Chapter 648: Chapter 648: The Final Counterattack, Two Bottles of Poison

"I love!... "

The moment her consciousness snapped back, the words in her mouth cut off. She instinctively covered her mouth in surprise.

Why had she, in front of all these people, been yelling "I love you" like that?

Who was she even professing love to? It couldn't possibly be anyone else.

With her looks and status, she always moved through the world untouched, taking what she needed from one admirer after another, then withdrawing without a trace.

So how did she end up confessing in the middle of the street?

Her throat even felt sore now, clearly from having shouted for a long time.

"What... what am I doing?"

Her voice rasping, she muttered hesitantly, only then realizing her throat had gone hoarse like this.

All around her were people roaring, vocally professing their love to that pervert in the sky.

When she looked up, she couldn't even see any figure in the heavens; all she saw were one pink bubble after another, like balloons released into the air, drifting across the sky.

Those who had already been eliminated showed no sign of dejection. Dressed in qipaos, their expressions were a strange mix of confusion and fanaticism.

The people around her reached out one after another, firing beams of light haphazardly, hoarse voices tearing as if they were zombies.

Zhong Li Rui's pupils had constricted to pinprick size, her mouth agape and trembling uncontrollably, her whole body shaking!

Even though she had been awakened, the eerie sight before her felt like witnessing something indescribable, a chill and tremor that came from the soul.

Her legs faltered; she nearly fell flat. Shock was no longer sufficient to describe what she felt—everything that had been in her had been shattered.

Impossible...

Impossible to defeat him...

At that moment, a thunderclap of a voice sounded inside her head, a voice she recognized—the same one that had spoken when Lust had approached her before.

"Hurry! Don't stand there! Run to a place that offers cover!"

That voice instantly lent her strength. Her leaden legs moved again, and she dashed into a nearby shop.

She still had a backer!

A god was helping her!

At the same time, in the sky, Lu Ce's mind was filled with a grinding, gnashing voice.

"Don't get too cocky! It's not over yet."

The Lust force that had been suppressed surged again, frantically trying to wrest control of the spirit-manipulation from Sin, but clearly it was having little effect.

"Ah~ like a mantis trying to stop a chariot?" Lust chuckled.

Lust had never expected in its existence to be described by a human using such a phrase.

"Or is this an attempt to divert attention? Heh..."

Lust: ...

"Did you think I didn't see it? Pathetic theater, trying to distract me at a time like this?"

"But what a pity, I'm simply too strong."

"Still, if you want to play tricks to make things more entertaining, then I suppose that shows you have some guile."

Lust's words dripped with condescension, even a hint of teasing cruelty.

Today, it was unlucky for Lust to encounter him here. Hearing him speak, it fell into a rare silence.

Beside him, Xie Antong stiffened slightly when she heard it—she hadn't expected the other side to notice anything amiss.

Her eyes had been fixed on Zhong Li Rui; the instant she had been awakened, she had sensed it.

She raised one hand, the two eyeballs of the All-Seeing Eye circling around her, and after a moment's hesitation, they shot out like lightning, chasing after the fleeing Zhong Li Rui.

If Lu Ce's Lust had confidence now, she wouldn't bother trying to warn him.

First see what this so-called backup move actually was.

...

Inside that dim shop, Zhong Li Rui cowered, trembling all over.

"The chance is here. The offer I told you about before, are you ready?"

Ready?

Don't talk about being ready—she couldn't even keep her balance properly!

"I... I was injected with a potion by Blank. If I don't get the antidote within half an hour, I'll die..."

Hearing the voice in her head, Zhong Li Rui stammered.

Lust: ?

No, there's no such potion! You were duped and instantly frightened, right?

But there was no time for picking at details. That Blank clearly didn't want to be controlled, and besides, she had already obtained that card!

Only this person before her mattered!

"It's okay, don't be afraid. I am Lust!"

Having just been savagely humiliated over at Sin's side, it still had to put on airs and assert its authority.

"She took a little potion; I have already cleared it from you."

"I have been watching you, observing your performance. You did very well!"

Zhong Li Rui: ?

I did... well? How is that good?

"Now the game has reached its most critical moment. All other players have been bewitched by Sin; only you remain clear-headed."

"I chose you. If you succeed, after today you will ascend directly, becoming the first Ascendant in this world!"

The words "the first Ascendant!" struck the deepest chord in her. The fantasy of a single leap to the top nearly shattered all reason.

It was pitiful how the Apostles organization fared: Xie Antong had used others up, and now Lust wanted to make use of her too.

"Can... can I really?"

"Of course, you deserve it!"

Under Sin's earlier influence, Zhong Li Rui's spirit had already been fragile. Now that a "god" had whispered at her, she believed it instantly.

Then a wave of exquisite bliss washed over her. She suddenly realized her special Ability Card had been activated!

"I... I have an Ability Card?"

"Thank you!"

Overjoyed, she took it for a divine blessing and couldn't help but read aloud the effect.

"Special ability effect: For a period of time, you will not be affected by any game rules or restrictions!"

That's it!

Hearing her speak it, a part of Lust's manifestation couldn't help cheering inwardly; this was Lust's final contingency, the last means of escape prepared by He. If nothing else worked, this was the exit strategy.

"What does this mean?" Zhong Li Rui asked.

"This is prepared for him, to force him to drink it, two bottles of poison!"

Lust's voice even struggled to maintain its authority now, its teeth gnashing.

On one hand, since the game began it had been suppressed and felt deeply frustrated.

On the other hand, its main body was still suffering inside Lust's own host!

"Then what should I do?"

"Attack him directly!"

Zhong Li Rui: ?

"Ah?"