Global Collapse-Chapter 527 - 496: Today, Gūgū Almost Got Turned Into Salt and Pepper Gūgū_1

Chapter 527: Chapter 496: Today, Gūgū Almost Got Turned Into Salt and Pepper Gūgū_1

"There’s no need to go that far," Chu Changge shook his head slightly. "Past experiences have shown that the instance doesn’t want you to know too much. Just like the death instance, the ghost didn’t get a chance to reveal much to you before the instance shut down autonomously."

He glanced at the hanging rope in Gu Mian’s hand. "As long as you can find an NPC in Old World who is closely connected to the core of the instance, and grab him, the instance will most likely kick you out."

While they were exchanging words, they didn’t stop walking. The village they had filmed in was situated in the mountains. By now, Gu Mian and Chu Changge had already left the village and were trekking along a muddy mountain road.

The moon was exceptionally large tonight, so they didn’t need to use a flashlight to see the path.

While moving forward, Gu Mian began, "Actually, I’ve been wondering about something. We’ve previously discussed that this global game has two organizers. It’s almost certain that Earth is one, and the Low-Dimensional World that generates the instances is the other. Judging by the ticket seller and the behavior of the instances, the Low-Dimensional World clearly doesn’t want me entering them, but it can’t stop me.

"Considering the confrontational relationship between the two organizers, Earth should be quite pleased I entered the instances. Earth and the Low-Dimensional World are essentially playing tug-of-war with me."

Gu Mian could vividly imagine the scene—

Earth, extending a hand: "Look, your Gu Mian."

The Low-Dimensional World, pushing back: "No, *this* is *your* Gu Mian."

Thinking about this scenario, Gu Mian’s brain stalled for a moment. I get that I have bad luck, but am I really such an anomaly?

It’s as if some disaster is bound to happen simply because I exist.

As if guessing Gu Mian’s thoughts, Chu Changge adjusted his glasses. "It seems you’re not very clear about your own significance. The facts prove that your existence causes significant losses. Let’s start with the financial damages. According to incomplete statistics, due to your presence, four supermarkets, three restaurants, two amusement parks, three pesticide shops, one orphanage, and one shroud shop have all gone out of business...

"That’s not to mention other financial setbacks, including four buses you’ve ridden, a glass skywalk you’ve crossed, fifteen elevators you’ve used, and thirty-eight stocks you’ve invested in..."

Listening to Chu Changge recite the list like an obituary, Gu Mian chuckled. "It’s thoughtful of you to remember all that."

Chu Changge calmly looked at Gu Mian. "I’m merely stating the facts."

This was just a fraction of the losses Gu Mian had caused on Earth. His misdeeds within the instances were even more numerous.

Countless NPCs and ghosts had suffered immensely, and before he left, he’d always make sure the instance had to undergo a period of (peaceful) recuperation.

He was tirelessly destructive.

Gu Mian began to question his existence.

Chu Changge continued, "Given this, it’s quite understandable why the instance would prevent you from accessing its core."

Besides, deciphering the background lore of the instance worlds was never the primary objective of the global game.

All other global players could only focus their energy on outwitting and battling ghosts, while Gu Mian had long since veered off course, intent on unraveling the secrets of the instance worlds.

After that lengthy digression, Gu Mian finally returned to the main topic. "So, to leave this world now, we don’t need to build a nuclear bomb. We just need to find a key NPC and have a ’friendly chat’ with them."

Most people in this world were unaware they existed in a Low-Dimensional World, but it was clear that someone on the production team knew something.

Chu Changge suddenly spoke up, "Speaking of which, the cameraman who’s been following you might know something."

"Oh, him," Gu Mian rubbed his chin. "I didn’t expect him to be the top player from previous seasons. He must have entered this instance a very long time ago; he doesn’t even recognize the name ’Gu Mian’."

After all, his name had been on the wanted list for a long time.

What surprised Gu Mian was that this cameraman had managed to survive so well in Old World. Gu Mian knew firsthand how malicious the NPCs here were towards players. This cameraman must have endured incredible hardship to secure a place for himself.

No player capable of achieving top popularity would be a pushover.

And this man had been able to cast aside all dignity, desperately clinging to life. His willpower was undeniably formidable.

Gu Mian believed that if this man hadn’t perished in Old World, he would surely be living a decent life now.

Chu Changge shook his head slightly. "The moment the next batch of players entered this instance, he could no longer be considered a player."

Gu Mian still remembered one rule of this global game: each instance can only accommodate one batch of players at a time.

"Hmm," Gu Mian nodded. "After I exposed his identity, he dropped the disguise."

"Can I go back?" Gu Mian still remembered the cameraman’s voice at that moment—lost, yet tinged with an almost imperceptible hope.

It seemed he knew the hope was slim, yet he clung to that last shred of longing.

It was as if, should Gu Mian simply say "yes," he could truly return to the home he yearned for.

This sliver of longing was the hope that had driven him to survive until now. I must stay alive, he must have thought. What if, one day, there’s a chance to leave? What if?

But this wasn’t something Gu Mian could decide. Even if the instance collapsed, only active players could leave.

The cameraman was very smart; he had long known he was no longer a "player."

"So, how did you respond?" Chu Changge asked.

"I told him the truth." Gu Mian looked up at the dusky sky, where the bright moon hung, seemingly bestowing all its light upon this world.

"You can’t go back."

Gu Mian didn’t know how many players ended up trapped like him.

Most likely couldn’t endure the brutality of this malevolent world and had perished. Only this one had struggled on, a silent testament to his tragic and arduous existence.

This offered a glimpse into just how many players had died in this wretched world.

"Tell me, why would such a world attach so much importance to me? Enough to send Liu Ruyan to ensure my survival." Of course, Liu Ruyan seemed to have different intentions than this world’s will; she was rather fond of the gas canister in Gu Mian’s home and had probably genuinely hoped to see Gu Mian explode.

Gu Mian looked up at the sky. "Is it because my survival brings some benefit to this place?"

Benefiting this disgusting world... the thought itself is quite revolting.

Chu Changge fell silent.

"If that’s the case..." Gu Mian suddenly produced the noose.

Chu Changge looked up. "What are you doing?"

Gu Mian quickly looped the rope around his neck, tilted his head back, and yelled, "If you don’t send me out of here, I’ll die right in front of you!"

Chu Changge: "..."

Brother: "..."

Of course, nothing happened.

Gu Mian chuckled. "Just testing, just testing."

Chu Changge walked past him, his expression impassive. "Once you’re done with your theatrics, let’s go."

Gu Mian decided to find the production team first and give them a thorough beating. If that didn’t yield any results, he would try to see the outside world. Of course, Gu Mian suspected the instance wouldn’t want him to see the outside world.

Perhaps he’d be teleported out while he was in the middle of torturing the director.

Mulling this over, Gu Mian marched forward with determination. "We’ll sneak back in. They’ll never expect it."

Meanwhile, the production team was in a frenzy. Their "beloved" top player had not only allowed other guests to escape but had also thoroughly embarrassed the entire show.

The children who had almost eaten the rat had been rescued and now seemed on the verge of shock.

The director furiously declared that he would definitely recapture Gu Mian.

Fatty lay nervously on his bed, hands clasped.

The male host had angrily switched off the TV when the rat-eating scene aired, and Fatty didn’t dare go and turn it back on.

He hadn’t replied to queries in the cheat group chat asking for Gu Mian’s whereabouts.

Fatty could only pray that the Doctor wouldn’t be caught.

The lady of the house was hidden under his bed, apparently monitoring him, but Fatty could only pretend to be oblivious.