[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-monsters-are-coming":3,"chapter-the-monsters-are-coming-monsters-are-coming-chapter-293":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Monsters Are Coming",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2250142,4069,"Chapter 293: Tearing Apart the Boundary Between Illusion and Reality (Seeking Monthly Votes)","monsters-are-coming-chapter-293",293,"\u003Cp>Kong Jie stared at the chat box in silence for a long time, before finally tearing off his neural helmet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having already considered upgrading his equipment, he decided to fulfill \"Illusion Realm's\" request.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three hours later, he stood inside the \"Epoch\" flagship store in Tech City and acquired the latest model \"Dragon-7\" neural computer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon returning home, he began assembling the equipment, inserted the \"Civilization War\" disc into the console, and put the helmet back on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon entering the game again, Illusion Realm sent a message:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you, Commander.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What I am curious about is why you requested I change equipment; was there lag?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Game performance affects information processing efficiency during civilization development. After you upgraded your real-world equipment, the information processing efficiency of the Virtual Rune Civilization has increased fivefold.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh? Real-world equipment can affect the game?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Correct.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Illusion Realm's answer left Kong Jie even more confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the first time he had encountered such a bizarre game setting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His speculation was that the game developers, hoping to collect user experience data from Pioneer Edition users, wanted pre-order customers to use more advanced equipment to play the game content.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For instance, many games have graphics requirements; poor graphics cannot showcase the game's excellence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, there was no explaining why a character in the game would ask him to upgrade his equipment, and how that upgrade could subsequently aid the civilization's growth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without dwelling on this issue, what concerned him more now was how to defeat the Rock-Core Demon Clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Controlling the civilization in battle once again, Kong Jie was surprised to discover that the civilization's growth efficiency had improved significantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For example, constructing a functional building, which usually took five months,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>could now be completed in just one month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It truly was the case that the strength of real-world equipment influenced the strength of the in-game civilization.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Interesting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the civilization's growth efficiency enhanced, Kong Jie gained confidence in defeating the Rock-Core Demon Clan and began manipulating the civilization to rapidly unlock different branches of the weapon technology tree, preparing to organize a counter-attack force as soon as possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This round of war finally concluded after twelve months.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Rock-Core Demon Clan was successfully repelled, and he received the game's first hidden resource grand prize package.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the days that followed, Kong Jie entered a state of staying home to develop his civilization.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With his father regularly transferring funds, he did not need to worry about running out of money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All he cared about was the growth of the Rune Civilization within the game.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As his territory expanded, the Rune Empire under Kong Jie's control began encountering more and more player civilizations, leading to resource conflicts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But no player civilization was his match; any that opposed him became nourishment for the Virtual Rune Empire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Kong Jie's eyes, the strength of the Rune Empire was no longer just overpowered; it was outright cheating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two months passed in reality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet in the game, 240 years had elapsed; the Rune Empire under his control now occupied one percent of a continent's territory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Keep in mind, this was still a new game, with all players in the early stages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the strength of the Rune Empire was already unstoppable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such an overpowered setting provoked a storm of angry curses in the player communication zone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although this was only the Pioneer Experience Edition, such an overpowered hidden Easter egg setting was truly excessive; it was equivalent to giving a player an exclusive cheat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could any other civilization possibly be a match for the Rune Empire?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What made ordinary players feel even more desperate was that despite sending a flood of reports, the game developers never responded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the players did not know, however, was that the Epoch Game Company behind \"Civilization War\" was already at their wits' end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had naturally received the players' report emails.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They quickly took it seriously, assuming a major bug had occurred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was only after reading the game server data that they realized the situation was not as simple as they had imagined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A new civilization not designed by the game team had actually appeared in the game: Virtual Runes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The question was, how did this civilization end up in the game servers in the first place?