Yezhi used to be a wealthy teenager from a well-off family, with a father who was a congressman and a mother who was a teacher. They had an ideal family.

Xu Fang could tell at a glance that Yezhi was not human.

Of course, he didn't mean that Yezhi was an author, but rather that his body structure was different from humans. His brain was filled with liquid—a liquid neural network—that had no stable connections or stable structures in physical space. He also had no internal organs; his abdomen was empty and his spine did not have ribs. Yezhi appeared in this form both before and after being forcefully awakened by Xu Fang using duplicate3.

After Xu Fang forcefully awakened Yezhi, he showed him the 2KB content.

"In this world, only I can understand this language," Yezhi asked, "how much did I tell you in the previous round?"

"Just this," Xu Fang replied.

Yezhi nodded. "With my caution, I wouldn't have revealed much to the author... I trust you, not because you gained my trust, but because there are no other options."

Yezhi hesitated, then continued, "To be frank, my identity is very special."

"I know."

"I am not human."

"I know that too."

Yezhi asked, "Did I tell you these things in the previous round?"

"No, I figured it out myself."

Yezhi paused and tentatively asked, "Are you also an Otherworldly Being?"

Xu Fang had heard this term from the God of Destruction, which was the Horror Novel Web's term for creatures from other worlds.

"I'm not sure, but from a biological perspective, I am indeed not human."

Yezhi felt less repulsion towards Xu Fang.

"Let me tell you my identity, but please do not tell anyone else, including other authors. There are not many people I trust in this world."

"Okay."

"Have you heard of 'Pseudo-Humans'?"

"The fictional beings in Mandala's records that can imitate human appearance and behavior?"

"Yes."

"You guys don't have a good reputation."

Yezhi sighed. "I don't want to explain too much. First impressions are hard to change, and the rumors online are overly exaggerated. I cannot judge how my kind is, but at least I have never harmed good people."

Although Yezhi said so, the moral values of another race different from humans still needed to be thoughtfully considered.

"How did you come to this world?"

"Of course, it's because of the author—our creator. I despise the fact that the authors created us, but it's also because of their identity that I have been able to survive. It sounds ironic, doesn't it?"

"Do you have a way to crack this bizarre event?"

"Of course." Yezhi rubbed his face. "First, I need to change my identity."

Next, Xu Fang observed the abilities Yezhi, as a "Pseudo-Human," showcased.

Using the excuse of a fire at home, Yezhi called his father back.

Soon, a Bentley parked in front of the house, and a middle-aged white man hurriedly got out of the car.

Finding nothing unusual at home, the middle-aged man frowned at Yezhi and said, "Damn it, son, don't tell me this is just a joke!"

Yezhi didn't answer; he just stared at the man.

Just as the middle-aged man was about to explode, Yezhi's body suddenly turned into a flowing mist and attached itself to him.

"What is this?!" the man exclaimed, sitting on the ground.

From Xu Fang's perspective, the man's body was rapidly transforming towards a "non-human" direction.

"This is your gifted ability?" Xu Fang approached Ye Zhi, who had become a middle-aged man.

"I don't want to be just another person without a cost," Ye Zhi said. "But in order to unravel the bizarre event, this sacrifice is necessary."

"It looks like the function on that website to purchase new identities."

"That website can turn authors into different people because it borrows my ability. Before I came, that website could only generate 'blank' identities."

"What price do you pay when you use this ability?"

"Lifespan. The consumed lifespan is equivalent to the lifespan of the other person. Unfortunately, most influential individuals in this world are elderly."

"Can it be used on authors?"

"We must be cautious even with ordinary people. As for authors...never mind, I don't want to be reckless."

"Well, can you obtain the memories of the new identity?"

"Yes, that's also why I want to become a congressman. There are many people who can help us unravel this bizarre event," Ye Zhi smiled. "To unravel this bizarre event, we first need to identify who the enemy is."

...

In the depths of the underworld, a vast and dim space.

A long table stood in the center, with a distinctly different style of monitor at the end.

The surface of each seat behind the long table was labeled with a number, seemingly corresponding to the identity of its owner.

At this moment, seats number 8, 10, and 13 already had "people" on them.

It was more accurate to say they were indescribable creatures rather than humans.

Number 13 appeared as a gigantic black entity, measuring 3 meters in length, with a form that exceeded the boundaries of biology, covered in an unknown number of arms.

Number 10 had no head, with several tentacles swaying at the severed neck, and more wriggling tentacles hidden inside its stomach. An eyeball extended from its collar.

Number 8 had a slender figure like a lady, except its back was covered in densely packed eyes, which made people dizzy with just a glance.

[Those authors have come back to life.] Number 8 said coldly, [I knew this shallow plan wouldn't work.]

[You, hiss...why...are you so afraid?] Number 10 asked with a murky voice.

[Heh, Number 8 used to frequently interact with authors and became scared of them. I, on the other hand, don't think authors are anything special except for causing trouble.] Number 13 gestured as if holding a gun, [Authors are just ordinary people; they can die with a simple shot.]

[The rules, hiss...haven't been enforced yet...]

[It's a pity this guy is a duplicate type. It's troublesome. If I can get his contribution points, maybe I can be promoted to Number 12.] Number 13 still felt regret for its failed hunting game. [Number 3 is really amazing, they even know the whereabouts of authors.]

[After all, only hiss...the top 5...have permission to see readers.]

[According to readers' "legitimate spoilers" to formulate countermeasures...interesting, I'm increasingly eager to be promoted.]

At this moment, another "person" emerged from the darkness and appeared in seat number 5.

Number 8 stood up and asked, [When did the nun die?]

[You should ask, "When did she attain eternal life?"] Number 5 said.

