Chapter 80

### Shuttle Flight

While flying in the shuttle, I gazed at space. It’s a strange feeling—knowing you’re hurtling through a vacuum yet feeling completely comfortable. No cold, no hunger, no fear—the shuttle provides perfect conditions. This is my first flight beyond the station, and it’s both thrilling and awe-inspiring. Space is beautiful!!!

### Thoughts on the Game

With some time to spare, I started thinking about the game. Chrysalis was created by Lunar, a state that emerged sixty years ago from the corporation Armadillo Industries, which specialized in space mining and manufacturing ship and station components. At the time of its independence, the company had 25 million employees—and, surprisingly, just one owner. Instead of selling shares, the CEO funded its growth entirely from personal wealth.

Now, Lunar controls the entire Moon. The far side is used for solar energy collection, while the rest is covered in dome-covered colonies connected by underground tunnels forming a vast road network beneath the surface. They’ve even artificially adjusted gravity to 1G—Earth’s standard.

This artificial gravity tech is now used by all ground-based colonies. When it was declassified, the world realized that Lunar—isolated for a decade—was twenty years ahead of global science. The principles behind it defied known physics, forcing Lunar to release 26 other discoveries just so the world could understand how it worked.

For the last fifty years, Lunar has funded global research and actively opposed human warfare. The fact that they’ve taken an interest in me… is terrifying. What’s worse than people whose motives are unknown? They never invest without reason—sooner or later, I’ll have to pay them back, directly or indirectly.

Lunar is a closed state—entry is by invitation only, usually extended to scientists whose work aligns with their interests. Citizens rarely leave; with the best resorts, labs, hospitals, and experts, why would they?

### Approaching Europa

The shuttle’s flight was ending as we entered Europa’s atmosphere. The massive dome of Arpa came into view through the side windows. The shuttle pierced the energy barrier and instantly activated inertia dampeners.

Most colony spaceports follow the same design, so I knew exactly where we’d landed. My escort from the new group home was already waiting.

"Hello, Anji Ganet. I’m your new supervisor, Karl Schultz—just call me Karl." He was a man in his mid-thirties with a military bearing. "You’ve been transferred to a home for gifted teens. Follow me—you’ll get instructions and learn the rules when we arrive."

### The New Group Home

Seeing my acquisition in person was satisfying. The home had taken over a wing of a small, abandoned administrative building. Price wasn’t my main concern—I wanted to swim. That’s why I chose Arpa, a resort city on Jupiter’s moon Europa. Originally covered in water, its surface is now used for recreation.

I could only swim in Chrysalis, and it was amazing. Now, I can do it whenever I want—as long as I follow the rules (which, conveniently, I can change).

Behind the home was a huge lake with a public beach. After settling in, I went straight for a swim. This was worth enduring Hashan and earning the money. The water was warm, the bottom sandy, and above—the sky! Arpa’s dome stretches three kilometers high, allowing for rain clouds. Artificial stars and sun-like spotlights added realism. I swam and basked in this paradise.

Mom… Dad… I miss you so much.

### The Smart Kids

This home is for only intelligent, strong-willed kids. I wanted an atmosphere of trust and mutual understanding. Here, I can live in peace.

Right now, it’s only half-full—the rest will arrive in a few days from distant stations and colonies. But for now, I had to return to Chrysalis.

### Running on Water

It’s a great feeling—launching out of the water at full speed and then standing on it in Lord’s Sandals. The tide was coming in, and I ended up underwater.

I used to think these sandals were a stupid idea, but they’re incredible—letting me run on water or dive like a fish. Right now, I was running, not swimming.

Ten meters from shore, a message popped up:

WARNING.

You are entering No Man’s Land.

Child protection laws do not apply here.

Interesting. Here, other players can kill me. Death causes one item to drop—if I die even once, I’ll have serious problems. I don’t carry normal gear, only "unusual" items. If bandits figure that out, they’ll hunt me relentlessly.

Worse—my respawn point is in Sural, another continent entirely.

### Imp Eye

The Imp Eye is terrifying—I don’t see the target, but I know its direction and approximate distance. It’s like a silent anomaly in the noise. Any living thing absorbs sound, so stealth or invisibility doesn’t matter.

Right now, I sensed someone waiting for me to take five more steps. But this is a PK zone—they want to kill. Their loss. I’m immune to paralysis and poison—I’ll survive the first hit and stun them.

Damage Taken: 13,400 (Partial Ignore: 16,863)

6,700/6,700 HP

The attacker dropped invisibility after striking. I could’ve killed him earlier, but I needed information. Now, he’s stunned and helpless. No one else is nearby.

"Sir, you’ll recover soon—stop poking me with those daggers. I could’ve killed you the moment I crossed the border."

The bandit-like man recovered and spoke:

"Then why didn’t you?"

"Why would I? I came for information, and now you’ll give it to me. Refuse, and I’ll kill you—you attacked first. Self-defense."

"What do you want, runt?"

A Dwarven Hammer is terrifying even solo. The man was flattened into the sand.

"Should I kill you, or do you understand now?"

"Understood."

