Foolish Game of the Gods - Chapter 196

Cheng Shi was numb. He felt like he was reporting to a boss with absolutely no “emotional intelligence.”

Seriously? You forced me to sign an illegal employment contract, and now you want me to smile? Who could possibly smile in this situation?

I’m here to work, not to be pushed around!

If you’re not satisfied, fine, how about I cry for you instead?

But Cheng Shi still smiled.

Survival, after all, isn’t shameful.

It was just that the smile was a bit stiff.

The eyes glanced at him again, emotionlessly, and snorted coldly: “If you don’t want to smile, you don’t have to force it.”

You said it.

Cheng Shi instantly wiped the smile off his face, replacing it with a cold expression, just like the Patron before him.

“…”

The swiftness of the expression change left [Fate] momentarily speechless.

The spirals in the whites of His eyes began to whirl erratically, taking a long time to settle. Watching this, Cheng Shi felt a slight tremor of fear.

He… isn’t angry, is He~

I did exactly what He asked, didn’t improvise…

The eyes narrowed, studying Cheng Shi for a long time. The slightly fluctuating gaze finally returned to its icy calm before asking coldly:

“Why not take the 6?”

No particular reason, just making a statement: I don’t want to be arranged by [Gods].

But he couldn’t say that. Fortunately, Cheng Shi had already prepared his response. Without hesitation, he replied:

“What is destined, is destined.

On the predetermined path of fate, no one can change its destiny. No, even if there is an existence that transcends everything capable of changing it, it will inevitably return to its predetermined fate.

That is what true destiny means.

And I was merely helping to correct its course.”

The moment his words fell, the entire void erupted in psychedelic colors, as if all of nothingness resonated with Cheng Shi’s echo!

Even in those cold eyes, a flicker of… appreciation appeared.

Yes, appreciation.

The stars twinkled, the spirals reversed. Cheng Shi never thought he would see amusement in [Fate]’s eyes.

But He did smile, and His smile was more beautiful than [Deceit]’s!

Whether it was the flattery of “transcending everything” or the self-declaration of “inevitably return to its predetermined fate,” both deeply pleased Him.

Indeed!

He should have always been [Fate]’s favored one!

“Good. Very good.”

The eyes’ joy lasted only a brief moment. Ignoring the dumbfounded Cheng Shi, He returned to His cold demeanor, but the indifference was clearly gone from His tone.

“When fate’s favor shines upon you, even the predetermined can be changed.

Steadfastness is worthy of praise, but change should also be celebrated.

As a favored one of [Fate], remember this: do not cling rigidly to the past, nor blindly follow convention.

Your understanding of [Predetermination] shows insight, but you are still mistaken on one point. What transcends everything is not [Existence], but…

[Void].”

“…”

For the first time, Cheng Shi felt his comprehension skills were lacking. Compared to [Fate]’s riddles, he much preferred the straightforward lies of [Deceit].

At least lying was simpler.

No wonder [Fate]’s fanatics always acted so mysteriously. If the Patron was like this, how could they not “follow suit”?

Although he still found it hard to “agree” for the time being, Cheng Shi knew how to play the game, how to handle the boss. He nodded sincerely, looking as if he had absorbed all the lesson content.

[Fate] remained noncommittal.

The atmosphere turned cold again. The man and the God stared at each other awkwardly, neither finding a way to start the next topic.

[Silence]… didn’t dare intrude on His territory.

Finally, Cheng Shi braced himself and broke the awkward silence, asking with a forced smile the question that concerned him most.

“Um… Lord Patron…”

He hadn’t even finished the sentence, just hearing “Lord Patron,” and the void fluctuated again. The corners of the eyes lifted slightly as He hummed in response:

“Speak.”

“…” Was about to speak, but you interrupted.

Cheng Shi rubbed his forehead helplessly and continued:

“Since I now forsake… accept Your protection, then that other one…”

Cheng Shi was interrupted again.

“No matter. Pay it no mind.

It knows it’s uninteresting and won’t trouble you.”

“…Uh, I meant the oathbreaker’s curse, Lord Patron. The game’s oathbreaker curs…”

“Hmph. That is merely Its jealousy and envy. Since you are under my protection, I naturally won’t let that fire touch you in the slightest.

How to deal with It is not your concern.”

Huh?

Wait, whose jealousy and envy?

Why does that sound so awkward?

Also, what should I be concerned about then? How to get along with You?

Aside from telling little lies, I’m actually quite easy to get along with, but You…

Tsk, hard to say.

Cheng Shi didn’t dare make a sound. He nodded mechanically, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts.

He wasn’t one to dwell excessively. Since his faith had shifted, he would accept it. He firmly believed this was all part of a grand amusement orchestrated by the God of Fun.

Because, given [Deceit]’s nature, He wouldn’t suffer such a huge “loss” for nothing. So his oathbreaking was likely already anticipated by Him.

No, He might have even pushed it along Himself!

What on earth does He want!?

Even if it’s being an undercover agent, shouldn’t I go to the rival [Memory]? What’s the point of being undercover in [Fate]?

To attack my fellow Fate Path travelers?

Wait!

Cheng Shi frowned, suddenly remembering what Hu Wei had said about faith fusion.

Could he have been telling the truth?

Could the God of Fun be planning a fusion between Himself and [Fate], and that’s why He sent me as the vanguard?

But after breaking an oath, there’s only one faith. How can there be fusion?

Cheng Shi had many questions swirling in his mind. Usually, when meeting [Deceit], he dared to voice these questions and demand answers. But now, facing [Fate], he had no idea how to start, or even if he should.

So the silence descended once more.

Again, [Silence] didn’t dare intrude on His territory. This time, it was the eyes that broke the awkwardness.

“If you have doubts, ask.

I am the essence of [Void], perceiving the truth of the cosmos, knowing much.

Even things It does not know, I can answer for you.”

“!!!”

Cheng Shi hadn’t expected such words. He stared incredulously at the eyes before him, feeling as if He were a complete stranger.

Something’s not right. [Fate] is much easier to communicate with than I thought!

Why didn’t I notice this before?

But even so, Cheng Shi didn’t dare to speak as freely as he did before [Deceit]. He cautiously tested the waters with a question:

“[Birth] saved me during the trial judgment of [Order]. Was it… You who called Him?”

The phrase “I have come to honor my promise” still echoed in his mind. Thinking back, the only explanation he could come up with was the divine game involving at least three [Gods].

But this was related to the anecdotes of [Gods], something players weren’t supposed to know. Cheng Shi didn’t expect a real answer; he was just testing the “limits” of conversation with [Fate].

To his surprise, the cold eyes before him responded, and truthfully at that.

“Yes, and no.

He merely reached some agreements with me and [Truth].

I rewrote the fate of [Birth]’s envoy. In return, He needed to shield ‘my follower’ from one calamity.”

His follower!?

Indeed!

Cheng Shi’s pupils constricted. He hadn’t expected his guess to be correct.