Chapter 106: Chapter 106: Depressive Feedback; Legendary Black Knight

Most people probably just felt fear and awe, but the distance was too great, and from so far away, they didn’t really feel anything more.

But everyone on the Peak Ranking list—almost all of them felt an odd sense of crisis and frowned a little.

You have to understand, this is the world’s top 100—there are no real weaklings. Most of them have three consecutive Perfect Completions under their belts.

Either they’re naturally skilled, have powerful Extraordinary Powers, or are equipped with top-tier gear—every one of these hundred players is proud and sees themselves as someone destined to change the world.

With that kind of confidence naturally comes comparison and competition. No one wants to admit they’re truly below someone else.

And yet now, someone had actually chosen Hell Mode for themselves and managed to directly slay another top-100 contestant!

That revealed at least three things.

First, this person’s personality must be absolutely ruthless—not the kind to show mercy.

Second, he strikes with such extreme precision and finality that the other guy didn’t even have time to use an Exit Token!

For top-tier players, the existence of someone like this felt like a thorn in their backs. They couldn’t help but wonder—what if it had been me?

And right after that, the system voice broadcasted the global announcement.

It was “Sin’s” victory statement.

【Hope the next one isn’t this weak. Also hope... you’re mentally prepared like I am.】

It wasn’t even a very arrogant line. Since he wasn’t wearing his mask, Lu Ce kept it relatively calm. But even that one short sentence carried overwhelming confidence that hit everyone head-on.

What kind of mental preparation was he talking about?

——Once the challenge begins, it’s life or death!

In an instant, among the top-ranked players, some grew wary and observant, others were eager to fight. Top players all over the world had their eyes locked on this strongest player.

“So much bloodlust...”

“Interesting. Someone this fun actually exists in the world, haha. Sooner or later, we’ll meet.”

“He wears a mask... hides his identity. There’s no way he’s a lone wolf. Better keep observing until we know more.”

“Are we sure he’s from Huaguo?”

“......”

Many voices surrounded that violent and mysterious figure. Another player wearing a helmet, “Blank,” despite having Legendary-tier gear, was selectively ignored.

Meanwhile, Xie Antong had already been teleported back to her own room after a quick settlement.

Only this time, her usual routine of gathering and compiling intel—she didn’t do any of it.

The empty study room had only one screen in front of her. Behind that screen was a supercomputer ranked among the top 100 in all of Asia for processing power.

No extravagant decorations. Just this pinnacle of human engineering said everything that needed to be said about wealth.

She sat in her chair, quietly lowering her head. Her hands were still trembling slightly as she tried to calm her heart.

Her mind had almost nothing in it—just Sin’s words, replaying over and over again.

Was he right?

Was he really right?

His judgment must’ve been wrong...

......

Her mind was now filled with endless self-doubt and denial.

Emotionally, she was also going through the side effects.

Using Sealed Artifacts comes with obvious side effects, but that doesn’t mean everything else is side-effect-free.

Just like how prolonged sword use causes fatigue—fatigue is the “side effect” of swords.

The All-Seeing Eye’s boost to the brain also came with a heavy mental drain. And the effect of the Brainwave Amplifier Drug had completely worn off.

Her current state was like a genius slowly regressing into an idiot—a depressing drop that hit hard.

This was the biggest aftereffect of using the All-Seeing Eye—Depressive Feedback.

Usually, after using it, the worst she felt was a temporary low mood. But this time, it was truly serious.

“Sin’s” words had struck her to the core—something she hadn’t anticipated at all.

Right now, she just wanted to break down and cry, even go hysterical. But clearly, that was something she couldn’t allow herself to do.

Under rational control, she just curled up in her chair, gently trembling.

Letting out a long breath, she confirmed no one else was in the room. Then, with one hand over her face, tears slowly seeped through her fingers.

“So f***ing pathetic....”

The thing she’d always been proud of had been shattered. Her earlier rebuttal felt like a panicked, desperate flail.

The room fell quiet, leaving her alone to slowly digest everything.

......

Over on Lu Ce’s side, things were a little better. After exiting the game, he didn’t think about what the other person had said.

Power always comes first. If everyone will eventually be consumed by desire, then he chooses power—no matter the cost.

He glanced at his phone. No messages like usual. After thinking for a moment, he turned it off.

Then, he summoned his Black Knight.

Now he had two Two-World Backpack slots—one held his Mysterious Cloak, the other now held the Black Knight.

It was his first Legendary Weapon, so he still needed to get used to it.

In this cramped little room, the massive object looked even bulkier—nearly touching the ceiling. Lu Ce had no choice but to curl up on his little bed.

This thing looked like a motorcycle, but Lu Ce was pretty sure it’d never be street-legal. The body was too solid, the design too monstrous. It just didn’t look like it followed any traffic rules.

Especially the edges—they were almost as sharp as blades!

But what was really bugging Lu Ce right now was the weapon’s tier, so he started checking the game’s basic item description.

“This thing... so it’s the result of combining the original Black Knight with the Mechanical Heart, right?”

【Correct.】

“But I don’t really see any changes... aren’t the functions the same?”

“Also, the original Black Knight was Legendary, and the Mechanical Heart was also a Legendary-tier component. So now this thing’s rank is...?”

【Legendary-tier!】

The game system gave a firm answer.

“F***!”

Lu Ce felt like he’d been ripped off. He muttered to himself:

“So it’s like I added it and nothing changed? Not even the appearance! It’s not even as good as the Mysterious Cloak. Totally useless......”

As soon as he finished talking, another voice echoed through the cramped room.

“Whoa whoa whoa—what do you mean ‘useless,’ bro? That kinda talk hurts, y’know?”

Lu Ce: ???