Chapter 80: First High School (39) [Arc 2 - END]

The entire First High School was engulfed by black mist, truly isolated from the outside world.

In the classroom of Class 1-1, the ‘deity’ gazed indifferently at the teenager on the floor, waiting for his response.

The teenager, in turn, stared blankly at the beautiful ‘deity’ before him, seemingly unable to process what was happening and not responding to his words.

The ‘deity’ looked at the teenager’s pale face and the marks on his wrist. Its fingers moved slightly, and the black fog instantly enveloped the teenager.

When the mist dispersed again, the wounds on the teenager’s wrist had disappeared, leaving only the bloodstains from before. Even his complexion had returned to normal, as if his previous weakness was just an illusion.

Even the contract he had formed with Song Yu had vanished.

Ruan Qing’s body had been restored to its best condition. He looked at the remaining bloodstains on his wrist but didn’t feel happy; instead, his heart sank.

Would a ‘deity’ from a terrifying game instance, after being sealed for hundreds of years, really be kind enough to help the summoner heal his injuries?

The phrase Song Yan said earlier, “He wants him,” gave Ruan Qing a bad premonition, and now that premonition intensified.

Ruan Qing lowered his gaze, concealing his emotions. When he looked up again, his beautiful eyes widened with surprise and disbelief, as if he was marveling at something miraculous.

He secretly lifted his head, his large innocent eyes filled with curiosity, carefully observing the ‘deity’ before him.

But his gaze met the indifferent eyes of the ‘deity’.

Ruan Qing became somewhat flustered and lowered his head again. His long eyelashes trembled like feathers, as if he felt he had been impolite just now. A faint blush appeared on his face, as if he was shy.

The ‘deity’s’ expression remained indifferent, but his gaze flickered slightly, directly falling upon the teenager’s face.

In reality, the teenager’s appearance was not enchanting, nor did it possess any aggressiveness. It was a kind of exquisiteness that bordered on perfection, but because of the teardrop mole at the corner of his eye, it gave people a feeling of both purity and allure.

Moreover, the red ruby tassel by the teenager’s ear gently swayed with his movements, making him look even more charming.

After lowering his head, Ruan Qing seemed to remember to answer the ‘deity’s’ question. Nervously, he whispered, “I... I don’t have any wishes...”

He nervously pursed his lips and asked, “I summoned you, will... I die?”

Ruan Qing probably felt that his question was entirely unnecessary. Without waiting for the ‘deity’ to respond, he gathered his courage and looked up at the towering ‘deity’ before him. Sincerely and gratefully, he said, “Thank you for saving me just now.”

“I’ve never lacked anything from childhood to adulthood, and there’s nothing I couldn’t get if I wanted. I have no desires, and I can’t think of anything I want. I’m just... afraid of death.”

After Ruan Qing finished speaking, he bit his lip, and a hint of vulnerability appeared on his delicate face. The beautiful eyes also became misty. “But I know that since I summoned you, I will definitely die.”

After all, that’s the price of summoning a ‘deity’.

Ruan Qing took a deep breath, the corners of his pretty eyes slightly curved, revealing a faint smile, as if he had accepted his fate of death. He looked into the indifferent eyes of the ‘deity’ and said, “Can I know your name?”

“Consider it my final wish.”

The smile on the teenager was clean and pure, and his delicate face seemed to have no hint of aggressiveness, like a beautiful painting.

Because of the mist in his eyes, it seemed as if there were flowing lights spreading out, as bright as stars. But due to the addition of the teardrop mole at the corner of his eye, there was an indescribable charm, making him appear like an enchanting fairy, someone for whom people would willingly give up everything.

The first batch of players who had entered the instance and were still alive were lying on the ground at this time, losing their ability to move. But when they heard Ruan Qing’s words, they all looked at him.

Although there was nothing abnormal, and everything seemed reasonable, a strange feeling arose in their hearts, even a sense of dissonance.

He was an NPC... Why would he want to know the name of the ‘deity’?

An absurd thought suddenly flashed through their minds.

Could he really be... an NPC?

Li Shuyang lowered his gaze, and a card-like object suddenly appeared in his hand. The back of the card was adorned with special patterns, eerie and bewitching.

[Bound target: Su Qing.]

The next second, the game system’s cold and ruthless prompt echoed in Li Shuyang’s mind, [Binding failed. This item can only be bound to ordinary NPCs.]

In other words, Su Qing was either a special NPC or... a player.

Li Shuyang smiled silently, a player, huh...

Mu Ye’an squinted his eyes when he saw the item in Li Shuyang’s hand, and the barrage in the livestream room exploded.

