Azure Federation.

Tower City.

General time, morning, 7:45 a.m.

Polaris took a deep breath and stepped into the sleep pod.

He leaned on the door frame of the machine, turned his head to look out of the room, and sighed at the dishes and chopsticks on the living room table that had not yet had time to be washed.

Today he got up early and was excited, just for the open beta of "Mysterious Times". After more than two months of waiting, the day finally came.

Polaris lay down in the sleep pod, the hatch slowly closing, and the nutrient solution began to pour in, flooding his face. The signal of the device link was connected, and he gradually sank into sleep.

"Grandma's illness, the doctor said it could be treated, but it needed to be amputated...... I want to replace my grandmother's mechanical prosthesis so she doesn't feel so bad.

But it takes a lot of money...... If you can, you must not borrow money from the consortium, the interest rate is too high to pay it off.

This game is my hope, and with so many years of gaming experience, I will definitely be able to get ahead in it. Earn enough money, cure grandma's illness, take her out of Tower City, go to a better city in the Federation, and live a good life......! ”

A few thoughts crossed Polaris' mind.

User "Polaris" requests access to ......

【Game Connection......】

【Connection successful!】 】

【Loading......】

【Loaded successfully!】 】

In the darkness, the sound of wind began to appear in my ears.

A faint light flickered and turned into a kerosene lamp, hanging above his head, illuminating the small area.

"Hey, I remember there wasn't this thing in the closed beta."

He whispered curiously.

In the faint light of the kerosene lamp, a retro full-length mirror stood in front of him.

Polaris walked over and looked in the mirror.

In the mirror, it was an ordinary man, with short black hair and ordinary facial features, but his eyes were a little more resolute.

He wears trousers and a high-necked white shirt, a pair of mechanical gloves on his hands, and a trumpet musket at his waist.

[Do you want to read the closed beta archive "Polaris"?] 】

"Yes."

Polaris confirmed.

The next second, he felt like he had a body and a touch.

I lowered my head and looked around, and found that my body had inherited the image in the mirror, which was the male character during the internal test.

Polaris continued to walk forward, and found that the full-length mirror on the side was like a collapsed sand sculpture, turning into fine sand and floating away into the darkness.

The kerosene lamp on his head went out, and one came on again in front of him, which seemed to be the direction that guided him.

Polaris followed the light and kept walking forward.

Soon, a strong burst of light covered his vision, and it was white as far as the eye could see.

Rumble!

There was a pound in my head.

Soon, Polaris found that his vision was back to normal.

But it appeared high in the sky, overlooking below.

It was surrounded by misty white clouds and sacred pillars of light that shone from the sky and pierced through the clouds.

Below, there is a tall and magnificent complex of buildings that seems to be a city.

"It's ......"

He was so surprised that he opened his mouth and couldn't speak.

"Yes...... This is Trisur, the home of the sun, the center of the continent where direct sunlight shines......"

The voice of a holy young woman, ringing in Polaris' head.

She spoke without emotion, as if talking to herself, as if she were narrating.

“…… This is the place of the gods, the place of God. ”

After the female voice finished speaking, Polaris seemed to vaguely see a young woman kneeling on the ground in a golden palace, muttering.

Needless to say, he also somehow learned the identity and name of the young woman-

The Sun Queen's Daughter, Anna Trasur.

The misty clouds in front of Polaris began to surge.

Whew......!

The clouds lifted again, revealing images of other cities, towns, and villages. Each region is different and full of diversity.

Then, the scene stops in a tall and solemn church. At the top of the towering spire, there are angels holding fruit baskets on the outer walls, and the goddess in the middle is clustered.

The fruit basket is full of ripe and sweet red apples.

"This is the Red Apple Church......"

Polaris Dark Passage.

On the screen, a series of barrages slowly floated through.

"Handsome! These buildings can only be seen in the game! "Red Apple Church!" "The Seven Orthodox Churches are the ...... cards" "The crumb church destroyed by that Jack!" "What Jack?!"

