Arknights: I became an NPC in the online game

Felix had departed.

Dandao Dantart, Magic ZX, and Qiu Muyu were reluctant to see him go. This time, he left without taking them along—he only said they would meet again in the future.

Though the three had already joined the Dynasty Team's small group, if Felix were to so much as wave a hand, they would abandon everything and follow him without hesitation, obeying his every word.

However, before leaving, Felix gave each of them a task: to focus on training their strength and leveling up. Once they reached level 25, he would return and bring them along.

At present, the highest level among them was still only around level 20—there was still a long way to go.

It had been a year since players first set foot on Terra, and more than a hundred days since the server had gone live. Felix's appearance had altered the timeline slightly for some, but for most, the pace remained the same—they were still exploring this new land.

Most had moved beyond the Novice Village and entered the Novice Towns or Cities, building their strength in hopes of one day reaching the mobile main city that had appeared in the Magic ZX's video.

Naturally, many players had attempted to enter the mobile city. However, when they followed the road and approached its gates, they were stopped at a checkpoint. Without a proper pass, the guards drove them away without mercy. From that point on, players firmly believed the mobile city belonged to the "Version 2.0" content.

Wasn't it the same with Final Fantasy XIV? In the early stages, you could see the main city of Ishgard, but you weren't allowed to enter it. Only once the main story reached version 3.0 did players finally gain access.

After that, the community simply accepted it.

---

When players thought of Yan Country, the first city that came to mind was Lungmen. By the end of version 2.0 and throughout 3.0, it had become one of the city with the highest mobile player population.

One online comment about Lungmen read:

"In 1097, the city I live in was rated the most outstanding economic and cultural center in Great Yan. Why? Shops and businesses rise one after another, and its population ranks among the highest in the nation after the capital city. These are undeniable facts… People flood into this city, because it gives off a faint, seductive hope—as though, just by being here, you'll get a shot at wealth. Maybe it's a lie, an illusion… but it feels close, almost within reach, and that makes people desperate.

It's a City of Dreams—

And I'm just a Big Dreamer."

(Sound of rubber bullets being loaded.)

Felix had thought about this before—if he were to visit Lungmen now, he wouldn't encounter any major plot characters. What fun would a big city be with no story-relevant NPCs? This was one reason players liked Rhodes Island Pharmaceuticals so much—there were so many familiar characters. Maybe he'd even bump into his favorite solo pusher in the cafeteria?

Still, if he was headed to Yan Country, he had to stop by the Lungmen city at least once. His craving for Chinese food was real. It had been a whole year since he'd had hot pot, pan-fried buns, steamed dumplings, or scallion pancakes. He missed it dearly.

Kazdel wasn't far from Great Yan on the map, but traveling by car would take at least a month and a half. Upon leaving Kazdel—the land of suffering—Muelsyse reappeared in the form of a water clone. Without the corruption of the land or the interference of Originium, she could once again use her elven racial magic to maintain the water clone.

Felix found it a bit of a pity—after all, a water clone couldn't eat. For the remainder of the trip to Yan Country, Muelsyse could only watch as he and the others enjoyed delicious food and drinks.

Muelsyse brought some updates.

First, his order with the military was nearly completed. The Columbian military was highly satisfied with Rhine Lab and appreciated Felix's proactive attitude. This would open up more "backdoor" opportunities in the future. Ferdinand Clooney, a researcher specializing in energies, praised Felix's efforts to secure benefits for Rhine Lab's development. His latest initiative involved partnering with another company to push Rhine Lab's growth even further.

Second, several new members had joined Rhine Lab, and the company had already undergone a second round of internal expansion. A potential relocation to a new headquarters was being discussed, something Kristen and the others hadn't fully considered yet.

Third, the Mechanical Engineering Department had fallen into stagnation since Felix's departure. Kristen hoped he would find an apprentice to manage the department in his absence.

Felix reflected on this, realizing he had indeed become a bit of a hands-off boss. Still, Kristen's concerns were valid. He needed to recruit some researchers with a strong interest in mechanical engineering and dynamics.

He couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret. If only he'd arrived earlier—perhaps he could have recruited Closure to Rhine Lab. Unfortunately, he had missed that window.

The lack of airplanes or wireless communication in this world also made information sharing terribly inconvenient.

