Welcome to Rewind World Game-Chapter 1532 - 24: Ideals Without Regret

(You remained silent for a moment, not catching her words.)

(Lin Jiang keenly noticed your silence. She opened her mouth slightly, seeming to realize the reason behind your silence, but in the end, her gaze dimmed, pretending she didn’t notice anything.)

You: "What do you think about the decision to embark?"

Lin Jiang: "Well... my mom told me that when a path goes dark with no light, just plunge into the darkness, whether ahead lies a puddle or a quagmire, a duck will eventually swim."

You (taking the token Lin Jiang handed over): "Are we all ducks?"

Lin Jiang: "Yes, matured saltwater ducks."

Lin Jiang: "However, you should be a swallow, soaring over with a ’whoosh’."

(You recall her previous death in White Sand Paradise, when all her strength fell short and her investors retreated, deeming her potential-less.)

(Would she still fear the bland stir-fried cabbage on her birthday? Would she still feel shame about her mother’s poverty? Would she still feel inferior at a luxurious birthday banquet of a classmate?)

(Is her wealth truly in her never-ending gold coins, or in a soul unseen by the naked eye?)

(Quietly, you remember her, say goodbye, and leave.)

...

[Story Title: "A Dad’s Self-Cultivation"]

[Creator: Xiao Xiao]

[Category: ...]

...

(You arrive at a bungalow, where Xiao Xiao and Wang Zhenzhen stand together, pouring mana points into an array at Anthony’s call.)

(They keep pouring mana until exhausted, resting between rounds, panting heavily.)

Xiao Xiao (watching the rising points): "Keep going! Zhenzhen! After finishing this round of mana, we’ll have 3 more points! We can exchange for more living supplies!"

Wang Zhenzhen (gritting teeth): "Yes! We still need some toothpaste, some towels, a cart..."

Xiao Xiao: "Exactly, for a better future, we can’t stop now. You also want a computer, I remember that..."

(You watch them, the most ordinary of people.)

(They exchange points not for unparalleled power, nor for wealth rivaling nations, but for the strength to protect themselves and the resources for sustenance. Many are like them.)

(Not wanting to disturb them, you glance at them a few times and turn to leave.)

Xiao Xiao (shocked): "Is that... Su Ming’an? Such bright colorful light, did he think we couldn’t see that—Su Ming’an!"

(He called to you, cleverly using voice transmission so as not to attract other players.)

You: "..."

Xiao Xiao (surprised, walking closer): "It really is you; isn’t it a crucial time now? What are you doing here? Looking for Hua De?"

(Slightly nervous, he adjusts his hair, though once acquainted, the distance between you now seems vast.)

(You shake your head.)

Wang Zhenzhen (excited): "Could it be you need our help?"

(You shake your head.)

Xiao Xiao (laughing): "Then you must be here to see us?"

(You nod.)

(You see their shocked expressions, lacking knowledge about deities, certainly unaware of your purpose—deities trying to leave anchors in memory before losing everything. It’s best they remain unaware.)

You: "How have you been lately?"

Xiao Xiao: "Not bad, Anthony, Hua De, Lin Yin, people from the United Group... mobilizing ordinary players to exert their power. Though unable to help you battle in the High Dimensions, gathering energy is manageable."

Wang Zhenzhen: "... We are doing well, thank you so much. Several of my classmates never thought we could really head to the future, and my relatives... thank you truly, Su Ming’an!"

(She bows deeply; Xiao Xiao quickly follows suit. Seeing their genuine happiness, you smile.)

(That’s great.)

(You can finally bring happiness to the majority.)

(You bid them farewell, wishing them a safe future.)

Xiao Xiao: "Wow, receiving Su Ming’an’s blessing, we should record this!"

Wang Zhenzhen (waving excitedly): "Su Ming’an! Goodbye! Wish you happiness too! Safe travels!"

(You recall your first meeting in the Third World, at Mingxi campus.)

(Xiao Xiao, once just a dad, without a weapon, yet bravely saved Wang Zhenzhen. Back then, discussing you with suspicion, thinking you anything but normal. Now, they consider your blessing a treasured treasure.)

(You silently smile and leave their story.)

...

[Story Title: "From Hacker to Becoming a God"]

[Creator: Laine]

[Category: ...]

...

Time: Fourth Cycle

Location: Abandoned Intelligent Machinery Temple

Characters: Hacker Laine, Number One Player Su Ming’an

(You step into the abandoned Intelligent Machinery Temple; since the God of Intelligence had long been dismantled, no one resides here except a young man in an oil-painted shirt, tinkering before a computer.)

Laine: "...Su Ming’an?"

Laine: "Don’t ask me; I don’t know where Boris went. I’m looking for him."

