“Cough cough…cough cough cough…“
The moment the light dissipated, the air with a slightly pungent smell poured into the nose and mouth.
It was a smell that reminded him of burning coals.
It’s just like the coal briquettes [1] I used when I was a child…
Being caught off guard, Wang Shouyi couldn’t help but cough.
After coughing a few times, he gradually rubbed his eyes and tried to look around.
After the light dissipated, he did not temporarily lose his vision as if he was stunned by a flash grenade. Instead, he felt that the surrounding light dimmed down. Finally, it came to the brightness of the street lights during nightfall.
At least it was much darker than the white-filled world with no shadows just now.
“It’s really a game that travels to another world.”
He touched his arm and looked down at his clothes. Then, confirming everything was the same as what he had customized, Wang Shouyi couldn’t help but sigh.
“Ah, it’s like that.” A steady voice sounded, “But you don’t have to worry. As the second batch of players, you have guides helping you out.”
Another voice with a slight accent muttered, “It’s much better than our situation back then.”
Wang Shouyi tried to look in that direction.
His vision had yet to adapt to the dim light fully.
But soon, he saw the world in front of him clearly.
But when he saw the faces of these people in front of him, he was slightly taken aback.
A bald, muscular man approaching 190 meters in height, with a long sword hanging from his waist. His right hand rested on the sword’s hilt while his eyes were slightly closed, giving off a silent aura that blended well with nature.
Then, there was a youth who was a head and a half shorter than Wang Shouyi. The youth held a sharp metal ring reminiscent of Maiev Shadowsong’s weapon equipped with both hands. Part of his hair had turned into light brown tree roots, and his left arm was completely lignified. His pupils have a warm aquamarine luster, making him look like a short half-tree man.
Next, a rather young girl with a longbow and three daggers slung at her waist. She looked over ignorantly, and her pupils were so clean that they quickly captivated others’ consciousness. Behind her squatted a serval whose height was close to the girl’s waist. It looked at Wang Shouyi with eyes full of wisdom.
And there was another person who looked familiar to Wang Shouyi.
It was a young man with black hair, glasses, and a black and red robe. He looked like a young president with a calm temperament.
“Mr. Chen?” Wang Shouyi asked in uncertainty.
Hearing his address, the other party also froze for a moment.
“Aunt Thirteenth?”
“It’s really you!” Wang Shouyi blurted out.
Longjing Tea, on the opposite side, was also surprised.
Yes, Longjing Tea also knew this newcomer.
Wang Shouyi was more or less a well-known news broadcaster in the game industry circle, with the stage name “Thirteenth Fragrance”. The other presenter who was partnered with him was called Husky.
They got acquainted last year at the Paris Game Exhibition in France.
Like various game demos or exhibitions, Wang Shouyi was given the beta test keys or tickets.
Of course, besides his studio, the influential streamers of the Fighting Cat Streaming Platform went with him.
When he went to Paris, he met Beer Chen, who had just retired. At that time, Beer Chen was not a manager yet and was not yet the boss.
However, since Beer Chen is here—
Wang Shouyi was absorbed in thought, looking back at the remaining three people.
Looking at the bald man who seemed to exude the air of a celestial being, Wang Shouyi blurted out.
“Brother Xiang!”
Isn’t this Xiang Tiange!?
He must have heard of this influential brother in the streamer circle who was theoretically the best at fighting.
The reputation of Delicious Wind Goose was all-rounded. In addition to being a streamer on the Fighting Cat Streaming Platform, he was also a freelance content creator. Thus, he socialized with many other content creators at gatherings and parties. After all, studios and influential streamers in this industry would generally live in Shanghai.
Wang Shouyi went over for a toast at that time.
Of course, he was in awe when he toasted Delicious Wind Goose. It could be said that he maintained a deep reverence and respectful attitude.
He knew that this big brother could easily smash his head into pieces.
However, unlike its deterrent appearance, Delicious Wind Goose had a warm temperament. He drank a lot but was not boastful and loud like the others. It might be that he was not drunk at all.
Now that Delicious Wind Goose and Beer Chen are here.
Then, this person…
“Brother Kai!”
Isn’t he the Kid!?
Although he seemed about ten years younger, mainly because his hair had grown back, Wang Shouyi still recognized this big brother.