In November, just before the New Year, Felix drove his pickup truck and finally reached a sign marking the border of Great Yan. Beyond it lay the lands of Great Yan.

Yan was a country located at the easternmost edge of the Terra continent. Its territory was vast, and few had ventured deep into its heart. Yet, tales of mysterious people and strange happenings in the region had never ceased.

Most players from the Chinese region preferred to settle here. After all, in a foreign world, Great Yan still felt like home. Not only was the cuisine rich and familiar, but the country also offered numerous exploration quests.

In Laterano, the most expensive property was a sea-view apartment. In Kazimierz, it was a penthouse suite. In Columbia, a villa with a private swimming pool topped the list. But in Yan Country, aside from traditional courtyard homes in the mobile city, the most expensive residence was a white-walled, black-tiled villa built to reflect the elegance of Jiangnan's water towns.

In his previous life, Felix had participated in auctions for both types of houses. In the game Ark, players faced no restrictions when it came to property ownership—unlike in Final Fantasy XIV, where players could only own one house. In Terra, you could own as many as you could afford. Sadly, the competition had been intense. A courtyard home sold for four billion LMD, while the Jiangnan-style villa was auctioned off for 4.2 billion.

Felix hadn't had that kind of money. All he could do was sigh, watching others move into lavish mansions with a mix of envy and longing.

He didn't follow the portable signs to the nearby mobile city right away. Instead, he stayed on the road, continuing his journey.

Traversing the lands of Great Yan, Felix drove for another ten days before, at last, traditional houses with small bridges and flowing water came into view.

The territory of Great Yan was a far cry from the yellow sands of Kazdel. In fact, it was its complete opposite—lush, livable, and comfortable. For many years, Chinese players and some foreigner had voted it one of the most desirable national territories to settle in.

The novice town where Felix arrived was situated near the border of Lungmen, a considerable distance from the heart of Higashi. A large number of players had gathered here—mostly from Yan Country, but quite a few were from the Higashi as well. That was precisely what Felix had come for.

After parking his vehicle, Felix was quickly surrounded by a crowd of enthusiastic players. Most of them were dressed in traditional Chinese-style and Japanese garments—complete with bamboo hats and long swords, weapons that had long captured the imagination of players from both Yan and the Higashi. Though some looked a little over the top, it was clear they were enjoying themselves.

"Wow, wow! Mr. Pioneer! I want new sword!"

"Let me check if there's a skill called Dragon Slash!"

"Oh! oh! Is there any breathing technique there?"

"Oh my god! This Pioneer is selling a Swordsman sub-class book! Why don't you go buy one already?"

After selling a batch of goods, Felix give them a few exploration missions. The rewards for these quests were memory crystals. The moment they got their hands on new equipment, the players geared up and took off, voices filled with excitement.

News that a Pioneer had appeared in the novice town on the Great Yan–Higashi border spread quickly across the forums, drawing global attention.

Startled by the players' overwhelming enthusiasm, Muelsyse shrank herself down into a miniature version and leaned against the window, curiously watching the adventurers outside. They were not so different from those in Kazimierz, but there was something distinct about them.

The land and water shape the people—and the NPCs here were undeniably pleasing to the eye. Each one seemed as beautiful as a fairy, as lovely as a flower, as radiant as the moon—charmingly elegant and stunning beyond words.

Had Felix been a native of Great Yan and Higashi player, he might have chosen to settle here permanently. Maybe he would've gifted items to the NPCs every day until a local young lady fell in love with him.

Of course, choosing someone from the Higashi wasn't out of the question either. After all, in many players' subconscious minds, girls from the Higashi were always represented by various anime heroines—beautiful, idealized, and easily won over through strategy.

The bureaucratic system of Yan State mirrored the officialdom of imperial China, attracting many players with an interest in that kind of hierarchy. Some even pursued the so-called "capital exam" route. However, the examination was notoriously difficult, and many failed multiple times. It wasn't enough to simply memorize a few ancient poems—the test also included complex questions on current affairs, posing a serious challenge for players who hadn't lived in Great Yan long enough.

Still, there were the lucky few who passed the imperial exams. These players were often top academic performers in real life. Once accepted into the bureaucracy, some joined The Central Judicial Office or the Censorate to handle judicial matters, while others entered the Six Ministries to manage local affairs within Great Yan. Some even shared their grueling 996 work schedules on the forums, stirring envy among RP-loving players.

