[Note: I wanted to clarify this in response to some comments saying that the sections related to the fourth layer differ from the original.
I am making and will continue to make changes to the story in parts I deem necessary. This includes removing racist language and adapting certain concepts to Western culture.
In the original, the fourth layer was set in a universe belonging to a little-known Chinese fantasy kung-fu film. It contained many cultivation-themed terms and events. These chapters were quite difficult to understand and interpret for those unfamiliar with the culture.
Therefore, I completely rewrote the fourth layer, designing a story set in the Ready Player world. Similarly, the stories in the eighth, eighteenth, and twenty-eighth layers will also be rewritten.
I hope you enjoy it.]
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Natalie Russell
Oxford, United Kingdom
"Natalie, you stay. Everyone else, you can leave."
As Professor Isabel Grant finished speaking, the others left her office one by one.
Only Natalie and Professor Grant remained in the office.
"Natalie, the university's message is that this championship depends entirely on you. If you feel that two spots are not enough, we can add more."
It's no surprise that the professor wanted to be alone with Natalie. Such private interactions should remain unknown to others.
Natalie wanted to say that was enough.
Because she would only invite her father over at most.
However, the girl changed her mind before she could finish speaking. "Professor, I need to think about it."
She was thinking of Matthew.
Even if she didn't need the spot, what if Matthew did?
Professor Grant nodded and reminded her, "Because of your presence, many people believe that this year's championship will belong to the University of Oxford. Therefore, many people are eyeing the University of Oxford's spot now."
"You need to decide on who to invite as soon as possible so that the university can make the necessary arrangements promptly."
"I understand," Natalie said.
...
Matthew Atkinson
Oxford, United Kingdom
After leaving Professor Grant's office, Matthew kept thinking about a question.
Was the best reward for those who joined the fifth layer to become a group representative and win the championship?
In that case, a regular team member would earn 275 attribute points, and the team captain would earn an extra 80 points, for a total of 355 attribute points.
This kind of award was far too little for Matthew.
Matthew had intended to call Professor Holland to ask, but considering that Professor Holland would continue discussing the fifth layer of the supernatural realm tomorrow, he decided against it.
He began to think about who he should invite for the two spots.
The first person that came to his mind was definitely his grandfather, Zack Atkinson.
Although spectators would only receive 20 attribute points for a not-so-strong supernatural, 20 attribute points were still critical.
He was sure the old man would want 20 attribute points for free.
Why wasn't Matthew thinking about his parents?
Because Matthew's parents were ordinary people rather than supernaturals.
Even if Matthew invited them, they still couldn't enter the Supernatural Realm.
Then, Matthew dialed the old man's number.
"Grandfather."
"Hey, Matthew, how are things at university?"
"I'm doing great, Grandpa. I got an SSS-grade mission rating again yesterday."
"Haha, I saw the news. My grandson is amazing."
"Grandpa, I'm calling because there's something I want to tell you."
"Oh? Are you short of money? Send me your bank card number, and I'll transfer it to you right away."
"No... It's about the fifth layer of the Supernatural Realm. I heard from the professor that the fifth layer of the Supernatural Realm is where the university competition is held. As an official participant, I have two spectator invitation slots. Grandpa, would you like to come and watch? If I win the championship, you'll get a reward of 20 attribute points."
"Oh? Did your university give you two spots? The University of Oxford is pretty good. But I'm not coming. I'm too old for these kinds of things... Matthew, you can give your spot to your elder brother."
Matthew was an only child. Therefore, the "elder brother" the old man mentioned naturally referred to Matthew's eldest cousin.
The only other supernatural person in the Atkinson family.
Upon hearing this, Matthew immediately said, "Grandpa, I have two spots. I'll definitely give one to my cousin, and the other to you. You can come with my cousin."
Even though Matthew said that, the old man on the other end of the phone still didn't want to come.
In the old man's words, it would be a waste for him to get 20 attribute points since he was already half-buried in the ground. It would be better to leave the spot for someone else to earn a favor.
Despite Matthew's repeated attempts to persuade him, the old man still insisted that he did not want to move.
In the end, Matthew had no choice but to give up.
Matthew just hung up the phone when it rang again.
It was Natalie who called. "Nat?"
On the other end of the phone, Natalie asked directly, "Matthew, do you have enough spots? If you need more, you can let me know."
Matthew immediately understood that Natalie was being treated specially, with no limit on the number of spots she had.
The girl was thinking about him, which was why she called.
