Apocalypse: Everyone Levels Up, I Return to the Time Before the Server Opened - Chapter 4

Chapter 4: I, as a Reincarnator, Have My Own Strategy!

“The anomalies and demons of this world have awakened. A storm of bloodshed is about to engulf everything!

“If no one stands up now, if we don’t grow stronger as quickly as possible, then in the future, humanity will be completely wiped out!

“Elder Xu, though I am still weak, I am willing to step forward and face the impending dangers! For the future of humanity, for a peaceful world, for personal honor, I, One Leaf Knows Autumn, am willing to lay down my life, to give everything I have, and fight against these anomalies and demons until my last drop of blood is shed!”

His voice was passionate and resolute. His expression was serious and unyielding. He seemed to be surrounded by a radiant aura, exuding a presence that commanded respect.

These words, normally, they would only be encountered after leaving the novice village and heading to the larger cities.

In his past life, a player from the novice village had exploited this information gap, thriving in the village, reaping countless benefits. Eventually, others caught on, and soon, a flood of players began imitating him.

The novice villages across the game were thrown into chaos.

Ye Qiu remembered it vividly because he had tried it himself back then. Unfortunately, by the time he attempted it, it was already too late.

The trick had been overused, and the NPCs no longer believed it.

The intelligence of these NPCs was no different from real people. They weren’t fools.

“I… only wish to do my small part for humanity, to contribute what I can,” Ye Qiu added, his tone sorrowful yet firm.

At first, Elder Xu had remained indifferent, casually sipping his wine. But as Ye Qiu’s stirring words filled the air, the elder suddenly sat up straighter. His wine flask slipped from his grasp and fell to the ground.

Finally, he stood up completely, his sharp eyes locking onto Ye Qiu.

For a long moment, he simply stared. Then, he reached out and patted Ye Qiu’s shoulder.

“Young man, though you are still weak, I can see a fire burning within you, blazing like the sun itself. Not bad, not bad…”

Ding!

[Elder Xu’s favorability towards you has increased.]

At the same time, Elder Xu pulled something out from his sleeve and solemnly handed it to Ye Qiu.

“This world is on the verge of collapse. We old folks can no longer set things right. The future… will depend on young people like you!”

Ye Qiu swiftly snatched the item from Elder Xu’s hands before he could react.

With tears in his eyes, Ye Qiu nodded firmly. “Rest assured, Elder Xu. In the face of disaster, it is my duty to act!”

Elder Xu felt something was slightly off, but upon seeing the emotion in Ye Qiu’s eyes, he dismissed the thought. Instead, he simply urged Ye Qiu to grow stronger as soon as possible.

Ye Qiu glanced at the item in his hands.

[Novice Village Golden Pass (Special Item): Grants unrestricted access to all areas within the novice village and increases favorability with NPCs.

(Note: Special items cannot be traded, dropped, or destroyed.)]

“Holy crap! A golden pass?!” Ye Qiu’s breathing quickened.

The novice village passes came in three types:

Wooden Pass (Lowest Tier): Single-use, only for entering and exiting the village gate.

Silver Pass (Mid-Tier): Usable ten times, grants access to most areas of the village but does not increase NPC favorability.

Golden Pass (Highest Tier): Unlimited use, grants free access anywhere in the village, and boosts NPC favorability.

NPC favorability was no trivial matter.

With high favorability, one could receive high-level quests, special missions, and even hidden tasks.

Moreover, interactions with NPCs could lead to unexpected developments.

It was common knowledge that players were forbidden from easily touching NPCs. Violating this rule could trigger divine punishment — a lightning strike reducing them to ashes.

Although players could resurrect, each death resulted in experience and equipment loss.

Once experience dropped to zero, the system would automatically delete the account.

When the game eventually shut down and its reality merged with the real world, such players would be utterly powerless.

They were worse off than casual players, with the highest likelihood of dying.

In his past life, some ill-mannered players had treated the game like any other, believing they could do whatever they pleased.

In the end, most met a tragic fate.

Those who survived often wished they hadn’t.

Additionally, each novice village only had one golden pass, making it incredibly rare and valuable.

Ye Qiu clipped the golden pass to his waist and confidently walked into the village.

The village paths were wide, with houses lined neatly on either side. Some villagers were even engaged in business, such as the blacksmith shop near the entrance.

Ye Qiu headed straight for it.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The blacksmith was a burly man with a muscular frame. Every time he hammered the metal, the muscles on his bronze-colored body rippled like waves.

Not only did he exude overwhelming power, but his movements also carried an artistic elegance.

Ye Qiu activated Heavenly Eye to inspect him.

[Character: Zhang Tie (Blacksmith)]

[Class: None]

[Subclass: Forgemaster]

[Level: 10】

“Uncle, do you need any help?” Ye Qiu eagerly approached, feeling the heat of the forge wash over him.

This game had 100% realism.

Zhang Tie, the blacksmith, paused his work and glanced at Ye Qiu.

He was initially surprised, wondering how Ye Qiu had entered the village. But upon noticing the golden pass at his waist, his doubts vanished.

The villagers trusted Elder Xu completely. If Elder Xu granted someone the golden pass, it meant unquestionable approval.

Ding!

[Blacksmith Zhang Tie’s favorability towards you has increased.]

“Heh, kid, you’re still too weak to help with much, but…” Zhang Tie began.

Before he could finish, a system notification appeared.

Ding!

[Blacksmith Zhang Tie has issued a quest: Mine 10 iron ores and deliver them to Zhang Tie. Accept?]

“Accept!”

The moment Ye Qiu accepted, another notification popped up.

Ding!

[Your favorability with Blacksmith Zhang Tie has reached 70. You have triggered a hidden reward.]

Ding!

[Blacksmith Zhang Tie has taught you the Mining Skill. Would you like to learn it?]

“Yes!”

Ye Qiu was overjoyed.

He knew that aside from favorability, the biggest factor behind these special rewards was his exceptional Luck stat.

Of course, Mining wasn’t exactly a rare skill.

Most players would learn it before leaving the novice village.

But right now, the game had only been running for a little over ten minutes!

Being one step ahead meant always staying ahead.

And this seemingly ordinary quest… held deeper secrets.

As a reincarnator, Ye Qiu was already well-versed in the hidden mechanics.

This time, he would not miss a single opportunity!