“This is it? You actually have the nerve to call yourselves the rulers of the world?”
Yue Shi was utterly speechless. He had thought this group of Audience members would be far more impressive.
But he wasn't that surprised; after all, when he had started killing them earlier, they hadn't put up the slightest bit of resistance.
9527 scratched his head awkwardly. “This world is one giant film studio. The ‘Audience’ is part of this world's special rules.”
“We cannot directly interfere with the natural laws of the physical world. We can only exert various influences on reality through scripts.”
Yue Shi understood. “So you’re just administrators who can use a few special rules. You really have the gall to call yourselves the Heavenly Dao.”
9527 argued, “Even though we are physically weak, we truly do control the lives and deaths of many, writing their life stories as we please. Even if we shouldn't claim to be the Heavenly Dao, calling ourselves gods or God shouldn't be a problem, right?”
Yue Shi rolled his eyes, not wanting to dwell on that topic. Instead, he continued his questioning. “How do you know about the existence of the Deep Red Continent?”
“Have you been to the Deep Red Continent? Or are you not an original inhabitant of this world at all, but someone from there?”
9527 answered truthfully, “The information regarding the Deep Red Continent and the Bewitching Beauty Painting Workshop consists of records left behind by our predecessors. Our ancestors were likely outsiders.”
“The original rule of this world was to tailor appropriate scripts for appropriate people, ensuring everyone had a bright future.”
“The natives were accustomed to the existence of scripts, but our ancestors immediately realized something was wrong.”
“The physical rules of this world are identical to the outside world, yet the existence of these scripts is more like a manifestation of the mystical and supernatural.”
“Just as some worlds have spiritual energy for cultivation or chakra for ninjutsu, the supernatural power of this world manifests as scripts.”
“Our ancestors exploited a loophole in the rules to become the Audience, placing themselves above all living beings. We’ve simply benefited from that; we were born as the Audience, living in this place as the world’s purest leisure class.”
“Oh?” Yue Shi became interested. “How did they exploit the loophole?”
9527 shook his head. “I don't know.”
As soon as he said it, he felt a massive wave of malice surging toward him.
9527 hurriedly explained, terrified that a second’s delay would mean his death. “I truly don't know. Our ancestors seemingly paid a massive price, and they didn't leave a single word behind before they died.”
“But I can tell you that the essence of an Audience member is also that of an actor, just in a very specific form. Much like a man playing an emperor in a television drama can accept the bows and submission of others.”
“The Audience essentially lives within a script as well. This script uses the entire world as its stage, and the Audience are the world rulers ordained by the plot. They act on behalf of the director's authority, allowing them to manipulate the life scripts of others.”
Hearing this, Yue Shi roughly understood what was going on. The special rules of this world could dictate life scripts for people. These outsiders had used some unknown method to exploit a loophole, getting the rules to customize a special script for them, essentially using the nature of the rules to restrict the rules themselves.
They became Audience members in a script that allowed them to control the rules, and the scope of this script encompassed the entire world.
Yue Shi looked at the old man’s corpse and asked, “Why did that old man try to stop you from telling the truth just now? Does leaking secrets to an outsider have some kind of negative impact?”
9527 gave a bitter smile. “Because the Audience are also people within the play. Usually, no matter how much we mess around, we are still within the play, so it doesn't cause any harm.”
“But once we reveal the truth to an outsider, the play is ruined. It’s like an actor suddenly telling the staff ‘I forgot my lines’ in the middle of filming; the crew would be forced to call it an NG, and filming couldn't continue.”
“And once this special play is forced to an end, it isn't so easy to resume ‘filming’ again.”
“I’m not sure if the world consciousness or the Heavenly Dao of this world possesses the capacity for independent thought. If it does possess personified intelligence, it certainly wouldn't allow us to continue usurping its place.”
Yue Shi realized. “I see. The moment you tell the truth to an outsider, you are no longer the ‘Audience.’ You turn back into ordinary people.”
9527 looked dejected. “That’s how it is. Some of our companions would rather die than become ordinary people. For one, we simply cannot adapt to the life of a commoner, and for another, we are afraid of being targeted for revenge.”
Yue Shi said to him seriously, “Face reality. You are currently in the middle of being targeted for liquidation.”
9527 froze, and the others who heard this exchanged looks of alarm.
The clever ones among them reacted quickly, their faces turning incredibly pale.
Realization dawned on 9527 as he looked at Yue Shi in shock. “I understand now!”
“In theory, the place where the Audience lives cannot be found by outsiders. Yet you found us with ease and invaded us for this slaughter without any trouble. There must be something in the shadows guiding you here!”
Yue Shi nodded. “Indeed. I barely had to put any effort into my investigation; I found your location quite easily.”
“You’ve been the Audience for so many years, yet you’ve never gained even a hint of special ability. You’ve always remained ordinary people. That must also be the rules' way of rejecting you.”
It seemed this world truly detested the Audience and was seizing the opportunity to evict them—even if it meant using the power of an evil god, and even if it risked making the situation much worse.
Yue Shi suddenly felt a bit annoyed. Had he been used?
Shit!
Seeing Yue Shi’s expression shifting, 9527 asked tentatively, “I’ve told you everything I need to. Will you fulfill your promise?”
9527 was extremely nervous. After all, Yue Shi didn't look like a good person. If he went back on his word and killed them all, what could they do?
The feeling of having one's life controlled by another was truly miserable. Now that the knife was at his own throat, 9527 finally felt empathy for the ordinary people who received trash scripts.
It hurt. It hurt far too much.
Yue Shi smiled. “Don't worry. My character has always been dashing and honorable. You were the first to answer all the questions and have become the champion of this game. I won't harm you.”
9527 breathed a sigh of relief.
But in the next second, Yue Shi snapped his fingers.
A chaotic dance of ravens began.
“Aaaaah!!!”
Screams rang out one after another.
Everyone except 9527 had their flesh torn away by the ravens, turned into living blood corpses.
9527 was dumbfounded, shouting frantically, “Why? I clearly already...”
Yue Shi said sinisterly, “Only you answered my questions. I fulfilled my promise and granted you alone a pardon. The others didn't answer, so naturally, they had to accept their punishment.”
9527 clenched his fists. His fear was temporarily suppressed by rage as he glared at Yue Shi with wide eyes.
Yet Yue Shi’s eyes were full of mercy. “I’m in a good mood today. I didn't break my word; I truly spared your life. Shouldn't you hurry up and kneel to thank me for my grace?”
Rate on N.U.
