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Chapter 557 - Five Hundred and Fifty-Four: ’I Forgive You.

Chapter 557: Chapter Five Hundred and Fifty-Four: ’I Forgive You.

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By the fountain of Plaza Boss Rabbit, a young man sat on a bench, quietly reading a book.

Sunlight sprinkled on his black hair, illuminating his exceptionally youthful face.

"...This guy looks quite convincing, he must be a professional cosplayer, should we go and take a photo with him?" A strolling couple watched the young man from a distance, whispering to each other.

"Yes, he looks exactly like Su Rin... I can’t even tell he’s wearing makeup."

"But there are amazing cosmetic products in the store, and I’ve heard about people pretending to be top-ranked players to scam food and drinks, and nobody can tell them apart."

"Sigh, with the world in such chaos... there are still such despicable people profiting by using other people’s names, Ach, I’m still afraid, afraid that I won’t see you after a year..."

"Don’t be scared, my love, when we get back, we won’t need to save money to buy a house or a car anymore, we should be able to exchange a lot of things with Points... Then, I will exchange loads of gold and jewels, and we can go back to live in a big villa..."

The couple passed by the bench, their black hair lifted by the breeze, carrying the scent of mint leaves in the wind.

The dark-haired young man on the bench slightly lifted his head, revealing a pair of indifferent, dark golden eyes.

He watched the retreating figures of the young couple, saw them embrace in the sunlight filtering through the distant trees, their silhouettes edged in brilliant gold. Their faces pressed together, skin brushing ever so lightly, their eyelashes like butterflies poised on leaves, leaving a trail of cotton candy fragrance in the air.

...Such a cloyingly sweet scent.

In such a stable, peaceful place, far from strife and pain, was the love of young men and women always this sweet and affected?

Su Rin put down the book in his hand, a title that Su Ming’an had once mentioned in his livestream—"On the Origin and Foundations of Inequality Among Men."

People on the forums had great influence; they treated the words of top players as gospel, even random book mentions were compiled into threads like "xx Player Recommended Books," "Must-Read Top Ten Books for xx’s Fans," just to capture traffic.

Anything related to the top players, especially the Number One Player, would explode in popularity. Just using a little bit of "Su Ming’an’s" name, even scrap paper could be turned into gold paper.

*Slap.*

Su Rin closed the book and saw that many people were looking at him. He had long been accustomed to people’s stares; however, he was puzzled by people mistaking him for a "cosplayer."

People nowadays still impersonated top-ranked players to scam food and drinks. Did these people truly lack any basic reverence for the strong? Where did their sense of honor and shame come from?

Su Rin looked up again, still hearing the sounds of protest marches coming from down the street. Rioters gathered in groups, their faces painted, chanting slogans, thinking this would make the authorities and those in power bow to public opinion.

"...It’s been peaceful for too long," he muttered to himself.

If this were Pulaya, these people would have been executed with swords by now. Soul Hunters would show no mercy to civilians causing chaos; in such a harsh survival environment, internal conflict had to be cruelly suppressed with blood.

To him, the world of Su Ming’an seemed... so vain, so foolish, and so content with stability. Most people did not consider future dangers, advocating luxury without wanting to pay a price, yearning for peace yet loathing to maintain it. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that they had all the faults, despite a few great people trying to reverse the downward trend of this world. He could see clearly how dire the current situation was.

...It was too bad.

...So bad that couples preferred to hug and embrace, consuming some synthetic sweeteners that were useless and even harmful to their bodies, rather than striving for the future of the world.

Although they would be resurrected without any risk of death—people preferred to live off the progress made by others, even cracking jokes about heroes, treating them as "husbands" and "wives." Had their brains been stuffed full of entertainment?

He could empathize with Su Ming’an’s difficulties; that young man, only in his twenties, must have faced many hardships in such a harsh environment to reach his current status.

He had browsed the world forums and knew about the times when Su Ming’an’s position was not yet secure, how he was persecuted by people like Edron and Mizushima Kawa Sora... He couldn’t help feeling sad for Su Ming’an’s choices, this world wasn’t better than Pulaya.

