Spring, 2050 AD.
It had been exactly one year, two months, Fourteen days, and several hours since the release of Wu Zui Zhi Jie.
This spiritual virtual game, which wasn't particularly novel but burst into the market with a fierce momentum, now boasted over ten million loyal followers and had woven countless legends and stories across the continent known as Innocent World over countless nights.
The reason it was always night was that the game still adhered to the peculiar concept of 'only supporting sleep mode login,' which, while causing countless 'Liver Emperors' to grumble, miraculously allowed them to maintain their physical health…
February 14th, 1:00 AM.
Connection complete, loading character information.
Welcome back, Mo, the lawful good. Loading Innocent World. Good night.
…
Southwest of Innocent Continent — Pamela Port.
Mo Tan appeared on a long bench. Under system intervention, no one would notice his somewhat abrupt appearance for three seconds, which was one of the few differences between players and NPCs in this game.
“Today is Valentine’s Day, by the way…” He stretched his shoulders slightly, then sighed softly: “Although it’s not impossible to find someone to spend it with, if I can’t control myself, it’ll be a big problem. It’s better to just pass the time here. Hmm, I’ll go check out the Deep Shadow Labyrinth again today…”
Let's first insert a digression: Mo Tan's phrase 'if I can’t control myself' above did not mean he felt he might do something vulgar to a female, something that would warrant at least a decade and a half in prison. Rather, it was due to other circumstances. As for what exactly… don't worry, even if you didn't read the summary very carefully, it will be explained later~
“Hey, why is our Knight Lord spacing out here?” A clear, pleasant voice sounded behind Mo Tan, interrupting his thoughts.
Mo Tan quickly turned his head, but saw nothing…
“Hey! Are you implying I stopped growing fifteen years ago?!” The Dwarf girl, with a delicate face and a few freckles, hopped in place indignantly, complaining, “Can’t you just lower your head a bit when you turn around?”
Mo Tan offered the girl an apologetic smile and shrugged: “Sorry, Milu, but you have to know that if the person who greeted me just now wasn’t you, but that big oaf Moer, I might suffer permanent mental trauma if I shifted my gaze down even a little.”
“Hmph~” The Dwarf girl named Milu dangerously snorted, dangerous elemental mist flickering at her fingertips, and sneered: “So, you think my voice is similar to that slobby, muscle-brained, slow-witted, and mostly clueless one-eyed ogre!?”
Facing this Dwarf sorceress, who was also of the lawful good alignment but had an exceptionally fiery temper, Mo Tan immediately threw up his hands in surrender and spent two minutes self-reflecting on his inappropriate remarks…
“I saw you organizing your equipment just now. Where are you planning to go?” Milu, who had calmed down, sat beside Mo Tan, sipping a suspicious-looking potion and tilting her head as she asked.
Mo Tan casually pulled out a piece of parchment with a rough, half-drawn map on it and said, “I plan to go to the Deep Shadow Labyrinth again.”
“By Izanael! Mo, it was a miracle you came back alive last time!” Milu exclaimed, “You’ve only rested for a few days, and you’re going back to that cursed place!”
Mo Tan had already put away the map and confirmed that his healing potions, magic scrolls, Miracle Insignia, and heavy flail were all in their proper places at his waist. He nodded and said, “Yes, I must go.”
“Is it for… Little Dino?” Milu asked softly, with a hint of admiration, self-loathing, and much more unspoken words in her voice.
Mo Tan nodded.
Little Dino was an ordinary Dwarf boy in Pamela Port, and his family were also ordinary blacksmiths. Mo Tan’s relationship with the three of them was merely having Old Dino help repair his armor. However, during this time, he had risked danger multiple times, venturing deep into the Deep Shadow Labyrinth dozens of miles away to cure the ailing Little Dino, just to find the Withered Leaf Flower, rumored to grow deep within the labyrinth, which could treat Rotting Blood Disease.
Even other players or NPCs who belonged to the lawful good alignment rarely did this, as there was a significant difference between being kind and being a pushover.
At least Milu couldn't do it.
But Mo Tan, or rather, Mo, who was one-fourth of Mo Tan in Innocent World, would do it, not only without hesitation but also without expecting anything in return.
Mo was a good person in every sense of the word. He was a Gentleman, polite, kind, Just, brave, and compassionate. Everyone who knew him would give such an evaluation, without any reservations.
“Take this.” Milu was silent for a moment, then suddenly handed him a small, exquisite magic wand, swinging her short legs that couldn’t reach the ground. “I can’t risk my life for someone I don’t know, but I can at least give something good to someone who is overly kind.”
Mo Tan took it and looked down.
Milu's Elderwood Wand (3/3)
Quality: Fine
Requirement: lawful good Alignment
Weight: 1.5 kg
Use: Create a flame barrier for ten minutes / Summon a low-defense totem (attributes depend on environment) / Fire a mixed elemental pulse.
