Chapter One: Official Launch

Singularity, the developer of "Killing Island," offered no explanation as to why the Shadow Queen appeared at the end, creating a dynamic of light and dark opposition against the Eldest Daughter of the Sun. Instead, they announced that the official launch would usher in the first expansion pack, "Wasteland of Light and Dark," and released a developer blog in the beta testers' discussion group detailing numerous updates.

First, the novice bonuses were removed; players would no longer receive two extra attribute points. However, every player’s starting level was set to ten, significantly jumping the progression. The nine players who passed the final evaluation would not need to undergo advancement trials, breaking through their life shackles with a perfect rating. The remaining players, if they challenged the advancement trials without proper preparation, would risk severe penalties such as permanent attribute loss upon failure.

Next, the existing skill system was modified. Since healing professions were intentionally hidden during the beta, some skills had been buffed; these would be reverted upon official launch. New healing skills were added, and the realistic effects of "technical" skills were enhanced to bring combat closer to a limited sense of reality.

Finally, the fourth in-game organization, the "Wasteland Group," was introduced. Aside from the nine beta testers like Ember, all players would have one unconditional opportunity to switch their organizational allegiance. Players who joined the Wasteland Group would receive relatively independent growth opportunities for a set period, until the number of players reaching the Tier 2 cap met certain requirements, at which point a confrontation mode between the two major worlds would be activated.

"The Wasteland Group’s core philosophy is to become an anomaly. Player combat power stems primarily from self-enhancement rather than weapons and equipment, making it more suitable for players who have mastered combat techniques."

"Wow! The update blog specifically highlights the enhancement of realistic effects for technical skills—isn't this just pushing the Wasteland Group?"

"Interesting. I’m planning to join the Wasteland Group. The Foundation’s development direction is rather mediocre, without clear advantages or disadvantages; it doesn't feel like my style."

"I'm also preparing to switch to the Wasteland Group. The Scavengers haven't really made a name for themselves anyway, so I might as well test the waters somewhere else."

Since registration for the discussion group had not yet opened to the public, the participants were still beta testers. A significant portion was drawn to the combat style of the Wasteland Group and decided to change their affiliation, while others considered the three major organizations.

"The Foundation’s development philosophy isn't actually mediocre. You should have seen the performance of the Water-Man. The anomalous tools she mastered are unique to the Foundation; as long as you invest enough resources, you can produce auxiliary items continuously. If used correctly, the effects are extraordinary!"

"Furthermore, the advantages of the Scavengers have yet to be fully realized. Referencing the revolver used by 'Bitter Wind and Rain,' one can catch a glimpse of the potential: Scavenger players can modify firearms, and modification costs are lower than enhancement costs of the same tier. At the very least, in terms of attack, the Scavengers will have an edge, and perhaps they can achieve unexpected results through modifications."

"As for the Academy, I don't need to say much. They are the only ones with Arcane abilities, and the newly added healing skills can only be mastered by Academy players in the healing branch. Later on, when forming groups for dungeons, these players will be indispensable."

"In short, all four organizations have their own merits. There is no 'best' one, only the one that suits you best. Everyone can feel free to choose according to their preferences."

A well-known data-miner who had collected data on over a hundred players revealed these insights. His analysis, based on various pieces of information, brought clarity to many players and solidified their choices.

Meanwhile, major guilds intending to enter "Anomaly Paradise" began recruiting in the discussion group. Most notable were the two giants from Singularity’s previous work, "Titan": "Nine Trigrams" and the "Casual Alliance." Both sides were aggressive, offering generous terms as if they intended to carry their rivalry into this new battlefield.

Other first- and second-tier guilds were also stepping up their recruitment. After all, beta testers possessed a first-mover advantage and were effective at guiding newcomers. Those who had managed to break into Killing Island were highly sought after, even if they had been eliminated early.

However, the number of players was finite. In the scramble, some guilds ended up empty-handed, inevitably leading to various disputes. Old grudges and new grievances were settled together, sparking a series of flame wars in the discussion group.

Under normal circumstances, Duke Thunder, determined to elevate his guild, would never have missed this final opportunity to improve before launch. But because Sunny Day had betrayed him, leading a large number of members to defect and form the "Ten Thousand Army Guild," he was left overwhelmed, forced to pour his energy into stabilizing his position. However, the departure of Sunny Day and the others had an unburdening effect on the Thunder Guild; Duke Thunder proceeded to streamline the previously bloated personnel structure, finally finishing his preparations just one day before the launch.

