Chapter Two: The Nature of the Wanderer

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As the blood-red characters reflected in Chen Ye’s pupils, he felt his control over his body gradually returning.

In his blurred vision, a phone slowly appeared beside him. The blood-red characters were centered on the phone’s screen, vividly crimson as if about to drip off the display.

“A phone?”

Chen Ye struggled to sit up, intending to pick up the blood-red phone beside him.

But just as he reached out, he suddenly froze.

His hand had become thinner, the bone structure smaller, and his palm noticeably smaller. Though his skin wasn’t especially fair, it was smooth and youthful, clearly that of a young person.

Looking down, he saw his body had changed into that of a boy.

He wore a linen short shirt with torn sleeves; only the right short sleeve barely covered his arm, resembling a tank top. His shorts, reaching one-third down his thighs, were full of holes. His thin legs were barely thicker than his calves, almost like lines.

This outfit looked so shabby that even a street beggar would weep at the sight.

“Is this a transmigration? Or just the initial template character of a game?”

Chen Ye muttered to himself. After months of surreal experiences, he was no longer shocked by changes to his body. He then picked up the blood-red phone.

Opening it, the scarlet screen revealed line after line of rules—

[Dear player, congratulations on surviving into the Strange Era!]

[Please carefully read the game rules:]

[1. Players must role-play according to their identities; different identities grant different traits.]

[2. Traits adjust their priorities flexibly based on sequence, strangeness value, and situation. Traits are not omnipotent, but having none is impossible.]

[3. All trades follow the law of equivalent exchange. Players can safely use the initial item—the “Blood-Red Phone”—to trade with others for items and information.]

[4. Each player begins with a random identity and receives a chance to draw an exclusive talent once per month.]

[5. Completing the game may reward different identities, traits, and spirit items, increasing personal assets. Only the brave can win this game!]

[6. The Strange Era opens monthly binding rankings of various types. The higher the rank, the richer the rewards. Friendly reminder: the first-place player inherits that month’s exclusive talent and unlocks a super-rich gift pack!]

Chen Ye was already familiar with the first two rules from his time as a beta tester.

The core gameplay of the Strange Era.

All players assume specific identities and gain rule-based traits.

These traits are not only the fundamental laws for survival but also the main path to strengthening oneself.

However, the content following the third rule was new since his arrival.

Chen Ye’s gaze lingered on the blood-red phone in his hand, a flicker of realization crossing his mind:

“I’ve never seen this Blood-Red Phone before. It comes with a panel viewing function and must be the initial item bound to the player.”

The phone looked aged, resembling a flip phone with a metallic shell shining darkly, exuding an indestructible aura. Despite its old-fashioned form, it possessed the physique of a smartphone. Held in hand, it felt like an excellent blunt weapon!

Maybe it could even be used for close combat.

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Flipping the phone open, Chen Ye found he could perform all basic operations using the buttons below.

After becoming familiar with the controls, he quickly exited the rules explanation and returned to the main menu, discovering the Blood-Red Phone was divided into several large modules—

[Personal Information], [Strangeness Interface], [Information Prompts], [Monthly Rankings]...

Among these, the prompts sent by the phone were collected under [Information Prompts].

Chen Ye’s curiosity was piqued as he opened [Personal Information]—

Player: Chen Ye

Identity: [Wanderer]

Traits: None

Spirit Item: None

Personal Assets: 0 Coins

Title Aura: None

Exclusive Talent: Pending Draw

Strangeness Value: 1

Game Completions: 0

…

His eyes fixed on his current identity—

[Wanderer]

This must be the initial unlocked identity.

Beside it was a notes section.

Opening it revealed a detailed description of the [Wanderer] traits—

[Poor Gaze]: Your upward glance carries a mocking effect. It’s best not to stare at others for too long, or you’ll provoke a furious beating!

[Good Luck]: While wandering, you tend to gain special luck. The more you travel on foot, the more luck you receive.

[Wandering Heart]: When interacting with others who are also wanderers, you are likely to receive friendly assistance.

“Starting as a Wanderer? This luck is unbelievably harsh...”

Chen Ye couldn’t help but grumble inwardly.

During the Strange Era’s beta test, Chen Ye had tried countless opening identities, amassing extensive information about them.

But in hundreds of starts, no identity was more difficult than Wanderer!

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The world of the Strange Era was almost entirely inhabited by the uncanny!

And with the [Wanderer] traits being so lowly, even a casual encounter with the uncanny could kill him!

Moreover, his gaze naturally provoked scorn, meaning just looking up could bring deadly danger!

In a world filled with the uncanny, even a second glance could mean instant destruction!

As for the other two traits...

In truth,

They were hard to make use of.

Although luck-related traits generally leaned toward the more advanced, the concept of luck for the Wanderer was vague.

The more you walk, the more luck you gain...

But where exactly that luck was, was unclear.

Furthermore, the third trait could gain assistance from fellow wanderers, but such people usually shared the same lowly status, offering little help.

And it was uncertain where to find them!

Therefore,

The Wanderer identity was almost entirely negative, with its positive traits abstract and nebulous, leaving no clear way to play.

It was essentially a hellishly difficult start.

“Ugh, does this cursed system know I’m a beta tester and deliberately ramp up the difficulty?”

“A hell-level starting career.”

“They really do think highly of me.”

Chen Ye’s lips twitched slightly but he did not despair. His gaze fell on the “Pending Draw” exclusive talent.

Besides identity, exclusive talents were also crucial.

If he could draw a good talent, he might turn the tables.

“My monthly talent hasn’t been drawn yet.”

“Wait...”

“If I use the [Wanderer] trait to walk for a whole day first, then draw the talent, would I get good luck?”

Suddenly, Chen Ye’s eyes brightened as if discovering a new world!