Mini World Game Console-Chapter 745 - 746: Everything Is Arranged by the Door of Truth

March 4th, 5:32 PM Eastern District time. As the sun's direct rays gradually moved northward toward the Tropic of Cancer, Paris remained bright and pleasant. Tourists flocked to the grand square before Notre-Dame de Paris, taking photos to commemorate their visit. Many willingly paid 8 euros for a belfry ticket, eager to climb over 400 steps to the Bell Tower and trace the footsteps of Quasimodo.

Kadell and his group, arriving from the Palace of Justice, blended into the crowd like average tourists and made their way toward the cathedral.

Security at Notre-Dame was fairly strict. Visitors were not allowed to bring in liquids. However, since bag checks were not required, Kadell and his team, carrying cello and violin cases, easily entered the cathedral.

"Found him."

Kadell's gaze instantly locked onto a diminutive figure sitting on a chapel bench. Hands clasped, facing the pulpit, the man was as small as a child, seemingly in prayer.

Their trip to Paris was not merely a publicly funded corporate team-building exercise.

Spiritual Energy had been resurgent for two years. Countless Transcendents appeared like bamboo shoots after spring rain, leading to an increase in supernatural crimes that the police system couldn't handle. Not every country had a comprehensive Skynet system like the Mysterious Country Federation, nor did every country possess the manpower to pursue Transcendent criminals—a single Transcendent could decimate a squad of ten police officers.

Unlike common criminals who could only prey on the weak, Transcendent criminals could easily destroy conventional security systems. Without employing a Transcendent for round-the-clock protection, the wealthy were merely weak individuals guarded by other weak individuals.

When those who controlled the means of production were no match for those who wielded violent force, societal structures were bound to change.

Great powers had their domineering rule, while small countries formed their own alliances. The Wizard Council, established by various European nations, was thus created to specifically handle Transcendent-related matters.

Kadell's team of six—the Hunter Squad—was an enforcement unit under the Wizard Council, responsible for pursuing high-profile Transcendent criminals across Europe.

This time, they were pursuing an antisocial attacker who had caused explosions in several countries: the dwarf Superpower User known as the Demolition Genius, whose real name was unknown.

"Who's going?"

"I will," said the Moon Priestess, carrying a guitar case and dressed in a white gown. "We should avoid causing a disturbance, right?"

Kadell nodded slightly. "Yes. The Demolition Genius's supernatural power seems to be the ability to transform any substance into nitroglycerin. Once engaged, he can trigger a massive explosion to escape at any moment. Assassination is necessary."

"No problem," the Moon Priestess said with a faint smile. Her figure suddenly merged with the air, leaving only a whisper, "Disappear into thin air."

Kadell turned and exchanged a glance with Tide, who nodded slightly. Tide walked into the chapel and sat down, occupying three seats and drawing curious looks from nearby tourists. Great Ape King positioned himself in the aisle, feigning to be a staff member and preventing others from entering the chapel.

Twelve seconds later, a streak of starlight fell from the third floor of the cathedral like a meteor, shooting toward the Demolition Genius, who was still in prayer.

BOOM!

With a loud explosion, the Starlight Arrow shattered in mid-air. The Moon Priestess's incredulous voice echoed from above, "Who destroyed that world-shattering arrow?"

The Demolition Genius sat motionless on the bench, his voice as cold as a viper's, "It is a supreme honor to be the prey of the Wizard Council's Hunter Squad."

The tourists in the small chapel watched the bizarre scene in amazement. Some took out their phones to take pictures, while others, sensing something ominous, tried to leave. But the Demolition Genius continued, "Anyone who dares take a single step, when this chapel is blown to bits, I hope God is quick enough to take your souls."

Some thought the dwarf was joking, but Kadell stood up and announced, "Everyone, stay still! He is an S-class criminal wanted by the Wizard Council and extremely dangerous!"

Kadell repeated this in several languages and then opened his cello case to reveal his fantasy heavy sniper rifle—nothing was more convincing than this roaring monster.

The tourists finally realized the gravity of their situation. Trembling with fear, they remained seated on the benches, not daring to move.

