Chapter 56
It was like Si Chen calling him “Gege”; it wasn’t necessarily sincere.
Many times, people call you brother, but it says nothing about how close you are.
At least, it was clearly the case for this Dongfang Changye.
Si Chen wasn’t the type to go looking for trouble. But maybe because he had endured and held back too many times in the past, it had hardened his fists and he was now pretty bad-tempered.
Especially in a Space Fold. There was no need to think too much about the consequences here. Even death can be blamed on accidents and High-Dimensional creatures.
Si Chen couldn’t feel the other party’s murderous intent, but Dongfang Changye obviously didn’t have good intentions.
The two looked at each other for several seconds.
Si Chen began to move. The sound of a zipper being undone could be faintly heard through the sounds of the game hall.
He was undressing.
Dongfang Changye touched his ears, feeling a faint itch for some reason.
Si Chen was wearing a long coat, much like a raincoat. Because it was mass produced by the Serpent Staff Gene, it wasn’t particularly good-looking. It was shapeless but practical and can covered him tightly.
Now, he had taken off his coat.
Underneath the long coat was a white shirt and when the shirt was taken off, it revealed a black combat vest. It was close-fitting, outling the beautiful and powerful curves, neither exaggerated nor too slight.
Si Chen neatly folded his clothes.
Si Chen too was carrying a sword.
It was called “Blood Moon” and it was the sword assembled from Ji Yuanji.
Not only could it be collapsed and assembled from Ji Yuanji’s body, it was also the appropriate size and more importantly, it was quite good quality.
Si Chen asked, “Are you using your sword?”
Dongfang Changye said, ignoring the question, “You look prettier with your clothes off.”
Sometimes the appreciation of beauty isn’t necessarily sexual. Beautiful things inherently bring joy.
At least in Dongfang Changye’s eyes, Si Chen’s body was indeed very beautiful, very suitable for fighting.
Whether it was the one being pressed to the ground and beaten, or the one doing the pressing to the ground and beating; it was very suitable.
Dongfang Changye asked, “Can you use a sword?”
He too had a sword, which was now placed by the side of the ring. He didn’t feel comfortable letting the nanny robot look after it.
Si Chen thought for a while. “I can learn.”
Dongfang Changye barked an angry laugh at Si Chen’s words. “What do you mean you can learn? I’m not your teacher.”
Si Chen answered seriously and honestly, “This Space Fold is tricky and difficult. Teach me and everyone is more likely to survive.”
Dongfang Changye: “Hehe.”
Si Chen glanced at the ring half-meter-high off the ground. Flipping his body over, he entered the ring with the sword on his back.
For a beginner who has never been in the ring before, his posture wasn’t bad.
Just like how you can’t expect the Eternal Life Abyss to be able to do advanced math homework; you also can’t expect a sick seedling who has been sickly since he was a child, who’d only improved in the past six months, to be able to fight.
Half of his fighting skills he’d learned from revelations he’d had from various life and death situations; the other half came borrowing the skills of the Eternal Life Abyss.
In fact, fighting isn’t difficult. Know where to hit so that someone will die, where to hit so that they’ll lose their mobility, how much force to use, understand the feeling of muscle strength and apply it in actual combat… Understand all that and you could say that you know how to fight.
But there’s a saying that what the brain can do, the hands can’t. Dynamic vision, physical fitness, psychological quality and other factors make the actual application difficult.
The light overhead was on and thru the help of virtual projection, the rest of the game hall turned pitch black. Only the ring was still lit.
Applause from a simulated audience rang from all around. It was very noisy.
Dongfang Changye muttered, “…this is pretty high-tech.”
A white pixel bear appeared on the referee’s chair, a pocket watch around his neck and a small flag in his hand.
“We meet again, my dear audience. I’ve missed you so much!” The referee bear raised his hands and shouted, “Fights in the ring have always been fierce! Good thing I made it in time for the drama!”