Note: A magic wand crafted by the young Dwarf sorceress Ms. Milu Xi, containing multiple elemental attributes, effective in various situations, and costly to produce.
When Mo Tan saw the last four words in the note, he immediately looked up, intending to decline, but found that the Dwarf girl had already left at some point. So, he could only keep this favor in mind, put this fine consumable into his backpack, and then got up to leave…
He had to hurry, for he didn't know when his night would end.
…
You have been emergency disconnected. Please choose whether to reconnect.
“Yes.”
Reconnecting…
Connection complete, loading character information.
Welcome back, Tan Mo, the chaotic neutral. Loading Innocent World. Go wild as you please!
…
Eastern Innocent Continent — Free City.
“Heh heh~” Mo Tan’s lips, hidden beneath his hood, curved slightly. Then, his entire being suddenly merged into the shadow beneath his feet. A moment later, he, who had been sitting in a noisy tavern, appeared on the street, two coin purses in his hand.
No one could recognize him. His current appearance was completely different from the gloomy hooded man cloaked in gray who had been in the tavern. At this moment, Mo Tan wore a pair of delicate, refined gold-rimmed glasses, a snow-white robe adorned with rose-colored lace, held a massive book in his left arm, and cradled a silver harp in his right hand, looking exactly like a Bard. Of course, Bard was indeed one of his identities…
Tucking the book under his arm, he casually pulled out a silver coin and flicked it towards the Half-Dragon selling fruit beside him. Mo Tan exaggeratedly bent down, bit an apple from the stall, took two bites, then strummed the harp strings, producing a melodious, soothing tune. He sang loudly, full of emotion:
“The black King, stands in the thorned palace~ Gazing~ at the scepter!”
“The white Elephant, roars fiercely, looking around~ Roaring~ on the battlefield!”
“The Queen meditates, poison in rose tea cups clink~ Murder~ hidden!”
“The Knight's frenzy, sweeps all before him, sword unsheathed~ Banners~ flying!”
“In the next second, what will you think again?”
“In that moment, who was injured for me?”
“Who made the move, to give him a piece of heaven?”
“As a puppet, lingering by her side!”
“On the chariot, black flags dance~ flying~ roaring!”
“Beneath the white horse, the female Knight~ is wounded~ singing softly!”
“The whispers of yearning sound~ in my ears!”
“The black soldier’s sword is drawn~ reversed!”
“Still remember that small workshop~ on the table”
“Gray us, still without~ faith”
“You lean on it with your sword~ singing softly”
“My ignorant silent obsession~ watching”
“Now you and I, clad in different colors~ stand~ on the battlefield!”
“But cannot forget, the distant gaze of old~ you are~ in my heart!”
“The chariot heavily damaged, helplessly collapsed on the plains~ my heart~ is mad!”
“Hoofbeats sound, like that gaze in memory~ both~ bewildered!”
Mo Tan thus brazenly strummed his harp and danced in the street, his body swaying with the melody. Even the sounds he made while biting the apple between verses seemed like an accompaniment. Almost everyone’s gaze was drawn to him, and Mo Tan, whose expression was at times sorrowful, at times wild, at times gloomy, and at times flamboyant, revelled in those gazes.
Do whatever you want, as long as you're happy. What if you casually pickpocket a few wallets or suddenly burst into song? What if it doesn't benefit you at all? As long as you're happy~
Anyone could tell that this seemingly unrestrained Bard and the upright Knight temporarily residing in Pamela Port were completely different people, although in many ways, they were indeed two people…
But even Mo Tan himself couldn't deny that they were, in fact, one person.
But it didn't matter; no one could connect them. Even if someone had heard of both of them, it would be impossible to imagine them as the same person~
Because players knew that each person could only create one character in Innocent World.
As for the NPCs, they wouldn't be so foolish as to mistake two individuals, who, despite having similar appearances, had completely different personalities and stances, for one person.
In fact, 'their' social circles in the game were also completely different.
“The Knight’s sorrow, a tear-streaked face~ whispering~ singing softly~”
Closing his eyes, Mo Tan finished the last measure, and with a pile of silver and copper coins at his feet, he bowed to the crowd that had gathered around him at some point.
Before the crowd completely dispersed, Mo Tan had already turned into an alley with light steps, and soon, as expected, he was surrounded by several masked figures.
“Hmm~ Long time no see, Muse.” Putting his harp into his spatial bag, Mo Tan smiled and greeted the long-eared individual whose entire face was covered by a leather mask: “Looking for me?”
The Elf, called Muse, sneered: “Tan Mo, you’re really hard to find…”
Mo Tan shrugged and spread his hands: “You know we Otherworlders often disappear out of thin air for a period of time, so it’s normal not to find me, isn’t it?”
Muse drew the twin blades from his waist and slightly crouched: “In short, you have one minute to prepare your last words.”
