Welcome to Rewind World Game

"The promise given by the deity to her sister is not just any girl, but a girl with red hair, purple eyes, who can make Taiyaki, Yokan, and Mochi, almost identical to Mizushima Haru in appearance, temperament, and behavior. In other words, if parallel universes exist in this world, then this girl is like the Mizushima Haru from a parallel universe." Su Wensheng approached again: "Considering factors like balance of interests, probability of a perfect pass, and strength comparison, Mizushima Kawa Sora agreed to cooperate with the deities; she is not necessarily opposing you."

Su Ming'an said: "I never thought of her this way, she certainly has the qualifications to win."

The distance between the two was only two meters.

Su Wensheng raised his hand and depicted a mirror again; within the mirror were Mizushima Kawa Sora's past experiences.

In the grand hall, Mizushima Kawa Sora and the deities faced each other. She had not yet donned the golden ring; this was the first day of the Replica Activation.

"I am willing to become a Goddess, and cooperate with you." Mizushima Kawa Sora raised her head: "Deity, abide by your promise by then, let me see her."

The deity nodded: "Of course."

The deity showed Mizushima Kawa Sora a girl with red hair and purple eyes. Her expressions and smiles were almost identical to those of the departed. She can also make Fusang cuisine, is very skilled in puzzles and chess, and has no rival in international chess, known as a genius girl.

At this moment, Mizushima Kawa Sora sincerely perceived the mystery and wonder of the universe. A girl who had already passed away could be seen again. She could actually retrieve lost treasures, if reincarnation truly exists in this world, then the departed are here waiting for her.

She knew well that it might be a disguise, or perhaps a lie, but she was still willing to believe in the myriad possibilities of the universe; perhaps in the mysterious and vast world, one could really cross the dim stars to find traces of the departed. Since such a magical thing like the World Game exists, why can't one retrieve the deceased?

Mizushima Kawa Sora gazed deeply at the girl, as if pursuing an unseen Shadow.

"So, is this real?" Su Ming'an asked calmly.

Su Wensheng took back the mirror and said lightly: "Perhaps, different dimensions and different worlds all stem from the Original Ark, differentiated by certain factors, our worlds may share a common origin, with the same ancestors, separated due to various factors. Have you considered that if the universe's Big Bang was the original of all things, perhaps in the original of the original, there exists a first Ark?"

He extended his hand, simulating a light source:

"There is a particle named Higgs boson, also known as 'God particle,' believed to be the source of mass, the foundation of mass formation for electrons and quarks, other particles swim in the field formed by this particle and generate inertia, thereby forming mass to construct the grand world, it is further known as the particle conducting the symphony of the universe."

"When technological development reaches its peak, and the Standard Model is on the verge of triumph, the exploration of the microstructure of matter is nearing its end, humans are about to hear the climactic exploration finale, however—there remains a particle, elusive in their search, this being the 'God particle.'

"It might topple the entire edifice of science, revealing a brand new exploration journey. The 'God particle' is believed to grant mass to other particles, forming the grand world, akin to the deities of myth crafting mountains and rivers, molding humans and sheep. Deities can also be explained through scientific theories, for perhaps it is an embodiment of some yet undiscovered theory."

"Suppose there is a live cat and a dead cat, but they exist in different worlds. When the Observer looks into the box, the entire world splits into its own two versions. These two versions are identical in every aspect. The sole difference is that in one version, the atom decayed, the cat died; while in the other version, the atom did not decay, the cat remains alive. These two worlds will independently evolve in parallel, just like two parallel worlds. Quantum processes cause 'two worlds,' even 'countless multiple worlds.'

"The possibilities of the world are infinite, Su Ming'an. The theories you are familiar with might collapse like sandcastles in an instant."

"Human technological development is still shallow, what human eyes cannot see is not proof of nonexistence, especially when magic and technology coexist."

Su Ming'an leaned on the Lamb Barrier: "What do you want to say?"

