https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-161-The-Protagonist-s-Advance-Part-6-/13547024/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-163-The-Protagonist-s-Onslaught-8-/13547058/
Chapter 162: The Protagonist's Advance (7)
Chapter 162: The Protagonist's Advance (7)
"Oh? A temporary data construct from this scenario dares speak to me like this?" He frowned slightly. "Looks like I've been underestimated." A cold chuckle followed. "Hmph... But eliminating a level-4 underling proves you're no ordinary data fragment. You must be one of those 'Four Aberrants' subordinates, right?" Shaking his head, he added, "However, you seem to lack basic manners. Even the strongest among your group, second only to the Four, wouldn't dare address me—K3-Cheiron—with such insolence."
The voice from Dry Well echoed seconds later: "I've never heard your name, nor do I know your nature or your ramblings." It paused before continuing, "I am Wayiru, servant of the Lord of the Nether Abyss. Your kin recently attempted to sabotage the Grand Formation within this Resentment Well, and I have already eradicated them. Should you choose to follow their fate..."
"Just another capable watchdog, huh?" K3 interrupted. "I thought you might be a higher existence, but you don't even know the names of the other Three Pillars of Divinity. Temporary data is always temporary data..."
As he spoke, K3 approached fearlessly and placed his foot on the edge of the Resentment Well. "The Time Lord governs the River of Order, the Lord of Demons dominates the Chaos Wasteland, the Lord of the Nether Abyss commands the Realm of the Dead, and the Tribunal of Truth judges virtue and vice across all realms." He peered downward into the well, his data-layer vision revealing the complete structure of the Grand Formation at its depths—and glimpses of "that world" beyond.
He continued, "And what exactly are you? Just a gatekeeper assigned to some back entrance of the Realm of the Dead?"
Wayiru offered no verbal response to K3's provocation—its hostility manifested directly as action. In the next instant, the Resentment Well's mouth generated an invisible pull, dragging K3 downward like an inescapable vortex.
This force affected only K3, leaving ordinary objects untouched—no fallen leaves shifted, no dry grass trembled. Yet the pull held his body in an unparalleled grip, dragging him toward the well's depths.
"You clearly understand your limits, knowing you're no match for me in this world", K3 declared, his torso already inside the well as he gripped the rim with both hands, barely maintaining his balance. "No wonder that level-4 fool died... Now I see." His eyes suddenly blazed with unrestrained killing intent. "Hmph... How intriguing. Since you insist, I'll gladly join you for this little game."
Releasing his grip, he dove headfirst like a torpedo. The moment he touched the well's bottom, strange light erupted. An instant later, his body pierced a data membrane, entering another world.
...
Six players... Well, not exactly. At this point, we should clarify them as four players and two Gms. Regardless, these six individuals remained completely unaware of the conflict unfolding between Level-3 Derivative Being K3-Cheiron and the scenario's true antagonist, Wayiru.
As Gms, they could track derivative beings through special menus within the administrator interface. Their system functioned like a "Derivative Being Radar", revealing targets when they approached within a certain range. However, the radar only provided coordinates—no details about the derivative beings' levels, abilities, appearances, or other characteristics.
This left Copernicus and Galileo puzzled. Shortly after the scenario began, they'd detected a derivative being's signal, only to have it disappear. About ten minutes later, it reappeared briefly before vanishing again.
Unaware of the existence of two separate derivative beings, they had no knowledge of the events transpiring atop the mountain. Following standard logic, the Gms deduced: this scenario's level-4 derivative being seemed capable of jamming GM radar, though it inexplicably deactivated its shielding twice before fully disappearing.
"Are you two plotting some unspeakable conspiracy?" Feng Bu Jue's voice interrupted their thoughts, catching them off guard.
They were currently following a mountain path. Copernicus and Galileo had been trailing at the rear of the group while Feng Bu Jue led at the front. Suddenly halting, he turned back and shone his flashlight directly into their faces, delivering that cryptic remark.
"Eh... Wh... What are you talking about?" Copernicus stammered.
"Heh... You... You're kidding, right? Come on." Galileo forced a laugh, though his mind raced: Could it be? Had this kid figured everything out? Have we been exposed?
"That's just reconnaissance proficiency for you", Ye Zhi interjected. "How did you two specialists end up dragging Bu Jue to the back?"
"Ahh?" Copernicus blinked. "Oh... Oh right, sorry. Just got distracted for a moment." He chuckled awkwardly and moved forward.
Reconnaissance proficiency? A transparent lie. Their skills were nothing special—they simply knew the Flag locations. As for titles? Gms' titles were purely decorative, providing no skills or buffs. Naturally, they required no "title techniques." Gms already possessed full skill slots brimming with active and passive abilities, superior physical condition enhancements compared to players of similar levels, and equipment unimaginable to ordinary players, such as:
[Name: Administrator's Blade Lv18]
[Type: Weapon]
[Quality: Common]
[Attack Power: Strong]
[Attribute: None]
[Special Effect: Damage dealt to targets is tripled upon impact]
[Equipment Condition: Administrator-exclusive]
[Background: This item cannot be discarded, destroyed, traded, or displayed to regular players in any form.]
While this item description appeared unremarkable, its special effect alone could terrify anyone.
As Pan Feng and Hua Xiong had previously explained, Gms' true power typically exceeded their displayed level by approximately ten tiers. Setting aside gameplay skill, Copernicus and Galileo's raw strength equaled two level-8 players combined. Additionally, they possessed exclusive scenario information hidden from ordinary players.
Titles meant nothing to them. GM titles were intentionally mundane—names like "Way of the War God" or "Heavenly Demon Disciple" would never be approved by higher-ups.
Gms often masqueraded as Reconnaissance Proficiency specialists to explain their intelligence sources while protecting common players. Since scouts naturally led from the front, Gms could intercept negative Flags or neutralize derivative being assaults before players suffered unnecessary deaths.
"Don't worry, nothing to fear. Stay focused", Yongzhe Wudi encouraged, assuming their distraction stemmed from nervousness.
Little did he know, this casual remark triggered a system event...
[Protagonist's Grace has been transferred]
[Current holder of Protagonist's Grace: yongzhe wudi]
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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