Are you guys hurt?
Yixuan descended from the sky, her robes fluttering as she touched down lightly on the ruined earth.
She offered a warm greeting to Frez, her eyes curving into a gentle smile.
These sunglasses of yours are quite stylish, Young Man Frez.
They are alright.
They are custom-made.
My eyes have undergone some changes, so I need them to block out the excess information.
He pulled the dark frames down the bridge of his nose.
Beneath the tinted glass, his azure eyes were revealed.
They seemed shrouded in a faint, ethereal mist, shimmering like clear lake water rippling under a gentle spring breeze.
Seele wandered over, her curiosity piqued.
She plucked the glasses right out of Frez’s hand and shoved them onto her own face.
She blinked, waving a hand in front of her face.
So dark.
I cannot see a single thing.
That is exactly why I said they were custom-made.
He smoothly retrieved the sunglasses from Seele and slid them back into place.
While Seele trotted off to check on W, Frez began a methodical sweep of the devastated camp.
He sifted through the wreckage, pocketing a substantial haul of Pure Gold and Originium Ingots, the undisputed hard currency of Terra.
He also gathered up a pile of intact weapons and mercenary gear.
The haul was decent, but fencing it in Lungmen would be a headache.
Unless he went directly through Lin Yuxia, trying to offload this much black-market gear would instantly put a target on his back.
He decided to stash it all in his inventory for now and figure out the logistics later.
Yixuan showed zero interest in the loot.
Such worldly possessions meant nothing to her.
Instead, her attention was captivated by the local inhabitants.
Speaking of which, there are so many Thirens here.
In her home of New Eridu, Thirens were beings with animal characteristics, their mysterious origins deeply tied to the Hollow disasters.
While some possessed unique abilities, most had simply integrated into the fabric of the city.
Yixuan herself had taken in several Thiren disciples, affectionately categorizing them by their animal traits, like Tiger Thirens or Panda Thirens.
Thirens?
No, the people here are different.
Frez paused his scavenging to explain.
The ones with animal traits are Ancients.
Then you have the mythical lineages like dragons, kirins, and pegasi.
W and her group are Sarkaz, which you can basically think of as Demons.
They have all been exposed to Originium, which is why they are Infected.
Then what race are you?
Human.
Frez dusted off his hands and stood up.
Although I have mastered some special powers, I am definitely still a baseline human.
The system template had elevated his physical vessel and granted him extraordinary abilities, but it had not rewritten his fundamental species.
Even his Six Eyes were simply his original eyes, now infused with the limitless perception and striking azure hue of the legendary technique.
Is it not a bit unusual for a normal human to wander among a group of beings like this?
It seems there are quite a few things you have not told us.
Yixuan did not push the issue.
She possessed the patience of a master.
Everyone carried their own burdens and secrets.
If Frez was not ready to share, she would not pry.
But if the day ever came when he needed to talk, she would be there to listen.
The answer is actually quite simple, Master Yixuan.
I was sent here by a speeding truck.
My original hometown is perfectly safe.
That is…
rather unlucky.
My parents divorced a long time ago.
They both have new families and new children now.
As for me, I am pretty much expendable.
Frez squatted back down, organizing the last of the Originium Ingots.
Yixuan stepped closer, reaching out to gently pat the top of his head.
You are always welcome to visit Yunkui Summit whenever you have the time.
Do not treat me like a child.
I am already twenty.
Frez sighed, though he did not pull away.
My life is fine now, and I have things I need to accomplish.
Terra is an incredibly dangerous place.
I have to find a way to survive.
Just surviving?
In Terra, the list of things that could trigger an apocalypse is painfully long.
We have the Demons of the north and south, the Seaborn lurking in the oceans, the constant spread of Originium, and whatever horrors are waiting up in the Starry Sky.
Just a single slight deviation, and this entire world heads straight toward total destruction.
Do you understand what I mean?
That is certainly no simple task.
Yixuan looked at him closely.
She could see the quiet resolve beneath his casual demeanor.
This young man, only a few years her junior, was carrying the weight of a world on his shoulders.
He genuinely wanted to save this doomed land.
You could actually escape, you know.
I think if you just spoke to the other group members, you could leave this world entirely, right?
Frez let out a dry laugh.
Actually, if you really think about it, your world is completely infested with Hollows.
The background is basically a post-apocalyptic urban wasteland.
Who knows, one day a massive Hollow might just swallow the whole city.
