When Lin Zisheng opened his eyes again, he found himself back in that white space. Looking at 001 floating in the air, he had an impulse to cover his face.
This time he truly felt embarrassed to the extreme. After living for so many years, it was the first time he had acted so melodramatic.
[Respected Host, welcome back. I wonder if you enjoyed your time in the previous world?] 001 wagged its little tail, appearing very concerned about Lin Zisheng. However, for some reason, it seemed to detect a hint of maliciousness in the other’s eyes.
Suddenly, 001 realized its own behavior was overly obvious. It instinctively shrank back and changed the topic.
[Respected Host, it has been three worlds without a mission summary. Would you like to proceed with the mission summary now?]
“Yes.” Having gone through three consecutive worlds without any rest, especially the last two worlds where he was immediately thrown into the next one right after completing the previous, he was feeling quite tired, not just physically, but mentally as well.
[System scanning…]
[A total of 37 missions is 3 worlds, including…]
“Thirty-seven?”
This number was unexpected for Lin Zisheng. In the past, a single world would typically have around ten missions at most. Having thirty-seven missions across three worlds was quite surprising.
“Are you sure about the calculation?”
[After confirmation, there are indeed thirty-seven missions. There’s no problem. In the previous world, due to being a punishment world, the missions increased and rewards doubled] 001 answered his question and began a new round of calculations.
[A total of 37 missions: 5 main missions, 12 side missions, 3 random missions, 5 special missions, 9 hidden missions, and 3 legendary missions.]
Hearing this number of missions, Lin Zisheng felt relieved. Fortunately, they no longer issued missions before entering the world. Otherwise, he might have the impulse to avoid doing some of them.
[Main Missions: 6,000 exp, 30,000 points]
[Side Missions: 12,000 exp, 80,000 points]
[Legendary Missions: 50,000 exp, 150,000 points]
[Random Mission: Character points +15, skill points +15, weapon points +15]
[Special Mission: 2,500 intimacy points]
[Hidden Missions: Character points +10, skill points +10, weapon points +10, attribute points +50, 10 spins for the roulette]
This set of rewards was undoubtedly rich for Lin Zisheng. Those points alone would be enough for him to spend for a long time.
[Due to completing a punishment mission (non-subjective destruction), you receive 50 treasure map fragments and permanently unlock the achievement system.]
Achievement system?
Lin Zisheng’s mouth twitched. Why did he increasingly feel like he was playing an online game? First, there was a points store, then a spinning wheel for points, and now even a legendary ten-spin draw. Furthermore, there was intimacy, marriage systems, and now even an achievement system.
He couldn’t help but wonder if he had been in a car accident and was somehow connected to a system or if he had been sucked into a holographic game.
However, for Lin Zisheng, these weren’t that important.
[Settlement – ]
[Exp: 68,000]
[Points: 260,000]
[Character Points: +25]
[Skill Points: +25]
[Equipment Points: +25]
[Attribute Points: +50]
[Treasure Map Fragment: +50]
[Roulette: 10 spins]
[Intimacy Points: 2,500]
[Achievement System Unlocked]
“What’s the use of the achievement system?” Even though many things the system provided weren’t very reliable, they still had some use. That’s why Lin Zisheng asked about the purpose of the achievement system.
[Completing special types of missions will grant certain achievements, and some achievements come with titles. These titles will increase various attributes for the Respected Host.]
[Additionally, when achievements reach level three, achievement points exchange will be unlocked, allowing for the exchange of special items.] This was the most important and central aspect of the achievement system.
Hearing this, Lin Zisheng felt like he was about to be astonished. Could it be that the system had actually introduced something relatively reliable?
[Respected Host, you currently have 50 attribute points. Would you like to exchange them?]
“Yes!” Fifty attribute points might not sound like a lot, but it was definitely not a small number.
[System reminder: Your current luck value is 20, with a maximum limit of 50. Going over 50 will not provide any additional benefits.]
001 had to remind Lin Zisheng, as he had been completing missions so smoothly lately. It was the first time it had seen someone receive such rich rewards after only experiencing seven worlds!
“Limit of 50? Is the limit of 50 for all attributes, or is it only for luck?” This was very important, if only luck had a limit of 50, it would be fine, but if all attributes had that limit, it would be very disadvantageous for him.
