The so-called pioneer players are a term exclusive to the Earth's human forces.
Since humanity's entry into Transcendence hasn't been long, and in a bid to amass a larger player base, weaker players are only allowed to explore the outskirts of the base. It's only after joining a guild that they can venture into the true wilderness alongside their guildmates to level up and develop.
However, guilds operate on a team basis, and joining one isn't just about enjoying the buffs. There's also the obligation to regularly contribute a portion of the loot from monster slaying.
Participating in team activities could expose Sterl's secrets. He couldn't bear that risk.
Moreover, guilds, to ensure that players genuinely contribute their share of the loot, would often demand to inspect players' backpacks. Sterl found this even less appealing.
Take this leveling session, for instance. His backpack was brimming with various low-level materials, a clear indicator to anyone that he'd been grinding a lot of monsters.
So the only viable option for Sterl was to attempt the pioneer player assessment. Passing it would unlock the permission for him to leave the base's outskirts and truly enter the vast world of Transcendence.
Moreover, the reminder from the staff member upon his return to the base had made Sterl slightly wary. His use of Flamestorm had already caught the base's attention.
Sticking to the outskirts for leveling would mean not only dealing with less densely packed and weaker monsters but also the risk of exposing his secrets.
For Sterl, taking the assessment was imperative.
He pondered this as he pushed open his bedroom door.
"You're so slow! We were just waiting for you!" A blonde beauty sat indelicately on a bench, tapping a porcelain plate with her fork and knife.
"Sterl, you went to meditate just now, right? Does that mean you've already gained enough experience points to level up from this session?" The black-haired girl asked excitedly, her eyes sparkling.
"Yeah, got lucky. I've leveled up to three," Sterl admitted, albeit with some omissions. He was well aware that reaching level three in two days was a terrifying feat within the base.
He intended to keep his trump card hidden, but that didn't mean he wouldn't show off a bit of his talent. Displaying some strength could improve Sterl's quality of life and make it easier for him to take Linna and Rayna with him for future leveling.
"So amazing! I've always known you were extraordinary, Sterl!" Linna couldn't contain her excitement.
To the two girls, Sterl, who had shown matured demeanors from a young age, could never be just an ordinary person. Before, he couldn't even master a single advanced skill. It was unbelievable.
But, with his talent awakened, Sterl's rise was unstoppable!
The three of them were all in a good mood and had lunch while chatting and laughing.
Then they went out together to participate in the official training team.
Soon, they stood before a magnificent building made of huge blue glass panels, crowned with a massive sign:
The Base Government Hall.
This place served as the discussion hub for affairs concerning the base's nine sectors.
Inside, several guild teams in uniform, all trying to act cool, had already taken up positions in different corners of the hall.
The central electronic screen continuously updated with base numbers, directing new players to their assigned guild teams.
Linna and Rayna's brows furrowed upon seeing the screen.
"The Blood Mist Guild?"
"We're not going to run into him, are we?" Their expressions stiffened.
Originally, this batch of newcomers wasn't supposed to be led by the Blood Mist Guild. However, due to a class-B alert issued by the base, indicating the presence of a suspected boss-level entity wielding fire in the southeast sector, many of the guild's elites were reassigned.
As a result, the task of training newcomers fell to other guilds.
The Blood Mist Guild, a mid-tier guild that had risen in the base in recent years, boasted an average player level of six to seven, with its elite members and four vice-presidents ranging from levels fourteen to sixteen.
The guild leader was a level twenty professional, a rare breed within the base.
Linna and Rayna's unease stemmed from an encounter a year ago, where a member of the Blood Mist Guild had harassed them. At the time, he was only level seven but had since reached level fifteen, becoming one of the guild's elites.
Facing Sterl and the two girls, now fresh-faced players, seemed all too easy for him.
Despite their worries, Sterl remained calm. His Flamestorm's output was already on par with professionals, and that was without activating his Divine Descent for enhanced output.
At full strength, Sterl's power was equivalent to a level thirty-plus player!
The Blood Mist Guild, once a group Sterl looked up to, was now barely a match for him. In a few days, obliterating such a guild single-handedly would be a breeze.
Fortunately, the situation didn't evolve as the girls had feared. The Blood Mist Guild, under calm leadership, left the base for the southwestern outskirts where monsters were ripe for the picking.
Sterl and his friends chatted casually, noticing how teams gradually split into groups of guild members and newcomers, heading in different directions.
Their team seemed poised to stay put and start pulling monsters...
Suddenly, there was a stir: "It's David, the Blood Mist Guild's leader!"
"Why's the big shot here?"
"Did the base really pull out all the stops...getting a professional to help with leveling?"
Amidst the admiring gazes of countless players, a young man in a blood-colored robe approached, accompanied by a defiant-looking blond in similar attire.
"These must be Miss Linna and Rayna."
"I only found out today that Lova had been disrespectful towards you. I've brought him here to apologize," Guild Leader David spoke with an unexpected grace.
Reluctantly, the blond muttered, "Sorry."
The girls turned to Sterl, their pillar of strength, puzzled by the guild leader's unexpected humility.
Despite the base's laws against bullying ordinary people, the strong could easily bend the rules. Once outside, if the Blood Mist Guild decided to kill them and blame it on monsters, the base wouldn't bat an eyelid.
Sterl sensed something was amiss. "An abnormal situation must have an underlying reason," he thought.
Guild Leader David continued, "How about this? I'll personally take you three for leveling."
"Sir, it's not yet your batch's turn to gain experience. But no matter, I'll step in today."
It seemed he wanted to include them, making any foul play convenient.
Sterl sneered inwardly, convinced that the other party must have an ulterior motive. After thinking for a moment, he decided to probe, adopting a shrewd and worldly-wise demeanor, "Linna and Rayna are already eligible for experience. They don't need to follow you."
"How about I accompany you, sir? Anything you need, just tell me."
Though unsure of Sterl's plan, the girls quickly supported him.
However, the previously apologetic blond's expression darkened.
"Like you have a choice!" he sneered.
Guild Leader David frowned, "I could agree to your terms, but..."
"Do you think you're in a position to negotiate with me?"
With a wave of his hand, elite members surrounded Sterl and his friends, shocking the surrounding players.
Just moments ago, everyone envied Sterl's group, thinking they were about to soar.
Now, they could only offer sympathetic glances.
"I knew the Blood Mist Guild was too good to be true."
"These three are done for."
"That blond's always been a lecher. Probably set his sights on the girls, and their friend got dragged into it."
"These three are screwed."