281: Chapter 281 It's My Fault for Being Too Honest

The result of this trial would undoubtedly be the lowest possible evaluation.

Still feeling a bit curious, Chen You opened his inventory.

It would have been better if he hadn't looked; seeing it only made him angrier.

【Heavenly Mandate Divine Stone: Grease on the Soles (Rare)】

【Effect: When Health is below 10%, your Movement Speed increases by 50% for 10 seconds. Cooldown: 24 hours.】

【Description: If you can't win, run. Speed is king. Remember, as long as the green hills remain, there's no need to worry about firewood.】

“...”

Chen You stared expressionlessly at this stone emitting a faint blue light, feeling his blood pressure rising slowly but steadily.

Rare?

This is it?

Grease on the Soles?

Who is this description trying to insult?

Just as he almost couldn't resist crushing this worthless stone on the spot, a loud system announcement rang out again.

【World Announcement (Thousand Light City Region): "Ancestors' Wrath" has been quelled! The soldiers and citizens of Thousand Light City have united as one to successfully repel the invasion of the undead army!】

【World Announcement (Thousand Light City Region): Adventurer "Chen You" turned the tide in this battle and achieved great merit. His heroic deeds will be recorded in the annals of Thousand Light City!】

【World Announcement (Thousand Light City Region): ...】

A series of announcements flooded the screen, pushing Chen You's prestige to a new peak once again.

Below the city walls, the surviving players erupted in deafening cheers, as countless fervent and worshipful gazes focused on that solitary, lofty figure atop the wall.

“God You is awesome!!”

“I knew it! With God You here, any natural disaster is just free experience!”

“Waaaah, God You, you're like a second parent to me! I finally reached Level 30!”

City Lord Meng De also led Meng Xiao and Cai Wenjuan, quickly walking to Chen You's side, his face filled with the relief of surviving a disaster and heartfelt gratitude.

“Brother Chen! Words cannot express my gratitude! If it weren't for you...”

However, before he could finish his sentence, he was interrupted by an icy look from Chen You.

At this moment, Chen You's face was so gloomy it looked like it could drip water.

Without even glancing at Meng De, he simply willed it and summoned that massive Giant Rabbit mount.

“Puji!”

The Giant Rabbit appeared, and Chen You flipped onto its back in one smooth, seamless motion without the slightest delay.

“Where are you going? The victory banquet...” Meng De asked hurriedly.

Chen You ignored him completely, only coldly spitting out three words.

“To Supreme Tower.”

Receiving the command, the Giant Rabbit's hind legs kicked out powerfully, leaping straight down from the several-meter-high city wall and landing heavily on the ground.

Then, it transformed into a bolt of white lightning, racing toward the center of Thousand Light City, leaving only a trail of dust.

It left behind a bewildered Meng De and a group of players looking at each other, unable to figure out the situation.

“...Wh-What's going on?”

“Why does God You look... so unhappy?”

“He just got a world announcement, why that expression? It's like he swallowed a fly...”

In the crowd, a player who prided himself as an 'Analysis Emperor' who saw through everything pushed up his non-existent glasses and said in a deep voice, with a tone of 'the world is drunk while I alone am sober':

“What do you guys know? This is what a true big shot is like!”

He looked around, enjoying the inquisitive gazes cast his way, and continued: “To us, successfully defending the city is a victory.”

“But for an existence at God You's level, this is far from enough! He must be reviewing the entire battle, feeling dissatisfied that he couldn't achieve perfection!”

“Exactly!” someone nearby immediately chimed in with sudden realization, echoing excitedly.

“Look, so many people died at the West Gate. Although it was our own doing, God You must have taken the responsibility upon himself! He's blaming himself!”

“Heavens! Is this the self-drive of the strong? Always dissatisfied with their own performance, always pursuing the ultimate!”

“I understand now. The gap between me and God You isn't just level and equipment, but our mental state!”

“Waaaah, God You, he really... I'm crying my eyes out!”

For a moment, all the players in the West Gate Plaza fell into a state of fanatical worship known as 'self-convincing'.

As they watched Chen You's departing back, the respect in their eyes deepened even further.

Meanwhile, Chen You, whom everyone had imagined to be a 'saint', was speeding through the streets full of rage.

He had only one thought.

Hille!

If you don't give me an explanation today, I'm not finished with you!

...

Supreme Tower.

It was still as magnificent, luxurious, and elegant as ever.

But this time, Chen You was in no mood for appreciation.

He practically kicked open the large doors made of South Sea Aloeswood, charging in with an aura of murderous intent.

Hille was still wearing that decent white dress, her long hair swaying gently in the breeze, with an eternal, poetic smile on her face.

“Welcome, esteemed supreme member.” Her voice was ethereal and soft. “The stars seem exceptionally bright today; they must be shining because of your achievements.”

Chen You walked up to her step by step and stopped.

“It's daytime.”

The curve of Hille's smile didn't change at all, as if she hadn't noticed the suppressed fury within him.

“When night falls, the starry sky will eventually shine because of you.” She tilted her head slightly, her posture elegant.

“May I ask if there is anything I can do for you?”

Chen You appeared very calm, but beneath that calmness was a volcano about to erupt.

“Hille.”

“The Heavenly Mandate Trial—you were the one behind it, weren't you?”

Hille blinked those eyes that seemed to contain a sea of stars, a perfectly timed look of confusion appearing on her face.

“I apologize, supreme member, Hille doesn't quite understand what you mean.”

“The Heavenly Mandate Trial is a supreme challenge driven by the fundamental rules of the world. Its content is completely random, designed to test the challenger's destiny and luck.”

“Stop pretending.” Chen You curled his lip into a cold sneer.

“That Dealer looked exactly like you. Even the smile on her face seemed like it was copy-pasted from yours.”

“Oh? Is that so?” Upon hearing this, Hille didn't panic; instead, she showed a bit of curiosity and joy.

She held her skirt and spun around gracefully, her white dress blooming like a lotus flower.

“It seems Hille's image data had the honor of being selected by the Heavenly Mandate System as one of the trial templates. This is truly my honor.”

Her tone was as sincere as if she were thanking her company for an annual award.

Chen You's fist tightened.

His knuckles made a slight popping sound from the friction.

Hille finally seemed to notice Chen You's anger and performed an elegant curtsy toward him.

“It appears to be Hille's oversight for not promptly explaining the corresponding rights of a supreme member to you.”

With a gentle wave of her hand, the surrounding scene of the magnificent hall instantly blurred, transforming into a deep starry sky.

“The content of the Heavenly Mandate Trial is completely random for ordinary Adventurers—a test of luck.”

Hille's voice echoed in the starry sky, carrying a strange allure.

“However, for you, esteemed supreme member...”

She paused, the commercial smile on her face becoming even more apparent.

“You possess the privilege of 'choice'.”