[It’s not for all attributes, only luck. Because the attributes brought by luck are too extraordinary, that’s why there’s a limit on luck’s upper value.]
Lin Zisheng nodded in understanding. After all, if someone had excessively good luck and received all the good things, the world wouldn’t be far from collapsing.
“Choose to allocate points: Luck +10, Constitution +5, Endurance +5, Intelligence +10…”
[Respected Host, considering the uniqueness of the next world, the system suggests you allocate the remaining points to Spirit and Agility.” The system never interfered with Lin Zisheng’s decisions unless it was something crucial.
So, usually, when the system provided suggestions, Lin Zisheng would readily accept them without hesitation.
“Spirit +10, Agility +10.”
[Current attribute changes – ]
- Physique: 17 (+5)
- Endurance: 17 (+5)
- Intelligence: 17 (+10)
- Spirit: 10 (+10)
- Mind: 15
- Strength: 13
- Agility: 10 (+10)
- Charisma: 13
- Luck: 20 (+10)
[Respected Host, please wait a moment as the system finalizes the summary.]
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
[Name: Lin Zisheng]
[Gender: Male]
[Age: 23]
[Attribute Points: 0]
[Level: Grade D]
[Exp: 73,480/15,000]
[Points: 262,320]
[Intimacy Value: 3,000]
[Skills: Brawl, Sheath Strike, Combat, Interrogation, Bloodline Suppression, Dragon Transformation, Initial Embrace.]
[Current attributes – ]
- Physique: 22
- Endurance: 22
- Intelligence: 27
- Spirit: 20
- Mind: 15
- Strength: 13
- Agility: 20
- Charisma: 13
- Luck: 30
[Special Rewards: Character Points x41, Skill Points x41, Equipment Points x41]
[Treasure Map Fragments x51, 13 spins of the Points Wheel.]
[Would you like to use 13 spins of the Points Wheel for a ten-draw?]
“Rb!” Ciatbeut tf xcfk atfgf kfgf ubbv atlcur lcrlvf, atf lafwr lc atf afc-vgjk kfgf qfglbvlmjiis eqvjafv. Ktlr alwf, tf ibbxfv jcv vlvc’a rff jcsatlcu tf cffvfv, rb tf cjaegjiis gfoerfv.
[Detected that the host’s Exp has exceeded the Exp cap. Would the host like to level up?]
“Tfr!”
[Current level is: Grade C. Mission difficulty increases; world contents will not be pre-given.]
Olc Ilrtfcu: Kjxlcu jvnjcajuf bo qfbqif abb wemt!
“Vb, lc atf cfza kbgiv, P kbc’a xcbk ktja xlcv bo kbgiv la lr, ktb P’ii wffa, bg ktja xlcv bo wlrrlbcr P’ii ecvfgajxf. Cgf sbe regf P’ii yf jyif ab mbwqifaf atf wlrrlbcr?”
Lin Zisheng wasn’t being passive, it’s just that anyone would find it impossible!
[It’s not a completely closed world. It’s only after you encounter specific individuals and complete specific missions that the world’s script will open up.] In other words, it all depends on your luck.
Such an answer made Lin Zisheng want to facepalm, but this was also a challenge he wouldn’t shy away from.
“Then, is there anything you can reveal about the next world?” Lin Zisheng believed that if he didn’t ask, the system wouldn’t mention it proactively.
[The only thing I can tell you is that the next world is a post-apocalyptic setting.]
After saying this, 001 reminded again, [In the post-apocalyptic setting, having space items is essential. I suggest that the Respected Host purchase an intermediate-level space with the devouring and upgrading effects.]
[As for superpowers, you can decide whether to purchase them after entering the world when the post-apocalyptic scenario arrives.]
Lin Zisheng thought what 001 said made sense. He had read some post-apocalyptic novels before, and having supplies in a post-apocalyptic world was crucial. Also, due to the increased difficulty of the missions, he didn’t know the main storyline of the world or even when he’d enter the world.
Opening the system store, Lin Zisheng realized that the space options available in the points store were incredibly diverse.
