Welcome to the World of the Strong [Unlimited Flow] 14

Chapter 14: Transit Island

When Jiang Yu woke up again, it was dinnertime.

She opened her eyes groggily. The room was already dark.

Jiang Yu rubbed her eyes, sat up, and turned on the light. She went to the bathroom to wash up, and by the time she came out, she was much more awake.

Jiang Yu chose to eat in her room and had the staff deliver her meal. Then, she sat down and began to read the newcomer handbook.

She ate as she read, and by the time she finished dinner, she had a general understanding of things.

The newcomer handbook was incredibly useful. Without it, she would have been completely in the dark about many things.

Jiang Yu’s earlier guess about the leveling system was correct.

The higher the level, the more difficult the corresponding instances, but in return, the more points one could earn and the more permissions one could unlock.

This would provide them with a great deal of convenience.

And the reason Jiang Yu had come to the World of Strength was to find a way to resurrect her parents, or to turn back time to before their car accident.

Although she didn’t know how to achieve this wish yet, Jiang Yu knew that only by raising her level higher and higher would she be able to obtain new information and possibilities.

The newcomer handbook also introduced the various factions and organizations that currently existed on the Transit Island, as well as the top ten players.

The number one ranked player and the leader of the number one ranked organization were the same person: Shi Jun.

The name was not unfamiliar to Jiang Yu. While browsing the forums, she would occasionally see posts confessing their love for Shi Jun, as well as analytical posts discussing her current strength.

So, although she didn’t know the person, a firm impression had already formed in Jiang Yu’s mind.

And that was… powerful.

The highest level was S-rank, but even within S-rank, there were different classifications. Shi Jun was, without a doubt, the one and only person at S-100%.

Jiang Yu couldn’t imagine what kind of terrifying abilities such a person possessed. Of course, she also thought it was unlikely she would ever meet such a top-tier player.

But there was one thing Jiang Yu was curious about.

Having reached the max level of S, had Shi Jun already fulfilled the wish that brought her to the World of Strength?

Jiang Yu no longer doubted the selection criteria of the World of Strength. The newcomer handbook had made it very clear.

In simple terms, the app was a dream machine that could grant human wishes. Therefore, everyone it selected had a wish they wanted to fulfill. It was just that some people’s obsessions were stronger than others.

Jiang Yu, for example, was the type with a strong obsession. She wanted to resurrect her parents.

Since Shi Jun had come to the World of Strength, her situation was likely the same.

But she had already reached the highest level, yet she was still in the World of Strength. This led Jiang Yu to two possible conclusions.

One: the wish Shi Jun wanted to fulfill was so great that even the app couldn’t grant it right away. Therefore, she was still here.

Two: Shi Jun had already fulfilled her wish, but even after doing so, she couldn’t leave the World of Strength. So, she had no choice but to remain.

Both possibilities were disheartening.

Everyone’s time on the Transit Island was limited. After all, the island was safe. If anyone wanted to escape the terrifying world, they could just choose to hide here.

Probably to prevent this, the Transit Island had a time limit on how long one could stay, which varied from person to person.

Newcomers who had just completed the newbie instance could rest on the Transit Island for ten days. After ten days, they had to enter a new instance.

This gave Jiang Yu more time to prepare. At least she didn’t have to venture into another instance the very next day.

However, regarding the new instance, Jiang Yu had no clues or spoilers. She didn’t know if this was the case for all newcomers or for everyone, but… she could only take it one step at a time.

That night, Jiang Yu had trouble falling asleep. For one, she had already taken a nap during the day. For another, after everything that had happened, and having just come out of the newbie instance, she wasn’t so thick-skinned as to be able to fall asleep right away. So, after tossing and turning in bed, she resigned herself to her fate, took out her phone, and opened the World of Strength’s forum.

The forum was a smorgasbord of information. Among the posts that were frequently bumped to the top were recruitment messages from various factions.

Jiang Yu clicked on one… it was a lot like guild recruitment in a game.

It included an introduction to the organization, its main focus, its atmosphere, and most importantly, its recruitment criteria.

After all, the relationship between an organization and an individual was mostly mutually beneficial. So, any organization with a bit of strength and a name for itself usually looked down on brand-new players.

Jiang Yu compared some of the organizations’ recruitment requirements with her own stats and found that she actually met the criteria.

But Jiang Yu wasn’t blinded by this. As a newcomer, she was still very cautious and didn’t rashly choose an organization to join. Instead, she continued to browse the forums and observe.

At the same time, posts warning newcomers were also bumped to the top.

For example, some organizations would recruit newcomers but also exploit them. In other words, they would provide protection, but the newcomers would have to pay a protection fee.

