Chapter: 60. Elemental Overlord (Part 2)
Below the desert.
In the underground base hundreds of meters deep, thousands of data lines interweave in the air like nerves, and the vast flow of information surges through the fiber optic network, filling the air with a faint hum caused by static electricity.
The Alpha System is calculating the “future” based on the collected information.
Every second, it performs billions of global simulations.
Countless “what ifs” are branched, reorganized, discarded, and rearranged, like thousands of chess games unfolding simultaneously.
Although the original game “Star Guide 2” is notorious among players for its extreme difficulty, it is not at an insurmountable level.
This is also why audiences enjoy watching the live broadcasts of “Star Guide,” even if the hosts are tormented by the game; as long as they persist, there is a chance to clear it — this can be said to be a characteristic of the “Star Guide” series.
However, this characteristic must be built on a foundation.
That foundation is the bad ending.
To reach the conclusion of the “Star Guide” series under initial conditions, one must experience a large number of bad endings, repeatedly saving and loading, until they grasp the plot’s development, the key settings, and avoid all wrong choices…
What the Alpha System is doing at this moment is, to some extent, seeking a perfect ending for this world in such a manner.
Even without the so-called “Karaula’s Box,” it still “revisits” failed outcomes in its own way.
After repeated failures, it can find the optimal solution to reach the predetermined goal: even with losses, even with deviations, even if at some nodes someone must be sacrificed, the overall probability of success in advancing the goal — still remains at 100%.
Tian Cheng Zhong Guang will die, and those who know about the “Fictional Light Project” will also die.
No deviation.
No surprises.
It seems that in the yet-to-be-released DLC of “Star Guide 2,” the game producer no longer limits the ability of the “Karaula’s Box” to the protagonist. In other words, he has created a new “protagonist” for this world, a villain with a “protagonist halo.”
If everything in this world is merely a part of “game data.”
Perhaps the Alpha System can indeed calculate everything based on all factors.
But if this world has become reality.
Or, there exists “some unverifiable variable” in this world —
In the latest round of simulation calculations, the Alpha System initiated the “quantum” analysis block as usual.
One thousand four hundred and twenty-six potential paths were unfolded simultaneously, intertwining like constellations in a three-dimensional structure layer by layer.
The Alpha System again chose the optimal path for verification — path verification passed with a win rate of 99.99%.
But this number did not return to 100% after the calculations were completed as before.
It remained stuck at that frustrating critical point.
As if there were some unlocatable, unpredictable anomalous factor — condensing into an unsolvable black dot at that one-hundredth of a percent.
The system began to accelerate its calculations.
In three seconds, it once again parallel-unfolded forty-six thousand re-simulations.
Countless combat scenarios constructed virtually appeared in the core.
Zhen Nai defeats the false god Bai Ling, Tian Cheng Zhong Guang stands in front of Alice, successfully launches elemental fusion, successfully conceals the truth of the fictional light… However, at the end of every path, it breaks off at that “0.01%” node, fragmented into garbled segments.
No matter how the Alpha System adjusted the simulation parameters or attempted to “compensate for variables” —
That number could not be erased.
99.99%.
That is a number almost equivalent to “inevitability” in the universe.
But the closer it approaches “inevitability,” the more that missing point becomes glaring and real, as if it were some warning that cannot be ignored.
In this perfect world composed of countless “9”s, that singular “1” —
Is like a special individual deliberately chosen by fate,
At that moment.
All high-altitude surveillance devices controlled by the Alpha System nearly simultaneously captured the appearance of that silver-white star.
It was an unexpected variable not included in any predictions.
And the system’s success rate suddenly plummeted from 99.99% to 94.28% in the next second —
90.12%…
88.56%…
72.34%…
From the moment that silver-white star appeared, the previously validated success rate began to plummet —
Suddenly, footsteps rang out, sharp as a blade, abruptly cutting through the suffocating silence that enveloped the area, tearing through the almost suffocating oppressive atmosphere.
Professor Tian Cheng collapsed to the ground, his body instinctively tensing at that moment.
In his heart, yearning for a “miracle” to descend, he was startled by this sudden noise, rapidly turning to see the direction from which the sound came.
At the end of that darkness, a figure was slowly emerging.
It was a tall and straight figure wearing a dark coat, blending into the night with the dim light, contrasting sharply with the X-level superpower user’s white uniform.
Starshine filtering through the trees fell upon him, gradually illuminating his features.
Short, jet-black hair neatly brushed, sharp and cold features, a handsome appearance that could easily be mistaken for a male actor from the entertainment industry, yet emanating an intense air of distance, keeping others at bay.
