Chapter 67: Ambers of the Long Night (23)
[So this world is virtual, and the Super Intelligence is the central AI running it all?]
[Unbelievable. No wonder this instance only has one main quest — because the Super Intelligence itself is both the greatest and only treasure of this world.]
[Before the reveal, I honestly couldn’t tell this world was virtual. The level of detail is insane — even the uploaded consciousnesses are simulated AI entities. Judging by the number of people, there must be at least a million of them. Even if it’s collapsing now, the computational power behind this is terrifying.]
[It is a relic of a true sci-fi civilization after all. I’m starting to think the original world — the real, native one — might’ve reached at least level A or even S. Even this inherited simulation they built would be level B on its own.]
[That means the Super Intelligence’s value is astronomical. It’s basically the crystallization of an advanced civilization. Whoever obtains it essentially gains control over a B-level world!]
[Not exactly. The Super Intelligence is struggling just to keep this world stable right now, but even then… damn, this is practically a “reward world.” At this scale, even second- or third-layer demons would be tempted.]
[Of course! Just look at the viewer count on every live stream from this world — it’s spiking again…]
Ever since Tang Mobai and his team exposed the world’s true nature, savvy demons outside the instance had been spreading the news. In a way, that was the whole point of these live streams — once a world with valuable resources appeared, it would naturally attract stronger demons.
*
[Ye Lin.]
In a quiet alley far from the academic exchange venue, Ye Lin — the Jade Society member who had fled using an emergency escape spell during the chaos — watched as her live stream flashed with a new message from the guild’s vice president. She immediately lowered her head guiltily.
“V–Vice President…”
Unexpectedly, the vice president didn’t scold her for running away.
[As long as you’re alive, that’s what matters. Now I have an important mission for you. Find a way to make the situation here spiral further out of control. You must push the world collapse rate to 90%.]
Ye Lin’s expression tightened. “Understood.”
*
“Brother… Brother…”
A child’s soft, familiar voice echoed in his ears. Tang Mobai frowned slightly and forced his eyes open.
When he did, he saw Deville leaning over him anxiously, clutching his chest, “Brother, are you okay?”
“Deville…?” Tang Mobai jolted awake as the memories before he lost consciousness rushed back. He tried to sit up, but strangely — there was no pain.
That was wrong. Before blacking out, he’d definitely felt agony. His spine had snapped; there should’ve been bruises, fractures — something.
“Ah—pain…”
When Tang Mobai straightened, the child who’d been leaning against him arched back and let out a small cry. Only then did Tang Mobai realize Deville was the one hurt — his posture was twisted, lips bloody, body covered in scrapes.
What the hell?
Had he remembered it wrong? He was the one who’d protected Deville — so why was the kid more injured than him?
“It’s fine, brother,” Deville whispered, pale cheeks tinged with a faint red. “Because these are the wounds you took for saving me. So they don’t hurt at all.”
*
[Fate Path 7 – The Sufferer]
Effect: You willingly bear the suffering of others. As long as you make physical contact, you can transfer another’s injuries, curses, and negative states onto yourself.
Original Sin: Gluttony (Wound recovery speed +15%)
“My ability is to take on others’ pain,” Deville said quietly.
Tang Mobai froze — yes, the boy had mentioned something about his power being “special,” though he hadn’t believed him.
“You can’t endure this — give the injuries back!” Tang Mobai said sharply.
No joke — even for an adult, those wounds were brutal. For a child’s body, it was torture.
Deville shook his head calmly. “I can’t.”
“Can’t, or won’t?” Tang Mobai’s voice hardened. Deville bit his lip, staying silent. Tang Mobai stared at him sternly. “Transfer them back, or I won’t talk to you again.”
Jealousy whispered inside him: What do we do? Brother’s mad…
Another voice — calmer — replied, Then let me handle this.
When Deville opened his eyes again, his gaze was much steadier. “Brother Bai, even if I can, should I really? You’re our only fighter. We weren’t the only ones who fell — those Jade Society demons are here too. They’re probably already hunting you.”
Tang Mobai blinked and instinctively checked his live stream — it was still offline, since his sync had cut off when he’d fainted.
“Our parachutes were pretty visible when we fell,” Deville said. “If I give the wounds back, neither of us will be able to fight — I might not even escape. I can still rely on you now.”
“Besides, my advanced ability is Cursing — I can transfer my own negative state to someone else, but only to a healthy human within ten meters. Once the Jade Society’s demons show up, I’ll offload all this pain onto them.”
