Chapter 178: Sir, this way

For a member of the scientific side who uses excessively modern weapons.

A world built purely from dream architecture is, to some degree, fresher than VR constructed by deceiving brain nerves.

But what difference does that make?

VR and ultra-dreams alike can affect the mind, even the so-called soul.

But he, relying on the ascendant's source energy to reach here, was ordered by the commander to don that dark gothic-style paint job released by the Art Association—

Yes, the paint job.

He is called Mo Li'an, codename: Li, having long abandoned his human body and placed his consciousness in a mechanical prosthesis known as a 'Construct'.

In other words, the path of mechanical ascension.

So his attire is also a 'paint job' built upon his mech.

Exile Paradise series—Crimson Redemption: a figure stained by crimson blood, pacing through the gaps of hunting time and space……that bunch even gave the paint job a string of meaningless backstory.

Li initially found it rather baffling, but after crossing into this world and encountering the game called 'Blood Source Curse,' he realized that bunch was riffing on his work.

Even the production team that crafted this dream world is the same.

At first, he lamented that this work truly could attract so many people eager to reenact it.

Later, he grew irritated by the complexity of this world's terrain and architecture.

Just thinking that before coming here he'd boasted he wouldn't get lost made his headache worse.

Do you also get headaches in dreams?

Rather, in a dream where you can do as you please, why do you still see different path branches, different future directions?

He originally thought this mechanical side effect that troubles him in reality wouldn't take effect in dreams.

But since weapons and clothing were brought along, this dream world is indeed unusual.

It's practically like having crossed over again, and his very self seems to have reverted to a familiar yet unfamiliar fleshly body.

Then——he experienced the inconvenience of a fleshly body.

Especially the discomfort of clothing sticking when covered in blood; the Construct's paint job can shield that sensation, but here he must consider changing clothes.

No……this was something his past self could tolerate.

He began to realize the downside of being too focused and accustomed to technology: when there are too many conveniences, people spend less time fighting the outside world and more time battling the self projected into the mental world from outside.

Indeed, at this moment he has actually lost a move, relying only on the battlefield not being dangerous to remain somewhat composed.

Yet, having compromised to change clothes, this outfit isn't even a full set.

He can only change half of it; fortunately the sizes fit, perhaps the stage was initially adjusted for testers like him.

But is he truly the only tester here?

Li is quite doubtful.

He has constantly sensed a gaze tracking him, like a shadow.

That gaze is especially cautious, always keeping a considerable distance or obstacle, and often mingles with countless other gazes.

But precisely because that gaze always uses other enemies' gazes as cover, it instead reveals its special nature.

The tester instinctively perceives that gaze as harmless; in fact, afterward he even received aid seemingly from that gaze's source.

【Left, left, up, left】

【No horse ahead, turn back】

【A dog ahead, so be vigilant】

【Watch the converging ladder, it's a shortcut】

【No hidden walls, it's a liar】

Although a few are subtle, the sudden surge in frequency of these hints still helped him await the next step of the trial test.

The ability he possesses, that based on his mech: being able to 'see' himself across different world lines and choice paths, has never shown that kind of contact with the other's future.

What does that mean?

This means that no matter what next-step plan he chooses, he cannot make contact with that person.

Should one call it extreme caution or fear… perhaps he isn't even a possible second tester, but rather a friendly NPC placed by this world's design, or perhaps one of the world's operators?

Li didn't understand, but after dealing with that group of strange enemies, the long-unseen light screen finally popped up, reminding him of an imminent transfer, and he couldn't help but look back.

Scanning the town scenery behind him, failing to meet that possible gaze, he felt a bit regretful.

He likely would never see that mysterious helper again.

Thinking thus, just a few minutes after stepping onto the new battlefield, he again felt that strange sense of being watched.

He turned his gaze toward the distant town's most iconic landmark tower; covering such a distance in just a few minutes……the likelihood of it being an administrator is actually higher.

But the present focus isn't there; he is certain that gaze won't affect him, so he refocused on the current werewolf horde and the huge beast that has already walked out of the church.

Faintly, a musical sound arose.

As it turns out, this B-noise can be heard even without a system……

What enters his ears is a distant, faint organ tone; no matter how grand, it's hard to immerse him, after all this thing is really crude to him.

Nevertheless, setting that aside, Aomo listened to the roar from the clash of the giant beast and the youth, then turned his gaze toward the direction of the church's underground entrance, unable to help muttering about this variable:

「I didn't expect to not be transferred directly to the church gate……」

Could it be that his evaluation unexpectedly wasn't as high as he initially thought? So he didn't directly skip stages to face Ludewuxi?

Or perhaps……

Could it be that encountering Ludewuxi itself means being buffed by those administrators, who forced themselves to watch him fight awhile before kicking him out?

He suddenly became angry.

Although he was angry, he still needed to see the big picture, so he waved at the phantom of Dazhenhan, urging it to continue following him forward.

Bypassing the grand main entrance of that massive structure, maintaining his demonized posture and stepping out with his claws in nearly silent steps, Aomo's goal is to slip into the church from the rear.

This is the place he previously tried to come to, but was blocked by an air wall, and like the church, it is sealed.

But now he can approach it.

This confirmed a speculation.

Now he must continue to rely on that tester to lead the way.

And he continued walking.

Although the church exterior is forest, the view is obstructed in many places, but this detour is not difficult at all—just pay attention to the BGM volume.

When the volume increases, it means the route needs correction.

Using this convenience, he finally determined the safe point behind the church and then broke through the wall to enter.

Unlike the noisy front door, this rear area is very quiet.

The rooms for clergy life, work rooms, and storage rooms for miscellaneous items and food are also complete, showing the modeler's care.

Or perhaps they originally stayed here, then replicated the scene to all trial ground servers?

The indoor Hei'an does not affect the demon's vision; the demon standing in the study, looking at the faint traces of life here, thought thus.

This will not be the original traces of life of the front door monster.

Because those are ultimately fake objects used for testing, and this world is not truly made for testers to play as a game.

So the demon followed those traces and pulled out a notebook with a special cover from the bookshelf.

It was covered in dust; no matter how Aomo patted it, it was useless—even if, to avoid damaging the book, he turned his claws into a gentle palm to rub, the cover still bore a layer of indistinct gray.

This might also be one of the rules of the dream……

He spoke not, merely breathing.

He lifted the notebook and brought it close to the windowsill; pale moonlight fell on the cover, casting dim English letters, outlining a name that shocked him.

【Dongzi True Person】

Directly below, it made the solidified atmosphere absurd.

【Experiment Log MK2.5, added annotations understandable to buyers】

"Ha…" he couldn't help laughing, his breath blowing the crescent‑like stray hairs and also stirring the floating dust.

It made him choke; as he choked, he put away the notebook and looked toward the illusion of Dazhenhan beside him.

This was his contingency.

In the instant the dust rose, he suddenly realized that this name should also be a trace of ash in someone's heart, not to be actually stirred up.

He should avoid speaking of it, especially considering that Dazhenhan might possibly call up the record.

Then he relaxed, for he saw that Dazhenhan's illusion was not looking at the notebook, but continued to gaze at him as always.

He made a gesture of guarding the gate toward it; the illusion understood without problem, and he then turned back and opened that somewhat absurd notebook.

【First experiment log on Deep's negative energy:

We selected a volunteer horse girl who had long held the G2 championship as the subject.

The experiment went poorly; their compatibility was far off.

She could not approach the obsession of the Triple Crown King, and we also failed to form a stable monster shape.

But this is only the beginning; there is still time until the monster exhibition.

Monster exhibition?