Chapter 504

They're just a bunch of powerful creatures. In terms of strength, I'm stronger than most of you. I've killed more than one of those with the title of 'god'.

Why should we have reverence?

Regardless, they had arrived at the Gate of the Divine Realm. Yuki turned to look at Moresa beside him. In that fleeting glimpse, he had noticed that very few people in the city possessed alien features, probably only about one-tenth.

"You've arrived safely. Is your mission complete?"

"No, I'll take you to see His Sorion. Of course, we just traveled tens of thousands of kilometers, so we can meet tomorrow too." Moresa pursed her lips, noticing how engrossed Yuki had been earlier, and assumed he was simply curious. "You can choose to wander around the city. This is a wisp of my soul; crush it and I will come."

She conjured a purple butterfly from the void, calmly placed it on her fingertip, her eyes cold, awaiting Yuki's choice.

All eyes immediately turned to him. Yuki also found it strange. Wasn't Moresa afraid of causing him trouble? Had she developed amnesia and forgotten everything all of a sudden?

Did they change their minds, or did they receive some instructions from somewhere I hadn't noticed?

This unusual behavior couldn't fool Yuki, but a few seconds later, under Moresa's relieved gaze, he accepted the butterfly.

The gazes fixed on them suddenly turned strange. Just as Yuki had said, both players and demons were outcasts. It was just that players only appeared every now and then, but if two outcasts got too close, it would naturally cause resentment.

Yuki didn't care. He bid farewell to Moresa, rode into the city, and discovered that this city in the clouds had only twenty or thirty thousand people, and was clearly divided into different social classes.

Those palaces, each with its own unique shape and size, belong to the 'gods,' like the trident of the Oceanic Pantheon. Each pantheon has its own symbol and is distinguished by rank and size.

This is somewhat similar to the twelve zodiac signs in Saint Seiya, only ten times more numerous.

Does becoming a god grant the ability to establish one's own government office?

Starting from the fourth-rank nameless god, the temple extends all the way to the top. The higher you go, the larger the temple becomes, but the base consists of numerous Demon-Hunting Army mansions, each with its own entrance, appearing densely packed together.

There were no markets or taverns or other places of entertainment in the city, but there were quite a few squares, each with a sculpture in the center. The largest was naturally the square of the six main gods, and there were nearly a hundred smaller squares, such as Moresa's 'Plague and Death Square'.

At first glance, the layout of this City of Gods seems simple, but upon closer inspection, it is terrifying.

'Using Moresa as a benchmark, this City of Gods alone boasts over a hundred Monster IV or higher. Add to that the various city-states and factions, and it's no wonder epic-level players are all quite well-behaved.'

Becoming a god can guarantee a minimum standard of performance, but it doesn't mean that those who don't become gods are weak. For example, the War General and his wife are on the same level as Moresa.

But with over 90% of the top experts gathered here, that's terrifying. Even if Yuki had three heads and six arms, he couldn't possibly defeat everyone in the city.

After entrusting his warhorse to someone else, Yuki wandered around the city, but soon became bored.

The city was majestic, sacred, and powerful, but it lacked any trace of human warmth. He couldn't even find a place to eat, and even the singing in the air sounded jarring.

Indifference prevailed; the square was nearly deserted, the temple was off-limits, and no one would engage you in conversation. You were like a group of monotonous machines executing a program.

The Demon-Hunting Army either patrol or cultivate, or stand guard at their posts like statues. Gods are even rarer, all hiding in their temples, doing who-knows-what. Even when they ask passersby for directions, you can sense their obvious impatience.

It's not even one percent as good as Abyss Fortress.

This was Yuki's final judgment: it was too monotonous and boring, reminding him of the training area in the Borderlands, where every player had a clear objective.

Sitting in the deserted Ocean God Plaza, looking at the dozens-of-meters-tall Tido statue, Yuki had lost interest.

This city rejects all outsiders equally; it seems that only by becoming a god and possessing a temple can one truly take root.

