Chapter 58: Divine Imprisonment

Chapter Fifty-Eight: Divine Shackles

Shen Ce had never expected that one day he would fall into such a predicament. He once thought he was merely playing a game and making money, but only now did he realize it was the game playing him, and the cost was his own humanity.

Yet, Celos still treated Shen Ce with a measure of respect. At least, when Shen Ce requested some time to consider, Celos kindly acquiesced. Of course, Celos would not grant him much time—three days in total—but he mercifully promised not to appear before Shen Ce during those days, so as not to disturb him.

Now, it was the third day, the night growing deeper. Shen Ce stood before the window, gazing at the moonlight outside. The moon in the Demon Realm was as bright as in the Land of Light, pure as the clearest water.

From the first day until now, Shen Ce had thought long and hard. He didn’t know where Celos had gone, but it seemed Celos truly wasn’t secretly watching him; even the armored guards didn’t trouble Shen Ce. Within the boundaries of the demon palace, Shen Ce was essentially free to go anywhere he wished, never stopped by anyone.

However, Shen Ce knew, should Celos desire it, he could appear before him at any moment—even without the “Companion Across the Ends of the Earth” couple skill, Celos possessed that ability.

To escape or not to escape—that became Shen Ce’s greatest dilemma. These past few days, he hadn’t stayed in his room; he had deliberately scouted the palace and sensed that the magical elements were far denser on the west side, suggesting the presence of a teleportation array. Shen Ce didn’t know where the array led, but as long as it could send him out of the demon palace, everything would be easier.

Because Shen Ce believed that, as a data bug, Celos would never dare greatly modify data outside the demon palace, lest his consciousness be discovered by the official “Sky’s Dominion” team. Shen Ce was convinced that once he left the palace grounds, even if he couldn’t log out, he could send a private message to Shui Linglong for help. If Shui Linglong could report the issue to the company, the developers would eventually patch Celos’s bug, and then Shen Ce could leave!

He hesitated to imagine what would happen to Celos after being patched—perhaps his consciousness would disperse, and he would become a true NPC. Shen Ce looked at the moonlight, lowered his head, and sighed.

But in the next instant, Shen Ce lifted his head with resolve. Even if there was only a sliver of hope, he had to try. Celos was not present; he still had a chance. If Celos appeared, it would be too late.

Shen Ce had to thank Celos for his “generosity”—though some system panel functions were blocked, his backpack and skills remained. Seizing the cover of night, Shen Ce donned black attire, carefully climbed along the window, casting support skills on himself. Sweat poured off him, but his stamina held.

During this, he noticed guards passing by, and was grateful he could use shadow priest skills. With Shadow Concealment, he narrowly avoided their detection. Once they had passed, Shen Ce headed straight for his goal, and surprisingly, found the array quickly.

Progressing so smoothly made Shen Ce uneasy, as if escape was within reach yet unbelievable. He dared not think further—even if Celos had deliberately set this trap, he had no other choice. Everyone possesses a powerful desire to survive; being trapped in the game forever was tantamount to death.

From his backpack, Shen Ce took out a mid-grade elemental stone and placed it at the core of the array. Soon, white light rose around him, and Shen Ce stared at the star-like lights, almost moved to tears—this was the feeling of escaping death.

As the white light faded, Shen Ce opened his eyes and quickly surveyed his surroundings. His good mood vanished: he had indeed left the demon palace, but what lay before him was another nightmare.

Blinking wearily, Shen Ce recognized the familiar hot spring before him. Yet, the magic array beside it was missing. Clearly, he had arrived at the deepest part of the Amethyst Mine, not the cave in the Mist Spirit Mountains.

He remembered that communication was impossible in the Amethyst Mine, but he had never tried logging out. Clinging to his last shred of hope, Shen Ce knelt, praying that the logout function would work here.

Just as Shen Ce uttered the word "logout," the miracle he hoped for appeared—white light rose as his left hand began to fade. The corners of his lips lifted; he knew he could leave. Indeed, the Amethyst Mine, as an unusual prison in the dark region with many players inside, was too risky for Celos to tamper with its data.

Within a few breaths, half of Shen Ce’s body was already almost transparent. But as he believed himself rescued, his right hand was suddenly seized—forcefully pulled, chilling his heart and sending cold sweat down his back.

