Chapter 97 Long Time No See, Little Grey (5k)
【You have formed a brand new “fate.” The Library of Fools · Sun Sequence has been unsealed】
【You have unlocked a new card – ‘Sun’ · Cecil】
……
The wooden door closed behind Rast.
At the same time, azure text appeared in his mental ocean as expected.
Sequence Long Step “Sun”.
Another unprecedented record in the present world, a brand new Sequence Long Step.
Also, it is the most valuable card recorded in Rast’s Library of Fools so far.
A true legend.
Of course, according to the rules Rast summarized himself—
The higher the strength and rarity of the card, the greater the difficulty of raising the bond level.
As the current leader of the Guardians, Cecil is not only at the legendary tier but also an immortal.
He had already been the leader of the Guardians long before the Iron Cross Plague broke out and the Catastrophic Era began.
Those elder eyes had traversed nearly a thousand years of vicissitudes.
Even counting Rast’s three hundred years of cycling in Deep Blue Harbor, he was still far behind Cecil.
Legends stand higher than ordinary people, and the scenery and world they see are broader.
Joy and sorrow, separation and reunion, which others experience may have already been witnessed by legends thousands of times, making it difficult to stir waves.
To establish a deep bond with Cecil, one must put in a hundred or a thousand times more effort than with other targets.
Even the bond of tier one has already been overdrawn by Rast in a crafty way, similar to task rewards.
Therefore, Rast did not hold any unrealistic expectations; he was psychologically prepared for Cecil’s card to remain fixed at bond level one for a long time.
The reason Rast wanted to try to unlock Cecil’s Sun card was actually to verify a certain assumption in his heart.
【’Sun’ · Cecil】
【Bond Level: 1】
【Sun · Glorious Body (Unlocked): The first-tier ability of the Sun Sequence, your body has gained the protection of the blazing sun, enveloped in an eternal brilliance】
【You have gained a certain level of resistance to cold, darkness, curses, and freezing】
The first-tier ability “Glorious Body” of the Sun Sequence Long Step can only be described as mediocre.
Of course, this is expected.
After all, the Sun Sequence, though rare, might possess uniqueness similar to Grey’s “Fate” and Mr. Silver’s “Moon.”
But the bond level that Cecil’s card tier one could unlock is merely the first-tier ability of the Sun sequence; no matter how extraordinary, it ultimately cannot exceed expectations.
The resistance brought by Glorious Body to cold, darkness, curses, and freezing can only be said to be a pretty good, purely passive support skill for stacking stats.
However, Rast’s purpose was not to covet Cecil’s strength.
His attention quietly fell on the text below, where Cecil’s Night Blade panel should have been.
But—
It was nonexistent.
Similar to Grey’s panel information in the Library of Fools, what should have shown the Night Blade, or in terms of the Sixth Epoch, the “Abnormal Ability,” instead now displayed only a brief character—
【Night Blade: Unknown】
Rast’s gaze lingered for a long time on that line of azure text.
“The Library of Fools.”
“What exactly are you hinting at?”
Snap.
Rast stepped out, leaving the towering Watchtower behind.
What met his eyes was an incredibly peaceful coastal view.
The moist sea breeze hit his face, bringing fresh air.
In the distant streets, crowds of people moved past each other, bustling.
Other than Deep Blue Harbor before the Iron Cross Plague broke out, this was Rast’s first sighting of such a peaceful cityscape in the Night World.
Of course, this was a matter of course.
Just as the young Grey had said.
As the headquarters of the Guardians, with a legend and multiple high-tier superhumans stationed, the Watchtower and its affiliated town…
Naturally, it was the safest place in the world.
Residents living in the nearby cities of the Watchtower did not have to live a precarious life like humans in other gatherings.
After all, everyone knew that ordinary barren Beast Tides, Iron Cross mutants, and even general Cult Organizations did not have the courage to challenge the Watchtower.
Even, if the Divine Descent of the Evil God were to occur.
If the coming was not the complete essence but merely a half being with partial powers, that legendary leader of the Guardians might not necessarily fall.
With such a mindset, the cities surrounding the Watchtower settled into stability and prospered…
Even many of the disciplines and technology levels here have already returned to the standards of scientific and technological prosperity before the Catastrophic Era.
Given time, humanity might not be unable to use this as a base to rebuild civilization.
Of course, the scope of the Watchtower’s deterrent power and its protective territory is ultimately limited… unable to accommodate all survivors on the continent.
Thus, when the news of “Paradise” in the northern part of the continent spread, many people unable to obtain the Watchtower’s protection naturally viewed Paradise as their last hope.
However—
Rast looked at the peaceful cityscape before him and could not help but sigh.
The people of this era view “Paradise” and the Watchtower as the last Eden.
Or rather, as Noah’s Ark.
They hope to hide on Noah’s Ark, ride through the raging floods, and apocalyptic disasters…
Then, wait for the flood to recede and the catastrophe to fade.
In the newly born world, rebuild a civilization far more magnificent than the Golden Age, extending the Era.
