Wen Nan looked at the three topic selections and fell into contemplation.
This time, all the topics were new.
Combining the topics given in previous testing spaces, Wen Nan seemed to vaguely figure out a pattern—
For example, the topic keyword of Yu Shujun this time, though it became [Breaking the Barriers], is in fact quite similar to her previous [Breaking Shackles], achieving the same effect in a different way.
Wen Nan speculated that this might be a reflection of some kind of obsession deep within Yu Shujun's heart.
Additionally, Carl Milak's [Dog Training Master] is quite similar to his member Wei Zhe's [Soul Control].
Wen Nan felt that Wei Zhe, while revering and fearing his president, was subtly imitating him and seeing the president's ambition as a direction for his own advancement.
Also, the [Ultimate Charm] Wen Nan received earlier clearly was some form of wish within Wen Nan in this game world.
Yin Zhi'en received [Removing the Mask] because he deeply wished to live truthfully, no longer hiding behind a mask as he does now.
All these scattered thoughts together led Wen Nan to an immature conclusion—
The so-called breakthrough keywords of the candidates' topics were actually the motivations for becoming a Sword Holder.
If Carl Milak became the Sword Holder and finally collected all the fragments to ascend the throne, he would want to become the Dog Training Master, making everything his dog.
If Yu Shujun obtained the Divine Staff Sheath, she would want to break the shackles and barriers.
Before this testing space began, Wen Nan was not particularly interested in this sheath; the only point of interest was that the sheath could help him complete character strategies more perfectly, and so the topic finally generated keywords centered around charm and desire.
However, this conclusion now seemed to have an unreasonable point—
That is, how to explain the new topic Wen Nan received now?
The keyword was actually "Confronting Obsession." Does he have any obsession? He thought carefully, over and over, but couldn't figure out any obsession. As a laid-back person, how could he have any obsession?
Moreover, this topic was just a single vague sentence without any useful information.
Could the topic matched to him be too slapdash?
Just as he was grumbling, the giant light screen above prompted a switch in messages—
[For this qualification test, only one topic can be selected. Once locked in, it cannot be changed midway. All three qualification testers must use the same set of topics.]
[The choice of topics depends on the number of fragments each qualification tester holds—
Candidate 2 has the highest priority and can directly choose this topic; if Candidate 2 forfeits the choice, it passes to Candidate 3; and so on.]
[Will Candidate 2 confirm to use the topic selection privilege?]
The spotlight hit Wen Nan overhead, and he directly hit the confirmation button.
Among the three options, Wen Nan finally selected Topic 2.
Although the topic seemed slapdash, it was matched according to his situation, so no matter what, it was definitely the most suitable, and the one with the best chance of winning.
As the choice was confirmed, the prompts switched again—
[Topic 2.
Background Introduction:
Whether human or ghost, god or demon, even if just a continuation of a memory or an evolution of a line of code, once it has acquired human-like consciousness, it will soon derive desires, and these desires then give birth to obsessions.
Obsession can be the driving force behind all its actions and its hope to survive.
However, obsession might also control their spirit, enslaving them entirely, making them live forever in its shadow.
Do not fear obsession, do not evade it.
Confront the obsession deep within your heart, find a way to transform it into a benign driving force, and make it a tool for achieving your goals, as this is the best way to prevent its backlash.
Only by achieving this can the Chosen One have the ability to walk through the chaotic world to the end.
So, candidate, are you ready?
Test Rules:
In the first phase of the test, the Divine Staff Sheath will calculate the obsession value of each candidate based on their specific situation in the testing space.
In the second phase, candidates must eliminate obsessions by all possible means: The Divine Staff Sheath will calculate the remaining percentage of each candidate's obsession value in real-time until it resets to zero.
The lower the remaining percentage at the end of the time limit, the higher the score. If the obsession value reaches zero, the shorter the reset time, the higher the score.
The candidate with the highest score at the end of the test will qualify as a Sword Holder candidate.
Note: During the test, you may use any skills, tools, or equipment, or any means necessary to eliminate obsessions.]
[Now entering the countdown to the test: 24:00:00—]
The introduction to this topic was surprisingly proper. Was this really the topic matched according to Wen Nan's situation? Why was there no color?
What he meant was, why wasn't there any thrilling, blood-boiling red element?
As he pondered, the space before his eyes changed, the floating light screen above dimmed, and the ground beneath his feet crumbled, while the figures of the other two candidates in the distance gradually faded.
In his mind, the system prompt sounded—
9527: [We are creating a bespoke testing space for you based on your situation. This process may extract some of your memories and emotions, potentially causing side effects such as headaches, dizziness, or nausea. Please do your best to endure…]
9527: [Initiating memory and emotion extraction…]
Wen Nan stood still in complete darkness, waiting for the onset of headache or dizziness while watching the system prompt.
However, just like previous tests, he felt nothing.
9527: [Memory and emotion extraction complete, starting to create your bespoke space…]
9527: [Completed: 10%…]
9527: [Completed: 30%…]
9527: [Completed: 99%…]
The progress bar stalled at 99% again.
Ten minutes later, the prompt switched—
9527: [We're sorry to inform you that the creation of your bespoke testing space has failed!]
9527: [We couldn't extract any obsession from your existing memory, so we cannot initiate the first stage of the test for you.]
9527: [You will skip the first stage and proceed directly to the second stage…]
9527: [Your initial obsession value has been returned to: 0.]
9527: [Now, please use all your wisdom to bravely confront fear and eliminate it completely!]
Wen Nan: ...
No, Qiaozi.
What are you doing?
The last time, they said he had no Fear Value, and he accepted it. Now, with the obsession value out, they say Wen Nan has no obsession?
Wasn't this supposed to be a bespoke test theme matched to Wen Nan's player situation?
If he doesn't have any obsession, why is the breakthrough keyword "Confront Obsession"? Without obsession, what is there to confront?
Is this matching mechanism possibly flawed in its model training?
Wen Nan cursed while stretching his neck, looking towards the direction of the other two candidates, hoping he could borrow some of Yu Shujun's obsession.
The testing spaces of Candidate 1 and Candidate 3 were still under construction and not yet formed; judging by the progress, this seemed like a big project that wouldn't be completed quickly.
Thinking of this, Wen Nan turned to look at Guan Ailin, who was standing next to him, staring unblinkingly at the "construction sites" in the testing space far away.
Why not… do something to pass the time?
Thinking of this, Wen Nan walked over and wrapped his arms around Guan Ailin's waist.
Guan Ailin snapped back to reality, hugged Wen Nan back, and suddenly remembered something. She raised her arms to encircle Wen Nan's neck and asked with a smile, "Nine, what was the question you consulted that president about?"
Wen Nan paused.
Soon, he took out the small sealed envelope from the reserve equipment column.
The envelope was sealed tightly, with the words "For Your Eyes Only" on it, and the identity verification button was flashing.
Guan Ailin glanced at the envelope in his hand, leaned close to his ear, and softly asked, "Is it related to Xiao Jun?"