Return to the Beginning of the Game
"Boss, two roujiamo [meat sandwiches], and load them up with meat."
At the roujiamo stall, Qin Han held his soda, a look of anticipation on his face as he spoke.
"Don't worry about that. I've been making roujiamo for twenty years, and I've never shortchanged anyone; there's always more than enough."The stall owner, a man in his fifties, smiled broadly.
"However, right now there's only one ready-made one; you'll have to wait a few minutes for the other."
"Okay, but make it quick—I'm not sure if I'll be able to eat it."
Qin Han checked the time on his phone, then quickly grabbed the ready-made roujiamo. Standing right in front of the stall, he couldn't help but start eating it eagerly. After a few bites, he took a sip of his orange-flavored soda, feeling so comfortable that his eyes involuntarily narrowed in pleasure.
After finishing, he sighed, "How many years has it been since I last tasted the delicious food from home? It feels so good!"
"If possible, I really wish I could stay in my hometown forever."
"But alas, time waits for no one. When I return again, who knows when that will be?"
As the stall owner worked, he heard this and looked at Qin Han curiously.
"Young man, why do you have such feelings at your age? Are you perhaps a student who's been studying abroad?"
Hearing this, Qin Han was taken aback.
Then he laughed, "If it were just studying abroad, it would be easy to come back whenever I wanted. But some places, once you go there, it might be impossible to return for a lifetime."
The stall owner was surprised. "What kind of place is that? So mysterious that returning is so difficult?"
Qin Han pointed at the clear blue sky above.
The stall owner seemed to realize something, and his expression turned somber.
When he looked at Qin Han again, his gaze became cautious, afraid of inadvertently upsetting the young man.
He stuffed the remaining roujiamo with plenty of meat and handed it over solemnly.
When Qin Han tried to pay, the stall owner put away the QR code, his elderly face filled with a kind smile.
"Son, some things I can't help you with, but you must be strong. Believe that everything will turn out fine eventually."
"This meal is on me. If you ever come back, come here again, and I'll treat you to another roujiamo."
Qin Han knew the stall owner had misunderstood him, but he didn't explain. Instead, he smiled.
"Uncle, I'll remember what you said. Don't worry, I'll definitely come back."
The stall owner couldn't stop smiling upon hearing this.
"Good boy, I'll be waiting for you."
Qin Han nodded politely in thanks and walked to a nearby recliner, sat down, and opened the last roujiamo, taking slow bites.
Just then,
the previously clear blue sky suddenly stirred with a tempest,
and a golden scroll unfolded in the sky.
It bore a line of powerful characters radiating an unparalleled glow:
[By the decree of the Supreme Being, the Eternal Game begins!]
The golden scroll remained in the air for only a few seconds before exploding into countless golden particles.
These particles seemed alive as they scattered downward.
One of these particles landed on Qin Han's forehead.
Instantly, a screen appeared before Qin Han's eyes, displaying a line of bold characters and a thunderous voice:
[You have been chosen to represent your race in battle!]
Meanwhile, on the streets and around the world,
except for vulnerable groups like the elderly, disabled, children, and pregnant women,
almost everyone had a golden particle attached to their forehead.
At that moment,
a large countdown appeared in the sky, starting from fifty and counting down rapidly!
In response to this scene, people either ran around in panic or stood still in shock.
Only Qin Han continued eating his roujiamo calmly, showing no signs of alarm.
As someone who had once fought on the ultimate battlefield, he knew what this meant.
The universal Eternal Game encompassed the vast expanse of the cosmos, involving countless races across myriad worlds.
The number of participants was astronomical, beyond measure.
This game used the universe as a chessboard and all beings as pawns.
Whether it was the supreme divine realms or peak forces, ordinary civilizations or common folk,
everyone would be drawn into this game.
Victory means eternal life!
Defeat means eternal oblivion!
However,
the pinnacle races, born powerful, already had some of their strongest members positioned for the final battles,
like gods looking down upon the world.
On the other hand, humans were as insignificant as dust,
starting from the lowest levels of the novice zones, gradually fighting and being eliminated.
He had reached the ultimate battlefield through maximum effort and extraordinary luck.
But facing the ancient, long-established powers of the universe,
he struggled despite his efforts!
And he was defeated in the final battle for the supreme godhood,
dying with endless regret!
This was an utterly uneven contest!
Humans were merely extras in the game.
However,
he was reborn!
With the rich experience of reaching the ultimate battlefield, he was reborn!
Using his past experiences,
he could foresee and seize opportunities step by step.
Eventually,
he was confident that he could become the ultimate winner of the universal Eternal Game,
rising above all gods!
Even further beyond!
Thinking of this, Qin Han subconsciously looked towards the sky, his gaze seemingly extending to the distant cosmic stars!
Unfortunately,
his return was too abrupt;
otherwise,
he could have enjoyed more of the delicious food from home,
and seen more of the beautiful scenery of his hometown.
Sitting in the recliner,
Qin Han finished the roujiamo carefully,
even taking the time to throw the trash into the nearby bin.
As the countdown entered its final moments,
Ten!
Nine!
Eight!
Seven!
...
Qin Han stood on the street,
looking at the confused stall owner,
looking at the familiar streets,
looking at the hometown that carried his childhood memories,
with a hint of nostalgia in his gaze.
"I will definitely come back."
As the countdown ended,
on the street,
countless white lights flashed,
and the bustling street suddenly became sparse.
Above the sky,
another cold message appeared:
[Those chosen will fight for their race. When the last person dies, the entire race will be erased!]
Soon, the message disappeared,
and the sky returned to its clear blue state, as if nothing had happened.
But seeing the empty streets,
it felt like the whole world had suddenly aged.
At the roujiamo stall,
the stall owner,
stared blankly at the blue sky,
his elderly face filled with solemnity.