The first batch of Adventurers to challenge the Blacklight Chapter progressed at a similar pace because they entered the Secret Realm at roughly the same time.
After completing the main storyline, hundreds of Adventurers had different plans for the remaining time.
Some Adventurers searched for side quests, some went to clear out Black Watch strongholds, and of course many Adventurers were interested in Manhattan itself. They spent the rest of their time exploring the streets and learning about the local culture.
Hundreds of Adventurers meant hundreds of crystal screens.
Through different perspectives and screens, they displayed the prosperity and liveliness of New York.
According to Leon Lake's setting for the Blacklight virus, the initial strain had some airborne transmission capability. As a result, the virus had already spread throughout Manhattan, prompting the rapid deployment and control of Black Watch forces.
Although the arrival of the military made the city atmosphere somewhat tense, the disaster had not yet fully erupted at this stage. Adventurers could still visit lively parks, shopping malls, squares, and streets.
"This is truly amazing!"
The dwarf Kimba exclaimed with wide eyes.
"I can't believe a city this spectacular and massive could exist!"
The flower fairy Iris also said,
"Yes! I feel like this city might have nearly ten million people. That's almost equivalent to some small or medium-sized kingdoms on the Chaos Continent!"
Let alone villagers from small tribes.
Even Nancilia from Holy Tree City was equally amazed.
She said,
"The city created by the Lord, called New York, is not just large in scale. It also has incredibly rich details. Even a small roadside shop is carefully designed!"
This was not surprising.
The map scenes of Prototype were originally recreated from the New York area, with landmarks, streets, and even shops perfectly restored.
Leon Lake expanded the scale even further.
It looked like a real city.
But thinking that such a vast and prosperous city would face disaster within twenty days and descend into chaos, becoming an apocalyptic city...
They couldn't help but feel regret.
At the same time, they were curious about how the entire process would unfold.
Iris, Nancilia, and the others were not focused on Adventurers like Black Stone Hammer King who were constantly fighting and exploring.
Instead, they were very interested in another type of Adventurer.
These players did not rely on brute force or reckless behavior. After completing the prologue's main quest, they didn't search for side quests or hunt Black Watch soldiers for points. Instead, they earned some money and went into the city to experience life.
Eating steak, burgers, shopping, and trying new things.
During this process, they discovered many interesting and novel experiences.
However, they also encountered a problem.
"We tested it."
"The Alex we control has lost interest in ordinary food."
"He never feels normal hunger or thirst. Even if he forces himself to eat, he has no sense of taste. His other senses are also very different from ordinary humans. Although this body is powerful, he is no longer human."
They found it somewhat disappointing.
Behind the scenes, Leon Lake also noticed these types of Adventurers.
They were likely traveler-type, casual, and experience-oriented players.
These people enjoyed exploring various unique and interesting life experiences.
They were less interested in fighting, killing, fame, or wealth. When they discovered that the Blacklight prologue allowed them to experience the world's collapse before the disaster fully unfolded, they became fascinated and started exploring.
However, there was one problem.
Alex was not an ordinary human.
This body could not fully enjoy the world.
Moreover, although the disaster had not yet erupted, the world of Prototype still lacked a certain sense of everyday life.
Leon Lake believed these Adventurers would be more suited to games like GTA, open-world experiences like Zelda or Red Dead Redemption, or various casual simulation games.
With such a group of Adventurers, these types of Secret Realms would definitely have a market in the future.
Adventurers didn't necessarily have to fight constantly.
As long as they found a Secret Realm that suited their style and fully immersed themselves in it, their spirit essence would integrate quickly and their cultivation would increase.
In other words:
If an Adventurer truly enjoys a casual experience from the bottom of their heart—
Even if they spend the entire day exploring food in the Secret Realm, sunbathing on Hawaiian beaches, playing cards, flirting, or planting crops on a farm...
They can still increase their cultivation.
They can still grow stronger.
The growth rate of the best among them might not even be inferior to combat-oriented Adventurers.
---
The first test of the Blacklight Chapter had ended.
The first batch of Adventurers exited the Secret Realm.
Among them, Black Stone Hammer King rampaged across the map, destroying three Black Watch strongholds, killing more than thirty soldiers, and destroying eight military vehicles.
His final reward was:
[Your adventure has ended.]
[Secret Realm Evaluation: B+]
[You obtained: M320 Grenade Launcher]
[New equipment unlocked. Contribution Points +200]
[Achievement obtained: M320 Grenade Launcher Medal]
"Equipment dropped!"
"New equipment!"
Black Stone Hammer King was overjoyed.
He hadn't expected to be so lucky.
In Miracle City, equipment drops usually required at least a B- evaluation, and first-time drops were extremely rare.
He immediately checked the equipment information.
M320 Grenade Launcher
Gray Upper Grade
Fixed Damage +25
Cultivation Amplification +3%
Ammo Capacity: 1
Durability: 10/10
Attached Skills:
• Auto Reload
• Multiple Ammo Types
"Good equipment!"
"This weapon is a little special."
"Although the M320 can be used independently, its combat effectiveness is limited because it only holds one round and reloads slowly."
"But it can also be attached to an M16 Assault Rifle."
"This compensates for the rifle's firepower weakness and increases tactical options."
Other Adventurers were also pleasantly surprised.
The M320 could fire four types of ammunition:
• High Explosive Rounds
• Fragmentation Rounds
• Smoke Grenades
• Illumination Rounds
High explosive and fragmentation rounds were powerful enough to kill Tier-2 enemies and even threaten Tier-3 enemies.
Wind in Sleep commented,
"The M320 is Gray Upper Grade equipment, but when combined with an M16, the two weapons together could rival White-grade equipment."
Miracle City equipment was already high quality.
Even a regular M16 was more useful than most White equipment.
Using both weapons together greatly increased their value..
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