CHAPTER 969: CHAPTER 966: "AFTER THE WORLD GAME ENDS.

Su Ming’an glanced at Noel, who was no longer breathing.

The blond boy lay on the ground, blood spreading over the thousand-fold collar on his chest, dyeing the bow tie scarlet. A golden arrow pinned the boy to the ground, and the smile on his face was also frozen.

Su Ming’an looked for a moment, then turned to the deity and said, "After Noel, who will you kill next? How about that Su Rin? Or perhaps that Boris?"

The deity carefully observed Su Ming’an, remaining silent for a moment.

Until Noel’s blood stained the heel of Su Ming’an’s shoe, the deity spoke: "Don’t you care about their lives?"

According to His judgment, using the lives of teammates as a threat, Su Ming’an wouldn’t be so indifferent.

At that moment, Mizushima Kawa Sora walked over from the side. Dressed in a platinum robe, wearing a golden laurel crown, and with a golden ring pendant on her chest, she had the demeanor of a goddess. She took a few steps closer, staring at Noel’s corpse on the ground with shock: "Lord Deity, you killed Noel?"

Mizushima Kawa Sora’s shock was not feigned; the deity killing Noel was completely unexpected for her.

However, the deity only looked at Su Ming’an, caring only for his response.

Su Ming’an said, "Initially, I was wondering what you were trying to lure me into by bringing Noel here. I was a bit expectant, but it turns out you were trying to make an example. Looks like you’re getting anxious."

Mizushima Kawa Sora glanced from the deity to Su Ming’an.

Su Ming’an’s expression was calm: "Deity. Unfortunately, you used the wrong tactic."

He stepped back, dragging his heel on the ground to scrape off the blood that had stuck to it.

The two of them had a fixed secret code. If it was impossible to confirm the other’s identity, they would mention the topic of playing the piano. This was a topic Su Ming’an would never discuss casually, ensuring no secret code mishaps. However, when Su Ming’an said, "I haven’t played the piano for a long time," Noel did not respond.

The response code was simple: a gentle hug. But Noel did not give that.

Back then, Su Ming’an was already pondering the deity’s purpose in bringing a fake Noel. Now it was clear, the deity intended to instill fear in him, knowing he was not afraid of any pain, but simply couldn’t bear losing a teammate.

If the deity had fabricated someone else instead of Noel, Su Ming’an might have truly believed it. After all, figures like Lv Shu and Yamada have no secret code with him. In such tense situations, Su Ming’an might not differentiate if they were real or not. The deity’s goal would have been achieved.

But, it just so happened to be Noel.

Between them, there existed a secret code known only to the two, transcending time and cycles.

The deity created the false illusion of Noel’s death, likely to force Su Ming’an to agree to certain demands—probably the previous offer by the deity to "turn Su Ming’an into an archangel."

In short, the deity was desperate.

Su Ming’an believed the deity wanted him to participate in the First Tower. But the deity could use information asymmetry to make Su Ming’an think that the deity wouldn’t allow him to go, thereby forcing Su Ming’an to submit.

With only half an hour left, Su Ming’an was still leisurely, showing no signs of submission, leaving the deity no choice but to make an example to get Su Ming’an to agree to the terms.

This was a gamble of information disparity. Through the secret code with Noel, Su Ming’an could recognize Noel as the deity’s fakery; otherwise, he wouldn’t have thought this far.

As for why the deity created a fake Noel instead of killing the real one to threaten Su Ming’an—

"You can’t just kill a player without reason, can you?" Su Ming’an smiled at the deity, spreading his hands: "Otherwise, you’d bring the real Noel here and kill him in front of me, instead of creating an illusion to deceive me."

From the fairness of rules, one could infer.

If the deity could kill at will, with His power, which player could escape? Back when the deity and Su Ming’an made a ten-day peace pact, Su Ming’an vaguely sensed that perhaps the deity couldn’t act against players without cause. Now he had solid evidence of his assumption.

The deity could detain him, but not kill him.

"Su Ming’an. Lord Deity can kill; I’ve seen Him punish sinners, and the sinners truly die." Mizushima Kawa Sora suddenly said.

Su Ming’an glanced at Mizushima Kawa Sora, somewhat surprised. He had assumed she too had regressed into a mute enigma.

