Welcome to Rewind World Game-Chapter 1654: Finale IV: "OE · The Guiding Lighthouse in the Universe (9)

Chapter 1654: Finale IV: "OE · The Guiding Lighthouse in the Universe (9)

In unison, six pairs of "gazes" looked over.

Aria, Starfire, Lilia, Laplace, Tenth Thrones, Yuanyuan...

Su Ming’an merely lifted his eyes slightly, and the entire space began to reshape in response to the monarch’s mind—areas ravaged by chaos quickly restored, chaotic streams of light smoothed out, black cracks mended, and polluted gray fog diluted.

Soon, according to the concept in Su Ming’an’s mind, the ground beneath transformed into a plane composed of flowing light, and ahead was a transparent film enough to overlook the Star Sea of the universe, the dome lofty and unreachable, full of silver light, like the valves of an organ.

Such a scene was pleasing to the eye, the entire space cold, grand, and full of life force.

The forms of the High Dimensions became more "concrete", although still beyond the cognitive realm of regular beings, appearing as clusters of entangled causal lines. They floated afar, like silent stars under the background. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"I thought you’d forgotten me." A shapeless form uttered an extremely blurred voice that was difficult to discern whether it was Ming, Hui Mo, or the Eighth Thrones.

Su Ming’an slightly tilted his head, and moments later, his gaze focused: "Ming, I will find a way to separate you."

The gray fog chuckled, "I... can only maintain rationality among countless consciousnesses under Yuanyuan’s protection... but after waking this time... I can no longer fall back into slumber... I... my consciousness with Hui Mo’s... will soon vanish under endless erasure..."

"You’re quite the gambler, Su Mingming."

"I had no choice, back then... I only had two options. One was... to take Hui Mo’s black chariot, and gamble with them. Another was to be killed by them, returning empty-handed anyway... After all... there was nothing left for me to hold onto, so why not help you at the cost of my own existence." Ming laughed, "How many years have passed outside? It should be over a hundred years by now... How is Shadow doing? I suppose you kept your promise and set him free, but so what? He should feel at a loss in that foreign world; those people aren’t his real companions... The main body, have you thought about how Shadow and I should live in such a misplaced world? Our shared world line has disappeared, and we can’t find our familiar homeland in this vast universe... We are the real... people without a home."

Su Ming’an gently closed his eyes.

"However, my wish to return home must be completed in the form of helping you... I will never choose betrayal. Achieving ideals through betrayal is not my way... Realizing ideals under the premise of adhering to the bottom line is what I... we will do..." Ming said,

"I will not allow the word ’ideal’ to be tainted by even a hint of filth..."

"So... I want to try... if I can... save you. Maybe there won’t be a chance this time, but as long as you survive, find more information, perhaps in the next reincarnation... you’ll be able to break through all the predicaments, you’ll be able to completely defeat ’them’..."

"Main body. I too, want to... go home..."

Ming’s voice gradually faded.

Then, Hui Mo’s voice came through:

"Ah, I thought this awakening would give me a chance to live. After all the effort to break free as ’Luowasha npc’, is this where it ends..."

"You..." Su Ming’an just wanted to say something when Hui Mo suddenly burst into laughter.

The laughter was unrestrained and bold, seemingly mocking destiny:

"So! Demon Lord, remember me! Remember my splendid performance this time! Next time, don’t forget— take me out of this vortex of destiny for real!"

"Protagonist! Savior! Sword Holder who will eventually break all shackles—next time, don’t forget to bring me on the chariot!!"

...

The mist dissipated, resembling a melting cream cake.

The figure of the Eighth Thrones vanished, and he fell into a long self-repair, needing to sort out the chaotic consciousness and voices within.

Amidst the surging light, several High Dimensions silently watched their "new master".

"Human, you’ve won, congratulations." said the Tenth Thrones indifferently, seemingly indifferent to everything, always appearing to watch the show.

"Oh? You really became my new master?" Aria from the Fourth Thrones tilted her head.

"..." The Ninth Thrones remained silent throughout, not expecting Su Ming’an to win in the end.

Su Ming’an certainly wasn’t kind enough to release them, those High Dimensions who chose neutrality or hostility had to stay as enforcers for the World Game.

But some debts needed to be repaid.

A person removed their hood, with slightly curly purple hair pouring down like a waterfall, tied into a side ponytail, hanging over the shoulder, and golden eyes like the moon reflecting Su Ming’an’s image wholly.

"Thank you, Mr. Starfire, I will release you, you can run to freedom, no longer confined to the World Game." Su Ming’an said.

