Xiu used his sword to block the arrow that the God of Creation shot at him. Lightning magic was countered by plant magic. Xiu spread his wings to try to fly to the God but the enemy used his arrows to suppress Xiu's movements. The distance between them was shortened by just one step.
Before Xiu could reach the Creator, the battle beneath them came to an end. The clear crystal ground was almost completely covered by corpses. The angels and elves had fought together to kill all of the demons but they had paid a painful price: The angels who survived numbered just a single digit and less than half of the elves were still alive.
The remaining elves raised their longbows, aiming at the only surviving demon who was flying above them. Xiu lifted the Burning Desire sword and used lightning magic on the dense rain of arrows. The God of Creation seized the opportunity to put some distance between them.
Xiu looked at the distant God of Creation, glanced at the elves below, then the corners of his lips curved up in a smile that gradually faded away.
"Get out of the way," said the Lich spoke in a low, hoarse voice. The undead lifted his death scythe. The fallen responded to Xiu's summoning; the corpses rose up from the ground in a new form.
The sound of the statue of the undead exploding was heard by everyone. The gray light clusters didn't turn into the undead directly. Instead, the gray light went to the bodies on the ground, speeding up their conversion into the undead. The newly risen undead, whether angel, demon, or elf, threw off their old hatred of each other to attack the still-living elves.
Not even counting how strong the undead were, the undead population was more than twice as big as the elves. In addition, this numerical superiority increased each time an elf died. The undead were already extremely powerful and every death added to their numbers – the undead are simply the nightmare of all other creatures.
-Is that so?
A shadow fell on a vampire who sucking on the blood of an elf. The undead had just lifted its head when it was suddenly smashed into powder by a huge metal fist.
"Beep – enemy defeated X1; XH12172 will continue with the cleanup task."
Xiu stared silently at the God of Creation. The gnome statue shattered into fragments.
"It's me ..." said the Lich. "You used my form."
If the elf's appearance might be considered a coincidence, the flaxen-haired gnome standing before his eyes revealed everything – the God, who has originally appeared as an angel, was copying his forms.
The God of Creation ignored Xiu. From beginning to end, he never said a word to Xiu.
Xiu didn't mind his enemy's silence. He just wanted to kill the God. Now he is even more eager to kill his opponent – he doesn't like it when someone copies his appearance. That sort of thing is likely to catch Du Ze's attention and concern.
The current Xiu is the type whose mood will darken at the slightest hint of unhappiness. The undead around him were being destroyed by the mechanical puppets. Xiu's eyes fell on the remaining stone statues. After four rounds of fighting, he has guessed the rules of this game.
They are using the various races alternately and the rule is simple – they are reenacting the history of the Chaos Continent.
The first era was when the angels and demons fought. The second era was when the elves allied with the angels. The third era was when the undead rampaged across the continent. The fourth era was the time of the gnome's empire. Without using different forms and bloodlines from the different races, this battle couldn't be won. It could be said that no one could pass this last hurdle except for Xiu. As long as one follows the rules in switching forms, you can take the lead to gain an advantage – the race one changes into will receive a formidable boost from the stone statues.
The mechanical puppets had finished cleaning up the undead. The little gnomes sat on the shoulders of the mechanical puppets and their smiles were quite terrifying. The machines had just finished destroying all of the undead forms of the three previous races.
Before they could reach him, Xiu changed his form. The fifth era was dominated by the dragon race so he became a silver-haired, red-eyed humanoid dragon. A mechanical puppet lifted its huge fist and smashed it down on Xiu.
The force of the wind generated by that fist blew the dragon away. Xiu instantly moved to the stone statue of the dragon. Confusion flashed in Xiu's eyes before he understood. If this battle was following the history of the world, then the gnome race was not defeated by the other races. The reason for their disappearance was because of their own folly.
Therefore ...
Xiu closed his eyes. In the endless darkness, the blue flame was extinguished and an orange fire flared.
When Xiu turned into a gnome, the mechanical puppets stopped moving and the gnomes on their shoulders were blown away by the wind like smoke. The two identical gnomes were the only ones left. They looked at each other silently. The two figures looked especially lonely surrounded by silent mechanical figures.
"BOOM!"
