Life Game In Other World
Chapter 1222: The End of Nightfall (Seeking Monthly Passes)

Chapter 1222: Chapter 1222: The End of Nightfall (Seeking Monthly Passes)

"Captain,"

A young soldier quickly walked up to the officer in the gray military uniform and said swiftly, "News has come from the frontline. We’ve already broken through the enemy’s first line of defenses before the Northern Gate, and have begun encountering their defensive facilities built near the gate."

"How long did it take?"

The officer in the gray uniform lowered his head and hoarsely asked.

"In total..."

The soldier paused slightly, lowered his head, glanced at his wristband, and after a brief hesitation, said, "Twenty-three minutes."

"Twenty-three minutes, just to breach the first layer of outer defenses."

The officer in the gray uniform said calmly.

"According to the battle report from the frontline,"

The soldier immediately explained, "The enemy’s resistance is extraordinarily fierce, and they are even fearless in the face of death, creating far more obstacles than anticipated."

He paused for a moment before continuing, "Moreover, the enemy seems to possess some terrifying and unique magic that can momentarily envelope the battlefield and bring back gravely injured individuals."

His voice lowered, "Some of the warriors on the frontlines have been impacted mentally upon witnessing this. A portion of them are showing signs of fear, believing the enemy is supported by divine beings, making it impossible for us to prevail."

"Seeing an enemy you were about to kill suddenly alive and kicking on the battlefield can indeed deliver quite a blow to their morale."

"I’ve seen it,"

The officer in the gray uniform said calmly, "It’s nothing but the crude tricks of the Life Church. Their ability has limitations, otherwise, they wouldn’t wait till the end to use it. Its coverage area is also restricted and cannot envelop the entirety of the battlefield."

"Don’t worry about this ability. If the enemy truly had divine protection, this war would have ended the moment it began."

He gazed at the firelight on the mountaintop and ordered, "Inform the whole army—do not hold back on ammunition. Attack with full force. At all costs, we must pass through the Northern Gate before dawn."

"Yes!"

The soldier immediately straightened his posture and saluted.

——

Northern Gate

"What was that just now...?"

Standing within the narrow canyon, back against the hastily built wall, wide-eyed, looking at He Ao.

"Just a little battlefield trick,"

He Ao glanced at the Wilderness Wanderers crowded into the space around him.

A stout man and a skinny one were moving among the Wanderers, calming their mixed emotions of shock and excitement.

He Ao hadn’t restored them to complete health—he had only treated their more serious injuries, allowing them to regain a significant portion of their mobility.

Part of the reason was that bringing someone to perfect condition required far more time than doing a superficial treatment, and another part was that his energy was indeed running low.

The ability ’Life’s Grace’ on Pete could summon the gaze of the Life Goddess directly.

Its practical effect was to perform targeted healing over one or multiple individuals through large-scale sacrifices. With enough offerings, this ability could reach a level close to that of the Incomplete Angel.

Of course, this ability consumed Pete’s own energy—the stronger the effect, the faster Pete’s body would deteriorate.

After the system converted it into the ’Character Card’ function, making it a redeemable character ability, some slight changes appeared despite remaining a healing ability.

It caused far less damage to the user’s body, but a ’charging time’ was added.

Through the redeemed ability, He Ao could accumulate life energy within himself through killing and sacrifice.

It had the appearance of an ’ritual,’ yet bore no evident traces of divine intervention.

Once this life energy reached a critical threshold, he could release it externally to heal others.

After a single release, the accumulated energy would be depleted, and the charging process would start again.

He Ao estimated that operating at maximum efficiency, the charging period was approximately half an hour.

During the charging process, if He Ao’s own body sustained injury, the life energy could also be used to repair the damage, although this would further prolong the charging time.

He Ao had used one redeemable Exchange Star to acquire three hours of this ability’s use, which allowed for only six uses in total.

From his calculations, the critical threshold for each charging cycle could heal one Transcendent well above ordinary B-level strength, or several ordinary individuals.

Reaching the threshold didn’t end the charging; the speed merely slowed to an extremely weak pace.

Of course, the system didn’t provide detailed introductions for these abilities—He Ao had discovered them through practical experimentation.

He had also uncovered another difference between the redeemed ability and Pete’s original powers.

The redeemed ability would not summon the gaze of the Life Goddess.

Even during the charging process, there was no interference from divine powers. The moment of release might tap into a trace of divine energy but wouldn’t call down the divine gaze.

In other words, after system redemption, while the ability had been somewhat weakened, it also got rid of its mystical ties to divine entities.

With Nell’s previous ’Losing God,’ since the War God was already dead, there hadn’t been much of a threat, making such distinctions less obvious to He Ao.

