[Server Online]
[Adjusting coordinates… Loading network configuration… Reading update data… Attempting to establish a neural link with Arknights…]
[Welcome to the land of Terra. Version 3.0: Warring States]
[Estimated duration of Version 3.0: Terra Time — 1,890 days]
September 18, 1096.
Adventurers return to the land of Terra.
As the first beam of white light appeared, it was soon followed by a second, a third, a fourth… countless pillars of light rose from the ground, bathing the entirety of Terra in a gentle, luminous glow. This time, it was not only veteran players returning, but also an astonishing number of newcomers. Through news reports, strategy guides, and conversations with friends, they had all heard of this game to one degree or another. Unable to resist such overwhelming recommendations, they purchased head-mounted devices and the game itself, choosing to log in the very moment the servers opened.
On the first day of Version 3.0, statistics showed that tens of millions of players donned their helmets and entered the game for the first time.
On Earth, Arknights had already become a worldwide phenomenon. Everyone wanted to try it. Age and gender no longer mattered. The promise of finding a second life in another world stirred countless hearts. Coupled with relentless promotion and advertising, Arknights had become a cultural trend, as though not playing it meant being left behind by the times.
Under such overwhelming popularity, not only hardcore gamers joined in. Full-time homemakers cooking at home, powerful executives commanding respect in their companies, and even bored heirs to wealthy families with money to burn all chose to play Arknights.
Crowds pushed crowds, and the number of new players surpassing ten million was no longer a fantasy.
The newcomers materialized as streaks of light upon the land. In a small village, Village Chief Lyken stepped forward. He was a Lupo in his late twenties or early thirties. When he saw so many pillars of light erupting across the distant plains, memories stirred of a scene he had witnessed with his grandfather nearly ten years ago. Back then, it had been just as magnificent, adventurers descending from the sky as beams of light…
Over the years, there had indeed been many fledgling adventurers who stayed in the village for a few days, helped with odd jobs, collected their pay, and moved on. But never had so many adventurers arrived at once. It felt as though everything had returned to how it was decades ago.
Watching those adventurers stripping off their clothes in confusion, Lyken frowned slightly and said to the villagers beside him, "Same as always. Let them find some work on their own."
"Understood."
The villagers headed toward the notice board, where various requests and notices from the townsfolk had long been posted. Both villagers and adventurers could accept these tasks in exchange for rewards. Now, however, it was obvious that this would not be nearly enough.
The new players began experiencing everything the veterans once had, while the old players were already buzzing with excitement, eagerly checking every detail of the new update.
Upon landing, the first thing they noticed was that the level cap had been raised from 60 to 90. For the players, this meant yet another opportunity to carefully reconfigure their main and sub-classes. Beyond that, some players who had made significant contributions to Tomorrow's Development were delighted to discover that the library, which had still been under construction when they logged out, had been completed during their absence. This was incredible news. They knew all too well that higher-tier knowledge books could only be accessed in specific offline locations, such as libraries.
The faction shop did offer books, but those were only suitable for Version 2.0.
Players aboard the Venus hadn't even had time to inspect the changes to their personal quarters before forming groups and heading straight for the library floors. Members of professional teams took the lead, sprinting ahead at full speed.
The library occupied two entire decks of the Venus. Bright light streamed down from above, and entry required identity registration. Yanfei stepped forward briskly. After being scanned and registered by the Clever at the entrance, she successfully entered the library. Just as she had imagined, it resembled a public library in design, except that some books were displayed on shelves in the form of digital tomes.
Ballistics Specialist Unveiled: The Secrets of Explosives.
At first glance, Yanfei was drawn to this book. She tapped the electronic borrowing panel, which displayed the borrowing duration, one week, along with the required contribution points: a five-digit number.
From levels 30 to 60, mastering skills or professions through reading usually took about half a month of uninterrupted progress. Considering this was a book for levels 60 to 90, it would likely take over a month to fully digest.
Yanfei had always accumulated plenty of contribution points. Before the end of Version 2.0, she had deliberately saved up a large amount specifically for Version 3.0. With a decisive wave of her hand, she borrowed the book for two full months. First come, first served, after all. She had no desire to be halfway through the reading progress, only to have the book borrowed by someone else. That would be unbearable.
Some players waiting to enter the library noticed a new task prompt appear. Opening their interface, they saw that the objective was to submit a mid six-figure amount of contribution points in exchange for the long-coveted Clever.
Completing this task also came with an external requirement: one's relationship with Tomorrow's Development had to reach "Sincere." This was a relationship tier set just below absolute loyalty, requiring an enormous investment of time spent completing faction tasks, as well as substantial contribution spending in the faction shop.
This effectively blocked any players hoping to skyrocket overnight. The idea of joining a faction and immediately obtaining a Clever was completely unrealistic. It also neatly eliminated the risk of turncoats and double-dealers.
The vast majority of players were eligible for the exchange, as their relationship level had long since reached Sincere, with a small number even attaining Loyalty.
For those capable of making the exchange, contribution points existed for exactly this purpose: to be spent. Many players whose points fell short immediately chose to make up the difference with real money. No matter the cost, they had to get their hands on a Clever.
After a wave of purchases, a small, delicate Clever appeared beside each of them, floating lightly at shoulder height.
The players were overjoyed and immediately began tinkering with their new companions.
As for the legion players who had already obtained a Clever in the previous version, they were largely indifferent. They had already enjoyed the benefits of early access and had known from the start that this technology would eventually be shared with other adventurers. Early access meant early enjoyment, and there was no sense of imbalance or resentment.
