"Once again, welcome, everyone, to the Seventh Monitoring Station."
Station Chief Liang folded his hands on the table, looking at the new recruits with sincere gratification. "Let me introduce myself. My name is Liang Zhi, and I am the current chief of the Seventh Monitoring Station."
A digital screen materialized in front of each person at the conference table, and the new recruits picked them up.
As the screens began to display all sorts of information, Station Chief Liang began to speak:
"The Seventh Monitoring Station, as the name suggests, was originally the seventh station established to monitor the Abyss for anomalies."
"Over time, as exploration of the Abyss deepened, the station also began to handle research, Hunter resupply, mission postings, and communications. You can think of it as a small city."
"You'll learn about the station's internal affairs as you carry out your missions. It's all on the digital screens you've been given. If there's anything you don't understand, you can ask the guidance staff, so I won't elaborate further."
"Now, for the most important part."
Station Chief Liang adjusted his glasses. His expression grew stern, his gaze sharp.
He took a deep breath, his voice softening:
"I know you're probably sick of hearing this by now, but out of a sense of duty, I have to say it again."
"You've probably all heard from various sources about the Great Cataclysm fifty years ago."
"In the eastern part of Eurasia, where Dawn City now stands, a massive, bottomless chasm appeared. All sorts of Abyssal Creatures and relics poured out from it."
"These Abyssal Creatures and relics began to invade the world, but were eventually driven back into the Abyss by a global counteroffensive."
"But the Abyss remains, attracting people from all over the world to venture within. Those who explore the Abyss are known to the world by the title of 'Hunter.'"
"That's the origin of the insignia on your nameplates. Of course, you've all seen the relic that makes them. Now, let me tell you about the floor we're currently on."
"The first floor of the Abyss—the Forest of the Strange."
"To this day, the Forest of the Strange remains a primary focus of our research. It is the largest floor of the Abyss, filled with all manner of bizarre Abyssal Creatures, and it's the main source of incursions into the human world. It also holds many treasures waiting to be discovered."
"I won't waste time talking about the other floors, but when it comes to the first floor, I have some strong opinions."
Station Chief Liang paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd of young, hopeful faces. His expression turned grave as he spoke, enunciating each word carefully:
"The Abyss is dangerous. Even the first floor."
"Every day, Hunters die from all kinds of unexpected dangers."
As he spoke, Station Chief Liang's eyes grew red, his expression filled with grief.
"The world flocks to the treasures of the Abyss, but do not forget its dangers. This is my heartfelt warning. Please, remember it."
Mo Ling listened as he watched the new recruits operate their digital screens, which clearly detailed the many dangers of the Abyss's first floor.
Creatures beyond human imagination, unknown forms of life.
Mo Ling's worldview was shaken. 'Does this mean that ghost camp with all the bone totems was just small potatoes?'
Station Chief Liang continued speaking slowly, his emotions raw and genuine.
"My apologies, I didn't mean to bring you all down."
"A hunter is one who strives and endures hardship to obtain what the heart desires. I hope that each of you Hunters finds what you are looking for in the Abyss."
Hearing Station Chief Liang's blessing, the new recruits broke into spontaneous applause, their faces filled with determination.
Li Luo, however, remained expressionless. She kept swiping through the digital screen, completely absorbed in its contents.
'This Young Lady really has no manners,' Mo Ling couldn't help but remark.
Station Chief Liang noticed Li Luo as well, but showed no reaction. After a moment's thought, he added, "Let's talk about something you'll find more interesting."
"Relics."
"This refers to the series of strange objects discovered in the Abyss. Relics display unique abilities that are impossible to replicate with modern human technology."
"The principles behind how they work are completely different from any technology humanity has mastered, so we are still in the process of studying the function of each relic."
"The user must pay a certain 'price' to use a relic. Some prices are simple to pay, while others are nearly unbearable."
"Generally, a relic's power is proportional to its price. The deeper you go into the Abyss, the more terrifying the prices and powers of the relics you discover become."
"There are exceptions, of course—relics that are very powerful but only require a small price. However, these may be incredibly cumbersome, or they might attack indiscriminately. Each has its own drawbacks that one must find a way to overcome."
"On the first floor of the Abyss, relics are extremely rare. When a Hunter obtains one, they can choose to use it themselves or turn it in to the authorities, who, of course, will offer a substantial reward."
Although Station Chief Liang was addressing the entire group, Mo Ling felt his words were aimed at someone in particular.
"You can all look up information on relics yourselves. A suitable relic is the best 'partner' for exploring the Abyss."
"There are still many mysteries about the Abyss that you must explore on your own. That's all for today. I need to hurry off and investigate that disturbance."
"My office is on the second floor of the main hall. If you'd like to pay a visit or ask for advice, feel free to contact my secretary anytime."
After he finished, Station Chief Liang stood up and bowed to the new recruits before walking out of the conference room to the sound of applause.
With Station Chief Liang's departure, the conference room erupted with discussion. Some people were already heading eagerly for the door.
Li Luo continued to flip through the digital screen, then took another device out of her bag and transferred all the data to it.
Mo Ling had also learned a great deal. Though things were still hazy, a corner of this new world was gradually being unveiled before him.
'The Abyss? Relics? Where in the world did I end up after just taking a nap?'
Mo Ling's mind was a mess. He considered using the teleporting paper slips to get a message to the outside world and have them rescue him.
But he still didn't know how this world would react to him. They might just mistake him for an Abyssal Creature.
Besides, he couldn't even figure out what was wrong with himself.
'I'll wait. Hide a little longer. It's never wrong to be cautious.'
Li Luo quickly finished transferring the information from the digital screen. Carrying her metal device, she walked out into the main hall.
Du Kang was leaning against a pillar in the main hall, sipping tea from a thermos. When he saw Li Luo emerge from the conference room, he hurried over. "Did Liang say anything? He always gives the new recruits an earful."
"No."
Li Luo's reply was curt, but she immediately followed it with a question for Du Kang:
"How do I get to the 2nd Floor of the Abyss?"
COUGH COUGH COUGH!
Du Kang nearly choked on his tea. He turned and sprayed it all over the floor.
"My apologies. The tea was a little hot."
"It's fine."
The Young Lady was suddenly being very polite.