——Am I dead?
Su Ming'an's heart was still pounding, the feeling of powerlessness and death lingering. He found himself floating in a void.
"I just heard a voice say, 'The game has begun'?" Su Ming'an muttered to himself. "What game…?"
It was clear that as soon as he stepped out of the café, he had been pulled into some kind of game. While the objective was still unclear, his win condition seemed to be either "evade Shen Xue's attacks" or "fight back and kill Shen Xue." At the very least, he needed to survive.
Logically, he should have already been killed, but now, as a supposedly dead man, two images appeared before him.
One was a scene of him standing by the roadside earlier in the afternoon, with the caption: [Save Point 1: Afternoon, Roadside].
The other showed a dimly lit room with the caption: [Save Point 2: Evening, Room].
Su Ming'an tentatively touched [Save Point 2: Evening, Room].
...
He opened his eyes.
His vision was still blurry. Shen Xue was smiling at him, holding a pastry in her hand. This was thirty minutes earlier, and he was in her room.
It seemed he had gained the ability to reload after death. By selecting a specific save point, he could return to a previous moment.
Although he didn't understand why his life had turned into a game, the immediate priority was to stay alive and gather more information. He needed to avoid the girl who had already tried to kill him once.
"A game?" Su Ming'an accepted the pastry, muttering softly. At that moment, a system prompt appeared:
...
[Notice 01: You are currently in the World Game, Novice Level.]
[Notice 02: Current Objective: Survive]
[Notice 03: You can search for clues, alter your actions, and achieve different story outcomes!]
[Notice 04: Current possible story outcomes:
HE (Happy Ending): Angel's Heart
TE (True Ending): The Disappearing Her
NE (Normal Ending): Dual Heart]
...
It was indeed a game.
Based on the text, this was just the "Novice Level."
Once he cleared the novice level, the so-called "Opening Ceremony of the Billion-People World Game" would likely begin, explaining the rules in detail. There should be some answers as to why this game had started so suddenly.
"Have a bite, come on, ah—" Shen Xue smiled.
But as Su Ming'an glanced at her, he noticed text appearing in his field of vision:
...
[*Clue One Obtained: Strange Bulge]
[(Strange Bulge): I noticed the hem of the girl's skirt was bulging… What could be hidden there? I'm curious.]
[Progress: 10%]
[The clue has been recorded in the Clue Section and can be viewed at any time.]
...
A clue panel appeared in the lower-right corner of his vision. With a thought, Su Ming'an could access it and see the clues he had collected.
He put down the pastry. "I'm going to the bathroom."
First, the bulging skirt concealed a knockout spray. Second, Shen Xue's relative, Liu Anna, was still in the kitchen, and he was at a disadvantage here in their home. He needed to find a space where they couldn't see him.
As he passed by the coat rack, he saw a white work uniform with a name badge hanging there.
...
[*Clue Two Obtained: Vice President of the Xiao Research Institute, Liu Anna]
[(Name Badge): "Lead of the Dual Heart Surgery Project, Liu Anna"]
[Progress: 20%]
...
Suddenly, he smelled a strange odor entering his nose.
...
[*Clue Three Obtained: Formalin]
[(Formalin): Why does Shen Xue's house smell like formalin? Does she use it for cooking?]
[Term Definition: 35-45% formaldehyde solution, colorless and transparent, corrosive, used for various purposes, including preserving corpses.]
[Progress: 30%]
...
Su Ming'an quickly entered the bathroom, locking the door behind him. Since Shen Xue's house was on the second floor, he figured jumping from the window would allow him to escape without serious injury.
As he climbed onto the tiles, hanging from the window ledge, his foot bumped into something.
...There was a hidden compartment?
Su Ming'an paused and opened the secret compartment beneath the tiles.
Inside, he found a toolbox containing surgical instruments, anesthetics, and a medical notice.
...
[Xiao First People's Hospital:
Patient: Shen Xue. Currently undergoing interval treatment, but her condition has worsened despite our efforts. We are issuing a critical condition notice.]
