novellk Chapter 1747 Final Chapter: Crossing the Shore [92] "Jump down."
Chapter 1747 Final Chapter: Crossing the Shore [92] "Jump down."
Chapter 1747 Final Chapter - Crossing the Shore [92] - "Jump down."
Looking down from above, it resembles a sea of blood.
This place should have been a haven for people in an ivory tower, where they wove beautiful dreams. White stone pillars, a magnificent dome, exquisite reliefs… everything symbolized elegance and wisdom. But now, the ivory tower has been torn apart, shattered beyond recognition.
Blood splattered like paint, radiating outwards from the platform. Severed limbs, broken armor, twisted weapons, charred marks... the entire venue, along with the surrounding streets, resembled a giant, crimson map.
Flora slowly lay down in front of Yamada Machiichi. This usually calm and capable elemental mage was now pale and weak. She had long since exhausted herself, using herself as fuel to sustain Yamada Machiichi's "battle continuation."
She looked up at Yamada Machiichi's face, which was covered in paint, and smiled gently.
"Still alive..."
"That's good……"
The red rain pounded on countless motionless bodies. In the center of the platform, Yamada Machiichi's figure swayed, almost falling, but stubbornly straightened his spine.
Just then, a bright red umbrella came into view.
—A person walked by.
A person walks across the square littered with corpses.
The person had loose white hair, a pair of holy and clear eyes, a cross pendant around their neck, and a long, snow-white robe that flowed gently like water. Their body was like glass, and their shadow fluttered like a butterfly... making one feel that this was not a living being of flesh and blood, but a pure porcelain statue.
He held up a bright red umbrella, its surface slightly tilted, yet it couldn't shield the wet lambs scattered on the ground. A look of sorrow crossed his eyes, even though these people were unrelated to him.
A pair of snow-white eyes stared at the "clown" on the platform for a moment, then the man spoke:
"You have 1 minute and 46 seconds left to live."
"—Yamada Machiichi, would you like to 'invite the snow'?"
……
"If you really can't hold on any longer, do you have a last resort to buy enough time? I mean, a desperate last-ditch effort after all other methods have failed?" Siber asked during the battle.
Yamada Machiichi pursed his lips, and after a moment, he said, "Yes."
He pointed to the sky: "I've met the Dawn System before, also known as the former Level Two God of Machines, Skatalia. He told me that there's a 'double slit' on the outer side of this planet. Its essence is like a barrier, capable of transmitting and filtering information. After calculation, He deduced that if this double slit could be destroyed, it could temporarily block higher dimensions such as the Lord of Dreams."
"That's quite a bold speculation," Siber said. "In other words, when things get out of control, we need to do everything we can to destroy that 'double seam.' It's like when something goes wrong in the body and you need to remove a kidney to ensure survival. Even if removing a kidney might cause side effects, it has to be done, and the 'double seam' is this kidney now."
"The problem is, I've heard it's a barrier that has existed on the planet since time immemorial. Even if we were to destroy it from its relatively vulnerable interior, I'm afraid..." Both hands shook their heads.
[Asagao slowly raised her head, her eyelashes trembling slightly, and gazed at the sky:]
"...Then let's have a 'snowfall'!"
"Please Snow? You mean..." Single and Double's eyes widened suddenly, "...The Snow of the End?"
External aggression combined with internal bombardment could potentially destroy the "double seam." This snow was bound to fall sooner or later; rather than waiting until they were caught off guard, it's better for them to actively guide it, thus making it a double-edged sword.
Using a human body and the power of a higher dimension, decaying organs are removed.
"The only problem is that after destroying the Twin Seams, we'll immediately face the most primal problem—the invasion of the Lord of the End of All Things," Asagao said.
"Yes, at that time we had no other options but to hope that Su Ming'an would act quickly enough," Yamada Machi said. "So it was a desperate gamble, only to be used in dire circumstances."
