Chapter 37: The Meaning of the [Faith Game]?

The Meaning of the [Faith Game]?

If someone from the Descent Faction were present, they might pick up pen and paper to record this great moment.

For this is a moment worthy of historical remembrance—humanity, as "playthings" under the Gods, has for the first time had the chance to ask a God a question.

In previous special audiences, the [God] merely announced His will.

Believers, aside from bowing their heads and accepting a few vague praises, remained utterly silent throughout.

But today, clearly, it was different.

Both parties in the dialogue were clearly engaged—and both were talkative.

After weighing his thoughts, Cheng Shi paused to formulate his words, then asked his first question with solemn gravity.

“Why did the [Gods] descend?

Or rather, what is the meaning of the [Faith Game]?”

[Deception] seemed unsurprised by this question; He slowly replied:

“To become a god.”

!!??

To become a god?

Who wants to become a god?

The [Gods]?

The players?

Given [Deception]’s nature, this answer seems to point to the [Gods]!?

Aren’t they already gods?

Of course, this could also be a lie—and it sounds very much like one.

And that would mean the next question is likely the truth.

Assuming [Deception] does not exercise His authority.

“Hehe, my turn now.

Do you want to become a god?”

Cheng Shi’s heart surged with turmoil, yet he maintained a blank expression as he replied:

“No.”

The eye in the starry sky rotated twice, offering no judgment.

“Second question: In this [Faith Game], can humans—or rather, players—become gods?”

[Deception]’s response remained utterly emotionless.

But this time, He answered quickly.

“Yes.

Hehe, my turn again.

Why don’t you want to become a god?”

A thunderclap exploded in Cheng Shi’s mind; he carefully savored the word “yes.”

Yes?

Players can become gods too?

This was even more likely a lie than the previous one.

But the problem was—if [Deception] did not lie within the game’s rules, then at least one of these two absurd answers must be true!

The gods are not gods!

Or—humans can become gods!

Whichever was true, the answer was shocking enough.

So much so that Cheng Shi nearly lost control of his expression.

After a long pause, he answered His question with a simple, earnest look.

“Because it has no meaning.”

[Deception] paused, then burst into thunderous laughter.

“You didn’t lie. You truly are [Void]’s child.

Still, if I didn’t know you, I’d have thought you’d secretly joined that organization based solely on the questions you asked.”

Which organization?

The Firebearers!?

“Thud!”

Cheng Shi’s heart sank; though he had long known [Deception] was aware of the Firebearers, being directly confronted by a [God] about a “rebellious organization” still filled him with deep unease.

To be honest, Cheng Shi was not a good man.

He possessed every common human flaw:

A bit selfish, a bit cold, a bit fearful of death, harboring vague hopes yet not striving for a better tomorrow, and adopting a live-one-day-at-a-time attitude.

But none of this prevented him from understanding and admiring those who “cherish dreams and bring light to others.”

The Firebearers were precisely such people.

“I may never join them, but I will never look down on them; if I have a chance to help them, I won’t turn away or stand idly by.”

Now, it seemed, that moment had arrived.

After internal struggle, Cheng Shi asked a question on behalf of these “poor children bearing humanity’s burdens.”

“In the eyes of the [Gods], are they a joke?”

He asked delicately—though “delicate” here referred only to whether the [Gods] were even aware of their existence.

For the Firebearers, this question might be devastating.

Yet [Deception]’s reply was unexpected.

“You care about them?

Interesting.

But you needn’t worry—the [Gods] are unaware of their existence.

Except for me.”

“!!!”

Cheng Shi’s heart surged with waves of shock; he blurted out:

“Why?”

“Why? That’s another secret now.”

Cheng Shi immediately bowed his head, thinking hard how to extract more from Him; after a moment’s preparation, he said:

“If the [Gods] don’t know about them, it seems even gods aren’t omnipotent.”

[Deception] chuckled lightly, not angered by his insolence.

“No being is omnipotent, nor is any void.

The [Gods] exist within existence, the void within void—isn’t it natural that neither is omnipotent?”

A flash of insight suddenly lit Cheng Shi’s eyes; he raised his head, staring at [Deception], and spoke slowly, word by word:

“So the [Gods] descended to enact the [Faith Game]—to become omnipotent gods. Correct?”

[Deception]’s eyes showed no ripple, always smiling, the wrinkles at the corners as unchanging as folded spacetime.

His tone remained, as always, full of deception.

“Guess.”

“No need to guess. You didn’t lie.”

“Oh?” The eye regarded Cheng Shi with curiosity, asking with keen interest, “How do you know I didn’t lie?”

Cheng Shi pointed to his heart:

“S-rank talent: Master of Deception. You granted me this ability—it can pierce all lies.”

[Deception] seemed stunned by Cheng Shi’s optimism; He laughed again, unable to contain His mirth:

“You use the power I granted you to listen to a [God]’s thoughts—do you really think it will work?”

Cheng Shi replied with unshakable confidence:

“If gods aren’t omnipotent, they too can be deceived and their thoughts pierced. So why can’t I, as a divine favored, succeed?”

The eye blinked, as if finally understanding Cheng Shi’s meaning.

“So this is what you want.

You’re a slippery one.

I can indeed grant you a power capable of deceiving Them.

But the question is—if you don’t want to become a god, why do you need a power only a [God] can possess?”

Cheng Shi replied plainly: “I don’t want to become a god—I just want to deceive one.”

“?”

“Hahaha, I see. I like you more and more.”

The wild mirth in the eye gradually faded; the entire form slowly dissolved into void.

“This meeting was pleasant. Go now. When you become my [Divine Chosen], I will grant you this power.”

That’s it?

Cheng Shi suddenly panicked: “Where’s [Fate]? If He comes again...”

“Endure it, until you can fool Him.”

“......”

I endure your mother!

Cheng Shi was about to curse loudly when his vision suddenly twisted.

When his awareness returned to his body, he found himself on the rooftop of the rest area.

The first thing he saw when he opened his eyes was the sun hanging high in the sky.

The first thing he heard was:

“Hey, buddy, that... do you still have your former prosperity?... I want to trade for two more bottles for Lu Lu.”

Cheng Shi’s face instantly darkened.

Fuck, whores are everywhere.