Chapter Twenty-Five: Settlement

Unlike the first assessment, the settlement screen had transformed into an interactive animation. From a third-person perspective, Ashes witnessed the aftermath unfolding in the Paradise world.

The exposure of the Gardener incident sent shockwaves throughout, for the Wasteland world was of utmost importance, prompting all factions to demand access to the manor. Historically at odds, the Farmer and the Shepherd, sensing an unprecedented threat, chose to unite for the first time. Yet the directors, doctors, and commanders of the Foundation joined forces to pressure the High Council, ultimately forcing it to issue an ultimatum: the Farmer was ordered to fully open the Shadowed Forest. Simultaneously, the leaders of the Scavengers and the University intervened, persuading the Shepherd to relinquish the manor—a place he and the Farmer had guarded jealously—thus unveiling it entirely to the world.

No one knew how many precious research instruments and materials the Farmer and Shepherd smashed in their rage. Realizing there were still secrets lurking within the manor they did not understand, their fury resolved into a determination to conduct a thorough investigation.

Suddenly the scene shifted. Ashes saw a squad of heavily armed soldiers surrounding yet another Gardener’s cottage within the manor.

Inside, four figures lay unconscious on operating tables: the Sunflower Driver, the Man-eating Plant Guide, and two game characters—a cat and a dog. All were wrapped in bandages, clearly fresh from surgery. A burly figure was tidying up medical instruments nearby, flushing various reagents down the drain. He turned, removed his mask, and gazed at the four with a mysterious smile.

The Gardener!

At the sight of this second Gardener, Ashes instantly grasped his intent. There was a Gardener symbiote both inside and outside the Shadowed Forest. This not only dulled the vigilance of the Farmer and Shepherd, but also allowed for constant surveillance of the forest’s changes. Relying on their affinity with nature, they had caused the flora and fauna of the manor to ignore all manner of anomalies, keeping the Farmer and Shepherd—outsiders—completely in the dark. Unfortunately, a spatial fluctuation betrayed them, unraveling the secret of the Shadowed Forest.

Aware that his life was coming to an end, the Gardener exhibited no fear or sorrow, only a profound calm as he opened the door and stepped outside.

Facing a wall of gun barrels, he loudly proclaimed the closing lines of his declaration of vengeance:

“When I return, the earth of the manor shall flow with molten lava, and the streams will be ignited by the shadowed veil.
Those who share my symbiosis shall be reborn in fire.
Together with me, with blood we shall inscribe your crimes, and prison shall bind your time forevermore.”

As his words faded, gunfire erupted. The Farmer and Shepherd, consumed by wrath, ordered his execution, vowing to hunt down the Gardener in the Wasteland world and eradicate the threat completely.

The scene shifted again. Ashes found himself back at the Foundation’s Nineteenth Covert Facility. The “Juvenile Bloodvine” he had acquired from the Gardener underwent a series of analyses by the technology department, resulting in a trove of complex data. After reviewing the findings, the elderly director in a suit decided to transfer the “Juvenile Bloodvine” to the equipment manufacturing division, where it was eventually crafted into a piece of jewelry.

[Notice: You have obtained the quest item—equipment (accessory) “Bloodvine Bracelet.”]

...

[Bloodvine Bracelet] (Juvenile/Quest Item)
Equipment Type: Accessory

Equipment Effect 1: +20 Health, +10 Sanity
Equipment Effect 2: Virus Resistance (Minor Level; grants immunity to minor viral infections, can grow)
Equipment Effect 3: Fear Resistance (Minor Level; grants immunity to minor fear effects, can grow)
Equipment Effect 4: Devour & Grow (can consume “Life Core” to enhance equipment effects)
Requirements: None

Description: The Bloodvine Bracelet is crafted from a vine native to the Wasteland world, thriving in an exceptionally unique environment. It has fused with the Gardener’s bloodline, granting it extraordinary potential for growth. However, removed from its native environment and deprived of the Gardener’s bloodline as its foundation, its lifespan is drastically shortened. To prepare for the coming expedition, its life potential has been excessively stimulated, and it has been fashioned into a portable accessory. Once the exploration concludes, its life will end unless it can reach its ultimate state within the limited time.

[Notice: This equipment is a quest item. Players may keep it for one assessment cycle only.]

...

“This is of utmost importance. It determines whether you can survive in the Wasteland and whether you can complete your mission. Guard it well!”

The Control Center Director handed the [Bloodvine Bracelet] to the newly mobile Ashes, speaking with evident satisfaction, “I’ve reviewed your assessment report. Your performance was exceptional—you did not disappoint either the Director or myself. Even among all new recruits, your results place you among the elite. Though you are not a reality warper, your performance rivals theirs. Therefore, the Director has decided to submit a nomination to the High Council, sending you into the Wasteland world to seek the [Sun Ladder].”

He then brought up an image depicting a genetic sequence.

“To allay your concerns, the Director has permitted me to share with you a secret about the Paradise world. As you know, our world is not unique. Even as we speak, life in another world unfolds in myriad ways. That world and the Paradise world are parallel, yet not entirely isolated from each other. They are like the strands of a genetic helix—spiraling forward, mutually supporting and influencing one another.”