……
Yamada-cho is facing this problem.
Once the final snow falls, there will be no turning back. Yamada-machi, as the one who is going to destroy the Twin Seams, will be the first to face the final snow...
He could now choose to turn back, leave this place, and get away from the battlefield. Perhaps the curtain would last long enough to hold out until Su Ming'an dealt with the Radiant Mother Goddess.
Or, choose to stay, and ask for snow.
—To turn back or to stay—a choice that couldn't be simpler. Death or life—every living being knows how to choose.
Such choices happen time and again in this world. Countless people have stood at this crossroads, pausing to gaze.
"Click." Machiichi Yamada took out his personal timer and set it to 81 seconds. He had 81 seconds left to live, so he could accurately predict when he would become unable to move.
The beeping sound gradually began, and Yamada Machi released the blood-stained microphone.
"clang--!"
My fingertips trembled uncontrollably; my body had already reached its limit, and my nerves were screaming in despair, on the verge of collapse.
His life can last for another 81 seconds. After that, he will die, and the anchor point will quickly fall to Su Ming'an's side. There is only one way to continue to stall—blow up the double seam in exchange for a dozen or so minutes of absolute safety.
"...Yamada, have you made up your mind?" Shan Shuang crawled out from the pile of corpses. Siber walked over, covered in blood.
Yamada Machiichi dragged his legs, which were almost numb.
His face, covered in paint, bore a frozen clown's smile, making it impossible to tell whether he was laughing or crying. He lowered his head, looking at his palms, and murmured softly:
"...You know what you're supposed to do, right?"
……
You have obtained the item (Racial Transfer Potion)
[Racial Transfer Potion (Purple Tier): "Leave it to me, I can handle it."]
【Spirit +5】
[Special Skill (Transfer): You can designate any person and, with their consent, obtain any equipment or item from them. This transfer is unaffected by weapon or item usage restrictions and is unaffected by time or space worldwide.]
[Note: You know what you're supposed to do, right?]
……
He once had a dream in which many people, including Lu, Aini, and Su Ming'an, died, leaving only him alive. He sat on a church pew day after day, becoming an old man with white hair, holding a notebook, waiting for someone.
But in the end, no one came.
The nuns in the church found him dead. With his death, all the once-glorious players were gone. He was the last to die, and his death heralded the end of an era.
He felt that the reason he had lived so long was because he always tried to hide when faced with danger. Otherwise, why would he, who had once most wanted to commit suicide by jumping into the river, be the one who lived the longest? Thinking about it this way, those who die early are actually fortunate. They can boldly anticipate the future, without witnessing a bleak ending, without seeing the final loneliness and nothingness.
But this time is different.
"Use racial transfer potion, target selection—Su Ming'an."
He used a race transfer potion, and his own strength was limited. Only Su Ming'an might have the tools to destroy the double seam.
……
[(There is confusion here.)]
……
"Boom—!"
Yamada looked up and saw a mecha in front of him.
……
[The Divine Mech of the Omnic Master (Outlier): "I will defy my instincts, go against my nature, and embrace you."]
Attack power: 80~200
[Durability: 30/30]
[Equipment Requirements: Mech Race, Cyber Race]
[Effects of Use: Upon wearing, the user transforms into the "Master of Mechs" Holy Envoy form, gaining mechanical-related abilities and acquiring multiple forms such as (Floating Cannon Form), (Mech Form), and (Aircraft Carrier Form).]
……
This is the mecha he obtained from Su Ming'an. He is a member of the Machine Race and can perfectly pilot this mecha.
Under the cover of Dan Shuang and Siber, Yamada Machi moved to the side of the mecha. He reached out his hand, and the cold metallic touch brought him to his senses for a moment.
The moment he sat down, he turned around and took one last look behind him.
The rain soaked his long eyelashes, and for a moment he couldn't tell whether the blur was of the world or his eyes.
