Survival on the Internet: A Bizarre Start at Sea

He gave a definite answer, his voice steady.

Then, he paused slightly, as if quickly confirming in his mind the remaining things before leaving.

Soon, he recalled Behemoth Krasin's enigmatic smile as he left.

"What was that 'surprise' my sister was talking about back then?"

At the Moon Well at the bottom of the temple, pinkish-blue dream dust flowed silently.

Su Zhisu put away the loot she obtained from clearing the dungeon.

His gaze fell on the [Blank Obsession Core] that had just been of great help.

"It's time to make the final preparations for departure."

As he was thinking, a light footstep came from the depths of the corridor.

A small, green-haired figure hummed an off-key, eerie tune as it hopped into view.

"Little brother, when are you thinking about leaving?"

"Or are you just spacing out and thinking about your sister?"

Behemoth Krasin—the projection of Cthulhu—is currently appearing as an innocent and naive little girl.

Tilting its head, its emerald green pupils gleamed with a cunning that seemed to see through everything.

"elder sister."

Su Zhixu greeted her calmly, without responding to her words.

"Is the 'surprise' you mentioned ready?"

"Oh dear, little brother's in such a hurry, looks like he wants to leave~"

Cthulhu feigned disappointment, pouting, before laughing again.

With her hands behind her back, she paced around Su Zhisu once.

"However, considering how hard my brother worked to clean up the 'trash' and helped his sister stabilize the city..."

She stopped and stood in front of Su Zhixu, tilting her small face up.

The playful expression on his face gradually faded.

Instead, there is the indifference and profundity of the old rulers, looking down upon time and fate.

It reappeared deep within those green eyes.

"Su Zhisu".

She uttered the name softly, her voice no longer childlike sweetness, but carrying an ancient rhythm that seemed to strike directly at the soul.

"You come from another world, stepping into this realm, bearing the afterglow of the Silver Key."

"When R'lyeh was in peril, you helped me complete the ritual as a bridge."

"When we were surrounded by enemies, you stood shoulder to shoulder with me, bound by a blood oath."

"Your existence and your actions are intertwined with the fate of this city."

She stretched out her right hand, and a point of pure, exquisite, colorful light, as if containing the stars, shone from the tip of her index finger.

The light wasn't dazzling, but it carried an indescribable sense of heaviness, causing the surrounding pink and blue hues to distort and recede slightly.

"I, Behemoth Krasin, Lord of the Dream of R'lyeh, Guardian of Atlantis, hereby acknowledge—"

"You are the Dream Lord of Atlantis—R'lyeh!"

Her fingertips gently touched Su Zhisu's forehead.

Su Zhisu did not dodge, but simply looked at her quietly.

The moment my fingertips touched my skin, a cool sensation washed over me.

What followed was a vast, star-studded flow of information, accompanied by a kind of fundamental "recognition" and "marking," which silently imprinted itself deep into his soul, resonating with the sibling contract he had previously formed.

[Network Notice]: Your [Old Contract - Sibling Alliance (Mark)] effect has changed, and the additional 2 effects have been altered.

[Additional 2]: Within the territory of Atlantis, obtain "City Lord" privileges (partial).

Change to: [Additional 2]: Gain the recognized identity of [Dream Lord of Atlantis - R'lyeh].

【Atlantis - Lord of R'lyeh's Dream】.

[Type]: Identity/Permissions

[Additional 1]: Identity and Access: Behemoth Krasin shares his identity and access with you. Within the Atlantis (R'lyeh) region, you gain city management authority second only to the core anchor points (Cthulhu, Lilia). You can partially mobilize the city's reserve energy, perceive the city's status, and obtain environmental information within a certain range.

【Bonus 2】: Blessing: When in Atlantis or an area closely connected to its concept, all attributes are slightly increased, and resistance to dream and mental effects is slightly enhanced.

[Additional 3]: Responsibility: Your identity and permissions are tied to the survival of Atlantis. When Atlantis suffers a serious threat or its concept collapses, you may suffer corresponding backlash or a reduction in your permissions.

[Information]: The official lordship bestowed upon you by the great being Behemoth Krasin signifies your inclusion in the core of Atlantis (R'lyeh)'s governance system. This is recognition, convenience, and a weighty responsibility.

[Network Notice]: Note: Your identity and access permissions have been recognized worldwide. Congratulations, you are no longer an unregistered person in this world.

"The identity and permissions of the Dream Lord..."

"This is indeed a 'surprise,' and it's in line with my sister's usual style."

Su Zhisu felt the new connection in her soul.

He felt a clearer and closer connection with the city beneath his feet, with his sister before him, and even with Lilia resting by the moon well in the distance.

"How is it? Do you like your sister's gift?"

Cthulhu withdrew his finger, a mischievous smile returning to his face, as if the solemn declaration of a great being from just moments before was merely an illusion.

"When you're out and about, you can't lose your dignity. With this, even if you run to the ends of the earth, as long as this city still exists, your older sister can take care of you a little~"

"Of course, if this city is gone, you'll be in a little bit of trouble too~"

"A very useful 'surprise'."

Su Zhisu nodded and stepped forward to gently embrace her sister.

"Thank you, sister."

Upon hearing the word "sister," the little girl's slightly stiff body relaxed, and she let out a soft giggle.

"Hehe, isn't that a good boy? My good little brother."

The deeper meaning behind this gift was understood by both of them without being spoken of.

"I'm going to upgrade the Redemption, then I'm ready to set off."

"Go on, go on~, I'm going to sleep too. Maintaining such a big city is exhausting~"

"Don't worry about Lilia, your sister will take good care of her."

"After all, she's practically my sister's younger sister."

Cthulhu waved his hand, yawned, and his figure gradually became transparent.

It eventually turned into wisps of emerald green mist, dissipating into the surrounding light.

Su Zhisu turned and walked towards the outside of the temple.

He came to that secluded bay on the edge of the city, the place where he had planted the Seed of White Mist last time.

The Redemption pendant felt slightly warm in my palm.

"It's time, come out, Redemption."

The rather small boats appeared on the shallows, gently rocking with the waves.

Su Zhisu boarded the ship and arrived at the [Spirit Offering Altar] in the central room inside the cabin.

The groove in the center of the altar emitted a faint suction force.

He inspected the supplies stored in the ship's hold; the iron reserves were quite plentiful after multiple dungeon runs and collections.

Silently reciting the upgrade command, two hundred units of iron were thrown into the center of the altar one by one.

The altar suddenly lit up!

A ghostly blue flame rose from the groove, enveloping and devouring the materials that were thrown in.

The flames spread rapidly along the patterns carved on the surface of the altar, quickly engulfing the entire Redemption!