Pain Immunity: Worried the Villains Aren’t Twisted Enough

Chapter 421: Announcement of "Divine Punishment", Ignition

"How about it? Did you sell me out?"

Xie Antong said coldly:

"Yes, sold out. Next door is the former top veteran players, the weakest among them being at The Creator's level. They'll come in soon to finish you off."

Lu Ce: ......

Xie Antong seemed to have told a cold joke, then stopped joking and continued.

"Of course I didn't say I wanted to see you. I said I don't know you at all."

"And expressed that I don't want to see you either. If possible, it would be best if the next time we meet face to face, it's with your corpse."

As she said this, she inexplicably began feeling that heartache sensation again.

"Thanks to you, everyone believed these words. After all, what you did back then was indeed quite beastly in their eyes."

As she spoke, she casually pushed the Gate of Death beside her toward Lu Ce."Also, thank you for crashing the wedding last time."

"This thing is for you. If you don't want what I just said to actually come true, I suggest you carry it with you daily."

"I don't think what you're truly facing now allows you to be so fearless."

Lu Ce looked at the dark golden long needle suddenly pushed toward him, momentarily stunned and not quite processing it.

But after thinking for a moment, he didn't refuse. He instantly decided to let "Greed" take over and took the needle.

"Thanks, but your gameplay style really shouldn't be as dangerous as mine."

"You actually know it's dangerous?" Xie Antong expressed surprise.

......

"Anyway, Dragon Group wants to thank you, saying something about appreciating you 'caring about humanity' and not directly abandoning your human identity to join Paradise's side."

Lu Ce: ......

Their imagination is quite rich, isn't it?

"Additionally, because of your refusal, you've set an example for the world's mindset. Otherwise, everyone would only think about killing other players to give themselves a chance to ascend."

"Wait a moment," Lu Ce quickly said.

"If that's the case, actually, I feel whether I refuse or not doesn't really make any difference."

"Right, I think so too," Xie Antong similarly nodded.

"Actually, regarding this game, people's perspectives have already undergone a significant shift."

"Now, many who were selected but have been spectators all along are also starting to want to participate in the game."

"Everyone believes this game represents a great opportunity, only the selection process just looks slightly cruel."

"They're all very envious... the top ten have the chance to approach godhood."

Xie Antong spoke, then fell somewhat silent.

Honestly, this kind of thinking doesn't seem particularly blameworthy, since currently there's no apparent downside to approaching divinity.

And humans—our greatest innate dream has always been to rise above our peers. Now that this supernatural power offers such an opportunity, why would we let it pass?

Only this process feels too much like invaders offering benefits to divide humanity from within...

"Many people express admiration for your decision to abandon this opportunity."

As she spoke, Xie Antong glanced up at Lu Ce.

"But honestly, this feeling—I think it's more like being fortunate you didn't directly ascend and rise above everyone."

"Additionally, some people are dissatisfied with your actions."

"After all, this ascension opportunity was meant for first place. By not taking it, it feels like you don't want to give others a chance either."

"I feel this might be some kind of conspiracy. The game side deliberately designed it this way, not intending to pass it down. Now the top players might be quite hostile toward you."

"Those who want to ascend will definitely exert their utmost effort to defeat you."

Lu Ce suddenly raised his eyes, his expression appearing quite sinister as he spoke:

"Oh? Only some people are dissatisfied with me?"

"Isn't that somewhat inappropriate?"

Xie Antong: ?

Her face might as well have had a question mark stamped on it.

What did he mean? Was he complaining that there weren't enough?

"Giving them some motivation, making those who dislike me desperately challenge me—wouldn't that be good for me?"

"This is part of the game."

"Besides, this way... it makes the game more interesting."

Lu Ce's mouth corners curled up wildly, as if he'd thought of something amusing, the pressure around him gradually intensifying.

Xie Antong slowly leaned back. In her daze, she felt like she was seeing "Sin" again.

"What... do you mean by interesting?"

Lu Ce looked up, examining Xie Antong as he asked:

"So, what have you done? Did you seize this opportunity?"

Xie Antong: ?

"What opportunity?"

"As the opposing side, don't you think you should do something now?"

After thinking for a moment, Lu Ce lightly tapped the table with his fingers, speaking insidiously:

"I'll send you a message in the game."

"Perfect timing—you can issue an announcement in Divine Punishment's name to build yourself up while helping me light a fire."

"What do you want to do?" Xie Antong immediately had a bad feeling.

A few minutes later, when 【Blank】 received 【Sin】's in-game message, Xie Antong's expression instantly darkened considerably.

She said coldly:

"I don't intend to do this kind of thing."

"This is... the behavior of a petty person."

"What do you mean 'petty person behavior'?" Lu Ce immediately questioned.

"This is exactly what an opponent should do. Could you really not have thought of it?"

"And it's actually quite reasonable. Honestly, I'm surprised you didn't think of it."

"You're somewhat... not taking me seriously enough."

The awkward atmosphere around Lu Ce had mostly dissipated now. He leaned forward slightly, looking at Xie Antong with considerable pressure.

"As someone opposing me, you actually... dare to go easy on me when facing me?"

"If my enemies don't intend to win against me from the start, then there's no meaning to it."

Xie Antong leaned back in her chair, sitting with arms crossed, her expression not great but not yielding either as she looked at Lu Ce.

After a long moment, she slowly closed her eyes and let out a long breath.

Honestly, she could have thought of it—it wasn't some particularly difficult or brilliant tactic.

She had just overlooked it because from the beginning, she hadn't truly considered herself Lu Ce's enemy. She hadn't allowed herself to think in that direction.

Even when dealing with Perfect Life in the previous game, she had been much more "sincere" than this time.

"It's my problem. Actually, I should have thought of it earlier. This matter benefits me too."

Xie Antong said softly.

"It seems sometimes I need to adjust my consciousness."

As she spoke, she opened her eyes again.

"Given your strength, when I act, I don't really need to consider whether I might actually harm you, right?"