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Chapter 454 - 451: "The Raven and the Deity

Chapter 454: Chapter 451: "The Raven and the Deity

...

"Is this the oracle?"

A female voice emerged from within the cave concealed by thick weeds.

The woman crouched down to inspect the blood-red markings on the rock wall, striving to decipher these lines.

"This is..." She leaned closer to the markings, her fingers brushing against the rough surface, "a blood-colored crow?"

She couldn’t clearly make out the outlined figures, only vaguely discerning the shape of a bird. As her hand touched the surface, the system informed her that she had discovered an oracle and could immediately submit it. Once submitted, all contestants would instantly convene to hold an exile voting conference.

Leslie narrowed her eyes, standing up as a glint flickered in her gaze.

Her ranking among the top hundred players wasn’t at the forefront, but she was quite famous. Before the game started, she was a first-tier actress in Eagle Country, targeted for not conforming to the unspoken rules, threatened, and even on the brink of ruin.

In the end, she abandoned her self-respect and last ounce of hesitation, using every means possible to seek revenge against her persecutors.

Of course, she was just a good-looking, skilled actress—such people were not rare in Eagle Country. Without any strong background, those who could help her treated her as nothing more than a plaything and didn’t truly court trouble for her sake. Her plan for revenge inevitably failed.

However, by a stroke of luck, her goal was accomplished.

...Because of the World Game.

After she emerged as a rising star, showing a strong adaptability to instances, she became extraordinarily powerful, far beyond the average person. Facing those enemies also selected to participate, she merely moved her lips, and countless people who had once looked down upon her rushed to curry favor with her.

This realization gradually dawned on Leslie—that what had constrained her wasn’t her abilities, but the world itself. She had been living in a world that didn’t allow her to unleash her suitable skills.

But now, in this world, she thrived like a fish in water.

Here, she grew stronger, stood higher, saw farther, and utterly became what people referred to on forums as a "bad woman." But she didn’t care, in fact, she quite liked the nickname, feeling it made her seem cool.

Her hand rested on the pattern named "oracle," watching as a line of blood-colored text slowly emerged.

[You have obtained Clue One·Oracle (1/6)]

[Oracle (1/6): "It is said that the birth of a deity originates from three main factors—Energy, people’s Faith, and the Authority of the deity."]

...

[You have obtained Clue Two·the blood-colored "bird" pattern]

[The blood-colored Raven pattern: You have discovered a blood-colored "bird" pattern on the rock wall—what could this bird represent?]

...

[You have gained 20 Exploration Points]

[The clue has been recorded in the clue column and can be viewed at any time.]

...

Leslie heard such system notifications.

"Let’s not submit this oracle for now," she withdrew her hand. Next to her, the Guide named Karna, aware of her identity, nodded in agreement.

And it was at that moment that the sound of footsteps came from the entrance of the cave.

Leslie immediately went on alert, but before she could leave, she saw the people she least wanted to encounter.

There were no other escape routes in this cave, and now that she was trapped inside, she couldn’t run even if she wanted to.

"There’s someone inside." Lv Shu walked in, holding a machete presumably used for cutting through the underbrush, covered in traces of leaves and grass.

At his side was Yamada Machiichi, dressed in a skirt, who was relatively clean.

Clearly, Lv Shu had been used as a human lawnmower.

As they drew closer, Lv Shu suddenly recognized the blood-colored pattern on the cave wall: "This bird... is it a raven?"

While they were distracted by the oracle, Leslie began to slowly retreat.

"—A raven?"

The thing Leslie feared most happened.

With a familiar voice, a figure she least wanted to see appeared at the entrance of the cave.

It was Su Ming’an.

By his side was a figure cloaked in a dark robe.

The robed person was notably different, walking with a cocky gait, swaying from side to side, looking quite arrogant, akin to the pose of a beach crab.

"Is that robed person the Number One Guide...?" Leslie took a step back, trying to make her presence less noticeable.

Fortunately, Su Ming’an’s gaze wasn’t on her at all, but fixed on the pattern on the cave wall.

"This blood-colored pattern is a raven," Lv Shu said. "Among birds, they have the largest brains, considered to have high-level intelligence, capable of solving small intellective problems. Their vocal range is also quite extensive, able to mimic environmental sounds, and even human speech."

Su Ming’an looked at the pattern and likewise received the system prompt for discovering a clue.

