[Previously, Host was not aware of many functions due to setting the system to 'minimal functionality'. In this state, the system is unable to give User guidance. Including Hints for clearing Areas. The host was previously in Area Two for years.]
[Host would previously get agitated every time the system sent a message. Host previously rejected all suggestions to return functions to the system.]
'You gave him PTSD?' He was speechless.
[...]
He didn't know the system could have such human-like responses.
There was probably more to the story he didn't understand yet. Well, he vaguely felt like he vaguely understood the situation now.
'So what are the other missions?'
[Area 1-10 includes a list of several survival skills. To pass Area One User must identify 5 edible items. Area Three teaches you how to catch a fish with your hands. Area Four is to start and keep a fire going, and Area Five and Area Six are to make a shelter in different weather. Area Seven teaches you how to drop from high-up areas with the least injury including dry and wet land. Area Eight is to not have your presence noticed by forest animals. Area Nine requires you to carry out an effective effort of First Aid. Lastly, in Area Ten Users must prepare a meal entirely from items found in the Area.]
'So like randomized survival techniques to get them started thinking about such things. This is like our dungeon survival preparatory class, except much simpler.'
It would probably only take a day or two to finish all the missions if there are time limits. For example, how long the fire needs to stay steady for it to count and the resources available for creating a shelter. If 'catching a fish with your hands' doesn't include spearfishing, then it would take at least 10 minutes for your arm to cool down to the temperature of the water before you could even consider your finger for a fish. It would also depend on whether the system wants a cooked and spiced bird, berries, and veggies over a hot stone or some berries and nuts for the last one. If it's the former, the Users may have difficulties making the meal without items from their inventory.
[Nuts and berries are a passable 'meal' as long as the User ingests enough of them.]
'Aren't Area One and Area Ten the same thing?'
[Area One is to 'identify'. There is no danger of ingesting anything dangerous. At Area Ten the Users get an idea of how far they progressed, or how little.]
Area One allowed Users to wander around and stare at things. Even if they didn't know that pansies were edible, it may still count. At the very least coming across a few berry bushes would give them one or two identified items. They didn't have to eat anything and just had to observe their surroundings. As long as they thought 'Oh look, a berry bush, that squirrel is carrying a nut. I wonder if the bark is edible, can I wash my feet in the stream' They will have completed their mission.
On the other hand, the last mission requires the User to know Horsenettle from Cherry Tomatoes. Or at the very least know to stay away from unripe Cherry tomatoes. They could also catch and prepare an animal and a fire for eating. This would be difficult without either combat training or traps. If it's winter they could steal from a squirrel's nest, too. So the last test requires more knowledge or caution of the wilderness.
Having similar quests at the beginning and end also allows the User to compare their incapabilities at the start to what they were able to learn at the end.
If nothing else at least the User got their hands dirty. This would be torture for a germaphobe. Area Two requires digging in dirt and Area Three needs you to catch a fish by the gills. He wondered what the next mission was. Wasn't the next one in the Beginner Combat Area according to the items' list? He was excited to find out. He wanted to quickly pass through the other Areas.
'Any other useful tips you'd like to share?' It was amazing that the kid had gone as long as he had like this. No wonder he was a little weird in the head. He didn't even get to sleep. Just that alone would make anyone go crazy. 'Wait, hold on, why did he have so many items? Why did he play so many games?'
[Host previously played so much for points to unlock items. He wished to find items to get back his family and remove the 'curse called the system' from his own body.]
He picked at his food. Even after everything that young boy did there is still no getting back his parents. This was made clear to both of them during their whole ordeal together. He must have realized it. How much did it pain him to give himself over to the very thing he had been fighting against all these years? His family members had all become aliens, and now he had handed himself over to one just like that. He felt a pain in his chest when he thought that his family would never return to him. They were gone now. It wasn't just the mana sickness that had done that, but also his race. Well, his previous race. He was Bai Gujing now. Something neither human nor alien.
The system's soft voice distracted him from his thoughts.
[Host has access to the Store. Previously, Host wasn't aware of this option. All game item unlocks currently available were opened freely depending on the game's progress. All unlocked items can be bought in-store. Automatic Training Entry can be shut off. Hosts can choose when, where, and how they would like to enter the Training Areas. The system can be updated with points. Automatic Dueling can be shut off. Dueling is a User-only Combat Area for Users to test their skills against one another. If it is on auto, the User automatically accepts a duel with anyone they make eye contact with. Losing a duel will take points. Losing 10 duels will pull the User into a Combat Area of their level for training. History of recent actions and Sta-]
'Wow, you've been keeping it all bottled up for a long time, haven't you?' He began to pick it all apart. The more the system spoke the more frightening an image appeared.