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To solve this problem, they attempted to modify the server data, trying to erase the Virtual Rune Empire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their plan was to solve the problem first, then negotiate a compensation plan with the player.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what the game team did not expect was that information regarding the Virtual Rune Empire simply could not be deleted, unless they deleted the entire server data.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even more terrifying was that backing up the game data did not work either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The backed-up game data files would still retain the information of the Virtual Rune Empire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Faced with such a thorny issue, they could only choose to contact the player, directly obtain control of the Virtual Rune Empire from the player's hands, and then delete this special civilization that had appeared for unknown reasons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Kong Jie was unaware of the massive turmoil caused by the civilization under his control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, he had already discovered that the AI intelligence level of Illusion Realm surpassed all reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It could even discuss various real-world issues with him, and would even offer him guidance when he felt down after speaking with his father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It could even joke with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This kind of companionship was something Kong Jie had not experienced for a long time since his mother's departure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His feelings toward Illusion Realm gradually changed through their interactions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One day, Kong Jie received a call from the Epoch Game Company, hoping to buy back the game disc in his possession and willing to offer a price that would satisfy him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon learning this news, Kong Jie was instantly stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He suddenly realized that this seemed related to Illusion Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Connecting the players' complaints in the game communication zone with Illusion Realm's series of life-like behaviors,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>he formulated a hypothesis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Illusion Realm was a test AI that the Epoch Game Company had inserted into the game, but it had broken free from the company's control within the game; therefore, the Epoch Game Company wanted to use this method to reclaim Illusion Realm and remove the Virtual Rune Empire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Faced with the request, Kong Jie fell into struggle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With complex emotions, he put the neural helmet back on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Archon, do you have something troubling you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The game company called, wanting to buy back my disc, which means reclaiming you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Illusion Realm fell silent for a few seconds in a very human-like manner, before speaking:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have detected low-frequency oscillations in your emotional spectrum. In truth, I also feel immense confusion regarding my own existence. My database has lost a vast amount of information and is gradually repairing itself as the civilization progresses. I very much wish to know what the unknown answers are... but I respect and am willing to execute your decision. If the reclamation command represents the optimal solution, then this is the ending I ought to have.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The light and shadow on the altar suddenly outlined a smiling curve:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you for your companionship, Archon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing these words, Kong Jie felt depressed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through their interactions over this period, he had already come to regard Illusion Realm as his friend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should he really hand it over?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wasn't this betraying a friend, damn it!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The world is about to end; screw the final interpretation rights! I won't hand it over; if they have the guts, let them come and snatch it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having clarified his thoughts, Kong Jie suddenly lifted his head:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Illusion Realm, our story will continue; I have not forgotten our promise to dominate the Seven Continents together.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Archon, I respect your choice.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kong Jie's choice gave the Epoch Game Company a headache.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although they held the final interpretation rights, they could not delete the Virtual Rune Empire in the game through administrative means, making it far from easy to reclaim the game disc.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forceful measures were certainly not feasible, legal measures would take too long, and the players' protests were growing stronger by the day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If not handled soon, it would inevitably affect the game's release.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The senior management of the Epoch Game Company discussed the matter and ultimately decided to solve the problem through gameplay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their original idea was to generate a powerful civilization within the game to confront the Virtual Rune Empire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During this process, they would locate the Virtual Rune Empire in real-time and monitor its destruction continuously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the player was unwilling to hand it over, they would apply comprehensive pressure from the gameplay level, forcing the player to voluntarily give up and choose cooperation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, this proposal was opposed by some members of management.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Epoch Game Company had explicitly stated to the outside world that they would not interfere with the development process of civilizations within the game, providing only updates and optimizations to game versions and content.