Yu Deng faced the group of players glaring at him with gritted teeth, trying hard to stay calm. He summed up, "Anyway, I'm going to be number one."
As soon as Yu Deng said this, he heard the system's detection sound.
[Beep… Conflict detected… Detected player Yu Deng has completed an elimination action. Beep. Detected player Yu Deng used the power of a key instance character.]
[Ding. Final judgment: instance elimination, not a player elimination. Eliminated players immediately leave the instance.]
The eliminated players couldn't hear these system announcements, but they could see themselves and a dozen other players gradually disappearing from the instance.
They didn't even get a chance to respawn on the spot for revenge, they could only watch as Yu Deng became first place while they were frustratedly teleported back to the player hub.
［How did my darling manage to eliminate so many people?! Amazing! I want to be my darling's dog!］
［This is so satisfying! Those players were all used as tools by Deng Deng!］
［Hehe, the silly baby is occasionally smart—so cute and impressive.］
［The baby is really working hard, summarizing experiences, growing in the Infinite Channel. I'm so glad.］
In the instance, the third-to-last player being teleported away was a female player Yu Deng had encountered in the castle.
Gao Yan knew she had been eliminated, but she wasn't angry at all—in fact, she breathed a sigh of relief. Optimistically, she gave Yu Deng a thumbs-up, closed her eyes peacefully, and was teleported back to the player hub.
Finally, only Qin Jun and Cheng Xiao remained. Their forms became a little translucent, but unlike the others, they didn't immediately leave the instance.
Yu Deng retained a small personal desire—he used his own power to eliminate these two as well.
Under the effect of the Mistral debuff, both men started showing subtle signs of mutation, their auras darkening and their pupils changing color slightly.
Yu Deng approached them and looked at these two who had been diligently helping him, feeling a little embarrassed: "I eliminated you too."
"Being eliminated by you is my honor," Cheng Xiao leaned in teasingly, "I'm happy about it. The points I earned weren't taken back by the system—they were taken by the baby."
After expressing his feelings, Cheng Xiao quickly lowered his head and kissed Yu Deng on the lips, straightforwardly praising him: "You're amazing, baby. I'm going to be mesmerized by you."
Yu Deng felt a bit proud, the corners of his mouth slightly curling.
Qin Jun clicked his tongue unhappily. After these past two days, he knew full well that that Cheng fellow was also Yu Deng's contract partner, making the rival even more annoying.
"I'm also happy to be eliminated by my baby," Qin Jun said calmly as he pulled Yu Deng closer, "But the method you came up with… is amazing."
Hearing this, Yu Deng's smile widened: "I just guessed…"
Based on the clues he'd gathered over the past two days in the instance, he roughly deduced the instance's background and the summoning method of the shrine. Of course, completing the plan so smoothly was thanks to Mr. Evil God lending him power, giving him a taste of cheating-level strength.
Yu Deng lifted his head proudly, like a small cat that had caught its prey.
The two men were overwhelmed by his cuteness, wishing they could just hug and kiss him, but with a rival present, they could only maintain a delicate balance. Their forms faded, and they left the instance.
"See you at the player hub."
Yu Deng watched them leave. Now, he was the only player left in the instance. Although everyone else had been eliminated, he didn't hear the system announce the end of the instance—he was still inside.
The shrine still hung in midair, and all the townspeople looked up at it with fervent eyes.
One finally couldn't hold back and tried to approach the shrine, but an invisible force blocked him, preventing him from touching the steps.
"Why, why can't I see the god!"
Yu Deng took a few cautious steps forward, stepping onto the long staircase.
He wasn't stopped.
For a moment, the gazes of hundreds of townspeople shifted from the shrine to Yu Deng, making him shiver and nearly collapse from the attention.
"Uh… I'm the god's appointed messenger, so I can go up."
Yu Deng forced a mysterious demeanor under hundreds of burning eyes, babbling a few cryptic words. He calmed the townspeople and left Xiao Huang below to guard, then continued toward the shrine.
The staircase was long, and Yu Deng was already tired after a bit. Luckily, the steps were considerate, slowly retracting automatically. Yu Deng seemed to ride an invisible escalator, quickly reaching the shrine's entrance.
The shrine was towering, with glittering golden walls that stood out in the darkness. The doors, however, were tightly closed. Yu Deng stared at the grooves on the handles for a few seconds, then had a sudden idea. He took out the wristband item that the townsperson Blake had given him.
Click. The item fit into the door, and after a few seconds, the doors slowly opened.
Inside, it was dark. Yu Deng decided to take out the lantern.
As soon as he did, the lantern seemed drawn by the shrine's energy, flying up and finally hanging in place. Once the lantern was up, all the lights along the walls lit up.
