Chương 252: The grumpy white-haired boy started playing offline game
Kongming's wise words resonated with you.
Your exhaustion was real; your eyelids drooped, fighting to stay open.
A sense of doubt crept in, and you murmured, "Anyone could have done this..."
"But it was you, the captain, who did all this, not anyone else. "
You knew Kongming spoke the truth.
It wasn't the results alone that mattered, but the journey.
The countless setbacks, the moments when despair loomed... and the stubborn determination to find a way forward.
Those were the parts they couldn't see, the grit that truly defined the achievement.
"No need to comfort me anymore, this is not an excuse for my failure..." The words hang heavy in the air.
Maybe they're right, maybe you have failed. After all, the goal still feels far out of reach, and the story is far from over.
But then again, stories are built on twists and turns.
Think of all those people, sacrificing again and again to keep the world turning.
Think of the stories that inspired you, tales of overcoming the impossible.
That short film, "The Day You Vanished With the Stars"... it was more than just entertainment, wasn't it? It was about a spark of hope growing into a powerful force.
The future... well, no one can see it clearly.
But somewhere ahead, that hope you cling to, that has to lead to something better than this darkness.
It might take forever to get there, but those stars...they're a constant, aren't they? They'll always be there to guide the way.
Even if the road ahead is far away, the stars in the night sky will still show you the way.
[This character...he's just a regular guy, right? I couldn't stand the idea of him dying before I even started playing, but... what else could he do? He tried everything a normal person could!]
[He walked every possible path, fought with everything he had. It's like the whole world is against him. How can you not give up, when the odds are stacked like that?]
[But, the Kongming is so beautiful, no, I want to protect this smile. If the Kongming is cut off, I will cut it off as the screenwriter! ]
[ I heard from the last news that someone directly stabbed someone inside the MiHoYo Building. Boss Luo, you don't want it to happen again, right? ]
Players rushed to threaten the screenwriter, and some of them were sensible - directly threatening the boss. Kongming was obviously loved by everyone, and she gained countless fans thanks to this plot.
But...who even cares about the captain anymore? Pfft, they think they're such a big part of the story.
They've got all sorts of opinions, don't they? The viewers, the peanut gallery, the ones watching this like it's just a game. They sit there all smug, like they could do better.
"They're cheering you on," she tries to say. "All those eyes on you…they want you to win."
But wins only come on the screen.
They don't see the sweat, the retries, the way your stomach drops each time you fail. They'd scoff if you tried to explain it, wouldn't they?
...Kongming, lying there, lifeless. Over, and over, and over.
Who can even keep track anymore? They just skip ahead, click to the next bit of story as if none of it means anything.
Oops! Look at me, going on and on...wouldn't want to bore you with details. Unlike the audience, some of us actually have work to do out there in the 'sea'.
Don't you worry, Captain. I'll be back before you know it ~
...
You… captain!
At this time, Ms. Iron Fist aka Tesla - zero, who had always only had the low-limit mode, seemed to be triggered for something, and the dialogue function was disabled.
"It's not considered a failure... By the way, how many times has this been mapped?"
Which mapped exactly? Frankly, I've lost count. Hold on...is that Mr. Iron Fist's voice?
You turned around in surprise, only to see Ms. Iron Fist's little doll walking over, not just a mechanical object.
"What the...? This many tries? Captain, seriously, do you enjoy torturing yourself?"
Guess she found the run data stored inside. Even she looks shocked, her little metal eyebrows furrowed in a way that's weirdly adorable.
"—Don't jump to conclusions. I'm talking about the future you. This whole thing, this threshold... it was set up by them beforehand."
"Threshold? Like a limit? Wait, future me? Are you messing with me? What's going on here?" The Captain's head is spinning, but pieces of it...they're starting to click.
Ms. IronFist Tesla -Zero explained that her original intention of being left in this world was to show captain the way out when captain was desperate.
"But there are rules. Future-you set this crazy number. Only when you've run this simulation that many times, only then, would I wake up."
So basically... Tesla - Zero is the last resort.
An insurance policy left for the Captain by...themselves?
" Yes, but if you choose to give up before reaching this condition, I will be just a useless machine. "
"But why...? If I were in his shoes, I'd know...some things, they're just impossible right now. There are battles I won't win, not yet." The Captain's voice drops, the frustration and self-doubt starting to seep through.