"Oh dear, when in Rome, do as the Romans do."

Just then, a slightly sarcastic voice came from behind him. Yuki his head slightly and saw the green-haired girl.

Mebius was still wearing her white lab coat, an outfit that seemed out of place in the City of Gods and attracted many curious glances. She made no attempt to disguise herself, because she didn't need to.

In the eyes of the natives, players are all the same kind of people, just not as sinful and repulsive as demons.

To other players, this is quite normal. The main quest never requires players to fight each other. Finding allies and eliminating six factions is enough to complete the main quest. The Godhood Trial allows for mutual assistance, and everyone shares the benefits.

"I don't want to be made a fool of, it's better to keep a low profile," Yuki retorted casually, only to see Mebius's eyes sharpen.

"Hehe, this place is teeming with powerful individuals. If I sell you out, you won't be able to escape."

"It's alright. I'll take you away before that happens, and even the God of the Sky can't stop me. Then I'll uproot the Savior. Can you bear the consequences?"

Yuki remained expressionless; threatening someone required no emotional fluctuation.

You!

Mebius glared angrily, snorted heavily, and decided to stop arguing with Yuki.

This is precisely what the Machine Intelligence, the Hero Kingdom, and the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons fear most: Taiyi unknown, and who knows how many fragments he has? And since he can actively hunt down the Grand Inquisitor, he can kill anyone he wants.

This can be considered an extension of Dio Brando's usage, both declaring that the Judge is not invincible and also proclaiming Taiyi's power.

"Enough with the nonsense, have you noticed something's off about this dungeon?"

"Even a blind man could see that the sky god is deliberately stirring up trouble." Mebius sat next to Yuki, hands in his pockets. "I don't know why He would break the rules He set for Himself, but no one can stop Him."

Yuki's eyes lit up. This Mebius was smarter than he had imagined; he had immediately grasped the essence of the problem.

The idea that demons are inherently sinful and that punishing evil and promoting good is utter nonsense. The core issue lies in the values of this instance, that is, the trial itself.

At first glance, this seems to offer a stepping stone and a direction to strive for, but that's precisely where the problem lies.

Everyone wants to become a god, but becoming a god requires trials, and trials require hunting down great demons. But great demons are finite; over millions of years, all the real demons have long been killed. No matter how powerful you are, you still have to wait.

Then the demons aren't stupid either. Who would risk their own head to fill someone else's spot? So I'll participate in the trial to become a god too. It's impossible for us to kill each other.

"The god of this instance isn't just a title; there are real benefits to be gained." Mebius said as she handed over the documents, which weren't exactly confidential since she was in Lighthouse City.

Yuki glanced at it and immediately understood.

Putting aside all the nonsense like glory, power, and honor, the biggest benefit of becoming a god is lifespan, something players basically ignore.

In the Reincarnation Game, there are countless items and skills that can increase lifespan, but in dungeons, eternal life is what many powerful individuals pursue throughout their lives. Otherwise, why would Tang Sanzang's flesh be so tempting?

Even a being as powerful as Dias is still a 'human' with a lifespan of only two hundred years. Demons live to Limit one thousand years, while dragons live longer, barely achieving immortality.

'So it's the passage of time. That makes sense; decline is too cruel for epic-level powerhouses. And so, the Six Gods' Blessing works after all.'

Yuki recalled the process Moresa had described: passing the trials would allow one to travel through the gate to the Divine Realm and receive the blessings of the six gods; this must be some kind of life form transformation technology.

"That explains why everyone in this world is so obsessed with becoming a god, while no player has ever become a god."

Players who reach the Epic rank are already immortal; they just need to collect enough trial rewards, there's no need to risk their lives.

"That's why I said there's no solution. He breaks the rules, but it's in the best interests of the majority. This is another document I found in the Sage Library." Mebius handed over another document, Yuki again, this time understanding it even better.

This is a recorded list of those who have attained godhood, so it's hardly a secret.

In the fourth millennium, 30 people became gods.

In the fifth millennium, 23 people became gods.