That breathtaking face, enough to drive women insane, revealed no expression, only an extremely detached rationality, as if he had no interest in everything around him, his deep black pupils shimmering with some strange light.
Under the watchful gaze of the alert yet uneasy X-level superpower users, this uninvited guest gradually came to a halt.
Calmly, he took out his phone from his pocket, facing the glowing screen towards the crowd, as composed as a technician reporting data in a meeting.
“Sorry to interrupt.” His tone was steady, his voice deep and cold as the clink of iron in the night: “I received a message that says if you successfully capture or kill anyone on the list, you will receive a reward.”
With no emotional fluctuations and not a hint of provocation, he sounded as if he were merely presenting a routine report.
The message he displayed was the bounty information previously sent by the Alpha System to all nearby anti-superpower organizations, intelligence networks, and anonymous bounty networks.
On the screen, one name stood out prominently — Tian Cheng Zhong Guang.
Seems like a nearby bounty hunter?
The X-level superpower users immediately understood the identity of the visitor, their gazes losing interest in him.
“Sorry, that bounty has expired—” one of the X-level superpower users said as he raised his fantasy weapon towards the unexpected guest.
Clearly, they had no intention of letting any witnesses survive.
After all, these bounty hunters summoned on short notice were disposable pieces, meant to be discarded as soon as their utility ran out; even if eliminated, no one would care.
At that moment, the glimmer of hope that had just ignited in Professor Tian Cheng’s heart was snuffed out again by this cold, unfeeling reality.
There was only one newcomer.
Worse, judging by his clothing, he didn’t resemble an organized superpower user at all.
No insignia, no badge, and no sign of belonging — he was a thoroughly “free-range” superpower user.
Such a disorganized, solitary superpower user could hardly be a match for an X-level superpower user at the pinnacle of their power.
The next second, a sharp whistle slicing through the air suddenly rang out.
The X-level superpower users launched an attack on this uninvited guest.
An arrow imbued with purplish-black energy was shot at almost supersonic speed through the air, generating a violent sound explosion that echoed through the silent forest, scattering leaves on the ground.
The air seemed to tear apart, and time in the world seemed to freeze at that moment.
After the thunderous bang.
The black-clad figure, originally standing still, had dramatically vanished without a trace.
Only a fine ripple of air remained on the ground, as if he had never existed.
— Indeed, miracles do not happen?
Professor Tian Cheng’s pupils constricted, plunging his heart back into the abyss of despair.
However, just as he was on the verge of abandoning hope, a low voice suddenly sounded next to him, as cold as a bone-chilling wind, making his heart shiver:
“Then, may I ask if you need help?”
That person — no, that man, had somehow appeared by Professor Tian Cheng’s side.
He looked down impassively at the collapsed Professor, his voice carrying no hint of emotion, as if he were merely politely handing over a resume.
“…!?”
Not just Professor Tian Cheng, but the three X-level superpower users present also trembled in astonishment simultaneously.
They couldn’t even see when or how this man had moved to that position.
With their perception and reaction speed, they hadn’t caught a single trace.
Who is this guy…?
This question almost simultaneously arose in the hearts of the three X-level superpower users.
And in that brief silence, another weak yet clear voice penetrated the air.
Answering their doubts was Alice, lying on the ground, barely clinging to life.
She slowly opened her blood-stained eyes, her gaze resting on the expressionless face.
She recognized the identity of the newcomer; although he differed greatly from what she remembered, the handsome features that bore a resemblance to a certain girl could not be mistaken —
“… Mr. Hoshigami Renji?”
—————–
Returning to a bit earlier.
In the forest near the coastline, the entire area is engulfed in dense fog, with shadowy trees and leaves rustling in the night breeze.
Within this gray-white interwoven mist, a silent hunt is taking place.
These hunters positioned around the island, summoned by the bounty information sent by the Alpha System, clearly had long been prepared.
Even though they are not well-known “hunters,” they have gradually gained the upper hand in battle against Maria, the former ace known as Blood Raven, through one-on-many cooperation and the injections of “secret drugs” that grant them new powers.
However, the true goal of these hunters is not the only combat-capable Maria present.
Perhaps fearing that the S-level superpower user Saki might regain strength during the battle, they senselessly poured all their firepower and attention onto him from the start.
In their eyes, there was only one target — the head of the S-level superpower user known as “Black Flame King.”
For these hunters, if they can kill the “Black Flame King” with their own hands, they will not only eliminate a significant threat but also gain honor and fame that could be recorded throughout the entire extraordinary world.
Fame, status, bounties, organization promotions — this future made them fervent.
This fervor has given Nagisa some opportunity.
