Welcome to Rewind World Game-Chapter 1683 - 26: The Gathering of the

[Countdown ends.]

[Players choosing to participate, Adventurer Player: 1,689,201 people, Casual Player: 187,319 people.]

[Entering "source point" space soon...]

...

Su Ming’an sat cross-legged, a look of surprise flashing in his eyes.

He didn’t expect so many people to dare to come despite knowing they can’t be reborn. Players have been nurtured too well by the resurrection mechanism of the world game; many simply don’t have the courage to disregard life and death.

But on second thought, among them are soldiers, firefighters, those who are usually brave, those who want to take a chance, and even those truly unafraid of life and death...

Most top-ranked players probably didn’t come; he specifically had the chat relay messages, advising high combat power players not to come—the fewer, the better. Since his solo completion counts as a total completion, he doesn’t need too many helpers; what’s happening outside is more important.

Whether it’s the struggle between the two dream heirs under the world tree, the crumbling firmament, or the fanatical believers of the Radiant Mother God attacking... each side desperately needs high combat power support.

He even wanted to clear the level by himself, but didn’t expect the players to be so proactive.

Perhaps the fact that the world game is about to end stimulated them, or perhaps the mechanism of "level failure instant death judgment" made them decisively come... This number certainly exceeded Su Ming’an’s expectations.

He stood up, looking straight ahead, waiting for the players who came to assist. They came to support him, and he has the duty to lead them well.

The next moment, he became unsettled.

"Swish, swish, swish, swish——!"

One patch after another of white brilliance refreshed around him. One after another human figure appeared around him.

With over a million participants, the white light kept refreshing non-stop, and people kept appearing, gradually filling the surrounding area, even refreshing under the black water... There, people could stand! They even refreshed onto an upper layer like an MC spawning cage, one "villager" after another appeared, gradually filling the empty space densely...

The original intention of this "trial" was probably to accommodate a dozen or even a few participants. Generally, only those of high dimensions or divine level life could tread here. This place is like a pilgrimage site for the most noble life in the world, and also the birthplace of many cosmic organs.

However, with the world game’s mechanism blessings, now any player can sneak in, turning this universe’s most upright, solemn, and tranquil space into a bustling hall!

——It really became the "public toilet" Xiao Love joked about!

Logically, the source point has no concept of space, no matter how many people stand, they’ll fit, but upon seeing Su Ming’an standing there, this group instantly pounced like hungry wolves seeing fresh meat!

"Holy! Light!"

...What light?

"Hmph hmph ah ah ah Su Ming’an ah ah ah!"

...Don’t come over here!

"Oh my, Su Ming’an!"

...What "oh my"?

"Damn, I’ve really been blessed with dogshit luck for eight lifetimes, among over a million people, and happened to land near Su Ming’an!"

...Don’t say it so disgustingly!

Su Ming’an immediately left his spot, kicked off with his toes, standing atop a blue whale in the air.

Players immediately imitated, wanting to follow him, but their forms were as heavy as mud, only able to hop like grasshoppers, waving their hands like zombies.

Seeing such a serious trial turn into a communal meal, Su Ming’an felt helpless, both smiling and crying.

...This is the "trial with an extremely high death rate and possibly no rebirth".

What are you all here for?

The gloom in his heart dispelled a bit, upon seeing these jokers, his emotions weren’t so oppressive.

But when he thought they might die here... his heart tightened again.

He realized the players’ strength had been suppressed; otherwise, they wouldn’t be unable to jump up, while he could because of divine level strength... So, probably only near-divine strength can take effect here. Most people are no different from ordinary people.

Suddenly, he caught a familiar figure flying over.

Blue hair fluttering, gentle eyes—Lu Lical Bos.

"I know you advised high combat power not to come; you even wanted to clear it alone." Lu stood atop the blue whale, opened his hands, "But we can’t have none come; at least let me accompany you through this most difficult journey."

Lu is indeed the most suitable person currently. Su Rin, Lü Shu, and others need to hold fast to the "past"; Yamada Machiichi and Bei Wang need to sustain the "present". Only Lu is slightly idle, and his combat power is also divine level.