[Please be aware of the possible outcomes...]
[Summary: The patient has voluntarily discontinued chemotherapy and completed discharge procedures.]
[Patient Signature: Shen Xue]
...
It was a short diagnostic report.
As Su Ming'an stared at the thin piece of paper, his hands trembled.
…So, this was the truth.
Shen Xue, terminally ill, had asked her relative, Vice President Liu Anna, to use Su Ming'an's heart for surgery that could prolong her life.
This was why she had tried to kill him before.
Though the surgery seemed unscientific, a person nearing death would grasp at any last hope, no matter how improbable.
She intended to take his life, using his beating heart to sustain her own.
As he processed this, the scent of anesthesia filled his nostrils without warning.
…This time.
…He was sure of Shen Xue's intentions.
His vision darkened, and his breathing grew more labored...
Before passing out, he saw the bathroom door open, revealing a cold-eyed Shen Xue and Vice President Liu Anna holding a scalpel behind her.
Their voices echoed as he lost consciousness:
"Shen Xue, this is a private operation; we're lacking medical equipment, and pre-surgical checks will be weak."
"Time is running out. Once he's unconscious, let's begin quickly and dispose of the body after…"
The silver scalpel gleamed painfully bright.
He didn't know how long passed or where he was moved to, but the scalpel pierced his chest, and blood filled his fading vision, stealing his life.
...
[You have died…]
...
In the afternoon sunlight, shadows of trees scattered in fragments across the ground.
A young college student stood under a tree by the road, his phone screen glowing.
[Shen Xue: Su Ming'an, don't forget about tonight's gathering.]
"Whoosh!"
A passing vehicle splashed water all over him.
"Damn it! Driving so fast, are you in a hurry to die?!" A passerby cursed as they too were soaked.
"..." Su Ming'an's breath had been held this whole time.
Now, the air finally returned to his lungs, cooling his chest.
After this death, he chose the first image, [Save Point 1: Afternoon, Roadside], returning to the moment he was waiting for the bus.
"..." He touched his waist and felt the cold hilt of the knife he had brought with him.
He quickly hailed a cab and returned home. Along the way, he asked a few classmates, all of whom said there was no gathering involving the class beauty.
"Are you sleep-deprived, bro?" His close friend Bo Long had said, "I told you to lay off the late-night snacks and those pink websites…"
"I haven't," Su Ming'an replied.
It seemed that Shen Xue had only invited him to the gathering.
His mind drifted back to that dimly lit living room.
The pale skin, the flushed cheeks, and the scalpel that had stabbed into his chest...
"Is there a personal panel?" he asked tentatively.
A blue screen suddenly popped up in front of him.
[Personal Information]
Name: Su Ming'anNumber: BE3030Level: Stage One (Initial Level)Honor: NoneAchievements: NoneProfession: NoneSkills: NoneHP: 500 (for reference only, not a fixed value)Mana: 100 + 10*4 (recovery rate: 5/min) (Mana is required for casting spell-like abilities)Stamina: 5 (affects HP, endurance, and load)Strength: 4 (affects physical strength and attack damage)Agility: 5 (affects running speed, dodge speed, and attack speed)Spirit: 9 (affects attention, mana, spell strength, and resistance to mental magic)Charisma: A (affects NPC favorability and social interaction)Luck: E (affects the difficulty of triggering events and solving puzzles)
(Data attributes are innate and the average value for humans is 5; they can be increased through post-training or purchasing points.)Points: 0 (can be used to buy items after the beginner level ends.)Combat Power Rating: 50 (calculated from current performance, unrelated to actual combat — after the first world ends, the global ranking will open.)
…
"Ding-dong!"
His phone chimed.
It had rung several times, but Su Ming'an had ignored it. He picked it up from the sofa and saw continuous messages from Shen Xue, one after another, like a chain of relentless reminders.
…
[Shen Xue]: Why aren't you replying?
[Shen Xue]: …Are you not coming to my birthday party? I've prepared your favorite tea and snacks.
