CHAPTER 1044: CHAPTER 1041: THE FIFTH GAME: WITCH’S EPIC

Su Ming’an thought about it. He originally wanted to choose names like "Amber" or "Lin Yin." However, the odd alias "Banana" is indeed hard to associate with him.

"Banana. Your helmet." The priest said.

Su Ming’an took the helmet and saw the fifth disc.

—"Witch’s Epic."

In a grand and bizarre font, the disc was engraved with silhouettes of several witches, riding broomsticks surrounded by roses, with black cats and white doves on their shoulders. The disc was entwined with a blood-colored thorn ring, starlight shrouded around the witches, looking like a dark fairy tale.

Needless to say, it’s bound to be another "warm and healing" game.

"The Witch Age... year 328. About five hundred years till now." Su Ming’an rubbed the disc.

There have already been asymmetrical games, choice-based narrative games, cultivation games, simulator games. What kind of game will this be?

He and Noel left the crowded people, walking in the alleys.

Noel said: "I don’t know what era the last game will be. There are a total of six games. Louyue Nation is 622 years, the Steam Age is 512 years, the Witch Age is 328 years, so the last game might be..."

"A thousand years ago." Su Ming’an said slowly.

Perhaps, by playing to the end, the truth of a thousand years ago can be revealed. Why the Old Gods left, how the deities usurped power... these may be unveiled.

Su Ming’an stared at the game disc, as if trying to stare a blossom out of it.

"Su Ming’an... look, turns out today is New Year’s. I just realized." Noel suddenly said.

Su Ming’an looked up. The streets were indeed lively, with people performing lion dances, setting off fireworks, and families sitting on the street having reunion meals. It reminded him of the time in the Main God World during the New Year. Louyue era is the closest era to now, and it has retained the most Oriental cultural elements.

"...Fuyuan Festival." Su Ming’an couldn’t help but say.

The heavy memories made him feel like he was back in that period of swirling snow. Whenever he encountered similar climates and festivals, he could always... awaken the déjà vu engraved in his bones.

When he turned around in the snow back then, it was also such a snow.

"Yes, it feels similar. Even the scent of roasted sweet potatoes by the roadside and the aroma of hot porridge are similar." Noel casually patted a passing child’s head: "But it’s already far away, and it’s no longer the past. We are just travelers."

Even if the déjà vu is strong, making people feel as if they could see familiar figures running towards them just by turning around. But the people separated by life and death will no longer appear. In the World Game, the sense of time perception is infinitely shortened, even if it’s only a few dozen days apart, it feels like being separated by an entire century.

This walk in the snow reminded Su Ming’an of his initial morning walks in Kaius Tower. He was the scholar awakened from hibernation. Lu followed by his side and proposed to rebel against the deity camp.

Now, the same scent of sweet potatoes and porridge, the same rebellion against deities, the same snow.

Yet, it’s entirely different.

"I see there are riddles to guess over there and sugar-coated haws, want to go play?" Noel pointed to the street corner, where many lanterns were hanging.

"There’s no time. Let’s rush to the fifth game. I just got here and the fifth game appeared, too coincidental." Su Ming’an shook his head: "Let’s meet up with Li Yuxuan and the others first, ensure the environment is safe."

Noel smiled: "Alright."

...

"We sing the epics of The Republic."

"Recite the stories of a thousand years ago."

"Earnestly, to call back the honor of Old God Su Ming’an..."

In the Old God Church, the choir children were practicing. This large-scale church accommodated many who believed in the Old God.

Yamada Machiichi sat on a bench, watching these pure white children. Several white doves perched by the stained glass, pecking at the mythological tales on the glass.

"I wonder what the reaction of the United Group will be." Lu sat down beside. His eyes were rimmed with red, even the always-smiling Lu had no smile at this moment.

"They must regret it so much." Yamada Machiichi said lightly: "Su Ming’an died because Mizushima Kawa Sora had too strong a competitive spirit, which was the United Group’s misguidance. If she could have restrained herself a bit, this wouldn’t have happened. Su Ming’an certainly wouldn’t have targeted her first."

His fingers clenched, engraving crescent marks.

Although three years were like fast-forwarded slides to the players, they could feel everything that happened.

