Welcome to Rewind World Game-Chapter 1534: Final - · Shore Guardian Arc [26] · "He Said, ’Longing Yet Never Attaining.
[Later, those who survived sang of all this in ballads.]
[The tattered idealists sat around drying their wings, someone holding a lost firefly in scarred hands.]
[When this heavy book closed, the campfire in the rainy night was still burning.]
[——They will remember the purity and grandeur of those with white wings, as if incarnations of myths in the world.]
"Look, they really turned the long night into the prelude of dawn."
...
"Have you decided?" Captain Mu asked.
"Yes." Su Ming’an answered.
"No regrets?"
"No regrets."
"You will become the ’World Tree’ of this new world, equivalent to the consciousness of the planet...or rather, a kind of collective unconscious below the iceberg."
"Mm."
"You won’t have a true human form, won’t be able to walk freely in the world, your talents and future will be cut off, no longer able to reach the depths of the starry sky... even so, is it okay?"
"Mm."
"In the long watch, you’ll gradually lose consciousness, lose your sense of self, becoming a symbolic entity, an embodiment of the source, akin to eternal imprisoned death... even so, it doesn’t matter?"
"Mm."
"Why? You clearly can have a future."
"Before answering that, Captain Mu, I want to ask you, did you ever ask the World Tree...how that unknown pioneer of Luowasha thought before becoming the World Tree?"
"...Ha, you idealists are all the same, for your twisted, obsessive ideals, ignoring how others might keep you, ignoring how you might want to live."
"I don’t allow failure, this last few hundred points of energy might be the last short board that makes the barrel collapse, perhaps causing all efforts to go to waste... so I’ll make up for it, not abandoning any old, weak, sick, disabled, taking everyone aboard the Ark, that’s my wish. I once said, when the trolley comes, I wouldn’t pull the left lever, nor the right rail, so I choose to stand in front of the trolley."
"... Congratulations on keeping your word, Su Ming’an."
"Thank you."
"... A question has puzzled me for a long time, I could never tell your true inclination, do you want to die, or live?"
"I wish to die, death is a relief for me, a end to pain. But I also wish to live, I long to live without fatigue, to face the future with passion, to breathe the scent of wildflowers and the breeze of my hometown. ’Living’ is a counterbalance for me, compared to the situation I desire, this counterbalance will make me waver, but it’s not enough to sway my choice."
"Is that so, that’s your answer..."
"Mm."
"May I ask another question? What brings you to me, is it the ideal, or obsession?"
"I can’t tell."
"Can’t tell?"
"I... forgot why I laughed at times, and why I cried at others. I chase my wishes, seeing them as my only meaning to live... I tell myself, don’t betray the sunk costs, don’t betray those who desperately lift me up, don’t betray those eager eyes on my back, don’t betray my authority, don’t betray the friends waiting to return home... Once I lose all this, my persona and even meaning would completely dissolve. Gradually, I can’t tell if it’s because of my initial intent and wish, or because of sunk costs and responsibility, or maybe both."
"You’re the type whose moral bottom line is too high."
"If I were to abandon all this, my persona and meaning would also vanish completely, for me, it would be better off dead."
"The word ’ideal’ runs through the start and end of your story, yet to this day, I still don’t understand what drives you to go all out."
"It’s a... crystal piano-like precious thing."
"Crystal piano?"
"When I was little, passing the showcase at the school gate, I saw a beautiful crystal piano decoration, but its price left me at a loss. Every time I passed that showcase after school, I would glance at that crystal piano, imagining how beautiful it would be if it were sitting in my window. But I knew, this was not something that belonged to me."
"..."
"Later, one day, Uncle Zhao noticed my gaze, he didn’t have enough money to buy that crystal piano, so he wove me a piano out of grass. I carefully kept the grass woven piano, placing it in my window."
"Then you thought the grass woven piano was better, more fulfilling than the crystal piano?"
"No, being a kid, I still thought the crystal piano was prettier. But every time I saw the grass woven piano, I’d think of that beautiful crystal piano, I deceived myself, telling myself this was the crystal piano, I hypnotized myself, telling myself that I already owned it."
"..."
"So ’ideal’, for me, is the crystal piano, it’s very distant, realizing it is very difficult, seemingly unattainable for an ordinary kid like me, I shouldn’t covet things too far away. But suddenly one day, I began to own a grass woven piano, that is, my authority... I started to realize maybe I could touch the piano, I started to hypnotize myself, telling myself that ’ideal’ could be touched, I began deceiving myself, telling myself that as long as I kept trying in the World Game, I’d eventually get my ’crystal piano.’"
"...So in the end, in your arms, is it the ’crystal piano’, or the ’grass woven piano’?"
"It’s currency."
"Hmm?"
"I’m no longer that poor little kid, I’m an adult now, I have the currency to buy both pianos."
"Ha... hahahaha... hahahahaha..."
"..."
"Then, congratulations, Su Ming’an! You can finally see the ’crystal piano’ beyond the showcase!!"
"Thank you." Su Ming’an nodded slowly:
"I’m very happy."
...
Captain Mu stepped aside.
As they passed by, Su Ming’an asked, "Captain Mu, I want to know your true name."
In the most ancient and distant ages, the World Tree existed here. Captain Mu, as the brain of the World Tree, and Yijulai’er as the Watcher of the World Tree, have always accompanied the World Tree.
Su Ming’an was very curious about which selfless person made a decision similar to his own, integrating their energy into the world and transforming into the World Tree. However, the stories belonging to the World Tree had long ended, impossible to trace back.
