Chapter 254

Chapter 254

At that moment, players were logging into the game one after another, calling their friends to join them. Most of them sensed that this would be the grandest and final battle of the closed beta. Streamers like Diao Min Squad and Ah Long were eagerly online, broadcasting their gameplay.

Upon logging in, they also saw the discussions on the forum initiated by Black Cat, causing them to ponder.

Should they go against Judas? But how exactly?

All players began contemplating this question. Even if they couldn't directly eliminate Judas, the biggest boss, they were actively strategizing on how to tackle this mission.

Many players frantically posted the original text of the Apocalypse on the forums. Since Judas intended to replicate it, the content would surely spark inspiration for others to understand his plan.

God Among Men: In the Apocalypse, after unlocking the first four seals and unleashing the Four Horsemen, what follows is... the Martyrs ascending to Heaven.

Crazy No More: ? What's that?

God Among Men: There won't be any immediate disasters, but in a sense, it's more terrifying than ordinary catastrophes...

The hearts of the players, especially Black Cat, who was inside the University of Michigan, sank. He quickly accessed the in-game internet to check the current public opinion.

The Druid leaned in for a look. "What are you looking for?"

"The martyrs ascend to heaven," the black cat murmured, repeating the phrase. "If I were Judas, I wouldn't miss this chance to reap faith."

"See, everyone online is talking about the Day of Judgment," the cat said, stepping aside to reveal the screen. The Druid saw that across various social platforms, the trending topics were undoubtedly dominated by 'Day of Judgment,' 'Revelation,' or 'God.'

'Oh my God, the Day of Judgment has truly begun. You all saw Jesus in the sky with a double-edged sword in His mouth, right? That's the sign it's started. Check the news – wars, famines, and deaths breaking out around the world; these are signals of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse arriving!

'The Day of Judgment is here, doomsday is at hand! Only those who believe in God will attain eternal life!

'Haha, we've finally reached this day. There are enough martyrs, and God has initiated judgment. Farewell, everyone. I'm off to become a martyr; I'll be in heaven too!

'What nonsense. It's probably just religious folks up to their tricks. How could there really be a Day of Judgment?

'Are you going to say all those wars breaking out on the same day are mere coincidences?

'It's not just the wars. Here in Orland, I've heard that there was an infectious disease leak at the hospital. Now the entire place is locked down.'

'God has manifested, punishing us, the greedy and vile humans.'

'I knew it! Only the faithful can ascend to Heaven!'

'It's all fake! Surely no one truly believes in gods in this world, do they?'

'Hmm, but there were similar incidents in Arkham and Orland previously. Honestly, this world is becoming more and more perplexing.'

'It's real, look at the live stream from the religious community. The spirits behind the cemetery have risen!'

A link was provided. Black Cat and the Druid exchanged glances before immediately clicking on it.

Indeed, it was a video, seemingly taken behind a church cemetery. The person holding the camera trembled with excitement as they exclaimed, "The martyrs have ascended to Heaven. This is true! The Lord has guided them!"

In the footage, one transparent spirit after another emerged from the graves, ascending upward under the guidance of a beam of light descending from Heaven. It was reminiscent of the biblical depiction of ascending to paradise.

The live stream was filled with prayers and accolades from believers. Public opinion online began to sway in one direction. However, as Black Cat watched, their heart sank.

More and more anchor points connected to Balder.

Lane watched the scene unfold with a stoic expression, powerless to intervene. Trapped within a golden cage of light, he could only witness Bader's power growing, His wounds inflicted by Ogur long since healed. Now, like a cat playing with its prey, Bader toyed with Ogur, delaying the fatal blow.

Lane knew that Bader dared not strike at this moment, fearing their desperate retaliation, especially with Lane holding the Ark – a weapon that could lead all humanity to mutual destruction. Bader's aim was to become the one true God; without the faith of humanity, He could not attain omniscience and omnipotence.

At present, by suppressing Lane and Ogur, Bader was merely buying time. If Judgment Day proceeded as planned, mankind would have no choice but to surrender and offer their faith to survive.

Observing Bader overpower Ogur, seemingly nursing a grudge for the earlier injury, He relentlessly targeted the giant's formidable frame. Under the mounting assault, Ogur was battered and bruised, resembling a cornered tiger.

Yet, even in desperation, the tiger showed no sign of submission. Instead, his sharp eyes, hidden in the shadows, locked onto Bader, waiting for an opening.

"I despise your eyes," Bader sneered. "Perhaps I should pluck them out."