After ascending to the High Dimensions, most emotions and humanity had disappeared, but this principle did not seem to apply to Starfire. He still had the purest of humanity, possessing emotions like flowing water and warmth like a spring. His eyes were warm, able to convey human emotions.

"You’re also strong." Starfire genuinely praised. Without Su Ming’an’s own ability, he wouldn’t have been able to help him.

"Let me treat you." At this moment, he raised a glass.

"What is this?" Su Ming’an was puzzled.

"Lemon water."

Su Ming’an’s gaze shifted several times before confirming it was just an ordinary glass of lemon water.

For a grand High Dimension, showing gratitude by offering lemon water...

After unveiling the mysterious facade, among this group of already dehumanized High Dimensions, Starfire was still warm and naively clumsy, his way of making friends even causing both laughter and tears.

"Thank you." Su Ming’an took a gentle sip; it was tart and sweet, and very tasty. The fresh taste came from handmade lemons. It had been so long since he had tasted such a pure drink. His tongue had become numb to the taste of nutrient solutions and blood.

Having cast aside the identity of a human, yet there’s so much that cannot be let go.

Just like even if one becomes high-dimensional, the heart must retain something akin to "lemonade."

Starfire’s gaze remained fixed on Su Ming’an’s eyes, looking into those dark eyes reflecting the glossy light of the glass. A moment later, when the glass was empty, a soft smile appeared:

"Did it taste good?"

"It was good."

"Great, I’ve practiced for so long, and it’s finally become very good..." Starfire murmured softly, closing their palms.

"Is this your farewell gift?" Su Ming’an asked.

"Yes, I need to continue... to look for my old friends." Starfire redonned their hood, waved a hand, and walked towards the path in the distance, "It was nice knowing you, Su Ming’an, goodbye."

They too were going home.

Miracles always happen in this world, and even dead souls can be reborn. So, if they reach the pinnacle of the universe, if they try harder, might they also...

With a flicker of light, Starfire’s silhouette disappeared.

Su Ming’an looked around, finding the Eleventh Thrones was already gone.

From the first time meeting the Eleventh Thrones, Su Ming’an sensed a fitting harmony, like two connected hearts. But after the battle ended, they just left like that. "The Unwilling to Show Face Lord," true to their name, didn’t show their face until the end. Who were they really?

Unfortunately, Su Ming’an could no longer trace them; they were beyond the scope of the World Game, like a grain of sand disappearing.

At this moment, as several high-dimensionals left, under the silent star sea, only the girl most familiar to Su Ming’an was left.

Su Ming’an finally turned his gaze... towards her.

It wasn’t because he didn’t value her, quite the opposite... he wanted a quiet farewell, a good conversation about her long journey.

"Let’s go." Su Ming’an reached out to her, "I have a lot I want to say to you."

...

Positioning the next civilization’s location, anchoring the course, starting the World Game...

Su Ming’an deliberately slowed his pace, making this farewell a little slower.

She was a free traveler, naturally not staying in this lonely universe organ. He was prepared to send her off, just as he did for Su Rin, Bei Wang, Yi Song.

This was a reunion in the truest sense, after millions of years apart, expecting to talk about the past but instead discussing other matters.

"There’s still mystery surrounding Boss Rabbit." Walking among the bizarre tracks, Su Ming’an thought, "I recall from Hui Bai’s information, humans in the first World Game managed to stall it because they found a USB at the Arctic. And that USB was most likely placed there by Boss Rabbit, only it had such high autonomy to arrive at Zhai Xing early to scout."

"Hmm... what is it really thinking..." Yuanyuan said, "The final self-destruction of Boss Rabbit... still has vague aspects. Senior Chen Qingguang, was his last choice based on his pre-distortion self-destruct mechanism, or the undying illusion of home in his heart? Maybe even he couldn’t tell."

Su Ming’an didn’t respond immediately, gazing at the cold passage ahead, his mind stirred.

"Hoo-la—"

The next moment, the ground underfoot was replaced by a warm asphalt road. Overhead projections faded into a sky washed clear and blue like a wash, the distant scenery turned into distant mountains’ shadows and a blurred skyline.

In front no longer a suspended cosmic track, but a small asphalt road warmed by the afternoon sun. Foliage intertwined into thick greenery, cicadas sang, echoing the heat and laziness of summer days. The air carried dust, fresh grass, and the drifting scent of gardenias. At the end of the road loomed the familiar outline of apartment buildings, red brick walls shimmering warmly under the sunlight.

This was at the "home" entrance, a road they walked countless times.

Beams of light pierced through leaf gaps, casting swaying shadows on the ground, tiny dust particles danced gracefully in the light beams above.

Perhaps moved by a certain tender emotion, Su Ming’an altered the appearance of this cold journey.

