Secret World: I Became a God Through Lies

Chapter 260 Forbidden Purgatory: Trial of the Zeroer

Numbers are not salvation
But under the butcher's knife,
A fleeting breath.

Rumbling--

Above the ruins, the black sky twisted violently, as if being torn apart by an invisible behemoth.

A crimson beam of light crashed down from the depths of the clouds, like a spear of judgment from purgatory, instantly piercing through the entire plaza.
Illuminating the scorched earth, it's like turning the entire ruined plaza into a beacon in the center of a slaughterhouse.

Within the light, Madman Thirteen's projection reappeared.

That familiar yet unfamiliar face was still half gentle to the point of compassion, and half twisted like a wild dog devouring dead flesh.

As the light distorted, those asymmetrical eyes seemed to see right through everyone, and the corners of her lips parted slightly, whispering in the air:

Welcome back to hell, test subjects.

[The Third Night - The Trial of the Zeroers.]

The projection split into countless fragments, which flew out like flames and quickly flew into front of each survivor, forming light screens burning with data flames.

A system notification, a blend of fiery white and blood red, scrolled across the screen like an apocalyptic incantation:
[Game Rules - Upgraded Version]

[1] Each player's military ID number has been updated (1-9).

[2] The venue has nine [Gates of War], each corresponding to a number.

【3】Team formation requirements:
Group size limit: 2-4 people.

The numbers on the military license plates are added together, and the "root number" is taken, which must match the target door number.

Some gates are marked as "Prime Number Gates" and are only for players with prime number rank cards (2, 3, 5, 7).

特殊存在【归零门】（数字0），仅接受数字总和为10、20、30、40等倍数者通过。

[4] Allows single-player entry into the [All-or-Nothing Gate], but will face a super-enhanced trial.

[5] Once a team is confirmed, it cannot be changed. Incorrect team formation - watch explodes, immediate elimination.

Good luck to you—if you survive.

Madman Thirteen chuckled softly as his figure vanished into the bloody light.

The entire venue fell into a deathly silence.

Only the dog tags on their wrists remained, emitting a faint, cold hum on everyone's wrists.

The sound wasn't loud, but it was like a series of time bombs, whispering the rhythm of death in everyone's ears.

Si Ming lowered his eyes.

【6】

He glanced at the numbers on the dog license plate, his expression unchanged, but he became even calmer.

Around them, Lynn, Zhuang Yege, Mu Sisi, Duan Xingzhou, Eileen, Lilith, Xu Jinxiao and others also lowered their heads and stared intently at their own dog tags.

Those were numbers that mattered between life and death.

Breathing rose and fell, but was suppressed to a very low hue. It wasn't quiet; it was oppression, it was fear.

It is everyone's struggle to remain calm as they are forced to stay rational, with numbers and rules tightly gripping their sanity.

“1、2、3、5、7……质数门。”

"What is a digit root? It's the units digit after adding the digits together. For example, 13 is 1 + 3 = 4..."

Whispers began to rise, and some people started frantically calculating their own actions.

Many others stood frozen in place, their faces showing confusion and bewilderment.

The rules are too complicated.

This time, Madman Thirteen's plan was not just a simple slaughterhouse.
Instead, it is a vast web of mental traps—mathematical traps, rule traps, and psychological traps.

"The Zero Gate... 10, 20, 30, 40... Whose numbers can match up?"

"If we group the wrong team, will the dog license plate explode? Will we die instantly?"

As everyone was suffocating under the weight of fear and confusion, a steady voice, like steel, shattered the deathly silence:

"The optimal combination must be calculated immediately."

Rudolf.

The engineer who lost an arm and was severely injured, yet remained as rational as a machine.

His gaze was calm and clear, like a precision part salvaged from ruins, still functioning.

Si Ming raised an eyebrow, then smiled slightly, revealing a hint of undiminished interest.

He raised his hand, and a playing card spun and flew between his fingers.

"Looks like... I'll have to rely on math to save my life again today."

The two exchanged a glance, and each saw in the other's eyes a rational gleam that did not belong to the chaotic world.

Without exchanging any words, they simultaneously crouched down, their fingers quickly drawing lines across the scorched earth.

Rudolf tore off a corner of the rag, while Si Ming pulled out a piece of charcoal pencil tip from the gap in the clothing.

Amidst the dust and cracked light and shadow, they used ruins as paper and charcoal ash as a pen to quickly create a simple yet precise sand table.

Lin Wanqing was the first to squat down, watching their brushstrokes fly across the paper, her eyes growing increasingly tense yet resolute.

Lynn, Vera, Xinnai, Duan Xingzhou and others followed closely behind, surrounding them.

Each of them had a solemn look in their eyes.

Natasha whistled softly and spoke lazily, her tone tinged with a hint of jest and genuine admiration:

"To have to rely on arithmetic to survive, how incredibly romantic!"