Yet only Rast knows.
If this civilization truly has a future, capable of passing on…
Then this history should be written in the annals of later generations, rather than merely glimpsed through a narrow lens in the Night World, as a remnant of the past.
And this era would not be called the Sixth Epoch by future generations.
Whether it is the Watchtower or “Paradise”… both will meet their inevitable end.
This is a historical tide that cannot be reversed by one person’s power and is what is known as fate.
And according to Leader Ciser’s description.
The twilight of that era, the final chapter of everything.
It was evident that it would not be far away.
Such thoughts only flickered through Rast’s mind.
He looked at the bustling streets before him, suddenly recalling Cecil’s last words.
“Grey…”
That grey-haired little girl, timid like a young beast, to whom he had given a name in Frozen Water Town.
Has she finally grown up now?
Moreover, it seems she recently passed the assessment and was newly appointed as a member of the Guardians.
Time really flies.
……
“This is your Guardian Emblem, Little Grey, and a backup uniform.”
Outside the Watchtower, in the training ground for new Guardians.
A woman responsible for logistics in the organization placed two pure white garments and a silver emblem on the table.
“Thank you, Sister Susan.”
Not far away, a girl with grey hair cascading over her shoulders, dressed in the standard white robe of the Guardians, clutched the materials in her arms and politely bowed to Susan.
Such a polite child, it’s a pity…
Looking at the obedient grey-haired girl before her, Susan sighed inwardly.
“By the way, Little Grey, your assignment has not yet been finalized.”
“As is customary, you will remain in the headquarters for now, serving as a reserve member.”
Saying it nicely is calling her a reserve member.
Saying it bluntly, it means the organization has already given up on cultivating her.
Of course, this is to be expected.
Though Grey scored first in all assessment items except for practical combat during her new member evaluation.
And during the brief training period for new recruits, her charming demeanor even won the appreciation of many instructors, including Susan.
However, the testing result of Grey’s Sequence Long Step came out as unclear.
And all attempts of Grey to awaken her abnormal abilities ended in failure.
An unclear Sequence Long Step… implies that her Sequence had not been recorded in the organization’s information database, and therefore there was no corresponding knowledge reserve.
Grey could not upgrade step by step simply by learning the corresponding supernatural knowledge like other superhumans.
Every tier of promotion could only depend on Grey’s own exploration; perhaps for her entire life, she would be stuck at tier one, unable to progress.
And the failure to awaken her abilities, or rather, having no abilities, meant that Grey’s potential beyond the Sequence was also zero.
The Sequence and abilities are the two core elements that build a superhuman’s fighting strength.
And the potential for both of these aspects has already been sentenced to d*ath for Grey.
In such circumstances, no matter how well Grey performed in other areas—her temperament, character, willpower, skills, etc.—she had already lost the value of being cultivated.
Even at the headquarters of the Guardians, resources for nurturing newcomers are extremely rare and limited; all investments must be made where they are most effective.
New recruits from other Sequence Long Steps that can successfully advance and possess strong abilities are naturally more deserving of cultivation.
Had it not been for Leader Ciser showing interest in Grey’s unclear Sequence after seeing her file, coupled with Grey’s inexplicable obsession with joining the Guardians…
Perhaps she would have been dissuaded long ago.
“I see, I understand, Sister Susan.”
After hearing Susan’s words, the grey-haired girl did not show any signs of disappointment.
She simply nodded obediently, bowed to Susan again, “Then, thank you, Sister Susan.”
After speaking, the grey-haired girl turned to leave.
Watching Grey’s departing figure, Susan felt an even greater sense of loss.
In other organizations and at other moments, becoming a reserve member, not having to risk executing dangerous missions, but instead taking a light position at headquarters…
This seemed to be a quite good, suitable situation for slacking off.
However, this does not hold true in the current Guardians.
Not carrying out tasks and not holding positions also means a lack of the organization’s resources for superhuman cultivation and signifies the loss of opportunities to improve oneself through combat and experience…
In such chaotic times—
As a member of the Guardians, not possessing the power to control one’s destiny, but merely lying flat and avoiding responsibility is no different from waiting to d*e.
Once emergencies arise… whether as a reserve member or otherwise, all must step onto the frontline of battle.
At that time, these abandoned reserve members will become the cannon fodder on the battlefield, the existence that the organization strategically gives up.
With Grey’s outstanding performance in various knowledge and skills tests, she undoubtedly understands clearly what becoming a reserve member signifies.
But this grey-haired girl still did not show the slightest hint of dissatisfaction.
It seems she truly harbors some inexplicable obsession with joining the Guardians.
Thinking this, Susan suddenly saw the already distant grey-haired girl suddenly turn back.
“Susan, has there been any results from the matter I asked you to inquire about before?”
The grey-haired girl’s pleasant voice rarely carried a hint of urgency.
“Oh, about that.”
Susan seemed to recall something and took out an old badge.
Unlike the brand-new silver wings emblem that Susan and Grey wore on their chests.