They seemed like nothing more than two kids on summer vacation, walking a familiar road on a drowsy summer afternoon.

A dream about "going home."

From start to finish, what a long road it was...

"Ming’an, is this the road you wanted to walk originally?" Her voice came from beside him.

Su Ming’an turned his head, looking at the girl beside him.

She appeared unchanged from memory, yet her eyes bore the frost and ebb of civilization’s rise and fall. The traveler’s tranquility and vastness had long transcended the girl from back then. But as she walked this "road," the trees’ shadows and sunlight reflected in her eyes were faint silhouettes from former days.

"Originally wanted..." Su Ming’an slowly said, "At first, I just wanted to live and protect those around me. Later... I learned more truths, I wanted to go further, I wanted to leave deeper footprints on the sands of every reincarnation, I wanted to reach the shore."

His voice rang clear amidst the summer cicadas’ cries.

"Now, in some sense I’ve gone further, possibly further than ever before. I can see deeper secrets of the universe. But the price is, I can’t go back myself." He raised his hand, a parasol leaf spun and fell, "I’ve built for myself a most realistic illusion of home."

Yuanyuan listened quietly, nodding understandingly.

"And you?" Su Ming’an asked, "This journey crossing countless worlds for millions of years. Did you find what you were looking for?"

The girl’s pace slowed a bit, she gazed up at the light seeping through the tree leaves, her face reflecting a distant and peaceful expression.

"It’s hard to explain in one sentence." She pondered, like recounting an ancient and beautiful story, "I’ve seen brilliant mechanical civilizations destroyed by a tiny error, and grand libraries collapse in a sea of fire. I’ve seen islands destroyed by tsunamis, high buildings crumbling from their foundations. I’ve seen countless, countless vast civilizations..."

"The forms of life often differ vastly, and definitions of existence and value can vary greatly. Yet, the wonder is that the yearning for beauty, the cherishing of bonds, the curiosity about the unknown, and even the fear of the end are similar. I have never lost the human resonance."

"Just like before, we watched those stars together after school. At that time, we didn’t know how far away they were, only felt they were beautiful. Now I know some stories of those stars, some are magnificent, some are cruel."

"Of course," she smiled, "I have also encountered many dangers, many times I almost traveled to the very end. I’ve learned to use the rules of different worlds to protect myself, and I’ve learned to become more cunning than the most dangerous ’monsters’. So, you can see me here as one of the Twelve Seats."

Su Ming’an also smiled, a smile of true heart.

For her growth, for her vastness, for her freedom.

For her boundless expanse.

"I know." He said, "You have long gone to places beyond my sight."

In front was a familiar intersection, beside it was the phantom of an old street park, the rusted swings quietly hanging, covered in rust.

"Where are you going next?" he asked, as if asking her whether she would go to the bookstore or go home after school.

"Continue traveling." Yuanyuan said matter-of-factly, she stopped, turned around, facing Su Ming’an directly. The summer light danced on the tips of the girl’s hair, golden melted into the pitch-black eyes to form a warm hue.

"There are so many corners of the Universe I haven’t been to, so many stories I haven’t heard. I want to go see them."

She spoke lightly, but Su Ming’an could hear the determination.

"It will be very dangerous." He stated the fact.

"But I’m not afraid." She blinked, "Besides, if one day I discover, in a distant civilization, the ’how to give the rulers of the World Game a vacation’ or the ’how to safely uninstall the Universe organ manager’s permissions’ legend... I’ll find a way to bring the message back."

Her words carried no sad promise, only the light yet serious commitment akin to that of a traveler.

In her pitch-black eyes, there were star seas, winds, unquenchable curiosity and courage, with no trace of grief for his plight. She was saying goodbye to her old friend in an equal, fully understanding, and respectful manner of his choice.

This was exactly what he hoped for.

No need for pity, no need for weeping, she has peacefully come to this point, he as well, and that’s more than enough.

"Alright." He nodded, transforming thousands of words into a single syllable.

He raised his hand, seemed to want to do a simple gesture between friends—to pat her shoulder, or ruffle her hair, or pull out a monkey head mushroom cookie for her like before. But his hand paused mid-air, ultimately just giving a gentle wave.

"Safe journey."

You have completely grown, Yuanyuan.

I wish you a safe journey, wish you boundless expanse.

The girl took a step back, her figure began to turn transparent, as if to merge into the haloed summer afternoon. A gentle reminiscence flashed through her eyes, followed by bright and splendid anticipation.

"I really like this very beautiful road." She said, "See you next time, Ming’an."

In the next moment, her figure dissipated like dandelion seeds merging into the wind.

The traveler’s departure was silent, just as her arrival.

She was gone.

