anovelconsole Chapter 1748 - 92: Jump Down
Chapter 1748 - 92: Jump Down
Looking down from above, it resembled a sea of blood.This was supposed to be a place where people in the Ivory Tower wove their dreams. The white pillars, the grand dome, the exquisite reliefs... everything symbolized elegance and wisdom. But now, the Ivory Tower was torn to shreds, utterly ruined.
Blood spilled like paint, splashing in all directions from the central platform. Severed limbs, broken armor, twisted weapons, charred marks... the entire venue, along with the surrounding streets, resembled a vast, crimson map.
In front of Yamada Machiichi, Flora lay down slowly. This Elemental Mage, always calm and capable, looked ashen and her breaths were faint. She had long overexerted herself, using her own life force to sustain Yamada Machiichi’s "Combat Continuation" as if she were fuel.
She lifted her head, looking at Yamada Machiichi’s face, smudged with paint, and smiled slightly:
"Still alive..."
"That’s good..."
Red rain drummed on countless unmoving bodies. At the center of the platform, Yamada Machiichi’s figure swayed, almost collapsing, yet he stubbornly straightened his spine.
At that moment, a bright red umbrella came into view.
—Someone approached.
Amidst the bone-laden plaza, someone walked forth.
This person had white hair flowing down, pure and transparent eyes, a cross pendant hanging from their neck, and wore a white robe soft as water, their body like glass, their shadow fluttering like a butterfly... It made one feel as if this was not a being of flesh and blood, but a flawless porcelain statue.
He held a bright red umbrella, slightly tilted, yet it could not shield the moist lambs scattered everywhere. His eyes showed a sorrowful expression, despite these people having nothing to do with him.
A pair of snow-like pupils gazed at the "clown" on the high platform for a moment, and the person spoke:
"Your life has 1 minute and 46 seconds left."
"—Yamada Machiichi, do you want to ’call the snow’?"
...
["If you truly cannot hold on in the end, do you have any last means to drag out time? I mean, when all other measures have failed, a final desperate method." In battle, Xiber asked.]
[Yamada Machiichi pursed his lips, and after a moment, he replied, "Yes."]
[He pointed to the sky: "I have seen the Dawn System before, which is the former Second-level God of Divine Intelligence, Skatalia. It told me that on the outer side of this planet exists a ’double slit’, its essence is like a barrier, capable of transmitting and filtering information. After calculation, it speculated that if this double slit could be destroyed, it could temporarily block high-dimensional beings like the Lord of Dreams."]
["Quite a bold hypothesis," Xiber said, "which means, when the situation cannot be controlled, we need to find every possible way to destroy that ’double slit.’ It’s like needing to remove a kidney to ensure survival when there’s an internal issue, even if removing the kidney might cause after-effects, it must be done—the ’double slit’ is now that kidney."]
["The problem is, I heard it is a barrier that has existed since ancient times over the planet. With our power, even destroying it from within where it’s relatively weaker, is likely to be..." Dan Shuang shook his head.]
[Chao Yan slowly raised her head, her lashes quivering as she looked towards the sky:]
["...Then let’s call for a ’Human Snow’."]
["Call snow? You mean..." Dan Shuang’s eyes widened suddenly, "...the Snow of the End?"]
[The combination of external invasion and internal bombing might destroy the ’double slit’ with a probability. This snow will fall sooner or later, instead of waiting for them unprepared, it’s better to guide it actively, making it a double-edged sword.]
[As humans, using high-dimensional power to remove the decayed organ.]
["The only issue is, after destroying the double slit, we then immediately face the most primal issue—the invasion of the Master of the End of All Things," Chao Yan said.]
["Yes, at that time we have no other response method, we can only hope that Su Ming’an is quick enough over there," Yamada Machiichi replied, "So this is a last resort, not to be used unless in dire straits."]
...
Yamada Machiichi faced this problem.