There was applause from the audience.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
Ktf gfofgff yfjg yifk tlr ktlraif jcv qblcafv atf gfv qlzfi oiju lc tlr tjcv ab atf Gbcuojcu Jtjcusf.
“Pc atlr mbgcfg, ogbw atf mglwf rscvlmjaf ‘Rluta Qjix bo j Lecvgfv Xtbrar; mbvfcjwfv ‘Xtbra Dijvf’ — Gbcuojcu Jtjcusf!
Gbcuojcu Jtjcusf’r fzqgfrrlbc revvfcis aegcfv rtbmxfv; tf aegcfv tlr tfjv jcv rajgfv olzfvis ja atf gfofgff yfjg.
“This one’s a traitor to his organization, ladies and gentlemen! An undercover agent from the Safety Management Bureau! In Space Fold, he devoured 6 of the most heinous members of his organization and successfully rose to the Fifth Step!”
“For the sake of going undercover, he abandoned his original family, his original name, his original face and even his lovely fiancé whom he met during military training at Donglan University.”
Si Chen: “…??”
This plot sounded familiar.
“But what he didn’t know was when he first joined the organization, he was implanted with a control chip from a mechanical civilization. He not only killed those people from the syndicate in the Space Fold but he also killed his own comrades! The organization doesn’t want him and the Alliance doesn’t want him. They think he’s completely lost!”
Dongfang Changye clenched his teeth and his eyes suddenly turned red.
Almost in the blink of an eye, Dongfang Changye rushed to the referee and threw a heavy punch.
This punch even made a clear ‘swoosh’ as his fist pierced through the air.
But his fist met nothing. Veins bulged on his arm as it went through a cloud of air.
The pixel bear let out a piercing jeer. “Poor, pathetic traitor!”
“Now, the organization has an offer he couldn’t refuse. Just kill three more people and he’ll be given — freedom!”
“And who are these three people? — Si Chen! Photo A! Photo B!”
Si Chen was surprised, but not too surprised.
Photo A and Photo B are probably Ji Yuanji and Ji Chuyao. Because whoever was behind this couldn’t find out any information regarding the two, they could only use these photos instead.
The pixel bear’s flag then pointed to Si Chen. “And in this corner, an old acquaintance — Si Chen.”
“The House of the Mind Rehabilitation Center suffered heavy losses because of him! We lost a 300,000 spirit coin a month revenue stream!”
The pixel bear sounded like he was about to cry.
“But that’s not important. What’s important right now is how he’s forgotten his good brother! Forgotten him so completely that he couldn’t even recognize his fiancé who promised to take him away and marry him after graduation when he’s standing right in front of him!”
Si Chen: “…”
He remembered.
Back then, during his university military training, his instructor had been a graduate student from the neighboring military academy. It was a pity that they lost contact as soon as the military training was over.
His eyes moved to Dongfang Changye’s face and he felt inexplicably guilty, “…Didn’t you go into closed door training?”
Having not had any contact for so many years, Si Chen has almost forgotten such a person existed.
Dongfang Changye replied blankly, “Not like I could say I was going undercover, could I? On file, I’m already listed as dead.”
Si Chen tried to leave the ring but it was as if there was a barrier covering it and he was unable to get out.
“It’s useless.” Dongfang Changye said, “It’s a forced high-dimensional invasion, a Fold area within a Space Fold. I’ve only heard of it… I never expected to run across it here. This isn’t a coincidence. This was done intentionally by this high-dimensional creature. ”
The corner of Si Chen’s mouth twitched. He said to Dongfang Changye again, “Teach me how to use a sword.”
To one side, the voice of the pixel bear continued, “This fickle fickle man, even just last night, he’d been sleeping huddle with another man, hands intertwined together; blissfully ignorant of how his fiancé was drinking all by his lonesome in his room, cursing at the world.”
“Fortunately, the perfect opportunity for revenge has presented itself. An assassin with a mission and his mission target, standing in the same ring!”
Si Chen was taken aback and said to Dongfang Changye, “Photos A and B who came with me are both from the Ji Family. One of them is Ji Sicheng’s son. You can’t kill all three of us. Don’t be daft.”