(You see his screen filled with search programs; casually pointing, you enlighten him, speeding up his progress considerably.)

(About Boris’s whereabouts, you know things don’t bode well. Since the Radiant Mother God defected, Boris, as the Lighthouse Sect Leader, never returned... You recall Laine and Boris were good friends; he’s indeed searching for Boris.)

Laine (with dark circles): "Forgot how well you know programming... What do you want from me, perhaps to listen to the mermaid and captain story again?"

You: "Go ahead."

Laine: "I knew you weren’t interested... huh?"

(He looks at you in surprise.)

(You sit down, calmly looking back.)

You: "Go ahead, I want to hear it."

(This story you first heard in the Sixth World, woven through your journey. You wish to hear it one last time, one final time.)

(Thus, you ignored your vow to "beat up Laine every meeting." Finding him on your own, acting rashly would be unfair.)

(Laine weirdly stares at you, suspecting something wrong with your mind. But he dare not defy, clearing his throat, he begins the tale.)

(In the silent abandoned temple, his clear voice resonated. Surrounded by quiet, no lights, like that night in White Sand Paradise. You catch a whiff of the wood’s scent.)

Laine: "The story takes place on the ocean, a ship about to return home."

Laine: "One day, the ship encountered a sea monster. The beautiful sea monster said it would grant endless treasures, enough to make the Empire prosperous and people happy, if they leave the captain. If not, it would sink the ship."

Laine: "While the crew whispered among themselves, the captain stepped forward, saying—"

You: "He said, ’Take me away.’"

Laine (angrily): "You already memorized it, why make me repeat?"

You: "And then?"

Laine (clearing his throat): "The captain stayed behind."

You: "And then?"

Laine (scratching his head): "What else? The captain wasn’t a monster; he was human. What happens when a human mixes with a sea monster? Drowned, of course!"

You: "What about the crew?"

Laine: "They sailed back with a ship full of jewels, and predictably lived happily ever after, making the kingdom prosperous... Hmph, like a fairy tale ending."

You (laughing): "I like fairy tales."

Laine (staring at you strangely): "I know a good psychiatrist."

(Apparently, he took your words as symptoms of an illness.)

(You once thought this story was dull and full of melodrama. But on the day you became the "Captain," you found the story quite interesting.)

You: "I remember Boris’s disappearance, and I will try to find him. If I can’t find him, I will rewrite him, his soul should still exist in Luowasha."

Laine: "I didn’t expect you to have some friendship in you, well, let me say ’I’m sorry,’ big hero. I shouldn’t have reopened your wounds... pfft, pfft, pfft, I’ve never apologized to anyone before."

(You left here. Before you went, you saw Laine still searching tirelessly for Boris. You heard they once shared a bond of hardship, and many untold stories lay hidden in the corners of the narrative.)

(You also heard that Eni and Noel were once friends, but you no longer care about the answer.)

...

"Scribble—" the sound of a pen hitting paper.

"I once heard a phrase."

"’The true immortal guardian is one willing to be nailed to the historical pillar of shame, just to gamble on an extra spring for the future.’"

"In this long story, I’ve seen Noah pretending to defect while actually guarding the spring; I’ve seen Yao Wen enduring humiliation for decades, extracting a chip to die at life’s end; I’ve seen Tretiya, who joined the Mechanical Army, who I eventually personally killed; I’ve seen Su Wensheng, who seemingly allied with the deities, but actually aimed to protect his world line."

"When midnight arrives as the world is about to collapse, these ’traitors’ turn their guns towards the beliefs they’ve been loyal to for half their lives."

"The ’current of stands’ clashes with the ’reef of humanity’. If luck were slightly more precise, perhaps we could’ve been soulmates discussing poetry over drinks?"

"History books intentionally blur these contradictory saviors’ endings: some vanish amidst the champagne bubbles of victory feasts, some spend the rest of their lives repairing an oasis they once destroyed, some never leave a noble name. But I see the domes of all memorials adorned with their medals, inscribed with a single line of golden text: "

"’The greatest light often emerges from the most painful ruptures—thanks to those who forge justice from contradictions.’"

...

[Story Title: "Reboot 2025"]

[Creator: Alger]

[Story Category: ...]

...

Time: Fourth Loop

Location: Chaos Temple

Characters: Free Alger, Enemy Su Ming’an

(When you arrived, a red-haired youth was crouched down carving wood. He glanced at you, then continued to focus on the wood in his hands.)

Alger: "Did you come to see me to surrender?"

You: "I’m curious why you’re in the temple of the God of Chaos."

Alger (laughing): "You wouldn’t think I’m suffering humiliation just to finally defect, would you? Unfortunately, I’m not such a great person, and neither is Noel Agnes; he hasn’t hidden anything from you."

