Chapter 236: The Balance of Both Ends 17
At 8 PM, there were four hours left until the transfer time.
Yu Hansue sat at the edge of the rooftop, carefully observing her fingers and occasionally playing finger dance games in the light of the street lamps.
“You’ve been staring at your fingers for several minutes now…” Kui Xin remarked.
“My fingers were hard to regain,” Yu Hansue blinked, “What’s wrong with looking at them more? It was really torturous when the bones and flesh were growing back, so isn’t it only right to take a good look at what my new fingers look like?”
The color of her newly regrown fingers was slightly different from that of her palm; the fingers were noticeably whiter.
“Alright…” Kui Xin shifted her gaze, looking towards the dark buildings under the gray sky; the tobacco factory still stood there. She said, “The people should have evacuated; there’s no signal activity around here anymore.”
“That was pretty quick. It hasn’t even been half an hour since that player posted, right? This also reflects ‘Black Snake’s’ influence on the forum,” Yu Hansue said, “But isn’t this area supposed to be sealed off? What about the people responsible for the lockdown? What are they doing?”
“They evacuated as well. Some of the personnel who sealed this place are players, so they would also receive the news,” Kui Xin replied. “No matter how well-equipped an ordinary person is or how excellent their training, it’s hard to contend with a Remover holding S Rank extraordinary abilities. They have no chance against Augus, so there’s no need for them to sacrifice themselves in vain.”
“That’s good,” Yu Hansue said. “This clears the Old Industrial Zone.”
Less than half an hour ago, Kui Xin had posted a warning on the forum, stating that Remover 777 had arrived in Tonglin City and suspected to possess S Rank extraordinary abilities. His possible goals might include hunting players or intervening in the Dark Realm’s emergence in Tonglin City. In the post, Kui Xin advised all players to retreat appropriately, ideally only operating on the periphery, avoiding solo ventures to prevent exposure in open areas.
Once the post was published, players active in the Old Industrial Zone began to act accordingly, retreating some distance as per Kui Xin’s advice.
Kui Xin also contacted Li Wanran through data manipulation, sending her a separate warning message under the name “Mirror,” a member of The Shadowless.
Now everyone had received the news; Kui Xin had done everything that needed to be done.
Summer days are longer; half an hour ago, the sky was just beginning to brighten, and by 8 PM, it was completely dark.
After waiting on the rooftop for a while longer, Kui Xin finally spotted the person she was expecting.
A tall, skinny man appeared at the end of her line of sight. He moved quickly, reaching the base of the rooftop where Kui Xin and Yu Hansue were in less than a minute.
Tang Guan jumped in place, effortlessly leaping three meters high to grasp the window ledge of the first floor. His movements were more agile than a monkey’s; in a matter of seconds, he climbed to the top floor and stood in front of Kui Xin.
Yu Hansue cautiously scrutinized Tang Guan, who glanced at her and hesitated slightly before nodding at both Kui Xin and her.
“This is ‘Dusk’. Dusk, this is White Dove,” Kui Xin introduced briefly.
Yu Hansue, code-named “Dusk,” then said, “Hello, White Dove.”
The code name “Dusk” was chosen because Yu Hansue said dusk is a time of transformation, which somewhat relates to time; thus, she simply named it Dusk.
Tang Guan got straight to the point: “I saw that post on the forum. Did you call me to discuss something?”
Tang Guan had also joined the personal section of Black Snake, observing dynamics quietly since entering the game, and rarely spoke. The sudden appearance of Remover 777 in Tonglin City disturbed him greatly; anyone with a modicum of intelligence could guess that Remover 777 was either after Player 233 or the tobacco factory.
Kui Xin signaled to Yu Hansue, who immediately stood up from the edge of the rooftop, turned, and left to avoid overhearing their conversation.
“Remover 777 seems intent on doing something about the Dark Realm around the tobacco factory.” Kui Xin looked into Tang Guan’s eyes. “Can that one in your head provide any clues?”
Tang Guan stood still for two seconds, frowning as if communicating with the phantom in his mind.
“Can I talk to the one in your head for a moment?” Kui Xin requested, “Can you control the host’s actions?”
“In our world, yes,” Tang Guan replied and closed his eyes.
When he opened them again, his gaze had completely changed; his dark eyes held an eerie malevolence.
The phantom grinned using Tang Guan’s body, “Human, what do you wish to ask me?”
“What’s inside the factory?” Kui Xin inquired, “Or rather, what exactly does the emergence of the Dark Realm bring to this world?”
“Tang Guan has asked the same questions several times; do you think I’ve given him the answers?” the phantom laughed. “If I told him the answers… he should have passed them straight to you, right? Since he didn’t say, that means he doesn’t know! You ask me, I won’t tell you.”
Kui Xin’s brow furrowed as she glared at Tang Guan’s face, her eyes cold.