Ms. Iron Fist gives a cold little smile, one that cuts deeper than words. "Ah, there it is – the naivety. He still believes in the past version of himself, the one who's failed over and over and over again."
"—He's betting on you. He knows you've struggled, but he's hoping...desperately hoping, that this time you can break the pattern of the past. Even if it's a long shot, he wants you to find a way, a path totally different from how he did it..."
That hits home. Even future-self, whoever he may be, probably didn't find the perfect answer.
He's putting this insane pressure on the past-self, on you, to do the impossible – to find a flawless path. It's a gamble. And that stupid threshold he set... that's why.
The number in the upper left corner is enlarged on the screen and placed in the middle as if to make it more eye-catching.
Shockingly - ten million times!
"This threshold is certainly outrageous, but you are also very unusual for not giving up after witnessing so many deaths. " Ms. Iron Fist's eyes have this weird glint in them.
Even though she's a machine, the whole thing fascinates her – two absolute madmen, you and your future self.
That kind of stubborn determination…it's unsettling.
Ten million times. Just what is that guy carrying on his shoulders now? To keep going for that long...
And how could you, the you who set that ridiculous threshold, write that number down so easily? Like it didn't crush your soul a little.
[You are so cruel, as expected of you. Because you believe in your past beliefs, you can hope for a better future, even if the chance is as small as a moment.]
[If I have a future self, please don't cheat me like this, or I'll commit suicide directly]
...
And in this world, why Kongming can never be rescued has also been answered.
Remember Huodou's beast, tearing through the ruins? It wasn't just walls that got smashed – it wrecked that Golem statue, the wishing machine itself. That triggered something… a fail-safe program inside the Golem, a backup plan meant for emergencies.
And the problem is...after that program woke up, it scanned the whole record of wishes, and Kongming's name wasn't there.
Think about it - she vanished with the Captain, off to other worlds. So when she came back… well, the system didn't recognize her.
——It saw her as an outsider, a glitch in the world... something that had to be erased.
Think of those snakes, those creepy umbrella guy – they're not the real threat. They're just messengers or agent, puppets controlled by some kind of…consciousness.
That consciousness, it won't ever stop. Doesn't matter how many times you fight, how many people fall trying to protect you...it'll keep coming, they will hunt her to the end of the world.
"Is it possible... that there is no outcome in which I can survive? " Kongming couldn't help but ask.
"Unfortunately, no, " Ms. Iron Fist shook her head, " Whether it is our algorithm verification or the ship's own proof, it means there is no such result. "
"But worse than that...we think this thing, whatever it is, might take down this whole world just to get to you."
"That's...insane." Kongming's frown deepens. This isn't about tactics or battles anymore, it's some warped, impossible logic.
Destroy everything just to reach her?
Wouldn't that... the only way...
Kongming pondered, looking up at the captain.
"Bringing her to the Hyperion...it is." Ms. Iron Fist's voice cuts through the silence, cold and unwavering, confirming the worst.
"It sounds like I have no choice..."
"If leaving is all I can do, to keep this place safe…" Kongming's smile holds a bittersweet edge.
That steady calm she usually wears is cracked now, revealing a sliver of the fear beneath. There's so much she hasn't seen yet, hasn't done in this Huang Empire.
And...there are people she'll miss. A certain someone she'll leave behind.
Gently, she pushes open the door. Rita is slumped on the table, papers scattered, the pen fallen from her hand.
The moments seem to stretch out endlessly. Rita, loyal and steadfast, echoing the companions Kongming knew thousands of years ago. Always working, burning the midnight oil...and now, even with countless nights of work ahead of her, she sleeps.
But Kongming is leaving. Leaving before dawn breaks, before the celebrations have even begun.
She gently drapes the blanket over Rita, a silent caress, careful not to wake her.
Saying goodbye...it's always been hard. Just like that time she left to guard the ruins, alone.
Kongming's lips move, shaping words that no one can hear. Did she whisper a farewell? A prayer? Perhaps...only a promise:
" Let's meet in the not-too-distant future. "
Then, walk forward, board the ship, and say goodbye to the world.
...
Rita wakes with a start. A guard stands beside her, asking if she needs them to find Ms. Kongming. A small shake of her head is answer enough.
Her eyes fix on that little blue fan, perched on the window sill like a forgotten bird. Her fingers trace the folds of the blanket, feeling the lingering warmth where Kongming had been.
"Lady Kongming..." The name catches in her throat, barely a whisper.
