Chapter 1: The Gambler Cashes Out

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As summer vacation approached, the heat in Four Cities was unusually intense. Cao Yu looked out through the classroom window; the sunlight was like a branding iron, and the temperature gradient caused visible heat waves shimmering in the air... He couldn’t help but silently marvel at how great an invention air conditioning was.

The academy’s scheduled broadcast echoed in the room:

“The Evolution Game is extremely dangerous; players are not chosen by fate.”

“If you are unfortunate enough to be drawn in and become a player, please maintain the right mindset and report to the authorities immediately...”

“The Federation has established a comprehensive player management agency and trading platform, which will assist every law-abiding player and severely punish every criminal player...”

Hearing this, Cao Yu glanced at his phone—July 8th, 2:00 p.m.

“It’s been two and a half years already.”

Two and a half years ago, a supernatural force suddenly appeared, continuously selecting “lucky ones” in the human world and subjecting them to perilous yet rewarding trials known as dungeons, pushing them toward higher levels of evolution and granting them various bizarre powers, including supernatural abilities...

This was the Evolution Game.

Those chosen “lucky ones” were called “players.”

From news blackouts to inevitable leaks, and finally government disclosure, over two and a half years, the Evolution Game entered the public eye, and players stepped into the spotlight.

By now, even vegetable vendors at the market chatted about the Evolution Game.

“Why hasn’t the teacher arrived yet? I can’t wait to become a player!”

“Whether we’re wolves or dogs depends on whether we awaken our powers today. I’m so excited.”

“I think it’s better to be realistic. Besides supernatural powers, the other two evolutionary paths aren’t weak either. Players with powers make up less than 10%; we should lower our expectations.”

“I don’t care! Today, I’m going all in!”

Noisy chatter filled the classroom.

Cao Yu put away his phone and noticed most classmates wore expressions of excitement and anticipation.

This was the Fourth Academy—officially “Four Cities Preparatory Player Training Academy,” established a year ago.

The Evolution Game’s player selection was completely random and beyond human control.

However, after clearing dungeons, players had a significant chance to obtain a special item called the “Evolution Game Invitation,” which could instantly grant an ordinary person player status.

Thus, the Federation government began collecting invitations, setting up academies, and artificially cultivating large numbers of players.

Of course, not everyone eager to become a player could enter the Fourth Academy.

Its target demographic was college students, with a strict screening and testing procedure.

Those who passed the tests were privately interviewed, and those willing to enroll enjoyed high salaries, housing, and other benefits—all detailed in contracts.

In a way, it was like selling oneself to the government.

Cao Yu entered the Fourth Academy during his freshman year via this selection process.

Three days ago, the academy held its evaluation; 53 students passed, including Cao Yu.

Passing meant graduation, meaning becoming a player.

And that day was today.

“A bunch of naive fools, only seeing the perks of being players,” said a girl sitting beside Cao Yu, unable to hold back. “Once inside the dungeon, they’ll behave.”

Her name was Chen Ran, her hair tied in a neat high ponytail, her slender figure wrapped in loose athletic wear. Her delicate face bore a serious expression.

“Everyone here has undergone military training; only those who passed the evaluation sit here. Their quality isn’t bad,” Cao Yu smiled. “It’s normal to be excited about becoming a player.”

“Cao Yu, why do you want to be a player?” Chen Ran asked curiously. “I remember you’re a student at Four Cities University. After graduating with a solid degree, you should be able to find a good job and earn a lot. No need to sign the ‘indentured contract’ the academy offers, right?”

“Little Chen, your awareness is a bit low,” Cao Yu replied with a righteous expression:

“Nowadays, ‘dungeon disasters’ happen all over the world. Various terrifying monsters occasionally enter the real world, causing tragedies... How can we allow that?

“As a Federation citizen, I have both the duty and responsibility to fight, to clear these dungeons, to drive out every monster, and restore peace and stability to the world.

“Becoming a player is the first step toward this great cause. I firmly believe I am on the right path.”

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“...” Chen Ran punched him lightly. “Speak plainly!”

“Fine. Actually, I’m a transmigrator, my soul crossed over.”

Cao Yu straight-facedly told the truth:

“When I was ten, I awakened memories of my past life, remembering that I once lived on a planet called Earth and had a happy family.

“The Evolution Game proves the existence of parallel worlds. If I can become an advanced player and gain great power, maybe one day I can find a way home.

“Although many years have passed, I still want to see my family.”

“If you don’t want to talk, that’s fine,” Chen Ran snorted. “I’m not bothered to know.”

See? Nowadays, no one believes the truth anymore.

