My bizarre resurgence: My price is the ability to trade everything.

Chapter 10, Level C Mystery

The light on his chest grew brighter and brighter.

I felt my consciousness being pulled by something.

"No..." I struggled, trying to resist that force.

But it didn't work.

That power was too strong.

It felt like an invisible hand reached directly into the depths of my soul.

"Stop struggling," the voice echoed in my mind. "You are the seventh Balancer. This is your destiny."

"What destiny?" I roared. "I don't want to be a balancer! I just want to live!"

"Live on?" The voice laughed, a hint of mockery in its tone. "You think you have a choice?"

"From the moment you were born, your destiny was already written."

"No!"

I struggled desperately, but my body wouldn't obey me at all.

The light from his chest began to spread, coursing through his veins and throughout his body.

I felt my skin burning.

It wasn't a real flame, but a burning sensation from the depths of the soul.

"This is... the awakening ritual of the Balance of Costs," the voice continued. "With each rule you complete, the balance awakens by one point. Now... it's time for you to know the truth."

the truth?

What's the truth?

"Who exactly are you?" I asked through gritted teeth.

"I am you," the voice said, "but not entirely."

"I am part of the scales. I am the projection of the way of balance in this era."

"Each generation of Balancers has a 'spirit' as their guide. I am the spirit of the seventh generation."

Spirit weapon...

Just like Chen Xuan said?

"That scale...is it really inside me?"

"Yes," the spirit said, "it has always been there. It's just that you haven't been able to perceive it."

"And now?"

"Now..." the spirit's voice turned somber, "it's time to show you what true eeriness looks like."

The moment I finished speaking, the world before my eyes suddenly distorted.

What I saw.

Countless numbers.

777777777777777 ......

It surged in like a flood, engulfing me.

Then, I found myself standing in an unfamiliar place.

It was an abandoned warehouse.

The ground was covered in dust and cobwebs.

Dim lights flickered overhead, emitting a buzzing electrical sound.

"Where is this?" I asked.

"This is the 'inner space' of the rules," the spirit's voice echoed from all directions. "From now on, you will face your true test here."

"What kind of test?"

"The test of survival."

I felt something behind me.

I turned around and saw it.

It was a... humanoid figure.

But it's not a person.

Its body is made up of countless "7"s, each of which is constantly rotating, twisting, and recombining.

Its eyes are two black holes, bottomless.

It was looking at me.

"A Class C Anomaly—'Digital Cage'," the spirit's voice rang out. "This is an opponent the rules have specifically prepared for you. If you can survive seven minutes against it, the mission is complete."

Seven minutes...

It's 7 again.

"What if I lose?" I asked.

"You will die," the spirit said, "and then the scales will find their next host."

I swallowed hard.

There is no way out.

"Come on." I took a deep breath. "I won't die."

The numbers have moved strangely.

It has no legs, but it is "moving".

With each step taken, a small section of the ground collapses.

It walked towards me.

One step... two steps... three steps...

I started backing away.

But I soon discovered that the warehouse was smaller than I had imagined.

Soon, I retreated to the corner.

There was no way to retreat.

"Damn it," I cursed.

The bizarre numbers are getting closer.

I could feel the chill emanating from it.

It wasn't a cold in terms of temperature, but a fear that came from the depths of one's soul.

It's suppressing me.

"Activate your scales," the spirit's voice rang out. "That's the only power that can counteract it."

The scales...

Correct.

The balance of costs.

I closed my eyes and searched deep within my consciousness for that familiar scale.

It's still there.

A simple, rustic design, with two trays.

The ball of light on the right is flickering slightly.

"Lend me your strength," I whispered. "Please."

The ball of light trembled slightly.

Then, a warm force surged forth.

I opened my eyes.

The golden light in his palm reappeared.

The numbers seemed to sense something and paused for a second.

Then, it sped up.

"Seven!" it roared.

I saw.

All the "7"s on its body extend outwards, turning into countless sharp tentacles.

Tentacles attacked me.

I dodged to the side, avoiding the first wave of attacks.

But a second and third wave followed closely behind.

"Hold!"

I tried desperately to hide, but the space was too small.

A tentacle grazed my arm, leaving a trail of blood.

pain.

It really hurts.

"Focus!" the spirit's voice rang out. "The balance isn't about dodging, it's about maintaining equilibrium!"

balance?

"The core of rule-based anomalies is 'order'!" the spirit shouted. "What you need to do is not dodge its attacks, but break its order!"

Breaking the order...

I looked at the strange number with those "7"s on it.

They keep rotating, but always maintain a certain pattern.

7-7-7-7......

Infinite loop.

order.

Correct.

The reason why rule-based anomalies are so powerful is because their "rules" are very stable.

As long as the rules remain stable, the bizarre is virtually invincible.

But what if I could create a "loophole" in the rules?

"I understand," I said.

"What do you understand?" the spirit asked.

"Rules need a 'trigger condition,'" I said. "For example, today's task—'talking to a stranger.' That task is the trigger condition."

"Yes," the spirit said. "So?"

"Therefore, if I can 'interfere' with this triggering condition, I can create a loophole in the rules."

The numbers looked strange to me.

What are its rules?

It is the number 7.

It is composed of the number "7", and everything about it is related to "7".

So...

"What if I add a number that isn't 7 to it?" I murmured.

"What?" The spirit was stunned.

"The scales!" I shouted. "I can use the scales to shift the cost, right?"

"Theoretically... yes."

"Can I transfer the cost of 'non-7' to it?"

"You're insane!" the spirit cried. "That would cause its rules to collapse!"

"I know," I said, "but that's my plan."