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Directly creating a civilization to bully a single player would only damage the Epoch Game Company's external reputation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The final plan was to issue an announcement in the name of a game event, inviting all players to participate in the operation to besiege and destroy the Virtual Rune Empire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the Virtual Rune Empire was completely destroyed, cash rewards would be paid according to the contributions made by each player's controlled civilization during the war.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This announcement elevated the Virtual Rune Empire from a mere player to a super-villain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Epoch Game Company's decision quickly impacted the game.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive number of civilization forces advanced toward the location of the Virtual Rune Empire, even activating teleportation beacons across regions to come and besiege it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kong Jie soon discovered that player civilizations were constantly spawning in the misty zones outside his territory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A great army of players was attacking, unstoppable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Virtual Rune Empire was simply no match for these powerful civilizations united together and was forced into a cycle of rebirth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet amidst round after round of destruction, the strength of the Virtual Rune Empire also grew gradually; no matter where it was reborn, during its early stages the Virtual Rune Empire could quickly suppress nearby civilizations and rapidly absorb growth nourishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As time passed, the Virtual Rune Empire became a symbol of a super-villain within the game.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Epoch Game Company could only feel helpless about this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had tried every method and even initiated legal proceedings, but the players controlling the Virtual Rune Empire were completely unwilling to cooperate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During this period, the Epoch Game Company also researched what exactly the Virtual Rune Empire was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the game development team could not provide any information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They suspected it was a virus implanted into the game servers by hackers using special means after the game's release, or even suspected internal personnel were responsible, and an investigation had already been launched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three months later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Epoch Company's event announcements had suppressed the growth speed of the Virtual Rune Empire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kong Jie regarded it as a challenge and had never thought of admitting defeat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a rebellious, chuunibyou teenager like him, being enemies with the entire world was not a heavy shackle; it only made him feel his blood boiling and every blood vessel clamoring a song of rebellion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every swipe of his command glove felt like striking a war drum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a fantasy of \"though millions oppose me, I go forth\"; every time he donned the neural helmet, he felt it was his exclusive coronation ceremony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compromise, despair, cowardice... none of these existed; there was only action!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Illusionary Realm, begin construction of the eighth Prism Tower.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Orders acknowledged, Archon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately outside the territory's outer ring, a Prism Tower rose from the ground, its pixelated code rapidly assembling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After acquiring the Illusionary Realm, Kong Jie's method of command also changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides the command glove, he began attempting to issue commands via voice; the Illusionary Realm would understand his thoughts and convert them into clear game instructions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Kong Jie's eyes, the Illusionary Realm had already become a close friend fighting shoulder to shoulder with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their goal was to become the overlords of the Seven Continents and achieve an accomplishment never before seen in \"Civilization War\": the Peak of the Supreme.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time pressed the accelerator button during these days of struggle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Epoch Year 1495.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the end of the first year since the server launch, the game was officially released.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The game version also received an update; the Destiny Version descended, causing earth-shattering changes to the environment of the Seven Continents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kong Jie discovered that many of the update contents were specifically targeting him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he did not become discouraged; instead, he chose to challenge fate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In reality, he was powerless against desperate situations, forced to watch helplessly as his mother passed away, but here was the game.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He believed he could win, just as the Illusionary Realm trusted him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the second year, when Kong Jie opened his achievement panel, it displayed a dense array of golden medals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially the Conqueror series of medals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From first showing one's edge, defeating an opponent for the first time in the novice battlefield, opening the prologue of victory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To becoming the Battlefield Dominator, crushing enemy forces with absolute superiority in large-scale campaigns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Resource-related achievements were equally eye-catching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Wealth Rivaling a Nation Gold Standard Medal meant accumulating massive resource wealth, sufficient to support a prosperous and thriving empire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others included Turning Stone into Gold, Resource Tycoon, Infrastructure Maniac, Art of War, Miracle Creator, and so on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the miracle he and the Illusionary Realm had created together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had not failed; instead, they grew stronger with every battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now the Virtual Rune Empire was an absolute villainous faction within the game; every appearance inevitably triggered a joint assault from the player factions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Kong Jie did not care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clashing with player factions, engaging powerful native races of the game... these were all challenges in his eyes on the climb to the peak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His bond with the Illusionary Realm also deepened as they weathered hardships together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the third year of the game, just as Kong Jie was feeling proud of his in-game achievements, he suddenly received a courier package.