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墨書 Inktalez
It couldn't go on like this!
Once a relationship exceeds its proper weight, it becomes a burden, exhausting enough to hinder one's progress.
The more she sensed the other person's carefulness, the more irrational decisions she would make.
So, it was time to lay everything bare. It might be painful, they might never return to the past, and there could be regrets, but if they continued to let things go unchecked, they would both head down the wrong path. One was giving unreciprocated love, while the other was unable to respond and was sinking into self-destruction.
In the end, both would perish in this game, abandoning what they were meant to accomplish.
This was not the outcome she wanted to see, so she needed to end this.
Even if she regretted it in the end, she would swallow that regret herself.
Once released, Xu Nuan took deep breaths, her vision gradually clearing up. Rationality had long since set in; it was just that she hadn't had the chance to confront Gu Ze about what he had said when he suddenly buried his head in her neck.
Exhausted from a kiss, Xu Nuan couldn't push Gu Ze away and could only rasp out her words.
"Gu Ze, you can't do this."
She couldn't do this either.
The two of them seemed like drowning souls searching for a lifeline, unwilling to let go of whatever they grasped. They were like people in a snowy landscape desperately drawing warmth from each other.
Both were pitiful souls.
Gu Ze remained still, nestled against Xu Nuan's neck, his arms tightly wrapped around her without doing anything else.
Finally regaining some strength, Xu Nuan raised her hands to push Gu Ze away. The usually eloquent woman found herself at a loss for words. The arguments she had prepared in her mind remained unspoken due to Gu Ze's actions.
"Warm."
After pushing for a while without moving Gu Ze, Xu Nuan heard her name and stopped her actions.
What does Gu Ze know?
Xu Nuan felt her heart pounding like a drum, her breath quickening.
Was it worry and tension?
Or was it anticipation and excitement?
Having experienced so much, she was beginning to lose the ability to calmly analyze her own reactions and emotions.
"I'm sorry."
When she heard those words filled with so much emotion, Xu Nuan's eyes widened, and they began to glisten with tears, while the corners of her lips wanted to curl into a smile.
How should she evaluate this man?
While she was self-righteously analyzing their psychological states, he had already understood them both.
Understanding leads to comprehension.
Knowing each other's thoughts made them sincere and cautious.
Just like the half-kneeling posture they both held at that moment, it was reverent.
The words she had prepared were now stuck in her throat. Xu Nuan felt a bit frustrated; she always thought she could rationally analyze the situation, yet this man always seemed to be one step ahead. Should she be angry or relieved?
Relieved that she didn’t have to say such things herself.
Xu Nuan pressed her hands against the ground, while Gu Ze held her close, resting his head against her neck. The bright sun shone overhead, the black earth beneath their feet, a light-colored lake beside them, and in the distance, trees swayed gently in the breeze.
It was a scene painted in warm tones yet tinged with sadness.
The tranquility was suddenly shattered by a loud noise coming from the lake.
Facing the lake, Xu Nuan clearly saw the water rapidly diminishing, as if a giant switch at the bottom had been flipped to drain it all away. Soon after, the nearby lake began to lose its water as well. In the moment Xu Nuan stood in shock, all around them, lakes turned into dry pits, barren and empty.
“Gu Ze, look! What’s happening?”
At that moment, she had no time to dwell on her own heartache. She pushed Gu Ze away, tugging at his shirt and pointing at the desolate scenery around them.
Gu Ze's expression was calm, resembling his former self, but only by looking closely into his eyes could one see his unwavering determination.
“Is it because I smashed that Motor?”
Gu Ze stood up first and reached out to help the weak-legged Xu Nuan to her feet.
Once Xu Nuan was upright, she quickly shook off Gu Ze's hand and surveyed their surroundings carefully.
“You saw that Motor at Lake Bottom too? No wonder we ended up here.”
Gu Ze nodded but didn’t ask what had happened to Xu Nuan after she fell into the water or what she had seen before she found herself here alone.
This was another form of loss and recovery; first came the need to cherish what remained. There would be plenty of time ahead to uncover all that was amiss.
The two of them scanned their surroundings again and chose different directions to walk for a while. After failing to find any familiar sights, they returned to their original spot.
“The locator device has no signal again.”
Gu Ze glanced at the Tail Ring on his right hand, feeling a bit helpless.
Xu Nuan, on the other hand, was quite realistic.
"We originally had two choices: we could go find them, or they could come find us. But I just realized that we don't have a backpack, no food or tools. It seems we can only wait for them to come to us."
Thinking about how he had thrown away the only tool he had when he shattered the core of the Motor, Gu Ze fell silent and couldn't respond.