[Shen Xue]: …Why aren't you coming? Did I do something wrong?
[Shen Xue]: …
…
[Shen Xue]: Open the door. I'm here.
…
"Ding-dong, ding-dong, ding-dong~" The doorbell played a playful tune.
Su Ming'an's gaze instantly shifted to the door.
On the screen, a young girl in a floral dress with black shoulder-length hair stood with one hand behind her back, revealing the corner of a spray bottle.
"Open the door, Ming'an." Her voice was somewhat chilly.
…
Su Ming'an immediately stood up, opened the drawer in the sofa cabinet, and took out a bottle of transparent liquid, mixing it into the tea on the table.
He had a small "hobby" of collecting things in his own home.
After doing this, he opened the door.
Outside stood Shen Xue, her black hair cascading down, looking exceptionally graceful and beautiful.
"You made me wait so long." Shen Xue said in a half-pouting tone.
"Come in." Su Ming'an confirmed that no one else was with her.
He then led her to the sofa, served her tea, and placed a stack of "bobo cake" in front of her.
He quietly watched the girl in front of him as she ate the snacks.
Shen Xue suddenly felt a chill.
She choked on her food and put down the snack: "Ming'an, why are you staring at me like that?"
"Nothing." Su Ming'an quickly pulled out a knife from his waist and pressed it against Shen Xue, pinning her down.
"Ming'an!" Shen Xue panicked and immediately tried to reach for the spray, only to realize she was gradually losing strength.
"Where's that person in your house?" Su Ming'an asked.
"What are you talking about, Ming'an, let me go…" Shen Xue forced a smile.
"Looks like the other one didn't show up." Su Ming'an glanced at the door monitor, seeing no one outside.
"Ming'an, I have something I haven't told you…" Shen Xue, regaining her composure, looked at her beloved. Her heart raced, and she ignored the knife close to her throat, her cheeks blushing—
"I like you…" she said.
Swish!
A deep blood wound opened across the girl's throat.
…
[—HP-200! (Fatal wound!)]
[You killed Shen Xue (Human species), Exp +20]
…
"If you want to be with a corpse, then first turn yourself into one." Su Ming'an wiped his knife on her face.
Had he not acted, she would have sprayed him, knocked him out, and cut out his heart.
Now that he knew this was a game, he wouldn't hold back.
Shen Xue's eyes gradually lost their light.
Su Ming'an looked at her corpse.
Her eyes had no tears, reminiscent of vast plains and the wind blowing over grassy fields. A faint shadow fell on her hair; she looked just like any ordinary, beautiful, young student.
Why did she make such a choice?
To kill him, transplant his heart into her dying body, and continue her life? And then, carrying his beating heart, would she go see the ocean she dreamed of?
Was this what she meant by living a "free and independent life"?
Was this the "rich and passionate journey" she hoped for?
But in the end, the heart she buried in her chest — his beating heart — was it for her so-called "love"? Or was it for the bright and dazzling future she envisioned?
Knock, knock!
Suddenly, a knock came from the door. Liu Anna was standing outside.
"Shen Xue, Shen Xue, are you in there?" Liu Anna knocked anxiously, her hand reaching for a weapon behind her.
Su Ming'an knew this was the person collaborating with Shen Xue for the surgery.
He looked at Shen Xue's body, picked up the death spray that had fallen from her skirt with the hilt of his knife, and walked toward the door.
"Shen Xue? Answer me?" Liu Anna, not receiving a reply, grew more anxious, her hand moving toward the weapon on her back—
Bang! The door suddenly swung open.
Su Ming'an stepped out, covering his nose, and swiftly pressed the spray's trigger!
Caught off guard, Liu Anna's legs went weak, and she instantly collapsed, unconscious.
Su Ming'an set the spray aside.
…What a meaningless farce.
At least he survived and didn't lose his heart.
In front of him, Liu Anna's phone fell to the ground with a crisp clack.
He picked it up and saw a message conversation on QQ.