"This time, it seems you are going to be gone for a long time..."
There's a flicker of sadness in her lowered eyes, but beneath that, a quiet strength.
A familiar ache, maybe, from all the times this has happened before.
A silent sigh escapes her.
It's a goodbye, and yet, it holds a wish – a flicker of hope that Kongming will return, someday.
...
" Teacher..." Cheng Lixue's tears were also streaming down her pretty face and onto the sheets, making them wet.
Especially after she discovered that the teacher would wipe her in a panic, she didn't even try to hide it.
"Teacher..." Her voice breaks, barely above a sob. "Just thinking about us saying goodbye...next time, if you have to leave again, don't do it like that. Please...tell me yourself."
She looks up at Fu Hua, eyes still overflowing, but there's a spark of defiance there now. No more holding back.
She's been reborn, changed. All that old formality...it doesn't matter anymore.
Her teacher would hesitate, stumble over how to connect, so this time...this time, Cheng Lixue won't let that distance stand between them.
She won't hide how much she cares.
The story is inherently touching, but if it makes you cry, it's totally okay to endure it.
But, why endure it?
Suddenly, watching Fu Hua get all flustered, a mischievous grin spreads across Cheng Lixue's face. Hey, maybe there's some truth to that old saying about squeaky wheels getting the grease...or in this case, crying kids getting attention!
"Eh? Immortal——, I'm also very touched, I'm about to cry ~ "
Book of fuxi also put her little hands on her eyes, but he still looked at the two people in front of her through the big gap.
Fu Hua subconsciously prepared to get a tissue and hand it over, but suddenly realized and said angrily, " Please don't cause trouble for now. "
A pang of guilt strikes Fu Hua. If only she'd known how emotionally heavy this game would be, she never would have suggested it to Cheng Lixue.
Now, with her student so distressed, what if this affects her recovery?
But it was too late now. Seeing Cheng Lixue crying like this, Fu Hua felt that she was also responsible.
The deep regret turned into a sigh. Seeing the tears in Cheng Lixue's eyes, she felt for the first time that taking care of people was indeed something she was not good at.
" Oh, Cheng Lixue, I won't leave without saying goodbye. "
" Master, last time it was... forget it, just don't do that again in the future. "
Cheng Lixue is very satisfied with her current situation, and even feels like she is in heaven.
If her recovery is delayed, she will not mind at all ~
...
" If this story is true, then it's no wonder that Kongming didn't allow me to call each other by name at that time, "
Rita's smiling face gradually cooled down at this time. Looking at the story in the game, she recalled the scene when she first met her a few days ago and couldn't help but smile bitterly.
" In other words, General, I and Lady Theresa are quite compatible, even in another world. "
Kallen takes a deep breath. Her nose burns, her eyes too...and then she's echoing Rita's sigh, unable to hold back the feeling any longer.
"Just like Luna Kindred…" Her voice roughens. "Another lost soul, far from home..."
"Rita, couldn't you...take care of her more? Be by her side?" Kallen's voice softens, a flicker of desperation replacing her usual authority.
"I wish I could." Rita shakes her head, the gesture uncharacteristically hesitant. "But she won't let anyone take that place in her heart. Not even someone who looks and sounds the same."
"It's not about appearances..." Rita continues, her voice low. "Her loyalty...it's something to admire, even if it brings her pain."
"...You're right, Rita. I wasn't thinking clearly." Kallen nods slowly, a touch of remorse in her expression. "It was selfish of me, letting my emotions dictate my words."
"But still," a glimmer of hope creeps back into her voice, "perhaps Theresa can learn from this strength. Learn to hold onto that bond, so when the time comes...she'll be ready."
...
" Does this count as you abandoning your family and following this guy to come to this world? "
Theresa wiped the tears on her face, her eyes were still red, and she hadn't recovered yet. The Story just now was so touching.
Looking back thousands of times just to save one person from the world?
It seems that the principal, who is about to enter menopause, is still very girly and deeply moved!
Of course, Luo Mo wisely keeps those thoughts to himself. He's not about to tempt fate and get on the principal's bad side.
"Bah, don't use idioms if you don't know how to use them, " Kongming looked at Theresa with dissatisfaction. Seriously, what kind of half-baked attempt at sounding smart was that? Leaving her hometown would have made way more sense!