Seeing the turbulent barrage, Polaris realized that the pictures that appeared in front of him were the opening CG of the game and the official trailer.

"The Occult Realm, Touching the Transcendent...... Climbing sequence, the road to godhood ......"

The holy feminine voice was still murmuring.

The screen turns to a luxurious but feminine room.

A green-haired man, shirtless and wearing only a pair of linen trousers, walked to the edge of the bookcase and pulled out a tome, a smile of excitement on his face.

Behind him, half of a woman's body could be seen on the big bed, as if asleep.

The barrage has been swept by-

"Gan Ziwen! My idol! "Who is this ugly bibi?" "Protect our lost general!" "One of the two transcendents in the closed beta?" "Madam, you don't want your husband to be ridiculed for being too short, do you?" "Got it! Wait and get promoted! ”

Polaris showed a surprised expression, he didn't expect that there would be an insider player in the opening CG.

The scene turns again to a bakery.

A young girl with orange braids kneaded dough in a white apron, next to a pile of scrolls and stacked books.

On the other end of the desk sat a raunchy middle-aged uncle, smoking a pipe, squinting at the girl and saying something.

The girl had a look of delight on her face.

The barrage popped out like a blowout again-

"I'll answer it! It's a honey bun! "I love you! Little Bag! "So she found an adventure in a bakery?" "What luck this is!" "The two big cards of lost name and early dawn!"

Polaris looked at the scene and took a deep breath.

He secretly told himself in his heart that he would be able to become a transcendent like them soon, and then go to the forefront of the player echelon.

Because Polaris believes in his bet, the adventure during the closed beta, the mysterious and powerful NPC, Mr. Jack.

He firmly believes that the final harvest will definitely be greater than that of other closed beta players......

As for Su Keying releasing Jack's video, he didn't say anything, this was Su Keying's choice...... But for fame and money, maybe a small part of showing off, and a little desire to share?

Polaris doesn't blame her.

Because Su Keying gave him money.

While!

A dull bell began to reverberate.

"Mysterious times, transcendent worlds...... The karma of sin is endless, and the struggle is not endless......"

In the melodious but sad rhythm of the violin, the holy female voice continued.

The picture changed to fighting and fighting, drenched in blood.

There are ordinary murder scenes, as well as battles between some people and ferocious beasts, and even more between transcendental ones......

Bloody and gorgeous.

The next second, Polaris' eyes widened.

Because he actually saw himself.

To be precise, it was himself and Su Keying, who watched the battle between Jack and Bishop Newman together during the closed beta.

In the inner courtyard of the church, the young man with black wings on his back and a silver sword in his hand fought with the red-robed bishop who had turned into a huge beast.

The clanging claws of the swords struck each other, and the sparks overflowed, which was very intense.

This is exactly what he expected, and the battle scene has really become a trailer screen!

"Handsome duck!" "Mr. Jack's cards! CG has him! "Who the hell are you talking about Jack?" "Can you stop the Riddler?" "All cows and horses are coming to the trailer!" "As we all know, bosses don't show up easily!" "One eye of the thimble, identified as a novice village monster!"

Polaris silently watched these barrages.

For some reason, he was suddenly a little upset.

Calling up the operation panel, he entered a line of text with a blank face and joined the barrage:

"The wail of the ignorant defeated dog!"

He let out a breath and shook his head.

Logically speaking, this is not his character. In the past, when he saw this kind of barrage, he also laughed it, but this time he couldn't hold back.

It can only be said that the man is indeed very attractive......

He couldn't help but maintain it.

"After all, I'm also a part of 'Jack's Manor'!"

Polaris told himself.

He remembered the notification he received before the end of the closed beta test to complete the task, and he couldn't help but look forward to it...... That token of the official member should be temporarily stored in the panel mailbox, right? Wait until he's in the game to claim it.

At this time, the female voice said again:

"The spiritual world is in turmoil, and this world will be ruined."