The message was sent just ten minutes ago.
…
[Shen Xue (15:56)]: Anna, after you transplant my heart tissue to him, remember to clean up the blood and make sure he gets home safely without suspicion.
[Liu Anna (15:57)]: I understand.
…
"…" Su Ming'an was stunned.
At that moment, it felt as though a cold wind was howling through his chest.
He turned and looked at the girl on the sofa, her black hair, and the pale white aura dissipating from her.
He could no longer see the vast plains in her eyes.
His fingers slid across the chat history. The first message about this incident was sent a week ago.
…
[Shen Xue]: Anna, I want to give up on treatment. The doctors said… I have no more than a month left to live.
[Liu Anna]: I respect all your decisions, child.
[Shen Xue]: Anna, is the "dual-heart surgery" you're researching real?
[Liu Anna]: Though outsiders find it absurd, I believe it only lacks proper experimentation. Without a living subject, we can't test it. Many experiments, even the seemingly impossible ones, face doubt before they are realized. Just like Bruno, who was burned at the stake. But if successful, a person with two different heart tissues could surely extend their life.
[Shen Xue]: …
[Shen Xue]: Anna, the files I saw before… are they real? Does Su Ming'an also have a terminal illness?
[Liu Anna]: That's the official hospital diagnosis. It wouldn't deceive you.
[Shen Xue]: …
[Shen Xue]: Anna.
[Shen Xue]: Take me home from the hospital.
[Liu Anna]: Hmm?
[Shen Xue]: I think… since I'm already dying, why not give my heart to him?
[Liu Anna]: Why make that choice? You could have his heart. Child.
[Shen Xue]: Anna.
[Shen Xue]: I've always wondered why someone like me, born with a disease, should continue living… wasting resources, and equipment, counting down to death from the moment I open my eyes. Unable to create or give anything, leaving no trace behind. After I die, even the people around me will gradually erase my existence.
[Shen Xue]: But one day, I suddenly found I have something I don't want to regret.
[Shen Xue]: I suddenly want to attend his graduation ceremony. I want to see him shine in the spotlight, loved by more people. I want him to visit my tailoring shop, where I'll sew him new clothes. I want us to become reporters and go on-site for interviews, witnessing blood, sweat, banners, grains, and vegetables.
[Shen Xue]: Suddenly, I want to see him step into a brilliant future.
[Shen Xue]: …I also want to see the ocean with him.
[Shen Xue]: Is this what it feels like to like someone? I don't know. Are my actions a crime? I don't know.
[Shen Xue]: I only know that someone like me, who opens their eyes just to wait for eternal rest underground... can't go on any longer.
[Shen Xue]: So, even if he resents me, it doesn't matter. I just want... I just want my heart to keep beating in his chest after I die.
[Shen Xue]: My love is very selfish, and it won't be acknowledged by others.
[Shen Xue]: But as long as he's alive, that's enough for me.
[Shen Xue]: As long as... he's alive, it's enough.
[Liu Anna]: …
[Shen Xue]: I'm sorry, Sister Anna.
[Liu Anna]: I understand.
[Liu Anna]: I will prepare the surgery and give your heart to him.
…
Absurd.
Looking at this chat log, Su Ming'an only felt that it was absurd.
He threw away the phone.
Shen Xue had planned everything, arranged everything. Even though she knew it went against public order, even though she knew it was a crime, she selfishly and unilaterally insisted on giving her heart to him.
She wanted to use that surgical knife to cut open his heart and plant herself inside it, to grow along his blood vessels, embedding her entire passionate heart into his body.
This was her unique yet ridiculous, selfish yet selfless, "love."
…But he didn't even have cancer.
Liu Anna, lacking live material for experimentation, had deceived her, turning her deep love into a farce.
He turned and looked at the girl's body.
Her pupils were dilated, her expression calm and peaceful.
The gradually setting sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting its light on her face. Her black hair fluttered in the breeze, and her eyes, like open plains, shimmered faintly in the light.
