Chapter 64 - Role Playing the Dark Horse Character

Chapter 64: Requiem The red purgatory vanished. The red hue that enveloped the entire Four-Way City faded, transforming into crimson raindrops that fell onto the ground. Buildings within five hundred meters of the epicenter of the supernatural incident were almost entirely destroyed. The red raindrops landed on the shattered remnants, trickling down the uneven surfaces of the debris. Some remained vigilant, others relaxed completely, and some began to cheer. Bounty hunters helped each other climb out from the ruins of the Ability Guild. Rounded and hefty Le Caile was trapped under a slab, extending a hand that Yi Xiangnan grasped, pulling him out from the crevice with a foothold on nearby rubble. Sheltered in the Tides’ headquarters, Mo Mo and You You held each other's hands tightly. Their dolls' abilities activated to clear the debris that had fallen at the entrance during the aftermath. In the residential area, He Shasha disregarded her parents’ warnings and pushed open the door. She had an epiphany and ran towards the plaza. During daylight, she was among the civilians, witnessing the young man who had once saved her appear opposite the nobles. In an audacious tone, he confronted those noble lords. Ignoring their threats, disregarding the lives of citizens, just as in the crowded chaos when others hysterically labeled him a "demon!" Yet, He Shasha knew that young man was no demon. He was a youth awkward even in his kindness, exceptionally benevolent. On that night filled with coldness, he had given her courage with his back. Now, she had a premonition that these upheavals might be connected to him. The sticky red on the roads was reminiscent of the noble’s abilities. In daylight, she had nearly been splattered with scarlet blood. Further back, she had almost perished in those red lines that night. The road became increasingly uneven, and as collapsed buildings became more frequent, the upheaved slabs made her steps erratic. Some were injured, some had a scare, and others perished in the recent disaster. All of this was caused by that noble, akin to the one who had slain her neighbors and massacred without restraint in the neighborhood. He Shasha, having witnessed both incidents, understood this. The young man who had saved her was fighting against them. The noble lords were formidable, at society's pinnacle, insurmountable. Even such things were commonly acknowledged facts. But He Shasha hoped that the young man would win. She prayed earnestly from the depths of her heart. Her limbs grew sore from running; she maintained a steady rhythm in her breathing, gasping for air. Ahead, she could already see the plaza, and simultaneously, a few screams reached her ears. Finally, He Shasha arrived at the edge of the plaza. Her muscles ached, and her breath was labored, but she couldn't tear her gaze away from the center, where a head was pinned by a long blade. It was the head of a noble lord, the one the young man had vowed to claim. And just as he had promised, the young man had succeeded. "He won," she murmured. Joy, relief, excitement — strong emotions surged through her spirit, finally transforming into a single tear that slipped from her eyes. The sun dipped below the horizon, the evening glow tinting the shattered earth a deep orange. The noble lord's terrifying head now stood as a symbol of stability in the plaza center. Symbolizing the end of the disaster, it also represented someone having overturned their established image, saving them from the grip of the nobles. ... The impassable red lines disappeared, allowing those huddled in the basement to finally venture outside. Among them was Yi Ming, who had been hauled back to the cellar shortly after the red lines appeared by Tang and An Huyu working together. After confronting the freezing powers of an S-rank ability user head-on, he could only walk with the help of his companions. Qu Yan's powers were overwhelmingly fierce. Those aware of the red lines’ dangers had hidden in the basement, waiting for the turmoil to end. Thus, they remained unharmed by the red lines. "What madness was Qu Yan up to?" An Huyu struggled to clear the blocked passage, "Does he intend to treat Four-Way City as his own domain for a massacre?" He turned, questioning Rao Yue, who had been suppressing her emotions after an unusual burst of excitement: "I don't know why you betrayed Yue Qing, but it was your Yue clan that found Qu Yan, wasn't it? What are you thinking? Destroying Four-Way City doesn't benefit your clan." Though An Huyu often paid little heed to outside affairs, he was aware of the basics. For instance, destroying one’s own domain wouldn’t serve a noble any good. Some nobles didn’t care, acting on whims regardless of consequences. However, Yue Qing was evidently not like that. He rose from commoner roots, fiercely protective of his authority. An Huyu spoke as he helped Yi Ming and then Tang out. He merely stepped aside for Rao Yue, who needed no assistance. Once everyone had emerged, they gazed at the sky painted orange by the setting sun. In the warm, last light of the day, Rao Yue, with one hand on her hip, answered An Huyu’s question. "Of course, it brings no benefit. The agreement between the patriarch, Yue Qing, and Qu Yan doesn’t include Four-Way City," Rao Yue said. An Huyu, feeling slightly smug for having guessed correctly, raised