Chapter 109: Sin Eater
The atmosphere in the alley was somewhat oppressive.
“Yes…”
After a long while, the girl finally nodded lightly and replied in a low voice, “So your talent should be ineffective against players.”
Indeed, Ji Xiaodao had never been controlled by Mo Tan. When he ordered her to ‘commit suicide’ a short while ago, all her actions were of her own free will and had nothing to do with the talent 【Original Sin】.
Of course, if Mo Tan hadn't stopped her, that sword would have directly pierced Ji Xiaodao’s heart, ending her game career as ‘Dark Elf Ji Dao’. After that, when she created her next character, she would have been assigned to the faction truly suitable for her, then reunited with her sister. After many experiences, she would open her heart, gradually shed her cold exterior, and become more like a normal person…
She would go on adventures with her companions, create some chaotic Epics, achieve victory in a massive war in the future, and eventually leave this game, find a suitable boyfriend, marry, have children, and live a happy life.
However, this was ultimately just a hypothesis. Although the above content really could have happened under specific circumstances, reality ultimately denied her that different life.
Coincidentally, she met Mo Tan. Coincidentally, she was not killed immediately. Coincidentally, she guessed the effect of 【Original Sin】. Coincidentally, she gambled that he might stop her from ‘forcibly committing suicide’. Coincidentally, she won the gamble.
It was truly a coincidence…
I won’t say things like ‘life is often more dramatic than fiction’.
Because we all know, at least at this moment, these are just stories told by someone, so there’s no need to be overly sentimental.
But this does not mean we can completely overturn the so-called ‘fate’ and ‘variables’ and believe that everything is ‘predetermined’.
Just like Schrödinger’s half-dead cat, no one knows if we truly control our own destiny, and no one knows if ‘coincidence’ is truly coincidence, ‘destiny’ is truly destiny, ‘miracle’ is truly miracle, and ‘predetermined’ is truly predetermined.
Since everything is unknown, as long as we consider that all possibilities are not zero, everyone can probably empathize more with the various coincidences in ‘stories’ or ‘works’.
That is enough.
Of course, I, who expresses such opinions, certainly do not endorse works that are purely nonsensical, such as ‘falling down inevitably leads to amnesia’, ‘heroes inevitably save beauties’, ‘mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law inevitably fight’, ‘love can cure cancer’, ‘enemies live next door’, and ‘idiots thrive in the business world’.
After all, such brainless fabrications, self-proclaimed as artistic exaggeration, are truly difficult to look at. At least from a personal perspective, the probability of a rich second-generation always meeting a Cinderella and always having an overbearing elder attempting an arranged marriage… is honestly not very high…
Not to mention those ‘stories’ where the Narrator doesn’t even understand basic business knowledge and just fabricates them out of wishful thinking.
What I actually want to say is that everyone may have various lives, and also possess infinite possibilities…
Even characters in a story are no different.
“Are you planning to kill me?” Ji Xiaodao felt much more relaxed after speaking. Seeing that Mo Tan didn’t say anything, she proactively spoke, “You have ample reason to do so now.”
In her impression, the man in front of her would definitely not hesitate to kill her, but the girl inexplicably felt that he wouldn’t make a move…
Despite feeling hard to approach, despite always wanting to escape, despite occasionally being afraid, despite often feeling dissatisfied, angry, wronged, and fearful, Ji Xiaodao still didn’t want to leave.
So, would he also have a little bit of such a thought, beyond what was ‘taken for granted’?
A slightly more emotional thought…
Even if it was just a tiny, insignificant resonance, he should have some, right?
However…
“Killing you holds no benefit for me. Besides, many things are not suitable for NPCs to handle.” Mo Tan gave an absolutely rational answer, “Your value is irrelevant to whether 【Original Sin】 is effective. I’m also not interested in your thoughts… As long as I get accurate and honest answers, I don’t care about your initial intentions or thought process.”
Ji Xiaodao rarely showed a listless expression and shrugged.
“Moreover, controlling other human minds in a mental virtual device is inherently illogical.” Mo Tan turned back to Ji Xiaodao and offered a faint smile, “Did you think I truly didn’t have any doubts?”