From small cubes to larger ones, some as small as mustard seeds, and even spaces that encompassed entire worlds. Now Lin Zisheng truly understood how extraordinary the system was.
Especially as his level increased and mission rewards became more abundant, more layers of the store opened, and the items available for exchange became increasingly outrageous.
Lin Zisheng even wondered if when he reached S-level, he could directly exchange for ownership of an entire world.
[Respected Host, since you’ll be going to a post-apocalyptic world, there will be a large number of space items. Therefore, I suggest exchanging for an intermediate-level space with devouring and upgrading effects.]
[Though I’m not sure about the situation you’ll face, as a faithful system, I must consider saving points for the Respected Host, it’s very necessary!]
Lin Zisheng nodded in understanding and exchanged for an intermediate-level space. The space’s area wasn’t large, just around twenty cubic meters, but if he stored all the food inside, it would sustain them for quite a while.
For Lin Zisheng, this was already sufficient, and this intermediate-level space cost him a hefty 50,000 points. Although he had plenty of points now, it still made him wince.
[Transmission will now commence. Respected Host, please be prepared. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1—]
…
When he woke up again, Lin Zisheng found himself seemingly in a dorm room at school. It was an eight-person dormitory, and the air was filled with the smell of instant noodles and dirty socks, causing Lin Zisheng to wrinkle his nose involuntarily.
His family was well-off, both in reality and in the worlds he had visited. During his university years, he had never lived in such an eight-person dormitory. At most, it was a double suite with separate rooms that didn’t affect each other.
Looking at the bunk beds and socks and underwear strewn around, Lin Zisheng really wanted to get up and leave immediately!
He had heard that ordinary male dormitories were generally messy, but even if they were messy, it shouldn’t be this bad, right? Did they only tidy up during inspections?
“Hey? Lin Yan, you’re awake. You really scared us yesterday. You, a grown man, fainted after only taking a few steps. It’s embarrassing. But speaking of which…”
The young man glanced at Lin Zisheng and pouted, “since you have anemia, you should have said so earlier. You scared everyone.”
Lin Yan? Anemia?
Hearing the other’s words, Lin Zisheng was still a bit stunned. He seemed to be unable to grasp the situation now, what was going on?
“Never mind, never mind. Rest a bit more if your health isn’t good. Yesterday’s incident is known to the teachers. We’ve taken a leave for you today.” After saying this, the young man unceremoniously pressed Lin Zisheng back onto the bed, letting him continue resting.
After a chaotic commotion, the entire room finally quieted down. Based on the recent conversation, Lin Zisheng had gained some understanding of his current situation.
He seemed to be a student with health issues who had fainted during a run due to anemia yesterday and had only just regained consciousness today. The people who had just been talking were clearly his roommates.
But this information was far from enough, and what truly frustrated Lin Zisheng was that he still hadn’t received the memories of the original host.
That’s right, whenever Lin Zisheng possessed someone’s body, he would quickly receive the memories of the original host. Yet this time, he had received no information whatsoever about the original host.
This made him somewhat irritable. Without any knowledge about the original host, he could easily make mistakes while impersonating this person. He certainly couldn’t say that he had hit his head and lost his memory when he fainted from running yesterday, right?
[Respected Host, I’m here~~]
Just when Lin Zisheng was feeling quite annoyed, a little cat flew in through the window.
[I haven’t been by Respected Host’s side in the last world, so I’ve become a bit rusty with my positioning skills. It’s quite embarrassing.]
Seeing 001, who was covering its face with a slightly embarrassed expression, Lin Zisheng had an impulse to grab it, squish it, and give it a few stomps on the ground.
“Speak up, why haven’t I received the memories of this body yet?” Lin Zisheng was considering whether, once his level was high enough and he had enough points, he could switch to a better system since the current one was becoming more and more useless and only knew how to act foolish.
[‧º·(˚ ˃̣̣̥⌓˂̣̣̥ )‧º· Respected Host, this time it’s really not my fault. It’s not that the memories didn’t transmit, but rather that they were intercepted by something. Please wait a moment, Respected Host. The system will transmit the memories again.]
001 felt utterly innocent, it wasn’t its fault at all.
After 001 finished speaking, a segment of memories flowed into Lin Zisheng’s mind, and he instantly understood the identity of this body.
