Nothingness: A Thing or Two (Part Two)

"Any more questions?"

"If not, please leave. I do have other commitments..."

"Yes! Absolutely!!!"

Cheng Shi gritted his teeth, staring at the eyes before him. He wanted to point and berate them, but he didn't dare. So, he could only ask, panting heavily:

"[Chaos] just summoned me, wanting me to be His Emissary, you should know that, right?"

"Mmm~ I know."

"Why do you want me to be His Emissary?"

Is this the same reason you gave me to renounce my vow and become Believer in "Destiny"?

I've heard other players talk about the issue of Faith Fusion. Are you also pushing for this?

And I am your Experiment pig, am I?

Cheng Shi's thoughts finally became clear. He blurted out all his guesses and ideas, then looked quietly into those eyes, waiting for a response.

He wasn't sure if [Deception] would answer him, but he felt that He didn't seem to shy away from these questions.

"You have too many questions. I don't have that much time. I can only answer one question. Pick one."

Cheng Shi's gaze sharpened, and he replied:

"Okay, then my question is:

Were all my guesses correct?

"..."

Those eyes unexpectedly turned to Cheng Shi, a hint of admiration in them.

"Good, you've learned to use your brain."

"I learned it from you, so what's your answer?"

Hehe~

I've already answered, that's all for now, we're running out of time.

Well, this audience... well, it wasn't very pleasant.

Next time, you are not allowed to recite His prayers in Mask.

Furthermore, I will convey your piety to Him; now, step aside.

After saying that, he blinked and disappeared from the spot, while Cheng Shi, having lost his support, fell straight into the vast Void.

No, wait!

What would you like to relay?

Is this the same paraphrase I understand it to be?

Is it that relayed message that made the gods aware of my Greed, and that Destiny reminded me that "humans and gods cannot share the Divine Authority of Birth"?

My Lord of Grace, please, find another sheep to fleece! The Clown is being fleeced bald!

Why don't you take a look at your first piece in your collection?

Cheng Shi's jumbled thoughts returned to reality. He woke up on his rooftop again, gazing at the still-setting sun and falling into deep thought once more.

What's the answer?

"I have already answered."

So, what did He answer?

Good!?

Cheng Shi's pupils contracted, and he instantly straightened his back.

His answer was "Yes!"

So I guessed right!

He is indeed promoting the fusion of Faith, but Cheng Shi Faith Fusion based on "Nothingness" is understandable. What does it mean to add "chaos" to it?

Confusion... confusion... Deception... lies...

Was His original plan to merge [Deception] and [chaos], only to be thwarted by [Destiny]?

It's not impossible!

That's why I was driven by Destiny in that chaotic Trials of deduction, encountering one "self" after another so quickly and coincidentally, and then killing them all before the fragmented personalities could take shape.

Destiny is preventing itself from developing the Divinity of chaos; it seems to be rejecting the fusion of Deception and chaos.

So...

It can only be [Deception] and [chaos], or [Deception] and [Destiny]?

Would He agree to merge with [Deception]?

As his thoughts continued, Cheng Shi gripped the Mask tightly in his hand, recalling the problem he had encountered after abandoning his oath:

The Mask accumulated under the protection of Deception in the early stages seem to be running out now, or rather, in the foreseeable future...

However, the self under the Faith "Destiny" did not have a way to obtain the Mask, and the only way was the talent of being in the Faith of "Deception," the Aspects of All Beings!

So...

Did He already agree?

Cheng Shi was stunned by his own audacious idea. He took out the Dice of Destiny from his pocket, placed it next to the golden Mask, and then frowned.

Faith Fusion... how exactly does fusion occur?

After the fusion, am I considered "Destiny" or "Deception"?

Unexpectedly, the moment this somewhat "blasphemous" thought arose, Cheng Shi's vision was plunged into darkness once again.

Oh no, not again!?

This is Cheng Shi's third time ascending into the pitch-black Void today.

Before him were those eyes again, painted with spirals and stars, but this time, the corners of their eyes held a slight chill, and their gaze radiated Indifference.

He recognized Him the moment he opened his eyes!

[Destiny]!

My true Lord of Grace has arrived.

His heart skipped a beat. He wondered if his Lord of Grace had come to interrogate him after hearing that [Deception] had relayed something terrible.

But just in case, we should strike first!

Cheng Shi solemn and expressed his loyalty with utmost sincerity:

"Praise be to the great God of Destiny, who plucks the strings of Nothingness, plays the symphony of all beings, making all Change in the world unpredictable, and making the past and future sing the Predestination echoes."

