5: Chapter 5: Clear Rules, Elevated Authority

After successfully materializing Silver Star in reality and shining in class thanks to his Talent, Zhang Hao spent a period of time that was both exciting and tense. While adapting to the presence of a supernatural "partner" by his side, he hungrily absorbed knowledge from the real world with the help of his [Logical Connection] Talent and Silver Star's assistance. He felt as if his mind had never been so clear; many professional course materials that he previously found obscure and difficult were now easy to grasp in their core Logic.

Of course, he did not forget the source of his power—the Dream World.

Through Silver Star's more detailed explanations and the information he queried in the temporary safety zone of the "Main God Space," Zhang Hao gained a clearer understanding of the operating rules of the [Infinite Main God].

The task System is mainly divided into two categories:

1. Optional Tasks: At any time and place, as long as the Host's mind is in a relaxed or dream-ready state, they can actively apply to enter the [Dream Realm] to complete randomly generated tasks. The task difficulty and type are completely random, and the rewarded Dream Power fluctuates based on task performance. These tasks involve both risks and opportunities and are one of the primary ways to quickly obtain Dream Power.

2. Mandatory Tasks: These are compulsory. Every 7 days (real-time), one must enter the [Dream Realm] to complete a random task. This is an iron rule that cannot be avoided. The difficulty of mandatory tasks is usually slightly higher than optional tasks at the same stage, but the basic rewards are more stable and substantial.

Most importantly, there is a protection mechanism regarding the "Initial Task Period."

"Host, according to the rules of the Main God, all new players have three initial task opportunities." Silver Star crouched on Zhang Hao's desk, its front paws virtually fiddling with a data stream only it could see, as it explained, "In the first three tasks, regardless of success or failure, there are no additional punishments. Task failure only means no rewards will be obtained, but the Host's own safety will be guaranteed, and you will be forcibly teleported back to the Main God Space."

"In other words, the first three are a newbie protection period?" Zhang Hao confirmed.

"You could understand it that way. This is to allow new players to adapt to the rules of the Dream Realm and have a chance to awaken their Talent." Silver Star's digital eyes flickered. "But please note, starting from the fourth task, whether it is optional or mandatory, a punishment mechanism will be introduced."

"What is the punishment?"

"Based on currently unlocked information, for the fourth and subsequent tasks, if they fail, a certain amount of [Dream Power] will be deducted according to the task difficulty. The deduction could range from 50% to 200% of the basic reward. If the Host's Dream Power reserve becomes negative and cannot be repaid within a certain time limit, more serious consequences will be triggered—including but not limited to a drop in Talent Rank, permanent attribute damage, or even... forced unbinding of the Spirit, memory erasure, and even the dissipation of consciousness."

Zhang Hao gasped. The failure punishment starts from the fourth time! And it's so severe! This forced them to constantly become stronger; they couldn't afford the slightest slack.

"Additionally, there is another important piece of information," Silver Star added. "After successfully completing the three initial tasks, the Host's 'dream permission rank' will increase. At that time, the task briefings available before entering a task world will be more detailed."

Zhang Hao recalled his first two tasks: the first zombie world had only the word "Survival," and the second secret room had only the simple goal of "Find and open the door." If he could know more information in advance, it would undoubtedly increase his chances of victory and survival.

With anticipation for the permission upgrade and a sense of urgency for the future, Zhang Hao welcomed his third initial task.

This task world was an "Abandoned Research Institute," and the goal was to "Acquire the Core Data Disk." With the experience from the first two times, plus his [Logical Connection] Talent and Silver Star's precise environment scanning and data analysis, although he encountered several waves of defense robots activated from dormancy, he managed to avoid them or use environmental traps to deal with them without any real danger. Finally, he successfully downloaded the data in the main server room.

[Third Initial Task Completed: Abandoned Research Institute. Evaluation: Good. Reward: Dream Power +100 points.]

[Prompt: The Host has completed three initial tasks. dream permission rank increased to LV1.]

[Prompt: The Dream Spirit 'Silver Star' meets the upgrade conditions. Evolution beginning...]

Returning to the Main God Space, the three consecutive prompts lifted Zhang Hao's spirits.

He immediately tried to query information about the next task. Sure enough, the interface was no longer just a few simple words; a short description appeared:

[Next Mandatory Task Preview (Permission LV1):

World Background: A small town with a background similar to modern Europe, with rumors of non-human entities active.

Task Type: Investigation and Survival.

Primary Objective: Uncover the truth behind the disappearance of the town's residents and survive until dawn.

Extra Tip: Watch the shadows, maintain sanity.]

Although it was still vague, the amount of information was much greater compared to previous thin words like "Survival" or "Puzzle-solving"! At least it gave him a basic image of the task world and a direction for preparation.

Immediately after, Silver Star on his shoulder underwent a change.

Its dark silver metallic scales became more iridescent, and the edges seemed to glow with a faint energy halo. Its eyes, which originally only flickered with blue data streams, now had a subtle golden ring in the center, appearing more profound and agile.

"Silver Star, how do you feel?" Zhang Hao asked with concern.

"System upgrade complete," Silver Star's voice seemed to have lost a bit of its electronic synthesized feel, becoming slightly more rounded. "New functions are as follows:"

Enhanced Environment Scanning Precision: Can more accurately identify energy reactions, vital signs, and hidden traps.

Small Expansion of Information Database: Added identification and data for more common supernatural phenomena and basic technological creations.

Enhanced Reality Assistance: In reality, it can perform continuous environment monitoring with lower power consumption and conduct deeper non-invasive analysis (such as material, structure, simple composition, etc.) on a single target designated by the Host.

Appearance Tweaks: Can fine-tune appearance details (color, gloss, etc.) within a certain range based on the Host's subconscious preferences.

Zhang Hao looked at the brand-new Silver Star with pleasant surprise. The benefits brought by the permission upgrade were tangible! Not only was the task information more transparent, but even the Spirit had become more powerful. This meant his survival capability and growth speed would both be enhanced.

He glanced at his personal panel; his Dream Power reserve had become 225 points due to task rewards and natural consumption before Silver Star's upgrade. There were still a few days before the next mandatory task.

"I must hurry." Zhang Hao clenched his fists, feeling an unprecedented pressure, but also full of motivation.

The newbie protection period had ended. Starting from the fourth task, every entry into the Dream Realm would be a true test of life and death. He needed to use this final safety period to obtain as much Dream Power as possible, strengthen himself, and familiarize himself with Silver Star's new abilities.

Infinite worlds were opening to him, but they were also filled with thorns. He had already stepped onto this road of no return; the only thing he could do was rely on his wisdom, Talent, and this increasingly close partner to keep moving forward.

What he didn't know was that at the same moment his permission was upgraded and his Spirit evolved, Zhou Meng, sitting at the source of the Dream World, also saw the light representing Zhang Hao on his creator panel, its brightness significantly increased.

"Oh? The first little fellow to Breakthrough the initial permission has appeared." The corner of Zhou Meng's mouth curled into a playful smile. "Growing quite well. Let me see how far you can go on this supernatural path I've woven."