Still facing the pulpit, the Demolition Genius let out a jeering laugh. "Kadell, you've made a wise choice. If it weren't for this place, without these hostages, I wouldn't dare show myself to your Hunter Squad."

"Fourth Level Wizard Kadell, Fourth Level Wizard Chuixis, Fourth Level Wizard Milana... What a luxurious lineup! You represent the Wizard Council's sharpest blades, the elite of European Supernatural Beings. You are Transcendents who can dictate the deaths of countless people with a flick of a finger!"

"You're not bad yourself," Kadell said, slowly walking behind the benches, staring at the back of the Demolition Genius's head. "Through sheer personal effort and the basic meditation methods circulating publicly, you reached the Fourth Level Wizard rank without any guidance. Even in the Wizard Council, you'd count as one of the very best geniuses."

Kadell, holding the heavy sniper rifle, said nonchalantly, "You could have become a Transcendent who walks in the light, like us. Instead, you've become a reviled rat. The Damascus fire, the Jerusalem explosion, the Florence bombing, the Athens fire... Are you confessing to God for those innocent lives lost?"

"Confessing?" The Demolition Genius laughed wildly. "I don't believe in God!"

"If there really is a God, He should be the one confessing to me!"

He spoke coldly, "You still don't know my name or my origins, do you? Of course not. Before I turned twenty-three, I never appeared before anyone. You might even find my grave; God only knows what animal's bones those two old beasts buried there!"

"My pathetic parents, too afraid to kill me because of God's teachings, too ashamed to raise me because of their pride. They saw me as Satan's demon. No matter how hard I tried to please them, no matter how humbly I acted, sometimes they wouldn't even give me scraps of leftover food..."

The Demolition Genius's voice grew intense. "Quasimodo could at least wear a mask to meet Esmeralda. But me? I am a grave, spurned even by the moonlight! If I dared to step outside, I would only be met with disgust, chased by children, and ultimately dragged home by those two old beasts to suffer like Jesus! My entire life has been the suffering of a dwarf!"

Windrunner sighed. "Unfortunate people spend their whole lives healing from their unfortunate childhoods."

Kadell snorted coldly. "Is this your defense for your crimes?"

"Defense? Not at all," the Demolition Genius's voice turned icy again. "I never make excuses to God or the police. I'm just waiting for you to die and go to Heaven. Then you can tell God it was the dwarf who killed you. Perhaps then God will ensure all dwarfs die in the womb."

Ranger Chuixis asked, "Why? Do you also despise your own identity?"

"Of course. If our roles were reversed, I'd show you what true cruelty is."

The Demolition Genius spoke coldly, "Respect for the disabled? Respect for minorities? Don't make me laugh. Why should people who are self-pitying and self-loathing be allowed to live? No matter how nicely you put it, would any of you be willing to become disabled like me!?"

"You wouldn't. So... why do you think I'm here to meet you?"

Kadell said, "Isn't your hobby blowing up historical buildings?"

The Demolition Genius's voice rose. "Exactly! I love blowing up these magnificent, grand buildings, making them incomplete. And while I'm at it... I'll make you incomplete too!"

"Beauty in imperfection?

Stronger because of loss?

Kinder than everyone else by embracing misfortune?

You make it sound so noble. Then prove it to me!"

Spiritual Energy suddenly surged, the air began to vibrate, and even ordinary tourists sensed the terrifying danger approaching, screaming in fear!

Tide suddenly said in a deep, echoing voice, "Caught him! Up there!"

Everyone looked up. On the walkway of the chapel's third-floor dome, a small dwarf was caught in a giant mouth that had erupted from the ground. A huge golden exclamation mark appeared above his head!

"Starstorm, fall!" The Moon Priestess, poised to strike, immediately moved to atone for her earlier mistake!

Several Starlight Arrows instantly pierced the dwarf, and the spell he was casting dissipated.

The tourists were so frightened they dared not move. Kadell clapped his hands and said, "Alright everyone, thank you for your cooperation. The criminal is dead. You may leave now."