Compared to Acto's obscure words, Su Wensheng's words seemed much more straightforward, sparing the disdain for college students' intelligence.

"I want to say..." Su Wensheng stepped closer once more:

"— Don't you have someone you want to retrieve? They might be in another world."

"Deities have control over numerous worlds, perhaps, deities can help you find them—those who've already passed away, Qin Wang, Sherrod, Nailuo, Noah... perhaps deities can help you find the 'living them.' As long as it is Life, it might be found. If you cooperate with the deities, you may see them again, even bring them away, they will accompany you on your lonely journey."

"Even if you think they are different, there is also a possibility that perhaps they are truly the same."

Su Wensheng knows Su Ming'an well, he mentioned many departed ones whom Su Ming'an cares about greatly.

"Deities can only retrieve Life?" Su Ming'an asked.

"What else do you want to retrieve? Dead objects?" Su Wensheng replied.

Su Ming'an chuckled softly, under Su Wensheng's gaze, he slowly shook his head:

"No, they have already died and flown away in their own ideals."

"Even if deities search for them in the numerous worlds they control, it would merely be looking for similar things, insulting both the deceased and the living. Even if they are extremely similar, they are no longer the departed."

"Just like Su Rin and I are ultimately two people. Even if Su Rin is placed in My World, and I am transferred to Su Rin's world, we are still two people."

"We might have countless connections beyond time, dimension, and causality, and perhaps really originate from the same beginning, also a Domain I temporarily cannot touch, but, I still feel that each individual is different. Even though I am now using Su Rin's body, using Su Rin's voice, pretending to be Su Rin, I am still Su Ming'an, won't change a person simply because we are similar, that is just a shallow viewpoint."

"I see." Su Wensheng said: "This is your thought, indeed quite different from Mizushima Kawa Sora..."

He stepped closer again, almost touching the Lamb Barrier.

The chaotic wind caused chaos on the street, soldiers keeping their distance, not daring to approach.

"Do you want to discuss the concept of multiple universes with me?" Su Ming'an asked.

Multiple universes are a collection of infinite or finite universes, including everything that exists and can possibly exist.

Clearly, Su Wensheng wants to instill the concept of "multi-worlds" in him, letting him believe in the existence of parallel worlds, making him believe that the departed in numerous worlds still exist.

"You are very lonely, aren't you?" Su Wensheng pressed his hand against the Lamb Barrier: "As long as humans still exist with the concept of 'I' and 'others,' loneliness will always accompany us. Because everyone knows in their heart, the self in this world is independent, only oneself can truly understand oneself."

"Su Ming'an, someone as unique as you, someone as rare as the Original, should be able to understand my words better. No one can empathize with us, humans journey through life unable to find kindred spirits, drifting all life, lonely all life. Even if they find the so-called 'love' in mortality, it is merely the integration between body and emotion, in fact, still two completely different individuals, not counted as 'kindred.' Let alone most people never found the so-called 'soulmate,' merely making do with life."

"No one knows how lonely understanding oneself can be. Unless 'I' meet 'I,' 'I' accept 'I,' 'I' embrace 'I.'"

"For a lifetime, humans search in emotions, whether kinship, friendship, or love—it's nothing more than finding another 'self' in the world that merges with their being, as if splitting from the same entity, born missing fragments of oneself."

"You should have already felt loneliness, no matter how many people help you, they are independent outside."

"—Don't you want the deity to help you find someone who best fits and is most 'yourself'? Let them become your companion."

Su Wensheng's words were light and slow, with fierce winds roaring in his ears, making it hard for Su Ming'an to hear. He leaned closer to the Lamb Barrier to catch these words.

From such a close distance, Su Ming'an looked up to see Su Wensheng's eyes, dark black like his own, and language resembling strategy. It was as if their roles had switched, with Su Wensheng acting as a player strategizing him.

"I..." Su Ming'an just started to speak when images suddenly flashed before his eyes.