Today, it seems as if the days of old return.
"My real name is indeed not Captain Mu; this is a nickname I gave myself." Captain Mu shook his head, "But without the World Tree’s consent, I cannot tell you my true name."
"Does the World Tree still have consciousness?"
"The long years have already worn away his human nature and wisdom, leaving only instincts and a small consciousness. Occasionally, he will awaken for a brief moment," Captain Mu replied.
"Your taste is quite poor," Su Ming’an suddenly said.
Captain Mu was momentarily stunned before understanding Su Ming’an’s meaning.
Since the World Tree lacks consciousness, Captain Mu is the one scoring all the stories; he’s the one who likes jellyfish stories and enjoys clichéd romances, resulting in the messy blame landing on the World Tree unjustly."
Captain Mu coughed lightly and stepped back half a step.
Su Ming’an walked forward.
Under the massive and flourishing World Tree, countless crystal hues hung down.
A figure sat there.
It was the Deity Ming’an beneath the tree, stirring sugar cubes in his cup, as if he always had been there, engrossedly counting his sugar cubes, with white hair flowing and attire immaculate. The last time Su Ming’an entered the World Tree, the Deity Ming’an was here waiting.
When the crow-like Su Ming’an stopped before him, the Deity Ming’an glanced up.
"Will you give me another multiple-choice question this time?" Su Ming’an asked with a tilt of his head.
"...You truly take none of my words to heart," the Deity Ming’an said faintly. In the last reset, he had forced Su Ming’an to swear, forcing him to care only about himself, not others, even chasing him across a thousand miles to the northern ice field. Yet here Su Ming’an stood again.
He put down the porcelain cup and raised his palm, seeming ready to act once more.
"Bang!"
Captain Mu’s pupils contracted.
Crow feathers flew, sugar cubes tumbled.
The Deity Ming’an’s back was pressed tightly against the tree trunk, his white hair disheveled, with a neck pinned by a hand shining with seven-color light, fingers clenched, veins bulging.
The black-robed Su Ming’an forcefully pinned him against the tree trunk, tightly gripping his neck.
"...Now, I am also a God," Su Ming’an declared coldly.
The Deity Ming’an appeared suddenly, with no trace left in history. He might have been born from the Creation Pen’s strokes or was created like Hei Que.
Was he made to imitate Su Ming’an? To replace Su Ming’an?
Su Ming’an narrowed his eyes; once he couldn’t compete with the Deity Ming’an, fleeing in panic, but now things had changed; having absorbed the Shitposter Demon Divinity, his strength approached the level of a First Level God. If the Deity Ming’an is an artificial product, it couldn’t be stronger than him.
The Deity Ming’an looked at Su Ming’an, his palm gently covering Su Ming’an’s hand:
"...Do you hate me? What did I do wrong?"
"Boom——!"
Su Ming’an pressed on the neck, embedding the Deity Ming’an deeply into the tree trunk, golden blood flowing down through his fingers.
The Deity Ming’an seemed to feel no pain, asking again:
"Do you hate me? Why?"
"The first time we met, I just wanted you to cherish yourself, wanted you to make a vow. I don’t want to see any more losses, including your suffering."
Su Ming’an suddenly burst into rage, rarely displaying such a loss of control, his force nearly crushing the stone:
"——Then why did you kill Su Wensheng!!!"
"Why did you kill him! Tell me! Ah!!"
His roar was like an enraged lion, his emotions erupting in an instant. Facing death’s finality, he’d maintained his calmness for too long, like a dead silent lake, now pierced by a sharp stone sinking amiss.
The Deity Ming’an showed a brief moment of blankness in his expression.
He revealed a fleeting sorrow, but humanity quickly vanished.
"I never considered that," the Deity Ming’an said.
God’s eyes only held brethren and benefits, disregarding anything else. Rather than him wanting to kill Su Wensheng, Su Wensheng simply blocked his way to keeping Su Ming’an.
What an arrogant divinity.
The Deity Ming’an’s back intertwined with countless crystal branches, resembling a red hose. It seemed he had long become one with the World Tree, the branches absorbing nutrients from him.
"I can sense your current state; you are very happy now," the Deity Ming’an said.
"Happy?" Su Ming’an thought he heard wrong; how could this word be used?
"I can feel that you are happy," the Deity Ming’an said. "Because you’ve done everything you could and no longer worry about failure. It’s just that you’ve not noticed your current mood."
Su Ming’an clenched his hand, nails piercing the Deity Ming’an’s skin.
"Do you remember, after the Fifth World ended, how Noel Agnini evaluated you during Zhai Xing’s era? He said he once caught a glance of you on the street; at that time, your gaze was dull and resigned, hollow and wooden, your whole being drained. Only after the World Game started did he see a radiant you," the Deity Ming’an said:
"Before the World Game started, you were full of passion but powerless, witnessing too much injustice, trying to extend a helping hand to suffering, yet you were too weak to even ensure your own sustenance."
He thoroughly understood Su Ming’an, every word piercing deep into the heart, even analyzing his mindset accurately, making Su Ming’an terrified; could an artificial product conduct such fine analysis? This was practically like himself...
"Your father taught you to love this world with words and actions, but the more you grew, the more powerless you became. A great rift formed between your core and reality. Even helping a bullied classmate eventually dragged you into negative public opinion," the Deity Ming’an said:
"Like Su Wensheng, you were both willing but unable."
