Chapter 258

Chapter 258

Remember when players harvested resources en masse in the Dream World, virtually plundering every asset from the hands of its inhabitants?

Who would have thought that those resources would eventually come in handy here?

Black Cat was delighted. He posted on the forum the herbs needed for purifying water and the method to refine the magic potion, along with a screenshot of various high-grade items in his inventory.

Black Cat: "How did that saying go? Beta items for beta testers to spend."

Druid: Not a chance they'll let us keep the beta test items, hahaha.

Not Crazy: Reasonable, too reasonable indeed (muffling sobs).

Matcha Milk Green: Good news, the officials didn't seize our items. Bad news, these are main quest objects.

Yeye: I can almost see the official game master smirking coldly: "Folks, you're quite clever, aren't you? Just watch me spoil all your hard-earned loot."

Blood Acolyte: I was worried that with all these items, the beta balance would be ruined. Now I understand (forced smile).

Cafeteria Auntie: "So that's why the officials were so eager for us to collect items from the Perfect Humans. They had this in mind all along."

Barbara: "I hope... it's not that bad. There must be some left, right?"

Villain Idol: "We're just getting started on the main quest (sigh). How do you know we won't need them later?"

Barbara: "..."

The Black Cat felt a bit frustrated but also found the situation amusing. However, it was expected. The officials wouldn't have made it easy for them to acquire resources from the Dream World. The Black Cat imagined that even if they didn't hand them over during this main quest, there was a high chance they would be confiscated during the open beta, with other compensations given.

Thinking about the Perfect Humans in the shelter, the Black Cat mused that it was a case of taking from the people and using it for the people...

No matter how much players complained, the tasks still needed to be done.

In the Bicester University's underground shelter, God Amongst Men also saw the formula the Black Cat posted on the forum. He glanced at his inventory and nodded—yes, he had everything he needed...

Under the cover of Blood Thugs, God Amongst Men discreetly gathered the necessary ingredients and crucible while the other NPCs weren't looking, preparing to concoct the purifying potion.

Noticing the relaxed expressions of the players, the other NPCs looked over and, sensing a glimmer of hope, asked, "Have you found a solution?"

"Well, let's try out a formula and see if it can purify the water source."

Upon hearing a potential solution, the natives' solemn expressions gradually softened, and they eagerly asked, "Is there anything we can assist with?"

At first, God Among Men was about to decline, but noticing their hopeful gazes, an idea sparked in his mind, and he grew more serious. "Yes, I do need your help. Apart from the water source, there are other tasks to confirm in this refuge, such as inventorying food supplies and medical resources. We don't know how long this disaster will last. If we have to stay here for a while, we must ensure safety and survival."

"I need you to take some people and verify the residents' backgrounds and skills. Are there any doctors, engineers, or special talents? Are there any dangerous criminals? These are potential threats. Also, ensure food provisions, oxygen supply, and check for leaks or electrical issues within the refuge..."

Under the players' bemused stares, God Among Men's lips moved, assigning numerous complex tasks to the NPCs, creating a sense of role reversal.

These were indeed tedious tasks that would require quite a workforce. Perhaps everyone in the refuge would have to be mobilized. Bloodthirsty didn't quite understand why they couldn't just assign these tasks to the players.

As the natives eagerly took on their missions, Bloodthirsty asked, puzzled. God Among Men replied, "Didn't you notice their energy has changed?"

Bloodthirsty and Milk Tea Dog exchanged glances before peering at the departing group. They realized it was true; with tasks at hand, they seemed to have found purpose.

"In truth, NPCs are no different from players," God Among Men said while mixing the potion. "Without tasks, people wander around aimlessly, overthinking things. In short, they're..."

"Idle!" Milk Tea Dog confidently interjected, then dawned with realization. "So, we give them tasks to save themselves, keeping them too busy to dwell on unnecessary thoughts. Otherwise, they'd all be praying to God for help."

"Correct!" God clapped His fingers in human form. "Let's post this method on the forum as well. The situation in other shelters must be even worse than ours, considering New Port is now one of the few 'anti-religious' cities."

"No problem," Milk Tea Dog understood that he couldn't afford to be distracted and began typing. After a moment's thought, he decided to open a live stream to explain the situation. "Fellow players, it's time for us to assign tasks to the NPCs!"

"Fascinating. Players assigning tasks to NPCs!"

"It makes sense. Once people start moving, they won't have time to bother about God or not."

"And only by participating themselves will they truly understand the essence of self-help."

"As expected of a big shot. Copying the homework already!"

In order not to add any more faith to Balder, the players were going all out. Even if they had nothing to do, they would find tasks for the NPCs. Surprisingly, this method worked. Apart from the injured who couldn't move, most NPCs managed to pull themselves out of their self-pitying states and were forced to participate in the work.

Busy with their own survival, they didn't have the luxury to ponder about the existence of God.

...

The rate at which the anchors were being placed slowed down.

