Chapter 1055: with translation of chapter title

NO．178： I helped you guys push the next test forward a bit.

"152:421:81:9 node is showing data abnormality; repair work is underway."

"Player ID861 repeatedly reported audio-video desynchronization; verified to be the Salgon rainforest fungus."

"Player ID127 has triggered the opening of the Faction storyline; data logging is being followed up."

Part of the Northern Border map's modeling and textures are damaged; the cause is confirmed to be a collapse due to Gudra data, and it will not affect gameplay.

The version map repair is complete; updates can be launched at any time.

In the Flame Country region, the Heavenly Mountain modeling and rendering are abnormal, textures damaged; attempting to contact Miss Xi for emergency rush work.

The Sami region has experienced multiple abnormal data disturbances; should we consider reducing demon data as appropriate?

Rhodes Island Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., inside the Rhine Life Design Team's central control room, a scene of clamor.

And Miu ersisi, who was scrolling through those messages one by one, although amidst them, bore a hint of nostalgia on their face.

Forming a stark contrast with the tense expression of Hemo beside them.

Then a comforting voice came along.

"Don't keep staring at Ifrit's condition, Heimo; letting the child re-examine childhood is also a form of education."

"But after all, that's the site of the Blaze Plan..." Look at the girl clearly taken from the game's internal screen, and also at her own distant-past self-image, Hemo still wore a worried frown.

"Even Seryn thinks she should go check it out; you'd better not become more rigid than Seryn, oh." He poked her cheek, Miu ersisi shifted his body to move the wheelchair back to his screen, "Besides, this is only a level-two opening, after all; there are plenty of local and external testers, so we shouldn't show them anything too extreme."

"At least it's done under the banner of a game."

"Even so... there's still risk," Hemo glanced at the lower-level facility operation report, "Already some testers have been kicked out due to excessively high heart rate."

"I actually don't quite understand the doctor's plan."

"Don't understand why he's letting so many 'outsiders' in?" Miu ersisi asked softly.

"Right, this project was originally meant to simulate Terra's future disaster response, and secondarily for staff training."

"But you also know that," Miu ersisi looked at the stream of messages on the screen, inputting countermeasures to the standby auxiliary AI on the screen, "This game actually incorporates many elements that Terra doesn't have; those are things from this world."

"That's not the same thing," Hemo turned to look at her, "Using this world's resources and technology to discuss countermeasures doesn't mean those new employees have to face this stuff…"

Saying this, she suddenly froze.

"... unless the doctor and team truly decide to let those people join."

"Rather, someone's dead set on joining, and you can't stop them..." Miu ersisi said, and then a new message window popped up, causing her faint smile to halt.

【Blockade Layer Digital Beast sends signal, Wasteland data awakening at 60%, possibly triggering a chain reaction】

"Oh… trouble's starting…"

"What's wrong?" Hemo still rarely saw the director show such a troubled expression.

"It seems a player has reached the Wasteland and, in some way, awakened part of its data replica."

"... Could he have defeated the Lich King?"

"This might be a more optimistic guess," Miu ersisi stood up, making to leave, but still intended to finish explaining, "The Wasteland is a specialized underlying digital space for preserving demonized data replicas; normal player interaction hardly awakens it."

"And once it is awakened…"

——

A few minutes earlier, the Wasteland.

"They said they wanted to find a way out, but this place…"

Not paying much attention to the game's pop-up prompts, Aomo looked at the monster cards in hand, somewhat torn,

Jetton, Mefilas, Gilbalis…… whether cards with teleport or blink abilities, or cards that could scan and explore the surroundings to confirm the makeup of this space, all gave very unsatisfactory feedback in his hand right now.

Chaotic dimensions, contradictory coordinates; even if teleportation were possible, one couldn't determine where they were.

In this so-called Wasteland, which not only restricts spatial transfer but even muddles the very concept of space, countless shapeless demons try to instill fearful thoughts in him, yet he remains unmoved, merely hesitating for a few seconds.

He released the card that had been itching to move for a long time.

The next instant, it sounded as if echoing from a deep valley.

The moment the ominous chuckle spread forth from the instant that gigantic humanoid figure appeared, the demon immediately retreated, its four wings all folding forward.

Boom!! The suddenly ejected black flames intensified the burst of power as it retreated, allowing the demon to already have opened a gap of over a hundred meters in just a few seconds; and whether standing, leaning back, bowing, or charging, its bizarre, twisted movements—like each frame of Ghiraz constantly changing—also erupted countless azure-blue hands from its body.

DarkThunderAbsorption/dark thunderstorm absorption

The chaotic, disordered, heterogeneous group of cyan energy arms ruthlessly grasps all surrounding demons, converting them into part of its own energy.

The void monster Ghiraz, devouring everything it can touch with pure 'nothing', not even sparing its summoner.

So Aomo chose to distance himself immediately upon summoning it.

Then, then he saw a new game pop-up appear before him.

【Warning! Warning! The seal of antiquity is about to shatter, the slumbering nightmare is about to awaken】

【Blockade Forbidden Land. Wasteland is activating, please hold tight to your beautiful dreams】

?

"So earlier it didn't count as opening a dungeon, huh?" Aomo was somewhat surprised.

"I don't think this is a dungeon." Black sheep said expressionlessly.

"Indeed not much like one, but it's definitely a dangerous zone; if you can't get out, you're done for."

——

"How could this be… the altar's destroyed… those monsters are coming out…"

"Grandpa, what's wrong?"

Gazing as the chess pieces all cracked and shattered, and the king piece that had initially flickered with high frequency also vanished at this moment, the old man directly muttered in a tone akin to collapse, beneath his skull-like, fleshless grim visage, the red light of his eyes also somewhat dim.

And the black-haired girl merely looked at him with concern.

Her voice called the tall yet stooped old man back to the present.

"Hurry up and leave, child, bring out your Kulantha's running talent," He immediately extended a huge claw to shoo the girl, "The ritual has failed; this place will soon be occupied by those monsters."

"They will only bring nightmares."

At the same time, a settlement screen appeared before Chazuo, directly announcing her challenge failure.

"... And you, old man?" Chazuo, not particularly bothered by that failure, looked at him, her gaze wandering around his body.

"I will have someone report to the Military Committee; before that..." The old man fell silent for a moment, stood up, revealing his burly stature, "First, make sure those monsters don't spread; you also hurry to inform the people of Kasimir, saying that the demon seal in Kazdeir is about to break."

"... Kasimier?... What place is that?"

"What?" The old man was somewhat startled.

But then he suddenly heard an unfamiliar phrase: "Bring up the map, switch to the world map, it's all written there, Chazuo."

"That's basic game knowledge."

"... Trainer?" Chazuo looked somewhat surprised at the youth who had appeared out of nowhere.

Instinctively wanting to approach, she was blocked by the old man's outstretched arm:

"Stay alert, child!"

"Demons will evoke people's fear; beforehand they might also awaken the good within your heart; at the moment of facing them, any person and sound must be treated with caution!"

"... But he really is a trainer."

Chazuo could see at a glance the green mark above the other's head indicating Aomo Lindun, and hanging below were several small buff icons, the first looking like a debuff.

It depicts a little figure with a red belly, puffed up and hiccuping.

However, the trainer showed no change in physique, only a subtle expression, seeming somewhat... guilty?

——

【Completion degree: ☆☆☆☆☆☆

You have successfully cleared the Wasteland; even if the demons collapse, they cannot assimilate your spirit.

Pioneer Emblem unlocked.

Demonbane Emblem unlocked.

【Complete awakening of Wasteland data will chain-activate the Terra Civilization's trial; please prepare】