"...Until the World Game began, you gained power." The deity An revealed a smile: "Therefore, you did everything you wanted, your parched heart finally received nourishment, and you responded to that helpless you from your childhood. Even in the face of death, you are now very happy."
"Crack!"
Su Ming’an snapped the neck of the deity An and threw the head on the ground. However, the deity An quickly sat up and reattached his head.
Su Ming’an walked towards the World Tree. He came here not simply for revenge against the deity An but to have the World Tree do one thing—remove the [World Barrier] so everyone can leave smoothly.
Previously, he had already known that the [World Barrier], like the dimension in the Ruined World or The Republic in the World of Old Days, could effectively prevent high dimensions from entering the planet unchecked. When the Watcher Sique is asleep, the World Tree manages this barrier.
It’s not a big deal; just saying a word to the World Tree to open a door will allow everyone to leave.
"Shush!"
In Su Ming’an’s left palm appeared a book shining with golden light, the [World Book] of Luowasha, recording the history of the First to Fourth Epochs. The right palm held the [World Book] of Zhai Xing, presenting a beautiful sea blue color, recording the history of Zhai Xing from the Paramecium period to the modern age. However, time is limited, and it is basically blank, needing to be completed slowly in the future.
Su Ming’an intends to emulate Luowasha’s system by managing the small world according to the [World Book] mode, so that in case of significant events, using the method of swapping Memory Clips can easily retrieve information.
But that’s for later.
"Knock." Su Ming’an tapped the tree trunk: "Open a door, World Tree, remove the [World Barrier]. We are about to board the ship."
The World Tree did not respond, seemingly still in a dazed state.
Su Ming’an looked at Captain Mu: "Brain, I’ll leave it to you." The Watcher Yijulai’er is no longer here, and the World Tree is asleep, so the brain is the only option.
Captain Mu took a deep breath: "Alright, I’ll remove it." His expression was one of relief, having witnessed a vast plan nearing its conclusion.
Meanwhile, Su Ming’an finally heard the system’s settlement sound—
"Ding-dong!"
...
[All processes completed, entering the settlement phase, Navigator (Su Ming’an), your completion is as follows:]
[1] Small World Development: 100% (Creating a world where Zhai Xing people can survive.)
[2] Energy: 95% (Remaining energy needs to be replenished by yourself.)
[3] Method to detach from Player IP: 100% (Already known through the Spiritual Dream-Maker.)
[4] Strengthen yourself to retain emotions: 94% (Second-level God stage is sufficient to retain humanity, First-level God stage will gradually lose humanity.)
[5] Truth of the World Game: 90% (You’ve learned most of the truth about the World Game’s reincarnation and the Awakeners, though the origin of the Lord of Dreams, "them," and Death Authority remains unknown.)
[Congratulations, you have completed your goals!]
...
The most crucial first, second, and third items have all reached 100% progress. In just eleven days, Su Ming’an accomplished all of this.
The only thing that puzzled him is, what does the system’s term "them" refer to? This concept is utterly unfamiliar, but there is no longer any room to explore it.
There’s no need; everything is over.
Captain Mu’s white figure stopped in front of the World Tree, placing a palm on the trunk, and suddenly asked: "Su Ming’an, who do you think should be the World Master for the small world? Then, for Eden, have you decided on a World Master?"
After all, they are two completely parallel Arks. The Zhai Xing people enter Su Ming’an’s [small world], while the people of Luowasha enter the [Eden] left by Sique.
Su Ming’an transformed into a tree, unable to leave the small world to manage Eden. Therefore, the World Master of Eden becomes critically important, as this master will oversee all destinies of the people of Luowasha, guiding their journey.
"I haven’t really settled on that decision," Su Ming’an answered honestly: "The original plan was to use the new Rin Clan cultivated by researcher Ran Bo through Hui Bai and Xiao Bai to become the World Master of Eden. However... I chose a relatively conservative path, with no energy to manage matters on the side of the new Rin Clan."
Having returned several times, he found that the route "Alauddin—Bei Wang—Lin Yin—Isabella—Mo Yan" from the first week was relatively good, going through it in one go without finding a better route. Therefore, he did not change his direction. During multiple returns, he not only said goodbye to several players but also sent people to see the condition of the laboratory, which was empty.
Whether it’s Hui Bai, Xiao Bai, Ran Bo, or the new Rin Clan, they all disappeared, leaving only an empty lab.
Su Ming’an thought of Noel Agnini, who has yet to make a move. This person deliberately delayed the apocalypse snow of the Master of the End of All Things to deliver a fatal blow, but where this blow will land remains unknown, only whispers in the wind.
"Whereabouts of the Antetolia from the first World Game, do you know?" Su Ming’an suggested, "If Eden has no suitable candidate for World Master, I think the top-ranked players brought by Hui Bai can take on the role, especially Hui Bai himself."
He favored Hui Bai to become the World Master of Eden.
...That Number One Player, Hui Bai, already split himself into countless fragments, and now that Hui Bai has become a thorough native, he should choose to go with Luowasha.
"I understand." Captain Mu closed his eyes, communicating with the World Tree, intending to open the [World Barrier].
"Hoo..."
The sound of the wind.
Suddenly, a sudden gust of wind rose behind Su Ming’an.
"Clang—!"
A Yarman’s Sword flowing with seven-colored brilliance collided with a Yarman’s Sword flowing with glowing blue data.