After the tourists dispersed, the Hunter Squad examined the dwarf's body, then contacted the Parisian authorities to clean up the scene. They also had to explain the situation to the Notre-Dame staff.

Looking at the dwarf's corpse, Ranger Chuixis asked, "So, his purpose in causing all those explosions was to make others disabled like him?"

"Possibly," Windrunner said. "Disabled individuals, due to discrimination and psychological imbalance, can develop a desire to hurt others, wanting them to feel their pain. Such thoughts are actually quite normal. The problem is when those with malicious thoughts also have the ability to act on them, and no one can restrain them."

"People can't truly understand each other," Kadell said, placing the sniper rifle back into the cello case. "In this world, everyone ultimately sheds their own tears."

"Captain, why so contemplative?" Great Ape King laughed, slinging an arm around Kadell's shoulder. "Come on, let's get a drink later!"

Kadell smiled. "Don't you all have them? Unshakeable obsessions, wishes that must be fulfilled..."

"Nope!"

"I'm just here for the money!"

"My obsession is this year's publicly funded trip!"

Everyone chimed in. Kadell smiled, temporarily putting aside the nightmare that had plagued him for months. "Alright then, let's find a Michelin-starred restaurant for dinner. My treat."

"Really?"

"From the public funds," Kadell clarified.

"Nice one, Captain!"

Just as the Hunter Squad was leaving the chapel, the entire Notre Dame Cathedral shook slightly.

It felt as if a heavy object had landed.

The six members of the Hunter Squad paused for a moment, then immediately rushed into the cathedral's main nave.

There they saw it: a magnificent black gate, standing abruptly in the center of the nave's open space.

It was the All, and it was the One.

It was the Truth that governed all. Here, all obsessions could be dissolved, and all doubts answered.

In that instant, Kadell suddenly felt a wave of relief—thank goodness the Demolition Genius was already dead.

Otherwise, that dwarf, upon seeing this gate, might have blown up all of Paris just for a chance to touch the Door of Truth.

"Kadell, have you been sleeping well lately?"

The handsome, blonde Gatekeeper's eyes seemed to pierce through Kadell's innermost thoughts.

He smiled. "The Door of Truth can satisfy all your desires for knowledge. But the price is the burning of your body and soul. Is it worth it?"

He knows about my nightmare.

No wonder he's the Gatekeeper of Truth.

Kadell took a deep breath, about to tell his teammates to leave, but found they had already drawn their weapons.

"All of you..." Kadell was somewhat astonished. "Do you have a reason to fight? You heard him, the Door of Truth is..."

Kadell had seen Ren Naiser's live broadcast before. He hadn't been particularly concerned about the Door of Truth in the video; the civil war between Ren Han and the Magicians had been far more intriguing.

However, upon seeing the Door of Truth now, Kadell keenly felt a stirring in his heart!

He knew this was his only chance to resolve his pain and turmoil. By simply touching the Door of Truth, he could be completely freed from his endless anxieties and doubts!

But weren't the others all hedonistic optimists who lived for the moment? Did they also harbor obsessions they were willing to resolve at any cost?

Ranger Chuixis shrugged, shouldering her assault rifle. "Just as you said, Captain, in this world, everyone ultimately sheds their own tears."

Windrunner raised two submachine guns and chuckled. "Unfortunate people spend their lives healing from the misfortunes of their childhood... How do you think I know that?"

Great Ape King laughed heartily. "We're all adults, Captain. How could you believe I didn't genuinely wish to bed a few hundred more women and create a nation?"

All six members of the Hunter Squad prepared for battle!

Kadell couldn't help but laugh. "A bunch of fools."

"Truly a bunch of...fools I'm proud of."

He raised his fantasy sniper rifle and fired at the Gatekeeper!

The battle began!

Ranger: Supernatural power 'Archer's Talent'—all shots can be locked on at will!

Moon Priestess: Supernatural power 'Star and Moon Power'—can condense starlight and moonlight into sharp arrows, or refract light for Invisibility!

Tide: Supernatural power 'Touch of the Earth'—controls earth, soil, and stone slabs, using the ground to search and sense enemies!

