MTL - Mercenaries and Adventurers - v4 Chapter 31 , jigsaw puzzles and nightmares

Betrayed. Alone. Forced to survive the deadliest dungeon in the universe. As a Tulland dreamed of adventure. To be someone who sees every-place, goes every-where, and does every-thing. All he wanted was to go beyond the confines of his tiny island. So, when the Church denied him a class, he turned to the only other being that could grant him his wish; The System. And the System delivered. Tulland got Class, but not one he ever wished for. Awakening as a Farmer, he finds himself in the one place where he can grow away from the clutches of the Church — The Infinite; a dungeon whose end even heroes of old have never seen. Armed with what dregs of power the System deigned to give him, Tulland will have to figure out how to survive, and cultivate, the universe’s deadliest dungeon. Expect: + Progression fantasy with actual farming! + A very stubborn MC + Combat! Action! Plants!

“When the Lord Jesus comes for the second time, those who died in Christ’s name will be raised from the grave first.”

– “1 Thessalonians 4:16”

In 2019, an outbreak of zombie virus quickly swept the world within months.

Communications were interrupted, water and electricity support ceased, chemical plant leaked, nuclear power plant exploded, the world was reduced to be like hell on earth; without God, it became an era of legends and saviors, with the fire of survival instinct rekindled within mortals.

Resident Evil zombie-theme in ABO setting.

- Description from Novelupdates

In 2173, the world’s first Full-World Virtual MMORPG game ‘Astral Online’ went on sale globally, forever changing the blue planet Asteria!

With its revolutionary Digital Capture System, astonishing graphics and ability to scan yourself into the game with up to 20% beautification, countless defenders rallied to play the game.

Fifty million players logged in on launch. There were no queues or lag on launch, leaving countless critics impressed and willing to try the game. Because the game used a 6-hour play limit a day, it allowed even working adults to keep up with young students and the unemployed.

A resounding success, as more people poured onto the game servers, families and friends alike. Astra Online became a household name overnight.

One month later, the game opened its first RMT system, which made earning a living from the game easier... Thus began the Astral rush!

Professional players formed guilds and factions to increase their profits, but nobody could know this prosperity was a mere joke.

One year later, players fused with their avatars, gaining powerful abilities in the real world, which tipped the power and caused chaos.

Two years later, demons and monsters from inside the game invaded the real world.

Three years later, over 90% of humanity perished, leaving the rest to hide like rats, unable to fight back in fear.

Four years later, this world is no longer ours. The demons march on our last bastions, one by one. They exterminated us.

Zell was an average player who liked to collect beasts in the game and evolve them into humanoids, as they were primarily females.

He spent most of his life working two jobs to make ends meet.

Thanks to the excellent healthcare of his country, there were no crippling debts. There was only emptiness.

When the end came, he was powerless and alone. His only companions were his cute pets and Rika, his cherished Flame Rabbit.

She was the only beast he evolved to a humanoid form after his late start to the game.

He died saving the life of a strange girl with white wings and his pet Rika, the sad eyes of Rika and the girl’s sorrow floating through the air as he slowly passed away.

However, instead of dying, he awoke inside an empty white room with a single computer and a strange, game-like screen that allowed him to edit his IRL avatar and persona.

Who offered him this second chance?

For what reason did they help him?

Can he meet Rika again?

Zell could never know; he only knew his second life’s goal.

Survive!

Six years ago, he disappeared silently! After six years, he becomes the unparalleled "God of War" and returns with glory, only to find that he has a daughter whom he never knew of. Looking at his wife and his daughter, he says, "In this lifetime, I'll bring you the greatest honor and glory!”