Chapter 54
Half an hour ago.
Wannian couldn't remember how many times he had fainted and woken up. The human body, which was too fragile, became vulnerable after being baptized by sea water and sound waves.
He began to admire the players—all human, as far as he knew—for their resilience in surviving round after round of what could only be described as psychopathic torture.
If it weren't for my inappropriate status, I would have wanted to applaud them and give them an award or something.
His lungs, which had choked on water, were filled with dense, needle-like pain all the time. Wannian held the glowing algae with one hand and covered his chest with the other, coughing violently again. He regretted countless times in his heart. Why should he be the king of the new world? Wouldn't it be better to go back and be the pirate leader, eat and drink well, and collect a salary while lying down?
If he didn't die in the sea, he might have died on this deserted island. Oh no, he might have died on the back of a turtle.
Come to think of it, it would be nice if I could see little Bobo one last time before I die.
Just one glimpse of the little one's sweet smile can soothe even the pain.
By the way, there is also the person who saved my life, but I don’t know who he is.
Wannian finally stopped coughing, took a deep breath tiredly to relieve the pain in his lungs, supported himself on his knees and tried to stand up, trembling, looking into the distance.
Although the turtle's back is vast and has rich and lush plant species, it is, after all, a sea turtle that sometimes floats up and sometimes dives down. Few animals can adapt to such an ever-changing ecological environment. Therefore, this "island" is like all places lacking animals. The more wildly the plants grow, the more desolate it looks.
It's almost sunrise time, and the best way to determine your position on the vast ocean is to look at the direction of the sun.
He pondered for a moment where he should go, when suddenly a strange voice emerged from behind the sound of the wind.
"Hey, are you looking for me?"
Wannian's whole body trembled, and due to the shock, he lost his balance and was tripped by the tangled algae, falling miserably face first to the ground.
Something wrapped around his waist, narrowly preventing him from being disfigured.
Wannian stood firm again, and looked down with relief.
Then I got goosebumps.
What was wrapped around him was not some imagined rope, but a - a tail!
Smooth, slender, and black.
The tip of the tail is a triangle shape.
...What kind of creature has a tail that looks so strange?
The tip of its tail playfully slipped into the hem of his shirt. Wannian stared with wide eyes, ready to grab it at any moment, but it suddenly retracted.
"Don't stare at my tail with such malicious intent." The previous voice sounded again, "Although many people covet it, I won't let anyone touch it."
Wannian was stunned for a moment, and finally remembered where he had heard this voice: it was the person who saved him when he was about to drown!
He turned his head and saw a pretty little face with a bright smile on it: "Hello uncle, see you again."
Goat horns, arrow-shaped tail, purple lips, and pupils that change shape.
Definitely not human.
A boss of ten thousand years old is also a boss. The boss's perception of source power is equivalent to the first gatekeeper of the sub-world. He immediately noticed that the aura of the other party was very strange and did not belong to this sea at all.
A person who came from another sub-world.
The Central Authority has expressly prohibited any existence other than players or systems from crossing into sub-worlds. In the past, if anyone was caught, they would definitely be severely punished.
After the arrival of the "Great Chaos", the central reconnaissance has weakened a lot. However, being able to cross the sub-world through a bug is still highly dangerous and absolutely impossible without some skills; what's more, this behavior will weaken a layer of power, which may be difficult to replenish. The residents of the infinite space who rely on power as their origin are unwilling to try it easily.
The boy wore a cheerful smile and looked unharmed.
What kind of status and authority allows one to achieve such a level?
Wannian immediately became alert: "Who are you?"
The boy pouted, a coquettish expression that didn't look out of place on his delicate face. "Uncle, is this how you treat your savior? That's so rude!"
"..." Wannian gritted his teeth, "Thank you for saving me."
"That's right." The boy swung his tail behind him, "I know you."
Wannian: “?”
The other person touched his chin. "The little mermaid mentioned you. Let me see, your name is... um... Hundred Years!"
Wannian: "...It's Wan."
