Chapter 34-Game Descent: I Am the Sole Player

Chapter 34

The moment the new rules dropped, the world channel achieved an unprecedented consensus for the first time. The screen scrolled with messages in every language imaginable, a dizzying blur, yet all sharing a single theme —

[Go to hell — is this even a game meant for humans?!]

[Is this some kind of cruel punishment targeting humanity?]

[Damn it, nobody tormented the dinosaurs like this back in the day!]

[Palaeontologists have never ruled out the possibility that the dinosaurs were wiped out by a game.]

[I am a minor. I demand juvenile protection.]

[@God @Buddha @Allah @Bodhisattva @Love Alliance]

[Quitting the game means quitting the biosphere. Well played, devs!]

[Let it all burn! Taking all of humanity down together is not so bad.]

[This is hopeless. Are we really just going to keep being toyed with by the game?]

[I remember Tyrant's reward is Game Authority. Could Tyrant do something about this?]

[Tyrant is a human player too. In the face of the game, who is not an ant?]

In the unremarkable little town, Bai Shan did not need to open the world channel. The air around her was already flooded with furious cursing, anguished sobbing. Someone swung a fist at the virtual game screen in rage, only for it to pass through the hologram and land on the person behind them. The two began brawling. Hundreds of people produced a deafening uproar.

Bai Shan's gaze hardened slightly. She had expected Phase Two to introduce some new twist, but she had not anticipated humanity facing the possibility of total extinction so soon.

She had a nagging feeling that this round of rules was aimed squarely at her [Rule Pen].

The worry she had been harbouring surfaced into the open. One misstep and every human being — herself included — would perish. Should she use the [Rule Pen] to alter the rules or not?

But after Phase Two there might be a Phase Three, a Phase Four... No one knew where the end lay, and the rules could only grow harsher.

It was a classic dilemma. Given only one chance, everyone wanted to pluck the biggest, finest ear of wheat, but carrying that conviction into a field you could not turn back in meant most people would walk out empty-handed.

And if Bai Shan made the wrong call, the consequence would not be as simple as failing a philosopher's test — in fact, the philosophical puzzle itself might be a trap designed to bait her into wasting the item.

What had just happened? A strange buzzing drummed against Bai Shan's eardrums, as if the fate of all humanity had suddenly been lashed to her shoulders.

The crushing weight slammed down on her. Even the most carefree person would have found it hard to breathe.

Someone nearby seemed to be calling her name, the sound muffled as if filtered through soundproof glass. The words "Tyrant" appeared to flash across the world channel, gliding smoothly past her eyes without leaving a ripple on her consciousness.

After a long moment, Bai Shan's eyes began to move again, and her thoughts came back to life.

She was no great philosopher. She understood only the simplest of truths — never make an important decision at a moment of extreme emotional turmoil!

She absolutely must not let the game's manufactured emotions carry her away.

Phase Two lasted one month. Whether to use the [Rule Pen] and how to use it — Bai Shan set herself a deadline. February 24th at the latest — day twenty — she would decide.

Keep it or use it — at least wait until she had a clearer picture of the new version.

Up ahead, Zhong Xile had already mounted the makeshift stage and was shouting through a megaphone, trying to maintain order and calm the crowd.

The crowd below was clearly not going to be soothed by a few words, so she simply activated her ability. A meteorite plummeted from the sky and smashed a deep crater beside the basketball court. The thunderous impact silenced the restless crowd.

Standing on the stage, Zhong Xile still cut the same neither-tall-nor-short, neither-fat-nor-thin figure, but the power she wielded made her seem towering and imposing in that instant.

Zhong Xile delivered a few obligatory remarks, then announced the plan to establish a safe zone and pledged not to abandon or forsake anyone who remained in Qianxi Town.

Bai Shan and Lin Huijun retreated to the edge of the crowd. The new rules hit an idealist like Lin Huijun even harder. She stood in a daze as Bai Shan guided her back to the RV.

"Snap out of it, Lin Huijun. Worrying yourself sick won't change a thing."

The two sat face to face in the RV's booth. Bai Shan was talking Lin Huijun down, but she might as well have been talking to herself.

"If Phase One's theme was screening — weeding out every unqualified player..."

"Then Phase Two's theme is elimination. And it's forcing us to carry out the elimination ourselves, to further 'optimise.'"

"The game's overarching theme was made clear from the moment it arrived — domination and slaughter."

Listening to Bai Shan's analysis, Lin Huijun's expression finally shifted — into something even more despairing.

"Bai Shan, are you saying this is just a game that makes humanity slaughter each other until only a handful of victors remain?"

Lin Huijun shot back sharply, almost involuntarily. She rarely spoke in such a tone. It was Bai Shan's first time hearing it, but she felt no offence. If anything, a flicker of amusement surfaced in the depths of her eyes.

"Whether the game's true colours are black or white, what matters is that we see them clearly. That is the most valuable thing."

