Welcome to Rewind World Game-Chapter 1590: Final - : Guardian Shore Line - "OE: Perished by the Sea (12)
In 2027, humanity gradually discovered several planets.
Mid-year, humanity completely locked onto the location of Zhai Xing.
Su Ming’an initially thought it would take decades to find it, but unexpectedly it took only three years to locate his homeland.
"World Master, the one in the Punishment Tower... wishes to see you." Aishikel from the Union Government found Su Ming’an.
The Punishment Tower is a tower for punishing sinners, with similar functions to the Prison Tower, Confinement Tower, and Clearing Tower. The "one" Aishikel referred to can only be Atlanda.
As a top-ranking player, Atlanda made considerable contributions to humanity. However, he ultimately defected to the Eighth Thrones, causing deep resentment towards him among people, although not as much as towards Noel, given that Atlanda did not cause significant damage. After the World Game ended, Atlanda had been strictly monitored, and considering that he might still be in contact with the Eighth Thrones, people did not dare execute him; he was just kept locked up.
If it weren’t for Su Rin setting up a Barrier, the Punishment Tower could truly not contain Atlanda, a Divine Envoy level player.
"Meet him." Su Ming’an entered the Punishment Tower, and as soon as he arrived, he noticed the staff on both sides standing in formal attire, and a roughly fifty-year-old Tower Master with a beaming smile greeted him, fireworks resounding, and everyone’s faces were filled with awe.
It is said that the taste of power is intoxicating; indeed, this kind of star-studded scene is captivating. Su Ming’an slightly furrowed his brow and walked onto the elevator amid the laughter.
The Punishment Tower has a total of nineteen underground floors, with the stronger the sinner, the deeper they are imprisoned. As Su Ming’an looked at the names flickering off and on outside the elevator, he recognized some familiar ones: White Skull, Bonnie, Su Shi... Upon seeing Su Shi, his gaze shifted.
The Tower Master, with a keen eye, explained: "During the World Game, Su Shi did a lot of excessive things... After it ended, to punish those who spoke ill of you, her methods were too heavy-handed, resulting in some casualties which, according to the regulations, had to lead to her arrest..." At this, he quickly added, "Of course, if she is your friend, we can release her immediately..."
Su Ming’an remained indifferent: "No need."
He spoke lightly, as if such matters no longer stirred him.
The Tower Master wiped his sweat, and Su Ming’an suddenly asked, "Do I look terrifying?"
The Tower Master tremblingly raised his head to see Su Ming’an’s gentle face, his brows not tightly knit, but elegantly and naturally extended along the brow bones like river stones polished smooth. Long lashes resembled the wings of night birds, two pieces of Hei Yu appearing on the bright whites of his eyes, reflecting light, becoming ever more solemn and profound.
Three years had passed, yet this face seemed unchanged, only more sacred and divine.
"No, not terrifying." The Tower Master just glanced and quickly averted his gaze, landing on empty space.
"Then why..." Su Ming’an paused halfway through his sentence: "Forget it, I understand."
This face was not terrifying, even appearing warm and soft, but what weighed heavily was everything behind this face.
Upon reaching the last floor, the Tower Master, wiping his sweat, advised, "World Master, I know you’re powerful, but the sinner detained on the last floor is very dangerous, be extremely careful..."
Su Ming’an entered alone, seeing a figure sitting with bowed head deep within the iron bars.
Even in confinement, that person’s long hair still shone, dressed in the most ordinary coarse prison clothes, yet strangely worn with a monk-like austerity, as if this humble cell and clothes were just another splendid robe he temporarily wore.
Apparently sensing footsteps, the figure moved, slowly raising his head.
An exceptionally handsome face came into view, the nose bridge was sharp as if carved, the jawline was clearly defined and strong, but the most striking were those eyes, deep to the point of purity blue pupils, like a Polar Region’s ice sheet frozen for millennia, transparent, cold, containing a weight tempered by time. When looking at Su Ming’an, there was no anger, no pleading, only abyss-like calmness.
"Is this what you wanted?" Su Ming’an sat across the iron bars: "Atlanda."
Atlanda glanced at Su Ming’an, smiling: "World Master... sir?"
Chains bound his wrists, chains designed by Su Mianbao to suppress players’ powers. Su Ming’an had been wary of the chain’s effectiveness, but Su Mianbao explained that it required complex procedures to put on, which eased his mind.
"I thought after you became World Master, you’d wield a scepter, wear a crown, dazzling with radiance..." Atlanda tilted his head: "Didn’t expect you’d still wear a white robe."
