This, Is Us! This, Is the Fire Keepers!

Very well, the Scholar have made a pact with the Truth, and the prisoners have broken the shackles of silence.

The Deception heart-to-heart talk went very smoothly.

Seeing how honest the two were, Cheng Shi also became honest with himself.

His gaze swept around the crowd, and only after confirming "again and again" that no one else was around did he cautiously and carefully utter the "secret" that required a vow as collateral.

"The Fire Keeper."

The moment those three words were uttered, three out of the five people present immediately tensed up.

This subconscious reaction did not escape Ji Yue's notice. She looked around with great interest, then stared intently at Cheng Shi, waiting for what would happen next.

Fang Shiqing's mind was in turmoil; she had both guessed and hadn't expected this moment.

She stared blankly at Cheng Shi, wondering if Cheng Shi's Mask had any binding force, and whether the two people in front of her would keep their vow not to reveal it.

She thought about it a lot, for a long time, but interestingly, she never considered killing the two non- Passing the Flame law-abiding individuals in front of her.

Cheng Shi ignored the various expressions on the faces of the people in front of him and continued speaking.

Hope shone in his eyes, and a resolute smile graced his face.

"I wonder if anyone here has considered where the world will go now that the [Gods] have descended upon the game."

What will become of the humans who have been captured and turned into players?

In the millions of years since the dawn of humanity, we have never encountered a disaster like the one we are facing now.

[The Faith Game] Although it is a game, everyone should be very clear about the price of failure, which is death.

The entire world is imprisoned in the "Gods' Arena," a game where there is no choice but to obey their will.

Regardless of gender, age, strength, or weight, everyone is struggling. Is this what we want?

No, this isn't it!

This is just what they want, and we can't refuse it.

But are we really unable to refuse?

When I reached 1200 points, I saw that the world was filled with Despair;

When I reached 1600 points, I discovered that there was still Vitality in the [Faith Game];

When I reached 2000 points, I felt that a corner of the secret of the [Gods] had finally been revealed;

When I reached 2400 points, I thought... why couldn't I be among those sitting on that high Divine Throne?

"..."

"..."

"..."

Cheng Shi's expression did not Change at all; he simply smiled slightly as he spoke these words.

But to everyone's ears, this statement was like a thunderclap from a clear sky!

Everyone except Ji Yue was stunned.

The Fire Keeper was bewildered, because what Cheng Shi said had nothing to do with the Fire Keeper's original intention.

The prisoner was also bewildered, because this organization didn't sound like something a player of his level could join.

Only Ji Yue, who appeared calm and composed on the surface, had an intense appreciation for this attitude that filled almost her entire soul!

The wildness and recklessness of war had its peak impact on her at this moment!

It's not in the body, but in the soul.

A thousand guns resonate!

"Do you think I'm crazy?"

No, I'm not crazy, I'm perfectly sober.

This is not a Nothingness and unfounded fantasy, nor is it a wishful delusion on my part.

Because...

He once told a player that humans can become gods!

"!!!!!"

"Splash—"

"Bang—"

"Click-click-click—"

The Hunter stared in disbelief, the prisoner's chains fell, the poet dropped his book, and the knight clenched his fists.

Only one "composed" Scholar remained, motionless, but in her eyes as she looked at Cheng Shi, there was a clear flow of Greed thirst for knowledge and a frenzied sense of identification.

"Yes, you heard right, humans can become gods."

After learning this secret that the gods most wanted to keep hidden, the Fire Keeper was born.

Born from the hands of that player, born at the starting point of the path to godhood.

He constantly explored every possible path to godhood, not because he wanted to become a god, but because he felt that humanity should not be manipulated, enslaved, or mocked in this way.

Even if this Civilization isn't perfect, even if this world isn't noble, it's still humanity's own world. Why should it become a playground for the "gods"?

But what if!

If a human being were to appear on the Divine Throne of those gods!

So, under "his" protection, will humanity have a new future?

A foreseeable future, one that is not subject to manipulation!

So now you know why I have to be so careful, and why I dare not make a fuss.

Because what we are fighting against is them who are on the Divine Throne, and what we are replacing is also them who are on the Divine Throne.

Once our existence is discovered by them, we will face the wrath of the gods, an erasure and Annihilation with no future.

You might find it ridiculous.

I believe that even the most elite players possess abilities bestowed upon them by Him. How could they possibly become gods based on that alone?

But how will you know if you don't try?

And I, we, are those who walk this path to godhood, those chosen by Him!

Passing the Flame, Passing the Flame, it is not the fire that continues, but the hope of becoming a god.

We agree with him, we support him, we follow him.

We will do everything in our power to find the path to godhood, and then, at the most opportune moment and the perfect juncture, we will place the most suitable candidate on that 'Divine Throne'!

When fantasies become reality, when delusions materialize, this world will be reborn.

This is who we are.

These are the Fire Keeper.

This is the greatest secret I bear, and it is also my greatest sincerity to you all today.

Cheng Shi smiled and looked at Ji Yue, whose eyes were flashing with a strange light, and continued to explain:

"We are not so noble, nor so selfless."

Admittedly, many people agree with everything he said, that it was for the future of humanity and for the liberation of the enslaved.

But many more partners are doing it for their family, for their friends, for themselves, and for the bonds they share.

Therefore, when we look for partners, we never judge them by good or bad, but there is at least one quality they must possess, and that is...

The determination to resist all oppression, and...

The awareness that success doesn't have to be achieved by me!

These three friends from the Mutual Aid Society were the people I had wanted to recruit earlier.

I gave them a Mask representing the Fire Keeper and told them that they could call upon me whenever they needed help.

But I also told them that when we meet again, they must give me an answer.

This is my secret, Scholar and prisoner, and this is also the sincerity with which I speak frankly with you two.

Cheng Shi slowly turned his gaze to Fang Shiqing and said with a smile:

"However, let's put aside the immediate issues for now. It's time for you three to give your answers."

As soon as the words were spoken, a firm and decisive voice rang out from the scene.

"I'm in!"

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