[Fate Path 6 – The Cursed One]
Effect: Transfer all your negative states (injuries, curses, etc.) to any visible target within 10m, provided the target is less injured than you.
Original Sin: Envy (Speed +5–10%, Presence -5–10%; the stronger your envy toward the happy or whole, the greater the boost.)
It was a solid argument. Tang Mobai bit his lip and took out a medical kit.
“Fine. Then at least let’s stop the bleeding.”
Honestly, the worse he looked, the more off-guard those Jade Society bastards might be when they came for him.
Deville hesitated, wanting to speak — but when he saw Tang Mobai’s quiet determination, he just watched.
Tang Mobai hadn’t expected the first time he’d use his real-world first aid training would be on a child. The boy’s skin was soft, too fragile for his rough, practiced hands, “If it hurts, tell me,” Tang Mobai said gently. “I’ll be as careful as I can.”
Deville made a soft “mm” sound, eyes fixed on Tang Mobai’s focused profile.
How could it hurt? These wounds were nothing — especially since they were wounds Tang Mobai had taken for him.
Deville had once hated everyone who hurt him, even the ability that defined his existence — Gluttony — a reminder of his weakness, his shame.
But now… even as his fingers trembled from pain, seeing Tang Mobai’s lowered lashes, his delicate care, that pain twisted into something hot and strange — almost sweet.
Tang Mobai treated the external wounds, but the internal ones, like the spinal injury, were impossible to fix. With no points left, neither of them could buy healing supplies.
Normally, Deville should be lying flat, immobile — but that wasn’t an option. So Tang Mobai tied the child securely to his chest with bandages. “Hold on tight.”
Deville dazedly wrapped his arms around Tang Mobai’s neck, ears turning red.
Inside, Gluttony protested weakly: Isn’t it my turn now? No, Jealousy replied righteously. It’s dangerous out here. I need to stay alert to use our ability.
But… it was the same body. Gluttony could use the same ability too!
Still, arguing was pointless.
*
Tang Mobai prepared to move — to find Yan Wuzhen and the others. Judging from where they’d fallen, the others shouldn’t be too far. But before taking a step, he froze and looked around carefully.
When he’d looked up from the venue earlier, he’d noticed the Lost City wasn’t that big — maybe the size of a university campus — and strangely familiar. The architecture resembled that of the academic exchange center above.
Not identical, but close enough.
If — just if — the Lost City was a leftover construct from an older version of this simulated world, then maybe the Lost City above Meister University was the “previous version” of that campus.
To test his theory, Tang Mobai found a layout map nearby. Sure enough, it matched.
“What’s wrong, Brother Bai?” Deville asked when he saw him pause.
“Nothing.” Tang Mobai glanced at the boy’s injuries again. Besides them, only the Jade Society had fallen here. If he wanted Deville healed, he’d have to transfer the pain to those demons.
They’d come for him anyway — this would end in a fight to the death.
And truth be told, Tang Mobai wasn’t confident. Even facing Red Duke alone was tough — and this time, all the guild’s elites were here. He wouldn’t underestimate them again just because the Queen had crushed them before.
Then came the question—how could he use his current advantages to escape unscathed, or even turn the tables completely?
Tang Mobai’s gaze shifted toward Deville. Gradually, a plan began to take shape.
His personal livestream reopened, and eager viewers flooded in—only to be greeted by the sight of Tang Mobai lying on the ground, covered in blood and barely breathing. Deville sat beside him, tearful, shaking his shoulder anxiously.
“Brother Bai, Brother Bai, are you okay? Don’t scare me, wake up!”
Tang Mobai’s eyes were open. He blinked weakly, and Deville immediately fumbled to grab the medical kit and treat him. Tang Mobai tried to take it but looked too weak to even lift his arm.
The comment section instantly exploded.
[What the hell—what happened? I just blinked, and my strategist streamer ended up like this?!]
[The parachute’s right there. Looks like he couldn’t fully deploy it and smashed into the ground.]
[He’s done for! Where are his teammates? Someone help him!]
[Forget it. Yan Wuzhen’s group fell in the opposite direction—and right into another guild’s squad. They’ll be lucky just to survive, never mind helping.]
[Quick, donate! Healing spells cost at least 1000 points in the store!]
[Damn, streamer, why are you even live right now? You’ll give away your position!]
[He probably doesn’t care anymore. Look at him—he’s barely alive. If he keeps the stream running, he might get some donations and survive. If not, he’s dead for sure.]
