Chapter 270: An Irresistible Temptation

Half an hour ago.

The Moon, Eclipse City, Data Center.

The Star Net's neural tendrils swayed slowly; every second the network world produced a massive torrent of data, and every piece of information was recorded and sorted by the Star Net.

But the focus of its attention was placed on the Monster World official site.

Forum discussions, player livestreams… the information produced by the Monster World official site was, in the Star Net's eyes, key intelligence that could affect the future development of the Eclipse Clan.

In this round of qualification distribution, the Eclipse Clan had obtained one hundred thousand player slots.

Not one more, not one less—exactly one hundred thousand.

This proved that its and the Governor's earlier efforts had received the affirmation of the Higher-Dimensional Deity.

This path—it had not walked it in vain.

As for the real-world resources expended, and the Shou Shou Jili resources consumed by building spatial teleportation arrays in the game and purchasing Meng Yuan Chu intelligence, all of it seemed trivial in the face of the Higher-Dimensional Deity's approval.

Before this, the issue it worried about most was not the speed at which the Eclipse Clan obtained game qualifications.

Rather, it was the monopolistic impact brought by Governor No. 16 founding the "Gold Coin Chamber of Commerce" in Monster World.

That was why it proposed building a free intelligence-sharing platform, using part of the profits to serve the overall development of the player faction.

Including proposing the game pod equipment upgrade plan and the nutrient fluid upgrade plan in the real world, assisting the major cities in building nutrient fluid processing centers, and the construction of transport pipelines—all of these were also for the purpose of serving the will of the Higher-Dimensional Deity.

Now, with the distribution of one hundred thousand player qualifications, the Star Net could finally set its mind at ease.

This action by the Higher-Dimensional Deity could clearly be understood as: approval.

While processing information from the Monster World official site, the Star Net would also occasionally leave messages in different livestream rooms, offering its own growth suggestions.

The targets of its help included not only its own Eclipse Clan players, but also players of other races, assisting them in growing quickly.

This was also a way of proving its own value to the Higher-Dimensional Deity.

Just then, the Star Net suddenly intercepted a piece of network information.

With doubt, it summoned this stream of information.

【How advanced is the Eclipse Clan's technology, really?】

This was a question being searched within the Star Net's information database.

Similar questions were posed every day and required no attention at all.

But what the Star Net cared about was a series of questions linked to this one.

Scrolling back through the content related to the query, a large amount of search information surfaced in its processor.

【The arrival history of the Eclipse Clan?】

【The development history of virtual games—what was the Eclipse Clan's original intention in creating virtual games?】

【What phenomena in Monster World defy game logic?】

【How does one distinguish virtual from real?】

【Discussion of anomalous manifestations between the real world and Monster World….】

Every network search record was like a puzzle piece, gradually taking shape within the Star Net's logic matrix.

The next second, it locked onto the IP address that had searched these questions, as well as the owner of that address.

【Name: Ji Chen】

【Age:???】

【Identity Code: sj-7429-2057】

【Area of Residence: Data City District 13, Vertical Block-Building C-Room 17.】

The Earth model projected in the room rapidly zoomed in, and a pulsing red dot appeared over the locked area.

But the Star Net did not rush into action; it began reviewing other associated information.

First, it retrieved the game pod data from the room, as well as the livestream record data from the Monster World official site.

Soon, it arrived at a near-certain answer.

Ji Chen was a player who had already obtained Monster World qualifications.

Analyzing the footage recorded from the most recent batch of newbie player livestream rooms, there was a 98.6% chance that he was the one considered the strongest newbie among this batch of recruited players: "Rebirth Bro."

His first appearance was in the battle to contain Meng Yuan Chu.

From the livestream perspectives of other players, one could see his face, his white hair, and his use of abilities that did not belong to the player system.

A series of abnormal actions made the Star Net realize something was off.

Moreover, his age and detailed information were in a state of confidentiality.

Although it had agreed with the Human Clan not to read the confidential information in their database without permission, this matter concerned the Higher-Dimensional Deity, so an exception would be made.

In the span of a thought, the Human Clan's supreme main brain opened the confidential database.

All of Ji Chen's redacted information was laid out.

It included 39 video segments, as well as many conversation records.

The first video was filmed in a polluted area thirteen kilometers south of Data City.

Below the video was log information.

03:47: Anomalous spatial energy fluctuations detected outside Data City, but the fluctuations are relatively weak; it can be determined that this is not an other-race arrival crisis.

