Chapter 34: Pride Descends

Lust’s expression was as if it was even expecting Yu Ziyu to give it a reward.

“Master?”

 

Yu Ziyu walked up to it and placed his hand on the back of its neck.

With a slight force, a cracking sound was heard.

Everyone watched in surprise as Lust’s neck was snapped, its body going limp and collapsing onto the table.

Then Yu Ziyu straightened it back up.

“Tell it when it wakes up, don’t talk to me in that tone.”

Yu Ziyu glanced at Sloth.

 

This couldn’t kill Lust.

It would only take a few minutes to revive anyway.

 

Yu Ziyu’s clean and direct action conveyed a cruel atmosphere.

Even the several bosses at the table swallowed nervously.

But he ignored everyone’s stares and simply walked back and sat down in his own seat.

 

He picked up the upside-down hourglass placed to the side, flipped it over, and gently set it on the table.

This sound seemed to break the silence.

Everyone’s bodies twitched involuntarily, their gazes fixed on Yu Ziyu’s fingers.

 

He picked up the silver spoon from the dinner plate and tapped the surface of the glass hourglass, producing a crisp sound.

“Then,” Yu Ziyu smiled slightly.

This was a smile quite different from his usual cold expression, one could almost call it evil.

It made his already beautiful features even more dazzling, almost impossible to look away from.

“Welcome, my friends.

You have made the right choice.”

“Although some people are absent.”

His gaze fell on the empty chair, which belonged to Greed.

“But tonight is still a wonderful night.

Before this, not having the chance to meet you has been a loss and a regret for me.”

 

Yu Ziyu stood up and walked past Lou Chen, not giving him a single glance.

He faced the audience sitting in the theater, maintaining their silence.

It could be seen that in the dense crowd, wherever there was a little space, blurry figures would appear within a few seconds.

They were all holding apples in their hands.

More and more people were joining.

 

Those players who had accepted the invitation were arriving.

 

Yu Ziyu’s figure under the lights was extremely dazzling, as if he was enjoying all these gazes.

 

In fact, Lou Chen noticed that the corner of his eye twitched slightly.

Obviously, he was enduring…

This was one of his habitual little movements.

Whenever he did something that would make him feel annoyed, his face would involuntarily reveal such a detail.

 

As if he found talking like this annoying and embarrassing.

“This is not just an invitation, not just a gathering, but a sign that I am opening up a new world.”

Yu Ziyu raised an eyebrow.

“I know what you want to ask.

Why have we come to the real world?

The answer is, I don’t know.

Perhaps this is just an inevitable result.

No existence can resist our arrival.”

“After all, this is a game.

Entertainment is like a contagious virus.

It’s only natural that it would wreak havoc.”

“I know what you want to ask.”

Yu Ziyu walked half a circle around the theater stage, scanning the figures below, speaking slowly.

“As you can see, I am announcing my arrival.

And what happens next in the game will be based on your own choices.

A friendly tip: I have a bad temper.”

 

He deliberately paused, letting the fearful atmosphere ferment in the air.

Then, Yu Ziyu looked up and scanned the entire venue.

 

It had already expanded more than he had imagined.

It was as if they had returned to some dark space in the Land of Desire Amusement Park.

White shadows floated in the sky.

The smell of rot and fire lingered at the tips of their noses.

And, thousands upon thousands of pairs of eyes staring at Yu Ziyu.

He realized that everyone was holding the apple required by the invitation.

And as his words fell, startled cries arose one after another.

The apples in their hands rotted and withered one by one, leaving only stinking cores.

 

For those who acknowledged his words, their apples were a projection of their inner world, a direct symbol of accepting Pride’s invitation.

 

After a pause, Yu Ziyu heard the mechanical system sound in his ear.

[Congratulations, mission complete]

[Pride’s Banquet: Announce your arrival, showcasing evil’s generosity.

You have successfully held a grand gathering of monsters in the real world.

Received 1000 points.]

“Is that so, Pride?

Not going to cause more destruction?”

 

A familiar voice sounded beside him.

Yu Ziyu looked towards Lou Chen at the sound.

The next moment, an unknown force suddenly pulled Lou Chen backward.

His body instantly fell into the chair that Greed had left empty, letting out a muffled grunt from the impact.

“Sorry, I didn’t expect this uninvited guest among us doesn’t like standing.”

 

A faint, gurgling, snickering sound came from the air.

 

But Lou Chen didn’t pay attention to such things.

He knew he was being publicly humiliated.

As the captain of the Supernatural Management Bureau task force, this identity provided strong support for Pride’s entrance strength.