"A leader doesn’t need luxurious attire or crowns; even in simple clothes and wooden shoes, one can command respect." Su Ming’an calmly said: "Atlanda, I’ve been curious for a long time, what commonality do you and Noel share that led you to switch sides?"
"Such a lofty phrase, ’defection’ isn’t even used; the World Master is indeed magnanimous, hard to forget old ties." Atlanda spread his hands.
Su Ming’an pinched Atlanda’s chin: "I have limited time, speak plainly. Otherwise, I’m well-versed in various interrogation techniques."
"So looking forward to it, truly exciting." Atlanda’s face reddened slightly, laughing: "Though I’d love to say that, let’s get back to the main topic..."
He raised a finger, chains clanging, his pupils containing profound loneliness:
"Don’t try to find Zhai Xing anymore, Su Ming’an, you can’t return."
Su Ming’an’s pupils contracted sharply.
"Ring—ring—!"
The chain shook violently, and Su Ming’an, from across the bars, lifted Atlanda by the neck, his gaze fiery.
"Don’t... advance..."
Atlanda coughed while laughing, his face reddening, yet even so, his eyes were like frozen ice sheets, as if worldly matters couldn’t ripple them:
"Don’t advance... don’t advance..."
"Ahead... is not... home."
"Thud!"
Su Ming’an abruptly released, and Atlanda slumped back onto the chair, clutching his neck, coughing violently.
A moment later, Atlanda, gasping, smiled:
"World Master, both Noel and I changed our attitudes because we are ’Awakeners’... He’s the seasoned one, remembers even certain cosmic reincarnations, while I’m less experienced, sort of an outsider."
"Do you know? People like you are truly rare... not tainted by Black Water’s dream, never became an Awakener... you’ve truly been well-protected, therefore, you are indeed among the few hopes to defeat the Lord of Dreams..."
"Those who become Awakeners... can’t resist the Lord of Dreams..."
"Relying on betraying you, he gains much trust from the High Dimensions, acquires too much information, just waiting for a loop to break the pattern... but, alas, alas, you’ve taken the wrong path again this time..."
"I don’t need you to judge whether my path is right or wrong." Su Ming’an picked up a white cloth, wiping his hands.
Atlanda’s words stung him, as if returning once more to that crossroad of destiny, the one he regretted countless times – forward or backward.
"Your logic is flawed, if Noel betrayed me to gain High Dimensions’ trust, and in the final reincarnation assist me in breaking the pattern, then why wouldn’t the Lord of Dreams be wary of Noel?" Su Ming’an said calmly.
"That... I... do not know." Atlanda caught his breath, eyes tranquil as a lake: "Perhaps it’s unnecessary to imagine him that well, maybe he’s just fulfilling a thirst for knowledge... those madmen, false people, don’t care for the world, capable of anything..."
"He’s not important." Su Ming’an said quietly: "Let’s talk about you."
He tossed the white cloth away, opened the iron bars, approached Atlanda:
"You remember the past, yet your achievements fell short, now reached this point." Su Ming’an flicked the chain beside Atlanda’s face: "Not resigned, are you?"
Atlanda smiled as he looked at him.
"Work for me, and I promise you freedom and wealth; you help me explore the Lord of Dreams." Su Ming’an said.
"Now, don’t you think it’s too late?"
"As long as one isn’t dead, how can it be late?" Su Ming’an bent down, gazing into Atlanda’s eyes:
"Once dead, then it’s truly too late."
Aishikel’s pupils slightly move.
"I remember your article ’A Brief Analysis on How Players Can Save Themselves’ published in the First World. Such a great article. At the time, I thought about meeting the author and making friends." Su Ming’an placed his hand on Aishikel’s shoulder, his voice alluring and deep: "Now we know each other completely...my friend."
"Although I’d very much like to have an in-depth exchange with you, unfortunately, as an unofficial member, I really can’t betray the Lord of Dreams." Aishikel raised his hands in concession.
Su Ming’an’s expression suddenly grew cold, withdrawing the flicker in his eyes.
"However, I do remember some memories from different reincarnations," said Aishikel.
"Like not attempting to search for Zhai Xing?" Su Ming’an said, "Why?"
"You could understand it as..." Aishikel thought for a moment: "An obsession? For if continuing the search, something terrifying will occur... Such fear is rooted deep within my heart, and even without knowing the reason, I cannot forget it."
"It’s too late. We’ve already discovered it and even pinpointed the location."
"Oh..." Aishikel quietly responded, his eyes like ancient glaciers: "Indeed, it’s too late."
He turned his head, saying nothing, yet his lips curved into a smile.
Su Ming’an could not comprehend many people in this world.
