Xie Antong was currently in full "won't let go when right" mode, relentlessly grilling the ga system without giving any face. The crowd remained silent, unsure of what to say, including the eagerly awaiting Council of Elders who were all sowhat stunned. It was like witnessing soone normally rational and mild suddenly baring fangs.
Yet Xie Antong herself felt nothing unusual about it. Simple reason - practice makes perfect. She'd seen too much of this. Breaking rules, insulting the ga, opposing CHOSEN'S PARADISE - these were basically daily routines for "Sin". After so many previous gas, she'd gone from shocked to numb, completely accustod to it. In fact, seeing Perfect Life's earlier polite, reasonable argunts with the ga had felt more unfamiliar to her.
She was currently the conservative faction - considering Perfect Life's approach overly conservative. Since it was obvious this ga voice had certain limitations, why hold back? Just start cursing first. What if it got angry? Compared to "Sin's" previous antics, she was being extrely mild.
Behind her, Chiyo Eine was both terrified and secretly glowing with admiration. She worried that if the ga rules escalated again, she might not be able to protect "Blank". But on the other hand - this was so cool! Watching Xie vent felt incredibly satisfying, making Chiyo want to join in, though she couldn't think of good cobacks on the spot.
[......]
[His actions weren't punished, aning they didn't violate rules.]
[And currently, this individual hasn't been rude like you, so I've no reason to target him.]
[Everyone's equal! No one can break the ga's rules.]
"What a deliberately phrased statent......"
[Enough! You're players, participants. I've no obligation to bargain with you!]
[The ga isn't over! Whether you want to or not, you'll continue!]
[If you want to drag it out, drag it out! Even for millennia! You......]
"Let interrupt again, terribly sorry."
Xie Antong showed no rcy, cutting off the increasingly furious voice at its angriest mont. This ti, her expression turned playful. Raising her right hand, she lightly tapped the helt near her temple with a slender finger.
"When wearing this helt, I have a minor condition. Hope you'll understand."
"That is, I tend to... rember trivial details vividly. This might upset you."
"I vaguely recall sothing rather interesting you said a few minutes ago, before arguing with Mr. Perfect Life here."
"You said, you 'think' this hide-and-seek ga needs another round, correct?"
"Why use 'think'? That suggests no enforcent power, like you're negotiating. Seems you lack the authority to guarantee your ideas will be implented."
Xie Antong looked up with a teasing smile: "Right?"
Beneath the helt, her eyes glead with aning - no longer her usual self. Anyone familiar might recognize traces of [Mirth] and [Greed] in that gaze.
Nearby, Perfect Life scratched his head thoughtfully, recalling the statent. His mory was sharp too, though he hadn't considered such minor wording could be exploited. This required treating the ga's voice as completely non-authoritative from the start...
"So," Perfect Life murmured, "this requires our consent too?"
"Hmm... what if we just refuse? What then?"
[.....]
The ga rules voice fell silent yet again. When it spoke next, its earlier arrogance had diminished sowhat.
[You all? You can't represent others......]
"I oppose repeating!" Chiyo Eine imdiately pledged allegiance.
"Haha, fun. I'll just oppose whatever the ga wants," Creator said with Buddha-like calm, his gaming stance clear.
"I support the leader... agree with the above players' views," Jiu Tian declared firmly.
That made five already.
Among the rest, "Sin"... that went without saying - even the ga knew.
As for the final three players, while afraid to defy the ga, they dared not speak up either. Supporting a rematch ant opposing the others, guaranteeing retaliation during any rematch. Suddenly, no one acknowledged the ga's established rules!
[Fine...]
[Very well!]
The system voice roared angrily before, seconds later, all nine players heard:
[Ga loophole patched: No three-way ties allowed! First place cannot be shared!]
[Player competition must continue until clear victory is determined!]
[Hotfix compensation: All qualifying players' reward tiers upgraded!]
Everyone's interface displayed these notifications, shocking many. Was this... the ga compromising?
Even Perfect Life was surprised. He hadn't expected this half-hearted resistance to actually work. Would CHOSEN'S PARADISE really compromise?
[Don't get cocky! You...]
[The ga must continue, by any ans necessary!]
[This is... player competition!]
The furious roar shook the entire city, snow tumbling from rooftops as oppressive energy enveloped everyone.
"What's all this noise......"
Suddenly, a yawning voice drew all attention as the erald-masked figure slowly sat up from the ground.
[......]
"Finally awake?" Xie Antong's icy (acting) voice broke the silence.
Lu Ce turned to see the sowhat familiar figure, feeling slightly awkward. Not because he'd recently "killed" her, but because of her earlier "It's okay, Lu Ce" remark. Tch... wearing the mask now felt like not wearing one at all.
"Aren't you going to say anything to ? My dearest strongest player?"
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