Pain Immunity: Worried the Villains Aren’t Twisted Enough

Chapter 329: What If I Refuse to Pay the Price?

Xie Antong's body stiffened instantly. Actually, what she meant by "what they experienced might happen to us too" wasn't referring to this context. But Lu Ce's question had clearly struck a chord deep within her, making her expression momentarily unnatural.

She didn't answer directly, perhaps knowing that as the game ended, Lu Ce's arrogance-driven emotions might not be as pronounced as before. Now might be a good time for proper conversation.

"Can you sense what the strongest prevailing emotion is worldwide right now?" Xie Antong didn't wait for Lu Ce's response before continuing, "Fear. Intense fear. The more people know, the worse it becomes."

"These game worlds, these places we casually enter to play - are they really just illusions? Were they once like this too?" As she spoke, Xie Antong checked her live stream to confirm no one was watching. After the game's conclusion announcement, in-game streaming had ended, meaning their current conversation was private.

"Our game probably isn't the first iteration - you must have sensed that too?" Lu Ce nodded silently. The previous game's Know-it-All had made that abundantly clear.

"There's a theory circulating..." Xie Antong carefully chose her words, "that people... lost before. What they lost to, who they lost against - we have no idea. But CHOSEN'S PARADISE... whose paradise is it really?" Her eyes flickered with concealed fear as she spoke - she did have access to firsthand global intelligence.

"Some speculate that if we lose again, our world won't be any different from these worlds. The princesses, princes, and kings here might have once been 'players' from our world... Though that last part is just my speculation." She finished by studying Lu Ce's golden mask, awaiting his response.

The impassive golden mask remained silent for a long moment before Lu Ce finally spoke: "So... what does this have to do with you marrying some god you don't like?"

Xie Antong: ?!

Was that what I was talking about?! Has your arrogance mask malfunctioned into greed now?!"Who... who said anything about me marrying a god?! I'm saying because of this situation, the world's elites - those who used to operate in shadows - are now terrified. Fear demands response, demands action."

"So forces must consolidate, form collectives, establish scale to provide security in turbulent times. Though their former wealth and power may be less useful now, they still have value - hence the need for alliances. And historically..." Xie Antong's expression turned uncomfortable, "women have always served this purpose during such times..."

After another prolonged silence, Lu Ce remarked: "Political marriage. Strategic union. Could've said it in eight words instead of dragging it out."

Xie Antong flushed with anger: "No! I was explaining the global situation, not just my personal affairs!"

"Does it concern me?" Lu Ce replied calmly.

Xie Antong: "......"

"Should I care what they do?"

"Will their actions affect me?"

"Will they block my path?"

"Do they dare block my path?"

The rapid-fire questions stunned Xie Antong before realization dawned. He wasn't wrong...

This was arrogance.

This was the strongest player.

Taking a deep breath, she shrugged slightly. "True. As long as you don't die in-game, fewer and fewer people in this world can afford to disrespect you."

"Right. I was just sharing information. At least it affects me personally."

"So?" Lu Ce interrupted again. "Your plan? How will you resist? Take revenge? Kill them all?" He spoke as naturally as if this were the most logical thought process.

Xie Antong stared at him wide-eyed. "Uh... what?" Since when did this become about murder?

"Well, I'm probably not that violent. Actually, alliances have benefits too—"

"Which translates to weakness," Lu Ce finished, sitting on a rock. "Understandable. Not everyone has the strongest player's confidence or courage."

"And... what the princess said earlier was correct." Xie Antong's voice grew impassioned. "Everything has its price! Gaining power means entering the game, becoming part of this system. Forming alliances requires bonds - personal feelings never outweigh greater causes in such matters."

"Having received family support, how can one truly remain uninvolved? That Sun earlier - absorbing divine power at that level came without cost? And you - with your current strength as the world's strongest player - have you truly paid no price?"

Lu Ce: "......"

He wanted to say he hadn't paid any noticeable price - he'd nearly died multiple times but never actually died. Then he recalled the Chosen of Agony's description: "Agony is dead" - his current state remained unknown. Perhaps the bill simply hadn't come due yet.

The thought filled him with intense frustration, as if tangled by countless invisible threads constraining his thoughts - a feeling diametrically opposed to arrogance. Simply put... mental blockage.

His golden mask's expression darkened unpredictably, making Xie Antong retreat a step as that overwhelming pressure returned. She didn't understand - was his aura becoming unstable again?

"HAHAHA! Really?" Suddenly, the golden mask erupted with laughter as if all constraints had shattered. Arrogance now flowed perfectly, the mask glowing divinely as he regarded Xie Antong:

"Price? What price?"

"What if... I refuse to pay?"

"What if I take all the benefits... and reject all their terms?"