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"The protocol is approved. Execute the scorched earth operation."
Sam unleashed her ultimate move once more!
Guinaifen's heart skipped a beat again.
Every time she saw the visual effects of Sam's skill...
As if carrying celestial fire descending from the heavens...
It always felt like she was about to punch through the screen.
And obliterate the player who was currently gaming...
In previous battles.
The most spectacular scene was probably the fight against Phantylia.
Phantylia crushing stars with her bare hands... was also quite awe-inspiring.
It was a kind of macro-level shock.
Transcending the ordinary levels of combat.
But Sam's ultimate move...
Was the other extreme!
Pulling the direct effects of power and destruction to their limits!
Even!
Guinaifen had this feeling!
After all that, her character was still alive?
Just severely injured?
What a miracle!
Of course.
It was mainly thanks to Dr. Luo's healing.
Otherwise, her entire team would have been wiped out long ago.
Little Gui's luck wasn't bad in this battle.
Although everyone was severely injured, not a single character had fallen.
And Sam's health was already at its limit.
Just as the final blow was about to be delivered.
Sam's health bar froze at 1%.
Guinaifen knew it.
This was Sam locking her health!
The plot was about to be triggered!
When it was Sam's turn to act.
She unleashed another wave of raging flames.
A mechanical voice sounded: "In that case—"
The cutscene began!
"Boom!!!"
Black Swan's arm attack was dodged by Sam.
And then.
Acheron's figure appeared.
A single slash descended.
Sam dodged again, using the momentum to create some distance.
Suddenly.
Her gaze turned toward Stelle, who was holding a baseball bat nearby!
The thrusters fired!
Quickly disengaging from the battlefield.
She flew toward Stelle!
At the same time, she extended a hand!
It seemed like she was targeting the weaker one!
Or perhaps she intended to take Stelle away!
Fortunately.
Acheron appeared just in time.
Launching a counterattack!
This close-up shot made Guinaifen slightly startled!
"Acheron still hasn't drawn her blade?!"
"Is she still holding back?"
After repelling Sam.
Acheron initiated a Victory Rush.
Stelle was about to step in to help.
But Black Swan blocked her path.
Saying, "Leave this stage to them, dear."
At the same time.
A card appeared in her hand.
With a flash of light.
Stelle was teleported to another space!
Still holding the baseball bat, she was utterly confused.
Then.
A burst of laughter echoed.
"Hehehe…"
"What a splendid performance."
Sitting by the stone pillar.
Was none other than Aventurine!
...
"Holy crap!"
"Aventurine!"
"What's going on?"
"Why does it feel like the protagonist is being played like a fool?"
"No! I still want to see Acheron fight Sam!"
"Damn it! Backstabbed by Black Swan!"
"Tricked by the mature big sister again."
"Ugh, I can't follow this anymore!"
"Who's the good guy, and who's the bad guy?"
"Aventurine looks so scheming!"
"Did Black Swan team up with Aventurine?"
...
The intense battle suddenly turned into a spy thriller.
Guinaifen was also momentarily stunned!
Just like Stelle in the story.
Aventurine slowly emerged from the shadows, wearing a meaningful smile.
He spoke, "You've worked hard, Memokeeper—a brilliant move of driving the tiger to devour the wolf."
"When I first saw the Galaxy Rangers and the hunters gathered together, my heart skipped a beat… I didn't expect you to successfully incite conflict between them."
Guinaifen scratched her head.
In her eyes.
Aventurine was pure evil!
He might as well have written "I'm the bad guy" on his face!
She couldn't help but complain, "That smug look of his is just too infuriating!"
"From what Aventurine is saying…"
"Was making Acheron and Sam fight also part of their plan?"
Black Swan, on the other hand, remained calm and elegant.
She said, "As agreed, I've brought this child before you. The deal is complete."
The suspense was finally over.
This sentence confirmed that they were in cahoots.
Guinaifen even felt a bit sorry for the protagonist in the game.