Yu Deng finally saw the shrine clearly.
It was a single-story shrine with an extremely high dome, nearly forty to fifty meters. Each column was elaborately carved. Standing inside, Yu Deng felt as though he had entered the building of a giant kingdom.
The little crow and the bat ball automatically retracted the contract illustrations. Yu Deng carefully crossed the threshold and walked a long distance, only to encounter an even larger space.
Suddenly, his vision went completely black—literally.
In front of him appeared a monstrous, strange being far larger than the dark gods he had seen in the past two days of the instance. Its enormous form almost filled the entire shrine, blocking the light.
Yu Deng could not describe this creature with words.
It was pure, intense darkness, its surface subtly rippling, its limbs waving in the air, exuding a terrifying and ominous aura.
Yu Deng had just used a power not his own, and now staring directly at this indescribable being, his head ached, and tears rolled down uncontrollably.
Is this… the true body of the Evil God?
"Hey, is that you?" Yu Deng shouted, realizing he didn't know the god's name. "I came to find you."
After speaking, Yu Deng squatted down, rubbing his eyes—his head and vision were too painful.
The massive being seemed deep in thought. Yu Deng, feeling wronged, tugged on one of its limbs: "Why aren't you paying attention to me? You were bullying me all the time a few days ago…"
The soft, weak, plaintive voice seemed to stir the slumbering creature.
Seconds later, Yu Deng was suddenly lifted, tossed into midair, and then caught steadily, enveloped within the giant being.
Yu Deng instinctively hugged his head: "N-no, don't eat me."
The creature carefully wrapped Yu Deng, removing the mask from his face.
The slender, beautiful little trickster sat in the Evil God's arms. Their size difference made Yu Deng look even smaller.
"…I won't eat you," it assured him, its touch gently massaging him. A faint, warm energy flowed into Yu Deng, easing the pain in his eyes and head.
Yu Deng sat on the Evil God's lap, catching his breath, and whispered, "Do… you have another form? It's so hard to talk to you like this."
The Evil God pondered for a long moment.
Its massive body slowly shifted. The tentacles carefully placed Yu Deng aside, and the being shrank, eventually taking a human form.
The human body was tall, muscular, with sharp, handsome features, intricate, strange markings behind the ears, a single black horn on the head, and long black hair cascading down. Occasionally, coiled tentacles extended from behind.
It had simulated a human body, but hadn't considered clothing.
Yu Deng blushed instantly, embarrassed: "W-why aren't you wearing clothes!"
"Clothes?" the Evil God looked puzzled. "Are they very important?"
Yu Deng nodded frantically: "Of course! Put them on…"
The Evil God silently obeyed, manifesting a simple, loose outfit. Not yet fully familiar with human form, it awkwardly held Yu Deng in its arms.
Yu Deng finally looked back at it.
"By the way, do you have a name?"
It thought for a moment, speaking a long, strange name. Yu Deng only caught a few syllables: "Arnold…?"
"Yes, calling me that is fine."
Yu Deng still had many questions: "Then how did you appear, and what about this shrine…?"
It thought for a longer time. After a while, it said, "I don't know when I was born. I only know I came from human obsession."
The townspeople wished for eternal happiness, praying every day and night for the blessing of a non-existent god. Their endless obsessions eventually formed this being.
It granted their wishes, giving them a sense of immortality.
"But I am not the beautiful god people imagined. I was born from unfulfilled obsessions. While granting temporary eternity, I eventually turn them into monsters, not humans,"
"They truly believe in goodness and eternity, not me," Arnold summarized. "By human standards, I am evil."
Yu Deng half-understood. That's why the instance called it an Evil God, not a true deity.
"Then… what's happening to the town now?"
Arnold lowered its gaze and waved its hand, producing a mirror in front of Yu Deng, showing a full map of the town. The central plaza burned with fireworks, a collapsed area at the edge became a void, and the initially collapsed area where Yu Deng first arrived was restored.
Yu Deng viewed the town from above.
"Fallen ground will recover, just like the townspeople can attain immortality."
…
After explaining the town's situation, Arnold no longer wanted to discuss other life forms.
It just wanted to hold Yu Deng, smelling his soft fragrance. Yu Deng, processing all the information, hadn't noticed Arnold's actions.
Arnold's embrace and caresses looked obedient and gentle.
Its inner desire grew insatiable. The tentacles wandered, peeking around the cloak's edges, clearly wanting to touch Yu Deng more.
Yu Deng finally realized some tentacles were moving and pouted: "What are you doing? You… can't use your tentacles like that…"
How could a villain use tentacles on him? That feeling was strange…
The Evil God, scolded by the human it loved, paused and asked humbly, "Is this wrong?"