" Uh, sorry, sorry, I just got emotional..." Theresa blushed and hurriedly covered up the mistake she just made.
but now that the hostility's gone, all she feels is a burning curiosity about Kongming. This whole 'other world' thing is wild, way better than Luna Kindred, who just seems confused all the time.
And hey, doesn't what Kongming did kinda fit that whole... what was it? "For me, you're more important than this entire world?" Oh, that line was Romantic!
Kongming pauses, fan half-raised, and gives Theresa a skeptical look.
She can't tell if her student is being deliberately cheeky, or if she's just that dense.
Then again, after the way their relationship started...who knows?
"Sweet principal, seriously? Stealing Mei's lines now?" Luo Mo snorts with amusement. That cheesy line? Totally Mei's style, not Theresa's.
Mei's lines are everywhere these days. Those cheesy, dramatic ones? They get stuck in your head, that's for sure.
Plus, that whole "you're more important than the world" thing kinda fits here, doesn't it? Of course, knowing Theresa, she probably pirated it without even realizing... which means I totally can't let it slide. Time to have some fun.
"Oh, I can't think of anything. Mei's lines are still lingering in my mind, "
Theresa was a little distressed and covered her head with both hands.
" Still stealing... " Luo Mo smirks.
At first, he was just thinking about other things to tease her with, but then it hit him—Theresa's got her own source of cheesy material. "Wait, how about that song of yours? The one where you basically screamed the whole chorus?"
The thought of that performance, and the look sure to appear on Theresa's face...well, it makes his grin widen. He's ready for some payback.
" Which song?..." Theresa just raised her head and saw Luo Mo's eyes, and she instantly woke up.
"You're the one who always says dumb stuff! No, wait, you're the one who backstabs me... Argh! Next time I write a song, it'll be all about roasting you!" She huffs, crossing her arms and refusing to look at him.
The sad atmosphere just now was suddenly interrupted and disappeared.
"Oh, I miss Rita more and more, " Kongming sighed.
As much as she misses Rita, having her around right now wouldn't be ideal.
There's something about Rita's presence that triggers those memories, those emotions...which is helpful, but also a bit overwhelming.
For now, distractions like these two squabbling might be exactly what she needs to keep her mind focused on the task at hand.
...
" This future is not bad..."
"Well, that's enough of that!"
With a raised hand, as the last tissue was put into the basket, the half-filled box of tissue paper had already reached the bottom, and the trash can was filled with it.
A quick wipe to clear smudged makeup, and she's back to her usual bright self – the picture of a flawlessly pink elf!
With Elysia, sadness never lasts too long.
It flits in, makes a bit of a mess, then flits back out again.
Especially now that she's seen Kongming with her own eyes, alive and well.
That worry had been gnawing at her, so knowing her Kongming is okay? That's all she needs to put the tears behind her.
After all, with so much beauty in the world, who has time to dwell on sad things? There are lovely people like Mei to compliment, and her own reflection to admire in the mirror! Now, what shade of lipstick would be perfect today...?
Even when the past hurt, Elysia always held onto hope.
Bad times came and went, leaving space for a brighter tomorrow.
Right now, her eyes are a bit red, and her voice might give her away, but she'll do anything to comfort her wounded friend.
Sure, she used to mix up Kongming and Theresa all the time, but now? Never! Kongming's image is burned into her mind, a permanent fixture in her 'favorite people' folder.
Though, that does raise an interesting question...
"If, like Luna said, Luo Mo is acting as the Captain… doesn't that mean Kongming could fall for him too?" She taps her chin thoughtfully.
based on Luna's performance, it would be difficult ♪
"What do you think? Mobius ♪ hmm? "
Elysia leans in, a playful glint in her eyes. "Whoa, are those tears? Don't try to hide it, you know... a little compassion is part of being a beautiful girl."
A mischievous smile dances on Elysia's lips as Mobius stubbornly keeps her head lowered.
She knows just how to tease without going too far.
"...You read too much into things," Mobius grumbles, finally meeting Elysia's gaze with a defiant frown. "Like I'd actually cry over something like this."
"Aw, but don't you think I have a point?" Elysia's tone softens, the teasing fading into genuine observation. "Holding back tears is kinda like crying on the inside, isn't it? See? Right there, a little shimmer... ♪ "
"Hmph! Like I would. Anyway, there's this experiment..." Mobius practically stomps off, a faint blush hinting at her embarrassment.
She refuses to give Elysia the satisfaction!
"So, Ellie, did the doctor actually cry?" Eden asks, genuine confusion in her voice.