Why hadn’t Su Ming’an chosen to stay? So many people respected and loved him. Ming Hui, Pulaya, Qiongdi... which of these worlds was not more suitable for him than the current rotting world of humans?

*Ding Dong!*

A system notification suddenly sounded.

Su Rin hadn’t added anyone as a friend, so such a notification meant only one thing—he had received an email from the only player he followed.

"...Su Ming’an?"

Su Rin was somewhat puzzled. Why would this person send him an email at such a critical moment?

He opened the email interface and saw a newly received email:

...

[Thank You Letter:

To Su Rin.

Thank you for reaching the final part of the instance as we agreed. As promised, I am writing you this thank you letter.]

...

Su Rin read it several times yet he couldn’t glean the words "thank you" from these few lines.

"...Still just a child, childish." He closed the interface.

Whether the sender was sincere or sarcastic, it was just an email. Let them write if they wanted to.

He leaned back on the bench and suddenly heard several "click" "click" sounds.

The screens for live broadcasts all around suddenly lit up.

People stopped their walks and looked towards the lit screens, seeing a middle-aged man walking into the center of the camera’s view.

[Human Civilization, Passing the Torch.] A line of bold letters appeared on the screen, accompanied by the stern voice of the middle-aged man as a broadcast that resembled a press conference officially began.

Or rather, it was more like a speech for the whole populace.

A speech led by the United Group, aimed at soothing and motivating the people’s hearts.

Mid-aged men tinkering with flowers, young couples cuddling, children playing with wooden swords, women holding babies, youth browsing forums... they all looked up.

They listened to the voices echoing through the streets and alleys, even rioting groups halted their march.

This was a speech planned long in advance by the United Group, staged for the world after being prepared for many days, and now it was broadcasted at just the right moment.

As the global situation took a sharp turn for the worse, the United Group had already planned to use a series of measures.

"Hero Project," "Blue Land Forces," "Peace Dove Aid Association," "Holy Cross Hospital"... and now the "Resistance Speech."

The emotions of people, like a zigzag line, the United Group’s role was to push it down when it spiked and to pull it up when it dipped, always maintaining a steady state.

...An emotional control valve.

The current United Group was such a qualified valve.

Panic would bring uncontrollable consequences and slow down the rescues of everyone.

To fulfill their mission of "rescuing the majority," the United Group decisively cut off this prevailing panic by releasing a speech.

"...What we are facing now is a catastrophe for all of humanity. Whether Adventurer Players, Casual Players... no one can stand aside from this disaster."

"...The crisis looms over each of our heads, the threat of destruction is glaring at us—we can no longer regard the future of humanity with absolute optimism."

"The civilization of humanity that lasted for thousands of years will not end here. We firmly believe that we possess the courage to face any disaster, the spirit of passing the torch through generations, and a unified will from top to bottom, yet we must not let a blindly exaggerated ’future’ blind us."

"—Brethren, what we need is to carry it forward! The future of humanity—will not be halted by any obstacle!"

"No one’s life should be measured by value, we swear, we never judge our brethren based on the worth of their lives! We must focus our attention on the most important matter—this is a brutal war!"

"If we desire a perfect miracle, we must rationally consider the current situation. Next, the United Group will transparently disclose a series of resource allocation conditions. Please welcome Dr. Zhang to explain for us..."

Amid the applause in the live studio, several familiar tycoons who had been well known on Mizushima began their speeches one by one.

They clarified the rationale and necessity of the current decisions using explicit numbers and information.

They stirred people’s emotions with speeches that were passionate yet calm.

[There is still a future for humanity.]

A row of white text on a black background appeared on the screen in the live room, perfectly resonating with the shaken spirits of the people.

It was as if something was stuck in their chests; people were desperate to shout out loud to vent the emotions suppressed for so long.

Some screamed like wounded beasts. Others threw away what they held, crying out like children.

Lovers clung to each other as if wishing to meld into one another’s flesh and blood. Women hugged their children tightly, softly comforting the crying infants in their arms.

Su Rin’s eyes flickered slightly as he recalled a speech he had made sixty years ago atop the walls of Pulaya City.

...Back then, people, facing natural disasters and resource shortages, were truly in despair.