"For me, an unknown and mysterious force is the most terrifying thing of all. Once you understand the game's purpose, it sheds a layer of its fearsome, awe-inspiring aura."

"Maybe Tomorrow's Dominator will end with only a single victorious human being allowed to walk into tomorrow... but no game is perfect or completely free of errors."

Bai Shan leaned back, and with a thump let herself fall against the seat. She lounged lazily against the backrest, turning her head to gaze at the faint reflection in the window.

"Maybe there's a bug."

Her voice was barely above a whisper.

Hearing this, Lin Huijun fought to compose herself. She stammered: "I'm sorry, I got too worked up... You're right — no matter what, we can't give up even at the very last moment, let alone now, when it's only been a few days."

She had not expected that Bai Shan, who usually wore an indifferent, world-weary expression as if she could not care less whether the world lived or died, would turn out to have a more resilient mindset than hers when the chips were truly down. Lin Huijun felt an inexplicable pang of shame, and the way she looked at Bai Shan gained another layer of admiration.

Once the taut, sombre mood relaxed, the words bottled up inside spilled out naturally.

"It's only the eighth day. The future is still long. And besides, my mum is waiting for me —"

The word "me" caught in her throat. Lin Huijun suddenly lost her voice. She peeked cautiously at Bai Shan. Bai Shan gazed right back.

Under Bai Shan's unflinching stare, Lin Huijun caved. Entrusting trust in the apocalypse was a dangerous thing, but if you could not even trust your companion, that was just pitiful.

"All right, Bai Shan. The truth is, I'm not the one seeking out my mum."

"My mum reached out to me first."

She rubbed her short, fuzzy hair and sighed. "The day the game descended, I was getting a haircut. The game's voice suddenly popped up, and at the same time my phone rang — unknown number."

"I picked up. It was my mum's voice. She told me to come find her."

Lin Huijun came clean. Bai Shan, however, narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Are you really sure that was your mother?"

"Don't blame me for being paranoid. Today's AI technology can perfectly mimic someone's voice and mannerisms. Getting a call at that exact moment is extremely suspicious."

Lin Huijun said without hesitation: "I'm not that gullible. It was definitely my mum. She had barely finished telling me to come find her when the call cut out — that must have been the moment all signals worldwide went dead."

Lin Huijun pulled out her phone unprompted, opened the call log, and showed it to Bai Shan.

Bai Shan leaned in. The call was timestamped January 27, 2026, at 11:55. Duration: a mere five seconds. Both the caller and the origin were listed as unknown.

"Oh, I think I get it." Bai Shan pondered for a moment, then said as if a lightbulb had gone off: "There's a possibility — just like in disaster movies, humanity's leaders secretly built an ark behind our backs, and your mother, being an outstanding human, gets to bring her daughter aboard as a VIP..."

"Bai! Shan!" Lin Huijun huffed indignantly.

Bai Shan waved her hand dismissively. "Fine, fine. Anyway, you'll find out the reason when you find her. Your mum is sitting at number two on the leaderboard. She definitely wouldn't do anything to hurt you."

The two restored their composure inside the RV and knew it was time to get moving again.

The mayor's speech had ended. The basketball court had emptied, and not a single figure could be seen along the road. Bai Shan took the driver's seat and attempted to drive the RV to the Qianxi Town government office.

After a bumpy, swerving, collision-filled ride, Bai Shan parked the RV in front of the office building, thoroughly satisfied with herself.

As soon as the two got out, Mayor Zhong Xile emerged with her people. Without wasting words, she had her staff carry out crate after crate of supplies and load them directly onto the vehicle.

There was rice, flour, bottled water, along with sanitary pads, toothpaste, shower gel, and other daily necessities. There were also two drums of diesel — roughly 200 litres.

And, of course, what Bai Shan had asked for.

"This is it. I can't spare any more than this." Zhong Xile pointed at a silver suitcase the staff had brought over. Then she pivoted: "But if you ever need more in the future, you're welcome to swing by our town."

The hint of an invitation to stay was clear. Even with her low emotional intelligence, Bai Shan was not about to bluntly say "not interested."

"Thank you, Mayor. If the opportunity arises, we'll definitely come back to stay."

Bai Shan replied gracefully.

Lin Huijun, standing beside her, felt a bit embarrassed. They had not really done anything major. She had merely helped take out some monsters, and the corresponding experience rewards were payment enough. Besides, Qianxi Town was hardly wealthy.

"Mayor, if we get the chance, we'll absolutely come back. I'm sure Qianxi Town will be even better under your leadership by then."

Lin Huijun offered her blessing with a solemn expression.

Zhong Xile could not help but smile. No matter how the game rules changed, having one more powerful player as an ally meant one more layer of security. And these two young people had character. She could not keep them now, but who knew about the future.

