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Project GB is an official initiative by Re:Library.

Dreamscape was a groundbreaking immersive online game. Players only needed to wear the gaming helmet and connect to the network to log in and experience the game. However, it was recommended to play in a quiet environment to avoid interruptions in the real world.

The promotional efforts for Dreamscape were unprecedented. Nearly every internet user was aware of it, and even those who rarely went online had heard bits and pieces about it.

People like Zane, who were eager to make a fortune through the game, were not uncommon. After all, with its staggering 99% realism rate, the game had sparked widespread curiosity. Everyone believed that, with a bit of luck, countless opportunities awaited them within the game.

After walking for an hour, they returned to the traffic-jammed area, only to find the situation had worsened. The roads were even more congested than before. But what could they do? Today was, after all, the pre-sale date.

Clutching two gaming helmets and under the envious gazes of passersby, Shiu and Zane stylishly rode off on their electric scooter.

…

Back at the small apartment—Shiu’s rental, now serving as a refuge for Zane—they settled in to prepare for the game.

“The official server launch is at 8 a.m. tomorrow. We still have some time to strategize and plan so we’re not clueless when the servers open,” Zane suggested.

“You’re only starting to think about that now? I already checked the official website,” Shiu said smugly.

“Oh? Then let’s hear it.”

“First, it’s a fantasy-themed online game. According to the information on the official site, players can choose from three main races at login: Humans, Beasts, and Elves. Of course, each race has different branches, but the website hasn’t shared specific details yet. It seems like we’ll have to figure those out after the server launches.”

After a brief pause, Shiu continued, “These races are similar to their traditional depictions. Humans get a 3% Intelligence bonus, Beasts have a 3% Strength bonus, and Elves have a 3% Dexterity bonus. All of these belong to the Light Faction. Opposing them is the Dark Faction, though there’s little information about it. It’s possible there are hidden races, but those are probably out of reach for regular players like us.”

“What about classes?” Zane asked, clearly more interested in this.

“Classes are similar to traditional MMORPGs. There are nine main classes: Swordsman, Archer, Mage, Assassin, Knight, Priest, Summoner, Pugilist, and Bard. Players can choose a class after reaching level 10 and leaving the beginner village.”

“So what class are you going to play?” Zane asked.

“Of course, I’ll be a Mage! Their damage output is insane, plus they have two god-tier skills: Magic Shield and Blink. Survival is top-notch. What about you? What class are you thinking about?” Shiu asked.

“…I’m not sure yet. I’ll decide after I hit level 10. Who knows? Maybe I’ll unlock a hidden class and won’t have to choose,” Zane said with a grin.

“Yeah, keep dreaming,” Shiu replied, rolling his eyes.

…

After excitedly discussing the game for most of the afternoon, they got hungry and went downstairs to a small diner for fried rice.

Zane had no choice but to budget carefully—he still hadn’t found a job and had no source of income. Fried rice with a clear soup for just five yuan was a godsend for his wallet.

Late at night.

Excitement kept Zane wide awake. His mind was filled with thoughts about the game. How far could he go? What kind of adventures awaited him?

He opened his phone to check messages. Nearly every gaming group he was in was buzzing with discussions about Dreamscape.

There was one exception.

It was an old group chat from an MMORPG he had played during his university years. That game had accompanied Zane through almost all of his college life. He had been the leader of their guild—the only leader—and even held more sway than the group admin.

Unfortunately, after graduation, he no longer had the time to lead the guild. Without him at its core, the group naturally fell apart.

As he thought about the Dreamscape server launch tomorrow, Zane felt a pang of nostalgia. On impulse, he decided to ask if anyone from the group was planning to play the game.

“Dreamscape launches tomorrow. Are you guys…” He hadn’t even finished typing when someone beat him to it.

The message stirred up the previously silent group members.

…

After a long silence, the group members, one by one, shared their opinions. Feeling the timing was right, Zane chimed in with a simple reply.

…

These people… Zane couldn’t help but chuckle. It had been so long since they raided together; they were probably itching for action. That wasn’t a bad thing—it would be nice to have some backup while playing.

As his thoughts drifted, Zane slowly fell asleep. The necklace resting on his chest flickered briefly before dimming again.

…

It was happening again. Zane found himself observing the face of an intruder.

The figure held a black bow, with a dirt-colored scarf and hood concealing his head. His eyes glinted with malice, clearly marking him as no friend.

Perhaps aware of the girl’s strength, the intruder perched atop a tall tree dozens of meters away, his bow drawn and ready.

Yes, it was the girl again.

Though Zane could sense everything about the girl, he had no control over her actions. The girl, in turn, was completely unaware of his presence.

Since childhood, Zane had discovered that whenever he entered a deep sleep, he would find himself in this recurring dream. The protagonist of the dream was the girl, named Starry.

As for Zane, he shared Starry’s body but could only watch and feel her experiences. From initial discomfort to now treating it as a form of self-amusement, Zane had long grown accustomed to the dreams.

All the dreams combined could form a saga of Starry’s life—a classic protagonist’s story. As a child, her parents were killed. Taken in by a master, she trained in swordsmanship for three years and made modest progress, only for her master to vanish. This was followed by an endless wandering journey.

Unknowingly, she had become a renowned heroine.

Though the storyline was cliché, Zane, having experienced these events as a participant, could attest to their emotional depth. The searing pain of losing her parents, the confusion and loss when her master disappeared, the bitterness and struggles of years spent drifting—no one understood Starry better than Zane. After all, he had felt every one of her emotions himself.

However, the scenes he witnessed in the dreams would become vague and blurry upon waking, leaving him with only a rough memory of events. Yet, whenever he returned to the dream, the past would resurface clearly in his mind.

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