“I believe this is a familiar face to all the players.”

Yu Ziyu said, curling his lips in a smile, his fingers casually stroking Lou Chen’s jaw, as if touching a disobedient cat.

“And this body of mine, ah, I seem to have forgotten to introduce who he is, but there’s no need.”

 

Lou Chen’s eyes held something he couldn’t understand: “Because you’re afraid to say his name?”

 

Yu Ziyu gave him a strange look.

“So, do you really think he’s on the side of light, like you say?”

 

He didn’t know where Lou Chen got the confidence.

He stood so calmly, watching everything happen.

Even now, placed among the bosses, his expression hadn’t changed.

He continuously assessed the development of the situation.

 

But even so, when Yu Ziyu mocked him, he had no reaction.

But when Yu Ziyu mocked himself, Lou Chen interrupted him.

This was a tiny human.

Yu Ziyu couldn’t figure out what he was thinking.

But Lou Chen didn’t appear defeated.

 

Jealousy glanced at Lou Chen, his fingers under the table twitching involuntarily.

But Yu Ziyu raised his hand to stop him, gesturing for Lou Chen to continue.

“It looks like you’re the one who believes he’s that person.”

Lou Chen looked up and said coldly.

“Otherwise, you wouldn’t have chosen to descend using his body.”

“Let’s say you’re right.

I believe he will introduce himself.”

Yu Ziyu said indifferently, smiling maliciously.

“Of course, the prerequisite is that he gets the chance.”

“Hmm.”

Lou Chen looked thoughtful.

 

Tick tock.

 

A faint sound suddenly broke the stagnant atmosphere, reminding everyone present what they were actually doing, what was actually happening.

But no one dared to raise any objection because of the conversation between Yu Ziyu and Lou Chen.

They just stood rigidly watching.

 

The hourglass dripped at the narrow bottleneck.

Lou Chen looked away, watching the grains rotate and fall to the bottom of the bottle after each drip.

 

And at this moment, he wasn’t the only one watching here.

 

***

 

Supernatural Management Bureau, meeting room.

 

The door was half-closed, making it convenient for others to come and go to report news.

Xiao He paced back and forth anxiously.

 

In front of him sat the remaining few bewildered team members.

He had already completely arranged personnel according to Captain Lou Chen’s instructions.

But when he came back, the captain who should have met with him had disappeared without a trace.

He couldn’t reach him no matter what…

 

It was as if he had entered a new time-space.

“Damn it!”

He kicked the table hard and collapsed powerlessly into the sofa.

 

Had something gone wrong?

Because the captain wasn’t the type to act recklessly.

Even if he had temporarily gone to do something, he would have left some clues, not be completely untraceable like this.

The development of events made Xiao He very worried.

“Vice-captain.”

Suddenly, someone knocked on the door frame at the door, interrupting his thoughts.

Xiao He looked up at the sound and saw a team member casting him an uneasy glance.

He kept shifting his body restlessly.

“I think…

I think you need to come see this.”

 

Xiao He frowned.

He immediately stood up, ignoring his wrinkled uniform, and strode past the team member.

The member moved aside to let him pass.

Xiao He asked, “What is it?

Any news about the captain?”

 

The team member fell silent.

His expression—perhaps Xiao He should have emerged from his distraction and noticed the terror on his face at this moment.

 

What…?

 

Xiao He looked up and followed his gaze anxiously.

 

Almost the moment he saw the hall, his eyes widened.

He quickly moved closer to the corridor entrance, suspecting he was hallucinating.

 

The clock hanging in the hall of the Supernatural Management Bureau had been completely damaged.

Charred, terrible cracks were left on its surface.

But Xiao He’s gaze didn’t linger on it for a moment, because something even more terrifying had drawn away his attention—

In the very center of the screen, Yu Ziyu was wearing a black robe, twirling a black ring in his hand.

And behind him, Lou Chen was sitting at a lifeless table, obviously having lost the ability to move freely.

His eyes held a hint of inquiry.

His slender figure stood out, because he was the only living person wearing casual clothes.

 

As if he was f*cking participating in some bloody night of the living dead.

“Wait a minute, what the hell is going on?!”

Xiao He almost wanted to jump down the corridor to prove he was dreaming.

“That’s Jealousy… right, I’ve seen him.

That means the other few are also bosses.

No no no, why is Teacher Yu sitting at the head?

And those sitting in the audience seats… are they heretics??!”

 

His voice might have sounded like screaming, because the staff member beside him was staggering, again scared by his reaction.

 

Xiao He forced himself to calm down, because he realized that others in the corridor were looking at him.