Favours were not something you started building when you needed them. You stockpiled them in ordinary times so they would be there when it truly mattered. Zhong Xile understood this well.

Zhong Xile replied: "Then I wish you both smooth travels and ever-growing strength!"

At that, both young people broke into genuine smiles.

After the farewell, Bai Shan turned to head back to the RV but suddenly remembered something. She turned around and called out to the departing mayor: "Do you know where Qin Zhen went?"

"Qin Zhen? She left before you two. I gave her some supplies as well."

At the mention of the woman she had worked with more closely, Zhong Xile's smile faded somewhat. "Why do you ask?"

Bai Shan shook her head. "No reason. Just curious."

With that, Bai Shan returned to the RV.

The first thing she did was open the silver suitcase. One handgun, two rifles, one shotgun, one riot gun, along with assorted ammunition of various types.

Firearms were tightly controlled in China. Even government offices adhered to the principle of minimal allocation. Counting the handgun Zhong Xile had given her earlier, she now had six guns. The shotgun and riot gun were less lethal, but padding the numbers gave it all a more imposing look.

Tucked into the inner lining of the suitcase was a handwritten letter. Bai Shan opened it to find a stream of effusive praise about what fine, outstanding young people she and Lin Huijun were — trustworthy, worth nurturing — followed by Zhong Xile's signature and official seal.

"Fair enough."

Bai Shan was marginally satisfied. She could hardly expect a small tourist town to conjure up an RPG or a cannon for her.

She activated her Talent [Bloodshed Resonance]. The six guns levitated and trained themselves in unison on the space straight ahead — which happened to be the driver's seat, where Lin Huijun sat.

Lin Huijun, who had been about to start the engine, felt a sudden chill run down her spine.

Inside the cabin, Bai Shan snapped her fingers. The six guns vanished into thin air.

They now rested inside the [Storage Room], ready to answer Bai Shan's summons at any moment.

Supplies stowed, Bai Shan climbed into the cab of the RV and settled into the passenger seat, not forgetting to buckle her seatbelt. She said: "Let's go."

The black RV gave a gentle shudder. Its tyres rolled forward, and it drove on.

Zhong Xile stood at the office entrance, watching the black RV shrink into the distance until it became a tiny dot at the end of the road and vanished.

People like Lin Huijun and Bai Shan she was happy to welcome. But Qin Zhen... Qin Zhen had been helpful from the start, and Zhong Xile had originally wanted to persuade her to stay. But after the mission to eliminate the parasitic fish lice, she no longer dared keep her around — she wanted her gone as quickly as possible.

That night — the final night of Phase One — the number of people Qin Zhen had killed under the guise of pest control and peacekeeping might well have exceeded the number who had died from infighting in the town.

If someone like that stayed, Zhong Xile thought, she would sleep even worse.

Qin Zhen herself was clearly aware of this. Once the Phase Two rules were announced, she grabbed her supplies and left without delay.

The black RV pulled out of the town and onto a wide highway.

Bai Shan leaned forward, studying the onboard map. After a moment's thought, her fingertip tapped a name.

"Nanzhou City. We could make it our next rest stop."

Lin Huijun, at the wheel, glanced over. "Are you sure 'rest stop' is the right word?"

Nanzhou was a prosperous coastal metropolis, even more developed than Rong City. A place like that would only have more problems, not fewer.

"Taking a break somewhere lively is its own kind of experience."

Bai Shan replied airily.

Precisely because Nanzhou City was populous, she intended to stop there.

What kind of impact and consequences would Phase Two's rules actually produce? She needed a sufficiently representative sample to observe before deciding what to do with the [Rule Pen].

"Nanzhou City, huh. Before the game, it really was great for sightseeing," Lin Huijun chatted. "Now that you mention it, I'm kind of curious too. Bai Shan, you know, right?"

"The 62nd on the leaderboard — oh, after that scumbag died, she should be 61st now."

"Cheng Yue. She was a huge star before the game, and she's still a star after. She's in Nanzhou City!"

Lin Huijun grew a little excited as she spoke, though not from any fan mentality. She harboured a secret anticipation: although she was a nobody for now, her goal was the top 100!

She wanted to find an opportunity to gauge the gap between herself and that calibre of player — the real distance to her goal.

Bai Shan had an impression of Cheng Yue. Of the top 100 human players on the leaderboard, twenty were Chinese — herself included — and not all of them were necessarily still in the country.

Every person holding a Position Swap Order could challenge her at any moment. But she felt no fear — in fact, she rather looked forward to a curated gift basket from the leaderboard delivering itself to her door.

Alas, after Anderson's cautionary example, no one was likely to initiate another Position Swap anytime soon. And the odds of randomly encountering someone with a powerful Talent in the real world were vanishingly small.

"61st, huh."

Having lost one target in Qin Zhen, Bai Shan turned her sights on Cheng Yue. Her eyes gleamed.

"Must be pretty strong."

She said.

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