Gusion still didn't know the purchasing power of the End Coins, but he felt that as options, these things probably weren't too different in value. In that case, he should choose the item that looked a bit rarer.
Free attribute points were easy to understand. The End Space had annotations explaining that as long as you went to the Enhancement Hall, you could use attribute points to directly improve your basic stats.
He wanted option A. Even though he could improve by training himself, there was no reason to turn down free stats being handed to him.
Among the remaining choices, Gusion first looked at the details of the title.
[Title: The Fearless]
Rating: B+ (E-~SSS+)
Source: Achieved the legend of the fastest graduation from the Shin'ō Academy in the derivative world "Bleach," and his spirit of fearlessly challenging captains was widely talked about in the academy.
Effect: While wearing this title, the explorer's Strength attribute is locked at +1. This effect applies at any stage.
PS: Only when entering the derivative world "Bleach," this title provide an extra 1,000 base reputation bonus.
Evaluation: I polished up a reckless hothead and called him Fearless.
[]
Gusion's mouth twitched at the End Space's evaluation. He thought, "This End Space is pretty cheeky. If you want to say I'm reckless, just say it. No need to polish it up as 'Fearless.'"
Jokes aside, he thought this title was pretty good. The effect of a locked +1 Strength at any stage was a straightforward buff and happened to make up for his current lack of Strength.
From his understanding of games, titles like this probably weren't easy to get, so after thinking it over, he decided to select it.
He hesitated over the remaining options—stuff like treasure chests. From his experience with company-made gacha games, random things like that were usually unreliable.
As for the Small Inheritance Crystal, he wasn't quite sure of its value, and he was skeptical about using external items to improve himself. "If the End Space helps you improve, is that the same as doing it yourself?"
After pondering for a while, Gusion still picked the Inheritance Crystal. The treasure chest just felt too uncertain.
It seemed there were plenty of other explorers in End Space. He could go out and collect some info later, then decide whether to use the Inheritance Crystal himself or sell it.
Having checked A, E, and F, he received his rewards.
Just as Gusion was about to go relax with a shower, he heard the system prompt again.
[End Space invites Explorer 404040404 to become a Pioneer. Do you accept?]
"Pioneer?"
Gusion mulled over the word. He remembered when he was pulled into End Space, it mentioned that based on his performance in the trial world, his contract terms might be upgraded or downgraded.
Was this Pioneer thing an upgrade or a downgrade?
[End Space selects the most talented explorers to sign a contract to conquer unsynchronized worlds. This is the Pioneer.]
As if it read his thoughts, the End Space voice continued.
[Please read the Pioneer Contract.]
A floating light screen appeared before Gusion, with contract-like content laying out the responsibilities and privileges of a Pioneer.
It was long; he only noted the key points:
According to the New End Space Rules, Article 26, except for special circumstances, the End Space cannot send Pioneers to worlds with a max difficulty lower than the Pioneer Mark.
Pioneers will be sent to higher-difficulty worlds with usually harsher main quests, all to expand End Space.
In Space War periods, Pioneers cannot refuse conscription (all exemption badges and items are invalid). If a Pioneer helps the End Space win, they receive generous special rewards.
In special cases, Pioneers must act as Adjudicators, executing rule-breaking explorers (only when Adjudicators of that rank have failed multiple times).
A special Glory Shop will be unlocked for Pioneers to exchange Pioneer Merit Points for various items.
Pioneer Mark permissions are automatically increased by one rank.
Gusion understood now: Pioneers meant high authority and high responsibility, high risk, and high reward—sent to the toughest worlds to fight the hardest battles.
Sounded interesting. Right up his alley.
"Sign it."
Gusion gave his answer to End Space.
[Contract established. Your original explorer number is now a dummy number to protect privacy and safety. Welcome, Pioneer No. 008. Looking forward to your conquests in new worlds.]
After the contract, Gusion found that the explorer mark on his wrist had changed from light blue to deep purple, with more intricate and mysterious patterns.
According to End Space, only the owner could see the mark—natives and other explorers couldn't—serving as a kind of identity protection.
After signing, Gusion showered, changed into new clothes, and opened the door full of anticipation.
Sunlight filtered through a giant net of vines, leaving dappled shadows. Gusion breathed in deeply, feeling relaxed—a freshness he had never experienced before.
In his era, air pollution was so bad in many places that people needed respirators to survive. Some regions even had companies selling air—poor people could only wait to die.
Gusion looked around and realized he was standing on a giant vine, with his door being a long, slender purple leaf.
People passed by on the vine, dressed in all sorts of strange outfits.
Like a cat-smelling fish, Gusion's curious glances made it obvious he was a newbie.
"Hey brother, new here?"
A dark-skinned man came up, very friendly. "Just finished your trial?"
Gusion nodded. "Any advice, bro?"
"The trial world must've scared you, right? Don't worry, you're safe here for now. Getting pulled in here sucks, but you have to move forward. If you want to survive, you need intel..."
Here, the man rubbed his hands—his meaning clear.
"How much?"
Gusion knew how important intel was. As a newcomer, he needed a guide. Of course, if the guy tried to rip him off, he'd picked the wrong target.
Seeing Gusion ask for a price, the man's delight was obvious. "Not much, just 500 End Coins. Don't worry, my intel is worth it. Ask around in the first-tier area—everyone knows Black Whirlwind's info is the best!"
"50. Otherwise, I'll look around myself."
Gusion looked him straight in the eye. He was bold, not stupid. His first main quest only gave 500 coins; most explorers didn't even get 1,000. This guy was overcharging.
Black Whirlwind froze, seeming troubled, but seeing Gusion about to leave, he hurriedly stopped him. "Alright, alright, tough guy—you win, 50 it is."
Since something was better than nothing, he started explaining End Space's basics to Gusion.