Wen Xishu’s words made John start to panic. After a long silence, John asked the initial question again:
"You... Who exactly are you? Can you tell me now?"
Wen Xishu knew this conversation was coming to an end:
"I come from the apocalypse. I’m a player in your game."
This answer surprised John, yet it seemed so reasonable. After Scorpio appeared, it didn’t seem strange anymore that players from his game would cross over into his world.
He asked his second question, which was also his final conversation with Wen Xishu:
"Apocalypse... Is it fun?"
"The game ’Apocalypse’ is great, but the actual apocalypse is terrible."
John understood. He wanted to say sorry, but he couldn’t make a sound. He felt like a child who had done something wrong.
Even though the tragedy hadn’t happened yet, he really had accepted that transaction just a short while ago.
The apocalypse would eventually come. At this moment, John suddenly felt scared and wished to cancel the transaction with the gods.
The god seemed no longer like one who resonated with him, but more like a demon who made a wicked deal with him.
Scorpio saw all of John’s expressions and suddenly snapped his fingers.
The whole world, including John, paused again.
Wen Xishu said:
"It seems my turn is over."
Scorpio suddenly snapped his fingers, and everything around them froze.
"Yes, brother, your speech was excellent. I was almost convinced. But unfortunately, the deal already struck, the contract already made, cannot be altered."
"The apocalypse will definitely descend in the manner of ’Apocalypse’. It will become Wind City’s greatest evil. People escape reality to enter the game, but it brings the game into reality. Isn’t that interesting?"
Gods are indeed despicable creatures.
Wen Xishu could imagine that if nothing could change, the undead apocalypse would descend just like depicted in Deceit Tower...
Someone like John, after reconciling with his past, would certainly endure great pain and regret.
"Is the price of cooperating with you that high?" Wen Xishu asked.
Scorpio shook his head:
"Brother, he is just one of my experiments, a toy. Can this be called cooperation? If you are willing to help me, we could be considered true partners. True partners naturally have different treatment."
Wen Xishu remained unmoved:
"I believe in John. In a world of obsessions, the apocalypse must be different from before."
Scorpio said:
"John’s obsessions are terrifying. Do you think a few words from you can change him?"
Wen Xishu shook his head:
"No, I’m just betting that John has been a good person from the start."
Scorpio became intrigued:
"Why do you say that?"
Wen Xishu replied:
"If I told you, would you twist him?"
Scorpio shook his head:
"I only gave him the opportunity to realize his own value. I didn’t twist him. To be precise, I just acknowledged his previous views."
"But your appearance, brother, made me start to think that maybe he was indeed wrong."
Wen Xishu said seriously:
"I feel honored to hear that."
Scorpio replied:
"So, brother, why do you believe in him?"
For once, Wen Xishu smiled:
"Because I saw the easter egg. I suddenly understood... John’s kindness."
Scorpio expressed confusion:
"I don’t understand."
Wen Xishu was very patient with Scorpio; he knew the key this time wasn’t John. John was obsessive, but not evil inside.
"When I participated in ’Apocalypse’, I had a friend who was suicidal and also participated."
"He was a blind man who was truly seeking death, but somehow he survived the apocalypse."
"I can imagine someone as obsessive as John wouldn’t allow any discrepancies between the game and its settings."
"The apocalypse should have an apocalyptic atmosphere: dark and evil, with everything driven by profit."
"But John added an easter egg in the game. This easter egg is also something he later told Catherine."
Scorpio seemed to understand:
"Zombies... won’t harm the disabled?"
Wen Xishu nodded:
"Yes, when you lose the courage to face life, the monsters in the game won’t attack you instead..."
"John has his own gentleness. He uses this way to tell Catherine that he is not obsessive, just pure."
"Additionally, when I searched John’s past, I found this message: a game streamer named Tim, who was paralyzed and terminally ill, wanted to play the true ’Apocalypse’. John said he would find a way to let him play it before he died."
"Clearly, for those who lost courage in life, John always gave the greatest support gently. At that time, his game had already been purchased by Tengyi, but John still promised to let Tim play it."
"Such a person is someone who genuinely loves games. If it weren’t for past experiences of being defeated by money, he would definitely create healing games."
"I’m also certain that John’s purity is not self-deception. He is truly excellent and genuinely wants to create great works. Such a person will definitely find himself again, so I believe in him."
Scorpio was slightly surprised. This was the first time he showed a somewhat confused expression:
"But brother, you didn’t say that to him. Your words seemed to completely deny his game."
Wen Xishu smiled:
"Deception isn’t trickery; extraordinary measures are needed in extraordinary times. Isn’t a game about countering strategies?"
"At this moment, John is in his darkest period, especially with you, a god, meddling. He increasingly believes his hatred of money is justified."
"Of course, I had to first completely deny him, break him down, and then let him piece himself back together."
Scorpio didn’t speak, just looked at Wen Xishu with some confusion.
Wen Xishu said:
"It’s your turn now. Aren’t you going to reinforce his hatred of money?"
Scorpio knew this was Wen Xishu’s way of luring him in, but he still smiled and said:
"I’m suddenly curious. If he’s really worth your belief, what changes a new ’Apocalypse’ would bring."
"So, let’s do it. Brother, my turn is over. You delivered a fatal blow in this turn."
Wen Xishu was somewhat surprised. This ’demon’ that could persuade John to turn a city of millions into zombies was actually this agreeable.
Also at this moment, Wen Xishu suddenly received a notification that the task was completed.
Scorpio seemed to know Wen Xishu was about to leave. He said:
"But I’m not so easily dismissed, brother. You owe me a favor now, and favors must be repaid."
Wen Xishu wasn’t surprised; instead, he felt reassured by it.
From the beginning, he understood that this task wasn’t about convincing the inherently kind John but gaining Scorpio’s approval.
Hearing Scorpio say this, Wen Xishu didn’t resist:
"Of course, always ready to serve you, dear brother."