As a player, can you be normal?

Chapter 729 Welcome to the Endless Corridor
This is the World Tree.

We will digitize the souls of the deceased, i.e., the players.

[The player's job: to manage the world's destiny, construct the scenario world, allow our World Tree to grow, and prevent the invasion of forces from another world that would bring an ominous future.]

[Player's identity: Dead. Although they still have the right to live in their real world, their save files are all "players," so they are not considered "natives" of any world.]

……

We are currently handling the scenario incident involving player 5900 from the original "Endless Corridor" game.

Player 5900 constructed multiple interconnected timelines during their player life.

Furthermore, he has linked different worlds together multiple times within the script's world.

……

[Due to his profession as a "cartoonist," he once performed a stage play in Basel, the player gathering area of ​​"Endless Corridor," and this event has been recorded in the archive.]

[Due to the prop "Time Portal", he once opened a time rift from the "Kairosoft Game World" and entered Basel as a "native".]

The above two points constitute the dual identity of player 5900 as both a player and a native.

[After that event, the choice he made achieved the accomplishment of a "narrative" life form.]

[As a result of his choice, Shao Hong and Johannesson, who died in the story, live on in another form in "Bai Jie vs. Cthulhu"]

[One of the creator's trigger conditions has been met]

[The "life save file" does not refer to player 5900, but rather to the protagonist. Player 5899 is the first protagonist; as a player, he cannot inherit the protagonist's identity. The protagonist should be "Bai Jie".]

[In the world of the Great Labyrinth, the appearance of the "Orphan of Kos" has triggered Cthulhu-like phenomena that have been detected by the labyrinth management company, Cairo Adventure Village.]

The company has dispatched an expedition targeting the Old God Cthulhu.

Another member of the expedition team, named "Shao Hong," embarked on the journey because of her admiration for "Bai Jie."

The protagonist of the maze was chosen from among "Li Nuo". The protagonist, Olise, has completed her mission and has been captured by the company's expedition team. Shao Hong, a member of the expedition team, gave Olise a new name.

Bai Jie

[From this point on, the protagonist appears.]

[Li Nuo's universe is fully formed]

[But his other identity influences the formation of the universe; the players are dead, not living, while the person who started the IP must have life.]

With Doraemon's help, player 5900 met the conditions for resurrection.

[From this point on, Li Nuo's story came to an end, and his fate came to a close.]

[This is how the fruit and branches came to be.]

[The final test: Did Li Nuo rely on others for his fate during his time with player 5900? ...No, he relied on himself for every step he took.]

……

【…】

【…】

[What an amazing guy...]

……

But what about Li Nuo?

……

Why can't we find his beginning?

……

[File Reading and Search]

……

When we create each scenario world, we simulate a beginning, which is called the "initial save file".

The archival characteristic is: the initial existence of the IP, that is, the time when the IP creator first came into contact with us.

[Selected as: April 1st, before Li Nuo became a player (5900 points)]

He should have died on that day...

[Meaning of death: Slipped while picking up instant noodles, hit the back of his head on the corner of the table, and died instantly]

[Death Timeline: Parallel Universe Zone 021]

【…】

【…】

Why were there no deaths?

【…】

【…】

This is the World Tree.

In this situation, we will choose to merge other timelines to make up for the deficiencies.

【…】

【…】

Unable to merge

Li Nuo's identity is that of a "residual blood" individual.

[Those with low health: On the surface, they are "the weaker they are, the stronger they become," but in reality, they are people who will die in the same way in any timeline. Their life trajectory will never be changed by any upheaval, and they will definitely die from illness under some circumstances.]

[Li Nuo has no other parallel universes to merge with; all his lives ended in the same way at some point in time.]

【wrong……】

We can intervene in this matter carefully.

Once we've selected someone to become a player, we'll send them a precognitive dream. The precognitive dream will be sent within approximately ten days before or after that person's death.

Li Nuo's precognitive dream was due to expire on April 11th, but his actual time of death was April 1st.

【如果平行时空021的李诺在4月1日到4月11日之间因为意外也够得上“自然死亡”且可以成为玩家，虽然那样会对未来造成些许改变，但命运的齿轮不会因此就偏移本来应有的轨迹】

【no……】

[Li Nuo was overly cautious... After surviving on April 1st, he tied himself to his bed out of fear of another accident...]

【…】

【…】

What's wrong with this guy...?

[Completely flawless...]

Even "Final Destination" isn't good enough...?

