Secret World: I Became a God Through Lies

Chapter 268 Advancement Line - Fire Zone Detonation

"Every war is commanded by the person who knows best how to calculate."

But only those who correctly predict fate will survive to the end.

As the charred steel gate slowly closed, a heavy pressure, seemingly emanating from the depths of the wasteland, suddenly descended.

"boom--"

The final, deep slam of the door closing was like a hammer blow from fate, completely locking everyone into this experimental stage constructed of steel, sulfur, and madness.

An eerie silence fell over the entire group. The air seemed to freeze, and even breathing became heavier.

The ground trembled slightly, and in the distance, the core of the military furnace, hidden among the layers of structure, was slowly turning, emitting a regular and steady rumble.

That wasn't the sound of a machine operating; it sounded more like a steel beast still asleep, slowly inhaling from deep within its chest.

This interior space, named "Scorched Earth Fortress," is centered around a giant red gear, with each tooth deeply embedded in the ground, as if it were crushing the very essence of the world.

The projection system suddenly activated, and a black-edged, gold-patterned host card appeared in the air, shining brightly.

[System check complete. Scorched Earth Mode: Core array activated.]

[During this phase, three "leader units" will be automatically assigned: Siming, Vera, and Xiao Lianyin.]

The projected words danced like flames in the night, instantly illuminating everyone's faces.

The atmosphere in the square instantly became tense.

Everyone felt the weight of this advance, unlike any other battle.

Si Ming raised an eyebrow, a half-smile playing on his lips: "This game was indeed designed by Crazy Thirteen. He really knows how to play."

“We’ve become bloodstained pawns,” Vera said in a low voice, frowning. The light in her eyes didn’t waver, but that assessment pierced everyone’s hearts like needles.

Standing on the far right, Xiao Lianyin slowly tilted her head, a dangerous smile curving her lips:

"But... it's also quite exciting."

Her body was still covered in bloodstains and burn marks, and her wounds had not yet healed, but she did not hesitate at all. Instead, she was like a cheetah about to be released from its cage.

"Speak, Si Ming," she said in a low, husky voice, "how do you intend to begin your bet?"

Si Ming nodded and slowly walked towards the tall metal map platform in the center of the square.

Embedded on the platform is a simplified diagram of the advance of the scorched earth fortress. Three battle lines are distributed like veins on the spiraling terrain, each extending into the arsenal.

The simplified diagram shows three routes for advancement:

Route A: Flame Corridor (Mine Blockade + Automatic Cannon)

[Route B]: Energy Rail (High-Explosive Armor Line + Dense Enemy Force)

【Route C】: Induced Maze (Hallucination Fog Zone + Cognitive Distraction)

He placed his hand on the cold, hard steel surface, his fingertips tapping out a steady, powerful rhythm, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.

He carried his usual gambler's aura, but also carried the added weight of command that he had to shoulder at this moment.

"Rudolf, please stay in the rear camp tonight."

"Lin En and Lin Wanqing, assist in recording the progress data and system response, and analyze the patterns of change in each round."

"Hermann will lead the attack on Route A, with Xinna assisting. Vera will accompany him, providing backtracking and support."

"Route B is broken through by Selene and Natasha, while Lynn sets up an anchor point to support the reversal of the route."

"Route C - Zhuang Yege leads Duan Xingzhou and Lilith through the maze, with Yege responsible for cracking the interference identification."

He spoke slowly but with exceptional clarity. His entire formation was concise and efficient, balancing suppression and breakthroughs, as well as defense and breaking through stalemates.

He finally turned to the two main generals beside him.

"Lianyin and I will stay behind to advance the core. But if the enemy tries to infiltrate from the opposite direction, we will quickly adjust and prioritize clearing the line."

"Lianyin, in your current state—can you still fight without relying on secret techniques?"

Xiao Lianyin snorted, pulled the straps on her shoulders back, and the short sword clicked back into place on her back.

"You've gotten smarter now. You should have said so earlier." She raised her chin slightly, smiling arrogantly. "I haven't even warmed up my swordsmanship yet."

The atmosphere gradually improved, and everyone returned to their pre-battle state.

Vera nodded slightly, but before leaving, she quietly reminded him:

"But you, Siming—when do you plan to use your 'lucky card'?"

Si Ming smiled upon hearing this, as if he had already anticipated this question and answer.

He looked down, his fingers brushing over a familiar pattern on a card in his deck—a miracle card that could only be used once in every game.

"Wait until everyone thinks we're about to die."

He answered softly, his tone light, as if he were talking about the schedule of a dinner party.

The moment those words were spoken, the sound of heavy hammers and gears meshing echoed throughout the square.

