"Do we really have to follow the rules that Genm designed? If he's the game administrator, how could we ever compete in a game he controls? And right now, we don't even know his true purpose for designing this game," Elena said, her expression troubled.
After all, with the administrator privileges, all the rules were set by someone else—there was no way to outplay him.
Dan nodded knowingly. "Your concern is valid, which is why I've been analyzing Genm's game carefully."
"Dan, have you discovered something?" Gwen's eyes brightened as she asked.
Dan smiled faintly, not confirming or denying. "Through reverse deduction, by analyzing the connection between the Rider Player Gashats and this game, I have indeed discovered some hidden secrets."
His expression then turned serious, the faint smile disappearing. Everyone present felt a chill run through them.
"If my guess is correct, the true purpose of this game is to cultivate the final boss—the 'Game God'," he said.
Seeing the confused and slightly blank expressions on their faces, he continued: "From my deep analysis, this Game God is not yet fully realized. It is still in the process of gestation. The battle data from players using the Rider Gashats against Bugster monsters is being collected in a special way, serving as nourishment for the Game God."
"In other words, Genm distributed the Player Gashats throughout New York to make players fight Bugsters, accelerating the Game God's gestation," Li Hua said softly, eyes narrowed.
"If he wants the Game God to fully awaken, we cannot let him succeed. We have to stop the Game God from reaching full maturity," Victor said coldly, a sharp glint in his eyes.
Although they didn't know what kind of power the Game God might wield, it was clear that such a grand scheme could not involve an ordinary character.
Victor fully understood one truth: whatever goal the enemy wants to achieve, it must be thwarted.
"Victor is right. We cannot always be led around by the nose. We must find a way to break the game," Li Hua agreed with a firm nod.
"Why are you staring at me?" Li Hua asked, puzzled.
"The solution?" Elena tilted her head slightly.
Li Hua looked a bit embarrassed. "The best way is obviously to eliminate the Game God before it becomes fully realized. But how to locate the Game God will depend on Dan."
Elena let out a long sigh, seeming disappointed, then turned to Dan "Dan, do you have a plan?"
"If I must say, I do have a way to make the Game God appear," Dan replied. "However, skipping all the previous game stages and going straight to the final boss is not simple."
"It's better than waiting for it to reach full power," Li Hua said with burning determination.
The group exchanged glances and nodded in agreement.
Dan sighed lightly. "Alright. Since you've made up your minds, I will try to let you jump directly to the Game God's final stage."
Inside the Giant Game Domain
"So this is the Game God?" Elena asked, looking at the semi-illusory figure floating in the void, with all the incomplete game stage maps displayed in black and white below.
"Normally, you'd have to clear all these stages before confronting the Game God," Li Hua said.
"I'm going to awaken the Game God. Are you ready?" Dan's voice echoed to them.
A beam of light shot into the game domain. The semi-illusory Game God stirred, emanating a strange dark-golden oppressive glow.
Its massive form quickly shrank, from tens of meters tall to roughly human size.
"Have you come to challenge me?" the Game God asked, its deep voice full of authority.
"No, you haven't even passed the previous trials. How did you get here?" it demanded.
"We don't care about your trials. We're here to destroy you," Elena said bluntly.
"How dare you defy the sacred trial of the gods!" the Game God bellowed like thunder, filled with righteous anger.
"Ridiculous. You're just a boss spawned from a game. Sacred trials, what a joke," Elena said dismissively, firing her cannon at the Game God.
The Game God merely raised its left-hand shield and effortlessly blocked her powerful blast.
Elena's heart sank. That shot was only a test and not full power, yet she had already used about 60–70% of her main cannon's output—there should have been some effect.
"You insolent fools. I shall punish you with divine retribution!" the Game God charged at them.
Li Hua and the others immediately countered, unleashing their attacks on the Game God.
Yet the Game God's left-hand shield was indestructible, effortlessly blocking all attacks, while its right-hand blade annihilated their skills with each swing.
"How can it be so strong?" Elena muttered, stunned. They were all starting at level 50, yet victory seemed impossible.
"Divine Domain!" the Game God shouted. A golden aura radiated outward. The four of them felt trapped as if stuck in quicksand, barely able to move. Xiao Feng's summoned ninja army collapsed immediately.
After controlling them, the Game God swung its great blade, a massive dazzling slash sweeping across them.
All four were hit hard, thrown to the ground, and their Knight Gauge nearly dropped to zero.
"You are far too arrogant. Violating the game rules means you cannot conquer the game, no matter your level," a voice rang out. It was Genm, appearing in the game domain with a mocking tone.
"Damn it," the four glared at him.
"The Game God is a divine being—it cannot be defeated!" Genm said, indifferent.
"But there must be a way to beat the game," Dan appeared, calmly replying.
"You're right. But the secret to defeating the Game God is hidden in the previous game stages. Skipping them means you cannot master the Game God's power," Genm said casually.
Dab, however, smiled knowingly. "You're not the only one who can control the game. I've discovered the secret of the Player Gashats and the power to challenge the Game God."
He then drew the Rider Gashat, pressing it as a subtle change occurred.
"Cronus!"
""Gachan! Level Up! Rider Chronicle! A Gacha! Ten wo Tsukame Rider! Kizame Chronicle! Ima koso Toki wa Kiwamareri!!"
A golden circular clock-like aura appeared behind Dan. From it, the legendary Knight Cronus emerged, clad in interwoven green and black armor.
"The legendary Rider, Cronus. After clearing all the previous stages, this is the legendary power players can obtain—enough to challenge a divine being, the Game God," Dan whispered.
(End of Chapter)