Every time the game forum refreshed, ten new posts would appear—players eagerly sharing their daily lives, funny moments, and in-game experiences. Some closed beta testers, now turning into early guide creators, began posting detailed walkthroughs: which beginner quests to complete, which professions to prioritize, and what to avoid in the early stages. Their posts quickly gained traction, pinned to the top and marked as featured content.

In version 1.0, foreign players were still relatively few—of the eight million total users, only around three million came from outside China. The language barrier made communication between Chinese-speaking and non-Chinese players difficult, so foreign players typically grouped up based on shared language or region. This included many professional teams and esports players.

The vast scale of Ark didn’t just attract local gaming clubs—international interest surged as well. Well-known esports organizations from Western Europe, North and South America, Southeast Asia, and South Korea officially joined the game. Their announcements spurred fans worldwide to purchase gaming rigs and log in en masse, becoming part of the ever-growing 1.0 community.

In the early game, cross-national harmony reigned. Players from different countries coexisted peacefully, focusing on exploration and development. It wasn’t until much later that massive player-versus-player nation wars erupted—fueled by the competition over mobile cities and valuable resource territories. Chinese and Russian players, often allied, had several memorable skirmishes where they overwhelmed American forces, pushing them into retreat and eventually forcing them to surrender with white flags.

With Terra’s landmass being thirty times larger than Earth’s, the planet was overflowing with opportunity. Resources, terrain, secrets—it was like a grand, immersive version of EVE Online. Players formed guilds and companies, fighting turf wars, conducting espionage, and eventually even constructing mobile settlements that could house thousands of members. These acted as strongholds for their factions, complete with their own defenses, economies, and command systems.

The depth and variety of gameplay were intoxicating. Many Chinese players fluent in other languages would often team up with foreign players, making new friends and allies. At least in the early and middle stages, the atmosphere remained cooperative and inclusive.

Meanwhile, Felix was thoroughly enjoying himself, casually scrolling through the forum. By the time he checked the system clock, it was already morning.

After spending a quiet night in the Kazimierz mountains—an area thankfully free of bandits and recent natural disasters—he started up his military pickup truck and headed toward the nearby town of Noel.

Several days had passed since the public servers launched. By now, most players had followed veteran advice: buy maps from the Novice Village and take public transport to larger settlements. However, many were now reporting an unexpected problem—certain quests in town couldn’t be accepted.

The reasons varied. Some lacked the required stats, others didn’t have the right secondary occupations. As this information spread, newcomers still in the Novice Village scrambled to level up their characters and unlock more skills. Meanwhile, those already in the towns began accepting easier, more accessible quests to make steady progress.

The town of Noel was nestled in the mountains. As the old saying went, “Live off the mountains, drink from the rivers.” According to the forum, Noel offered numerous hunting missions, which paid significantly more than other starting jobs.

Felix hadn’t been idle over the past few days. While he hadn’t taken on any grand story arcs, his small heroic deeds had left a mark. Across several settlements in Kazimierz , people were beginning to recognize him by his nickname: “Pioneer.”

He had earned 25% progress in the Pioneer class line—just by taking on simple but essential tasks. Clearing Originium slug nests, hunting petty thieves, and helping NPC villagers had steadily built his reputation.

At this point, he had already equipped the [Pioneer] title. Once the progress for a title reaches 50%, players begin to receive attribute bonuses associated with it. Upon reaching 100%, the title doesn’t just grant stat boosts—it also influences how different factions perceive the player. In simple terms: if the title was earned through villainous deeds, then evil-aligned factions would welcome you like royalty, showering you with praise. You’d be treated as a high-ranking guest—a king among the wicked.

At higher levels of gameplay, titles essentially function as reputation indicators. With strong diplomatic ties and positive faction relationships, players can navigate quests and negotiations far more smoothly.

Upon arriving in the town of Noel, Felix observed that it was bustling with activity. Tents dotted the outskirts, much like the surroundings of other novice villages and towns. New players ran back and forth, busily taking on jobs with a visible sense of energy and enthusiasm.

He parked his military pickup truck in an open lot, stepping out with Andoain’s signature warm smile. He didn’t bother fastening his travel cloak, leaving his pistols—one at his hip, another strapped to his thigh—fully visible. With his composed demeanor and confident posture, he looked like a mysterious wanderer, piquing the curiosity of anyone who saw him.

At this early stage, players were starving for quests. It didn’t matter what the job was—if it earned money or experience, they’d rush at it like hungry wolves. There was no need to worry about closed beta testers hogging all the content—their numbers were limited. But now, with eight million players active on Day One of the public launch, competition was fierce. If you didn’t scramble for quests, you’d be left in the dust. If you hesitated for even a moment, the opportunity would vanish. Players who were still doing mundane “pick-up-mud” quests would immediately abandon them the second someone offered a higher-paying, high-XP job. You’d hear it in their voices: “Sorry, we’re not that close to the locals anyway.”