Once the Snow of the End falls, there is no retreat. As the person going to destroy the double slit, Yamada Machiichi will face the Snow of the End first...
He could decide now to turn back, leave this place, and stay away from the battlefield. Perhaps, the curtain’s duration is enough to support until Su Ming’an resolves the Radiant Mother Goddess.
Or, choose to stay and call the snow.
—To turn back or stay, it’s as simple as that. Death and life, any living being knows how to choose.
Such choices occur time and again in this world. Countless people have come to this crossroads, pausing to ponder.
"Click." Yamada Machiichi took out a timer he carried, setting it to 81 seconds. His life had 81 seconds left, enough to accurately determine when he would be unable to act.
The "tick-tock" sound began echoing bit by bit, and Yamada Machiichi released the blood-stained microphone.
"Clang—!"
His fingertips trembled uncontrollably, his body long at its limits, nerves shrieking with the wail of collapse.
His life could be maintained for 81 seconds more, after which, once he died, the anchor point would soon fall to Su Ming’an. There’s only one way to continue delaying—to blow up the double slit, exchanging it for a few minutes of absolute safety.
"...Yamada, have you decided?" Dan Shuang crawled out from a pile of bodies. Xiber, covered in blood, walked over.
Yamada Machiichi dragged his almost numb legs.
On his face, smeared with paint, the clown’s smile was frozen, making it hard for people to see whether he was laughing or crying. He lowered his head, murmuring softly to his palm:
"...You know what you have to do, don’t you?"
...
[You have obtained a prop (Racial Transmission Potion)]
[Racial Transmission Potion (Purple Grade): "Leave it to me, I can do it."]
[Spirit +5]
[Special Skill (Transmission): You can specify any person, and with their consent, acquire any equipment or props they hold. This transmission is not affected by weapon use restrictions or prop use restrictions, and is not subject to time and space influence within the world.]
[Note: You know what you need to do, right?]
...
He once had a dream, dreamt of Lu, Eni, Su Ming’an... many people were dead, and only he remained alive. He sat day after day on the church pew, turned into an old man with white hair, holding a notebook, waiting for someone.
But in the end, no one came.
The nun at the church found him dead, and with his death, the once brilliant players were completely gone. He was the last person to die, his death marking the end of an era.
He felt that the reason he lived so long must be because he always wanted to hide whenever he encountered danger. Otherwise, why would someone who used to want to jump into the river to commit suicide actually live the longest? Thinking this way, those who departed earlier were actually the fortunate ones. They could bravely anticipate the future, not witness the bleak ending, not encounter ultimate solitude and void.
But this time was different.
"Use Racial Transmission Potion, target selection—Su Ming’an."
He used the Racial Transmission Potion, knowing his power was limited, only in Su Ming’an’s hands might there be a tool powerful enough to destroy the double slit.
...
[(There is confusion here.)]
...
"Boom—!"
Yamada Machiichi looked up, seeing a mecha appear before him.
...
[Lord of Intelligent Machines Holy God Mecha (Excluded Level): "I will defy my instincts, go against my nature, to embrace you."]
[Attack Power: 80-200]
[Durability: 30/30]
[Equipment Requirement: Mechanical Race, Network Clan]
[Usage Effect: Transforms into the "Lord of Intelligent Machines" Holy Envoy form upon wearing, obtaining mechanical system-related abilities, gaining multiple forms such as (Floating Cannon Form), (Mecha Form), (Aircraft Carrier Form).]
...
This was the mecha he obtained from Su Ming’an. Being from the Mechanical Race, he could perfectly maneuver this mecha.
With the cover of Dan Shuang and Xiber, Yamada Machiichi made his way to the mecha’s side. He reached out, and the cold metal touch momentarily cleared his mind.
The moment he sat inside, he turned back for one last look behind him.
The rain soaked his long eyelashes, for a moment it was hard to tell whether the blur was the world or his eyes.