"Poor little gray-haired girl, being manipulated like a puppet…"
But Aventurine simply smiled and explained, "All in all, my friend, you should thank this lady. Far from plotting against you—she actually saved you…"
Aventurine approached Stelle.
With a meaningful expression.
"...from the hands of that Galaxy Ranger."
Not just Stelle in the game.
Even all the viewers outside the screen were shocked!
...
"What does that mean!?"
"Acheron?"
"Aren't we supposed to be fighting Sam?!"
"I never thought Acheron was on our side…"
"Did anyone really believe Acheron was an ally just because she traveled with you for a while?"
"We still don't know who released Something Unto Death."
"Both Acheron and Sam are uncontrollable dangers. This move of pitting the tiger against the wolf is indeed brilliant!"
"Even if Acheron isn't an ally, can we really trust Aventurine?"
"With all due respect, everyone in Penacony has their own agenda. Besides the Astral Express Crew, it's best not to trust anyone!"
"I can't take it anymore! I just want to punch Penacony into oblivion!"
…
Aventurine crossed his arms.
As if everything was under his control.
"Friend, let me speak plainly now."
"This woman named Acheron is far more complicated than you think. What Galaxy Rangers…"
At this point.
Aventurine paused slightly.
His tone grew grave: "—She is an Emanator. She brings death and finality."
As soon as these words were spoken!
The entire player base.
Exploded into chaos!
…
"Confirmed! Confirmed!"
"If Aventurine says so, then it's undeniable!"
"Key words: death and finality…"
"Is Something Unto Death really connected to Acheron?"
"Duke Inferno didn't die unjustly."
"Originally, the boss of Penacony was Duke Inferno. Acheron killed him early, but she took his place!"
"What was once a hard difficulty has now become hellish!"
"Quick, go to Luofu and summon General Jing Yuan!"
…
Guinaifen was also feeling both excited and nervous.
The plot was finally getting to the part about Acheron!
The most pressing question now was—
[An Emanator? Of which Path?]
And Aventurine replied, "Perhaps The Hunt… Destruction… or even The Finality. It doesn't matter. All these Paths—point to the same outcome."
"Let me give you some insider information, friend. Do you know Duke Inferno—Ifrit of Tophet?"
Of course we know!
I've even watched their family's PV!
Guinaifen thought to herself.
Then she chose the first option: [I've fought him before.]
"Impressive, as expected of you! Let's keep it short then…"
"This Duke Inferno is a fire demon from Tophet, an elemental being. It's said his origins are somewhat connected to a certain genius…"
"Who knows what went wrong with the family's judgment, or if someone deliberately stirred trouble, but these guys actually received an invitation. Of course, the Eternal Fire Manor wouldn't refuse. They came with a vengeance, determined to turn the Planet of Festivities into a sea of flames…"
"But don't worry, they won't make it. Do you know why?"
"―Because Ifrit is dead."
Now,
The case of Duke Inferno's murder.
Has been settled both in and out of the game.
Previously, many players suspected Yu Ling was behind it.
But now.
The suspect is about to be revealed through the storyline.
"They were wiped out on their way to the meeting. The killer brutally murdered Ifrit in a miraculous manner, stole the invitation the Annihilation Gang received, and the Eternal Fire Manor fell apart, scattering like birds and beasts―"
"After that, a mysterious Galaxy Ranger arrived in Penacony, checked into the hotel with a music box… Do I need to go on, friend?"
As Duke Inferno reappeared.
Many players in the livestream mourned for Duke Inferno!
Flooding the chat with messages!
...
"His voice and image remain."
"The Duke's ambitions were cut short halfway."
"Prison Duke: I have no objections."
"Who killed Duke Inferno…"
"It all adds up! Everything matches."
"The Duke attended the feast in the form of a Relic."
"Who would have thought that in Penacony's storyline, Duke Inferno would be the sole bearer of Elation."
"The only part that made me laugh out loud after Firefly was killed…"
"Are you done yet! Always digging up my Prison Duke? My Duke is an Emanator of Elation, don't you dare joke about it in the future!"