Apocalyptic Wasteland Simulator-Chapter 308 - 303 Truth

With a fierce shout, Chen Pingchuan's speed suddenly skyrocketed. His once-clear figure blurred into a residual image, moving at a bizarre and elusive angle as he instantly broke away from the engagement. At the same moment, an object appeared in his hand.

It was a piece of clothing that, at first glance, seemed as if the deepest shadows of the night had materialized. The garment was a profound, inky black, as if it could swallow all light like a black hole. Yet, within its hidden patterns, faint, blood-red glimmers pulsed. The entire outfit was covered in mysterious and ancient runes that shimmered with a faint purple glow. From the cuffs and hem, a black mist rose like smoke, constantly changing shape—sometimes hideous, sometimes twisted. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

"Huh?"

Looking at the coat filled with malevolent energy, Chen Pingchuan wore a strange expression. He suddenly recalled his ability to neutralize those shadow creatures. Could this thing be like them? Apart from this coat, the rest of the body…

The dark Chen Pingchuan's blood-red eyes widened in horror. He stared at Chen Pingchuan in utter disbelief, clutching his private parts with one hand as he rapidly retreated.

"How did you do that?"

"How can you be more evil than I am?"

"I've been defiled!"

"AHHH!!!"

The dark Chen Pingchuan's voice was laced with anger and a hint of panic, but most of all, it seethed with humiliation.

Chen Pingchuan's lips curled into a cold smile as he began to taunt his double. "I thought you were a perfect one-to-one copy of me, but it turns out you're different."

"You have no root!!!"

...

The words "You have no root!!!" echoed endlessly throughout the palace.

The dark Chen Pingchuan let out a pained scream, then completely ignored his naked body. "Ah! I'm going to kill you!"

The Dark Long Sword in his hand stabbed straight for Chen Pingchuan's face.

However, this time, having already used his "Just a Bit Faster Than You" skill, Chen Pingchuan was now a cut above his opponent in speed.

And so, a comical scene unfolded.

The one-armed Chen Pingchuan first stored the dark battle armor in his personal storage space, then proceeded to effortlessly dodge his dark counterpart's attacks. He had given up on counterattacking with a weapon. Instead, he activated his trash-talk mode.

"Too slow, just too slow…"

"Is this the best you can do?"

"And with speed like this, you want revenge? You want to turn the tables?"

"And you were looking down on me?"

"Who gave you the gall?"

"Huh? Tell me!!!"

Chen Pingchuan's roars were deafening. Each taunt was a sharp blade plunging straight into the heart of his dark counterpart.

The dark Chen Pingchuan was so furious he was practically steaming. His already crimson eyes looked as if they were about to spew fire. His attacks grew increasingly frenzied, but Chen Pingchuan easily dodged every one.

"Do you dare to stop dodging?!" the dark Chen Pingchuan roared, swinging his Dark Long Sword wildly.

But Chen Pingchuan remained unfazed, continuing to weave deftly through the sword's afterimages as he pressed his verbal assault. "Oh, getting flustered now, are we?"

"Weren't you just arrogantly offering to send me on my way?"

"What's wrong? Can't even beat a one-armed man now? With your pathetic abilities, you dream of defeating divinity? Keep dreaming!"

Provoked beyond reason, the dark Chen Pingchuan completely ignored his own vulnerabilities, attacking with pure, reckless fury.

Chen Pingchuan seized an opportunity. As the dark Chen Pingchuan lunged, his sword striking nothing but air, his body leaned forward. Chen Pingchuan rushed in and delivered a fierce punch to his abdomen with his only left arm.

However, the expected resistance never came. Chen Pingchuan's fist passed straight through the dark Chen Pingchuan's body.

"HEH HEH HEH…"

The dark Chen Pingchuan grinned, realizing Chen Pingchuan couldn't harm him. He actually let out a laugh.

"Feeling scared?"

"Afraid?"

"You can't hurt me!"

"Surrender now, and I might just spare your life."

The dark Chen Pingchuan turned around slowly, looking down on Chen Pingchuan with an air of arrogance, his face a mask of victory.

"Oh!"

"You're right!"

Just as his dark counterpart thought he had given up, Chen Pingchuan's tone shifted.

"In that case, I'll just come back tomorrow."

With that, he turned without the slightest hesitation and bolted back the way he came, moving faster than a bolt of lightning.

"Trying to run? Not so fast!"

Seeing this, the dark Chen Pingchuan's eyes flashed with viciousness. There was no way he would let his quarry escape so easily. His figure flickered, instantly transforming into a black stream of light that pursued him like a shadow. With a swing of his Dark Long Sword, several streams of black Sword Qi roared out like mad dragons bursting from the sea, hurtling toward Chen Pingchuan's back.

Sensing the powerful threat from behind, Chen Pingchuan pushed his speed even further, easily dodging the incoming attacks. The Sword Qi grazed past his body, pulverizing the surrounding walls and sending debris flying everywhere.

"Stop! Don't you run!"

"Fight me to the death!" the dark Chen Pingchuan roared madly as he gave chase.

Chen Pingchuan didn't respond, focusing all his energy on escaping. He knew that while he was a bit faster than his opponent, he didn't have any other clear advantages—not in strength, nor in that bizarre corrosive power. Even after stealing his opponent's coat, he still couldn't deliver a decisive blow.

In the span of a single thought, Chen Pingchuan reached the door through which he had entered. Just as he was about to open it and leave, a desolate shout echoed from behind him.

"Don't!"

"Don't leave!"

"I've lost!"

Chen Pingchuan stopped in his tracks. He turned around swiftly, his eyes warily fixed on his dark version, not letting his guard down for an instant.

"What do you mean?"

Faced with the question, the dark Chen Pingchuan gave a bitter smile. "What do I mean?"

"Don't you know?"

"You've won. Now you can take everything that is mine."

Chen Pingchuan frowned. "The fight isn't over. The victor is still undecided. Why give up so easily?"

A mocking smile appeared on the dark Chen Pingchuan's face. "Heh, cut the crap. Do you not understand your own situation? I do, just as I understand myself."

"Your abilities must have a cooldown that resets. That means if you come back next time, the outcome will be the same."

"This will repeat, and after a few tries, you'll have an absolute advantage."

"Am I wrong?"

Hearing this analysis, Chen Pingchuan fell silent for a moment. He didn't know how to respond, because his double was right. Many of the talent skills he had acquired from the simulator had cooldowns. Once the time was up, they could be used again, just like the two he had used moments ago.

Seeing Chen Pingchuan's silence, the dark Chen Pingchuan's expression grew even more melancholic.

"Since I have lost, I can finally tell you the truth."