Chapter Two: The Sun Emblem

The appearance of the Sun’s Eldest Daughter gave the giants of the Paradise World a sliver of hope in the struggle against the end times, but the deeply rooted differences between their chosen paths made it impossible for the three great organizations, already fraught with contradictions, to unify their next course of action. The Foundation proposed breaking through the Paradise World’s no-go zone of life first; the Scavengers argued for establishing a foothold in the Wasteland World and sweeping away the remaining relics of the Sun Empire; and the University hoped to open communication with the Fairy Tale World so that both sides might join hands in devising a plan.

Each of the three stood by its own view, and each had its own logic, so no unified consensus could be reached. In the end, they decided to let strength speak. Since the no-go zone of life where the Sun Stairway lay had been breached by a newly risen member, this contest of force would likewise be centered on newcomers. Each organization would select thirty-three rising talents and grant them entry qualifications for the Killing Isle. When the time came, whichever group’s newcomer stood until the end would temporarily gain the initiative in communicating with the Sun’s Eldest Daughter.

Now, Foundation trainee D1106, you will undergo a single-person assessment devised by the Foundation. The result of this assessment will determine whether you may enter the Killing Isle.

Notice: your nonessential attribute points have been automatically restored.

...

Everything went dark before his eyes. When the scene shifted, Ashes found himself in the supervisor’s office of the Foundation’s Nineteenth Hidden Facility. An old man in a suit sat behind the desk, gazing at him with a kindly expression, while the head of the control center stood nearby with a suitcase in hand.

“Your performance has surprised me greatly.”

The old man in the suit smiled broadly, his gaze growing ever more benevolent. “Every so often, a new batch of people comes through here. You are not the strongest, nor the most outstanding, but you are certainly the one on whom I place the greatest hope. You are not a reality warper, yet you completed a task that even reality warpers could not accomplish. Because of that, every major power in the Paradise World has begun to take notice of you—the Sun Defender who repeatedly defected from the faith.”

“...”

Ashes had been rather pleased with the praise up to that point, but the final title made his smile freeze on his face.

“Hahahaha, just a joke.” After laughing, the old man in the suit resumed his solemn demeanor. “This assessment is extremely important. Even if your strength is sufficient to handle every challenge, you must not be careless, because you can still die during the examination. Of course, there is no need to worry excessively. Your strength is absolutely in the first tier among all trainees. I even hope you will use the Anomalous Equipment Crafting Voucher directly in this assessment, preparing in advance for the final test.”

Notice: This assessment satisfies the basic requirements for using an Anomalous Equipment Crafting Voucher. Do you wish to use it?

Ashes raised a brow. He had not expected the Anomalous Equipment Crafting Voucher, which he had not yet even received, to be usable directly. He chose to accept without hesitation, and heard the old man in the suit clap his hands and laugh. “Good! Given your current situation, I still recommend forging a set of Living Soft Tissue equipment. In view of the Sun Badge, you do not need an anomalous accessory for now; you can use this opportunity to commission an anomalous weapon made of Living Soft Tissue.”

Click.

The head of the control center opened the suitcase and handed over the assessment rewards from the no-go zone of life, one by one.

An improved basic evolution serum, a free equipment enhancement voucher, and a Sun Badge wrought entirely from gold.

“Get ready. I will personally take you to the assessment site and, along the way, arrange the matters related to forging your anomalous equipment.”

The old man in the suit told Ashes, then signaled for the control center chief to go and mobilize the tissue cells of the anomalous project Living Soft Tissue. During the following time, Ashes drank the evolution serum, tucked away the enhancement voucher, and examined the freshly obtained Sun Badge, still warm from his hands.

...

Sun Badge
Quest Item / Unbound

Equipment Type: Accessory

Effect 1: Health plus fifty, sanity plus thirty. Base reward.

Effect 2: Solar Golden Body. For two seconds after activation, you are immune to all damage, but you can also perform no actions. Cooldown: five minutes. Main quest reward.

Effect 3: Sunlight. For three seconds after activation, you gain a domination state: immune to control effects, attacks cannot be interrupted, and both damage and defense increase by fifty percent. Cooldown: three minutes. Hidden quest reward.

Requirement: Perception level 2

Description: Forged by the Sun’s Eldest Daughter from the sacred embers, the Sun Badge possesses majestic divine power originating from the Sun Empire. It can not only enhance your survival, but also let you sweep everything before you. At the same time, the Sun Badge determines whether you may become the Sun’s Eldest Daughter’s guardian knight, provided you can keep it until the very last moment.

Notice: This equipment is a quest item and may be held only until the end of the closed beta.

Notice: This equipment is an unbound accessory. Upon the player’s death, it will drop and be lost.

...

“Not only does it raise health and sanity, it also comes with a lifesaving skill and a combat skill?”

The Sun Badge’s attributes lit up Ashes’ eyes. Aside from its inability to bind, it was practically flawless. Although the requirement of two points in Perception took up valuable attribute points, he had just reached level eight and had also drunk another evolution potion, so he was hardly stretched thin. He promptly increased his Perception to meet the requirement.

