ravenwood? It's not mentioned in the textbooks!"
"Get out of the way! Whoever gets in my way of completing the mission will be resurrected three times and returned to zero."
...
At this time, a burly man walked up to the platform and looked down at the newly logged-in players in "Ravenwood." With a slight smile on his face, he said, "Hello everyone, I am a member of the Black Bear Vanguard, and like everyone else, I am a player."
"There are many quests in Ravenwood, but they're far less lucrative than the ones offered by our Black Bear Vanguard."
We need a massive amount of Ebonweed.
If you're willing to help us collect Ebonweed, you can exchange 100 stalks for 500 copper coins and a set of beginner's blank suits.
So, collect as much as you can.
Those who collect enough will have the opportunity to join our Black Bear Vanguard."
"Oh my god, wasn't the initial mission reward only 50 copper coins and a novice sword? This reward is indeed much more generous."
"I remember the Black Bear Vanguard was a very powerful guild. I must join it. This is my chance..."
...
Watching the throng of people, Enzo was tempted.
After all, the reward was ten times greater than the initial mission reward.
But just as he followed the crowd and was about to accept the mission, a message suddenly appeared before his eyes, visible only to him.
It was the effect of his unique talent, "Destiny's Beacon."
"You are a newcomer and know nothing about many things in the vast and endless world, even if you have good theoretical knowledge"
"Destiny gives you a hint"
"Fate Hint 1: Follow the main group to the Black Bear Vanguard's headquarters, the quest launch point, to receive the 'Gathering Ebonweed' quest."
No one will tell you that the Ravenwood quest system has been purchased by the Black Bear Vanguard.
Gathering over 100 Ebonweed triggers the special effect 'Ebon Corruption,' instantly killing those with less than 100 HP.
Interestingly, this effect only activates after three cumulative hits, as if specifically for the 'three resurrection chances'..."
You don't care about your life, ignore the fate hint, and follow the main force to accept the quest."
"Destiny Hint 2: This is a near-real 'online game' world, where different destinies will have different consequences."
As the enemy advances, we retreat.
Head to the Ravenwood Farm.
There's a newly arrived farmer, and she seems to be plotting something.
Helping her pull weeds might yield unexpected rewards."
After reading the "fate hint" word for word, Enzo's face turned visibly cold. He then took a deep breath and walked towards the Ravenwood farm without looking back.
If Enzo had initially harbored some illusions about the "Despair" difficulty, they were all gone at this moment.
He had barely felt the aura of "The Endless" with his feet, barely even had time to measure the vastness of the "Endless" world, when the enemy had already extended its tentacles towards the newly logged-in player.
However, Enzo remained calm.
After a brief moment of shock and awe, he quickly gathered his composure and strode away.
As a time traveler, possessing the unique talent of "Fate Hint," he felt that his battle with the despairing "Endless" world had only just begun. "Black Bear Vanguard" was merely a small appetizer...
Away from the bustling crowd, Enzo lowered his eyes slightly, quickly disappearing into the noisy scene...
Soon, Enzo inquired with the NPC about the farm and the new owner.
Arriving at his destination, it was a modest farm, with pigs, sheep, cattle, and other animals visible from afar.
On the farm's grassy plains, an elderly woman, hunched over, was harvesting the grass.
"Hello grandma, I am a player born from another world. You can call me Enzo. You look very tired. Is there anything I can help you with?" Enzo said politely.
In "The Expanse," using your ID or real name doesn't make much difference, because under the "Expanse" system, killing has long been eliminated from the entire Astra. You can't imprison others or even cut off their fingers. Therefore, using your ID or real name is entirely up to you.
The old woman pounded her waist, stood up straight, looked at Enzo, and said with a kind smile, "Young man, you're new here. Why are you coming to me instead of taking the mission from the Black Bear Vanguard?"
Enzo replied with a smile. "Grandma, there were too many people over there. I was thinking of looking somewhere else, and I ended up here. You look tired, so I'll see if I can trigger some quests or something." Enzo tried to be honest, perhaps he'd be surprised.
The old woman looked Enzo up and down for a moment, her thoughts unclear, before finally nodding. "Alright, then, stay and help me harvest this patch of grass.
You're quite lucky, haha~"
With that, the old woman smiled, tossed her sickle to Enzo, clasped her hands behind her back, and, hunched over, slowly walked away...
"You get the temporary item 'Radiant Scythe'"
Radiant Scythe
Level: 10
Quality: glorious (poor quality, ordinary, good quality, fine quality, treasure, brilliant, glorious, long-standing, legendary, ancient)
When harvesting, there is a 2% chance to permanently increase your attack by +1, and a 10% chance to permanently increase your maximum health or maximum mana by +1.
