The Abyss Gazes Back

He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.

Initially, guilds were player groups that nurtured newcomers and tackled the game together. However, they had now transformed into voracious dragons that devoured new blood.

My hatred for guilds stemmed from their gradual corruption under the influence of capital. They had morphed from havens offering aid to cartels monopolizing game resources.

Driven by profit, their resource allocation was grossly unfair, ensuring the weak remained perpetually weak and the strong grew ever stronger. This was a significant contributor to the deteriorating game environment.

Thus, I chose to become the Demon King, employing various methods to undermine and suppress these guilds, stripping the dominant ones of their influence and preventing smaller guilds from coalescing.

I believed this would foster a healthy gaming environment. Yet, seeing the guilds unite to hunt me down, I realized I had long since forfeited the hearts of the people, unwittingly transforming into the very dragon I sought to slay.

Acting through wicked means can never lead to true nobility.

This held true for both games and reality.

Xiyue scoffed, “Someone on the forums has already dug up the real identity of that female player named Half-City Misty Rain. She’s that Death Knight right beside you, isn’t she? Those deceived players are furious, 09. You’ll probably have to quit the game, or else prepare to be relentlessly hunted down.”

Emmmm, I was too busy today to check the forums. I didn’t realize things had already been exposed.

I had already anticipated what those male players, whose feelings had been toyed with, would do.

Old grudges and new grievances would be settled all at once. My past economic warfare within the game had caused heavy losses for some major guilds, and their bosses would certainly not let me off the hook. I was truly in a state where everyone wanted to see me fall.

But what of it?

A game is just a game. If you choose to participate, you must be prepared to lose.

To make me quit? Dream on!

I hadn’t even earned enough money yet!

“Xiyue, are you a sore loser?”

“Weren’t you the one who played dirty?”

“I am the Demon King! Shamelessness is my nature. But you’re a hero. Aren’t you afraid of corrupting children by calling for backup like this?”

“Wrong. Those guilds came to find trouble with you on their own; it has nothing to do with me. I just want to smash you, you bastard. Do you have any idea how much you annoy me?”

“A beating means affection, a scolding means love. Haven’t you noticed how good our relationship is?”

“Get lost!”

Xiyue was about to strike without another word, so I hastily intervened.

“Xiyue, you haven’t joined any guild, which means you can’t stand their ugly faces. How about we team up first and eradicate those cancerous guilds?”

“The only cancer in this game is you. Earning money by looting ordinary players’ equipment in the wilderness? You are absolutely the most shameless player I’ve ever seen.”

“Capital comes into the world, dripping blood and filth from every pore, from head to toe. Have I done anything wrong? As a high-tier player, you have endless money to earn, while I can only resort to such dirty tactics to make a living. In the adult world, there is no right or wrong, only profit.”

“Why earn money in a game? Can’t you just purely enjoy it?”

“I do this to teach those naive children about the harsh realities of society! My intentions are truly profound!”

“Profound intentions? Is that your excuse for bullying the weak? Tell me, 09, are you in middle school? Still so chuunibyou?”

“If you say so, then it is so. I won’t argue.”

The guild teams had already surrounded us, and I was stalling for time. No matter what, they still had to show Xiyue some respect first.

“Nice, are you ready? I don’t recall a mass teleportation spell taking this long.”

Nice was our Dark Mage, a loyal fan of Nintendo. Previously, we had fiercely argued online about console wars, hurling insults like ‘Sony dog’ and ‘Nintendo pig,’ refusing to back down until one was trampled underfoot. Yet, we became friends through fighting. Eventually, we reached a consensus and reconciled, agreeing that PC players of online games were at the bottom of the contempt chain, while mobile game players were cast into hell, not even worthy of contempt.

Similarly, our Fallen Archer, ID John 117, was a devoted fan of Halo and a fervent supporter of Microsoft. And our Demon Hunter, ID Water Too Cold, was an old Shenmue player, still boasting about the Sega Saturn and Dreamcast decades after the console wars ended. We six were essentially all console gamers. So, when I suggested causing trouble in this most popular online game, they all eagerly joined my team. We were quite clear about our mission: to bring pain to the gaming world.

The Chaos faction had few normal players; it was mostly comprised of chaotic evil lunatics. Their organizations were scattered and unpredictable, committing all sorts of evil deeds, hated by every player. And as the Demon King, I naturally had the resolve of a Demon King!

Is it not normal to run when you can’t win? Who would fight to the death with you?

As long as I could foul someone else, I considered it a win.

Moreover, I had anticipated this situation and had already made preparations.

“Boss, it’s easy for you to say. I have to move, output damage, and cast spells simultaneously. It’s exhausting me to death…”

Before he could finish, Nice was instantly killed by Xiyue.

“…”

It’s over. This is truly GG.

If I log off now, I’ll still reappear here the next time I log in. These guilds will definitely camp me. They won’t stop until they force me to quit the game.

“There’s a head to every wrong, a master to every debt. How about I hand over this scoundrel who deceived others’ feelings?”

In desperation, I could only sell out my teammate.

The fatty shrieked, “Damn it, 09, I came with my main account to help you, and you’re just going to sell me out like that?”

I retorted righteously, “You’re rich; losing some equipment is nothing to you. If I can’t escape, this account will be worthless, unable to sell for a single penny!”

“So you’re going to screw me over? Fine, you traitor! I can’t beat Xiyue, but I can still deal with you, can’t I? See you at school tomorrow, let’s see if I report you for playing on your phone in class!”

“Little brother, what’s wrong with you? Oh, so we’re going to hurt each other, huh? I’ll casually mention to Old Zhang that you secretly watch adult films at school. At most, my phone gets confiscated, but you’ll suffer social death!”

“You venomous fiend! In that case, I won’t keep your secret about being a lesbian. I remember that female classmate who’s a lesbian has been looking for a girlfriend. I’m really looking forward to your early coming out!”

A shiver ran down my spine. I certainly knew that terrifying woman; she was a fearsome presence who dared to flirt even with young female teachers. If I fell into her clutches, wouldn’t my chances with Goddess be ruined?

I said darkly, “Heh, last time you said you wanted to go to a crossdresser cafe in Japan to flirt with crossdressers… So, you must want to join the seniors’ body modification club. I’ll help you sign up!”

He recalled his psychological trauma and exclaimed in horror, “Are you serious? Are you trying to kill me?”

Xiyue, naturally unaware that I and the fatty were already bickering and exposing each other’s dark pasts, calmly stated, “Alright, hand your accomplice over to those enraged guild players, and we’ll have a one-on-one. There’s only one condition to end this: either you quit the game, or I quit.”

“Give me a chance.”

“How can I give you a chance?”

“I didn’t have a choice before. Now, I want to be a good person.”

“Alright, go tell those innocent ordinary players and see if they’ll let you be a good person.”

“So, you want me dead.”

“I’m sorry, I’m a hero.”

Oh no, I can’t think of a line to follow! Am I truly destined to perish here today?

Just then, a flash of inspiration struck me. I remembered Xiyue was a gentleman.

Heh heh, since you’re live-streaming, don’t blame me for being impolite.

In front of your female fans, go ahead and be a scumbag for once!

“Xiyue, actually, I’ve always liked you.”

“…”

After a brief silence, Xiyue raised his holy sword.

“Fantasy Greatsword: Demonic Descent!”

That was the first time I realized a health bar could be driven into negative values by overflowing damage…