Chapter 359
One bottle for one point, could it be counterfeit?
He wandered around for a moment and saw that the commercial street in front of him was taking shape. After all, everyone had just ascended not long ago, and the 100-point teleportation fee was too expensive. Even if they wanted to buy props, they could just send a representative. Doing some small business inside the Outpost would not require rent and could also pass the time.
Along the wide road, colorful parasols lined up in a row. Players followed suit, adding consumable items to the raw materials they redeemed in the game, which could then be exchanged for points as Transcendental Grade items.
Beer, coffee, barbecue, and all sorts of clothes; the Transcendental Grade skills are incredibly diverse, some leaning towards auxiliary skills like enchanting and weaving, making them perfect for a pay-to-win approach.
There were also quite a few players who came to shop, because each team's private space wasn't that big, so instead of staying at home, they might as well come out for a cup of coffee and relax for a few days.
The Thorny Rose quests are very frequent, averaging once a week. Most people choose to relax afterward, and the atmosphere always reminds them of the feeling before they became players.
Mmm, it tastes just like everyday life.
Yuki two dungeons, he had gained a deep understanding of the Reincarnation Game and learned a lot about the characteristics of other factions.
This kind of daily life, or rather, this kind of ordinary life, is extremely rare; basically, all the players he knows are very busy.
The Hunters are busy honing their skills in preparation for the next mission; the return of the Aether Particles will bring another war; even the relatively stable factions like the Mechanical Faith and War Orphans have endless tasks to complete.
Well, the Reincarnation Game is their home, and participating in dungeons is their duty. As for why they keep climbing higher, most people probably can't answer that. It's just a habit. Even newly ascended players are pushed forward by this habit.
"But the Thorny Rose are different. For various reasons, the vast majority of them are very resistant to the Reincarnation Game and are more used to their previous lives."
Ordinary and Transcendental Grade, past and present, everyday life of youth and the Reincarnation Game are all diametrically opposed, and Yuki is striving to maintain this habit for the sake of the ultimate plan.
Just then, Hayasaka Ai and a few girls appeared in her field of vision, arm in arm, somewhat like they were discussing which cake shop to go to for a get-together after school.
When they saw Yuki, they huddled together and started teasing her, making Hayasaka Ai blush slightly and hesitate to come closer.
Rikka Takanashi, Mashiro Shiina, Eriri, and the black-haired one is Haruka Morishima, right?
Yuki felt the scrutinizing, immature, kind, and curious gazes. He picked up his beer, shook it as a greeting, and then pricked up his ears to listen to the high school girls' discussion about him.
"This is your boyfriend? He looks pretty ordinary."
"Eriri, are you envious?"
"Morijima-senpai, please don't joke around like that." Eriri turned her head and glanced at Yuki out of the corner of her eye. "He looks alright, but I don't see the sense of security that Hayasaka -san mentioned."
"Yes, this one is quite gentle. Oh, so you're into older men!"
"What do you mean, 'old man'? Yuki is a college student, he's not much older than us." Hayasaka became unhappy, even though she had always thought Yuki was about ten years older than her.
"That's because you're into older men. That makes sense. Adults are always more reliable in Reincarnation Game. Rikka, what's with that long face?"
The blindfolded girl stared at Yuki, not joining in the banter at all. Only when asked did she stroke her chin and say, "I think I see Abyss Grade. This person is unfathomably strong."
"Alright, you say that to everyone. Everyone, shall we go over and say hello?" Haruka Morishima was poised and confident, somewhat reminiscent of Mai Sakurajima.
"Forget it, Ai'll be embarrassed again later. Ugh, stop tickling me, hurry up and go."
The group was making a ruckus when Yuki put down his bottle and saw Hayasaka Ai being pushed. Her face was flushed, and she walked over Lightness with her hands behind her back.
She was no longer the expressionless professional player, and her shyness and joy didn't seem feigned. For some reason, Yuki preferred Hayasaka Ai in this state.
Having only been a player for half a year, I shouldn't have changed all the habits I've had for the past ten years and turned into a cold and ruthless strategy machine.
