Chapter 472: Think outside the box, broaden your horizons
Chapter 472: Think outside the box, broaden your horizons
Mike stood in front of the spatial rift, the top of his Thunderclap Hammer crackling with terrifying lightning. But before he could launch his attack, the rift began to slowly close on its
own.
Mike: ???
Joseph hadn't even made his entrance before he was already out of the picture. Mike turned to look behind him.
On the sickbed lay Illidan Carson, eyes shut tight, no longer breathing, yet with a faint smile on his face. He was dead.
Born like any ordinary person, he spent his life with the woman he loved and died like any ordinary person.
This was the life Illidan Carson had pursued. This was his quest for life. Even if Mike had helped him through this ordeal, Illidan had to face his own trials. His path was one he had to walk himself.
Illidan Carson's goal was to turn illusion into reality, to rise from the dead. Without a complete life, he couldn't truly escape this Simulation world.
Mike lowered his gaze, avoiding looking at Illidan Carson's face. In a daze, Mike seemed to catch a fleeting inspiration, "To be reborn from death... to rise again..."
Mike snapped back to reality with a shiver. Before changing class to got a Soul Element, Mike couldn't create moves.
Clearly, this insight was related to the Soul Element, and if Mike succeeded in creating a move, it would consume a significant portion of his limited soul energy.
The Eye of Truth provided a prompt at that moment.
[Current soul energy: 100%]
[Continuing this creation move will consume 55% of soul energy]
Mike: ...
[Would you like to record this creation move for retrieval within six months?]
Who would've thought that the thrice-awakened Eye of Truth had such a feature!
"Record!"
After successfully recording, the fourth simulation failed, and he automatically exited the simulator.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
However, halfway through the [Nine Lives Cycle] simulation, Mike's mindset underwent a subtle change. With five more chances, Mike was determined to complete this layer's challenge today!
In the [Nine Lives Cycle], the nemesis drawn won't appear in the pool again.
This meant that Ares, Maxen, and Apollo were already ruled out as wrong answers. Along with them, even the correct answer 'Joseph' was eliminated...
Mike was ready to try again, even feeling a bit excited. "It's gotta be Morpheus this time!"
His luck had been terrible today, drawing two Supreme Beings as nemeses in the first four tries. If this bad luck continued, it should be Morpheus's turn!
Among the three Supreme Beings, Morpheus was the most mysterious. If he had the chance to meet Morpheus, even if it was just to hear him say, "Tell me, do you dare to face your nightmares?" Mike thought it would be worth it!
...
"His nemesis in this life is named Cedric."
Mike sighed and entered the Simulation world.
In his fifth life, Illidan Carson was reborn as Malfurion Carson, with eyes full of spirit, rapidly advancing under the guidance of Master Dream.
Malfurion Carson spent 126 years achieving the rank of nine-star Lord and another 569 years training in the Emerald Dream before attempting to ascend the tribulation.
In the void rift, Cedric appeared and killed Malfurion Carson in just three moves, resulting in simulation failure!
"No matter what difficulties you face, don't be afraid, face them with a smile!"
"Charge!"
Numb to it all, Mike immediately started the sixth simulation.
"His nemesis in this life is named I'm Very Poor."
A strange name! And it didn't sound strong at all! Mike hadn't been happy for more than three seconds before a prompt appeared before him,
[I'm Very Poor, real name: Foreskin, you know who he is, right?]
Mike: ...
Are you kidding me?!
Mike had finally gotten his hopes up, only to lose so miserably!
In the sixth life, Malfurion Carson was reborn as Garen Carson, spending 54 years achieving the rank of nine-star Lord. Memories of past lives surfaced, and many battle techniques were honed to perfection, directly starting the tribulation!
Then he was killed by a golden ingot.
While collecting his student's body, Mike stuffed the golden ingot into his own inventory.
Seventh simulation!
"His nemesis in this life is named I Want to Be the First."
Mike didn't get Morpheus, but he did get a trash-talking guy. Calderon...
Mike calculated in his mind, Calderon's combat power was indeed fierce. As an Ultimate, he could easily defeat Cedric and often used insulting words like trash, idiot, and moron, loving
to taunt his opponents.
But! Calderon had two fatal flaws!