"Thanks. But it looks like I don't need it. I originally wanted to invite my cousin and grandfather over for these two spots, but the old man didn't want the hassle and just didn't want to come. I still have one spot available."
Upon hearing this, Natalie said, "The university needs the list from me within ten days at the latest. If you don't have enough spots during this period, you can tell me."
"Okay, I understand."
...
The call ended.
Then Matthew left the campus and returned to his apartment.
He had just taken out his key to open the door when he heard a noise behind him.
When Matthew turned around, he saw that Ava Owen, the agent from Round Table, had already opened the door.
"Miss Owen, what a coincidence." Matthew greeted her and asked, "Are you planning to go out?"
"No. I've been waiting for you specifically," Ava Owen said.
"Oh?" Matthew was taken aback for a moment, then asked, "Miss Owen, is there something you need?"
"There is indeed something..."
"Just say what you need, Miss Owen. I'll definitely help if I can."
Matthew's words sounded nice, but they were really just polite formalities.
He would definitely refuse if the request put him in a difficult position.
"Then I'll be frank."
Ava Owen smiled and said to him, "I heard that you were selected to be a representative for the fifth layer of the supernatural realm for freshmen next month? I also heard that your university is giving each team member two spectator spots this time."
Upon hearing this, Matthew immediately understood what Ava Owen wanted.
The other party clearly had her eye on the spot he had.
As for where Ava Owen got the information, there was no need to ask.
As a member of Round Table, she had access to a great many information channels.
Not to mention, there were quite a few members of the Round Table at the University of Oxford who were secretly protecting Natalie. It was normal for Ava Owen, as a colleague, to receive the news.
"Miss Owen, do you want a spot to be a spectator?" Matthew asked directly.
"Yes." Ava Owen nodded, then said to him, "I wonder if it's convenient for you, Matthew? If it is, could you give me a spectator spot? I'm willing to pay for it."
Matthew didn't agree directly, but instead asked her, "Miss Owen, you're a member of the Round Table. If you talk to the university, they should be able to give you a spot, right?"
Ava Owen gave a helpless smile. "You're thinking too simply. Do you know how sought-after the University of Oxford's spots are this time in the fifth layer of the Supernatural Realm? All the big shots have come looking for them; how could it be a chance for us?"
Matthew was surprised. "Just for 20 attribute points? Besides, no one can guarantee that we'll win the championship."
"First, I need to correct your misunderstanding. 20 attribute points are already quite a lot."
Ava Owen said to him. "Many supernatural individuals, once their strength reached a certain level, find it difficult to acquire attributes through training. In addition, the Supernatural Realm beyond the tenth layer becomes increasingly dangerous, making it more and more difficult to obtain attribute points... At this point, let alone 20 attribute points, even one attribute point is extremely valuable."
"That's why those supernatural items that can enhance one's strength are so expensive that they can't be bought even at exorbitant prices."
Matthew nodded.
Perhaps it was because acquiring attributes was now too easy for him, making him somewhat disdainful of 20 attribute points.
Ava Owen continued, "Secondly, with genius Natalie Russell on your team, the University of Oxford is now a top contender for the championship. Who wouldn't be tempted by 20 attribute points for free? Who wouldn't want them?"
"So, the principal of your university must be having a real headache right now, because there are just too many people coming to him for help."
"I even heard a rumor that some big shot suggested splitting your University of Oxford students into groups, keeping only 100 freshmen, and using the rest of the spots for other purposes... As for the 50-odd freshmen who are split up, they need to be sent to other universities."
"This suggestion received a lot of support, but your principal rejected it."
Upon hearing this, Matthew frowned.
He never expected that so much trouble would ensue in this fight for a spot at the University of Oxford.
"Matthew, now you should understand how precious the spot you have is, right?"
Upon hearing Ava Owen's voice, Matthew immediately said, "I understand. But you are lucky. I had a spot that I didn't know who to give it to. So, I'll give it to you, Miss Owen."
After the old man indicated he wouldn't be coming, Matthew had no idea who to give his spot to.
His classmates?
The students were all freshmen, so they didn't need his spot.
His friends and family?
Unfortunately, Matthew's social circle was really small. There weren't many supernatural people in his circle. Besides his family, only Natalie and Uncle Russell.
With Natalie there, he didn't need to worry about Uncle Russell's spot at all.
Since Ava Owen wanted it, it didn't matter if he gave this spot to her.
After all, the other party had been "protecting" him for a long time, so even if she didn't do anything special, she had still put in a lot of effort.
"Really?" Ava Owen's pretty face immediately lit up with joy. "Thank you so much."
"How much? Matthew, name your price."
