Chapter 201

Chapter 201: Chapter 198: "The Watchers Chasing the DawnThe music flowed, the bird calls sharp and clear.

Surrounding the merry-go-round, filled with children’s laughter, stood watching adults.

Although these adults didn’t look as happy as those who would accompany their children to amusement parks on Zhai Xing, between their weary brows, one could vaguely see the relief of playing during a rest period.

Colorful balloons wafted, fluttering towards the sky.

The children’s laughter rang out, clear as silver bells.

"You’re not...mad, are you?"

Noel, who had no choice but to activate a privacy black mist, quietly asked Su Ming’an.

Just now, Noel, who had shouted, "Su Ming’an, you’re here!" succeeded in pulling Su Ming’an into the star-chasing scene, and did not manage to leave unscathed.

The two were almost besieged by crazed people, but luckily, Su Ming’an had spatial displacement, and after teleporting twice, he neared the center of the square and successfully fled.

At the beseeching of Noel, who caught up later, they switched servers and entered the amusement park,

"No," Su Ming’an said, "But I’d be much happier if you didn’t make such jokes in the future."

"Sigh." Noel exhaled, "I thought it was going to be a pretty nice meeting. Number One Player and Number Two on the leaderboard... In the words of those people, that’s like, a meeting of the century?"

"We’ve already had a meeting of the century in the Second World."

"Ah, you’ve successfully reminded me of that Underworld again... No more of that, even the Fifth World is more interesting than that..." Noel ruffled his head, his sunlit blonde hair shimmering with a clean light.

"Interesting?"

"Yeah, interesting." Noel lowered his hand, his hair still neatly un-ruffled.

He looked up at him, flashing a white-toothed smile, "Playing games, in my view, should be done with laughter."

Su Ming’an sighed, "If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going."

He turned and was about to leave, not giving the second-ranked player in the world any face.

The other was not a player to be strategized like an npc, nor did he seem like a fool from whom one could gain an advantage. After the joke Noel played earlier, Su Ming’an wasn’t in the mood to join him in playing the sphinx here.

"Hey— wait, wait, wait!" Noel grabbed him.

"I really do have something important, truly important." Noel clung to his arm, pulling him back, "Number One Player, come on, let’s make a deal?"

Su Ming’an slightly tilted his head.

He knew that Number Two on the leaderboard had strength that could be collaborated with.

Even though he didn’t want to stick around in this foolish place that provided false comfort to humans, he still turned back and looked at the boy, still smiling at him.

He had learned from the world forum that Number Two on the leaderboard seemed to have a natural charm buff, possibly a being whose Charm reached S-class. Unlike Iris’s intentional charm, Noel was naturally endearing, like a little sun spreading its light. Even if some didn’t like him, very few genuinely hated him.

Perhaps that’s what it meant to max out emotional intelligence.

Even though Noel had just made an untimely joke that led to them being "chased" by players, making them flee in a privacy black mist, he still didn’t really dislike the other person.

This debacle had even caused a major fuss on the world forum...

People were saying that he was really busy jumping between events. Humans were about to hold a meeting for their own rescue, and there his Cloning went to a bar for drinks, while his original self ran off to the amusement park to play with Noel...

Hmm?

Su Ming’an caught on.

...Letting the world forum boil over, making everyone aware that he was meeting Noel alone, was this the chaos Noel intended to cause?

"Su Ming’an, Number One Player." Noel looked at him, the smile still on his face, "Let’s make a deal."

"State the terms of the deal directly," Su Ming’an said.

Noel extended his hand, flipping open an interface, and showed it to him.

"If you agree to my conditions, I’ll trade this to you," Noel said, his tone light though laced with a seductive undertone.

"I don’t need something like that."

Su Ming’an realized this person was really well-connected, to have access to such a thing.

"...What if someone leaked your number?" Noel asked.

"I haven’t added any new friends recently..." Su Ming’an said, pausing abruptly.

Noel squinted his eyes, smiling sincerely.

"What if it’s an old friend?" Noel said, "As far as I know, one of your friends seems to have betrayed you, hasn’t she?"

"Yu Ruohuo." Su Ming’an declared definitively.

He only had two friends, and only Yu Ruohuo could have been the possible betrayer.

"However, I don’t like the term ’betrayal,’" Su Ming’an said. "I prefer..."

"You prefer ’choice’?" Noel looked at him. "You might want to say that it was her choice, her path? Between family, friends, the future, and you, she chose the former, so you respect the path she chose? You’re really kind."

Su Ming’an heard it; there was not a trace of mockery in Noel’s voice. It sounded as though he was genuinely praising him for being "kind."

"Blood relations must be more important to her, after all," Su Ming’an said. "I can guarantee that I will stand till the end, but I cannot ensure that she can do the same as me. It’s within expectations that she made this choice... And how did you know..."

"How did I know what you were about to say?" Noel chuckled, leaning in close to him:

"...Because in your super talk, I’m also one of the Lighthouse theorists. Although anonymously."

Su Ming’an was startled.

