Sky, in the realm of his consciousness, agreed to enter the plane world as matched by the system. Just as he expected, the environment around him became a still image and then fragmented, like a shattered mirror.
Shadows slowly emerged from the darkness, and Sky found himself adrift again in an infinite void.
The system's voice announced: "Matching player's main quest for this traversal, match completed."
Sky's lips curled into a wry smile, "Here we go again."
After a brief surge of sped-up sound, the system's announcement resumed normally: "Match successful. Welcome to 'Neo Mystic Nexus'. Activating world information, please stand by."
Sky, with an uneasy chuckle, thought to himself, "This doesn't bode well."
The system elaborated: "Plane World: 'Neo Mystic Nexus'
Brief of Plane World: A world mirroring reality, filled with surprises. Exploration is left to the player's discretion.
Traversal Main Quest: 'The Enigmatic Tenant of the Ancient Castle'
Quest Background: Inheriting an ancient castle, you find yourself mired in a financial crisis. To ease the burden, you choose to rent out some rooms. Your efforts attract several tenants, but then, hauntings begin, plunging you into a new predicament.
Quest Objective: Maintain at least three tenants within three days and develop a long-term strategy to overcome the castle's financial struggles.
Quest Genre: Business Management
Rewards: Based on player performance
Penalties: Reduction of all player attributes by one point, and a deduction of 10,000 Aethercroin from the universal currency.
Quest Hint: Have you ever pondered the existence of deities?"
Sky pondered the keywords: 'quasi-real', 'management', 'enigmatic tenant', 'haunted' – his gaze deepening in thought.
The void crystallized and shattered like a mirror.
Bathed in the warm afternoon sun, Sky relished the serenity and comfort. The rustling of leaves, chirping of birds, the babbling of a nearby stream, and the breeze carrying the scent of grass and moist earth filled the air.
Sky's initial impression of this plane was one of tranquility and leisure, soon followed by a flood of memory fragments.
This plane mirrored Earth's reality, with similar technological advancements. Here, he retained his game ID, Sky Rebel.
In this plane, his backstory was typical of a transmigrator: orphaned, raised in a small city orphanage, a high school graduate, and a degree from a mid-level university.
At 22, post-graduation, he struggled with job hunting, settling for a night cashier job at a supermarket. But soon, a lawyer from the orphanage contacted him, revealing he was the sole heir to the ancient Rebel lineage. Thus, he inherited the Rebel family's estate: a distant castle and a vast expanse of forest.
However, Sky Rebel's joy was short-lived as he discovered the Rebel family's financial plight. The castle, in dire need of repair, brought no additional wealth.
Facing the hefty maintenance costs and a report warning of potential structural collapse, the original Sky Rebel of this plane opted to rent out the sturdier external rooms of the castle for financial relief.
The castle's picturesque surroundings and its proximity to the mid-sized city of Barmen, home to hundreds of thousands and the renowned Barmen University, helped Sky attract numerous tenants with his affordable strategy.
Just as things began to look up, peculiar events started occurring in the castle:
Piano sounds echoed from empty rooms at night. Upon investigation, Sky only found a dusty old piano.
No one resided in the main building, yet flickering lights were often seen inside. Courageous searches by Sky yielded nothing.
Tenants reported eerie whispers in the corridors, with no discernible source.
Knocking sounds were heard outside windows at night, but inspections revealed no one.
A red, blurry figure was spotted atop the castle's highest tower, appearing and vanishing mysteriously.
These incidents, initially isolated experiences, had not yet caused widespread alarm.
However, the previous night, a surreal sight of red high heels tap-dancing out of the castle's main entrance and into the woods was witnessed by over ten tenants.
This phenomenon rendered the typical explanations of drunken dreams or confusion invalid. Three tenants left that very night, and by morning, the majority had hastily vacated.
The original Sky Rebel, disheartened by the mass exodus, wandered aimlessly into the surrounding forest, collapsing in despair.
It was at this moment that the transmigrated Sky stepped in.
Sky, eyes shut, absorbed the torrent of memories. Beyond the haunting, the plane seemed ordinary, a detail he found curious. Was this a world tinged with supernatural and thriller elements?
Contemplating this, a shadow cast over him, and he felt a soft, furry sensation on his face.
Opening his eyes, he was greeted by the sight of a charming young girl, her light golden hair tickling his face.
"Who are you?" Sky, still reeling from the flood of memories, asked dazedly.
"Landlord, you're awake? Do you also enjoy forest naps?" The girl slightly retreated, allowing the sunlight to outline her in a golden glow, her youthful energy undeniable.
"Napping here?" Sky propped himself up, puzzled. "Does anyone actually nap on the forest floor?"
By now, Sky had pieced together her identity from his memories. She was Lumiya Wang, a travel vlogger who had recently rented a room at the castle for her video projects.
Sky's memory of her was clear: a Western beauty with an Eastern surname, and remarkably strong – she had effortlessly hauled two enormous suitcases, which Sky himself had struggled to lift.
Lumiya, curious and wide-eyed, looked at Sky and said, "Sure, I know someone who loves forest naps under leafy trees."
"That sounds like something a dog would do," Sky replied wryly, as he stood up and dusted himself off. "Anyway, Lumiya, all the other tenants have left. Why are you still here?"
"Why would I leave?" she asked, blinking in surprise.
"Because of the hauntings," Sky replied, a wry smile on his face.
"Hauntings are exciting! I heard about the lights and the dancing red high heels last night. Wish I had recorded it – would've been a hit on my social channel," Lumiya said, her enthusiasm evident. "Landlord, can I live stream from inside the castle tonight?"
"No, it's too risky. We don't know what's inside," Sky firmly denied, sensing trouble from her adventurous spirit.
Disappointed but undeterred, Lumiya asked, "Then, can I do a forest adventure live stream nearby? This woodland is part of your estate, right? I wanted to ask your permission. My channel often features such adventures."
"Exploring the forest alone isn't safe," Sky observed, realizing they were deep in the woods, surrounded by towering trees. He added, "Even I can't find my way back. How did you manage to find me?"
Lumiya beamed with pride, "I have a great sense of direction. Finding people and paths is my specialty." She confidently pointed, "That way leads back to the castle."
Sky, amused by her eagerness for approval, gave a thumbs-up, "Impressive indeed."
Lumiya's face lit up with joy.
Sky, following her direction, felt a peculiar connection to something in that direction, as if a deep bond was drawing him.
"Arachne?" The image of a beautiful girl came to mind. Calling out to Arachne inwardly brought no response, just a faint tug at his soul from the castle's direction.
Turning to Lumiya, he said, "Let's head back," and they set off towards the castle.
"Does that mean I can do the live stream?" Lumiya asked, following him eagerly.
"We'll discuss it back at the castle," Sky replied, quickening his pace, his thoughts still on the mysterious connection.