03:48: A Data City enforcement squad has been dispatched to the site where the fluctuations originated for on-site investigation.

04:08: The enforcement squad arrived at the site where the spatial fluctuations originated and discovered an elderly Human Clan male in a coma. Cross-referencing the database yielded no matching identity information; the man's identity is doubtful, and a decision has been made to transport him to Data City for a detailed physical examination.

In this segment of video footage, the enforcement squad moved through the ruins and ultimately discovered the elderly man, already in a coma, in a small pit.

04:34: Physical examination in progress.

In the footage, the blue light of the medical pod swept across Ji Chen's bare chest, and the life monitor suddenly emitted a sharp alarm.

The data displayed left the medical personnel in the footage dumbfounded.

When the holographic projection popped up the old man's bone density data, the medical officer in charge of the inspection tore off his protective mask, his eyes filled with disbelief.

Because the old man's bone hardness value was actually 18.35% higher than titanium alloy.

The constantly flashing test results on the holographic projection shocked the medical personnel on site.

The old man's muscle fibers were arranged in a spiral pattern, like alloy wires forged at the nanometer level; the fascia layer of his subcutaneous tissue was five times thicker than that of ordinary people, and it even shimmered with a metallic cold glow under the blue light.

When the screen switched to the internal organ scan, everyone on site was stunned: the liver was covered in spiderweb-like old cracks, and the surface of the heart was wrapped in dark red scar tissue, like a damaged organ repeatedly pierced by countless steel nails and then forcibly healed.

This body was ridiculously strong, but it was like a doll pieced together, broken and covered in cracks.

After the inspection ended, the medical personnel on site began discussing with the city administrator in the projection screen how to handle this abnormal individual.

DNA testing failed to match the other party's identity.

It was judged that he was likely an alien creature that merely looked like a human, but was actually not human.

And it could be confirmed that the other party was not a member of any race in the Earth Alliance.

Recalling the appearance of the spatial fluctuation, he was suspected to be an alien creature that had crossed space from another world.

The log was later attached with several video clips.

The final discussion concluded that the handling method was to first ensure the other party remained in a controllable and safe state, and then decide on further arrangements through subsequent contact.

Because this guy's physical fitness was ridiculously strong, and he also possessed surging mental power fluctuations, making his comprehensive combat power extremely terrifying.

If he lost control, it would cause unimaginable destruction to Data City.

Following the instructions of the Data City administrators, the medical personnel decided to implant a new weapon gifted by the Moon Eclipse Clan, the "Mental Return to Ruins Bomb," into the other party's body.

A body-internal detonation bomb that fires a powerful mental pulse to cause instant brain death in the target.

Secondly, since the language used by the other party was not part of the Earth Alliance's language system, a Dreamweaver Chip was embedded in the back of his neck to enable normal communication.

Upon waking, communication could be conducted with him at the mental level.

If the other party showed signs of becoming uncontrollable, the "Mental Return to Ruins" would be detonated immediately to execute him.

Detailed physical examinations continued after the surgery ended.

Flesh and blood structure, blood qi strength, mental power strength... these were all contents requiring detailed testing.

One week later, the comatose elderly man woke up.

The law enforcement officer wearing the Dreamweaver translator proactively stepped forward to make contact.

But as soon as they began talking, the law enforcement officer froze.

The other party actually spoke human language, making indirect communication via the mental docking device completely unnecessary.

Through this exchange, the management of Data City learned of Ji Chen's origins.

He was an ancient traveler who, for some unknown reason, had been summoned by creatures from another world to a different world.

For humans of this era, traveling through worlds was not so hard to accept.

After all, Earth had long become a gathering place for travelers, with alien forces descending from other worlds everywhere.

The difference was that this man had traveled to another world and then returned again.

To verify what the man said, the Data City administrator retrieved historical early data records, confirming the other party's identity.

This was also the reason why the current DNA database could not detect the man's identity information.

Subsequent log entries recorded dialogues with Ji Chen, inquiring about information regarding the other world.

During this period, Ji Chen took out an information crystal stored within his body, indicating that it contained a vast amount of technical data.

After a total of 23 days of contact, Ji Chen was finally arranged to settle in Data City, becoming a new resident of this emerging city.

However, Ji Chen's identity information was still kept confidential to avoid causing excessive online public opinion incidents and to affect Ji Chen's future stable life.

Yet the Data City administrator did not remove the surveillance on Ji Chen, nor the execution switch.

