Chapter 531: Make it pay

Translated by: La0o9

Proofreader: Arya

Gu Qing Shan was focused on the War God UI, so he immediately held his breath as he saw these words.

[Worlds Apocalypse Online]!

Although it had an extra suffix of [Kindling], but I finally met it again during this life.

Perhaps to show how alert and careful it was, the line of glowing text appeared on the War God UI again, this time being displayed in big red letters.

[Special note: the War God System had sensed Worlds Apocalypse Online: Kindling!]

Immediately right after, another line of pure red text appeared.

[Kindling has noticed you]

[You are currently under Worlds Apocalypse Online: Kindling’s evaluation]

[As is it now too late to leave this world, please act like you don’t know about it, the War God System will continue to analyze the situation]

As Gu Qing Shan finished reading this, without having time to do anything, another voice called out to him.

It was the Bramble Bird’s call.

The same voice that issued him missions to complete for Triste.

[Your next objective has been determined based on your location]

It continued to speak with the same tone it used to assign him the mission from before.

[Please head 63km Southeast, you shall receive your next mission there]

Gu Qing Shan was stunned.

The War God System and Triste’s mission system gave him tasks to do at the same time.

The situation had already gone far above his expectations.

It was now full of surprise variables.

While everything seemed calm, this might be the most dangerous situation he has been in since his return.

And even worse, there was no longer time for him to back off.

Gu Qing Shan shook his head.

——–even if he was still able to retreat, he wouldn’t do it.

To find Su Xue Er, he must continue down Triste’s questline.

“Let’s go”

Gu Qing Shan said.

“Alright. But why do you appear a bit anxious?” Laura asked.

“I’m just a bit excited” Gu Qing Shan replied.

The two of them turned into streaks of light as they flew past the cliff, heading in the Southeast direction of the frozen wasteland.

In just a few moments, they reached where the mission directed them.

In front of Gu Qing Shan and Laura was a patch of land filled with grey fog.

No matter if it was with his eyes or his inner sight, he couldn’t see through it.

Gu Qing Shan stood at the very limit of the fog, asking Laura: “Have you seen such a place before?”

“Hm, this is a world formed… in other dimensions”

Laura briefly sensed it and replied.

Seeing how Gu Qing Shan didn’t understand, she explained: “Within the void of space of particular dimensions, there are countless worlds that have never been explored. Originally, worlds like these should only exist within the Mystic Zones, so creatures outside of the Mystic Zones very rarely come across such a world”

“All of these worlds are in a fog state like this?”

“No. The grey fog was cast by Triste, it exists to set this world in place, disallowing it to conflict with the outside world”

“Conflict?”

“Indeed. When a world resides within another world, there would surely be conflict and rejection more or less”

Laura sighed as she continued: “I did not think Triste would actually hide another world from the Mystic Zones within her own world”

As they were speaking, the voice of the Bramble Bird’s call appeared again.

[The new mission has been prepared]

[You are now qualified to help Triste resolve her issue]

[Within the grey fox, there is a 600-floor skyscraper]

Hoh!

Following the voice’s narration, Gu Qing Shan was lifted upwards.

The wind howled as a transparent block of ice under his feet shot upwards, bringing him with it to the sky.

A few dozen seconds later, the ice and Gu Qing Shan finally stopped.

At this point, he had already gone through the thick layer of clouds, bathing in the warm sunlight.

Gu Qing Shan turned to look.

The ice block supporting him was quite slippery, even he couldn’t move around too abruptly without slipping.

Fortunately, the block of ice was very stable during its flight, quickly bringing Gu Qing Shan into the grey fog.

The fog only obscured his vision briefly before it became clear again.

Gu Qing Shan saw the 600-floor skyscraper.

Even from outside, the structure seemed really strange.

A portion of the floors were made completely out of wood, not only was it solemn and ancient, it also appeared quite tasteful.

Going past these dozen floors, the next portion directly linked to it was made completely from metal and alloys, occasionally giving off holographic images as well as streams of data.

Then there were some that looked like they were part of an old castle.

There were also floors made completely from bricks and cement; floors made of ice; floors carved full of gems and crystals; floors made completely out of gold, so on and so forth.

The mere first sight of the 600 floors were enough to mesmerize and confuse you.

“What a strange building this is” Gu Qing Shan commented.

“No, this is a world” Laura replied.

She was holding on a bit tighter to Gu Qing Shan’s shoulder.

“What’s the matter?” Gu Qing Shan asked.

“I am a bit afraid of heights” Laura answered.

Gu Qing Shan grabbed and held her in his chest, leapt off from the block of ice and glided on top of the 600-floor skyscraper.

He stood at the edge of the building, glancing around.

In this vision was a vast blue sky.

The sun was just mildly bright enough.

Unfortunately, this was a world of slaughter.

The [Demon King Order] was hiding here.

A lot of young blood must’ve been spilled, becoming nutrient for the [Demon King Order].

“Step a bit further in, we do not need to stand in such a place. It is too scary”

Laura said.

Gu Qing Shan then backed off to the center of the building’s roof.

