Godmode: The Dead Game Odyssey

Chapter 26: Trapped in the Spotlight

In the pouring rain, a distant beam of light cut through the gloom, merging with the one in the narrow alley of Eclipse Harbor. The two beams fused into a blinding blaze on the main boulevard that lit up the night.

The light-fearing mermaid wax figures froze instantly, blocked by the intense glow, unable to advance.

This searing light stretched across Eclipse Harbor, trapping the wax figures behind it and preventing them from crossing to chase Liam Watson.

Even the mermaid sailors, shielded by their talismans and less afraid of light, hesitated, pacing warily near the beam, testing its edges.

Liam leaned against a wall on the other side, catching his breath. At his feet sat a **3<xaiArtifact artifact_id="237f713c-6e06-4c0d-84b6-373dbfe74fe0" artifact_version_id="dc46d947-0dab-4bad-acb8-6f4313ef4020" title="Chapter 26: Trapped in the Blaze" contentType="text/markdown">

In the pouring rain, a beam of light sliced through the fog from the distance, merging with the one in the alley to form a blinding ray across Eclipse Harbor’s main street.

The mermaid wax figures, terrified of light, froze instantly, unable to move forward.

This searing beam cut through the entire town, locking the light-fearing mermaid statues behind it, preventing them from chasing Liam Watson.

Even the mermaid sailors, shielded by talismans and less afraid of bright light, hesitated, circling warily near the beam without crossing it.

Liam leaned against a wall on the other side, catching his breath, a 3D projector humming at his feet. The projector displayed a holographic Liam, flashlight in hand, its beam merging with the real Liam’s to create the dazzling barrier.

He wiped rainwater from his forehead and exhaled sharply. “Good thing this projector’s waterproof.”

Liam’s small TV screen still broadcasts the eye-searing light show.

The audience in front of it fell silent for a moment. One sceptic, who’d doubted Liam’s escape, gaped before stammering, “That… that was unreal…”

“I questioned the Shepherd’s taste,” another muttered, stunned. “I was wrong. The rookie’s not the scrub—I am. Gotta go eat my words now.”

“This guy’s playing like he’s in a dark comedy playlist,” someone else said. “He’s treating this horror game like a sandbox—points don’t matter, just the thrill.”

Mason Shepherd grinned, his canine teeth glinting as he chewed on a piece of candy. “Rain was supposed to screw him over, but he flipped it to his advantage. Clever.”

Liam sprinted toward the coast, dragging a cart behind him. After a moment’s hesitation, the mermaid sailors crossed the beam and pursued him relentlessly—they weren’t afraid of light.

But the wax figures remained trapped, slashing the danger in half.

At this point, most players would dive into the sea, delivering the Siren King to the deep to clear the game. Since most were heavily mutated by now—closer to mermaids than humans—they could swim into the abyss without issue.

Shawn, watching, finally got why Mason had warned against cleansing mental corruption.

Mental state tied to mutation. If you purged it, you’d revert from “mermaid” to “human.”

Humans couldn’t survive the deep sea to return the Siren King.

Only a “mermaid” could finish the job in Eclipse Harbour, and Liam’s mutation level was just right—no cleansing needed. He could dive in as is.

Shawn sighed in relief, glad Liam hadn’t purged, though he felt ashamed for second-guessing him.

Mason’s game sense was on another level, and Liam, a rookie, somehow matched it by holding steady.

Shawn shook his head—some people were just built differently.

Normally, Liam would only need to hit the water with the Siren King and dodge the sailors chasing him. But at the shore, he veered sharply, skipping the sea entirely and racing toward the massive ship he’d boarded earlier for the mermaid fishing event.

The ship loomed at the dock, and Liam hauled his cart aboard with a clatter.

That ship was the mermaid sailors’ home base!

Shawn clutched his chest, feeling a heart attack coming on. “He’s about to win! Why’s he boarding their ship? Handing himself over?”

Caught off guard, Mason bit through his lollipop, choking on the shards. Coughing, he thumped his chest, eyes watering, and rasped, “Going into the sea now would get him caught. Mermaid sailors swim faster in water.”