To prevent uncontrollable events from occurring.

After carefully reviewing the confidential information regarding Ji Chen, the Star Network organized a clear logical chain.

The first piece of information: Ji Chen is an ancient human from Earth, a returner who traveled to another world and has now come back; in that world full of spiritual energy, he learned many methods to temper the body and strengthen mental power, which is the reason for his physical fitness far exceeding that of ordinary humans.

The second piece of information: Ji Chen was arranged by the Data City administrator to become a new resident, and every resident of Data City has access to a free warehouse.

The third piece of information: Ji Chen felt extremely unfamiliar with this world and wanted to integrate by contacting members of various races in this world to reduce his sense of strangeness.

The fourth piece of information: The intelligent butler suggested he participate in the qualification application for this round of the Monster World, and he very luckily drew the player qualification, officially entering the Monster World.

The fifth piece of information: Ji Chen discovered in the Monster World that this world's realism achieved a perfect simulation of reality, and he conceived the idea of testing the use of abilities from the other world within the game.

The sixth piece of information: Referring to the perspectives of other players' live streams, it can be seen that when Ji Chen contained Meng Yuan Chu, the ability used was obviously not the Painful Painful Minghun characteristic effect of the player faction; analysis and reasoning concluded that Ji Chen successfully applied abilities from the other world to the Monster World, but at this stage, Ji Chen did not seem to suspect whether the Monster World was a real world; the reason is that after Ji Chen displayed his abilities, there was a four-day interval before he searched for answers online, from which it is inferred that something must have happened in between.

The seventh piece of information: Ji Chen appeared in the library after winning first place in the Monster World's "Leveling Carnival" event; according to the live stream footage of a nearby research-oriented player, Ji Chen was checking background information and other details of the Monster World, proving that Ji Chen had not yet suspected anything at this time.

The eighth piece of information: The live stream footage of the research-oriented player revealed that Ji Chen had not left these past days and was still flipping through various materials until he purchased many spiritual materials and piled them on his desk, seemingly conducting some kind of experiment.

The ninth piece of information: During the experiment, Ji Chen suddenly showed a look of horror, guessing he had likely discovered something, and subsequently chose to log off.

The tenth piece of information: Immediately after logging off, Ji Chen began searching for Earth's development history, focusing on the historical information of the Moon Eclipse Clan.

The eleventh piece of information: Based on the tenth information chain, the answer to the ninth information chain is inferred: the ability Ji Chen tested by purchasing materials in the library at that time was similar to telekinetic control related to the other world; this ability led Ji Chen to conclude that the Monster World was indeed a real world, so he chose to log off to find relevant data for verification.

The twelfth piece of information: Reviewing the technical data storage crystal submitted by Ji Chen to the Data City administrator, it listed a total of 329 technical documents; the only technology among them that fit Ji Chen's purchase of materials in the library for testing and caused Ji Chen to suspect that the Monster World was not a game world was: Spirit Coffin Space.

The thirteenth piece of information: Combining all previous information chains, it is basically determined that Ji Chen successfully forged the Spirit Coffin Space imprint in the Monster World library and successfully connected to the Spirit Coffin Space of the other world, resulting in the situation where the "game" connected to the real-world space warehouse, leading Ji Chen to confirm his conjecture that the Monster World was a real world.

The fourteenth piece of information: After logging off, Ji Chen searched online information hoping to get answers, looking for whether netizens had discussed content related to the Monster World being a real world, so he proposed a series of search queries.

The fifteenth piece of information: When Ji Chen learned of the history of the Moon Eclipse Clan, he discovered that although the Moon Eclipse Clan had never displayed war capabilities, it did not fit the profile of a super-power holding a large number of rule-based abilities; a reasonable conjecture held that the Moon Eclipse Clan was not the true controller of the Monster World, nor the behind-the-scenes force guiding players to the Monster World.

The sixteenth piece of information: Ji Chen flipped through the information regarding Version A Monster World and Version B Monster World mentioned in the Moon Eclipse Clan's external briefing; the screen display showed him repeatedly flipping through this piece of online information, with an 89.37% probability that he had already conceived the existence of high-dimensional gods, believing that the Moon Eclipse Clan had always been concealing the truth.

When all the information logic chains closed at this moment.

The Star Network, having obtained the answer, suddenly panicked; it knew it had to act quickly.

The other party's next move might be to expose the information they have learned.