The sound of the dragon statue shattering broke the silence. Xiu changed into the dragon form faster than the God of Creation did. A group of dragons appeared at Xiu's side: metal dragons, chromatic dragons, gem dragons ...
"You've lost." Xiu grinned at the God of Creation.
The God did not speak.
The Creator turned into his beastkin form in the next moment. The red light clusters flocked to his side and turned into beastkin. The dragons and beastkin started fighting. Although the dragons were much more powerful than the beastkin, their number was less than one-tenth of the beastkin. If there are enough ants, they can kill an elephant. The dragons are doomed to fail.
Xiu doesn't actually care about the death of the dragons. To him, once he turned into a dragon, his victory was assured. After the beastkin, only one race was left. Since they must alternate races, the last stone statue will become his.
The dragon race was declining and the beastkin were thriving, then the humans were rising in prominence and the beastkin were driven away.
When the golden-haired, blue-eyed Xiu led a group of humans, the God of Creation was surrounded. The God realized that this was like when Xiu was fighting alone against countless angels at the beginning of their battle. The beastkin were annihilated and the stone statues of the eight races had all been shattered. The God of Creation put down his claws. The beastkin race was no longer effective so he had no choice but to turn into the same type of race as Xiu – a human. The result of this is that the God of Creation will not die at the hands of the humans. Even if it's just a fake mirror image, no one wants to see "himself" die at the hands of others.
Xiu walked to the God. The other person obviously didn't want to talk to him so Xiu didn't pause. He raised his sword to the God of Creation's throat. Perhaps he knew that resistance was futile, therefore the God stayed motionless and didn't resist.
As he struck with his sword, though there was no reason for it, Xiu somehow sensed the danger. His wrist twisted and the sword cut obliquely, striking the God on the shoulder.
"Tick tock."
A large amount of blood flowed out and dropped down to the ice crystal floor.
Xiu took a look at the wound on his shoulder, then glanced at the God of Creation's left shoulder. There was an identical wound there.
This is ...?
Xiu cut the God of Creation's arm and saw that an invisible sword seemed to make an identical wound on his arm.
No matter what kind of attack he used on the God of Creation, the same damage would also be dealt to his own body.
This situation seemed as though it was for the sake of protecting the God of Creation but the expression on the Creator's face was extremely unsightly. He worked painstakingly to create this situation. Clearly, he had done everything right and this was the final result but he failed because "the rules" interfered. Only he knew that this was not to protect him but a reminder from "the rules."
That person is not stupid and will soon figure out what to do.
Xiu contemplated this predicament. They are now in a deadlock. He can't simply kill the God of Creation because killing the God is the same as killing yourself ...
Killing yourself?
A thought quickly flashed through Xiu's brain. Xiu looked at the God of Creation who looked exactly the same as him and slowly smiled.
"So that's what it is ..."
Their battle has reflected the history of the Chaos Continent – its past and the future eras.
"You represent me and I represent the human race."
Xiu put the sword into the God's hand. The Creator tried to struggle but it Xiu forced him to hold the sword.
"The age of the humans will come to an end, then ..." Xiu grabbed the Creator's hand and stabbed the sword into his own heart. "It will be the age of Xiu."
"Crash."
A clear sound rang out. It was as though a hammer had struck a pane of glass that shattered, with pieces falling everywhere.
Xiu was disoriented for a moment before he discovered that he and God had switched places. He was now holding the sword that had pierced the other person's heart.
—— After the era of humans, you will be the master of a new era.
There seemed to be a presence that sighed contentedly.
The God of Creation's eyes moved from his fatally wounded chest to Xiu. According to "the rules" script, he was supposed to become a dragon and then a human. His role was to embody the last era of the past. Xiu was supposed to defeat the humans in the final battle.
However, the God of Creation refused to play by "the rules" and he took the role of "Xiu" while the real Xiu represented the human race. If Xiu had killed him at that time, it would mean that Xiu can't become the master of the new era.
"The rules" wouldn't allow this to happen so it changed the setting to give Xiu a hint.
Seeing how "the rules" doted on Xiu, the God of Creation's eyes flashed with various emotions: resentment, helplessness, envy, sorrow, and, eventually, bottomless despair and malice.
Even if this person becomes the Supreme God, he won't be happy.