The girl rolled her eyes, an action completely out of character for her: “Then why didn’t you confirm it with me sooner?”
“Because there are indeed some illogical things in this world,” Mo Tan said softly.
He recalled the little girl he had seen in reality before, and many other similar incidents. Many of those eerie or strange events were truly real, facts that, despite being illogical, left no room for refutation.
And in his eyes, the game Innocent World itself was strange enough…
However, this did not hinder his progress much. By using 【Original Sin】 on Cordova and Ji Xiaodao’s recent confirmation, Mo Tan could now be certain that his talent was ineffective against players, not ‘rune constructs’. This information was very important.
Then, what remained was…
“Step back a little, I’m going to try something.” Mo Tan turned to Ji Xiaodao and instructed, then slowly spread his hands, feeling the earth beneath his feet.
This land that he had personally buried in the abyss of sin.
The saying that Banser City turned into a cursed land is actually imprecise.
Instead of a curse, it was more like a realm of sin, formed by a large amount of residual resentment and countless transgressions.
This was also why neither the Huiye Sect clergy nor Fara could ‘purify’ this land.
Curses, poisons, diseases, and resentments can all be purified or dispelled by various means, but the concept of ‘sin’ cannot be affected.
Just as we can wash away stains from clothes, but cannot erase shadows in the sunlight.
But Mo Tan could…
He seemed to have an innate control and perception over ‘sin’, though even he himself didn’t understand the reason why.
“Let me bear it.” He closed his eyes, whispering softly.
Ji Xiaodao, who had just retreated a short distance, suddenly felt a moment of trance. A somewhat unreal sense of detachment came from the air, as if something cold was frantically rushing in a certain direction. Just the illusory brush of it made the girl feel a chill!
It seemed like only an instant, yet it also felt like a very long time…
A not-so-bright ray of sunlight fell upon the girl’s fair skin, making her suddenly snap out of it.
Looking up somewhat blankly, Ji Xiaodao found that the lingering dark clouds above Banser City were slowly thinning. Streaks of tenacious light struggled to break through the obstruction, gently embracing this tormented land.
The sky cleared…
And in Mo Tan’s ear, a system prompt suddenly sounded.
【You have learned the skill: Sin Eater】
…
【Sin Eater】
Active Skill
Mastery Requirement: Mo Tan
Cost/Restriction: None
Effect: 1. Sin Eater, ???, ???
【Note: None】
“So that’s how it is?” Mo Tan took off the glove on his right hand, looking at the mark on the back of his hand, formed by numerous black patterns, a wisp of black light radiating from his eyes.
Ji Xiaodao, bathed in sunlight, had already run to Mo Tan’s side and asked in a low voice, “What did you do?”
Whether by coincidence or not, she noticed that Mo Tan’s position was perfectly within a small patch of shadow…
“Take me outside the city to meet Garros and the others.” Mo Tan did not answer her question, merely stating, “Tell those two not to rush to leave here. Return to Teron tomorrow morning. Also, do not send anyone back to report to the Emperor yet. Have everyone encamp outside the city where they are…”
Ji Xiaodao immediately nodded, then curiously asked, “Can’t you tell them yourself?”
…
“Mo Tan?”
The girl, who received no response, called out softly, somewhat nervously.
“Hurry up…”
With difficulty, Mo Tan uttered his last words. Under the powerful and overbearing backlash of the Undying Evil, he finally lost his last trace of strength and softly collapsed to the ground.
…
Game time, 1 PM
【You have been emergency disconnected. Please choose whether to reconnect】
“Guess?”
【Reconnection starting… 】
“Wrong guess, I actually don’t want to connect.”
【About to dis… 】
“Just kidding, you guessed right, I actually want to connect.”
【Reconnection starting… 】
【Connection complete, loading character information】
【Welcome back, chaotic neutral Tan Mo. Loading Innocent World. Good night to you.】
…
Innocent World, Eastern Region, Black Tower City
Mo Tan, dressed in a black tight-fitting leather suit, appeared at the entrance of the Thieves' Guild. He first surveyed his surroundings, then quickly darted into an alley, swiftly changing his tight-fitting clothes to his previous white robe, and then removed the Hundred Aspects mask on his face, which had been squeezed into a somewhat lewd shape.
