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Not long after leaving Qin Xunfeng, the mirror image of Mo Qi quickly found himself in darkness. To see his surroundings, he put on the night vision goggles.
Unlike other fragments, the mirror image of Mo Qi was inherently a reflection of Mo Qi himself. The mystery of the Mirror Maze lay in the fact that mirror images not only replicated the appearance of their original selves but also their memories, personalities, and thought processes. Otherwise, figures like Rong Feng and other mirror images wouldn’t be able to seamlessly replace their originals.
This was also why the mirror image of Mo Qi had been aware of the bullet fragments from the moment he gained consciousness. He understood that he was one of these fragments and could even view the memories shared with Mo Qi through the resonance of other fragments.
He knew he was the nameless figure in the painting, both a part of and separate from it.
He understood that his murderous intent toward Mo Qi and hostility towards other fragments were instigated by the game to prevent his original self from being restored.
To become a complete version of himself and to overcome this game, he had to restrain this murderous intent. He also needed to fight the game to the death, sacrificing the fragments within him.
Although the mirror image of Mo Qi understood the logic behind his actions, emotionally, he was reluctant to do so.
He reached out and touched the nearby mirror, feeling the glass texture beneath his palm. This mirror, and the elements that made him, were the same. He came from the mirror, and his material was identical to it. Similarly, the Mo Qi dragged into the mirror was now assimilated with the mirror’s material, becoming equally fragile.
No one understood the rules of the Mirror Maze better than the mirror image of Mo Qi. When he had previously explained the rules to Qin Xunfeng, he had concealed the final rule.
There was one issue everyone had overlooked: since the real body could leave the mirror and merge with the mirror image by killing someone, was the mirror image doomed to be consumed? Was there no way for the mirror image to reverse the process and consume the real body instead?
There was a way.
From the moment the mirror image of Mo Qi became conscious, he was aware of this rule—it was etched into the minds of all mirror images.
A body consumed by the mirror would assimilate with the mirror’s elements. To regain a physical form and return to reality, they needed to kill a person with a real body outside. Similarly, to leave the mirror, a mirror image needed to take the life of someone within the mirror, seize the pieces held by the real body, and consume the real body itself.
Exactly. The mirror image Mo Qi could return to the mirror by finding another mirror image who had escaped and killing someone. This way, he would be able to seek out the real Mo Qi and consume him.
The real Mo Qi’s battlefield is in the light, where the actual world exists. In contrast, the mirror image’s battlefield is shrouded in darkness, away from the light. This hidden battle was ongoing as well. The mirror image Mo Qi knew about this place from the moment he left the mirror, but he chose to keep it to himself.
Mirror image Mo Qi has only one wish: to embrace the real Mo Qi behind the mirror and break into a heap of fragments, so that “you” are within “me,” and “I” am within “you,” never to be separated again.
As for completing tasks, rescuing ordinary people trapped in the game, or protecting the world, none of these concerns mirror image Mo Qi.
Liao Ruxue has a status in the real world and naturally wants to save it. Xiao Cao, with only the most primitive instinct to grow and root, finds that symbiotically coexisting with Mo Qi is the best option rather than killing him. As for Mo Xiaohong, he was born with the mission to destroy the jade pendant; this is his calling, and he cannot resist this instinct.
But mirror image Mo Qi is different. He is neither a person from the real world nor a plant with mere instincts, and he is not a crucial game item. He is simply a mirror image destined to either be consumed by Mo Qi or to consume Mo Qi. Saving the world holds no benefit for him.
He did not kill Qin Xunfeng or Xia Yao. Instead, he continually helped everyone deal with the Mirror Maze to gain their trust, with the goal of acquiring Item Cards. His ultimate plan is to come fully equipped to the Pure Black Zone and eliminate Liang Tianxiu’s mirror image.
Now, having obtained night vision goggles to see in the dark, “Damage Transfer” to protect him from harm, and Qin Xunfeng’s grenade, he finds it easy to kill a mirror image.
One thing Mo Qi doesn’t understand is that he possesses all of Mo Qi’s skills and is resistant to “Resonance.” All of Mo Qi’s emotions can be transmitted to mirror image Mo Qi, but mirror image Mo Qi has the ability to resist and selectively receive these thoughts, hiding his true intentions.
Love, for him, is about control and enslavement. This is his way of loving Mo Qi, and it’s the only emotion he possesses.
Mirror image Mo Qi kicked a corpse with his foot and looked down to see it was Xi Rou’s body.
