Chapter 002 : The World-Ending Player

To this day, Ling Ke still remembers the final moments before he crossed over.

That day, he had simply wanted to buy a watermelon from the fruit store downstairs to beat the summer heat. But as he walked, he suddenly felt something and instinctively looked up, only to see a blue streak of light falling from the sky, growing larger and larger in his vision.

To this day, he still doesn't know what exactly hit him on the head.

But...

"Logically speaking, something that can smash someone into another world should be a cheat item, right?"

"A system? An inheritance? An old mentor? A demon god's core? Or maybe a starbeast's nucleus?"

Ling Ke had fantasized about all these classic possibilities countless times in his mind.

Because they represented his hope for escape.

Unfortunately, during the nearly four years of torment, no matter how desperately he called out, there was never any response.

But now, today...

[Detected a special region meeting the binding conditions for the "Rebirth Chamber." The "Number One Player System" has been fully activated.]

[Please choose your future development path: "Savior Player" or "World-Ending Player."]

Looking at the classic rectangular, semi-transparent virtual interface before him, Ling Ke, after a brief moment of stunned silence, narrowed his eyes slightly.

Without a doubt, if it were him from a few years ago, he would have chosen to become the "Savior Player" without hesitation.

But now, his fervent heart had long since extinguished.

So, equally without a doubt...

[Host has chosen to become: "World-Ending Player."]

[From this day forward, whenever a sentient being dies due to the host's subjective actions, whether directly caused or indirectly influenced, the host will receive 1 unit of points.]

[Points can be used to randomly draw "Game Character Templates" within the system. The host can load these templates onto themselves, gaining the corresponding "Character Traits," "Game Skills," and "Background Talents."]

[Initial process completed. Reward: "Beginner's Gift Pack."]

Ling Ke quickly browsed through the relevant information.

Soon, he sorted out his thoughts.

First...

"If we completely ignore humanitarian factors, the difference between the 'Savior Player' and the 'World-Ending Player' lies in the different focus of their advantages."

"The method for the 'World-Ending Player' to earn points is clearly simpler than that of the 'Savior Player.'"

"Just kill directly and violently."

"But for the 'Savior Player,' if the same person encounters danger multiple times and is repeatedly saved, points can be earned repeatedly."

"One is rapid short-term growth, the other is more of a slow and steady approach."

At this moment, Ling Ke hadn't even realized it himself...

His way of thinking had become exceptionally cold-blooded.

Or perhaps it could be said: an absolute rationality based on self-interest... to a terrifying degree.

And on this foundation...

"As the host of the 'Number One Player System' and the Herrscher of Domination of this era..."

"This means that the game character template loading function, which originally could only be applied to 'one person,' has now been expanded to 'a thousand people.'"

"And this Domination Theater..."

Ling Ke looked around, "After being bound by the system as my 'Rebirth Chamber,' it has transformed into an absolute domain completely under my control."

He remembered that in many games he had played before crossing over, the "Rebirth Chamber" was mostly a protective circle that "enemies could not invade."

For example: Left 4 Dead.

Or: Overwatch.

So...

"Now, this Domination Theater, with the characteristics of a 'Rebirth Chamber,' unless I personally approve, no one can forcefully break in."

"And based on this premise, operations like Kiana using the Herrscher of the Void's ability to teleport a battleship inside, as in the original Honkai Impact 3rd storyline... are impossible to succeed."

"Therefore, as long as I stay within the Domination Theater, I am inherently invincible."

Then...

[The "Beginner's Gift Pack" has been opened.]

[Congratulations, host, you have obtained a new game character template—Anby.]

Seeing this result, Ling Ke's lips curled into a slight smile.

Immediately, he called up the detailed introduction provided by the system:

[Game Character Template: Anby]

[From: Zenless Zone Zero]

[Character Traits: Level Mechanism, Health Mechanism, Infinite Stamina, Indestructible Equipment, Electric Attribute, Break Effect, Character Switching...]

[Game Skills: Normal Attack: Volt Strike, Normal Attack: Thunderfall, Dodge: Slide, Dash Attack: Arc Slash...]

[Background Talent: High Ether Affinity...]

[Related Introduction: Age unknown, real name unknown, current name: Anby Demara, suspected former member of the Obol Squad "Zero" soldier...]

"Zero, huh!"

Ling Ke inexplicably felt a sense of resonance, "This number suits the current me quite well."

"Then next..."

A dangerously cold smile appeared on Ling Ke's face, "Let's start my first act of revenge."

"This West Asia Branch... has no reason to exist anymore."

******

Regarding the authority of the Herrscher of Domination, Ling Ke had discovered a few key points.

First, perhaps because he was an outsider who had crossed over, Ling Ke, as the main body of the Thousand Herrschers of Domination, no longer needed to hijack the consciousness of other sentient beings to expand the group.

The thousand Herrschers of Domination were all him.

This point, for the current Ling Ke, was undoubtedly quite satisfying.

Because now, he trusted no one but himself.

And on this foundation...

"Although I can freely open spatial gates to travel to and from the Domination Theater, in situations where there are no people outside, the spatial gate can only be opened in places I have set foot in after becoming a Herrscher."

In this aspect, it was clearly far inferior to the Herrscher of the Void, who could freely manipulate space.

For example, now, having just recently become a Herrscher, Ling Ke could only open the spatial gate in the prison cell he was in.

Of course, a simple electronic iron-barred cell door could no longer hold him.

Because as long as he reached out, passed through the cell door, he could open the spatial gate at the tip of his finger outside the cell door.

Or leave a mark on a small object and throw it out...

In this regard, it was somewhat similar to the "Flying Thunder God Technique" from Naruto, but in the form of a portal.

Moreover...

"The initial Herrscher of Domination, aside from being able to use the 'Domination Theater' and 'Spatial Gates,' can also seize the authority of other Herrschers, as well as... use that special 'thread' in combat."

"And including the above abilities, as long as it is an ability that the Herrscher of Domination—that is, I—have obtained, all 'Domination Puppets' can use it."

"Based on this characteristic, even though I have only obtained one game character template now..."

At this point in his thoughts, Ling Ke chose to load the "Anby" game character template.

In the next moment, within the vast Domination Theater, all 999 "Domination Puppets" changed their appearances.

All of them transformed into girls with black and green outfits, wearing headphones, and with short silver-gray hair.

Upon closer inspection, on the backs of these 999 "Domination Puppets: Anby," each carried a battery pack module with a number.

The original Anby was: 123.

And the 999 "Domination Puppets: Anby" present were numbered from 001 to 999.

As for Ling Ke's own number, it was: 000.

Yes, the true "Zero."