"Name?"
"Huai Shi."
"Gender?"
"Male."
"Age?"
"20."
In the vast, dim hall, the conversation between the shadow and the puppet in his palm came to an end.
Within layers of hazy mist, the man in pale robes lowered his gaze and smiled at the chess piece in his hand as it gradually came to life.
Compared to Huai Shi's lively face on the piece, the chess player's own face seemed hidden within the mist like the hall itself. Neither male nor female, neither old nor young could be discerned; only that teasing, mocking smile seemed eternal, never changing in the slightest.
Destruction Factor · Pied Piper!
In just a few breaths, Source Matter was injected, consciousness simulated, and a pseudo-soul fashioned.
At last, the animated chess piece was placed upon the board.
One final commendation.
"Very good."
The Pied Piper smiled encouragingly. "Go and fight for yourself, Huai Shi."
Thus, the chess piece turned and headed toward the overwhelming ranks behind him, mounted a fine horse, and charged into the army of ten thousand.
The slaughter from which there was no return began once more.
Across the board, the aged jester White Snake raised a finger and pushed the piece in his hand—Nine Ministers of the Fallen Kingdom · Duke of Nurture—forward one square.
Across the board, the pieces representing the Present Realm and Hell came in all varieties, gleaming in countless colors and lights. Pushed by two palms, they tore at one another like beasts, fighting to the death.
Streams of firework-like light continuously rose and fell, bringing immense death and destruction.
At last, under the Pied Piper's control, the battered Huai Shi piece fought his way to the summit of the Fallen Kingdom Palace and severed the final head.
The outcome had been decided.
"Sure enough, interesting—among my