Chapter 29

"Main mission accomplished: Survive for 48 hours, preparing to return!..."

"Ten, nine, eight, seven... three, two, one!"

...

As the countdown from the Nightmare Space ended, Zhao Futu suddenly felt a darkness before his eyes. Then, as if losing gravity, he began to rise at a speed like a flash of lightning. When his vision recovered and he regained his sense of weightlessness, he found himself standing in a vast void!

He was actually standing in space!

Stars shimmered around him, and in the distance, the nebula of the Milky Way appeared like a dream. Beneath his feet was a blue planet. He couldn't move, seemingly locked by some strange force. However, a three-dimensional image appeared before his eyes, gradually showing the scenes from his mission in "Underworld: Rise of the Lycans." The image first focused on the alpha wolf, then a werewolf, a vampire baron, and finally the birth of the werewolf king, Lucian!

The image finally froze, and the following information appeared in the air:

"Scene: 'Underworld: Rise of the Lycans' Prequel."

"Difficulty: Very Easy (E Level)"

"Pain Reduction: 70%"

"Personal Ability Enhancement: 50%"

"Current Scene Exploration: 10.21%"

"Additional Note: This scene is a peaceful one. If a contractor dies, no items will drop, and the digital character information module will be activated. Contractors can check their personal attributes through the Nightmare Mark at any time."

"Main Mission Completed: Survive! Mission Objective: Kill at least one low-level werewolf and survive for 48 hours!... Mission Completion: 100%!"

"Hidden Main Mission Completed: Protect!... Mission Completion: 75%!"

"Comprehensive Evaluation: B." (50% additional bonus on top of the base reward!)

...

[Note 1: E Level is the lowest evaluation. Completing the mission will result in a 20% reduction from the base reward. D Level maintains the base reward, C Level increases it by 20%, B Level by 50%, A Level by 100%, and S Level by 200%.]

[Note 2: In some low-level missions, an S Level comprehensive evaluation may appear, but the reward will not be overly overwhelming. Instead, it will double the base reward. For example, a main mission with 1000 survival points will result in a reward of 3000 survival points, plus additional rewards.]

...

"Space data statistics in progress!..."

"Contractor No. 1013, your comprehensive evaluation for this mission is B. Therefore, your base reward for this mission will receive a 50% attribute bonus. The specific rewards are as follows: 3 free attribute points, 1500 survival points, 2 large soul fragments!"

"Note: Some items you carry cannot be brought into the Nightmare Space and will be automatically converted into survival points!"

"Your current remaining rewards are as follows: 3 free attribute points, 3210 survival points, 1 soul fragment (strength: F), 2 large soul fragments."

The image finally froze, displaying all of Zhao Futu's rewards from this mission.

However, on the page of mission rewards, there was an additional display page. When Zhao Futu opened it, the rewards for the hidden main mission he had completed immediately appeared. This reward was not a specific value but an additional 5% hidden plot exploration. After this additional hidden plot exploration, there was an option to exchange it.

"Note: Hidden plot exploration can be exchanged for additional rewards. This hidden plot exploration can accumulate and stack when you enter the same plot space again. The higher the accumulated hidden plot exploration, the higher the rewards you will receive when exchanging!"

"Do you want to exchange it?"

Zhao Futu closed his eyes and carefully considered. In the end, he decided to exchange it.

He had just entered this mysterious Nightmare Space and was currently penniless. It was uncertain whether the next world he would enter would be "Underworld" or not. Instead of keeping it to exchange for higher rewards, it was better to convert it into resources he could use now. After all, Zhao Futu felt he was still too weak during this plot. A slightly stronger werewolf or vampire would completely suppress him.

"5% hidden plot exploration exchanged successfully. You can choose three out of the following five options."

"Reward 1: 2000 survival points."

"Reward 2: 3 free attribute points, 2 potential points."

"Reward 3: One random blue equipment chest, one random basic skill scroll."

"Reward 4: 5 merit points."

"Reward 5: Upgrade one of your basic skills to level 5."

...

When Zhao Futu saw the list of rewards, he was immediately torn. Undoubtedly, these rewards were all valuable, but it was hard to determine which three would maximize his benefits. The first option was undoubtedly excluded. According to his reasoning, 2000 survival points, while seemingly substantial, was actually the least valuable. Free attribute points were a must, and the skill upgrade in Reward 5 could not be overlooked. These were direct ways to enhance his combat power.

However, Zhao Futu was indecisive between Reward 3 and Reward 4!