There’s gain and loss.

"Little trick?"

At this moment, Xiya, who had heard He Ao’s words, turned to glance at the Wilderness Wanderers nearby, her mouth slightly ajar, seeming at a loss for words.

"Officer,"

In the midst of their conversation, Orey walked over, carrying a tablet, saluted He Ao, and said, "Apologies for the slight delay."

The temporary fortress, originally planned to be completed in half an hour, had ended up taking them over forty minutes.

Fortunately, the optical camouflage device had managed to last until everything was finished.

"You’ve done very well."

He Ao patted Orey’s shoulder.

Most of the time, things don’t go exactly as people wish.

"Officer,"

Orey paused briefly, then said in a lowered voice, "Most of the equipment is ready and functioning, but there are some complex patterns in the plan that we still don’t know how to..."

"I’ll handle it."

He Ao nodded and walked briskly forward, "Take me to the pattern center."

He knew what Orey was referring to—when Eve initially planned this fortress, He Ao had instructed her to incorporate the Array obtained from the Eternal Tree’s Tree Heart into the fortress.

Otherwise, relying solely on this simple temporary fort would make it difficult to withstand the army outside.

"The troops outside are launching an attack."

At this moment, a soldier stationed behind the fortress turned back toward the group, saying, "The armored cars are coming—they’re advancing toward us."

Orey froze, looking up toward He Ao.

"Xiya, get the defenses organized. Lead me to the patterns first."

He Ao’s expression remained calm as he quickly issued instructions.

"All right!"

Xiya nodded firmly.

"Yes!"

Orey immediately straightened his stance and led He Ao toward the center of the fortress.

——

Blazing thunder cut through the sky, fierce waves crashing against the cliffs.

A soldier, soaked by rainwater, stepped out onto the narrow stone beach and raised his gaze toward the vast plains stretching endlessly under the night sky, appearing as though he’d traversed Hell to reach Heaven, his body visibly relaxing.

Fine seawater sprayed over the shore, scattering droplets across his face. He turned back to look behind him.

Masses of troops, lights twinkling in the dark, slowly navigated the narrow beach, following the path he had just walked.

Boom——

Suddenly, a massive, soft tendril emerged from the ocean, grabbing an armored car and the soldiers it carried, sinking them rapidly into the raging sea.

The soldiers at the rear appeared as though they hadn’t witnessed the event—another armored car sped up to promptly fill the gap, making its way swiftly across the beach.

"Don’t just stand there—keep moving forward."

A loud reprimand came from behind.

The soldier froze momentarily before returning his gaze ahead, stepping forward once more.

He lifted his head to take another look at the boundless darkness ahead and the wide plains beneath it.

The direction seemed to be south—they had been moving south all along.

Dim stars dotted the sky, the armies and armored vehicles forming a pitch-black flood, steadily streaming across the expansive plains toward the south.

——

Dawn City · In front of Glorious Palace

The resplendent city remained as tranquil as ever, the faint chilly breeze brushing against everyone’s faces.

The morning hadn’t yet arrived, but scattered groups of people were already beginning to gather on the streets.

Most of them wore thick, warm clothing, carrying bags of snacks or chips, picnic mats, or tents.

As the majority settled into their spots, some began unfurling banners that read ’Christos, Resign.’

The guards stationed at the palace gates gazed at the crowd impassively, subtly furrowing their brows but saying nothing.

Some guards naturally spaced themselves out, creating a loose perimeter around the protestors and setting up warning lines.

These measures ensured passing vehicles wouldn’t accidentally veer onto this portion of the street and injure those sitting there.

"May—"

At that moment, one outermost soldier saw a figure draped in a coat approaching through the darkness. He opened his mouth hesitantly, about to call out, but the shadowy figure raised a hand to indicate silence.

In the outskirts of the street, scattered groups of people gradually settled down.

A few seemingly menacing tattooed men also joined the crowd, sitting at the very back.

Without picnic mats or snacks, they sat directly on the ground at the edge of the group.

Those in the front appeared reluctant to acknowledge their presence, forming their own small clusters to converse, almost as if these men didn’t exist.

These tattooed individuals each had their own cliques, among whom crude jokes and boisterous voices echoed. Occasionally, their commotion would cause people ahead to glance back at them.

Among everyone there, only a boy in the corner kept his head raised, supporting himself with his hands. Though seated beside the tattooed men, he appeared quite isolated, left to ponder silently by himself.

"How old are you?"

A voice suddenly came softly from his side.

"Hmm?"

The boy blinked, noticing a figure clad in a large fur coat sitting next to him. The dim shadows from a nearby tree obscured the figure’s face, making it difficult to discern their expression.

