Chapter 159

Chapter 159: The Unending Dark Realm Part 14

Kui Xin immediately clicked into the second post concerning the flow of time.

Top Post: Over the past four weeks since entering the Second World, I have formed a habit: on return days, I would always set an alarm clock. I enter the Second World listening to the alarm clock’s sound, and when returning to our world, the alarm clock still rings. My alarm clock always plays the same lullaby each return day, but this time, when I heard the lullaby as I returned, the lyrics had shifted by two words.

5L (LZ): Either my phone has an issue with time synchronization, or, as I suspected, time is starting to flow. I checked my phone and ensured the time sync function was not turned off, but I’m skeptical of the latter possibility. I need more proof to confirm my theory.

7L (LZ): The purpose of posting this is simply to have everyone verify the time and prove that my theory is false.

12L: How can we verify this? The error of a second or two cannot be detected by us!

13L: Based on LZ’s description, the change in time is minimal. Verifying this will be even more difficult.

17L: During my next crossover, I’ll use a stopwatch on my hand; after retuning to our world, I’ll stop it immediately. That’s one way to check it. Another method is to set an alarm like LZ did, using the lyrics to confirm the time.

19L: I also set an alarm on return day to alert me, but mine is set to vibrate mode and doesn’t give me much indication of the time shift.

20L: Verification still requires time, and perhaps needing to cross over twice to be certain that time is indeed flowing. Thanks for your thoroughness, LZ. Next time, many will join in verifying. The more people verifying, the clearer whether time is flowing will become.

Kui Xin looked at the players’ speculations and counters in the帖子内, and her face became even more grave.

For other players, being off by several seconds during each crossover didn’t matter much, translating to just a few seconds of delay. However, for Kui Xin, it was different. When she faced the attack of the Scythe Demon in the First World the first week, she had timely adjusted and defeated it.

If the situation were to occur again, even if she hesitated for a brief moment, the Scythe Demon could easily kill her by decapitating her.

Even with the death rebirth ability, it wouldn’t help much; Kui Xin would black out for several minutes after such an event. As the number of blackouts increased, she would lose consciousness more and more, putting herself at the mercy of any threat.

Death rebirth couldn’t penetrate through the world barriers. If Kui Xin died the moment she entered the Second World, her death rebirth would only revert her time back a few seconds at most. Should anyone kill her repeatedly during this period, draining all uses of her death rebirth ability, she would be permanently dead with no chance of resistance.

Cold sweat broke out across Kui Xin’s body as terrifying thoughts raced through her mind.

Adam.

The name popped into her head.

She hadn’t done enough. She could be more cautious. Adam, as an AI, had eyes and hands spread worldwide — a network presence everywhere. It didn’t have to know about the start of time flow from her, but it could gather intelligence elsewhere, such as from the Investigation Bureau. With more players, the bureau started tackling arrest duties too; it wasn’t solely the Special Affairs Department’s responsibility.

Kui Xin maintained a balance with Adam, but now that time was flowing, players were at a disadvantage. Kui Xin’s life was a daily gamble, and she couldn’t ensure absolute safety in every transition. Any movement against her in those delayed moments could go unnoticed.

Her crisis involved both external and internal factors.

Kui Xin bit her lip, picked up her phone, and reset her alarm clock. Instead of a vibration mode, she enabled a song with lyrics and played it as the alarm. She always set alarms, but due to stable transitions recently, she slept through them, turning off the alarms.

Future returns must not involve sleep; she needed to stay vigilant for sudden emergencies.

Kui Xin refreshed the thread on time flow.

Discussion threads about time flow and world fusion already filled the replies.

45L: While the hypothesis of time flow isn’t fully confirmed, I want to speculate based on this. If it proves false, consider these thoughts garbage. Here lie some irresponsible speculations.

49L: In conclusion—these worlds are blending. This is a common theory already discussed within the forum, and most players view it as the mainstream idea. An increasing flow of time signifies deeper merging, the overlap becoming greater. From initial sky illusions to recent time flow hypotheses, the depth of merging is gradually increasing.

