Chapter 1720: Final Chapter · Shore Reached Arc [63] · [This Is Your Fifth Regret: Praise You’ve Never Heard]
[The second round of the game begins.]
[Please note that since there are only three participants remaining, you must identify the undercover correctly on your first attempt, otherwise, the undercover will win immediately.]
...
After sitting down, Su Ming’an glanced at the word on his paper — "Perlo." He didn’t know what the others’ words were.
The order for this round was himself — Perlo — Gray Mist Person.
After pondering for a moment, Su Ming’an spoke cautiously again: "This person... knows me."
"This person is among us," Perlo stated frankly.
"This person is strong," the Gray Mist Person said.
Noel drew a question card and read, "In the second round, please respond with your impression of this person?"
"I admire his righteousness. If there’s a chance, I hope we can meet in the new world when the dust settles," Su Ming’an said.
"I... don’t understand him. But I was fortunate to meet him, he is completely opposite to me in characteristics," Perlo said.
This comment made Su Ming’an instantly realize that Perlo’s word was "Rock"!
The Gray Mist Person was also stunned, seemingly pondering whether he was the undercover or a civilian. After a moment, he spoke: "This person has gone through a long period of emptiness and confusion, ultimately rediscovering his true self, standing here and narrating his ideals. He is a true warrior, a fearless warrior."
During the voting phase, Su Ming’an and the Gray Mist Person... even including Perlo, all pointed at Perlo. The three of them heard out each other’s identities, even identifying the words for the undercover and civilian, which were "Perlo" and "Rock" respectively.
Perlo was not surprised by this. As the "undercover," he couldn’t win in the first place. He was only surprised that the Gray Mist Person, being from another civilization, understood the difference between himself and Rock so well. He had initially wanted to cooperate, but it turned out he was directly found out.
"I’m leaving now, but before I go, I need to finish saying what I have to say to you," Perlo said quickly to Su Ming’an, without any fear on his face,
"When Hui Chi and Hui Bei discussed the plan of mutual killing, neither Evelyn nor I was within their consideration range. Because, according to Hui Chi’s strategic plan, Evelyn and I are to accompany you on this journey to the end. I didn’t expect your action of waking up the Demon Mother Goddess would create such a game trial, causing me to halt midway... being unable to walk further with you."
"This is not your fault. It is a BUG from your player identity card, also the interference from that supreme being — He wants you to feel hesitant and regretful amidst constant loss, to stop you from moving forward."
"He is smart. He knows you are a hardcore ’Player,’ and the best way to make a hardcore ’Player’ retreat is not to kill the ’Player,’ or to create extremely difficult levels to make the ’Player’ retreat, this would only make the ’Player’ more motivated, even thinking up some ’No-Hurt Clearing Method,’ ’Global Fastest Clearing Method,’ such things unfavorable to Him... He knows that the real way to stop a ’Player’ is to make you, the ’Player,’ not want to play anymore."
"So, He lets us all ’quit the game,’ hoping to make you ’quit the game’ as well. It must be admitted, He figured out the core psychology of a ’Player,’ being the most qualified persuasion planner in this universe game."
"However, He doesn’t know that we, those who ’quit the game,’ instead welcome you to keep playing... to get through this most difficult game trial, walk through the final game plot, until... standing in front of that BOSS, pointing at His nose and telling Him — ’The Number One Player has won this game, and now, God, it’s time for you to show your health bar.’"
"Isn’t it funny? When I was Rock, I was obsessed with online games, so I’m good at using this way to make you understand."
Perlo smiled: "Fortunately, I am now Perlo, if it were that wordless little detective, he probably couldn’t say anything now."
"I really appreciate you, letting me see my past self in that level, Rock. Upon seeing him, I was unsure whether to view Zhai Xing or Luowasha as my homeland. All my memories belong to the latter, but all my origins started with the former, I can’t discern whether I am a gambling demon or a non-drinking detective. It’s like I’ve lived two completely different lives... fortunately, in the end, I understood what I should do."
Su Ming’an quietly listened to the end.
Perlo’s attitude was always very carefree; it didn’t feel like he reached the end of a journey, but more like he had finally stopped during a long trek to sit down, to chat briefly and take a break.
Earlier, the moment he opened his eyes without any knowledge of Luowasha... he had already died once.