Furina’s Teyvat seems nice on the surface, but the Abyss is constantly lurking in the shadows, and the Heavenly Principles are heavily wounded and have no time to deal with Fontaine’s prophecy.
He counted on his fingers.
W is stuck in the same miserable world as me.
Kiana’s side seems okay for now, but I strongly suspect her universe might just be a fragile World Bubble in the Sea of Quanta.
If it is a World Bubble, it is at constant risk of collapsing into nothingness.
As for Seele’s side?
Please, her planet is a frozen wasteland, and the moment you step off that ice ball, the wider universe is swarming with cosmic horrors.
Yixuan remained completely silent.
The chat group was a gathering of incredible talents and immortals, yet she had never stopped to consider the reality of their situations.
Hearing Frez lay it all out like that made her realize that everyone’s life was actually a complete disaster.
Of course, if I absolutely cannot win, I will run away too.
Frez smiled, his tone lightening.
Seele’s and Furina’s worlds are my final fallback points.
Without power, there was no shame in turning tail and running.
But Frez had power now.
Out of a sense of self-preservation, mixed with a stubborn reluctance to just abandon everything, he wanted to try.
He had to try.
What if he actually succeeded?
Since that is how you feel, I will not say anything more to stop you.
Just do not push yourself too hard.
It will only backfire.
I already made my peace with this before I even joined the chat group, so do not worry about me.
Frez had planned his survival strategy from the very beginning.
Back then, he had been too weak, like a single toothpick tossed into a massive vat of water, completely unable to cause even a ripple.
But in this godforsaken wasteland called Terra, power was the only currency that mattered.
Power was the only thing that gave you the right to stand tall. Find the original chapter at g.com.
Yixuan patted his head one more time, her touch light and comforting.
I will say it again.
Come visit Yunkui Summit when you are free.
You can pet the cats, drink some tea, just relax.
Thanks, Master Yixuan.
It is nothing.
With the camp fully stripped of valuables, Frez walked over to divide the spoils.
He handed a generous cut to W and her team, then offered a share to Seele.
Seele waved her hands dismissively.
These shiny rocks are completely useless to me.
Why don’t you just buy me some good food instead?
I really need that on my end.
I will get a massive feast ready for you the moment I get back to Lungmen.
Thanks.
We are buddies.
Do not mention it.
Yixuan and Seele finally said their goodbyes, their figures dissolving into particles of light as they returned to their respective worlds.
Frez walked over to where Hoederer was sitting on a crate, carefully bandaging a deep gash on his arm.
Seeing Frez approach, the towering Sarkaz mercenary offered a gruff nod of gratitude.
Hoederer had no idea where W had found these bizarre, overpowered friends, but they had undoubtedly saved their lives today.
Without their intervention, the mercenaries would have paid a devastating price just to retreat.
Hoederer did not say a single word about the loot Frez had scavenged.
On the battlefield, the victor had the absolute right to dispose of the spoils.
Their assassination target was already dead; Hoederer just hoped the corpse was intact enough to drag back for the bounty.
W, do not forget about the tea party this afternoon.
Of course not.
W flashed a wicked grin.
It is a rare chance to get free food and drinks on your dime.
I would not miss it.
After exchanging a final wave with W, Frez activated his spatial abilities.
Because they were in the same world, Frez and W could use direct teleportation rather than relying on the chat group’s world-traveling function.
The scenery warped, and Frez found himself standing back in the bustling streets of Lungmen.
Before he could even decide where to buy Seele’s food, a notification pinged in his mind.
In the chat group, Kiana had just posted a picture.
The image instantly made Frez’s blood run cold.
[Kiana: Look at this!
It is crazy!
I opened a portal to throw some trash into the Sea of Quanta, and Himeko fell out!
And she is so badly injured!
What should I do?]
[Furina: What are you waiting for?
Take her to a doctor immediately!]
[Quantum Beheading Barbarian: You are really something else.
Isn’t that supposed to be your teacher?]
[Kiana: Oh no, my Himeko is calling my phone right now.
She said she is on her way back to the dorms.
If my Himeko is on her way back, then who is this person bleeding on my floor?!]
[Handsome Big Liar: Why not ask the amazing Frez?]
Frez stared at the screen, his mind racing as he analyzed the scorched, crimson armor in the photo.
Damn it.
That was Murata Himeko, and she was wearing the Vermilion Knight: Eclipse armor!
[Akarin’s Note:
Enjoying the story?