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Standing before the ancient altar, Zhao Zhengxiong stared at his brand-new legs, unable to recover from the shock.
It's real. It's all real!
The moment Zhao Zhengxiong took his first step, tears streamed down his face.
"This game has given me light. My ID shall be... Dawn."
Calming the joy in his heart, he took a deep breath, looked at the altar, and slowly spoke his name in this new world.
The white light was blinding, but to Dawn, it was the call of the Lord of Light.
As a follower of R'hllor who had chosen the Pyromancer class, Dawn felt the solid ground beneath his feet once the light faded—a sensation he hadn't felt in years.
"How does it feel?"
Zhao Xiaotian, who had logged in earlier, looked at the figure that had suddenly appeared in the room. He wasn't surprised. Beneath the unfamiliar face was his familiar family member, his third uncle who had always been like an older brother to him.
"It feels amazing!" Dawn pulled back the black hood of his starter Alchemist robe and grinned.
The addition of a new player didn't cause much of a stir in the courtyard. After all, with a game this god-tier, it would be weirder if no new players joined.
Minister_of_Excuses and the other two Pyromancers playing with fire in the corner learned that the newbie was Serious_Bush_Camper's relative. Being naturally friendly, they immediately dragged Dawn into their "Fire Mage Club."
Watching his uncle chatting enthusiastically with the other players, Zhao Xiaotian let out a long sigh of relief. He never imagined a video game would resolve the heartache that had plagued him for years.
This game must succeed!
Zhao Xiaotian had already made up his mind. Once he logged off again, he would promote this game to everyone he knew. He absolutely could not let the company behind this game shut it down.
This game, which brought light to his family, had to stay online forever!
Although the game's quality was undeniable and its success seemed inevitable, what if? Zhao Xiaotian couldn't bear to imagine the blow to his uncle if the game ceased operations one day.
To show a man the light and then plunge him back into darkness... Zhao Xiaotian knew exactly what would happen.
I'm just a player, yet here I am worrying about the game's popularity more than the developers. Zhao Xiaotian chuckled at the thought.
---
Serra, a woman who was dead in name only, was currently dressing her lover, Magister Illyrio.
After Illyrio struck a deal with Varys, to hide Serra, the Magister announced to the world that she had died of the grey plague.
From then on, the Lysene pillow-slave became a canary hidden in the shadows, unknown to the outside world.
Sliding a jeweled ring onto his fat finger, the Magister tilted his head back, enjoying the woman applying oil to his golden beard.
"Deliver this letter to the Little Birds in the usual way. The Spider across the Narrow Sea needs to know that the pawn is in position."
Once Serra finished braiding the Magister's beard, Illyrio handed her a letter from the table and gave instructions in a low, serious voice.
"Understood." Serra responded with a single word. It wasn't the first time she had passed messages for her beloved husband; no vows of secrecy were needed.
"Black or Red, a Dragon is still a Dragon!" Illyrio nodded reassuringly, then spoke a cryptic phrase in front of Serra with great solemnity.
Finally, he looked at his ugly face in the mirror, lamenting that while the Gods gave him wealth and opportunity, they stripped him of his strong body and handsome face.
Why are the Gods always like this? Denying everyone true satisfaction.
After his lament, Illyrio hugged Serra and left the room.
Outside, a mute slave with a chain around his neck expressionlessly closed the door after the Magister left.
---
"The servant brought cake." Daenerys mustered the courage to look at Viserys. In her hands was a plate with a slice of lemon cake.
Viserys sat calmly with Daenerys and enjoyed the cake, which made Daenerys sigh in relief.
Every time she initiated a conversation and wasn't met with questioning or a beating, it felt like she was slowly repairing their bond.
Through the crack in the door, a servant outside watched the siblings talking and laughing over cake. After a while, she turned and left.
On the surface, Viserys was telling his sister amusing stories about Westerosi commoners, but he glanced towards the door, sensing something.
Secretly, he had already instructed the System Sprite to issue a quest to Mouse_Is_Duck.
That fat man is watching me. Did he really think I wouldn't be on guard?
Bet you didn't expect I can give orders telepathically, you fat tub of lard.
Stuffing a piece of sugar-frosted lemon cake into his mouth, Viserys—who was only putting on a show for the observers—couldn't stand the cloying sweetness any longer. He smiled at Daenerys and put down his fork.
[ Intel Gathering is a core skill for a Master Assassin. ]
[ Quest: Search the courtyard for any information Illyrio is hiding from King Viserys and report it. ]
Reward: 80 Kingdom Coins, 1 Bronze Chest.
Note: Do not be discovered.
Mouse_Is_Duck, who was watching the fire-breathing and sword practice with interest, quietly shifted his gaze to the black-armored guards standing like statues in the corners of the courtyard.
Tsk. I knew it. That fat guy didn't look like a good person. Definitely a treacherous minister with a hidden agenda!
A Bronze Chest... Mouse was still ten thousand miles away from completing the quest, but he was already fantasizing about the loot.
Under Bun_Immortal's surprised gaze, Mouse stood up, holding his horn cup, and walked to the courtyard entrance. He sized up the guards with spiked helmets standing on either side.
He tentatively took a step forward. Seeing no reaction, Mouse understood he wasn't restricted and left the courtyard.
Along the way, handmaidens and mute slaves glanced at the outsider, especially the gloomy soldiers who gave Mouse the creeps as he wandered around.
Damn. Are these guys zombies dug up from a grave or something? Mouse thought.
Wandering around, Mouse had one goal: figure out the player boundaries and see which areas were off-limits.
Just as he thought this, he was stopped by a guard.
He peeked inside curiously. Besides realizing it seemed to be a kitchen where they were cooking, all he saw was a bucket of slop being carried out.
What kind of normal person puts guards at the kitchen door?
Looking at the guard who said nothing but stared at him like he was a dead man, Mouse gave an awkward smile and walked away resentfully.
Fine, can't go in during the day. I'll just come back at night. This Intel Gathering quest doesn't seem too hard. There must be secrets hidden in that kitchen.
Humming a tune, Mouse_Is_Duck returned to the courtyard.