In the sixth millennium, 12 people became gods.

Concise and logical, the demons left over from the Great War have long been slaughtered, even by their own kind. Gradually, even those that were hidden were dug up and eliminated.

Demons aren't fools either. Knowing they're doomed, who would dare unleash a wave of destruction? They're even more docile than humans. Besides, becoming a god means wielding a rule. These rules originate from the six main gods and are naturally finite, so there's a hierarchy of who came first.

This is awkward. Without a great demon, there is no trial target. Without the trial, there is no way to become a god. An epic-level human powerhouse can only live for a little over two hundred years. Not everyone is willing to grow old and die.

"It's already at an epic level, didn't you think of any other methods?"

"You've come to the right person. Lighthouse City is a follower of the God of Civilization, which is basically a group of scientists." Mebius shrugged, pretending to be relaxed, and said, "Only gods can be immortal. This is the ironclad rule of the dungeon. Anyone who researches immortality, no matter how strong, will become a trial target. That's fine, but the key is that no one has succeeded."

Oh, the rules of the underlying logic of replication.

Yuki was no stranger to this, because the Race Game he had just finished was similar. Didn't the various races know that continuing to fight would eventually lead to mutual destruction? Hadn't anyone tried to make peace?

Nobody can do that.

So that's how it is. This is an unsolvable, overt conspiracy. Perhaps this rule was initially set to hunt down the remaining members, but gradually it has become a common interest of all the powerful. With a little guidance, they no longer care about Justice or evil.

Outcasts should be eliminated; peace and order are what ordinary people pursue, while the strong pursue immortality.

With fewer powerful demons, there are fewer trials and fewer spots for godhood. So why not broaden the scope of the attack?

Can obeying the rules wash away sin? Are you worthy to be tested with us?

"Logically, it's fine, but something still doesn't feel right. Since this path has led to a dead end, why not change course?" Yuki frowned, gazing at the top of the city.

There stood a magnificent gate, beneath which lay the grandest palace, where the ruling deity resided.

"How would I know? Why don't you ask Sorion directly tomorrow?" Mebius certainly felt something was amiss, since demons could also become gods; weren't they afraid of internal strife?

The contradictions are already very obvious. For example, Moresa has lost her glory and respect. When the fig leaf is torn off, the demon race's position of becoming gods is the most awkward.

Which side are you on? Are you going to protect your own kind, or stand by and watch? Cracks have already appeared; who can guarantee that no one will turn against you in the future?

The Demon-Hunting Army were wary of her and did not regard her as a god.

This was Yuki had personally experienced, and considering the change in attitude when he entered the city, he realized that the demons were not just sitting idly by.

"I can't ask. Going against the tide will only result in being crushed." Yuki shook his head decisively, and then saw Mebius breathe a sigh of relief, saying somewhat unhappily, "You don't actually think I was fooled by Moresa, do you? That I'm so arrogant as to challenge the tide?"

"That's hard to say. That woman is quite attractive. What if you fall for her?" Mebius said with a knowing smile.

Yuki ignored her; after obtaining this information, he understood some of the issues.

First, the Sky God, in accordance with the established order, expands the scope of the attack. Naturally, the Demon and Dragon races will not sit idly by and wait to be destroyed. The originally stable order will naturally collapse, making it possible for the Destruction Mission to be completed.

Secondly, the players' attitude becomes clear: follow the trend and complete the tasks; eliminating at least three factions will allow them to return.

"This mission is surprisingly simple. Just join the Demon-Hunting Army for the trial, eliminate three demon tribes, and you can return. Plus, there are trial rewards. It's like killing two birds with one stone." Yuki stroked his chin. On the surface, this was the simplest mission he had ever participated in.

If he hadn't insisted on conducting the experiment, the regression conditions could have been met in less than half a month.

"Now that we've come this far, and we've finally managed to participate in a dungeon, how could we possibly only complete the minimum requirements? Did you forget hint 6?" Mebius scoffed. You can't reach epic level by just coasting along.