The decisions of his predecessors allowed him a semi-life littered with errors henceforth. Now having stumbled through half a life, he awakened from a big dream and realized.
"You’ve always protected me along with Evelyn, I understand you because you carry the obsession of the previous top player Rock, you have to protect me the Number One Player... but Evelyn is not a migrant from the Zhai Star people, She is local to Luowasha, why does She keep protecting me?" Su Ming’an asked.
"Um." Perlo sighed, "This involves a secret... I have a contract, even if I am going to die, I can’t say. But as long as you continue forward, you will know why Evelyn protects you."
"Alright." Su Ming’an said, "I will... keep playing, to win this game."
"When Hui Bai and others left with a billion people, without seeking most people’s opinions, they suffered turmoil and were hated... that billion people hated them, but the remaining ten billion people were grateful, even praising them as pioneers of civilization. Everything has completely opposite two sides in everyone’s eyes, so... if we leave all attention on the wrong side... we might not have existed anymore." Perlo gave a thumbs up, "So, by all means look forward! See more of the positive parts and linger less on the wrong places!"
"My friend, remember — it’s because of you that we won this world game! And it’s because of you — that we are about to win this game called the Universe!"
Upon hearing this, Su Ming’an clasped the other’s fingers, curling slightly:
"Mm."
"Thank you... Perlo, Rock."
"I wish... you could see your friends again, Antetolia, Ludwig, Mu Changying..."
After that night, Blake became the Dragon Emperor Ian, Edith turned into the Lord of the Dead Xi Ting, the timid artist Kasadia transformed into the Joyful Demon... as for the other top players, many are already life and death unknown. Perhaps over the long years, they have died, especially Antetolia... according to the Replication of the fifth game "Divine Vision," she died on the day Kasadia Ascended.
Hopefully, they still get to meet.
Hopefully... they meet in the new world’s tomorrow.
Perlo waved carefree and walked out of the door with big strides.
He closed his eyes, feeling like he had slept for a millennium in one dream.
A big dream, making him transform from a little detective into a Great Demon, how could such a change not count as living another life? The fusion of past and current memories, he already recalled who he was, in a lifetime spanning thousands of years, is this too late or a sudden realization?
Unconsciously, sensing warmth at the corners of his eyes, he extends both hands, trying to grasp something.
The air flowing past his fingertips.
That was a long silence.
Suddenly he thought, if only he could take one more drag from the cigarette given by the little detective. But He quickly scoffed, that was of the past self, how could one fish the moon in water to see one’s past self? He could no longer taste that flavor again, just like He could no longer accept drinks beyond His preference...
He walked with big strides, heading towards the sunlight.
At this moment, He seemingly saw familiar faces.
...
[Name: Great Demon Perlo]
[Identity: Supporting Role of Undetermined Gender (Second Position)]
[Height: 192]
[Weight: 80]
[Birthday: May 17th]
[Food Chain Level: Extremely High]
[Relationship with Protagonist: Comrade]
[Tags: Chaos, Evil, Detective, Alcohol, Player]
[Remark: "...In this line, you should finally choose me."]
[Current Character Fulfillment: 82%]
[Current Ending: HE·My Path Taken]
[Ending Score: 87]
[Ending of "Global Crossing: Infinite World Tree Evolution Starting from Imprisoned Prince" recorded.]
...
[Remaining Participants: 2]
[Next round of the game is about to begin.]
...
Su Ming’an returned to his seat and found a bottle of wine on the chair.
It was left by Perlo. This wine smelled like the scent on him, presumably his favorite drink, left for Su Ming’an.
Su Ming’an twisted open the cap, sniffed lightly, and took a sip. He had learned how to expel drunkenness from his body, no longer passing out from it, yet it seemed something had changed, something he could never reclaim. The spicy and potent flavor numbed his tongue, poured down his throat like a tamed flame, offering a fleeting moment of elation where pain and sadness could no longer reach...
Clearly not something delectable, yet a single burning path plunged downward, igniting within. A dull cloud in his chest suddenly illuminated with a "boom." His gaze shimmered and sparkled.
Searing with a touch of sweetness, bringing warmth.
Distant noise became blurred, the nearby heartbeat grew thunderous.
"Tap."
