Chapter 169: Chapter 140 Destroyer Warrior!_1
Facing the choices before him, Duanmu Huai hesitated for quite some time without coming to a decision.
This was not due to indecisiveness, but Duanmu Huai was suspicious that there might be a trap involved.
In the game Star Ocean Online, the cost of trial and error for players was extremely high. If one made the wrong choice, the lightest consequence was having to painfully erase one’s account and start all over again, while the worst-case scenario might result in the player losing everything they had built in the game, with the Day of End being the perfect example.
Worse still, the damn game company, resting on its laurels as the world’s only one of its kind, adopted an attitude of not caring whether players play or not and didn’t bother making any changes. As a result, players either had to swallow their anger or give up playing the game altogether, although most ended up truly missing the latter.
Some hardcore players, however, believed this was the way it should be, as it made the game world seem more real and forced players to carefully consider their choices instead of just picking the most profitable option.
Generally, players fell into several categories.
One type focused on delving into the plot and seeking immersion. They played the game entirely on their own terms and weren’t concerned about the benefits of their choices. Even if they encountered an option that allowed them to let the villain go and netted them greater gains, they might still choose to kill the villain in a fit of anger.
I’m not just playing the game, I’m venting out my frustration. If I get that out of my system, the rest can be dealt with. If I can’t, I won’t even want the Divine Artifacts that the damn game offers.
The second type enjoyed digging out hidden plots and took unconventional paths, hoping to find hidden clues or plot quests from these unusual choices.
The last type primarily focused on the benefits obtained from their choices, indifferent towards morality, storyline, and the like. As long as they were given Divine Artifacts, they wouldn’t mind resorting to murder or arson.
In truth, this type of player was often the worst exploited by the official developers…hmm?
Upon arriving at this thought, Duanmu Huai shot a sharp glance at the mission prompt before him.
Hold on, was his previous idea truly correct?
With Duanmu Huai’s experience, it was the damn game’s favourite trick to dangle a temptation before players, lure them into biting, and then, when players were infuriated, the game would say, “This is the result of the players’ own choices”. This would be enough to drive any player to their breaking point.
At first glance, the first option seems good, but the problem is, if it truly contains the Father of Heaven’s memories, Duanmu Huai might well be digging his own grave.
And most importantly… the mission name!
Duanmu Huai directed his stern gaze once more at the mission title, “Power of Destruction”.
Yes, the title of this mission is “Destruction”, so if he were to absorb the Ball of Life from the Father of Heaven, would it still be considered “destruction”?
Given the system’s track record, Duanmu Huai could even predict that if he ended up at a disadvantage, the damn system would certainly come out with a “Player did not read the mission title carefully” to infuriate him even further.
Since it is “Destruction”, then… there’s only one answer!!
Having reached this conclusion, Duanmu Huai reached out and one hand grabbed the Ball of Life from the Father of Heaven, while the other grasped the Life Ball from the sealed Demon King. The two life balls, about the size of basketballs, were held casually in Duanmu Huai’s hands, as if he were holding two apples.
Then, Duanmu Huai brought his hands together, holding the two glowing spheres against each other, and began to slowly apply pressure.
“What are you doing? What are you trying to do!!!?”
Upon witnessing this, Dr. Hyden’s voice almost turned maniacal in panic.
“No! You can’t do that! The collision of light and darkness will destroy both Heaven and Hell!!”
“Isn’t that the perfect outcome?”
Hearing Dr. Hyden’s warning, Duanmu Huai was reassured. This meant that his choice wasn’t wrong.
“Humans neither need deities nor demons. So, you two would do well to die together… Consider it the consequence for your foolish choices!”
“No, no, no, no, no!! You can’t do this!!”
Upon hearing Duanmu Huai’s reply, however, Dr. Hyden’s voice became even more unhinged.
“If you desire the power of the Father of Heaven, I can help you! You could gain control over Urdaco! You could possess this world! I beg you, just don’t destroy it!”
“I’m afraid I can’t grant your request.”
Duanmu Huai squeezed hard with both hands, and at this moment, the surface of the two Balls of Life began to crack like crushed candy, with gold and red radiance seeping out and clashing against each other.
Just as the two Balls of Life were about to be destroyed, abruptly, Dr. Hyden’s voice echoed again.
“I will never let you succeed! Never!!”
“Boom, boom, boom…!!”
With Dr. Hyden’s voice trailing off, suddenly, the ground beneath Duanmu Huai began to tremble. The floor beneath Duanmu’s feet shattered, and a gigantic creature, several dozen meters tall and completely armored, emerged from the ground. With fists clenched and eyes glowing a sinister red, it glared menacingly at Duanmu Huai.
Then, the creature opened its mouth, and Dr. Hyden’s voice came out.
“I’ll give you one more chance, outsider. Put down the Balls of Life, or you’ll have nowhere to hide!”