Chapter 044: Multiverse Collision Aftermath

What the hell?

Wang Bo sat up abruptly. Just now, it seemed there was some sound echoing in his mind. Was it an illusion?

“Hey hey hey, if you can hear me, please respond. If you can hear me, please respond.”

No, it wasn't an illusion. There really was a voice ringing inside their mind.

"Who are you?" Wang Bo asked instinctively.

【Haha, connected, finally connected】

This sudden voice became extremely excited and quickly responded.

【Hello, host, I am your cheat】

"Cheat?" Wang Bo was taken aback, but quickly realized, "You mean the superhuman abilities and ripple qigong I have are your doing."

Superhuman abilities, Ripple Qigong—holy crap, host, your luck is way too good. You wouldn't happen to be the legendary lucky king, would you?

Wang Bo was completely bewildered; he felt something was off.

"Aren't you my cheat?"

【That's right】

"What abilities I have, you don't know."

【That's right】

Wang Bo: ...

This can't be a fake cheat, could it? I haven't been tricked, have I?

“No, wait, host, listen to me explain!”

This voice burst forth with an extremely strong will to survive, quickly beginning to explain.

【Host, it's true that I am your cheat—I gave you your superhuman abilities and Ripple Qigong—but I really didn't know your luck would be this good. Please don't be surprised; listen carefully as I explain the whole story from beginning to end.】

Wang Bo: ...

【Host, this matter goes back a very, very long time. You don't need to know exactly how long. Anyway, you just need to know that this involves the multiverse. By the way, host, you should know what the multiverse is, right?】

“I know.” Wang Bo rolled his eyes and said.

That's good, but Host, you definitely don't know that there is actually more than one multiverse.

“I know that too.”

【...That makes it easier to explain. Anyway, a long time ago, a collision occurred between the multiverses. The cause of this collision is unknown, but it affected thousands of multiverses.】

Thus, a great chaos occurred among the multiverses.

The many multiverse deities acted together, restoring order and reducing the chaos to a minimum, finally managing to safely weather this crisis.

However, the gods of the multiverse discovered that some beings from one universe would inexplicably appear in another.

For example, it's as if Superman from the DC universe suddenly crossed over into the Marvel universe, or a Super Saiyan from Dragon Ball entered the world of Journey to the West.

In short, incidents like this were everywhere; many people would wake up one day and find themselves inexplicably transported to a place where they knew no one.

Of course, none of the above matters to the multiverse itself. Many multiversal deities simply let it be, but occasionally some obsessive-compulsive multiversal deity cannot stand to look the other way.

And so, I was born.

My purpose is to find suitable hosts, grant them powerful strength, and then have them set things right, making these chaotic time-travelers return to their proper places.

Wang Bo suddenly realized why Laura had appeared in the world of mummies — it was all caused by collisions between multiverses.

"So, you... you chose me?"

【That's right】

"Then why did you wait until now to tell me?"

【Of course it's because business is booming. Host, you have no idea how many people are transmigrating across the multiverse every day. To curb this situation, I've contracted a large number of hosts all at once.】

【I have to explain it to each one in turn, so by the time it was your turn, it was already now.】

【But rest assured, host, I have already distributed the rewards in advance】

【You hosts, every time you arrive in a world, you will immediately obtain the abilities of some protagonist.】

【But I didn't expect you, host, to be so lucky as to obtain both superhuman abilities and ripple qigong—this is simply a perfect match.】

Among the large number of hosts I have contracted, your luck can definitely rank in the top fifty.

After listening quietly, Wang Bo asked, puzzled, 'I've only traveled through one world, so why do I have two abilities?'

One initial world and one traversed world, two in total—no problem. However, this reward will only last for three worlds; after three worlds, the reward will be canceled, as a favor to newbie hosts.

"So I can understand the languages of other worlds—that's also your doing?"

"That's right. The ability to understand all languages is a standard feature for every host; it's not counted among your abilities. After all, there are too many languages across the multiverse. Without this ability, you would find it difficult to carry out your work."

Wang Bo nodded to himself. That's quite considerate.

After understanding the ins and outs of the matter, Wang Bo finally spoke the words that had been hidden in his heart for a long time.

"Can I refuse?"

“Of course, I knew you, host... Wait, what did you say, host?”

"I said, can I refuse this job?"

【Why!!!】

"Because it's too much trouble," Wang Bo said calmly. "You know, I really like a peaceful life. Such a tumultuous life doesn't suit me."

【……】

"If possible, you can take away my power. I want to live an ordinary life."

【Host, won't you reconsider?】

"No need to consider."

【At least think it over】

“Really, no need.”

【Alright, since you, host, have already decided, I have no choice but to follow your decision. However, since you have already transmigrated, how about helping me find someone? Just consider it a favor for me.】

Wang Bo said, "If you want to find the time-traveler from this world, I've already found her. Lara Croft, the female protagonist of Tomb Raider 9, is now living with me."

【Holy shit, you've already found them? Your efficiency is way too high】

"Maybe I was just lucky, meeting that person on the very first day I crossed over," Wang Bo offered as an explanation.

【Host, and you still say you're not lucky!】

Wang Bo: ...I don't recall ever denying it, actually.

【In any case, since you, my host, have already encountered the time-traveler Laura, I must congratulate you. From now on, you are my first official host.】

"Wait, I don't think I agreed to become your host." Wang Bo suddenly felt something was wrong.

“I have no choice either. This is a program set by the gods of the multiverse: any host who finds a time-traveler becomes my official host, and they can also receive an extra benefit—a reward for your proactive work.”

"Wait a minute. Anyone who finds a host for a time-traveler becomes your official host. So you were still trying to get me to find a time-traveler just now. From start to finish, you never intended to let me go, did you."

Wang Bo now understood what it meant to say one thing to someone's face and do another behind their back.