With that, He opened His palm, reaching towards Ogur in a grasping motion. The surrounding space instantly froze, much like how Lane had once manipulated it. Having inherited the faith of God, Bader was now striving towards the realm of 'omniscience and omnipotence'.

Ogur was squeezed by the constricting space, unable to move. In the blink of an eye, Bader was upon him, fingers extended, seemingly intent on tearing out Ogur's eyes.

"Bader!" Lane shouted. "Aren't you afraid of the backlash from appropriating God's faith?"

A clumsy attempt to divert attention, but Bader took the bait. He didn't seem averse to conversing with Lane. "That is indeed fatal," He acknowledged.

This was also something Lane couldn't wrap his head around. The reason the Old Gods of the Dream World had abandoned the Perfect Man's faith was because its corruption could twist the myths, potentially contaminating the Old Gods themselves. Though humans on Earth had degenerated in mental strength, how could one ensure they wouldn't go mad after the arrival of an Evil God and, in turn, infect the deity?

Soon, Lane found his answer.

A bizarre smile crept across Bader's face. "Do you know? Actually, the answer is both far away and right before your eyes."

Lane furrowed his brow.

"I've spent a day in this world, and besides preparing for Judgement Day, I've been observing your divine realm, my dear brother. Have you ever wondered why you can safely inherit the faith of these people, even when your believers go mad without affecting you?"

Of course, it was because his followers hadn't triggered any mythic rituals. Even if they did, Lane would be fine. He could even accept the Perfect Man's faith, as he wasn't a pure Old God to begin with. Corruption was ineffective against him, just like radiation was harmless to a nuclear bomb.

Wait...

Lane looked up at Bader in disbelief.

Bader's smile widened. He was bathed in infinite light, but to Lane's eyes, that light gradually overlapped with the red moon of the Dream World. Behind the radiance, it seemed that multiple eyes were opening on the body of 'God.'

"Because, like you, I am no longer a pure Old God. That's why I said we are the only two of our kind in this world."

The Old Gods and the Chaos Gods...

They were once archenemies, symbolizing order and chaos respectively. Lane was an exception to this rule, born from the genes and power of both deities, nurtured in the Dream World as a miracle. He was both a Chaos God and an Old God, possessing corrupting properties yet miraculously retaining his sanity and humanity.

And now, such a miracle had appeared once more.

"You too... No, wait, Bestia told me you're purely an Old God..."

"I was at birth," Baelor dismissed Ogar, seemingly uninterested in his defeated foe. In the blink of an eye, he arrived before Lane, who was trapped within the golden cage. He dimmed his radiance, revealing his handsome face beneath.

He placed his hand on the beam that formed the cage, leaning close to Lane's face. "But after my defeat in the war, I realized the Dream World would perish. No god could defeat those unspeakable beings descending from beyond."

"What right do they have to be called gods if they aren't all-knowing and all-powerful? If a god can be easily implicated and killed by mortals, what sets them apart from humans?" Baelor's expression grew increasingly malevolent, his pupils fracturing under the influence of his emotions, dozens of tiny eyes crowded within their sockets, evoking a strong sense of discomfort.

"What angers me even more is that, despite our dire situation, my foolish kin still think of protecting mankind! Those insignificant ants have the audacity to write myths that affect us Old Gods. Isn't it ridiculous and laughable? Their greatest value lies in bowing before me, it's their honor to give their lives for us! Yet, those same kin chose to cease hostilities for the sake of these ants!"

Baelor's sinister words echoed in Lane's ear, his multitude of eyes fixated on Lane. From the depths of those eyes, Lane sensed only one emotion - arrogance.

"So, I switched sides. It's no big deal. As long as I become the sole god, I won't mind offering Him despair and chaos."

...Him?

A subtle feeling arose in Lane's heart, as a stereotype hinted at the identity of the culprit.

But now wasn't the time to ponder over it.

Lane looked up at Balder, a mocking smile curving his lips. "Thank you for your cooperation, my dear brother."

Hmm?

Balder frowned. At that moment, He caught sight of a clock symbol flashing behind Lane, with its hands moving one step backward.

Simultaneously, Balder sensed a brief wane in His power. It was only a fleeting moment, but it was enough to create an opening. The golden cage around Lane vanished, and they were too close for comfort. Lane struck before Balder could react, his dagger made of spiritual plants piercing through Balder's chest. The parasitic vine inside greedily sucked on divine blood while releasing paralyzing toxins.

And it didn't end there. As Balder struggled to break free, a chill ran down His spine. Ogar, somehow freed from spatial constraints, appeared behind Him, biceps bulging as He swung the axe with the sharpness to cleave through space itself!