After a while, Gu Ze finally spoke.
"Hang must have noticed I was missing and pieced together what happened, then set off to look for me."
"Let's hope so."
Xu Nuan believed that not everyone would trust that someone could cross from one body of water to another. Of course, she was unaware that Xu Hang had suggested this possibility even before Gu Ze did.
The two of them ended up sitting silently by the shore of a dry lake, exchanging glances without words.
How could they be silent? Gu Ze had so much to say but didn't know where to start. His heart was filled with anxiety after making a decision.
Xu Nuan also had plenty on her mind but chose not to speak at that moment. She wanted to wait for a more suitable time. She always believed that those who harm others will eventually be harmed themselves. She didn't want to hurt anyone, nor did she want to be hurt.
It was like a painting—there was sunlight and white clouds, green trees and an empty lake, along with water birds standing by the shore in a daze. The two of them sat side by side, swinging their legs over the pit like children in the countryside, performing the most natural actions with the most sincere thoughts as they welcomed an unknown future.
When Xu Hang and his companions hurriedly arrived at this place, they were met with this scene and inexplicably felt reluctant to disturb it.
In this Life-and-Death Game, every moment was thrilling; each step was a dance on the edge of a knife. This was something that those who once lived in civilized society could hardly accept.
However, from their initial inability to accept it, their disgust and pain, they eventually grew accustomed to the way of survival here. Whether facing bizarre mutated beasts or perilous natural disasters, or threats from humanity itself, they adapted. In the end, they all discovered one thing.
In this game, there is no difference from the outside world. There are certainly people with malicious intentions, and pitfalls are everywhere. They cannot sail smoothly in the game, just as they do not in reality.
Perhaps, after becoming accustomed to a life of bloodshed, their mindset will change significantly when they return to the real world.
Survival is the most important thing.
To enjoy what one desires within a limited lifespan, to pursue the life one wishes to live, rather than going with the flow or being pushed along by others.
Living life at one's own pace is truly a blessing.
With this thought in mind, they observed Gu Ze and Xu Nuan's most natural expressions, feeling a mix of admiration while not wanting to intrude.
If one can find a kindred spirit in the game, it is indeed a blessing and perhaps the greatest reward from entering this perilous game.
Although some among them had already experienced a shift in mindset during the thrilling challenges, evolving from being forced into action to eagerly seeking rewards or other adventures. However, forming such a team is truly a stroke of luck.
Eventually, Xu Hang and the others had no choice but to interrupt Gu Ze and Xu Nuan.
The pit left by the receding lake began to crack, followed by tremors that shook the ground. In the distance, trees were falling in the forest, and animals were fleeing in all directions. The group also sensed the ground beneath their feet splitting apart, as if it were a prelude to an earthquake.
"Ze, we should leave now."
Xu Hang reminded Gu Ze. However, when Gu Ze stood up and Xu Hang saw the expression on his face and the emotions in his eyes, he felt both shocked and relieved.
This was yet another fortunate encounter in the game; his friend had regained his fighting spirit.
The five of them quickly gathered together amidst the shaking earth and hurriedly fled in the same direction. To their surprise, they soon spotted the long-missed Special Tree.
Overjoyed, they quickly chose their path along the Special Tree. Against a backdrop of flying birds and fleeing beasts, they ran swiftly, leaving the crumbling ground far behind them. Ahead awaited them was the hopeful Supply Station.
Perhaps it was due to the unexpected destruction of a core part of this challenge, but the path along the Special Tree was surprisingly smooth. After two hours, they finally found the Supply Station.
The first half of their journey was fraught with difficulties, causing two companions to lose their way, while the latter half went remarkably well. Before they even realized it, they had reached their destination.
Such is the great joy and sorrow of life.
The group rushed into the Supply Station; some went to find food, others took showers, and a few habitually began counting the items they needed to take with them. Eventually, they all gathered in the lounge to rest.
A night without dreams.
On the following morning, they gradually woke up, refreshed and ready, shouldering their backpacks as they opened the door.
The green screen on the door displayed a prominent message:
Deadly Cliff.
No challenge was without its dangers; this was a realization shared by all.
The steep mountainside was covered in grayish-yellow rocks, overrun with wild grass in shades of yellow and green. It sloped down from a not-so-high peak, resembling an amusement ride for players to experience a landslide. However, they all understood that such an experience could be fatal.
Looking around, they saw that most of their surroundings were filled with Lespedeza shrubs or low coniferous forests, which opened up their field of vision significantly. Despite it being early morning, the colors were darkened by ominous clouds rolling in from the horizon, filling them with a sense of foreboding.
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