Welcome to Rewind World Game-Chapter 1381 - 32: "Noel, From Now On, We Are No Longer Companions.

Chapter 1381: Chapter 32: "Noel, From Now On, We Are No Longer Companions.

As Noel spoke up to this point, he let out a laugh and tilted his head higher.

As if he was afraid something might fall:

"...Later, that boy’s body couldn’t take it anymore and he died on the operating table. Until his last breath, he kept saying that the one who betrayed his parents was just a child, so all children are bad. My utopian fantasy was destined to fail."

"...And then, I escaped the laboratory."

"Not knowing where to go, I ended up working at a circus, using the bloody scars on my body to attract attention. I would expose my wounds in front of the audience in exchange for a good piece of cake or bread."

"After finding a way to connect with wealthy merchants, I entered a research institute and learned how to conduct human experiments."

"I was always observing, observing the lifestyle laws of adults in this world... At sixteen, I donned adult clothing, wore adult hats, attempting to live like an adult."

"The clothes were too big, I had to stuff in a lot of cotton to make myself look like a strong man. My height was insufficient, so I had to pad my shoes high to look adults in the eye. Even my voice was too childish. During that time, I ate many hot peppers to ruin my throat, deliberately making my voice hoarse... Only then would those pot-bellied investors take me seriously, rather than treating me as a child."

"After saving up some money, I started traveling. I’ve been to the Polar Region, to Fusang, to Gran, and to Dragon Country..."

"At seventeen, I inquired with the police, wanting to know the name of the boy who shared my hardship in the laboratory. Now, I finally had the ability to build him a grave and lay a flower."

"But the police told me that on that floor of the laboratory back then, I was the only one there."

"There was no boy who was with me at all."

"...Oh."

With one hand behind his back, under the brim of his hat, Noel let out a bell-like laugh:

...

"...Turns out, as early as the midsummer when I was fourteen, I had already seen the ’backside of the Sun’."

...

The backside of the Sun.

It was the "other self" that deeply hated children.

It was the ’self’ that was vile, dark, didn’t believe in humanity, didn’t believe in truth, goodness, and beauty, and had been tormented to despair and breakdown...

Occasionally, Noel would still see that boy in his dreams. The boy, naked and covered in blood, stood in front of him, looking at him, now all shiny and bright like a glaring sun.

The boy asked him what happened in the rest of his life?

Noel replied that nothing unfortunate happened again afterward; after leaving the laboratory, he grew up very quickly, very tall, very strong, and could punch seven experiment staff members into tears. No one dared to bully him anymore. It’s just that there remained too much filth in the world, and no matter how smart he was, he couldn’t sweep it all away by himself.

The child then asked successively—since this world is so filthy, why did you grow to become such a warm and bright figure today? Why does everyone call you the ’Little Sun’?

—Noel Agnini, how many layers of clothes are you wearing exactly? Do you dare to peel away the skin and flesh from your chest to let people see how black the color of your heart is?

—Your utopian ideal for children, your so-called new world—how do you know it’s not your dictatorship and fantasy?

—How can you be so sure that you won’t become the inhumane "constant star" of the observatory where you were as a child?

—How can your ideals be considered "noble" compared to Su Ming’an’s? His ideal is to save all of humanity, while you? You just want a pure and flawless dictatorial world; you wish to satisfy your desire to roam freely in the universe.

—Noel Agnini.

—Above the undying crow, where is your utmost respect for him?

—The fields of sunflowers you promised to show him?

—The floral notes you wrote during the New Year?

—On the lawn adorned with champagne towers, your vow to ’find together’ with them?

—Are they all false? All hypocritical? All just to fulfill your desires?

"Splash—splash—splash—"

The sound of black water flowed, Noel’s fingers paused on the block castle.

"No." He said softly.

It’s not just that.

This world is too vast, Noel Agnini alone is not enough. Save Zhai Xing, maybe there’s still the Ruined World; save the Ruined World, maybe there’s still The World of Old Days; save The World of Old Days, then Luowasha is waiting behind...

On many nights in the Main God World, he sat on the glass rooftop of the New World Guild, gazing at the stars, always pondering—what lies at the end of the Universe?

Where would be the ultimate theorem of entropy reduction? Where is the eternal method to create a Utopia? In which corner of the universe is the way to make the sunlight fall eternally, clearing all gloom?

He wants to find it. Like picking up shells on the beach.

Like saying goodbye to Acto’s Noah, at the moment Noah embarked on his journey, Noah also realized... Yasa Acto’s choice to stay doomed the future of this Great Saviour, Yasa would never have the chance to venture into the vast universe again, and Yasa’s life was completely confined to one planet.

And the way to salvage everything might be far away. Noah wanted to find it, to find it in place of Yasa, even if it meant heading for the ultimate end of the universe.

Only, Noah couldn’t find it, he failed. When he returned, both were lost.

BE, 3030.

What does this signify? Is there an endless end method? Or does it represent some even more terrifying truth?

Noel Agnini realized as early as the beginning of the World Game the vastness of the world—the ultimate solution to all the universe’s mysteries, just standing beneath it, was difficult to answer.

