Chapter 1341 1341: 1341: Divine Game: Graveyard of Bones 63

Foolishness returned to the tavern and took a seat next to Deceitful Bloom. Across the table, Boiling Orange and Ashveil were still grumbling about QM Deceitful Bloom. She could help players locate other gods, she could assist in holding the line, even fight gods called by Starsea players, but intervening in player conflicts? That was crossing a line.

Their voices carried a mix of emotions—regret that there hadn't been a fight, relief that things hadn't escalated. After all, if a battle had broken out, Starsea players would have been at a disadvantage. To preserve Starsea's future, some gods would have had to break the rules.

Gradually, the conversation drifted toward the differences between QM Rita and Starsea Rita.

No one could understand how Quiet Mountain had molded QM Rita into such a paradoxical figure. She couldn't fully trust any teammate, yet she cared for Quiet Mountain players.

During the earlier battle, when Starsea Rita had been hunting Quiet Mountain players, QM Rita had carried the front line. Now, she was grouped with nine other Quiet Mountain players. Ten of them charged together to suppress the remaining Starsea players in Graveyard of Bones.

Starsea Rita, on the other hand, would never abandon upgrading Cat's Ideal to group with other Starsea players to hunt Quiet Mountain players. Starsea always came first for her.

Everyone noticed QM Rita's hesitation during the battle. When Quiet Mountain players sought her help, she had to choose between using her remaining soul fire to fight Starsea Rita or assist them. She chose the latter.

"Perhaps that's the difference between Sovereign and Extra Chapter," someone remarked.

"What's the difference?"

"Sovereign always follows her own path. She trusts herself. Extra Chapter, however, explores alternative possibilities, compensates for unnoticed regrets, and contains things not found in the main story."

"And what if Starsea players sought help from BS Rita?"

"That depends on who it is and what she's doing at the time."

"The king would probably like her."

"A creature that shouts it won't be bound by anyone and lives for itself is deadly against Quiet Mountain players!"

The massive cat ship finally landed on the grassy field. Nearby stood a castle-like cathouse.

Unlike Lynx Duke's austere aesthetic, the king was a lively, energetic cat. It darted around the ship with six vice captains. Rita and Nivalis B80 sat in a row on the deck, waiting for the king and its crew to settle down and checking on Cat's Ideal.

Nivalis recounted her days trapped here by the king. "I mostly ate and slept, or played fights with it."

It didn't sound like complaining. During BS, Nivalis had lived the same way.

"No internet either," she added, tears trickling down.

Rita and B80 exchanged a knowing glance. That was the key. Soon, both turned toward the huge cathouse. Through one window, they could see a floor stacked with BS game consoles and discs.

On the next floor down, mahjong and board games.

Lower still, dance machines, claw machines, slot machines…

They both looked back at Nivalis, waiting for her explanation.

Under their intent gaze, Nivalis hesitated. "I couldn't go out. Once I knew it was the king, I realized you'd eventually find me. I couldn't just wait, so I taught it to play games."

Rita asked, "So for the past twenty days, it never went outside at all?"

Nivalis froze at the thought. Of course, she had been occupied playing endlessly with the king. Graveyard of Bones had been connecting to reality, and the king hadn't even bothered to go out. Rita must have gone mad searching.

Seeing Nivalis looking guilty, Rita sighed. "It's fine. Even if it went outside, I might not have found it. I spent half a month finding Lynx Duke. This isn't something luck alone can solve."

Nivalis immediately brightened. "Don't worry. I maxed out its affection. The king said as long as you can find it and complete its little challenge, it will upgrade Cat's Ideal for you!"

Rita raised an eyebrow. "What if the affection isn't maxed?"

From nearby, the king interjected. "Then you must complete my ultimate trial."

"For example?"

"Defeat a Quiet Mountain god."

Rita felt that familiar mix of dread and disbelief. If she were strong enough to defeat a Quiet Mountain god, why would she still need Foolishness Game or Cat's Ideal?

She took a deep breath and asked with a smile, "Then what's the current little challenge?"

"The Sea Region where Starsea gods reside," the king explained. "There are two taverns. Gods and demons gather there. I want you to sneak into either tavern and steal a bottle of any beverage for me. Juice or flower tea works too."

Rita went quiet.

Nivalis stomped angrily. "Are you punishing her because she beat you in a game?!"

The hairless cat's expression became serious. "Absolutely not."

Seeing Nivalis about to leap at her, the king continued in an even more formal tone. "I assure you. When you set the final rules for your divine relic, you'll understand. Everything requires balance. The release conditions must match the ultimate restrictions and seal.

"In fact, if Cat's Ideal did not like you this much, everything you did after obtaining it would not align with its nature. Now, it's no longer simply stealing a drink.

"A divine relic will try to escape unsuitable players not out of whim. If the player's compatibility is below fifty percent, only by defeating a Quiet Mountain god would the seal loosen."

Rita reached up and patted the hairless cat's glossy, smooth face. "Now I understand why Lynx Duke required me to participate in the fairy tale story to upgrade Wrathful Moon. But I still can't see the connection between stealing a drink and upgrading Cat's Ideal."

The king chuckled. "That's exactly what you've been doing since obtaining Cat's Ideal."

Rita paused. "Stealing? Facing all kinds of dangers, confronting undefeatable enemies, taking on one great adventure after another… that doesn't feel like stealing."

The king added, "And that's how Cat's Ideal grows with you."

Rita's anger melted away at that. She nodded. "Yes… exactly like that."