NOVEL NEXT Chapter 33: New Task
"Alright, attention everyone!" A loud, artificially amplified voice echoed through the barren streets of the north district of Luminaris.
On top of a slightly elevated wooden box stood a fairly old man clad in shiny silver armor. Holding onto a megaphone with his right hand, while his other rested on the handle of his sheathed sword around his waist, his eyes moved through the heads of tens of humans gathered in front.
Noticing the countless expressions of the people, the man smirked, 'Some are grinning with confidence, and others are quivering in fear despite wearing armor.'
"We will now be starting our D - rank Gate exploration. As instructed before, I will now be reminding you of your duties as the seer appointed by the Hunter's Association." The man said, his voice loud and clear.
"The gate emerged yesterday and was later identified by the authorities as a normal-type gate. Through the mana reading device, we've determined its rank to be D. Since this is an unidentified gate, keep in mind that we're entering with the aim of scouting and not conquering. And remember, no matter what happens, do not die!" He shouted at the top of his lungs, as countless cheers followed his words.
The man looked satisfied with his explanation as he slowly put the mic away and looked at them for the last time.
"Hmm?" His eyes flinched, flickering with astonishment. "What the...? Is he—"
The old man's gaze fell upon a young man. Long black hair, cerulean eyes — it was Lucian. To the old man, who had seen countless expressions since the start of his job as the seer, it was the first time that he had seen someone smile so wickedly.
Standing at the very back of the crowd, Lucian smiled excitedly. The old man looked at him for a few seconds, observing as he tried to assess Lucian's expressions. "Strange," he muttered in a low voice before turning around with an unsettling feeling in his chest.
Though Lucian, on the other hand, seemed invested in a completely different world, as his eyes were tilted to the left.
There it was, a faintly glowing system window. On its screen, 4 different titles were listed one upon another — a small description explaining each.
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[#~System Notification~#]
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[Displaying the information regarding new functions of the system...]
***
[#~System Function: Gacha~#]
[• Description]
└ [Unlock the Gacha interface using 50 unassigned attribute points. Roll for random rewards ranging from rare items, unique skills, trait fragments, and resources tied to your cultivation path. Chance-based draw — may grant either legendary treasures or minor boosts.]
└ [Limit: Once per 24 hours.]
***
[#~System Function: Daily Sign-In~#]
[• Description]
└ [Log in to the system once per day to receive cumulative rewards. Each consecutive sign-in amplifies the bonus: experience points, attribute points, resource packs, or rare items.
└ [Streak bonuses available for 7, 14, 30+ consecutive days.]
***
[#~System Function: Cultivation Rewards~#]
[• Description]
└ [Each significant breakthrough in your cultivation journey triggers a tailored reward from the system — greater Qi, exclusive skills, physique enhancements, or comprehension boosts reflecting your progress.]
└[Milestone-based; grows in scale and value as your journey ascends realms and ranks.]
***
[#~System Function: Familiarity Tab~#]
[• Description]
└ [Check the status, stats, and well-being of close connections — family, bonded allies, or approved companions. Requires either a blood relation or direct sentient consent for full access.]
└ [Displays level, condition, vitality, active skills, and emotional state for those linked.]
---
"Now this... is nice." He muttered under his breath, grinning as he noticed the sudden movements of the crowd before him.
'It's finally starting!' he exclaimed as relief washed over his face. Without ado, Lucian quickly joined others and followed behind.
'It's nice to have Seer from the association, since even though it's merely a D-rank dungeon, it'll be bad if something goes south.'
Seer, in simple terms, was a job designated to higher-ranking hunters associated with the hunters' association. To protect the new hunters and help in case of emergencies, that was their job.
'Of course, such a thing could not be told to others since that may lead to newbies dropping their guards, thinking they'll be saved anyway.' He shook his head in disdain.
As he carelessly walked through, from the corner of his eye, Lucian caught a glimpse of a strange glow.
He jolted his head upright and looked straight ahead. In an instant, his eyes widened. Up ahead, he saw the slowly rotating giant clump of cerulean light, shimmering in a bright, otherworldly glow. To Lucian, the sight of the gate seemed mesmerizing as his mind drowned in its enchanting beauty.
Although he could still hear the faint muffled noises of the people around him, Lucian's mind seemed to be unusually stuck to the gate. For a brief moment, Lucian did not suspect a thing, thinking it was just a coincidence. But then, all of a sudden, loud gasps began to echo near him. Not one, but many.
Lucian snapped his mind awake from the drowsy state and looked around him. The people around him all bore similar expressions — widened eyes, pale faces, and washed-out expressions. Their eyes were all stuck towards the portal, as if they'd seen something they weren't supposed to.
His eyes darted towards the portal, only to find a small system window floating right before the gate.
On the screen was a timer — slowly ticking down.
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[23:59:43]
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At the same time, a system alert resounded through Lucian's mind, diverting his attention in an instant.
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———————————————————
[#~System Notification~#]
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[An anomaly has been detected!]
[...]
[A new task is being created!]
***
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[#~Task-4~#]
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[• Objective – Survive inside the active Gate until its closure. Judge allies and foes wisely.]
[• Time Limit – 23:59:59 (Gate duration)]
[•Rewards – ???]
[• Rewards scale with your choices, alliances, and actions within the Gate.]
[• Warning: Failure will result in severe penalty or death.]
---
***
At the same time, a strange voice whispered from the crowd near the gate.
"Yes sir, understood. I will act as instructed. By any means necessary, I will prepare high-end sacrifices before sunset and offer them to the lord as nutrients."