The massive factories roared back to life, and Felix intensified the construction of the Fourth Legion's mechanical army. As for the final design of the mech troops, that would still require his personal adjustments. Meanwhile, on the players' side, the newly crowned champions of the second World Tournament, the Yanyu Pavilion team, enjoyed both fame and fortune. After they lifted the trophy, sponsorships, advertisements, and investment offers flooded in. As the largest and most beloved online game in East Asia and even the world, the news drew the attention of players everywhere.
Television broadcast the celebratory announcement, and foreign media also reported the conclusion of 2.0, summarizing the key events of the major update.
What thrilled players the most remained the Kazdel main story. No one had expected that the Pioneer Felix, who had served as mentor during 1.0 and had not yet even founded his own organization at the time, would lead the players in 2.0 to reclaim Kazdel's lost lands, unify the nation, be hailed by the Sarkaz as the King of Liberation, and be honored by players as the King of Dawn. Many believed he would continue to shine in the upcoming 3.0 and keep guiding them forward.
Content creators and strategy groups began speculating about the direction of the 3.0 storyline. Based on the current hints, Ursus was certain to fall into chaos, with the Reunion Movement's infected uprising spreading to every corner. NPCs also hinted that tensions between two Victoria noble factions had worsened to the brink of armed conflict, while the Military Commission in Londinium watched closely.
Some predicted that the next main story would focus on Kazdel's expansion. After all, Kazdel was only a small dot on the world map, with just one mobile city. Perhaps in 3.0, the King of Dawn would lead the players to conquer all of Terra.
Speculations aside, the players continued their celebrations. Kazdel's mobile city had turned into a grand carnival. Adventurers crowded the streets, booking entire restaurants and hotels to feast with friends and enjoy the final days before the 2.0 server shutdown.
Yanfei, crowned champion and having shown remarkable skill in the solo matches, instantly became a top pick for sponsors. But with her lucrative contract still in effect and the team fresh off a championship win, Yanyu Pavilion would certainly want to keep the roster intact for another year.
As for the much-anticipated Dynasty team, they could only shift their hopes to the next World Tournament. However, due to changes made by the organizers, there would now be two tournaments during 3.0: one in mid-3.0 and one at the end. This would showcase each team's mid-game progression rather than only end-game battles where everyone had similar levels and gear.
With this shift, luck and efficiency became more crucial than ever. Every professional team grew even more desperate to seize opportunities, gain experience, and complete quests early so they could dominate the mid-3.0 tournament.
Most regular players focused on the 3.0 main story. They hoped to see larger wars and massive campaign missions. With their levels now surpassing Terra's front-line combatants, they were eager for a satisfying fight.
Two days before players logged off, Felix handed a letter to a Messenger and instructed them to deliver it to the Pope of Laterano. The message was simple: before the world ended, all possible forces needed to unite. Although Felix had unified Kazdel, obtaining broader social recognition or even nominal peace required diplomacy.
Kazdel still had no seat at the table, yet that did not prevent it from engaging in trade or professional cooperation. The Laterano Pope was an open-minded leader, and Felix had no intention of abolishing Laterano or dragging Kazdel into endless warfare. There was room for dialogue.
He also sent another letter to the Duke of Windermere, expressing his support for Windermere's independence and praising the duchy in warm, respectful terms. He hoped to advance future trade cooperation.
The Duke was a clever man. He would understand Felix's intent. Felix needed justification to enter Victoria, and gaining the Duke's backing, along with support from other nobles, was essential.
Everything had to accelerate.
Columbia was too far and difficult to manage for now. As for Leithanien, with remnants of the Witch King and the two Empresses still in power, nobles filled the land. Felix instructed stationed operators to contact those nobles; any willing to cooperate would be welcomed.
Back aboard the Venus, Felix's earlier confidence had turned into urgency. He knew impatience alone would not bring results. The Observer still lurked in the shadows, and Terra's future risked being consumed by Originium. As the only possible solution, he bore a heavy destiny.
He closed his eyes briefly, then opened them again and dialed the desk phone.
"Loughshinny, send operators into Yan Country to search for skilled agricultural specialists. If necessary, communicate with their authorities."
"And also contact Skadi. Ask whether Aegir is still sealed off from the outside world."
"Understood," Loughshinny replied softly, carrying out each instruction.
Players celebrated their final day. Professional players planned offline gatherings to toast Yanyu Pavilion's victory. Guild members discussed team-building plans during the maintenance period. Many players captured photos to record the final moments of the 2.0 The Fortress of civilization.
The setting sun dipped below the horizon. Before logging out, Yanfei headed to the deck, wanting to enjoy one last breath of cool evening air. When she arrived, she found she wasn't alone.
Felix stood off to the side of the deck, a faint sigh on his face. He didn't show much outward emotion, yet even from a distance she could feel the weight pressing on his shoulders.
For reasons she couldn't explain, Yanfei suddenly lifted her camera and began taking pictures of the Pioneer's handsome profile.
After taking dozens of shots, she strolled forward. Her voice was soft and light.
"Mr. Pioneer, what troubles you?"
"Ah… it's you, Yanfei."
He called her name with perfect accuracy. Yanfei's heart beat wildly. It was strange — plenty of NPCs could say her name, yet none had ever made her feel this flustered. Was this… what it felt like to be in love?
