Chapter 65: Liberation
Inside the Research Institute.
Night Star was distracted by a huge jolt before she even had a chance to process what the administrator had said.
“Wait, what?!”
Eypar floated over swiftly, her head’s antenna flailing about in panic.
“Night Star! Bad news! Some bad guy pressed something, causing this huge shake!”
“Could it be a self-destruct?”
Night Star thought of all the stories where someone’s base was about to explode and wanted to take down the enemy in a kamikaze move.
The self-destruct button was classic.
She immediately thought of this possibility and was clueless about what to do next.
At that moment, spatial fluctuations appeared.
A tiny figure emerged from the theater entrance, standing beside Night Star.
“It looks like you’ve handled most of this already.”
“Hmm?”
Night Star stared in confusion, her eyes blinking in bewilderment.
“Moth Rabbit, why are you here?”
“Please call me announcer, thank you.” The announcer sighed lightly, not wanting to waste time chatting.
She then began explaining.
“The star eclipse agglomerate sealed in this research institute has awakened. It was formed by a mass of star eclipses and is a result of an experiment gone wrong. If it continues to spread, it could cause massive destruction. To avoid being caught up in its wake, I suggest leaving this place as soon as possible.”
Night Star nodded obediently, pulling the administrator into the theater with her.
“Administrator, let’s focus on getting out first.”
“Alright.”
Following Night Star, everyone entered the theater.
The entire research institute rapidly crumbled under the terrifying power of the star eclipse agglomerate.
From afar, large amounts of dark vapor rose where the institute once stood.
Even though it was difficult to discern the darkness with the n*ked eye, all night watchers could sense the overwhelming presence of star eclipses!
Ice Lixie stared in the direction of the dark fog, feeling a growing pressure in her heart.
This scale… Once it erupts, it will be hard to stop.
Nothing would be safe once it does.
Boom!
A loud explosion echoed.
The star eclipse emissions from the research institute became more concentrated, gradually forming a solid entity.
In the dim light, a giant black silhouette stood atop the ruins, exuding a horrifying aura that rivaled even that of a supernova.
Its energy kept spreading, quickly engulfing the area.
If there must be a comparison:
While the strength of the star eclipse pollution didn’t match a supernova, the range of pollution was certainly larger than even a supernova star eclipse!
If left unchecked, this star eclipse giant would turn Qiyuan City into a dead zone, and other cities would likely suffer too.
Ignoring the star eclipse pollution, Ice Lixie continued forward.
Though uncertain if she could defeat the monster, she decided to try anyway.
She didn’t mind dying again and again, but still had to push on.
“Ugh…”
Just taking one step, Ice Lixie tumbled to the ground, her body numb.
“Too many deaths in one go… But I can’t fall here…”
Enduring the pain and torment from her soul, Ice Lixie got back up and resumed walking.
Cut to another scene.
Members of the Rising Sun Theater Group appeared far from the research institute.
They could clearly see the star eclipse agglomerate from their vantage point.
Neither Night Star nor the administrator were visible, as they were presumably in the theater.
The theater group leader silently watched the enormous form.
“Greed and wrath, this is its message,” he murmured.
The announcer no longer wore her smile but sighed softly.
“Unavoidable. Many of them were captured while attempting to achieve their obsessions, discarded after use with no chance of revival. For star eclipses driven by obsessions greater than life, destroying their obsession is their greatest pain.”
Gentleman removed his hat seemingly in mourning.
“Poor beings, may you rest in peace.”
The fraudster shook his head slowly.
“But they don’t seem to want peace right now. In certain circumstances, they’re no longer our kind.”
“Indeed, their obsessions are no longer pure but have been forcibly mixed, creating a mess.” Gentleman put his hat back on, lamenting their loss of purpose.
For them, obsessions were their reason for existence, without them, they ceased to be themselves.
Puppet Master looked towards the towering giant and asked, “What do we do now?”
“Watch,” replied the theater group leader.
Singer and Puppet Master gave her puzzled looks.
Meanwhile, the announcer made a face like she understood.
“This isn’t something our theater group should involve itself in. My job is to perform and protect the audience performers; everything else doesn’t concern us.”
The theater group leader nodded slightly.
Understanding the announcer, Singer realized the theater group members were star eclipses, without the same human emotions or considerations, and wouldn’t interfere unnecessarily.
To them, only the audience performer and performance mattered—this was the Rising Sun Theater Group.
Unless the audience performer requested something, the theater group leader wouldn’t bother.
But now, the audience performer seemed to have important matters to attend to, so they couldn’t disturb her.
Singer looked again at the dangerous-looking star eclipse giant.
Looks like this enemy can only be dealt with by the night watchers.
But… Can the night watchers of Qiyuan City handle it?
Singer approached the announcer and whispered, “Hey, announcer, why are you here? Don’t tell me it’s to support as a night watcher?”
“No, I’m here as a theater group member to watch the show. Anyway, it’s not exactly a doomsday scenario.” Smiling, Announcer responded.
Singer was lost for words.
“But… Can the night watchers really deal with this? That giant seems tough.”
“Aren’t you noticing the sun rising soon? Once it comes up, this thing will collapse.”
“Doesn’t the star eclipse fear the sun?”
“No, it fears someone’s accumulated rage.”
—
Inside the theater, it was quiet compared to the chaos outside. Only Night Star and Administrator were there, with both Guqiu and Eypar missing.
Sitting side by side, Night Star and Administrator remained silent, lost in thought.
Finally, Administrator spoke.
“Have you thought about my wish?”
“Um…”
“Simple. Just let me disappear. End my long life. It shouldn’t be difficult for you.”
“Why such a wish? I thought you’d want eternal life gone, and then peacefully live through one era before dying normally.” Night Star didn’t understand.
“I simply lived enough. Compared to normal people, I’ve lived much longer. Even my memories are fading. So, it’s enough.”
“Maybe I started searching for d*ath because, at some point, destiny was fixed. I’m not strong-willed; I just endured hardships with numbness and habit. That loneliness and pain made me feel like I’m sleeping in a bottomless abyss.”
As she spoke, Administrator’s eyes gradually dimmed, symbolizing her inner resolution.
“So, I wish to be free here.”