He was all too aware of what these so-called "Lighthouse theorists" were like—some self-proclaimed wise sages with rather thick skins, interpreting his words with effects similar to transforming the ’Analects’ into books like ’The Domineering Lighthouse Falls For Me’ or ’The Light Pursuer’s Adorable Little Wife’, leading to interpretations too unbearable to witness.

Perhaps in the next live broadcast, he would need to correct such misinterpretations.

But now... Was Noel telling him that he was one of the "wise sages"?

Su Ming’an assessed the apparently innocent-looking youngster in front of him with fresh eyes.

"I understand you very well, and you can certainly trust me." Noel blinked and, seeing Su Ming’an’s wary expression, he sighed and steered the conversation back on track:

"Let’s talk about the trade. I assume you, the one who’s been ’chosen’, must need this thing now."

Su Ming’an temporarily set aside the over-enthusiastic Light Pursuers to consider the trade.

He had anticipated the possibility that Yu Ruohuo might not hold out, and that she could give up her own Number.

He didn’t know which organization coerced or tempted her to surrender her Number, but he had been prepared for this possibility when he hadn’t received a friend message from her after his return.

If he didn’t have the item from Noel, in the small worlds of the Sixth World, he might be surrounded by people all coming for him.

...He absolutely could not let himself be in such a predicament, even if some were approaching for a collaboration, he wouldn’t let himself stand beneath a precarious wall.

"I’m more interested in the source of your equipment," Su Ming’an said.

If he knew the origin of this item, he wouldn’t have to fear those strangely shaped people interfering with his Perfect Pass again.

"No comment."

Noel, who had been acting pliable, now adopted a firm stance.

"Fine, then what are the trading conditions?" Su Ming’an had to back down a step.

He wanted to see what kind of demands this non-simple Number Two in the world would impose on him.

He remembered he still wanted to find out who was backing Noel.

From the content of this requirement, perhaps he could get a glimpse. If it’s also something like wanting to collaborate or form a team with him...

"Spend a day playing with me," Noel said, looking at him.

"...Huh?"

"Play with me," Noel said. "I want to make sure you’re happy."

"I’ve said it before," Noel raised his hand, touched his own face, and with two fingers pulled the corners of his mouth upwards, making a smile:

"Games are meant to be played with a smile. Number One Player, you don’t understand the joy of playing games, so let me take the trouble to teach you."

"Is that your condition?" Su Ming’an was still somewhat incredulous—spending a day in an amusement park, what kind of condition was that?

Although he felt he would be making a profit from this deal, needing only to waste a day in the Main God Space to get the prop, the intent behind it was puzzling.

Was it that Noel’s backing organization placed a bomb in the amusement park, hoping to detonate it while he was experiencing some irrefutable attractions?

But that wasn’t right... They should know about his Cloning, even if they killed his main body, he could still live on, and an explosion would only make them enemies.

Unless they had control over their own clone’s movements and were confident they could kill themselves simultaneously from both sides.

But... why? Except for Edward and Edron, those sick guys, there should be nobody who would deliberately kill him in the Main God Space. Especially after the appearance of the progress bar for all of humanity, there should be even less of a reason for anyone to target him.

So, was there another agenda?

Did they want to force him to stay in the theme park for a day? And then, what was the force behind Noel planning?

Su Ming’an looked at Noel’s sunflower-like smile, guessing at the malevolence hidden behind it.

On his journey so far, he had encountered too much malice, especially in the previous worlds, the dark nature of humanity had given him a full experience. Even what looked like an extremely nonsensical request now made him highly vigilant.

"How am I supposed to trust you?"

Su Ming’an thought for a moment and still decided to do as the other party said. Even if the other party really had a scheme, having the ability to rewind, he might not be without a chance to turn the tables.

The phenomenon of death loops generally wouldn’t occur. As long as he avoided some major events, there might not be any freezing of critical plot points. If he left himself enough time, in case he got caught, he would still have a chance to salvage the situation.

"That’s easy," Noel said, handing over the prop directly: "I can pay the reward in advance."

... This anti-tracking prop wasn’t particularly expensive, but it wasn’t cheap either.

In exchange for a guarantee, Su Ming’an chose to make the trade.

Once he had the prop in hand, its description seemed no different from before. It seemed Noel really didn’t have any other motives during the trade.

"All set!"

"Clap," with a smack of his hands, Noel exclaimed: "Now, let’s play together and have fun! Enjoy life, enjoy—the world game!"

Su Ming’an focused his attention; Noel’s statement sounded somewhat familiar to him.

"So first up is the carousel—!"

Noel, like a wild horse that has broken free, took off at full speed. It was as if he had been holding back for a long time, charging straight at the slowly spinning carousel.

The park was a do-it-yourself play zone that could accommodate thousands; it wasn’t like the Disney on Zhai Xing where you queue for two hours for a single attraction and in the end, you don’t know if you’re playing a queuing simulator or an actual ride.

But here, it was just like a real "amusement park," not crowded, no lines, play whatever you want when you want.