—The Number One Player had died, Mizushima Kawa Sora was the executioner.

Large organizations were already hard to maintain. Even if people gathered together based on hope for the future, they would eventually be controlled by ambitious people. Once conflicts erupted among mixed nationalities, it would be a mess. Before, people could rely on a spiritual leader like the "Number One Player," believing—he was invincible, he could always uncover the deepest storylines, he could defeat any enemy, accomplish the most perfect clearances—now?

The Lighthouse collapsed.

Like everything was suddenly destroyed.

The role of the Lighthouse Theory was this—if Su Ming’an remained alive, humanity would always have confidence. As long as he shone under the spotlight, humanity could believe in his victory. Therefore, the originally precarious human group could maintain basic stability during the initial period.

But once he fell.

...The sand castle crumbled into sand.

Even now, there are still many people crying. Many players, drawn by fame, came to the Old God Church, wishing to mourn Su Ming’an in such a magnificent and grand building.

Withered flowers were offered, along with handmade items and small gifts. Just sitting on the bench for a while, Yamada Machiichi had already seen more than three hundred players coming and going. They etched their condolences for Su Ming’an on stone slabs, holding his black and white photo.

[Voice and image are gone, virtue and kind deeds remain.]

[Spirit is immortal, demeanor is eternal.]

[Good conduct and beauty last for a thousand years, noble integrity shines forever.]

In the nearby mortuary, the black-haired youth’s image was preserved in black and white photo.

Yamada Machiichi chose a photo of Su Ming’an smiling; he wanted Su Ming’an’s rare smile to stay forever.

"Some people are already in despair, they’re even thinking of killing NPCs to vent their anger." Lu said.

"Hmph... even if Su Ming’an hadn’t died, such people would still do various bizarre things." Yamada Machiichi said.

"They even gathered to go to the Holy City, like going to their deaths, throwing rotten eggs and dead rats at Mizushima Kawa Sora. They used chicken blood to write curses on the city walls, like ’Mizushima Kawa Sora meet a bad end,’ ’Mizushima Kawa Sora’s family all die,’ such bloody words." Lu said.

"Though it’s excessive, she deserved it." Yamada Machiichi said.

"But humanity lost." Lu’s voice was very soft.

"Yes... humanity lost..." Yamada Machiichi lowered his head.

Their conversation was plain and quiet, yet it revealed deep despair. Yamada Machiichi slowly covered his face, still feeling unreal. That young man who once made dumplings, cooked meat soup, and exchanged gifts during New Year’s with him... how could he be dead?

Too strange, too unreal. It felt as if he was still in a dream. Even if he wanted Mizushima Kawa Sora to pay with her life, he clearly knew it was not possible, even if she was extremely guilty, humanity still needed the points she had.

"How’s Mo Yan?" Lu softly asked.

"He’s always wandering in dreams; he says big brother just fell into a dream, as long as he finds big brother in the dream, big brother will open his eyes again, so he’ll keep searching, keep searching." Yamada Machiichi said.

"Is that so, I thought he was the most emotionally stable person."

"That’s when it doesn’t involve big brother."

"Where’s Yuanyuan?"

"Yuanyuan is still fighting. She’s an excellent mercenary. She has a fairly sizable team, still on the frontline."

"She must be the saddest one, right?"

"I can’t tell. Her expression is very calm. I didn’t dare mention it in front of her. We just exchanged tactical advice calmly, and she let me go. But I heard from other mercenaries that Yuanyuan buried her game console and never took it out again. She started liking various types of piano music, sometimes listening for a long time..."

"Is that so... Do you know about Boris’s situation?"

"He’s just repeating, saying that the deity won’t die. Look, he’s still preaching on the square. He thinks Su Ming’an... will come back."

"I really don’t understand him."

"Me neither. Madmen are indeed hard to understand."

"What about Isabella and Alger?"

"Isabella went to lay flowers, and I don’t know where Alger went. The Peak Alliance losing Su Ming’an is practically defunct. The alliance has lost its leader; Bei Wang and others won’t listen to us."

"Finally... where’s Lv Shu?"

A brief silence.

Only the sound of people’s mourning in the church and the choir’s voices.

"I don’t know where he is," Yamada Machiichi said.

