Vol-3: 073. Unexpected Guest

073. Unexpected Guest

"This "Memory Echo: Abyssal Humanity Laboratory", isn't it just a dungeon?!"

A player realized this and mentioned it, which immediately caused a stir among the crowd.

"Yeah, but this difficulty classification is a bit strange, right? Why is [Myth] the lowest difficulty and [Realistic] the highest difficulty?"

"You idiot, if it were a realistic war, you wouldn't even see the enemy before getting shot by lasers, artillery, or drones, without any chance to show off your skills. What you're playing has perception filters that censor a lot of content."

"What? Wars actually kill people? I thought the blood was green."

"This is the first dungeon, something even Azure Star doesn't have. We've encountered it, and it's Li Aozi's welfare for us super-version players, total bliss."

Players chattered noisily, with many uploading this news to the forum, causing quite a stir.

"Ahhh, it's sunlight! There's sunlight on this alien planet!"

"Alien Lord, come back soon, Frost-Plated is giving out gold bars, succubi, and fields."

"Persuading someone to return to Frost-Plated? Not even as bad as a father-killer's grudge."

"Ah, I want to run the dungeon; it's too hard to gather early equipment here. The gun license is harder to get than a driver's license. For a Red Arrow gun license, you need a hunter's license, hunting qualifications, monthly income of 3,000 Jalen, proof of permanent residence—damn, I haven't even gotten my driver's license yet. Don't come to Red Arrow, this place is full of tests!"

"So Li Aozi didn't come to see us because he was setting up a dungeon for us? I genuinely will cry tears of gratitude..."

The closed beta version didn't have a dungeon system. Players had to be extremely cautious when doing tasks, with no chance of restarting. Dungeons are a key material grinding source for many online games, a lifeline for countless grinding studios.

Caramel Snail watched as the likes and comments on his forum post skyrocketed, almost getting lost in the envy and jealousy when Cumin Powder suddenly said, "This dungeon fee is high. If we fail halfway, I wonder if we can recoup the cost."

"If it doesn't work, maybe save some experience first."

"That's what I'm thinking." Cumin Powder stared at the system panel, lost in thought.

"Abyssal Humanity."

Cumin Powder stroked his chin.

"That name sounds so familiar, like I've heard it somewhere."

Caramel Snail flipped through the forum.

"It was mentioned during the closed beta trailer; it's where Li Aozi made his debut and the place where Frost-Plated conducted human experiments. Don't you watch the storylines?"

"I'm a professional player; people watch my gameplay for skills, not my knowledge of the game lore," Cumin Powder replied innocently.

The two shared the news in their team chat, and the group chat, previously focused on leveling and tasks, became instantly lively.

Night Sword: "This "Winter of Vanlenkov" looks great, perfect for gathering materials, and we can even play as high-ranking NPCs. But you need to be level 30 to enter."

Garriton: "Escape from Tower X mechanism, looks like you could get some good stuff."

Sky Savage Yu: "I have to say the open beta has gotten a lot more content at once. We should probably focus on tasks for now; the resources here are indeed abundant. I've started learning the language of White Candle Star, and if I get the chance, I'll see if I can communicate with the locals."

Everyone agreed and resumed their tasks.

Caramel Snail didn't have a good impression of Yavanna, and apparently, Yavanna didn't think highly of him either. Since her status was marked as 'hidden,' he couldn't gauge her favorability either.

"I'd like to take some pioneering tasks."

Caramel Snail came to Yavanna. She gave him a cold look, casually tossing over a list without saying a word.

Caramel Snail glanced at it, seeing a list of herbs and minerals, and asked, "Just these, right?"

Yavanna turned her head away coldly, then turned to Cumin Powder and said, "Good morning, Descendant. Are you here for a task?"

"Yo, good morning, Miss," Cumin Powder smiled warmly, "Got anything that needs beating?"

Yavanna lifted her chin, examined Cumin Powder carefully, then said:

"You look like a [Ranger], not quite at Alpha-tier yet. I think this task suits you."

She turned and handed over a list.

"This is the Feather Beast, covered in light-colored feathers. It can glide between the trees, sharp-toothed and agile. Fortunately, it has no defense, so with your weapon, you should be able to take it down easily."

"Great, thanks, Weaver."

"It's my duty."

After Yavanna spoke, she gave Caramel Snail a cold glance as if silently asking, 'Why aren't you off hauling bricks yet?'

The stark contrast made Caramel Snail understand for the first time why people on the internet said that male players from Frost-Plated have it worse.

'Damn, Frost-Plated women!'

Caramel Snail glared right back without hesitation, then turned and followed Cumin Powder to grind levels.

Once the players had gradually dispersed, leaving the ruins empty.

"Phew... Finally settled them."

Yavanna turned, looking at the memory crystals placed at the shrine.

"...Still not back, Li Aozi, what on earth have you gone through?"

Yavanna reached out to touch one of the crystals.

"If I were you, I wouldn't touch a time-fractured crystal."

A playful and flirtatious female voice sounded. Yavanna's hand paused midair, her gaze sweeping over.

An unexpected guest had arrived at the ruins.

She leaned against the door, her hand lightly brushing a seven-stringed zither, sending out a clear note. She was tall, her silky black hair draped over smooth shoulders. A one-shoulder top raised her ample chest, adorned with shimmering blue fragments. The woman wore a thin split skirt, revealing rich, smooth white skin—a healthy shade, starkly different from the sunlight-deprived Frost-Plated people.

Sensing Yavanna's gaze, the woman lifted her head slightly, meeting Yavanna's gaze with snow-colored eyes.

Pling—

The woman plucked a string lightly and sang:

"A yearning heart easily mistakes concern for affection. The lily only draws admiration when it's pure, not after being plucked."

The lyrics were ordinary, and the rhyme clumsy. Yet, her voice was as clear as crystal, resonating strongly with Yavanna, accompanied by the gentle zither melody.

The woman sniffed lightly, as if picking up on Yavanna's scent.

"Love is but a cage. It can hold a butterfly, but not a spider. If you wish to dance freely in the wind, do not step into this tomb."

The woman's snow-colored eyes looked into Yavanna's, reflecting her image like a mirror: ugly, clumsy, like a giant, wicked spider.

"You were once like a young butterfly, embracing flowers and spring breezes. Should you insist on this path, you will be lost forever."

She finished her song, stowing away her zither, straightened up, and approached Yavanna, raising her hand gracefully and speaking in a flowing language:

"Wilwei • Elria • Saint • Valentino — an adventurer currently attempting to transform into a bard. You may call me Wilvia."

She introduced herself in a concealed tone.