Although he lacked the energy to recruit, he still attracted many beta testers who came to join voluntarily. First, they admired Duke Thunder’s character of repaying kindness, and second, the mediation of Scaly Arm ensured that the Thunder Guild did not suffer a fatal blow from the personnel departures.

Of course, the primary focus of the major guilds remained the nine Guardian Knights and Shadow Envoys, especially the two "unaffiliated" freelancers, Ember and Lu Renjia. The others were either already spoken for or had formed tight-knit groups, like the "Not Jianghu" trio, leaving no chance for recruitment.

The problem was that the conflict between Nine Trigrams and Ember was common knowledge. The former, relying on their numbers, suppressed Ember in various ways, signaling that recruiting Ember meant becoming an enemy of Nine Trigrams.

Yet, there were already plenty of guilds hostile to Nine Trigrams—the Casual Alliance, for instance, scoffed at their attitude. Consequently, friend requests still flooded Ember’s inbox like snowflakes. However, he had barely checked the discussion group during this time, spending his daily life in a fulfilling routine of painting and working out, while finalizing the details for his next masterpiece portrait. Before he knew it, the launch date for Anomaly Paradise arrived.

After agreeing on a time to log in with his friends, Ember put on his haptic suit, donned his virtual helmet, and immersed himself in the game interface.

...

[Welcome to the Singularity game "Anomaly Paradise." We wish you a pleasant game!]

As the screen shifted, Ember found himself in an unfamiliar room. Before he could grasp the situation, a row of notifications flooded his vision.

[Notification: You have successfully passed the final assessment, "Killing Island," and become an official employee of the Foundation. You now have permission to move freely within the Safe Zone.]

[Notification: You became an Shadow Envoy of the Shadow Queen on "Killing Island." Under certain circumstances, you will be summoned by the Shadow Queen. Additionally, having passed the advancement assessment with a perfect rating, you will not receive any penalties and are rewarded with 12,800 Credit Points, a massive amount of Contribution Points, and one bottle of "Tier 2 Evolution Reagent (Improved Version)!"]

[Notification: Your character level has increased to twelve. You have gained two core attribute points and two major attribute points.]

[Notification: You have completed the main quest "Reconstruction." You have received "Real Island Newcomer Residential Area Apartment 001 (Luxury Duplex)" (Permanent login permission to the Real Island server). You have received a special reward: one year of ownership of a shop, along with priority renewal, discounted renewal, and full buyout rights. The location is "Real Island Core Commercial District 001."]

[Notification: You have lost the "Sun Emblem" and "Island Map."]

[Notification: Your contracted follower, the mantis-type "Juvenile Shadow-Eater," has entered a state of deathly silence due to the exhaustion of its life force. The Bloodline Contract is temporarily invalid. If you wish to contract a new follower, you must spend 1,000 Credit Points to erase the bloodline traces.]

[Notification: More exchange options have been unlocked for your "Killing Island" rewards. Please complete your exchanges using your Killing Points within ten minutes.]

"Sigh, is there really no way to keep the little mantis?"

Ember sighed and turned to check the exchange list, noticing many high-quality items among the new options.

"Anomalous Tool: A unique reward only selectable by Foundation players, and it can be chosen freely without restriction on type. Hmm... let me see... I like this one! Ten points, taken!"

"Anomalous Equipment Exchange Voucher is also ten points. Tsk, this must be taken. The Sun Emblem is gone; it’s perfect for an anomalous accessory. I just wonder if gathering the four-piece Active Soft-Body set will trigger any additional effects?"

"As for the other items, while they are quite good, in the long run, they can't compare to attribute points. I'll use the final ten Killing Points to exchange for the improved Basic-Tier Evolution Reagent. I drank a regular one before, but the effects faded after my advancement; this is the perfect opportunity to make up for the loss."

In the end, Ember’s thirty Killing Points were used to exchange for only three items. Regardless of the Anomalous Tool, the Anomalous Equipment Exchange Voucher, or the improved Evolution Reagent, all were top-tier items on the list. While others were drooling over the list, Ember had snatched up his three desired items without hesitation.

If there was one choice that pleased Ember the most, it wasn't the equipment voucher or the reagent, but the anomalous tool he had set his eyes on at first glance: [The Mimic Brush].