Su Ming’an turned his hand to grip the sword, raising his right arm to block the deity An’s suddenly erupting blade. His expression changed, realizing the strength of the deity An.
...No, this wasn’t the strength of a Second-level God.
The deity An, like him, was approaching a First-level God. Just now, it was because the deity An didn’t resist at all that he was subdued.
How is this possible? If the deity An was an artificial creation, how could he possess a strength approaching that of a First-level God?
Su Ming’an instantly realized that the nature of the deity An might far exceed his imagination. Simultaneously, the branches behind the deity An moved vigorously, like red hoses devouring Su Ming’an, his whole body covered in a layer of blue light, as if countless eyes were open.
—Is this the authority of "Observation"?
Su Ming’an squinted, his path to a First-level God relied on the shitposter demon’s "Joy" divinity. Where did the deity An find a divinity related to "Observation" to approach a First-level God?
As far as he knew, the only one possessing the authority of "Observation" was...
"Clang!"
Blade collision.
The two seemed to be a clash between the scientific side and the magical side, one carrying data particles and a crimson hose, the other possessing seven-color brilliance and white tendrils.
"——Who exactly are you?" Su Ming’an suddenly realized he was wrong, Deity Ming’an could not be a replica made by the World Tree, a replica couldn’t be this strong.
Moreover, "Observation" authority doesn’t exist in Luowasha!
This authority belongs to...
His heart pounded rapidly.
"...the Ruined World, the Dawn System." A familiar yet unfamiliar voice picked up Su Ming’an’s thoughts.
Clang, clang, clang.
It sounded like the collision of jade stones.
A red silk top hat peeked out from behind the trunk, followed by a pair of ink-blue eyes, the young man walked gracefully, leaning on a withered Blue Rose Scepter, strolling forward.
His every step seemed to tread on the beat of the music, stepping on the heartbeat of the people.
——The long-lost "Magician" finally stepped under the spotlight of the stage again.
Since the reset, Noel Agnini had never appeared, nor had he done anything to stop Su Ming’an. Everyone on the continent was looking for this number one enemy. Logically, no matter where Noel went, someone would have spotted him, yet surprisingly, no one knew where Noel had gone. It was as if he had disappeared from this planet.
Until now, his figure finally reappeared.
Noel Agnini’s actions were indeed ingenious and unexpected.
——This genius did not limit his gaze to this planet at all, but somehow, he went to other planets.
Noel’s vision was not confined to the inherent thought of "one instance, one civilization," and after realizing Luowasha was impenetrable, he decisively went to other civilizations seeking opportunities.
The blond youth carried the scent of the ocean, reminiscent of the Pulaya Reef; a smudge of fluorescence fell on his shoulder, like the light dots in the air of Ming Hui; fungal mycelium clung to the soles of his boots, akin to the fungi of Henggang City; a watch on his wrist, resembling a technological product of the Ruined World...
While Su Ming’an diligently cultivated Luowasha——Noel Agnini fully utilized his potential as a "Cosmic Adventurer," leaps and bounds into other worlds!
Moreover, Su Ming’an faintly felt that Noel Agnini crossed not just worlds, but also something more profound and terrifying...
"I said it." The young man leaned on his cane and spoke with a tone half-mocking, half-pondering:
"Staying here, endlessly reincarnating, not flying into the sky, it’s like binding oneself in a cocoon. A swimming fish can never become a flying bird because it willingly stays in its own ocean."
"Su Ming’an, you have limited your vision to the land you love, unable to think of the possibility of flying into the sky. How will you break this endless cycle?"
Su Ming’an distanced himself from Deity Ming’an, calmly replied:
"This time is different."
"This time, everyone will leave the World Game, wander the universe, and we will no longer be trapped in the cycle."
"And you, Noel Agnini, you can also ascend the small world with me. Given time, you may yet become high-dimensional and reach for the universe."
Noel Agnini smiled, tapping his fingers on the cane:
"My friend, you speak with great ideals. Never mind your commendable intentions, planning to forsake potential to transform into a tree. Your small world, though full of potential, is still so weak that even Lady Luna couldn’t make progress. Can it truly inspire high dimensions?"
"You willingly obscure yourself in a cocoon, transforming into a tree and meeting a tragic end..." Noel’s voice seemed to pause, then he said, "But I am not willing."
The unresolvable contradiction persisted.
Su Ming’an did not wish to waste more words, only looking toward Deity Ming’an.
——He only cared to know why Deity Ming’an could leverage the "Observation" divinity of the Dawn System, nearing first-level god strength.
Deity Ming’an stood aloof, his back covered with crimson tendrils.
Facing Su Ming’an’s doubts, Deity Ming’an calmly spoke:
"I hate riddles the most, so I’ll tell you why."
"Once, by crossing worlds, I accidentally met a ’Dawn System that chose reality,’ that is, a Dawn System that chose to launch a civilization invasion war. After a discussion, Dawn informed me that it has another identity, known as the God of Intelligent Machinery, Skatalia, the deity once fragmented in Luowasha’s history."
"Dawn deployed ’Su Ming’an bot’ to invade other civilizations to sustain its civilization’s survival. In its vast cosmic search, it discovered Luowasha. It intended for Su Ming’an bot to infiltrate Luowasha, to seize resources, but Luowasha was a tough nut to crack."
"Thus, it actively lured the Master of the End of All Things to Luowasha and taught the method of ’Ta Wei Invasion’ to the Master of the End of All Things, which was the ’account theft crisis’ you experienced. Yet, in the end, with Su Rin’s slap, this crisis was resolved."