At this, a fanatic light flickered in the Director’s eyes. With a wave, the gene sequence began to twist, sometimes looping into itself, sometimes colliding and merging.

“Life and worlds are not the same. Though similarities exist, their laws differ fundamentally. The entanglement of times, the fusion and erosion of spaces, these have caused the Paradise world to occasionally exhibit anomalies relating to the past or future—sometimes even the past and future of parallel worlds. For instance, the Wasteland world you are about to enter is not the ‘Fairy Tale’ world on our timeline, but rather its future.”

The image shifted along with his explanation, revealing two incomplete world maps. Ashes saw that the two worlds featured many interconnected regions, as well as unexplored areas shrouded in black. Notably, the place known as the “Sun Ladder” lay within a dark zone of the Wasteland world. Although the surrounding environment had been fully mapped, the central darkness remained off-limits, untouchable as though it were forbidden.

“Based on current findings, the Fairy Tale world perished in a catastrophe known to none, and the cause of the Wasteland world’s formation remains equally elusive,” the Director said, his voice tinged with uncertainty. “This is no mere coincidence—our Paradise world, too, was born of the unknown and perished in the unknown. In fact, all six known worlds share this fate: interconnected, yet never tightly bound.”

At these words, Ashes nodded silently. It was as if an invisible blade had sliced the timelines apart into six not entirely sealed worlds.

“All Foundation leaders wish to uncover the cause of the Paradise world’s destruction, and above all, to learn how to ensure its continuation. They have desperately sought the secrets buried in the depths of the world, but with little reward. Numerous forbidden life zones block their way—even knowing the answers may lie within, they cannot see them with their own eyes.” The Director’s despondency gave way to excitement. “But a turning point has come! A gap has appeared in the forbidden zone where the Sun Ladder is located. Though minuscule, it is cause for celebration!”

“While the reason for its formation is still unknown, I suspect the collision point between the Paradise and Wasteland worlds happens to be near the Sun Ladder. This allows us not only to breach the forbidden zone via a spatial rift, but also for those in the Wasteland world to infiltrate as well. The one catch is that the restriction is only slightly loosened, so both sides can only dispatch low-tier combatants. Fortunately, even if there are intelligent life forms within, their life tier should not be high—well suited to your current level.”

The Director’s gaze rested finally on Ashes. “The leaders of all factions in the Paradise world are striving to negotiate with the Wasteland world in hopes of a joint operation. Regardless of the outcome, preparations must be made. In truth, if it were possible, I would arm you to the teeth with the finest equipment. Alas, the spatial rift has its limits, and group passage imposes even stricter constraints. Thus, the Director has entrusted me to offer you the most suitable rewards to choose from.”

[Notice: The assessment is now officially concluded. You have received a “Perfect” rating.]
[Notice: According to the credit acquisition rules, you have earned a total of 6,400 Foundation Credits. Credits may be spent in-game, but during the test phase, the Singularity Platform does not support credit trading.]
[Notice: For achieving the highest rating and due to intense attention from the Foundation’s top leadership, you have earned excess rewards. You may select two items from the following as your assessment reward.]

...

“1. [Basic Evolution Reagent] (Standard): Gain one additional core attribute point and one important attribute point; effect lasts until you complete the basic life metamorphosis tier.”

“2. [Basic Berserk Serum] (Enhanced): Increases maximum health by fifty, all important attributes by three levels, and grants the ‘Overwhelm’ effect in combat—against targets with lower strength, deal double damage. Lasts ten seconds, with no side effects.”

“3. [Active Soft Bio-Suit] (Armor): Anomalous equipment personally crafted by the Nineteenth Facility’s chief, based on the anomaly project [Active Soft].”

...

“Can I take them all?”

Though a bit shameless, Ashes asked nonetheless.

“No.” The Director’s curt reply dashed his greedy hopes. His gaze drifted over the three options, and he first picked the [Active Soft Bio-Suit]. He lacked proper armor and it would synergize with the [Active Soft’s Hunger] ability, enhancing the slow effect. The remaining choice left him torn.

Both items had their merits. The Berserk Serum could double his combat power—ten seconds was ample time to decide a life-and-death struggle.

Yet in the end, Ashes chose the Evolution Reagent. The choice was simple: the Bio-Suit required four points in Strength and two in Agility. Having reached level six with his rewards, Ashes had only six important attribute points in total. This meant his passive skill [Basic Healing Art] would become ineffective without at least one point in Perception, and his field of vision would also be reduced.

Moreover, in the long run, the Evolution Reagent was equivalent to granting Ashes an extra level, at least during the beta test, giving him a stable attribute advantage. As attributes became increasingly important, the incremental edge from the reagent could eventually rival the strength granted by the Berserk Serum.

“So that’s your decision? A wise choice.”

The Director adjusted his glasses, approval clear in his expression. “Before your mission, I suggest you rest and recover. Also, hand over any equipment materials you wish to enhance or embed—I’ll see to it myself, so you don’t waste precious time. While this won’t be free, I can grant you access to the Foundation’s exclusive shop and recommend purchases that won’t exceed the rift’s load capacity.”