Chapter 72: The Contagion of Despair

“Come now, there’s no need to be so dejected. This system, in its inherent nature, is always full of unexpected traps and unavoidable plot-kills.

Yet, you mustn’t forget that it would never present a truly unsolvable predicament just to torment its players.”

Zhen, while diligently farming minions, stepped forward to mediate.

“The system is here for us to play, not to murder us. Otherwise, I would have perished long ago.

You all witnessed my real-world predicament just now, didn’t you?

Had the system not granted me this transformation, but instead simply thrown me in as I was, I don’t know about the rest of you, but I certainly wouldn’t have stood a chance.”

“Even if that’s what we tell ourselves, who can truly say if it’s the truth?”

Enenra remarked, her face clouded with worry.

“Perhaps there was a solution to that previous attack, one we simply failed to anticipate!”

“The challenges will only grow more formidable from here on.

No one ever said trials become progressively easier.”

Even Kaguya surprisingly nodded in agreement with this bleak sentiment.

“So go on, you simpletons, wallow in your pessimism!

Since death is inevitable, why not just rush in and get it over with?

At least that way, all your troubles will cease at once!”

“What are you even saying?

Aren’t we teammates?

It’s bad enough you’re not helping us strategize, but you’re actually telling us to die?

What exactly are your intentions?!”

Ara stared at Kaguya, his face etched with disbelief.

“If we die, do you truly believe you’ll survive?

I don’t buy it!”

“Well then, why don’t you tell us what solution you’ve got?

Since you’ve all talked yourselves into such a dire corner, and it’s a death either way, perhaps dying sooner is better than dying later.”

Given that Kaguya was inhabited by the arrogant man, he naturally wouldn’t be rebuffed by Ara.

In fact, it seemed he was capable of turning the tables with his retort.

“Alright, alright, that’s enough.

Let’s not argue anymore.

What good will come of bickering like this?”

Zhen, unable to tolerate the squabbling any longer, waved her fan, launching poisonous feathers while simultaneously trying to calm the situation.

“Let’s just take things one step at a time.

I’ve told you, the system won’t present an unwinnable scenario.

We still have two lives each, so let’s make the most of them!”

Indeed, pessimism proved highly contagious.

The player controlling Hyounga, initially just nervous and cowardly, had grown bewildered about the upcoming battle, and in doing so, inadvertently infected everyone present, even sparking a severe internal conflict.

Wang Tianming, too, found himself somewhat bewildered.

Although he had always fancied himself a ‘person of destiny,’ he was, in truth, merely a mortal.

He might have been a little smarter, a little bolder, or a little more meticulous than others, but everything had its limits; he could not transcend the boundaries of human capability.

Upon reaching level six, that black beam of light truly left him dazed.

This was supposed to be a straightforward ‘Defend Athena’ style game (TL Note: A custom map in Warcraft 3, similar to a tower defense game.), where at most, late-game minions might become formidable, or computer-controlled Shikigami (TL Note: Spirit or deity summoned to serve a master.) might appear as hero units.

But what in the world was this instant-kill, compulsory attack?!

One hundred thousand true damage—it was unequivocally designed to prevent survival.

No matter how much health one stacked, reaching over a hundred thousand was impossible, and both physical and magical resistances were utterly useless against true damage.

Perhaps, movement might offer a solution?

Wang Tianming was uncertain whether the black beam was a targeted ability or a non-targeted one.

If it were non-targeted, there might be a chance to evade it.

The failure to dodge earlier could simply be attributed to everyone being caught off guard, having not anticipated such an attack.

However, if it was a targeted ability, then movement would be futile, as it would track its target relentlessly.

Perhaps only an invincibility skill could offer a means of escape.

As this thought crossed his mind, Wang Tianming’s heart eased slightly.

This black beam inflicted actual damage, rather than an ‘instant death effect’.

In the previous game, Wang Tianming had only learned of White Tiger’s ‘instant death’ ability during the post-game review, witnessing the battle between Xingxing and White Tiger.

He felt a surge of relief that he hadn’t prioritized targeting White Tiger earlier.

Given that it was merely a skill dealing tangible damage, then perhaps his own strategy might prove effective!

Wang Tianming—no, Zhen—clenched her small hands into tight fists, vigorously scattering poisonous feathers onto the minions.

Perhaps there was still a chance!

There truly was a chance!