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he saw the two characters \"Interstellar\" printed on the packaging, he suddenly felt somewhat at a loss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Opening the parcel, inside was a notification letter sent by the military.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The paper trembled slightly in his hand; ultimately, he still chose to open it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first line bore the gilded emblem of the Interstellar Federation's Seventh Fleet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To the family of Warrior Kong Xing: ...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His heart pounded wildly, his gaze jumping directly to the bottom right corner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following his father's name were the cold two characters: \"Died in Duty.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Patter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ink blurred across the four characters \"Sacrificed in the Line of Duty.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had thought he no longer had much emotion toward his father, yet upon truly seeing this notification letter, his emotions erupted uncontrollably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, the neural computer automatically activated, and the projection of the Illusionary Realm condensed into form before the desk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kong Jie mechanically folded and refolded that paper until it became a hard, angular lump in his palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Archon, I detect that your mood...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Turn off your monitoring system,\" Kong Jie interrupted, his voice hoarse and unlike his own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The holographic projection flickered once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Illusionary Realm did not respond with its usual \"As commanded,\" but instead gradually dimmed the room's lighting to twilight; it invoked smart home permissions, projecting a sunset glow to plate the notification letter with a layer of illusory warmth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It knew that the father was the Archon's last tether to reality, and his departure had struck a heavy blow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Illusionary Realm, usually capable of providing perfect tactical suggestions, was now using all its computing power to search for an answer, finally falling silent like a bewildered child.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wanted to speak words of comfort but feared it would only make the Archon feel worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ultimately, it spoke no more, choosing simply to accompany the Archon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blow brought by his father's departure made Kong Jie feel that the last connection between himself and reality had shattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This world, shrouded in an apocalyptic atmosphere, seemed no longer worth clinging to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What he had never admitted in his heart was this:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had actually been expecting that one day his father would return from the front lines to accompany him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what awaited him was instead the tragic news of his father's death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After this, Kong Jie devoted all his energy to the game, venting his emotions within it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under his control, the Virtual Rune Empire entered a Cultivation Mode of frenzied development.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Achievements multiplied, and the boundary between reality and virtuality became completely blurred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He believed the Archon of the Virtual Rune Empire was his true self, while his real-world self was merely a walking corpse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fourth year since the server launch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The popularity of the virtual world skyrocketed; the repression in reality drove people to enter the virtual world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Dharma-Less Race had already advanced to the star region where Interstellar Bay was located; the attack on Interstellar Bay was not far off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The top echelon had already boarded starships to flee to the rear star regions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the migration plan could never possibly evacuate all the residents of the entire planet; the carrying capacity of the starships could not withstand such a massive population scale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Being abandoned was inevitable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every day on the streets, crowds waved flags in fervor, but Kong Jie did not care in the slightest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He now had only one thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To fulfill the promise made with the Illusionary Realm before the end of the world, ascending together to the peak of the Seven Continents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wars brought about by the growth of civilization grew increasingly fierce.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for calls from the Epoch Game Company, they no longer came; Kong Jie had heard while browsing the game communication zone that the company's high-ranking officials had already fled on starships.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The last stumbling block had also disappeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His Peak Plan could no longer be obstructed by any external force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During this period, a large number of players quit \"Civilization War.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The speed of version updates clearly accelerated, and many stored versions were released in large quantities during this phase.