I raised my palm, and golden light gathered in my palm.

The power of scales.

I tried to activate it.

It's not used to attack, but to "exchange".

"The scales..." I whispered, "I want to make a deal with you."

"What kind of deal?" The spirit's voice sounded a little nervous.

"I'll inject numbers that aren't 7 into its rules," I said. "You help me complete this process."

"This..." the spirit hesitated for a moment, "...the price will be very high."

How big?

"At least 30 CP."

30CP......

Adding to what I owed before...

"Deal," I said.

A brilliant golden light shone from my palm.

Then, I reached out and pointed to the strange numbers.

"Go!" I shouted.

A golden light shot out from my palm, heading straight for the strange numbers.

But it is not an attack.

It's a number.

"1."

It's not "7".

It is "1".

The strange body of the number began to tremble violently the moment it came into contact with the number "1".

"No!" it roared, "No—!"

But it was too late.

The "1" merged into its body and began to compete with the "7"s for control.

The rules have become confused.

On one side is the order of "7", and on the other side is the invasion of "1".

Two forces clash within the digital anomaly, causing its form to twist and deform.

"It's done..." I said weakly.

But the next second, I felt a sharp pain.

The price has come.

The cost is 30 CP.

I feel my life force is rapidly slipping away.

My vision started to go black.

"Hold on!" the spirit's voice rang out. "Thirty seconds left!"

Thirty seconds...

I gritted my teeth and refused to give in.

The numbers are bizarrely struggling.

Its body is twisting.

The numbers "7" and "1" are constantly battling within its body.

"No...it can't be..." Its voice became fragmented, "The rules...shouldn't be..."

"Rules are meant to be broken," I said, forcing myself to continue. "That's the meaning of the balance of costs."

The last second.

My consciousness finally gave out.

Everything went black, and I collapsed to the ground.

I don't know how much time has passed.

I opened my eyes.

ceiling.

The familiar ceiling.

I was lying in my own bed.

Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains, stinging my eyes.

"woke up?"

A voice came from the side.

I turned my head and saw Chen Xuan sitting on the chair by the bed.

"I..." My voice was a little hoarse, "I survived?"

"You survived." Chen Xuan nodded. "And you did a fantastic job."

"What about the mission?"

"It's done," Chen Xuan said. "At the last moment, you successfully interfered with the strange rules of the C-level. It has dissipated."

It disappeared...

"And the price?" I asked. "The price is 30 CP..."

Chen Xuan remained silent for a while.

"Your lock code has been lowered from 777 to 677."

677?

In other words, the cost of 30 CP is equivalent to a lock code consumption of 100 points.

wrong.

"That's not right." I frowned. "The mission costs 7 CP, and the penalty is 30 CP, so it should be 37 CP. Why is the lock code reduced by 100 points?"

"Because you triggered 'rule interference' at the last minute," Chen Xuan said. "The cost of this action is far greater than that of a normal task."

"But surely it shouldn't be 100 points?"

Chen Xuan did not answer.

He just looked at me, his eyes filled with a complex emotion.

"What's wrong?" I asked, a little uneasy. "Is there another problem?"

"Yes," Chen Xuan said. "After you fell unconscious, you said some strange things."

"What did you say?"

"You said... 'The seventh Balancer is in place.'"

My heart skipped a beat.

The seventh balancer...

"That wasn't me," I quickly explained. "It was...it was the spirit of the scales."

Chen Xuan fell silent.

"I know," he finally said, "but the problem is... you're starting to split apart."

"Split?"

"Your surface personality and your deep personality," Chen Xuan said. "After the scales awakened, these two personalities began vying for control. Just now, when you were unconscious, your voice and tone were different from usual."

A chill ran down my back.

Two personalities...

The struggle for control...

"What should I do?" I asked.

"There's no need to worry yet," Chen Xuan said. "Although your deeper personality is beginning to awaken, it hasn't truly threatened you yet. As long as you remain clear-headed, it will be difficult for it to take over."

How do I stay awake?

"Don't use the power of the scales lightly," Chen Xuan said. "Each time you use it, your deeper personality will grow stronger."

"But if I don't use it... how am I supposed to deal with the supernatural?"

"This is the second thing I want to tell you," Chen Xuan said. "From today onwards, you are officially a member of the General Administration."

"Formally joining?"

"Yes." Chen Xuan nodded. "From today onwards, you are a full member of the Bureau of Oddity Response. Code name: 777."

777 ......

My code name is 777...

"Why this one?" I asked.

"Because you are the seventh Balancer," Chen Xuan said. "777 is the symbol of your identity."

The seventh balancer...

I gave a wry smile.

From today onwards, I am no longer an ordinary person.

"There's one more thing," Chen Xuan stood up, "We have new developments regarding Zhang Hao's death."

"What progress?"

"Wang Zijian went missing this morning," Chen Xuan said. "His residence was ransacked, as if they were looking for something."

Wang Zijian... has disappeared?

"The Night Ravens?"

"I'm not sure," Chen Xuan shook his head, "but the timing is too coincidental. You just triggered Libra's awakening last night, and he disappeared this morning. There might be a connection between these two events."

I frowned.

Zhang Hao's death...

Wang Zijian's disappearance...

Night Raven...

Return to the Ruins...

What is the connection between all of this?

"Get some rest." Chen Xuan walked to the door. "Starting tomorrow, you're going to see someone."

"who?"

"Zhao Tiezhu," Chen Xuan said, "will be your partner."

partner......

"Wait a minute," I called to Chen Xuan, "Where's Su Mingyue? How is she?"

Chen Xuan stopped in his tracks.