Chapter 96 Regrettable
An outdated incandescent light bulb hung from the center of the room, suspended by a black power cord, flickering dusky rays of light. The tranquil atmosphere resembled ink dripping into clear water, spreading its bleary effect throughout the room.
As the minute and hour hands of the desk clock aligned at {twelve}, a distant, muffled bell resonated from beyond the confines of the room.
The ten individuals sitting by the table suddenly jolted awake, their gazes fixed on the bizarre scene. Qi Xia's eyes widened as he took in the familiar surroundings, his heart racing like a stampede of wild horses.
The goat-headed figure also lingered among them, emanating a distinct musk of goats but also a subtle hint of decay. Although Qi Xia had anticipated returning, a sense of despair washed over him as he settled once again at the round table.
"Good morning, you nine," the familiar voice of Mortal Goat echoed, "I'm pleased to see you all here. You've all been asleep in my presence for twelve hours."
Seizing the moment, Qi Xia discreetly surveyed the familiar faces, noting their reactions mirrored those from when he had first encountered them.
At this question, Qi Xia frowned in confusion.
What was happening? Did everyone really not remember what had transpired before? If that were the case, why did he still retain his memories?
"I'm sure all of you have this question, allow me to introduce myself to you nine."
Mortal Goat was about to gesture with a cheerful wave when Lawyer Zhang interjected, "There's no need for introductions; I suggest you cease your actions immediately. I suspect we've been detained for over twenty-four hours, which amounts to the crime of {false imprisonment}. Everything you say from now on will be recorded and used as evidence against you."
Qi Xia vacantly stared at Lawyer Zhang before turning to Doctor Zhao. It was time for him to voice his doubts.
As expected, Doctor Zhao spoke up, "Wait, we've just awakened. How did you come to know that we've been imprisoned for {twenty-four hours}?"
"What on earth is happening..." Qi Xia murmured, his lips moving as he processed the scene. It felt as though these people didn't recognize one another; they were uttering the same phrases and performing the same actions as before.
It felt as though nothing had changed, merely repeating itself.
Lawyer Zhang, with an air of superiority, explained herself to Doctor Zhao, drawing everyone's attention.
Indeed, in Qi Xia's memory, Lawyer Zhang's initial demeanor had been highly suspicious; she seized every opportunity to assert her dominance, likely a defense mechanism beneath her composed exterior.
Once she finished, an uneasy silence enveloped the group. And this stillness lingered for a full ten seconds.
Qi Xia felt a twinge of oddity. In his recollection, someone had spoken at this moment before, but this time he remained silent, leading to an absence of the subsequent events. This dissonance between reality and memory left Qi Xia deeply puzzled.
"You may have noticed that there are ten people in this room, yet I’m referring to you as {you nine}."
"Hahm-ga-caan! I don't give a damn how many people are here..." cursed Qiao Jiajin, "Lan-joeng, I suggest you wise up. You have no idea the consequences of crossing me; I will literally kill you."
A thought struck Qi Xia, prompting him to swivel and face the young man seated to his right. It was a visage that was at once familiar and alien to Qi Xia; the tenth individual in the room, a face Qi Xia had crossed paths with only once before.
This young man continued to smile enigmatically at the gathered crowd.
Having previously navigated this realm, Qi Xia began to gain a clearer understanding. Those wearing such smiles were often {indigenous people}. Was this tenth person merely a pawn brought in by Mortal Goat?
Mortal Goat approached the young man and placed a hand on the back of his head.
Qi Xia was taken aback, swiftly pivoting his face to the side with feigned nonchalance. The recollection of the young man's brain matter splattering on him still lingered, and he wished to avoid that chilling warmth once more.
A muffled {thud} resounded as the young man's head burst against the table. Simultaneously, a distant toll echoed through the air, jolting Qi Xia’s thoughts.
This young man might not be an {indigenous person} at all but rather a {Reverberatee}! But what caused his expression to be so blank? How could his role be reduced to such absurdity?
"There are ten people here because one is necessary to settle you all down." Mortal Goat shook the blood from his hands and remarked.
Lin Qin’s scream pierced the air, precisely timed as it had been before.
Qi Xia should have anticipated this; the moment they awoke, the toll indicated that at least one person had attained their {Reverberation}. When the young man died, the bell tolled once more, signaling the end of the {Reverberation}. While one isolated event might be regarded as coincidental, the pattern of repeated deaths coinciding with the bell's toll left no room for skepticism—he was unequivocally a {Reverberatee}.
As Lin Qin's scream abruptly ceased, Mortal Goat chuckled eerily. "Very good," he remarked, "I'm pleased to see that all nine of you have settled down. Allow me to introduce myself: I am {Mortal Goat} and you all are the {Participants}."
"Bringing you all here is solely for the sake of participating in a {game} and ultimately creating a {God}."
This time, Qi Xia was not startled by the sight of the dead; instead, all his attention was focused on the explanations provided by the Mortal Goat.
Nevertheless, an unsettling silence enveloped the group once again. Qi Xia strained to remember who had broken the quiet; all he could recall was someone inquiring Mortal Goat, {Create what kind of god?}—why, then, was no one speaking now?
"Are you all not curious about what kind of {God} we want to create?" Mortal Goat gazed vacantly at the assembled individuals.
"Say what you gotta say or just zip it, your choice!" Qiao Jiajin gritted his teeth and scoffed, “You think killing in front of me earns you my loyalty? Think again!”
“So be it…” Mortal Goat shook his head and continued, "We aim to create a god akin to {Nüwa}, one that can fulfill all our desires! There's a great task awaiting {God} to fulfill!"
As he surveyed the quiet faces, Mortal Goat sighed, the sound heavy with disappointment. "You're all so dull. Do none of you have any questions?"
The women appeared visibly shaken, while Qi Xia glanced at the remaining men. Officer Li's face was stern as he fixed his gaze on Mortal Goat, his demeanor unchanged from before. Doctor Zhao and Han Yimo trembled slightly after witnessing the murder, their expressions tinged with fear. Meanwhile, Qiao Jiajin wore a look of disdain, showcasing his signature bravado.
Seeing no one speak, Qiao Jiajin's temper flared. While others feared Mortal Goat, he felt no such apprehension. "Hahm-ga-caan, so it's like {Investiture of the Gods}, huh? So we become god if we win, but what if we don’t win?"
"Don’t win?" Mortal Goat glanced at the bloodstains on his hands, a hint of disappointment in his tone. "It would be regrettable if you can't win..."
“Regrettable for whom?” Qi Xia abruptly interjected with a question.
Mortal Goat turned his icy gaze towards Qi Xia. "It’s regrettable for this world."
‘For this world?’ Qi Xia paused, a realization dawning on him, yet his mind was flooded with more questions. In other words, if they failed to create a {God}, the greatest loss would fall upon {End Point}?