Chapter 74 - -

Chapter 74: Chapter 73 - "He’s Cursing MeA day had passed since the scene on the stage.

The Guild Headquarters had begun to be utilized, with vacant houses allocated to players of higher living levels and a simple points system established.

The Guild Headquarters appeared freshly built.

Yet, everyone passing by still uncontrollably cast their gazes toward the stage—where a vivid red stain remained.

The blood spilled over the chest on the stage had been left intentionally unwiped, and the speech podium was sealed off after the event.

Clad in black Hanfu, Lv Shu strode past the side of the stage, heading straight into the central building, passing through the halls, and continuing deep along the corridor.

The light from the top of the chamber shone brightly, illuminating the dark figure standing inside the room. Her hand gently caressed a transparent ice coffin, her hanging hair concealing her expression.

Lv Shu slowly approached and stood by her side, gazing at the boy in the ice coffin who lay still as if he were merely sleeping.

"What was he thinking after all?" Mizushima Kawa Sora suddenly spoke, her normally clear eyes finally showing confusion and fear, "Everyone says he was blessing me, but that’s not it at all... he was clearly cursing me, cursing me with his life, just piling all this burden on me... It’s too cruel."

Now, whenever she closed her eyes, she would remember the way he looked at her. It wrapped around her like a curse, haunting her like a shadow.

Lv Shu wanted to speak but saw Eni signaling him with hand gestures from outside the door.

He glanced at Mizushima Kawa Sora, then stepped outside.

"Regardless of whether the one who died was his clone, we need to plan a funeral for him... Many have jointly suggested this; they need such spiritual solace," Eni whispered.

Several people stood beside him; Edron, a senior member, said, "Yes, there’s also a petition. We need to add some clarifications about this matter afterward to keep the public from becoming too fanatic or panicked."

"We still don’t understand his intentions. It seems like complete dedication, but judging by Mizushima Kawa’s state, I can only feel a strong malice from his actions," Hubert remarked, holding a notebook.

"Do you have any thoughts, Lv Shu? You’ve had quite a few encounters with him before, and both of you are from Dragon Country. Perhaps you know something about Dragon Country’s funeral customs," Avril said from the side.

Lv Shu pondered for a moment and was about to speak.

Suddenly, he saw a shadow, a figure that appeared in his field of vision, twinkling with the sheen of space.

"—While I’m indeed moved, there’s no need to arrange everything for my afterlife, right?"

As they all turned their heads, they saw a cloaked figure standing behind them. He was lifting the cover from his head, revealing a face that everyone recognized all too well.

"Su, Su Ming’an?" Eni took a half-step back as if he had seen a ghost, pointing at him.

"So, the one who committed suicide on stage was actually a clone?" Hubert stroked his chin, "Although because of that speech which was completely contrary to your usual rhetoric, we guessed that the one who died might not have been the real you... but I didn’t expect you to be bold to this extent... Are you, playing us for fools, Number One Player?"

Edron’s brow furrowed; he too grasped something, and addressed the suddenly appearing Su Ming’an: "You’re still alive... This means, it was all an act orchestrated by you, wasn’t it?"

"Mhm." Su Ming’an nodded: "Very successful, you see, the players have united, many people afraid of death have chosen to join the game, and every situation is turning for the better, even Miss Mizushima Kawa from Lighthouse also..."

The young girl walked out from inside, her expression stern.

Mizushima Kawa Sora had never felt as uncomfortable as she did now, as if something was stuck in her throat. Having resolved to keep going, the realization that she had been played was enough to engulf her in fury.

"Su Ming’an, well played, you really outdid yourself." Mizushima Kawa Sora’s words slipped between her lips, ice in her eyes: "You used me as a stepping stone, played the whole world’s players for fools, and now you dare to appear before everyone as if nothing happened... You really aren’t afraid of death, are you."

"Although I’m indeed not very afraid of death... but," Su Ming’an said, "Miss Mizushima Kawa, you have become the pinnacle in everyone’s eyes, as the successor of Lighthouse, shouldn’t you..."

With a "swoosh," Lv Shu suddenly gripped Mizushima Kawa Sora’s raised palm, stopping the slap that almost came down.

"Let go of me! I need to teach this clueless guy a lesson!" Mizushima Kawa Sora declared coldly.

"Enough!" Edron’s voice was ice-cold, deep pain crossing his weathered face: "Su Ming’an, Number One Player, it truly grieves me to see the state of your educational system, a place that only knows how to force-feed education could only produce a child like you..."

"Taking it to this level is going too far." Su Ming’an stared at him: "After all, in the end, everything is improving, isn’t it?"

"...You’re too unstable." Eni remarked coldly: "At least before doing something like this, you should have discussed it with us."

"That’s right, now we’re in a tough spot, we have to help you with PR to maintain the reputation of the First Guild, the public discovering your rebirth will make them dissatisfied to have been played for fools..."

"—So, who tacitly permitted Miss Mizushima Kawa to challenge me?" Su Ming’an suddenly laughed.

The few fell into slight silence.

"It was you who permitted it, it was what you wanted, what you allowed. You didn’t stop her from ’saving face’ for me, you let her criticize me openly in the forum, labeling me. You wished to use public opinion to promote a new, ’righteous and just’ Number One Player... to replace me." Su Ming’an spoke calmly: "I admit, my actions this time were rather abrupt, but who exactly gave me the opportunity to expose myself in front of the whole world?"

"Enough, if you want to compete, do it in the arena, there’s no need to openly mock everyone..."

"—We are in the World Game now, sir." Su Ming’an regarded him: "All of our destinies, are now in the hands of so-called high-dimensional beings... We have very few ways to turn the tables. It’s because of the majority’s obsession with so-called stability, that the players’ future has become so bleak, that it could be changed by a mere student like me. At this point, you still choose to extinguish any hint of hope—for a better future and tomorrow, perhaps it’s time to rethink your approach?"

"So selfish, just to win in the end, to receive what you call the ’Perfect Pass’ grand prize—Su Ming’an, your shameless and childish heroism is laughable." Edron scoffed.

"...If I could, I would have preferred not to be ’the only hero’ from the start..." Su Ming’an murmured under his breath, then lifted his head: "But, if you’ve already decided that’s who I am, then I suppose it’s useless to say anything more, right?"

"You really are insane." Edron pushed another person forward: "Edward, you tell him."