The Golden Kingdom

After using the ability of the Doom-Bringing Raven, three choices were once again laid out before Yang Qizhou.

Waiting in place was the first to be ruled out.

Staying behind was utterly meaningless, aside from being slaughtered by the Resentful Maiden Aliceina again. There was also the risk of her camping the spawn point, which would be a total disaster; he could forget about playing the game normally until she finished venting her rage.

That left only two choices: continue setting off toward Dark Fog Town, or return to Fire-Stealing Village to report the situation to Lena.

The ability of the Doom-Bringing Raven has already been used. Until a new choice appears, there will be no more save-scumming checkpoints, so this time I must truly face a "choice between two."

Returning to Fire-Stealing Village is the safest decision.

Just from the descriptions between the lines, one can tell how terrifying the wilderness is. It is filled with evil creatures, twisted lifeforms, followers of Old Gods, hidden existences, and so on. You could say there is a landmine every half-step; sooner or later, one would get blown to bits.

The Divine Path back to the village still exists, and with the protection of the gods, one would not be harmed by the horrors of the wilderness. It is clearly much safer.

Once back in the village, I can tell Lena that the Divine Path has been severed and discuss the next course of action.

So, my choice is...

Yang Qizhou chose "one," continuing to follow the road signs toward Dark Fog Town.

Danger and opportunity coexist; Yang Qizhou naturally understood this principle. Choosing to return to Fire-Stealing Village seemed like the safest option, but in reality, it was the one with the smallest harvest. Continuing toward Dark Fog Town, while requiring a trek through a wilderness full of the unknown and mysterious, offered huge benefits if he succeeded in lighting up a new map.

Moreover, the reason he made this choice was that he had the confidence to back it up.

[Garment of the Hidden World] effect triggered...

"You have donned the 'Garment of the Hidden World.' Now, without your permission, no one can perceive your identity. You can also enter a hidden state, unable to be detected by anyone. This effect automatically expires when you attempt to interfere with reality."

"You have entered a hidden state."

"The quasi-legendary grade Old Day item is powerful, filling you with confidence and the conviction that you can easily traverse the mysterious and unknown wilderness to reach Dark Fog Town and complete Lena's commission."

"You have left the Divine Path and continue to advance toward the road signs for Dark Fog Town."

"You continue on your journey."

"You encounter a giant snake. Because you are in a hidden state, it does not discover your existence."

"You continue on your journey."

"You are still on your journey."

"You see Aliceina. It turns out she sensed your aura and was searching along the Divine Path. This incident tells us never to offend a woman who holds a grudge."

"You are in a hidden state; Aliceina does not discover you and leaves in a huff, filled with resentment."

Nice.

Yang Qizhou was in a very good mood. He took another big gulp of cola, his heart surging with excitement.

Aliceina was the most terrifying big boss he had encountered so far, aside from the Lord of the Dreamy Hidden World and the Mother of Beauty and Fertility. She could instantly cause Fire-Stealing Village to decay and weather away, and her roar could kill twisted lifeforms within a hundred meters—she was powerful to the point of despair.

To be able to hide even from Aliceina—the [Garment of the Hidden World] is truly the eternal god, worthy of being a "quasi-legendary" Old Day item.

"Dark Fog Town, here I come."

Yang Qizhou thought to himself that this run was solid.

Continue game.

"Having dodged Aliceina's pursuit, you let out a long sigh of relief. Your self-confidence surges, believing that with the 'Garment of the Hidden World,' you can reach Dark Fog Town without any pressure."

"You continue on your journey."

"You hum a little tune as you travel."

"You encounter a Wandering Undead of the Wilderness and even cheekily wave at it. The Wandering Undead of the Wilderness does not discover you while you are in the hidden state."

"You become even more smug."

"You continue on your journey."

"You encounter a giant like a small mountain. You are in a hidden state and are not discovered."

"The giant does not discover your existence, but accidentally tramples you into a pulp of meat as it passes by."

"You have died."

????

"What the f*ck..." Yang Qizhou slammed the table in a rage. He had thought that since he could hide from Aliceina, who was suspected to be a follower of an Old God, having the [Garment of the Hidden World] meant reaching Dark Fog Town would be a breeze.

As it turned out, It was true that he hadn't been discovered, but because the giant was too large, it had simply stepped on his game character and killed him.

I really did become an ant, didn't I?

However, this served as a reminder to Yang Qizhou: although the effect of the [Garment of the Hidden World] is powerful, it is not invincible. There are still many factors that can lead to the death of a game character.

It is the same in reality.

"I hope I can reach 'Dark Fog Town' smoothly today and not have any more weird mishaps. My heart can't take it."

Yang Qizhou muttered, his gaze returning to the game.

The death process was the same as before: his soul arrived at the River of Death, under the gaze of an unknown existence. However, because he had already used the ability of the "Doom-Bringing Raven" on his previous choice, he could not rewind again, so he could only choose to respawn normally.

You open your eyes once more upon the desolate wilderness, the memory of being crushed into a pulp still sending shivers down your spine.

You activate the effect of the Garment of the Hidden World and set off toward Dark Fog Town once again.

You continue your journey.

You see a small town ahead, brightly lit and filled with the laughter of residents; the scenery appears quite prosperous.

Of course, this is not your destination, as you are still some distance from Dark Fog Town, and in your understanding, this town should not exist, for Lena said the closest town to Fire-Stealing Village is Dark Fog Town.

The crossroads of fate appear before you once again, as they always do for an explorer who cannot suppress the urge for adventure.

Do you choose to enter this mysterious town to experience its local customs and perhaps enjoy a glass of fine wine?

Or will you continue on your way to Dark Fog Town to complete Lena's commission?

Are you pulling more tricks again?

Knowing the nature of this trash game, World of Weirdness, it was never going to let a player have a peaceful journey to Dark Fog Town; it seems that is indeed the case.

A mysterious town? Naturally, you have to go take a look.

Yang Qizhou is different from other players; he isn't afraid of making the wrong choice. With the Doom-Bringing Raven, he can simply start over if things go south.

Is this cheat I'm using a bit too overpowered?

Though he says this, Yang Qizhou has no intention of abandoning the Doom-Bringing Raven. Why wouldn't he use an official cheat he pulled with his own strength?

You choose to enter the town to take a look.

The town is very hospitable; the residents welcome your arrival and bring out their most delicious fruit wine and most fragrant roasted meat.

You marvel at how simple and honest the local customs are and ask a young boy on your right what this town is called.

The young boy says this place is Windbell Town, and that the residents here were once plagued by unknown horrors of the wilderness until a divine messenger from the Golden Kingdom appeared.

He is an enforcer of the Court of Truth and a wielder of the sword of order.

He rewove the laws for the town and led them to believe in the True Blazing Sun hanging high in the sky, shielding them from the unknown horrors of the wilderness.

The deity this town worships is actually the "Sun."

Your scalp tingles.