"I believe that anyone with common intelligence could infer," Su Ming’an said. "The reason the deity can kill—it’s because those people violated certain [rules]."

Mizushima Kawa Sora’s pupils trembled.

Su Ming’an said, "When the Tenth World started, what caught my attention the most wasn’t the Dream Patrol game or the Matrix Orders, but the cross-dressing Noel."

Mizushima Kawa Sora’s pupils quaked.

Su Ming’an shook his head: "Don’t misunderstand; what I mean is—[Foreigners need to cross-dress to be immune to instant death rules at night]. These ever-present [instant death rules] are the parts that concern me the most."

"Though unclear of the principle, violating certain rules, like [At the Third Watch, if kneeling in front of a mirror, one must rise within moments, or else suddenly burst into blood and die], or [Certain areas cannot be approached at midnight, or else sudden drowning occurs]. Such violations lead to death."

"The deity can be considered the same. The deity can only kill those who violate certain [rules]."

"As for the criteria for the deity’s killings, I haven’t figured it out yet. But to this day, I haven’t broken His rules."

Mizushima Kawa Sora opened her mouth but couldn’t utter a word.

The deity remained silently standing there.

"So, Mizushima Kawa Sora." Su Ming’an suddenly turned his attention to Mizushima Kawa Sora: "—Why did you dare to execute Yamada Machiichi? Did the deity mislead you into believing Yamada Machiichi was a fake?"

Mizushima Kawa Sora: "..."

Su Ming’an said: "’Cognition is existence.’ Mizushima Kawa, you’ve been bewildered."

Suddenly, he heard laughter. Turning his head, it was the deity laughing.

This was the first time Su Ming’an saw the deity laugh authentically, as if He genuinely found it amusing. Su Ming’an instinctively checked his sanity value, which was still at 50, very safe.

"What are you laughing at?" Su Ming’an asked.

"I admit, being someone summoned at the cost of much effort, you are indeed more acute than anyone I’ve encountered before—more suitable for the world game. From a historical perspective, you indeed are the most suitable to oppose me." The deity stifled His laughter: "But we aren’t enemies, Little Su. I forced you to become an archangel to help you. You become my angel, I can grant you greater strength, and you can pass all the towers very smoothly."

Su Ming’an felt a chill on his scalp; it was his first time hearing such a nauseating title. Even Little Black’s naming skills were better than this.

"I prefer relying on my own strength," Su Ming’an said.

The deity restrained His expression.

He stepped over Noel’s corpse. The body on the ground quickly disappeared. Su Ming’an understood—indeed, this Noel was fake.

"You’ve seen what players call the ’Viewing System’ before," the deity said. "Surely you know, I can see destiny."

Su Ming’an recalled the Destiny Viewing Hall. It showed the futures of five players; his ending was to die in the sky.

"All things in the world can be observed by me, their action paths will not exceed my sight, I can predict the endings of most people, with very few deviations," the deity said: "If in your concept, there exists a ’Laplace Monster,’ you could even call me ’Laplace Monster.’ "

Su Ming’an raised an eyebrow: "So?"

The Deity approached and asked quietly:

"You—"

"Are you interested in seeing your future after the World Game ends?"

...

"Make way! Make way!"

"Don’t push! Damn it!"

The long-abandoned modern city has welcomed millions of people tonight.

The TV stations with cameras, frontline Dream Patrol anchors and celebrities, envoys and diplomats from various countries, frontline generals and officers, troops and guards maintaining order, Ancient Martial Families such as the Yi Family, Lin Family, Liu Family... The First Tower opens tonight at midnight, attracting countless attention.

Su Luoluo was startled by the vast sea of people upon arriving here.

"Such a terrifying scene. Miss Demon King, this has gathered at least ten thousand Dream Patrol anchors." Her friend anchor ’Strawberry Miaomiao’ held her hand.

"Yeah, after all, it’s the First Tower; no one knows what’s inside. It could be a treasure, or another world. Everyone hasn’t entered yet and is still jammed outside, so it’s crowded." Su Luoluo said.

"Miss Demon King! It’s Miss Demon King!"

"Miss Demon King, I love your streams!"

Su Luoluo had fans among the Dream Patrol anchors, and even though she wore a mask, she wore her streamer badge saying "Please Call Me Miss Demon King." They immediately surrounded her asking for autographs.