Wait, who is the little mermaid?
"mega?"
Wannian was furious: "It's Wannian!"
The boy chuckled, his voice like a silver bell: "Okay, uncle, don't be angry."
“…”
The man felt inexplicably sad. Was he really old enough to be called uncle by teenagers?
He subconsciously touched his face. It was smooth, with neither dryness nor wrinkles on his skin.
...Not old, right?
The boy stared at his movements, from the warm human skin to the thin red on his lips. That was the blood and characteristics that only humans have.
He licked his lips, as if he could see through Wannian's thoughts: "Don't worry, uncle, you don't look old at all."
The words came out.
But Wannian couldn't be happy at all.
"I warn you, don't have any extra thoughts about me."
He is a pirate, and although he is a smart pirate, he is still an adult after all. If he really fights with this skinny kid, he can't be without a chance of winning, right?
The young man looked him up and down, curled his lips and said, "Come on, uncle, I'm not that horny."
Wannian took a moment to realize what he meant, and his face flushed red: "Who told you that kind of thing!"
The boy seemed to find him amusing and was even more amused by his anxiety.
Wannian saw this and secretly warned himself not to get angry easily, as the other party might be a demon or other creature from another copy that feeds on intense emotions.
Being easily provoked now is exactly what he wants.
He is the biggest villain in this world, there is no reason for him to be suppressed by others.
The young man took a deep breath and put on his usual calm and respectful smile. "Thank you very much for your help. Well, I have something else to do, please help me."
The young man was a little surprised that the person who was on the verge of hysterics just now could change his expression in a second, and his absent-minded teasing turned into real interest.
He knew too well how to strike a balance when interacting with others. If he crossed the line a little more now, the other party would probably run away without hesitation.
Sometimes, knowing when to stop is more important than knowing when to attack.
The boy had a pair of gorgeous red eyes. When he saw someone or something interesting, his pupils would turn into a peach-colored heart shape. "Uncle, are you looking for the baby?"
Wannian was stunned: "Why are you——"
"We have the same goal." The triangle on the tip of the tail swayed left and right like a signal receiver, and suddenly fixed in a certain direction. The boy patted it like a small pet, and then his tone became cheerful, "I know where he is. Do you want to come with me?"
Wannian was full of suspicion, but the terrain on the turtle's back was complex. In addition to these tangled algae, there might be more strange plants, or even variants of marine life. If he relied on himself alone, not to mention whether he could find the baby, it would be a problem whether he could leave smoothly afterwards.
Why not follow this kid and see for yourself?
Anyway, according to my inner assessment just now, even if the other party is cheating, I can beat him.
...I think so.
Wannian straightened his collar and nodded reservedly: "Then I'll trouble you to lead the way."
His three-piece suit had long been soaked in sea water and was completely disfigured, with no trace of elegance at all; but he still couldn't lose in terms of aura.
The boy looked like he had spotted a tasty prey and stepped into his own trap. He licked his purple lips slowly and said, "Okay."
The tail turns to the front of the body, turning from a signal receiver into a detector, finding the direction for the owner to move forward.
Wannian had wounds on his arms and legs. He bent over behind the boy, grimacing in pain.
When the other person turned to look at him, he immediately restrained his expression and stood up straight, as if nothing had happened.
The child looked him up and down, smiling without saying a word.
That look made Wannian feel scared, as if he was being stared at by a prey.
However, he still had confidence that in this sub-world, as a small boss, he was the one who plundered and controlled.
"Oh, by the way, if you want to know—" The boy winked at him playfully, causing Wannian to ignore the thickening black fog around him, "My name is Mephistopheles, and I'm a demon whose job is to trade souls."
*
Now.
Li Jue walked around the bottom of the cage three times to the left and three times to the right.
Then he returned to his original position and stared up at the caged figure.
Chains condensed from black mist bound Wan Nian's limbs, and the cage was not high enough for him to kneel inside.
