"0—"
As the countdown reached zero, the sequence game began deconstructing reality, and flowing pale blue data enveloped the world. The rules descended!
Alister opened his black eyes and found himself in the Linggu Valley District of the parallel world, with system interfaces appearing and disappearing.
"E-rank Area-level Sequence Game ready."
Except for the participating E-rank players, the Linggu Valley District was empty, a silent sea in the neon-lit city.
"Confirmed number of participating players: 985."
"Do the real coordinates match the scene coordinates..." Alister realized he was still on the rooftop of the building.
"Scene generated, containment objects deployed."
Amidst the countless high-rise buildings in the Linggu Valley District, players who had closed their sequence titles in the real world no longer hid. Their figures moved through the neon lights, showcasing their abilities to the fullest!
This was a world of players of the same rank, with no higher-ranked players involved!
The significance of sequence rankings would be maximized, with factors like intimidation, cooperation, and strategy considering the ranking differences between players!
As Alister pondered the gunshot from earlier, three consecutive system notifications suddenly appeared in his field of view!
"Rule One: Within the designated time, defeating containment objects counts as a game victory and will be recorded in the sequence rankings based on performance."
"Rule Two: Within the designated time, being defeated by containment objects or other players counts as a game defeat and returns the player to the real world."
"Rule Three: Within the designated time, engage in the struggle of sequences."
Alister absorbed the three rules and calmly assessed the situation. His shadow-like form, hands in his pockets, faced the night wind. He gazed at the five-hour countdown on the night sky and the active E-rank players within his field of view.
His thoughts started to churn as he analyzed the known information.
The opponents were containment objects of unknown strength, along with 984 other E-rank players. He also had to consider factors such as forming alliances, terrain advantages and disadvantages, and countering abilities...
To become the ultimate winner of this game, he needed to maximize the efficiency of his abilities with each activation, carefully plan his movements, and avoid revealing his whereabouts as much as possible.
To become a ghost-like presence in this game, unnoticed and untargeted by any player, and to strike only at crucial moments, guiding the situation...
Even when the game ended, and the dust settled, no one would know who the winner truly was...
To embody the essence of "shadow" until the end—Alister summarized it that way.
So, when the strategy had already taken shape, it meant—
With a faint smile, Alister's mysterious and elegant shadow cloak fluttered in the wind. He calmly declared:
"The game is already over."
And in the next second, as if echoing his words...
"Yes, the game is already over."
Behind him came the hoarse voice of an unfamiliar player and a sense of imminent danger from the sharp blade pointed at him. The night wind howled, and the stars and moon dimly illuminated the scene.
The man with sunglasses appeared without warning, staring at Alister, his long blade exuding a chilling aura, sending shivers down one's spine.
"E-rank 9,994,234th."
"When a martial artist points a weapon at your back..." Alister said calmly, "it means your game is already over."
In a confrontation among players of the same rank, if a martial artist got close to you, the outcome was basically determined.
"Is that so..." Alister tilted his head slightly.
As the man with sunglasses felt the deep and daunting gaze, an inexplicable fear washed over him, as if he were the prey whose game was already over.
But he gritted his teeth, quickly regaining his composure.
The man with sunglasses maintained his expression, keeping the stance with his blade, slowly approaching Alister.
"Heh..."
He sighed lightly and placed the blade against Alister's back, ready to strike at any moment.
"...Before I make a move..."
Alister made no movement, just gazing straight ahead with calmness, as if accepting his own defeat.
"Can I ask a question?" Alister's tone was flat.
The man with sunglasses furrowed his brow, then relaxed, thinking that the outcome was already certain. He sneered and replied, "Go ahead, I can be generous."
Alister, with his hands still in his pockets, smiled subtly and asked:
"Was it you who created the gunshot earlier?"
He wanted to clarify the specific situation of the gunshot at the beginning of the sequence game, as unknown variables were always the most dangerous and needed to be wary of.
"It wasn't me," the man with sunglasses pushed his glasses up and answered with a hint of amusement. "But what does it matter?"
What does it matter, indeed?
Even if it wasn't him, what does it matter?
Thinking this, Alister chuckled.
Alister seemed fully prepared, his tone relaxed as he said, "You can make your move now."
"Very well."
The man with sunglasses narrowed his eyes, a smirk forming on his lips, and the chilling long blade moved!
In an instant, a muffled sound, a piercing through flesh and blood.
It was a weak being, with its heart pierced, a heavy sound.
The red blood quickly soaked the shirt and coat, and all strength dissipated from the body, making breathing increasingly difficult. The man's eyes widened, disbelief filling his gaze as he looked down at his chest.
"You—"
Alister, paying no attention to what happened behind him, just turned around, coldly looking down at the man with sunglasses lying on the rooftop.
"Player eliminated."
He was marked by the system, and then slowly transformed into pale blue system data, sent back to reality.
At the same time, the clear and ethereal sound of the system notification rang in his ears.
"Player's sequence ranking has risen."
"Player's current sequence: E-rank 9,994,234th."
After eliminating the man with sunglasses, Alister's strength was re-evaluated by the system, taking over the ranking of the man. But it didn't end there, the system's broadcast continued.
"Player detected entering the top ten million of the E-rank sequence."
The pale blue system interface converged into a square envelope, and in the quiet world, the "Accept" option appeared before Alister once again.
Alister raised his hand, gently touching it, and ripples of perfect data spread across the interface.
"Received strength coefficient bonus: 0.001%."
"Zero point zero zero one percent..." Alister closed the system interface. "Not much, but it does confirm my speculation..."
Indeed, sequence rankings could provide a bonus to a player's strength. Then, how much of a bonus would the first-ranked player receive?
Thinking about this question, Alister melted into the shadows and disappeared from the rooftop of the building.