When Lou Chen wasn’t around, Xiao He was actually the one who had to bear the responsibility.

So he took a deep breath, then tried to appear calm.

 

He glanced quickly at the screen, not letting his gaze linger too long on Lou Chen and Yu Ziyu.

“Notify the members deployed in the city center.”

Xiao He said firmly.

“Contact them.

Since the banquet has already started on time, why is there no activity?!”

 

That team member was stunned.

Xiao He urged loudly, “Go!

Have them take action right now according to the plan!”

 

The dispatched members of the task force were basically all from the Land of Desire Amusement Park.

Even if they couldn’t compare to the several bosses seated at the table, they had some item cards and leftover abilities from the game.

At least they could disperse the gathered heretics from the gathering location and create some commotion.

 

Under his stern gaze, the team member immediately turned and ran off.

 

Xiao He took out his phone and dialed Xu He’s number.

If he remembered correctly, Lou Chen had asked him to be responsible for media public opinion control.

Since even the public screen at the Supernatural Management Bureau had been invaded, without even turning on the TV or phone, he could guess that all kinds of social media were already buzzing about this.

 

The beeping sound continued in his ear, with no possibility of being picked up on the other end.

 

Why can’t I get through to Xu He’s phone!

 

He was almost never unreachable.

This was too abnormal.

 

After the call automatically disconnected again, Xiao He had to give up contacting him and left Xu He a voice message, asking him to reply immediately upon seeing it.

If he hadn’t been unable to leave, Xiao He would have already gone to look for Xu He to check if he was safe.

 

His fingers slid anxiously across the phone screen.

He had never handled media matters before, and Xu He was the one in charge of that area.

So for a moment, he didn’t know who to find to solve it next…

 

Wait, a name flashed through Xiao He’s mind.

He quickly ran back to the office, pulled out a stack of documents from Lou Chen’s drawer, and took out a business card.

 

Thank goodness, this time the call was answered quickly.

“Wait a minute, let me speak first.

Has something else happened to Teacher Yu?

Do you need me to come pick him up from the Supernatural Management Bureau?”

 

As soon as Zhang Yining’s voice came from the other end of the line, Xiao He immediately said, “Turn on your TV, any channel.

Do it right now.

I don’t want to explain!”

 

The phone was silent for a second.

Then he heard the rustle of clothing.

Within half a minute, Zhang Yining’s voice sounded again, with a hint of a tremble, speaking incoherently: “Holy shit, so what is this this time, another heretic ritual?

Terrorist attack?

Oh my god, if I’m not mistaken, is Teacher Yu hosting the ceremony???

Captain Lou Chen is there too.

Damn, don’t tell me every channel is broadcasting this???

And Teacher Yu’s face was just trending a few days ago!!!”

“Calm down, calm down.

Take a deep breath.”

 

When you encounter someone more out of sorts and panicked than yourself, it wasn’t surprising to suddenly become calmer.

Xiao He wasn’t in the mood to comfort the disoriented Zhang Yining, but quickly said, “The captain and I incidentally investigated you.

You are a model in the industry, very good at marketing and handling emergencies.”

 

When they investigated Yu Ziyu, they didn’t forget to search for information about the people around him.

Besides his psychologist, the only somewhat close person was Zhang Yining.

He could easily settle every trouble from his previous photographers, and Yu Ziyu was his current employer—lured away with a price several times higher than the market rate.

 

In this era of highly developed media, it was not realistic to promptly suppress the flow of information in time.

But if they just wanted to control it, using false information to cover up the truth, and soothe the public’s panic, Zhang Yining should be able to do it too.

After all, Yu Ziyu wasn’t the type to do charity; since he hired Zhang Yining, it must mean he was very capable.

“Thanks, I feel better.”

Zhang Yining let out a long breath.

“Is this some kind of comfort?

You’re really thoughtful.”

“Not entirely.

I have something to ask you to do.”

 

Zhang Yining was stunned: “What?”

“Right now, immediately, calm the media and public opinion.

Delete any images that might be spreading online.”

Xiao He said rapidly, his tone not to be refused, especially as he glanced again at the screen.

Yu Ziyu had just walked behind Lou Chen.

He tightly closed his eyes, then opened them again, and said, “I know this is unexpected, but we will give you appropriate compensation later.

The best choice I can think of right now is you…”

 

Hearing this, Zhang Yining quickly calmed down and said succinctly, “Got it.

This is about Teacher Yu after all.

I’ll contact people right now to handle this, control public opinion at all costs, steer it in the direction of hype and entertainment programs.

Actually, I already know how… damn…

Teacher Yu is going to kill me!”