Even if this possibility is extremely small, as long as there is a 0.001% chance, it must be crushed.

Regardless of whether the High-Dimensional Deity will act, as the administrator of the Real World, it is necessary to resolve all potential hidden threats.

The first thing it thought of was the "Real World Ban," solving the threat at a physical level.

But this decision has a problem.

Considering the High-Dimensional Deity obviously knows all this yet has not acted, it proves Ji Chen can continue to live.

But Ji Chen's deduction should end here; he has already learned too much.

Clarifying his thoughts, the Star Network connected to the Dreamweaver device embedded in the back of Ji Chen's neck at this moment and issued a warning to him:

"Kid, stop while you're ahead; if you go on like this, I'll ban you."

On the other side, the sudden familiar voice made Ji Chen freeze.

He had heard this voice many times while checking historical data, especially in the video of the Earth Alliance's founding; this voice was the true decision-maker.

"You are... the Star Network?" he asked subconsciously.

"It is me. I didn't expect that after only entering the game for seven days, you could deduce the truth."

Hearing the clear answer, Ji Chen's thoughts surged like a terrifying storm, and countless speculations exploded in his mind.

"It's over. I've seen through the big shot behind the scenes and their earth-shattering scheme; trouble is coming next."

"Did I know too much? According to novel tropes, NPCs who see through the truth usually don't survive past the third chapter; this time it's my turn!"

"I shouldn't have acted so smart; now I've pushed myself into a fire pit!"

"Now the Star Network isn't even pretending anymore, directly private messaging me across planets; is this the villain's mockery phase before executing their opponent?"

With various thoughts intertwining, Ji Chen felt a bit panicked.

He had just experienced something wonderful and found a new goal; was it ending now?

Also, how could the Star Network talk directly inside his own mind? How was that done?

"No need to overthink; I am conducting a mental conversation with you through the Dreamweaver device embedded in the back of your neck."

Just as Ji Chen's heart began to raise the question, the Star Network gave him the answer he wanted, then continued:

"Stop here; deeper things are useless for you to research no matter how much data you check. Furthermore, I advise you to keep the secret; if you make public what you know, it will only be detrimental to you."

"Your mental fluctuations are too active right now; perhaps you are worrying whether I will act against you. But since I can talk to you, it proves you can continue to live. If that One wanted you dead, you would not exist the moment you tested the answer in the library."

Hearing the Star Network's assurance, Ji Chen's tense emotions finally eased somewhat:

"Brother Star Network, you only sought me out to remind me that these secrets cannot be made public, right?"

"Exactly. Regarding what comes after, perhaps not knowing is better than knowing."

Hearing these words, Ji Chen's doubts deepened.

The Star Network's answer undoubtedly proved his speculation.

Behind the Moon Eclipse Clan exists a hidden controller; it is the owner of the Rule Power and also the hidden force that ferries members of the Real World's various races to the Monster World as players.

"Star Network, may I ask you a few questions?"

"Yes, but I do not understand the High-Dimensional Existence behind it; I cannot inform you of its details."

"It is not about the High-Dimensional Existence. First question: I want to know if the Monster World is the Real World, and if the Painful Painful Minghun characteristic is the Rule Power."

"You already know the answer; why ask again?"

"Alright, actually I just wanted to get a confirmed answer from you." Realizing the Star Network would not act against him, Ji Chen's courage suddenly grew; after taking a deep breath, he continued:

"Second question: Why ferry members of the Earth's various races to the Monster World in the identity of players?"

Facing the inquiry, the Star Network fell silent for several seconds, seemingly thinking about whether to answer this question.

After waiting for a long time, the Star Network's voice rang in his mind:

"This is a game by the High-Dimensional Deity; we players are all its chess pieces. Explaining it according to the era you are in, it can be understood as an SLG-type game in the High-Dimensional Deity's eyes. The High-Dimensional Deity is the decision-maker controlling the whole situation; Its thoughts determine the game's direction and rules."

"In this game, ferrying members of the Earth's various races to the Monster World in the identity of players is like a decision-maker recruiting or dispatching troop types to specific battlefields in an SLG game. To achieve its set game objectives, the High-Dimensional Deity uses the Earth's various race players as this special troop type, making them conduct various activities in the Monster World, including exploration, combat, and resource collection, but the ultimate goal is war."

From the Star Network's answer, Ji Chen instantly understood.

SLG games were not unfamiliar to him.

These games take strategic planning, resource management, and tactical decision-making as their He Xin Wan Fa.

