Welcome to Rewind World Game-Chapter 1346 - 1339: Angel Route 1 - "Under the Light of Heaven, He Turned Back (Part 1)
[Team Size: 35/35]
...
A group of people trudged along under the red sun.
The sky rolled with scorching hues, clouds like cotton candy scorched by flames. Under the glow of the red sun, the city became a massive, fragile glass sculpture.
Anniev of Cross Judgement led the way in front, tall and imposing, with a fierce gaze, holding a shimmering golden spear. The golden halo transformed into a shield, protecting the players.
The ground was littered with charred corpses, and occasionally, people engulfed in flames screamed in agony. Even seasoned players shuddered at such a scene.
To ease the tension, the players began chatting.
"Anniev, this spear is ’Light God’s Throne Spear,’ right? A purple grade evolving weapon. Did you get it from Ming Hui?" Ali eyed the dazzling weapon enviously, raising his voice to dispel the gloomy atmosphere: "So cool, such golden weapons are truly a man’s romance."
"Haha, this weapon is my sweetheart!" Anniev proudly showed it off: "See, there’s even a glow effect, like fireflies, my sister loves watching them."
He lifted the hilt, and a dozen glowing "fireflies" flew out, dancing around Ali.
"So awesome! So cool! Glowing effect, wow!" Ali was full of envy.
Su 1 walked silently in the middle of the team. He originally wanted to lead, but Anniev took the lead of his own accord. He suggested taking the rear guard, but Luna volunteered to stay at the back.
It was as though he didn’t need to do anything or worry about anything. The players automatically protected him, bringing him to the center of the "ant swarm."
"My biggest wish in life is to see the Sword of Yarman up close, the legendary gold-level weapon..." Player Aylan muttered quietly. He had always dreamed of being a swordsman, but only possessed a red-level Western Sword.
At that moment, a mirror-like light pierced his eyes, and looking up, he saw a dazzling golden longsword.
Su 1 was holding the Sword of Yarman and raised it slightly for Aylan to clearly see.
For a moment, a chorus of envious "Wow-wow" rang out in the team, with some nearly drooling.
Aylan clasped his hands over his heart, his face flushed: "Beautiful, so beautiful. If this sword could pierce my body, I would have no regrets in life..."
Su 1 was wary; what kind of strange talk was this?
Wang Chaoze looked at the sword and snorted: "This? This is a gold-level weapon? Nothing special."
Qiuqiu laughed: "Yo? Dancing Pig Man, you’re here too. You’re so short, I didn’t see you just now."
Wang Chaoze burst into anger: "Don’t call me Dancing Pig Man! Damn it, forget that nickname——!!!"
He could stand it no longer; it’s just because he hid in a pigsty to escape the butcher at Qiongdi. That nickname had stuck for months!
Everyone laughed, and under the red sun, the air was filled with joy.
Seeing this, Su 1 realized that so many familiar faces surrounded him.
Most were met at Qiongdi during those chaotic battles. He got to know many players, some he encountered in ordinary instances, like Eli, Rimu Sheng, Agnes, Qiuqiu...
Some were mere acquaintances, some had fought side by side, some even had competitive grudges. However, at this moment, they all moved toward the same goal.
"Su Ming’an, do you still remember me?" asked a woman with charming looks.
"Violet..." Su 1 uttered her name.
"Wow, you actually remember. Number One Player’s memory is impressive." Violet glanced at the Mechanical Ring on Su 1’s hand: "It’s a pity, everything has changed..."
"So, Su Ming’an, do you remember me?" asked a cheerful figure coming closer with big eyes: "Me! Me!"
"Mei Yani." Su 1 nodded: "I remember you, we met at Main God World’s conference, you’re the Full Perfect Clear player."
"Yay!" Mei Yani cheered, punching the air, happy that Su Ming’an remembered her.
"And me... Do you remember me?" asked a woman with rose-colored curly hair, smiling.
Su 1 looked at her: "Come to think of it, you met me quite early. Flora."
"Does Number One Player remember me?"
"Zhong Xi. Your sniper rifle was impressive... though we had competition at Qiongdi, it seems minor now."
"What about me? Me?"
"Sean, I remember you wearing those goggles."
"And me..."
"Sherry, right. You’re a lucky-type player, that’s quite rare."
"Me, me, me..."
"Qiao Yuyu, you’re here too."
"And me..."
"Laine... uh? Go away!"
...
Almost every player who had conversed with Su Ming’an was remembered by him, even more so than themselves at times.
He continually touched his backpack, and others thought perhaps he had a stress-relief toy inside it, never letting go of it.
"People on the forum said Su Ming’an’s soul is nearly worn out, but that’s just alarmist talk," Flora sighed with relief: "His memory is so clear, the soul’s longevity seems fine, his mental state is good too."
Su 1 blinked, facing the people’s smiles.
"...because some things are very important."
He said.
Important enough that other things were hardly remembered.
...So many people.
Unconsciously, his side had gathered so many people.
Units, tens, hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, millions, tens of millions, a billion, ten billion.
"Ten billion," such a number was too large, enough to make him almost dazed, enough to make him lose a sense of reality. Yet, just "twenty or thirty" before his eyes already felt like a lot.
From the first instance to now, he didn’t realize there were already so many people around him.
...
[Team Size: 28/35]
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"Next! Switch!" Then, Anniev called out, exhausted of mana points, as he moved to the back of the team to recover. Holess from Holt Wizard Alliance promptly took over, and the team continued forward.
The next was Flora, the Elemental Mage, skill Ice Barrier, estimated time 46 seconds.
The next was Liz the Paper Card Killer, skill Infinite Space, estimated time 12 seconds.
The next was Qiao Yuyu the Mechanical Fanatic, skill Metal Link, estimated time 27 seconds.
The next...
Those who survived up to now had high overall qualities. Although some were nervous, they didn’t lose their composure.
Every once in a while, players whose skills entered long cooldowns would automatically leave the team.
Beyond the team’s protection, naturally, they couldn’t last long, but without the team, they would have already been burned away.
Some stubbornly refused to leave, aware that making a fuss was pointless, and could only depart.
Su Ming’an’s fame was too grand, his presence kept things orderly.
In this orderly exit, people bid farewell, not like life-and-death separation, more like a brief parting between friends.
——Because the Number One Player had said, "next time," they would resurrect again.
...
[Team Size: 23/35]
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"Let me tell you, I had a terrible time in The World of Old Days, the deities were like ghosts. Once I hid under the bed, and they peeked at me from under it." Players started chatting again to ease the tension:
"Are you worse off than me? In these days, I was nearly eaten again and again. Luowasha is really a group of little greedy cats."
"The popular Teni Tea shop at Server 182 recently is trending, apparently some player learned secret techniques from Pulaya and developed delicious tea. They quit being an adventurer player, turning into a lifestyle player. Someday let’s try it together..."
"Hey, did you buy the recently popular ’Old God’s White Tentacles’? Some players picked it up in The World of Old Days, selling it on the forum. Many bought one, but lately it seems sold out, apparently a player bought them all..."
"Xi Hongzhi, I heard you’re getting married soon? Make sure to invite me to the banquet... Getting married in Main God World can be lavish enough to be extraordinary..."
"Sigh, my niece is almost six, always talking about wanting to kill bad people. She’s so young, and already wants to shed blood... growing up in this environment, I don’t know if it’s good or bad..."
"Brothers, sisters, I’m out of mana points, can’t chat anymore, I’ll take my leave now!"
"Bye-bye, good brother, see you next time."
"See you next time..."
...
[Team members: 14/35]
...
The temperature was getting higher, and people’s faces were gradually showing signs of cracked skin. But the laughter was so loud, as if the warm breeze of spring was rustling in.
The waves of clouds seemed to be ignited by the blazing light, glimmering with gold and red flames, like clusters of burning roses.
Since the world game began, Su Ming’an had never experienced such an atmosphere. Most of the time, he was in the position of a ruler, a commander, like a god high above. This was the first time they cooperated so closely.
This was also his first time, among the crowd, listening to the everyday joys and sorrows of humans.
Complaining about occupations, showing off weapons, online celebrity stores, first loves, milk tea, pet snacks, children’s education, retirement clothes, the beauty of Boss Rabbit... the topics people discussed were varied, yet close to life.
They were all in the mortal world.
And Su Ming’an hadn’t heard these things in a long, long time. Although in the past, it was once closely related to him, too.
The towering branches and leaves of the World Tree were getting closer. When the team members decreased to nine, Su Ming’an saw the roots from afar.
...
[Team members: 9/35]
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"—Almost there!"
The people cheered.
The eight surrounded Su Ming’an at the center, stepping forward.