Lan had been observing the anchors multiplying around Balder, so he quickly realized that the deity's rate of power increase had significantly slowed down at a certain point.

Balder was also aware of this issue. As He dealt with Lan and Ogur's attacks, He glanced at the ground. His eyes had turned golden without anyone noticing, and through them, all barriers became transparent. With a single thought, He easily perceived the movements of the players below.

"Trivial tricks," Balder scoffed, but His expression remained indifferent, revealing no trace of emotions.

The divine power accumulating within Him generated an increasingly terrifying aura. Radiating with holy light, He was almost blinding to behold.

Looking at His enemies, since Balder had sounded the Fourth Horn, a massive influx of faith had made it nearly impossible for Lan and Ogur to resist Him. At this moment, both of them appeared rather battered, especially Ogur. If not for Lan's seemingly prophetic interventions during critical moments, Ogur might have already lost his head.

As the battle continued, Balder gradually uncovered the truth behind Lan's prophetic ability, tilting the scales of victory in His favor.

It was time to sound the Fifth Horn and make them face reality fully.

With a mere thought from Balder, an angel separated from His being. Simultaneously, He paused the worldwide calamities.

...

In the underground sanctuary of Orland at that moment.

Justice Is Skin-Deep served a steaming bowl of food to the injured resident, who had been caught in a volcanic mudflow during the evacuation and nearly lost his life. It was a player who saved him, using a potion to spare him from death.

While the locals and players were inspecting the shelter, this unfortunate soul could only obediently rest in a corner. As he drank the warm porridge, he felt as if he had narrowly escaped death's clutches. He kept repeating, "Oh, thank God..."

Justice Is Skin-Deep raised an eyebrow. "Thank God?"

Muny, the unlucky one, looked up, confused. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Justice Is Skin-Deep replied, curling his lips and surveying the surroundings. "It's just that, unfortunately, we don't have anyone here named God."

Muny said, "But God protected us."

"Oh, really?" Justice Is Skin-Deep turned to Matcha Milk Green, who had administered first aid to him earlier. "Is your name God?"

Matcha Milk Green replied, "Of course not."

Justice Is Skin-Deep then looked at Pink Bunny, who was cooking the porridge. "How about you?"

Big Notebook Boss innocently shrugged his hands.

The others in the shelter also noticed the commotion and looked over curiously.

"Is there someone in our shelter called 'God' (GOD) who offered you help?" Justice Is Beauty asked boldly, her voice ringing out clearly.

The other players, having anticipated her question, chuckled as they replied, "No."

Justice Is Beauty turned to Mune. "See, how unfortunate. None of those who helped you goes by the name God. By the way, the one who just gave you first aid is named Hester."

Matcha Latte waved at him with a grin.

Munni wasn't an idiot; of course, he knew what Yan Jiuyue meant by this point. However, being under the gaze of others made him feel absurd and embarrassed, especially since he was a religious believer. He stubbornly retorted, "But it's because of God that you were all born, and that He saved me."

The players' unmasked laughter echoed.

"Beauty is righteousness itself," he said, "if one were to insist on tracing it back..."

Her gaze lingered on Mooney's injured leg. "Ah, yes. It was God who nearly took you down. Now we know why. Because you're an ungrateful bastard." *

Muny opened his mouth but found himself speechless. His face flushed under the amused and indifferent gazes of the other players. If not for his injured leg, he might have already fled or attempted to stop Yan Jiujie in some other way.

Orlond was once an open and civilized city, but after the Bureau of Inquiry incident, the number of believers had significantly increased. Seeing Justice Is Beauty utter such words, many believers abruptly stood up, glaring at her with anger.

The players subtly positioned themselves in front of Justice Is Beauty, revealing the weapons at their waists. Many believers wisely sat back down, but some still stood, staring fiercely at her group. "You'll all end up in hell! God's punishment has already descended upon you, you devils!"

When it came to sarcasm, players were no pushovers. "Such eloquence! Where was this when you were healing just now?"

"Hey, the devil cooked the porridge, huh? So, does spitting it out mean you won't go to hell? That it won't defile your pure faith?"

The commotion attracted Judith, who hurried over. Seeing the tense standoff, she feared a physical altercation and promptly stepped between the two parties. "What's going on here?"

"That's enough! These are all believers of the devil. We can't stay here anymore!" The group made as if to leave.

"Wait, wait, there might still be danger outside!"

"Let them go, let them go," Pink Bunny egged them on. "After all, martyrs ascend to heaven. Let them give it a try!"

Judith's headache intensified. "All of you, quiet down!"

Just as the two groups were at an impasse, the scout by the exit rushed down with a joyful expression. "The disaster outside... It seems to have stopped!"

The sanctuary inhabitants immediately heaved a sigh of relief, their faces glowing with delight. In contrast, the players were well aware of the progression of Judgment Day; it wouldn't conclude so effortlessly. What followed would be the next round of calamity.