The blood-red concentric circles, the layers of fallen corpses, the drifting red rain... the departed Elwin, Cyrus, Kristin, Wei Yaxin, Cynthia, Qin Chunyao, Flora...
You have all returned to the Main God World, cheering for me behind the screen, right?... Wait, I’m sorry, I was mistaken, the live broadcast rooms have merged now, everyone can only see Su Ming’an’s side. No one will see mine.
But he lowered his head, seeing the bright-eyed Dan Shuang, Xiber, and Chao Yan.
"People always talk about masculinity, as if being dressed up bold and powerful is the truth. But I see you, you’re much stronger than those who hide like turtles despite their size." Dan Shuang gave a thumbs up.
"You’re much braver than you were in Qiongdi, you’ve improved a lot. If we get to meet again, I’ll treat you to my special Qiongdi milk tea." Xiber actually remembered him.
"I respect your decision." Chao Yan wiped the blood off her face, "Go on, we will cover for you."
Yamada Machiichi considered as he sat inside, listening to those voices.
Maybe this was enough.
He thought.
Actually, when a very timid person makes the decision to sacrifice himself, it does not take long consideration or complex feelings, perhaps he’s just... inspired by the people around him, wanting to act courageously once. Maybe he just knows if he doesn’t go, many people including himself will die. It’s just that simple.
"Screech—!"
The mecha closed with an ear-piercing metallic grind.
Through the observation window in front, Yamada Machiichi saw the white-haired bishop whispering something to a glowing white sparrow. Speaking of which, he didn’t know why this white-haired bishop could summon the "Snow of the End".
However, at this moment, the snow really did fall.
The pristine, light, icy snowflakes replaced the filthy red rain, silently descending from the sky.
Then, standing below the platform, the white-haired bishop nodded to the silver sparrow, seemingly completing some form of transaction. Afterward, he gently closed his eyes, his figure gradually becoming transparent... turning into a thousand winds, drifting to all sides.
As if a light butterfly, flying through the snow, flying through the wind.
Gradually dissipating, quiet and soundless.
...Is this person sacrificing himself too?
Yamada Machiichi suddenly felt a little sad, he originally thought his own sacrifice was already very sorrowful, but turns out there was someone who just silently sacrificed. No farewell, no blessing, not even the escort of people like Xiber.
Even though he too would die, this bishop handed him the choice, asked him if he wanted to "summon snow".
So this was the price.
Yet he even forgot the bishop’s name, did not know who he was.
...
["Alright, I accept your potential and everything." said the Sparrow, "I will persuade Him to make it snow."]
["Thank you." The White-haired Bishop nodded gently.]
["Can I ask why you’re doing this? You are a life with limitless potential as well; you’ve lived through long ages and can live to a distant end." The Sparrow looked somewhat confused.]
[The White-haired Bishop seemed to pause, searching for a suitable answer. Finally, he pressed his lips together, his gaze gradually became unfocused:]
["To protect my child."]
["No matter how many times, no matter where. No matter... who I am."]
...
"Buzz..."
The mecha roared.
The joystick was forcefully pushed all the way forward!
"Boom——!!!"
The thruster spewed violent flames and thick smoke, instantly vaporizing the surrounding accumulation of snow!
The powerful and rough thrust came, pressing Yamada Machiichi heavily against the cold seatback.
The mecha was like a lit firecracker, breaking away from the ground, penetrating through the white snow curtain, toward the deep dark, as if it could devour everything, sky — soaring high!
Gravity lost control, the whole person seemed like a rocket, Yamada Machiichi’s body trembled, teeth gritted, and the dying agony transmitted from every limb, the hollow chest seemed to have cold wind pouring in, freezing to the bone.
He heard his heartbeat clearly.
Dong. Dong. Dong.
Slow, heavy, like drumbeats.
The host’s task was over.
——Next, it was Yamada Machiichi’s task.
"59 seconds."
"58 seconds."