He could not understand Noel, could not understand Boss Rabbit, nor could he understand Aishikel. If he could understand everything, perhaps there wouldn’t be so many misunderstandings and tragedies in this world.
He continued to interrogate Aishikel, but unfortunately, it was all insignificant memories. Ultimately, Su Ming’an determined there was nothing to gain from Aishikel anymore.
"What are you really thinking about?" Su Ming’an asked, perplexed before leaving.
Despite remembering so much, possessing an almost clairvoyant ability, and being celebrated as "Prophet Aishikel," yet ending up like this, is this truly what he wanted after giving his all?
Aishikel’s gaze bore a distressing weight and fatigue from penetrating worldly insight.
He was silent for a moment, then said:
"I don’t know what I want."
"Because experiencing too many times, money, desire, fame, emotions... these things have become numbing and hatred-inducing. Perhaps what people like us are pursuing is not really freedom and power, but rather an unseen possibility."
"This renders success or failure, ascending to high dimensions or falling to this point, indistinguishable to me. Because I’ve already foreseen everything, already experienced everything."
"So, even if I die now, or get locked here for a lifetime...it makes no difference to me. Anyway, it’s something I’ve already experienced. Even if you let me out, it’s something I’ve already experienced."
"You know? Even your expression questioning me now, the bluish gray at the corner of your eyes, your pale complexion, your expression and posture when grabbing my neck, I seem to have already seen countless times, countless times..."
The weight billions of times experienced is something ordinary people can’t understand. But those who retain certain memories have grown incredibly weary, incredibly numb.
Su Ming’an realized no matter what temptation he presented, Aishikel would not be baited because it’s all things Aishikel has already obtained. The only thing Aishikel desires is release and the unknown.
And the things like "release and the unknown" ceased to be once Su Ming’an chose to look back.
He has already become unable to touch anything of the Lord of Dreams.
He was bound in this hot land.
"...Thank you for your warning." Su Ming’an turned and said, "Farewell."
"Goodbye." Aishikel remained seated, still in a detached posture, yet this posture more resembled a noble numbness.
...
September 2027, a small world reached Zhai Xing.
With Aishikel’s warning, the Sea Emperor, along with Lü Shu who had just emerged, cautiously led the exploration, while the others stayed in the small world awaiting.
Su Ming’an’s incarnation stepped onto this land, quietly surveying, everything frozen in the past. Almost three years have passed, and in the café where he first met Xiao Na, dust piled up.
This café is by the riverside, surrounded by swaying willows, and the air is fresh.
He stepped into the café, wiped off the dust, and sat as if the next moment a red-haired woman would sit opposite, claim to be B-station staff, and invite him to participate in a reality show game, handing him a Black Card.
Reality show game... heh, it truly is a kind of reality show game.
He stared at the empty seat opposite, feeling as if he had traversed a long journey, filled with a sense of loss.
"Thud."
Unbeknownst to him, there were footsteps behind.
Su Ming’an instantly clenched his fist, Lu and Lü Shu were still exploring another hemisphere, it was impossible for someone to be here, thus the one who came could only be...
With Aishikel’s warning, Su Ming’an understood that humans discovered Zhai Xing so quickly, likely guided by someone. But at the moment humans discovered Zhai Xing, their position was also simultaneously discovered, leaving no choice but to respond.
"Thud." The footsteps approached, neither hurried nor slow.
The sword of Damocles was about to fall.
Su Ming’an slowly... turned around.
...
Meeting his sight, a pair of blue pupils.
Three years later, they met again.
Like a finely crafted, cold and perfect piece of art the passage of time had carefully carved.
Sparkling golden hair meticulously combed, flowing in dim light like cold metallic luster. He wore an exceptionally striking royal blue high hat, its brim elegantly tilted, and a blooming rose was pinned to the side. The vivid red at the corner of his eye was eerily beautiful, contrasting with the cosmic blue deep in his pupils.
Wearing a scarlet velvet vest with an impeccable cut, the red and blue on him collided into a mysterious yet extravagant symphony, a perfect fusion of extreme elegance and danger.
Although the familiar appearance remained, within Su Ming’an’s divine perception, the person before him was but a mass of flowing, viscous, eternal substance. This guy had already become high-dimensional, the human form merely a disguise, the true form had already turned into an indescribable entity.
"Smart of you, knowing I would definitely return, so you waited here for me." Su Ming’an spoke, as if greeting.
"Happy twenty-first birthday." The person before him lifted the corner of his lips.
"Thank you, where’s Yuritilola?"
"I ate her."
"What about the Master of the End of All Things?"
"Imprisoned in Old Luowasha."
"And you?"
"Here to end your life."
...