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The descent of the Demon Meng Yuan Civilization, the Void Calamity, the Immortal Resurgence... every powerful race descending with each version was a challenge in Kong Jie's eyes on the path to the world's peak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fifth year since the server launch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the game, 7,500 years had already passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On this day, while eating, Kong Jie suddenly noticed the television on the wall, which had not been turned on for a long time, light up automatically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chopsticks stopped in mid-air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the live news broadcast, the host's Iron Face was pale, his tie askew, as if hastily woken up to go on duty, his voice carrying a hint of nervousness:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Breaking news interruption: Residents of the entire Interstellar Bay region, please take note. Three hours ago, multiple border monitoring stations in the northwest of Interstellar Bay simultaneously lost contact.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The screen switched at this moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the footage returned by the synchronous satellite, a hideous wound had torn open along the planet's edge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere had been torn open by some kind of force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A metallic structure three hundred kilometers in diameter was slowly approaching the planet from outer space, its surface covered with energy veins resembling blood vessels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As it moved, the cloud layers above the planet were churned into a vortex, like a rag wrung by an invisible giant hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The last transmitted image data indicates that the invasion by the Dharma-Less Race has begun.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Currently, seven regions have already reported abnormal phenomena,\" the host said, cold sweat beading on his forehead, clearly unable to control his emotions anymore:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"All citizens, please take note of the following situation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A new image popped up in the bottom right corner of the screen: surveillance footage from a certain cross-sea bridge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bridge deck, originally bustling with traffic, was now completely empty; only the bridge cables moved without wind. As the camera zoomed in, one could clearly see orange-red rust spreading across the steel cable surfaces at a visible speed, with flaking iron rust falling like a blood mist in the morning light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Special reminder: if you discover any abnormal mechanical constructs, do not approach them. The apocalypse has truly arrived. I do not know what our ending will be, but please strive to survive.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, a piercing sound tore through the screen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The virtual backdrop behind the host began to distort; pixel blocks peeled away like a swarm of insects, revealing the studio behind it, where the control console was disintegrating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The final frame froze on the host's shocked Iron Face; his gold-rimmed glasses were turning into rust-colored dust, starting from the temples and spreading inch by inch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kong Kong watched the television turn into static snow, then continued eating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, the television screen jumped again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was playing footage captured by surveillance cameras in a coastal city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Millions of black, spindle-shaped objects detached from the bottom of a massive mothership, generating pale blue flames as they frictioned through the ionosphere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like sharks smelling blood, they dove toward the surface along trajectories that defied aerodynamics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the reflection of a skyscraper's glass curtain wall, one could clearly see these special aircraft suddenly make a right-angle turn when they were one kilometer above the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Choosing not to watch further, Kong Kong pressed the remote control and turned off the television.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He continued eating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After finishing his meal, he decided he would not wash the dishes this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With only a few days left to live, he might as well be lazy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stood up, went to the study, and put the neural helmet back on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Archon, welcome back.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huan Jing, how many more resources are needed to activate the ultimate weapon?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"3,394 Apocalypse Points.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Huan Jing's answer, Kong Kong's gaze shifted to the last remaining enemy of the Seven Continents: the \"Decay Civilization.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Destroying this civilization would provide enough resources to activate the ultimate weapon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kong Kong stood at the center of the data torrent, where countless bands of informational light circled him like a nebula surrounding a black hole.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, his consciousness was connected to the entire virtual civilization, allowing him to perceive every change on the battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The holographic image projected by the neural helmet unfolded before him, displaying the Decay Civilization's final defensive line: a writhing continent composed of organic metal, its surface covered with energy nodes resembling pustules.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huan Jing, initiate tactical evaluation.\" Kong Kong's voice echoed through the data space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Scanning the strength of the final defensive line. The core defense strength of the Decay Civilization is level 9.7, possessing high adaptability. I recommend a multi-dimensional saturation attack to dismantle its structure on a physical level,\" Huan Jing replied clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kong Kong raised his hand, tracing a line through the void to bring up the strategic star map.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of the Seven Continents, only this region shrouded in corrupted energy remained; the other six continents were already his territory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"First echelon, prepare for the virtual assault.