Other organizations were even worse. They would offer to carry newcomers through instances, but in return, the newcomers had to willingly act as disposable tools—in other words, cannon fodder.

In short, the information was varied and overwhelming.

The light from the phone illuminated Jiang Yu’s face. Her features were cool and distant, her expression unchanging. Her eyelashes would occasionally flutter, her eyes reflecting the content on the screen.

***

The next morning, Jiang Yu received a message from Lin Hui, asking if she wanted to have breakfast downstairs together.

Jiang Yu thought for a moment and didn’t refuse. After washing up, she left her room.

She happened to run into Lin Hui, who was just locking her door. Seeing Jiang Yu, her mood clearly brightened.

“Let’s go downstairs together,” Lin Hui said.

Jiang Yu nodded.

Lin Hui walked beside her. What she didn’t say was that she had actually expected Jiang Yu to refuse, since she had done so the previous night.

Plus, after leaving the newbie instance, Lin Hui could sense a distance and a barrier from Jiang Yu. So, she wasn’t sure if the friendship forged through a life-and-death experience would be enough to move her.

But fortunately, Jiang Yu had agreed.

The two of them sat in the dining area on the first floor. They both got their food from the buffet and found an empty table.

There were many people in the dining area who were similar to them.

Jiang Yu’s gaze swept over them lightly. Without needing to look closely, she could tell.

They were all the same.

They were all newcomers.

The feeling they exuded was unmistakable.

Like newborn lambs.

On the Transit Island, the difference between a newcomer and a veteran was glaringly obvious.

During the meal, Lin Hui discussed the contents of the handbook with Jiang Yu.

Jiang Yu didn’t remain silent, discussing it with her in a low voice.

Lin Hui asked, “Do you want to find an organization to join?”

Jiang Yu had to admit that she was the cautious, almost timid type. She wouldn’t rashly join an organization without being sure if it was good or bad.

Even though Jiang Yu knew that joining an organization or faction could bring her many benefits.

Lin Hui was a little hesitant. “Actually, I’m thinking of joining one.”

Jiang Yu listened quietly, not offering an opinion.

Lin Hui: “Because if newcomers like us, who don’t know anything, go into instances alone, the chances of something bad happening might be even greater. If we have the protection and guidance of an organization, maybe… maybe we’ll have more options.”

Jiang Yu asked, “Are you talking about… finding someone to carry you through instances?”

Lin Hui looked a little embarrassed but still nodded.

“I saw on the forums that some organizations, in order to recruit or train newcomers, will offer to accompany them through their first three instances.”

Jiang Yu was noncommittal.

She had indeed seen that yesterday, but… she wasn’t sure.

How could one tell if an organization was genuinely trying to help newcomers or if it had ulterior motives?

Jiang Yu didn’t think she could outsmart a malicious organization at her current stage, so she was more inclined to go it alone.

Lin Hui asked carefully, “Are you not planning on joining an organization?”

Jiang Yu nodded. “That’s the idea.”

“But have you thought about what would happen if you enter an instance and happen to run into another organization carrying their newcomers? Wouldn’t you be in a bad spot then?”

Lin Hui had a point. It was something Jiang Yu had considered before, but…

Jiang Yu frowned slightly. “Actually, there’s danger everywhere here.” That wasn’t the only one.

Lin Hui sighed. “So you’re not changing your mind?”

Jiang Yu paused and took a sip of her congee. “Not necessarily. If I find a suitable organization, I’d be open to joining.”

Hearing this, Lin Hui unconsciously relaxed, and a smile appeared on her face. “That’s great, then. We can look for an organization together, and then we can join together. That way, we can go through the new instances together.”

The newcomer handbook mentioned that one could buy a certain binding item in the system store, which would ensure that the holders of the item would enter the same instance.

Jiang Yu didn’t know the purpose of this item, but its function was surely not just to let veterans carry newcomers.

As the two were eating, a hesitant voice called out to them.

Lin Hui and Jiang Yu both looked over and saw the college student coming downstairs for breakfast.

The college student—that is, Li Nanmeng—was very happy. “I can’t believe I ran into you guys here!”

When dealing with outsiders, neither Lin Hui nor Jiang Yu were very talkative. But Li Nanmeng’s identity was special. She was a girl, and a teammate from the previous instance, so Lin Hui wasn’t so “unfriendly.”

“What a coincidence. You chose to stay at the newcomer hotel too.”

Li Nanmeng said, “Yeah, yeah. I couldn’t find a more suitable place, and this is much nicer than my dorm. It’s the perfect place for me.”

Lin Hui smiled but didn’t say anything more.

Li Nanmeng sat down at their table, looked at the two of them, and asked a question. “By the way, have you decided which organization you’re going to join?”