"Of course it's wrong!" Yu Deng shouted.
Arnold thought for a moment: "Then you teach me. You awakened me, we signed a contract, creating a deep bond. You are responsible."
Yu Deng tilted his head, doubting: "Really?"
"Of course. This is the rule for humans and Evil Gods, recognized by the sky and sun. If not followed, both fall into eternal hell."
Yu Deng's eyes widened: "Fall into hell?!"
"Yes. There is no life in hell, only endless sin and suffering. Those who fall there struggle forever, unable to escape."
Its reasoning and pitiful act cornered Yu Deng.
After thinking for a moment, seeing Arnold's pleading eyes, Yu Deng nodded: "Alright… I'll teach you."
Though agreeing, he didn't fully trust the tentacles. He carefully requested:
"But you must completely obey my instructions and… be tied up!"
The tentacles behind Arnold waved excitedly but remained obedient: "No problem."
A soft mat resembling a bed appeared in the center of the shrine. Long chains extended from the floor. Arnold obediently tied up its arms and legs, its obstructive clothing disappearing, completely submitting to Yu Deng.
Yu Deng glanced around the empty shrine and stammered: "R-right… here?"
"Yes? This is my bedchamber. Only we are here."
Yu Deng squatted nearby. Hesitant to strain his back, he gently reached out and grasped…
His pale, beautiful hand contrasted sharply with the grotesque form.
"…."
Arnold's eyes darkened with desire, experiencing an unprecedented thrill.
The palace shook twice. Shadows behind Arnold expanded, almost revealing its true form, before it managed to restrain itself.
"I've heard that humans express joy through kissing, right?"
Yu Deng nodded, confused, but quickly understood.
Two tentacles coiled him, pressing him to Arnold's chest. Cold lips touched his, clumsily testing before fully capturing his soft mouth, producing slight wet sounds.
This was their first real kiss.
"Is this right?"
Yu Deng, dizzy from the kiss, frowned: "Y-yes… but don't bite me."
Arnold whispered temptingly like a deep abyss: "Okay, no biting. But shall we proceed to the next lesson?"
Yu Deng, still dazed, looked up.
The chains were gone. Writhing tentacles lovingly wrapped around his hands and legs. Arnold's hands were on his back.
Now, Yu Deng was the one bound. The elaborate cloak from the bonfire ritual was gone, leaving his delicate, snowy skin fully exposed to Arnold.
"Eh, wait…?"
Yu Deng realized too late. The tentacles were already exploring.
"My dearest human…" Arnold's expression was excited, murmuring, "My treasure."
The tentacles, following Yu Deng's guidance, carefully explored before escalating their intensity.
Arnold had no prior experience. This was its first time using a human body, and its first attempt at human intimacy.
Yet, that didn't hinder its strength or rhythm.
Yu Deng quickly became wet all over, his tears wetting his long lashes, his voice hoarse.
Exhausted and unsteady, he grabbed Arnold's horn.
Then, Arnold intensified its attention.
Despite its terrifying form, it teased Yu Deng, apologizing in refined human tones:
"Sorry, it's my first time. If it hurts, tell me."
Yu Deng, pink all over, scolded intermittently: "Bastard… stop!"
"Hmm… impossible."
Stopping was impossible. Cold kisses landed on Yu Deng's eyes.
…
Yu Deng lost track of time or counts. Arnold had already consumed much of him, unwilling to leave, blocking any escape.
Every part of him had been touched. He had lost his ability to think, murmuring: "Bastard… so bad…"
Arnold accepted the judgment: "I am an Evil God, so of course I am bad."
The shrine's dome became transparent, revealing the outside world: a tranquil, dazzling starry sky. At the horizon, the sun and moon shone eternally, creating an impossible yet magnificent view.
Yu Deng looked up, captivated, forgetting he was still being toyed with by the villainous god.
"So beautiful…"
Arnold accompanied him, but seeing his attention captured by the scenery, it mischievously wrapped tentacles around him again.
"It is a beautiful sky."
Arnold held Yu Deng, unable to look away.
Tentacles gently coiled around Yu Deng's waist.
The frozen white flesh was blocked along with the still-present parts of Arnold. Yu Deng was pressed tightly, his body arching.
The Evil God, possessing terrifying power, lowered his head and obsessively caressed Yu Deng's quivering flesh. He didn't pause for a moment; the mingling of satisfaction and dissatisfaction drove him to pour even more effort into leaving his mark on Yu Deng.
He praised, "But my treasure is even more beautiful."
T/N: hmm.. pay grn