[Tip 6: You can choose to return after achieving Tip 2, but the more enemies you eliminate, the higher the reward. If you choose to continue, you must achieve Tip 2 again.]

This is foreshadowing, and there's still a problem.

"Being assigned to the demon race, especially one that's already been targeted, is like being in hell. Unless you're smart enough to betray them as soon as you discover a problem, risking punishment." Yuki was clearly thinking deeper, and silently turned away.

"If I'm not mistaken, once you're targeted, there's no chance of defecting."

"Well, besides being strong enough, the other condition for becoming a Great Demon is to resist being attacked. Once that happens, it's an unforgivable crime, and you'll become a trial subject, hunted down to the ends of the earth." Mebius's expression was grim, and he hesitated to speak.

"If I haven't guessed it yet, Kalpas is the kind of person you're describing."

Mebius fell silent, feeling an urge to curse that unlucky bastard. Of all people, it had to be this idiot. If it were him, he would have realized the problem and run away long ago.

That bastard must have hit it off with that demon bastard. He'd go crazy on the spot if he saw someone daring to slaughter someone he thought was worthy of his attention.

No wonder we couldn't contact them; they must be hiding.

Yuki took a breath, but didn't curse. This instance seemed simple on the surface, except that there weren't enough trial subjects to become a god. The ruling sky god, in accordance with public opinion, expanded the scope of the attack, and then the demons wouldn't sit idly by. At most, the deep-sea dragons would also take the opportunity to cause trouble.

But adding players makes things complicated. These people are uncontrollable; someone like Kalpas would even dare to punch a hole in the sky.

"Don't worry, my main goal this time is to complete the 'Dungeon Escape Experiment,' and there are some things that can't be avoided."

"Worried about the players?"

"That's only one aspect; the key is that I need to be close enough." Yuki looked up at the sky again. Based on 'Divine Torch's' experience, if there really were reincarnation items, they were most likely in the Divine Realm.

Mebius followed his gaze and immediately understood, but was even more puzzled. "Wouldn't you be able to go in after completing the trial?"

"If I don't understand what this Sky God is up to, would I dare go in?" Yuki, then answered his own question, "I still feel this dungeon isn't that simple; there's a crucial question that remains unanswered."

"What?"

"He may be right to follow the rules, but what good does it do Himself? Is the God of the Sky truly selfless and benevolent, unable to bear seeing all living beings grow old?"

Definitely not. The collapse of the existing order will inevitably lead to war, and even if this fire is quickly extinguished, how many lives will be lost as a result?

Demons aren't considered human, fine, but what about ordinary people? Soldiers? Are only those who ascend to godhood considered human?

Mebius opened her mouth, but she couldn't answer the question. She had been in the instance for ten days and had come into contact with many gods, so she knew that this was different from the totems of idealists.

So-called gods are nothing more than a bunch of life forms with infinite lifespan and great power.

"Then investigate him slowly."

"No, I'll handle this. You focus your main efforts on the other players. First, find out how many players are participating in the dungeon and who they are." Yuki squinted, a rough outline of a complete plan emerging in his mind. Mebius squinted, sensing a familiar scent in the Nighttime Murder.

"What about Kalpas?"

"Let's look for him together. If he really is on the demon's side, that's a good thing; it gives us more options. Remember, you absolutely cannot reveal your faction." Yuki was clearly thinking more deeply.

Planning ahead, arranging in advance, and paying attention to details—like a spider weaving a web, by which time the prey is already caught in the trap—is terrifying for an enemy, but for a comrade-in-arms—

It's very reassuring.

Are we looking for partners?

"No need. This matter is of utmost importance. It would be best to leave only the three of us players. Isn't this the path of trials? Isn't this a place where the situation can change drastically?" Yuki crossed his arms, showing no trace of heroic pride, only a chilling coldness.

"Use this process to find a way to kill them. Whether you secretly cooperate with Kalpas, take advantage of the demons' resistance, or secretly poison or frame them, I only care about the result."