"Leslie, do you have any leads on ’ghost’?" Su Ming’an suddenly turned and asked Leslie.

"...Currently, I do not," Leslie, knowing she couldn’t avoid it, straightened her expression and said, "Since I got separated from everyone, I’ve been exploring on my own, and just found this oracle. If what Lv Shu says is true and this pattern is indeed that of a raven... In our mythology, ravens are often associated with the word ’devil.’ They are seen as symbols of intelligence, shadow, sorrow, and death. In Norse Mythology, Odin would often consult the advice of ravens; their reputation for wisdom is nearly as renowned as their reputation for danger."

She talked about raven-related matters, tactfully covering up the fact that she hadn’t submitted the oracle immediately.

"...Moreover, in the Old Testament, there are several mentions of ravens, describing them as walkers in the dark skies. In many myths, ravens also hold different meanings, such as a symbol revered by a certain race, an image of the hero Cuchulain after death, or an amulet against foreign invasion..." She continued, seemingly engrossed, speaking to the wall, "...Ravens as creatures are often linked to the image of ’mystery,’ and some cultures see them as guardians in the darkness. Legend has it that during the time of Charles II, ravens became a nuisance in the Tower of London, prompting the Royal Astronomer to complain to the King and request an order to clear out the ravens..."

Listening to Leslie, Su Ming’an realized that these top players were indeed knowledgeable, able to quote classical references about a mere bird, telling a long mythological tale.

In fact, this is the required erudition for Intelligence line players; some clues indeed necessitate a certain level of knowledge to form further conclusions – otherwise, players would just buzz around aimlessly. Just as in a role-playing game, characters like archaeologists, inn scholars, and mystics are considered high-risk occupations; they are truly very important.

Among the top players in the Intelligence line, there are actually many on Zhai Xing who have truly pursued such professions; their minds are like universal encyclopedias.

Lv Shu had only recognized a raven, but Leslie seemed to activate ’The Great Library’ mode, narrating all stories related to ravens, even doing so with detail and clarity, like a well-prepared teacher.

"...However, just as the King was about to clear out the ravens, an ancient prophecy stated: ’If the ravens fly away, the Tower of London will crumble, and disaster shall befall Gran.’ As a result, Charles II had to retract his order. Since then, the ravens have thrived within the tower. Subsequent monarchs have regarded the ravens as a symbol of the nation’s prosperity and decline..." Leslie blinked:

"...To ensure they remain permanent residents of the tower, these ravens had some of their flight feathers clipped to prevent the prophecy from coming true.

In modern society, ravens still exist, often bred within towers, their feathers regularly trimmed to ensure they can’t leave. Of course, they’ve also become one of the targets for tourists to visit, driving the development of the tourism economy..."

They say the wisest people are the most beautiful.

At this moment, Leslie, who was discussing all this, seemed to heighten her charm value by more than a level in the eyes of the audience.

She stood in the dimly lit cave, the light from the Guide’s lantern shining on her face, her passionate, well-defined features looking utterly perfect at this moment. Like a goddess of wisdom standing in the light.

From Leslie’s words, one could hear that "ravens" were not only related to deities but could even be considered as "Divine Envoys," their image associated with danger and the night.

And because of a prophecy that "disaster will strike if a raven flies away," they were bred within the tower, their feathers trimmed regularly to prevent them from escaping.

Although it’s said that the culture on the planet Zhai Xing might not correspond with that of Qiongdi, could the raven pattern that had appeared next to the Oracle be related to the meaning Leslie mentioned?

Seeing Su Ming’an deep in thought, Leslie closed her mouth, cocking her head slightly and glancing at the Number One Guide next to her.

This Number One Guide was shrouded in robes, but from their height and build, it could be inferred that this was likely a woman.

Ever since her appearance, the robed figure simply stood by Su Ming’an’s side, yet her posture was exceedingly arrogant. One hand on her hip, legs spread in an outward stance, her head held high, like an octopus brandishing its tentacles.

Inexplicably, Leslie felt an extreme pressure emanating from this person.

Even though there wasn’t the slightest energy fluctuation coming from the other party, and even though the posture was rather extravagant, Leslie still felt a sense of oppression. Perhaps this is the realm of the strongest Guide, who could coerce others without even moving...

Suddenly, Su Ming’an’s hand landed on the pattern: "Let’s submit the Oracle first."

Leslie was slightly taken aback.