Dongfang Changye looked sullen and growled, “I never thought of killing you!”
But the pixel bear just cracked a sneer. “Key which hides the powers of the dark, reveal your true form before me. I, your master, command you under our contract. Release!”
“Game start!”
Dongfang Changye’s body suddenly froze.
The chip implanted in the brain grew hot.
The moment he looked up, his eyes were bright red.
All that Si Chen’s eyes caught was an afterimage.
He raised his arms, crossed before him, blocking a frontal attack. He felt a ferocious impact bear down on him.
Si Chen felt the soles of his shoes scratch sparks across the floor.
Because of his biological transformation, his pain senses had been dilled. Regardless, burning pain coursed down the arm he used to block.
Fortunately, his arm was quickly covered with a layer of small black scales.
The pain gradually dissipated, replaced by a soothing coolness.
Si Chen raised his eyes and caught sight of the countdown on the referee’s chair.
[4:53]
Pixel Bear sat atop the referee chair, looking at the pocket watch in his hand.
Only those who are concerned about time would repeatedly look at their watch.
Si Chen guessed that the countdown on the screen was also the countdown of this Fold area.
Dongfang Changye was on the Fifth Step. The strength of an Evolutionary rose exponentially with each Step. This node was on the Fourth Step.
Si Chen knew that would be impossible for him to defeat him, but… if the aim was to delay for five minutes, that would be much more manageable.
Dongfang Changye was already throwing another punch.
A white bandage was wrapped around his arm. Now, there were bulges under the bandages; like something was moving, waking up.
His punch came down like thunder. And this thunder came down again and again, with each strike stronger than the last. Deep purple lightning even actually appeared crackling between his fingers.
Si Chen managed to catch the first few punches. But he didn’t dare attempt any sort of counterattack. He dodged sideways but was grabbed tightly by the waist. He was flung over the other’s shoulder and he hit heavy against the ground.
[3:07]
Si Chen was pressed down on the floor, unable to move. Dongfang Changye had one hand around Si Chen’s neck, expression grim. The knuckles of his other hand were slightly bent and with a cold light between his fingers, he threw a punch to Si Chen’s face.
Had this punch landed, Si Chen’s head would probably have split apart like a watermelon dropped to the ground.
Si Chen’s human right eye instantly turned red.
Special skill Blood Pupil — eyes turn red when activate, causes hallucinations for intelligent beings.
Si Chen didn’t know whether Dongfang Changye in his chip-controlled state could still be regarded as an intelligent being. But given the dire straits he was in, he had no choice but to make such an attempt.
Dongfang Changye’s hand suddenly stopped in mid-air.
Si Chen could feel the hand around his neck loosen somewhat. He immediately pried off Dongfang Changye’s fingers and hit his elbow hard.
“Wake up!” Si Chen growled.
Dongfang Changye’s expression looked pained.
The white pixel bear also shouted. “Come on! Pummel him!”
Si Chen didn’t know what kind of hallucination Dongfang Changye saw but after a hoarse roar, his expression returned to indifference.
Si Chen’s heart sank heavily.
Dongfang Changyu charged at him once again.
The red line down Si Chen’s back split open and four tentacles came out of the seam.
These tentacles came from the Eternal Life Abyss’ main body and they were far stronger than the original ones in terms of strength and power.
The tentacles immediately sensed Dongfang Changye’s weak point and went in for his throat.
Dongfang Changye raised his hand and raised it in front of him. Fire appeared on the surface of the tentacles and a blood-red welt was scalded on his palm.
Flames covered Si Chen’s hands. Special Skill — Fire Control.
Dongfang Changye followed the path of Spiritual Transformation, thus having a natural fear of fire.
His movements were somewhat restrained, giving Si Chen a chance to breathe.
Si Chen could no longer think. The fierce fighting coupled with use of his special skills had consumed most of his reserve energy.
He’d played all his cards and the incident was getting desperately dire.