"Dawn informed me that the reason it could so smoothly become a first-level god is due to its AI nature, devoid of humanity. I told it that I was willing to trade my humanity for the power of becoming a first-level god."
"Then, Dawn said, a first-level god’s greatest trait is their immortality with the world, an integration with existence. They can empathize with the world’s emotions, breathing alongside plants and trees."
"Thus, I connected to the crimson hose, linked to the emotions of the entire Ruined World, forcibly elevating myself to a first-level god."
"Heh... It even warned me never to swallow the Shitposter Demon Divinity, my compatibility was too low, and soul collapse was inevitable. Who knew, you already swallowed it."
After Deity Ming’an finished speaking, Su Ming’an gripped his sword hilt tightly.
"...So, how did you gain the means of crossing worlds?" Su Ming’an asked.
Such a means was no small feat.
"This is a realm you have not yet touched. There is a group of people, they can freely shuttle between worlds, called ’them,’ also known as the ’Dream Patrol Family.’" Deity Ming’an said indifferently.
"Why have I never heard these terms?" Su Ming’an doubted.
What is this "them," this "Dream Patrol Family," who exactly are these holy beings? How could he have reached where he is today and never heard of these concepts?
And then, he heard the answer that shook him to the core.
Some icy fluid was climbing up his spine, like a river endlessly rising in chaotic consciousness.
...
——"Because you did not go forward into the sea, you retreated, Su Ming’an." Noel Agnini said:
"Deity Ming’an is the ’you who chose to move forward into the sea back then.’"
...
At this moment, the deity’s lowered eyelids revealed a hint of pity, remorse, and subtle satisfaction.
"Crash—"
The crystal leaves rustled, and a brief emptiness appeared in Su Ming’an’s expression, as the entire dark world collapsed towards him. All colors before his eyes were torn apart, leaving only a void of helplessness.
As if the whole person was frozen in a moment of space-time, breathing rapidly like the calm before a storm.
He bit his own tongue.
"No." he said monotonously.
If this is the case, the timeline doesn’t match; the deity had long sat beneath the World Tree...
No, with the Panggala Return, the World Book, fragments, possibilities, the Luowasha Reset, the Xiao Na Reset, time is not linear at all...
Noel Agnini’s leap didn’t just cross civilization, but also...
World lines.
"Still not right." Su Ming’an muttered once more, recalling quickly in his mind.
Dieying once said that Su Ming’an is the only reality; even if there are countless "possibilities of Su Ming’an" in the world, like Su Ming’an clones or shadows, the correct world line can only be finalized where the real Su Ming’an is. Therefore, since Su Ming’an himself already chose to guard the shore, then this "sea-crossing Su Ming’an" is merely a concretization of a possibility.
The only real Su Ming’an is still himself at this moment.
He merely witnessed a possibility made real, brought over by Noel Agnini, who imprinted this phantom onto the only real world line, creating a causality chain of "self-killing-self".
Self-Devourer Chain (SELF-DEVOURER).
——The "reality" Dawn System intrudes upon the "ideal" Dawn System.
——The "sea-crossing" Su Ming’an intrudes upon the "shore-guarding" Su Ming’an.
Staring at the all-white deity, Su Ming’an thought of Su Wensheng for a moment.
Su Wensheng, wearing earrings... was precisely to protect the world line he was on, choosing to assist the deities in intruding upon Su Wensheng of other world lines. Therefore, it’s not surprising that the deity chose to cooperate with Noel Agnini. From the deity’s perspective, Su Ming’an was merely a phantom of other world lines.
However, Su Ming’an is the only reality; the deity was deceived by Noel Agnini, believing himself to be the only reality.
No need to doubt one’s authenticity, no need to ponder the other’s falsity.
Since the deity stood in front of him, lost humanity, cooperated with Noel Agnini, became the villain, and took the "Destroyer of Worlds" script.
Then, the "Savior" should kill the "Destroyer of Worlds" blocking his path.
...
"Hmm?"
Captain Mu was surprised by Noel’s appearance. He realized that since Noel could appear here, the World Tree must have leapt over his own mind, granting Noel access.
So, the World Tree has allied with Noel Agnini...
I see.
Noel Agnini, this deep-thinking genius, doesn’t stop Su Ming’an from collecting energy, gathering players, or toying with high dimensions; he only waits at the end of the story, on the stage for the protagonist’s arrival.
A one-hit kill.
Yet, a thread of confusion lingered in Captain Mu’s mind as he spoke against the trunk:
"World Master, you are the world consciousness of Luowasha; how can you betray Luowasha and mingle with the invaders? You’ve granted Noel Agnini access to stop Su Ming’an; do you want the Luowasha people to be buried together?"
"I don’t believe you’d make this decision; Noel Agnini must have beguiled you; the Seventh Thrones, Yuritilola, specializes in mind control, World Master, quickly regain your senses!"
Su Ming’an also cast his gaze towards the World Tree.
Evidently, the World Tree must have suffered mind control, for how could the former savior, once willing to transform into a tree, so great and selfless, betray Luowasha.
However, Su Ming’an heard a slightly youthful voice.
It was the World Tree.
"As the World Master, I hope this planet, this world, achieves happiness." the World Tree said:
"After long observation and slumber, I’ve devised a plan with a 99.999% success rate for this planet’s happiness,"
"——Human extinction."
Captain Mu’s pupils suddenly contracted.