Being an official as a player was very different from being an official among the Terrans. Players didn't have anything to worry about, so as long as they weren't dismissed, they could act as they pleased.

After spending a few days in the picturesque town with small bridges and flowing water, Felix drove off toward the nearest mobile city—Lungmen.

Lungmen was a thoroughly modern metropolis. Unlike Kazimierz, which thrived on pure commercialism, Lungmen was more balanced. Merchants from all over Terra established branches here and engaged in healthy, fair competition.

Felix drove his pickup truck along the main road and checked into a hotel in Lungmen.

"Are you here on business again?" Degenbrecher asked with a smile.

"This time, I'm really just here to celebrate the New Year," Felix replied, pointing at the red lanterns lining the streets. "Look at the lights and decorations along the road. This is how Great Yan celebrates the New Year… a fusion of the traditional and the modern. That's Lungmen."

As for the kind of business Degenbrecher mentioned, Felix had no intention of working with Wei Yanwu. The man's status was simply too lofty, leaving no room for negotiation. Besides, Lungmen had its own guard system and had no need for crossbows or pistols. Even if he tried to offer his services, Wei Yanwu likely wouldn't give him the time of day.

Lungmen was famous for its vibrant nightlife, often described as a night worth a million LMD. Unfortunately, they had arrived during the day.

After checking into a traditional-style hotel, Felix went out for a stroll with Muelsyse, Degenbrecher, and Senomi. This time, he had no active quests, nor was he concerned with business or blacksmithing. It was the New Year season—he had decided to immerse himself in the long-lost rhythms of Chinese life, right here in Lungmen.

Felix made good on a previous promise and brought Senomi to a children's clothing store. He had vowed to buy her a Hanfu. Watching the shy and reserved Senomi transform in a vibrant Hanfu—red as the main color, black as the secondary—Muelsyse and Degenbrecher both agreed that she looked absolutely adorable.

With the help of an enthusiastic shop assistant, Senomi's hair was tied up into a traditional bun. Now, she truly resembled an ordinary Great Yan citizen.

After crossing Dagu Square, they arrived at Tea Street. As dusk approached, they wandered into a local snack shop. Felix wasn't short on money, so he casually ordered a few side dishes to enjoy before dinner.

Muelsyse quietly dissolved into water and disappeared. But before leaving, she gave Felix a sorrowful look, mentioning that tonight's meal at the cafeteria would be the same mashed potato salad and noodles they had last week. Felix cleared his throat and promised her that, as a shareholder, he'd make sure Rhine Lab improved its meals. Only then did Muelsyse smile again before vanishing.

"Lungmen always puts one at ease," Degenbrecher commented quietly as she sipped her tea. "There are no glaring lights, no endless wars. Great Yan is truly a land fit for living."

"The destiny of Great Yan lies in the hands of the True Lung and the people of Great Yan."

Felix nodded. "As long as the people of Great Yan stand on this land, it remains their territory. Great Yan's past may only survive in myths and legends, but as one of the oldest civilizations on the land of Terra, it certainly has its own stories to tell."

"Take some time off during this period. After celebrating the New Year here, we'll head to Victoria. There's some business I want to take care of there."

He noticed Senomi glancing at him cautiously. Felix looked at the food on the table, then gently patted her head.

"Eat, eat. You're my maid secretary, after all. It wouldn't do for you to go hungry."

"Okay. Thank you, Master."

"...I still think being called 'Master' sounds a little weird."

"Why? Master is master, isn't it?"

Faced with those innocent eyes, Felix gave in, waving his hands.

"Alright, alright—call me whatever you want."

Degenbrecher chuckled softly, though her expression soon turned serious.

"Victoria doesn't seem stable. Many residents are growing dissatisfied with the rule of law enforced by the Victorian government. Under an exploitative aristocracy, the people's happiness index is bound to be low."

Felix nodded, his gaze drifting to the distant view outside the window.

"That's exactly why I'm going."

"Don't worry—I won't get involved in any political entanglements. At most, I'll lend a hand to those in need and save those whose lives are in danger. I won't have any dealings with the official forces."

"You say that, but you are an Sankta, who has visited sarkaz stronghold."

Felix laughed.

"Didn't you go with me at that time?"