Chapter 3

(Listen carefully to the attributes after this chapter. Please take a moment to read them seriously.)

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I don't know how long it had been.

Zhao Futu's consciousness suddenly became clear, but he did not immediately open his eyes. Instead, he kept them closed, focusing on the sounds around him.

He was still alive, which meant he was temporarily safe. Rather than opening his eyes and alarming any potential enemies, it was better to pretend to be asleep and listen to the surroundings.

Although he had no time to react when he was sucked into that strange ghost-headed bronze door, the scene was vivid in his mind! As a cultivator, his greatest characteristic was his ability to accept mysterious things and the willpower cultivated from long-term meditation and qi cultivation. When faced with such bizarre events, his acceptance was far stronger than that of ordinary people, and he certainly did not foolishly think it was an illusion!

No one in this world could create such a terrifying and realistic illusion. Thinking it was an illusion was merely a form of self-escape and comfort for ordinary people.

"Could it be the Ghost Gate?" This was what he thought was the most likely explanation.

Zhao Futu heard several steady breathing sounds, as well as the sound of a man smoking.

Just as he was about to continue pretending to be asleep, a deep male voice spoke slowly, "Since you're awake, open your eyes. Close your eyes and think about it; the space has already left you a message."

"I didn't expect such a good batch! Waking up in just five minutes. Someone who just died and can still be so calm!"

Just died?

That's not right!

He was clearly sucked in by that strange ghost-headed bronze door, and before that, he heard the term 'chosen one.'

Zhao Futu slowly opened his eyes.

Around him was an open field, and he was lying on soft grass. The sky was just beginning to brighten, with a faint light like the belly of a fish. Six people were lying on the ground, unconscious, five men and one woman, each dressed differently. In addition, there was a man sitting on the ground, smoking silently. He had a square face, a rugged appearance, a tall and strong build, and bulging muscles on his arms, exuding explosive strength, looking like a Russian heavyweight boxer.

He was smoking a Cuban cigar, looking at Zhao Futu with a curious gaze, surrounded by a cloud of smoke.

"Good, good!" the man said with some surprise, "Close your eyes and think. The space has already injected the information into your brain."

Brain?

Just as this thought crossed Zhao Futu's mind, a series of low voices echoed in his head.

"Contractor 1013, welcome to the Nightmare Space."

"This is the first Nightmare World you will experience—The Prequel of Underworld: Rise of the Lycans."

"This is your first Nightmare World, so if you have any questions about this world, you can check the relevant information through the Nightmare Mark. Note: This privilege is only available in this world under normal circumstances."

"Warning: You can interact with the characters in the story, but you must not reveal any information about the Nightmare World or the real world to them in any way."

"Warning: You must complete the main mission assigned to you within 48 hours, or you will be eliminated."

In Zhao Futu's mind, the word "eliminated" was emphasized, evoking a sense of foreboding, clearly not a good outcome.

"Main Mission: Survive!"

"Mission Description: Survive! As a rookie, you must first learn how to survive and fight in this cruel space! Cherish this opportunity, as it is the only one. If you miss it, you will realize how cruel this world can be!"

"Mission Objective: Survive for 48 hours and kill at least one low-level werewolf."

"Mission Hint: You will be attacked by low-level werewolves in the forest after dark. Un-evolved werewolves are pure and savage beasts!"

"Mission Hint: After accepting this mission, you should first find a weapon!"

"Hint: You can achieve the following milestones in this world (including this world and its extensions)."

"Vampire Hunter: You must kill at least five low-level vampires."

"Werewolf Killer: You must kill at least ten low-level werewolves."

"......"

"The following milestones cannot be checked due to insufficient merit points."

"Unlocking related titles by achieving milestones."

"Each contractor can have multiple titles, but only one can be equipped at a time. Titles come with various special effects and cannot be changed during combat in most cases."

"Warning: From the moment you accept the mission, you will face great danger. However, behind great risks, there are also great opportunities."

......

Zhao Futu reviewed the information in his mind several times, deeply imprinting it. Although it still felt incredible, he had to learn to accept reality. This place and the method of directly injecting information into his brain were not something that should exist in the real world, but he knew that since it had happened, he had to accept it.

Because he felt danger.

The threat of death!

"In the ancient dark age, in the dark underground world, the two immortal and strange races, vampires and werewolves, were in constant conflict. Under the tyranny of the cruel vampire king Viktor and his powerful 'Death Dealers' army, the werewolves became prisoners, suffering slavery for a thousand years. After years of cruel slavery and inhuman discrimination, the imprisoned werewolves finally erupted. Among them, a young werewolf named Lucian gradually showed exceptional leadership skills. Freedom or death! As a powerful leader of the werewolves, Lucian decided to gather the werewolves to rise again and fight against the vampire nobles who treated them like grass."

As the main mission was confirmed, a series of introductions about this world appeared in Zhao Futu's mind.

At this moment, he suddenly heard a terrified scream from beside him, and a man who had been sleeping woke up. As if infected, several more terrified shouts followed, and the people lying on the ground gradually woke up.

The first thing these people did when they woke up was to touch their bodies, as if they were missing some parts, exclaiming in disbelief as they touched.