Great Ape King: Supernatural power 'Orbital Control'—makes thrown objects fly along a preset trajectory!

Windrunner: Supernatural power 'Focused Firepower'—all bullets are automatically imbued with Spiritual Energy and can overwhelm any energy attack head-on!

Sniper: Supernatural power 'Concentration'—the longer the aiming time, the higher the hit rate and destructive power!

The six Wizards of the Hunter Squad worked in unison; no one could escape their pursuit!

The Gatekeeper would be no exception!

As the Gatekeeper dodged Kadell's fatal shot, the Moon Priestess had already rendered everyone invisible.

Although the Gatekeeper immediately saw through the Invisibility and charged at the Ranger like a thunderbolt, he had already fallen into the Six Hunters' encirclement.

Windrunner unleashed a barrage, Tide controlled the ground, Great Ape King's Flying Axes assailed him, the Ranger aimed a precise critical shot at his head, and the Moon Priestess attacked from above with Star and Moon Power!

Even if their attacks couldn't hit the Gatekeeper, Kadell, the Sniper, was already on the second floor, taking aim!

He had activated 'Concentration.' His bullets would pierce all defenses, 100% guaranteed to hit the focused target!

So, this bullet... will pierce your heart!

Amen.

Just then, the Gatekeeper turned his head to look at Kadell and smiled. "Kadell, do you remember that bullet in your midnight dreams, the one that ricochets back?"

Kadell's finger trembled slightly, but he still decisively pulled the trigger!

But by then, he had exited the 'Concentration' Status, and the bullet wasn't enhanced with Spiritual Energy.

That was why Kadell was still alive the next second.

Kadell's entire sniper rifle exploded, the barrel bursting open like a trumpet, as if a bullet had been fired from the muzzle back through the gun itself, piercing his shoulder!

The other Hunters were also hit. The Ranger and Windrunner cried out in pain and collapsed, wounded by their own projectiles!

The Moon Priestess dodged the reflected Starlight Arrow, Great Ape King leaped back to avoid his own spinning Flying Axe, and even Tide was now caught in a giant maw that erupted from the ground!

Only the Gatekeeper remained unscathed!

All attacks against him ricocheted back to the attackers!

However, Kadell, ignoring his injuries, shouted, "How did you do that? Why can you reflect my shots? Is it because... is it because you..."

Have you... killed me before?

For months, Kadell had been plagued by this dream.

In the dream, he hid in a forest, aiming at a distant target. After preparing for tens of minutes, he fired his most powerful shot.

Then, the bullet ricocheted, piercing his rifle and blowing off his skull.

The scene in the dream was almost identical to this one! If Kadell hadn't deactivated 'Concentration,' his skull would probably have been blown off too.

How does he know my dream?

How can he use the exact same technique as in the dream?

"'It's Truth. I imbued it with Truth,' the Gatekeeper said calmly. 'Everything is orchestrated by the Door of Truth.'"

Suddenly, the Gatekeeper clasped his hands. Icy brilliance surged from his body, condensing into a fortress of ice and snow that enveloped the entire first-floor hall.

BOOM!

The spire of Notre Dame Cathedral suddenly exploded. With a roar, the flaming peak collapsed and came crashing down into the main hall!

However, the ice fortress conjured by the Gatekeeper already covered the main hall, perfectly blocking the falling, fiery spire!

"The Demolition Genius, real name Giggs, an S-class Transcendent criminal wanted by the Wizard Council, was executed by the Hunter Squad. Before his death, he planned the explosion at Notre Dame Cathedral..."

Before hundreds of millions of live broadcast viewers, the Gatekeeper nonchalantly explained the cause of the Notre Dame explosion, finishing with a smile. "Because the Door of Truth appeared, tourists were able to evacuate in time. And because the Door of Truth appeared, I was able to create an ice barrier just in time to prevent further explosions..."

The Gatekeeper looked around at the Hunter Squad. "And your obsessions, your desires... your negligence allowed the Demolition Genius's bombing plot to succeed, leading to this seemingly impromptu battle..."

"Everything was orchestrated by the Door of Truth."

The Hunter Squad's morale completely shattered.