Chapter 26: The Thing of 'Original Darkness

"""

It's here, finally here. I wonder if this skeleton is the unknown entity.

Yang Qizhou was invigorated.

Earlier, the game text hinted that the unknown entity in the River of Death had noticed the game character, with faint traces of wooden boats appearing on the river's surface.

At that time, he speculated that the River of Death might not just serve as a mechanic for the game character to die and resurrect, but could be a vast map with its own unique storyline, only it hadn't been unlocked yet.

Later on, the game character died a few more times, and their soul arrived at the River of Death, but apart from the message "you've caught the attention of an unknown entity," nothing triggered any storyline.

Yang Qizhou thought he might have guessed wrong and was frustrated for quite some time because of it.

Now it's finally happening.

Pale text continued to refresh.

"You wanted to say to the skeleton, 'What are you staring at? Careful or I'll beat you up,' but then thought better of it since this was their territory after all. A strong dragon doesn't suppress a local snake, so you gave up on that idea."

"You watched the skeleton approach."

"You asked, 'Does Your Grace need anything?'"

"The skeleton scrutinized you, its gray flame-burning pupils revealing curiosity, but quickly shook its head with faint disappointment."

"You were perplexed by what disappointed the skeleton and couldn't resist asking out loud."

"The skeleton replied that you bore the aura of 'Original Darkness' and were the person 'we' were looking for, but you are too weak, essentially garbage."

"The skeleton expressed regret about showing up this time."

What is this 'Original Darkness'? Yang Qizhou scratched his head, puzzled, as he didn't seem to possess any related items.

The game continued.

"You wanted to punch the skeleton in front of you, but considering the consequences of offending a 'hidden entity,' you wisely abandoned the idea."

"You asked, 'What is Original Darkness?'"

"The skeleton did not answer that question but revealed its identity to you instead."

"The skeleton introduced itself as Archer, a Rest Angel born during the Second Epoch who had established the 'Resting Society' at the beginning of this era to prepare for the resurrection of the great Master of the River of Death. Archer is currently recruiting necessary members."

"The skeleton expressed regret, stating that your strength was far too feeble and did not meet its recruitment criteria, but it still offered you two choices."

"Option one: Offer up the 'Original Darkness' item on your body. Archer would personally intervene to transform you into an undead, thus qualifying you to be a peripheral member of the Resting Society."

"Option two: Hand over the item for the resurrection of the Master of the River of Death and receive Archer's blessing while walking in Old Earth."

Yang Qizhou frowned, sensing the bizarre undertone within these lines of text.

A Rest Angel born in the Second Epoch, having presumably witnessed several era transitions—an ancient existence, to say the least—yet this entrance was severely underwhelming: a skeletal figure dressed in straw clothing, whose dialogue was entirely devoid of the imposing aura befitting an angel.

And these two choices both required him to hand over the 'Original Darkness' item. Wasn't the motive way too obvious?

Yang Qizhou weighed his options for a moment and decided to choose Option Two.

His reasoning was straightforward—if Archer really was truthful, then becoming undead would likely confine him to the River of Death.

Although the River of Death was a large map, it paled in comparison to the boundless possibilities of the mysterious and enigmatic Old Earth.

As for the 'Original Darkness' item,

Yang Qizhou had no clue what it referred to and didn't dwell on it too much.

Besides, even if he cared, there was nothing he could do; the game text provided only two choices, both requiring him to forfeit the 'Original Darkness' item. Unless he planned to quit playing Deceit World altogether, he ultimately had to select one.

"You chose Option Two."

"Archer, the Rest Angel, praised your decision, stating that you would be blessed while walking in Old Earth."

"Archer, the Rest Angel, took away the 'Original Darkness Item' from your body."

"You lost the Hidden God's Clothes."

Hold up!

The Original Darkness Item is the Hidden God's Clothes? That's a Quasi-legendary ancient object! While its negative effects are terrifying, its power is just as immense, and the game character relied on it to traverse the mysterious and enigmatic wilderness and reach Dark Mist Town.

