Chapter 5：The Choice of Fate

Da Fei returned to the dormitory carrying a large box, then he carefully configured the machine step-by-step according to the instructions. He connected the backup power supply, connected the holographic helmet, then took a bath and smoked a cigarette—every time he bought a lottery ticket, Da Fei would lit an incense, take a bath, and pray. This was a new beginning for Da Fei's career, it was necessary to attach great importance to it!

He had never won a lottery after so many years of buying. He had accumulated so much moral over the years, it should be enough to break the records. People, unlike trees, thrived on change. This time, if he could not get a Godly Hero worth ten million, he should at least be able to get a hero worth a few thousand, right? He did not ask for much. As long as it covered the cost of the lottery.

In the game, the first ten levels were the beginner stage. Running errands and completing missions in the main city. Progressing steadily with a small number of low-level troops rewarded through simple missions. It was different for the lottery. The beginning place was usually very remote. It was okay. Da Fei was prepared.

12:12:12. Now was the auspicious time!

Enter the game!

—System Message: Great hero, welcome to the Hero Continent in China. Please register your name!

Hero Genesis was divided into seven independent service areas in North America, European Union, Russia, India, China, Japan, and South Korea. Each service area was called Hero Continent. Except for the different maps, the game was almost the same for players in each service area. Seven service areas then connected a super service area, New World! Players from all countries could meet here. The New World was also known as the National War Zone, where all the players' were ignited in Hero Genesis!

The official advertisement material was very simple. It was a huge planet similar to Earth surrounded by seven much smaller Earths. These seven small Earths were the seven service areas. The big Earth in the middle was the New World. Of course, the main idea of Hero Genesis was the seven old worlds declared war on the New World.

—Name: Da Fei!

—System Message: Name available! Registration successful! The Hero Continent includes three Light factions: Templar, Elf, and Dwarf; three Dark factions: Undead, Orc, and Demon; and the Neutral faction of the Mage College that cannot be selected under normal circumstances. Each newborn hero can choose his own hero abilities and an initial hero skill. Please select your faction and hero ability! Alternatively, choose Random Lottery!

—Random Lottery!

The abilities open for players selection are all common abilities that are not worth much! This is what I'm betting on!

—System Message: Hero! Are you sure you want to let your destiny be handled by the gods?

Yes! My fate will be decided by the heavens, not by me!

—System Message: Hero! Please wait for the choice of fate!

A white light flashed, and a tall, handsome, well-built man with a wooden gun appeared in front of him! Alright, that was the default human male system configuration according to the player's real age! Da Fei could not wait to open the attribute panel. He held his breath!

A symbol that he had never seen before! It was not a common skill!

What was this strange sailing boat symbol? Could it be a nautical skill? Da Fei felt uncomfortable and hurried to check!

—Storm Voyager: The safety of the hero's fleet increases when sailing in a severe storm. (Note: The prerequisite is that the hero needs to have a large Galleon with good wave-resistance. The hero needs to meet a certain level of reputation in order to be eligible to purchase the large Galleon at the shipyard.)

Da Fei was stunned!

Non-combat ability was not worth much! If he had gotten a random low-level military ability, a public skill ability, or a business ability, he would at least feel more at ease. The problem was, what was it with giving him an ability that depended on the weather? And he had to have a large Galleon. How much did a Galleon cost? He even needed reputation in order to buy it? The point was, with this ability, should he wish for a storm or for there not to be wind? This was a preventive ability, not a beneficial ability. Was it trying to piss him off?

—System Message: Hero's ability selection completed. Please use the remaining one skill point to select hero skill. For your initial development, it is recommended that the hero's first skill matches your hero's ability!

Da Fei finally came to himself and sighed deeply! This was fate! Fate wanted him to set his mind to earn gold by sailing boats! His ability enabled seacraft to avoid the threat from the weather. The other Pirate Naga and whatnots would be up to him!

That's right. He was old enough. He did not have the time to kill and fight with the little kids. Earning gold was the way! Without hesitating, Da Fei added the free skill point to a public skill ability—nautical skill!

—System Message: You received a free beginner's nautical skill book from the System! When you receive skill points, you may upgrade your nautical skills level using the skill book, or learn side skills recorded in the book.

—System Message: You have learned Elementary Nautical Skill!

—Elementary Nautical Skill: The speed of the hero's seacraft will increase by 20%.

Currently, Da Fei's attributes were:

Player's level: Level 1

Occupation: Pikeman (Ordinary form of Level 1 Templar. Skill: Pike, Pike Formation), Level 1 Explorer (In the game, the function of the hero skills is classified into four categories: Explorer, Commander, Lord, Scholar. Navigation is an exploration skill.)

Reputation: 0 (You are a nobody, and will not receive special missions or invitations. Killing players of the same faction or NPCs decreases your reputation.)

