Master the Abyss, starting from an apprentice priest.

Chapter 358 Public beta starts!
Morning of February 768, 2 in the Tianqi calendar.

Fanor Continent, Nolan Empire.

Songyuan Territory, Hongfeng City, inside the church.

In the bishop's throne, Luo Xiu, who was sitting on the edge of the bed, had already opened his game panel.

On this day, he had already dealt with all church affairs in advance and came to the bishop's throne, waiting excitedly for the moment to come -

The countdown is decreasing second by second, and the official launch of the [Public Beta] is getting closer and closer.

[Public beta start time: 4 seconds...]

[Public beta start time: 3 seconds...]

[Public beta start time: 2 seconds...]

[Public beta start time: 1 seconds...]

[——Open beta starts! ]

[This public beta is a public billing test - duration: 365 days]

[“NPC exclusive template” has been enabled! ]

【…】

【“World Channel” is now open! 】

【“Player Forum” is now open! 】

[“Apocalypse Mall” is now open! ]

【…】

[Current number of "Adventers": 9987823]

【Traveler in a foreign land——】

【Welcome to the world of "God's Destiny"...】

【…】

……

Apocalypse world, Fanor continent.

Nolan Empire, outside Red Maple City.

Thousands of figures appeared on the gravel plain like projections.

The spiritual threads with white light swirled, entangled and intertwined, and the originally illusory, translucent body gradually solidified and was gradually "stitched" into a complete body like a puppet.

Soon, they became like normal people.

Their originally lifeless eyes soon lit up and began to look around them.

……

"Hey hey! I'm back again!"

Someone in the crowd shouted, and the other "Adventers" around him looked at him and threw detection signals at him.

That is the player with the id "Thomas the Tank Engine".

Unlike the players around him, he did not have the ignorance and confusion of a new player. His eyes were full of determination, and he looked towards the outline of the Red Maple City wall not far away.

He was familiar with the outlines of the walls of the frontier fortress.

For internal beta testers like Thomas, there was a special option when they first loaded the "public beta test" - [Do you want to select the 'internal beta test landing point' as the public beta test landing point? ], and Thomas chose yes without hesitation.

As a noble "beta test player", Thomas has been looking forward to the opening of the public beta test almost every day for nearly half a month since the end of the beta test.

In the real world where Thomas is, a total of twelve days have passed from the end of the internal beta to the start of the public beta.

Because of the excellent response from players in the last internal beta test of "God's Fate", this game, which has not been promoted much, has suddenly become surprisingly popular. Many players in other gaming fields have also turned their attention to it and have high expectations for the upcoming "public beta" of this game.

According to unreliable sources, the number of players who seem to be willing to participate in the public beta of "God's Destiny" has reached nearly 30 million!
However, the number of players who are actually likely to join the public beta may be less than half of this number - because one of the necessary conditions for playing "God's Fate" smoothly is to purchase a somatosensory cabin developed by "next-generation black technology". Even if the real world is already the end of the 21st century, this expensive immersive game cabin is relatively niche.

But this has nothing to do with Thomas. Seeing that all major platforms have set off a wave of discussions on "God's Destiny", Thomas just feels happy.

I feel excited to be out of the circle.jpg
During the twelve days of waiting for the public beta to start, Thomas also followed the official account of [Next Generation Black Technology] on major platforms every day, not missing any advance news about "God's Destiny".

According to the staff of [Next Generation Black Technology].

Regarding the public beta of "God's Destiny", it is not a repeat of the internal beta, but has a brand new main storyline.

It seems that the in-game time of the "public beta" is after the "closed beta". As for the rest, the staff did not disclose more.

"I wonder how many days have passed in the game compared to the last time... Also, is our main quest still 'Judgment War'?"

Thomas was thinking all this as he walked towards Red Maple City.

At the same time, he also opened the game panel to find out what differences there were in the "public beta" compared to the internal beta.

The panel functions that existed during the internal test, such as "Player Forum", "World Channel", "Character Panel" and "Task Panel", have been retained during the public beta.

Thomas first opened his own character panel and looked at the few contents.

【Thomas the Tank Engine (lv.1, Advent)】

[Race: Human]

[Rank: Enlightened]

[Health: 50/50, Mana: 25/25]

[Physical Attack: 10, Spell Attack: 10, Defense Reduction: 5]

[Attributes: Strength 5, Constitution 5, Agility 5, Wisdom 5, Divinity 5, Perception 5, Resistance 5, Luck 5]

[First destiny: None]

[Main occupation: None]

[Destiny Skills (0/8): None]

[Professional Skills (0/8): None]

[Character Specialties: None]

[Status: None]

【…】

"Knew it……"

Thomas pondered, "Sure enough, after the public beta, my internal beta data was cleared... But it doesn't matter, I still remember the necessary procedures for promotion to Extraordinary."