“Standard play is to use items to slow them down,” he cleared his throat. “Like that newbie earlier, floating on the surface with a flare to keep them at bay or just tanking it as long as your mental state holds out.”

“Liam’s probably trying to lose them by boarding,” Mason reasoned. “But it’s a bad call. First, there are still sailors on the ship. It’s a tight space—he’ll get grabbed the second he’s spotted. Second, the ones in the water can climb aboard, and they’re faster than the ship. It’s pointless.”

No sooner had Mason spoken than trouble hit.

Liam shoved his cart up the gangplank, charging onto the ship. The sailors on deck sprang to life, lunging at him with razor-sharp webbed claws aimed at his face. Behind him, the pursuing sailors hit the gangplank, their hands grazing his shirt.

Shawn’s heart raced, but Liam didn’t flinch. He yanked another 3D projector from his pocket and flung it toward the ship’s edge.

The device bounced, projecting a taunting holographic Liam. The sailors hesitated, then chased the decoy.

Shawn mopped sweat from his brow. “Is he pulling the same trick? Using the projector’s light to block them? Or just buying time?”

He frowned, confused. “But sailors aren’t scared of light. The beam on land didn’t stop them, so it won’t here either.”

Mason’s eyes flicked to Shawn’s notes. “Check your monster book page again. Look at the sailors’ weakness.”

Shawn scrambled to open his digital notebook, pulling up the entry:

《Eclipse Harbor Monster Book — Mermaid Sailor (3/4)》

Monster Name: Mermaid Sailor (Chrysalis State)

Weakness: Intense light, talismans, Siren King

Attack Method: Biting and scratching (scratch triggers mutation chance)

Shawn blinked, puzzled. “Wait, it says they’re weak to intense light, but the beam didn’t faze them on land.”

“Talismans,” Mason cut in. “Their talismans block the light’s effect.”

Shawn’s eyes widened as it clicked, and he glanced at the screen. “So Liam’s plan is—”

Mason grinned, watching Liam’s calm face on the TV. “Exactly. He’s heading to the ship’s hold, where they store the talismans. He’s gonna smash them, strip their protection, and use his light to lock them down.”

On-screen, Liam shook off his pursuers and reached the hold. He raised the pickaxe that had shattered bulletChapter 26: Chasing Shadows in the Storm**

In the pouring rain, a distant beam of light sliced through the gloom, merging with the one in the alley to form a blinding arc across Eclipse Harbor’s main street.

The light-phobic mermaid statues froze instantly, unable to advance.

The searing brilliance stretched across the entire town, trapping the waxen figures behind an impenetrable wall of light, preventing them from pursuing Liam Watson.

Even the talisman-wearing mermaid sailors, less sensitive to bright light, hesitated, circling warily near the beam without crossing it.

Liam leaned against a wall on the other side, catching his breath. A 3D projector sat at his feet, casting an image of himself wielding a flashlight. Its beam syncing with the one in the alley created the radiant barrier.

He wiped rainwater from his brow and exhaled deeply. “Good thing this projector’s waterproof,” he muttered.

His small TV screen still broadcasted the dazzling light, bright enough to sting the eyes.

The audience watching fell silent for a moment. One sceptic, who’d doubted Liam’s escape, gaped in disbelief before stammering, “That… that was incredible…”

Another viewer groaned, “I questioned Mason’s judgment. My bad. I’m the one who’s blind here. Gotta go eat my words.”

“This guy’s playing like it’s a death-comedy skit, right?” another chimed in. “He’s treating this horror game like a playground. Winning or points don’t matter—just the thrill.”

Mason Shepherd grinned, his sharp canine glinting as he chewed on a piece of candy. “The rain was supposed to screw him over, but he flipped it to his advantage. Clever.”

Liam sprinted toward the coast, dragging his cart, with mermaid sailors in pursuit. They hesitated briefly at the light but eventually crossed, chasing him relentlessly. Unlike the wax statues, they weren’t hindered by it.

The light had blocked the waxen mermaids entirely, slashing the danger in half.

Normally, a player would dive into the sea at this point, delivering the Siren King to the ocean floor to clear the game. Most players, heavily mutated by now, resembled mermaids enough to swim deep and complete the task.

Shawn, watching, suddenly understood why Mason had warned against cleansing mental corruption.