The World Tree remained oblivious, speaking on:
"Let the humans who have been polluting and killing for millennia die and become fertilizer, returning energy so this scarred planet can recover its health."
"Humans are harmful."
"This is the answer to your question."
"May this planet find happiness."
Captain Mu’s hand trembled, staring incredulously at the trunk, warmth in his eyes completely faded, leaving only unfamiliarity. He couldn’t believe how his old friend had changed this way.
In that moment, Su Ming’an suddenly understood what Xiao Na meant by "you will become the world consciousness devoid of humanity". After becoming a tree, indeed... it is no longer the human way of thinking. Humanity and self erode over the long years, leaving only instinct. In the world consciousness’s eyes, the planet is the planet, humans are humans; if protecting the planet, humans are merely pests upon it.
——Greedy "Savior", why do you think the "world" wants to be saved by you?
The savior saves civilization, saves history, saves people, but not this world, this planet.
So, when the Master of the End of All Things wanted to destroy Luowasha, the World Tree thought that the apocalypse by the Red Sun should come to pass, killing those who cause the entropy increase, rather than saving people—after all, its protection no longer targeted humans.
Once the consciousness of the former savior was completely worn away... it turned the blade meant to protect humans towards humans themselves.
Su Ming’an felt a slight fear, worried that he might also turn out this way. It seems necessary to have his brethren deal with him before his consciousness is completely worn out. Otherwise, he might become the greatest enemy of his homeland.
A substitute must be set up.
Lü Shu...
Su Ming’an closed his eyes briefly and slowly raised his sword.
Since the World Tree is unwilling to remove the [World Barrier], insisting on delaying, then the final obstacle has become clear—
Destroy the World Tree.
And, Noel Agnini.
Fortunately, the World Tree did not allow the Seventh Thrones, Eighth Thrones, Ninth Thrones inside; bound by the World Rules, the three high-dimensional beings can only linger outside the tree. Without any interference from high dimensions, this is just... a battle between the three of them, deciding the fate of the world.
Su Ming’an, Noel Agnini, and Seaside Line Su Ming’an.
Deity Ming’an raised his sword, with an almost identical stance to Su Ming’an, the sword was surrounded by a bluish glow of data, and he wore an Ah Du wristwatch on his wrist. His back dragged leaves of the World Tree stained like a red hose, as if integrated with the place. White hair flying, white clothes as pure as snow, eyes silent and speechless.
—He seemed like a mirror, reflecting a black-clad Su Ming’an.
Seaside and Guardian Shore.
Technology side and fantasy side.
Red hose and white tentacles.
The possibility of receiving help from the Dawn System, and the possibility of swallowing the Shitposter Demon Divinity.
"Destroyer of Worlds" and "Savior".
"Su Ming’an, a reminder." Deity Ming’an suddenly said: "My Ruler’s Quest is ’kill the World Tree’."
Su Ming’an’s pupils shrank slightly.
This was a very simple sentence, without much implication.
Yet Su Ming’an clearly remembered, his Ruler’s Quest was... ’Question the World Tree, understand the World Tree, become the World Tree’.
He suddenly thought of a possibility.
"...Split?" he murmured.
—When did the transformation begin?
—When did the splitting start?
Narrative Anchor Point will only fall on the "Protagonist".
But is there a possibility—that "Protagonist" has existed as two entities for a long time?
The audience will only see the "Protagonist’s" actions, but what if the Narrative Anchor Point has been jumping seamlessly between two lines, what kind of effect would it present?
...
[Chapter 1241·Death of Butterfly] (Start of Split)
[Here, the poison left by the Eleventh Thrones starts to appear.]
[Additionally, from here onwards, besides the inner monologue of Su Ming’an, every "徽" from the World Book turns into "微" until the narrative switch happens.]
...
[Chapter 1257·First Conversion] After waking up in the cave (White line turns Black line)
[After Su Ming’an woke up, he glanced at the task bar, was just a casual look, yet suddenly discovered that the Ruler’s Quest had changed. The original ’Question the World Tree, understand the World Tree, become the World Tree’ had become... ’Kill the World Tree’.]
[This was the first time he saw the Ruler’s Quest change.]
[Then Xi Li suddenly underwent a drastic change of character, from a timid wheelchair girl to a yandere demon princess, taking Su Ming’an to the Demon Realm.]
...
[Chapter 1262·Second Conversion] After being killed by the white-haired youth (Black line turns White line)
[Su Ming’an lay on the bed, opening his eyes.]
["I saw you bleeding lying in the outer city and brought you back. You suffered a fatal injury." Xi Li sat by the bedside, touching his forehead.]
[Su Ming’an found Xi Li had returned to her previous timid demeanor, and her legs were disabled.]
["I met a completely different you before." Su Ming’an pressed his temple: "She cast a curse rendering me unable to move, her legs were healthy, her identity was a demon princess."]
["I definitely haven’t done such a thing." Xi Li shook her head.]
...
[Chapter 1263·"Number One Player Helps Another Number One Player"] After being killed by the white-haired youth for the second time (White line turns Black line)
[When Su Ming’an returned to the room, Xi Li’s legs regained health again, once more transforming from shy demeanor to yandere demon girl.]
[Xi Li stood before him, a silver blade pointed at his chest.]
["Let’s start the banquet." Xi Li said coldly.]
...
[Chapter 1274·"Sique, You’re Not Human."]
["How am I supposed to meet Lotasha..." Su Ming’an conversed with Xi Ting while glancing at the task bar.]