When Su Ming'an had drawn his blade and killed her...
…Had she regretted her actions?
…In the moment before her death, did she still wish to give her heart to him?
…In the last second before her life ended when she gazed at him with that sorrowful look,
Was that her soul's final cry, sharp and short-lived?
As he looked at her corpse, it seemed as if he could hear the trembling of her soul.
Precious and rare.
Foolish and naïve.
Su Ming'an recalled that each time she was about to die, the surgical knife in Shen Xue's hand always pierced his right chest.
So,
Shen Xue had intended to preserve his heart and give him another heart tissue.
However, they had overlooked one crucial detail.
The only detail that turned this farce into an outright tragedy.
…Because of his own heart,
…
…was on the right side.
…
…
So, in the past, he died because his heart ruptured.
And now, she died from a misunderstanding when he slit her throat.
He was killed by "love," and she was killed by the one she loved. Love, when misexpressed, becomes a blade that kills the beloved.
Thus, this action, named "love," defies humanity, moral values, and order,
ultimately became an absurd farce.
…
He stood there silently, the smell of blood filling his nostrils.
The faint mist from the teacup and the "bobo cakes" rose in the sunlight.
…In an instant, his vision blurred into a brilliant golden hue.
…
She never got to see the ocean.
…
Ding-dong!
As he set down the phone, a clear and crisp notification sound rang in his ears.
[Congratulations on completing the world perfectly! (The beginner world's progress is extremely short; subsequent formal worlds will expand in scope.)]
[Achieved this world's storyline ending: "TE (True Ending) - The Disappearing Girl."]
["She liked me, I know. But love is not just about giving endlessly. After killing her, I understood this — to avoid a ridiculous tragedy, I had no other choice."]
[The ending has been recorded. (This world's storyline and experiment scheme are fictitious. Characters are system-generated, not real. Please don't become overly immersed.)]
[Evaluation Grade: SS (Highest rank for the beginner stage — subdued two individuals, remained uninjured, completed the full storyline, and cleared the route with no deviation.)]
[Awarded evaluation points: 120]
[Awarded additional combat points: 20]
[Total points earned: 140]
[Tip: The "HE (Happy Ending) - Angel's Heart" can be achieved by discovering Shen Xue's plan, persuading her to abandon the heart transplant, and going to see the ocean with her.]
[Storyline hint: "It's said that people whose hearts are on the right side were angels who watched over patients in their past life, guiding them away."]
["I think."]
["She is the angel who lives in the right chamber of my heart."]
["I told her, love isn't selfish, nor is it forced giving, nor an action that defies order."]
["She smiled and said."]
["She liked this ocean."]
["I think."]
["Angel, oh angel."]
["…Why can't you stay in this world?"]
…
["NE (Neutral Ending) - The Dual-Hearted"] can be achieved by making Shen Xue realize that his heart is on the right side and successfully transplanting her heart tissue into his left chest.
["The surgery is over."]
["I took her remaining heart and went to see the vast ocean."]
["The wind by the sea was lonely and cold."]
["She burned hot in my chest."]
["Young girl, look."]
["The ocean is so beautiful."]
["…"]
["…"]
["…I couldn't do anything."]
…
…
Ending Summary:
BE: Bad Ending, Tragic Ending, Death Ending.
HE: Happy Ending, a good ending where everything turns out well.
NE: Neutral Ending, a normal ending where the truth remains unrevealed.
TE: True Ending, uncovering the ultimate truth and all hidden secrets.
…
Note: Even with death resets, the difficulty of future worlds will still be very high, with multiple timelines and factions. Various puzzles will require high intelligence to solve, and you'll need to engage in intricate scheming with many characters and factions. Not all puzzles can be solved simply by dying repeatedly. The reset function is just an aid. (Compared to the upcoming worlds, with dozens of twists and foreshadowing laid from start to finish, this beginner world is too simple. This is an intelligence-based story game, not a hack-and-slash game, and death resets are merely for reducing mistakes.)
(End of Chapter)