As the time approached zero o'clock, everyone in the Mist World was waiting; some even knelt on the ground murmuring prayers to heaven.
And some were smug, people like General Shakun. Most of these people had their own forces, some were gang bosses, some were heads of large families with many subordinates.
Anyway, these people had used their means to obtain enough resources.
They were all waiting for the ranking announcement at midnight.
Everyone thought it would be them.
Those with many resources believed they would surely be first.
Those with few resources, those doing ordinary or poor, thought they would be eliminated.
Throughout the Mist World, only one person was an exception.
That person was Ethan. After taking a fragrant shower, he lay directly on the soft bed and fell fast asleep, and in his arms was a soft little kitten.
After being altered by the Basic Evolution Pill, Daji had grown to about one meter fifty.
And every part of her body was otherwise no different from a normal person.
Except for a pair of cute little ears, and a fluffy little tail at her back.
Perhaps because she was being held by her owner and sleeping too comfortably, Little Daji slept extremely sweetly, even showing cute little fangs, occasionally grinding her teeth, rubbing against her owner, curling into his embrace, and sleeping even more deeply.
She had no idea at all that a world-shaking event was about to occur outside.
"Dong!"
The bell at midnight rang.
Yes, it was that eerie bell from the depths of the mist.
As if in the fog's depths, in a huge bell tower, a giant held a bell hammer and struck the first chime.
Everyone in the Mist World, at this moment, all felt their hearts tighten, as if the bell struck their chests.
But Ethan only wrinkled his brow in sleep, feeling someone had disturbed his rest, which displeased him.
He turned over, covered his ears with a pillow, and went back to sleep.
———
[World Chat Channel]
["Zero o'clock!"]
["Quick, check the pinned announcement update!"]
["Oh my god! Please, please don't let me be number 101. I must be within the top 100!"]
["Please, Buddha, Guanyin, Taishang Laojun, Jade Emperor, God, Jesus, Virgin Mary, bless me!"]
["Bro above, you recited so many names, aren't you out of breath?"]
["General Shakun, world number one!"]
["My Yamaguchi-gumi is the world's number one!!"]
["My Sky-Blasting Gang is the universe's number one, everyone else get lost!"]
["Everyone look, the draw is out!"]
Someone yelled.
The scrolling screen that had been moving like an airport announcement suddenly froze.
Everyone stared intently at the pinned announcement, afraid to miss anything…
[Hello everyone, have you been waiting long?]
[We will now start announcing player rankings for each numbered zone, beginning from number 100. If we announce all the way to number one and your name hasn't appeared…]
The pinned announcement paused.
That two-second pause made everyone swallow hard.
They all focused on the pinned announcement, with attention comparable to the moment university grades are released.
[Then congratulations to you.]
[You will have two choices.]
[First choice, forever leave suffering. (Direct eradication, consciousness dissipates; without consciousness there is no suffering, meaning leaving suffering behind)]
[Second choice, you will gain the opportunity to become attached to a district lord, but your independent consciousness will be blocked, becoming a tool under the lord's command.] [T/N: Perfect!]
[Of course, you do not have to decide immediately. Merciful me will give you some time to consider. The consideration period is limited to ten minutes. If you cannot decide, I will choose for you.]
[NOW BEGIN ANNOUNCING THE RANKINGS!]
Countless names flashed across the announcement.
Each district only announced its own rankings; other districts did not interfere.
At the moment one's own ranking appeared, a golden name would appear so the person could quickly identify it.
Most players quietly breathed a sigh of relief when they saw their names.
After all, whether first or hundredth, at least they still had the right to live.
If you were not a big shot, you naturally would not think of fighting for first place.
When the ranking reached near the top ten, many players began to despair, because they knew clearly they could not possibly break into the top ten with their strength.
If they still had not seen their name, that meant, they very likely had already been eliminated.
["I don't want to die!"]
["Why is this happening, impossible, how could I be ranked after 100! I worked so hard!"]
["Why, why won't you give me a chance to live!!"]
["There are still top ten to be announced, don't worry yet!"]
["Don't comfort me, I know it's impossible…"]
["If anyone can return to the real world, please call 138xxxxxxxxx and tell my mother. Her son was unfilial and couldn't return to accompany her! I thank you here, good people will be rewarded!"]
["Please someone help deliver a message! My home address is No. 25 South Street, Apt 504. Tell my family! Thanks!"]
["…"]
Desperate messages appeared in the regional channels.
But more people stared at the top ten rankings, especially those slightly strong big shots!
[A7, Rank 1: Ethan]
["Ethan?"]
["Who is this big shot, make a sound!"]
["I think I know who he is, that heartless merchant who sells water, compasses, and medicines!"]
["Yes yes yes, I remember, his name is Ethan!"]
["No wonder that big shot had so many treasures for sale, turns out he's the district number one."]
["Maybe he's cheating, why the hell is he so awesome while everyone else is just human!"]
["Bro above, you're just jealous!"]
["Lemon tree has lemons, under the lemon tree you and I, lemons always surround me~"]
When the first place was announced, the entire district channel exploded, everyone began discussing Ethan.
But at that moment, the pinned announcement refreshed again.
[To the lucky ones beyond the top one hundred, it's time to make your decision. Countdown 09:59]
[Before you make your decision, we will continue to announce the top three of each major lettered district.]
[And players ranked beyond 100 in their district will be given one final choice.]
[First choice, eradication.]
[Second choice, become a subject under a lord.]
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