"Your friends are all nice, why don't you invite them over to meet you?"
"Hmph, dream on. Don't you dare try anything with Eriri and the others." Hayasaka Ai wrinkled her nose, pulled out a chair and sat down, seemingly well aware of the importance of being wary of her best friend.
"Don't be so wary, I just want to get to know you."
"Naive? You're not really susceptible to high school girls, are you?"
Actually, I have no resistance to teachers, nurses, or policewomen.
Yuki muttered a complaint under his breath, but waved goodbye to Eriri and the others with great gentlemanly manners. This elegance earned him a lot of goodwill. However, before he could properly appreciate the smiles of the well-known characters, Hayasaka Ai's face was already in front of him.
Stare--
The azure eyes made Yuki feel a little guilty. Just as he was about to turn his head away, his face was pressed down again, and then he felt warmth and softness on his lips, and heard screams in the distance.
"Ah, a love of boldness."
"She... she dares to do that on the street?"
Yuki blinked, and seeing Mashiro Shiina and the others fleeing in disarray, he couldn't help but find it somewhat amusing.
Having faced countless bloody monsters to get to where they are now, it's astonishing that they would flee in panic over something so trivial. That naiveté is something rarely seen in other factions.
After all, most people haven't been in the game for long, and haven't yet been tainted by the dark side of the Reincarnation Game. Besides, the Azure Sun World has its own unique characteristics, which are ingrained in its very being.
Just then, Yuki saw a couple passing by. The girl had a sinister aura, while the boy had a cheerful smile. They walked side by side, and even the slightest touch of their fingertips made them turn their heads away.
Damn, Sawako Kuronuma, Shota Kazehaya, you guys are already in the loop and you're trying to drive us crazy?
"No looking around, no daydreaming." Hayasaka Ai parted her lips, her face flushed with displeasure. Who would think about a game while kissing?
"Sorry, it's a bad habit." Yuki saw a group of people walking towards him from the other end of the shopping street, but completely ignored them and went straight up to them.
"Let me do it."
A bustling commercial street, a couple embracing and kissing—this composition is beautiful and quite common within the Thorny Rose. However, if this scene were placed amidst the bitterness and hatred of the 'End World,' its beauty would seem out of place.
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, Zhang Jin, and One Leaf Foretells Autumn stopped in their tracks, not going to disturb them, and for some reason, they all breathed a sigh of relief.
They surveyed the player demographics of Thorny Rose and found that the overall player base is young. Ambitious individuals like Shinomiya Oko Hikari are relatively rare. Furthermore, growing up in a world without Transcendental Grade powers, no matter how eccentric or abnormal one becomes, they cannot compare to other factions.
The most prominent characteristic of this faction is 'ordinary', perhaps with some added keywords like 'naive'. According to research, this is closely related to the length of the dungeon.
Before entering the Outpost, players complete 5-7 days of dungeon quests, and then return to normal society for 5-7 days, ensuring that they neither become rusty due to too much rest nor become addicted to the dungeons due to their long duration.
"Kiyotaka, I always feel that this is being deliberately shaped by an invisible hand." The languid man spoke quietly, having formed this idea after obtaining intelligence from other factions.
Especially with one-way communication like television and the internet, other camps simply don't have this kind of 'benefit'.
"There are signs, but they are still quite unbelievable. If it could really affect the cycle of Reincarnation Game, what would it be after?"
The group fell silent. They couldn't understand it at all. They had spent a lot of time doing research and found that their own group was indeed mediocre.
Despite being in a cruel game, there wasn't much bitterness or deep resentment.
"Perhaps this will make Him feel comfortable, just like this strange meeting."
It was indeed strange. They all knew that Yuki's identity was mysterious and that he was probably a contact person or something similar. At first, they were both wary and eager.
However, the pioneers behind him never issued any specific missions, nor did they intend to enslave all the players. Just like this meeting without any ceremony, it didn't look like they were about to do something big.
A street stall, a red parasol, a few bottles of beer, three chairs arranged on the street, and a man and woman cuddling together.