"Thank you, thank you..." Su Luoluo quickly released her signature Healing Series smile. She was long accustomed to wearing a smile on her face. To maintain her state, she even carried two boxes of antidepressants with her.

At this moment, a mechanical platform rose. Union Government representative Scripps stood on it. The crowd quieted down a bit.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the First Tower will open in twenty minutes—exactly at midnight on February 8." Scripps held a microphone, his loud voice spreading across the site, where countless heads moved:

"To be honest, what’s inside the First Tower, even the Union Government doesn’t know. This is something completely unknown. It might contain endless treasures or be Pandora’s box."

"But the Oracle said: when the tower opens, it’s best for Dream Patrol anchors to be present. Therefore, we’ve gathered Dream Patrol anchors with over fifty thousand fans. Including familiar ones like Yi Zhongyu, Norse, Bu Xiuwei, Yang Qiulu... even the first Dream Patrol Family is on its way."

Upon hearing that the first Dream Patrol Family would come, the crowd immediately erupted in cheers. They were as enthusiastic as a star-chasing scene. Scripps shouted several times, and people gradually calmed down.

He looked solemn, the influence of the first Dream Patrol Family was indeed great.

He continued, "Currently, major TV stations, diplomats from various countries, leading figures from various forces, are all present at our scene."

His gaze swept across, seeing many people.

The Human Self-Rescue Alliance’s Xin Yue and Li Yanghao were resting with their eyes closed in a corner.

The City Guardian Department’s Li Yuxuan and Shangqing were quietly discussing the topic of retrieving history.

The Church’s Nalfas Bishop and Saint Heir Bluetail were still discussing why the Deity took away the City Guardian Department’s intern Su Xiaobai.

Ahsente Kingdom’s Queen Blanche, Grand Prince Misei of Joscer Kingdom, Fannie of Nijie Democratic Alliance, Duke Yizikel of Lairo Empire... were also present.

The largest area was where the Dream Patrol anchors were located. This group of Dream Patrol anchors mostly wore exotic outfits, flashy packages and clothes, JK, Lolita, Hanfu, cosplay outfits; someone even wore a large anime character suit, completely becoming a paper character person. They formed a sharp contrast with the solemn ambassadors from various countries.

Players also mingled among them, some even unfurled bright red banners in the eyes of everyone, with bizarre slogans like: [Tonight if without Su Ming’an, the world is eternal as a dark night], [Against headwind like understanding, easy, do not damage, Su Ming’an when will you come to my chamber], [Deity can you make it, come give your granddad a punch, not coming is grandson], [I am the Pulaya God controlling Barbie dolls, v me 50 for Crazy Thursday].

Scripps continued:

"Currently, human land reclamation progress is at 30%, the situation remains dire. Recently, there’s been news that the Exotic Species King is about to be reborn."

"Opening this First Tower may bring opportunities, or it may bring challenges. We don’t know which direction the world’s destiny will be led."

"Now..."

While Scripps was speaking, suddenly, everyone in the world heard a "ding-dong."

They were very familiar with this "ding-dong" sound, because with the [Dream Patrol Family Heat Ranking], [Dream Patrol Progress Ranking] type rankings, every time the leaderboard got updated, everyone’s ear would "ding-dong" once.

This time "ding-dong", was there new information?

Everyone immediately opened their personal information interface and found a new paragraph of small text.

...

[The First Tower will open at midnight tonight.]

[It will change everyone’s destiny, change the destiny of the world.]

[But if it opens, it needs to collect everyone in the world’s choice. Because, you are the world’s "owners."]

[People of the World of Old Days—do you choose to open this unknown tower?]

[Yes (Votes cast currently: 281,722)/No (Votes cast currently: 91,824)]

...

In the relics, Su Rin holding an oil lamp, walked forward.

"Young man! Forbidden from trespassing into relics!" Guards shouted loudly from behind, but Su Rin ignored them.

"Young man... hm." Su Rin walked straight ahead.

He saw a stone tablet with blurred inscriptions, which seemed to have words from a long, bygone era.

Su Rin quietly recited:

"This... is... a struggle... to lose sovereignty..."

"Su..."

He wiped away the dust and continued reciting the words on the stone tablet:

"Su... Ming... an?"