Apocalyptic Wasteland Simulator

Chapter 274 - 269: Choice
Chen Pingchuan stood up and began pacing back and forth in the rather spacious room, his face a mask of indecision.
Let’s do it! he thought. Even if I were given countless more chances, the best possible outcome would still be what happened in this simulation. Besides, the mecha option is gone for good.

Chen Pingchuan’s gaze drifted out the window to the starry sky. Although his choice would inevitably make him a poor man again, he had no regrets. At this moment, he felt invigorated.

I am the savior! I choose: Unstable Space Travel (Skill), Divine Tree Fruit (Item), and Solidify Object: Devour the World Tree.

[Ding! Reward selection complete. Deducted 1,200,000 Simulation Value. Remaining Simulation Value: 22,042]

The next moment, a strange sensation washed over Chen Pingchuan. He felt as if he could see the Divine Tree, hundreds of thousands of kilometers away. It felt like his own child.

Ugh... my child...

Damn it!

He immediately severed the connection in his mind.

He didn’t immediately rush to choose from the dazzling array of simulation rewards. Instead, he simply pursed his lips and whispered, ”Attribute panel!”

[Name: Chen Pingchuan]

[Profession: Student, Laborer, Weapon Master, Charlatan]

[Age: 20]

[Status: Emotional Trait Anomaly]

[Strength: 41.2] (Talent in effect; 1 point is the average for an adult male)

[Agility: 12.8]

[Spirit: 15.4]

[Physique: 18.2]

[Skills: Sleight of Hand (Rule), Bloody Plunder (Purple), Body Merges with Heaven and Earth (Blue), Mutation (Silver)]

[Title: None]

[Achievements: Worse than a Beast (One Star), Loli Abductor (Two Stars), Strongest Trash King (Two Stars), Insect Race’s Godslayer (Four Stars) (Rare Unique)]

[Special State: Divine Blessing]

[Talents: Double Strength (Green), Heavenly Dao Rewards Diligence (Green), Symbiosis (Silver, Light), 24k Titanium Alloy Dog Eyes (Yellow), Friend of Women (White, Growable), Eyes Open in Death (Special), I Am the Heavenly Dao (Purple)]

[Temporarily Retained Simulation Rewards: None]

Looking at this panel, it would be hard for anyone to believe these were the physical stats of a twenty-year-old man. You see, even in this cyber world, the most fundamental laws had to be obeyed. Regardless of which evolutionary path one chose, reaching this level at his age was almost unheard of. It’s not that such people didn’t exist, but you could count them on one hand.

Not bad at all! Chen Pingchuan concluded to himself.

After that, he didn’t continue with the simulation. Instead, he lay down on his bed, gazed at the star-filled night sky, and drifted off to sleep.

He slept so deeply it felt as if heaven and earth had faded away, a slumber that spanned eons.

In the morning, the bright sunlight shone warmly on Chen Pingchuan’s face.

He slowly opened his eyes and sat bolt upright with a fluid motion. Looking at the utter mess in the room, he thought about his loss of control the previous day.

It seems I’m becoming more and more temperamental. Getting worked up over such a small thing… this isn’t like my old, carefree self at all. Could it be because of the Anger trait? Speaking of which, where is the Arrogance? Why can’t I feel its presence at all?

Unable to figure it out, Chen Pingchuan decided to drop it. He quickly washed up, knowing from the simulation prompt that the day ahead was going to be busy.

And indeed it was.

That morning, a stream of lavishly dressed guests began to arrive. Chen Pingchuan had changed into a special uniform. The cocktail shaker danced wildly in his hands, like a nimble elf. He quickly lost count of how many drinks he’d made; all he knew was that he never stopped. As for the drink itself, after much deliberation, he had settled on ”Paradise of Bliss.”

In any case, they should enjoy the last leg of their life’s journey as much as possible, he thought. The hand that gives a rose is left with its fragrance. Chen Pingchuan felt like one of those anonymous good-doers.

Mixing drinks was no simple task, especially those with special effects.

In the courtyard, the guests laughed and clinked their glasses together, filled with anticipation for the ”Paradise of Bliss” that was about to be served. Meanwhile, Chen Pingchuan was busy behind a temporary bar set up on the lawn, an odd smile occasionally playing on his lips.

As glasses of ”Paradise of Bliss” were brought to the tables, the guests took a tentative sip, and their faces bloomed with expressions of delighted surprise.

”This is the best drink I’ve ever had in my life!”

”Absolutely! A single taste of this makes life worth living!”

The guests heaped praise upon the wonders of ”Paradise of Bliss,” but not a single one of them noticed Chen Pingchuan’s placid expression.

”Hey!”

Suddenly, a crisp female voice made Chen Pingchuan’s hands freeze. He knew who it was just from her voice. Trying his best to control his expression, he looked up and revealed a fake smile.

”Miss Xu, good morning!”

Looking at the insincere smile on his face, Xu Lingyin felt an inexplicable chill run down her spine. Perhaps it’s because I dislike such sycophantic people, she silently rationalized.

Then, she continued, ”I heard from the servants that you smashed everything in your room last night.”

As she said this, Xu Lingyin felt things were proceeding along a familiar script. She gave her luxurious gown a little tug, casually shifting into what she considered her most attractive pose. In the past, countless admirers had fallen at her feet. She believed Chen Pingchuan would be no different, even if he did have a seemingly wonderful female companion for whom he had been captured.

But men are men, she mused. What cat doesn’t sneak a taste of fish?

With this in mind, Xu Lingyin’s voice took on an enticing tone. ”I know you’re resentful, and I know you’re capable. Don’t worry, I won’t control you forever. Just do your job well. One year. Just give me one year, and not only will I let you go, I’ll also give you enough money to last a lifetime. How does that sound?”

The sarcastic curl of Chen Pingchuan’s lips deepened. This woman really takes me for an idiot, thinking she can placate me with such an empty promise?

Outwardly, however, he remained perfectly composed. He gave a slight bow and replied with feigned humility, ”I am endlessly grateful for your generosity, Miss Xu. I will certainly do my utmost.”

Seeing him so compliant, Xu Lingyin felt a surge of pride, assuming Chen Pingchuan was just like all the others she had captured before.

She nodded lightly. ”Good. Keep up the good work. I’m going to check on things over there.”

As Xu Lingyin turned to leave, Chen Pingchuan called out to stop her.

”Miss Xu, allow me to mix a special drink just for you.”

As he spoke, he looked directly into Xu Lingyin’s eyes, his hands moving with increasing speed.

Very soon, a glass of ”Paradise of Bliss,” identical to what the other guests were having, was ready.

Just as Xu Lingyin was about to take the drink, Chen Pingchuan stopped her again.

”Not so fast. There’s one more.”

Xu Lingyin stared at Chen Pingchuan, utterly confused. What does he mean? Why is he making two drinks for me? One is more than enough to give me memories that will last a lifetime. Could it be…