Master the Abyss, starting from an apprentice priest.

Chapter 469 Contact (5k)

Looking at the eye-catching #Sixth World# that appeared on the panel, many guesses suddenly emerged in Luo Xiu's mind.

When he saw the existence of a third world besides the "Apocalypse World" and the "Earth", he was not actually too surprised - after all, he himself was also a time traveler.

However, the so-called "Sixth World" - does that mean that the other players who descended into the "Apocalypse World" came from at least five other worlds?
If the Earth is counted as one, there are at least four other "different worlds". Luo Xiu did not yet understand the relationship between these worlds and the "Apocalypse World", but it did not prevent him from thinking divergently.

#The Sixth World#, marked as "internal testing" in Luo Xiu's panel, and the number of people descending to this world is quite small, with only 428 people showing on the panel.

After the expeditionary force captured the city of Fafnir, a total of 32 "Sixth World" adventers were captured and detained from the "slave army".

Among them, four players had "triple destiny", while most of the others only had double destiny. Compared to the expeditionary players that he had raised since childhood, these "sixth world" players did seem a little malnourished.

When the players of the expeditionary force discovered them, someone in the chat channel said that they had discovered about sixty people.

Perhaps some of these "slave army" players escaped or went offline, but fortunately their total number is much smaller than that of the expeditionary army players. To Luo Xiu, these "sixth world" players are unlikely to cause any commotion.

Thinking about this, Luo Xiu quickly browsed through the new content that appeared on the panel, then closed the notification panel and opened a new panel instead.

He casually opened the panels of the [Player Forum] and [Chat Channel].

Because the previous notification panel showed that after the panel detected three players from the "Sixth World" in succession, the panel "connected" to their forums and channels... Luo Xiu thought about it and took a look at the newly connected forums and channels.

When he just opened the [Player Forum] and [Chat Channel] interface, the panel was still on the panel of the players in the Expeditionary Force camp, but a new icon appeared in the upper left corner.
——#First World#!

The players of the expeditionary force - or in other words, the players from "Earth" are the players of the "First World"!

Then it can be confirmed that from #First World# to #Sixth World#, there are still players from four worlds that have not been discovered...

For some reason, Luo Xiu felt a desire to explore.

But there was no way to explore anything else now, so Luo Xiu's gaze naturally fell on the #First World# logo on the panel.

At the edge of the logo, a striking red dot was flashing at the same time. Luo Xiu clicked on it and saw the #Sixth World# icon that he had just connected to.

When I clicked on it again, the entire panel suddenly turned white and quickly switched to a brand new interface.

But when Luo Xiu saw the brand new interface that switched to the panel, he was stunned——

【θδι】：ζ–ε—οηε?
【ζη】：θ“ε…η―θ!!!
【】：θ“ε…η―θ!!!
【】：……

【……】：……

"..."

……ah?

Looking at the garbled "texts" appearing in the chat channel of #Sixth World#, the expression on Luo Xiu's face became slightly frozen.

He suddenly felt like an illiterate... Perhaps if there was no such thing as a "panel", he would have felt the same way when reading most of the native texts in the Apocalypse World.

Fortunately, this body can at least recognize the main characters on the "Fanor Continent". Luo Xiu is also trying to get rid of the "panel" to learn other characters in this world, and he has made some progress.

Although he couldn't understand what these players from the "Sixth World" were talking about, Luo Xiu could still feel from the words that they talked a lot in a short period of time.

It should have started from the time when he entered the deepest part of the prison. When he was observing these players from the "Sixth World", these players were also observing him.

But they did not take any other actions for the time being - as they were in the "internal testing" state, Luo Xiu expected that there should be no more resurrection points.

They are now imprisoned here by the expeditionary force's royal guards. If they die here, they will be resurrected here, and the nature of their imprisonment will not change.

After almost finishing reading all the incomprehensible words or symbols on the panel, Luo Xiu closed the panel and walked towards the "adventurers" in the pool.

We have almost finished "observing" them, and it is time to have a "third kind of contact" with them.

As he was thinking, Luo Xiu had already arrived at the round pool where these players were imprisoned.

When Luo Xiu approached the players who were chained to the pool with heavy chains, they all showed inexplicable excitement on their faces.

"You are the bishop!"

A player almost blurted out and shouted in the direction of Luo Xiu -

In the panel, Luo Xiu indeed couldn't understand their words, but now, Luo Xiu could indeed understand what they were saying.

It's a very... wonderful feeling.

Perhaps it is because, in the panel, I am regarded as a "player", but in the real world of Apocalypse I am regarded as a native, and the "Ring of Apocalypse" has opened up simultaneous interpretation for myself?