... As if the whole place were booked for a private event.

No wonder, even in the world game, many people liked to come to places like this. It indeed was an experience you couldn’t get on Zhai Xing.

But Su Ming’an still couldn’t understand why anyone would waste time on such things.

He watched as Noel got on the carousel, shaking like a real child on the rocking horses, circling around with the beat of the music, that music also carried a childlike innocence, like a tune of a well-behaved little rabbit.

... Incomprehensible.

Su Ming’an watched Noel excitedly get on, spin around excitedly, dismount excitedly, and then rush towards another amusement ride, like a bird that has just seen freedom.

... The World’s Number Two. Could someone who perfectly passed the evil Underworld World three times really be as naive and innocent as they appeared, or even childish?

Su Ming’an stood still, watching Noel have fun by himself.

He watched a couple holding hands stroll by, watched children with balloons followed hurriedly by their young parents, watched a girl licking her self-served cotton candy, and a middle-aged couple sitting quietly on a bench, seemingly resting.

The sky was clear, the air fresh with the scent of plants and sweet with cotton candy.

He closed his eyes, the task flow of the Ming Hui World running through his mind.

"... Hey."

He opened his eyes and saw Noel walking over from the slide.

"You’re not focused," Noel said looking at him: "We agreed to play together, don’t let me successfully trick you out of your points."

"... What should I do?"

"Play, just play!" Noel looked at him incredulously: "Isn’t knowing what to do in such a place encoded in your DNA? Haven’t you ever been to an amusement park before? Didn’t your parents bring you?"

Su Ming’an looked up at the sky; the weather was just right.

"No," he said.

The sky was clear and bright.

Lined up in front of the space portal at the service area, welcoming cars glazed with a layer of light came to a halt.

Next to each car stood a person in a black uniform adorned with a silver star, stationed by the front door, holding a bouquet of flowers.

As players, each equipped differently, walked out from in front of the space portal, someone immediately approached to verify their identities before escorting them into the cars that drove towards the inner areas encased by barbed wire fences.

Along the road, uniformed personnel stood tall with rifles in hand, barrels pointed to the ground.

Even in a space where weapons couldn’t be used, and direct attacks on others were impossible, the sight of a military force standing on either side of the road with rifles at the ready easily induced a superficial sense of security in people.

It felt like a return to Zhai Xing.

To those living in times of peace, the military symbolized safety and stability, a protective wall guarding them.

In regions afflicted by war, the people residing there would be profoundly moved by such a sight.

The chat in the United Group’s live broadcast room was furiously scrolling as the meeting was less than two hours away, and everyone was excited.

After all, this was the first meeting of its kind, bringing together all elite individuals and showcasing it to everyone, and it was about the future of all humanity.

The murmurs of conversation filled the hall, wafted by the scent of pastries.

Elite-clad individuals held wine glasses and spoke in hushed tones while the white tablecloths, creamy as butter, cascaded down.

Uniformed personnel flowed like small rivers along the vast meeting room’s various pathways, converging at the four large doors.

The share board kept switching; people were commenting, "I saw it, I saw it, that’s Donna the God! His boxing skills are super strong!"]

Perhaps due to room management, the comments were all peaceful and pleasant, with no one suddenly spewing vitriol to disrupt the atmosphere.

At the end of the car journey, within the towering building, the vast meeting room was bright and shining.

From the back came the sound of keyboards clacking and papers flipping, with liaison personnel connecting over voice communication networks.

"Surveillance deployment is now complete; all unrelated personnel have been thoroughly vetted; meeting recorders are in place, live broadcast personnel are present."

"The United Group’s General Staff, Political Department, Logistics Department, Technology Department, and Communications Department, including their ministers and deputies, are now seated."

"The United Group’s Mental Health Committee, the Office, and various commissions and affiliated units, the Union Government’s Skill Encyclopedia Compilation Committee Minister is ready."

"The Human Self-Rescue Study Group has arrived, with representatives from academia serving as core members, supported technically by major transnational research institutes of top universities, independent societies, and central research facilities of various nations."

"Representatives of royal family members are now in attendance at the meeting."

"Participants are on their way."

"Number of invitees: one hundred forty-seven."

"Current attendees: fifty-nine, including thirty-eight players from the top one hundred global rankings."

"Among them, Number Three Edward, Number Six Mizushima Kawa Sora, Number Seven Aiden, and Number Nine Derek are in place."

"The other six top ten ranked players have yet to arrive."

"Number Two Noel and Number Ten Yamada Machiichi have expressly declined attendance."

"No news from Number One."

"Send a letter immediately, content: ... Welcome to all."

"At the moment of mankind’s opportunity, in the face of adversity. Those with united desires will prevail, those who share weal and woe will thrive, those who help each other will win."

"The deepest darkness will eventually pass, and light will emerge."

"By watching and aiding each other, we will overcome challenging times."

"Thank you all for coming to the meeting."

"We are all guardians chasing the dawn."

"Humanity will have a future filled with light."