Please Let Me Be Someone Useful

Cheng Shi silently reviewed the list of "New God" who were about to take over.

Qin Xin, needless to say, after reclaiming everything from [War] in the True Universe, is now almost indistinguishable from the real [War], except that he has not yet acquired Divine Name.

The Dragon King was the same; at least before [Memory] left, he left the Vessel representing the [Memory] Memory Archive to his Believer, which shows that he had already chosen a successor for his Divine Throne.

Li Wufang's situation might be slightly worse, since Cheng Shi only obtained the [Order] Vessel. If he wants to push the Investigator to the Divine Throne, he must make [Justice) ] acknowledge the true [Order]. [Pride) ]'s expectations and instructions to Li Wufang before its self-destruction are valid.

To put it Justice, this might be difficult, but no matter, Cheng Shi has a backup plan.

Even if Li Wufang's succession is blocked, he can still initiate the Gods' Covenant Assembly and use a vote to directly elevate the Investigator to godhood.

In short, [Prosperity], [Death], [Truth], [War], [[Chaos], [Silence]], [Existence], [Nothingness]... The Fear Faction has long controlled the voter base and held absolute power of discourse. As long as [Deception] returns, the [Covenant] will no longer be a constraint on them, but will become a tool for the Fear Faction to manage the Cosmos.

It must be said that the [Covenant] was a brilliant move, especially for the weak who sought Divine Throne.

It's unclear whether the [Deception] had already anticipated this situation when they tricked the gods into signing the [Covenant].

Besides the three mentioned above, there was another unexpected "pleasant surprise" in the Fire-Keeping Hall.

That old friend, Nangong, who was afraid of causing trouble in the Fire-Keeping Hall, seems to have adapted to the erosion of the [Decay] Vessel.

Qin Xin told Cheng Shi that the corrosive power of the [Decay] Vessel was weakening, Nangong no longer needed to struggle and endure for too long every day.

Cheng Shi was stunned for a moment, then realized that perhaps it wasn't that Nangong had adapted to [Decay], but that he was truly [Decay]... He was about to collapse.

Although not all the Believer [Decay] perished in the game, [Decay], having learned the Universe Truth, no longer keeps its gaze fixed on the present Starry Sky.

He is vying with countless others like Him for the Creator 'Decay mercy, but having reached this point, before the mercy of the Origin arrives, He is about to be "Annihilation."

Regardless of how the world views him as "Decay," at least this rotten giant did not make things too difficult for him, and even granted him the Divine Authority to Proxy, which at one point became his source of confidence in fighting his enemies.

Thinking about this, Cheng Shi felt a mix of emotions.

The era of the Old Gods is finally coming to an end.

They pursued their own will, falling one after another on the path of approaching or moving away from the [Origin], but they would not immediately leave the stage, because the places where they fell were fertile soil, about to give birth to new gods.

With the idea of seizing another Divine Throne along the way, Cheng Shi set his sights on [Decay], thinking that if he didn't act now, he would miss out.

He summoned Nangong in the Fire-Keeping Hall as the "Hope's Flame".

When Nangong discovered that the deity protecting the Fire Keeper was actually Cheng Shi... the little girl, already shattered by the deception, looked at the Hope's Flame before her and "shattered" once again.

"You..."

Cheng Shi laughed, "What about me?"

"You can't possibly be the Hope's Flame." Nangong still couldn't believe it.

Why is it impossible?

"Because you are Cheng Shi!"

"..."

Outsiders might find this reason laughable, after all, what kind of reason is it? But for Cheng Shi, it is the only reason.

That's right, precisely because I am Cheng Shi, I am no one, nor do I want to be anyone.

But it is also because I am Cheng Shi that I must be anyone, and I must become the person I don't want to be—no, God.

A hint of surprise flashed in Cheng Shi's eyes. He never expected that this simplest and most straightforward truth, which was close to his heart, would be pointed out by a pure-hearted girl today.

But then, a smile spread across his face.

Do you know why I called you here?

Nangong's eyes were still filled with shock. She nodded stiffly, "The God Creation Plan."

"Yes, God Creation Plan."

In fact, the God Creation Plan had already succeeded.