After all the bumps and struggles along the way, his hair, which used to be meticulously groomed, was now completely messy, and his clothes were wrinkled beyond recognition. It seemed as if he had been imprisoned for a long time, and he looked extremely pitiful.
Mr. Wan, who is gentle and high-spirited, actually has such a sad and miserable side.
He clutched the equally flickering yet unbreakable railing with both hands, glaring resentfully at the young man who pretended to care about his injury and exhaustion and kindly "helped" him. He only wished his sight could not turn into a laser to cut the other man into pieces.
Does helping mean locking yourself up?
So why haven't you put the person down even though you've already reached your destination and seen him?
...What on earth is this grandson thinking!
"uncle."
The baby's baby voice broke the curse on Mephistopheles that had been in his heart for thousands of years.
"Did you make a mistake?"
Wannian: “…”
The biggest mistake he made was to trust that bastard who pretended to be harmless.
The little cub didn't know what he was thinking. Seeing that the other party didn't answer, he bit his thumb and explained with an innocent look in his eyes: "Dad said that if you make a mistake, you will be punished."
Although it doesn't mention using chains.
It didn't say that you had to kneel down in a cage.
There was no way to explain to the child the ugliness of human nature (although they were not human either), so he sighed: "Baby, please don't look at me like you're visiting a zoo, okay?"
Chen Yan has a compassionate heart and would never take her children to places where animals need to be kept in iron cages for visits, which led to Li Jue not understanding Wannian's metaphor.
In fact, Wannian couldn't quite remember what the zoo he imagined looked like. It had been a long, long time since he became a human being - he meant, a normal human being in the world.
But that doesn't matter.
"Uncle, come down." Li Jue opened his little hands and curved his eyes expectantly, "Baby wants a hug!"
A hug is a must after a long separation; it is one of the basic understandings of the world for a cub.
Wannian looked at his little face through the gap in the cage and wanted to pinch it, but there was no way.
The black fog seems to have no substance, but in fact it is impossible to penetrate it, otherwise he would not be so passive.
He carefully considered the situation and chose a soothing tone: "Little Bobo, go ask that... uh, brother, if you can put me down?"
Li Jue followed his gaze and saw the little devil looking at them leisurely, with its tail wagging lazily.
"Brother Meimei?"
It was too difficult for such a young child to remember a complicated four-character name, so the little cub simply chose the reduplicated sound of the first character, which was his usual way of addressing others.
Mephistopheles blinked, not expecting such a sweet nickname for himself.
"Yes." Wannian resisted the urge to spit and followed Zizi's words, "Go ask Brother Meimei, okay?"
When Wannian heard the name created by Zaizai, he felt a little nauseous.
But the devil himself was clearly enjoying it, narrowing his eyes in amusement.
Li Jue accepted the task, ran to Mephisto, and waved at him: "Brother Mephisto!"
The little devil squatted down: "What's the matter?"
Everyone present could actually hear the conversation just now, but Li Jue still stood on tiptoe, shielding his face with his hands like a trumpet, and whispered, "Brother Meimei, can you put uncle down?"
The boy didn't mind playing with the cub. He whispered, "Why?"
"I want uncle to hug me." After the little guy said that, as if remembering something, he suddenly reached out and hugged Mephisto's arm, hugged him hard, and said loudly, "Just like this, hug, hug!"
Mephisto had discovered during his previous surveillance that the little system liked physical contact, especially hugs; and, as temporary guardians, both the Golden Dragon and the Siren King were quite indulgent of this.
At that time, the Hell Demon could not understand the meaning of this weak and very "human" action, until now he received the same hug.
The little body as soft as a cloud, the sweet aroma of pear blossoms and milk, like some wonderful magic he had never seen before, instantly smoothed out all the constant anxiety in his heart - the anger that had not been able to stop for a moment since the disappearance of the Lord God and the arrival of the "Great Chaos".
Is that so?
So that's how it is.
No wonder Finks, who is famous for his rage, and Qianxing, who is known for his coldness, seem like different people in front of Li Jue.