First, his combat style was too aggressive. With his talent as a safety net, Calderon wasn't afraid of death. But the simulated phantom couldn't use talent!
Second, Calderon wasn't in the present world but in the Supreme Abyssal!
In previous simulations, Mike noticed a pattern. When the Tower of Truth simulated phantoms, these phantoms were influenced by their real counterparts, sometimes even directly controlled by their consciousness. But Calderon, being in the Supreme Abyssal, had a bad signal and was offline.
While others had AI casting spells, Calderon's projection might be an unmanned auto-cast! Analyzing it carefully, the odds of winning weren't small! Winning was possible, but only
just.
"Seventh simulation, begin!"
In the seventh simulation, Mike's student was named Garrosh Carson, becoming a nine-star Lord at the age of 30. With the foundation of the previous six lives, Garrosh Carson quickly began the tribulation.
As Mike expected, Calderon's phantom was clumsy in battle, with each attack being very stiff.
"There's hope, we can win!"
Mike assisted from the sidelines, using the Eye of Truth to guide Garrosh Carson in battle. They were launching a prepared ambush! This time, it was in the bag!
Just as Garrosh Carson cornered Calderon's phantom and was about to win, a twist occurred!
Calderon's phantom suddenly gained vitality and could use talent, instantly turning the
tables and suppressing Garrosh!
"Is this life... going to end in defeat too?"
Garrosh Carson's expression darkened, feeling a bit disheartened. After exchanging just a few
moves, Garrosh Carson knew he was no match for his opponent! He couldn't understand why there was such a drastic change in his nemesis!
He couldn't figure it out, but Mike could. This wasn't Calderon connecting; it was Ace causing
trouble!
Mike spoke up, "Let me lend you a hand!"
Mike said seriously, "The ability I'm about to use is the strongest one I have in this life!"
Garrosh Carson's spirits lifted. Did Master Dream have a trump card? If Master Dream intervened, perhaps the situation could be reversed!
Mike shouted, using his power of money: "Ace, listen up, if you stop now, I'll waive all your
interest!"
Calderon's phantom cursed, "Thor, what the fuck, my interest should've been waived ages
ago!"
He had helped Mike twice before, which should've cleared all the interest!
Mike snorted, dismissively saying, "The past interest is waived, but does that mean there's
no future interest?!"
"You better think it through, you owe me those 3 million Lord merits, that's no small amount!"
Ace: ...
Damn it, how did it become 3 million Lord merits again! By his calculations, he only owed Mike a total of 1 million Lord merits. In just a few days, with interest compounding, it had
become 3 million!
Ace raised his fist, seriously considering whether to just beat Mike to death and be done with
it. If he physically eliminated the creditor, he wouldn't have to repay the debt. That's the meaning of 'death cancels debt.'
As Ace raised his fist, Mike wasn't to be outdone and raised his camcorder. "Ace, let me break down this debt for you..."
Ace fell silent. Every time Thor broke down a debt, it was never good news!
"This time it's a win-win!"
Mike said earnestly, "If my student wins this round, that means Calderon loses, and you win
once. Then you beat my student, and you win twice, right?"
Hiss-Ace thought about it, and it made sense! After all, this projection was Calderon's
projection, and losing would be Calderon's embarrassment.
Garrosh beating Calderon and then losing to him meant Ace was dancing a Latin dance on
Calderon's face!
"Alright, I want a copy of the recording."
Ace thought for a moment and added, "Your recording can't be sold to others!"
Having spent a lot of time with Thor, Ace had also become savvy about making money. Calderon's embarrassing past was in high demand on the market, especially Cedric, who was willing to pay a high price for it.
Mike, of course, understood Ace's little scheme and gritted his teeth, saying, "Fine!" To ensure Garrosh Carson's successful simulation, he was willing to go all out! This student had already gone through seven cycles, and this was the closest to success!
Although it was called [Nine Lives Cycle], there was still one Supreme Being, Morpheus, left
to draw, and besides the Supreme Being, there was Nathan. If he drew either of these two, Garrosh Carson would have no chance.
There was no room for Mike to waste any more opportunities. Success or failure hinged on
this life! With Ace's leniency, Garrosh Carson easily won. Before Calderon's phantom dissipated, Ace reminded Mike, "Your student is quite strong now, probably... about three times as strong as
Joseph."