He asked the Nightmare Space about the use of merit points, but the information provided was quite limited. Merit points could be used to upgrade ranks, and different ranks granted corresponding permissions. The most basic rank was Private, requiring 1 merit point, then 5 points for Corporal, 10 points for Sergeant, 20 points for Staff Sergeant, and 30 points for Master Sergeant.

Higher ranks could not be seen.

The Nightmare Space indicated that his permission level was insufficient to view the merit requirements for officers.

"5 merit points is not much, but it can grant me the rank of Corporal. I wonder what use it will have?" Zhao Futu pondered, ultimately deciding to take the fourth option. Although he didn't know the specific use of ranks, he would eventually have to interact with them. Gaining this early would provide valuable information.

As for the third option of equipment and basic skills, Zhao Futu wanted it, but the randomness made him hesitant.

He was a cultivator, and cultivators emphasized being down-to-earth. He had to walk every step to verify his path, ensuring he didn't deviate. Therefore, he was not a fan of relying on luck. While the random options might offer the highest rewards, they could also be the least valuable.

He disliked putting luck first and preferred tangible benefits.

After choosing three rewards, Zhao Futu's remaining gains were 6 free attribute points and 2 potential points. He considered and decided to distribute the attribute points evenly among all main attributes: Strength, Agility, Stamina, and Intelligence, each receiving one point. The remaining two points were allocated as one to Strength and one to Stamina. Cultivators valued balance, and the five elements of the human body—metal, wood, water, fire, and earth—corresponded to the heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys. Only when the five elements were in harmony could one achieve longevity.

Therefore, he found it uncomfortable to focus on any single attribute!

Concentrating points on a single attribute might create a significant strength, but it would also expose a significant weakness. By distributing points evenly, he might start off slightly average, but his survival ability would be strong. Balanced attributes ensured strong adaptability, unlike others who relied on others' strengths to avoid fatal weaknesses.

The space seemed to encourage teamwork, which Zhao Futu had noticed from the beginning when discussing everyone's talents.

However, he was still not used to relying on others.

"Where should I allocate the remaining 2 potential points?" Zhao Futu looked at the remaining 2 potential points, feeling quite indecisive.

Unlike the main attributes that directly affect combat power, the secondary attributes from potential points were all valuable, but it was hard to determine which one offered a more significant advantage. Perception was quite useful, and his own perception was not low, so he added one point to Perception. However, he was unsure about the remaining point, whether to allocate it to other secondary attributes or continue enhancing Perception.

After much consideration, he ultimately added the last potential point to Willpower!

Willpower, a secondary attribute, didn't feel very significant to Zhao Futu, but after considering the outcome of the high school student, he felt it was necessary to enhance it!

Among the secondary attributes, Perception was the most noticeable, providing keen awareness of danger and surroundings, making it a standout.

In contrast, among the secondary attributes of Charm, Spirit, and Willpower, Willpower was the least noticeable, almost undetectable except for the attribute data. Increased Charm made characters friendlier, increased Spirit enhanced energy like Intelligence, but Willpower was intangible.

Yet, this unassuming Willpower was crucial!

"Why did the white-collar woman have no combat ability when facing the werewolf? The others could pick up weapons to fight, but she couldn't muster the courage!"

"Was it just because she was a woman?"

"No, not entirely. If I remember correctly, she had the second-lowest Willpower, only 5 points!"

"In reality, facing a black bear would make me feel fear, unease, and weakness, but why did I feel no fear when facing a more ferocious werewolf or vampire in this space?"

"Was it just because my body was digitized?"

"No, no! The rules in this space are so harsh, and the threat of death is so close. Under the shadow of death, I should be even more terrified, right? After all, I am very afraid of death. The Daoist pursuit of immortality is to live longer, isn't it?"

"Is this the effect of Willpower?"

"If so, perhaps it explains why I didn't lose courage due to fear when facing the giant werewolf. Instead, under the threat of death, my mind became even calmer, and I unleashed 120% of my combat power!"

In reality, if faced with the sudden attack of the vampire, Zhao Futu was certain he would have died instantly.

But he not only survived but seized the opportunity to counterattack, risking his life to break the vampire's ambush and then overperform to kill the vampire.

Fear!

It can rob one of courage but also force out one's last strength!

In the face of life and death, two different outcomes!

What determines this?

...

(P.S.: Some things may seem similar, but they are vastly different. This is a unique infinite flow novel.)

{Piaotian Literature}