Felix knew exactly how to draw players in. Though the server had only been live a few days and most players were still dirt-poor, that didn’t mean there was no money to be made.

Nearby, a dozen players took notice. Considering that both the locals of Noel and most players here were of the Kuranta race, spotting a Sankta—especially one so unique—was rare. Their curiosity spiked, and their first instinct was to inspect the newly arrived NPC.

[[Pioneer] – ? Lv ?] (Yellow)

[Introduction: ?]

[Danger Level: WARNING! You have no hope of survival] (Red)

“Whoa, danger level’s that high? Is this a boss? Or some kind of high-tier NPC?”

“No way. If he were a boss, we’d be dead already. Besides, see the yellow indicator next to his name? That means he’s neutral.”

“Damn… good thing I’m not a girl. This NPC is stupidly handsome. Just that face alone—there’s no way he’s ordinary.”

“He’s a Sankta too. I wanted to play as one, but I like having a tail too much.”

“Honestly, even if he’s a guy… I wouldn’t say no.”

Everyone immediately distanced themselves from the player who made that last remark, giving him a wide berth.

The group of a dozen exchanged glances. Finally, one brave player stepped forward and said boldly:

“Um… I was wondering… do you need any help?”

This was one of the key phrases that players had identified on the forums as likely to trigger quests. Asking politely was never a bad move.

Another piece of advice circulating on the forums: observe an NPC’s appearance and attire. In the land of Terra, looks mattered. NPCs who could teach players professions or sub-professions were almost always visually impressive. Their gear and appearance were designed to reflect their status and importance.

In the eyes of most players, the highest-ranking NPCs in Noel Town were the patrol squad members. Clad in modest light armor, they carried themselves with an air of authority. As for the village chief? Just an old man—could he be some hidden master? Doubtful.

The players turned their gaze once again toward Felix, examining him from head to toe. His outfit was sleek: primarily black, with gray and white accents. Underneath his coat, the glint of mechanical metal was visible. At his waist hung a pair of black-and-white revolvers, and a mechanical power device was attached to his calves. His military boots were rugged but stylish. The overall impression? Cool, mysterious, and high-level. If only they could look this good…

“Thank you for your inquiry, adventurers.”

To their surprise, the NPC responded warmly, his voice smooth and pleasant, like a spring breeze.

“I happen to be in need of some iron materials. Would you be willing to help me?”

[Mysterious Person’s Request]

A system prompt instantly appeared before the players’ eyes.

[Quest Details: A Sankta from the Holy City of Lateran has issued a commission to you. You do not know his identity, nor his true intentions. All you know is that he currently needs your help… If you successfully deliver the materials, you may earn his favor.]

The mysterious person… could it be this “Pioneer” standing in front of us?

Some players who had a bit more game sense exchanged glances. Pioneer—it had to be a codename.

There were two ways to collect iron:

1. Scavenging: Search under cracked stones with your bare hands. This method required no skills and yielded materials purely based on luck.

2. Mining: Learn the miner sub-profession and use tools to extract ore efficiently.

Noel Town was nestled among mountains, making it a hotspot for mining activities. Many players had already switched to the miner class temporarily. Upon receiving the quest, they eagerly pulled out their pickaxes and rushed into the mountains, practically glowing with excitement.

The task Felix issued was rated D-level. Because it required sub-profession proficiency, the reward was set at around 1,000 XP—enough for new players to level up both their main class and secondary profession by two levels. A generous reward for this early stage.

Naturally, word spread quickly. More and more players began gathering at the site, many casting curious—and admiring—looks at Felix. A number of female players were visibly flustered, their hearts pounding. They had never seen such a handsome NPC. Nearby Kuranta players couldn’t help but wag their large tails in excitement.

Meanwhile, some male players couldn’t help but scoff at the scene. Women really do get starry-eyed when they see a good-looking NPC, they thought. A few even considered attacking the NPC out of jealousy, hoping to “put him in his place” and show the girls who the real boss was. But the moment their eyes landed on the red danger level floating above his head, they sucked in a breath.

Yeah… this guy’s definitely not from around here. Probably wandered out of some high-level map.

Of course, players with bad intentions were still in the minority. Most were more curious—wondering whether this NPC would issue any special quests, or if meeting him would trigger a main storyline arc. Speculation was building fast.

Before long, players who had accepted Felix’s task returned, smiles on their faces, still gripping their pickaxes. They handed over their collected iron. As the quest completed, experience points were instantly distributed—and a few players even leveled up on the spot, beaming with satisfaction.

Felix smiled, a gesture so warm it was like a gentle spring breeze. It swept through the hearts of many nearby female players.