Cao Yu’s gaze grew serious as he whispered:

“Little Chen, haven’t you noticed the news about ‘dungeon disasters’ and ‘player crimes’ is increasing?

“This world is getting more dangerous. When the nest collapses, no egg remains unbroken. The Federation is even training college students to be players—that proves things are spiraling out of control.

“Becoming a player means facing the dangers of dungeons; being an ordinary person means worrying about even more.”

This was indeed one of the reasons he joined the Fourth Academy.

Dungeon disasters brought ghosts, monsters, and all kinds of awful creatures that occasionally popped up to kill people. Under such conditions, he could not settle for being ordinary.

Nor was he willing to be ordinary.

Becoming a player granted immense power and the initiative to control one’s destiny.

He wanted to use the Evolution Game to climb to the top step by step. This was his ambition.

Besides this, he had another troublesome matter to resolve.

Though this world resembled his former Earth in many ways, differences in political systems caused many subtle disparities... Simply put, the Federation was somewhat corrupt.

For example, his home district, Meishan, was the most chaotic part of Four Cities: gangs, robberies, assassins, human trafficking, organ trade... all sorts of disgusting things. The government took a laissez-faire attitude, letting Meishan become a hotbed of crime—poor yet boasting the largest, liveliest entertainment venues along the entire coast.

His younger sister, still in school, possessed exceptional beauty and, in a melodramatic twist, had caught the attention of a small gang leader in Meishan. She had been staying at school dormitories for months, afraid to return home.

Cao Yu couldn’t guard her forever.

So he planned to kill the gang leader.

To do that, he needed power.

Cao Yu looked at Chen Ran and asked, “What about you? Why do you want to be a player?”

“Family arrangement. My eldest brother is a player, my second brother is a player, and my third brother too. As a family of soldiers, I can’t lose face,” Chen Ran sighed. “Actually, my dream was to enter the entertainment industry, but oh well...”

Besides commoner college students like Cao Yu, many privileged children also attended the Fourth Academy.

Times had changed.

With powerful players emerging, various factions reshuffled the playing field.

A single crazed strong player could slaughter an entire city; modern weapons were ineffective against such super individuals.

If you didn’t join the game, you would be eliminated.

So many of Four Cities’ elite sent their children to the Fourth Academy, hoping they would become family assets.

Chen Ran was one of them.

“I understand your feelings. Being ordinary isn’t bad. But...” Cao Yu comforted her, “Being a player opens up a broader world.”

At that moment,

Three teachers entered the classroom.

Silence fell immediately.

The lead teacher was bald, muscular, with a fierce countenance and eyes sharp like a hawk’s.

All the Fourth Academy teachers were active players... In other words, none were saints.

The bald teacher walked to the podium and got straight to the point:

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“I won’t waste time on flowery words. I’ll only remind you of one thing: once inside the dungeon, stay calm at all times!”

With that, he led the distribution of pure white envelopes—the “Evolution Game Invitations”—to everyone.

Alongside the invitations were two translucent small vials and a spray can, respectively stamina recovery potion, mental recovery potion, and hemostatic spray—resources provided by the academy to graduates.

Upon receiving the invitations, all 53 students, including Cao Yu, tore them open simultaneously.

The next moment, a cold prompt sounded inside Cao Yu’s mind:

[Congratulations on becoming a player]

[Generating your player panel]

[Nickname: Cao Yu (changeable)]

[ID: C09009233333]

[Items: None]

[Level: E]

[Evolution progress: 0%]

[Evolution points: 100]

[Your first dungeon will begin in 10 minutes]

Cao Yu noticed he had 100 evolution points but was not surprised; this was a benefit given to every rookie player.

Evolution points—the most crucial resource for players.

They were the key to the path of evolution.

They could trigger evolution in any part of a player’s body, mind, or genes.

To make an analogy, they were like spiritual energy in a cultivation world—no spiritual energy, no cultivation.

Cao Yu immediately spent his 100 evolution points on evolving his mind.

Other students did the same.

If one had suitability for supernatural powers, evolving the mind first guaranteed awakening such powers. But suitability couldn’t be detected artificially; it required spending the 100 points and hoping for the best.

Everyone held their breath, praying inwardly, calling on all gods and immortals for help.

The gambler’s moment had arrived!

Suddenly, a prompt rang in Cao Yu’s mind:

[“Strongest Player 1.0” activated…]

Success!

Ha ha, Taoist here, I’ve made it!

A translucent panel appeared before Cao Yu’s eyes:

[Strongest Player 1.0]

[Achievement system activated]

[Shop activated]

[Achievement points: 10]

[You have a rookie gift pack to open]

Cao Yu: “?”

Something was off...

Is this a supernatural power?

Damn, this looks like a system!?

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