Page 151 of Light Leech

Naoma: It worked! They’re a mess! Have you seen them trying to throw each other into the barrier? I’m going to try to convince one of them to try and open it. Better yet, maybe Shou will like the chaos of them throwing each other into the water after ruining his show.

I checked the arena and saw that people were indeed trying to throw each other into the lake. Most of the arena had retreated, but those who remained would not stop until their recorded betrayals were given sufficient justice.

“Everything is falling into place. What joy.”

That doesn’t fix all the people who have died in this race. They are dead, right?

“They have been reduced to the particles that comprise them. Is a building still a building if it is deconstructed into the powdery minerals which created it?”

Great.

“It is not ‘great,’ merely the fact of the matter.”

And you understand all of this because everything makes sense outside of this world?

“No. I have a better understanding. There are some humans who have a better grasp on this science, if we shall call it that.”

Like whom?

“The Luxists. Leave the rest to them. It is time to ascend.”

It’s never been that easy.

“No. It hasn’t ever been nor will it ever be. Your body is ready after–”

Whatever, just tell me what I need to do. None of this ever makes sense.

“Nor will it until–”

I ascend further. Got it.

“Stab yourself with every spear until you collapse.”

Chapter twenty-three

I’m Sick of This Card Game

“You made it!”

Despite being in a cognitive simulation, I sensed the warmth in Ralia’s embrace. I knew it was more muscle memory impressing the feeling into my mind. The neurocore was an odd cousin of reality, but it did not dispel my need for human touch, even if this was an illusion.

I turned around to face her. “Did you doubt me?”She let go and placed her hands on hip. “You never know. How did it go for you?”

“It was a closer match than I would have liked.” I looked around. We were in that familiar cube in the pixelated abyss, but there were only nine others left with us.

She stepped back into my view to ground me. “Doesn’t really matter now that we’re here, right?”

“I guess not. Do you think it’s over yet?”

She shrugged. “No idea.”

“You think there’s more?”

She leaned her head from side to side, then nodded. “Don’t call me cocky–”

“I don’t need to, your actions are enough.”

She cracked a smile as she continued to speak. I knew she appreciated the levity, even if I didn’t feel like it. “I don’t feel like we’ve been tested enough. You plug? How can a bunch of games prove you’re worthy of Pure Knowledge?”