“Thank you for your hard work,” he said kindly.

“I’ll be staying in this region for a few days. If you’re in need of weapons or equipment, I can provide some.”

With that, he opened his personal shop to everyone present. At the same time, he lifted the back cover of his military pickup truck, revealing rows of gear inside. The gleam of cold metal caught the eyes of the surrounding players.

Most of the items he sold were melee weapons—steel swords, short crossbows, folding daggers, and refined spears. There were also pieces of armor, like breastplates, armguards, and leg armor, all offering defensive bonuses. In addition to cold weapons, one particular item stood out: the Black Hawk pistol, sitting at the top of the shop list with a price tag in the five-digit range of LMD.

It was a price well beyond what any early-game player could afford.

Still, Felix knew how to appeal to his market. Players who chose the Kuranta race often fantasized about becoming knights, so he stocked long swords and spears to suit their dreams. His selection of light armor was also carefully curated—high-quality pieces that could rival anything crafted by a blacksmith.

Even if gunsmith-made or mechanic-forged weapons were listed, no one here could buy them yet. But that was fine.

The player economy could easily generate tens of thousands of LMD in return. Felix understood this well—he wasn’t going to scare players off with outrageous prices. His weapons and gear were positioned as starter artifacts, affordable for those who were willing to grind for just a day. For a newbie, that was a dream deal.

When players opened Felix’s personal shop interface, they almost gasped in unison.

“Refined Spear… I remember that the Knight sub-class can equip this. Whoa, the bonus stats are way better than the rusted iron spear!”

“Oh my god, a pistol! What a beautiful weapon! Wait—am I seeing this right? It can only be used by the Sankta race? Well, the merchant is Sankta, so that makes sense.”

“Hold on, did you check the usage requirements? You need a Sniper main class or Technician sub-class. If you ignore the penalty from improper class usage, it’s not that bad, honestly. The range is 45 meters.”

Almost immediately, Felix was swarmed by eager players, each reaching for the weapons on display. With gear like this, they could easily take on starter hunting missions. Some players who had just bought wooden or iron spears back in Noel Town looked on with regret—realizing that, despite similar prices, Felix’s refined spears had far superior stats and bonuses compared to what was sold locally.

“They’re from the Dingsheng Gaming Guild,” a player whispered, and instinctively, the crowd parted to make way.

The Dingsheng Guild was a high-tier player organization, composed of numerous retired pro players and popular streamers, sustained largely by their influence on live broadcast platforms.

Pooling their LMD, dozens of members from Dingsheng collectively purchased the Black Hawk pistol from Felix. The guild leader then strapped it proudly to his waist. The sight of it, along with their confident demeanor, stirred envy among the surrounding players.

Felix smiled calmly.

Gaming guilds were naturally wealthy.

They centralized their resources to gain strategic advantages.

The Black Hawk? It was designed with them in mind.

Noel Town and the surrounding areas had many active guilds. After purchasing a firearm, they’d need to stockpile bullets, spend experience points to unlock the technician subclass, and then invest more experience to upgrade the pistol’s Originium Arts skill. And when they ran low?

They’d be back for more.

The same logic applied to short crossbows—after all, ammunition was a consumable.

Players who had made purchases from Felix quickly noticed something else: their favorability with this “Pioneer” NPC had increased to 1. This was standard for first-time interactions. As long as no negative actions were taken, it seemed possible to push the favorability up to 5. For veteran players, this was a familiar system.

Soon, someone noticed a new structure beside the item shop: a bookstore. However, it was currently inaccessible. A message displayed:

“Requires Favorability 5 to Access.”

“Can we get a class book from the Pioneer?”

“Nope, looks like you need Favorability 5. How do we raise it?”

“Looks like you have to buy stuff from him. I bought an armguard for over 500 and got to Favorability 1. Then I bought a refined spear and it went up to 2. Seems like buying more = higher favorability, just like town merchants.”

“So… buying gear increases favorability?”

“I tested it. Even a cheap armguard bumped my favorability by 1.”

At this early stage, players weren’t exactly flush with cash. Most only had one to two thousand LMD, just enough for one or two items.

But that’s precisely what made the system clever.

Players tend to dismiss things that are handed to them for free, but they value what they work for. The process creates a lasting impression beyond the reward itself.

To captivate players long-term, you had to give them a sense of earned progress—that their investment mattered. With their LMD and experience flowing into Felix, and tangible returns coming back, the bond between him and the players would only deepen over time.

And let’s not forget—the handsome, mysterious Sankta before them seemed anything but ordinary. His appearance, demeanor, and gear all hinted at something deeper.

He might be more than just a merchant NPC.

Maybe—just like the cute, approachable cat-girl mascot from the official site—this man had a story of his own.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep