first player

Chapter 1560 Final Chapter: Guarding the Shore [35]: "Knowledge of what comes after".

The wind blew through the conference room door, and a man in a loose-fitting uniform stumbled out.

He seemed to have come out for some fresh air. Standing in the corridor, he lit a cigarette, put it to his lips, and took a deep drag. The nicotine numbed his brain, and his expression gradually relaxed from tense.

Not long after, another man in a tight-fitting military uniform came out, pressed his buttocks against the wall, and the two men were shoulder to shoulder and arm to arm, breathing flames and white smoke rising.

As dawn broke through the thin, polluted blue sky, white smoke swirled upwards.

"...I'm about to suffocate." Qin Er took a deep drag on his cigarette. "I bet you also ran away to 'seek refuge'."

He gestured with his lips, pointing through the solemn, pale corridor to a heavy, vermilion door at the far end, its iron handle gleaming like a sharp knife, as if a war were taking place inside.

“God, I swear on the future world lord’s terrible apple pie, that room was absolutely the most chaotic hell in the world.” Cole straightened his crooked collar and raised three fingers to swear: “When was the last time there was such a terrifying meeting? At least it wasn’t that human self-rescue meeting after the fifth instance ended. People at that meeting still knew how to press buttons to speak, and no Northern gorilla would bring vodka into the room!”

At this time, a meeting initiated by the joint mission was being held.

A global summit is one thing, coordination among the five permanent members of the Security Council is another, and when it comes to the players, it's yet another.

The first step was a large-scale martial law. As soon as everyone entered the small world, Su Bread and hundreds of regional leaders immediately declared a state of emergency, mobilizing the mechanical army to maintain order. The primary task was to prevent high-powered players from causing chaos and to prevent rioters from taking advantage of the situation.

The next steps involve registration management, isolation observation, and information control.

While everyone's location was clear, Su Bread's Dawn System was responsible for registration and management, with detailed information including abilities, gaming experience, and psychological state assessment. Players exhibiting obvious danger or severe mental damage were observed. Of course, due to insufficient manpower, this had to be done in batches, screening players from highest to lowest based on their overall strength and influence.

Temporarily control the media and the internet, filter sensitive information, promote the main themes of "peaceful return" and "rebuilding the homeland," and prevent the spread of panic and the breeding of rumors.

For non-ordinary people, the first thing to be affected is the restructuring and power struggle.

First, there's the conflict between participants and non-participants. For players who didn't participate in the world game, although they gained all their memories of the game's duration at its end, the human tendency to feel a "protagonist" mentality persists. Even knowing that a billion others participated in the salvation process, they might still have thoughts like, "Why not me?" This mentality can even override self-discipline and rational consciousness; even if they feel grateful, they might still unconsciously feel envy and jealousy.

Secondly, there is the contradiction between the minority and the majority. The achievements of the minority outweigh those of the majority, and the proportion of the "minority" is not one in a thousand or one in ten thousand, but one in seven. This delicate proportion allows some people to maintain their privileges and significantly compresses the living space of the non-privileged, even if it is unconscious and involuntary suppression.

Third, the contradiction between high and low power. Within a billion people, a clear power gap still exists. Some individuals, due to their achievements and access to special resources, instantly rise to a class with significant social privileges. This proportion is neither extremely rare, insufficient to resolve conflict through scarcity, nor insignificant enough to form a large and stable interest group. Their privileged status inevitably squeezes the living space and development rights of non-participants.

Fourthly, the conflict between individuals and state apparatuses. The existing international order has been reshaped, and the uneven distribution of player strength has led to dramatic changes in the world situation. Countries with more top players have gained significantly more influence; for example, if a small country produces a top-ranked player, that small country is essentially endowed with nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, traditional powers may decline or even split, leading to warlordism. New international organizations and alliances based on the player system have emerged, and emerging forces such as the Human Self-Salvation Alliance and the World Tree Guild have risen to prominence.

Fifth, the conflict between top players and the state apparatus. Large organizations will inevitably try their best to win over top players, while the individual power of players at the top may have surpassed that of the entire state apparatus, becoming a strategic deterrent.

Sixth, the conflict between indigenous people and new humans.

However, if such a society does not perish, it will be full of motivation and new development.

“From ninety-year-old grandmothers to ten-year-old boys, I’ve never seen such a diverse age distribution in a meeting before.” Cole shrugged and laughed. “Although I know many top players don’t understand those things, which greatly reduces the formality of the meeting, I really didn’t expect that someone would slam their hand on the table and stand up to speak, and that someone would come in with a bottle of vodka to drink.”

"Shh..." Qin Er smiled and said, "Those people are heroes; you should show them some respect."

He glanced at the screen.

At this moment, in order to reassure the public, a pre-recorded "speech" began to be played, thanking the players who had made great contributions.

"...In the extreme environment of the World Game, Dr. Zhuang spearheaded the construction of an orderly and functional system for the core base of the Joint Mission. His planned base structure was rigorous and efficient, with a clear and effective management mechanism..."

"...Mr. Donald of the International Hyde Research Lab, during the World Game, focused on developing new drugs to enhance human physiological functions and rapidly repair injuries. His research results significantly improved players' survival rates, benefiting the entire world..."

"...Dr. Xu Changying's successfully developed ultra-intelligent artificial intelligence system 'Adu' provided strong technical support and intelligent assurance for the first player's strategic execution, and is a shining testament to the power of science and technology in the battle for human survival..."

"...Ms. Lovasa from the Peace Dove Association..."

“...Mr. Ward of the Holt Wizarding Alliance…”

"...Ms. Liu Zihan of the Human Self-Salvation Alliance..."

"...Thank you for the joint cooperation of the General Staff Department, the General Political Department, the General Science and Technology Department, and the General Liaison Department..."

"...Thanks to the evergreen universities, independent societies, world research centers, and major multinational corporation research institutes during the ongoing World Game..."

"Pfft." Looking at the eloquent speeches by Ashcoll, Wilson, and others on the screen, Qin Er almost burst out laughing: "Ha, hahaha... Adu is a powerful guarantee of wisdom!? Really? That Lucky Journey high EQ watch, I laugh every time I see it!"

"The official explanation, those who know, know..." Cole glanced outside the door: "Speaking of which, it seems the person who should be there the most is missing."

Although they had come to seek refuge, the meeting wasn't actually that tense, for a simple reason—power dominance. Even if someone with ulterior motives wanted to seize power, they would have to consider whether their life was tough enough, whether they were brave enough to be slapped by the gods of Cloud City.

The thank-you messages on the screen continued, thanking the support staff first, then the outstanding casual players, adventure players, top-ranked players, and finally the best players, until the very end.

"...With the fate of humanity hanging by a thread, we, on behalf of all survivors, extend our deepest respect and sincerest gratitude to 'Player Number One'." Chief of Staff Ashkel bowed solemnly.
"...We remember and celebrate his achievements. In the ultimate crisis of the World Game, which swept the globe and brought humanity to the brink of extinction, he undertook the heaviest mission with unimaginable perseverance and self-sacrifice..."

Qin Er and Ke Er listened quietly as wisps of smoke drifted into the sky.

Even the noisy conference room became quiet.

"...When hope seemed lost, he never abandoned the human community. With extraordinary courage and wisdom, he faced unimaginable challenges and ultimately led humanity out of its predicament, winning the right to survival and freedom. His achievements are deeply engraved in the most glorious chapter of human history and will be praised by future generations..."

The mechanical soldiers and humans on guard duty raised their heads slightly and listened silently.

The clerical staff who were passing by stopped to talk.

"...Faced with the seemingly unshakeable will of the 'gods' and the cruel rules of the game, he launched a challenge with his mortal body. Every time he persisted, every time he risked his life, he secured a crucial turning point for humanity..."

People on the street, still shaken, held the hands of their loved ones and listened to the speech. It seemed that their emotions had finally calmed down, and they realized that they had really been saved. Suddenly, they burst into tears.

The feeling of surviving a catastrophe permeates every corner of the world.

Countless people and endless distances are listening at this moment.

Those who praise applaud, those who follow kneel, those who hate sigh, and those who are moved shed tears.

"...He proved with his actions that human dignity and freedom are not playthings that any being can easily take away. His courage tore apart the shadows that shrouded humanity..."

"...Hereinafter, the Supreme Governing Council of the United Government solemnly declares: the achievements and spirit of the 'First Player' will be recorded in the prologue of the Charter for the Revival of Human Civilization, the highest honor medal of 'New Era Watcher' will be established, and his deeds will be incorporated into the global education system."

"...Erect a spiritual monument to the victims and sacrifices who died and were sacrificed during the continuation of the world game in the symbolic land of the new era."

"...The courage, sacrifice, idealism, and unwavering commitment to the shared future of mankind that they and we represent will be formally established as the core pillars of the 'New Era Spirit,' inspiring all humanity to unite and strive forward, and to cherish the hard-won peace and future."

"...With mortal bodies, they accomplish things that even gods cannot. Today's rebirth stems from people's extraordinary efforts."

"...To all those mentioned above, along with all the individuals who fought bravely and made silent contributions in the world game, your names and achievements will forever be engraved on the monument of the revival of human civilization. Your dedication and sacrifice are a great symbol of the indomitable spirit and undying wisdom of humankind. Let us pay the highest tribute to these pillars of our time..."

"Today, we can finally stand here and proudly say..."

On the high platform, the deep, resonant voice of the Joint Mission Chief of Staff came through the microphone.

That tired yet smiling face looked at the screen, at humanity:

"Ladies and gentlemen, spring has arrived."

"Welcome home."

……

Red silk ribbons were tied up, and flower petals were scattered on the carpet.

The conference room, which resembled an auditorium, was packed with over a thousand people.

A quick glance revealed a large number of attendees. Among them were top-ranked players like Yamada, Isabella, and Anthony, as well as support staff such as Marjorie and Liu Changqing. Also present were leaders from major guilds such as the Holy Judgment of the Cross, the World Tree Guild, and the Remote Control Legion, along with representatives from organizations including the United Front, the Human Self-Rescue Alliance, the Ancient Martial Arts Family, Gran Victoria, the Dragon Kingdom Yangtze River System, the Eagle Kingdom Countermeasures System, the Blue Land Force, the Red Heart Volunteers, the Olive Branch Rescue Group, and the Peace Dove Rescue Association.

Several members of the Pinnacle Alliance sat prominently at the front, their strength and presence alone inspiring awe.

The speaker was an elderly woman with white hair. Although she was in a wheelchair, she was remarkably spry and had a firm gaze. A single glance from her caused everyone to avoid her.

"Two hundred and fifty-six towers, the proportions have been set: one-third players, one-third national forces, and one-third former Zhai Xing personnel. This cannot be changed in the short term."

"Could we make an exception for this ratio?" asked Kentaro Suzuki, the deputy chief of staff of the joint mission.

"The player ratio cannot be changed; this is not a lifetime arrangement and can be adjusted later as appropriate." The white-haired grandmother's voice was strong and clear; she was the main speaker at the meeting.

"Regarding the exchange of player contribution points, is it scheduled for five days from now as originally planned?" Proria, the deputy head of Gran Victoria, asked.

“Yes, according to the original plan.” The white-haired old lady flipped through the display screen on the table: “This is the most important matter recently. The ‘Ming’an System’ will comprehensively review the entire process of the world game, evaluate the overall contribution of each player, and allocate a certain amount of wealth and resources. The focus is not on rewarding the strong and widening the gap, but on ensuring the survival rate of the weak.”

“Punishment for those who commit evil and betray others will also be on the agenda,” said Clarence of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. “The history of Noel Agni, the traitor to humanity, will be carefully verified.”

Mentioning this name evokes hatred in almost everyone's eyes.

"Ms. Luna, hello. I would like to ask, according to the agreement previously published on the forum, the guild cannot maintain its independent regime?" asked Heidi, the leader of the Human Self-Salvation Alliance.

“If they were independent, with their powerful collective strength, resources, and technology, guilds and alliances could become ‘super corporations’ or ‘city-state-like autonomous entities’ independent of nations, cooperating with or competing with governments, and even forming de facto rule in certain regions,” the blue-haired man said gently.

Seeing the opening in the road, people stopped arguing. They were joking; this was a level two god. If they angered him, would they expect to be met with a tsunami?
Especially the white-haired youth sitting silently in the corner, his eyes were truly terrifying, and no one wanted to provoke him now.

"Hello, I would like to ask..." From the crowd, a hand pressed a button; it was Mei Yani, a top-ranked player.

She looked at the stage and said timidly:
"Where has the Lord of the Realm gone?"

The question fell silent.

People looked at each other, and the doubts that had been building up in their hearts for a long time finally burst forth.

Yes, where is the Lord of the Realm? He was clearly the first to log in, so why is he so late?

Could it really be as some people have guessed... that Su Ming'an used his own life to fill the final energy gap?

Everyone present was intelligent; the fact that their energy had been inexplicably replenished at the end certainly wasn't due to the organizers' mercy. Immediately, various ideas emerged. Ambitious members of the Human Self-Salvation Alliance began to consider the possibility of becoming the Realm Lord. Several officers of the Allied Forces began to worry about humanity's future. Guild leaders secretly considered whether to support other players in their ascension. Some were secretly delighted, some were filled with anxiety, and some were utterly despondent.

...Is he really dead? Mizushima Kawakami's eyes flickered, and his fists clenched.

Beside her, a young man in an oil-painted shirt stroked his chin: "...Really dead? I went through so much trouble to sneak in, what a pity." He crossed his legs and looked at Mizushima Sora: "Interested? If you're willing to join us, you can not only see your sister, but we can also strongly support you to rise in rank and gain a place among humans."

Mizushima Kawakami remained silent for a long time, then clenched his fist tightly: "...Su Ming'an has been kind to me."

Su Ming'an saved everyone; he proved his ideals. Therefore, she could no longer find any reason to let him down.

"Oh, but perhaps humanity still wants to settle scores with you? You've contributed so many points, yet most people aren't grateful to you," the young man in the shirt said.

“If he dies, I will keep an eye on this place for him.” Mizushima Kawakami frowned and said, “I can’t stop you from sneaking in. But if you make any moves, I will be the first to kill you.”

"..." The young man in the shirt smiled and quietly pointed to a pregnant woman in the corner: "She's a much bigger threat than me. She has 108 children and keeps having more."

"I don't know who you are or how you smuggled yourselves in, but in any case, it's all over now, and we don't want any more conflict. If you have any disloyal intentions, the gods of Cloud City will deal with you." Mizushima Kawakami glared at him coldly: "I'd rather jump off this cliff and starve or freeze to death than join you."

The young man in the shirt didn't say anything more, but sighed, "What a pity. I've always heard about Su Ming'an's deeds, but I never thought that meeting him would be our last."

On the other side, Bei Wang was sleeping in a chair.

Because it was too unsightly for him to sleep on stream, his position was moved from the top player's seat in the first row to the back, where he sat with the top players on the leaderboard.

"...He's dead?" Even though he had expected it, Anthony's heart sank. He remembered when Su Ming'an led him to the World Tree, such a vibrant person, who, despite all the hardships, still couldn't make it to the end.

"Sigh... He's a good man, but unfortunately, he's no longer relevant to me." Violet sighed; she rarely fell for him, but it was a fleeting moment.

“Of Su Ming’an’s team alone, six people—himself, Lin Yin, Boris, Qins, Lunxue, and Alger—have not returned.” Angelica’s voice was low.

"Big brother..." Mo Yan lowered his head.

Bei Wang's eyelashes twitched slightly, as if he had been woken up. He yawned and struggled to sit up.

He had a dream.

The dream was blurry, but he vaguely sensed that he was carrying someone with him, walking through a purplish-black dreamscape...

Just as everyone was discussing this, a graceful black cat walked in and, under everyone's gaze, stepped into the center of the spotlight.

It meowed once, its tail wagging back and forth.