an eyebrow at Tang as if to show off his cleverness. But she continued, wiping out his pride: "The deal between Yue Qing and Qu Yan was only for Yue Qing's cooperation in killing An Heyu." An Huyu's cocky expression turned to stone. "I intended to harm you to warn An Heyu, but didn’t expect An Heyu not to leave in advance for you," Rao Yue continued. Her words seemed unfinished, yet An Huyu continued to listen no more. He released his grip on Yi Ming, rushing forward in panic, only to stumble and fall to the ground. Qu Yan's target was his brother. Both Qu Yan and Yue Qing aimed for his brother. So his brother was the sole person he had. While he, himself, was just a burden, a useless liability. Tears brimmed in his eyes, but he seemed oblivious to any pain as he stood up, staggering toward the ruined main hall. The outer structure of the main hall had entirely collapsed, leaving only a platform on the second floor and a ground hall cluttered with debris. Surrounded by ruins, those two areas appeared tidier. Allowing An Huyu a clearer view. He saw his brother. Corpses of the undead and guests had burst open under Qu Yan’s powers, obscuring their shapes. A headless body lay at the forefront on the first floor, and beneath the second-floor platform, a red-haired youth leaned against fallen rubble, head tilted as though gazing at the setting sun. “Brother?” An Huyu’s face was streaked with tears, his voice quivering as he crawled over the rubble. The jagged debris tore his expensive clothes and fragile skin. He fell, pushing himself up with his palms, which were cut by the stones, leaving trails of fresh blood. Clinging to a sliver of hope, he bore his injuries, looking with expectancy towards the red-haired youth. But this time, no one stopped him. No one scolded him incessantly for his injuries, insisting on bandaging his wounds. An Huyu knelt before the stiff body, mouth agape, but suddenly, no tears came. Behind, Tang and Yi Ming caught up, standing on the perimeter of the debris, their gazes filled with worry at An Huyu kneeling before the red-haired youth’s body. Perhaps it was too silent, amplifying even the faintest whispers. “Do you know how annoying you are? So incredibly annoying.” The red-haired boy’s eyes widened, and with golden orbs identical to the person before him, he imprinted this moment deeply in his mind. “That was the last thing I told my brother.” It seemed as if an endless river of tears finally ran dry. Golden light dots spread across the sky, with edges illuminated in gold growing wider, enveloping Yi Ming and Tang at the boundary, and Rao Yue rushing over. Music tinged with sorrow seemed to fill the space, an immense melancholy prevailing. Yet perhaps it remained silent, with only the sound of the breeze blowing. The Domain-type ability, Requiem. Upon its acquisition, due to the owner’s intense emotions, it achieved a B-rank level. The light dots descended, landing on the shoulders of the three at the perimeter, on Yi Ming's outstretched palm. They passed through his palm, continuing downward until they touched the ground like raindrops, creating golden ripples. The An clan’s necromancy, despite wielding the ability to enslave the undead, now seemed merely to be sending off souls. And within this golden light, those watching at the sideline, stood two figures on the rubble, observing everything unfold. It was Li Li and An Heyu. “Let’s go,” Li Li, cradling the nutrient jar carrying the prophet's head, said with a lighthearted tone. With illusions camouflaging them, the A-rank Illusory Reality reached a new level. If no superior force disrupted the process in this five-minute window where illusion turned reality, the false would permanently become real. Just like the fabricated corpse she created. Even if she left, any investigation of this body would only conclude that ‘it was indeed An Heyu’s corpse.’ Having said that, she leapt from the pile of stones without a second glance, moving towards the exit. Behind her, An Heyu took one last glance at his brother. He recalled standing outside a sea of flames four years ago, watching their home being destroyed, yet helpless. His tears had been borrowed by his brother, leaving none for himself. So he didn't cry; instead, he shielded his brother's bewildered gaze. This time, he would let go. An Heyu draped the red cloak Li Li had just handed to him over his shoulders, pulled up the hood to conceal his features. He then turned around and followed Li Li's path, back turned to his brother, leaving the scene behind. The sun completely set below the horizon, the last whisper of orange glow vanished, enveloping them in darkness. And they moved forward into the night. The night breeze brushed against their ears, and cicadas sang amidst the devastation of the streets. Summer was approaching. On the street, a conversation drifted between the two figures walking one behind the other. “Is your name really Hei Ge?” asked the red-cloaked one at the back. “Does it matter if it is or isn’t?” replied the one in the black coat ahead indifferently. Li Li raised the nutrient jar, observing the head and bones floating within the transparent liquid. She stared at the skull, fixing her gaze upon it. Then, she lowered it and said with a light tone, “Right now, I am Hei Ge.” [Detected update target has been achieved.] [Opening a channel for you...] ... [Welcome back to reality.]