 

He had to know, not long ago Yu Ziyu had warned him not to allow others to spread his photos online.

 

Offend anyone, but don’t offend Yu Ziyu.

This was a principle he had learned very early on.

 

But this was a critical moment after all…

 

Zhang Yining let out a long sigh, his voice filled with expectation: “If, after Teacher Yu gets out of this mess, he finds out he’s become a newly popular internet photographer… will you guys find me a nice cemetery, contact my family, and carve ‘Serve the People’ on my epitaph?”

 

Xiao He smiled, realizing Zhang Yining was trying to lighten his mood.

But given that they were talking about Yu Ziyu, this sentence could also come true.

This might just be his last words.

“Don’t be so dramatic.

I promise, I’ll find you a cemetery with good feng shui.”

“I’d be most grateful.”

Zhang Yining said tremblingly.

 

Xiao He breathed a sigh of relief.

Since Zhang Yining had said this, it meant he was sure he could do it, temporarily replacing Xu He’s role…

Xiao He didn’t know what had happened to Xu He.

Although a part of his heart was screaming with worry, he really couldn’t spare any more mental energy to guess.

“However, you guys have to promise not to hold me responsible for what I do.”

Zhang Yining said with heavy concern.

 

Xiao He said, “That’s the least of your worries.”

“And—wait, don’t hang up yet!”

His hand had just moved when he was interrupted.

Zhang Yining actually said something he was about to do. “But this is a live broadcast right now.

Even if I find people to control the media, if it continues, then this is all meaningless!”

“I have an emergency plan.”

Xiao He said hurriedly. “That’s not for you to worry about.

Go do what you should do right now.”

 

He hung up the phone.

 

But just as he turned his head, he found a figure standing not far away.

Xiao He instinctively stepped back a few paces, then looked up at the person’s face and recognized who it was— Xu He had appeared at some point and was staring at him with a gloomy gaze.

 

Such a gaze made Xiao He’s eyelids twitch involuntarily.

“Looking for me?”

He raised one hand and shook the phone in his hand.

“The captain has disappeared.

I want to know if he left you any backup plan.”

 

The corridor was silent for a few seconds.

Xiao He didn’t know when he had appeared behind him, nor how much of his conversation with Zhang Yining he had heard.

The thought that someone had been standing not far away, watching his back with such a gaze, made Xiao He feel creeping terror and uncomfortable all over.

“Just a few words.”

Xiao He said in a low voice. “You wouldn’t be interested.

This isn’t your usual area of responsibility.”

“What?

Who knows, I might change my mind.

Do you want to cut the city’s main power supply?

Or use something to block the signal?”

 

Under Xu He’s familiar yet unfamiliar gaze, Xiao He’s heart pounded incessantly.

He vaguely guessed something, but couldn’t believe it.

He just changed the subject and asked, “Why are you here?

Didn’t the captain tell you to go home and rest?

Because you’re injured, it seems to have affected your mind a bit…”

“Answer me.”

 

Xiao He swallowed.

He realized Xu He was standing at the end of the corridor.

The elevator hadn’t been repaired yet, so that was actually the only way out.

He was trapped here.

So, after a pause, Xiao He walked towards Xu He, revealing an unguarded expression and giving him an innocent smile.

“It’s to cut the power.

You know that.

Don’t be so tense.

I’m just worried about your injury.

Since you’re fine, we can go do this together…”

 

Xu He narrowed his eyes, watching him approach.

 

Then, the next moment as they passed each other, Xiao He’s fist slammed fast, accurately, and viciously into Xu He’s completely unprepared face, knocking him back from the corridor entrance.

He used full force, almost hearing the unsettling creaking sound of bone from his cheek.

Despite that, Xu He’s body just swayed slightly.

He grabbed the surprised Xiao He’s coat and directly slammed him against the wall.

Xiao He’s phone flew out, hit the ground, and slid more than ten meters away.

 

Xiao He could now be a hundred percent certain that Xu He had accepted some kind of change.

He fell from the wall, his entire arm numb from the impact against his cheek.

“Which boss’s invitation did you accept?” he asked tremblingly, racking his brains. “Jealousy, Gluttony…?”

 

Xiao He couldn’t believe it, but this was obviously the truth—Xu He was stopping him.

 

Xu He gloomily approached him.

He didn’t know what he remembered, and said mockingly, “Still better than you.

You must regret not licking Yu Ziyu’s boots sooner.

After all, who knew he was Pride’s vessel?

But I think, if you had known in advance, you wouldn’t be putting on this hypocritical act, but would have long ago knelt at his feet.”