It is a great honor to be summoned by you again. I am your humblest and most devout Believer, Cheng Shi...

I extend my greetings to you.

As he spoke, he quickly bowed, touching his chest and bending at a 90-degree angle to cover his nose-touching gesture.

"..."

How embarrassing! The excessive performance not only failed to demonstrate piety but also exposed his identity as Clown.

This kind of concealment might have some effect in front of players, but in front of [He]...

It's tantamount to running naked.

But his eyes showed no anger; he simply stared silently at Cheng Shi without uttering a word.

Cheng Shi didn't hear any movement for a while, so he quietly looked up and met that indifferent gaze.

"..."

Sweating profusely, limited-time return event.

What's causing this inexplicable sense of oppression?

Why isn't He speaking?

Didn't He summon me? Why do I have to speak first?

What should I say? Confess?

No, my blasphemous act shouldn't be considered a serious crime compared to what happened before, right?

Despite making many excuses for himself, Cheng Shi glanced nervously at the still silent eyes and decided to "confess" first.

"My Lord of Grace, I can... explain!"

I just took the wrong Token; I didn't mean to be disrespectful..."

At that moment, those cold eyes finally spoke.

"What Token?"

"Huh?"

Cheng Shi was stunned.

You didn't know?

[Deception] Didn't we tell you anything?

It seems there really isn't... So why did you summon me here?

Cheng Shi gave an awkward dry laugh, touched his nose, and said, "It's nothing, I just remembered it wrong."

His eyes narrowed, and he said coldly, "He just saw you."

"..."

How should I put it? I suddenly had this inexplicable... sense of immorality...

Cheng Shi stiffly lowered his hand, not daring to speak or respond.

"Hmph, He really hasn't given up on his vain fantasies!" After a cold laugh, his gaze turned to Cheng Shi with a hint of admiration. "You haven't strayed from the path of [Destiny] and have chosen to embrace [Chaos]. That's good."

"...Of course, of course." Cheng Shi was flattered by the sudden compliment.

But Destiny is still Change, and illusion may become reality...

Upon hearing this, Cheng Shi was surprised to find that the pair of eyes in front of him, which had always been Indifference, had become even colder at this moment.

He seems angry.

But the anger isn't directed at myself; as for whose it is...

Cheng Shi quickly lowered his head, pretending not to understand, and then heard the eyes continue to speak:

"Although you have firmly embarked on the right path, you must know that Destiny can also Wrong Path."

"..."

Cheng Shi was taken aback, thinking: I know, I know it all too well, I've even gone Wrong Path myself.

"I bear the Divine Name of [Destiny] above my head, wield the Divine Authority [Destiny], see through the essence of the Cosmos, and already know all the past and countless futures."

In those countless futures, He...

[Deception] Without the help of [Destiny], he went astray and never had a happy day again.

As a Twin Gods belonging to the realm of "Nothingness," I have no obligation to forcibly alter His Destiny, but I should at least offer Him appropriate mercy.

No, wait...

What are you saying, my Lord of Grace?

What nonsense! You're not pretending to be Deception, are you?

Cheng Shi looked up in astonishment, staring blankly at the eyes in front of him. Then he saw the spiral in those eyes swirling in layers, as if a lonely spinning chain had suddenly gained a shadow.

The two spirals overlapped and intertwined, and after spinning for a short while, they emitted a mysterious and strange power of "Nothingness".

The moment this force appeared, it rapidly condensed in the Void, instantly transforming into a blurry black figure that crashed down on Cheng Shi's head without warning.

Cheng Shi instinctively wanted to retreat but found himself already locked in place, unable to move.

"Today I bestow a new divine oracle, ordering Cheng Shi, Believer of [Destiny], to temporarily reclaim the Divine Power [Deception] and, as appropriate, lend a helping hand to that poor [God] who has been abandoned by [Destiny]."

As a reward for this decree, I will grant you the power to wield the [Nothingness].

"No, huh?" Cheng Shi's pupils dilated in shock. This seemed to be true [Destiny]!

"Boom--"

He felt a surge of soul power violently rush into his consciousness, and then his eyes rolled back and he fainted.

His eyes watched Cheng Shi continued to fall into the Void. The spinning spiral slowly stopped turning, but his gaze remained Indifference, just like the eternal Void, devoid of joy or sorrow.

"Predestination..."