[Heh, I told you you were finished. I already tipped off Red Duke’s team about your location. Just sit tight and wait for death, Tang Mobai!]
In reality, the experts in the conference room nearly broke into chaos—this was the first time Tang Mobai had ever been so severely injured. With enemies closing in, what were they supposed to do?
“No, wait. Look closer—right here,” Gong Wen said suddenly, eyes locked on the screen.
Wang Yuanzhi leaned in, frowning, and noticed Tang Mobai’s hand forming a half-circle—thumb pressed to the second joint of his middle finger. It was a gesture code from training, meaning I’m fine.
They both froze for a moment, then burst out laughing.
“That damn kid—he’s baiting again!” Wang Yuanzhi cursed, half relieved, half amused.
Meanwhile, in the ruined city, the Red Squad was moving fast after receiving the coordinates from the chat. Even though the stream blurred sensitive data like ability info, location clues could still be inferred—and since they’d already spotted the parachute earlier, the hint that Tang Mobai was gravely wounded made it the perfect time to strike.
“Move out,” Red Duke ordered, grinning with excitement.
“Wait,” Yi Ling interrupted. “I just used my ability to divine the odds of a successful ambush—it’s only fifty percent. Maybe we should be more cautious.”
“Cautious?” Red Duke scoffed, his expression darkening. He still didn’t trust Yi Ling’s foresight after the last incident—and he hated being contradicted. “If we miss this chance and they disappear again, can you take responsibility? Fifty percent is already enough—what, you only act when it’s a hundred? Then go play rookie dungeons instead!”
A few teammates snickered. Yi Ling’s face turned pale. “My last prediction wasn’t wrong. Suit yourself—I’m just giving advice.”
She had meant to say that the success rate used to be ninety percent and still failed; now it was only fifty, which probably meant something was off.
But Red Duke had already made up his mind. “He wasn’t my match before, and now he’s wounded, with no teammates around—just a helpless kid. What’s there to be afraid of? You can sit and watch if you want.”
Yi Ling fell silent and followed, now walking at the very edge of the formation.
They followed the trail of the fallen parachute until they spotted blood splattered across the pavement and two sets of footprints—one large, one small—leading away before vanishing.
Red Duke crouched, touched the blood, and said coldly, “They’re close. Jing Yi.”
“Here.” Jing Yi stepped forward, running a hand through the stain. A red glow flickered before his eyes, and he pointed firmly in one direction. “That way.”
“After them!”
Tang Mobai pretended to limp with Deville’s help, the fractured-bone injury temporarily transferred back to himself. Both wore gas masks, moving slowly through the ruins. This was the spot Tang Mobai had deliberately chosen—he had already memorized the terrain. If negotiations failed later, he could use the layout to escape.
As the pursuing footsteps drew closer, Deville didn’t hesitate—he threw a stink bomb behind them.
It exploded, filling the area with a suffocating stench that also engulfed Red Duke’s team. But moments later, the squad reappeared, each wearing gas masks as well.
“You think we didn’t study your tricks? You won’t fool us twice.”
Tang Mobai suddenly coughed violently, spewing a mouthful of blood. Deville panicked, fumbling to pull more stink bombs from his pack and hurled them backward in desperation.
At first, Red Duke’s team raised shields, but after realizing they were all harmless, they dropped their guard. Tang Mobai hadn’t attacked once and seemed only focused on retreating.
Then—one of the stink bombs turned out to be a real grenade. It landed right beside Jing Yi.
BOOM!
Jing Yi didn’t even have time to activate his shield. Though the blast shouldn’t have been fatal, he immediately swallowed a healing capsule—yet instead of recovery, his condition worsened rapidly until a sharp crack sounded from his spine, and he collapsed, unconscious.
Seeing one of their own down, Red Duke stopped underestimating his opponent. He raised his shield and charged forward.
“Don’t move!” Tang Mobai shouted suddenly.
Who cared what he said? Red Duke sneered—until his eyes caught sight of the backpack slung behind Tang Mobai. His pupils shrank. Recognition struck like lightning.
Cold sweat broke out across his forehead. He immediately raised a hand to signal his team to stop. “Okay, okay, I’m not moving. Just calm down.”
Because that backpack—he recognized it.
It was the same one Tang Mobai had used to blow up the Jade Society’s base.
And here, inside the Lost City, there were no NPCs left—no one could stop him now.
Thank you for reading 🙂 I hope you all liked my translations. If you enjoyed my work, please consider buying me a Ko-Fi 😉