Just as expected, she is here.
All the bodies of those who die in the Mirror Maze are transferred to the Pure Black Zone because they no longer possess “light.”
The “light” in the Mirror Maze comes from the reflections of living people in the mirrors, not from the dead. Therefore, in essence, the “light source” of this world is life. Those who have lost their lives do not deserve to have “light.”
In other words, Qin Xunfeng, Mo Qi, Liang Tianxiu, Xia Yao, and others who cannot reach the Pure Black Zone are living people. Mirror image Mo Qi, mirror image Liang Tianxiu, and Xi Rou’s corpse are essentially the same thing.
He is a lifeless replica; why should someone who has never had life from the beginning be expected to save the world?
Mirror image Mo Qi sneered coldly, ruthlessly kicking aside Xi Rou’s corpse as he continued forward.
He then saw several more bodies—these were the number of deaths in the Mirror Maze, corresponding to the number of mini-bosses that had been defeated.
Mirror image Mo Qi roughly counted: Xia Yao, Ke Manman, Rong Feng, and the only remaining player. Based on the number of bodies, there should be one more person, someone even Xia Yao hadn’t seen, and it’s unclear when this person left the Mirror Maze.
Forget it. What does it matter to him? These things are of no concern to him.
Mirror image Mo Qi took a few steps forward and vaguely sensed someone following behind—likely the mirror image Liang Tianxiu who was still alive.
This person had been waiting for an opportunity to strike, now that a mirror image was present. Mirror image Mo Qi pretended not to notice. He intended to lure mirror image Liang Tianxiu into making a move to observe his attack methods, while also using this person to deplete Mo Qi’s “paper tiger” defenses.
He had “Damage Transfer” on him, meaning all the damage inflicted on him would be transferred to Mo Qi. Mo Qi could then use “paper tiger” to offset this damage. Mirror image Mo Qi wanted to strip Mo Qi of all defensive capabilities.
After all, he needed to ensure that Mo Qi was killed without fail.
Through the night vision goggles, mirror image Mo Qi saw mirror image Liang Tianxiu’s fingers transform into sharp, glass-like transparent objects, which sharply stabbed at the back of mirror image Mo Qi’s neck.
Mirror image Mo Qi did not dodge or evade; the damage disappeared the moment it was inflicted on him. Mirror image Mo Qi quietly assessed the situation on Mo Qi’s side and noted that “paper tiger” still had 70% remaining.
He pretended to see nothing, spinning around in a chaotic manner, and exclaimed in a flustered voice, “Who is attacking? Where are they?”
He mimicked Qin Xunfeng’s actions when affected by the shadow effect, his hands flailing wildly in the air.
Mirror image Liang Tianxiu was initially alarmed when his attack failed to have any effect, but seeing mirror image Mo Qi’s helpless demeanor, he quickly regained his composure and continued his assault.
Mirror image Liang Tianxiu’s limbs could transform into sharp weapons, and these glass-like weapons had diamond-like hardness. Mirror image Mo Qi tried to smash them several times but was unable to break them. Additionally, mirror image Liang Tianxiu could immediately convert the parts of his body that were attacked into the same hard material as his weapons, making him nearly impervious to harm.
After several encounters, mirror image Mo Qi gradually learned to use similar body transformation techniques. However, he sustained continuous injuries, depleting “paper tiger” to only 10% remaining.
The upcoming damage needed careful consideration: it couldn’t be too severe or too light. It had to precisely deplete “paper tiger” while ensuring Mo Qi remained unharmed.
Most importantly, it had to create the illusion of serious injury, using this opportunity to make mirror image Liang Tianxiu lower his guard and deliver a fatal blow.
As mirror image Liang Tianxiu’s arm transformed into a blade and lunged toward his heart, mirror image Mo Qi dodged just in time, allowing the blade to graze his ribs and pierce his flesh.
He knew that mirror image Liang Tianxiu could not see in the darkness and relied on hearing and touch for his attacks. These mirror images, existing in darkness, longed for light and yearned to consume it.
Mirror image Mo Qi squeezed his arm tightly, using the darkness to create the illusion of a fatal wound to the heart. He emitted a weak, strained voice, “Y-you…”
Then he held his breath, hanging his head as if he were dead.
Mirror images lack breathing and a heartbeat, so mirror image Liang Tianxiu could not confirm whether mirror image Mo Qi was truly dead. He carefully touched Mo Qi’s wound to verify if he had actually struck Mo Qi’s heart.