Zhai Xing was too small, too fragile as well.

Rather than calling it a homeland, it felt more like a burden.

On countless nights, he gazed at the "Angel," Jupiter, with a diameter of 142,984 kilometers, the "cool" Mercury with a surface temperature of 452℃, the Sun that generates 3.828×10²⁶ watts of heat, and the stellar nursery about 1350 light-years away, the famous Orion Nebula (M42). Also, the young star cluster visible to the naked eye, the Pleiades.

Approximately 2000~3000 stars are visible to the naked eye on clear nights.

They lined up at a distance, as if arriving in a rush.

Such vast and beautiful wisdom.

——He wanted to fly towards the universe.

The warmth and sunlight of spring, he wanted to witness it with his own eyes. The brilliance of a pure white world, he wanted to grasp it with his own hands. The ultimate method to solve the universe’s mysteries and put an end to all this chaos, he wanted to find it himself.

——What Noah didn’t accomplish, he continued to pursue.

——Noah fell and perished, becoming a White Bird, while he donned brand new white feathers.

Shake off the dirt, adorn his wings, and wear a rose-tipped hat.

...

——He wanted to transform into a brand new White Bird and soar high.

...

The land beneath his feet and the stars in the sky,

which is warmer?

The places he’s been to and hasn’t been to,

which is farther?

...

"[In this life, we encounter many people, and fate is fragile like running water.]" Su Ming’an said.

Noel’s gaze fell into the Star Sea, placing his left hand on his chest:

"[...But with you, it’s like a river that never stops flowing.]"

He still connected it.

Still connected to this sentence.

"Is this truly what you want?" Su Ming’an’s gaze seemed to fall on the brim of Noel’s hat, as if piercing through the fabric to glimpse the distant blue sea.

"Yes. Just like this." Noel said.

"Then why don’t you dare let me see your eyes?" Su Ming’an said.

"..."

The sound of the roiling black water suddenly grew louder, and the blond-haired boy slowly turned around.

After pausing for a moment, he raised his head and showed Su Ming’an his blue eyes.

Deep blue, calm, without bloodshot lines or redness, clean and clear. Without a hint of hesitation, without a trace of sorrow.

Like two transparent mirrors.

Su Ming’an’s gaze trembled, pausing in Noel’s eyes, repeatedly tracing them, until five seconds later he confirmed, a chasm had inevitably descended between them.

Walk over.

There, the leaves will wave to you, the stones will smile at you, the rivers will greet you.

"You once said you hoped to see a joyful expression on my face." Su Ming’an slowly clenched his five fingers.

There, there is neither poverty nor wealth.

"That is already in the past." Noel said.

There, there is neither sorrow nor pain.

"But you even gave me the key to the New World Guild." The light of space shimmered at Su Ming’an’s fingertips.

No enemies and no hatred.

"Oh." Noel showed a nonchalant expression, as if he had just remembered: "By the way, you have to return the key to me."

There, all are equal in death.

Noel reached out his hand and then thought of something: "And also, remember to cancel the villa access later, I won’t enter your villa again... if you can return at all."

"In the snowstorm by the high-rise buildings of the Ruined World, when I looked back in the snowstorm, you once wished me a Happy New Year." Su Ming’an mentioned this point.

This was their true moment of mutual trust, and also the last chance for him to salvage the words.

"Mm... because at that time I was thinking..." Noel’s tone softened for a moment, fervently as if returning to his usual self.

Su Ming’an’s gaze suddenly froze, firmly fixating on Noel, his breathing mingled with moisture, waiting for Noel’s answer.

"I was thinking..." Noel’s tone quickly reverted to a playful one, as if mocking some expectation: "I actually wasn’t thinking anything at all. Why such an expectant expression? That might disappoint the Number One Player."

Thump, thump, thump.

Every star, surrounded by the whale, emits a pure white brilliance.

The Cross Light shines, and Su Ming’an’s left hand flickers with the appearance of scarlet claws.

Noel squints his eyes, a phantom appearing behind him, holding a blue-pink scythe in his hand, his aura suddenly soaring.

"Swish—swish—swish—" The sound of black water reverberates unceasingly.

——But at this moment.

Out of nowhere, a very small voice floats out:

"Can you hold on a bit longer? ...Noel Agnini."

Noel’s pupils enlarge with shock, revealing a moment of daze.

He looks around, confirming there is no one else around, then looks at Su Ming’an, affirming——this is actually what Su Ming’an said.

"Can you... hold on a bit longer?" Su Ming’an says softly.

Like coaxing a child.

At this moment, the rising aura of both sides halts.

It’s hard to say if this is the Number One Player’s last attempt, or a habitual strategy mode——the Number One Player is once again trying to do everything possible to save the situation before it falls beyond control.

Noel is halted by Su Ming’an’s sudden softened tone, seemingly unable to react, staying in place.

"Look." Su Ming’an points to the block castle in Noel’s hand, pointing to the square block at the bottom:

"We are the two strongest players in the world right now. Us working together, surely is much stronger than fighting alone."

