As Lu Ce''s words fell, everyone''s expressions changed dramatically, their faces uncertain as they watched him sway in the center.


    In the real world, Blank, who had been observing Lu Ce''s every move, slammed a fist on the table and shouted excitedly.


    "Damn! I knew it!"


    "The previous probing wasn''t just about maximizing benefits; there was much deeper meaning."


    "It included testing the game''s rules, figuring out what controls this suddenly appearing game—whether it''s a machine, an omnipotent god, or an alien civilization?"


    "This kind of probing is crucial for the entire world, and yet the big shot managed to complete it unknowingly, even securing benefits for himself..."


    "And the previous ruthless methods can still intimidate other participants, making it easier to ''extort'' at this time."


    Blank gritted his teeth, sorting through his thoughts, growing more excited the more he thought about it.


    He didn''t think there was anything wrong with such extreme greed. The world had changed dramatically, life and death were up to fate, and the strong naturally had to become stronger by any means in the early stages of the game.


    But just as he was typing on the "game live stream" screen, he slowly put down his hand.


    Because he saw most people''s comments and their current psychological state.


    [: This is extortion. Honestly, shouldn''t we help each other in such situations?]


    [: Sawing off a leg is already tragic enough. In this atmosphere of fear, threatening others is a bit unnecessary, isn''t it?]


    [: Very strong, also very crazy, but I hope not to encounter such people in the game.]


    .......


    Besides these saintly comments, there were others praising him as if watching an American blockbuster.


    Either they inexplicably brought in strange emotions, or they truly saw themselves as mere spectators.


    People seemed to forget that they, the audience, were also Chosen Ones, and they too had the chance to participate in the game. Everyone was part of it.


    Stolen novel; please report.


    The world had changed in an instant, but people''s mindsets hadn''t shifted yet.


    Blank thought about it, gave up the idea of sending a barrage, and stopped communicating with these "infants," turning his attention to the game''s internal scenes.


    .......


    "What do you mean? What do you mean by negotiating a price!"


    Beside him, the woman who had been shouting the loudest suddenly looked over with a hateful gaze, staring fiercely at Lu Ce.


    "Exactly what it sounds like. No money, no saw. What''s the problem?"


    Lu Ce turned his head with a matter-of-fact expression and said to her.


    "Do you have any conscience left? You''re even making money off this! You heartless creature."


    "I''m quitting! I''m not playing this game anymore. Why must we keep playing once we''re in?"


    "Why does the game''s organizer almost never respond to us, but they respond to you? Why can you so easily saw off your own leg? I think you''re all in on it; this is a complete conspiracy."


    "Look, everyone! He''s not some amazing player; he''s in cahoots with the game''s manipulators!"


    Perhaps the mental pressure was too much, as the woman began a frenzied outburst, her fear and pain turning into anger, pouring onto Lu Ce.


    Her whole body twisted violently, rattling the chains on her, and seeing her deranged state, Lu Ce felt utterly baffled.


    The air was silent for a few seconds before Lu Ce slowly spoke:


    "Yeah, you''re right."


    "I''m in on it. I''m actually an NPC in this game, not a player."


    "I don''t have any pain sensation. I can saw however I want, just here to torment you normal players."


    "So what? What do you plan to do?"


    At this moment, the blue Greed mask formed a large mocking smile (*^_^*), as if taunting the other party.


    Lu Ce knew very well that this vile woman was just a magnification of human nature. He wore the Greed mask, and she probably wore the "mask" of a life of luxury.


    The weak draw their knives against the weaker, and in this bizarre world game, no matter how strong he seemed, he would appear relatively weaker.


    So her breakdown needed an outlet, and he became that outlet.


    Even though he seemed terrifying, clearly possessing the strength to kill her, years of social conditioning had led her to believe that provoking a "human" like him wouldn''t have any consequences.


    Her methods were similar, relying on loudness, framing, slander, guiding the public, and isolating.


    But the world had changed, and yet some people hadn''t grasped this reality.


    Lu Ce looked at her playfully, thinking that even if he admitted it, even if he was slandered, even if he truly became an enemy to all of them, what difference would it make?


    Lu Ce''s completely unrefuted admission left the woman speechless, her throat emitting a muffled sound, her face flushed red.


    It was unclear whether it was from heat or if she was about to be suffocated by her own emotions.


    "The lava is still rising, everyone..."


    Lu Ce swung one foot in the air as if on a swing, even waving the saw in his hand, as if he might throw it down at any moment.


    "How much do you want?"


    Finally, someone spoke up, and Lu Ce thought to himself that there were still clear-headed people, just as he was about to turn around to see who it was.


    "What I want isn''t money, but..."


    But before he could finish, as he turned his head, he caught a glimpse of a flash of red light!


    Opposite him, a man swung over with the momentum of the chains, a dagger over a foot long in his hand, glinting with red light.


    That dagger was clearly not a normal weapon, definitely some kind of in-game item!


    Then, the man swinging over had a fierce look in his eyes. In an instant, as Lu Ce turned, the knife was already at his throat.


    A deadly strike!


    In the screeching sound of friction, blood splattered. What should have been a fatal blow was forcibly twisted away by Lu Ce in a flash, meeting it with his collarbone!


    The knife was stuck firmly in his collarbone, unable to move.


    On the blue mask, the expression didn''t change at all; in fact, the mask''s smile widened, reaching the corners of its mouth.


    [Chosen of Pain! Pain Value +5!]


    Unexpectedly, even at this moment, there was such a pleasant surprise.


    "Kill him! Quick! Kill him!"


    The woman beside him began to twist violently, shouting excitedly.


    The man also had a fierce look in his eyes, seeing his successful strike, intending to press the advantage.


    But in an instant, the commotion ended, and the excited shouting was caught in the woman''s throat.


    A line of blood appeared on the man''s neck. With a casual wave of the saw in Lu Ce''s hand, it moved at a terrifying speed almost imperceptible to the naked eye, leaving only the terrifying sound of slicing through the air.


    "Too bad~ You only get one chance. o(*￣▽￣*)ブ"


    "Also, thanks for the knife you brought.~"