Wow! The item-dropping rate is really high!

Overlord: The genetic optimization level must reach at least 20 points, and at least three specialized skills must reach level 9, with their skill trees fully unlocked…

Ranger: Explore at least 1 ancient ruin, 3 large ruins, 5 medium ruins, 10 small ruins…

Warlord: Control at least 51% of the actual power within the current dominant force (current: Blackwater City, the subject can be changed).

After delving into the specific requirements of the three options, these clear objectives lay before him, yet Bai E felt hesitant and lost.

Overlord?

The Gene Optimization Solution must reach 20 points... It took getting a Gene Optimization Solution for himself to increase it to 3.3 points, and it's said that the effects of the Optimization fluid will only get worse with subsequent use. How many doses of the fluid would he need to reach 20 points? Aside from that, unlocking the remaining specialized levels and skill trees seemed to be relatively less difficult.

As for being a Ranger...

The abandoned town he had explored last time qualified as a small ruin, which seemed rather easy to explore, and even after fighting through a bunch of giant spider guardians, it wasn't particularly challenging, making the task seem not too demanding.

But that was just a small ruin.

What about the medium ones? The large ones? The ancient ones?

The internet servers he had evaluated before were only considered large ruins, and to find two more of the same scale and even larger ancient ruins... He had no clue where to start.

As for being a Warlord...

The powers within the city were complex and entwined, making the grasp of at least 50% of Blackwater City's real power... as difficult as reaching for the heavens.

"Huh~"

Bai E took a deep breath, feeling lost for the first time in his heart.

The tasks of these three paths, each one's completion... seemed to be no easy feat.

Of course, no one was forcing Bai E to complete them.

The missions were there, to do or not to do, what would it change?

But...

Were these missions really just missions?

Bai E recalled the past...

All the side missions seemed to pop up abruptly without introduction, yet they also appeared to align with his own desires.

All those side missions seemed to manifest only when he "wanted to," and when others wanted to witness, they would appear.

As for the two phases of the main mission, they seemed to guide him to understand this world.

Bug Race, orcs, demons...

Electronic demons, hearts of ghosts and tricks...

What did he really want to do in this world, and what did he need to do?

Could it be that as the most unique being in this world, a mission naturally rested on his shoulders upon his arrival?

After seeing all the elements of this world, did he have a clear goal or plan for the future?

Yes? No?

It doesn't matter.

The world will force you to make a choice.
Continue reading at empire

Right now, before the world presents its malice clearly, a wake-up call from the task system arrives first.

Bai E's gaze inadvertently drifted across the pale blue subtitles in front of him. When his eyes focused on one, those words seemed to magnify slightly, affirming his selection—

Overlord…

Ranger…

Warlord…

The three do not conflict with each other, nor are they mutually exclusive.

Just like the second phase of the main mission, one must make some achievements on all three paths to complete the ultimate task.

It is the same at this moment.

While developing personal military power, he could also explore the unknown, the ruins.

And while exploring the ruins, he could also develop his own influence on the other side, gradually eroding the city and bringing it completely under his control.

The three not only do not conflict but complement each other.

He just needed to determine a primary mission objective.

Or rather, to determine where his heart lies.

In the past, some minor detours were automatically chosen by the system sensing his heart's desires and appeared in the form of missions.

Now... the choice at this major crossroad was solemnly handed over to him.

Bai E's gaze became distant as a series of images he had seen since "waking up" began to flash through his mind—

The initial selection and division of every artificial warrior at birth…

The first meeting with teammates, the encounter, the caution…

The collective training at the training ground, sweating like rain…

The subconscious quick reaction when bugs invaded the military camp…

The collective fall on the battlefield facing the Bug Race dominators…

The activated mainframe pressed the core of the electronic demon into the human body for the last time…

The numb "wild dogs" numbed life with deadly fights…

People hidden underground longing for a peaceful life…

The frenzied bloodlust for battle in the orcs holding machetes…

The endless ambition that spawned demons dragging the world into the abyss…

Every promise he made to different targets, he remembered them all deeply in his mind.

Those memories in his mind were eternally fixed at the most profound moments, playing through his mind like slides at a consistent pace.

This world… was terribly messed up.

Crisis existed in every day, every moment, every city, every wilderness… every time one fell asleep in peace, every time one engaged in battle…

External enemies, internal troubles.

Those stretching out the slaughter knife to him were not only the Bug Race and orcs, even the companions he lived with day and night… were potential dangers.

The power of an individual was ultimately limited; even someone as strong as Yue Ying couldn't eliminate a bug nest alone on the frontlines.

Exploring ruins required a strong team for protection; any danger could occur in the wilderness.

Population, manpower, allies, teammates…

To carry out his will, to save the world from suffering, to fulfill the promises he had made to various individuals along the way…

First, he needed an invincible team!

I want to be a warlord!

Bai E's gaze drifted towards the sky outside.

The full view of the tent, supported by iron frames and gradually enlarged, became clearly visible, rows of tents resting quietly in the dark, irregular walls marking the military camp, black-gray steel walls standing tall upon the earth, the grayish-brown plains like diseased psoriasis, the thick black clouds ultimately blocking the view, a gray-blue planet finally became a "pearl" against the pitch-black backdrop.

The world of Galaxy Online was not limited to this one tiny planet.

The stars of the universe awaited his harvest.

Myriad races wove exciting, magnificent epics among the grandiose stars.

Bai E didn't know who the sacred entity that released "Galaxy Online" in the original world was, but the information he posted on the official website would not be without aim.

This world was very, very vast…

The present was just the beginning; the road ahead was still long.

The military camp?

Blackwater City?

Too small… all too small…

I don't know why I was pulled into this world that's half game-like, but since I'm here… wouldn't it be too boring if the canvas of the starry sky lacked my signature stroke?

I want to be a warlord.

Bai E's consciousness forcefully clicked on that "√", and thus, a brand-new future unfolded—

[You have now gained a clear understanding of your pursuit for the future, main quest—Absolute Dominion, activated.]

[Absolute Dominion: You have decided your future development path. Blackwater City, as the starting point where you have spent the most time managing, is undoubtedly your best choice to rise from. (Current selected target: Blackwater City, target can be changed, but it must be an entity of equivalent influence.) Quest requirements: Control at least 51% of the real power in all domains within "Blackwater City". Quest rewards: 100,000 general experience points, Starship blueprint *1 (details can be customized).]

"Huff~"

The subtitle finally settled before his eyes, confirming the direction of his future development, and Bai E relaxed, letting out a deep breath.

The most difficult moment was always the time to make a decision.

The rest… we'll see how it goes.

Not knowing how long the inner struggle lasted, a streak of dawn's light gradually spread across the sky.

The golden sunrise shot out like golden arrows, awakening the sleeping land.

Daylight had come…

Bai E sat on the edge of the bed, shouting to his four teammates with a smile, "Daybreak has come, time to get up."