Yet their unity was surprisingly strong.

With just a slight stirring of emotions, they would fight like fearless soldiers.

Civilians could become soldiers just by taking up arms.

The call of the United Group seemed aimed at creating a scenario where everyone was encouraged to join the fight, a "nation in arms."

Su Rin watched the crowd and chuckled lightly, as if affirming yet denying something.

"...I think I understand why he wants to stay in this world," he murmured to himself: "Although this speech still seems somewhat exaggerated and insincere... people remain the same, fundamentally unchanged, no matter which world they’re from."

His gaze drifted into the distance, seemingly seeing a place far, far beyond his reach.

He could see, as if it were from a distant past, a young captain boarding an airship at sunset and smiling at the waving citizens of Pulaya.

Back then, he was so young—his steps quick, his spirit fiery, believing that nothing was ’impossible’ with enough effort.

In this world, the Number One Player is about the same age he was then.

...Young people are always naive.

If the future were indeed beautiful, no one would transform from a promising young captain to a god of Cloud City, forever accompanied by loneliness, having lost all his friends.

At that time, how young he was, young enough to believe—as long as he did enough, did well enough, he could save everything.

Ridiculous.

"Young people are always full of meaningless expectations," Su Rin turned his head slightly and whispered softly to a faint transparent shape on his shoulder: "...Don’t you think so? Little Ai."

...

"Thank you all for watching. The United Group will always stand with everyone..."

With a "click," Su Ming’an, sitting on the bed in his personal space, closed the presentation interface.

It was said that this presentation had been in the works for a long time, and many people were waiting to watch it. He had just been chatting with Lin Yin and had only just learned about it. It indeed seemed to have had a good effect.

Even he was somewhat stirred, involuntarily understanding the United Group’s action in distributing resources.

Quite beautifully done.

This reversal of the tide of pessimism should persist for a while, maintaining hope in the future... until the next catastrophe occurs.

Like anti-cancer drugs, most useful at first, with effectiveness decreasing with the second, third... times it’s needed.

"Ding-dong!"

He suddenly received an email.

Upon opening it, it was a reply from Su Rin.

[I forgive you.]

...

A simple line of text, and Su Ming’an couldn’t understand it. Forgive him for what? For pulling Su Rin out of Pulaya? Was this person so easygoing?

He closed the email, donned a coat, and activated the transport interface of his personal space—

Just ten minutes earlier, he had received an invitation from the United Group.

The United Group sent an email inviting him to the top floor of the Peace Dove Aid Association headquarters in District 12 to visit Edward, who was undergoing treatment for a mental breakdown.

Notably, Lv Shu had learned about this and even wanted to provide him with a basket of chrysanthemums for mourning.

Back in the instance, it was Xiber’s tentacles that had driven Edward insane. Whether Edward was truly mad or feigning insanity, Su Ming’an was very interested.

"Whoosh—!"

A flash of white light, and he was transported to District 12 belonging to the United Group.

The first thing he saw was a person he hadn’t met in a long time waiting there.

Seeing this tall and poised man again, Su Ming’an felt a sense of time passing by.

"Welcome to the United Group." Yang Changxu saluted him.

"It’s been a while." Su Ming’an said.

Just three months ago, he had met this soldier who had established a sanctuary during the apocalypse for the first time, but now it felt like a century had passed.

The United Group knew he disliked ostentatious displays, so it was just Yang Changxu with a few minor officials who led him to the top floor of the hospital.

Outside the door, he heard Gran, the always proud man akin to a prince, nearly tearing his throat with his voice.

"—Get out! All of you, get out!!"

Sounds of things being thrown were heard, and several persons dressed as nurses hesitantly retreated out.

Through the door gap, Su Ming’an caught a glimpse of the blonde man, his face a mix of rage and fatigue.

"—Su Ming’an!" Edward saw him standing at the door and his face immediately contorted with anger.

"Tsk." Su Ming’an took a step back, dodging a pillow thrown his way.

He truly felt, the United Group inviting him here, wasn’t to visit, but to fan the flames.

"Why are you here! — Are you here to laugh at me?" Edward said angrily.

"Yes," Su Ming’an responded coolly.

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