In terms of high emotional intelligence, this translates to absolute confidence and composure.
That's a low-EQ way of putting it; isn't this just a friends' gathering?
"Mr. Sorashima, you really don't make me nervous." One Leaf Foretells Autumn pulled out a chair and sat down. He had made a point of tidying up his messy hair and wearing a black suit today.
"Why be nervous? This is our first meeting, but I've been friends with Kiyotaka and Zhang Jin for a long time. Or are you from an elite background?" Yuki replied with a smile. He had no intention of becoming king, so why make them uneasy?
"Elite? I'm just a lousy gamer." One Leaf Foretells Autumn shrugged, loosening his tie. "Just take this as a little rant. I prepared so many plans for this meeting, but none of them were used."
"You're overthinking it. If the Thorny Rose is truly to be used as a tool of war, I think 'Day' would be more suitable."
"Indeed, a tight organizational structure, a strict hierarchy, and Mr. Shinomiya's methods—this is the rational construction of a war machine. That's why I'm so puzzled: why were we chosen? What value do we really have?"
This was a question they all shared. Yuki's identity as a contact person was limited to this small circle. For example, in the eyes of Mashiro Shiina and others, he was just Hayasaka Ai's boyfriend.
'Even as a contact, the fewer people who know my identity, the safer I am.'
This was a result deliberately orchestrated by Yuki. Being behind the scenes doesn't mean he has no presence. For the sake of his final plan, he needed someone to help control this faction, but he couldn't bear to let his seniors do it, so he had no choice but to trouble these few.
They are renowned, powerful, and well-established, and their goals align with his own, so Yuki must also unravel their doubts.
What do you think of the Outpost now?
Yuki didn't give a direct answer, nor did he mention 'Taiyi'; instead, he asked a completely unrelated question.
This...
The three exchanged glances. Their organizations were all different: One Leaf Foretells Autumn was mainly composed of adult office workers, Zhang Jin more of a gray-haired type, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka was mainly composed of students. After thinking about it carefully, they all nodded.
"The feedback has been quite good. After all, ascension is still relatively recent, and people are more accustomed to the order on Earth."
"I do have a lot of players from gangs on my side, but they're not inherently bad. Why would anyone choose a life of ease? Who the hell likes to live on the edge? Dungeons are already torture enough."
As expected, Yuki had already observed this while dating Hayasaka Ai; she was essentially a player by origin.
Regardless of country or social class, we all live on the same planet, follow the same rules, and are just ordinary people.
This is fundamentally different from the greatsword that traverses bloody battles and the heroic spirits that have created epics. For example, Levi Ackerman might like this kind of life, but he would never adapt to it.
"So, do you think this is good or bad?" Yuki asked again.
"Personally, I think it's mostly beneficial. Dungeons follow the Dark Forest principle, so you should rest after returning to the game. I'm just a hardcore gamer, and I don't want to have to fight against others again after returning to the game. I'll inevitably become corrupted if I do it for too long." Ye Qiu spread his hands, looking exhausted and disillusioned.
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka thought a little more deeply, and after a moment of silence, he replied, "As far as I know, each faction has its own unique characteristics. I think that's the characteristic of the Thorny Rose."
"See, you already have the answer yourselves." Yuki smiled, took a sip of beer, and wiped his mouth. "That's right, your value lies in maintaining this unique characteristic. To be precise, it's about preserving your essence as 'humans' while becoming players, and not being tainted by the Reincarnation Game."
Yuki didn't keep anyone in suspense. In a relaxed tone, he revealed his wish, which was Taiyi's wish, or, according to the 'Aether Particles,' an Oracle.
Huh? That's it?
Ye Qiu and the others exchanged glances, unable to see any benefit in this. The fact that Zhou had been uprooted confirmed that he also possessed ruthless methods, so powerful that no player could resist him.
So how come these big shots, who started with such epic achievements, have absolutely no ambition? What's the real point of maintaining their 'ordinary' characteristics?
Humans and players? The pollution of the Reincarnation Game?
