Chapter 41: Utopia |
Given Gao Fan's stature, it would likely take him several days to dispose of the adult man's and woman's corpses.
Therefore, even though Ming Po had told Gao Fan to handle the bodies, he followed along to see if he could offer any assistance.
Of course...
Perhaps even Gao Fan himself was unaware that he and Ming Po were actually the same age.
However, the ease and speed with which he disposed of the other Deceivers of the World left Ming Po somewhat surprised—
He watched Gao Fan insert an Hour's Red Copper chip into the fourth slot on the door.
Immediately after, Gao Fan opened the door.
Ming Po remembered that position... it should have been [Leave].
Yet, upon opening the door after inserting the chip, what manifested outside was no longer the black-and-white external world, but a vast expanse of white fog.
Instead of stepping out, he led Ming Po straight back to the living room and brewed him some tea.
Afterward, he waited respectfully by the doorway.
"Are you waiting for something?"
Ming Po asked casually, holding his teacup and looking toward the door.
"I'm waiting for Lady Utopia."
Gao Fan's attitude was exceptionally reverent.
Hearing this distinctly extraordinary Title, Ming Po could roughly guess the answer: it must be Gao Fan's Host.
Just a few seconds later, Ming Po laid eyes on the elegant goddess.
Yes, a goddess—
She possessed delicate Western features and skin textured like a marble sculpture. Because of this, her hair and eye colors were indiscernible.
She looked exactly like a walking stone statue.
She wore only a plain white linen chiton devoid of any ornamentation, its collar reaching high enough to cover her collarbones.
Black runes were inscribed on her exposed forearms:
Utopia's left arm bore the word 'Ἀλήθεια', and her right, 'Δίκη'. These two pitch-black runes, along with the olive branch wreath resting upon her head, were the only colors on her person.
Unlike Ink's casual demeanor, she exuded an aura of profound solemnity.
—This was a Host of at least the Silver of Moon level!
Ming Po instantly realized this.
When Utopia saw the blood on Gao Fan, she seemed to understand what had transpired.
"It has been a long time, Lucky Escapee. You haven't contacted me in quite a while."
She glanced at Gao Fan, her voice ethereal and cold. "It seems you finally made your choice."
"...Yes."
Gao Fan lowered his head and replied, "I killed them in the end."
He had claimed responsibility for the person Ming Po killed as well.
"Do not worry, it was the right thing to do, child. That man was never meant to be a leader, for he lacked a heart of justice. Guarded against by his enemies and unsupported by his own people, someone like that is destined to fail in the Game of Deception."
Utopia simply shook her head and offered soft consolation. "I have high hopes for you, child... You always underestimate yourself, but perhaps you are not as lacking as you think."
As she spoke, she walked slowly into the room.
Right at that moment, she spotted Ming Po, and her steps faltered slightly.
"This is my new captain..."
Gao Fan hurriedly introduced him.
But his words stopped abruptly.
To his disbelief, he noticed that the noble, divine being, who resembled a sculpture of the Goddess of Justice, was staring at Ming Po in astonishment.
"...Wei Gu Qiong Chen?"
she murmured.
"Excuse me?"
Ming Po looked up, somewhat bewildered.
He stood up politely and bowed. "You must be... Lady Utopia. I've heard your name from Xiao Fan."
"...No, it's nothing. I mistook you for someone else."
Utopia shook her head. "Your temperament resembles a friend of mine... Forgive my rudeness."
She took another careful look at Ming Po, her expression returning to normal. "You are 'Frankenstein'... correct? It is a fine Title. Cherish it well. Even if it cannot evolve further, it holds sufficient potential."
"Yes, I understand."
"Furthermore," she added, "although it is only a Title of the Day's False Gold level, when you reach the level of Zhou's Azure Lead, if you have not acquired a new unique Title, you may continue to use it. Do not replace it with a new Title.
"Even a native Zhou's Azure Lead Title might not be as useful."
"Do you... recognize this Title?"
Gao Fan asked.
Toward a superior, this was undoubtedly a discourteous inquiry.
But Utopia truly lived up to being a Host of the Domain of Virtue; even so, she did not grow angry.
She merely nodded. "This is the Title held by my former Host, 'Ling Bo Prison'. He possessed a special ability to accommodate multiple Titles within his body and share that special power with those in need.
"He clearly encountered Ling Bo Prison. Since he believed you could become 'Frankenstein'... that proves your nature is good."
Utopia looked at Ming Po and said earnestly, "If... your Host does not treat you well, you are welcome to come to me. Although the rules prevent me from directly assisting you, I certainly will not assign you games that are too dangerous."
"Thank you very much, Lady Utopia."
Ming Po remained silent for a moment before declining. "But there is no need.
"I intend to survive relying on my own Strength. Without a resolute heart, one can only ever be the protected, unable to become a Protector for others."
Though half of these words were an act, the other half came straight from Ming Po's heart.
When he realized the difference between Utopia and Ink, a clear thought surfaced in his mind: even if players might prefer Utopia, perhaps Ink's approach was the more correct one.
The Game of Deception itself was cruel. If one refused to face this cruelty directly... they would be better off giving up their right to participate and withdrawing from the game early on.
"...That is correct, child."
Utopia nodded, reflecting inwardly. "Perhaps the fault lies with me."
"There is nothing wrong with you, Lady Utopia,"
Gao Fan stated without hesitation. "If not for your protection, I fear I would have died long ago."
"I cannot help you much either, child. Even I cannot easily interfere with a game that has already begun... All I can do is select relatively safe games for good children like you."
Utopia sighed softly. "Ultimately, it is the sin of the Game of Deception itself..."
She said no more and approached the two corpses.
With a light tap from a distance, the bodies and the blood suddenly transformed into a dim golden light.
In mere seconds, they shattered completely, turning into golden threads that coiled around Utopia's tightly clenched left wrist.
Following that, she placed her hand over the table and gently opened it.
Clatter, clatter, clatter—
With clear, crisp clinking sounds, three gleaming golden chips scattered across the table.
"There is a total of one hundred and thirty-two hours. According to the rules, I must take half. I have converted the rest into Day's False Gold for you. This way, you will get more when you exchange it into smaller denominations."
Utopia's voice was gentle, her slightly closed eyes lending her an air of solemn dignity.
"...Isn't this a bit too much?"
Gao Fan hesitated slightly. "Shouldn't half be two days and eighteen hours?"
"I added the remainder myself; a minor rule violation to this extent is fine."
As Utopia spoke, she prepared to leave. "It seems you won't be participating in my games from now on, so consider this... a little red envelope money for the two of you.
"I hope that more good people can survive in the Game of Deception."