The hazy and unrealistic perspective of the picture, everything seems to be covered with a transparent curtain, distorted and shaky...... The sky in the distance is dark, and it slowly squirms towards the camera.

A tall figure, standing on the edge of the sky, alone blocking the pace of darkness.

Countless bladed swords grew from his back, layered on top of each other, forming a pair of steel wings, holding a two-handed sword that was red and flowing with golden light, and without looking back, he headed towards the darkness ahead.

With a bang, the light was dazzling, obscuring everything.

"The Crimson Fruit is revived, and the shadow of Doom has descended."

A huge palace engraved with a golden sun logo, the unrecognizable figure is on a high seat, and countless people are crowded below, and forces from all sides gather.

A handsome red-haired man stood in the crowd, dressed in a crimson robe, smiling.

"The times doomed the birth of heroes, and at the same time hinted at the emergence of sinners...... What is the final direction of history, and how is the fate of the world written...... No one knows, and no one can foretell it. ”

The holy female voice began to fluctuate, and she said with a slight trembling:

"To be the great man of the world, or to the saint, or to the angel, or to the infinite potential...... Tracing the trajectory of their destiny can also obtain boundless luck and powerful power to prevent the end of this world. ”

On the highest seat of the Golden Palace, the man who couldn't see clearly was looking down.

"The Sun King, Andre Trisur."

In the hall full of rose petals, at the dark dining table, a man dressed in black sits alone.

"King Rose, Mansfield."

The wind and snow are shaking, and at the top of the ice and snow city wall, on a throne carved from ice crystals, a lady wearing a thin veil and a silver-white robe is looking into the distance.

"King Shire, Priscilla."

In the deepest part of the grassland, at the top of a tower-like tower, an ordinary chair was placed, on which an old man wearing a crown leaned crookedly.

"King Byron, William Lev."

A lost palace deep under the sea, a deserted and dilapidated throne is empty. There was only one figure prostrate in front of the throne, motionless.

"Seeker of Berry, Peter Garcia."

Polaris looked at these characters flashing in CG and couldn't help but be excited. As said in those barrages, these people are definitely the big names in the game, and they are crucial.

Immediately afterwards, the holy female voice went on to explain a series of seven or eight figures, all of whom seemed to be at the top of the various churches.

The screen flashed.

A man wearing a flat black top hat, a black gown, a black and brown gloves on each hand, and a silver cane.

He looks sideways to the camera, looking down in contemplation.

"The man of fate, Jakespet."

As the female voice spoke, Polaris' eyes widened, and the words came out of her mouth:

"That's right! You bet right...... Sure enough, it's true, fate guides the man, Jack is not simple! ”

"Go, O warriors of the land, to this land where the sun shines—

Experience the style, rise to the extraordinary, explore the mysteries, and save the world......"

The female voice finally said.

Rumble!

All images dissolve into nothingness and dissipate.

A gust of wind swept in, and Polaris couldn't help but squint.

He suddenly felt like he was back in the darkness.

[Current time, Azure Federal Standard Time, 07:57......]

[There is a countdown until the "Mysterious Age" 1.0 open beta: 00:02:35......]

The time was ticking, and Polaris looked at the countdown prompt that was queuing, a little bored.

It's very torturous.

Although it was only two minutes, when I stared at it, it was like a year.

Soon, the time finally came to eight o'clock.

This overlaps perfectly with the time in the game.

Rumble!

Polaris noticed that the darkness around him suddenly shattered like glass, as if revealing something underneath......

TapTapTap......

Jingle ......

Call......

The sound of carriages, bells, and wind, accompanied by the sound of rolled newspapers or fallen leaves, reached the ears of Polaris.

Light appeared all around, the temperature began to rise, and a strange smell came from it, which seemed to be candy, and it looked like some kind of lacquer, which was somewhat complicated.

Polaris was familiar with the smell, and he knew it was the unique smell emanating from a candy store near Jack's Manor.