"Is that so? Well, he probably won’t be impulsive and is probably living well," Lu said.

They quietly sat on the bench.

A white dove pecked at the stained glass a few times, flew away, and a feather fell onto Lu’s blue hair.

"What about you?" After a while, Yamada Machiichi spoke: "You’ve asked me about so many people, what about yourself? What kind of reaction do you have?"

"Me...?" Lu’s words paused for a moment.

His lips gently pressed together:

"I was thinking... I didn’t get the chance to show him the aircraft carrier. He also said he wanted to see a person sink into the river."

"... He definitely never said that."

"Is that so? He should have told me that himself. Otherwise, if I really have an aircraft carrier one day, how would I find him?" Lu said slowly: "We clearly agreed... to look at what I piloted."

Yamada Machiichi fell silent.

There was no other noise in the church. Only the holy singing left in their ears, with the scent of flowers floating in the air.

"I will... always, always, remember him," Yamada Machiichi murmured, his voice hoarse and barely audible.

He clasped his hands, blinked slightly, and uncontrollable tears flowed down.

"Although I know such death shouldn’t be his end. But, Su Ming’an... sorry, I wasn’t much help. As your teammate, I failed to prevent your death, I’m sorry. If there’s really a next life, then, don’t be the Number One Player again..."

He whispered, and Lu also slowly clasped his hands together.

Until a shadow passed in front of them.

... Then waved at them.

Yamada Machiichi looked up, his pupils gradually narrowing.

"Chatting?" Su Ming’an, with blue eyes open, sat beside them: "Whatever channels you have, contact them, let the teammates know I’m alive, don’t let them worry... Wait, better not tell them, they might be fake too. By the way, this area should be relatively safe, right? I’ll just play the fifth game here?"

Su Ming’an babbled, fiddling with his wristwatch Du. Yamada Machiichi and Lu’s expressions were petrified.

Noel followed, chewing on a rainbow lollipop with leisure, crunching loudly. He watched Yamada Machiichi and Lu vigilantly, as if judging their authenticity.

Yamada Machiichi almost turned into a screaming chicken—this is too sudden! I’m still being sentimental, tears are still welling up, and here you are!

But what engulfed him next was immense joy. He subconsciously wanted to hug Su Ming’an and cry, but then felt it was inappropriate, retracting his hands.

However, Su Ming’an extended his hand, wrapped it around his arm, patted his shoulder, and comforted him not to be sad.

His eyes were bright, as if reflecting the starry sky at the ocean’s bottom.

"I won’t die."

"Trust me. Just like Caius Tower’s Acto, every time his death news comes out, it’s actually for a better return. So, next time you hear my death news, don’t be sad, just think of it as me coming back soon. All future deaths are part of my plan."

... Are you preparing for a possible, true death?

But that’s the thought that emerged in Yamada Machiichi’s heart.

He wrapped Su Ming’an’s arm, almost wanting to wipe his tears all over Su Ming’an. Before he could say a few words, his voice turned to sobs: "Su... Wahwahwah ah ah..."

"You’re Lu, I’m still waiting for you to take me to drive planes and cannons, to see how you deal with enemies." Su Ming’an shifted two inches to avoid the tears: "You’re Yamada Machiichi, you’re the one interested in anime, we planned to see Fusang’s cherry blossoms and anime streets, right? Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten. I’m still me."

"The anime part could be forgotten..." Yamada Machiichi laughed and cried.

Lu slowly put on the familiar smile, red-eyed, smiling: "Then I will immediately inform the others..."

Just as he stood up, everyone around suddenly experienced a spatial fluctuation.

The system prompt sounded:

...

[Second Tower Mechanism: "Periodically gathering all Orderly and Destructive individuals for a group discussion" has been activated.]

[Summoning everyone shortly. Countdown: Five, four, three, two—]

...

Everyone frozen in place.

"Then you..." Yamada Machiichi hastily looked at Su Ming’an.

Su Ming’an pointed to his blue eyes: "No problem. I have a Human Skin Mask."

"What should we call you? If we use an alias like ’Lv Shu’ or ’Lin Yin’, it could easily be associated with you," Lu said.

Su Ming’an thought for a while.

"Banana."

...

The white light shifted, revealing a vast starry sky before them.