Luo Xiu thought that he couldn't understand their words, and he had been prepared for not being able to understand what they were saying, but now it seemed... the contact with these players from the "Sixth World" was going much smoother than expected.

"indeed."

Luo Xiu looked at the player who shouted at him and responded with a smile:
"I am the bishop of the Holy Court and the bishop of the Red Maple City Church, Luo Xiu Carlos."

"I heard about you - a new group of 'Adventurers' appeared in Fafnir City, so I came to see you."

"..."

As Luo Xiu said this, he also observed that the faces of the players trapped in the pool were becoming more and more excited.

Somewhat different from the intelligence he had obtained in advance, these players did not show much hostility towards him. This might be related to his relatively gentle attitude when he came into contact with them.

What these players of the "Sixth World" are now showing more is their strong "curiosity" about themselves.

Moreover, the scene in which he killed an "Executioner" and "Song of the Elements" Euan Burroughs in mid-air over Fafnir City was more or less seen and spread by these players. They might not be afraid of the Supreme Guard Knights and Throne Knights, but facing a bishop who could kill an "Executioner" in seconds, even players would have to think twice before acting rashly.

And in their #Sixth World#'s [Player Forum] and [Chat Channel], when I was communicating with them, the number of new messages they sent in the forum and channel also increased exponentially.

They seemed to be discussing themselves intensely in the small group, and the same sentences were repeated many times - different worlds, same repeater. Unfortunately, I still couldn't understand what they were discussing.

Luo Xiu thought to himself, keeping a calm smile on his face, and soon heard a player from the "Sixth World" ask him:

"How can I join you? I want to change camp!"

The first thing this player did was to change jobs, and the other players around him also echoed him.

"indeed,"

"really."

"I can't stay in this crappy principality any longer!"

"..."

They want to switch sides.

Luo Xiu could understand them very well - the players who chose the "Dark Principality" camp in their previous lives did not do very well indeed.

Moreover, the situation of the Judgment War is now quite clear. Although switching camps to the "Nolan Empire" will clear the progress of the main quest, you can at least get a guaranteed reward for completing the main quest.

But... they should have told the Supreme Knights who came to interrogate them before? But most of the Supreme Knights rejected them and still treated them as dangerous prisoners.

Under the expectant gazes of the players from the "Sixth World", Luo Xiu thought quickly in his mind and responded to them immediately:
"We do welcome all those who have 'lost their way back'. However, I really can't believe you now."

"Until now, you are still enemies. Moreover, many of your accomplices are still on the run, hiding in various corners of Fafnir City. I will not make a decision lightly."

"..."

As Luo Xiu said this, he was also observing the reactions of these "Sixth World" players.

As expected, expressions of disappointment appeared on their faces, and several players had already begun to stir, as if they felt that the "negotiations had broken down" and were preparing to take hostile actions against them.

Luo Xiu has observed this.

He looked at the nearest player, whose ID was "Halmonu" as detected by the panel, and a golden light flashed in his eyes.

In just an instant, half of "Halmunu's" mana was lost.

All the skills in his skill slot were "sealed" at the same time, becoming unusable.
——"The Soul-Captivating Holy Eyes"!
Before the players with ill intentions took action, Luo Xiu had already "watched" them and blocked their actions in advance.

The player with the ID "Halmonu" did want to launch a tentative attack on "Bishop" Luo Xiu, hoping to escape from the prison.

But before he could start the action, all the skills in the skill bar turned gray! This shocked Halmnu so much that the attack he had just prepared suddenly waned. In the [Chat Channel] of #Sixth World#, a bunch of new messages were refreshed instantly. Luo Xiu saw them all. Although he didn't know what they were discussing, the center must be around him.

Looking at the reactions of the players in the pool, Luo Xiu was satisfied.

They do create “deterrence” – which is the first step.

Luo Xiu then changed the subject and said to them:
"I need your proof."

"Prove that the 'value' you can create for us is greater than the 'danger' you bring."

While saying this, Luo Xiu had quickly prepared a task and distributed it to the players in front of him.

That was a task about "switching camps" -

[Commissioned Mission: Proof of Loyalty (Normal Difficulty)]

[Recommended level: lv.1]

[Task type: commissioned task]

[Mission Description: You have submitted a request to join the Red Maple City Expeditionary Force - "Bishop" Luo Xiu Carlos.

The "bishop" did not agree, but did not refuse either.

He has submitted a commission to you - you need to prove that your "value" to the Empire's expeditionary force outweighs your "risk", prove that you are worthy of trust and have burning loyalty.