"...I truly worry this might be our last meeting. You must protect yourself well," Su Ming’an said.

Lu chuckled heartily, a rare sight on his face: "You have a rich knack for perceiving flags; don’t worry, I’m confident to walk through to the end with you."

He cast his gaze to the bustling crowd, "But...them, have you ever considered if they were all wiped out..."

"Wiped out?" Su Ming’an’s brow twitched.

"I have a feeling the death rate will be very high," Lu said.

Su Ming’an was already pondering whether to trigger a death rebound, issuing orders for everyone not to come.

"...Don’t worry too much," Lu opened his mouth at the right moment, shrugging, "The system rules say it ’may not be reborn’, not definitely, right? Even if you tell them not to come, many people basically won’t listen to you. I think over 70% of people came for their own interests, having little to do with you."

Su Ming’an paused.

He lowered his gaze.

"Indeed, there are many people in this world who disregard everything for their ideals. Even if you stop them, they will desperately come in to help you. Also, many who come for personal gain wishing to find benefits, if you stop them, they will instead resent you, thinking you’ve gained so many benefits, why not let them come in and try to gain some too, what if they don’t die." Lu’s gentle eyes flickered with cold light, "Some people will not appreciate your protection at all, only think you’ve deprived them of the chance for adventure...that’s human nature. Even if you want to stop them, those destined to come will still come. Respect everyone’s choice; you can’t make decisions for them, nor are you their nanny. The game has progressed to this point; what to face, where to head... Everyone should have their judgment by now, your reminder has been quite adequate."

He suddenly laughed as he spoke here, "Sorry, I said something scary."

Su Ming’an closed his eyes, "No."

At this moment, he thought of another crucial matter—if a death rebound is also a "universe organ", among the cells, which "source point" is higher or lower? Can it still be effective?

...

"Ding-dong!"

[Summoning complete, trial begins.]

...

The white light finally stopped refreshing below, already crowded like a monster spawning cage. The venue is quite large, yet people clustered toward the center, wanting to see the legendary Su Ming’an.

"So crowded, so crowded, those on the fringe stand out!"

"Heard Su Ming’an is at the center; where is he?"

"Stop squeezing, Su Ming’an has ascended!"

"Anyone up for teaming? Fourth-tier Flame Warrior, guaranteed to withstand, guaranteed invincibility!"

"Abilities are suppressed...is this trial purely testing composite quality?"

"I’m a bit regretful, I want to leave! Can I go back!?"

"Regret my ass, I regret not pulling my roommate over! I’m boiling with enthusiasm, feel incredibly strong now!"

Su Ming’an swept his gaze around, indeed, under his warning, high combat power players didn’t come; those fighting on the front lines couldn’t pull away, but he saw a batch of familiar faces—Xiao Xiao, Wang Zhenzhen, Talia, Hang Xin, Si Nian, Chen Yuhang...they were that escort team.

Strange, why was Wang Xingkong not among them?

...

Three minutes ago.

Luowasha, outside Central City, garrison city.

The night like thick ink was splashed, pressing heavily upon the crude city walls. Wind swept from distant ruins, carrying a chilly dusty scent. The blaze stretched to the sky, the escort team waited for the frontline signal, peaceful as if before dawn.

Wang Xingkong vividly described jokes made at school, Mo Yan spoke about experiences from Ancient Martial Families, Audilia mentioned adventures with her daughter...they talked about Su Ming’an, the one connecting them from the south to the north, also discussing the vague tomorrow. If victorious, what would the world be like?

Gradually, sensing the approaching steps of destiny, they quieted down, waiting for Su Ming’an’s signal from over there.

Chen Yuhang drank water, silently waiting. He didn’t have grand ideals; he simply wished, if he could return safely, he could truly tell his parents about this exciting adventure.

"Hey, buddy." Wang Xingkong shifted his posture in the silence, leaned closer, lowered his voice, "To be honest, aren’t you afraid at all?"

"Afraid, yeah." Chen Yuhang was quite honest, "Of course I’m afraid of dying. Who isn’t afraid of death?"

"You look very calm."