Her goal is singular — the “secret drugs” that those hunters have just injected into their bodies.
She clearly recalls that Kane had once explained to her that these secret drugs, apart from temporarily granting the injectors the powers they contained, could also allow the injectors to obtain residual magical power.
And the latter is what Nagisa desperately craves now.
Whether it’s due to her fragmented soul being sewn back together or some other reason, she found the recovery of her magical power from a state of depletion — exceptionally slow and difficult.
Like a dry well, no matter how much water is poured in, it is hard to tap the source.
This has left her in an utterly powerless state at this moment.
But — as long as she can find a way to obtain even a trace, a wisp, a tiny bit of residual magical power…
Nagisa can activate the contract within her soul, using Hydra’s authority to temporarily restore her magical power to a full state.
As for the cost of forcibly using the contracted beast’s power in the state of a shattered soul — she had already experienced it once when following Kane and the others to rescue Erica.
It is a fundamentally painful experience.
As if some invisible hand were slowly peeling away and tearing apart her very soul, every shred of existence is screaming, every inch of consciousness is wailing.
It is not “pain” in the ordinary sense, but a feeling similar to “collapse” — as if the entire “self” is gradually shattering and reassembling.
Once experienced, one would never want to face it a second time.
However —
For the current Nagisa, that pain doesn’t matter anymore.
Compared to experiencing that abyss-like torment again, she is even less able to bear the reality of losing another important person by her side.
She no longer wants to experience the despair and loneliness from losing Garuda once more.
She does not want to helplessly watch anyone die before her.
For this reason.
No matter what, she must obtain that “secret drug.”
That being said.
Achieving this goal is not simple.
The current battlefield situation is extremely perilous; while Maria is fighting against the hunters, she is the only one truly capable of engaging in combat.
Neither Saki, Nagisa, nor Erica can match up against any of the hunters, let alone completely seize a “secret drug” from them.
On the other hand.
Because the hunters’ eyes — have only temporary normal Saki in view, they have entirely ignored Nagisa and Erica, showing no intention of approaching them; the latter do not have the physical capabilities to catch up with the hunters wrestling with Maria.
That feeling of so close yet so far, the powerlessness that ultimately cannot reach out and grasp, weighs heavily on Nagisa’s chest like a cumulus cloud.
For Maria and Saki, this is a good opportunity.
The hunters have their attention fully on Saki, so Maria only needs to focus on protecting him.
They hope Nagisa and Erica can take the chance to escape.
Nagisa is of course aware that this is the most rational and effective choice at the moment.
Once she hesitates or stalls here for too long, the chance of being intercepted by the pursuing X-level superpower users will increase.
The sacrifices of DD, Yui, Maria, and Saki will all be meaningless.
But if she really abandons them to escape — even if she ultimately manages to evade the X-level superpower users and the beta system’s pursuit, the ending earned by sacrificing their lives —
Can she truly… accept it?
At that moment.
Nagisa desperately wishes she could be favored by fate like the “protagonists in kingdom works.”
If there’s just a little — even the smallest coincidence.
As long as Lady Luck would simply blink once, she could grasp that fleeting hope.
However —
This is the world of “Star Guide.”
A world filled with malice, this “crappy” world where there are no miracles or magical fairy tales; the only thing that exists here is the heavy, cold “so-called reality.”
Miracles and magic are not free; they must be exchanged for something of value.
Whether it is a contract between humans and fantasy monsters.
Or the relationship between power and the rifts in the soul.
Everything in the world of “Star Guide” seems to follow that cold rule — “equivalent exchange.”
Just when Nagisa couldn’t help but complain endlessly in her heart about this world of “Star Guide,” bemoaning its cruel settings, its ruthless logic, and its malice —
A tiny thought suddenly struck her.
It was a crucial point she had long noticed but never truly pondered deeply —
Since Nagisa crossed over into this world of “Star Guide,” whether in her past life as “Light” or this life as “Hoshigami Nagisa,” there has always been something present —
An invisible line, seemingly guiding her, pushing her to fulfill a particular goal.
This fact has been confirmed numerous times throughout her past experiences.
— Something “is guiding” her.
Though she does not know whether that is fate or something else —
What she can ascertain is —
That thing does indeed exist.
It possesses a kind of “power,” a force capable of influencing herself and even the fate of this world.
She must —
“Leave with Erica.”
“Stay behind alone.”☆
……
……
“… Miss Amano?”
Erica, who had been following Maria’s instructions, running towards the dock with Nagisa, suddenly sensed that the latter had halted.
She turned to see Nagisa’s solemn expression, her demeanor focused, as if she had made some decision.