Crimson concentric circles, layers of fallen corpses, drifting crimson rain... the dead Erwin, Sirius, Christine, Vyasin, Cynthia, Qin Chunyao, Flora...
You've all returned to the world of the main gods, right? Will you be cheering me on from behind the screen? ...Wait, sorry, I misunderstood. The live streams have been merged now; everyone can only see Su Ming'an's side. No one on my side will see it.
But when he looked down, he saw the bright-eyed Shan Shuang, Siber, and Asagao.
"People always talk about masculinity, as if dressing in a powerful and imposing manner is the only way to achieve it. But I see you, and you are far stronger than those big, burly men who cower like turtles." Dan Shuang gave a thumbs up.
“You’re much braver than you were back in Qiongdi, and you’ve improved a lot. If I ever see you again, I’ll treat you to my Qiongdi special milk tea.” Siber actually remembered him.
"I respect your decision." Asagao wiped the blood from her face. "Go, we'll cover your retreat."
As Yamada Machi sat down, he heard these sounds.
Perhaps this is enough.
he thinks.
In reality, a timid person making a decision to sacrifice themselves doesn't require much deliberation or complex emotions. Perhaps they're simply... encouraged by those around them and want to be brave for once. Perhaps they simply know that if they don't go, many people, including themselves, will die. It's that simple.
"Sizzle—!"
When the mechs closed, they emitted a piercing metallic scraping sound.
Through the observation window, Yamada Machi saw the white-haired bishop whispering something to a bright white warbler. To be honest, he didn't know why this white-haired bishop was able to summon "The Snow of the End".
But at that moment, the snow really did fall.
Pure white, light, and cold snowflakes replaced the murky red rain, falling silently from the sky.
Then, the white-haired bishop standing below the platform nodded to the silver-white oriole, seemingly having completed some kind of transaction. Afterward, he closed his eyes slightly, and his figure gradually became transparent... transforming into a thousand winds, drifting in all directions.
Like a light, fluttering butterfly, it flew over the heavy snow and the wind.
It gradually dissipated, leaving only silence.
...Was this person also sacrificed?
Machiichi Yamada suddenly felt a pang of sadness. He had thought his own sacrifice was already incredibly painful, but it turned out that others had also sacrificed themselves silently. There were no farewells, no blessings, and no escort from Siber and the others.
Even though he himself was going to die, the bishop gave him the choice and asked him if he wanted to "ask for snow".
So this is the price to pay.
But he had forgotten the bishop's name and didn't know who he was.
……
"Alright, I accept your potential and everything you have," said the warbler. "I will persuade Him to send this snow."
"Thank you," the pale-skinned bishop nodded gently.
"May I ask why you did this? You too are a being with limitless potential; you've lived through countless ages and can live to a very long time to come." The warbler seemed somewhat puzzled.
The pristine-white bishop seemed to pause, searching for a suitable answer. Finally, he pursed his lips, his gaze gradually unfocusing.
"Protect my child."
"No matter how many times, no matter where, no matter... who I am."
……
"Om..."
The mech roared.
The joystick was suddenly pushed forward all the way!
"boom--!!!"
The thrusters spewed out raging flames and thick smoke, instantly vaporizing the surrounding snow!
A powerful and brutal thrust slammed Yamada Machiichi against the cold seat back.
Like a firecracker that has been lit, the mecha lifted off the ground, broke through the white snow curtain, and soared into the deep, dark sky that seemed capable of swallowing everything!
Gravity out of control, his whole body seemed to turn into a rocket. Yamada Machiichi's body was trembling, his teeth were grinding, and the excruciating pain of impending death came from every part of his body. The emptiness in his chest felt like a cold wind was pouring in, chilling him to the bone.
He could clearly hear his own heartbeat.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Slow, heavy, like a drumbeat.
The host's task is finished.
—Next, it's Yamada Machiichi's turn to take on his task.
"59 seconds."
"58 seconds."