"Brother Wang." Chen Yuhang sighed, patting Wang Xingkong’s shoulder, "I’m more afraid to remain in the possibly fake Mingxi campus, day after day, attending classes, exams, meals, revising...until the college entrance exam, then university, job hunting, marriage, having children, growing old...a reality that stretches to the end. And then suddenly one day realizing, it feels like I’ve never truly experienced anything significant in my life, never threw everything into any task that felt absolutely necessary, even...not knowing if I’m genuinely real, slipping away ignorantly with routine."

Wang Xingkong froze.

Chen Yuhang looked up, pressing his hands against the ground, gazing at the sky: "Brother Wang, maybe we’re all fake, aren’t we? We are just backdrops mimicked by the later Disciple Game."

"The more I think about it, the more scared I am. I’m scared my memory of mom making braised pork for me is false, scared of my dad who covers me up at night being fake, scared they don’t recognize me as their fake son at all."

"But if we managed to help Su Ming’an, even if it was just for a fraction of a second to secure victory... Brother Wang, does that give our existence at least a bit of meaningful affirmation? Even if we are fake, isn’t what we do real?"

"A lot of comments only know how to criticize people, picking on others and treating others’ sacrifices and efforts as entertainment. But Brother Wang, I believe some people can understand. People won’t deny our hope and our efforts. Our existence will be acknowledged."

Wang Xingkong took a deep breath and suddenly reached out, giving Chen Yuhang’s shoulder a forceful hug with a "smack": "Good brother, that’s right, I’m not dead yet! There’s no way a famous game streamer like me would suddenly drop dead! I couldn’t possibly become the big boss of an instance and be killed! I’m still alive and well here, we will become players, we will find our parents—we’ll go home together!"

They climbed over the school fence together, complained about the cafeteria food together, and slacked off during gym class together... were those things also fake?

This feeling, this connection, is definitely not fake!

Even if the whole world is fake, they aren’t fake.

The night wind blew against them, lifting their already dirty and tattered school jackets.

Looking from here, the lights of the settlement were sparse, and further away, the silver light pillar in the direction of the World Lord’s Palace remained striking.

"Brother Ming’an is really impressive." Wang Xingkong said as he gazed at the light pillar, with admiration, "One person, facing so many things... gods, destiny, so many people’s expectations."

"Yeah. And he’s about our age."

"Indeed, about our age."

"It would be nice if we could help him." Chen Yuhang said, a phrase he repeated many times.

"Yeah." Wang Xingkong echoed, "It would be nice if we could help him..."

He paused for a moment:

"It would be even better if we could help him finish things, and then we could live and go back too..."

They sat side by side, looking at the firmament above.

The night breeze seemed gentle for a moment, with the scent of smoke settling. The light pillar of the distant palace steadily emitted its radiance, like a lighthouse that will never extinguish in this world.

Silence fell between them, and Chen Yuhang closed his eyes, his fatigue easing on the edge of tense nerves. He could feel the warmth of Wang Xingkong’s body beside him, hearing his steady breathing.

The sense of existence at this moment was real, the companionship of friends, their common goals, the longing to go home... gradually blocked out the pressure and fear from the outside world, bringing a sense of peace.

Just as Chen Yuhang was almost immersed in the illusion of peace—

Wang Xingkong beside him suddenly dropped a level.

Instinctively, Chen Yuhang reached out, grabbing onto Wang Xingkong’s hand... grabbed?

His eyes widened.

"Whoosh—!"

A buzzing like blindness rang in his ears, as if all sounds were shredded...

A huge purple-black abyssal mouth unexpectedly appeared in the place where they were sitting, like a door that suddenly opened!

The rift stretched from their edge all the way to the town center, extinguishing the campfire instantly, as if all abilities failed at that moment.

"Hold on!" Chen Yuhang’s quick reflexes had him holding onto the grassy edge, his nails biting into the pain, while his other hand firmly grasped Wang Xingkong’s hand!

"What the hell!" Wang Xingkong shouted.

Instinctively, he glanced down, his head spinning with vertigo, below was a mass of viscous purple-black, like surging lava rapidly spreading, engulfing bricks, houses...

"Hang Xin!" A shout.

