Chapter 53: I Just Love the Way You Can’t Stand Me, Yet Can’t Do Anything About It
High above the playground, Yu Shujun raised his hand. In an instant, the thick clouds swirling overhead began to spiral downward, forming a funnel whose tip landed squarely in his palm.
On the ground, a sharp crack rang out—the final protective bubble encasing Wen Nan shattered under the crushing pressure of the summoned creatures that crowded in from all sides. Now stripped of any defense, Wen Nan was nothing more than an ordinary level-one player, as fragile as a river clam stripped of its shell, its soft flesh exposed and ripe for the taking.
Yu Shujun’s slender fingers moved ever so slightly, orchestrating the array of summoned beings encircling Wen Nan, preparing them for the final, lethal blow.
“If you have any sense, give up your resistance. I will ensure you feel no pain.”
Yu Shujun’s voice echoed from above.
...
[(̑)wow!*✰]
[∑(;°Д°)]
[As expected of someone on par with the legends.]
[Such an impressive skill.]
[Is this a finishing move?]
[*ShortChubby*: This isn’t a finishing move. You’re underestimating a legend.]
[*ShortChubby*: A skill like this, for any legendary figure, is nothing more than a minor technique.]
[*ShortChubby*: Where Lord Wu Ming’s true strength lies is far beyond what you see now.]
[*ShortChubby*: He’s only using this hidden skill because of the shard of the divine staff. If he used other skills, they could be stolen.]
[*ShortChubby*: But this set alone is more than enough to deal with someone like One-Night Jiujiro, who’s just level one.]
[*ShortChubby*: Looks like Jiujiro will be joining us soon.]
[Praying hands]
[Praying hands]
[I’m going to increase my bets.]
[Me too, all in.]
[Candle]
[Candle]
...
On the playground, before Yu Shujun’s words had even faded, the summoned creatures around Wen Nan adjusted their stances in unison—
Every single one aimed their sharpest weapons at Wen Nan’s head and heart.
Upon hearing Yu Shujun’s words, Wen Nan sneered.
So, he truly intended to kill him? And yet, he expected him to simply lie down and accept it?
Laughable.
A whooshing sound sliced the air. In a blink, the jagged ends of broken desks and chairs, the bony, razor-sharp claws of the ghastly female specter, and sharpened metal rods all lunged for Wen Nan’s body.
In a flash, Wen Nan, his agility maxed out, dropped to one knee. His arm swept up before him, palm facing outward.
In the center of his palm, on the circular control sigil, a flash of silvery lightning flickered.
The next moment, a petite figure leapt to stand before Wen Nan.
When Yu Shujun recognized who it was, he abruptly pulled back, fist clenched at his chest, halting every summoned creature at the last possible instant.
“...Qiqi?”
Yu Shujun’s brows drew tight as he gazed coldly downward. “Step aside. I don’t want to hurt you.”
Qiqi, her body smeared with blood and filth, already beginning to transform into a ghost, let out a mirthless laugh. She shifted sideways, planting herself firmly between Wen Nan and all threats, shielding him completely.
“Unless you take me down first, don’t even think about touching a hair on his head!”
Yu Shujun tilted his head slightly, his voice icy: “You’re no match for me.”
Qiqi’s laughter was sharp and derisive. With a flick of her arm, she snapped a steel rod as thick as a child’s arm, then bit through the corner of a desk with her teeth.
“Try me.”
To most, such a display was terrifying strength—but to Yu Shujun, it looked more like a child in kindergarten waving a twig in defiance.
It posed no threat to him, only fueling his impatience and weariness. The divine staff fragment’s time was running out; he could not afford to waste it on a low-level ghost.
He extended his clenched fist once more, palm open, as storm clouds gathered anew.
Yu Shujun prepared a fresh onslaught, his gaze locked on the man below.
“Night Nine, if you’re a man, stand up. Don’t hide behind a woman—”
“—Qiqi, stand down.”
Yu Shujun had barely begun when Wen Nan issued his command to Qiqi.
At this, Yu Shujun’s expression eased slightly—at least the man wasn’t utterly spineless.
Yet Qiqi refused to budge. Her lips pressed into a stubborn line, she remained a steadfast shield before Wen Nan—protecting Night Nine with her life was a duty etched into her very bones.
But Wen Nan raised his hand and gently tapped the nape of Qiqi’s neck.
The moment the control sigil made contact, a silver-white light shimmered across Qiqi’s pale skin, making her unable to resist Wen Nan’s order.
Her body trembled, torn between two instincts: one to obey Wen Nan unconditionally, the other to never abandon him, no matter the cost.
In the pain of this struggle, Qiqi managed to say, “I...”
But Wen Nan only smiled softly, as if it weren’t his own life at stake, and gently reassured her, “Don’t worry. I’ll be fine.”
High above, Yu Shujun watched their exchange with cold detachment.
Hmph. The pitiful drama of a player overestimating himself and a foolish character. Utterly trite.
Yet, for all his scorn, Yu Shujun still held back his attack—for if Night Nine could make Qiqi withdraw, he was willing to wait a few more seconds. After all, he truly didn’t want to harm her.
However...
The moment Wen Nan’s palm touched the control sigil at Qiqi’s nape, though it appeared to be an order to retreat—in truth—
9527: [Item used successfully: Tear of the Flower]
9527: [Target: Level 1 Control Sigil]
9527: [Your control sigil has been upgraded to Level 3, effect lasts three minutes]
Wen Nan’s lips curled into a faint smile. As he withdrew his hand from Qiqi’s neck, he turned his palm upward, aiming directly at Yu Shujun.
“...What?!”
Yu Shujun’s pupils shrank in shock. He tried to dodge, but it was already too late.
In Wen Nan’s palm, the Level 3 control sigil flared with golden light.
“Divine staff fragment! Soul of Replication!”
In the next instant, the golden sigil was branded onto the nape of Yu Shujun’s neck.
9527: [Yu Shujun has been converted into an extremely rare controllable character, now bearing a Level 3 control sigil.]
9527: [Your affinity with the character has reached 99%. The sigil is now fully activated.]
9527: [Congratulations! The Level 3 control sigil is lit. You now have a new exclusive character—Yu Shujun.]
Only now did Yu Shujun realize he had been the one caught in a trap all along.
Rage twisted his features. “You!!!”
He tried to raise his hand and attack Wen Nan again, but the control sigil’s restrictions paralyzed him.
Standing on the ground, Wen Nan looked up at him and smiled, his tone light, “If you have something to say, come down and say it.”
The next moment, compelled by the instinct to obey without question, Yu Shujun plummeted before Wen Nan like a falling leaf.
His body unresponsive, knees buckled, and he landed in a heap, kneeling in humiliation at Wen Nan’s feet.
Looking up, Yu Shujun gritted his teeth so hard they nearly shattered, but no force of will could break the sigil’s hold.
Wen Nan gazed down at him, a king before his subject.
“This is exactly how I like you: glaring at me with contempt, yet utterly unable to defeat me.
“My first time controlling someone—if I lack finesse, I ask your forgiveness.”
With that, he extended his hand to Yu Shujun.
“From now on, you may call me... master.”