Worlds’ Apocalypse Online

The bolt of lightning was too fast.

Like a blurry string, it drew a blue arc across the ground.

All of a sudden.

A resounding voice echoed:

「 I give up! I surrender! 」

After this declaration, the bolt of lightning finally disappeared.

Gu Qing Shan continued to take a few more steps due to the inertia before slowly stopping in the snow.

He was still wearing the mask from before------

The mask with a stupefied face.

"Are you really giving up?"

His voice sounded from behind the mask.

「 Hah… hah… yes, I surrender 」the humanoid snake breathed heavily and said.

Its body was riddled with countless tiny wounds that were continuously bleeding, simply terrifying to look at.

Gu Qing Shan had been continuously attacking it while using [Lightning Wraith].

The humanoid snake was being restrained by several lengths of black chains, so it was unable to dodge at all and was now completely unable to retaliate.

"Very well, then tell me, what is in the palace array up ahead?" Gu Qing Shan asked.

The humanoid snake carefully observed him while breathing heavily and tried asking: 「 You aren't afraid that I'll deceive you? 」

Gu Qing Shan casually waved he blade in his hand and answered: "You're going to give me the most accurate possible information in exchange for your life------ your powers seemed to have been sealed and you can't stop my blade, so I suggest that you make the right decision"

In the snowy wind, the snake monster fell into silence.

------this brat's forte is running away.

If he doesn't die and comes back here for revenge, I'll really be in danger.

「 I don't remember much, but I'm confident that the palace array in the distance was called the Palace of Fear 」the snake monster answered.

"Palace of Fear… why does it sound like some sort of Apocalypse?" Gu Qing Shan asked.

「 You're right, every individual who enters this world will face an Apocalypse----- this is part of the Samsara's trial 」the snake monster explained.

"The Samsara's trial? Why would there be a trial?" Gu Qing Shan asked.

「 I don't know either. When I woke up, I'd already forgotten everything. I was also heavily wounded, trapped within this snowstorm; almost every fellow who's a survivor in this place is the same as me 」the snake monster said.

Gu Qing Shan was still hesitant.

----how did this snake monster end up the same way I did, heavily wounded with no memories at all?

Although it's a good thing that I've regained my memories.

"So you've forgotten everything else, but still remember the Palace of Fear" Gu Qing Shan tried confirming.

「 That's right, that was the only thing I remembered clearly 」the snake monster answered.

"Tell me about it in detail" Gu Qing Shan said.

The snake monster answered in a harrowing tone: 「 It is a unique Apocalypse. Everyone who enters the palace will face billions of terrifying matters, and as soon as a single bit of 'fear' emerges in their heart, they will be stripped of their capabilities one by one. Once they lose even their ability to speak and walk, unable to retaliate in any way, shape, or form, true terror would then begin------ 」

"What's that?" Gu Qing Shan asked.

「 The entire palace array will begin to consume your soul and body at an extremely slow pace. The entire process will take an extremely long time without you being able to do anything to resist, having no other choice but to feel yourself being consumed bit by bit 」the humanoid snake explained.

Gu Qing Shan was wearing a mask, so his expression couldn't be discerned at all.

He was standing completely still as if he was deep in thought.

A few moments later.

Gu Qing Shan finally asked: "You said that every individual who enters this place will have to face an Apocalypse?"

「 Correct. Your greatest fortune was the fact that you decided to head in this direction 」the humanoid snake coldly scoffed.

"Why do you say that?" Gu Qing Shan asked.

「 ------because you did not run into the kind of Apocalypse that instantly consumed your life 」the humanoid snake answered.

Gu Qing Shan nodded: "If that's the case, I really am fortunate"

He sheathed his blade and started walking past the humanoid snake.

He was going further and further away.

The humanoid snake shouted from behind: 「 Are you really not going to kill me? 」

Gu Qing Shan didn't turn around and answered: "I said I wanted information in exchange for your life------- if you were lying, it wouldn't be too late for me to come back and kill you"

His figure disappeared into the snowy wind.

…

A minute later.

Gu Qing Shan was now standing in front of a large palace array.

So this is the Palace of Fear?

I've never faced such a strange Apocalypse before.

While he was thinking that, a small door suddenly appeared on the bright red palace wall.

The door was tightly shut.

In the snowy wind, countless moans and cries for forgiveness could be faintly heard.

Gu Qing Shan didn't proceed forward right away.

He stood outside and shouted: "Excuse me, what is this place?"

Instantly, all the moans and cries vanished.

[Ahahahahahahahaha!]

Numerous sounds of laughter resounded instead.

This laughter contained a sort of malice that could not be described by words.

Normal people would feel utter dread just by hearing this laughter.

Suddenly, lines of bloody red text appeared in the void of space:

[Attention, you've entered the vicinity of the Palace of Fear]

[This is the beginning of the Elements War]

[From this point onwards, you cannot hold any sort of emotion that encompasses 'fear', otherwise, you will fall into an irreconcilable position]

[Attention:]

[Nothing can harm a brave individual]

Gu Qing Shan skimmed through the message and appeared surprised.

-----I haven't even entered the palace and it's already begun?