Some players, seeing that the exchange queue was hopelessly long, instead headed to the weapons and equipment floors to browse for new weapons and modules. Tomorrow's Development standard-issue weapons were favorites among most players, though some preferred monster drops or more unusual arms, such as cursed weapons that drained HP with every use. Everyone had their own tastes, and with different stat bonuses came entirely different combat styles.
On the equipment floor, players noticed several NPCs gathered around canvases, deep in thought and whispering to one another. Curious players stepped forward to ask, and the NPCs explained that Tomorrow's Development was encouraging everyone to participate in weapon design, coloring, and spray-painting to foster a relaxed and enjoyable combat atmosphere. These ideas would be collected, and in the future, some might be printed onto weapons through a lottery system.
"This is a chance to apply for a patent," one NPC operator said with a smile. "Mr. Mountain had stated that anyone whose design was selected and ultimately turned into a weapon skin would receive a substantial monetary reward."
The players' eyes lit up.
"Wait, boss… doesn't this sound kind of familiar?"
Bloody Gale nudged Lao Silais on the shoulder and whispered, "Getting paid is nice and all, but the real value is the exposure from the skin."
Lao Silais had been about to complain that this lottery system sounded suspiciously like loot boxes, but Bloody Gale's words made him suddenly look up.
"If our team designs a liquid-themed skin, and other people draw it and use it, wouldn't that basically be free advertising for Liquid?"
He cut himself off, then nodded. "Yeah. That actually works."
Most of the previous hype had gone to Yanyu Pavilion, and Liquid's performance last season hadn't been ideal. Naturally, they hoped to draw more attention in the new season and bring Liquid back to the top.
Players soon discovered that they could now customize their equipment freely. While unlocking modules still required completing tasks and spending points, the vastly expanded shop left many players paralyzed by choice. They also noticed that the skin system remained locked for now, fueling anticipation over what designs might eventually be selected.
At dinner, players excitedly gathered around tables, discussing their discoveries in the new version. Everyone was thoroughly impressed by the changes in 3.0. All they wanted now was to level up faster and master the skill books in the library as soon as possible, growing stronger with each passing day.
The next morning, when players headed to the assembly hall as usual, they noticed a brand-new mission.
[A-Rank Mission: "Winter in Chernobog" — Accept / Decline?]
[Mission Details: We have received a message from Rhodes Island Pharmaceuticals. They plan an operation in Chernobog during the winter at the end of this year. As like-minded partners, you may feel a spark of curiosity toward this mission. Perhaps you can lend them a hand in the operation to come.]
[Mission Requirement: Travel to Chernobog and cooperate with Rhodes Island Pharmaceuticals.]
[Reward: 100,000 EXP]
"Holy crap, a major mission on day two of the server opening?"
A player blurted out the curse without thinking. They didn't know where Chernobog was, but Rhodes Island Pharmaceuticals was a familiar name. A small organization that had previously cooperated with Tomorrow's Development, and now this mission was tied to them.
However, when they checked the mission date, they quickly realized that the operation would not begin for another three months. It was obvious that this time was meant for preparation.
With the mindset that accepting it cost nothing, players eagerly signed up for the mission. The number of registered participants instantly surpassed one million.
"It's astonishing. Perhaps we underestimated the adventurers from the very beginning."
On the skybridge, Kal'tsit looked through the window at the lively scene in the assembly hall below. Although this was not her first time aboard the Venus, it was the first time she had seen such an overwhelming number of adventurers, all of them working for Felix.
She turned around and saw Shining standing beside her, expressionless as she gazed downward. Kal'tsit said nothing more. Her lectures were about to begin.
With Kal'tsit's brief stay aboard the Venus, players gradually became familiar with this mysterious cat-eared NPC who had appeared in the promotional videos. After learning that she came from Rhodes Island Pharmaceutical, their interest in her only deepened. Among them were, inevitably, players who coveted the catgirl's remaining charm. Yet after offering gifts, they were shocked to discover that her affection level did not increase at all.
Come on, seriously? You took my gift and your favor didn't go up even a little?
Damn it, even when I gave a gift to Felix for the first time, his favor went from zero to one. What's wrong with this catgirl?
Kal'tsit offered no explanations. She simply continued her routine of lectures during the day and hands-on surgical practice at night. As a result, within just a few days, players began suffering extremely serious injuries, waiting eagerly to be carried onto the operating table and treated by Doctor Kal'tsit herself.
"Your Highness, the Duke of Windermere's messenger has arrived. It's Delphine."
"I see."
Felix interlaced his fingers and sat in the main seat, watching as Delphine, her expression resolute, walked briskly to the desk and presented the letter.
"Did the Duke of Windermere say anything?"
Delphine nodded softly. After a brief hesitation, she spoke. "Mother has been worried that the Sarkaz may encroach upon Victoria. Several dukes have already begun secretly cooperating with the Military Commission, preparing to unify the noble factions and abolish the old royal authority."
Felix opened the letter. In it, the Duke of Windermere stated that she had attempted to contact several nobles who had long been on friendly terms with her, including the Dukes of Ascarat County and Toron County. Both factions were currently maintaining a wait-and-see stance, but if the Military Commission and other dukes attempted to overthrow Victoria's regime, they would intervene without hesitation.
What troubled Windermere most was Hillock County. She had previously tried to contact the count there, but his whereabouts were unknown. The military commander governing Hillock County had been replaced twice in succession, yet neither change was recorded in the system. This anomaly left her deeply uneasy.
Hillock County had once been part of the Tara region. Now, with the Tara nobles clinging together for survival, chaos in Hillock County could signal that the day when dukes and counts turned against one another was not far off.
Felix smiled. Chaos was ideal. If things did not descend into disorder, how else would he have a reason to enter Victoria?
For now, however, his attention would remain on Chernobog, far closer at hand.