He found himself in the midst of a vast and deep starry sky, with the Shadow reappearing before him. This time, he vaguely saw the Shadow's eyes, a blue like a sapphire.

Threads of causal lines were entangled between them, and his consciousness spread out like waves extending in all directions. He saw countless images of himself appear among the galaxies, being born and extinguished like a continuously flowing river. The Shadow also watched these images, just like him.

Above the starry sky—what kind of existence was this dark Shadow?

Su Ming'an initially thought this was just a temporary illusion that would soon disappear, but he heard the voice of the Shadow.

"Su Ming'an. You are the only, fixed, complete, and true existence."

"On the twentieth day, come to my side and reclaim your true self."

"I will place catfish in the pond, and you will soon break the water to come to my side to confirm your significance. When you return this time, you will lose this memory of communicating with me, but that's okay. I'm curious about how deeply rooted seeds can grow in different lands."

"If I can have you, nothing else matters, because you are the 'one' that ascends from the Source."

The Shadow stood close to Su Ming'an, and those blue eyes reminded Su Ming'an of the vast sky.

"Who are you?" Su Ming'an asked.

The deity forbade people from looking up at the sky to prevent them from seeing the Shadow. Yet the Shadow showed a repeated interest in Su Ming'an.

Threads connecting them were everywhere, and Su Ming'an raised his hand to cut these threads.

The Shadow laughed loudly, and half a second later, Su Ming'an could no longer see these scenes, his vision returning to the small room.

The starry sea, the Shadow, the causal lines all seemed like hallucinations.

…No, not hallucinations.

Su Ming'an rubbed his temples—this was memory.

This was a memory or dream he had forgotten, likely from a few days before the Replica Activation, but he had no recollection of it at all.

Now, this memory unexpectedly resurfaced.

His thoughts became clear in an instant—could the Shadow be the Exotic Species King?

That's why Su Wensheng wanted to ally with the deity to kill the Exotic Species King. The deity wanted to destroy the world, likely also to kill the Exotic Species King.

Su Ming'an's thoughts cleared immediately—now it seems, the Shadow is an enemy and the deity is also an enemy, neither of them can be trusted. Only the trio of Li Mingyue, Xiao Jingsan, Chao Yan, and Little Su's rollback are his strengths. His goal is to kill the Exotic Species King without destroying the world.

…In this light, all his actions until now have been correct. It was necessary first to become a god.

"Is this the way things are?" Su Ming'an conveyed his hypothesis to Su Wensheng.

Su Wensheng was silent for a moment: "You could say that."

"We both want to kill the Exotic Species King; you chose to cooperate with the deity, but I could never trust the deity," Su Ming'an said. "So, step aside, we stand on different grounds."

In the lower right corner of his vision, small letters kept flashing in response to his words.

…

[Su Wensheng: Must it be this way?]

[Su Ming'an: Yes, I am the 'player,' and I must protect this world. I won't change, no matter what.]

[Su Wensheng (painfully): You obviously have a choice for a perfect pass by destroying the world; it would be better to join us.]

[Su Ming'an: Sorry, I can't choose that.]

[Su Wensheng: You're just in it for the improvement of the Ruler's Skill!]

[Su Ming'an: Then try to stop me, like a brave stopping the Demon King. The Demon King who saves the world and the brave who destroys it.]

[Su Wensheng: You and I are alike; we could have been great companions.]

[Su Ming'an: I've never considered you as Su Wensheng. Su Wensheng wouldn't want to destroy his own world. But I know, perhaps you are only feigning allegiance to the deity, ultimately intending to protect your world, but I cannot entrust myself to you. For I carry a heavy burden as well.]

[Su Wensheng: …Can't we reconcile? Fine, after all, we are alike, and no one can force the other to follow their plan.]

[Su Wensheng: Then I'll fight you until you yield, until you fear the pain of death, and abandon this world.]

[Su Ming'an: —Come.]

…

Su Ming'an released the Barrier, facing those similar, resolute, bright black eyes,

—and was the first to swing his sword down.