The next moment, a white light suddenly enveloped them, and when they opened their eyes again, they had arrived in another small space.

This was a sealed room, dimly lit, where dreary candles flickered atop a round table, a brass-colored pointer in front of each person.

[Contestant (Su Ming’an) has submitted the Oracle.]

[The Exclusion Meeting can now be convened, please turn the pointers in front of you to choose who to exile after a five-minute discussion.]

[If a ’Ghost’ is exiled, they are directly eliminated; if a ’Person’ is exiled, they will be endowed with 100% additional strength. Please choose wisely.]

...

It was only upon arriving in this gloomy room that Su Ming’an saw that out of the sixteen spots, only nine people remained.

In just one afternoon, seven people had already been eliminated from the game.

"Number One Player."

Before the meeting started, Leslie spoke up, "Once the meeting is over, we’ll surely return to our original positions. I’m a ’Person,’ and this round I’ll vote with you. In exchange, please don’t kill me later."

She knew that even during the daylight hours, even if Su Ming’an himself couldn’t make a move, Su Ming’an already had three votes bound to him, plus the presence of the Number One Guide by his side, leaving her with no power to contend.

Hearing Leslie’s words, Erwin sitting across the table narrowed his eyes.

He was one of the surviving players.

He knew his own identity; he was a ’Ghost’. And ghosts must eliminate everyone. From previous performance, Su Ming’an should be a ’Person’.

The convening of the Exclusion Meeting was detrimental to Ghosts; even if they found the Oracle, a Ghost would not submit it, which made it more likely that Su Ming’an was a Person.

Of course, one would have to consider the possibility of multi-layer bluffing, the idea that Su Ming’an was deliberately leading them to think oppositely wasn’t out of the question.

"Erwin." The Elder Guide with the power over the dead spoke up next to him, "...are you certain that’s the Number One Guide by his side?"

Erwin glanced at the robed figure next to Su Ming’an, who was standing with hands on hips and head held high, nostrils flaring.

"What about it?" he asked.

"Although the presence is quite tangible," the elder said softly, "but, Erwin, after voting is over, we still have to consult some bodies to confirm..."

Erwin’s brows twitched slightly.

Meanwhile, Su Ming’an, whose hearing was acutely sharp in Shadow State, also glanced over slightly. He had heard Erwin’s attempt to uncover his identity.

Turns out Erwin was a Guide with the ability to control the dead and perhaps even extract information from corpses.

...Although not massively destructive, such an ability could be troublesome if encountered in certain special instances...

If possible, it might be best to deal with him sooner rather than later.

"Bang!" Yuriklu’s hand suddenly struck the conference table.

"—Do you see? This is what happens when you don’t form a squad!" Yuriklu said loudly, pointing to the empty spot where Cynthia had been sitting, "If we had formed squads from the start, we’d know who killed her now that she’s dead! It wouldn’t have come to not even having a vote to cast now!"

Fuer, who was slightly bowing his head at the side, felt nervous.

The scene of him killing Cynthia had been witnessed by Lv Shu and others, and if they exposed him at such a time...

"Number One Player, you shouldn’t have acted independently from the start!" Yuriklu turned towards Su Ming’an, seemingly ready to reprimand him subconsciously, "If you hadn’t left the team on your own..."

As he spoke, his spittle flew, as if he was eager to demonstrate his "rightness."

In an event being broadcast worldwide like this, lecturing an authority figure who had made a "mistake" could greatly satisfy someone’s ego.

"Enough." Su Ming’an, however, suddenly raised his hand, signaling Kael Nashe to show some authority.

The next moment, Kael Nashe, who had been motionless by his side, stepped forward in cooperation.

A gust of wind stirred.

The power of the space slightly lifted the hem of her long robe, suppressing the flickering candle flames on the table.

A subtle pressure began to spread in the enclosed room.

Kael Nashe suddenly launched her leg, striding onto the round table with one foot, frightening Lv Shu with the abrupt movement.

As she made such an exaggerated action, Su Ming’an had a bad premonition.

Kael Nashe thrust her leg straight onto the table, her body leaning forward, her hand swiftly pointing at Yuriklu’s sturdy nose.

"Shut up," she said, her face suddenly contorting ferociously, her demeanor becoming incredibly overbearing, "Dare to speak mad words about the adventurers under my protection again, and I’ll chop off what’s below."

Su Ming’an: "..."