Chapter 338: Chapter 257: Plot Murder

"Ask yourself, did you or did you not betray?"

This question plunged 1721 into silence for several minutes, the fierce and violent look vanishing from his face as he lowered his head to stare at his hands.

No, of course he hadn’t betrayed anyone.

Yet, 1721 was unable to refute Duan Mingyuan’s soul-searching interrogation.

He believed that omens of destruction would trap humanity in a fear they could not escape from, but if one viewed his actions from a different angle, they were indeed no different from leaking secrets.

Objectively, he had become a leaker, sounding the alarm for humanity, enabling them to detect impending crises earlier. Perhaps this still couldn’t prevent the day of destruction, but it might inject more uncertainties into the equation—such as now, where Eisenberg-Adler, inheriting his mentor’s research, was determined to build a digitalized world, a haven for humanity after the day of destruction.

And people like Duan Mingyuan had already started taking action earlier.

In his rational mind, 1721 accepted Duan Mingyuan’s questioning, but he refused to admit it on the grounds of pride, turning his face away stubbornly, "What does it matter if you know? All your efforts are futile. Do you really think a digitalized world can save you?"

As he spoke, 1721 suddenly regained his confidence.

He first convinced himself— even if he had revealed the entire plan to everyone, humanity would still be unable to escape their doomed fate, and it was this fatalism that would make them realize their powerlessness and despair.

Yes, he had done it on purpose.

"Who knows what the future holds? But that’s not important. The important thing is, through your response, I’ve confirmed something,"

This was what Duan Mingyuan was doing. He didn’t advocate for tying up 1721 and hanging him to beat.

Don’t believe the rumors, he was no man-eater.

Duan Mingyuan’s approach was to delve into 1721’s heart and understand his existence from the ground up, "Your thinking doesn’t align with the ’black hole’s.’"

Even though He Ya considered 1721 to be a virus injected into Eisenberg’s body by the consciousness of the "black hole," intended to store the knowledge in Eisenberg’s brain completely through 1721 even if Eisenberg died, it had set 1721’s function but not his thought and personality, resulting in an underage 1721 who could only make judgments based on instinct.

And the junior high school righteousness within him, perhaps thought spreading the word about the cosmic destruction was an incredibly cool act, thus he indulged in it tirelessly.

"What exactly are you trying to say?"

"I’m asking you, what is your name? Everyone thinks you’re a parasite bred on Eisenberg, with 1721 being your sentence, but no one knows your name."

"My name is Eisenberg-Adler!"

A defiant smile appeared on 1721’s face, but when he locked eyes with Duan Mingyuan’s stern gaze, he could no longer smile.

Facing someone who talked to it seriously, the malicious defiance lost its effect because the topic they were discussing was not about humanity, prison, or the day of destruction— it was about its identity, and what it was going to become.

Although 1721 had plenty of time each day, he had never seriously thought about these questions.

He had many hobbies.

Like disguising himself as Eisenberg-Adler and deceiving everyone, or starting fights in prison, watching inmates and guards brawl until bloodied, which brought him joy.

"You are not Eisenberg-Adler, and of course, your name is not 1721."

Duan Mingyuan pressed on, "It created you but never named you."

"So what?"

Beyond a disdainful retort, 1721 didn’t know what else to say.

It had been in that prison ever since it gained consciousness, never leaving for a single step, and even those prophecies about the day of destruction were merely silhouettes in its mind.

It had never returned to its "homeland," nor did it know what it was like there.

"That means, it just wanted you to become a copy of Eisenberg-Adler, a replacement in case of his unnatural death, perhaps it never imagined you would develop autonomous consciousness."

The chains binding 1721 creaked with friction as it became agitated and restless.

Usually, it was the one stirring emotions, causing calamity and conflict, but this human had pinpointed the very issue it was least willing to discuss.

Instinctively, it wanted to silence Duan Mingyuan forever. If not for the damned chains keeping it bound to the chair, it would have smashed Duan Mingyuan’s head in.

"Don’t look at me with those eyes!"

1721’s face began to tremble and distort; whenever its emotions flared, it struggled to maintain a human appearance.

It saw pity in Duan Mingyuan’s eyes, as if looking at a child abandoned since birth.

"I’ve got it!"

Suddenly, 1721 raised its voice, grinning in a way that looked both like a smile and a snarl, "Didn’t you ask where I wanted to go? I’ve got it now, I’m going to kill you!"

In its mind, Duan Mingyuan talked too much, and killing a talkative person seemed like a good idea, "You know artificial intelligence can’t deal with me, and they can’t keep me here forever. One day, I’ll break out of this cell, and don’t think I’ll forget what you look like!"

Gradually, 1721 reclaimed its familiar sensation.

Threats, intimidation—these cruel phrases awakened its instincts, stirring it into excited agitation.