Noel remains silent. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

"Secondly." Su Ming’an points to the rectangular block in the middle:

"You have the New World Guild, with so many people supporting you. And I have the favor of the Fifth and Eleventh Thrones, I can help you connect with more friendly High Dimensions."

Then, Su Ming’an points to the triangular block at the top:

"Third, the advantage of public opinion. Now people support the top players on the list, we can use public sentiment."

Su Ming’an withdraws his hand, looking at Noel:

"Fourth, both of us have special identities. My identity is the Ruler. Perhaps the World Game favors me, and this can help you."

Noel remains silent throughout.

But his fingers are trembling, and the block castle in his palm shakes.

This scene... how familiar is this scene.

...

["Cooperate with me, Number One Player." In the grid of the Ferris wheel, Noel took out a pile of colorful blocks, like the blocks children love to play with.

Noel placed a square block on the table, looking at Su Ming’an.

"Firstly." Noel said: "We are the two strongest players in the world right now. Us working together, surely is much stronger than fighting alone."

Su Ming’an nodded.

"Secondly." Noel took out a rectangular block and placed it on top of the square: "I have the New World Guild..."

Then, a triangular block, Noel placed it on top of the rectangle. "Third, the advantage of public opinion..." ]

...

Why.

Why has it come to this, the answer is crystal clear, yet deeply confusing.

"Crash——!"

The block castle was suddenly overturned to the ground.

At this moment, Noel overturned the block castle in his palm.

Triangle, rectangle, square... clatter, clatter, as the pieces fall down.

The brim of the hat lifts, revealing blue eyes. The reflected shadows fall in their eyes, and Su Ming’an sees falling birds in Noel’s eyes.

Triangular red birds, rectangular yellow birds, square blue birds...

——All falling in his bright blue pupils.

The blond youth steps forward, abruptly grabbing Su Ming’an’s collar, his veins bulging.

"——What are you saying." Noel’s face still wears a brilliant smile, as if glued there, his fingers clenched:

"Are you trying to awaken my past memories, to move me by this?"

"What if, I’m tired of your world where you’re the protagonist?"

"What if, I insist on going to the universe to find an answer?"

"What if——"

...

"What if——I must end the BE3030 cycle!!!!!!???"

...

If this number really represents something?? Can you really escape this quagmire by staying here forever!??

Noel’s roar stirred the black water ceaselessly.

The swimming fish cast starlight, the whale’s long wail reverberates.

"Gao——"

A long cry, books sway.

Su Ming’an, panting suddenly, bursts into laughter:

"Haha... hahaha...!!"

"You still exposed yourself, you can’t fool... can’t fool me... you can’t even fool yourself... you love us... ha, hahaha——!"

In that instant, his eyes reveal a fleeting sadness.

It seems everyone’s survival depends on the Number One Player’s efforts. Their future, their happiness, their ending... all depend on him building with his own hands, depending on him venturing afar to seek a fleeting spark.

But at this moment, seeing Noel’s twinkling eyes, Su Ming’an once again realizes the incontrovertible answer——

Turns out, turns out it is like this.

——Not only he is the one most needing this kind of dependency relationship.

"Constant Star" still headed towards humanity, like countless clichéd stories told by the observatory staff——the adventurer ultimately went against his childhood thoughts.

A soul stuck at fourteen wears an adult’s clothes, dons an adult’s hat, attempting to live like an adult.

The clothes were too large, he had to stuff lots of cotton to make himself look like a strong man.

The height wasn’t enough, he had to wear shoes with thick soles to look adults in the eye.

So when he feels pain and is about to leave——he must pile on lots of smiles to keep his gaze composed.

He lost, lost the bet he set for himself——Su Ming’an didn’t overturn his block castle, it was he who overturned his own block castle.

But he no longer holds a strawberry cake, nor has he had chocolate for a while.

"...I still can’t persuade you?" After laughing, Su Ming’an looks at the shattered block castle, realizing the incontrovertible answer.

Noel slowly releases his grip, after a brief silence, regains his calm smile: "Mm."

He stuffs "cotton" onto his face again.

"Well then, fine." Su Ming’an stops his last attempt.

It ends here, Noel has already voiced his full determination in his roar.

So, continuing any further would just be awkward.

He’s not someone who clings to the anchor point... at least, he thinks he’s not.

After a long silent tug of war, he also regains his composed demeanor, nodding.

"So."

The rough stone in his heart rolls onto the ground at this moment.

Thud.

When he speaks again, his voice slightly trembles:

...

"——Let’s end it here, Noel, from now on, we are no longer companions."

...

Surely, for a moment, he wore a lonely expression.

Otherwise, why did those blue eyes reveal a moment of similar grief?

...

...

Recently, Noel often dreams of past events.

He dreams of himself building blocks over and over in that narrow Ferris wheel cabin, building and then overthrowing, building and then overthrowing again.

Spectacular New Year fireworks bloom outside the window, no one opposite him.

Later he realizes.

...

——From the start, his guest was sitting opposite him, not beside him.

...