Chapter 1: God-Level Talent, Hundredfold Reward
In the year 2220, a massive rift to another world appeared in Antarctica.
After research by scientists, it was predicted that this rift would continue to expand over the next thirty years, and creatures from the other world would eventually descend upon Earth.
This was a global nightmare. But just when all of humanity was shrouded in apocalyptic despair, the World Alliance used ’virtual transmission-control technology’ to construct a virtual game world.
It was announced that everything humans obtained in this game world could, after the game progressed to a certain stage, be brought into the real world.
Character stat points could enhance the body.
Potions could cure terminal illnesses.
Equipment could wield earth-shattering power.
In other words, as long as people could obtain great power in the game, they could use it to resist the invasion of otherworldly beings.
Moreover, every person with citizenship could receive a game connection device distributed by their respective government, making this a ‘new world’ where all 30 billion humans would gather.
It was also a world of hope where humanity sought salvation!
At this moment, Jiang Chen tightly held a standard-issue helmet in a shabby room, staring intently at the old clock on the wall.
His eyes were filled with determination and anticipation.
Because today was the launch day of Hope World.
Only a few dozen seconds remained until the server officially opened.
Jiang Chen didn’t hesitate—he put on the game helmet directly.
With a chime, Jiang Chen felt a buzzing in his mind, and then he regained clarity.
“VI-series game helmet activated, bound to Chinese citizen Jiang Chen!”
“Connecting to the virtual world, Hope World…”
“Connection complete. Entering character creation interface. Please prepare yourself…”
Next, a dizzying sensation overtook him, and Jiang Chen couldn’t tell up from down.
Moments later, a massive, ancient temple appeared before him…
“Dear citizen of China, Jiang Chen, welcome to Hope World. Please move your body a little. You will soon enter a world full of danger and opportunities…”
The pleasant system voice sounded.
Jiang Chen looked around. Everything was incredibly realistic, almost no different from the real world.
“Dear adventurer, please choose your class!” The voice rang out again.
In the temple stood five giant statues, representing the five major classes in Hope World: Warrior, Assassin, Priest, Mage, and Archer.
“I choose Archer!” Jiang Chen said without hesitation.
He had long decided on this class.
Warriors were too clunky, Priests too passive, Mages burned through mana too fast, and he simply didn’t like Assassins.
“Congratulations! You have successfully become an elite Apprentice Archer!”
No major changes occurred to Jiang Chen’s appearance.
Just as the system prompt ended, the next prompt arrived.
“Please choose a striking name for yourself in Hope World.”
“Lone Ranger!” Jiang Chen responded directly.
“Very well, Adventurer [Lone Ranger], you may fine-tune your initial appearance. The adjustment limit is 20%…”
After thinking for a moment, Jiang Chen decided to reduce his appearance by 10%.
The game world would definitely involve all sorts of matters—it wouldn’t do for people to link his appearance to his real-life identity.
“Adventurer [Lone Ranger], you are about to awaken your innate talent skill!”
The pleasant system voice rang out again.
Jiang Chen knew—this was a chance every player received before entering the game: one awakening of a talent skill.
At this moment, a red-gold spinning wheel appeared before Jiang Chen’s eyes.
There were no items on the wheel, only a single [Start] button in the center. Jiang Chen clicked it directly.
The wheel began to spin, and Jiang Chen felt himself grow increasingly nervous.
The beginner’s talent would determine how quickly one could leave the novice village.
And since he’d chosen the Archer class, he hoped the talent wouldn’t be something useless to him…
Then the system prompt came.
“Congratulations! You have obtained a god-level talent: [Hundredfold Reward]!”
Talent: [Hundredfold Reward]
Effect: All (quest rewards), (monster loot), (player loot), and (treasure chest items) the player acquires will receive a “hundredfold reward” enhancement.
Description: Equipment receives tier upgrades; player drop rates are multiplied; treasure chest loot is advanced in quality.
It was actually a god-level talent.
Jiang Chen was overwhelmed with excitement.
The effect of [Hundredfold Reward] was outrageously powerful.
Everything he did would receive a massive boost.
And based on the wording, it seemed like a literal 100x multiplier.
At that moment, the system prompt chimed again.
“Character creation complete!”
“Please first organize your equipment and adjust your status.”
“Congratulations, you have obtained beginner starting gear (Worn Shirt). [Hundredfold Reward] triggered: You received bronze-grade equipment [Jungle Cloth Armor]!”
“Congratulations, you have obtained beginner starting gear (Worn Pants). [Hundredfold Reward] triggered: You received bronze-grade equipment [Wild Legguards]!”
“Congratulations, you have obtained beginner starting weapon (Wooden Longbow for Beginners). [Hundredfold Reward] triggered: You received silver-grade equipment [Dragontooth Stonecore Bow]!”
A string of system prompts left Jiang Chen thrilled.
The server had just launched and he already had two bronze items and one silver item.
Needless to say, Jiang Chen was on the fast track to the peak of his life.
[Jungle Cloth Armor] (Bronze)
Level Requirement: Lv1
[Wild Legguards] (Bronze)
Level Requirement: Lv1
[Dragontooth Stonecore Bow]
Level Requirement: Lv1
Jiang Chen gasped, too shocked for words.
In Hope World, equipment ranks were: Iron, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Amethyst, Ghost, Immortal, King, Divine.
And in the early stage at the novice village, getting silver gear was extremely difficult.
Public information showed that silver-grade equipment could only be dropped by specific bosses—it was an incredibly rare resource.
So these pieces Jiang Chen now owned could probably be sold for sky-high prices.
Thousands, maybe even tens of thousands of credits.
For the financially struggling Jiang Chen, this was a massive fortune.
But he knew well just how valuable good equipment was in the early game.
As long as he stayed ahead of the curve, he could earn even more money.
He would never trade long-term gains for short-term profit.
Returning his gaze to the equipment…
Jiang Chen was very satisfied with their stats.
Most importantly, they were all Level 1—he could equip them immediately.
Without hesitation, Jiang Chen equipped all three items.
His stats changed dramatically:
Character: [Lone Ranger]
Class: Apprentice Archer
Talent: Hundredfold Reward
Attributes: Strength 18, Constitution 5, Agility 5, Spirit 5
Free Attribute Points: 5
After reviewing everything, Jiang Chen couldn’t wait to enter the game.