Then, the wine bottle fell heavily onto the table.
Su Ming’an gasped, his lightly reddened eyes turned to Noel: "Let’s continue. Only two left."
The game couldn’t progress unless another person joined. Were they to match players from another event to fill the vacancy?
— Then, Noel Agnini pulled out a vacant chair, sat beside Su Ming’an, and took the wine from the table.
Su Ming’an hesitated slightly, then quickly realized something.
Noel smiled, "I will be your final player... for the last game."
...
["Question." Su Ming’an raised his hand, "What happens with only two players?"]
["At that time, I will explain the new rules." Noel smiled.]
...
"Then if you lose, will you die too?"
Noel "hmm"ed and nodded, "Yes, but my current state... is somewhat like Schrödinger’s cat. Rest assured, you’ll still be able to see me."
Straightforwardly, he tossed the unfinished wine into a bucket that appeared sometime earlier.
Su Ming’an didn’t plan to drink anymore. Being slightly drunk was a state of self-numbing, and he didn’t need it. If healing was required, Roseblood was more effective than drinking.
Suddenly, the Gray Mist person spoke: "Su Ming’an."
Su Ming’an, his face slightly red, looked over.
"Do not continue forward." The Gray Mist person said, "You... have reached your limit."
"Are you Gray Mist people someone I know?" Su Ming’an leaned on the table, "The White Wolf said at the start that you all participate from other civilizations, but now you seem quite familiar to me."
"..." The Gray Mist person remained silent.
"Hmm... probably not. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be so fixated on stopping me." Su Ming’an said, "Even at the cost of your lives, you aim to defeat me."
"For you to win... we will stop you." The Gray Mist person said.
... What contradiction is this?
Su Ming’an genuinely wanted to crush these riddle speakers. He slapped his cheeks, quickly regaining clarity.
...
[The third game began.]
[This game is the final round. When most believe they can identify the mole, recognition starts. If most think the mole hasn’t been identified, the next round description continues. The round limit is five rounds.]
...
The game started, and Su Ming’an unfolded his word card—
...
[Hero]
...
Finally, it’s not a name.
He looked up, the order was Noel—Gray Mist person—Su Ming’an.
Noel pondered briefly, hands kneading the paper ball, then smiled: "Such a person always carries burdens while moving forward."
Gray Mist person contemplated briefly and slowly said: "Such a person is the fireseed of civilization, also its mirror."
Su Ming’an couldn’t discern a difference between the two, but they both referred to "such a person", indicating it was indeed not a name. Even if the wording varied, it should be akin to "Hero", "Savior", "Pioneer" and the like. Su Ming’an considered and offered a fairly neutral description: "Such a person... always appears where needed, doing what’s required."
Second round, Noel drew a question card.
"Please describe what you believe is the core trait of such a person? Don’t be overly brief."
After reading, Noel almost didn’t hesitate to respond: "It’s the courage to act knowing it shouldn’t be done, precise and independent clarity, irreversible gentleness and compassion."
The Gray Mist person thought a moment, then said, "Inbound in vast possibilities, cuts off other paths, recognizably aware of all costs and sacrifices."
... Completely indistinguishable differences.
Like meeting a match, neither Noel nor the Gray Mist person would easily expose themselves.
Su Ming’an considered and then spoke: "It is hope, a lighthouse. When people see or think of such a person, they can believe in the path forward, that darkness will eventually end. It’s a heavy crown, also an inextricable fate."
...
[Second round ends, please vote whether to start recognition? Raise your hand if you wish to start recognition.]
...
As the countdown passed, none of the three raised their hands.
Evidently, none were sure who the mole was, thus opting to remain passive and listen further.
A red box appeared before Su Ming’an, his question card, he drew it out, reading:
"—Please describe what you most admire about such a person?"
Noel chuckled, then said: "The stubbornness to act knowing one shouldn’t, the passion within rationality."
The Gray Mist person said: "The conscious shouldering of responsibility, bearing weight far beyond one’s self."
Su Ming’an said: "Deified yet retaining humanity, placing collective life over personal completeness."
...
[Third round ends, please vote whether to start recognition? Raise your hand if you wish to start recognition.]
...
Still, no one raised their hand.
Their vocabularies were too similar, making it difficult to discern clear differences.
