Cross-World Suicide Mission
But the system had a point. If he were dropped into a Primordial World, any random mountain might have a demon that had lived for millions of years lurking beneath it.
A harmless-looking old man by the roadside might turn out to be some immortal out to experience ordinary life. One wisecrack from Lin Mo, and his soul could be obliterated the next second. Then the system would have to delete his account and start over again.
"What about special worlds?"
[Special worlds cannot be judged solely by their energy level.] [Such worlds may have relatively low overall power but possess extremely dangerous special rules.] [They may also lack powerful individuals while harboring anomalies capable of threatening high-level life-forms.] [Examples include time loops, cognitive contamination, supernatural rules, memetic infection, unknowable entities, and cause-and-effect mechanisms that guarantee death.]
The ease faded from Lin Mo's face. These were the truly troublesome ones.
At least in high-energy worlds, he could usually see the powerful beings coming. Even if he could not beat them, he would know what killed him.
But worlds governed by rules were different.
All it might take was looking at a picture.
Hearing a sentence. Remembering a name.
Even realizing something existed might trigger a condition for death.
He would not even know where the enemy was, much less how to fight back.
[The physical capabilities of ordinary life-forms in some special worlds may be far below the host's.] [However, those worlds' rules can bypass physical defenses and act directly on the mind, soul, causality, or existence itself.]
"So even if I'm stronger than everyone in that world put together, I could go in and die for no apparent reason within days?"
[Yes.]
What the fuck? He was not going to any world like that. Staying alive came first. A Kryptonian's resistance to magic was far weaker than his physical durability.
"Give me a more detailed breakdown of the levels," Lin Mo said.
[Certainly.]
The virtual panel flickered, and a more complete set of information appeared before Lin Mo.
[Low-energy worlds] [Key traits: Supernatural powers are not publicly known, or supernatural phenomena are extremely rare. Civilizations rely primarily on conventional technology. Individuals generally cannot confront modern armies head-on.] [Typical genres: Modern-day settings, historical warfare, martial arts, early-stage apocalypses, survival adventures.] [Examples: "Fast & Furious," "John Wick," "Jurassic Park," "Train to Busan," and most ordinary modern settings.]
Lin Mo's expression turned a little strange when he saw "Fast & Furious."
Did that world really have no supernatural powers?
Ordinary people crashed cars into planes, fell off cliffs without a scratch, and even drove cars into space.
Was that not some special cultivation system centered on family? Or perhaps a power fueled by belief?
The system ignored his complaints and continued.
[Mid-energy worlds] [Key traits: Supernatural powers or advanced technology have become established systems. The strongest individuals can destroy cities and threaten nations. Worlds may contain extraterrestrials, artificial intelligence, magic, mutated creatures, and supes.] [Typical genres: Superheroes, magical warfare, technological apocalypses, early-stage cultivation, monster disasters.] [Examples: "The Boys," "Harry Potter," "Terminator," "Resident Evil," "Pacific Rim," and the early to middle stages of "Naruto."]
Early-to-mid "Naruto" only counted as mid-energy.
No need to guess about the later stages. They had clearly moved up a tier.
[High-energy worlds] [Key traits: The strongest life-forms can destroy planets. Civilizations operate across the cosmos. Powers involving time, space, and souls are relatively common, and some individuals can survive in space for extended periods.] [Typical genres: Cosmic warfare, advanced cultivation, worlds of gods and demons, interstellar civilizations.] [Examples: "Dragon Ball," the later stages of "One-Punch Man," "Warhammer 40,000," "Swallowed Star," and the upper tiers of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.] [Ultra-high-energy worlds] [Key traits: Cosmic, multiversal, and rule-level life-forms exist. They can create or destroy universes and alter reality and timelines. The worlds themselves may comprise countless dimensions and parallel universes.] [Typical genres: Top-tier fantasy, Primordial World mythology, multiversal warfare, conceptual deities.] [Examples: The full Marvel Comics universe, the full DC Comics universe, and some top-tier Primordial World and infinite-world settings.] [Special worlds] [Key traits: Their level varies, and their dangers do not depend on conventional combat power. They may feature lethal rules, cognitive contamination, memetic transmission, time loops, and unpredictable world mechanics.] [Typical examples: Lovecraftian settings, worlds governed by deadly supernatural rules, endless loops, anomaly containment, and certain horror worlds.]
After reading the full breakdown, Lin Mo finally had a rough grasp of the system's world-travel function.
In short, low-energy worlds were not necessarily safe. But with his strength, as long as he avoided interstellar wars, deadly viruses, and rule-based anomalies, he could pretty much do as he pleased.
Mid-energy worlds covered a much wider range.
In the weaker ones, he would still hold an overwhelming advantage. In the stronger ones, threats to him might already exist.
As for high-energy and ultra-high-energy worlds...
For now, he would stick to reading their descriptions and daydreaming.
Actually going into one would not be dimensional travel.
It would be a cross-world suicide mission.
"So with my strength, low-energy worlds are the best fit?" Lin Mo asked after a moment's hesitation.
[Yes.] [Low-energy worlds present relatively little danger overall, and the host has a significant advantage in strength. They are suitable for a first crossing, gathering resources, and becoming familiar with the system's functions.] [However, the system recommends prioritizing worlds that possess unique resources without posing excessive danger.]
Lin Mo's eyes lit up. That was exactly what he had been thinking.
Ordinary modern worlds were safe, but aside from sightseeing and enjoying the food, there was hardly anything valuable to gain.
If he was going to spend several thousand energy points to get there, he could not just take Joanna on vacation.
Right. That reminded him of something he had not asked yet.
"Can I bring someone with me?"
[Yes.]
The system's answer made Lin Mo's eyes brighten.
[The host may bring life-forms with whom he has established a stable connection.] [The energy cost for each additional life-form is calculated according to the target's strength and level of existence.]
"How much for Joanna?"
The system fell silent for a brief second.
[Scanning target life-form.] [Target: Joanna.] [Current identity: Homelander, a central figure in this world's story.] [Life-form level: Mid.] [Estimated additional cost to bring target into a low-energy world: 1,000 energy points.]
A thousand?
Lin Mo rubbed his chin.
That price was acceptable.
With Joanna's current strength, she would be a walking catastrophe in plenty of low-energy worlds.
As the system had just said, the stronger the target, the higher the cost of bringing them along. That made sense.
"So if I want to choose a specific low-energy world and bring Joanna, it'll cost at least three thousand points?"
[Yes.]
Lin Mo did the math.
He currently had 1,800 energy points.
He earned a fixed fifty points a day. That left him 1,200 short—twenty-four days, less than a month.
It was much sooner than he had expected.
After eighteen years in the Bunker, he did not mind waiting another twenty-four days.
"Once I enter another world, can I come back?"