Although she spoke casually, her tone was not at all frivolous.

She knew that the lives and deaths of this group of people were now being rapidly woven together among these numbers.

Hermann stood silently on the perimeter, acting as a protective shield for everyone.

His gaze was like that of an eagle, and his finger remained constantly on the crossbow, as if he were ready to respond to any sudden attack.

Above the ruins, two figures squatted intently amidst the dust, sketching a dense network of numbers on a tattered cloth.

The charcoal pencil slid quickly across the cloth, making a dry, rustling sound.

Rudolf was covered in cold sweat, but his expression was focused, his lips were tightly pursed, and his eyes were as sharp as a cutter.

The Master of Fate is like a seasoned gambler analyzing a game, quickly deducing, dismantling, filtering, memorizing, discarding, or retaining each combination.

They do more than just calculate.

They were gambling with their lives.

The onlookers behind her were completely focused, and Lin Wanqing quietly wrote down the patterns of number combinations she knew on the side, trying her best to reduce their calculation burden.

Vera began calling out names in a low voice, noting down everyone's dog tag numbers.

Duan Xingzhou and Mu Sisi pieced together discarded metal pieces to create a map board, facilitating overall tactical deployment.

Time ticked by, and the pressure surged like molten lava in everyone's chest.

On the scorched earth, the simple sand table drawn with rags and charcoal ash has already been laid out.

Numbering, combination, digit roots, prime number grouping, zeroing configuration... the information is densely arranged, each stroke seemingly drawn with life itself.

This is the gambling table, the map, the trap, and the key.

In this nine-gate scheme designed by a madman—

They have only one way out:
Calculate it clearly.

Choose the right person.

Do not make mistakes.

Never betray.

live.

And Si Ming and Rudolf are turning this life-or-death calculation into a precise and ruthless mathematical battle.

Si Ming's fingers moved rapidly across the sand table, his voice low but clear and firm:
"We must first define the priority of the zeroing gate."

"If we can form a group that meets the conditions for zeroing out, we can lift the ban and greatly improve the overall survival rate."

Rudolf then wrote a few lines on the corner of the cloth, his handwriting crisp and clear:
[Number of gate targets for zeroing: 10, 20, 30, 40...]

He added in a deep voice, "Based on the number of military license plates we currently have... theoretically, we can form at most two squads that meet the conditions for the Zero Gate."

Si Ming gritted his teeth, his fingertips tapping back and forth between the numbers, frantically arranging and filtering in his mind, hundreds and thousands of combinations rapidly rolling through his brain.

【6+4=10】

【5+5=10】

【9+1=10】

【7+3=10】

Quickly label possible combinations of number roots.

Meanwhile, the prime number combinations on the other side were also quickly categorized, and the system automatically selected the prime number numbers: 2, 3, 5, and 7.

Simultaneously, Si Ming quickly pulled these prime numbers into the labeled area while removing marginal numbers that did not conform to the classification logic.

His brows were furrowed, and he was completely absorbed in calculations, like a highly efficient computer devoid of emotion.

"Prime number members confirmed: 2, 3, 5, 7."

"The prime number group can be formed with their priority."

Time ticked away quickly.

Meanwhile, in the distance, the other survivor squads had begun to stir.

"You're a prime number! You have to be in our group!"

"No, no, my numbers don't match yours!"

"Hurry up! If you don't split into teams soon, we're doomed!"

The heated arguments rose and fell, a cacophony of noise, anger, and hysteria.

Some people had already started pulling apart, and some had drawn their weapons, as if a single number could trigger a stampede at any moment.

A hair's breadth separates them, yet they are worlds apart.

Amidst this chaos and turmoil, Si Ming and Rudolf, like two silent tactical machines, crouched quietly before the dimly lit sand table.

Their fingers slid incessantly across the rag, charcoal pencils tracing rapid strokes across the fabric, each stroke swift and precise, carrying the cold focus of a death countdown.

They would exchange a brief message occasionally, and then immediately continue the calculations.

Lin Wanqing squatted to the side, her hands tightly gripping her knees and the hem of her clothes, her eyes fixed on the sand table, as if afraid of missing a single detail.

Lynn held her breath, her face full of tension, her shoulders trembling slightly.

Nobuna stood with her arms crossed, her sword still sheathed, yet she exuded a chilling aura that seemed to freeze the air.

Vera then softly recited ancient prayers to calm their mental fluctuations and help them maintain clear thinking under pressure.

The charcoal pencil finally stopped on the cloth.

Si Ming raised his head, his tone low yet as steady as a rock:

"The preliminary plan has been completed."

"We can assemble two groups for the 'Zero' group and three groups for the 'Prime Number' group. The remaining person must enter the 'All or Nothing' group."