“So, the blackout period is over, right?” He lightly turned out of the dark alley, muttering as he casually strolled down the street, “If I go by previous experience, I shouldn’t ‘black out’ for the rest of today. Hmm, I haven’t appeared for nine whole chapters. Although I’ve been busy during that time… it still feels subtly annoying, tsk tsk, cut this part out, don’t air it.”
He moved gracefully through the streets, arriving at his destination after about ten minutes of strolling: Liuli Pavilion, the most expensive residence within a hundred-mile radius, located in the central district of Black Tower City.
The city was quite large; even the North District, the smallest area outside the central district, was big enough to contain a Pato City or a Caran City. Although it couldn’t compare to famous gathering places like Anka Market, it still had a large resident population. Most neutral organizations such as the Mage Guild, Mercenary Guild, Adventurers' Guild, and Thieves' Guild all had strongholds here. Merchants and adventurers were also constantly coming and going. Of course, there were also the Holy Church United and churches of many other sects.
The Liuli Pavilion was one of the properties of the continent’s most renowned business guild—the Gold Coin Alliance—in Black Tower City. It occupied the most prosperous area of the central district, with prices and luxury levels that were extraordinary.
Casually flicking a gold coin to the respectful Dwarf waiter, Mo Tan chuckled as he politely declined the offer to be led, and ascended to the second floor while fiddling with the lyre in his hand.
Two minutes later
Cordova, who had been restlessly waiting in a huge luxurious guest room, finally saw Mo Tan.
“Sir!” The young Thief let out a sigh of relief and bowed slightly to Mo Tan, “You’ve finally arrived.”
“Hmm? You seem a little nervous.” Mo Tan looked at Cordova with amusement, blinking, “Is something wrong?”
The latter shook his head somewhat awkwardly, then whispered, “No, it’s just that I’m not quite used to the place you chose. It’s too luxurious…”
“Is it?” Mo Tan casually sat on the huge snow mammoth fur chair and shrugged, “It’s nothing special, and the price isn’t very expensive, less than 200 gold coins a night.”
Cordova smiled bitterly and spread his hands: “Perhaps it’s nothing to you, but the best place I’ve ever lived in my life wasn’t even a third the size of this, and you don’t even stay here overnight. It really makes me a bit… uncomfortable living here alone.”
It must be said that a place like this would indeed have a considerable impact on a ‘country bumpkin’ Thief. Moreover, as a follower, to be settled here by his Sir at such a high cost really made Cordova uneasy.
His mental fortitude was still quite good; if it were little Ai, she would probably be even more flustered…
“Relax.” Mo Tan glanced at him, picked up a drink of unknown origin from the small table beside him, took a sip, and shook his head, “You just need to treat this situation as a ‘necessary condition,’ not a ‘gift.’ ”
Cordova asked somewhat confusedly, “Necessary condition?”
“Exactly.” Mo Tan nodded, “This place is mainly for my use. You can just consider yourself guarding it for me.”
“Yes.” Cordova immediately relaxed, and the previous feeling of discomfort vanished instantly.
The previous tension mainly stemmed from the unknown. After all, last night, his Sir notified him to temporarily settle here at Liuli Pavilion and then quickly left. Aside from giving him the address and leaving the identification badge, he said nothing else, which made him so restless…
“So don’t overthink it. I’m not the type to be kind enough to spend a lot of money to let my followers experience life.” Mo Tan casually put down his cup, stood up, and said to Cordova, “It’s time to prepare for business.”
“Yes.” Cordova nodded vigorously.
“Next, I need you to cooperate with me on some small experiments.” Mo Tan smiled, “Your task has no difficulty; just concentrate. You are not allowed to ask any questions during this experiment. Can you do that?”
“No problem, Sir.”
“Very good. First step, you leave this room, wait at the door for 20 seconds, then come back in, and then…”
Chapter 106: The End