This emblem appeared much older, covered in scratches, with traces that seemed to have been burned by flames… the marks of time.
Yet this worn, old emblem had obviously been well maintained, often polished, not even holding a speck of dust.
Grey took the old emblem, carefully wrapped it in a white handkerchief, and tucked it close to her chest.
“I checked the number on this old emblem… it indeed belongs to our organization.”
“Rast, a Guardian who has not been in the organization for long but doesn’t seem to have accomplished much of note.”
“It seems he has been consistently executing tasks out in the field, only returning to headquarters irregularly; now I don’t even know where he is.”
“As for the other person you mentioned, Hiltina.”
Susan shook her head slightly, “After she executed a certain task alongside Rast, she has not returned to headquarters since.”
“One can imagine she must have perished in that mission.”
“My level in the organization isn’t high enough to access their files directly… this info is what I’ve gathered from other colleagues, and I can’t be sure of its reliability.”
“How can…”
Grey instinctively covered her mouth, her eyes widening in disbelief.
She did not know what had truly happened during the demise of Frozen Water Town years ago.
When Grey awoke again amidst the ruins of that small town, everything had already ended; neither Hiltina nor Rast had appeared.
However—
Since that activated pollutant had been defeated, she had thought Brother Rast and Sister Hiltina had ultimately survived, but perhaps due to severe injuries, they had to withdraw early.
Grey had been firmly convinced of that all along.
Or rather, she had only wanted to believe that.
At this moment, the cold hard facts eventually brought Grey back to reality.
“Sister Hiltina…”
Though their time together hadn’t been long, Grey had a profound impression of that determined older sister.
But that knight who seemed to have walked out of a storybook, imposing and majestic—
Had she really sacrificed herself?
The green eyes of Grey, which had not wavered in the slightest upon hearing that the organization had given up on her cultivation.
At this moment, however, faint signs of disappointment surfaced.
But—
Fortunately, Brother Rast seems to still be alive.
For some reason, when such thoughts arose.
Grey found that a feeling of inexplicable relief had distinctly grown in her heart.
Yet, before Grey could ponder the source of this vague relief,
She saw Susan looking at her with a somewhat complex expression.
“Little Grey.”
“This batch of new Guardians’ training is now over.”
“Most new Guardians will be assigned tasks starting tomorrow, heading their separate ways.”
“So we organized a graduation farewell dinner and invited the parents of the new Guardians; you…”
“I’m sorry, Sister Susan, but I won’t be able to attend this time.”
Grey lowered her head and shook it slightly.
And when she raised her head again, there was no trace of gloom on her pure white face.
A polite smile hung on Grey’s face: “I am an orphan, with no parents, so I don’t want to spoil everyone else’s celebration.”
“You…”
Susan instinctively opened her mouth, wanting to retain her.
But the petite girl before her had already vanished at the end of the training ground, leaving only her grey-white hair swaying in the wind, gradually becoming indistinct.
……
When Grey left the new Guardians’ training ground and arrived on the streets of the outer city, it was already evening.
The darkness gradually enveloped the earth, and the last light of dusk dyed a corner of the sky bl**d red.
The windows of every household on both sides of the street lit up with warm orange glow.
At this sunset hour, most residents of the city had already returned home, enjoying dinner warmly around the fireplace and oil lamps with their families.
Her classmates, who were having farewell dinners, must be feeling the same way right now.
Perhaps because of the proximity, the majority of the new recruits who passed the assessment and joined the Guardians came from towns within the protection range of the Watchtower.
And families within those cities took pride in their children being able to become Guardians.
Those like Grey, who had traversed half the continent and wandered from afar, were rare exceptions.
It was easy to imagine that it would be a farewell dinner where everyone drank to their heart’s content, not stopping until they were drunk.
The young Guardians about to embark on their journeys, filled with the hopes and aspirations of establishing their own merits.
And their parents, while seeing their children as their greatest pride, were also carrying the struggles and reluctance before the departure.
So—
Such a brilliant and glorious occasion could not accommodate someone like her.
Grey walked on the evening city streets, the cold wind cutting against her cheeks, sharp and biting.
Clearly, every window beside her was glowing with light, warmth emanated from the fireplace, and laughter could be faintly heard from within.
Yet it felt as if there was an entire world separating her from it.
This was her classmates’ home, but not Grey’s home.
The home of the grey-haired girl….
Had already vanished into the endless bl**d mist long ago.
In fact, today was also an important day for her.
Only, in the end, the ones who knew about that day had already been buried in the time-worn ruins along with her place of refuge.
Yet, just as Grey stared at the street lights, lost in thought for a moment.
“Well, you look nothing like a witch who can control her destiny right now… more like the little match girl.”
A hand that was not robust, but with prominent knuckles, landed on her head.
Then, without mercy, it ruffled her grey-white hair.
“Let’s go, I’ll treat you to dinner.”
“And…”
The voice ringing in her ears was so familiar.
It gradually matched the tone of the voice in Grey’s memory, indistinguishable from it.
“Long time no see, Little Grey.”
(End of chapter)