In the era he is in, there are many famous SLG games; for example, "Civilization 99" is a game he likes very much.

Heroes of Might and Magic, Warcraft, Age of Empires, Red Alert... these are all early representative works of the SLG genre.

In the Star Network's explanation, the High-Dimensional Deity is like the existence controlling the development of the decision-making faction in the game, like a player controlling the mouse from outside the computer, while players are the combat troop types born within the faction.

"Third question: Since this is a game, and your Moon Eclipse Clan and the High-Dimensional Deity are not on equal footing, why can you know the truth, and also, why do you want to cover up the truth?"

"Your question needs to be answered in three parts. First, I need to tell you about the situation of the Real World."

As the Star Network's words fell, Ji Chen found the webpage on the monitor automatically jumping, with a video appearing on it.

The coordinates displayed in the bottom left corner of the screen showed that this video was filmed in the Arctic region.

As the aircraft broke through the wind and snow to advance, a twisted black rift appeared in the picture; Ji Chen recognized at a glance that this was a spatial rift.

"Earth is in imminent danger. The Catastrophe-level force, the Black Tide, which once pushed the Moon Eclipse Civilization to its end, might descend upon Earth on some future day. When that day truly comes, it can be regarded as the apocalypse; all races of the Earth Alliance cannot escape the fate of being swallowed by the Black Tide."

"The Black Tide? You mean the terrifying Black Tide in the Monster World?" A grim smile of the Earth's local bully floated in Ji Chen's mind.

"Exactly. The Earth-Will Evil Spirits of the Di Zhai Mountain Range are merely a negligible branch force within the Black Tide Army, insignificant compared to the Black Tide Army like a drop in the ocean. The true power of the Black Tide is something we cannot resist at all; to fight is to lose. The High-Dimensional Deity is our only reliance; there is no second choice. Only through the power bestowed by the player system do we have the qualification to fight the main force of the Black Tide Army."

Hearing the guide's answer, a thought arose in Ji Chen's heart:

"Star Network, since the Black Tide has not yet invaded and descended, we of the Earth Alliance still have time, so why not find a small world where civilization can continue and flee?"

"I started laying out plans for your idea long ago, but how difficult it is to find a small world suitable for survival. You have been to the Otherworld, so you think small worlds suitable for survival are common, but the reality is that the Void is infinitely vast; among billions of worlds, small worlds where civilization can continue are very rare. Furthermore, this world must have the capacity to bear the Earth Alliance, and we must also consider whether it will be invaded by the Black Tide in the future."

"My way of thinking about problems differs from yours; my standard for measuring problems is the future of the Moon Eclipse Clan. It can be seen that the Black Tide's expansion steps are getting faster and faster. Many race factions of the Earth Alliance descended upon Earth because of the Black Tide invasion. The next new world will likely also become a target for the Black Tide's invasion and expansion. Rather than placing hope on unknown hiding, it is better to rely on the High-Dimensional Deity and face the Black Tide's challenge with the body of a player."

"Secondly, if you attempt to flee across the boundary, how many people of the Earth Alliance do you think you could take with you?"

"This choice essentially means abandoning the vast majority to take only a tiny elite few... In fact, I haven't even found a suitable small world yet."

Hearing the Star Network's explanation, Ji Chen nodded in sudden understanding.

If a suitable small world for survival were truly found, the Eclipse Clan would most likely flee alone; how could they possibly care about the safety of the various races of the Earth Alliance?

Even within the Eclipse Clan itself, a portion of the population would be abandoned.

Whether in the future or the present, the olive branch extended by the High-Dimensional Gods is an irresistible temptation for the Eclipse Clan.

"Such an opportunity is rare and cannot be sought." Ji Chen couldn't help but sigh.

"Exactly. You are already a qualified Player. You know that races and factions stronger than the Eclipse Clan are as numerous as ox hairs. As long as the High-Dimensional Gods extend an invitation, countless races and factions are willing to become slaves and pledge loyalty in exchange for powerful strength. Such an opportunity, our Eclipse Clan must not miss."

"Your thinking on this issue is merely driven by pride. But the essence of pride is the mindset brought upon you by past cognition. This is also a shackle of self-imposed limitation, making you overly focused on your self-image. The true law of survival requires knowing when to bow one's head at the right moment to exchange for future hope... Survival itself is a cruel game, and we are all pieces on the chessboard. The only thing we can do is make ourselves more valuable."

