Chapter 4: Moving into the Community

Lin Sizhi returned to the iron chair he had been sitting on and waited patiently.

Soon, the television, which had been showing nothing but static, displayed an image once again.

【Game over, test complete.】

【"Redemption Roulette" comprehensive evaluation: S】

【Congratulations on completing the prerequisite task. You have obtained a hidden identity in the New World: "God's Copycat."】

【Think like a god, judge like a god, and commit grave sins against humanity like a god.】

【You had best be careful to conceal your identity, for "God-slaying" is the eternal pursuit of mankind.】

【Continue forward, and the New World will issue your official visa.】

The image on the television vanished again. At the same time, the red emergency exit in the warehouse swung open with a "bang."

Sunlight streamed in, illuminating the dust motes dancing in the air.

Just as Lin Sizhi stepped out of the emergency exit, the red door slammed shut with another "bang" and locked tight.

As he continued to walk forward along the corridor, the red emergency door at the end gradually disappeared from his field of vision.

Not only that, but Lin Sizhi felt his right pocket; the revolver he had placed there earlier was gone.

There was a note in the planning document: No items may be brought out of the game venue, or they will vanish into thin air.

Lin Sizhi had placed the revolver in his pocket to bring it out of the game venue, verifying that this rule was true.

"In other words, this so-called New World is a mysterious realm possessing supernatural powers.

"Here, any rules issued by the New World authorities, or game rules designed by the game creators and approved by the New World, will be 100% enforced by supernatural power."

While Lin Sizhi was thinking, a new emergency exit appeared before him.

However, it was currently closed.

Next to the exit was a special machine, about a meter tall, with instructions on how to use it.

Place your left hand flat on the handprint area on the machine's surface, and the visa bracelet will automatically align with the scanning zone.

Lin Sizhi tried it briefly and found the emergency door would not open, so he followed the instructions and placed his left hand on the machine.

"Beep!"

The machine emitted a prompt, and a light flashed above it.

Lin Sizhi pulled his left hand back and discovered that the black bracelet of unknown material was now imprinted with a circular pattern of abstract barcodes.

Near the back of his hand within this pattern, he could see his real name, "Lin Sizhi," displayed in a manner similar to a seal.

【Player visa issued.】

【Welcome to the New World!】

At the same time, the final emergency door swung open with a roar. Bright sunlight poured in, causing Lin Sizhi to instinctively close his eyes.

When he adjusted to the glaring sun and saw the scene before him, he couldn't help but gasp in amazement.

"New World...

"What kind of place is this?"

Before him was a scene resembling a prosperous modern city. Neatly trimmed green belts and paved roads without a single speck of dirt or crack naturally guided him toward rows of small buildings in the distance.

Further away, skyscrapers towered into the clouds. The sky was very blue, and the clouds were very white.

It even gave Lin Sizhi the illusion that he had arrived at a seaside resort city.

Soon, other pedestrians like Lin Sizhi appeared on the street. Their expressions varied—some were confused, some joyful, some guarded, and others curious.

Guided by the roads, they naturally walked toward various small communities.

Lin Sizhi also arrived at the entrance of the nearest community and stepped inside.

The community featured gardens, lawns, a gym, a swimming pool, and various other supporting facilities.

In the center of the community stood a rather magnificent comprehensive building.

It was the small building he had seen from afar.

It was about four or five stories high and looked quite beautiful, with huge bay windows, balconies, and sky gardens.

The lobby was spacious and bright, with a layout somewhat similar to a high-end hotel.

At the entrance of the community, there was an access control point with a sign displaying eye-catching information: "Submit visa, check in."

Lin Sizhi extended his left hand and placed his visa bracelet against the scanner at the window.

Immediately, information appeared on the screen.

【Visa verification complete.】

【Lin Sizhi, welcome to Community 17.】

【You are Player No. 12 of Community 17. Please check into your corresponding room and follow the community rules to participate in relevant activities.】

【Violations will result in penalties ranging from "visa time deduction" to "deportation," depending on the severity of the offense.】

【For more detailed rules, please go to the lobby to view the "Player Code of Conduct."】

Just as Lin Sizhi was about to walk further inside, a prompt sounded again.

【The final player visa for Community 17 has been verified. The community is now full and automatically sealed; no new players will be accepted.】

【Attention players: The "Player Code of Conduct" will be read in the lobby in 5 minutes.】

Lin Sizhi noticed that the information on the giant screen in the lobby had changed.

The text that originally read "Welcome to Community 17" had turned into a 5-minute countdown.

"The group is finally complete, over here!"

Lin Sizhi heard someone calling him.

The lobby, which resembled a luxury hotel, was very spacious. It featured a long table that could seat over a dozen people, a lounge area with high-end sofas and coffee tables, and a reading area.

Beside the long table, several people were already seated. The person calling Lin Sizhi was a young man wearing rimless glasses.

Lin Sizhi took a quick scan. There were 11 people in the lobby—some at the long table, some on single sofas, and some staring blankly out of the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Including himself, there were 12 people in total.

"I am in Community 17. If every community has 12 people, then there are at least 200 people here already.

"And there seem to be many such communities. The true number of 'players' is likely far higher than this."

Lin Sizhi looked at the long table. It was located in a very central position in the lobby and offered the best view of the big screen.

There were 7 people at the long table, each leaving at least one empty seat between them, maintaining a sufficient safety distance.

There happened to be an empty seat next to the young man who had called him. After a moment of thought, Lin Sizhi sat in the seat immediately to the young man's right.

However, as he sat down, he subtly shifted his chair outward to ensure they maintained a stranger's safety distance.

"Hello, I'm still a bit confused about the situation.

"What exactly is this place?"

Lin Sizhi didn't hold much hope for an answer to this question; he guessed that most of the people present were just as clueless as he was.

However, in this situation, discussing such topics was not a bad way to build rapport.

"Who knows? I only arrived a little earlier than you, and I'm just as lost.

"After the rules are read, we can pool our information together. Perhaps we'll have some answers then.

"By the way, my name is Fu Chen. Nice to meet you."

The young man with rimless glasses smiled and extended his hand.

Lin Sizhi paused for a moment, then shook his hand: "Lin Sizhi."

In such an unfamiliar environment, giving his real name didn't seem like the wisest choice. Out of an instinct for self-preservation, perhaps a fake name would have been safer.

But the "visa" on his hand had already displayed everyone's real name.

Even if he tried to hide it, it would be easily exposed later.

And that would only bring him unnecessary hostility.

From the current situation, this New World seemed to be trying to create a harmonious and friendly environment; there was no direct aggression between players.

Therefore, after a brief hesitation, Lin Sizhi gave his real name.

Soon, the countdown on the big screen ended.

Everyone sat around the long table, each looking toward the screen.

The emotionless electronic voice sounded again, and relevant images appeared on the big screen to supplement the voice's content, making it easier for everyone present to understand.

【Players, welcome to the New World!】

【This is a supernatural world with rules entirely different from the reality you know. Therefore, please strictly abide by the Player Code of Conduct and avoid any violations.】

【The following will be divided into three parts to introduce the New World's Player Code of Conduct:】

【I. Basic Living Rules】

【II. Community Activity Rules】

【III. Corridor Judgment Rules】

【Please be sure to keep all the above rules in mind. Violations will result in penalties ranging from "visa time deduction" to "deportation," depending on the severity of the offense.】

【Detailed introduction follows.】

Lin Sizhi instinctively touched the visa bracelet on his left hand.

Taken literally, a visa is a special permit allowing one to stay in a country, and once the visa expires, one is deported.

If being deported from the New World meant death, that was a high probability.

(End of chapter)