Ever since the outbreak of World War VI, the devastated Blue Star had met total destruction. The surviving humans migrated into space, officially ushering in the Interstellar Era.
In Year 123 of the Interstellar Era, the Human Genetic Reform Project failed, causing irreversible genetic defects in the human genome. Reproduction became extraordinarily difficult, and the global population plummeted, prompting the Interstellar Federal Government to officially abolish the death penalty.
However, to crack down on criminal behavior and maintain administrative order, the Federal Government created a penal reform system specifically for serious offenders, naming it the “Desperate Realm.”
Convicted felons were fitted with mental shackles to seal their mental power, after which their consciousnesses were plunged into the penal reform system. They were cast into various desperate realms to serve their sentences and endure punishment within brutal virtual worlds.
Meanwhile, their physical bodies were placed into cryopods for cryogenic stasis. Only after completely clearing their Sin Value and completing their reform could they regain their freedom.
...
【Inmate Name: Ye Li】
【Gender: Female】
【Age: 19】
【Crime Rank: S-Rank】
【Sin Value: 17,748】
【Commencing psychological evaluation of the inmate...】
...
Inside a stark white space, a cold, mechanical voice chimed continuously.
Ye Li sat cross-legged on the floor, leaning back casually on her hands. She tilted her head slightly, studying the personal data projected on a light screen hovering in midair.
Her delicately sculpted face betrayed not the slightest tremor of emotion. There was neither confusion over her current predicament nor terror regarding the impending punishment. Instead, within her slightly upturned dark eyes flickered a spark of eager anticipation.
That was right—she was a serious felon about to be cast into the Desperate Realm to serve her sentence.
A mental body drifting in system space!
【Inmate's current psychological state: Normal.】
【Commencing recital of Desperate Realm rules.】
【Rule 1: The primary objective of the Desperate Realm is penal reform. By subjecting inmates to physical and psychological punishment in harsh environments, it aims to transform criminal mindsets and facilitate rehabilitation. Therefore, the inmate is required to adopt a proper attitude and actively cooperate with the reform process.】
【Rule 2: Once a Desperate World is generated, the inmate cannot terminate it in any form before meeting the penal criteria. However, out of humanitarian concern, a glimmer of hope exists within every Desperate World, allowing the inmate an opportunity to escape and survive!】
A glimmer of hope?
The corners of Ye Li’s lips curled in amusement. Light danced within her narrowed eyes, instantly breathing vivid life into her previously languid, indifferent expression.
【Rule 3: Within a Desperate World, the inmate must maintain the persona of their assigned virtual character, without revealing their true identity or acting with reckless abandon. Violators will be deemed to have failed their sentence, and their Sin Value will be increased accordingly.】
【Recital of rules concluded. Does the inmate have any objections?】
“None.”
Her slightly aloof voice rang out without the slightest hesitation. Beneath her calm, steady tone, one could even catch the faint crackle of excitement.
【Generating Desperate World. Countdown: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...】
As the system’s voice fell silent, a brilliant white light suddenly burst before Ye Li’s eyes.
Immediately following, everything around her—including her own form—dissolved into streams of shimmering sand, rushing toward the white light at breakneck speed...
Until at last, even her consciousness melted into nothingness...
Rate on N.U.