Rudolf's eyes gleamed with rationality, his voice hoarse yet full of certainty:
"The margin for error is extremely low, but it is possible to survive."

He paused, then said in a low voice:

The problem is—trust.

Upon hearing this, Si Ming sneered, his tone laced with sarcasm and coldness:

"This is what Madman Thirteen really wants."

Lin Wanqing spoke timidly, her voice trembling:

"What if...someone betrays us at the end?"

Rudolf's answer was crisp and ruthless:
"Just die." Simple. Brutal. Cruel.

This is the selection mechanism personally created by Madman Thirteen, a real massacre with no resurrection and no turning back.

Si Ming narrowed his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the figures in the arena who were forming teams, crying, and tearing each other apart:
Some people's faces showed panic and despair;
Some people's eyes conceal calculation and composure;
And then there were those whose lips curled into sharp, razor-sharp smiles.

That's not hope; it's the raw, unfiltered essence of humanity after it's been stripped bare.

"Only those who are truly calm can make it to the end."

He murmured to himself, as if speaking to everyone, or perhaps reminding himself.

The campfire had gone out, and the night was deep.

The dim light of daylight spilled onto the ruins, casting long and distorted shadows on everyone.

All around, the nine gates of war stood silently, like the open gears of death, motionless, waiting for blood to flow in.

Rudolf finally drew a line on the rag, and the team configurations were officially finalized.

He raised his head, his voice low and slow:
"Grouping complete."

Everyone held their breath.

Si Ming stood up, shook off the dust, and casually tossed the playing cards in his hand.

The card sliced ​​through the air, producing a soft, crisp sound, like a command before some kind of ritual.

He looked at the crowd, a faint smile appearing on his lips.

"I'll take this gamble and go alone."

The air froze abruptly, remained silent for a moment, and then reacted explosively.

"—What?!" Lynn's voice rang out first, her eyes instantly reddening.

Lin Wanqing stood up abruptly, her voice trembling, almost on the verge of tears:

"No! It's too dangerous! The All-or-Nothing Sect is...!"

Herman frowned, as if he wanted to dissuade her, but hesitated and did not speak.

Natasha, unusually, restrained her usual frivolity, her eyes turning deep and serious.

"Little Master, you shouldn't be so reckless in this kind of thing."

Vera gently shook her head, her silver hair fluttering in the wind:
"Going all in is Madman Thirteen's favorite 'personal judgment' ritual. Once entered, even the Star of Reason might not have time to activate."

All eyes turned to Si Ming.

It was a heavy gaze, mixed with worry, anxiety, and a suppressed sense of powerlessness.

But Si Ming just smiled.

He spread his hands, as if revealing an ace at a gambling table, his eyes bright, his tone laced with a hint of mockery, yet concealing an unwavering resolve:
"do not forget."

"Right now, I'm the luckiest man in the whole place."

He pointed to the faintly glowing military license plate number on his wrist—[6].

The faint numbers seemed to emit some strange echo in the darkness.

He murmured to himself, as if to himself, and also to another being:
"My secret is the master of 'fate'."

After a moment of silence, Natasha finally couldn't help but laugh out loud, a laugh tinged with helplessness, a hint of defiance, and a touch of almost admiring respect:

"...Truly worthy of being called Little Fate Master."

"A man even Death has to watch his temper."

Rudolf also raised his head, looking intently at Siming, and slowly nodded:
"I approve of this decision."

"Gamblers sometimes have to rely on their intuition."

Lynn bit her lip, her eyes reddening, and gripped Lin Wanqing's hand tightly.

Lin Wanqing lowered her head, her fists clenched tightly, her knuckles turning white.

They all understood—

In this city ruled by a madman, no one can be protected forever.

Everyone must learn to walk alone in the face of death.

Si Ming lowered his head, patted Lynn's hair, and whispered with a smile:

"don’t worry."

"I don't want to die on a stage with no audience."

After saying that, he turned around.

Step by step, with unwavering determination, I walked toward that solitary door standing on the edge of the ruins—

[The All-or-Nothing Strategy]

The black gears on the door turned slowly, and a soft clicking sound came from deep inside.

As if whispering:
Welcome, gambler. Come and have your own trial.

at the same time.

Based on the team formation plan meticulously deduced by Rudolf and Siming, the remaining groups quickly completed their assembly and integration:

Xin Nai, Xiao Lianyin, Lin En, Lilith – Zero Gate
Natasha, Zhuang Yege, Eileen, Duan Xingzhou – Zero Gate
Hermann, Lin Wanqing, Fujimiya Sumi – Prime Numbers
Vera, Rudolph, Xu Jinxiao – The Prime Number Gate
The nine gates have been opened, and destiny has been decided.

The air seemed to freeze, and even the sound of the wind was lowered.

Si Ming stood in the center of the ruins and took a deep breath.