[Ah ah ah! Is that what I thought it is? He actually has that kind of patterned card!? As far as I know, only that magician master possesses it, right!?]

[What the heck? That’s impossible! Isn’t he that crazy expert who can clear levels solo every time!? When he goes crazy, he even kills NPCs. This doesn’t seem like him at all!]

[I was cursing him for being naïve just a couple of days ago, thinking he was just an ignorant noob who didn’t know any better, but it turns out I was the naïve one! Dammit!]

After Ruan Qing finished speaking, the ‘deity’ hesitated for a moment, not directly telling the teenager that even if his wish came true, he had no intention of devouring him. Instead, he said the second sentence after awakening.

“So, your wish is to make a contract with me?”

The ‘deity’s’ voice was very pleasant, cold with a touch of etherealness, giving a sense of indifference.

“Huh? What contract?” Ruan Qing’s delicate face showed a trace of confusion, as if he didn’t understand the meaning of the ‘deity’s’ words at all.

The ‘deity’ spoke indifferently. “Only my bride can know my true name.”

Ruan Qing’s eyes widened at the words, and he stammered, eager to explain, afraid of being misunderstood, “No, no, that’s not it.”

The ‘deity’ lowered his eyes, looking at the teenager with indifference.

Perhaps due to extreme shyness, the teenager’s face blushed uncontrollably. Even the corners of his eyes turned red, like the afterglow of the setting sun reflected on his face, making him extraordinarily beautiful.

Moreover, because he had cried before, his moist eyes seemed to have a glimmer of light swirling inside, resembling the sparkling starlight on a summer night.

Beautifully astonishing.

Perhaps because the gaze of the ‘deity’ was too intense, Ruan Qing couldn’t ignore it even if he wanted to. His skin felt like it was burning under his stare, making him blush even more, becoming extremely shy. His face turned completely red.

Ruan Qing shrank back and stammered while trying to explain, “I-I didn’t mean that, I-I just...”

“Kanasel.” The indifferent voice interrupted Ruan Qing’s explanation. The ‘deity’ looked down at the teenager.

“I allow you to become my bride.”

Upon hearing this, the shy expression on Ruan Qing’s face vanished, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly. ‘System, I’ll submit the answer.’

The system responded with a cold, mechanical voice, [Congratulations, player, for clearing the instance ‘First High School’.]

Ruan Qing was well aware that if his wish was merely to know the ‘deity’s’ name, it might not have been granted. After all, such a specific wish would be too purposeful. No one would summon a deity just to know their name unless they had some ulterior motive.

The ‘deity’ might very well be aware of the existence of players like him. Names must hold great significance for the ‘deity’, and even if he wasn’t aware of the players’ existence, there was no guarantee he would reveal his name to the summoner.

And if he did know... Ruan Qing might be forcefully kept within the instance.

That’s why Ruan Qing denied having a wish and then casually expressed a desire to know his name, making it less purposeful and increasing the likelihood of getting the answer he wanted.

Clearly, he succeeded.

Ten seconds after submitting his answer, the player could leave the instance. In the final moments, Ruan Qing lifted his head to look at the ‘deity’ and ultimately tilted his head, revealing a radiant smile, no longer showing the previous shyness and nervousness.

More than anything, he looked detached, just like the ‘deity’.

In the blink of an eye, it was as if he had become a different person, but it made it even harder for people to look away.

Even in the darkness, the teenager’s brilliance couldn’t be hidden.

However, the expression in the eyes of the ‘deity’ turned dark, and the entire space became dangerous and oppressive.

Even the black mist began to churn, consuming everything in its path, not sparing even the people lying on the ground.

Seeing this, Ruan Qing instinctively took a few steps back, creating some distance.

The ‘deity’ indeed knew about the players, even knowing that he had just submitted an answer.

If his identity wasn’t that of a special NPC, he probably wouldn’t have obtained the answer.

But unfortunately, it was too late now.

The time had come.

Upon knowing the name of the ‘deity’, the players immediately submitted their answers and left the instance.

The second batch of players entering the game had a different clearance task and were directly devoured by the black mist.

However, not all players died.

Advanced players almost always purchased substitute dolls that could replace a single death.

But within less than twelve hours, their substitutes still died and exited the instance.

In the live streaming hall, both players and viewers were shocked.

They rushed to the game forum to discuss this instance.

[That final boss is too powerful! If a player draws this instance next time, how can anyone survive? Damn!]

[Am I the only one surprised that the Magician is also in this instance? I’m dumbfounded. How would he be able to kill everyone this time?]

[Forget about it. He died himself, so why bother about that? That deity is just unbeatable!]