[When did she attain eternal life?]

【Before the next iteration.】

【Okay.】 No. 8 nodded in satisfaction and sat back down.

No. 5 glanced at you and sighed, "Are you still staring at me?"

【What's wrong, No. 5?】

【It seems that the readers have become interested in us. Ever since dealing with Bernice, they've been following us.】

【What did the readers say?】

【You know, only No. 3 and No. 4 can see the comments... But it doesn't matter even if they say anything, right?】

【So, No. 5, do you have anything to tell us?】 No. 13 asked eagerly.

He knew that this group of authors was nothing special, and No. 3 could handle them alone, but he still wanted to contribute a little.

The Eternal Life Conference controlled the Eternal Life Church. Although the first 13 sequences were already the core of the conference, the real rulers were the first 5.

Promoting to a higher sequence was a qualitative leap.

No. 2 already had the permission to return to the real world and could frequently meet the authors. When No. 1 and No. 2 were absent, No. 3 became the manager of the Eternal Life Conference. As for No. 1, its seat had been empty for a long time, and new members even doubted whether this "person" existed.

【Awaiting orders.】

After this sentence, there was a long silence. Until someone appeared in the position of No. 4.

The temperaments of No. 4 and No. 5 were completely different; the latter always gave people chills, while the former was like an inconspicuous old man at a roadside stall. However, everyone present seemed to not dare to underestimate him.

No. 4 waved his hand, and a clear image appeared on the screen at the end of the long table. In the center of the screen was a black-haired, black-eyed little girl, constrained like a prisoner in an interrogation room. A circle of fully armed soldiers stood around her, with dozens of menacing muzzles pointed at her head. As long as she made any slight movement, she would be showered with bullets.

【Rules.】 No. 13 said in surprise, 【It dares to come here?】

【It's just a duplicate.】 No. 4 said playfully, 【I thought this guy would use his "death" to do some tricks, but I didn't expect it to reappear in Jerusalem so quickly. It openly declares itself as a duplicate? Is it stupid or does it have other intentions?】

【Is it trying to surrender?】 No. 8 speculated, 【Regardless, we need to deal with this trouble as soon as possible.】

【No rush, let's talk to it.】

...

"So, are you negotiating on behalf of the author and the Eternal Life Church?" The officer stood in front of Xu Fang, staring down at him.

The surrounding guns didn't make Xu Fang feel fearful, after all, this wasn't his real body.

Xu Fang said, "I want to meet the highest authority of the Eternal Life Church."

"Oh? Just you?"

"You can't kill me."

The officer said, "You haven't answered my initial question."

"I've already said it, I want to meet your highest authority."

The atmosphere around them suddenly changed.

【I can be considered a high-level member of the Eternal Life Church, you can call me No. 4. Now, can we have a proper conversation?】

Xu Fang looked up at him. The officer's appearance hadn't changed, but his temperament had become unfamiliar.

"No. 4, so there are three more above you?"

【You just need to know, I can easily determine your fate.】

Number 4 and Xu Fang locked eyes, but the demonic eye's intimidation had no effect on it. In fact, all monsters were immune to it.

"I represent myself," Xu Fang replied, "There is no conflict of interest between us. I have no intention of getting involved in your fight with those authors. I was just a bystander."

【Beyond immortality, there are no more interests. Many people dream of immortality, why do you reject it?】

"I don't reject immortality, I reject being 'immortal'."

"How about making a deal with me?" Xu Fang suggested, "Let me return to reality, and I'll give you what you want."

【What can you bring us?】

"I'll give you whatever you need, or I owe you a favor."

【Haha, your favor is worthless. If you're willing to cooperate with us in exterminating other authors, I might consider it.】

"Sorry, I refuse."

【Where is trust among authors? Are you foolish enough to believe they are your comrades in battle?】

Xu Fang said, "I hope our transaction is fair, selling out other authors means handing over control to you, and I won't accept that."

Number 4 leaned over Xu Fang and whispered:

【Don't think you're special, do you? Do you think becoming an "author" makes you chosen? The experiences of every author who comes to the eternal world can be written into a book. In my eyes, you're just an ordinary person.】

Number 4 can manipulate people's emotions, using a simple sentence to distort their ideas, or casually brainwash them. It plays the role of a villain, manipulating the emotions of authors.

Of course, Xu Fang felt nothing except "attack needs improvement." "So, you brainwashed Bernice using this method?" he asked.

【Hahaha...Bernice is more fragile. There is no need to deliberately brainwash her, just let her experience some tragedies, and her thoughts will change. Well, it works for most humans too.】

"Sounds like something a typical villain would say. Can I interpret this as you trying to intimidate me?"

【Think what you want. Oh, by the way, since you're unwilling to cooperate with us, let the game continue. It might be a bit more troublesome, but I have patience. When you think about it, there is a sense of accomplishment in hunting down prey that struggles with all their might.】

"The negotiation has failed, so are you going to destroy me now?"

【I'm in a good mood. As long as you're willing to be imprisoned here, I won't destroy this duplicate for now. Let's chat, maybe you can extract something useful from me?】

"You're saying I won't get anything useful from you. Does the Eternal Life Church have such confidence in dealing with authors?"

【When you have the power to control the fate of others at any time, you will have my mentality too. Actually, I don't care if you betray other authors. In the end, they will all blend into the embrace of eternity. I just want to see what kind of ugly light selfish humanity will emit.】

【Since we're having a face-to-face conversation, let me tell you one more thing.】

"What is it?"

【Aside from Bernice, there is another nun named "Moulin" who will be eliminated, maybe within 24 hours.】

"..."

[Don't worry, we'll get to you soon, even if your physical body hides in space, we have a way.]