Enzo's pupils shrank, and he couldn't help but tighten his grip around the "Radiant Scythe."
He had never imagined that this seemingly rusty sickle could actually be of a glorious quality, a level higher than brilliant.
Furthermore, using it to harvest offered a 2% and 10% chance of permanently acquiring attributes.
And was this just the "unexpected reward" that "fate had suggested"? Was this a unique talent? Enzo took a deep breath, suppressed his excitement, and, clearing his mind, bent down to begin harvesting grass.
You harvest a bale of hay.
You harvest a bale of hay.
...
"Trigger the effect of the aura sickle"
"Attack Power Permanent +1"
Enzo's face lit up with joy, and his hands moved even faster.
What could be more joyful than increasing permanent attributes right from the start? The answer is nothing.
Enzo was busy from the moment he logged into the game, and it wasn't until around nine o'clock in the evening, when the moon was high in the sky, that he finally finished harvesting the entire pasture.
During this time, Enzo triggered a total of five attack power increases, twenty health increases, and one magic power increase.
In other words, he gained 5 permanent attack points, 20 permanent health points, and 20 permanent mana points.
This is equivalent to triggering a 1% probability and a 5% probability.
According to the textbook, each level from level 1 to level 11 only grants one random attribute, with one attribute equal to one attack point or ten life points and magic points.
However, through the "Radiant Scythe," he had already gained 5+2+2 basic attributes, a total of 9 points, equivalent to the random attribute points a player gained from level 1 to level 10.
"Grandma, the grass has been cut. If there is nothing else, I will return the sickle to you. It is time for me to rest." Enzo came to the simple wooden house where the old woman lived and returned the Radiant Scythe.
The old woman lowered her head, fiddling with something, and said without looking up, "Young man, if you're free tomorrow, please continue to help me cut grass. I still have two plots of land."
Enzo's lips curled up in delight upon hearing this.
Based on today's gains, if he harvested the remaining two plots, he could expect to gain 10 permanent attack points, 40 permanent health points, and 40 permanent mana points.
No one could refuse such a generous reward upon logging into the game, and Enzo was no exception...
"Okay grandma, I'll come back tomorrow."
"Well, go and do your thing."
Enzo settled into the temporary housing built for players in Bird Village. It was a dormitory room for ten people.
"Brother, how's it going? What level did you reach today?"
"I'm level three!"
"f**k, brother, are you cheating? It's only been a little over half a day, and you're already level three?"
"My brother is a player from the Black Bear Guild~" ADVERTISEMENT
"Hey~ I'm so jealous, brother. I worked so hard today to level up. Not only are there so many monsters looting me, but they're also so hard to kill."
...
Enzo quietly made his bed, not interjecting into the dormitory conversation.
Textbooks say that early socializing is essentially useless, because once you reach a certain level and leave the village, you'll find that your connections are worthless in the face of the vastness of the land and the powerful creatures.
Rather than wasting time on such socializing, it's better to rest early and think about tomorrow's leveling path.
Of course, you could also, like several of the people in the conversation, become a lackey for players with connections, starting by flattering them.
A silent night passed, and the next day, Enzo got up early and went to the farm. From a distance, he saw the old woman plowing the fields.
"Grandma, I'm here~" Enzo stepped forward and greeted her respectfully.
The old woman glanced at Enzo and chuckled. "You're here quite early, young man! I thought you players were still asleep at this hour. Go ahead! The sickle is at the corner. The plot is about 200 meters from here. The two plots are connected."
Enzo heard this, nodded, and went to the corner to get the Lingguang sickle.
"Young man, if you can harvest the grass on both pastures today, emmm... before nine o'clock in the evening, come and find me if you can finish it." Enzo was about to leave when he heard the old woman's request with a hint of deep meaning.
Enzo thought for a moment before responding, "Okay, grandma. I'll do my best."
After leaving the old woman, Enzo took the "Spiritual Light Scythe" and came to two pastures. Taken separately, each of these two pastures was larger than the one he had taken yesterday. ADVERTISEMENT
"Having to harvest two plots of grass before nine p.m. is going to be quite challenging, but it's not impossible!" Enzo guessed that the old woman NPC was testing his patience and tenacity. If he could finish harvesting both plots of grass before nine p.m., something would definitely be triggered.
Putting aside all distractions, Enzo bent down and began to harvest the grass...
You harvest a bale of hay.
You harvest a bale of hay.
...
[Trigger the effect of the aura sickle]
[Attack Power Permanent +1]
Although the probability of triggering the permanent amplification was extremely small, the fact that it did happen was like a shot of adrenaline for Enzo, giving him a boost of motivation. Soon, the time arrived around 8:50 pm.