"Bang!"

A dull gunshot rang out, and the man who had been smoking silently stood up. He looked at the people in front of him and said sternly, "Shut up! Be quiet!"

"I won't repeat myself!"

"First, close your eyes and silently think of the Nightmare Space. Don't ask why, or I'll shove the gun up his ass!"

The people who had woken up were startled by the sudden gunshot and didn't dare to move. But following the man's instructions, they all closed their eyes and did as he said. Immediately, like Zhao Futu, they showed expressions of disbelief.

"Good! All normal people! No idiots!" The man seemed somewhat satisfied and said slowly, "If any idiot asks if this is kidnapping, high-tech, or an illusion, I'll hang him on a flagpole and blast his ass!"

When Zhao Futu heard this, he suddenly felt that this man might have a special interest in anuses.

"First, this is your first mission scenario, and it will be very simple! Cherish this opportunity, rookies!"

The strong man lit another Cuban cigar and said, "This is a trial scenario. Your abilities will be enhanced, and your pain sensitivity will be reduced, greatly improving your survival chances!"

"Now, close your eyes and think of your attributes."

"Since you're here, the space has already digitized your body. Heh! You're like a character in a game. You won't die immediately from a critical hit, and as long as your health doesn't drop to zero, you can survive any injury. The key is to hold on until you return to the space!"

"Now, check your attributes, rookies!"

"By the way, don't ask me any questions unless you want me to shove a pistol up your ass and then into your mouth for a taste!"

......

The man clearly wasn't in a good mood, so Zhao Futu wisely didn't ask more questions and silently thought of his attributes.

Immediately, a series of data appeared before his eyes.

"Contractor 1013's personal information. (Values in parentheses are the average for a normal adult male.)"

Your basic attributes are as follows:

Main Attributes:

Strength: 6 (5). Strength determines the power of some melee attacks and enhances your carrying capacity, allowing you to wear and use heavy and powerful armor or weapons.

Agility: 5 (5). Agility determines your movement speed and attack speed, and also affects your evasion rate. It has some impact on physical ranged attacks.

Intelligence: 8 (5). Intelligence determines your energy limit, which can be converted into any type of true qi, magic, mental power, or spiritual power, etc. (1 point of intelligence equals 10 points of energy.)

Stamina: 6 (5). Stamina determines your resistance to physical damage and also affects your endurance in running or fighting, as well as your health recovery rate and defense. (1 point of stamina equals 10 points of health.)

Secondary Attributes:

Spirit: 9 + 1 + 5 = 15 (5). Spirit affects the speed of energy recovery and enhances the effectiveness of energy to some extent.

Perception: 12 + 1 + 5 = 18 (5). Perception is a general term for your hearing, intuition, and vision. Perception allows you to detect dangers in your surroundings with a certain probability and to observe your environment more quickly and carefully. The higher your perception, the earlier and more likely you are to detect impending dangers.

Willpower: 6 + 1 + 5 = 12 (5). Willpower determines your resistance to abnormal states. The stronger your willpower, the less likely you are to be swayed. (Resistance to charm-type abilities is enhanced.)

Charisma: 8 (5). (You know what it means...)

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The character panel is divided into two attributes: [Main Attributes] and [Secondary Attributes].

Main attributes can be increased by completing missions and earning base attribute points, while secondary attributes require hidden potential points to increase. Of course, some special cultivation methods and bloodlines can also increase both main and secondary attributes. Main attributes are the most direct combat attributes, while secondary attributes are extensions of other abilities and are non-combat attributes.

......

[Note: Although this is planned as a final trilogy, the settings will definitely be different.]

......

Under the basic attribute page, there are some other things, which are the abilities you possess, digitized as skills.

Your skill data is as follows:

Inner Alchemy [True]—This inner alchemy cannot be enhanced by the space and must be cultivated by the owner.

Branch Ability 1: Breathing Technique lv3 (Locked Skill). In the breathing state, your health recovery ability is increased by 300%. [Note: Breathing technique focuses on the dantian.]

Branch Ability 2: Meditation lv3 (Locked Skill). In the meditation state, your energy recovery ability is increased by 300%. [Note: Meditation focuses on the zuqiao.]

Branch Ability 3: Small Circulation of Alchemy (Locked Skill). Permanently increases Spirit +1, Perception +1, Willpower +1, Energy +10, and resistance to abnormal states +1. [Note: Refining essence into qi.]

Branch Ability 4: Great Circulation of Alchemy (Locked Skill). Permanently increases Spirit +5, Perception +5, Willpower +5, Energy +50, and resistance to abnormal states +5. [Note: Refining qi into spirit.]

Branch Ability 5: Cultivator (Locked Skill). You have a natural +5 resistance to abnormal states caused by secondary attributes, which has a domain effect. [Note: Cultivators are clear-minded and detached.]

Comprehensive Evaluation—Although inner alchemy in the real world cannot greatly enhance basic abilities, it can significantly enhance various secondary abilities.

......

"This... this..." Zhao Futu looked at his skill panel and felt somewhat astonished.