Seeing that Duan Mingyuan didn’t respond, it went on, "Then there’s Blue Star. I’ll find everyone you know, yes, and the digitalized world. Even if you hide in there, you can’t escape the fate of destruction. I—"

1721’s excited musings came to an abrupt halt.

It heard a "click," and the chains that bound it were unlocked.

It moved its hands and feet with some disbelief. Since the Judge had imprisoned it, it had always been restrained by chains, almost forgetting the sensation of walking.

"Good, at least you now have your first goal in life."

Duan Mingyuan was pleased for 1721, even though its goal was not in line with mainstream values, it was a step up from its previous aimless existence.

With a goal now set, the next step was to strive toward it.

"So, did your creator ever tell you how to kill a Transcender?"

Duan Mingyuan also slowly got up from his chair, symbolically taking a stance to meet the enemy, "Now that you have thrown off your shackles, it’s time for you to make a further attempt."

did not immediately take action.

Its bonds had indeed been released, but intuition told it that a hasty attack on Duan Mingyuan would lead to terrible consequences.

A term created by humans surfaced in its mind.

Fishing law enforcement.

This was a common tactic used by some prison guards.

They would deliberately unlock the prisoners’ shackles in the interrogation room, granting them a certain degree of mobility, only to break the prisoners’ limbs, claiming that the prisoners had suddenly broken free and attacked them.

This was both legal and proper, and the prisoners who were beaten to the brink of paralysis would also have their sentences extended as a result.

"What are you waiting for?"

Duan Mingyuan asked, puzzled.

To help 1721 achieve its dream, he had not hesitated to violate the prison regulations, creating a favorable opportunity for the other party.

He sized up the unarmed 1721 and suddenly thought of something. Then he abruptly brought his hands together, and began to rub them in the void.

A moment later, he handed over a newly manufactured wooden sword and wooden shield to 1721.

With that, the novice equipment was complete.

was that idealistic hero who had received basic equipment and was ready to set out on the path of adventure.

"You can begin now," Duan Mingyuan reminded.

However, 1721 threw the wooden sword and shield aside, sat back down in the chair, reached for the chains on the ground, and reattached them to itself.

This was a decision made after careful consideration.

Rather than actual combat, it preferred the part where it sat on the chair and threatened violence.

"I only said that I would definitely kill you after I escape, I never said right now," 1721 retorted forcefully.

It was not ready to escape at all; even if Duan Mingyuan unlocked its handcuffs and leg irons, it had no intention of leaving the space.

Because even if they truly set it free, it had no idea where to go.

Its mission was to be prepared to replace Eisenberg, but until that human died, it could only live like a shadow.

"But by doing this, your adventure cannot commence," Duan Mingyuan said.

He also could not complete the tasks entrusted to him by He Ya and the Judge.

After all, as he had said, he was not some cannibalistic ogre, not quite comfortable with striking at someone who had lost their will to resist.

He encouraged 1721, "A hero should not fear failure; each failure will make you stronger."

Current games, to motivate the subjectivity of the hero, often set some powerful and compelling goals at the start of the story.

The princess kidnapped by the dragon, an impending war, becoming enslaved after an invasion by other races...

He was supposed to play the kind of opponent that the hero, even with all their effort, could not defeat at the beginning of their adventure; after facing failure, the hero would resolutely embark on a path to become stronger.

"Pick up the sword and shield; do not be afraid, after this battle, you will be able to leave this place," Duan Mingyuan said.

wanted to refuse, but the chains held in its arms suddenly turned into dust.

The sword and shield it had thrown aside flew towards it, as if it had been chosen.

"This is fishing law enforcement, is no one going to control this?" it grumbled, forced to pick up the sword.

tried to get the attention of the Judge, but all it got in return was silence.

Just like those plot-driven adventure games, the scripted fight was inevitable.

"It will be over soon," Duan Mingyuan said.

Like a game prompt, everything went dark before the hero’s eyes, and upon waking up, they would find themselves in a safe place.

——Barrier.

saw the space fracturing like shattered glass, and beyond those cracks, it felt a familiar yet heart-palpitating energy.

This was also an experiment for Duan Mingyuan.

He had not known where the shockwaves caused by the spatial reconstruction would take a person, but after listening to He Ya’s description, the answer seemed clearer.

In the black hole, there existed special spaces, including the oldest and most powerful "Cocoon."

That was also 1721’s homeland.

If there was anything else to say to 1721.

Duan Mingyuan recalled the lines of the villains from the Jiuyue game, "Hate me, fear me, then live a miserable life. When one day you attain power equal to mine, come face me... Remember to grind monsters in the wild, visit the weapon shop and item stores first when you arrive at a new town, make sure you have enough health potions, and save your game regularly."

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read