Kai raised his hand, stopping Mei before she could rush off.

"No... we have to do something first."

Mei tilted her head. "What should we do first?"

Kai nodded firmly. "Check your status. We need to know what we’re working with before we meet anyone."

Just like that, the three of them opened their system menus, translucent windows appearing before their eyes.

[ Character Status

Name: Ashen

Titles: None

Level: 1

Health: 100 / 100

Energy: 50 / 50

Physique Rating: F+

Strength: 10

Intelligence: 10

Dexterity: 10

Endurance: 10

Vitality: 10

Reputation: 0

Faction: None ]

Kai gently nodded after seeing this. It was indeed a basic stat.

"Level one... base stats. Just like starting from scratch."

Mei and Farrah confirmed similar numbers... Their health and energy values weren’t different. Basically, everyone had the same starting point.

It was quite interesting since they immediately felt the difference in being weaker.

In the real world, they had already grown stronger through training and gene enhancements, but here, Perfect World reset them to the baseline.

Farrah tapped another tab. "Inventory."

A new window appeared:

[ Inventory ]

[ Slot 1: Newbie Gift Pack ]

[ Slot 2–10: Empty ]

Mei’s eyes sparkled. "We even get starter items." She tapped the pack, and a description appeared:

[ Newbie Gift Pack ]

[ Contains: Basic rations, beginner weapon voucher, 5 healing salves, 1 stamina potion. ]

The voucher would actually help them select their first weapon. It could be a stick, a short sword, a spear, a dagger, or other basic weapons they could choose from.

Kai nodded. "That’s useful. At least they don’t throw us empty-handed."

Finally, he opened the Skill Tab. His eyes widened.

[ Active Skills: Spirit Pulse Lv0, Specter Step Lv0, Fast Appraisal Lv0, Beast Arm Lv0 ]

[ Passive Skills: Keen Sense Lv0, Bio Adaptive Constitution Lv0, Battle Trance Lv0, Bronze Skin Lv0 ]

Kai couldn’t help but smile at this...

"Our gene skills... they’re here."

Mei gasped as she checked her own tab. "Mine too! But... all at level zero."

Farrah frowned. "So they don’t carry over our real‑world progress. Still, it’s impressive that Perfect World recognizes them at all."

Kai studied the list carefully. Spirit Pulse, Specter Step, Fast Appraisal, Beast Arm... all the abilities he had relied on before, now displayed here, even if locked at Lv0. The passive skills were there too... Keen Sense, Bio‑Adaptive Constitution, Battle Trance, Bronze Skin. Their descriptions were intact, waiting to be mastered again.

He clenched his fists, feeling a surge of excitement. "This Perfect World is just too mysterious. I wonder who made this thing. The pod really scanned us, and now our gene skills exist here too. Even if they start at zero, we can grow them inside this world."

Mei smiled faintly. "Maybe training here strengthens us both ways... in the VR world and maybe even outside."

Farrah crossed her arms, still cautious but intrigued. "If that’s true, then that would explain why the factions invest so much in mining and exploration. If skills can evolve here, then Perfect World is just too valuable."

Kai closed the menu, his doubts fading.

He finally understood why Bart had said the mines were safe yet meaningful. Even simple tasks like mining could raise endurance, unlock stat bonuses, and strengthen their skills.

He looked at Mei and Farrah. "Alright. Now we know where we stand. Level one, base stats, starter pack, and our gene skills waiting to grow. This is our foundation."

Mei nodded. "Then let’s move forward."

Farrah glanced at the bustling streets of Lyra. "And find Dalen."

Kai smirked. "Exactly..."

****

The three of them made their way through the bustling streets of Lyra, moving past merchants and adventurers until the noise gave way to a wide training ground.

Wooden dummies lined the area, and recruits sparred while being watched by some instructors.

At the far end stood a man in a simple but sturdy shirt, the Aries Faction logo stitched proudly across the chest.

"That must be him," Kai said quietly.

Mei nodded. "Dalen."

They approached, and the man turned...

"You three... Maya just sent a private message. Do you have the code?"

Kai stepped forward, recalling the phrase Maya had whispered before they left. "Iron sings when struck."

Dalen’s expression eased into a smile. "Good. That confirms it... and remember that phrase. Anyway, you’re organized to be here."

He gestured toward a small carriage waiting nearby.

"Come. We’ll head to the mining site."

The ride was steady but long, the wheels clattered against cobblestone before shifting to dirt paths.

For twenty minutes, they traveled past rolling hills and sparse forests until the carriage slowed before a cave entrance.

"Mhhmm?" Kai was curious since at the mouth of the cave was a strange rippling wave like water...

"What is that?" Mei asked.

Dalen explained calmly.

"The entry barrier. Only level five and below can pass through. It keeps the higher‑ranked players out, ensures the mines remain for recruits and trainees."

As if to confirm his words, a notification appeared before their eyes:

[ Entry restriction detected. Only Level 5 and below permitted. ]

Kai nodded. "It matches."

Dalen handed each of them a bundle.

"Here. Equipment for the job."

Kai opened his pack... a miner’s hat, a sturdy pickaxe, a reinforced ore sack, a folded map of the tunnels, and a simple lunch box with rations. Mei and Farrah received the same.

"Use the map to avoid getting lost," Dalen instructed. "The foreman will guide you further. His name is Jules. He’s strict, but fair."

Kai tightened his grip on the pickaxe. "Understood."

Together, the three stepped through the rippling barrier.

The sensation was strange... like walking through a curtain of liquid, but it vanished as quickly as it came.

Inside, the cavern appeared, and it was huge, unlike what they had seen outside!

It was also lit by glowing crystals embedded in the walls.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The sound of metal striking stone echoed faintly. At the center stood a broad‑shouldered man with a miner’s helmet and a clipboard in hand.

He looked up as they approached. "New recruits?"