The figure gazed along with him in the same direction—the end of his line of sight—toward the grand palace ahead.

There, a tall statue stood.

The statue of Dawn City’s first mayor.

The boy drew back his focus. Initially reluctant to engage, he found the surrounding chatter eventually irking him enough to speak impatiently, "What, are you the mayor’s spy, here to gather intelligence?"

"Aren’t you afraid if I were really a spy, I’d have you arrested?"

The figure chuckled.

"No chance—the mayor wouldn’t dare. See all these people here, nobody’s been taken from the crowd, right?"

The boy snorted, laughing. "He wouldn’t dare make a single move against these protestors, otherwise he’d be torn apart on TV."

"Sounds like you understand things quite well."

The figure chuckled.

"You have to think things through before picking up odd jobs out here,"

He glanced at the tattooed men nearby, then the figure beside him. "You look educated; haven’t thought about this stuff?"

"Sometimes I do, sometimes I don’t."

The figure sighed lightly. "The world has too much to think about; sometimes it’s better not to think at all."

"Such cryptic talk—it’s obvious you’ve read too many books."

The boy rolled his eyes. "You college folks just love tossing around fancy words, as if flaunting your intelligence."

Hearing this, the figure burst into subdued laughter, glancing briefly at the tattooed men who weren’t engaging with the boy. "Seems you’re not getting along so well with your companions."

"They’re too dumb,"

The boy curled his lip. "Talking to them feels like mental gymnastics; I’d rather not waste energy."

"If you look down on them so much, why not pursue education,"

The figure asked, amused. "Get into a great college, graduate, and land a decent job, instead of ending up here."

"Like hell—that’s rich,"

The boy rolled his eyes again. "Do you think it’s because I don’t want to study? Look at those tens of thousands in tuition fees, you think everyone’s born with rich parents and gets to stroll into good schools, all dressed up suave and dignified like you folks?"

His tone was sharp, but the figure beside him didn’t seem offended. Smiling, they said, "Isn’t there low-interest student loans? You can always apply."

"Are you talking about those loans where the repayment period lasts longer than my life, disguised as ’low-interest’ but the interest is outrageously high?"

The boy snorted, "Damn leeching banks might as well tattoo ’ruthless bloodsuckers’ right on their foreheads."

He glanced sideways toward the figure, "Don’t tell me you signed one of those contracts."

He smirked mischievously, adding, "Let me tell you, those loans are nothing but selling your soul—you hand yourself over to the banks in exchange for tuition, only to spend the rest of your life working for them. Pretty grim situation for you, no wonder you’re sitting here."

"Aren’t you sitting here too?"

The figure laughed, "Does that mean you’re just as miserable?"

"Ha! You’ve got nothing on me."

The boy shook his head. "I don’t even know my own parents—I’ve gotten used to it."

"Judging by your attitude, you must be a supporter of the mayor. How come you’re sitting here then?"

The figure chuckled and asked.

"Earning money—nothing shameful about it,"

The boy shrugged. "Picking sides is like sexual preference. If you can’t afford food, does it matter if the one picking you at night is a man or a woman?"

"I’m sitting here, opposite the mayor—does that necessarily make me his opponent? Besides, sitting here doesn’t affect him much anyway. Just hustling to survive; don’t take it too seriously."

He paused, seemingly realizing something, then clarified with a serious tone, "By the way, just to make it clear—I was making a comparison, I don’t offer those kinds of services, so don’t get weird ideas."

"Do you support Christos then?"

The figure smiled and asked.

"Nope,"

The boy shrugged. "Though everyone says he’s great, hustling’s all I care about. If you ask me, these politicians are all the same—trust me, one day his true colors will show."

Hearing this answer, the figure paused briefly, then chuckled faintly. "For a policy to take effect, it’s just a matter of months. For a law to pass, it takes years. But the doubts in human hearts—it can take years, even decades, to mend."

He slowly stood up, removing his thick fur coat, draping it over the thinly dressed boy’s shoulders. "If the chance arises, consider looking into the government’s low-interest loans."

He smiled and added, "Some of them are genuinely low-interest, and if you meet certain criteria, you might even qualify for zero-interest loans."

The boy blinked, momentarily taken aback. He raised his head, only to see the figure already walking away.

He touched the warm fur coat on his shoulders, his gaze turning vacant.

The distant sky began to brighten faintly.

——

Roger opened his eyes, sitting up from the sway of the vehicle’s reclining seat, and looked out through the window toward the faint light emerging at the edge of the night.

He turned his head, gazing forward.

The transport truck was now being driven by a young soldier, while the road ahead remained shrouded in gray mist.

At that far-off distance, the sound of cannonfire seemed to persist.

Though, that sound appeared to finally be fading.