[You need to find and know what is "value" and what is "loyalty". ]

【…】

[Mission objective: Pass the test given to you by "Bishop" Luo Xiu Carlos.]

[Completion Reward: Basic Experience +3000, Luo Xiu·Carlos Favorability +10%, leave the "Dark Principality - Slave Army" camp and join the "Nolan Empire - Red Maple City" camp. ]

【…】

Luo Xiu quickly wrote the task, and the moment he responded to the players' words, he distributed the task to all the players present.

……

As Luo Xiu observed, excitement appeared on the faces of these players at the same time.

——They did find a way to switch sides!

Many players had already given up on the game due to the poor development experience of the Dark Principality faction. The remaining players actually stayed for the ultra-realistic gaming experience. When a faction transfer task like [Proof of Loyalty] finally appeared on their panels, they suddenly felt that their hard work had paid off.

"how to prove?"

"What do we need to do?"

The players of the "Sixth World" asked the "Bishop" Luo Xiu one after another.

Their reaction was exactly what Luo Xiu wanted to see, so he nodded and said with a smile:

"We have just occupied Fafnir City. Some remnants of the Dark Army are still hiding in the city. A small number of defeated troops have also escaped from the city and are evacuating to other fortresses or towns in Fafnir Territory."

"If you really want to join us, then hunt them down, kill Black Fang or Fang Head, and bring back their heads."

“This is one of the tests.”

After saying this first point, Luo Xiu paused and continued:

"And the second test - I know that there are many 'Adventers' like you. No matter what method you use, I need you to find them, bring them here, and persuade them to leave the Principality and join us."

"Only these two points. If you agree, I can arrange for you to leave the prison. Within our sight, you can regain your freedom of movement."

"..."

After saying that, Luo Xiu didn't say anything more. He just kept smiling and waited for the responses from the players in front of him.

They quickly chatted a lot in the [Chat Channel]. Luo Xiu still couldn't understand the process of their discussion, but what he could understand was that the "bodies" they controlled seemed to be nodding subconsciously.

Soon, the first Adventer said:
"I accept this."

Then, the second, third, and even more than a dozen "Adventers" responded:
"I accept."

"I accept that too."

"..."

"Very good." Luo Xiu nodded with a smile.

They did accept the olive branch they had extended, and recruiting these players from the "Sixth World" was the first step.

"In that case, I look forward to your performance in the future."

Luo Xiu finally said to them.

……

After that, Luo Xiu did not stay any longer and turned to walk out of the prison.

This is enough for your first contact.

Luo Xiu actually had some other things he wanted to know, such as about the "Sixth World". Maybe he could learn something from constant communication with them, but there was no rush.

We can wait until these players from the "Sixth World" actually join the Empire camp and the expeditionary force.

That was also time for both sides to digest the new information. And Luo Xiu also needed to make some arrangements for the players who were "released".

He quickly left the deepest part of the prison. A rumbling sound came from behind him, which was the sound of the heavy door closing again.

The "Throne Knight" who had been ordered to guard here had been stationed outside the cast gate during the time when the "Bishop" Luo Xiu went in to investigate.

Luo Xiu saw him, and the throne knight immediately turned to the "bishop" and saluted Luo Xiu respectfully:

“Greetings again, Bishop.”

"Yeah." Luo Xiu nodded slightly in response.

The throne knight in front of him was named Kells. Luo Xiu looked at him and said to him:

"Get ready, Kells."

"Prepare a set of equipment and weapons that are standard for the expeditionary force, the Advent Corps, for these imprisoned Adventers. They are valuable to us, but at the same time, I need you to continue to closely monitor their every move."

"Arrange six... no, ten 'Royal Knights'. I will arrange five more 'Deacons' to assist you. Take these Adventers imprisoned here out of Fafnir City."

As the "bishop", Luo Xiu has established a great reputation in the Red Maple City Expeditionary Force. Although he does not nominally have the right to dispatch the [Supreme] Knights, his orders are actually effective. The words of the "bishop" carry as much weight as those of the two generals.

After the "Throne Knight" Kyles nodded to show that he understood, Luo Xiu continued:
"Remember, when taking them out of Fafnir City, don't let them have any contact with the expeditionary forces."

"This is the most necessary thing, and it will also be the same after we take them out of Fafnir City. After that, let them hunt down the fleeing Black Fangs and Fangheads. As for the targets to be hunted down, you can decide."

"When they have successfully completed these... um, tests, they will apply to General Albert in my name to establish a new [Advent Legion]."

"That's all, Kells."

"..."

"Yes, Bishop."

Kyles nodded and said:

"I will follow your orders and arrange it immediately."

……

(End of this chapter)