"57 seconds."
"boom."
He took off his tattered, crooked hood, revealing his newly trimmed short hair, which was soaked with sweat and clung damply to his forehead.
Some of the smudged paint was wiped away, revealing a pale and tired face underneath.
His task is simple: take off and explode. The "floating cannon mode," "mecha mode," and "aircraft carrier mode" of this device would be a waste of his potential; he has no need for them. He only needs the most ruthless and destructive means—self-destruction.
He only had one minute left to live anyway, so it didn't matter.
Manipulating the joystick to fly towards the weakest point of the curtain, Yamada Machiichi's mind went blank. He thought he would be thinking about many things at this moment, such as recalling past gatherings, the unforgettable Su Ming'an-style New Year's Eve dinner at the villa, and the various anime and manga events...
Those brief, happy memories were but a tiny fraction of a long period of time. Yet, like a ruminating ox, he relived them again and again, examining every single detail. Because he had never experienced such happiness before.
The isolated boy was a target of bullying in the Fusang school environment. His classmates wrote "sissy" on his desk and forced him to take off his pants and face them... but his mind was blank, and he had almost forgotten all of this.
Who would have thought that such a once gloomy, ordinary, and bullied boy could now stand here?
His thoughts drifted to the space outside, where he heard the howling of wind and snow outside the window, and... a cracking sound as if glass were breaking.
That's a "double seam".
According to everyone's opinion, among the top players, Yamada Machiichi doesn't seem that strong. He's afraid of pain, the dark, ghosts, loneliness, and losing everything he's worked so hard to achieve. More than anyone else, he wants to survive and return to his ordinary daily life with manga and games. Many even believe that his top ranking is due to relying on the support of various players and NPCs.
So many people didn't expect that Shan Tiantian, who was entrusted with such an important task by Lu, could persevere until now, in the pouring rain and in countless difficulties... until the very last moment.
“Because that’s how I got here…” Yamada Machi stared at the glass, thinking quietly, “I used to be the object of ridicule from the boys in class. I became numb to it, so I didn’t feel that any difficulties were that hard to bear.”
"Click".
The protective cover was popped open.
A bright red wrench was exposed; this was a self-destruct device.
He stared at the wrench.
The mechanical race provided him with the technical skills; without needing instructions, he knew how to use the mech.
His timid nature made him better than anyone at avoiding danger, finding weaknesses, and creating an unexpected escape route for himself in dire situations. Therefore, he had already planned ahead to acquire this mech.
The time he spent with Su Ming'an, Lu, Lü Shu, Lin Yin, and all the companions who had fought alongside him along the way—the warm, noisy, and reassuring moments—gave him the courage to finally stand on the platform, put on the clown mask, hold the microphone, and sit in the mecha.
These things illuminated his life, which might have otherwise been nothing but black and white, a life where he would want to jump into any river he saw.
Now, he still wants to "jump down".
But this time is different.
This time, he didn't jump into the cold, dark, and final river.
Instead... he jumped out of the sky.
……
"I haven't been on your aircraft carrier yet," Machiichi Yamada said matter-of-factly. "You said that one day you would take us on a real aircraft carrier, have a party at sea, watch the sunset, and eat ice cream piled high on a boat."
"Aircraft carriers aren't for sitting on," Lu chuckled. "But if you just want to experience the feeling of leaving the ground and having a wide view... after this is over, I can apply for permission to use an aircraft and take you for a spin."
……
Lu, I haven't seen you since I came to the normal timeline. Judging from the comments in the live stream, it seems you're trapped too. I hope you can get out safely.
but……
Yamada wiped the blood from his face.
I can finally...
Looking out the window, the deep black night sky drew ever closer, the stars seemingly within reach. Below, the snow-covered venue had shrunk to a blurry white dot.
...We boarded this "aircraft carrier" and took to the "sky".
"38 seconds."
"37 seconds."
"36 seconds."
