Apocalyptic Wasteland Simulator

Chapter 54: Trap! Some People Just Don’t Think
”What does he want? It’s obvious he’s just playing with you, and you’re only realizing it now. I really don’t understand how someone with your IQ managed to become a Grand Elder.”

Chen Pingchuan complained about Elder Ye Hu’s thought process. He couldn’t understand why she would so easily place her life in someone else’s hands. If it were him, he would have at least put up a fight. He might have even won. And even if he lost, could the situation possibly be any worse than this?

In truth, it was understandable that Chen Pingchuan was confused. Although he had been in this world for three years, he had never set foot outside the outer districts of Spring City. As such, he couldn’t objectively grasp the mindsets and cognitive frameworks of this world. On the surface, the continent was ruled by the Royal Family of the Great Ming Empire. In reality, however, its territory had long been carved up and occupied by different, self-governing civilizations.

Just among the powers Chen Pingchuan was aware of, there were three major types: the Genetic Warriors, who enhanced their strength primarily through genetic potions; the Blood Beast Ban, whose members swapped genes with their tamed beasts; and Celestial Palace One, with its steel Mechanical Team. These factions could be roughly categorized as genetic, biological, and mechanical. Due to their different methods of advancement, the factions were fundamentally incompatible. Even if they maintained a basic level of civility on the surface, they were secretly engaged in constant conflict.

In the simulations, neither the Blood Beast Ban nor Celestial Palace One ever considered the opinion of the City of No Night’s City Lord when they wanted to achieve their goals. This was simply the rule of this world. When an individual’s power could shatter the heavens and earth, granting them transcendent status, schemes and plots became far less effective. Thus, people focused on increasing their personal strength. Certain unspoken rules also came into being, like the preferential treatment for captives that Elder Ye Hu had mentioned. But the divine Chen Pingchuan from the simulation would never be one to play by the rules.

[Faced with Elder Ye Hu’s questioning, you once again reveal a sinister smile. The expression on your face makes her heart tremble; such a dark, evil smile was enough to strike fear into a level-seven master.]

[You tell Elder Ye Hu that you want to play a shameful little game with her, instructing her not to be afraid because you won’t kill her. However, your words of comfort have no positive effect, instead making Elder Ye Hu even more terrified.]

[Seeing her expression, you shake your head slightly and say, ”I don’t like that look on your face.” Then, you approach her step by step, telling her the game is about to begin.]

[Your life’s path has reached a pivotal juncture. Please make your decision wisely.]

[Option A: Choose to let your divine self act as it wishes. Although its behavior is somewhat extreme, you must realize that you are one and the same. It will not harm you; it will only make you stronger, though it sometimes indulges in some minor, cruel fun.]

[Option B: Choose to restrain the actions of your divine self. To hell with the divine self! You must show it who the true master of this body is. Making such a willful choice would not be strange; after all, this is who you truly are.]

According to my own personality, I would probably, maybe, possibly...

Chen Pingchuan didn’t dare to think any further. When he read novels in his previous life, he had desperately wished he could transmigrate and become the protagonist, and he loved protagonists with a decisive and ruthless style. But now that it was his turn, he was uncertain. After all, despite having insight beyond that of an ordinary person, he was still psychologically immature. Even though he had experienced being hunted and killed by various factions countless times in the simulations, he was still very much alive in reality. He felt anger, yes, but not true hatred.

Sigh... Forget it. I’ll just go along with his plan. After all, he’s more rational than I am, and he grows faster. I choose A.

[Congratulations on making a wise choice. The divine self possesses intuition beyond that of an ordinary person. Choosing it is like choosing the optimal solution. You will, however, need to pay a small price, though it might also come as an unconventional reward.]

Chen Pingchuan was baffled by the simulator’s information. What price? What consequences could there possibly be in a simulation?

In the real world, on a remote, unfamiliar island tens of thousands of kilometers from the continent’s edge, a pitch-black, spherical shadow suddenly appeared in the starlight within a natural cave. Bathed in the faint light, it gradually took the shape of a human. He stood tall, seemingly discerning his direction, before rushing into the dark cave with lightning speed. The pained cry of a beast rang out moments later.

[Elder Ye Hu thrashes her body and limbs in terror. Yet, no matter how hard she struggles, it’s all in vain. You taunt her, ”Don’t you know that the shackles your Blood Beast Ban uses to restrain people are made of a titanium alloy?”]

[Elder Ye Hu clearly feels your ridicule. While desperately trying to break free from the shackles on her wrists and ankles, she screams at you in despair, ”Why?! I’ve already agreed to join your Holy Spirit Sect! Why are you still treating me like this?”]

[You see right through Elder Ye Hu’s little trick. You, however, are unexpectedly good-natured, patiently explaining to her, ”Don’t waste your energy. No sound can escape from here, and even if it could, no one would come to save you.”]

[You gently sweep Elder Ye Hu’s long hair behind her neck. She continuously shakes her head, trying to avoid your touch and resisting your actions. You softly rub her beast ears and continue to explain, ”You should know this yourself. Although you verbally agreed to join the sect, are you truly willing in your heart?”]

[You declare that without a pious heart, one is unworthy of becoming a member of the Holy Spirit Sect.]

[Under Elder Ye Hu’s horrified gaze, you tear all her clothes to shreds. Just when she thinks you are about to do something beastly to her, you don’t even spare her a glance.]

[First, you loosen the thick metal chains connecting her shackles to give her more room to move. Then, you turn to leave. Before stepping out of the room, you state coldly, ”From today onward, you are forbidden to wear clothes.”]

[After your silhouette completely vanishes from her sight, she can no longer control the overwhelming humiliation. She crosses her arms over her chest, crouches down, and shivers uncontrollably. She suddenly understands the meaning of a fate worse than death, and tears stream endlessly down her face.]

”This...”

Chen Pingchuan’s eyes flew wide open. His previously drowsy mind was shocked as if doused by a bucket of cold water, snapping him wide awake.

What on earth are you doing? I can understand killing an enemy, but treating a lady... erm, a Fox Lady, like this... It isn’t very gentlemanly or proper.

Chen Pingchuan tried his best to figure out the intentions of his divine self. He was now trying to understand his other self’s way of thinking. He didn’t want to rely solely on this other self’s behavior during simulations. While the results were excellent, the methods didn’t align with his own style. In the future, he would need to replicate these actions in reality. If they were too deranged, he’d have a hard time perfectly reenacting them.

Suddenly, a word flashed through Chen Pingchuan’s mind. To confirm his suspicion, he continued the simulation.