"First, you need to enter the Red Maple City Fortress. Then find the church, find the clergy there, apply to join the church and become a 'Church Patrol'. With your merits, you can exchange for a copy of the knowledge of the [Glorious] engraving technique... Well, that's it for now."

He quickly glanced through his character panel and then closed it. He had already made a series of plans in his mind for his early promotion to the extraordinary level. At the same time, his eyes fell on another part of the game panel.

The UI interface has not changed much from the internal test, but there is one more eye-catching content...

——【Apocalypse Mall】!
这是唯一新增的面板功能，托马斯刚点进去，落入他眼中的第一张界面便是几个刻入DNA的数字——【6r】、【30r】、【98r】、【198r】、【328r】、【648r】……

——That’s the recharge system!
Compared with the internal test, "God's Destiny" has finally released the recharge interface!
In Thomas's impression, as an "online game"...even in 2077, "paying money" is an indispensable part of online games.

Thomas was more or less a mid-spending player in other games, so he wasn't too opposed to the fact that "God's Destiny" had a recharge interface. He was more curious about what he could redeem in the "Apocalypse Mall" with the "Apocalypse Points" he earned from recharging.

He then opened the "Apocalypse Mall" on one side and saw several "products" that had been put on the shelves.

——【Instant Resurrection Scroll (6r/30r/98r, limited to 3 per week)】

——【Free Points Pack (30r, limited to 1 per week)】

——【Basic Experience Pack (30r, limited to 1 per week)】

——【……】——【“Glorious Inscription” Skill Knowledge (available for purchase after 29 days and 23 hours)】,

——[“Supreme Inscription” Skill Knowledge (available for purchase after 29 days and 23 hours)]

——[“Intellectual Inscription” skill knowledge (available for purchase after 29 days and 23 hours)];
——[……]

[Apocalypse Mall] The number of purchasable items currently available is not large.

Thomas took a rough look and found that most of them were props to help players improve their tolerance for mistakes, as well as skills and knowledge that were not yet available for purchase.

There are also some weekly limited gift packs such as "Free Points Pack" and "Basic Experience Pack", which can obtain 3 free attribute points and 1000 basic experience points respectively, which can significantly improve the initial game experience of novice players.

Considering the prices at the end of the 3st century, the price of this kind of gift pack was not considered high - Thomas jumped directly to the payment page, clicked the krypton gold button with a slip of his hand, and obtained 1000 free points and basic experience points.

Put all 3 free attribute points directly into [Constitution], and temporarily store the newly acquired 1000 basic experience points.

As for the "Resurrection Scroll", "Life Potion" and "Mana Potion", Thomas has no desire to buy them for the time being. He is rather curious about the initial skills and knowledge of several destinies, but they are not available for purchase. This should be the content launched by "God's Destiny" to take care of new players who join the game later.

After almost figuring out the [Apocalypse Mall], Thomas closed the panel.

"By the way, does anyone know anyone around Red Maple City during this public beta?"

Thinking of this, Thomas looked towards the players around him.

At this moment, the players who had just "landed" around were wearing a full set of tattered refugee suits, just like during the internal testing period.

When Thomas looked at them for the first time, a familiar feeling suddenly came to him——

Some of the players who had just "arrived" had already stripped off their outer clothes and trousers, and were pulling at their own trousers, shouting in anger and grief:
"Why can't you take off your pants in this game?"

"..."

I dreamed of my family members returning to the internal beta test... Thomas looked at the group of players who were still trying hard, and his memories drifted back to the beginning of the internal beta test, when several players also made familiar movements.

No longer paying attention to the futile attempts over there, Thomas continued walking towards the direction of Red Maple City. At the same time, he opened the "Player Forum" and took a look. The discussions there were already very lively.

[Iron Pot Stewed Big Goose]: Who knows, who stole the ID of 'Iron Pot Stewed Big Goose'?

【Iron pot stewed crocodile】: @Iron pot stewed goose

【Goose stewed in iron pot】:?

[Iron Pot Stewed Goose]: I'll pay 50, let me exchange your ID
[Zero negative review hang glider]: I just started playing this game. What should I do at the beginning?
【撅斗王ING】: For beta testers, it is recommended that new players first find a nearby town and then ask the local guard to challenge them to a duel...