The other encircling figures also drew their respective weapons…
The Orc Shaman retreated two steps, slamming the thick wooden totem on his back to the ground with a clang.
Two Human Rangers quickly scanned the area, and after ruling out ambushes and traps, lightly climbed onto the low houses on either side, subtly blending into their surroundings.
The last two heavily built Dwarf heavy armored warriors, holding their broad shields, slowly advanced towards Mo Tan.
“Ah~”
Mo Tan rubbed his forehead, a little troubled: “Why so much gunpowder? Free City is a crowded place, it’s not appropriate to shed blood, is it?”
“Don’t bother…”
Muse lightly scratched the scroll wrapped around the hilt with his fingern, and a strange elemental fluctuation came. The alley instantly plunged into darkness, and his angry voice exploded in Mo Tan’s ear: “Do you know how much trouble you’ve caused?”
“Which one are you referring to?” Mo Tan didn’t even turn his head, merely raising his hand to catch the sharp blade that had struck like a viper from behind him, and chuckled: “The large-scale poisoning incident in Kag Town?”
Cunning Fox’s Intuition
Cunning-type passive skill
Mastery requirements: Cunning School Level 13, Dexterity 60, Intelligence 30
Effect: When visibility is extremely low / blinded / eyes closed, can perceive the life form with the strongest killing intent towards self within a certain range.
Note: A qualified prey is always one that can escape.
“Or…”,
Mo Tan abruptly vanished from his original spot, instantly reappearing behind a Human Ranger who had just drawn his bowstring halfway. Before the others could even register his movement, they first saw a head fly into the air, followed by the sound of blood splashing and a soft chuckle coming from all directions.
“The incident where I accidentally killed that employer of yours with peculiar tastes?”
Blade Fan Cloak
Cunning-type active skill
Mastery requirements: Cunning School Level 15, Dexterity 80
Cost/Restriction: 200 Acuity
Effect: After use, perform a directional teleport within twenty meters. Cooldown: five minutes.
Note: Although it’s called Blade Fan Cloak, you don’t actually need to have a blade, fan, or cloak on you. So please don’t take a skill too literally.
“Stop him!” Muse roared, two streaks of blood shadow flicking from the daggers in his hands. The Elf’s night vision talent allowed him to instantly detect Mo Tan’s position and react with the fastest speed.
A wail came, but it was from the Orc Shaman who had just empowered himself with Earth’s Might!
“Or is it~ because I conveniently took your Shadow Fang Dagger from the Black Tower City Thieves’ Guild?”
Mo Tan’s figure slowly emerged from behind the fallen Orc. He held a long, dull black dagger in a reverse grip and grinned at Muse.
Shadow Fang
Weapon Type: Dagger
Quality: Unique Epic
Attack Power: Extremely High
Attributes: Cunning Level +2, Curse +1, Dexterity +20
Traits: Bleeding, Tearing, Silent, Additional Skill: Shadow Wolf Fang
Equipment Requirements: Cunning School Level 15, Dual Blade Specialization Level 15, Dexterity 95, Incredulous
Note: A dagger passed down from the God Extinction Society in the Primordial Era, representing the ‘Fang’ among the Five Divine Beasts of Deicide. Only Incredulous and God-Defying individuals can use it.
Shadow Wolf Fang
Equipment Skill (Active)
Cost/Restriction: 30% of user's maximum health
Effect: Instantly move behind the target (must be within line of sight), dealing theoretical maximum damage (guaranteed critical hit, enjoys backstab bonus). Cooldown: one hour.
Note: A, B, C… Wait, why is it ABC!?
“This is impossible!” The moment Muse saw the dagger in Mo Tan’s hand, he shrieked hysterically: “No one can use Shadow Fang!”
And at this moment, the magic scroll he had activated also exceeded its time limit…
Pfft!
The moment the darkness receded, Muse saw a smiling face close up, with a few strands of eerie bloodstains on it, and his heart was pierced through at the same time.
“Most people in the Thieves’ Guild are either followers of the Night Goddess Diliya or followers of the God of Lies Izanael, so of course you can’t use it~” Mo Tan whispered in Muse’s ear: “By the way, when I said ‘it’s not appropriate to shed blood’ earlier, I never meant my blood…”
Muse was gradually losing consciousness at this point, but he stared intently at Mo Tan with slowly dilating grey pupils, trembling as he said, “You… why…”
“Ah~~” Mo Tan scratched his head: “Yeah, why did I do those things? Probably just doing what I wanted to do while chasing answers~”
Muse, however, made no further reaction. The second-in-command of the Black Tower City Thieves’ Guild had already stopped breathing.
…
You have been emergency disconnected. Please choose whether to reconnect.
“Yes.”
Reconnecting…
Clang!!
Mo Tan’s game pod was forcibly opened from the outside, and a strand of dark hair appeared before him.
“Come out!” The owner of the hair said indifferently, “Come with me to deal with some trouble…”
Prologue: End