【…】

【…】

This is the World Tree.

We have identified numerous errors in Li Nuo's archives.

However, his life trajectory has formed new branches in an "endless corridor," and will bear abundant fruit. But there isn't enough logic for the fruit to appear; currently, only the branches are visible. We need to find the logical root cause to resolve this issue.

If this problem is not properly addressed, branches without fruit to nourish them will become susceptible to viral infections, which can then erode the entire tree.

[Now, the course of the restructuring]

Time travelers cannot alter the course of history; all seemingly alterative actions will ultimately be "corrected" in a way that aligns with the original historical trajectory. If someone attempts to prevent an event from occurring, their actions may become a necessary condition for that event to happen. Our save files are based on "lives," and when a life that should exist does not exist, the save file is considered nonexistent...

Inside the World Tree's small dark room.

The shady businessman watched the flashing messages on the screen and dragged the entire file "Li Nuo's Room" into the background.

[A new file has been detected. This file contains the story of "Li Nuo" himself surviving after April 11th and becoming a veteran comic artist.]

【wrong……】

[Logical contradiction]

The Li Nuo we know is not this kind of person, but why is the Li Nuo in this file so different from the real person?

Which one is the real Li Nuo cannot be determined by a program.

Did Li Nuo actually exist?

【…】

【…】

[Cancel "Li Nuo's Universe"]

[All staff are requested to take remedial measures as soon as possible regarding the newly appeared branches on the World Tree.]

Investigating Li Nuo's past

【not good……】

Things aren't that simple...

[Among the lives connected to him, there exists a life deeply intertwined with the community.]

[Sifting through memory fragments]

[Player 5762 (Nanami) of "Endless Corridor", Jane Grylls]

If Li Nuo is not real, then player 5762 will die on the "Immortal Train," and her existence casts doubt on the very existence of Basel.

The Birth of Basel...

[From one of the main worlds of "Redemption Corridor", 1001 years before the player's timeline]

The current manager of the "Endless Corridor," nicknamed "King," inherited the title of "Judge" and created the "Endless Corridor."

[Please provide an explanation from the administrator of "Endless Corridor"]

The King is currently in confinement for repeatedly using cheating techniques in the "Claymore" scenario, and his location cannot be located quickly. Therefore... please ask the "Judge," the administrator of the "Redemption Corridor," for an explanation. The Judge is dead and cannot provide an explanation. Who can provide an explanation?

This matter has escalated to the question of "the authenticity of the corridor's existence," requiring immediate investigation to determine if it's a system vulnerability. [Investigate the "King's" location.]

Prior to this, we had already identified the perpetrator who placed the inappropriate file, "Li Nuo's Room."

[Black-clad traveling merchant, ID 0201, your actions will damage the content. Enforcement will result in your deletion.]

……

Black bubbles appeared on the black merchant, which meant that he would be stripped of his existence.

But a terrifying expectation burst forth in his trembling pupils.

"ended."

"Success."

……

This is the World Tree.

We have removed the violators.

[Have you found the king's location?]

[Inside...the World Tree]

He shouldn't be able to enter the World Tree.

【Where? 】

[Inside the computer case in room number 0201]

[The King...has broken the rules?]

……

This is the World Tree.

……

The manager of the "Endless Corridor," codenamed "King."

[Is Player 5900's Existence Real or Fake?]

[Player 5762's relationship with Basel]

[Energy fluctuations in room number 0201]

All of this needs an explanation.

No, this isn't an explanation; someone needs to remedy this.

Their connection with the indigenous people is too close; the indigenous people even participated in the script's development. If player 5900 didn't exist, this wouldn't have happened, but he doesn't exist now. So how can we distinguish the authenticity of events like the "World War"? He exists and yet doesn't exist at the same time. In the parallel universe he exists in, there is no initial save file, so theoretically, all subsequent save files are fictitious.

If this continues... the existence of the Endless Corridor will become a mystery.

[It is impossible to question the king because his actions are related to player 5900. Is his existence also a part of the story constructed by player 5900?]

Did the king actually exist?

[The Endless Beginning of Detection]

【Redemption Corridor】

[Administrator code name: "Judge"]

The black merchant, still sitting in his chair as he was being disintegrated, had his mask and black cloak turned into black powder, but his true body moved slightly beneath the disguise.

The judge is currently located in World Tree Room No. 0201.

The presence of something resembling a king was detected in this area.

【Judge……】

【king……】

[Judge, is he alive?]