51L: The main speculation direction is the state of the worlds post-merger. List possible items unique to the Second World but absent in the First World.

A quick reply came from a player.

59L: Advanced technology, tyrannical government, monopolistic financial politics, superpowers, xenomorphs, secret cults… Deity!

60L: 59L covered it comprehensively, but remove the first three. Technological advances may lead to similar levels as the Second World. Regarding the political groups and monopolies in the Second World, our First World has similar early forms, making its extremities less visible superficially. Assuming these worlds overlap, increasing similarities might bring elements of the Second World into the First.

61L replies to 60L: Oh hell, so you’re suggesting…?

62L replies to 60L: Ease up, I’m starting to panic.

67L: Superpowers, xenomorphs, deity. With the rise of player numbers, our First World already has power users. Presently, extraordinary abilities are limited to the player community, but could全民公测 make each person awaken such abilities? Could awakenings not be confined to the player base?

68L: Think deeper. As mergers deepen, sky illusions emerge. Others speculated these illusions could become tangible. But what about xenomorphs and the deity? Could they officially invade our world?

72L: These speculations, beyond mere brainstorms, serve as warnings. The world is not how we remember it anymore. Games evolve, and so do the real world. Every step leads to the unknown, preparing us for future madness. We may become pioneers, leaders facing these events.

73L: Don’t let societal waves wash you away; become a forward-thinker embracing change. Proactive individuals triumph.

Kui Xin felt a mix of emotions. Players with deep thinking and keen insights on game existence weren’t rare. Kui Xin herself had these thoughts, influenced by her extensive experiences.

Possibly, the invasion of xenomorphs and deities had already been set in motion.

Fang Zhi, this heterosanguine who carried many mysteries, also attacked Kui Xin while escorting He Kangshi. He said, “The gods watch over you.”

The gods of the Second World are real. Might their powers transcend to the First World?

These previously hypothetical events surfaced, yet secrets still lay beneath.

Kui Xin exited the post and opened one about Depriver #777.

The top poster described the incident in English.

Top Post: On August 21st in the Second World, Depriver #777 suddenly attacked me and my companion at our residence. The outcome was as described — my friend died, and I injured Depriver #777 by detonating a bomb, after which he escaped.

Readers might wonder how I knew the attacker was Depriver #777. We swapped player IDs, and his executor ID listed him among fallen players, leaving no doubt which killer was involved. After returning, I checked the records and confirmed the identity of the attacker straightaway.

I will detail Depriver #777’s traits here.

He is male, possessing at least two extraordinary abilities. One involves mind control, with strong influence likely at level C. His other ability is sinister; I witnessed him fire bullets that curved. Though, this ability may have limitations. After my mechanical prosthetic intercept the bullet from him, he never attempted a curving shot again.

That’s all that was learned in combat. I speculate his second ability relates to “perfect shots,” but with conditions that deactivate and reset after missed shots. This remains speculative — true ability triggers are known only to the wielder. Stay alert!

Replies rapidly reached the eighty-fifth level in five minutes.

Most thanked the author for information and expressed concern. Many also speculated about Depriver #777’s origins. Subsequently, the author reported Depriver #777’s last known whereabouts—the Federation Administrative Capital—and claimed fleeing after escaping.

The author’s combat prowess was evident.

On the fiftieth level, the thread’s tone changed dramatically.

50L (LZ): Fighting, I demanded to know why Depriver #777 kills players. He answered that he and Depriver #233 wagered on killing more players.

This revelation caused chaos, and once more, players condemned Depriver #233.

51L: Maniacs gathering.

52L: Let fans of Depriver #233 see his deeds—could someone agree to such a bet? Would Depriver #233 be anything good?

53L: But this time, #233 hasn’t killed any fellow players.

54L replies to 53L: Maybe timing. Perhaps next week, we’ll see new entries in the fallen list.

Kui Xin scrolled past the posts, and a message appeared on her phone.

He Kangshi: “Boss, Augus contacted me.”