The baby actually has such magical energy that it is more effective than any panacea.
In this infinite space where everyone is in chaos and troubled, spiritual healing ability is extremely precious. If the person himself is a weak cub who is unable to protect himself, once the news gets out, he will definitely be snatched up by all forces.
Finks and Qianxing are so tight-lipped because they understand the bad nature of their colleagues.
Even if the small system enters various sub-worlds in the future, its healing power will be known by more and more people, but it is always better to delay that day.
They are such a good pair of parents that even Mephistopheles would praise them.
But this has nothing to do with Wannian.
"Sweet Bean, please give this uncle to me. I really need him." Mephisto looked at me sincerely, clasping his hands together, "Please, please~"
Li Jue is so young, and he is always treated like a little baby wherever he goes. This is the first time someone has acted like a spoiled child towards him.
He bit his thumb hesitantly, thought for a moment, and then pointed out an obvious mistake in the boy's words: "The cub's name is not Little Sweet Bean."
Mephistopheles: "That's a nickname."
Li Jue was puzzled: "'Love, name'?"
Mephistopheles: "That's the name you give to someone you like."
Li Jue suddenly realized: "Brother Meimei likes me too?"
"I like it." Mephistopheles smiled. "You are so cute, you must be delicious."
Why do you want to eat the cub again!
Li Jue puffed up his face and crossed his arms, very seriously, very solemnly: "No!"
The boy was amused by the cute little appearance. "Just kidding. If I really eat you, the little mermaid and the Tyrannosaurus will make my ears calloused."
These two names again.
The cub blinked: "Who is that?"
Devil Tail poked his arm, then his stomach, then his knees lightly, like teasing a cat: "It's Qian Xing and Finks."
Li Jue was very familiar with these two names, and his eyes immediately lit up: "Brother Meimei, do you know Brother Mimi and Brother Yaoyao?"
Mephistopheles was dizzy after hearing the series of "brothers" until he finally figured out the relationship: "You call them that? That's too funny, isn't it?"
He was already imagining the expressions on their faces when he called out "Mimi Brother" and "Yaoyao Brother" in a coquettish way the next time he saw these two people. It was bound to be exciting.
Oh, it was so much fun playing tricks on those two.
"I know him." He changed the subject and started the abduction plan. "How about it, little sweet bean, do you want to come to my world and play? I have a lot of interesting brothers and sisters, uncles and aunts there too."
Li Jue shook his head: "I haven't seen Brother Yaoyao yet. I have to work."
Mephistopheles laughed so hard he fell backwards. "To think there's a system that loves work so much, you're truly unique. No wonder everyone's interested in you."
"Everyone?"
“Yeah, a lot of people.”
"Do you all like cubs?"
"That's right."
The little cub's cheeks were pink and shy. It couldn't be happier to be loved.
The harmonious scene between the big and the small was destroyed by the sound of a fist hitting the iron chain.
Wannian glared angrily at the culprit who had abducted the little cub who was originally begging for mercy for him: "Damn little brat, let me out now!"
Mephistopheles glanced at him lazily. "You don't even consider the situation. Your tone is too harsh, uncle. You should address me as 'Respected, Almighty, and Mighty Lord Mephistopheles.'"
Wannian: “…”
The little devil has very beautiful eyes, and they are very seductive when she glances at me lazily like this.
However, if he fell into Wannian's place, it would only make him so angry that his head would hurt.
Mephistopheles stood up and strolled over leisurely, looking at Wannian with a genuine, zoo-like gaze: "Don't be so excited, uncle, I really want to help you."
Wannian gritted his teeth and said, "Your help is to lock me up?"
"This is a form of protection." The young man put his hands behind his back, leaned forward, and this time spoke in a true whisper. "You want to kill Qian Xing and become the king of the new world, don't you?"
Wannian shuddered all over.
He had only mentioned his plan to the two brats, and had not revealed it even to the crew members he trusted; how did this kid who had just met the children for the first time know about it?