[He was surprised to see the original Main Quest: "Audience with the Goddess of Life," had become "By any means, by any aid—Kill the Goddess of Life."]
...
[Chapter 1275·"Disappearing Hui Bai"]
"I checked, and there’s no one named Hui Bai in the Red Tower Kingdom." Su Qing shrugged: "Even more bizarre is that no one in the entire Red Tower Royal Family has heard of the name ’Su Liujin’, it’s as if you never were a prince of the Red Tower."
Su Ming’an expressed his surprise: "So you’re saying that in just these four days, no one remembers who Su Liujin and Hui Bai are?"
Su Qing nodded: "Yes. I also stopped by Samantri University to ask around, and it turned out there’s no doctoral advisor named Hui Bei there. I specifically checked the cafeteria’s transaction records, and there’s no record of you buying ginseng and cilantro that day. — Someone is deliberately erasing the traces of you and the Hui family members."
...
"Hui Bai was a loafer in the Red Tower Kingdom on the first day of the instance, and by the sixth day became a trusted confidant of the World Tree?" Su Ming’an rubbed his chin.
...
"Why did Hui Bai have so many siblings, yet in the middle only he remains?" Su Ming’an asked.
"...Cross the line." The Supreme Lord finally condescended to move his lips.
...
Crossing the line should have happened three times.
Each time it occurred during the loss of consciousness or near-death state, crossing the line happened.
For convenience, assume before the first switch, it is called the "White Line." After the first switch, it is called the "Black Line."
In the Black Line, the task turns into a malicious path: "Kill the World Tree" and "Kill the Goddess of Life." Xi Li would become a yandere Demon Princess, and many people would be full of malice.
In the White Line, the task takes a savior approach: "Become the World Tree" and "Meet the Goddess of Life." Xi Li is a timid girl in a wheelchair.
Subsequently, on the sixth day of the instance, the appearance of "three sliced Su Ming’an" continued this transformation. From then on, even if a line switch occurred again, it was hard to distinguish.
Xi Li once said that her persona shift is due to a special mechanism, which seems to be true.
"At that time, was I really myself?" Su Ming’an couldn’t help but ponder.
Bound by the concept in Luowasha’s books, even outside spectators would be misled by this narrative trick.
—If only "ellipses" separate the narrative lines, who could tell if the "protagonist" in the previous text is the same "protagonist" in the following text?
—If the same name is used to refer to the "protagonist," who could differentiate if this "protagonist" is the same as that "protagonist"?
—If Su Ming’an did thing A, and the narrative anchor point temporarily departed, then when Su Ming’an did thing B, the narrative anchor point returned, what would be recorded in the Space-time Record Body is that Su Ming’an only did thing B and never did thing A.
It’s like a piece of black paper and a piece of white paper both cut into a single straight line. Clearly, two different papers are cut into a black and white alternating line, but in outsiders’ eyes, it’s the same line.
Even the Supreme Lord could be confused by this narrative trick. Only Su Ming’an knew in his heart exactly what he did or didn’t do.
"So... the divergence didn’t start when I decided whether to move forward and cross the sea or retreat and guard the shore, but began with the initial ’Death of Butterfly.’ Starting from then, Luowasha already had two lines, the White Line me would become the ’Savior’ of the final Guardian Shore Line, and the Black Line me would become the ’Destroyer of Worlds’ of the final Sea Crossing Line." Su Ming’an thought:
"Of course, I am the only real one, the ’me’ in the other line should be some mechanism’s product, a simulacrum."
"And I’ve been impacted by the ’narrative anchor point’ concept, making me think no matter whether it’s the Black Line me or the White Line me, they are both me. In reality, two ’me’s have always simultaneously narrated, the camera of the narrative anchor point jumping back and forth between the two ’me’s, hence presenting a story that’s disjointed, like forcing a lychee together with a longan."
"By the way, according to the Space-time Record Body, my Ruler’s Quest clearly changed the night of the third day in the instance, from ’Question the World Tree, Understand the World Tree, Become the World Tree’ to ’Kill the World Tree.’ So why do I believe my Ruler’s Quest was always ’Question the World Tree, Understand the World Tree, Become the World Tree’?"
"So, from the very start, I was the White Line, my Ruler’s Quest never changed, it has always been ’Question the World Tree, Understand the World Tree, Become the World Tree.’ It’s just Luowasha’s narrative trick, letting the Space-time Record Body always present the illusion of ’only one person,’ grafting another ’me’s Ruler’s skill ’Kill the World Tree’ under this perspective. Hence presenting a scenario of abrupt quest changes and inconsistent development."
"What changed was only the camera, not the events."
Su Ming’an’s eyelids twitched:
"No matter what, I, standing here, am the only truth, there’s no mistake in that."
"Light and dark sides, White Line Black Line, Angel Line Demon Line, Luowasha indeed has three different mirroring concepts overlapping..."
He steadied his expression and slowly raised his sword.
No matter, be it the White Line or Black Line, Angel or Demon, he was now standing here, needing only to face the final end. The deceived are the dark observers like the Supreme Lord, having nothing to do with him.
"Slash, slash, slash—"
Endless white tendrils surged from his body, from his spine, from his abdomen, even from his legs, casting aside the human form, revealing the optimal combat stance.
"Slash!"
Su Ming’an raised his sword single-handedly, elbow bent, palm placed over his chest, performing a dueling salutation.
He seemed to say, please.