[If it weren’t for that NPC asking for the name of the deity, no one could have cleared this instance!]

[Do you really think that Su Qing is an NPC? I feel like there’s something strange about him...]

[I think so too. Could he be a player?]

On the forums, there were various speculations, but no one could provide a definite answer as to whether Su Qing was a player or not.

Meanwhile, on Ruan Qing’s side, even though the time had passed, he... still hadn’t left the instance.

Ruang Qing looked at the ‘deity’ before him, feeling a chilling aura all over his body, and he froze on the spot, his expression solidifying.

Ruan Qing became a bit restless and anxiously spoke in his mind, his voice trembling slightly. ‘System, has it been ten seconds already?’

The system, too, was not as composed as usual, [He has sealed off the instance, and it will take some time for us to pull you out.]

Ruan Qing looked at the handsome man who was walking toward him step by step after landing on the ground. Feeling oppressed, he subconsciously stepped back, his eyes showing a hint of panic.

His voice, no longer as calm as before, was filled with urgency. ‘Hurry up!’

The system paused. [Don’t worry, you have already cleared the instance. Even if you die, we will find a way to pull you out.]

Ruan Qing looked at the terrifying man in front of him, and his eyes turned red. Who wouldn’t be anxious in such a situation?

The next moment, a force came from in front of Ruan Qing, pulling him towards the man.

Ruan Qing was completely powerless to resist, and he could only watch himself being pulled in front of the man. The black mist instantly turned into a rope, and his hands were bound above his head.

Nowhere to hide, nowhere to escape.

“Your courage is quite impressive.”

The ‘deity’s’ indifferent voice was no different from before, but it inexplicably revealed a sense of danger, making one’s whole body shiver.

Ruan Qing couldn’t struggle or escape; he could only lower his head pitifully, avoiding the man’s gloomy gaze.

The ‘deity’ reached out and directly pinched Ruan Qing’s fair chin, lifting it slightly. With a cold and indifferent tone, “If I permit you to become my bride, then you can only be my bride.”

“You can only stay by my side,” the ‘deity’ continued, and black mist lingered around his fingertips, cutting them and causing red and black blood to flow.

He extended his hand to Ruan Qing’s lips, intending to make him drink the blood.

The system panicked, [Don’t drink it! If you get contracted by him, we won’t be able to pull you out.]

Ruan Qing wasn’t foolish; even without the system’s warning, he knew that he definitely should not drink the ‘deity’s’ blood.

He wanted to refuse.

However, he had no choice at all.

Before him was a ‘deity’, and he was just a mere human.

He couldn’t even refuse. He could only watch as the man’s hand came closer to him.

Ruan Qing tightly sealed his lips, but the hand holding his chin exerted a slight force, and the next moment, his mouth was forced open.

He looked into the blood-red eyes before him, panic and craziness in them, and desperately wanted to move back and avoid it, but he couldn’t escape at all.

Just as the blood was about to drip into Ruan Qing’s mouth, a bright white light suddenly flashed, causing Ruan Qing to instinctively close his eyes.

When he opened his eyes again, he found himself in the post-clearance system space.

Ruan Qing’s memory was still fixated on the man’s dangerously intense gaze. Suddenly losing support, he felt weak all over, nearly falling to the ground.

Fortunately, he managed to step back a few paces and steady himself.

That was close; he almost really ended up in a dire situation.

After calming his breath, Ruan Qing opened the game panel to check.

[Congratulations, player, for clearing the instance “First High School”, rewarded with 300 points.]

[Congratulations, player, for correctly submitting the answer in “First High School”, rewarded with 600 points.]

[Congratulations, the player has completed a side quest and received a reward of 300 points.]

[Point calculation: -1000 points.] (T/N: I don’t know why there’s a lot of deduction. (⌒_⌒;))

Why weren’t the points deducted for him breaking character?

Ruan Qing fell into contemplation. From his perspective, it was undoubtedly a case of breaking character.

However, the system judged otherwise; it seemed that as long as others didn’t think he was not the original person, it didn’t count as breaking character.

Ruan Qing closed the panel. “How long can I stay in this system space?”

He remembered the system mentioned that this space was just a settlement place and couldn’t be stayed in for too long. If he didn’t want to enter the game, he could only go to the main city area and spend points to stay there.

As long as he paid ten points every day, he could stay out of the game, but the maximum duration was only seven days.

After seven days, he would be forcibly brought back into the game.

[One hour.]

Ruan Qing didn’t have enough points, so after spending an hour in the system space, he chose to enter the game again.

 

T/N: This is the end of Arc 2. Yey! ^^ As usual, if you can, please do donate. It will be added to the fund for buying raws. Thank you!

 

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