This Life, I Will Be the Protagonist-Chapter 1158: Divine Game Quiet Mountain 41

Long before Deceitful Bloom learned she could use a combination skill with the Vineborne Celestialkin, SS Rita had already merged two of her unique elemental abilities.

The Flower Crown Murder’s draining ability and its tendency to scatter at will, combined with the destructive power and paralysis effects of the thunder element, created a potent combination.

Each petal could summon lightning—it was simply a matter of how one used it.

As Deceitful Bloom had said, divine abilities always come with various restrictions and logic—casting success rates, cooldown times, usage limits, and so on. However, skills generated from one’s battle experience and understanding of magic elements had no such limits. Only the player could truly understand the true nature of these skills.

For example, Cut the Moonlight, Lightchaser’s battle technique, or even Caged Bird and After the Funeral.

Petals stretched out like threads of lightning, and the sky cracked with thunder. Several Quiet Mountain players fell from the air, and even QM Rita was forced back.

In this brief window of time, the sound of crashing waves filled the air. The platinum helm that had been floating behind SS Rita subtly shifted, and time itself froze.

SS Rita stood in the air, holding her longsword, casually flicking a coin into the air.

She needed more information... not to foolishly stand there holding a white bear and saying "You’re so kind" to a Vineborne with ambiguous motives.

As QM Mistblade and the others began to descend, they immediately sensed something was wrong. This skill had temporarily disabled their control over their bodies, causing them to plummet from the sky. But at that moment, the one who was truly panicking wasn’t them—it was Deceitful Bloom.

Suddenly, an overwhelming number of Flower Crown Murder petals rained down from the lantern in Wrathful Moon, engulfing Deceitful Bloom and beginning to drain her energy.

What was the energy of a living being? Was it their attributes? No, it was their Race Talent.

Deceitful Bloom, stunned, looked toward SS Rita outside the lantern. The latter was engaged in a fierce battle with QM Rita in mid-air. As if sensing her gaze, SS Rita threw her a cold glance.

Recalling the sound of the crashing waves earlier, Deceitful Bloom knew immediately—SS Rita wasn’t waiting for a battle to finish. She had activated Time Stop, spending 24 hours reviewing her fading memories.

The result was clear—Deceitful Bloom had earned SS Rita’s hatred.

In that instant, Deceitful Bloom understood. She had overestimated SS Rita’s tolerance and underestimated her growth.

SS Rita’s divine talent had yet to level up, but she was just a few steps away from godhood. And SS Rita was far too important to Star Sea. Deceitful Bloom could no longer look down on her from the position of a god...

Seeing the flash of frustration in Deceitful Bloom’s eyes, SS Rita coldly withdrew her gaze.

The long and repetitive Demon Game had caused SS Rita to forget many things, but it had also made her shed unnecessary softness.

The first betrayal could be justified as being for the Vineborne. But this new manipulation and mockery were nothing but blatant provocation.

As for the scars Deceitful Bloom left to protect her—they were likely another form of deceit for achieving her own goals. Perhaps it was to help BS Rita accept more Vineborne, or perhaps it was a request from Uncharted Star Sea. Either way, it was hard to say.

Deceitful Bloom had always been certain of one thing—that as long as someone treated her well, as long as they could move her, even if their motives weren’t pure, she wouldn’t seek violent retribution.

Unfortunately... Divine Game nurtured her, but the Demon Game had pruned her useless branches.

Whether it was happiness or pain, it no longer mattered. If power stemmed from extreme emotions, the last thing she should do was hesitate and waver. She needed to pick a direction, pick an emotion, and push it to its extreme to generate power.

Just like now.

Deceitful Bloom’s purpose didn’t matter. SS Rita only needed to fulfill her current rage!

SS Rita began fighting four against one. No longer would she avoid using her relics to train herself, like she had in the Demon Game. Both of her divine relics and her Player Relic were now in use. Despite being at a disadvantage fighting four Apostles of God, she welcomed the challenge. This was a new kind of madness, as she began absorbing more combat techniques from Maple Syrup and Mistblade.