Come to think of it, this body wasn’t as impoverished as it seemed on the surface. Although the Lin family in S City might not be a top-tier aristocratic family, it had a decent foundation.
Moreover, the current head of the family was a very capable person, which allowed the Lin family’s industries to flourish under his control.
And the reason why Lin Zisheng seemed so “miserable” right now was entirely due to his desire to experience the life of an ordinary person and his fallout with his older brother.
That’s right, the head of the Lin family’s current generation was Lin Zisheng’s older brother, Li Yao. Of course, Li Yao wasn’t Lin Zisheng’s biological brother, he was adopted into the Lin family.
Lin Zisheng had been born with poor health. Although he didn’t have any life-threatening issues after a series of treatments, the doctors had declared that his physical condition would prevent him from engaging in labor.
Therefore, he couldn’t possibly inherit the family business, as managing such a vast enterprise would demand more energy than Lin Zisheng’s body could handle.
Lin Zisheng’s parents didn’t want another child. They were well aware of their family’s dynamics. If they were to have another child, it would inevitably shift the family business to the younger son. Since Lin Zisheng had health issues, naturally, he received more attention.
The potential outcome would likely be the younger son resenting the parents for favoring the older son, while the older son would feel his parents unfairly gave the family business to the younger son. This could ultimately lead to family discord.
So, Lin Yan’s parents took an unconventional approach and adopted an abandoned child from an orphanage. This child was already around five or six years old when they adopted him, and he had memories from before his adoption.
Many people believed that this child wouldn’t fit in since he still had biological parents. They thought that, in the end, handing over the family business to the elder son might result in the property ending up in someone else’s hands.
However, reality proved that Li Yao’s parents had remarkable foresight. When Li Yao’s biological parents learned that their son had become well-off, they visited him multiple times, seeking financial support and even suggesting that Li Yao join the Lin family’s enterprise as a vice president.
Every time, their requests were denied, causing the two of them to berate Li Yao for not being filial.
In fact, Li Yao wasn’t to blame for this. After all, he remembered very clearly how he had been abandoned by his biological parents for the sake of his elder brother.
Originally, Lin Yan’s life should have continued peacefully, with his parents passing on the family business to his older brother when they grew old, and him living a carefree life. However, unforeseen events occurred.
When Lin Yan was thirteen years old, his parents died in a car accident, leaving behind Li Yao, who had just come of age, and the underage Lin Yan.
Facing relatives who were like wolves and tigers, Li Yao managed to persevere with his own strength. The torment during that period turned him from a relatively cheerful young man into someone silent, reticent, and aloof.
From that point on, it seemed that the relationship between Li Yao and Lin Yan had entered an impasse.
Li Yao didn’t know how to approach the son of his benefactors, and Lin Yan felt fear because Li Yao always had a cold expression.
Thus, starting from high school, Lin Yan chose to live in the school dormitory. However, due to his wealthy family background and introverted personality, he was often excluded by classmates who were envious of his wealth. Over time, Lin Yan became more introverted.
The current situation arose because Lin Yan wanted to make a change and hoped to make friends. Therefore, he hid his identity and moved into an eight-person dormitory.
As he observed these memories, Lin Zisheng really had the urge to slap Lin Yan to death.
Seriously, deliberately seeking hardships for oneself, is there something wrong with his brain? Even masochism is a condition, and it needs treatment. Avoiding treatment for an illness is harmful!
[Respected Host, what’s going on with you?] Seeing Lin Zisheng’s mouth twitching, 001 was curious about what its esteemed host had seen in the original host’s memories.
“It’s nothing. I just feel like the body I’m inhabiting is becoming increasingly abnormal. I don’t know if I can still surpass its limits.” Whether it’s a person or not, whether it’s a body with weird properties or a mind with strange thoughts, he has experienced almost everything by now. Probably, except for women, there’s no role he can’t handle.
As Lin Zisheng was lost in his thoughts, the phone placed by his pillow rang. Picking it up, he glanced at the name on the phone and couldn’t help pressing his temples lightly.
Dear Brother.
Oh my god! The name was so intimate, but every time he saw the real person, it was like a rat meeting a cat.