Yang Qizhou's face darkened, nearly spitting out a mouthful of blood out of sheer anger.

But the worst was yet to come.

"You again feel the gaze of the unknown entity within the River of Death."

"You suddenly realize that the skeleton in front of you isn't the unknown entity you believed it to be and that its claim to the title of Rest Angel might be entirely fabricated."

"Furious, you attempted to seize Archer, the Rest Angel."

"The skeleton chuckled and leaped into the River of Death, vanishing from sight."

"The cawing of a crow echoed in your mind, and a chilling clarity arose within your heart. You have the option to activate the ability of the Dark Crow of Profane Fortune and return to the moment you made your last choice."

"So, dear explorer who's been utterly duped, will you choose to return to the past, or watch helplessly as the Hidden God's Clothes are swindled away?"

What the hell!

Game, are you messing with me because the Hidden God's Clothes are too powerful and unbalanced? This is way too nasty!

Yang Qizhou was seething, his face twisted as he resolutely opted to use the Dark Crow of Profane Fortune's ability, inwardly swearing that he'd never been dealt such a painful loss before. Even if he stopped playing Deceit World, he'd let the text stay frozen on this moment forever until he retrieved the Hidden God's Clothes.

"The Dark Crow of Profane Fortune activates, and you return to the moment you made your last choice…"

"You retake possession of the Hidden God's Clothes."

"The mysterious skeleton claiming to be Archer, the Rest Angel, reappears before you and, just like the previous timeline, offers you two options."

"Option one: Offer up the 'Original Darkness' item on your body. Archer would personally intervene to transform you into an undead, thus qualifying you to be a peripheral member of the Resting Society."

"Option two: Hand over the item for the resurrection of the Master of the River of Death and receive Archer's blessing while walking in Old Earth."

"Armed with the experience from the previous timeline, you know that this skeleton is coveting your Hidden God's Clothes."

"A new possibility unfolds, and you gain a third choice."

"Utilize the Stone of Truth to uncover Archer's true identity, though this might provoke their wrath. If they truly are an ancient entity born during the Second Epoch, you could find yourself in grave danger."

"Make your choice."

Without hesitation, Yang Qizhou chose Option Three, activating the Stone of Truth.

He had already resolved not to pick either of the previous options. Having regained the Hidden God's Clothes through a reload, he could afford to stall; now that a third option had emerged, he naturally wanted to give it a shot.

Worst case scenario? Death.

You only live once.

Anyone chickening out is a coward.

"You refused to relinquish the 'Original Darkness' item and activated the Stone of Truth's effect. For the next five minutes, Archer must answer your questions truthfully and without deception."

"You glared at Archer and demanded their true identity."

"They confessed."

"Turns out, they were never a Rest Angel born during the Second Epoch, but an explorer from the Otherworld who, after encountering a Holy Object dedicated to the God of Destiny, traversed space to Old Earth and, by chance, became the River of Death's inhabitant."

An explorer from the Otherworld?

Yang Qizhou was dumbfounded. They were a player.

"You continued questioning, asking why you were their target."

"The skeleton admitted that every time you arrived at the River of Death, one of the 'Old Gods' dormant within the river inevitably reacted. This led them to suspect you carried something related to the 'Original Darkness' and wanted to claim it for themselves."

"Due to the destiny reset, the skeleton had lost all memory associated with the Hidden God's Clothes and was then unaware of this Quasi-legendary ancient object's attributes."

"You pressed further, asking, 'What is Original Darkness?'"

"The skeleton replied that even they didn't know, only that the unknown gods and Ancient Dominators within the River of Death greatly coveted items related to it, as they'd learned from other inhabitants of the river."

Meanwhile, in a certain neighborhood.

A chubby youngster was sweating profusely, frantically tapping on his phone screen while screaming, "Damn it, stop already! My dignity's about to be stripped bare!"

"""