Meanwhile, Deceitful Bloom, unable to use any skills, could only call upon the Star Sea gods using the communication method she had been forced to leave behind.

Even with the gap in their abilities, the Dark Side of the Moon’s activation time was only five minutes. Yet she felt that those five minutes would cost her a Race Talent ability. And it wasn’t over yet. She saw BS Rita pulling out that cat-headed artifact.

The connection was quick, and before the other side could speak, Deceitful Bloom went straight to the point: "Have Uncharted Star Sea recall me!"

Foolishness’ surprised yet serious voice came through: "Aren’t you helping SS Rita?"

"...Now, I need help."

"Ah?"

"Foolishness, I’m serious. Whatever you have to tell me, we can talk about it when I get back. SS Rita will be fine. Right now, immediately, have Uncharted Star Sea recall me."

"I already applied, but they haven’t responded."

"..."

"What happened? Did she make you angry? Don’t bring personal feelings into the task."

"...I used the Flower of Deceit to control her, forcing her to fully trust me and follow me. Now she’s regained her sanity and remembered everything."

The chattering background noise on the other side abruptly stopped.

After a long pause, Boiling Orange’s voice finally spoke: "Did you go there just to provoke her?"

"Deceitful Bloom, you... aren’t you an undercover agent sent by Quiet Mountain?"

"Uncharted Star Sea responded. They’re recalling you, but it will take five minutes." This was Foolishness’ voice. "So, what’s going on now? Can you tell us?"

Deceitful Bloom pressed her pained forehead, saying nothing. Perhaps she was too embarrassed by how everything had gone wrong to speak. But under the persistent questioning, she finally answered, "She’s using Flower Crown Murder to drain my Race Talent."

From the Flower of Deceit, Boiling Orange’s voice came again: "...Do you know even Ashveil has stopped talking?"

Deceitful Bloom pushed through the soft petals surrounding her and walked to the edge of the lantern to look outside. Just in time to see SS Rita’s flower sword strike QM Rita down from the sky.

A pale gold mist began to spread, and Flower Crown Murder danced again within it.

It was the skill named Caged Bird.

White petals in the golden mist were being struck by lightning in a violent storm.

QM Kessa had already withdrawn from the battle, standing at a distance, healing QM Rita and the others.

A flash of light, and Nivalis was released by SS Rita to hunt down QM Kessa. Nivalis herself was holding dual swords, facing off against QM Rita, QM Mistblade, and Quiet Mountain Maple Syrup.

Four minutes later, Dark Side of the Moon expired, and Deceitful Bloom appeared next to Wrathful Moon.

But the very next second, Deceitful Bloom was locked inside again.

How could one Race Talent ability be enough to counter your control and mockery?

How could one Race Talent ability be enough to soothe my anger and hatred?

When I held the white bear and said, "You’re so kind," what were you laughing about? When you used the vine to control me, what were you thinking?

When I became a blank slate, the first word you wrote was still control.

A massive sword slash swept through, pushing back several Quiet Mountain players, and SS Rita stood motionless, her body facing the enemy, only slightly tilting her head to look at the lantern.

Deceitful Bloom quietly gazed back. She had read the emotions in SS Rita’s eyes.

She had guessed this would happen, which was why, when she was overwhelmed by Flower Crown Murder, she immediately called for Uncharted Star Sea to recall her.

The Wrathful Moon, which had been hovering near SS Rita’s head, fell to her feet. SS Rita’s gaze shifted from level to downward.

Her red pupils had turned back to black, carrying a hint of playful amusement and expectation.

What was she expecting? The wrath of a god or the humiliation of a god?

At this moment, it felt exactly like that moment from before.

That day, Deceitful Bloom had stood in the same posture, looking down at SS Rita from atop the temple.

[Congratulations, player SS Rita has unlocked the divine skill — "Wildfire Reignited"!]