Mental clarity reversed mutation. If a player shook off the mermaid state and became fully human again, they couldn’t dive deep enough to return the Siren King.

Only a mermaid-like state worked for the final step in Eclipse Harbor. Liam’s mutation level was perfect—no cleansing needed.

Shawn sighed in relief, a bit ashamed of his earlier doubts. Mason’s game sense was on another level, but can a rookie like Liam stay so composed?

Shawn shook his head, marvelling. Some people were just built differently.

By all logic, Liam should’ve plunged into the sea with the Siren King, dodging the sailors trailing him. But at the shoreline, he veered sharply, bypassing the water and charging toward the massive ship he’d boarded earlier for the mermaid hunt.

The ship loomed at the dock, and Liam hauled his cart aboard with a clatter.

That ship was the mermaid sailors’ stronghold.

Shawn clutched his chest, practically wheezing. “He’s almost done! Why’s he boarding their ship? Serving himself up on a platter?”

Caught off guard, Mason bit through his lollipop, choking on the shards. Coughing, he thumped his chest, eyes watering, and rasped, “Going into the sea now would be suicide. The sailors are faster in water.”

“Standard play is to slow them down with props—like that newbie who used a flaming torch on the surface—or just tank it, hoping your mental gauge holds until the mission’s done.”

Mason steadied himself, analyzing calmly. “Liam’s probably trying to lose them by boarding. But it’s risky. The ship’s crawling with sailors who didn’t disembark, and it’s tight quarters—he’d get grabbed fast. Plus, the ones in the sea can climb aboard. They’re quicker than the ship. It’s a dead end.”

As if on cue, Liam’s screen flared with trouble.

He raced up the gangplank, cart in tow, but sailors on deck swarmed, their webbed claws slashing at his face. The pursuing sailors hit the plank behind him, inches from snagging his shirt.

Shawn’s heart pounded, but Liam didn’t flinch, coolly pulling another 3D projector from his pocket and hurling it toward the ship’s edge.

The device skidded, sprang to life, and projected a taunting duplicate of Liam. The sailors paused, confused, then lunged for the decoy.

Shawn mopped sweat from his brow. “Is he reusing the light trick to pin them or just stalling?”

He frowned, puzzled. “But sailors aren’t light-sensitive. The beam on land didn’t stop them, so why would it work here?”

Mason’s eyes gleamed as he stared at Liam’s calm face on the screen. “Check your notes on the sailors’ weaknesses again.”

Shawn flipped open his digital log, scanning Eclipse Harbor Monster Book: Mermaid Sailor:

Monster Name: Mermaid Sailor (Chrysalis State)

Weaknesses: Intense light, talismans, Siren King

Attack Method: Biting and scratching (scratch may trigger mutation)

Shawn blinked. “Wait, it says they’re weak to light, but they ignored the beam on land.”

“Talismans,” Mason said, smirking. “They block the light weakness.”

Shawn’s eyes widened, snapping to the screen. “So Liam’s—”

Mason nodded, grinning wider. “He’s heading to the ship’s hold where they store the talismans. He’s gonna smash them, strip their protection, and let his light props lock them down.”

On-screen, Liam shook off his pursuers and reached the hold. He raised the pickaxe that had shattered bulletproof glass and methodically smashed the talisman statues, reducing them to rubble.

As the talismans crumbled, the projected Liam on deck flicked on a flashlight, perfectly timed, like two Liams tag-teaming the enemy.

The projection smirked, levelled the flashlight, and clicked it on with a trigger-pull motion. A piercing beam cut through the sailors encircling it.

Without talismans, the sailors collapsed, clutching their eyes, shrieking in agony.

Even Shawn and Mason shielded their eyes from the screen’s glare—it was blinding.

Shawn muttered, “This guy’s ruthless. I almost feel bad for the monsters.”

But the sailors adapted, slinking along the beam’s edges, some diving into the sea to flank Liam.

Shawn frowned. “One beam’s not enough. He’s out of projectors. It’ll slow them but won’t trap them like on land.”

Mason crossed his arms, voice steady. “On land, he sealed off the town’s paths. A single beam on a ship is useless—they can swim around it.”