"From Imer, there’s a road into No Man’s Land. Where does it lead?"

"First Vishi… then Zirda. After that, it branches out."

If the spread is really that small, finding my parents will be easy.

"Any locals preying on travelers?"

"No. The locals are decent—they fled hard lives here. Only PKers attack indiscriminately."

"Do you know where Zirda is?"

"Yeah."

"Mark it on the map."

He did. I considered letting him go—but I had more questions.

"Why did you hit so hard? Thirteen thousand damage!"

"You’re in cloth armor. I deal piercing damage, plus a backstab skill. Hence, 13K. Why did you survive?"

Clever bandit.

"Because I knew you’d attack. I felt you. What’s your name?"

"Ritor."

Ritor – Level 39

Not bad for his level.

"Why are you out here, far from the roads?"

"Kid, this is a zone where everyone hunts everyone. No neutrals—only allies and enemies. I’m here because no one lets me hunt elsewhere. You’re the first person to come from the sea in a week."

"Charming. What’s the max damage a rogue or assassin can deal?"

"How should I know? My limit with buffs and potions is 50K. I’m no pro, but I can hit. Now let me go."

"Are there pros? How are they different?"

"Enough!!! Just kill me!! I’d rather respawn!"

"You will—after you answer."

"Screw you..."

I didn’t want noise, so I stunned and finished him. Who knows who he might’ve warned? I looted his modest gear and stealthed toward Zirda.

### Lessons Learned

- High-level players can deal insane damage if specialized or prepared.

- Pro assassins exist—avoid them. Travel stealthed.

### Weaknesses in Defense

Five days in No Man’s Land taught me how naive I was. My shield blocks AoE attacks well, but focused damage partially ignores resistance. Soft body parts (like kidneys) take double damage from piercing attacks. Most players don’t bother with resistance—it takes massive immunity to negate this.

Fire/lightning swords are worse—I need to boost my shield or find another solution.

### Stealth Mechanics

- Stealth is half as effective as invisibility.

- 125 Perception can detect me.

- Rogues/assassins have silent movement, but Imp Eye bypasses it.

- If I talk, my name appears red (PK status).

### Undead Invasion

Players were fleeing west.

"Why are so many running? Dozens have attacked me today."

"Undead invasion. They’re pouring in from the continent—they’ll be here tomorrow."

"Since when?"

"A week ago. Didn’t you see the global message?"

"Sorry, ‘Purgatory’ has different alerts. Want a one-way ticket there?"

Two more bandits approached from behind. Imp Eye pinpointed them—I crushed them with the Dwarven Hammer.

"Looks like you’re in a hurry to reach Purgatory." (They died without me moving—effective intimidation.)

"N-no. I’ll talk."

"Tell me about the undead."

"A week ago, the minor pantheon started relocating followers to cities. Same here."

Great. No Man’s Land is now swarmed with high-level undead.

"What levels?"

"From 700 to thousands. Bone dragons, death hounds, skeletons, flesh horrors—all high-level."

"That bad?"

"Worse. It’s happening on three continents. You’re unleashing hell!"

"Any Overlords? Black clouds with eyes, spreading auras?"

"No. Should I be worried?"

"You will be."

I let him go—with a hammer to the head.

### Disguise Plan

If they’re hunting an 8-year-old boy, I’ll become a girl. At that age, it’s hard to tell if I don’t speak or act male.

I spent half a day crafting a mage’s staff—overdone with gems and a blood-malachite core.

Awful Apprentice’s Staff

A carpentry student tried making a mage staff but lacked the skill.

Effect: +2,250 MP

Req: 80 Int

Durability: 250/250

Next: a wig, dress, and voice-changing potion.

### Wig of Gallia the Fiery

Gallia, a famed fire mage, wore luxurious golden curls. In old age, she made this wig.

Effect: +25 Int, +15 Spirit

Req: 30 Int

### Dress of the Red Camellia

Camellia, a battlefield healer, earned her name from bloodstained dresses.

Effect: +10 Int, +10 Herbalism

Req: 10 Int

The dress’s name reminded me of Mom.

### Voice Potions

I bought 100 (1-hour duration each). Disgusting—I’d never willingly dress as a girl. The dress was restrictive and awkward. But my "mage girl" persona was complete.

### Tavern: "Three Solo Runs"

Located in the slums, it had a bad reputation.

Two steps in, I sensed three invisibles surrounding me.

"Leave or die like the others."

They let me pass.

The bartender:

"Three orders of Koryak mussels."

"Coming right up. Seating’s downstairs."

The waiter moved silently, unnervingly precise.

"Excuse me… is your class assassin?"

A split-second glare made me brace for an attack. The sheer skill—this wasn’t just a rogue or assassin. A true killer.

"You’re mistaken." He smiled slightly and walked away.

Yeah, right.

Downstairs was a hidden high-end restaurant. The waiter led me to a portal.

"Enter. The trial starts in ten minutes."

"Can I skip the portal? I don’t want tracking data."

"It’s offline—no third-party access. Your anonymity is safe."

"Thanks… sir."

"Good luck, kid."

He knew I was a boy in disguise.

The portal swallowed me whole.