“What the hell??? A scam alert? The last time it pulled this kind of scam was with the report function, right?”
“It was the report function! That report function caused quite a huge joke in our partition back then!”
“Same for our partition. A bunch of people couldn't help themselves and reported Crow. They really loved sending away their supplies, hahaha.”
“Wait, isn't anyone paying attention to what this prompt is actually saying? That’s about killing the captain! Isn't that too sinister?”
“Eh... so the Hell-level dungeon mortality rate is so high because there are people stabbing each other in the back?”
“This prompt exists in Elite and Epic levels too, so the high mortality rate in Hell-level shouldn't have much to do with this. On the contrary, players capable of entering Hell-level are stronger, so the possibility of betrayal might actually be lower.”
“Regardless, what is the point of going through all this trouble? Just for some lousy core reward?”
The system ignored all the questioning and abuse, proceeding with its announcement in a routine manner:
【As mentioned earlier, this is a scam alert!】
【This special core reward is prepared solely for the captain! All teams that have changed captains are disqualified from obtaining the reward.】
It seemed to have developed a conscience, as it specifically added an explanation.
【The purpose of the scam alert is not just to increase the difficulty of the dungeon, but more importantly, to serve as a screening process. It filters out whether the players qualified for this reward truly have the corresponding ability to earn it!】
The regional channel had already been filled with complaints, but after hearing this explanation, people became even more confused.
“Is the reward actually something good? Why all these trials?”
“System, can you look at what you’re saying? Does this meager offering you’re giving really justify such scheming?”
“I feel terrible just thinking about the players who lost their lives because of this lousy prompt!”
The regional channel was clamoring, but Cheng Shuili began to ponder the purpose behind the system's actions.
What exactly is it testing? Whether one can lead a team?
Testing this...
Cheng Shuili paused, and her furrowed brows suddenly relaxed.
The core reward must be an item related to teams, right?
The most likely possibility is something that allows the creation of an organization!
Not a disorganized mess like the Dragon Lake Association or the Ruyun Association, which don't even have group chats and exist in name only without substance. Nor an organization like the official ones, which have discipline but lack powerful constraints!
In essence, only something founded by this item could be considered a true faction!
Cheng Shuili took a deep breath, her heart beginning to race with excitement.
Before she even started school, she had a very magical dream that she had no way of realizing.
This dream was very simple, but from today's perspective, it was also a very strange one.
She wanted to be an emperor.
Yes.
At the time, the little Cheng Shuili thought that being an emperor was just another profession, no different from being a scientist or a doctor.
If she had known that her adult self would become a programmer working overtime until the early hours every day, she would have hit her head against a wall and died right then and there.
This goes to show that sometimes, not knowing what the future holds is actually a good thing.
Cheng Shuili shook her head and pulled her thoughts back.
In this hellhole, while she couldn't be an emperor, being the boss was definitely not a problem! It could be considered indirectly realizing her dream, right?
But she couldn't get happy too early. The system never followed the rules, and until the reward was actually issued, no one could say for sure what the core reward really was.
Cheng Shuili's heartbeat accelerated slightly. Her gaze was locked firmly onto the system interface, waiting for the so-called “core reward” to be revealed.
The regional channel was still arguing endlessly about the system's sinister mechanics and potential rewards, with all kinds of guesses emerging one after another.
“It must be a super divine artifact! Otherwise, it wouldn't be worthy of this setup!”
“I think it’s a unique title? Let’s just call it Best Captain?”
“Best Captain? I’m not Captain America yet.”
“Could it be giving a huge sum of game coins directly, or some rare materials?”
“Your vision is too small. With the system making such a big scene, the reward must be something that can influence the entire game landscape!”
Amidst these chaotic guesses, the system's reward pop-up finally arrived. A unique window flickering with dark gold light appeared quietly in front of Cheng Shuili, carrying a sense of heavy significance.
【Congratulations, Captain “Angry Crow Takes Flight”, your team has successfully protected the integrity and trust of the team in this Hell-level team dungeon and has passed the final screening. You have obtained the core reward: Team Cornerstone · Lord’s Token!】
Lord’s Token!
As expected!
A sharp light flashed in Cheng Shuili's eyes. The thrill of having her guess confirmed even momentarily overshadowed her excitement for the reward itself.
The system was indeed paving the way for teams, or rather, factions!
She immediately clicked to view its detailed attributes.
【Team Cornerstone · Lord’s Token】
【Description: 1. Found Territory: After use, you can found a faction belonging to the user personally in the current partition!
Territory Panel: Opens an independent territory function panel, including member management, permission settings, territory warehouse, territory channel, territory tasks, and other functions.
Territory Base: Select a territory already acquired by the player as the territory base space, which can be used to hold meetings, assemble members, and store some public materials (possesses basic protective functions). Those who have not acquired a territory cannot use the Lord’s Token. After the territory usage time ends, a certain amount of materials can be consumed to extend the time!
Cohesion Aura: When more than two team members belong to the same territory, all attributes are slightly increased! (Effect increases with gang level and number of members, currently capped at 5%!)】
Cheng Shuili read every item description carefully, her breathing quickening involuntarily.
This was far more than just a simple way to “create a group” or “have a name”!
This truly provided the framework and substantive functions of an organization!
The independent channel and warehouse solved the problems of communication and resource allocation, the base provided security and a guarantee for assembly, and the Cohesion Aura was a solid increase in combat power!
The system wasn't just giving out a reward; it was handing over a key to open the door to a new era!
What it was screening for was a player who had the ability, prestige, and capacity to unite a team, and who already possessed a foundation of resources to create a new era!
And Cheng Shuili, the one who obtained the token in the Hell-level dungeon, was undoubtedly a standout among them.
Although the regional channel couldn't see Cheng Shuili's specific reward, the system announcement rang out once more. This time, it was a major notification for all regions:
【A player in the current partition has obtained the Lord’s Token, meeting the conditions for activating the faction system!】
【Starting from today, the Dragon Country’s Third Region, Partition 12 officially opens the faction function! Players meeting the conditions can explore to obtain the Lord’s Token or apply to join existing territory factions!】
Rate on N.U.
