When the plot-skips players into the game world

"Merlin said that the Nine Pillar Gods are watching this ceremony... Does your identity have anything to do with this?"

"It's better not to ask about that."

The always silent Living Silver suddenly spoke up with a warning.

Upon hearing this, Pure White stared at Aiwass for a long while.

Finally, the old Inspector sighed helplessly and closed his eyes.

"No, it's not related..."

Pure White opened her eyes and suddenly changed to a calmer tone, "This is a test that a Pillar God asked me to add for you when I entered the arena. They want to see if you can change your bad habits under extreme conditions—"

"You are quite suspicious and find it hard to trust others, always keeping a vigilant distance from people, yet you lack discernment with those close to you, subconsciously wanting to trust well-intentioned people; Miss Lulu is kind and brave, but due to being protected too well, she's somewhat weak in character, lacking the willpower to bear her talent; Detective Sir is clever, steady, rational, but always likes to show off, possessing a strong desire to perform and curiosity, and also an excessively strong need to win."

"I am your temporary examiner. My original test was to assess your capacity to endure deception... instead, you caught me right out. Well, this also counts as an answer."

"...Which Pillar God gave this test? And who are you, really?"

Listening to Pure White, Aiwass was somewhat hesitant, "Are you... the Eternal Saintess?"

He had originally thought Pure White was just acquainted with Merlin, which is why she chose to work with him.

But it turned out she had been directly messaged by the Nine Pillar Gods...

What kind of person is this?

"What do you think?"

Pure White smiled slightly, giving nothing away.

The old Inspector placed a gun in front of Aiwass, his eyes returning to their serene and timeless gaze as he looked at Aiwass, "My test has ended, but the ritual is not over yet. However, you might have won."

"Merlin told me that Topaz has now fallen to the negative first floor. After all, he was born on the first floor and struggles to distinguish between dreamland and reality. In other words... the inevitable eliminee has appeared."

"As long as we all reach the zeroth floor now, then the six of us can all be victorious..."

"—Sorry, Your Excellency Pure White... and Merlin. I would like to interrupt for a moment." Discover more stories at empire

Aiwass suddenly spoke up, "If I'm not mistaken, entering the negative first floor doesn't result in immediate death, right?"

"What are you planning to do?"

Merlin countered, "Trying to dissipate the Earthbound Spirit and save Daiya again?"

"In principle, it's not impossible... As soon as you return to reality, your strength will come back. But you're just a Priest of the second energy level."

"Don't underestimate a Priest, Merlin."

Aiwass laughed, then pulled Daiya close, hugging her in his arms.

"...What are you going to do?"

Daiya, nestled in Aiwass's arms, wriggled uneasily, "Maybe I should just give up this time... You go down with them. I'll wait here and maintain the dreamland..."

"That's not possible."

"It's just half a month anyway, I can just go to the New Moon Ritual by myself in two weeks..."

"That's not possible."

Aiwass said gently, soothingly, lifting Daiya's hair and pressing the muzzle of the gun behind her ear.

"I refuse to believe that an ascension ceremony would demand one participant's certain death. You must have a way to survive and win.

"If you can't find it, I'll help you find it—consider it a reward for your courage in enduring suffering and killing yourself so many times."

One shot. Two shots.

When Aiwass awoke again, the delighted voice of the Defiant Flame Butterfly came to his ears:

"...Brother... you're finally awake!"

"Yes, I'm awake."

Aiwass said softly.

Opening his eyes, the golden-red brilliance shone like a newborn sunrise—suddenly flaring from the bottom of his pupils.