Ou Tao was genuinely curious about this so-called other world. Why assign the exploration mission to gamers like himself instead of special forces?
But whatever—no danger meant worth a try. He found his numbered recliner, slotted the chip into the console, and pulled on the helmet.
He pressed start.
In an instant, Ou Tao felt his consciousness wrench free from his body. It became a beam of light shooting upward—through the ground, past the atmosphere, into orbit. Then, hurtling through star-flecked darkness, planets blurred past like fleeting dreams.
He glimpsed a breathtaking continent below: mountains, rivers, oceans, dense forests. His awareness plunged toward a snow-dusted patch, zooming through clouds toward a quiet mountain village.
“No! Don’t take my father! He’s just sleeping!”
Sunlight streamed through a hole in the thatched roof into the clay-tiled house. Three elders in tattered cloth hats sat on broken chairs.
Between them stood a white-robed priest, scripture in hand, gripping the little girl’s arm. “Your father is gone. Come with me. The church will give you a new life. I’ll care for you.”
Silver hair framed her tear-streaked face. Amber eyes, red-rimmed and glistening like wet gems, shone through swollen lids. Her coarse hemp dress couldn’t hide her porcelain skin or delicate features.
“I won’t go! Father will wake up—I know it! Please, Father, wake up! Ke Er doesn’t want the church! Don’t take me away!”
“Tch!” The priest snorted, yanking her backward. She stumbled onto the dirt floor. He dragged her toward the door, her small bottom smudged with soil. His grip bruised her pale, slender wrists purple, yet she stretched her free hand desperately toward the bed—only to be pulled farther away.
“You lot—prepare the body for cremation. The Ruilmeis Agency will handle her compliance. Do your duty.”
“No… Father…” Sobbing hoarsely, the villagers reluctantly stepped forward.
“Waaah~!”
The farmer on the bed shot upright, eyes wide. He gasped. “Whoa—freaking awesome! Feels just like real transmigration!”
Ou Tao flexed his fingers. “So this is possessing another body? No different from full-dive VR. If the physique holds up, control’s fine… Wonder if I can still use the Twelve-Blade Style.”
He turned. Villagers in medieval garb froze mid-reach, eyes wide as saucers.
“Impossible!” the priest choked out. “His Life Essence was nearly gone!” He swiped the air. A translucent panel appeared:
Name: Rod
Age: 29
Occupation: Farmer (LV3)
Life Essence: 17/100
Magic Essence: 10/10
Stamina Essence: 27/130
Armor: 0/0
Attributes:
Strength: 17
Intelligence: 7
Resistance: 4
*Hamiyou messing with me? Stats like a game?*
“Sir,” Bika’s voice echoed silently in his mind—no form, just connection. *Satellite relay active.*
“This world’s ‘magic’ is our target. Language? Translation patch loaded.”
“Father!”
Ke Er broke free and dove into his arms, chubby cheeks pressed to his chest.
Ou Tao—whose only embraces came from his sister and Sister Su—felt heat flood his face. The blush bloomed strangely on Rod’s grizzled, sallow cheeks.
“What’s wrong with Rod?”
“Why’s he so red?”
“Maybe the fever’s back?”
“Your Grace—take the girl?”
The priest spun away, face flushed. “I’ll return!”
“Let us escort you!”
They vanished without a glance back. Only Ke Er remained, tears and snot soaking his shirt, a bittersweet smile trembling on her lips—joy and sorrow tangled in one small face.
Ou Tao tried to stand. Weakness pinned him down.
“Sir: Stamina Essence 27/130. Weak state. Restore via rest, food, or healing magic to reach 30.”
“Food?” He glanced at Ke Er.
“Father’s hungry?” She wiped her eyes, voice wobbling. “Ke Er was silly… Father slept so long! Ke Er will get bread!”
She tugged a heavy wooden chair across the sparse room. Climbing atop, she stretched on tiptoe—face flushed, bare legs trembling. Beneath her short dress, slender thighs peeked out. She shoved aside a winnowing basket. Three dark bread loaves rested underneath.
“H-here, Father! Bread!” She ran back, clutching them tight.
“Sir,” Bika murmured, “matter here is non-radioactive, stable. Detection magic calculates HP, MP, utility—anyone can scan. Just like game stats.”
Ke Er swiped a hand over the bread. A panel glowed:
Dark Bread
Durability: 1/3
Stamina +20
“Father… all bread is at 1 durability! Tomorrow… no food left.” Her amber eyes welled with sorrow. “We spent everything on your medicine.”
*Can I do it too?*
“Neural regulators sync magic to motion. Think the move—your brain fires it.”
Ou Tao flicked his finger. A panel appeared:
Name: Ke Er
Age: 8
Occupation: Farmer (LV1)
Life Essence: 12/18
Magic Essence: 0/0
Stamina Essence: 32/70
Armor: 0/0
Attributes:
Strength: 3
Intelligence: 2
Resistance: 0
Ou Tao’s chest tightened. Her Stamina Essence hovered near collapse. Yet she offered the last bread to him first.
*What a thoughtful kid.*
