The Axestone

Chapter 2: Axestone Island

Axestone Island is a famous adventure resort island.

However, not everyone can enter Axestone Island, and even wealth cannot buy admission.

People can only apply online and must be approved by the organization that manages the island in order to set foot on it.

Surrounding Axestone Island is an invisible barrier, like a wall, which prevents both external intrusion and internal escape.

The organization has set up a teleportation portal near the island, serving as the island's entrance and exit.

However, this portal is not accessible to everyone. To be teleported to Axestone Island, one must have an Axestone bound to them; otherwise, it is just an empty doorway.

Those approved must report to the teleportation point at a specified time, where the staff will assist in completing the necessary procedures. Each approved individual is provided with an Axestone, and the staff will help them bind it on the spot.

An Axestone is a gray, diamond-shaped stone that appears ordinary but is indestructible. It is said that someone conducted an extreme pressure test on it, and no matter how hard it was struck, the Axestone remained intact.

The palm-sized Axestone has a side etched with a crossed axe motif. The color of the motif changes depending on the Axestone's status—black when unbound, and red when bound.

Axestones not only serve as a means of entry to Axestone Island but also function as identification and a wallet.

In most cases, visitors to the island cannot bring any real-world items, other than what they are wearing. However, they can use real-world currency to load funds onto their Axestones, which can be used for purchases and transactions on the island.

The organization sets the duration of each visitor's stay, which could range from a few days to a week or a month. The exact criteria for determining this time limit are unknown and are decided solely by the organization.

Those who fail to report on time after their stay will be wanted by the organization. In addition to the organization's staff, other island visitors seeking a bounty will also hunt down these individuals.

Axestone Island is divided into two main areas: one is the safe zone maintained by the organization, a scenic and peaceful resort area; the other is the dangerous zone, filled with wild beasts and adventure, known as the adventure area.

The adventure area is an undeveloped region, rumored to be home to treasures and rare resources. Some individuals venture into this area to search for valuable items, selling them for high prices and changing their lives overnight.

Of course, due to the high risk involved, the organization requires anyone entering the adventure area to sign a death contract, absolving the organization of any responsibility for the adventurers' safety.

Funds stored in the Axestone can be converted into real-world currency, which is one of the main reasons many people are eager to enter Axestone Island to seek adventure and attempt to change their lives from rags to riches.

...

Wu You is an adventurer, but not for the sake of wealth—she is driven by a love for exploration.

She had applied countless times, only to be rejected every time. This time, however, she applied with little hope and was surprised to finally be approved.

Wu You not only applied for herself but also for Mo Chu.

At the time, she had planned to convince Mo Chu, who rarely went out, to come along and experience the world. So, she applied for Mo Chu without her knowledge. After all, there was no guarantee that either of them would be approved, so she thought it wouldn't hurt to try.