You: "I don’t care, nor do I hate you. Which side you want to choose has nothing to do with me."

You: "I just came to see you."

(The atmosphere turned eerie, Alger looked at you with some fear, took a few steps back, and hugged his chest.)

Alger: "I need to reduce conversations with you to avoid being influenced by you."

(You didn’t respond to him but looked at him in silence for a moment.)

You: "...Have I done something wrong?"

(You asked this question again, but this time not to your allies, but to your enemy.)

Alger: "Although we’ve not been together for long, I cannot deny, you are indeed an admirable person. Even at this time, you’re still searching for reasons within yourself... for your sake, I will answer you."

(Alger placed his hand on the array, looked at you, and said words that left you with a blank expression.)

Alger: "You’ve done very well, Su Ming’an."

Alger: "Even though we stand on opposing sides, even as enemies, I still must acknowledge your efforts, your achievements, your results."

Alger: "You’ve already walked to the extremes of this path; there are no better answers."

Alger: "Congratulations, even as an enemy, I can give you a perfect score."

(This is your enemy’s affirmation of you.)

(You recognized the sincerity in his words. Even if your stances differ, he respects you.)

(You slit your throat and proceed to the next story.)

(This is your second to the last story.)

...

[Story Title: "Phoenix Proud Sky: Shocking Six Miss"]

[Creator: Mizushima Kawa Sora]

[Story Category: Strong Female Fantasy]

[Story Summary: In her previous life, she was a top assassin from an Ancient Martial Family, transmigrating to Luowasha, becoming a Sixth Miss with ruined magic and martial arts. Under the guidance of a deity, she secretly decided—she must ensure nothing stops her footsteps on this world!]

[Watch as the cunning Sixth Miss commands the Supreme Divine Beast, shining with unparalleled talents, and soars across the skies!]

...

Time: Fifth Loop

Location: Mizushima Kawa Sora’s small world

Characters: Shocking Six Miss, Sword Cultivator Bai Wuya, Number One Player Su Ming’an

(When you arrived here, Mizushima Kawa Sora was spinning a space cube in her hand.)

(She told you this was a small "small world" developed under the guidance of her grandpa-in-a-pocket. It serves as a final fallback, equivalent to the "Zero-Dimensional" of the Ruined World.)

(You do not need this. She said she would rewrite her sister and raise her in this small world. So for now, she would not accept any sacrifices, if any sacrifice is needed from her, please wait until she has raised her sister.)

Mizushima Kawa Sora (calmly): "...I’ve never truly been easy, but now I have no place to criticize you."

Mizushima Kawa Sora: "Thank you, at least you let many people survive."

(She knows what you are about to do, produces a black candy, and gives it to you.)

Mizushima Kawa Sora: "This is... a poison that can annihilate one’s soul. I made it sweet on purpose, so it wouldn’t taste bitter."

Mizushima Kawa Sora: "If you can’t hold on after becoming the World Tree, for the sake of ending pain..."

Mizushima Kawa Sora: "Use it."

(The entanglements between you are immeasurable. You personally killed the sister she treasured, and in the Eighth World, she attempted to drive you mad. In the end, she painfully chose to ignore her hatred for the greater good.)

(Originally, you thought each meeting would be rife with conflict, but at this moment, she knows you’re going to die, there is only calm in her eyes, and even a hint of respect. This respect mixed with fiery hatred is eternally tangled and unclear.)

You: "This may be our last meeting. I have a question I’ve been puzzled by, and I hope you can answer it."

Mizushima Kawa Sora (looking at you): "Go ahead."

You: "Is your wish for a Full Perfect Clear... to resurrect your sister?"

(This black-haired lady laughed, you watched her swaying braid, her glinting eyes, and her skin full of sword scars.)

Mizushima Kawa Sora (laughed): "There’s no need to hide it now, so I’ll speak."

Mizushima Kawa Sora: "My wish... has always been the same as yours."

Mizushima Kawa Sora: "I regret and am pained by Haru’s death. But my thoughts will not change. If Haru were to know I gave up the world to resurrect her, she wouldn’t accept it."

(You suddenly recall that Mizushima Haru’s wish was to save the world, so naturally, Mizushima Kawa Sora would not give up saving the world to resurrect her.)

(This logic is so simple, so clear... yet it’s only now that people realize it.)

(These contradictory sisters, these sisters in dark hues, these sisters who have done countless foolish things...)

(You sighed, unable to utter any words of blame or praise, and turned to leave.)

(Behind you came her lowered voice.)

Mizushima Kawa Sora: "...I can’t bring myself to say an apology, I can’t forgive you, and naturally you won’t forgive me."

Mizushima Kawa Sora: "So I will only say this to you."

Mizushima Kawa Sora: "I wish you realize a dream with no regret, Su Ming’an."

...