Gao Ming’s soul was split. When he was in the most danger, some lent him great aid while others kicked him while he was down.
In the anomalies, Gao Ming was the biggest rock for horror game players. However, when they were not in an anomaly, Gao Ming was the biggest anomaly.
“I’ve always hated those bastards from the investigation centre!” Luo Dong was previously surrounded by the investigators led by Yuan Hui. “However, I’m more worried about my family…”
“For humans and ghosts who are trapped in the worst future, as long as their faith is not fully drained by the God of the Future, they are still around. Don’t worry.” Gao Ming consoled Luo Dong and looked at He Jing. The latter was so frightened that he knelt on the ground.
He Jing spoke quickly, afraid that his life might disappear if he didn’t, “I’ve always been on your side! After Yuan Hui took your corpse, I had been delaying him. In the end, I personally delivered the figurine to Xia Yang. I also fearlessly left Everlasting Life Apartments with him! Even in Prosperity Neighbourhood, I tried my best to protect everyone. Look at my body and soul. My last drop of blood is almost gone to complete your request!”
“But you still work for Jing Tuoshen.”
“Who is Jing Tuoshen?! He’s a crazy maniac! I live in fear, following him. I have seen the light of the way!” He Jing didn’t dare to look into Gao Ming’s eyes. His eyes seemed to be seeing his past and future.
Gao Ming initially planned to let him go, but with such an intense request, Gao Ming was embarrassed to reject him. He pointed at the torture room. “Go in there and touch the chains. Leave your name and come back out.” He Jing gritted his teeth and did what he was told. He thought he would be cursed, but nothing happened to him.
“Now, you’re free. Go back and work for Jing Tuoshen. When you need my help, I’ll send my people to contact you.” Gao Ming waved his hand.
With such insistence, Gao Ming accepted He Jing’s offer.
As the God of the Future’s consciousness dissipated, the oppression of the outsiders at Prosperity Neighbourhood disappeared. Screams came from different floors. When there was a singular enemy, various forces worked together. When the common enemy disappeared, everyone had their own goal. For the forces in Han Hai, the anomaly represented danger and benefits. Every relic had a great value. Plus, this relic was powerful enough to suppress the power of the ghost tattoo.
“Let them fight among themselves.” Gao Ming ignored the people from the South Port Investigation Centre. As long as they didn’t go after Gao Ming, Gao Ming could ignore them.
After Gao Ming found Luo Dong’s family, he located Doctor Lee and Ou Yang Susu on the first floor. This married couple occasionally argued, but it was clear that they loved each other.
“You should stay in Building Three for now. Take all the cursed objects you can find. Keep anything that is beneficial to you. If there’s danger, I’ll settle it for you. Treat this as your home.” Gao Ming picked up the hesitant He Jing and led him out of Building Three.
Everyone saw them, but Gao Ming didn’t care as he walked towards Everlasting Life Apartments. The two neighbourhoods represented Han Hai’s past and future. Gao Ming combined them into one.
The security members who regained their power put out the fire. The horror game players who were too late to escape were captured. To control the situation as fast as possible, Zuo Jun and Yuan Hui started a massacre. Gao Ming could hear the screams from the building.
“The God of the Future treats humans as tools to provide faith, but Zuo Jun is worse. He didn’t even see humans as tools.”
When Gao Ming arrived at the apartments, the entrance was locked. The two Gods were gone, so only the living could be behind this.
“Why the rush to murder each other?”
The blood city tattoo appeared on his arm. Gao Ming gained part of the power of the God of Flesh and Blood. He opened the door with brute strength. Two security members with blades targeted Gao Ming. Before they could speak, He Jing rushed over and slapped them. “Shush! Bring me to Yuan Hui now! I’m going to kill him!”
The security members were stunned. He Jing dared to do this because these two were once part of his team.
Gao Ming ignored this. He stopped before the door of the future. There were three doors at Everlasting Life Apartments. Only the door of the future remained. The door had turned fully red.
“I remember the leader of Team One and Liu Yi had entered here.” The leader of Team One gave Gao Ming a good impression. In contrast, Gao Ming’s trust in Liu Yi wavered.
Before this anomaly, Gao Ming only contacted Gao Yun. He didn’t notify Liu Yi. However, before his consciousness was separated, Gao Ming remembered Liu Yi finding him inside the neighbourhood. Perhaps Gao Yun told her the plan. Even though Liu Yi hadn’t done anything to harm Gao Ming, Gao Ming still felt suspicious. Ever since Gao Ming left the tunnel this latest time, Liu Yi seemed to have overtaken the role originally given to Xuan Wen.
“What secrets does she have?”
Holding the door of the future, the God of Flesh and Blood flickered behind Gao Ming. Together, they opened the door. The moment the door moved, a lot of cracks spread on the door. The door exploded. The entire building shook. Blood oozed out of the floor titles.
The three doors crumbled. The leader of Team One and Liu Yi flew out of the future. Liu Yi carried a human head in her arms.
“That was almost! We almost failed to return!” The leader of team one was still nervous, thinking back to his experience inside the door. When he turned and saw Gao Ming, he was startled. Gao Ming had changed so much.
“What did you see inside the door?” Gao Ming looked at the two.
“That is the worst future for all the citizens of Han Hai. The evil Gods have resurrected, and ghosts are everywhere. The living can barely survive. The rules are gone.” Liu Yi carried the head of the God of the Future’s figurine and stood up. She added, “That is the future where humanity has escaped from the clutches of fate.”
She tossed the head to Gao Ming. She seemed to have found the thing she wanted behind the door. “Must the arranged path necessarily be wrong? I’ve been pondering about that, but I have the answer now.”
Gao Ming frowned. The God of the Future’s head was devoid of power. With a slight squeeze, it would turn into dust. “What is your answer?”
“We do not resist fate to become the new fate.” Liu Yi moved her eyes away, and a rare smile appeared on her face. “Don’t worry. I’m not working for fate. I’m still the same Liu Yi.”