Xiu saw the other person opening his mouth to squeeze out a few words haltingly and with extreme difficulty, as though he was being shackled by something:
"You ... will ... regret ..."
—— You will regret killing me.
The smile on the God of Creation's face was growing bigger and bigger: "You ... will ... lose ..."
Before Xiu could see the God of Creation's end, the whole space suddenly turned pitch-black, like someone had blown out a lamp.
When the God of Creation appeared, Du Ze knew that something bad was going to happen. He knew that the God of Creation was basically a gift that "the rules" gave to Xiu as a prize for finishing the trials.
Xiu looked at the Creator. Du Ze wanted to talk to Xiu but the angel at his side suddenly changed into his human form while the God of Creation became like a shattered crystal statue.
Du Ze didn't know what had happened, but an unspeakable fear took his breath away – he immediately tried to grab Xiu's hand, but his hand passed right through it. It was similar to that t time during the dragon race's trial. Du Ze's hand was transparent, like an insubstantial shadow.
Disappear.
He is going to disappear.
A surge of intense fear and panic momentarily overcame him. He quickly regained his composure but it still felt as though there was a Sword of Damocles hanging over him.
He looked at the place where the God of Creation had vanished. Only a cluster of transparent "flames" remained. The colorless objects could only be sensed because of the slight distortion in its background. It was burning like a flame, with an inexhaustible power.
This was the Creator's Godhead. Suspended in the air was a power that can make one into the Supreme God. Anyone with a discerning eye can see that this power must be absorbed soon. Otherwise it will explode, destroying everything.
There's no turning back now. The blood in Du Ze's body seemed to congeal and his heart hurt as though twisted by a pair of pliers. Regardless of whether Xiu became the Supreme God or not, the result would be the same – Du Ze's disappearance.
Xiu looked back and saw that Du Ze's face was too pale. He frowned and stretched out his arm to circle Du Ze's waist. Xiu took the black-haired youth in his arms.
"Don't worry." The handsome young man with blue eyes smiled. The sound of his voice was like a beautiful fairy tale coming to an end: "It will be over soon."
Over...
Is it the end? Du Ze leaned on Xiu's chest. The heat of Xiu's chest and Xiu's steady heartbeat helped Du Ze slowly regain his composure.
His black eyes flashed as he made a decision. Du Ze had never been as desperate as he was at this moment – he wants to be with Xiu. If he isn't able to change the fact that he will disappear, then he has to find a way to return. The God of Creation was able to summon him from the "outside." When Xiu becomes the Supreme God then he should also be able to do that. The only difference between them is that the God of Creation understood the truth of this world.
The God of Creation was the first person to discover the truth. Xiu doesn't have this advantage, but Du Ze can tell him the truth directly. Du Ze gripped Xiu's sleeve. He wanted to tell Xiu the truth about this world but when he opened his mouth, he found he couldn't speak. It was as though a microphone had suddenly been turned off.
Du Ze was very familiar with this type of situation. The invisible force was preventing him from speaking. In the past he didn't know why, but now he knew that it was because of "the rules."
"The rules" won't let him speak the truth because it involves the world's operating system. It was like a defensive instinct.
But ...
The God of Creation told him: "You are an existence that is higher than this world. Naturally, you don't have to follow 'the rules' of this world."
Therefore, "the rules" can't truly stop him from speaking. It only made him think that way by making it hard for him to speak.
In the past, Du Ze was deceived by this; he thought that it was impossible to speak. Now he is going to work his way past that difficulty, breaking "the rules" of this world: "...., ... I ... "
A strange sound issued from this throat as Du Ze fought to speak. The invisible force fought him for some time before it was defeated.
Du Ze finally felt his throat loosen. There was no more restriction on his speech.
"... I am not from this world."
When he heard Du Ze speak, Xiu's expression showed his confusion. Du Ze was about to explain but Xiu interrupted, puzzled: "Just now ... what did you say? I can't understand that language."
It was like a pot of cold water dumped over his head, freezing him down to his heart and lungs. He thought that he could break "the rules" to tell Xiu the truth, but it turned out that he was just too naive.
He forgot that he and the people of this world weren't using the same language. "The rules" couldn't prevent him from speaking, but it could cancel the translation magic. As a reader, Du Ze can understand all of the languages of this world but the people of this world need the translation magic to understand him.