Wang Shouyi shook hands with each other enthusiastically, “You are my idol, Brother Kai! I have watched your games since I was a child!”
“Am I that old!?” Wandering Child couldn’t help but complain.
However, he did say hello in a friendly manner, “I have also watched your show! When will your new update come this week!?”
“The day after tomorrow! If the post-production isn’t delayed, it will be published in the morning of the day after tomorrow!”
“Ah, I should be able to watch it the day after tomorrow when I’m in this game.”
“Game?” Wang Shouyi was stunned for a moment.
He was not surprised that there was a quit feature in this game. Of course, knowing that this was not the death game like Sword Art Online, he was glad. But in fact, when he saw a guide, he was already overjoyed.
What surprised him was that the Wandering Child dared to stay up all night in this world.
When he watched his live broadcast last time, he remembered that the middle of his head was already a little bright.
[TN: Getting balder, an indication of poor health.]
“Your hair…” Wang Shouyi hesitated, “Will that be alright?”
Longjing Tea, on the side, heard those words. He subconsciously glanced at the Child’s hair, which was full of vitality in this world.
This vitality was surging that it had grown roots in the shape of garlic.
It might not be far away from having grass and flowers on the head and the MEGA EVOLUTION into a more giant flower.
[TN: Bulbasaur evolutions.]
Looking at these three “veteran players” who were acquaintances, Wang Shouyi was in a complicated mood.
It seems like I wasn’t picked for the first batch of game testers.
“But, this is…” He looked at Dove and Chocolate.
“Oh,” introduced Delicious Wind Goose, “she is my archery teacher. She is also a well-known wilderness survival streamer… Dove. Have you come across her?”
As he spoke, he pointed to the serval with wise eyes on the ground.
Then, he pointed to the taciturn girl whose eyes were always on his neck, “This is the teacher’s cat, named Chocolate.”
“Ah?” Wang Shouyi was a little dazed.
He did not quite understand.
He just held his hand to the girl with some hesitation, “Hi, Teacher Dove. My name is Wang Shouyi. You may also call me Thirteenth Fragrance.”
“You’d better decide on your name first.” Longjing Tea on the side, folded his arms, and calmly interjected, “Why don’t you name yourself Thirteenth Fragrance?”
“That’s not a problem.”
Thirteenth Fragrance nodded.
A glimmering panel suddenly flashed before his eyes as he was just about to say something.
[User name confirmed.]
[ID: Thirteenth Fragrance]
Human, male, level 5…
Health: 100%
Attributes: Strength 5, Agility 5, Constitution 5, Perception 8, Will 7
Shared Experience: 0
Profession Overview:
Wizard Apprentice LV5: [Instant Spell LV1 (Consciousness Capture)]
[Finally, you have recalled your name.]
[What sounds after your name is your mission.]
[As a reserve member of the Secret Eye, you are led by the leader “Ghirlandaio” to the underground city, purifying the terrifying nightmare through wisdom and perseverance.]
[At the same time, the Secret Eye will also collect more knowledge and secrets from this place. The nightmare you purify will eventually become your strength because you are different from them—death cannot imprison your soul.]
[The Secret Eye members will not usher in actual death after a defeat but wake up again after losing part of their power. Similarly, no matter how many times you die in nightmares, as long as you spend a certain contribution (Reputation: Secret Eye), you will be able to clear the erosion on your soul.]
【However, only you know the biggest secret of the “Secret Eye”.]
[It is not the superficial leader “Ghirlandaio” who grants you the power of immortality, but the person you are truly loyal to, “Annan·Austere-Winter”—Austere-Winter’s Grand Duke who is about to succeed to the throne.]
[This is a secret that no one can know.]
[You need to become stronger by using all means within the scope of what is reasonable and lawful.]
[As for the rest, you know… Your “mentor” will tell you. If everything goes well, you will become an official member within a month.]
[The first thing to do is to stand out from your “peers”.]
[You will make it—]
[Acquired the main mission: Embark on the path of transcendence]
[Mission requirement: Obtain the Bronze Soul within 30 days, advancing into a transcender (0/1).]
[Additional requirement: Within the same area (Currently: Cinder Barren), the first player to complete this mission will receive [Immediate Respawn Privilege*1].]