Command Power: 0 (The number of troops that a hero can lead. Currently unable to control any troops. Each unit has a basic command value requirement. The command value of a Level 1 soldier is 1. When the hero's command power reaches 10, you can command 10 Level 1 soldiers.)

Tactical position: 1 (The type of troops the hero can lead, as well as the number of sub-heros. Currently able to command one army, one sub-hero.)

Attack: 0 (Improve the lethality of the hero and his troops. Attack and Defense are the strategic attributes of heroes, which can affect the advancement of the whole army.)

Defense: 0 (Decrease the lethality of the hero and his troops.)

Mana: 0 (Mana can enhance the effect of hero spells.)

Knowledge: 0 (Each knowledge point can increase 10 mana to the hero.)

Life: 10 (The hero will die when killed.)

Attack Speed: Normal, 10 (10 is the standard speed, which takes reference from the attack speed of all living beings. Units with a fast attack speed are not only able to attack first but also have an increased attack frequency. For example, the attack speed of a zombie is 5, which means that the player attack frequency is twice that of zombies. The Phoenix attack speed is 20, which means that Phoenix attacks twice as often as the player.)

Movement Speed: 10 (Maximum movement speed of 10 meters per second, there is a fixed % chance of evading enemy attacks while running. The faster the running speed, the higher the chance, and the higher the stamina consumed.)

Basic Damage: 1-3 (Damage dealt to the enemy's health points.)

(Note: The damage value changes according to the difference between the Attack and Defense of both parties. When the Attack is greater than the enemy's Defense, each additional Attack point increases 5% of the damage, and each additional Defense point decreases 5% of the damage. Final damage = basic damage × (1 + Attack and Defense difference 5%); according to this formula, when the Attack is 20 points higher than the enemy's Defense, the damage is doubled! Hence, high-level soldiers are very powerful when attacking low-level soldiers.)

(Note: When Attack is lower than the enemy's Defense, the final damage = basic damage ÷ (1 + Attack and Defense difference × 5%); when Attack is lower than the enemy's Defense by 10 points, the damage dealt is only 2/3. When the Attack is lower than Defense by 20 points, the damage dealt is only 1/2. When the Attack is lower than Defense by 40 points, the damage dealt is only 1/3. Hence, it is difficult for low-level soldiers to fight against high-level soldiers. It would be difficult to even do a normal attack.)

Morale: 1 (Additional damage bonus when high morale troops attack low morale troops, and the number of deserters decreases when a battle is lost.)

Luck: 0 (There is no chance of the lucky move that doubles damage, nor will there be a doom effect that halves the damage. Each point of luck increases the chance of doubling critical strike by 1%.)

Stamina: 100 (The troops' stamina will reduce during combat or marching. When stamina is reduced to less than 10%, the Morale, Speed, and Damage of the hero will be weakened. Stamina will be 10% weaker for a period after a hero dies and resurrects. Stamina is set such that it allows a player to grind down the Stamina of a powerful enemy through a large number of weak troops to achieve self-preservation and even gain victory.)

…

After he had built his character, the screen flashed white and Da Fei appeared in a magnificent and solemn hall. A winged angel named Safiro looked at the dozens of players who were whispering questions to each other below her.

Hall of Destiny. This was where random players arrived after building their characters. They were sorted out here. Since the player chose a random skill, the starting location would also be random. However, the NPC examiner would ask the player some questions, then decide on the player's starting location based on their answer.

At this moment, white lights flashed non-stop and players continued to enter the hall. Then, the door closed with a loud bang and the whole hall suddenly dimmed. A majestic voice resounded through the hall:

—"Welcome to the Hero Continent, children of destiny. However, you are very unlucky to meet me! I hate useless people who put their destiny in others' hands, but I love the feeling of dominating others' destiny. Now, the exam begins!"

A spotlight in the dim hall shone on a player named "Evil Little White Wolf" in the crowd and dozens of players looked at the first candidate with pity in their eyes! It was already the third day of service. New players already knew how awful this examiner was. The victim in front would provide the rest of the players with valuable information about the examiner's personality so that they could give the most reliable answer.

Safiro said indifferently, "You have received God's favor and possess the ability of a Lord, but I don't think you deserve it. Answer me, what's most important to a Lord?"

All the players could not help but raise their voices in an uproar! Even the NPC said that his ability was good, then he must have made it!

Evil Little White Wolf coughed and said, "Of course, it's operating a mine."

Safiro chuckled. "An answer very suitable for your ability. Then, I will satisfy you and arrange for you to mine at the Haunted Mine Pit in the Death Mountains!"

"F**k!" With a flash of white light, Evil Little White Wolf disappeared.

Was that map a place for newcomers? Everyone's heart clenched tight. However, they couldn't help but gloat. At least now, everyone had an idea of how awful this examiner was.

The spotlight shone again on a female player named "Sudden Youth". The player was so scared she could not help but jump.

—"Another one with the Lord's ability. What's most important to a Lord?"