Nine metal gates, molten at high temperatures, rise from the ground, as if the heart of a steel world is slowly opening.

Behind each door lies the beginning of the three-tiered progression path of the von Blanc arsenal.

Gears surged like a tide, and flames billowed.

That was the prelude to death.

It is also the prelude to the final battle.

Si Ming took a deep breath, turned around and glanced at the crowd behind him—familiar, weary, and determined.

"Let's go."

He spoke softly, like a silent declaration before placing a bet.

"Let's go big tonight."

He took the lead and stepped into the molten gate that led to the blazing metal.

Others followed suit.

Their footsteps pounded on the steel floor, a steady and calm rhythm, like warriors entering the arena to the beat of drums, facing the madman's scripted gears and the burning abyss—

To embark on a life-or-death battle called "The Endgame".

Behind the ruins, before the scorched earth.

This fortress, forged from steel and fire, has slowly bared its fangs.

The gears of doom.

They are biting.

[Propulsion Wheel - First Phase Launch]

Please select the advancement path.

Three red lights flashed simultaneously, and three scorching channels, A, B, and C, slowly opened, with flames surging from the abyss and leading to the unknown core deep within the scorched earth fortress.

Si Ming said softly, "Let's begin."

After saying that, Herman took the lead and stepped into—[Route A: Fire Corridor].

The floor tiles suddenly collapsed beneath his feet, catching him completely off guard. The next second, scalding flames erupted like burning fuel, shooting skyward and turning the entire passage into a scorching inferno.

[Danger Zone Triggered: Minefield Level - B+]

Failure to dodge will trigger a barrage of fire and significant shockwaves.

"Damn it, it's here!" Herman roared, his Star of Reason blazing brightly, and life runes like battle scars appearing on the back of his hand!
[Mysterious Activation: Blood Coffin Girl - First Containment]

[Target: Nobunaga]

The phantom of blood swirled and enveloped Shinna in a dark red stone coffin.

The moment the coffin lid closed, the oncoming wave of fire was completely engulfed, as if time itself had folded within the flames, never touching her in the slightest.

"I'm fine!" Xin Nai leaped out, her sword flashing as she swept it horizontally with her backhand!

A paper talisman flew out and transformed into dozens of white paper cranes in mid-air. With a whoosh, the cranes pierced through the flames and smoke as they sped forward.

[Mishinin Nobuna - Low-Tier Life-Type Summoning: Paper Crane Shikigami Group]

"Ahead is a blockade; deliberately triggering a minefield!"

The flock of paper cranes activated the landmines one after another, causing a series of explosions. Shrapnel and flames rose up, illuminating the floating high-pressure automatic artillery arrays on both sides of the corridor.

Herman deployed his heavy arm guards and moved forward step by step amidst the flames, deflecting the dense barrage of bullets coming from his left and right!

[High-Level Life Form - Semi-Bio-Modified Mechanical Beast: Skeletal Enhancement]

“We can’t drag this out any longer!” Herman said in a deep voice, his shoulder armor slightly charred from being hit several times. Vera stepped forward and ignited the Star of Reason with her finger.

[The Mysteries of Fate: The Upside-Down Judgment of Fate - The Trial of Reversal]

[Target: Hermann]

[Trigger effect: Clears the hit logic for this round]

The blue light threads pulled out Herman's fate data, and in the next instant, the bullet wounds all over his body faded as if time had reversed, as if fate had chosen the "not hit" branch.

"Now!" Hermann roared!

Nobuna charged forward again, her blade leaving a crimson afterimage!
"Break through their launch ports!"

With a precise strike, she slashed horizontally, a sharp blade of light severing the main power supply line of the automatic cannon!
boom--!
The main gun was shut down, and the flames died down.

The three stood on the scorching ground, sparks still spewing from the cracks, and lingering smoke rising from the charred walls.

They, however, have already firmly established themselves on the front lines.

Hermann whispered, "Next section, get ready."

[Route B: Energy Corridor]

Below the narrow track is a high-speed maglev guide rail, and in the air are layers of stacked energy rings and beam structures.

Hundreds of arcs of electricity leaped and danced within it, as if some kind of behemoth of lightning was waiting for its prey to step in.

"If you don't break through within ten seconds, the channel will be overloaded with energy." Lynn looked up, his tone calm yet swift.

Natasha twirled her twin pistols, a smile playing on her lips:

"Then I'll clear the way."

She suddenly leaped up, and a rain of pink bullets shot out, hitting the lightning ring link node in front of her!
boom!
A chaotic burst of lightning deflected, creating a narrow gap!
"Go!" Serian roared, transforming into a crimson shadow.

She glided along the ground, sparks flying from her claws, deftly dodging the remaining lightning, and dashed into the lower passage before the electric arc could block her way!