He also took the chance to look at his latest character panel.

Name: Ashes

Character Level: 8

Identity and Position: Foundation Trainee, ID D1106

Base Attributes: Health 30 plus 50, Sanity 30 plus 30, Stamina 10 plus 4, where stamina equals 10 plus the sum of life level and will level divided by 2.

Core Attributes: Life Level 4, Will Level 2 plus 2, total 10, unused 4

Important Attributes: Strength Level 5, Agility Level 2, Perception Level 2, total 10, unused 1

Active Skills: Stick Technique - Skull Strike: when attacking the target’s head, ignore one layer of defense level; Eye of Appraisal

Passive Skills: Will Enhancement: beginner benefit, effect: Will Level plus 2; Basic Revival Art: while out of combat, restore three percent of health every five seconds

Equipment: Living Soft Tissue Bio-Armor, Sun Badge, Living Soft Tissue’s Greed

Normal Backpack Space: Basic Life Potions (3/3), Dark-Weave Cloth, several healing medicines

Special Backpack Space: Enhanced Direwolf Gauntlets, Enhanced Charging Telescopic Staff

Foundation Credits: 9640

...

“In terms of equipment, I’m basically second to none. But when it comes to skills, I’m lacking quite a bit. Cup after cup, the wine only gets stronger; he’s worse equipped than I am, yet he still managed to leave me in the dust through sheer skill burst.”

Ashes felt this was an urgent issue. Since the old man in the suit was right here, he might as well ask him for a solution.

“Don’t worry. The original intent behind this single-person assessment was not only to select outstanding talent, but also to strengthen your individual abilities. After all, you will soon represent the Foundation in competition against the newcomers of the other two organizations. In some respects, this assessment carries even greater value as a training opportunity, so you must seize it.”

Seeing a signal from the control center chief, the old man in the suit rose and patted Ashes on the shoulder. “Let’s go. The spatial transfer is ready, and we should be on our way.”

...

As he stepped out of the transfer station, Ashes was immediately greeted by the faint salt of the sea wind and the sight of white seabirds gliding across the blue sky.

A burly middle-aged man with an anchor tattoo exposed on his arm burst into hearty laughter toward the old man in the suit. “Old Tailor, I’m surprised you weren’t locked in solitary. This little guy is the Sun Defender? Ah, he reminds me of when I first joined the Foundation. Those were truly wonderful days. Hello there, young man. I’m the head of the Rookie Training Base, Captain. You may call me Mister Captain.”

“Mister Captain.”

“Good. At least you know your manners. That’s already better than those reality warpers with their noses in the air.” Captain nodded and smiled at Ashes, then took the old man’s suitcase. “The things you asked for are all arranged. Rest assured, I won’t shortchange your people. Go back in peace, and come collect him when you hear from me.”

At last, the old man in the suit gave Ashes one last solemn look before turning and leaving.

“Do you know the specific requirements of this assessment? If you don’t, it’s fine!” With his bright and easygoing nature, Captain handed Ashes a form. “Find the people listed on it, complete the tasks they give you, earn the approval stamp, and then come back to my captain’s cabin and find me. You have one hour. Stamp as many as you can. Any questions?”

“No.”

...

Assessment Name: Single-Person Qualification Trial

Requirement: Within one hour, gain the approval of as many mentors as possible

Difficulty: Normal

Description: To decide their future direction, the three major organizations of the Paradise World have chosen to compete through force, throwing nearly a hundred outstanding newcomers into the Killing Isle to contend for the final victory. In order to select excellent talent, the Foundation has set the stage for the Single-Person Qualification Trial at the Rookie Training Base. Within the allotted time, you must complete the assessment tasks issued by the various mentors in order to obtain the approval stamp.

Notice: This assessment includes a one-shot kill segment. Proceed with caution.

Notice: You have used a basic Anomalous Equipment Crafting Voucher. The equipment crafting quest line has been generated and will not conflict with the assessment objectives.

Notice: You have obtained the temporary skill Eye of Appraisal.

Notice: You have obtained the quest item Guidance Form.

The Foundation’s newcomers have only one chance to board the ship, so do not waste it. Here, you may purchase special materials that ordinary employees are not permitted to view, and you may also receive targeted instruction from professional mentors. You may wonder why I have not helped you strengthen your equipment. That is because there are more specialized people who will provide you with advice. Lastly, do not be stingy with credits, even if you have so many you cannot spend them all - Control Center Chief.

...

“You can set off now, young man. There’s a map on the back of the form. Don’t go anywhere except the bottom of the ship; everything else is fair game. Aren’t you here to forge anomalous equipment? You can start by reporting to the equipment artisan. Ah! I almost forgot.”

Captain slapped his forehead and took out a candy. “My little fellow has gone missing lately. You may run into it on the ship. Don’t be afraid. Remember to take out this candy, and it won’t harm you. If you can help me catch it, I can even stamp your approval form once more.”