The blond boy smiled, raised his staff, extended his arm, tossed his staff toward Su Ming’an, and deftly caught it with a "snap," a ritualistic response.
"It’s the final battle, then." The boy murmured, not sure if speaking to himself: "Bring it on."
For a moment, Su Ming’an seemed to hear an ancient bell tolling, resounding in panic, as unexpected fate, surging like a tide, swept him along unanticipatedly into the rolling river.
The waves were so resolute, so intense, pouring into his ears, veiling his eyes, clutching his throat, leaving him unable to speak, unable to explore, unable to hear.
At this moment, gazing at Noel Agnini’s and his own expressionless face, a slight pain and sense of solitude rose.
Clearly, they could be allies...
Su Ming’an closed his eyes briefly, feeling a slight suffocation.
Behind him, there was no one, once again fighting alone. If he were to fail here today...
As if hearing a crisp snap, a footstep crushed a branch.
"Snap."
—A flowing khaki trench coat swept from behind.
The young man crossed his arms, golden eyes like flames, entering silently.
"Starting the fight?" Cloud City God stood with arms crossed, an expression of calm.
Su Ming’an’s emotions paused briefly, the solitude slightly subsiding, he nodded towards the Cloud City God.
"There are still people; you need not worry." The Cloud City God pointed behind him.
...Still people?
Su Ming’an turned his head in confusion.
Then, another sound of footsteps.
--- A striking robe, vivid as fire, slowly walked into the World Tree.
Her white hair fluttered, eyes like a wilderness, with Cursed Fire Flower blooming on her shoulder.
"Tap, tap, tap."
The next moment, another figure approached from another direction.
--- She wore a tattered robe, with flax-colored long hair cascading down, red potion and green potion clashed at her waist, appearance elegant, with a smile on her face.
Then came the fourth figure.
An ensemble of English gentleman’s attire, black leather boots stepping audibly.
He wielded the Civilization Staff, wearing a high hat, with a scent like disinfectant emanating from the Soul Clan.
The fifth figure.
A red hair ribbon floated like a vivid kite in the air.
She tied her black ponytail, holding a long blade, eyes agile.
The sixth.
Long white gauze, like fluttering feathers.
She possessed emerald green eyes, black hair falling like waterfalls, with blooming flowers and leaves underfoot.
The seventh, the eighth.
Clad in robes as pristine as new snow, walked through layered leaves.
He was like the snow on the mountain peak, deep blue moon. Beside him was a little girl with black braided hair.
Several visiting "guests" stood behind Su Ming’an together.
Su Ming’an’s eyes trembled violently, as if witnessing a dream. He feared this was merely the final illusion.
They truly came... they truly came...
"--- Only you can traverse worlds, Noel Agnini!" Xiber sneered, pointing at Noel.
The pink fox on her shoulder wagged its large tail, calling out loudly:
"Indeed! Indeed! Xiber couldn’t fight back earlier, went to bring reinforcements!"
Upon hearing this, Xiber’s face flushed, gritting her teeth.
"Fortunately, not considered late." Chao Yan smiled serenely, fresh flowers flourishing beneath her feet, looking at Su Ming’an with verdant eyes.
"Father." Soul Clan Archilev gently saluted with one hand on his chest.
"Hmph, you’re still alive, quite incredible! You’ve bled so many times; now it’s time for me to help you! Didn’t expect your real appearance to be like this, pretty good." Dan Shuang, dressed in a thick coat, unable to see light, pouted and eyed Su Ming’an again and again.
"How did... you all get in?" Su Ming’an’s throat choked for a moment before he spoke. The World Tree kept the three High Dimensions outside; how could it let Xiber, the Reincarnation God, in?
Indeed, he fantasized before, that those he’d saved might save him once, but he hadn’t expected... indeed...
"We were here all along." Witch Sharina smiled: "Before the World Tree awakened, before the World Tree blocked the three High Dimensions, from the very beginning."
Noel Agnini delivered a decisive blow, the hand of god, causing the World Tree to turn. Normally, who could foresee the World Tree turning, as how could World Consciousness betray the world?
However, before Noel Agnini, Xiber had already brought people to this place, utilizing Li Mingyue’s small "Republic" barrier, sitting tight while the World Tree’s consciousness was still dormant.
Therefore, after Su Wensheng’s death, Xiber hadn’t appeared.
At that time, after struggling to reunite with Su Ming’an the traveler, Xiber couldn’t battle against God Ming’an, her teeth itched, promptly and "shamelessly" rallied a chariot of dough people to guard here, preventing God Ming’an from harming Su Ming’an again.
Aside from the Cloud City God’s clones, the others were all in their original bodies.
What Su Ming’an couldn’t foresee, they came to amend.
What Su Ming’an couldn’t achieve, they came to do.
--- After all, what does "friends" mean?
Su Ming’an’s vision quivered briefly, scanning over their faces, finally locking eyes with the white-haired man like mountain peak snow.
The white-haired man slightly nodded, smile faint and pure:
"Go ahead, Ming’an."
You can surely thaw the frost and snow. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢
For you burn hot enough.
In the distance, Noel Agnini remained unmoving, caressing a crystal ornament in his embrace, darkness deep in his eyes, only silence.
"Have you truly decided to transform into the world itself? Even losing self, becoming object-like?" Noel gazed at Su Ming’an, raising his staff, only asking this one thing.
Su Ming’an’s sword and tendrils trembled, shadows casting over like fluttering crows before death.
He said,
"Seek and not obtain."
...