Until, Dongfang Changye had him pinned again and then hurriedly whispered, “30 more seconds.”
Si Chen glanced at the timer.
[1:30]
Why was it 30 more seconds?
Si Chen couldn’t understand but he could tell that the hand around him neck was exerting much pressure, it only looked as though it were.
Pixel Bear was very excited. “Yes, that’s it! Choke him to death!”
Si Chen struggled under him, fingerprints marked his neck.
A layer of tears welled up in his eyes and the strength of his struggle gradually weakened, like a dying swan.
In order to get a closer look, Pixel Bear stepped down from the referee’s chair.
Pixel Bear said, “Ah, looks like Contestant Si Chen is done for. Let us witness his death together!”
That Si Chen managed to get this far already greatly exceeded Pixel Bear’s expectations.
One on the Third Step against one on the Fifth Step? Pixel Bear didn’t think Si Chen could put up any sort of fight.
The moment it stood on the ring, the bandage wrapped around Dongfang Changye’s arm ignited with flames.
The white bandage burnt away inch by inch, turning into fine ashes in an instant.
The arm under the bandage was covered with festering sores, a cloud of black mist emerged from the sores accompanied by heart-piercing wails.
It was hard to imagine how much pain the souls in this black mist had suffered during their lifetime.
Special Skill — Ghostly Mist.
This was the black mist that could corrode one’s very soul.
“Ah! This is the Ghost Saber’s most important Skill, Ghostly Mist! For creatures with souls, a light strike causes dizziness, coma or brain dead. A serious strike will cause one’s soul to be swallowed and become part of the Ghostly Mist!”
Pixel Bear said, “It seems that the outcome has been decided, I declare—”
Its voice got stuck in its throat.
This cloud of black mist that had been flying towards Si Chen had secretly turned a corner halfway through and was now charging towards it!
Pixel Bear’s complexion suddenly changed. “Help!! No hitting the referee!”
The moment the black mist approached it, the mist changed to white pixel ghosts.
The ghosts extended their slender claws towards the pixel bear.
In the midst of white pixels, red pixels appeared!
The body of the pixel bear was torn apart.
It let out a cry and ran away screaming but the pixel ghosts chased after it like sharks that had caught the scent of blood.
More than half of the pixel bear’s body had been devoured.
It hurriedly jumped off the ring and disappeared into the darkness. The only thing that could be heard was its wailing roar, “I’m going to report you to the administrator! You inferior creatures, just you wait!! This is an illegal match!!”
The seal over the ring was lifted and their surroundings reverted back to the original world.
A true, desperate hand to hand fight is rarely a pretty thing.
Blood was spilling from Si Chen’s mouth and nose. He was lying on his side on the ground, coughing up blood, black spots flooded his vision.
Dongfang Changye slowly fell to his knees, his head cradled in his hands. He was biting down hard on his lips as his body trembled. He was panting violently.
It wasn’t only from the overexertion of his muscles but it was more from a belated sort of fear.
Almost.
He had almost been controlled again to kill people he didn’t want to kill.
The author has something to say:
*Dongfang Changye first appeared in Chapter 22 and the progress is about 40%.
*The incantation comes from Sakura Kinomoto of “Cardcaptor Sakura”.
————
Today’s headline: A military student went undercover for 5 years and when he came back, he found that his fiancée’s child was already 6 months old.
TY for the update ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you for your translation 💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟
That was a close one! Si Chen can’t catch a break. Thank you for the chapter <3
The pixel bear said about losing revenue from stream and he was going to report to the administrator about an illegal match. It seems this House of The Mind treats the space folds as some entertainment that they could watch.
I’ve had a thought before how this whole novel world (all the worlds and dimensions and the happenings) might just be some sort of game to a higher being. Now it seems this is quite plausible with House of The Mind being the one behind it. With the way they operate in the Rehabilitation Center and this match now, they def operate the whole thing with a game vibe.
dongfang’s story actually sounds crazy tragic. it easily could be an MC or ML’s backstory too.