Pioneer Contract (Third Update—Please Follow and Vote Monthly)

Lu Li still did not know the purchasing power of Doomsday Coins, but he felt that the value of these options should not differ too greatly. He should choose the things that looked a little rarer first.

Free Attribute Points were easy to understand. End Space had provided an explanation: as long as he went to the Reinforcement Hall, he could allocate attribute points and directly improve his basic strength.

He was going to choose option A. Although training on his own could also improve him, there was no reason to refuse free stats.

Of the remaining options, Lu Li first checked the title's details.

Title: Fearless

Rating: B+ (E-~SSS+)

Source: The Explorer achieved the legend of the fastest graduation from True Spirit Arts Academy in the Derivative World: Shinigami. Their fearless spirit in daring to challenge a Captain was praised throughout the Spirit Arts Academy.

Effect: While wearing this title, the Explorer's Strength attribute is permanently locked at +1 point. This effect can take effect at any tier.

PS: Only when entering the Derivative World: Shinigami can this title provide the Explorer with an additional 1,000 base reputation.

Evaluation: I polished "reckless fool" into "Fearless."

Lu Li's mouth twitched as he looked at End Space's evaluation. If you want to call me a reckless brute, just say it. Why dress it up as Fearless?

Complaints aside, he thought this title was quite good. The permanently locked +1 Strength was a simple and brutal boost at any stage, and it happened to make up for his current shortage in Strength.

From what little he knew about games, titles should not be easy to obtain. After thinking it over, he decided to check it.

He was somewhat torn over the remaining options. Based on his understanding of the shitty games developed by the company, random things like treasure chests were highly unreliable.

But he did not know the exact value of the Small Inheritance Crystal, and he was skeptical about using external items to improve his proficiency. Could something the space trained up for you really be the same as training it yourself?

After pondering for a long while, Lu Li still chose the Inheritance Crystal. Treasure chests felt far too unreliable.

There seemed to be quite a few Explorers in End Space. He could go out later and gather some information, then decide whether to use these Inheritance Crystals himself or sell them directly.

After selecting A, E, and F, he received his rewards.

Just as Lu Li was about to take a shower and relax, he heard End Space's notification again.

End Space invites Explorer No. 404040404 to become a Pioneer. Do you accept?

"Pioneer?"

Lu Li mulled over the word. He recalled when End Space had pulled him in. At the time, it seemed to have mentioned that, based on his performance in the Trial World, the terms of his contract might be raised or lowered.

Did becoming this so-called Pioneer mean better treatment, or worse?

End Space selects the most gifted Explorers and signs contracts with them to conquer worlds not yet synchronized by the space. Such individuals are Pioneers.

As if it had read Lu Li's mind, End Space's voice continued.

Please read the Pioneer Contract.

A floating screen appeared before Lu Li, displaying contract-like contents that explained the responsibilities and privileges of a Pioneer.

It was very lengthy, and Lu Li only paid attention to a few of the more important clauses.

Under Article 26 of the New Doomsday Regulations, except under special circumstances, the space may not send a Pioneer into a world whose highest difficulty level is lower than the Pioneer's Explorer Mark tier.

Pioneers will be sent to conquer worlds of higher difficulty, usually with harsher Main Quests. Everything is for the space to incorporate New Worlds.

During a space war, Pioneers may not refuse space conscription. (All exemption medals and items are invalid.) If a Pioneer helps the space achieve victory, they may receive generous special rewards.

Under special circumstances, Pioneers must assume the responsibilities of Adjudicators and execute offending Explorers. (Limited to conscription when Adjudicators of the same tier have repeatedly failed.)

A special Glory Shop will be opened for Pioneers, where Pioneer Merit Points can be used to exchange for various items.

A Pioneer's Explorer Mark privileges are increased by one tier by default.

Lu Li understood. Simply put, Pioneers had high privileges and high responsibilities, high risks and high rewards. They would go to the most dangerous worlds and fight the toughest battles.

Sounds interesting. Just my kind of thing.

"Sign it."

Lu Li responded to End Space.

Contract established. The Explorer's original number has been converted into a false number to protect the Pioneer's privacy and safety. Pioneer 008, we look forward to your campaign in New Worlds.

After the contract was established, Lu Li discovered that the Explorer Mark on his wrist had changed. It had gone from pale cyan to deep violet, and its patterns had become more intricate and mysterious.

According to End Space, whether one was an Explorer or a Pioneer, only they themselves could see this mark. The natives of a world and other Explorers could not see it. It was also a form of identity protection provided by the space.

After signing the new contract, Lu Li took a shower, changed into a new set of clothes, and pushed open the door with eager anticipation.

Sunlight filtered through a giant web woven from vines, casting mottled shadows. Lu Li took a light breath through his nose, feeling his body and mind relax. He had never experienced air this fresh before.

In his era, air pollution in many places had become so severe that people needed breathing masks just to survive. In some regions, companies even sold air itself—breathing cost money, and the poor could only wait to die.

He looked around and realized that he seemed to be standing atop an enormous vine. Behind him, his "door" was a long, narrow purple leaf.

People came and went along the vine, dressed in all manner of strange outfits.

Like a cat catching the scent of fish, Lu Li's curious glances in every direction exposed him as a newbie who had just arrived in End Space.

"Brother, you're new here, right?"

A dark-skinned man sidled up to Lu Li with easy familiarity. "Just cleared your trial?"

Lu Li nodded. "Any advice, brother?"

"The Brother Trial World must've scared the hell out of you, huh? Don't worry, you're temporarily safe now that you've reached our space. Being dragged into this place is indeed bad luck, but people have to keep moving forward, right? Let me tell you, if you want to survive in the space, information is indispensable..."

As he spoke, the dark-skinned man rubbed his hands together. His meaning could not have been clearer.

"How much?"

Lu Li understood the importance of intelligence. He had just arrived in the space and knew nothing, so he really did need a guide to help him get familiar with things. Of course, if the other man wanted to fleece him, he had picked the wrong target.

Seeing Lu Li ask for the price, the dark-skinned man could not suppress his delight. "Not much, just 500 Doomsday Coins. Don't worry, the information is absolutely worth the price. Ask around the First-Tier Area—who doesn't know that I, Black Cyclone, have the best information?"

"Fifty. If not, I'll look around myself."

Lu Li stared Black Cyclone directly in the eyes. He was reckless, not stupid. The first stage of his Main Quest had only given him 500 Doomsday Coins. Most Explorers would have a hard time obtaining even 1,000 Doomsday Coins in their first Trial World. The man was clearly trying to fleece him.

Black Cyclone's expression stiffened at those words, as if he were in a difficult position. But when he saw Lu Li turn to leave, he hurriedly stopped him. "Fine, fine, you win. Fifty it is."

With the mindset that earning something was better than earning nothing, he began explaining the various basics of End Space to Lu Li.