Chapter 76
The players stared wide-eyed at the bloody words on the panel, becoming increasingly confused. It was as if a massive explosion had occurred in their heads, leaving them dizzy and disoriented.
"impossible."
In the quiet crowd, so quiet you could hear a pin drop, it's unclear who spoke first.
"You misread it."
Someone moved their lips and continued the conversation.
"If it really is the legendary S-rank dungeon, how could it be broadcast in such a hasty manner? Where's the special background, the voice effects, and the intimidating system announcement?"
"That's right. A dignified S-level dungeon, and all they give is a notification. It's even worse than an A-level Ghost King dungeon, no, it's worse than a regular A-level dungeon. The system must have made a mistake."
"System—! Tell everyone directly if you're infected with a virus? If so, get back to the drawing board and don't come out here to harm people!"
Since there was no complaint channel for the game, players began to question and curse the heavens.
A chorus of negativity echoed throughout the game lobby.
Even the most decadent and listless taverns fell into a temporary silence.
At first, the drunks pointed at the notice and laughed, saying that they were so drunk that they saw things and mistook A for S.
When everyone said that, their smiles froze.
Their sprawled bodies suddenly sprang up, crashing into the tables and chairs, making the wine glasses on the plates clatter, and leaving their faces disheveled and bewildered.
"...No way! I'm seeing things, I must be seeing things, I'm not thinking straight!"
To the bartender's astonishment, the man at the bar suddenly grabbed a small steel bucket of ice and smeared it over his head.
Splash—
The cold made him shiver violently, with ice still on his head. He ignored it, turned his head sharply, his bloodshot eyes turning black, and read the system announcement word by word.
Reality did not turn out as he had hoped.
No matter how he looked at it, the panel clearly stated "S-rank".
The glaring crimson "S-Class" mocked everyone who refused to accept reality, and it mocked him as well.
Time ticked by, but the system remained unresponsive.
In the past, people would have been tired of complaining and would have listlessly started paying attention to the situation of the major guilds and the frontline strategy teams.
However, at this moment, the shouts and curses did not stop at all, like a pot of boiling oil, from calm to boiling, and then completely exploding!
The expressions of disbelief and reluctance on people's faces were gradually replaced by anger and despair, and their screams became distorted.
"Speak up, system! Resend the announcement!"
"What the hell? You just finished the A-rank Ghost King and you're already fighting the S-rank Ghost King? Are you kidding me?!"
"The trial design is absolutely flawed. How dare they claim it's fair and just? This is a piece of shit!"
"Can someone tell me why there are three question marks after the number of Ghost Kings? Does it mean there's more than one Ghost King? I'm gonna get you!!!"
In the first A-level Ghost King Trial, the player success rate was less than one in ten thousand. In the second A-level Ghost King Trial, the number of experienced players plummeted to just over a thousand.
The number of seeded challengers who could maintain a first-clear record of [4] or higher in the third A-level Ghost King Trial, namely "Dragon Slayer Boy", has been reduced to more than 300!
Even the challengers themselves couldn't guarantee they'd survive the next A-level Ghost King trial, yet the system suddenly released an S-level Ghost King trial—and there wasn't just one S-level Ghost King capable of destroying cities and nations, practically driving everyone to their doom!
Denial, anger, pleading.
If the appearance of Xie Xubai, the cluster of buildings resembling Earth in the infinite world, and the important discovery of commonalities among dungeons brought vitality to the stagnant player community in the previous instance, then...
The system's latest announcement, like a cold, sudden storm, dragged players back into a bleak and desolate reality.
The entire game lobby descended into unprecedented chaos. Negative players who thought progressing through the levels was pointless, like hyenas smelling meat, seized the opportunity to stir up trouble and spread negative comments.
“I’ve already told you, this is all a conspiracy by the system. Struggling and resisting is useless. In fact, the harder you struggle, the more the system and those so-called masterminds will enjoy watching from behind the scenes.”
"Yeah, why not just lie down like us, so we don't have to suffer any pain and the system won't laugh at us?"
A few words are enough to shatter a person's confidence.
Just when all the players who still held hope for redeeming Earth thought it was so absurd that it would crush them.
bite.
A new system announcement.
The number of players with a first-clear record of 4 or higher was detected to be far lower than the total number of players, indicating that some players are refusing to participate in the first-clear trial or are being passively resisting. Therefore, this trial will now be conducted in "All-Out Battle" mode.
[All-Out Battle Mode: In addition to those who have registered to participate, the system will randomly select one-quarter of the unregistered players to directly enter the first clear of this trial.]
[Note: Once selected for this mode, participation is mandatory. Transferring your spot is not allowed, and you are not permitted to evade the trial by any means.]
Let's break free from laziness and embrace a bright tomorrow! [smiley face]
silence.
A deathly silence.
People don't even know what kind of expression they should make; their faces are blank.
Especially the pessimistic players who had previously predicted the downfall felt as if an invisible hand was gripping their throats, making it impossible for them to breathe, and cold sweat gradually soaked their backs.
Every gamer must have felt fortunate to have encountered an infinite game that is different from those depicted in movies and novels.