"Mr. Pioneer…"
"Terra is approaching its final hour. When that moment comes, no one will be spared."
His tone was heavy, but then eased slightly.
"Before that moment arrives, we still have time. Whether it's achieving peace across Terra, or paving the future for Tomorrow's Development."
Yanfei's heart pounded even harder. She caught a few key phrases — final hour? What did that mean? Was Terra going to be destroyed? Was Azeroth exploding? Did the Lich King rage again?
"Mr. Pioneer, this final hour… what is it?"
Curiosity for the storyline compelled her to ask.
Felix glanced at her and smiled gently.
"Something that will happen in the coming years, or perhaps decades. A trial that will shake all of Terra. I'm still trying to uncover more information. The only thing I can tell you now is that Terrans and Adventurers will have to stand together to face this disaster."
"…I understand."
Yanfei nodded. She guessed it must be a teaser for 3.0, maybe even 4.0. Anyway, she had recorded everything. After logging out she could upload it for some easy views.
"Well… Mr. Pioneer, we'll be gone for a while. Before we leave, I… um…"
She rose slightly on her toes, cheeks flushing red.
"Could I… hug you before I go?"
Felix froze. He looked at the girl in front of him, cheeks pink, and then glanced at her affection level.
Wait—since when had their affection reached 45? That was already the level of a close friend. He suddenly remembered: every time he awarded points to an important character, the top-ranked one always received bonus affection. Who knew how many tasks Yanfei had accumulated to get this far. Terrifying.
This couldn't continue.
Felix immediately locked the affection cap to 45. Otherwise if she ever reached 100 and asked to marry him, what would he do?
He looked at her expectant eyes and sighed inwardly. Considering the catastrophe looming in the future… if he had to sacrifice a bit of charm, so be it.
He stepped forward. Yanfei shyly shut her eyes. A moment later she felt warmth on her bare shoulders — she was wearing a light off-shoulder outfit.
"You've worked hard, Yanfei. Tomorrow's Development shine so brightly on this land because of you, because of all Adventurers."
Her heart hammered against her ribcage. Skin-to-skin contact with the Pioneer — she felt she might faint. She could no longer hold back her excitement. She threw herself into his embrace, resting her head against his chest.
But before she could enjoy even two full seconds of warmth, she was forcibly logged out.
Felix: "..."
He glanced around and decided he should access the surveillance feed later and delete that entire scene.
As the last trace of sunlight slipped beyond the horizon, Felix withdrew his gaze. The desert wasteland of Kazdel had this one flaw: scorching heat during the day, followed by cool, biting winds after sunset. Yet in that coolness was also a faint trace of terran warmth.
Below the landship, operators gathered around a campfire, drooling over the food simmering in a pot. Although the Adventurer players had logged out, the ship was still full of Terrans. They sat in groups, eating, drinking lightly, and chatting about everything under the sky.
Loughshinny walked over to Felix's side, rising slightly on her toes to drape a coat over his shoulders. "It may be summer, but the nights are still chilly… please keep warm."
Felix naturally took her hand.
"Ah…"
Loughshinny inhaled softly, a little embarrassed. "Um… regarding the materials, we will need to hold a meeting."
"Right now?"
"In an hour. It might eat into everyone's rest time."
Loughshinny cleared her throat gently. "I just think that the earlier we place the orders, the sooner the equipment can go into production. The price of materials is rising too fast. I suspect it's related to Victoria's large-scale weapon manufacturing."
"All right."
Felix released her hand, then slid an arm around her slender waist and pulled her into his embrace. Her cheeks flushed again. She quietly glanced around, and after confirming no one else was nearby, let out a small sigh of relief. Then she leaned contentedly into his chest.
"Rhodes Island Pharmaceutical is preparing to make a move. They've already departed from Rim Billiton and are heading toward Ursus."
"Mm… as a shareholder of Rhodes Island, I may have to take part in that battle."
Loughshinny gave his hand a gentle squeeze. "You are a king. How can you go to the front lines?"
"I'll bring guards with me. Don't worry, nothing will happen."
Felix placed a light kiss on her forehead. Loughshinny covered the spot with her hand, silent for a moment, then rose up on her toes and pressed her lips to his.
Hmm… looks like the list of things to delete from the surveillance footage just got longer.
August 18th, 1096.
[Version 2.0: The Fortress of Civilization has ended. Version 3.0: The Warring States is about to begin]
[Estimated maintenance period: 28 days, Terra time]
In his previous life, Version 3.0 was notorious for its brutality. It was filled with conflict and flames of war. For adventurers, it was a playground. They roamed freely among the factions, seeking to grab as many rewards as possible. Nothing was off-limits. Selling weapons on the black market was considered basic. For the sake of experience and gear, they would do anything, and betraying former employers was second nature.
But in this life, they had gathered beneath the banner of Tomorrow's Development, moving according to his command. If he used them well, Tomorrow's Development might become the key that reshapes Version 3.0 and everything beyond.
No… would there even be a "beyond"?
Felix suspected that by the end of Version 3.0, the Observers would appear. They would destroy Terra completely. In his previous life, he transmigrated the moment he logged off at the end of 3.0. Could it be that Terra's remaining lifespan was only a few years?
He pressed his lips together and, with Loughshinny at his side, walked toward the conference room.