Shawn nodded, thinking. “He’d need another flashlight. Three beams could form a triangle, boxing them in.”

Mason agreed. “But at this stage, the game shop jacks up prices. A flashlight’s probably a hundred points minimum.”

Shawn gawked. “A hundred? That’s a robbery!”

Mason shot him a look. “You buying it or not?”

Shawn grumbled, “I’d buy.”

Liam emerged from the hold, pickaxe in one hand, cart in tow, and a flashlight in the other.

In the torrential downpour, a beam of light pierced the darkness from afar, merging with the one in the alley to create a dazzling streak across Eclipse Harbor’s main street.

The light-shy mermaid statues halted instantly, trapped by the blinding glow, unable to advance.

This searing light stretched across the entire town, locking the waxen figures behind it and cutting off their pursuit of Liam Watson.

Even the talisman-protected mermaid sailors, less vulnerable to bright light, lingered cautiously near the beam, unwilling to cross it.

Meanwhile, Liam propped himself against a wall, panting hard. A 3D projector at his feet cast a hologram of himself, flashlight in hand, its beam syncing with the real one to form the radiant barrier.

He wiped the rain from his forehead and sighed heavily. “Lucky this projector’s waterproof,” he said.

His small TV screen still broadcasted the eye-searing light.

The audience fell silent for a beat before erupting. One sceptic, who’d doubted Liam’s escape, stammered, “That… that was insane…”

“I questioned Mason’s judgment,” another confessed. “I was wrong. I’m the one who’s blind here. Time to eat my words.”

“This guy’s playing like it’s a dark comedy challenge,” someone else laughed. “He’s treating this horror game like a game—points don’t matter, just the rush.”

Mason Shepherd smirked, his sharp canine flashing as he chewed candy. “Rain was meant to handicap him, but he turned it into a weapon. Smart move.”

Liam bolted for the coast, dragging his cart, with mermaid sailors hot on his heels. They hesitated at the light but soon crossed, relentless in their chase—they weren’t deterred by brightness.

The wax statues, however, remained trapped, halving the threat.

Most players would dive into the sea at this stage, delivering the Siren King to the depths to win. Most, mutated into near-mermaid forms, could handle the plunge.

Shawn finally understood why Mason had warned against clearing mental corruption.

Mental clarity reversed mutation. If a player sheds the mermaid state to become human again, they couldn’t survive the deep sea to return to the Siren King.

Only a mermaid-like state worked for the final act in Eclipse Harbor, and Liam’s mutation was spot-on—no cleansing required.

Shawn exhaled in relief, a little embarrassed for doubting. Mason’s instincts were elite, but can a rookie like Liam stay so steady?

Shawn shook his head, impressed. Some people just had it.

Logically, Liam should’ve hit the water with the Siren King, dodging the sailors behind him. But at the shore, he swerved, skipping the sea and racing toward the massive ship from the mermaid hunt.

The ship loomed at the dock, and Liam hauled his cart aboard with a thud.

That ship was the sailors’ lair!

Shawn clutched his chest, feeling his heart race. “He’s so close to winning! Why’s he boarding their ship? Walking right into a trap?”

Mason, stunned, bit through his lollipop, choking on the shards. Coughing, he pounded his chest, eyes watering, and rasped, “Diving now would be suicide. Sailors move faster in water.”

“Usual strategy is to slow them with gear—like that newbie who used a flare on the surface—or just endure until your mental gauge holds.”

Mason regained his composure, analyzing sharply. “Liam’s probably trying to shake them by boarding. But it’s a long shot. The ship’s still full of sailors and cramped—he’d be caught fast. Plus, the ones in the water can climb aboard. They’re faster than the ship. It’s a gamble.”

As if on cue, Liam’s screen flared with danger.

He charged up the gangplank, cart rattling, but sailors on deck lunged, their webbed claws slashing at his face. The pursuing sailors hit the plank behind, their fingers brushing his shirt.

Shawn held his breath, but Liam stayed cool, pulling another 3D projector from his pocket and tossing it toward the ship’s edge.

The device bounced, projecting a smirking decoy of Liam. The sailors paused, confused, then chased the hologram.