"The energy core is at 500 meters," Lynn whispered. "The 200-meter anchor point is being set."

The star of reason appeared, and her pocket watch spun gently in her palm.

[Time Anchor Point Setting Complete]

[Review of Execution & Launch]

Using the residual electromagnetic waves, Natasha leaped into the air, spun in mid-air, and crossed her two pistols!

"This gun is called 'Mad Sisters'—"

"I heard you're afraid of madmen?"

Da da da da da!
A hail of bullets rained down! Connecting nodes exploded one after another, plunging the lightning system into chaos!

[Enemy energy line control AI: Encountering interference]

[Response Deployment: Semi-Intelligent Armored Thunder Riders Deployed]

Four Thunder Riders leaped out from the end of the track, clad in plasma armor, their thunder spears flashing and roaring as they propelled themselves forward!

"Damn it!" Lynn cursed under his breath.

Selene licked her lips, revealing her fangs.

【Bloodthirsty Hunt - The Princess on the Frontline】

boom!
Bloodflame Domain Expansion!
She charged into the center of the Thunder Cavalry like a meteor, her claws tearing through the void!

"Try my vampire's 'Thunder-Shattering Slash'!"

A roaring strike, a sweeping attack!

Both Thunder Riders were instantly cut in half!

The third plane was shot in the head by Natasha!
Just as the fourth aircraft was about to retaliate, it was interfered with by the starlight lens thrown by Lynn—blinding the recognition system!
The three stood at the end of the scorching passage. The lightning had died down, but the air still held the smell of burning and the smell of gunpowder.

“Natasha!” Selene turned to look at Natasha. “You stole another one of my kills.”

Natasha shrugged: "Next time, I'll let you cut first."

Lynn watched the two banter, but secretly made a mental note:
"Perhaps... they're not just being indecent."

—

Route C: Guided Maze

There were no explosions, no thunder, only a suffocating silence and deathly stillness.

As Duan Xingzhou stepped into the passage, a strange sense of oppression enveloped his entire body.

“This place seems alive,” he whispered.

Zhuang Yege walked ahead, gently shaking the soul-summoning bell in his hand, his expression unusually solemn.

"It's a world-based illusion matrix. It won't attack directly, but it will make you—forget."

"Forgot what?" Lin Wanqing asked.

"The direction you came from, and who you are."

Before he could finish speaking, the wall made a soft "click" sound.

Duan Xingzhou turned around, only to find that behind him was no longer the entrance, but a bronze mirror wall, on which his blurry image appeared.

The image had distorted features and empty eyes.

"Don't look!" Zhuang Yege roared, and a spell shattered the mirror instantly!
Lin Wanqing's mind jolted, and a voice whispered in her ear:

"You are superfluous, you have no value."

Her eyes darted around, and she almost stumbled!

"Calm down!" She bit her finger, using the pain as an anchor.

"This is a cognitive attack, not a supernatural phenomenon."

Zhuang Yege glanced at her, a hint of certainty flashing in her eyes.

"You reacted well."

“I am experiencing a ‘personality fading + path interference’ type of formation. I can build a mental model to calculate the path.”

She closed her eyes and recalled the changes in temperature, humidity, and audio as she turned the corner.

"Left, straight, right, left."

"You can't make a mistake in any of the next steps, or you'll be forced back to the starting point."

Duan Xingzhou's face turned ashen: "Are you sure?"

Lin Wanqing opened her eyes, her expression calm:

“My doctoral dissertation was on ‘Mirror Construct Interference Model in Cognitive Mapping.’ Now, it’s time for the validation field.”

Zhuang Yege whispered incantations, and the soul-summoning bell transformed into spiritual threads, guiding the way forward.

The maze begins to roar!
The mirror wall shook, and images of "a distorted version of the Fate God", "a bleeding Selene", and "a dead Gregory" appeared on the mirror surface.

Duan Xingzhou clenched his fists: "Damn it, this is an illusion."

Lin Wanqing whispered, "But when an illusion becomes real enough, it becomes reality."

"We've arrived!" Zhuang Yege shattered the last mirror wall!
The three of them broke out of the maze!

The view suddenly opened up before my eyes.

The crimson corridor leads forward, the mist not yet fully dissipated—

This is the first exit of Line C.

Duan Xingzhou asked in a low voice:

"You guys think this is really Crazy Thirteen's game?"

Lin Wanqing pursed her lips:
"Do not."

"This is not a game."

"This is... a screening process."

"Selecting those who are qualified to become the sacrifices of the Lord of the Star Calamity."

"We are not players. We are a gift to madmen."

Whoever survives is a winner.
But—it was the lucky next experiment number.

(End of this chapter)