Should he say that Lin Yan is good at acting like a masochist or that he’s really good at acting like a masochist, or should he say that Lin Yan is good at acting like a masochist?!
Regardless of Lin Zisheng’s internal monologue, he answered the call and then imitated the original host to timidly call out, “Brother.”
“Come back home tomorrow on Saturday. I’ve already heard about your fainting incident.” The other person’s voice was cold, but if you listened carefully, you could sense their concern.
In reality, Li Yao didn’t dislike his younger brother. He simply didn’t know how to express his emotions.
“Alright… okay.” After responding like this, Lin Zisheng fell silent until the other person hung up the call, letting out a sigh of relief.
Playing such a role is really exhausting!
[Respected Host, if you return home like this tomorrow, you’ll definitely be exposed.] 001 wasn’t exaggerating, that was the truth.
Even if the same body had a different soul, there would be some noticeable changes. Especially in Lin Zisheng’s case, who had bound himself to the system for the sake of his life.
[I suggest you buy some props to conceal your identity.] Lin Zisheng suddenly felt like his vision blurred. The points store, which had been closed until now, popped up right in front of him, showcasing an array of items.
[Disguise Mask]
[Grade: E]
[Effect: Change a person’s aura.]
[Description: I am the lofty emperor, I am the lowly slave, I am the respectful and wise sage, I am the arrogant and domineering madman, I am the alluring and enchanting woman, I am the upright and principled gentleman, I am the versatile Disguiser.]
“This thing looks amazing, but why is the price so low given its level?” Lin Zisheng had browsed the points store many times before, so he had a general understanding of its items.
According to common sense, a Disguise Mask with such great utility shouldn’t have such a low price, especially considering it wasn’t a disposable tool.
[While the Disguise Mask is effective, it’s not something that’s often needed. Most task-takers have legitimate identifications. Changing one’s aura is usually minor. Task-takers like you, who’ve bound themselves to the system out of a desperate need for survival, are quite rare.]
001 explained why the price of the Disguise Mask was so low, leaving Lin Zisheng feeling even more… unsure of what to say.
What’s this about having legitimate identification?
Could it be that you need to go through a multi-layered assessment like a civil servant to become a task-taker?
[Actually, your thinking is quite accurate. Not everyone can become a task-taker. Firstly, they need strong willpower and immunity to external influences.]
Since there hadn’t been a need before, 001 hadn’t had the chance to explain much about the system to Lin Zisheng. Today, since an opportunity presented itself, it thought sharing knowledge might be beneficial.
[In all worlds, there’s not just me as a system. No matter how bizarre or outlandish a system might be, it’s possible. If your mental strength isn’t firm, you’re at risk of making grave mistakes.]
[As an example, consider the “Protagonist Support System” from a harem world. The task of that task-taker is to assist the protagonist in reaching the peak of life. But the temptations are immense. There’s a high possibility of taking advantage of the system to eliminate the protagonist and take their place while they’re still not fully grown.]
[Afterward, the task-taker can achieve success while being accompanied by beautiful women. Not everyone can resist such temptations.]
[Thus, to become a qualified task-taker, one must pass rigorous scrutiny.] Looking at Lin Zisheng, 001’s tone held an unshakable conviction that ordinary people couldn’t comprehend.
[Binding myself to you, respected host, also carried significant risk because if you were to rebel, even I would be retrieved and formatted.]
Now, Lin Zisheng truly understood how intricate the selection of task-takers was. But precisely because of this, he felt puzzled.
Why did 001 have reason to believe he wouldn’t do something he shouldn’t?
After thinking for a while, Lin Zisheng still couldn’t quite understand, but he could sense that the other party didn’t hold any ill will. Moreover, if the other person really wanted him dead, then it would have been better not to save him at all after his accident, rather than saving him just to harm him later.
After pressing the confirm purchase button, a thin mask as delicate as a cicada’s wing appeared in Lin Zisheng’s hand. When he placed the mask on his face, his entire aura underwent a tremendous change.
If the pre-mask Lin Zisheng was as tough as bamboo, then now he became obsequious and submissive. In an instant, his vigor vanished. Even if someone familiar with Lin Yan were to appear here, they likely wouldn’t suspect that this person had changed his core.