His hands gripped the screen, his crimson pupils trembling wildly in the light and shadow.

"Alive."

Is the king here too?

Is the judge here too?

[The predecessor of the Endless Corridor... the Corridor of Redemption?]

Redemption... endless, endless redemption, endless redemption, endless redemption...

"It's just a name change."

Endless Corridor

【exist】

【king】

[Does not exist (questionable)]

True existence is...

【Judge】

……

Angel shook the king's head: "Karl! You've lied to me for a thousand years! You bastard!"

The king said helplessly, "I know, I fucking love you!"

Angel: "Can't you be a little more romantic?"

King: "Romantic... well, let's start from a thousand years ago..."

“A thousand years, hahaha…” the king laughed, but the last few laughs sounded strange.

Angel released his grip: "..."

“A thousand years have passed, Angel.” Karl Elimond’s face changed, becoming a nightmare-like face that made Angel tremble.

Angel stepped back, fear spreading through her heart. Her cerebral cortex began to tingle, and her whole body moved backward uncontrollably until her back was against the wall. Only then did she take a deep breath and look at the person in front of her.

"you……"

Judge.

The manager of redemption.

His entire body is hidden in mosaic spots, and there are stitching marks on his face, which means that his existence is still a question, but as time goes by, his existence will become real.

But now, instead of answering Angel directly, he walked to the window and looked out at Basel under the blue sky and white clouds.

"Pfft~ Why are you so afraid of me? Angel, you are one of the life forms I created~ Ah, right, right, this isn't the 'Corridor of Redemption,' it's the 'Endless Corridor'!"

This guy still retains the madness of a black market businessman.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry, I'm a manager, I should be serious."

“Coward…” Angel gritted his teeth: “You don’t dare to face Karl…”

“I just don’t dare,” he said. “I can’t beat him, nobody can beat him. The only thing that can defeat him is the rules. So I might be defeated by the rules one day, but not you or Karl. What’s that saying?”

He suddenly appeared beside Angel: "There will be successors?"

“It shouldn’t be like this.” Angel noticed something amiss and said, “Even if you exploited a system loophole, the save file is always available. Even if you’re manipulating things behind the scenes, you can’t possibly take away Karl’s existence. That’s illogical and impossible!”

"Angel, Angel, Angel! When the facts are right in front of you, nothing is impossible!" He said with a smile, "Angel, I'm telling you, Angel! Look, I'm alive and well!"

Angel pieced together various possibilities in his mind, and suddenly, recalling recent events, he vaguely guessed a corner of the truth: "You took advantage of the uniqueness of the [Residual Blood]!"

He, the judge, said with a smile, "That's why everyone says we can't let the 'weaklings' survive to the end."

At this moment, Angel's body began to split apart: "But it shouldn't be like this..."

"There is only one parallel timeline for players. Once a loophole appears, you know what will happen."

The judge sat by the window, opened it, and the sound of Nanami's concert drifted in from outside.

“A small flaw can lead to a big mistake. You should understand the mindless program of the World Tree. So, in order to correct errors, we often use more violent means to solve problems, that is, to make the root of the problem disappear. But you, Angel, you are the redemptive life form I created. This is the ‘Endless Corridor’. You should not exist.”

"Of course, not just you, hahahahahaha! Ah—!"

This guy started combing his hair in front of the mirror: "Ahhh...it's hair, look, I've grown hair, um...where were we?"

He turned around, but Angel was gone.

Only her last words remained in the air: "Shufarel...you wait..."

“Shufarel.” He stood in the empty room, smiling quietly. “For over a thousand years, someone has finally called out my name, but… let’s see what happens.”

He gazed at the streets of Basel.

Nanami's singing suddenly stopped.

Strange noises emanated from the buildings on the street, because someone had been stripped of their memories of existence, and many, many things had changed.

For example, the stage where Nanami's fan meeting was being held suddenly disappeared.

……

Icarus.

After Li Nuo signed the tickets to not become a player, those tickets turned into smoke and drifted into the sea.

Just as he was about to turn around and tell Cha Bai that everything was alright, his foot slipped and he fell into the sea.

Dolos doesn't seem to have been here before.

The history of Icarus does not seem to have occurred.

The planet's civilization suddenly collapsed.

Li Nuo grabbed the tea-white fish in the sea, but in an instant, only a pure white fish remained beside him.

In the instant he disappeared, only one last sentence remained in my mind.

"It's up to you now, Sauron."

(End of this chapter)