Picked up by the Protagonist of a Tormented! MC Novel-Volume 1 Chapter 1

Vol 1 Chap 1

Zeno refreshed the page again and found that had still not updated. He glanced at the clock in the lower right corner of the computer screen, and found that unfortunately midnight had already passed.

'I'm a little sleepy,' Zeno thought while rubbing his temples.

Perhaps the reason is because the story is coming to an end. The author of novel recently explained in the author’s notes that there was a little delay. Although it was usually updated within the time limit, it was loaded later day by day. It is even later today since it is 12 o’clock and still not updated.

Zeno used to go to bed early, so staying up late every day waiting for updates made him feel so tired he could hardly endure it.

Zeno has followed for two years, and believes the author is a very hard-working person. The deadlines were hardly ever missed, and if they were on occasion the author would write a long notice. So, although readers are anxious for updates, most of the comments left on those notices were ones of understanding and support.

Today’s comment section was unusually lively, but most of the comments are basically “seeking more ~”, “seeking updates ~.” Since the author gave advanced notice of the late update, it makes sense that it would happen towards the end of the day.

Zeno is anxiously waiting for an update. In fact, he is more anxious than everyone else because he is a addict. This can be seen from the fact that he, the guy who has always gone to sleep early, has been staying up late every day just to read it.

After a few more refreshes that failed to bring any updates, Zeno decided to get prepared for a long read by getting up and going into the kitchen for a cup of instant coffee.

Zeno is an orphan. After graduating from college and finding a decent job, he rented a small apartment to live in. Because rent is cheap he doesn't have to work overtime, so he can be at home on the Internet every day reading new chapters of , and occasionally also rereading the novel again from the beginning. His familiarity with this book has no rival.

While sipping a small mouthful of instant coffee, back in front of the computer waiting for an update while scrolling through the comments, suddenly a discordant comment jumps into view. In an ocean of comments that are "waiting for updates," it stands out like fireflies shining in the dark.

Zeno got excited. Not because of the tone of the comment, which is very sad and angry, but the comment is in fact for chapter 875. Yesterday there were only 874, which the addict Zeno would clearly remember, so he quickly dropped his half finished cup of coffee and excitedly embarked on the last chapter of the finale.

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Xi Wei felt tired after struggling in this world for so many years. From a beggar of unknown origin to a man now standing at the peak of the world, Xi Wei endured hardships that ordinary people could not even imagine, and experienced countless betrayals.

But who could know—he did not want to be such a man, and now, once again, he was betrayed.

Yes, again.

Xi Wei, although it seems he has icy shutters over his eyes, has brothers who claim to live and die with him, and women who claim they want to spend their life with him, but now, these people want only to end his life.

“Xi Wei, as long as you hand over the Stone of Destiny, nothing will happen to you.”

“Yes, Xi Wei, give it up, no need for you to be ashamed about it.”

People all around him spoke chaotically, trying to cover up their panic and greed with lies.

However, Xi Wei remained silent. His expression carried an unprecedented calmness. He glanced at these so-called “friends” and “lovers” one by one with a stiff arc to his lips.

He had already seen clearly how dark and desperate the world was.

Xi Wei was intentional. It was a test. When people expressed their curiosity about the source of his power, he deliberately disclosed that by luck he acquired the Stone of Destiny, something that made everyone crazy with envy.

No one passed his test—not one.

From a very young age, Xi Wei lived like a sewer rat. Cautiously sneaking around, treading on thin ice, always threatened by hunger and death, which made him indifferent to and distrustful of all.

Even though he later grew stronger, he had been careful not to reveal his strength and disguised himself with a harmless and gentle mask. With this mask he was slowly able to gain some brothers and sisters.

This is not the first time that Xi Wei has been betrayed. Previously, every time someone discovered his secret they would plot to chase him down and kill him, wanting to take his stone for themself. In order to avoid those who sought to possess it, he tried not to tell others his secret.

In the end, these people were found out by the seemingly weak Xi Wei and for their greed paid an unimaginable price.

Later, he stood at the top of the continent and finally he did not have to fear anyone. He did not have to sleep while constantly being fearful that death would come, but he no longer trusted anyone.

So Xi Wei decided to give such a test and the results, as always, proved interesting.

Thinking this, the indifferent expression he wore suddenly became gentle, and he slowly spoke, “Do you want the Stone of Destiny?” As he spoke, he opened his shirt to reveal countless injuries to his chest.

The men and women surrounding him do not understand what his actions mean, but are surprised by what he said, then take their positions in order to achieve an outcome that would benefit themselves.

Xi Wei’s expression became more amiable and appeared to be touched by these kind sounding promises. He spoke slowly, but his words were so cold. “The Stone of Destiny has been integrated into my heart and is now a part of me. If you want it, you will have to dig out my heart. ”

The crowd had a moment of silence, and then the air filled with killing intent and greed, all pretence of friendship and love torn to shreds.

Xi Wei did not put up any resistance at all, allowing countless sharp blades to pierce his chest. At last a bloody hand stabbed its blade directly into his heart. That person grabbed onto his still bleeding heart, and ran into the forest.

Those present no longer hid their own ugly faces, one after another chasing that precious treasure that had belonged to the world’s strongest, all failing to notice the small, half-hearted smile on Xi Wei's face.

He lay back, recalled his life, on thin ice since birth, experiencing countless struggles. He, whose memories mixed with blood and tears falling, all too clearly felt the familiar taste of death.

Xi Wei was never one to fear death. No matter how hard his life was, he had only one belief—survive. Now, however, as he was dying, he thought that perhaps staying alive was more interesting. (t/n: this one caused me some trouble, seems like it is trying to say that he didn't care if he died, but it also said living was his faith?)