Shawn wiped the sweat from his brow. “Is he pulling the same light trick to trap them, or just stalling?”

He frowned, puzzled. “But sailors aren’t light-sensitive. The beam on land didn’t stop them, so why would it be here?”

Mason’s eyes sparkled as he watched Liam’s calm face on the screen. “Check your monster book again. Look at the sailors’ weaknesses.”

Shawn flipped open his digital log, scanning Eclipse Harbor Monster Book: Mermaid Sailor:

Monster Name: Mermaid Sailor (Chrysalis State)

Weaknesses: Intense light, talismans, Siren King

Attack Method: Biting and scratching (scratch may trigger mutation)

Shawn blinked. “Wait, it says they’re weak to light, but they ignored the beam on land.”

“Talismans,” Mason said, smirking. “They block the light’s effect.”

Shawn’s eyes widened, snapping to the screen. “So Liam’s—”

Mason nodded, grinning wider. “He’s heading to the ship’s hold where they store the talismans. He’s gonna smash them, strip their protection, and use his light to lock them down.”

On-screen, Liam shook off his pursuers and reached the hold. He raised the pickaxe that had shattered bulletproof glass and methodically smashed the talisman statues, reducing them to rubble.

As the talismans crumbled, the projected Liam on deck flicked on a flashlight, perfectly timed, like two Liams working in sync.

The projection smirked, levelled the flashlight, and clicked it on with a trigger-pull gesture. A piercing beam cut through the sailors surrounding it.

Without talismans, the sailors collapsed, clutching their eyes, shrieking in agony.

Even Shawn and Mason shielded their eyes from the screen’s glare—it was blinding.

Shawn muttered, “This guy’s ruthless. I almost feel bad for the monsters.”

But the sailors adapted, slinking along the beam’s edges, some diving into the sea to flank Liam.

Shawn frowned. “One beam’s not enough. He’s out of projectors. It’ll slow them but won’t trap them like on land.”

Mason crossed his arms, voice steady. “On land, he sealed the paths. A single beam on a ship is useless—they can swim around it.”

Shawn nodded, thinking. “He’d need another flashlight. Three beams could form a triangle, boxing them in.”

Mason agreed. “But late-game, the shop hikes prices. A flashlight’s probably a hundred points minimum.”

Shawn gawked. “A hundred? That’s highway robbery!”

Mason shot him a look. “You buying it or not?”

Shawn grumbled, “I’d buy.”

Liam emerged from the hold, pickaxe in one hand, cart in tow, and a flashlight in the other.

As he scrolled the shop interface, Shawn saw the price and gasped, “Two hundred and fifty points for a flashlight? That’s insane! Absolute daylight robbery!”

But Liam scrolled past without a second thought. Shawn grew anxious again. “Come on, Liam, price be damned! It’s worth it for survival. You’re almost there—don’t sweat the points!”

The audience was on edge, too. With victory so close, Liam’s hesitation over gear had them squirming.

“Liam, forget the cost! I’ll chip in—buy it already!”

“Hurry! Let’s crowdfund him with a flashlight! He’s fighting for his life here!”

“Damn it, stop nitpicking! Take the hundred-point one—it’s perfect! I’ll charge you as a wedding gift!”

Even Mason opened his point wallet, ready to help.

Then Liam froze, a smile breaking across his face as he spotted his target. With a decisive tap, he bought it.

“Purchase high-definition reflector?”

“Yes,” Liam replied without hesitation.

“System notice: 3 points. Thank you for your purchase.”

Liam placed the reflector in a corner of the ship and strapped the flashlight to the bow. With a flick, the flashlight’s brilliant beam pierced the foggy sea, hit the reflector, and bounced back, merging with the projection’s beam.

Like high-watt LED tubes, three blinding rays formed a dazzling triangular zone on the ship, trapping the sailors inside. The sailors clutched their eyes, writhing and screaming, unable to escape.

Liam knelt on one knee at the bow, wind and rain tousling his dark hair. His eyes, hidden behind wild strands, were unreadable, but his lips curved in a faint smile. “Stay put on the ship, sailors,” he said coolly.

System alert: Most monsters are now immobilized by player Liam Watson. Rain no longer weakens him. Weather change incoming. Prepare yourself.