In Chen Yuhang’s shocked gaze, Hang Xin fell into the abyss, and in the next moment, her mother Talia jumped in without hesitation.

"Save them!" Wang Xingkong shouted instinctively.

"Brother Wang!" Chen Yuhang shook his head.

No one expected such a sudden change, one moment they were quiet and calm. The next, an abyss from who knows where opened up beneath them!

No one knew what lay below, endless demonic qi shot upward, mixed with evil, bloody, lustful scents, as if opening the doors to hell.

Chen Yuhang grunted, his body was yanked forward suddenly, his shoulder colliding heavily with sharp rocks, pain searing through him. He gritted his teeth, his knuckles turning white.

"I can’t hold on much longer... Brother Wang!"

"Damn it! Use some strength! Pull me up!!!" Wang Xingkong wasn’t about to say anything touching, he wanted to live, "Usually you play LOL so fiercely, and now you’ve got no strength? Pull me! Pull me!"

Just as Chen Yuhang’s vision darkened—

A large hand with distinct joints firmly gripped his wrist.

Red hair billowed, scarred face.

It was Si Nian.

He somehow rushed over, rapidly reaching out his other hand, the green pupils of the Wolf Tribe sharpened like knives under the abyss’s purple light.

"Hold tight!" Si Nian’s voice was low and curt.

"Whoosh!" With a sound, both were finally pulled up.

"Quick, move away, don’t fall, this thing is expanding!" Si Nian shouted.

The two scrambled out, their steps relentless.

The crowd fled in panic, screams and shouts tearing at eardrums.

"What the hell is this!!"

"It’s a monster, it’s hell...!"

On the abyss surface emerged countless pale, ashen hands, some like segmented insect limbs, some like conjoined human body parts, twisted together, embedded with lips and eyeballs, clawing in mid-air.

More "hands" reached out, layered like the wraiths in hell trying to climb upwards.

The purple-black magma reflected images unfit for this world—a twisted and distorted town reflection, a nest of piled flesh, a wasteland heaped with bones...

Decaying wraiths, lesser demons with tattered fleshy wings, multi-colored poisonous fog, transparent ghosts, armored demon beasts...

Just as people trembled with fear—these entities all fixed their gaze in one direction.

Countless glaring, malicious eyes, like searchlights, penetrated the chaotic smoke and purple-black fog, locking onto one direction.

—Chen Yuhang.

The key mark in Chen Yuhang’s palm emitted a blinding light, scorching hot, making him shout "ah!"

Right, this was the item Lord Su Ming’an had asked him to escort!

He suddenly realized he was "lucky" enough to become a coveted target, his presence had protected the others because he was the first target of these demons!

"I..." Chen Yuhang’s throat was dry, trying to say something, but only producing a syllable.

The immense pressure made his entire skeleton creak, his soul seemingly exposed to countless greedy eyes, a blade storm turned towards him, gazes from beneath the mask watched with interest, countless dark faces all turned towards him...

At a loss.

Despairing.

At this moment—

"Roar——!!!"

Chen Yuhang only saw a blur, a strong figure flashed over, picked him up, grabbed Wang Xingkong, and carried Xiao Xiao and Wang Zhenzhen!

Naked dark red fur like flames danced, canines protruded from lips. Si Nian instantly transformed into wolf form, reacting first, escaping with them—

However, in the next moment.

Like a tidal wave crashing on shore, a dark "tsunami" immediately overwhelmed their senses.

...

Within the Source Point.

With a wave, Su Ming’an had Chen Yuhang float over immediately.

"Huff huff ahhhhhh——!" Chen Yuhang screamed in a fluster, shuddering "like trembling petals."

Si Nian leapt up but couldn’t grasp Chen Yuhang, urgently trying to shape-shift to grab him, but the frantic shouts around interrupted him:

"Oh my! How did that brother get sucked over by Su Ming’an!"

"The one in the sky is Su Ming’an!"

"Who is that guy? Does he know the Number One Player!?"

Chen Yuhang was stunned, realizing he was flying towards a person—black hair fluttering, a pair of serene lake-like apricot eyes, wearing a slightly damaged gold and white Holy Robe, standing like a slender lighthouse amidst the dark star sea.