He shook his head and found himself in the middle of an alley.

"Whew...... Finally, it's back. ”

Polaris let out a breath and walked out of the alley.

"It's a bit weird though...... I remember we went offline in Manor Villa, why did we go live here. ”

Looking at the pedestrians and carriages on the street, he shook his head, no longer tangled, and a smile appeared on his face.

After checking his panel, he saw that the remaining mission rewards had not yet been claimed.

After confirming his claim, he found that there was an extra silver ring in his palm.

【Token - Silver Serpent Ring】

Item description: A ring forged from a mixture of silver and other metals, resembling a silver serpent with a curved tail, eyes set with emeralds, and a snake head carved with the letter "J", which appears to represent some kind of meaning.

This is a token of the official member of the Circus, a transcendent force, and it can be used to carry out daily activities at the circus station, receive related commissions and tasks, and exchange them for limited edition specialty items.

"'Circus'? Why not 'Jack's Manor' ......? ”

Polaris' heart struck.

"Could it be that Jack's power has been officially destroyed? Is it the hands of the shelter and the church......?! ”

He was taken aback by his own speculation.

Hurriedly opened the address book, and was about to send a text message to Su Keying and the centaurs, but saw that the centaurs had sent him a message first.

"—Brother Polaris, have you received the 'Silver Serpent Ring' token? How about we go to Jack's Manor first, and then we'll talk. ”

Polaris replied:

"-Okay, we'll talk about it then."

After sending the text, he left where he was, heading straight for where Jack's Manor was.

*

*

*

When Polaris arrived at the gate of Jack's Manor, he saw from a distance that the centaurs and Su Keying were already waiting here.

"Why is it just the two of you, Kotou Gold and Oblivion?"

Polaris asked.

"I don't know, I messaged the two of them, but haven't replied yet......"

The centaur shook his head.

"Well, in that case, let's go to the manor first and see what happens...... Anyway, haven't you noticed that the force we are in has changed from 'Jack's Manor' to 'Circus'? ”

Polaris leaned over and whispered to the two of them.

The centaur and Su Keying suddenly showed a strange expression.

"What's wrong......?"

Polaris looked confused.

The centaur pointed to the two servants standing in the doorway, and whispered:

"You'll find out if you try it."

"Try ......?"

Polaris glanced at the two servants, who were standing on either side of the doorway, expressionless.

Then, he walked straight over, ready to enter the manor.

Swish!

The two servants, who acted as gatekeepers, immediately raised their hands and blocked his way.

"Please leave."

A servant said coldly.

Polaris was stunned, there was no such set in the manor before.

He quietly threw a probe at the two servants, and his heart jumped.

- Level 20 orange danger NPC, and that's just two janitor servants? When I look at their panels, they are all a series of bars, and I can only see a 'Killer LV10 (MAX)' hanging on the subclass! ”

Polaris texts in the chat room.

He could clearly feel the killing intent of these two people, and it seemed that as long as he did a little more outrageous behavior, he was afraid that he would cause the other party to make a move and kill him on the spot.

"-Brother, I'll let you show the token to try, not let you die! (Sweat emoji)"

Centaurs send text messages.

Polaris was stunned.

"—Polaris, didn't you notice who they were, a peripheral member of the 'circus'? We are 'full members', and our status is logically higher than theirs, so don't worry...... This could be a new development for Jack during our offline period. ”

So Ho Ying sent a text message.

After reading it, Polaris knew the bottom of his heart, so in front of the two janitors, he took out the silver snake ring and put it on his finger.

Shake in front of them and attract the attention of the other party.

"It's a full member."

The two janitors looked at each other, confirmed Polaris' identity, and spoke.

Then, one of them took out a letter and handed it to Polaris.

"This is a letter from the head of the regiment, Mr. Jack."

"Letter?"

Polaris took it, looking puzzled.

He opened the letter on the spot and went through it.

Soon, Polaris' face showed a look of shock.