"57 seconds."
"Bang."
He took off the crooked, tattered headgear, revealing the trimmed short hair soaked in sweat, sticking wetly to his forehead.
The spent oil paint was wiped off a little, exposing the pale and exhausted face underneath.
He didn’t have much to do, just ascend and then explode. The "Floating Cannon Form," "Mecha Form," and "Aircraft Carrier Form" of this prop were all extravagant waste to him; he didn’t need them, he only needed the most ferocious and most destructive means — self-destruction.
His life originally only had one minute left, so it didn’t matter.
Manipulating the joystick to fly to the weakest place of the curtain, Yamada Machiichi’s brain somewhat emptied, he initially thought he would think a lot at this moment, like reminiscing about past gatherings, recalling the unforgettable Su Ming’an brand New Year’s Eve dinner in the villa, recalling the countless second-dimension activities...
Those short happy memories were just fleeting moments in a long time. Yet, like an old cow ruminating, he had repeatedly recalled and reviewed again and again, delving into every detail. Because he had never had such happiness.
The isolated teenager was the object of bullying in the general environment of Fusang Campus. Classmates wrote "sissy" on his desk, forced him to take off his pants to face himself... and he was dazed, almost forgetting these.
Who could have thought such an once gloomy, ordinary, bullied teenager could stand here now?
Thoughts spaced out, he heard the howling wind and snow outside the window, and... a "crack" sound as if glass was cracking.
That was the "double slit."
According to everyone’s thoughts, among many top-ranked players, Yamada Machiichi seemed not that strong, he feared pain, feared darkness, feared ghosts, feared solitude, feared losing everything hard-won, he wanted to survive more than anyone, return to a mundane daily life with comics and games. Many even believed he relied on hugging various players and NPCs’ thighs to get his ranking.
So many didn’t think, the one entrusted with a heavy responsibility by Lu Tuo, Shan Tiantian, could persist until now, in pouring rain, in countless difficulties... persist till the last moment.
"Because I originally came this way..." Yamada Machiichi stared at the glass, quietly thinking, "Previously, in class, I was the subject of ridicule by the male classmates, numbed, not feeling any dilemma as too difficult."
"Crack."
The protective cover sprung open.
A bright red handle revealed, this was the self-destruct device.
He stared at this handle.
The Mechanical Race gave him technical conditions, no instructions were needed, he knew how to use this mecha.
The timid personality made him understand more than anyone how to avoid danger, how to find weaknesses, how to leave an unexpected path for himself in dire straits. Therefore, he had beforehand thought up to exchange for this mecha.
And the warm and noisy, reassuring bits and pieces spent with Su Ming’an, Lu, Lü Shu, Lin Yin, and all the comrades who fought together along the way... gave him the courage to finally stand on the high platform, wear the clown headgear, hold the microphone, sit into the mecha.
It was these that illuminated a life that perhaps had only black and white colors originally, a life that wanted to jump into the river just by seeing it.
Now, he still has to "jump down."
But it’s different this time.
This time, he is not jumping into the cold, dark, ending river.
But... jumping into the sky.
...
"Haven’t sat on your aircraft carrier yet." Yamada Machiichi stated matter-of-factly, "You promised that one day, you’d take us on a real aircraft carrier, have a party at sea, watch the sunset, and eat heaps of ice cream sundaes."
"An aircraft carrier isn’t meant for sitting on," Lu chuckled, "but if you just want to experience leaving the ground and having a wide view... after this is all over, I can apply for an aircraft’s permission and take you for a ride."
...
Lu, since I came to the normal world line, I haven’t seen you. Judging by the situation in the live broadcast room, you seem to be trapped as well. Hope you come out safely.
But...
Yamada Machiichi wiped away the blood on his face.
I can finally...
Observe out the window, the deep black night sky getting closer, the stars seeming within reach. Below, the venue covered in white snow had long since shrunk into a blurry white spot.