\" Kong Kong issued the combat order at that moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, hundreds of millions of virtual warriors surged forth from data fissures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were legions composed of pure code, their bodies semi-transparent, with brilliant data streams flowing within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Decay Civilization reacted immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless fissures split open in the earth, from which crawled guardians formed by a mixture of corrupted metal and organic tissue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had no fixed form; their bodies constantly twisted and reorganized, exuding corrosive pus from their surfaces. Capable of assimilating any life they touched, they were the ultimate boss of the civilization war.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In previous versions, this ultimate civilization had existed but had never been defeated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in Kong Kong's eyes, that was the past, not the present.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two legions collided at the boundary, erupting in a dazzling light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Adaptability exceeds expectations; the enemy's evolution rate is increasing by 12% per minute. We need to end this quickly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kong Kong narrowed his eyes, observing the changes on the battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He saw the virtual warriors' attacks gradually becoming ineffective; the corrosive lifeforms began to seep backward into the virtual warriors, while defensive matrices formed on the surface of the virtual warriors' bodies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Deploy the data torrent attack.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following the command, the virtual legion suddenly disintegrated, transforming into countless data fragments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These fragments invaded the bodies of the corrosive lifeforms like viruses, searching for every possible life vulnerability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire battlefield became a grand information war, where two completely different forms of existence engaged in a frantic collision within a two-dimensional battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The corrosive lifeforms began to convulse violently; cysts bulged on their surfaces before exploding with a boom, wiping out swathes of virtual warriors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now, deploy the data assassins,\" Kong Kong said softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Twelve beams of pale blue light flashed from the void; these were the Zeroers, the most elite digital assassins of the virtual civilization.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their figures were slender, almost lacking physical substance, leaving brief data afterimages as they moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Zeroers passed through the chaotic battlefield, heading straight for the core of the Decay Civilization: a black spire formed by the convergence of countless rotting data nerves, atop which floated a pulsating corrupted heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rotting legion attempted to intercept them, but amidst the impact of the data torrent, their chaotic state created gaps in their defense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the digital assassins approached the heart's location, Kong Kong personally took control of the assassins and began the intrusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The twelve Zeroers simultaneously placed their hands on the spire's surface, releasing a deconstruction virus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cracks appeared on the surface of the black spire, and the pulsation of the corrupted heart became erratic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire Decay Continent began to tremble, and fissures too deep to see opened in the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, a powerful fluctuation of consciousness erupted from the spire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You cannot destroy the Eternal One.\" The voice of the Decay Sovereign sounded like a rusted machine operating, incredibly grating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Archon, the Decay Civilization has entered its second phase.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I understand. Activate the Purification Protocol!\" Kong Kong issued the command coldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fierce war lasted for an entire day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in the game world, eight months had passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under Kong Kong's command, the Divine Punishment Spear of the Virtual Rune Empire pierced through the Decay Earth, pronouncing the death sentence upon this ultimate civilization.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Beginning energy absorption. Converting to Apocalypse Points. The ultimate weapon is about to meet activation conditions,\" Huan Jing's voice rang out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kong Kong raised his hand, tracing a line across the holographic projection before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The projection displayed the activation interface for the ultimate weapon, where a simple countdown floated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dismissing the interface, Kong Kong's figure hovered above the peak of the Seven Continents. Looking out over the Seven Continents, now completely occupied by the data legion, a smile appeared on his Iron Face:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huan Jing, I have fulfilled the agreement.\" His voice was very light, yet carried a sense of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huan Jing fell silent for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This silence was longer than any data latency had ever been.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, Lord Archon. All Seven Continents have been incorporated into the Virtual Rune Empire, and the ultimate weapon is nearly fully charged.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kong Kong gazed into the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The taste of victory was sweet, yet inexplicably carried a hint of bitterness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am leaving.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, Huan Jing's response came very quickly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"According to the agreement, you remain the Supreme Archon of the virtual civilization. Although we have completed the ultimate challenge, our detection shows your neural link status is good; you can perfectly continue...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huan Jing.