He stared at the sky, which was visible to the naked eye, closed his eyes, and his face showed only fear.
……
On the lonely black and white chessboard, Lu sensed something through his divine sixth sense. He immediately looked up, thinking that something had happened to Su Ming'an. He quickly looked at the live chat, but the live chat was still cheering him on.
Beiwang... Beiwang is a god-level player, so in the normal timeline, there shouldn't be any major problems.
Yamada... How is Yamada?
When Lu initially entrusted Yamada Machiichi with this task, he genuinely believed Yamada Machiichi was capable, as Yamada Machiichi was "the one least willing to die." This strong will to survive might actually become a unique advantage—because he would fight harder than anyone else to stay alive. Similarly, if faced with unforeseen circumstances, Yamada Machiichi wouldn't resort to extreme measures, but would instead be extremely cautious.
This ensured that he would be able to see Yamada Machiichi again.
This judgment was based on intelligence. In this race against time, it was the best decision Lu Neng could make. He even considered Yamada Machiichi's psychological resilience and anticipated the risks.
At this moment, Lu asked himself – was he merely using Yamada Machiichi?
His heart remained calm, but just like with Su Ming'an, his brilliant mind couldn't find a definite answer to this question.
He recalled that in the villa, Machiichi Yamada, wearing an anime headband, squeezed among his companions to liven up the atmosphere, muttering, "Hurry up and let's eat!"
He recalled a conversation where Yamada Machiichi clumsily tried to make tea for everyone, but ended up knocking over the kettle and scalding himself.
Long ago, during a break in the Playa instance, Machiichi Yamada was squatting in a corner, her eyes shining as she stared at the women's clothing designs on the virtual screen. When she turned around and noticed him, she quickly turned off the screen, her face full of trepidation, afraid of being ridiculed. He had said, "It looks very good."
Such a simple sentence won the other person's heart, making them think he was a kind and gentle person. How easy.
He recalled the look of surprise and anticipation on Yamada's face when he promised to take them to see the sea "after this is over."
Lu slowly raised his hand.
He tried to analyze it in his usual way, but all rational analysis seemed pale when it touched on the memories associated with the names "Su Ming'an," "Yamada Machiichi," and "Beiwang." He couldn't assign a numerical value to this emotion like he would to a game of chess.
After overcoming his depression, Machiichi Yamada became the most afraid of death among all his companions. While he longed to eat all the world's delicacies and draw every doujinshi imaginable, he wouldn't act impulsively.
Lu finally admitted that his desire to see Yamada and his companions wasn't solely driven by self-interest. His mother's curse upon him was wrong; he also had genuine feelings for them.
……
But Luigi Licalpos' brilliant mind overlooked one point.
Even the most cowardly among his companions possessed far more courage to face death than the average person.
……
The outside world, beyond the abyss.
Golden light fell like alchemical solution poured down by a god.
Beneath the cracked golden sky, four figures—Su Lin, Lü Shu, Ian, and Aini—held up the collapsing, liquefiing firmament, protecting the world from the impending polar day.
Beneath their feet stood the players who fought alongside them. Each time the golden light was blocked, a roar of relief and an even more ferocious attack would erupt from below.
The whole world is rejecting players, but there are always some who stand at the forefront of the tide, holding up the sky with their own hands. Like the receding tide, the golden light shrinks inch by inch upwards.
The golden "eternal day" was briefly torn open.
The light of day returned.
On the battlefield, millions of lives looked up at this miraculous scene and erupted in thunderous cheers and shouts!
"It's blocked! It's blocked!!"
"Great God Su Lin! Great God Lü Shu! Great God Aini!"
"There is hope! We still have hope!"
However, amidst the wave of euphoria sweeping the battlefield, a few sharp-eyed top players felt a sudden sinking feeling in their hearts.
The people in the sky were breathing steadily, but their fingers were trembling slightly, like bowstrings stretched to their limit.