“No matter how you stare at me, it’s useless; do you wish to threaten me? You can threaten me; just kill Tang Guan,” the phantom said. “But I don’t think you’ll do that, will you?”
“I thought you and Tang Guan had reached a truce and would cooperate a bit,” she said.
“But I made a truce with him to escape that mechanical hellhole; I merely promised not to interfere with his body,” the phantom gestured. “I didn’t make any extra promises, did I?”
Kui Xin contemplated for two seconds, “You truly know something about the Dark Realm’s emergence…”
“Yes, I know a bit, but it’s only a little,” the phantom said, “Let me give you a piece of advice, human.”
“What advice?” Kui Xin asked.
“Instead of trying to pry for information here, how about you go in and see for yourself what the Dark Realm hides?” the phantom insinuated. “Go take a look at what it’s really like inside the Dark Realm and what secrets lie hidden within it. After all, as you humans say—what you hear is merely hearsay; what you see is the truth.”
Kui Xin’s expression froze.
She had also harbored this very thought. She was indeed very curious about what it was like inside. However, entering there might lead to her death.
“Are you thinking that you might die if you go in there?” the phantom asked.
Its eyes shifted, continuing, “Then think about this: isn’t Remover 777 afraid of death? If entering the Dark Realm could lead to death, then why is he going there? There must be a benefit; something must be enticing him to take the risk; entering there doesn’t necessarily mean certain death.”
Kui Xin’s eyebrows twitched, and in that moment… she really began to waver.
Even if she went and died, she would have the ability of Death Rebirth as a safety net…
But she quickly reined in her desire. The cost of Death Rebirth was bound to be heavy; this premonition grew stronger… every time she underwent reincarnation, the shadow encroaching upon her was a dreadful omen.
Moreover, since acquiring this ability, despite her frequent self-examination and reflection, her mindset had inevitably changed after several cycles of death—she gradually lost her reverence for death.
This was not a good phenomenon. Fear breeds caution, and caution leads to prudence.
The reason Kui Xin had survived to this point was not solely because of the ability of Death Rebirth, but because of her caution.
At that moment, the phantom urged her again, “Indeed, going in might pose some risks, but in this world, what is without risk? How can one reap any rewards without taking risks? If you keep cowering in place, how could you ever learn the truth?”
Kui Xin fell silent, beginning to weigh her options.
Every time she died, the shadow in the cycle drew closer to her. Kui Xin deduced that if she faced death and reincarnation one or two more times, the shadow would completely catch her.
She could weigh her life against the scale to judge whether uncovering the truth behind the Dark Realm’s emergence was worth sacrificing a life.
The answer was worth it.
The Dark Realm was the intersection between the Second World and the First World, and its emergence signified the beginning of an invasion. Understanding the mode of invasion and the truths hidden within the Dark Realm was crucial to better face the impending disaster.
The phantom observed Kui Xin’s expression, opening its mouth to continue persuading her when suddenly, Tang Guan reclaimed control of his body, and the phantom was forced back into the depths of his consciousness.
“Maotoufu…” After regaining control, Tang Guan seemed slightly dizzy. He paused before saying, “You shouldn’t go into the Dark Realm, Maotoufu. It’s not safe; you might die.”
Kui Xin responded, “Remover 777 is hiding in the Old Industrial Zone. He might be trying to get in, and we need to discern why he wants to go in.”
“I know. I understand how important this is, be it for you, me, both worlds, or others; it is all extremely significant,” Tang Guan exhaled. “Please don’t go into the Dark Realm; let me go instead. I’ll go in and take a look.”
The phantom immediately yelled in Tang Guan’s mind: “Are you stupid?!! I’ve lived for so long and haven’t seen anyone so self-sacrificing as you! Isn’t it good to have someone charge into battle for you? Why are you rushing in? Do you want to throw your life away? What about your parents and sister?”
Tang Guan ignored the phantom, simply saying to Kui Xin, “I’m the most suitable candidate; the phantom won’t take my life unless it wants us both to perish. I can utilize the phantom’s regeneration abilities, and as long as my body doesn’t collapse instantaneously, I can survive. You shouldn’t take risks; let me go.”
Kui Xin was momentarily stunned by Tang Guan’s words.
It had always been her taking the risks, leading from the front; now Tang Guan was suggesting that she hold back while he could step in for her.
“Maotoufu, you…” Tang Guan carefully said, “I can sense that you don’t seem to be very old; you might even be younger than me. You appear mature outwardly, but I can still feel your youth. You’ve accepted and communicated with me, meaning you and the organization behind you are not bad people. You’re fighting for our world. You’re too young; even though you’re strong, you’re still too young.”
After grappling for a while, he finally got his feelings out, “I’m the elder; my strength is decent, and you are the younger one with strength exceeding mine. If someone should go to the Dark Realm between us, it should be me. You are a valuable asset… deserving to remain for the end.”