First-time participants in the trial are on a voluntary basis. The trial pool is open at any time. The game lobby is well-constructed, and with the advantage of a large number of players, it can remain self-sufficient.
Therefore, players who are not psychologically strong do not need to participate in dungeons under the pressure of a breakdown; they can simply be lazy and play casually if they want.
Those dangerous and difficult matters will be handled by people who are countless times more capable than them.
But now, the four words "mandatory participation" are like a guillotine quietly raised from behind, its sharp blade flashing and shattering the ivory tower, breaking the wishful thinking that "it won't happen to me anyway."
After all, everyone knows—
The first trial was fraught with danger, and there was no walkthrough available.
Most viewers in the live stream are complacent and lack sufficient combat experience and the ability to respond to danger.
They're no different from lambs to the slaughter. No, lambs still have spirit; they might charge at people. But what about them? What will happen to them without the omniscient perspective of the livestream?
The mode, dubbed the "All-Out Battle," forces a quarter of players to participate this time. How many will it be next time?
One-quarter, or increase it to one-half?
Or perhaps—
In the crowded game lobby, all the insults and noises instantly disappeared, and only barely audible breathing could be heard, from shallow to rapid.
This seemingly gentle yet infinite game finally revealed its venomous and sharp fangs when players least expected it.
*
On the other hand, Xie Xubai, who attempted to seize the authority of the Ghost King, was undoubtedly rejected by the rules.
Admittedly, Xie Xubai has already gained a great reputation in this hospital and is strong enough to even surpass Director Li, but his foundation is too shallow.
—Having only been employed for two days and knowing only a superficial understanding of the hospital, yet wanting to run for the position of hospital director is utterly ridiculous!
Xie Xubai keenly sensed this from the feedback of the power of the rules.
Rumble—
Thunder raged, the rules forbade it! Unimaginable pressure crashed down like a massive tsunami, determined to completely suppress Xie Xubai's will.
However, Xie Xubai did not retreat but advanced.
He had witnessed a true cataclysmic tsunami in the Sea of Immaculate Beauty, and had soothed the angry and violent little tentacles at the Jiang family altar where the earth shook. Even when Ping An lost control due to hunger and bared its teeth at him, he never flinched or backed down.
Along the way, there has never been a time without bloodshed and turmoil.
The rules of the First Hospital weren't enough to break him.
The golden spiritual energy, like a ray of light in the dark night, continued its journey upstream.
It clashed head-on with the power of the rules, triggering a violent earthquake that caused the entire hospital to shake violently!
The dormitory lights came on, and the medical staff, shuffling out in their slippers, tumbled and crawled out, staring dumbfounded at the sky.
A terrifying phenomenon occurred in the darkness: thick, dark clouds gathered towards the center, forming a gigantic black vortex resembling a black hole. The vortex spun continuously, whipping up waves of wind, causing tree shadows to sway, and scattering dirt and grass clippings.
The silvery lightning and the dazzling golden light were locked in a fierce battle, illuminating the sky as bright as day.
The power of the rules relentlessly suppressed Xie Xubai, but on its own territory, it was naturally fearless. It tore the golden spiritual energy to pieces, fierce as a lion or tiger, and continued to approach Xie Xubai.
It was at this moment that Xie Xubai frowned, as if he was struggling to keep up.
The Thunder would not miss such an opportunity, and they went all out to take advantage of the situation and bully the Thunder!
But it never expected that this was not a weakness it had created by attacking Xie Xubai, but rather a trap that Xie Xubai had deliberately let slip past it.
A golden light, solidified to the extreme, was waiting for this moment when the creature was completely unprepared to leap up. In the blink of an eye, it deftly bypassed all the lightning and bound the power of the rules within it!
boom!
That seemed to be the force of the rules issuing a resentful question: You dare to cheat me?
Xie Xubai's mental fluctuations conveyed: "If you acknowledge me as the Dean, I will release you."
His response was met with an even more deafening thunderclap.
Rumble—!
Xie Xubai gritted his teeth, his eardrums nearly ruptured by the force of the rules.
He knew that on hospital grounds, he couldn't expect to suppress the rules head-on.
Continuing the stalemate would be even more dangerous.
The golden spiritual power was fully unleashed, and the power of the rules was kneaded in an extremely ingenious way.
Given that the rules were designed to select the right people, the Jiang family chose Jiang Kaile for their land.
Xie Xubai composed himself, his tone calm and gentle, and coaxed, "Why don't you want to acknowledge me? I can change anything you want."
Don't you want a strong successor? Someone who can protect this land from the scourge of villains and ensure your smooth operation?
Young people are best at this skill of softening people's hearts.
But that doesn't mean he's being subservient.
Xie Xubai's pupils faintly revealed a pale gold hue, his will and mental power merging together, presenting a state of extreme focus.
His composure sustained him, preventing him from succumbing to the confrontation. He spared no effort in unleashing his mental energy, desperately searching for any possible loopholes in the [rules].
Although the rules are ruthless, the principle of using softness to overcome hardness is effective against all forces.
Gradually, the power of the rules began to falter.
Author's Note:
After the webpage update, I couldn't find the option to check the nutrient solution thank-you box. Oh no!
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