Su Ming’an stood alone on the asphalt road, stood under the mottled tree shadows, stood in the splendid summer afternoon.

The cicadas still chirped.

The sunlight still shone.

The scent of gardenias still lingered.

He stood quietly for a long time, long enough for the sun in the phantom to seem to slightly tilt westward.

Then, he gently closed his eyes.

The chirping of cicadas ceased.

The sunlight faded.

The scent dissipated.

The asphalt road, the parasol tree, the distant mountains, the sky... all the summer scenes receded like tides, restoring the original cold, grand, orderly internal scenes of the Universe organ—the flowing geometric planes, rushing rules, suspended interfaces and nodes, endless silvery-white light.

There is no warmth here, only the most cruel cold.

The World Game had already set off, now in voyage.

The cat ears atop his head moved slightly, the crimson in his eyes flashed briefly, like the stable indicator light of a system.

He turned, stepping towards the direction of the White Gate.

Steps steady, back straight.

She is complete, and so is he.

Next, it will be him alone, piloting this vast organ of the universe, journeying deep into the cosmos, reaching out to the stars, uncovering the most profound and perilous mysteries. It will be an incredibly lonely, long, dull, and solitary future... He takes root here, no longer able to return home, his former companions all gone.

No one stands by his side, calling his name, holding his hand, telling him he is not alone.

The universe is profound, eternally desolate.

However, when he walks into the control room of the system, he discovers an unexpected figure—

"Swish—"

The sound of a food package being gently opened, accompanied by a mixture of sweet and bitter cocoa aroma.

"Crunch... crunch..."

The crisp sound of snacks being bitten.

Then follows the rustling sound of rummaging for snacks in the bag.

A girl sits in the co-pilot seat, swinging her legs lightly, with a chocolate stick in her mouth, gazing at the vast star map in front of her, chewing like a hamster.

Noticing his gaze, Yuanyuan turns her head and shows him a natural and joyful smile.

"So, have you confirmed your course?" she asks, her tone as light as asking for a weekend outing route.

Su Ming’an is taken aback. For a few seconds, his mind goes blank.

"...Didn’t you leave?" he finally finds his voice, speaking dryly.

"I did leave." She nods earnestly, "Left the previous position, moving towards the next destination. Exploring the trajectory of civilizations’ destinies, engaging in grand games across the stars... Isn’t this an unprecedented, most fantastic journey?"

——You said you wanted to become the rules, to become the Lighthouse, leading the course alone.

——But, what conflict does that have with my journey?

——You are responsible for steering the course. And I will become the Coordinator within the ’game,’ assisting the completion of future games as an ’NPC’ or even a ’Player.’ For me, it is still a journey into each civilization. Moreover, I can practically help those civilizations on the brink of extinction, rescuing lives in great distress.

Su Ming’an opens his mouth, but all his words dissolve in her calm gaze.

"A lonely watch and warm companionship, cold duties and vivid emotions... aren’t choices that you can only choose one of." She crunches the chocolate stick, her eyes sparkling,

"The universe is vast, and the rules can be complex. But sometimes, the answer can also be very simple—"

"We can have both."

Freedom is not about where you are, but where your heart is.

Roaming alone across the vast star river is freedom, and walking side by side with the most important friends to delve into countless civilizations, truly saving those lives—this is also freedom, and perhaps an even deeper kind of ’freedom.’

Starry light falls on her shoulders, creating a halo of light. The "traveling girl," after millennia of exploration and searching, has already found complete meaning.

She is more unbreakable than the hardest diamond.

More solid and heavy than the tallest mountain peak.

Broader and more limitless than the most profound firmament.

She comes riding a horse and carrying a sword, shoulders bathed in the morning sun.

Her heart leaps in her chest cavity, blood flows through her veins.

Su Ming’an’s eyes sparkle, he turns to face the star map.

"Then," he says, his voice steadied, as if speaking as a young captain about to raise the sails to his first mate, "What is your suggestion for the next stop, Coordinator—First Mate Yuanyuan, regarding this voyage?"

"First Mate" Yuanyuan leans over the star map, her fingertips sliding over several marked points of civilizations. She raises her hand to her forehead, playfully giving a light salute.

"Captain, everything as per usual, embark without fear, towards the numerous civilizations on the brink of decline! Then, bring along our fellow crewmates willing to accompany us!"

The cold organ of the universe, the silent silver cabin, the desolate vast universe, floating with the rich, smooth scent of chocolate.

"Buzz—!"

Like the sound of sails being raised, like the sound of steam jets.

The guiding Lighthouse in the universe, under the captain and first mate’s lead—set sail, steering the helm with light.

...

They set off.

...

...