Laura climbed out from his chest and back onto this shoulder, making herself comfortable.

At this time, the voice came again.

[I will now explain your mission]

[This time’s mission is simple, when you go through all 600 floors and reach the ground, you will have completed this time’s mission]

[Special note, you may not fly down directly from the outside of the building, that will be considered lazy work and you will not receive Triste’s rewards]

[Mission begin]

The voice went away.

A door appeared below Gu Qing Shan’s feet.

On the door, the number 600 was written.

It seems I’ll have to go down floor by floor.

—-I wonder if there’s an elevator, that would make it much faster.

Gu Qing Shan silently thought that as he grabbed the Earth sword in hand, preparing to open the door.

[Ping]!

A resounding chime.

A few lines of white glowing text appeared in space in front of Gu Qing Shan.

[Congratulations! One chosen by the gods to become the pioneer of a new age. This is a gift from the Bramble Birds, please confirm to register with the System]

Right after that, a selection screen appeared.

[Accept/Reject]

——–this was the same thing Su Xue Er saw from before.

[Kindling], without any warnings, has already shown itself to Gu Qing Shan.

Looking at the selection screen, he almost couldn’t help but laugh.

This is [Kindling]?

Or, to be more precise, [Worlds Apocalypse Online]?

This is completely different from what it did in the past life…

“Such a simple method of enticement, are you looking down on me?”

Gu Qing Shan muttered.

At the same time, the War God UI that has been staying silent so far quickly showed a few lines of large, bright red glowing text.

[Attention!]

[Worlds Apocalypse Online: Kindling has come]

[The War God System has went through careful consideration and thought]]

[At this pivotal historic moment, please make your choice]

[Choice 1: Give up on the mission and find somewhere to hide. Two days later, when the war fully breaks out, the System will transport you away. Your fate will be as Su Xue Er foresaw—– a few years later, you will have become a top-level Combatant of the 900 million World Layers]

[Choice 2: Find Su Xue Er, attempt to rescue her. That way, the dangers she took on from you will be returned, pushing your fate into a fog of unknown. You will most likely face imminent, life-threatening danger even more so than ever before]

[Special caution!]

[This is an unskippable choice]

[As a full-scale war is about to break out, once you’ve made your choice, the War God UI will adjust the System accordingly]

[Please carefully consider before making your choice]

As Gu Qing Shan looked at the 2 choices, he went silent.

What should I choose?

Normally the second choice would be better.

But this choice makes me feel indescribably irritated.

He couldn’t help but sigh.

“War God System, can you make me a third option?” he silently asked.

[Ting]!

A clear chime came as the War God UI responded: [Two options have been prepared. The System can guarantee you these are the best options for your current situation]

“Just make another one, make an exception for this being the first time I asked” Gu Qing Shan smiled and said.

[What is the third choice you want?] the System asked.

“I want to destroy [Kindling]”

Gu Qing Shan briefly thought about it and continued: “Yeah, this is a good thing, one stone to kill two birds, as long as I destroy [Kindling], Su Xue Er will be safe, and I will have avenged my past life”

The War God System explained: [According to the System’s predictive analysis, this is the hardest goal to achieve, even the slightly mistake will cause you to die or become demonized]

“Then do I have a chance to accomplish this goal in your prediction?”

[A very small chance]

“So you’re saying there’s a chance” Gu Qing Shan continued, “as long as there’s still a chance, I’ll take it”

The System went silent for a short moment before asking: [You do not need to do that much, why do you insist on this kind of choice?]

“Because it must be done”

[It must be done?]

“Right”

Gu Qing Shan said and deeply sighed.

He blankly stared at the empty space, seemingly immersed in some sort of emotion.

Right now, his gaze seemed to have pierced through both time and space, looking back at the years that went by.

The multitudes of comrades who lived, fought and died by his side.

The multitudes of people who saw no hope, crying, wailing themselves to sleep in the night.

The people who walked with him to the very end, those that sacrificed themselves together with him.

“Even though I’m an orphan, during those final moments in my past life, I did not feel lonely”

Gu Qing Shan’s tone was dejected, but determined.

“Ever since I returned, I’ve understood that I can’t only live for myself”

“There are a few things that when you know it will happen, you know you just have to face it; and win”

“That’s right, I want to make it pay, for everyone”

After expressing the words that weighed on his mind for so long, he sighed deeply before asking: “So can you set up that third choice for me? This way, I can fight without worries”

“If you can’t set up another choice…”

“Then I’ll throw everything away to go against [Kindling] by myself”

“I will give it everything I’ve got”

The System silently listened to him.

And it continued to stay silent for a while.

All of a sudden, new lines of large, bright crimson text appeared on the War God UI

[You are a true man who fights in blood and fire. Your decision will break through the obstacles of fate. Regardless if you live or die, you are worthy of this System’s name]

[Your choice has proven that you are worthy of the title ‘War God’]

[The System has finished adjusting]

[From today onwards, Destiny Quests will be removed]

[Three seconds later, the Quest System will be renewed]

[3]

[2]

[1]

[War God Quests activated]