That invisible force was telling Du Ze again: You are a reader. You don't belong in this world.
It's time for you to leave this world.
Xiu's pupils contracted. He used his fingertips to wipe the corners of Du Ze's eyes. "... Why are you crying?"
Was he crying?
Du Ze stretched out his hand to try to see if there were tears but his hand touched Xiu's hand. He covered the back of Xiu's hand with his.
"Xiu ..."
"What is it?" said Xiu.1
As long as it's not the truth of this world, "the rules" won't stop him from speaking.
Du Ze leaned his face against the palm of Xiu's hand. His eyebrows tensed; a frown revealed his pain.
"... I like a story very much." Du Ze whispered: "I like it very much. So much that I wanted it to become real. But someone told me not to be silly. A story is only a story. It's only make-believe. How can it become my reality?"
Du Ze looked at his favorite person. With a gentle voice that started trembling at the end of the sentence, he asked: "Do you understand?"
Xiu was silent for a moment. He did not answer Du Ze's question right away but twined their fingers together.
"I also have a favorite story." Xiu smiled and used his finger to write a line of text in the air with wind elements. "If it were this story, I will make it real."
—— Du Ze and Xiu will be together forever.
The pale blue words glowed. Their light wasn't dazzling but the sight of it was too hard to bear. Du Ze closed his eyes. His heart spasmed, making his lips tighten into a straight line.
Du Ze, don't leave me.
Yes.2
Do you believe me?
I believe you.
You have to look at me.
I've always been watching you.
Du Ze, I like you.
...
I like you, too.
The colorless Godhead had gradually expanded, clearly on the verge of exploding. Du Ze freed himself from Xiu's embrace and urged Xiu to hurry. "Let's go."
Xiu stood up. He stared at Du Ze without blinking. "Du Ze, why did you just cry?"
Du Ze avoided meeting Xiu's eyes. He looked around at the hall and saw the others who had fallen – Muir, Rachel, and everyone else had all died by the verdict. "... I thought of Old John and Ariel. They're all gone."
It's not a lie, but it's obviously more of an excuse. Xiu accepted the excuse out of consideration for Du Ze.
"When I become a god." Xiu took the black-haired youth by the hand and walked forward. "I will be able to save them."
"That's great."
—— Good, even if he can't come back, there will be people to accompany this person.
Du Ze lowered his eyes and freed his hand from Xiu's grasp. Xiu stopped and look back at Du Ze standing behind him. Du Ze said. "You go first."
"... ?"
"Do you remember what I said?" The black-haired youth blinked, eyes misty with nostalgia: "The first time we met."
Du Ze pressed on his headphones and said, using the same intonation and expression in his memory: "I want to see you become god."
[... Your purpose?
In the distance past, the Lich questioned the black-haired youth who expressed his good intentions towards the Lich. The black-haired youth's answer was absurd.
"I want to see you become god."]
This absurd notion will now become a reality.
Thinking of that past scene, Xiu's eyes crinkled and he smiled gently. His eyes were full of affection and the desire to indulge his beloved.
"Good."
The blond-haired, blue-eyed young man strode forward, just as he always did, determined to never give up even when he suffered a lot of hardships in the past.
Du Ze, from behind, watched unblinkingly as Xiu went to the throne. His gaze was almost greedy as he looked at that person's magnificent figure.
—— Witness how the young man will awaken his lineage, experience happiness and hatred, and finally set foot on the road to becoming a god.
His empty heart leapt and Du Ze pressed a hand on his aching chest. The corners of his lips curved up in a smile and his tears fell.
Goodbye, Xiu, goodbye.
Xiu's fingers touched the colorless object. In an instant, light bloomed inside the hall as Xiu slowly absorbed the godhead. His eyes glowed. The power that was now in his body was indescribably immense. If he wanted to, he could easily destroy the world at any time. Supreme Power has brought him paramount privileges. In the entire Chaos Continent, there was no one who can defy Xiu.
Xiu smiled with satisfaction. Most importantly, he will always be with Du Ze.
"Ding."
A faint sound came from behind him. The Supreme God turned around.
"... Du Ze?"
Behind him, there was nothing. Only a ring was lying there.