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's eyes flickered as he stared at Yuki with a strange look, blurting out, "Is this the Game Infiltration Theory?"
His words reminded everyone, and were the only explanation: because of the time-limited progress, players of Thorny Rose had been on Earth for too long, and it was inevitable that they would start to think about the game's mechanics.
The Game Infiltration Theory, a clue that Yuuki discovered after the Demon Hospital Yuki, and which he also discussed with Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, suggests several manifestations:
First, some missions are based on Earth, with Ancient Castle and hospitals being typical examples. After Yuki returned, an identical building was found.
Secondly, there is the diffusion effect of players. Taking Advanced Nurturing High School as an example, a large number of players concentrated in one place will infect ordinary people like an infectious disease, greatly increasing the probability of players appearing.
Thirdly, there was the selection process, which resembled raising poisonous insects. This foreshadowing only became clear when Yuki arrived at the Outpost and met the Witch God.
"Yes, the Reincarnation Game is constantly eroding us, transforming us from individuals into players." Yuki nodded solemnly; he remembered all these foreshadowings. "From my observation, some factions easily become players, and before long, they will be inseparable from the Reincarnation Game."
Indeed, even players from low-magic worlds can easily accept the game's setting. Frieren, for example; her world is primarily based on magic and adventure.
The Reincarnation Game simply made her magic more powerful and her adventures more exciting, with almost seamless transitions.
"But we're different. Before, talking about superpowers was just seen as being a chuunibyou (a person with delusions of grandeur), there was always a barrier." Ayanokoji Kiyotaka lowered his head and thought for a moment, then stared intently at Yuki: "So you think ascension is also a kind of pollution?"
"Isn't that so? Linking the Borderlands means severing the past and entering a new order. Our lives will only be related to the Reincarnation Game, and as time goes by, they will change completely." Yuki crossed his arms, his voice suddenly becoming louder:
"Use the logic and habits of players to see the world. In order to survive, there is an endless pursuit of power. This path has no end. Teams, factions, and Borderlands will occupy every bit of thinking space. In the end, what do you think this will resemble?"
"Completely immerse yourself in the game and become a true player."
Everyone, including Hayasaka Ai, unanimously agreed that the mystery that had been troubling them for so long had finally been solved.
Most players of Thorny Rose are conflicted; on the one hand, they pursue power for survival, while on the other hand, they reject the Reincarnation Game for various reasons.
The dungeon is too dangerous; anyone who isn't a masochist or pervert would avoid it. But such aversion is nothing compared to the instinct for survival; time will eventually heal all wounds.
Like rowing against the current, if you don't move forward, you will die. When the struggle for survival becomes a habit, and when the ordinary past is replaced by the Transcendental Grade, you will naturally become a true player.
But this Outpost is strange; the time allotted for dungeons is equal to the time for rest, allowing ample time to heal the wounds inflicted during dungeons.
It directly connects to the Borderlands, avoiding a second assessment and skipping the closed-world breeding phase.
The Pioneers remain hidden behind the scenes, their strength unmatched, and thus they won't get caught up in the struggle for power like the 'Aether Particles'.
Most importantly, I maintain contact with my hometown, even if it's only through a single line of communication, it's still a connection that's not broken.
Seeing a familiar face on the screen, even if the other person has long forgotten you, the contrasting memories always dilute the feeling of the Reincarnation Game.
It's a bit like a kite soaring high in the sky; there's always a string connecting it to the earth, so it doesn't drift aimlessly.
"Is this His wish?" Ye Qiu couldn't help but ask. All signs indicated that this was done on purpose.
Maintaining habits and preventing erosion all point to one goal:
Perhaps this pioneer wanted to escape the Reincarnation Game and achieve true liberation.
"Yes, do you think it's that simple?" Yuki turned his head to look at them; he dared to reveal the target only after careful consideration.
These people, like myself, were not seduced by the Transcendental Grade; they wanted to be human beings, not players struggling to survive.
"On the contrary, this task is incredibly difficult, a hundred times more troublesome than organizing a super-large player team to participate in faction wars," Ye Qiu said with a wry smile.