Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was time to return.
After settling things at home, Qin Jie once again arrived at the Dao hall. After confirming no one was watching, Qin Jie went to the center of the Dao hall, sat down quietly, and waited for the return to begin.
[Return countdown: 00:00:03]
[Return countdown: 00:00:02]
[Return countdown: 00:00:01]
[Tip: A new derivative world is about to open. The Hunter will return to Reincarnation Paradise. Please ensure there are no witnesses around.]
[Teleporting... Teleportation complete.]
When he came to his senses, Qin Jie had returned to his exclusive room.
Most of his paradise coins had been spent. Qin Jie bought a lot of gold jewelry. These items were not expensive to exchange with paradise coins and could be used to trade with the natives of the derivative world.
[Hunter Rank: Lv.10. You will receive a notification fifty minutes before entering the derivative world. The Hunter will enter the derivative world in one hour. Please wait patiently.]
This time, Qin Jie did not have a high-level authorization. Last time, because he completed his hunting mission well, Qin Jie was able to choose an additional world for free.
But this time, Qin Jie couldn't; he could only honestly follow Reincarnation Paradise's arrangements.
[The world you are entering this time is berserk.]
Note: This world includes an advancement assessment. After passing, the Hunter can begin the advancement trial.
berserk, huh?
This was a rather grim world, with bloody religious sacrifices, struggles between kingdoms, the God Hand overlooking the world, and various monstrous creatures.
Qin Jie gripped the devouring abyss in his hand, preparing himself.
He had many prepared medicines in his storage space, mostly Rebirthmedicine. This item could increase 20% blood volume and 20% maximum health, which was very useful.
Just before leaving, Qin Jie received a message from Qi Changwei.
Qi Changwei: Which world are you going to next?
Hunter: berserk. What's up?
Qi Changwei: That's great! You're also going to this world. We've organized a group of merchants who are also heading there. You can trade with them, and if possible, protect them. You'll be rewarded for protecting our merchant guild's merchants.
Hunter: I understand. I'll assess the situation later.
He couldn't make a commitment yet. After all, the world of berserk was extremely dangerous. Qin Jie couldn't make a promise before confirming his ability to protect himself.
[Time's up. Derivative World: berserk is open. No abnormalities in this world, spatial coordinates are stable, consuming 0.013 ounces of spatiotemporal power.]
[Based on the spatiotemporal power consumed, the Hunter's minimum standard for this world is C-Rank.]
[Teleportation begins.]
The sensation of teleportation came, Qin Jie's vision went black, and then he lost consciousness.
--- Inside the dungeon.
The sizzling sound of a branding iron burning wounds rang out, followed by the prisoner's screams and the smell of charred flesh.
Qin Jie's consciousness was roused by the screams. When he came to his senses, he realized his predicament.
He was currently in a dungeon, which made him feel a bit sentimental.
After all, his very first world also started in a dungeon.
He was currently bound by various restraints: a neck collar, handcuffs, and leg irons. Even his body was covered in heavy iron armor.
Qin Jie exerted a slight force but found he couldn't break free at all. With his 30 Strength attribute, he couldn't move these restraints even a millimeter.
This wasn't right.
Next to him were several people in the same situation. These people also began to wake up one after another, but none of them were as tightly bound as Qin Jie.
[Tip: Time remaining until entering the derivative world: 32 minutes 36 seconds.]
Seeing the tip, Qin Jie finally understood.
"So that's it, the world hasn't started yet."
Qin Jie muttered.
However, was this waiting time a bit long?
Qin Jie was wondering when he heard a timid voice.
"Hello, do you need help?"
The dungeon was dimly lit, and Qin Jie saw a shy little face peeking out.
It was a neat-looking, cleanly dressed girl. Her eyes held a hint of curiosity and timidity as she looked at Qin Jie, who was suppressed by numerous restraints.
"So many restraints, does it hurt a lot?"
Qin Jie wanted to speak, but Reincarnation Paradise's tip sounded.
[Before this world officially begins, Hunters are not to communicate with natives.]
There was nothing he could do, so Qin Jie could only keep his eyes down and remain silent.
Just then, a rough male voice rang out.
"Elena!? What are you doing here? Get away quickly, these are all bad things! These are all death row prisoners, just looking at them will bring bad luck."
The girl named Elena turned her head, her face showing a hint of displeasure.
"But Father, even for prisoners, isn't this too harsh? What kind of crime would warrant such severe punishment?"
A hunched old man walked over from a distance. He looked to be in his fifties, completely bald, and had a large, ruddy nose.
He quickly pulled Elena over and whispered, "Alright, alright, I know you're kind. My dear Elena is truly an angel. Now, please, angel, leave this place quickly. This is Hell, not a place for you."
"But---" Elena wanted to say something more, but she was ultimately dragged away by the old man.
The prison fell silent once more.
Not just Elena, but actually the other Contractors had also noticed Qin Jie. Unlike Elena's sympathy, the Contractors were now terrified.
In reality, everyone's world-opening time was different, which could be seen from the restraints on the Contractors. The later the opening time, the stronger the Contractor.
This was actually a protective measure.
Just when Qin Jie was still twenty minutes away from being unsealed, the dungeon door opened again. A ray of light shone in, and a tall man in heavy armor strode in, shouting angrily.
"You scum of the dungeon, you death row prisoners, you second-most contemptible people in the world, second only to the Midlanders! I, Figlet, will give you a chance at Rebirth."
"The war between the Yoda Empire and Midland has begun. Now, you worthless fellows have a chance to save your lives."
"Join the war, join my Ranks, and let the glory of the Yoda Empire once again shine across the entire continent. If you perform well, the Empirewill pardon your crimes."
"Now, I will release your bonds."
Like watching an opening animation, Qin Jie was not swayed by the other party's speech. Most of the Contractors present felt the same, with only a few actually shouting enthusiastically.
Well, these people were the natives of this world.
After all, they weren't actually so-called death row prisoners; that identity was just one given by Reincarnation Paradise.
Behind Figlet, a squad of soldiers entered and began to release the death row prisoners in the dungeon.