"No need to pay for it…" Matthew immediately waved his hand and said, I'm not the type of person to make money off something like that. Besides, I already feel a little bad about having you protect me here all this time. It's just one spot. Consider it compensation for Miss Owen's hard work."
Ava Owen looked at Matthew seriously for a moment, then smiled and said, "Since that's the case, then I won't be polite with you anymore."
"Okay, it's settled then. You can come to campus with me on the 1st day of next month."
...
The next morning.
Matthew arrived at campus early, ready to listen to Professor Holland's formal explanation of the fifth layer of the supernatural realm.
At 8:00 sharp, the bell rang, and Professor Holland arrived at the classroom on time.
"...The fifth layer of the supernatural realm, officially called the Competition Layer."
"Since this is its name, you need to compete. And the competition you'll be participating in will be about getting caught up in a challenge and earning points."
"However, there are three different challenge modes in the Competition Layer: Survival Mode, Hunting Mode, and Escape Mode."
"These three modes are all different."
"Let's talk about Survival Mode first. You don't need to hunt or kill monsters or other enemies. You just need to survive long enough to advance to the next level in the mode. This mode is relatively easy, but you get fewer points for each mode level you complete."
"The Hunting Mode, as the name suggests, requires you to hunt a certain number of monsters within a limited time to advance to the next mode level. It is the second most difficult mode. Your score is related to the number of monsters you hunt."
"The most difficult mode is the Escape Mode, which requires participants to escape from a locked room full of traps and puzzles."
"Escape mode is the most dangerous of the three challenge modes, but it doesn't appear very often unless you're extremely unlucky."
Hearing Professor Holland's explanation, the students were all surprised. They never expected that the fifth layer of the supernatural realm would have different modes.
The Supernatural Realm was truly a magical place.
"Once you enter the Supernatural Realm, you cannot choose the mode of the challenge. The ten participants will have to draw lots to decide their team's challenge mode."
"For example, if four out of ten people draw the survival mode, and the hunting mode and escape mode each get three votes, then it will be automatically determined to be the survival mode."
"If it's four votes for survival, four votes for hunting, and two votes for escape, then the team captain can choose between survival and hunting."
"Simply put, in the lottery, the mode with the most draws will be used."
"The total mission time for the fifth layer of the supernatural realm is four hours, which is a relatively short mission time for a supernatural realm."
"All participating teams must try to get as many points as possible within these four hours."
"The final ranking is calculated based on points."
...
After class, Professor Holland kept Matthew and the other two Class B representatives behind.
"Starting tomorrow, you no longer need to come here for classes. Professor Isabel Grant from Class A will explain the important points of the three challenge modes to you and other representative members."
"This knowledge is all essential; listen to her well."
The three nodded in agreement.
Seeing that Professor Holland was about to leave, Matthew immediately called out, "Professor Holland, wait."
Professor Holland turned and asked, "Matthew, do you have any more questions?"
"Here's the thing, I'd like to know, in the fifth layer of the Supernatural Realm, is the highest reward only 275 attribute points? Are there no higher rewards?"
Upon hearing this question, Professor Holland paused for a moment, then countered, "Winning the championship not only grants 275 attribute points, but the member who contributes the most also receives a supernatural item. Isn't that enough?"
"Uh... I was just asking casually," Matthew said.
Professor Holland thought for a moment and then said to him, "There are indeed higher rewards. After becoming the champion, the team can continue to challenge unknown levels, but doing so is very dangerous, and I oppose you taking on those challenges."
This was the first time Professor Holland had used the word "oppose".
And Matthew was surprised.
Because Professor Holland, despite his stern appearance, was actually very approachable. He usually treats students with respect and only offers suggestions, rather than making decisions for them.
"Challenging unknown levels take place in another space, so no one knows what those unknown levels are."
Professor Holland continued talking about him. "Many champion teams have chosen to challenge unknown challenges before, but none of them came back."
"That's why I opposed your challenge. I believe Professor Isabel Grant shares the same thought."
As he continued speaking, Professor Holland's expression became unusually solemn.
...
A while later, Matthew returned to his apartment.
He began to think about how to conceal his strength and win the championship in the fifth layer of the supernatural realm.
Furthermore, after winning the championship, should he continue to challenge unknown levels?
According to Professor Holland, no one had ever succeeded in challenging unknown levels, and the consequence of failure was that one could never return.
That did sound quite dangerous.
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Next Chapters' Name:
Ch.132: First Day of October
Ch.133: Deciding on the Team Captain
Ch.134: Escape Mode