The female player said tentatively, "Run, run a farm…"

Safiro sneered. "An answer very suitable for your specialty!"

All the players could not help but sigh silently. How did she not learn anything from the last person?!

—"Very good, please listen to the question. There are 450 chickens and ducks on the farm. After half of the chickens are sold and 30 ducks are bought, the number of chickens is twice that of ducks. How many chickens and ducks are there? My patience is limited, answer quickly. If you can't even count, how are you qualified to be a Lord? I will arrange a suitable job for you on the farm. For example, clearing chicken manure!"

Everyone was suddenly in an uproar! They were getting tested on primary school math questions? However, who knew the answer?

Sudden Youth immediately shouted, "384 chickens and 66 ducks!"

The examiner shouted in excitement, "The answer is correct, add 10 points! With your talent, you should go where you are supposed to go!"

Everyone was in an uproar! Her mental calculations ability was too amazing! Although the question was not difficult, the difficult part was answering it so quickly!

At the same time, ten golden lights shone on the female player from the sky, and she instantly rose to Level 10! Then, in a flash of white light, she disappeared!

Everyone was shocked! You get to jump 10 levels if you answer a primary school question correctly. That was ridiculous!

Sure enough, a player shouted angrily, "Ridiculous! Unfair! Too unfair!"

The spotlight in the hall instantly focused on this young man who was in his 20s—Raging Sea of Blood! Everyone suddenly realized he was wearing a steel sword on his waist, leather armor on his body, and a thick wooden shield on his back. He was actually a shield guard! Templar Level 3 Shield Guard.

(Shield Defender: Attack 2, Defense 8, Life 20, Damage 2-5, Attack Speed 12, Speed 8, Command Value 2, Skill: Giant Shield, Shield Formation. When a player becomes a Shield Defender, the starting weapon and equipment come with personal Attack +2 and personal Defense +8. Personal Attack and Defense will not affect the troops. Command Power 2 means that 2 points of command are required to lead a shield guard.)

Wow! All the Pikemen were in an uproar! His starting stats were so good! Others started as weak pikemen with 0 Attack and Defense, 1-3 damage, 10 Life. He was a third-level soldier with 10 points more than others! And he did not think it was embarrassing to say it was unfair?

Safiro smiled coldly. "Fairness? You people who have chosen to let God decide your fates just want to take a shortcut? Are you worthy of fairness?"

Raging Sea of Blood said coldly, "I spent money to get the chance of God's choice, this is fair! As for you, you level others up randomly, that is unfair!"

Safiro laughed. "When you allow others to control your destiny, don't dream that you will be treated fairly! However, I can give you a fair chance if you have the power to grasp it!"

Raging Sea of Blood proudly said, "I let God choose because no matter what my fate is, I have the ability to rise above it! My ability is Admiral, you do what you must!" He had publicly announced his hero ability!

—Admiral: The overall combat effectiveness of the hero's army at sea increases with the hero's level.

Everyone exclaimed. "Godly Hero!!!"

The overall combat effectiveness was increased! It was not just improving Attack and Defense! Combat power included Attack, Defense, Speed, Morale and so on! Who would be able to defeat him at sea?

Da Fei's mouth gaped open! Were there that many Godly Heroes? They all bought the lottery at the same time. Why did he not have such good luck? They both had water-related abilities. Compared to his, Da Fei's was rubbish! Ridiculous! Unfair! It was not fair!

Safiro smiled coldly. "Very well, the deserted island on the farthest frontier of the empire urgently needs aspiring young guards. Go be an Admiral there!"

The white light flashed and Raging Sea of Blood disappeared!

Everyone sighed.

The spotlight flashed, and this time it stopped on Da Fei's head!

It's my turn?

Safiro said coldly, "What is your ambition?"

Da Fei's heart skipped a beat! The annoying thing seemed to be consecutively picking people with similar abilities. After the Admiral, it was his Storm Voyager's turn! However, they might have similar abilities, but he was not going to some deserted island at the frontier. He would take a job in the port in the city to gain reputation and save money to buy a Galleon!

Da Fei answered seriously, "I want to be a shipping merchant and make my own contribution to the commercial prosperity of the empire."

Safiro said evenly, "Really? The desert island of the most remote frontier of the empire urgently needs aspiring young people to develop it. Go be a shipping merchant there!"

"F**k!" A white light flashed and Da Fei disappeared!

The scene changed! Blue sea, blue sky, and seagulls flew about in the sky.

—System message: You have arrived at the beginner island, Island of Miracles!

Another person was also looking around beside him. It was Raging Sea of Blood!

(Note: Galleon sailing ship, the most mainstream large ocean sailing ship from the 16th to the 18th century in the western nautical powers. It had 4 masts, was 50 meters long and displaced 2000 tons of water. It was replaced by steamships after the Industrial Revolution. The ships in the game are of antique design.)