"Huh~ Done, the harvest is finally over!"
A smile curled up Enzo's lips. His gains today were enormous. The odds were similar to yesterday's. Two plots of land gave him 10 permanent attack points, and 40 permanent health and mana points. This boost was already significantly higher than what an average player at level 10 would earn.
"I have to go to Grandma's place." Enzo checked the time on his personal dashboard and rushed to the old woman's simple wooden house. "Grandma, I've finished harvesting and I've put the hay away for you," Enzo said respectfully outside the door without entering.
"Hmm~ Good, come in."
After receiving the old woman's approval, Enzo carefully pushed open the door and walked inside.
The room was simple, with only a table, chairs, and a wooden bed.
The only notable thing was the emblem hanging on the wooden wall.
The emblem featured a pure white light tree and two sharp blades piercing through it.
"Young man, what do you think of the Sakas Empire?" The old woman straightened her badge, got down from the chair, and slowly spoke while looking at Enzo.
You've just arrived, and while you can't say you're completely clueless about the Sakas Empire, you can only say you're completely clueless. Therefore, you can't answer this question accurately. You face a choice determined by fate. A different choice will lead you to a completely different life.
[Destiny gives you a hint]
[Destiny Hint 1: The Sakas Empire has been established for over 300 years, and while it has certainly broken the 300-year curse, the rampant cruel officials and the hidden fangs are constantly corroding and corrupting this vast empire. Answer "Sakas is corrupt," and the questioner will praise you.] ADVERTISEMENT
[Destiny Hint 2: Answer "The Sakas Empire is not bad, it can last at least another three hundred years", which disappoints the questioner]
Looking at the "fate hint" that suddenly appeared on his retina, Enzo's eyes narrowed slightly. After a little thought, he had an idea in his mind.
"Grandma, although I'm a newcomer and don't know much about the Sakas Empire, from what I saw last night, I feel that the Sakas Empire is not as good as I imagined.
There is a saying in our world that few countries can survive for more than three hundred years.
You asked me this, there must be a deep meaning in it...
I think the Sakas Empire must have begun to decay from top to bottom."
Enzo simply and clearly expanded on the words of fate and added some of his own.
The old woman smiled softly, a hint of satisfaction in her eyes.
She hadn't been led around by the Black Bear Guild since her birth; that was prudence.
She'd harvested in two and a half days, pressed for time, yet she'd still meticulously completed it; that was tenacity.
Now, facing the unknown of Sakas, she could still make accurate judgments; that was wisdom.
Such a seedling was worth the wait, but there was still one test: fate...
Thinking of this, the old woman said directly: "Young man, I remember you said before that your name is Enzo, which Zhou and which Heng?"
Enzo: "Grandma, Zhou means thorough, Heng means eternal."
The old woman said, "That's a nice name. I'm very optimistic about your future. I have a mission for you. Would you dare to take it?"
Enzo's heart trembled, and he immediately said, "I am willing to serve you, Grandma."
The old woman nodded, patted the wooden wall, and motioned Enzo to look at the badge.
"Sakas has been established for 302 years. The emperor is incompetent and the council is greedy, leading to the people's misery and rampage. I need you to deliver this badge to the Deepwater Cave outside the town within three days and give it to the Level 10 boss, 'Deepwater Dragon'."
[The gears of fate begin to turn at this moment, and you are about to face the challenge of death]
[Destiny gives you a hint]
Fate Hint 1: The Black Bear Guild gathers black water grass to create black water pus, hoping to infect the Deepwater Flood Worm with it, causing it to transform and evolve into a dark form, devouring all of Little Bird Town.
This is a test of life and death, blood and fire, wit and strategy.
Are three days really enough for you to reach the Deepwater Cave? Accept the mission and find a way to deliver the badge to the Deepwater Flood Worm within three days.
[Destiny Hint 2: No one will tell you this, but this is a trap.
You simply cannot deliver the badge to the "Deepwater Dragon" within three days.
If you get close, the Black Bear Guild and even the units behind it will instantly obliterate you, burying you forever.
This isn't a delivery mission, but a test of fate.
Interestingly, for you, with your unique talent, "Destiny Hint," it seems meaningless.
Pretend to accept the mission, then ignore it and wait for the opportunity.]
Enzo fell silent as he watched the two fate reminders appear before him.
The "Boundless" world, which had been online for ten thousand years, was even more terrifying and exaggerated than anything a new player like him could imagine from textbooks.
It truly required careful planning at every step; the slightest misstep could lead to irreparable consequences.
But fortunately, he was lucky; he possessed the unique, first-level talent, "Fate Reminder."
Without any hesitation, Enzo accepted the task...