Character side story: [Destiny] · Concerning Predestination (I)

The [Nothingness] Protocol contains many things; [Destiny] has laid many foreshadowing elements, both overt and covert, in order to win back its Believer.

[Deception] is different. He is not concerned with the Cheng Shi, but with how to use the agreement to "extract" pleasure from his Twin Gods.

He practically wrote down all his annoyances in the agreement, the most representative of which was "exchanging Token of affection."

Cheng Shi had always been curious as to why he insisted on praying and Edict of Passage to [Deception] by facing the [Destiny] Dice. He thought it was the price of Greed, but little did he know that it was actually [Deception]'s perverse pleasure.

Of course, it wasn't all just a wicked joke. [Deception] did this so that [Destiny] could know Cheng Shi's situation in time, so that when He was busy, He could ask the other party to help look after His Believer.

After all, Destiny is what it is; you only need to focus on what Predestination. But when it comes to Deception, there are far too many things to consider.

That is indeed the case.

When [Destiny] finds Predestination course that aligns with its own will, its gaze never leaves the Cheng Shi.

From the Cheng Shi left the Path of Fate's Beginning, He had been observing this Believer who had broken his vow, observing his every word and deed, observing his attitude towards Faith, observing his growth in the game, and protecting him in the process.

He never considered this Mortals to be a [Deception] Believer. He felt that he had only temporarily "entrusted" the Believer to [the Deception], and that the other party would return sooner or later.

This thought remained steadfast, except... when the other party uttered the [Deception] prayer while facing the [Destiny] Dice.

I still remember Cheng Shi's first Trials. When he slipped away from his teammates' attention and secretly took out the [Destiny] Dice in the alley, he quietly recited:

"The Lies Like Yesterday are laughed at today."

Yesterday I deceived the Believer of [Order], therefore today I am Believer of [Order], Priest of [Order], Justice Official!

As soon as he finished speaking, the [Destiny] Dice remained unresponsive.

Cheng Shi froze for a moment, his expression changing slightly, then he cursed at the Dice, "Damn it."

I've been scammed! My downstairs neighbor isn't Believer [Order] at all!

Cheng Shi was extremely frustrated. He had thought he would have a perfect debut, but reality taught him a lesson again. His seemingly honest neighbor hadn't told him anything.

Another extremely frustrating thing is [Destiny].

Hiding in an alley, holding Dice, eyes gleaming with excitement, whispering amongst themselves... every action here represents the Edict of Passage's deep respect and absolute "closeness" to their Lord of Grace.

However, what is heard is completely different from what is seen. While [Destiny] was admiring Cheng Shi's caution in the Trials, [Deception]'s prayers had already reached His ears.

"The Lies Like Yesterday..."

"..."

[Destiny]'s good mood vanished instantly.

In the desolate Void, where no one paid attention, Bitter Wind swept through, almost shredding the Nothingness. A pair of icy eyes were fixed on the figure in the Trials. At that moment, He wished He could rush into the Trials, shove the [Destiny] Dice back into the Believer's hands, and force him to revise his words and say with utmost sincerity:

Fate is as numerous as the stars, beyond our reach.

Unfortunately, all of this was just wishful thinking.

The [Nothingness] Protocol limited the [Destiny]'s actions. At that time, He still wanted to abide by the agreement with His Twin Gods, since [Nothingness] should be of one mind.

"Yes, it should be."

[Destiny] did not convey Cheng Shi's first Edict of Passage to [Deception], because He knew that [Deception] must have been watching this place for a long time. This was the Believer's first Trials, and it was also Trials personally given by [Deception], which the other party would not miss.

Since the [Deception] has been seen, there is no need to relay it.

In addition, [Destiny] also has its own ideas. The failure of the Edict of Passage is a good opportunity. From the perspective of Destiny, this may well be a response to Wrong Path.

He wanted to know how His Believer would choose when Destiny led them astray, and how they would bring their Destiny back on track. This was something He needed to observe, so He was very hopeful that this Edict of Passage would fail.

Even for this expectation, He found [Deception] in the Void long ago, strictly forbidding the other party from helping.

[Deception] scoffed at this and turned to leave.

He no longer cared Cheng Shi would pass the Trials; as long as [Destiny] was there, at least the Clown wouldn't die.

However, Cheng Shi's subsequent performance was a model of a "liar." He didn't need to use any Deception; with his silver tongue alone, he completely fooled his teammates.

He did not use Faith at all, yet he was constantly offering [Deception]. This act of "betrayal" angered [Destiny] so much that after the Trials ended, He found [Deception] again and fought with him once more.

"Are you sick?" [Deception] Unable to bear it any longer, he cursed and swore.

[Destiny]'s eyes were cold, poised to strike. "So you really do want a fight!"

"..."

Upon hearing this, even the shrewd [Deception] was speechless.

What's there to say? Let's fight.

[Nothingness] is embroiled in another battle.

Since then, many similar incidents have occurred:

Cheng Shi suffered a loss in the [Prosperity] Trials, and [Destiny] sought out [Prosperity] for a fight;

Cheng Shi lost his item in the [Annihilation] Trials, and [Destiny] challenged [Annihilation] to a fight.

Cheng Shi gained nothing from the [Silence] Trials, and [Destiny] challenged [Silence] to a duel;

Cheng Shi the [Order] Trials, but then got into a fight with [Destiny]... [Deception].

Because He knew that Cheng Shi was not an honest man at all, the fact that he wasn't judged by the will of [Order] meant that he had once again offered up [Deception] with a deception to cover himself up. For this, [Destiny] was very angry, and [Deception] felt very "wronged".

"Is it my fault that my Believer offer me a deception?"

Despite [the Deception's ] strong arguments, a fight was inevitable.

[Destiny] put all his strength into it, seemingly venting all the "Lies Like Yesterday" he had heard in every fight.

Interestingly, even though He listens, gets annoyed, and fights all the time, when Cheng Shi's next Trials begins, He will still be high in the Void, watching over the Believer's every word and deed.

His purpose is pure: He will not tolerate any mishaps before Believer return to the path of [Destiny].

Cheng Shi was also "worthy of praise". With his attitude of giving up, his strategy of getting by, his logic of clinging to the big shots, and his flexibility and resourcefulness in saving the day, even if he gained nothing in some Trials, or even lost money at times, he never got into any trouble.

That's enough.

As it unfolds, [Destiny]'s patience is wearing thin; sometimes it even wonders if it initially chose the wrong Predestination.

Otherwise, why would this Believer be so aligned with [Deception], even to the point that sometimes one can see the repulsive shadow of that Twin Gods in the other person?

"... It must be because he is Predestination that he aligns with all Faith."

[Destiny] has comforted itself like this countless times.