...sit on this "aircraft carrier" and fly into the "sky".
"38 seconds."
"37 seconds."
"36 seconds."
He stared at the sky visible to the naked eye, closed his eyes, with only fear on his face.
...
On the solitary black-and-white chessboard, Lu’s deity-level sixth sense made him aware of something, he immediately looked up, thinking something happened on Su Ming’an’s side and quickly glanced at the barrage, but the barrage was still cheering for encouragement.
Bei Wang... Bei Wang is a deity-level player, on the normal world line, there should be no big problems.
Yamada... how is Yamada doing?
At first, Lu entrusted Yamada Machiichi, indeed thinking Yamada Machiichi could do it, as Yamada Machiichi was the "most reluctant to die." This strong desire to survive might become an unconventional advantage because he would be more desperate than anyone to live. Similarly, if faced with insurmountable force, Yamada Machiichi wouldn’t act extremely but would be extremely cautious.
This ensured that he could still see Yamada Machiichi again.
This was a judgment based on intelligence. In the race against time, it was the best decision Lu could make. He even considered Yamada Machiichi’s psychological resilience and assessed the risks.
At this moment, Lu questioned himself—was he purely using Yamada Machiichi?
His heart was calm, but for this answer, just like with Su Ming’an, his intelligent mind couldn’t find a definite solution.
He recalled in the villa, Yamada Machiichi with an anime headband among his companions, heating the atmosphere, muttering about starting dinner.
He remembered when chatting with a few people, Yamada Machiichi clumsily tried to make tea for everyone and ended up spilling the kettle, grinning in pain.
Long ago between instances in Pulaya, Yamada Machiichi squatted in the corner, eyes gleaming at virtual screen clothing styles, then quickly shut it when he noticed him, wary of being mocked. He just said, "It looks great."
Such a simple sentence, yet it earned a genuine heart from the other, thinking he was a gentle and good person. So easy.
He recalled his promise to take them to see the sea after this event when Yamada Machiichi showed a surprised and expectant expression on his face.
Lu slowly raised his hand.
He tried to analyze as he usually did, but all rational analysis seemed pale when touching memories linked to "Su Ming’an," "Yamada Machiichi," "Bei Wang." He couldn’t assign a value to such feelings like chess moves.
After unlocking the mental knot of depression, Yamada Machiichi was the most afraid of death among all companions. Yamada Machiichi longed to eat all the world’s gourmet food, draw all the world’s notebooks, he wouldn’t act impulsively.
Lu finally admitted, his desire to see Yamada and these companions was not purely out of interest. His mother’s curse on him was wrong; he also had a true heart.
...
But Lu Likalpos, in his highly intelligent mind, overlooked one thing.
The group of companions he befriended, even among them the most afraid of death, possessed far more courage to face death than ordinary people.
...
Outside, beyond the abyss.
Golden light fell like the alchemical liquid poured by a god.
Under the cracked golden sky curtain, four figures—Su Rin, Lü Shu, Ian, Eni—forced the collapsing sky back into place, protecting the world turned into perpetual day.
Beneath their feet were players fighting alongside them. Each time the golden light was repelled, cries of survival resounded below, followed by even fiercer attacks.
The entire world rejected the players, yet some stood at the forefront of the tide, single-handedly holding up the sky. Like retreating seawater, the golden light inched upward.
The golden "eternal day" was temporarily ripped open.
Daylight reappeared.
On the battlefield, millions of lives looked up to witness this miraculous scene, erupting in thunderous cheers and shouts!
"They held it! They held it!!"
"Su Rin the Deity! Lü Shu the Deity! Eni the Deity!"
"There’s hope! We still have hope!"
However, among the waves of ecstatic joy sweeping across the battlefield, a few keen-eyed top players felt their hearts sink heavily.
The people above the sky maintained steady breathing, but their fingers trembled faintly, like bowstrings stretched to their limits.