You should know that the Fire Keeper initiated the God Creation Plan to create a god to fight against the oppression of the gods and restore clarity to the world.

The moment Qin Xin obtained the Divine Authority of [War], the plan was theoretically over. Moreover, given the current state of the Cosmos, a True God, especially one of [War], is enough to protect the Fire Keeper to the 'end'. You shouldn't have to endure so much suffering anymore.

It must hurt a lot, right?

Cheng Shi looked at the scar on Nangong's hand. Nangong trembled slightly, shook his head, and pulled his hand back into his sleeve, hiding it behind his back.

"I did it voluntarily."

"Of course I know you did it voluntarily. The Fire Keeper would never force any fellow Firelinker to do something they don't want to do."

Your courage deserves everyone's recognition.

Nangong pursed his lips, shook his head again, and said with a hint of gratitude in his voice:

"I didn't have the courage myself; it was everyone who gave me that courage."

Along my journey, I've always encountered all sorts of people who have helped me. They didn't look down on me, didn't abandon me, and were willing to lend me a hand. They were the ones who pulled me out of the mire step by step...

This includes you, Cheng Shi.

Nangong looked up and met those "frightening" eyes, and looked away somewhat.

"Although you've been lying to me, I know you meant no harm. You're helping me, helping me solve problems I simply can't face."

"No, I just wanted to lie."

Cheng Shi chuckled to himself, feeling that if he didn't trick Nangong into something, it would be like leaving money lying on the ground unpicked up—it would be unsettling.

Of course, that statement is also a lie.

"..." Nangong choked, and after glaring at Cheng Shi for a long time, she regained her composure and continued, "I remember everyone's kindness to me."

So when everyone was looking for a Vessel that could withstand [Decay], I signed up.

I have no other strengths, except for my ability to endure.

If enduring suffering can help others and repay them, then I think it's not endurance at all, but rather a kind of 'enjoyment'.

I suddenly became useful, which made me very, very... very, very happy.

I don't feel bitterness, I only feel sweetness.

As he spoke, a bright smile bloomed on Nangong's face.

"..."

The suffering of some is the laughter of others.

Cheng Shi suddenly thought of this, his eyes darkened, and he sighed inwardly, wondering why this silly girl always managed to touch people's hearts so deeply.

Is this what purity is?

The last person so pure seems to have been Fire Keeper as well.

Cui Qiushi is so lucky; he has a good father and a good comrade-in-arms.

No, not just one, but a group.

Cheng Shi smiled; he understood Nangong's thoughts, but he still offered a word of advice:

"The matter of the [Decay] Vessel is extremely important to the Fire Keeper's future plans. Your courage is the best reward for those who lent you a helping hand. The road ahead will be very difficult..."

Nangong, you are a pure girl, so I won't mince words with you anymore. The one who obtains the Vessel will eventually become a god, which means the God Creation Plan will continue. Perhaps soon, you will succeed to the throne as the new [Decay].

At that point, the real Decay will have only just begun.

I am not [Decay], I do not know how unbearable it is to slowly decay during the long divine life. Perhaps the pain then is a hundred times greater than now. Of course, it is also possible that all the pain will leave you after you obtain Divine Authority. All you have to do is hold on to your lonely heart...

In any case, what I want to say is that the road ahead is very risky. You have done enough and have the right to choose to withdraw at this moment.

I'm not depriving you of the opportunity to become a god; I just know that not everyone wants to become a god.

"..."

Nangong fell silent.

She wasn't stupid; she could sense Cheng Shi's sincerity and concern for her, but she... didn't want to give up.

Thinking of the mountain of notebooks in the room, the names written page by page, and the past experiences of being pulled along by others to get to where she was now, she clenched her fists tightly, raised her head, looked solemnly at Cheng Shi, and said firmly:

I want to be a useful person.

I do not covet divine power Divine Throne; it is simply because endurance is what I do best. If someone has to suffer, I would rather it be me. I do not want anyone to endure torment.

Cheng Shi... no, the Hope's Flame, please let me be a useful person.

Even if I rot in the eternal mire, at least I can still use withered branches and fallen leaves to support those who helped me.

Hearing these words, Cheng Shi a warmth in his heart, and a bright smile appeared on his face.

"Don't doubt yourself; you've always been a useful person."