NOVEL NEXT Chapter 340: Passing Conditions_2
"...Ah." Xiao Yi finally understood.
"It seems you've gotten it," the man continued, "If even the power to resist is granted by the enemy, then what hope do we have left? Just as everyone will eventually die, we too will be destroyed offhandedly once we lose our value for their entertainment. Since death is the inevitable conclusion, then... why not live a little more spectacularly? That's what I've been doing, living as I please, following only what my heart desires, without any regard for those meaningless ethics and morals. And thus, I've finally tasted freedom."
"So that's it..." Xiao Yi nodded, "Then it seems, you're the one who killed all those people in the underground space, right?"
"Exactly," the man admitted without a moment's hesitation.
"What..." Luo Muyao, who was beside them, couldn't help but gasp in shock.
She hadn't expected that her action, which she had thought was suicide, would eventually lead to her survival, and had she stayed in that safe place, she probably would have died just like the others.
Could there really... be such absurdity?
The man went on to say, "Enduring this despair is far too painful, and those with weaker hearts don't have the resolve to swallow this despair. So... I decided to liberate them. What's more, this is exactly what the Analog Horror wants me to do..."
"...Hope?"
"Yes, at the onset of this crisis, each of us received a message, which was our guidance."
"...Message?" Xiao Yi asked in confusion, "What message?"
"Are you talking about that?" Luo Muyao interjected, "[From this moment on, all humans on Blue Star enter the Analog Horror instance... Now, let the brutal survival competition begin.], I remember indeed seeing that message but..."
"That's right, the Analog Horror has already made it clear," the man said gravely, "Begin... the brutal survival competition. Does it not mean that we must compete for our survival? Therefore... the condition to clear this instance, without a doubt, is for a certain number of people on Blue Star to die before it can be completed."
"...Eh?" Luo Muyao, with a look of disbelief, "...How could that... be possible?"
"...Want to see the evidence?" The man said as his aura changed, "After killing a sufficient number of people, I... gained the [Talent] that only Chosen Ones possess! And that's not all! Come out!"
At his command, countless monsters leaped out in perfect unison, completely surrounding Xiao Yi and his group!
"See?" he said, "Even these monsters completely obey my command; is there any stronger evidence than this?"
"This..." Luo Muyao found herself unable to retort and fell silent.
"Alright, Xiao Yi..." the man turned to Xiao Yi again, "Since resistance is meaningless, you might as well comply, at least finding freedom before death. This is what has been driving me. Now, you can die with understanding... Heh, I can tell that you no longer bear the mark of a Talent, it seems the Analog Horror has grown tired of you, the element that ensured a successful story, and has discarded you! Now, just an ordinary person, you're no match for me! But just in case... attack."
With the man's mere thought, all the monsters collectively pounced toward Xiao Yi and the others!
The end seemed to be set in stone... However, just as the man thought so, the monsters he controlled tore into countless pieces in an instant!
"...Eh?"
He was stunned. Xiao Yi was supposed to be devoid of any power bestowed by the Analog Horror, what on earth was going on!?
But he didn't have time to think further, his consciousness permanently ceased.
"...Hopeless fool, embrace the death you love so much,"
Xiao Yi withdrew his hand, his face also somewhat somber.
If this guy's words were true, if the condition to complete the instance really involved reducing the population of Blue Star, then for Xiao Yi, it was undoubtedly the most troublesome situation.
However, it was not certain yet, at least... not until he got to the Tower.
So, Xiao Yi decided there and then, he needed to make his way to the Tower as quickly as possible.
"Let's go, Muyao... There's nothing left for us to do here, let's head to that so-called gathering place first."
Having said that, Xiao Yi started walking, preparing to set off immediately.
"...Ah!" It was only then that Luo Muyao snapped out of her daze and hurried to catch up with Xiao Yi's pace.
"..." However, looking at the side of Xiao Yi's face, she couldn't help but feel a bit worried.
...
Then, under Luo Muyao's guidance, Xiao Yi drove to one of the four major cities of Dragon Country. After some searching, they really found that so-called gathering place.
Or rather, it was the people of the gathering place who saw them first, so they took the initiative to get in touch with Xiao Yi and his company.
After learning more, he found out that although the gathering place was often attacked by monsters at the beginning, causing the death of many people, with everyone working together, the defenses became more and more robust. Nowadays, no monsters had breached their security.
Thus, Luo Muyao could finally stay in a safe place. Xiao Yi was relieved.
At the same time, Xiao Yi also learned a very important piece of information here, that is... the Tower first appeared in the Capital of Dragon Country.
That was also where Xu Yingguang was located.
With the next destination confirmed, Xiao Yi didn't wait and chose to set off immediately. However, before he left, he pondered for a moment and decided to see Luo Muyao one last time.
"Luo Muyao... There's something I've been wanting to ask you since before. Until now, you've been all alone, with no one accompanying you. Where are your... parents?"
"My parents?" Luo Muyao gave a bitter smile and replied, "My father passed away during the previous abnormality, and my mother... seems she had an illness since her youth and has been bedridden. Before this crisis hit... she had already passed away."
"...I see? Sorry..."
"No, I don't mind..." Luo Muyao forced a smile, "Until her death, my mother always believed her illness was torturing her. I think that, for her, that might have been the best ending. There's more…"
Luo Muyao hesitated for a moment but still spoke:
"Before my mother died, she kept mentioning someone's name, the name of a child she abandoned before she gave birth to me. That was when I learned that even my mother, who was always so gentle and kind, had done such a thing... Before she died, she was repentant of her actions, but... she knew that repenting and regretting were useless, the only thing she could do was pray in her heart that the child was still alive, and moreover, living a happy life..."
"...Is that so?" Xiao Yi hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Then... what was the name of her child?"
"...Luo Mu." Luo Muyao softly voiced a name, "The name she never gave to the child she abandoned... was Luo Mu."
"...Luo Mu? That's a really nice name."
Xiao Yi remarked in sentiment, yet he was certain, that name... was not his own.