This Life, I Will Be the Protagonist-Chapter 545 - : Divine Game: Chaotic Restaurant 65

The leaderboard disappeared, and the world returned to normal. However, just as things calmed down, Rita was struck by a punch to the face that took away 21% of her health. She quickly ran off, munching on a pancake to restore her health.

Earlier, she had been glad she hadn't brought along Midnight Exile and Absurd Story, but now she was a bit regretful.

Flying to the top of the food street, she stayed alert for any sudden battles while communicating mentally with Nivalis in the pet space.

Rita: "Have you slept? Want to come out and play? But don't come out just yet—listen to me first."

Nivalis: "I haven't slept! Can I go out now?"

Rita explained the current game mechanics and situation to Nivalis, then said, "Here's the deal: you can't use skills right now, but this is the best time for you to practice combat. Come out, train, and when you die enough that you can't bear the death penalties, you can come back. What do you think?"

Nivalis asked another question, "Why do you seem so heavy-hearted? You even sound a bit sad."

Rita couldn't hide her emotions from Nivalis. She sighed quietly, not knowing where to begin.

The game had only been going on for a little over a day, and to Nivalis, it felt like she had just said goodbye to Rita early this morning. But for Rita, it felt like a long time had passed.

The terrifying realization of the Divine Game's death penalty mechanism, the knowledge of how gods and demons observe players, the moments of clarity after being outwitted by Pine Bloom, the struggles after that, and the battle against Rabbit 3... It had all felt so long, yet looking back, it had been less than two days.

Updated from freewёbnoνel.com.

There would be many more moments like these in the future, and she would either fall off the cliff or forge herself like fire from the brink of desperation.

B80234615 was her support, not needing combat power but offering valuable information and skills.

But what about Nivalis?

If Nivalis couldn't keep up, would they become the next Lidian and Pine Bloom?

She didn't think so. She wouldn't abandon a dragon like Nivalis just because she was weak and couldn't help. She just didn't want to see Nivalis become a true pet.

The worst thing would be nurturing a creature with unlimited potential into something useless.

Divine Game was cruel, but it also presented a massive opportunity.

Rita spoke with a seriousness she had never shown before, recounting her battle with Rabbit 3. She then said:

Rita: "Nivalis, there are two paths here. One, whenever I sense danger, I'll have you hide in the pet space. You have a long lifespan, and you can take your time to grow stronger. You're a dragon, you have plenty of time."

Rita: "The other path: you join me in the Divine Game. We might face enemies like Winter Sea Frenzied Shark again, death will seem like a luxury, and even death won't end the pain and danger... But no matter what, I won't let you stop participating in the Divine Game. The pet space is only for temporary crisis avoidance. You'll have opportunities and face pain, just like me."

Nivalis asked, "You want me to choose the second path, right?"

Rita's voice was steady yet gentle: "Yes. I don't want you to grow slowly, because I can't afford to slow down. Even if I fail and end up with nothing, I'll get back up and keep running. I can't stop and wait for you, and I won't let you stop waiting for me."

Rita: "If you want to choose the first path, I'll support you."

Rita: "But I'll feel regret. Those hardships are valuable, Nivalis. Just like how you want to grow stronger, you have to磨掉 your dragon scales against the rocks. The most unforgettable rewards often come with pain."

Nivalis didn't immediately do as Rita said, like she used to. Instead, she asked another question: "If I can't keep up with you, would you abandon me like Pine Bloom abandoned Lidian?"

Rita: "I wouldn't. But if you can't keep up with me, the dangers I face might force me to have you leave for a while. That's protection, but you could call it abandonment disguised as care."

At that moment, Rita couldn't help but think of Lidian and Pine Bloom. Would they end up like that?

In her mind, she heard Nivalis's answer: "I choose the second path."

Nivalis thought to herself that she wouldn't become Lidian. Rita wasn't Pine Bloom.

As long as she didn't betray Rita, Rita might always like her, but she didn't want to become the pet at the back of the house...

She could still remember the first time she met Rita, how Rita had looked at her with admiration. Later, they spent time designing various battle training games at the villa.

Although Rita would occasionally tease her when Nivalis was preparing a big move, when it came to real battles, Rita's eyes were always focused, sharp, filled with battle intent. It was the look of someone admiring a strong opponent.

But now, Nivalis knew that Rita hadn't looked at her the same way for a long time. Rita had encountered more and more towering mountains and had seen a much broader world.

She had long forgotten the dragon at home...

Nivalis roared, "I choose the second path! I want to fight!"

Rita nodded with relief. It wasn't in vain that she had said so much. "Come out, you can talk now. The black-market status has muted everything."

Since she was a black-market player, her pet also had the same status, as shown by B80234615's state.

As soon as Nivalis emerged, her massive form knocked into several players. She began punching and kicking the air around her.

As the master, Rita could see the outline of her pet. It was like how she saw herself, with ripples moving through the air with every movement.

She watched Nivalis flapping her wings, kicking her legs, even randomly biting at the air. Rita hesitated, her lips pressed tightly together, and her mood became heavy.

Though surprised that Nivalis suddenly emerged, it didn't stop B80234615 from commenting: "Yes, I could tell from your fighting that's how you were feeling."

Rita: "Well, that's not too bad."

B80234615: "If your defense were as tough as your mouth, I wouldn't worry about your safety."

Rita: "If your words were as few as the remaining parts of you, I'd be a lot more cheerful."

Though she could still argue with B80234615, Rita could already imagine the terrifying sight that the gods were seeing...

Those cruel, smoking beings... They definitely weren't seeing the invisible version of her.

Gods have no virtue!

She also wanted to see... She had already started imagining Maple Syrup and Mistblade face-to-face, battling in dance.

You guys shouldn't fight anymore!

As Rita laughed, suddenly, a hammer from who knows where struck her in the lower back. Her body flew forward like a bracket, and her health dropped by 30%.

"Damn it! Definitely Pine Bloom!"

She had noticed the hawk emperor tossing hammers in the air earlier!!! And these ones were spinning around everywhere!