Chapter 45 - The Secret to a Perfect Pass

Chapter 45: Chapter 44: The Secret to a Perfect PassEven though he had already completed the Perfect Pass, Su Ming’an didn’t choose to return early. In the apocalyptic world, he spent a full fifteen days, nearly clearing the entire city center of X City of zombies, to the point where zombies would hide at the sight of him.

During this time, he encountered quite a few survivors. Initially, they called him "Number One Player," with respect and attempts to connect but, later on, this somehow turned into fear. They would hide and watch him slaughter the zombies and only emerge from the shadows after he had left.

Su Ming’an paid attention to the barrage of comments; the popularity in the live streaming room had soared to hundreds of millions. Every second, a flurry of text would pass by. He noticed that the audience’s and the players’ attitudes towards him were starkly different. Players either revered him or kept their distance while the audience, on the other hand, was overly presumptuous and close, with many openly calling him "hubby." He understood the implication—shielded by the distance of the virtual world, these viewers felt no threat and even developed fantasies as though they were in a relationship with him.

... because the distance was growing ever larger.

At a sufficient distance, they were no longer of the same world. The audience could freely unleash their fantasies, no longer seeing themselves as mere humans but rather as beings to be admired, illusions, akin to virtual lovers or religious beliefs.

After killing the last nearby zombie, Su Ming’an stopped paying attention to his clone and opened his eyes.

Yu Ruohuo was still sitting beside, nibbling on the food he had left earlier.

"You’re finally done, huh? I’ve been sitting here for five days, but there hasn’t been anyone around. I’ve been watching," Yu Ruohuo turned her head upon hearing the movement and saw the bloodshot eyes and profound exhaustion in Su Ming’an’s gaze.

Su Ming’an had been controlling his clone for a long five days.

Even though Yu Ruohuo got some sleep during that period, he did not; his high Mentality Points and perseverance had sustained him... because he was in a hurry to make use of the time to maximize his advantages as his Combat Power soared.

Yu Ruohuo was moved by the exhaustion in his eyes. Su Ming’an, while controlling his clone, was completely defenseless, but he trusted her care.

"You must be tired. Want something to eat?" Yu Ruohuo asked him.

Su Ming’an shook his head. His physical condition was a complete mess at the moment, his Physical Strength having bottomed out from not replenishing his food for a long time. He had put all his energy into his clone, and at this moment, his physical condition was as weak as paper, making it difficult for him even to stand.

... but, it didn’t matter.

All he needed was to grasp every opportunity for improvement.

He admired people like Yang Changxu.

But he could not become like them, for he had only one goal.

"Number One Player" should be the strongest player, neither the top star nor a universally admired good Samaritan.

He could only afford minimal effort that would not affect his own strength enhancement—like leveling up while clearing difficulties for the sanctuary.

—But his primary goal had to be to grow stronger and win in the end.

Before the final victory came,

... he had to be selfish.

In his field of vision, the World countdown timer in the system bar showed only three minutes remaining.

Su Ming’an carefully recalled if there was any oversight and, finding it flawlessly impeccable, finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"You really are amazing... very amazing. I feel so lucky to have met you." Perhaps having heard something from the barrage, Yu Ruohuo had been comforting him ever since he woke up: "Don’t bear too much burden. It wasn’t your fault Yuanyuan left... My father once told me that the greater the responsibility one assumes, the greater the pressure. They see you as the Number One Player, the Savior, but I think no one needs to be perfect... You’ve borne so many gazes, but you are still just a child."

She suddenly thought of something and started to laugh: "You see, just like you introduced yourself when you first met me—you were just an ordinary student. Now, I think you are an incredible student... and that’s it."

Su Ming’an looked at her, seemingly wanting to say something, but instead, his gaze shifted slightly, focusing behind her.

Yu Ruohuo turned around.

At the end of the road stood a young man with a green mantis on his shoulder, whose figure had appeared.

His steps were fast, and within a moment, he had approached them.

With only seconds left until the end of the world, Yu Ruohuo nervously positioned herself in front of Su Ming’an.

"Don’t be nervous," Lv Shu said, then seriously looked at Su Ming’an: "... Su Ming’an, Number One Player. I was drawn to your theories."

"So?"

"I’ve decided to follow you. I like people who always have the future in their heart, I like you, and I believe you deserve to be my light," Lv Shu said.

Yu Ruohuo’s mind glitched for two seconds, then she realized he didn’t mean what she had initially thought.

... It was really just admiration.

Then, she distinctly felt that Su Ming’an’s usual distant demeanor towards her had vanished the moment the young man uttered "follow."

"You’re a decent player." Su Ming’an looked at him: "If you really are grateful—then persevere in the game hereafter."

Lv Shu took an egg from his backpack and placed it in Su Ming’an’s hand, "This is my gift."

Su Ming’an placed the egg into his backpack.

The end of the world was about to arrive.

At the final moment before the world ended, several people heard the system’s notification sound at the same time.

After a flash of white light, Su Ming’an found himself having left the Apocalyptic World and appeared in his initial personal small space.

But as he was preparing to enter the routine skill acquisition phase, the scene before him suddenly changed.

The originally cramped personal space instantly transformed into a vast, dark grand hall.

He smelled an unusual aroma akin to burning joss paper.

In the grand hall, a "creature" shrouded entirely in shadows was gazing at him.

"Number One Player, human species Zhai Xing, Su Ming’an." the creature spoke, "We remember, we have never revealed the secrets concerning the Perfect Pass."

...So it has come indeed?

Su Ming’an lifted his eyelids, the approach of the Organizers was not beyond his expectations.

He had long realized that his performance on the World Chessboard was somewhat conspicuous.

"— How did you come to know this information?" the deep voice of the Organizers carried an undeniable tone, "— Answer me, Number One Player."