To catch Te Xi's attention, Firefly subtly revealed the Excellent-grade Mechanical Power Arm on her right hand.
After all, why would a complete stranger care about you unless you gave them a reason?
This was a golden opportunity to gain access to the Gears and Power Academy.
In her previous life, a player had discovered a hidden dungeon world within the academy. After emerging from it, he skyrocketed to the top of the combat power rankings—even surpassing Lin Xin, despite not being particularly skilled.
The benefits he gained from that dungeon were so overwhelming that they alone secured his place among the elite.
Firefly leaned forward, examining the crude mechanical arm Te Xi had handed her.
"Hmm… the power source and joint materials are mismatched. A force sensor could improve precision. Also, linear joints boost strength but kill flexibility. A compound or rotary joint would be better…"
Te Xi nodded along at first, following Firefly's analysis. But as the explanation deepened, her understanding began to blur.
Still, she grasped the core message: the student's mechanical arm was, frankly, a disaster. It had the shape of an arm—but none of the function.
Composing herself, Te Xi smiled.
"Thank you for pointing out the issues, pretty little girl. Your theories and ideas in Mechanical Manufacturing are excellent. So, I have a request… would you be willing to help?"
Firefly gently set the crude arm down.
"Of course, Madam. Please speak."
Her polite, gentle demeanor—paired with her stunning appearance—instantly elevated Te Xi's impression of her.
Ding! Favorability with Te Xi, Dean of Academic Affairs at Gears and Power Academy, increased to Friendly (30/100)!
Firefly blinked.
Is this the power of 99 Charm…? Just two sentences and the favorability jumped that much.
Favorability levels ranged from Mortal Enemy, Hatred, Dislike, Indifferent, Normal, Friendly, Respect, to Worship.
Most NPCs started at Indifferent. Some were so temperamental they'd attack players on sight.
Gaining benefits from NPCs was notoriously difficult.
What Firefly didn't know was that Te Xi's academy was filled with arrogant mechanical scholars—professors who barely tolerated students and sometimes ignored even the principal.
Compared to those aloof old men, Firefly's broad knowledge, humility, and warmth were a breath of fresh air.
Te Xi continued:
"I'd like to commission a mechanical arm. Depending on the final quality, I'll offer appropriate compensation. The better the product, the greater the reward."
Ding! Quest Available: Te Xi's Request
Objective: Create a mechanical arm that satisfies Te Xi Reward: Based on final quality Failure: Favorability drops to Indifferent Success: Unknown Reward
Accept quest?
Firefly didn't hesitate.
She already had the blueprint for a Mechanical Power Arm—like receiving a pillow when you're sleepy.
And the unknown reward? Likely admission to the Gears and Power Academy.
That meant access to rare passive skills and, most importantly, the hidden dungeon she remembered from her previous life.
The player who found it had posted a detailed walkthrough—Firefly remembered every step.
"Of course, I can try."
Te Xi's smile widened.
"My name is Te Xi Hilton. I'll return to this location one month from now to complete our transaction. May I ask… what should I call you?"
Firefly lowered her head, thoughtful.
Then she looked up, her eyes glowing like morning light.
"Madam Te Xi, you can call me… Samuel."
By the time they returned to the inn, it was nearly ten o'clock.
Xiya, holding Firefly's hand, looked up curiously.
"Sister Firefly, why didn't you tell her your real name?"
Firefly sighed.
"Sometimes, hiding who you are isn't a bad thing…"
The game world's lore was complex—and the powers of the evil god factions lurking in other dimensions were bizarre and dangerous.
She knew of one group: the Curse Cult.
According to their lore, simply knowing someone's name allowed them to perform sacrificial rituals that inflicted curses—bad luck, blindness, paralysis, even instant death.
As a player, Firefly hadn't worried. Death was just a respawn.
But now, as an NPC… death was permanent.
Even if "Firefly" wasn't her real name, it was the identity she had embraced.
Better to use a different name in public.
Back in her room, Firefly pulled out the Dawn Battlefield dungeon key.
She had to grow stronger—fast.
Players leveled up quickly. If she couldn't keep pace, she'd be left behind. And Star River, the AI, wouldn't care about the fate of a single NPC.
Quest Dungeon Key: Dawn Battlefield (Excellent Grade)
Description:This is a battlefield. This is hell. This is… the apocalypse.Recommended Level: 20+
Firefly was only Level 4—but her four-dimensional attributes already exceeded those of most Level 20 players.
She clicked to activate the key.
Ding! Dungeon Key Dawn Battlefield has been used. Please select difficulty:
Easy (50% reward) Normal (75%) Hard (100%) Abyss (150%) Despair (???)
Firefly frowned.
Despair? I've never seen that before…
Even top 100 players could barely clear Hard difficulty as a team. Abyss was considered impossible.
And Despair…?
Ding! User identity detected as NPC. Automatically selecting Despair difficulty.
Reward: 500%!
Firefly: …!