The desperate gamble before him was like a sleeping behemoth, waiting for him to approach.

He strode forward, his figure weaving through the firelight and smoke. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, his silhouette gradually lengthened, like a lonely gambler stepping into the abyss of fate.

The nine gates of war, like the gears of death, slowly began to turn.

Behind each door, it seemed, were countless pairs of cold eyes, watching and licking the blood and lives that were about to come.

The trial was about to begin.

As he reached the door, he suddenly stopped and looked back.

That one glance froze the silence of the entire ruins.

He saw Lynn standing there, clutching the "Voice of Recall" pocket watch tightly, his eyes red-rimmed, yet stubbornly refusing to let the tears fall.

He saw Vera raise the prayer sign, her silver hair fluttering in the wind, her eyes gentle yet firm, like a protector offering him blessings.

He saw Nobuna draw her sword without saying a word, her posture cold and murderous, as if the blade had already expressed her stance.

He saw Natasha whistle, manage a weak smile, and gesture at him in a "don't die" manner.

But the sharp glint in his eyes betrayed his barely concealed worry.

He saw Lin Wanqing open her mouth, but didn't say a word. She just lowered her head, clenched her fists, her knuckles turned white, and her eyes were slightly red.

There's also Hermann, Zhuang Yege, Duan Xingzhou, Mu Sisi, Fujimiya Sumi...

Their expressions varied, but at that moment, all their gazes were fixed on Siming's back like sharp arrows.

He smiled slightly, a smile that carried the carefree spirit of a gambler and the composure of a guide.

He raised his hand and waved it gently:

"Be careful, everyone."

"wait me back."

There was no lengthy explanation.

There were no impassioned vows.

Just a few words, concise, sharp, and steady, like a blade cutting through the night, or a gambler's farewell before departure—simple, yet unforgettable.

Then he turned around.

That black, all-or-nothing door stood silently, lonely and eerie.

The gear-like patterns on the door rotated slowly, emitting a low, clicking sound, like the heartbeat of some mechanical deity.

There was only one person.

You only have one chance.

Only true gamblers deserve to enter this place.

Si Ming let out a soft breath, raised his right hand slightly, and twirled the familiar playing card with his fingertips.

The whispers of the Thousand Faces slowly awakened in the depths of my consciousness, the voice languid yet retaining its unique mockery:

[A desperate gamble? Heh... Sima Yi.]

This is the game that truly belongs to us.

He didn't respond, but simply spun the card lightly, his movements swift and decisive, his gaze utterly calm.

The iron gate slowly opened the moment he pushed it open.

A sudden gust of cold wind, carrying the scents of rust, blood, gunpowder, and some other strange smell, swept over me, like the first breath released from the depths of hell.

Without hesitation, Si Ming stepped inside.

Behind the door, darkness stretched like a sea, swallowing his silhouette.

And the door—

The door slammed shut the moment he stepped inside.

The ground of the entire ruins trembled slightly.

It was as if the world had briefly held its breath at that moment.

Meanwhile, according to the established team formation plan, the remaining teams quickly split up and rushed towards their respective objectives:

With sharp eyes and a cold gait, Xin Nai led Lin En, Xiao Lianyin, and Lilith straight to Gate 6, the Zero Gate.

Natasha, Zhuang Yege, Eileen, and Duan Xingzhou formed another team, targeting Gate 10, which was as fast as a gun cutting through the wind.

Hermann, Lin Wanqing, and Fujimiya Sumi quickly formed a support group and worked together to advance towards the prime number gate, number 4. Hermann, alert and at the forefront,

Lin Wanqing followed closely behind, while Fujimiya Sumi had a cold and solemn expression, like a silent spell about to begin.

Vera, Rudolph, and Xu Jinxiao formed another three-person team, targeting number 7 in the prime number gate.

Vera led the way with the Holy Seal, Rudolf was in charge of the rhythm and judgment, and Xu Jinxiao, though his eyes were empty, kept up with the pace, seemingly finally regaining his fighting spirit from exhaustion.

Zhuang Yege continued to wander along the edge of the battlefield like a shadow, silent yet subtly controlling certain unpredictable variables.

The aftershocks of the artillery fire had not yet completely subsided, and the ruins trembled slightly between darkness and scorched earth.

At this moment, all nine gates of destiny opened.

This is Crazy Thirteen's second round of gambling, a hellish game where even the soul will be stripped away.

A new trial.

New deaths.

A new form of gambling.

The curtain has already been raised.

And the God of Fate.

Alone, he was entering the deepest realm, woven by Madman Thirteen and imbued with madness and the will of the abyss.

There were no companions there, no help.

Only oppression.

Only desperate situations.

The only option is to gamble with your life.

Only by going all in.

"The door of destiny has been opened."

Those who stepped inside
He was no longer a mortal.

(End of this chapter)