【Bush Gomen】: No, buddy
[Shut Up]: Funny analysis: "Bush Gomen" and "not brother" are homophones. The former is a standard Western name, while the latter is a Chinese greeting with an ironic tone. This is a perfect combination of Chinese and Western cultures through "homophonics", which is witty and humorous and makes people laugh...

Bush Gomen: Shut up, thank you.

【……】：……

……

It's a familiar smell... Thomas nodded contentedly and then closed the panel.

At this time, he and several players had walked some distance, and the outline of the Red Maple City Fortress had become clear in Thomas' eyes.

As Thomas saw the outline of the fortress, he also saw the smoke rising not far away and heard the sound of horse hooves.

The clergymen wearing clerical robes and riding on white horses were galloping towards Thomas and his companions, and Thomas seemed to recognize the "leader" among them - that was the "guide priest" Colen!
This guide priest hasn't changed much from what I remember. It seems that... the time of "open beta" and "closed beta" should be close? Then "Judgment War" may still be the main plot of Fanol Continent...

Thomas couldn't hide his excitement when he saw Columbus coming on horseback, and Columbus soon rode up to Thomas.

……

"you……"

Glancing up and down at Thomas, the "Guide Pastor" Colen showed a look of surprise and doubt on his face, and asked Thomas in a tone of verification:
"You're 'Thomas'?"

"...?"

Thomas was stunned.

Does he recognize me?

"Guiding Pastor" Colen... He actually recognized me?
In a trance, Thomas seemed to realize.

The modeling I used in the "public beta" is almost the same as that used in the "internal beta".

The "public beta" may not have completely deleted the "internal beta" version of myself. These NPCs in the game "God's Destiny", such as the "guiding priest" Colen in front of him, obviously still remember me!

This is God's Fate... this is the true "reality" of this game!
This made Thomas feel very excited.

"Yes, it's me." Thomas nodded, looked at the pastor in front of him, and said:
"Long time no see, Colum."

"——I'm Thomas the Tank Engine."

"..."

After Thomas finished speaking.

As if he had received the correct signal, the "Guide Pastor" Colen nodded, dismounted, came to Thomas, and said:
"It's you, Thomas."

His voice was trembling a little, and Thomas could tell that Colen was trying his best to control his emotions.

"A month ago, you suddenly disappeared... Everyone in the church was very worried about you, but... Fortunately, I'm glad you're okay."

"Welcome back, Thomas."

"The church still retains your residence and ministry. However, according to the bishop's instructions, you may need to check and recuperate first, and then undergo some necessary rehabilitation before you can resume your duties."

"..."

"it is good."

Thomas nodded somewhat dazedly.

And the moment he nodded.

Right in front of Thomas, his panel popped up at the same time, revealing new content!
——That is the returning [Main Quest]!
【…】

[Main Quest: Judgment War (?? Difficulty)]

[Recommended level: lv.1~lv.100, first level of destiny and above]

[Task Type: Main Mission]

[Mission Description: At the end of the 767th year of the Apocalypse, the cavalry of the "Dark Principality" broke through the border of the Nolan Empire, and the Dark Duke officially declared war on the Nolan Empire.

And you, "Thomas the Tank Engine".

You have experienced and participated in this long war, and it is still not over.

It has reached a certain point, and you returned at the right time - even though you are no longer the same body as before, your soul is still there, and your will has never changed. 】

[Main quest guide: Choose your camp (completed. Current camp: Nolan Empire, Holy Court, Red Maple City Church)]

[Automatically generate mission targets based on the current camp. The current camp is "Nolan Empire, Holy Court, Red Maple City Church"]

[Phase 1 Mission Objective: Assist the "Nolan Empire" army to resist the invasion of the "Dark Principality"]

[Second stage mission objective: Assist the "Nolan Empire" army to capture the "Dark Principality" territory]

[Third stage mission objective: Assist the "Nolan Empire" army to destroy the "Dark Principality"]

[Main Mission Notes: Killing enemy units and successfully assisting your own team in completing specific goals will earn you mission points (the final mission completion reward will be calculated based on the completion of the stage mission goals and the number of points earned)]

[Current mission points: 342]

【完成奖励一览：基础经验+120000+、专属命途随机技艺*1~3、专属命途随机技能*1~3、专属命途随机专长*1~3、技艺槽位*3~10、技能槽位*3~10……视任务目标的完成度结算……】

【…】

……

(End of this chapter)