According to the principles of alchemy in the real world, he was indeed at the stage of the Great Circulation of Alchemy, as he had recently been planning to buy a piece of blue jade to protect his spirit and break through the so-called 'life gate.' However, he never expected that this mysterious space would also digitize and skillify his abilities, and the conversion was so reasonable!

To give a simple example:

In terms of perception, the average person's perception range is about 2 to 3 meters. This means that if someone suddenly approaches within 2 meters, even if they don't see them, they will feel it. This is the innate perception ability of humans. However, for someone like Zhao Futu, who practices cultivation or qigong, or even martial arts, their perception range is much larger. For someone like Zhao Futu, who has completed the Great Circulation of Alchemy, there is already a kind of aura (or magnetic field?) around them. Even without deliberately sensing, they will feel it if someone approaches within 10 meters.

This is not an exaggeration.

If he deliberately senses, this range can even expand to 15 meters, but maintaining this state requires breathing techniques and focusing the mind, which is a significant drain.

In most cases, people who gain this ability through qigong, meditation, or sitting in meditation do not deliberately activate it, and may even turn it off, because in the real world, people are everywhere, and feeling someone approach within 10 meters would be exhausting. This ability is usually activated when they return home and go to sleep.

As for its use, it can be considered a basic anti-theft measure...

......

"Alright, rookies! After checking your attributes, continue listening to me." The strong man finished another cigar but did not light another one. Instead, he fired a shot into the air and said, "This is the Nightmare Space, where anyone can be your enemy. Here, you should never tell anyone your real name, as it can sometimes cost you your life! So you need to choose a codename!"

"This codename will be your name from now on."

"Of course, you don't have to rush. You can choose your codename when you return. But now! Tell me your basic skills, the abilities you brought from the real world! No need to mention attributes, as the attributes of newbies don't differ much."

"Starting with you!" The strong man pointed at Zhao Futu and said sternly.

Zhao Futu was taken aback but then said, "My skill is Breathing Technique lv1. In the breathing state, my health recovery ability increases by 100%."

"I also have a skill called Qigong Beginner, which increases resistance to abnormal states by +1 and adds 10 points of energy."

Zhao Futu certainly didn't foolishly reveal all his abilities but mentioned a few things that seemed plausible. He didn't know the identity of the strong man, but with a gun in his hand, Zhao Futu felt it was best not to offend him.

"You practiced qigong in the real world?" The man looked enlightened and said, "No wonder you woke up so quickly!"

Zhao Futu nodded but didn't say more.

"You guys? Speak one by one." The strong man continued.

A boy of about seventeen or eighteen, who looked like a high school student, stood up and said, "My skill is Basic Climbing lv1, which gives a 25% bonus when climbing buildings."

"Hehe, I used to climb walls to go out and play at school." The boy scratched the back of his head, a bit embarrassed.

Talent!

Climbing walls was recognized as a skill by the Nightmare Space.

The strong man laughed and threw him a cigar, saying, "Not bad! You have potential. When I was in school, I was also a master at climbing walls! The school raised the walls several times, but it never stopped me!"

The high school student flattered him and caught the cigar, saying thanks.

He then took out a lighter and lit it, clearly a smoker.

The third person to speak was a man in his mid-twenties wearing glasses. He seemed quite calm, indicating good psychological resilience, and said, "My ability is Basic Eloquence lv3, which gives a 15% charisma bonus when talking to characters and increases the chance of triggering side quests by 3%."

"I work as an insurance salesman in the real world."

The man finished speaking, and a middle-aged man with a simple, even dirty and dusty appearance, but a sturdy build, stood up and said, "My ability is Tough Skin lv1, which reduces damage by 10% when attacked and passively increases health by 10 points."

"I work on construction sites."

The next person looked somewhat embarrassed, looked around, and said in a low voice, "I don't have any skills."

The man called Juantu waved his hand, nodded indifferently, and indicated the next person to continue.

The fifth person was a man in his thirties, dressed in a suit with slicked-back hair, looking quite polished. He looked around, hesitated, and then said, "My ability is called Persuasion lv1: There is a certain probability to persuade people with a willpower lower than my charisma."

Persuasion?

What kind of ability is this?

Everyone's expression became somewhat strange when they heard this skill.

"What do you do in the real world?" Juantu's eyes turned cold, and he asked sternly.

The man wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, looked at the gun in Juantu's hand, and finally said, "I'm involved in pyramid schemes."

Everyone suddenly understood!

"Hmph! I hate scum like you the most!" Juantu grunted heavily but did nothing, just telling the others, "Stay away from this kind of trash!"

Everyone nodded in agreement.

The last person was the only woman in the group, about twenty-five years old, dressed like a white-collar worker with glasses, a short skirt, and high heels. She was quite beautiful and clearly experienced in the workplace, speaking confidently, "My ability is [Graceful Beauty], a locked skill with no level, increasing charisma by 3 points and enhancing the affinity with male characters."

"I work in design."

......

"Alright, since you've all introduced yourselves, let's start the mission! Rookies, this mission is simple, but it's hard for newbies to complete alone. Learn how to cooperate!"

"Of course, you also need to understand who is worth cooperating with!" As he said this, Juantu looked meaningfully at the man involved in