"Don't look so skeptical. Have you forgotten what I do for a living?" Mephistopheles pinched his thumb and index finger together, making a pulling motion. "Soul-penetration is my specialty."
Wannian's face darkened: "I don't intend to 'kill' anyone."
Although the Sea King is indifferent to people other than Li Jue (and perhaps Finks) most of the time, if he learns that someone is harboring rebellion, he will execute them without mercy.
The position of the master of the sub-world is unshakable, and anyone with dissenting intentions can be dealt with at will. This is the highest authority given by the Lord God to every tamed big boss.
Wannian just wants to open up a new world of his own, but doesn't want to provoke the Siren King.
"——Actually, it's not impossible." The little devil, who could see through people's hearts, tempted, "I'm sincere when I say I'll help you, as long as you want it."
Wannian sneered: "And pay enough for it?"
He hasn't forgotten what this grandson does.
The devil is nothing more than a businessman. Humans or other species pay with their souls, and the devil fulfills their wishes. Oh, and he's also an out-and-out profiteer.
Wannian has a clear understanding of his own worth: "I don't think my soul is valuable enough to challenge the monarch's position."
He was belittling himself in his words, but actually he was questioning Mephistopheles.
The little devil was not annoyed, but smiled: "How much a soul is worth, I know how to measure it myself. Uncle, just tell me whether you want to achieve it or not, and leave the rest to me."
Wannian pursed his lips.
After experiencing the great battle between Tongxin and the Four Spirits, he felt helpless and tired because of his small and weak human body.
While I hate floating in the cold sea, I especially miss the days of feasting and having fun on the pirate ship.
Whoever wants to be the king of the new world can be the king - that's what he thought at that time.
But when I saw the small system again, my thoughts changed again.
He saw the change in Mephisto's facial expression when Li Jue hugged his arm.
He had personally experienced the healing power of the baby and knew how powerful it was; if the main god still did not return and the center could not support it, then the collapse trend of infinite space would become more and more obvious.
By then, Li Jue will be everyone's last and only lifeline - all those who cannot suppress the chaos, whether they are bosses or NPCs, and players who cannot escape, will fall apart along with the infinite space until they die.
There is only one magical system cub, and it is so young that it is impossible for it to take care of everyone.
The big bosses will start a war to fight for him, and that will only accelerate the arrival of the end of the world.
I don't want to die for a thousand years, of course.
Wanting to become the new king or giving up on becoming the new king is all for the sake of surviving better in this world where the strong prey on the weak.
However, after experiencing Mephistopheles, he reassessed the situation and understood a truth: if he wanted to be lucky enough to receive the favor of the small system, he had to become a big boss.
He frowned and glanced at the little devil, who still had that all-knowing smile on his face, as if he had expected him to hesitate.
No one likes to be seen through. That smile is beautiful, but it is really dazzling.
The boy didn't ask immediately, giving him time to think carefully. Instead, he took the cub's hand and said, "Sweet Bean, let's have a hug, okay?"
This was Li Jue's favorite part, and he readily agreed.
He raised his hands high like a young seedling, but what he got was not the boy's arms, but the devil's tail.
The tail looks thin, but it is actually very powerful. It deftly tosses the cub back and forth like a slide. The other two people's hearts are in their throats, but they manage to catch the cub steadily every time.
Xiao Lijue likes this game very much, and his childish laughter is as clear as a silver bell.
The different lights of the devil horns on Mephistopheles' head can show the owner's mood. For example, if they are red now, it means that he is at the peak of excitement.
The tail dangled the cub like a swing, and took the opportunity to coax it: "How is it? Interesting, right? Come to my world, okay? Everyone has a tail like this, and I can play with you every day."
What he said was not false. After all, the devils' only task every day was to torture the souls in the cells. After work, they had nothing to do and could just line up and take turns to accompany the distinguished little guest.
Before Zizi could answer, another voice, half helpless and half angry, sounded behind them.
"——Xiaomei, stop messing around."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
