Pain Immunity: Worried the Villains Aren’t Twisted Enough

Chapter 269: The Finest Among Them, The Three Giants

Hearing Lu Ce's voice and watching him stand up, though still in poor condition, all players felt as if an enormous stone had been placed upon their hearts.

—This was "Sin" after all!

Facing this ailing tiger, though he didn't appear hostile, the pressure on everyone was even greater than before.

Countless previous games had proven that apart from Blank, there seemed to be no strict concept of teammates—when it came time to kill, he never hesitated.

Moreover, the game that had seemed hopeless earlier now appeared nearly concluded the moment he appeared—he must have done something.

And then there was that earlier conversation with Blank... it had completely surpassed their understanding.

Aside from Xie Antong and Lu Ce, there were seven players who, after prolonged combat, had developed a peculiar synergy.

The seven stood in strange formations, gradually encircling Lu Ce, their eyes filled with wariness.

"Oh? Judging by this, you all want to play with me?"

Lu Ce chuckled at their actions.Noticing this, Xie Antong quickly interjected:

"What are you doing? He's not an enemy—he's been fighting alone underground this whole time, and the general plan was likely his idea."

Lu Ce thought to himself—what plan did I propose?

But to the others, Xie Antong's words clearly carried more weight than Lu Ce's, and they immediately scattered.

Truthfully, Xie Antong wasn't worried about "Sin" coming to harm—she was worried "Sin" might kill them all.

From their earlier cooperation, she could tell these were excellent players with upstanding character.

"What cleanup work? Can't we just demolish the prison now?" Xie Antong asked.

"Not necessarily. Like I said, your role is the most important." Lu Ce glanced around. "Why are there still so many people? Not dead yet?"

A single sentence sent a chilling wind through every player's heart, their wary gazes snapping toward him.

Xie Antong's pupils contracted in disbelief—she hadn't even had time to ask!

"What's wrong? We're helping everyone escape, right? Aren't these people just dead weight? Why not finish them off?"

A smiling face appeared on Lu Ce's mask as he spoke to Xie Antong.

She took a step back, silently studying "Sin," her eyes flickering with conflicting emotions as thoughts churned within her.

......

"Enough, young man. Stop teasing your teammates."

A hoarse, aged voice suddenly spoke from behind—the warden's voice.

Slowly rising, the warden stood before the prison guards, half his head shattered, his body smeared with charred crimson.

The guard before him knelt with hands on knees, seemingly lifeless.

As he walked, the warden spoke:

"Don't say things that could be misunderstood, young man. At our age, our greatest regret is creating unnecessary misunderstandings with those who don't deserve them."

"If you can speak properly, then do so. Why say ugly words when doing good deeds?"

Reaching a prisoner, he gently patted their head.

Then, with effortless ease, he twisted it clean off—the prisoner offered no resistance!

"You—!" Cutter gasped in shock, his blade tornado beginning to form.

"Calm down and listen. People like us... we were meant to die. Or rather, we're already dead, just dragged back by [Life]."

"Everyone... everyone here was outstanding. None were guilty—all were good people!"

His tone suddenly intensified as he addressed the bewildered players:

"You're all outstanding too. You're good people—the wicked would never come here."

"We who should have died had our memories altered, forced to become the very scum we once despised in our own memories."

"Now it's time to be freed. Thank you all for your help—such debts can't be repaid with words. If there's an afterlife..."

"We'll see."

"This... is the prison break."

With that, he moved to the next person, plucking off their head.

After the warden's explanation, all players stood stunned. Xie Antong felt her strength drain away, gasping for breath as if having an asthma attack.

Thank goodness... for a moment, she'd thought she'd committed an unforgivable sin.

"Is there... no other way to save them?" Xie Antong asked weakly.

The warden turned, offering a smile that seemed kind yet utterly ghastly.

"Young one, helping others shouldn't come at your own expense. Besides... it's time we were released."

His gaze shifted to the guard.

"Heh... old friend. Truthfully, you should've been stronger than me. What happened? Couldn't face everyone?"

Turning to the remaining prisoners, he announced loudly:

"That guard... what was his real name again? Forgotten."

"He asked me to relay a message."

"He said all these years, he acted against his will... and owes everyone an apology!"

The remaining prisoners shuddered. None spoke, but some seemed to awaken.

Some looked around, picked up nearby weapons, and ended themselves.

Some wept silently, finding places to sit. Others remained standing motionless.

The warden moved calmly among them, granting each their final mercy.

"How sad... but such is a warden's duty."

He mused silently as he worked.

Back then, they'd all been equals. Only he and the guard had been the finest, the strongest among them.

Yet they'd been forced to become accomplices in villainy... sigh.

The atmosphere grew unbearably heavy, the air itself seeming to suffocate. Many players turned away, unable to watch.

"Hey, need help?" Lu Ce called cheerfully from behind. "This motorcycle could plow through them—probably more efficient than your method."

Black Knight: ?

"Why make me do your dirty work when you're the one wanting to play beast?!"

The warden waved him off with a smile.

"No need. Now that they're awake, let me send them off properly... and see them one last time."

"Oh, and you all... might want to talk to him."

He pointed toward Know-it-All, who sat battered and dazed atop a pile of goblin corpses.

"He's... different from us."

"Yes, you should speak with him."

"Perhaps... he's more like your kind."