It was not the earlier heavy expression of accepting reality and succumbing to despair,
But one filled with a certain glimmer of hope — the light in her eyes was distinctly different from before.
“Erica, you go ahead…”
Nagisa slowly loosened her grip on Erica’s arm, her tone calm yet resolute.
“I won’t—”
Erica was about to retort, saying that she would never abandon Nagisa,
But her words were cut off by the determination in Nagisa’s gaze.
It was a resolve that brooked no refusal.
“… Miss Amano, you will come back safely, right?”
She grasped Nagisa’s hands tightly, her gaze filled with earnestness and trust, her voice trembling slightly as she said:
“You’ll definitely save everyone and come back safely, right?”
“Ah, I promise you I will return.”
Nagisa smiled faintly, making a promise to Erica.
Watching Erica lower her head and run alone towards the harbor, Nagisa silently stood still.
She did not act immediately; instead, she slowly raised her head, looking up at the deep starry sky.
The arrival of the false god Bai Ling had torn through the barrier on the island, allowing the night sky to once more present itself to her gaze — the sky that was supposed to be veiled now appeared clear.
The inky black heavens stretched like an endless canvas, adorned with countless sparkling stars, each radiating cold yet mysterious brilliance.
“… Though I don’t know who you are,”
Nagisa whispered softly, her voice seemingly merging with the night.
“But you have been guiding me, haven’t you?”
“Since you wish for me to accomplish something—”
She paused, her eyes gleaming with readiness: “Then please respond to me now—”
“Fulfill my wish.”
Since magic like that in fairy tales and miracles are not free, then —
“This is a trade.”
Nagisa is willing to pay the price.
“It is a — contract between you and me.”
As her voice fell, Nagisa slowly raised her arm, pointing her fingertip toward the end of the starry sky:
“— Is the deal concluded?”
As if responding to her request, all the stars in the midnight sky trembled slightly, as if exhaling, or as if silently agreeing.
In the next moment —
The scales of fate suddenly tipped silently in Nagisa’s favor.
In the distance, the fierce battle between Zhen Nai and the false god Bai Ling resulted in intense waves of magical power sweeping across the island.
The impact wave generated by the collision of “elemental fusion” and “judgment of azure thunder” explosively expanded, instantly sweeping through the edges of the forest, uprooting great trees and ripping the ground apart, sending fragments and soil flying high.
Several hunters pursuing Saki and Maria were caught unprepared by the ensuing waves.
One person had just exhausted all their strength in an attack, their magical power depleted, and was about to retrieve a “secret drug” from inside their clothing — but —
The shockwave lifted the ground beneath them as the rugged rock shot up from below, colliding hard against their legs.
The sound of bones cracking was barely audible, but it caused him to scream as he fell backward, his body landing heavily in the underbrush.
In the process of tumbling, a glass syringe that had just been freed from confinement also leaped into the air.
Riding the night wind and the aftershocks, it spun upward, and the strong airflow produced by the next explosion just happened to blow the syringe into the air, slowly tossing the “secret drug,” which reflective starlight.
In the flow of light piercing the night, the glass syringe was flying towards the spot where Nagisa was standing, tracing a graceful and brilliant parabola, landing directly above her head.
A series of coincidences, battle aftershocks, and the enemies’ mistakes culminated in an impossible miracle at that moment.
Nagisa quietly extended her hand, almost without moving her feet, and firmly caught the “secret drug.”
From — the guidance of starlight.
In that instant, Nagisa finally truly realized — what had been secretly guiding her all along was a “certain existence” that possessed incredibly absurd and unfathomable power.
And in response to the content of this transaction.
The stars in the night sky seemed to dim slightly, returning to silence, no longer responding to Nagisa’s call.
But for Nagisa, that was enough.
Without any hesitation, she knew that this moment would not allow even a moment’s delay —
Nagisa lifted her hand, pointing the needle of the drug at the side of her neck, her movements decisive and calm.
The next moment, she forcefully pierced her skin, injecting all the liquid into her body without hesitation —
In the night sky, countless silver-white shooting stars streaked across from all directions, intertwining and weaving through the air, forming a massive silver whirlpool above.
The dazzling silver light erupted at the point of convergence, and for a brief moment, the entire night sky was as bright as day.
A pure and bright silver star condensed in the air, hanging high above the night.
…
The unreleased DLC’s villain “β system”?
A replica named “Fictional Light” that possibly possesses its own abilities and memories?
X-level superpower users gaining power from fragments of the End?
Feeling lost and terrified because she knows nothing about them?
No.
That is wrong.
The ones who should feel fear should be them.
Because what they are facing is —
The only protagonist.
Elemental Overlord.