As mirror image Liang Tianxiu looked down, mirror image Mo Qi silently extended his fingers, which instantly elongated into sharp spines and precisely pierced the center of mirror image Liang Tianxiu’s forehead.
In the battle with mirror image Liang Tianxiu, his greatest advantage was the night vision goggles. He could see everything, while mirror image Liang Tianxiu could only feel his way through the darkness.
In the moment the head was pierced, mirror image Liang Tianxiu instantly shattered into a pile of broken mirror fragments, scattering across the ground.
When a normal person dies, they become a corpse, but when a mirror image dies, they leave no whole body behind.
According to the purpose of the Mirror Maze, which continuously sends mini-bosses to other worlds, these mirror images were created solely as tools to enhance the strength of ordinary people, and they serve no other purpose.
Mirror image Mo Qi ruthlessly stepped over the fragments of mirror image Liang Tianxiu, then reached out towards the mirror in the darkness. He could merge into the mirror.
Upon entering the mirror, mirror image Mo Qi discovered that his movement was not based on light reflection but rather allowed him to travel through the darkness. He could see the direction of the light and simply needed to head straight towards it.
The moment mirror image Liang Tianxiu shattered, Liang Tianxiu suddenly clutched his chest and sat on the ground with a peculiar expression.
“What’s wrong?” Mo Qi asked him.
Liang Tianxiu shook his head and said, “I don’t know. It’s as if a part of my heart suddenly feels empty, and I also feel more at ease. I keep sensing that… the connection with this Mirror Maze is weakening.”
This sensation was quite mysterious, and Liang Tianxiu himself wasn’t sure where these descriptive words were coming from.
The blind Qin Xunfeng, whose hearing was exceptionally sensitive, overheard their conversation. He said, “Could it be that mirror image Mo Qi did something? Mo Qi, I have a feeling that this mirror image Mo Qi is a bit dangerous. Can we really trust him?”
Mo Qi didn’t respond. He just kept staring in one direction, his intuition telling him that mirror image Mo Qi had already returned to the mirror.
The effect of “Stare” had long since expired while mirror image Mo Qi was slowly searching through the dark area. Mo Qi realized that the protective effect of “paper tiger” was now almost entirely depleted. He could no longer control the movements of mirror image Mo Qi and had to rely on his intuition.
Every so often, mirror image Mo Qi would appear in the mirror. Liang Tianxiu saw him and couldn’t help but exclaim, “Huh? How can you enter the mirror now? Mo Qi is still in the mirror.”
Mirror image Mo Qi arrived in a brightly lit area, and the night vision goggles he was still wearing became glaringly bright. He removed the goggles, and outside the mirror, Qin Xunfeng’s vision was restored.
At this moment, the shadow effect on Qin Xunfeng also wore off. He saw two identical Mo Qis standing in the mirror and immediately rubbed his eyes, then glanced at Liang Tianxiu to make sure his vision wasn’t experiencing new issues.
“Mirror image Mo Qi? You’ve entered the mirror?” Qin Xunfeng said, feeling a vague sense of unease.
Mirror image Mo Qi glanced at Liang Tianxiu, his calm tone hiding a hint of malice, and said, “Get to another mirror.”
Liang Tianxiu felt a chill run down his back at the sight of mirror image Mo Qi’s gaze. Unable to disobey the command, he swiftly moved to the mirror behind Qin Xunfeng, leaving only two identical Mo Qis in that mirror.
Mirror image Mo Qi reached out and touched Mo Qi’s neck, deftly lifting the necklace with a flick of his finger to reveal the two bullet fragments within the pendant.
“You keep this thing on you?” mirror image Mo Qi asked.
“I feel safer with it on me,” Mo Qi replied.
“They all want to kill you. How can you be sure these fragments won’t one day secretly pierce your artery and watch your blood flow out?” mirror image Mo Qi asked.
Mo Qi smiled slightly and replied, “I’m not afraid.”
“You gave me so many Item Cards and even used Damage Transfer. Aren’t you afraid I might use this opportunity to kill you?” mirror image Mo Qi asked again.
Mo Qi looked at him calmly, placed his hand over mirror image Mo Qi’s, and said earnestly, “I think you’ve misunderstood something. Saving the world has never been my mission. I’m not that noble. I’m just an ordinary student who feels fragile and wants to give up when facing minor difficulties.”
