Community Check-In

Lin Sizhi returned to the iron chair where he had been sitting and waited patiently.

Soon, images reappeared on the television, which had shown nothing but static.

[Game over. Test completed.]

["Redemption Roulette" overall evaluation: S.]

[Congratulations on completing the prerequisite task and obtaining the hidden identity of "God's Imitator" in the New World.]

[Think like a god, judge like a god, and commit heinous crimes against humanity like a god.]

[You had better conceal your identity carefully, because "Godslayer" is humanity's eternal pursuit.]

[Continue forward. The New World will issue you an official visa.]

The image on the television disappeared again. At the same time, the red emergency exit in the warehouse burst open with a bang.

Sunlight streamed in, illuminating the floating dust.

The moment Lin Sizhi stepped out through the emergency exit, the red security door slammed shut behind him, locking completely.

As he continued down the corridor, the red security door at the far end gradually vanished from sight.

Not only that, Lin Sizhi touched his right pocket. The revolver he had placed inside was gone.

The proposal had included a note: no props could be taken out of the game venue, or they would disappear into thin air.

By taking the revolver out of the game venue in his pocket, Lin Sizhi had confirmed that this rule was true.

"So, this so-called New World is a mysterious world with supernatural powers.

"Here, any rules issued by the New World authorities, or game rules designed by game creators and approved by the New World, will be enforced one hundred percent through supernatural power."

As Lin Sizhi pondered this, another emergency exit appeared before him.

It was currently closed.

Beside the exit stood a peculiar machine, a little over a meter tall, with instructions for use displayed on it.

Place your left hand flat over the handprint on the machine's surface, and the visa wristband would automatically align with the scanning area.

Lin Sizhi gave it a simple try and found that the security door would not open. He could only follow the instructions and place his left hand on it.

"Beep!"

The machine sounded an alert, and a flash of light appeared overhead.

Lin Sizhi pulled back his left hand and saw that a ring of abstract barcode-like patterns had been imprinted onto the black wristband of unknown material.

Within the pattern, near the back of his hand, he could also see his real name, "Lin Sizhi," displayed in a seal-like format.

[Player visa issued.]

[Welcome to the New World!]

At the same time, the final security door rumbled open. Bright sunlight poured in, making Lin Sizhi instinctively close his eyes.

When he adjusted to the dazzling light and saw the scene before him, he could not help but gasp in amazement.

"The New World...

"What kind of place is this?"

Before him lay what looked like a modern, prosperous city. Neatly trimmed green belts and paved roads without a speck of grime or a single crack naturally guided him toward the small buildings in the distance.

Farther away stood skyscrapers reaching into the clouds. The sky was blue, and the clouds were white.

Lin Sizhi even had the illusion that he had arrived in a seaside resort city.

Soon, pedestrians like Lin Sizhi began appearing on the streets. Their expressions varied—confusion, delight, wariness, and curiosity.

Guided by the roads, they naturally headed toward the small communities one after another.

Lin Sizhi also arrived at the nearest community entrance and stepped inside.

The community had gardens, lawns, a gym, a swimming pool, and all sorts of supporting facilities.

At its center stood a rather grand, multipurpose building.

It was the small building he had seen from afar earlier.

It was four or five stories tall and looked beautiful from the outside, with huge bay windows, balconies, and sky gardens.

The lobby was spacious and bright, laid out somewhat like an upscale hotel.

There was an access gate at the community entrance, where a notice board displayed prominent information: "Submit visa. Check in."

Lin Sizhi extended his left hand and held his visa wristband over the scanning window.

Information immediately appeared on the screen.

[Visa verification complete.]

[Lin Sizhi, welcome to Community No. 17.]

[You are Player No. 12 of Community No. 17. Please check in according to your assigned room number and follow the community rules when participating in activities.]

[Violations will result in punishment according to their severity, including "Deduct Visa Time" or even "deportation."]

[For more detailed rules, please proceed to the lobby to view the "Player Code of Conduct."]

Just as Lin Sizhi was about to continue inside, the alert sounded again.

[The final player of Community No. 17 has completed visa verification. The community is now full and has automatically closed. No new players will be admitted.]

[Attention, players. The "Player Code of Conduct" will be announced in the lobby in five minutes.]

Lin Sizhi noticed that the information on the enormous display in the lobby had also changed.

The words "Welcome to Community No. 17" had become a five-minute countdown.

"Everyone's finally here. Over here!"

Lin Sizhi heard someone calling to him.

The luxurious hotel-like lobby was spacious, with a long table large enough for more than ten people, a lounge area furnished with high-end sofas and coffee tables, and a reading area.

Several people were already seated around the long table. The one calling to Lin Sizhi was a young man wearing rimless glasses.

Lin Sizhi swept his gaze over the lobby. There were eleven people: those by the long table, those seated on single sofas, and those staring blankly out by the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Including himself, there were twelve in total.

"I'm in Community No. 17. If every community has twelve people, then there are already at least two hundred people here.

"And there seem to be many more communities like this. The actual number of 'players' is probably far higher than that."

Lin Sizhi looked at the long table. It stood in a central location in the lobby and offered the best view of the large screen.

There were seven people around the table. At least one empty seat separated each of them, maintaining ample safe distance.

There happened to be an empty seat beside the young man who had called to him. After a brief consideration, Lin Sizhi sat in the seat to the young man's right.

As he sat down, he subtly shifted his chair outward, ensuring that they still maintained the safe distance strangers should keep.

"Hello. I still don't really understand what's going on.

"What exactly is this place?"

Lin Sizhi did not hold much hope for an answer. He guessed that most of the people here had only just arrived like him and were equally clueless.

Still, under the circumstances, discussing this kind of topic was not a bad way to build rapport.

"Who knows? I only arrived a little earlier than you, and I'm completely in the dark too.

"Once the rules have been announced, we can pool our information. Maybe then we'll find an answer.

"Oh, right. My name is Fu Chen. Nice to meet you."

The young man in rimless glasses smiled and held out his hand.

Lin Sizhi paused slightly before shaking it. "Lin Sizhi."

In such an unfamiliar environment, giving his real name directly did not seem especially wise. Out of instinct for self-preservation, using a false name might have been safer.

But the "visas" on their wrists had already revealed everyone's real names.

Even if he covered it up, he could easily be exposed afterward.

That would only bring him unnecessary hostility.

From the current situation, the New World seemed to be trying to create a harmonious, friendly environment. There was no direct hostility between players.

So after a brief hesitation, Lin Sizhi still gave his real name.

Soon, the countdown on the large screen ended.

Everyone gathered around the long table and took their seats, turning toward the screen.

The emotionless electronic voice sounded again. Related images also appeared on the large screen, supplementing and explaining its words so that everyone present could understand them better.

[Players, welcome to the New World!]

[This is a supernatural world governed by rules entirely different from the reality you know. Therefore, all players must strictly abide by the Player Code of Conduct and avoid any violations.]

[The Player Code of Conduct in the New World will be introduced in three sections:]

[1. Basic Living Guidelines]

[2. Community Activity Guidelines]

[3. Gallery Trial Guidelines]

[Please remember all of the above guidelines. Violations will result in punishment according to their severity, including "Deduct Visa Time" or even "deportation."]

[The detailed explanation will now begin.]

Lin Sizhi instinctively touched the visa wristband on his left hand.

Taken literally, a visa was special permission to remain in a certain country, and once its duration expired, one would be deported.

Then being deported from the New World most likely meant death.