"I don't know either, I guess ♪, Eden actually cried, come on, let me wipe it for you—— "
That blush on Mobius was pretty convincing, but hey, teasing is more fun than the truth sometimes. Mobius is always so prickly – it's about time someone softened her up a bit.
"Ellie, behave yourself!" Eden's protest is half-hearted. "That's just red wine I spilled..."
"Ah, I see! Then why aren't my tears salty? I always imagined Eden's tears would taste sweet."
All the while, Aponia watches their antics with an amused smile. Elysia has a way of drawing people out, whether they like it or not. A little chaos can be surprisingly refreshing...
A storm cloud in human form, Kalpas marches across the lobby, the picture of teenage rebellion. He's decked out in all black, that stupid mask practically glued to his face.
He doesn't bother with a word, just slams through the door, ready to take on the world...or whoever decides to tick him off today.
"Kalpas?" Aponia's gentle voice cuts through the tension.
"What? You have to take care of me when I go out? " Kalpas paused and looked coldly at the second person he currently hated.
"...Just looking out for you," Aponia replies, a soft smile never leaving her face.. She was not suitable to get involved between the two bad boys.
"Though, a little reminder..." Elysia chimes in, all saccharine sweetness, "Luo Mo's chilling in the villa next door...and Kongming too. You know, just in case you want to keep things interesting..."
With a final wave and a knowing smirk, she practically skips away.
Well, it looks like the beautiful girl won't have to take action this time ♪
"... I know, " Kalpas said in a dull voice,
Although he felt like he had been shot again, he had nothing to say.
Instead of stewing over it, there's only one way he knows how to deal with this – action.
" Burn everything until death, Luo Mo, come out here—— ! "
No time for fancy strategies or second-guessing. Kalpas plants himself in front of the door, blocking the way, and starts shouting.
Forget those dumb game rules, forget trying to outsmart anyone - this is his fight, and he'll start it on his own terms!
He Start playing directly offline!
...
FIGHT: Luo Mo VS Kalpas!!!
"Well, this was inevitable." There's a faint tinge of amusement in Kongming's sigh, barely hidden behind her fan.
She half-watches the fight, half-watches the reactions of those around her. True sadness is not quite the reaction she's feeling.
Between observations, she plucks slices of fruit from the bowl beside her. May as well enjoy a snack while the chaos unfolds nearby.
" I told you a long time ago that he has some strength, which is different from that in the game. I don't know that the opponent's strength is limited, so why do you still come? "
Kongming looked at the battle where the situation was one-sided and felt a little puzzled.
She could naturally tell that the fighting talent on the other side was completely beyond the reach of Mr. Assassin. His body was covered in flames, which reminded her of Huodou's.
But he is obviously a human being, but he is crazier than a beast. Of course, it refers to the fighting stance.
Kongming doesn't know how to describe it...Mr. Assassins are 10 times stronger physically... aura(Kongming's observation) but Mr. Assassin fighting stance foundation looks like it seems to be lacking too much.
like you give op armor to inexperienced people to fight beasts.
Kongming glances back outside, a frown forming. Is it her imagination, or does the white-haired boy seem even stronger now than a few moments ago?
(Elysia: I'm just watching... ~)
" I've heard of some, they seem to be heroes from previous civilizations? " Theresa thought for a moment and came to a conclusion.
" However, even so, they can't hurt anyone. Luna, you don't have to go in a hurry. "
Luo Mo Gazing helplessly, he pulled Luna's sleeve and said.
Amidst the inexplicable kalpas shouting, Luo Mo was confused at first, then realized, and then walked outside helplessly.
As Kongming said, he now has three stigmata, but Kalpas doesn't have many. He will definitely not flinch in a fight.
" Then release your full strength! Come on, rage, burn -"
Kalpas roars, his fighting frenzy reaching a fever pitch. His flames flicker around him, thankfully causing more spectacle than real damage... for now.
" Oh, then how can you blame me? Find the screenwriter! "
Luo Mo reluctantly accepted his punch and advised him kindly.
It's like trying to reason with a hurricane. Kalpas keeps swinging, each punch thrown harder than the last. Luo Mo ducks and weaves, a familiar ache spreading through his muscles.
"If I beat you this time, I should be beaten less next time... " Luo Mo thought to himself, complaining in his heart.
"Besides, Elysia and Aponia don't know how to persuade!"
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