Whether it’s life, courage, or the calmness in the face of challenges in the game, all of it is borrowed from the figures in the painting.
Mo Qi lightly tapped his chest and said earnestly to mirror image Mo Qi, “My life exists because of you. You can take it whenever you want.”
Mirror image Mo Qi’s hand was pressed against Mo Qi’s neck, seemingly ready to strangle the delicate throat at any moment. He tightened his grip, observing as Mo Qi resignedly closed his eyes. Suddenly, he turned his head and coldly instructed Qin Xunfeng, “Give that card to Mo Qi.”
Under the control of mirror image Mo Qi, Qin Xunfeng was powerless to resist the command. Though he felt extreme reluctance, his hand moved uncontrollably, manipulating his phone to transfer the crucial “Data Collector” card to Mo Qi.
Mo Qi received the card transfer notification, and mirror image Mo Qi extended his hand toward him. “Give me the card,” he said.
Facing Mo Qi, who seemed indifferent even to his own life, mirror image Mo Qi hesitated slightly.
Mirror image Mo Qi tore off the necklace from Mo Qi’s neck and held the two bullet fragments in his hand. He asked, “Are you afraid I’ll hurt them?”
“Don’t refer to them like that. To me, you’re all the same,” Mo Qi sighed, thinking how much this sounded like something a scoundrel would say.
He took out the “Data Collector” card and placed it in mirror image Mo Qi’s hand. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have hesitated. These are all you, and you have the right to decide your own future. I shouldn’t obstruct that.”
“I really want to kill you,” mirror image Mo Qi said, holding the card in one hand and putting the necklace back around Mo Qi’s neck with the two fragments removed. “But it’s useless.”
Mo Qi didn’t pay much attention to the necklace, focusing instead on the card and the pendant with the fragments.
Mirror image Mo Qi continued, “My wish is to shatter with you, but the Mirror Maze doesn’t allow that to happen. The Mirror Maze is a survival game; either you kill me, or I kill you. My wish will never be fulfilled. I don’t like the rules here.”
Mirror image Mo Qi had the same face as Mo Qi, but his demeanor and aura were entirely different. Mo Qi watched his eyes closely and saw a glimmer of the same defiant look as the figures in the painting—a gaze that challenged the rules.
“So I’ve decided to change the rules here with this card,” mirror image Mo Qi said, holding up the card to Mo Qi. “Mo Qi, let go of your resistance and let me control you for once.”
“Don’t!” Qin Xunfeng shouted from outside the mirror. “Being controlled by mirror image Mo Qi is terrifying. He will manipulate you, emotionally abuse you, and control you to the point where you lose yourself!”
Qin Xunfeng, still anxious, said to Liang Tianxiu, “Mo Qi is about to lose his resistance. Quickly go back to that mirror and stop him!”
Liang Tianxiu, hugging his arms, said without a trace of dignity, “If you want to go, you can. Just take off your gloves and press your fingerprints on the mirror to get inside. Why are you asking me?”
“I’d be useless even if I went in! Just look at what he’s done to me!” Qin Xunfeng exclaimed, visibly frustrated.
The two were at a loss, watching as Mo Qi gave mirror image Mo Qi a gentle nod. “I trust you.”
Only Mo Qi could resist mirror image Mo Qi’s “domination in the name of love” skill, but he had now abandoned that resistance.
Mo Qi felt mirror image Mo Qi’s command invade his mind, gently instructing him, “Use the ‘Data Collector’ to collect my data.”
Mo Qi complied and used the card.
As an SR card, “Data Collector” was originally intended not for finding special data within a task but for fully collecting the data of a person or object to gather intelligence. This new use of “Data Collector” was developed due to the special compatibility between Qin Xunfeng’s attributes and the card.
As the card was handed to mirror image Mo Qi, its power combined with the fragment hidden within the card and mirror image Mo Qi’s own strength resulted in a new transformation.
A beam of light shot out from the card, scanning mirror image Mo Qi’s entire body, including the two fragments in his hands, converting him into data.
Mirror image Mo Qi and the two fragments were transformed into a heap of meaningless data, gradually integrating into the card.
Just before becoming fully data, mirror image Mo Qi gently kissed Mo Qi’s forehead and said softly, “I wish I could take your life and be with you forever, but it cannot be realized. Love is domination; I give you this power to dominate.”
Mirror image Mo Qi completely transformed into data and merged with the two fragments, fully integrating into the card.
A brand-new card fell into Mo Qi’s hands.