“But obviously, Lou Chen has already compromised before you.”

He meaningfully glanced at the screen in the hall.

 

Xiao He’s mind went blank.

“Don’t speak ill of Teacher Yu and the captain!”

 

The next moment, he spat out a mouthful of blood in disgust and charged at Xu He with a roar.

Their bodies quickly grappled together.

 

***

 

“I won’t eat.”

Lou Chen looked up and said.

 

In front of him, Yu Ziyu had picked out fruit from the several bosses’ plates and piled them onto his own plate.

Then he slowly pushed it towards Lou Chen, fundamentally giving him no chance to resist.

“Our captain still thinks he has a choice… how cute.”

 

Lou Chen noticed that Gluttony, sitting directly opposite him, had already started laughing.

“You eat them first, then I’ll eat you.”

He threatened.

 

But Yu Ziyu glanced at him, reacting faster than Lou Chen: “No.

We need to let everyone see what a pity it is to choose the wrong side.

After he eats the fruit, I’ll drain every drop of blood from his body, let him die slowly, and then…”

 

He meaningfully cut off the topic, leaving room for infinite speculation.

 

Regardless of what the other bosses thought, the audience seemed to accept this statement.

They started whispering and laughing again, pointing at the only human surrounded by monsters.

As if they weren’t human, as if they were safe, without any sympathy for what Lou Chen was about to endure.

 

He had to know, most of those brave enough to attend the gathering were old players.

They all remembered Lou Chen in the game—or had heard his name.

He could easily pass through the instances they were too cowardly, too afraid to challenge.

This, to some extent, made people feel ashamed.

 

Without a doubt, before the savior, Lou Chen was the pure human who gave people an intuitive impression of being “very strong.”

 

Like the sun.

 

Always so determined, never lost, never hesitating.

Climbing up from the first floor of the game, never retreating or showing mercy, leaving all the struggling, suffering people behind.

 

Seeing him now subdued by Pride, with no desire to resist, as if he had already accepted his death, was just too exciting.

It was as if the stain of past cowardice and selfishness had been wiped clean.

 

Someone like him deserved punishment.

No one had the right to be so noble, so calm and steady when faced with temptation.

 

Without turning his head, Yu Ziyu knew where that scorching gaze came from.

Lou Chen was watching him with those light brown eyes.

So he didn’t look, just continued to hypocritically smile encouragingly at those players with whom he should have associated with filthy thoughts.

 

Actually, Lou Chen was thinking.

 

If he wasn’t certain that he and Pride had no friendly dealings—except for that forgotten deal—Lou Chen would almost think the other was stalling for time, giving the Supernatural Management Bureau a chance to disrupt the banquet, and that Lou Chen would be able to escape as desired.

 

But this conjecture wasn’t impossible, was it?

 

Because Sloth was on his right hand, looking at him with a disgusting, scrutinizing gaze, as if it was assessing.

 

Lou Chen knew that Pride’s most loyal servant was Sloth.

No matter who might abnormally betray him, Sloth would be the last.

Because it was different from the other bosses; it wasn’t a personality defect.

Sloth was just a choice.

And Jealousy, Gluttony, etc., were all uncontrollable.

So it was the most rational among them.

 

It was not very likely to act on emotion.

 

Anyway, it had already made a decision.

Perhaps… it realized this was a good opportunity.

 

Lou Chen couldn’t distinguish whether this was due to Pride’s orders or based on its own judgment.

But no matter what, it was preparing to do something.

“Master, sorry, I’m a bit tired.”

Sloth said, full of suggestive meaning.

“Maintaining this form is really making me drowsy.”

 

As his words fell, without waiting for Yu Ziyu to respond, the young man’s figure had already disappeared from his seat as if suddenly leaving…

But that wasn’t the case.

Because immediately after, something surprising happened.

Exclamations came from the crowd one after another.

Before they saw it, no one had expected the meaning of Sloth’s words.

 

It had changed its human skin.

 

After seeing Sloth’s new form, Lou Chen’s blood suddenly froze.

 

Because a familiar pure-colored venomous snake climbed up from Lou Chen’s right hand side and smugly flicked its forked tongue at him.

 

A few seconds, or a few minutes?

Time had lost meaning.

The world turned pale, losing its original color.

Before he knew it, Lou Chen finally snapped back to reality.

He abruptly looked up at Yu Ziyu.

Coincidentally, Yu Ziyu was also looking at him.

Their eyes met in mid-air.

All sounds around them disappeared as if drowning.

 

The next second, all the lights in the entire theater abruptly went out.

They lost sight of each other.

 

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