Atlanda picked up her magic wand, Mizushima Kawa Sora had Bai Wuya’s soul floating over his shoulder, Anniev carried a long spear, Lü Shu held a black blade, Alger was loaded with mechanical parts, Isabella was surrounded by mechanical balls, Luna drew the Sword of the Yellow Rose, Mei Yani held a piece of green branch and leaves.
At this moment, crystalline branches suddenly shot up from the ground; the World Tree actually didn’t want to let them get close.
"Now is the apocalypse, the World Tree must be in a weakened state!" Anniev shouted: "I’ll charge in front, everyone follow me! Let’s shove it out of the way!"
"Swish! Swish! Swish!" He swept his spear horizontally; the long spear was unstoppable, tearing through the vines.
"Crash—!" Green brilliance swirled, and Mei Yani’s plant spell rolled up heavy green waves.
"Buzz—!" Luna raised the Sword of the Yellow Rose, a flash of light, and the nine all received speed amplification.
Fang Tang flew out from the pocket, flapping its small wings, cheering them on.
One thousand meters to the World Tree.
...
[TE2 "They have waited too long for redemption" (Champion of the Disciple Game, reach the Dark Side, end the world game) Perfect Completion Progress: 75%]
...
Before the round table.
A figure held a porcelain cup, tasting the red tea inside.
"...The tea today is a bit bitter."
He sipped a mouthful of tea, slightly frowned, and looked at the sugar jar on the table:
"Luckily, there are nine sugar cubes in the jar."
He reached out his hand, unscrewed the jar, took the top sugar cube, and threw it into the tea.
"Plop."
In the scorching temperature, the sugar melted, and the tea was crimson like blood.
He quietly smiled at the porcelain cup filled with red tea.
...
"Plop——!!!"
A thick vine from the World Tree suddenly struck, hitting Anniev’s spear handle.
Anniev couldn’t retrieve his spear in time, his physical strength was nearly exhausted, causing his spear to fly out of his hands!
The golden halo instantly dissipated, he cried out, as the vine pierced through his chest!
"Ah——!"
"Anniev!"
Luna shouted, immediately wanting to support with her sword. But the pained Anniev waved his hand, calmly saying: "Go, keep moving forward!"
He had been clearing the path in the front, exhausted, he clearly knew this was his limit, even if saved, it was meaningless.
It was better to take this chance to let Su Ming’an go a little further.
He looked at Su Ming’an in front, under the daylight, that figure bathed in radiance, as if it would never fall.
"Anniev, until next time." Su 1 said softly.
Bright red sunlight flowed beneath their feet, the land charred and rolling.
"Until we meet again... Number One Player, until next time..." Anniev laughed loudly, hugging the vine that pierced him:
"But even if there’s no next time, even if you lied to us, I won’t blame you!"
Su 1’s eyes widened, he didn’t expect Anniev had already realized.
Yes, the top players are very smart. Many actually had seen through Su Ming’an’s lie, but they wouldn’t say, wouldn’t oppose.
Because they’re too smart.
They knew whom to give the final hope to.
Anniev actually knew there might not be a "next time" long ago, but so what? Just consider it something he’s giving back to Su Ming’an, for Su Ming’an suffered much more than he did.
Anniev fiercely hugged the thick vine, even at the end still wanting to crudely joke:
"—You damned World Tree, you’re even worse than Aunt Jenny’s apple pie next door, I’m going to kick your butt with my boots!"
"Get ready to welcome a super big explosion, you damned eyeless fellow!"
His words were crude, but his actions weren’t shallow at all.
After speaking, brilliant golden light rose from his body, along with his purple-grade weapon, expanding, exploding—
Giving a longing glance at his "Light God’s Throne Spear," he laughed loudly:
"Let’s go, come with me! My sweet darling, I love you to death..."
The next moment, an incredibly dazzling sun exploded.
Blazing brightly, the golden light magnificent.
"Boom—!"
"Boom—boom—boom—!!!"
The wild shock wave came, pushing the remaining eight straight forward, the dense vines of the World Tree, under this blinding brilliance, withered for several seconds.
Su 1 never turned back, yet golden-yellow glows flew from behind, brushing past his shoulder.
One, another, and another.
Each of the last "fireflies," carrying warmth, brushed past his face, gradually, gradually vanishing into the air.
A shattered long spear fell to the ground, black, already without any light.
A silence fell behind them, as if the silent golden light was inching, inching towards the end.
...
[Team members: 8/35]
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