Twenty minutes later, Li Yao called again, asking Lin Zisheng to come downstairs quickly as he was already waiting there.
Receiving such a call, Lin Zisheng felt quite helpless. He had originally planned to return home tomorrow and get familiar with Li Yao’s character and personality today. After all, this was the first time he had possessed someone with this kind of personality.
Until now, the individuals Lin Zisheng had possessed all had extraordinary qualities. However, this Li Yao was completely different.
Changing into a cheap T-shirt and faded jeans, Lin Zisheng looked at himself in the mirror, feeling awkward no matter how he looked.
With a sigh of resignation, Lin Zisheng took 001 downstairs and asked it questions about the world as they walked. “Do you know what time it is now? I mean, how much time is left before the apocalypse?”
Lin Zisheng was quite frustrated about not being able to know anything about this world. What was even more frustrating was that he had to encounter specific triggers to learn about it.
[…]
“Why? Can’t you say?” If he really couldn’t, then the danger coefficient of this world might have to be raised!
[It’s not that I can’t say, but…] 001’s voice also held some confusion.
[I don’t know why, but in this world, information propagation is extremely slow. I’ve just received the message. Respected host, it’s currently three months before the apocalypse. We still have enough time to prepare supplies.]
Lin Zisheng was most concerned about the issue of information delay in 001’s response. Given the many restrictions he was already facing in this world, if information were to be further delayed, it would be quite disadvantageous for him.
Carrying the heavy thoughts, Lin Zisheng reached downstairs and saw a young man standing not far away, seemingly waiting for someone.
Upon seeing the person, Lin Zisheng’s body instinctively trembled. Shortly afterward, he understood who the person was, Li Yao, his original body’s older brother.
In Lin Yan’s memories, the impression of this brother was both clear and fuzzy. The clear part was about the person, but the fuzzy part was about his appearance. In Lin Yan’s memory, this person was always either a silhouette or looking down with his face obscured by light.
Perhaps it wasn’t that he truly couldn’t see, but rather that due to Lin Yan’s “fear,” he subconsciously disregarded the person’s face.
And now, Lin Zisheng was truly “seeing” the person for the first time.
Handsome features, an indifferent expression at first glance, anyone would feel an instinctual fear of this person. However, on closer inspection, one would notice a unique tenderness in his eyes.
That caring gaze warmed Lin Zisheng’s heart, making him feel that this person genuinely cared for the original body.
“Xiao Yan, are you feeling better?” While saying this, Li Yao reached out his hand toward Lin Zisheng’s head, as if he wanted to ruffle his hair, but in the next moment, he withdrew his hand.
Such actions had occurred more than once in Lin Yan’s received memories. After giving it a little thought, Lin Zisheng understood why Li Yao would do this, he didn’t want to be rejected by Lin Yan.
With the parents gone, relatives revealing their sinister faces, and the older brother too preoccupied with family affairs to care for him, all of this had led Li Yao to confine himself within a small space, refusing to let anyone approach him.
Initially, when Li Yao was too busy with company matters, he hadn’t noticed this. However, by the time he did, it was already too late. Li Yao had sealed himself off, unwilling to get close to anyone.
“Brother, I…” Mimicking Lin Yan’s actions, Lin Zisheng shrugged his shoulders. Though he didn’t retreat, he minimized his presence before Li Yao.
“I’m okay.”
As he looked at his younger brother in this state, Li Yao felt not only heartache but also sadness. He just didn’t know how to express his emotions through words.
Translator’s Note –
I feel really dumb (*꒦ິ꒳ ꒦ີ), while rereading my translation, it took me longer than I’d like to admit to figure out a part that I was stuck on.
It was the sentence “was entirely due to his desire to exp the life of an ordinary person and his fallout with his older brother”. I couldn’t figure out for the life of me what that was supposed to mean until I remembered that I shortened “experience points” to “exp” on the whole chapter to make the achievements given by the system more simplified.
Also, I love apocalypse stories so I’m really excited for this ark °˖✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧˖°
Thanks for the chapter! I think there’s a slight editing mistake where Li Yan was changed to Li Yao
Thank you so very much for the chapter!~💋
Yayyy apocalypse arc I’m going to love it