Weather change: Storm to clear skies.

Light broke behind Liam as clouds parted, casting golden sunlight through the dissipating rain. With one foot on the cart and the other dangling over the edge, his disheveled face caught the glow, and his half-smirk added an eerie, captivating air.

“Player Liam Watson enters Eclipse Harbor’s final act—Return of the Siren King.”

The audience fell silent momentarily, then exploded into cheers, charging points, hugging, and high-fiving. Likes skyrocketed by the second.

Mason pulled back his offer, clapping slowly, a grin spreading. “You’ve got guts, Liam.”

Shawn joined in, clapping until his hands reddened, sweat beading on his forehead from sheer excitement.

Other viewers were just as hyped, practically ready to belt out a victory anthem:

“Rain, then sun on command! Are you the weather whisperer, Liam?”

“Go viral! Take our points and lead the charge! Liam, dominate the leaderboard!”

Twelve thousand likes, 12,000 saves, and 2,077 charges later, Liam gained 3,011 points. Over 300 viewers charged more than one point each.

“Player Liam Watson earns over 10,000 likes and 3,000 points in under a minute! Reputation skyrockets! Achievement unlocked: Rising Star!”

“Congratulations, Liam! Promoted to Central Hall’s prime solo game spotlight!”

“Welcome back to the top, Liam Watson.”

As Liam hit the spotlight, nearly all the fringe viewers mobbed his screen, their faces flushed with excitement as they flooded the game hall. Curious onlookers asked, “What’s got you all so riled up?”

“The weather wizard!” “Reflector genius!” “Mason’s new prodigy!”

The newcomers blinked, confused. “What kind of show is this?”

Many joined out of curiosity, with Shawn and Mason leading the charge. Shawn noticed Mike trailing, his face dark—he’d likely hidden earlier when Mason showed up but now realizes Liam isn’t an easy target.

Shawn breathed easier. Players like Mike were trouble—best kept at arm’s length.

By the time they reached the spotlight, a crowd had gathered, some returning fans, some newbies, and a few snarky central guild critics who’d mocked Liam’s “lowbrow appeal.”

Despite their disdain, they were first in line, clogging the front, griping loudly:

“Ugh, he’s back up here? So annoying.”

“How’d he rack up so many likes? This drags down the spotlight’s standards. I’m hitting dislike—get him off!”

“I don’t get it. What’s so great about showboating? Thousands of likes, thousands charging him points—are they all nuts? Wasting life on this?”

“Seriously, can he just drop off? We need players on Mason’s level up here.”

Their rants disrupted other viewers, but most stayed quiet, wary of clashing with guild-backed loudmouths.

Mason’s expression darkened slightly, a flicker of irritation crossing his face, though he kept smiling.

He removed his monkey plush hat, stepped to the front, and faced the critics with a gentlemanly bow—one hand on his chest, the other holding the hat behind him. The goofy hat made it comical, but the gesture stunned them:

“Pastor Mason! It’s really you! You’re watching his stream?”

Some dared to challenge, “Mason, why back this guy? No skill, just hogging the solo spotlight. It’s frustrating and cheap.”

Mason smiled warmly. “Hello, everyone. I overheard your chat, and it brought back memories.”

The critics buzzed, eager to pile on:

“Mason, you agree he’s a nuisance, right? This showoff should’ve been cut long ago. He’s blocking real talent.”

“His streams clutter my feed. I hope he dies and drops off the leaderboard!”

“Mason, why not jump in, stream, and bump him off?”

Their eyes gleamed with glee as if knocking Liam down would be a triumph. For some guild players, especially the less skilled, crushing newcomers was a sport.

“No,” Mason said, his smile turning genuine, candy stick between his teeth, a lazy edge to his voice. “When I say memories, I mean—when I first hit the spotlight, central viewers trashed me just like this.”

The critics fell silent, throats tightening, exchanging awkward glances.

Mason chuckled, leaning in. “Know what happened to those who trashed me?”

Their eyes locked on his, glowing an eerie dark red, reflecting a laughing cartoon monkey with vibrant red eyes.

They realized the red wasn’t Mason’s eyes—it was the monkey’s glow reflecting in them.