Li Aoz listened to Siveston's words. The words flowed through his ears like water, leaving no trace behind. His attention had long since shifted to the world before him, his deep blue eyes fixed on the information displayed on the system panel.
The personal letter from player Pryor had clearly been prepared in advance.
Judging from the wording, Pryor could not possibly have known nothing. He had merely noticed the data fluctuations, improvised on the spot, and attempted to salvage the last bit of room left.
Pryor rarely stepped in personally. As both a game producer and a member of the operations team, he had not interfered excessively with the game's progress. In truth, he had done quite well. It showed that he possessed strong professional ethics—or perhaps that this was simply one of the essential qualities required of him as a player.
Not just anyone could become a member of the Hidden Society. Different professions required matching qualities.
Take the blacksmith class attached to him, for instance. The quality it required was "steadfastness." Only those who could never betray their original intentions, regardless of time, right or wrong, or outside public opinion, qualified as blacksmiths capable of forging divine weapons and serving society faithfully.
For players, however, the required quality was not "joy" or "enjoyment," but "experience"—throwing oneself wholeheartedly into every game, recreational activity, and competitive match, giving it everything one had, quietly savoring the experience, and leaving no regrets.
Advancement on the Hidden Side was not an internal, competitive ranking system like the Star Abyss Side. It emphasized understanding and reshaping oneself.
This might have had something to do with Earthlings' culture. Compared to the Star Abyss, where people knew only class ascension and would pay any price to become gods, Earthlings placed greater emphasis on an individual's