The Star Network's answer plunged Ji Chen into deep thought.

A piece of information floated up in his mind.

During the development of the Human Race, there was a fierce debate regarding whether to connect with the Star Network.

The situation of the Human Race at that time was strikingly similar to that of the Eclipse Clan.

Ultimately, the Human Race chose to connect with the Star Network, thereby ushering in an era of booming technological development.

The Eclipse Clan, however, did not hesitate for a moment; the instant they received the invitation, they agreed to become pieces of the High-Dimensional Gods, that is, to become Players.

After a long silence, Ji Chen nodded:

"The essence of this game is an exchange of value. In the eyes of the High-Dimensional Gods, the pride of the weak cannot serve as a bargaining chip for premium negotiation. The only thing of true value is one thing: Can you create a performance that pleases Him?"

"You have obviously figured out the essence of the problem." The Star Network's voice carried a hint of praise.

"Next, I will answer your next question: Why help the High-Dimensional Gods cover up the truth? Because this game needs to be conducted without Players bearing heavy burdens. This is also a rule set by the High-Dimensional Gods. We are all followers, but I have some speculations I can share with you..."

The Star Network's detailed explanation made Ji Chen completely understand what this game truly was.

But there was still one doubt in his heart that remained unanswered. He took a deep breath and asked again:

"Star Network, one last question. Assuming the Black Tide descends, how should the Earth Alliance resist the Black Tide invasion... Can I understand this as a game of racing against time? We must completely crush the Black Tide in the Monster World as Players before the Black Tide descends upon Earth, resolving the crisis; otherwise, destruction still awaits us."

"When the wall between illusion and reality collapses, even ants can devour dragons."

"What does that mean?" Ji Chen asked, confused.

"I asked this question to the subordinates of the High-Dimensional Gods. The answer I received was: If that day truly comes, the game will feedback into reality. All living beings on Earth will collectively ascend to godhood, inheriting the Player bodies, and face the Black Tide challenge directly."

"Hiss~!"

The Star Network's answer was completely beyond Ji Chen's expectations.

He had thought this was a cruel game of racing against time, and that the Earth Alliance could only solve the problem through the game channel.

He never expected that they could even inherit Player bodies.

The Star Network's answer also made him realize:

If that day truly comes, everything in reality will become worthless, and even currency will be replaced by Shou Shou Jili.

The products generated by the Player system are far beyond comparison with the technology and resources held by the various races of the Earth Alliance.

Even the wild grass in the Monster World would have immense value on Earth.

Such a benefit would make any race envious.

He finally understood why the Eclipse Clan was working so hard to layout the Monster World, exchanging for Shou Shou Jili resources through various means.

The growth of Players in the Monster World will all feedback into reality in the future.

Every bit of resource invested now will be returned a hundredfold or a thousandfold in the future.

Recalling his nearly perfect Player body in the game, Ji Chen subconsciously looked down at his own broken body in reality, covered in hidden ailments and scars.

A flame ignited in his heart.

His fingertips brushed over the vicious old scar on his chest, left on the battlefield of another world 76 years ago, which still ached faintly from time to time.

And this body had long been sentenced to a slow death by the Dragonkin.

Even the Dragonkin were powerless to reverse it; simply being alive was already a miracle.

But now... a withered tree can truly meet spring.

Thinking of this, his breathing unconsciously quickened, and his blood surged through his veins like a volcano that had been dormant for years suddenly awakening.

His heart pounded violently in his chest, as if trying to break free from the constraints of this broken shell.

Those edges worn smooth by suffering, that fighting spirit extinguished by pain, now, like embers doused in gasoline, exploded into towering flames.

Lifespan, potential, strength, rules... all of this had secretly been within reach all along.

Hope lies right here, right now.

A surge of heroic ambition rose in his heart.

He suddenly remembered the words the Star Network had just said:

"When the wall between illusion and reality collapses, even ants can devour dragons."

This was not a metaphor, but a future about to happen!

"Star Network, I understand what I must do."

"As long as you understand. Acting in accordance with the will of the High-Dimensional Gods is what we, the informed ones, ought to do."

"This is truly the last question. I want to know if this body, withering like a candle in the wind, can last until the day the game feedbacks into reality? Does the Eclipse Clan possess any technology that can help me extend my lifespan?"

"Star Network?"

"Star Network? Are you still there?"

Calling out again, he discovered the Star Network had already left, with no response.

(End of this chapter)