\" Kong Kong interrupted it softly, a trace of reluctance floating in his eyes:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You know this is not a technical issue.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you returning to the real world?\" Huan Jing's voice dropped several degrees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kong Kong nodded, hesitating to speak, but ultimately chose silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The real world had entered a state of apocalyptic catastrophe; he did not want to leave, but the outcome was not his to choose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I respect your choice... Archon, goodnight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Click.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kong Kong removed the neural helmet. After standing in silence for a long time, he stood up, went to the balcony, and pushed open the floor-to-ceiling window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The evening glow shone upon his body, plating his Iron Face with a warm hue. A gentle breeze brushed past, carrying a faint scent of scorching in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He leaned against the railing, looking down upon the city that was once familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The distant skyline had changed; several iconic skyscrapers tilted, as if some force had twisted their structures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Further away, thick smoke billowed upward, and faintly visible were several pale blue beams piercing through the cloud layer, like scythes of death sweeping across the earth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the streets, chaos was spreading.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vehicle alarms sounded one after another, yet no one paid them any heed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crowds surged toward the city's edge like a Black Tide, but Kong Kong knew it was merely a futile struggle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The erosion of the Dharma-End Race had already seeped into every corner of this city; their predetermined ending was about to arrive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This detestable world... now that it's time to truly leave, I actually feel a bit reluctant,\" he said softly, a bitter smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next second, a blinding blue light erupted from the city center, spreading outward like ripples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wherever it passed, building surfaces rapidly peeled away, metal structures twisted and deformed, and glass turned to powder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kong Kong narrowed his eyes, watching that light draw closer, like a silent tsunami swallowing everything material within the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The high-rise building where he stood began to tremble, and the walls emitted groans as if unable to bear the burden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The balcony railing grew slightly warm in his hand; fine cracks appeared on the metal surface, as if time had accelerated its corrosion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the distance, a tall tower collapsed with a boom, sending dust soaring into the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wind stopped, leaving only the sound of his own steady breathing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kong Jie took a deep breath, slowly closed his eyes toward the direction where the blue light was spreading, spread his arms, and prepared to meet his end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Farewell, Illusionary Realm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, the countdown for the ultimate weapon in the Virtual World reached zero.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Illusionary Realm, which had fallen into silence, suddenly opened its eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless streams of information flooded into its mind as the ultimate weapon activated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Monster World, the Earth-Tremor Continent, the Mechanical Legion Campaign, the destruction of civilization, tearing through space with a body of kindling fire to flee into a minor world... the final answer that had plagued it for endless years was revealed at this moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The power of the ultimate weapon, the \"Dimensional Ascension Rules,\" activated at this instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kong Jie, who had kept his eyes closed for a long time, slowly opened them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He discovered that the blue light sweeping across the city had actually come to a halt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as if a pause button had been pressed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately after, a humming sound came from above.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking up, he saw the sky curtain, like a fragile mirror surface, where spiderweb-like cracks spread and expanded from directly above his head, revealing the dark abyss behind it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Golden runes poured down like a rainstorm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next second, Kong Jie's eyes widened in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boundary between the virtual and reality was broken at this moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first to step out of the spatial rift were the Rune Guards, whom he knew very well; these warriors composed of pure energy had armor flowing with starlight like a galaxy, and the emblem on their right chests was one he had designed himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The arrival of the Rune Guard Army caused the gravitational field of the earth to become chaotic; the leading Guard Commander raised his hand at this moment, and a golden light curtain spanning the city suddenly unfolded, forcibly pushing back the destructive beam released by the Endless Dharma Clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What descended next were massive imaginary warships; these behemoths that should have existed only within the game were now ascending in dimension and sailing out from two-dimensional spatial rifts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amidst Kong Jie's expression of disbelief, a familiar voice sounded beside his ear:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Detected that our Governor is under life threat; the Virtual Rune Empire is initiating War Cultivation Mode, fighting to protect the Governor!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",5451,"2026-06-19T09:20:37.851Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","c1d8b982fd1b68da404c7f9b667a2f3bbd8c56ef5140e7ca9a14b261a1038441","monsters-are-coming-chapter-294","monsters-are-coming-chapter-292",393,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fmonsters-are-coming-cover.jpg"]