The most interesting thing about the Stone of Destiny is that it is not just one with his heart physically, but it is also linked to his destiny. What his enemies do not know that Xi Wei's body has become like the Stone of Destiny, even without his heart. If his body comes to ruin, the stone will be destroyed, and if that happens it will take the whole continent towards complete annihilation.

These foolish people will be completely ruined by their own insatiable greed.

Xi Wei closed his eyes. At this time he was filled with an unprecedented calm—he even showed the first true smile that he could recall. At the moment of his death, the curse of his life will finally end.

—-

At the end of the 4th century, the Stone of Destiny was destroyed. The mainland was plunged into unprecedented chaos, and humanity almost perished except for a small remnant that survived with difficulty. After many years of recuperation, they were eventually able to slowly enter a new era.

Since then, although the source is unknown, the proverb that has proliferated is that “Greed leads to destruction.”

Therefore, the old legend must not be forgotten.

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The author has something to say: comes to an end here. Thank you for looking after this story until now. I know you guys may have some varying opinions on the ending, but that’s exactly how I intended to write this story. I see this is genuine goods at a reasonable price, fair to both young and old, so if you want to smash an egg please do so with all your might, my helmet is already on. (t/n: I'm pretty sure a lot of metaphors were just butchered by me.)

Ps: Personally I think the outcome has been explained very clearly, so there will be no extras, the novel is complete, so onto the next book—bye.

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Zeno could feel his entire body shaking - the innocent Xi Wei was too cruelly handled in this ending!

He took a deep breath and was filled with the desire to reach through the computer to the other end of the network cable and wring the author by the neck in order to force him to change this horrible ending. With shaking fingers he opened the comments section, and suddenly he filled the whole screen with his indignant railing. With a deluge of negative ratings, it is clear that the readers are feeling violated by this ending.

As long as it is not too exaggerated, the readers usually understand that although the protagonist is abused ceaselessly in the early stages of the story, he will later be compensated through countless adventures and with beautiful women. In turn, those who have abused the protagonist will be severely hit in the face.

What? They weren't hit in the face? They went down with him? Although the host site is innocent, and the story is marked with a big red tag that this is an unfortunate story, there are always some readers who do not read the writing/are curious/bored/mistaken and come read.

The most important thing is that despite being abused from almost beginning to end; Xi Wei, like the protagonists of similar tales, has harvested countless cheats. He acquired younger brothers and sisters that followed him to create a power that stood at the peak of the continent. In the most recent release, Xi Wei deliberately disclosed his greatest secret and asked all the younger brothers currently loyal to him and the sisters who populated his harem to get together to “discuss it.”

According to the normal route, this should be the happy ending. Any who have darkness in their heart should be eliminated, and then they should celebrate, drinking happily and surrounded by beautiful sisters.

Well, even in this pessimistic author's point of view, with Xi Wei’s military prowess, even if he was besieged by all present he can defeat all those who stand against him with just a wave of his sleeves. Who could have predicted that he would commit suicide because the abuse was too much, choosing to perish together.

QAQ, protagonist, your spirit and psychological quality are too low!

The most critical is that when Xi Wei died for a million years! (t/n: um >.<)

This is just making otaku males everywhere sad.

Unsurprisingly, the comment area has become noisy.

“On the importance of archives!” - regrets past mistakes

“Publisher is innocent my # ¥% & *% ^ $ #!” – Substitution is excessive.

“Those who don't know the value of loyalty can never appreciate the cost of betrayal – Suddenly a philosopher is here.

“Others do not look at love to kill ah, but also my cp successful outcome.” – Corrupt sister.

“嗷, my cute flower may be so cruel from the swollen, the newspaper innocence also my soft adorable sister.” – Character powder. (t/n: I feel like there's some innuendo that I can't discern here so I didn't touch it or the comment before it, thoughts on what this might mean welcome)

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Regardless of the content and perspective of the comments, all readers are determined to give a negative comment. Such an ambiguous ending cannot be forgiven!

However, no matter how noisily commenters scolded and reproached, the author remained calm. They occasionally replied to a comment, and then that comment would promptly be overrun with those denouncing him [the author]. Zeno, who opened the comments area, was shaken by the resentment that was about to overflow the screen, and saw so many people as angry as him, though now he felt rather calm.

However, his heart still broken, Zeno simply shut the computer off in order to sleep—the less seen the better.

But Zeno found himself wide-awake. One reason was the sense of loss from having the story he followed for two years suddenly end. The other reason is that he felt a feeling of distress overflow, stirring up his whole mind into restlessness.

People who like to read novels probably have this experience. In this story, their favourite character is taken care of/ntr/abused, who wouldn't be tossing and turning sleeplessly – especially in the stillness of late night.

Softhearted sisters even wet their pillows with the falling of tears.

Zeno is the “Curse” addict, he is the protagonist Xi Wei addict. Whenever Xi Wei was abused and miserable, those who inflicted it will face his revenge—he is a protagonist Zeno is a bit proud of.

Through countless chapters, when Xi Wei was licking his wounds alone, Zeno has silently accompanied him from in front of the computer screen.

Two years of feelings, even towards a book of virtual characters, are keeping him awake knowing that his companion [the protagonist] has died so pitifully.

Kept awake all night by these thoughts, it is not until early morning that he was able to close his blurry eyes.

When his eyes had just hardly been closed for any amount of time, Zeno was awakened by a serious shake.

Zeno subconsciously thought it was an earthquake, and wanted to quickly take refuge. However, he found himself unusually weak in both his hands and feet. He opened his mouth and could only give out a small "eyah."

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Well, I hope you’ve liked it so far. Onto chap. 2, timeline–unknown.

I just edited it, name has been changed from Chino to Zeno, if you find an errant Chino lurking please tell me.