Mike understood what he meant. To conquer this floor, there would still be a battle between
Mike and Garrosh Carson! If Garrosh Carson was too strong, it wouldn't be good news for Mike. But all of that could wait; Mike was absolutely confident!
As Calderon's projection vanished, Mike couldn't help but sigh, "Having money is really
something."
Money could make Ace throw the match!
After defeating the phantom, Garrosh Carson broke through the void with his physical body,
becoming a god! He was also the first person in this Simulation world in millennia to
successfully ascend the tribulation!
...
Tower of Truth, thirty-first floor.
"Seventh simulation successful!"
Mike let out a long breath, finally succeeding! Garrosh Carson joined him in leaving the
Simulation world, arriving on the thirty-first floor.
"Master Dream, I never imagined you were so young?!"
Garrosh Carson was a bit shocked. He had lived seven lives in the Simulation world, spanning thousands of years. He never expected Master Dream to look only eighteen!
It wasn't just a youthful appearance; it was a soul-level vitality, full of youthful exuberance!
Being so young was one thing, but Master Dream also gave Garrosh Carson a sense of danger!
Meaning, if they truly fought, Garrosh Carson might not be a match for Master Dream! "Alright, it's time for the final step!"
Mike clapped his hands, looking at Garrosh Carson. He was ready! The Eye of Truth provided
the most detailed battle assessment.
[Win rate: 100%]
[Suggested battle method: Thunderclap Strike!]
As Mike expected, Garrosh Carson's training was heavily skewed.
Ascending through martial arts, his magic resistance was zero. Mike's lightning posed a
significant threat to him. But...
"I went through all the trouble to bring him out alive, just to zap him with lightning?"
Mike couldn't help but roll his eyes.
"Master Dream, I have a feeling that you and I must have a battle."
Garrosh Carson said sincerely, "I don't wish to be your enemy, Master Dream. Having walked
this world once, I have no regrets."
From Garrosh Carson's tone, he was ready to give up, surrender, even face death calmly.
"Though you always call me Master Dream, I've never truly taught you anything." Mike said seriously, "Today, I'll give you an important lesson." Garrosh Carson bowed respectfully, ready to listen, "Master Dream, please teach me."
Mike said confidently, "A bug, you gotta exploit it whenever you can, no exceptions!"
Garrosh Carson: ???
He asked puzzledly, "Master Dream, what do you mean by a bug?"
"It's a loophole in the rules, an opportunity to exploit."
Mike demonstrated personally, "For example, you and I must have a battle, I must win. But if
we fight, you might lose and die. Doesn't that seem contradictory, with no win-win
solution?"
Garrosh Carson nodded, "Indeed."
"Think outside the box, broaden your horizons!"
Mike pulled out a deck of cards, placing it in front of Garrosh Carson, "How about a game of
Gwent?"
Garrosh Carson: Is this even allowed?
"Why not?" Mike said earnestly, "We must have a battle, I must win, you must lose. Isn't
using Gwent as the battle the most suitable approach?"
"Oh, so that's what exploiting a bug means!"
Garrosh Carson realized, taking the cards from Mike, he asked, "Master Dream, how do you
play this game?"
Mike casually replied, "You don't need to learn since you're going to lose anyway!" Mike was always meticulous. If he taught Garrosh Carson how to play, and he got the hang of
it, wouldn't that be a problem?
Garrosh Carson: ...
In just a few minutes of interacting with Master Dream in this world, Garrosh Carson felt his
understanding of Master Dream was beginning to change subtly. But one thing was certain. Being around Master Dream, he could learn a lot of useful things!
Garrosh Carson didn't even know the rules, and with Mike's Eye of Truth seeing through everything, losing was nearly impossible!
A few minutes later, Mike said with satisfaction, "I won!"
Mike had defeated Garrosh Carson! As soon as Mike won, the entire thirty-first floor shook violently. Countless black mists emerged from every corner, rolling and contracting. Eventually, all the black mist was drawn away, leaving the thirty-first floor completely. Mike couldn't help but sigh, "Mission accomplished." He acted as if it was all a small matter,
nothing worth mentioning. After maintaining his composure for a full three seconds, when Garrosh Carson turned his back, Mike jumped for joy, his face full of happiness, "Yay!"