"If this Earth had a will, then it would definitely be a bastard screenwriter with a sick sense of humor."
Something a certain god-tier big shot had once said had resonated within some of the higher circles.
It had never liked smooth-sailing stories.
It had never liked letting a story's protagonist have a good ending.
It always gave you a vicious kick when you least expected it. Maybe if you endured it, you would receive generous, even doubled rewards—but at that moment...
"...It really hurts to the core."
Some people had tried to explain Earth's behavior.
"Its resources are limited, so it can only prioritize nurturing those with potential. That is why ascending to godhood is far more difficult here than in other worlds. But in exchange, the gods and demigods of our world are also quite powerful."
"It is seeking more possibilities for evolution. It is forcing us to evolve and complete the rules it requires."
"This is karma. It is because humanity possesses such traditional beliefs that this world's underlying operational logic took shape. In the end, it is all caused by humanity's 'collective consciousness.'"
"Something like a Heavenly Tribulation? A Heart Demon Tribulation? It really does seem a little similar."
Various academic and philosophical circles had offered plausible answers. Some of them were even quite convincing, sounding almost true.
"...Stop making excuses for that bastard. It just wants to watch the show!"
Yet certain remarks had struck even deeper.
Judging by the results, it had indeed made the vast majority of High-Level Professionals, powerhouses, and even innate big shots more mature. Everyone had a pile of stories and bitter grievances to tell.
But when it really happened to you, when you experienced that dazed feeling of being run over by a mud truck, no one could help