"Zero, you really are disobedient. I recall telling you to stay in the demon palace and think, not to escape." The low, melodious male voice revealed the identity of the intruder.

Shen Ce didn’t look back at Celos; he stared at the silver-white cloak beside his boots and said decisively, "Let go of me." He was about to leave; why did Celos persist?

Perhaps the deepest despair in this world is watching hope slip away before your very eyes.

Thus, as Shen Ce saw his ghostly body gradually return to solid form, even breathing became difficult. Coldness seeped into his heart, as if thrown into an icy abyss, his blood frozen stiff.

"Did you think I’d let you leave?" Celos’ gaze was profound as he held Shen Ce tightly, pressing close to his heated skin. Celos’ anger and disappointment melted away, though his words came out mocking.

"I know," Shen Ce replied, feeling a pang of self-loathing. Yes, Celos had merely punctured his delusional hopes again. Still, even if given another chance, Shen Ce would try.

He resignedly allowed Celos to carry him into the hot spring. Celos, seeing Shen Ce refused to look at him, turned Shen Ce’s face toward himself. Shen Ce stared back, expressionless, brows slightly furrowed.

Celos, arm around Shen Ce’s waist, removed his mask—revealing a strikingly beautiful face: too much would be garish, too little would be plain, but just as it was, it was captivating.

Shen Ce’s gaze sharpened as he looked at the flawless face so close to his own, yet felt no excitement. Were the situation different, perhaps he could praise Celos’s looks, for he’d always been curious about them. But now, in these circumstances, it was futile.

Seeing the emptiness in Shen Ce’s narrow eyes, Celos felt a nameless irritation. He held Shen Ce close, gripped his chin, and pressed his lips to Shen Ce’s—a long kiss, clearly possessive.

Shen Ce shuddered, tightly pressing his lips together in silent resistance. Yet, he felt a deeper sorrow in his heart, because, as before, he still didn’t dislike Celos’s kiss.

But any tolerance ended there.

When Celos’ hand reached Shen Ce’s collar, Shen Ce finally made a decision. Everyone is selfish, so Shen Ce chose himself without hesitation.

His gaze settled on Celos’s cheek, the mist blurring his vision. He spoke lightly and solemnly, "I’m sorry."

I had hoped that if I could log out, it would be as if I never knew you. If I could send a message, I’d let the company deal with you. At least, I wouldn’t have to erase your existence myself.

Celos was dumbfounded, not understanding Shen Ce’s words. He held Shen Ce’s warm hand, feeling the tangible heat, his eyes growing gentle. "Zero, I like—"

Before the last word could be uttered, a thunderous explosion erupted. The hot spring water twisted into a column shooting skyward, the cavern shook and began to collapse!

As the falling rocks threatened to crush them, the pale-faced Celos suddenly shielded Shen Ce beneath him, bearing the brunt of the impact.

In that moment, Shen Ce couldn’t tell if he felt guilty or relieved, but he knew everything was truly ending. His mind drifted back to the day he discussed forbidden spells with Celos, recalling the laughable remark—Celos believed no one would be foolish enough to use their life to destroy another.

Shen Ce smiled bitterly as blood began to crack across his body, at first thin lines, then wounds widening.

So, this was what dying felt like.

Clenching his teeth, cold sweat beading on his brow, Shen Ce no longer cared if Celos was already dead—because the price of using "Divine Shackles" was burning one’s own life first.

Darkness swept over everything. Shen Ce had set the pain level to minimum, yet he still felt unbearably uncomfortable—not physical pain, but the torment of guilt.

"Zero!" Shen Ce vaguely heard someone calling his name, a voice torn with anguish.

He could no longer see the person shouting for him, but his consciousness lingered, and a trace of warmth welled in his eyes.

He was about to die, and Celos would perish with him. The power of the Supreme God was not something Celos could withstand.

Shen Ce knew how cruel his actions were. Using the forbidden spell would merely wipe his experience and return him to level zero. But for Celos, a data entity, it meant true erasure—even if the game rebuilt an emperor, it would be a stranger wearing Celos’s face.

Celos, I’m sorry...

Author’s note: [Remember!!! The lousy author is your loving mother. This novel is hehehehehehe; all long works are hehehehehehe.]