“I think…”

Boom!

As Reinhard spoke, a large rock fell near the helicopter.

“Forget it, I don’t think so.”

Zero, hearing Reinhard and the explosion, didn’t react much. He continued to stare at the screen.

The giant dragon was being strangled by Chino and was roaring incessantly.

The battle was turning one-sided.

The dragon wasn’t the monster’s opponent.

At this rate, losing was just a matter of time.

Seeing this, Zero quickly activated his communicator.

“Gluttony, execute Plan B.”

Plan B was Zero’s final trump card, using Gluttony’s body to seal the sea monster.

At this moment, a face suddenly appeared on the screen.

“Chief, an unknown lifeform is rapidly approaching the battlefield!”

“Unknown lifeform?”

Zero frowned. “Can you see what it is?”

“No, the target’s speed is too fast, over 300 kilometers per hour. Even using satellites, we can’t capture a clear image!”

300 kilometers per hour?

Aside from The Centaur, the only lifeforms recorded with that speed were dragon.

Zero’s mind raced. “Gluttony, cease Plan B. An unknown lifeform is rapidly approaching your location. Its intentions are unclear. Observe for now.”

“Also, check if Naira Sorkin is dead. Bring him back.”

...

The battle outside was nearing its end. Ye Long’s body collapsed onto the ground. Despite struggling, he couldn't stand up.

Chino had far superior control over his body.

Ye Long, having just gained his abilities, was at a tremendous disadvantage in this area.

Moreover, Ye Long didn’t even fully understand his own abilities.

Chino hadn’t even used his full power.

Perhaps, he’d only used less than 50% of his strength.

Seeing this from the sky, Mei shook her head. It seemed that this unexpected power wasn’t as strong as she’d imagined.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

As the only test subject whose transformation had conflicted with the potion’s effects, Ye Long hadn’t brought Mei any surprises.

The victory was decided.

Mei naturally kept her promise.

Her two fingers held onto a broken fateline, Shino’s fateline.

After casually tying the two fatelines together, Mei’s figure flashed and disappeared into the sky.

Also disappearing was Shino’s body.

…

She had broken the rules again.

In a dark space, an invisible hand reached through the mist and pulled a soul back.

“This time, let me be the determining factor.”

Mei extended her hand and took out a vial of murky, red liquid.

Red Tree series, using the Albizia Julibrissin seed as the main ingredient, this potion would be perfect for this resurrection experiment.

Mei smirked. “026, also resurrected. I wonder if you’ll also distort the potion’s effects like that person.”

“I look forward to your answer.”

...

Outside the crack space.

Seeing Death disappear, Chino said nothing. He didn’t doubt that Mei would save Shino.

Because that Being never broke a promise.

Since she didn’t deny that she could save Shino, then she could definitely save him.

Next…

Chino looked at Ye Long on the ground. “Everyone has their own talents. But if you judge a fish’s ability by whether or not it can climb a tree, the fish will think it’s stupid.”

“Ironically, a raven taught me this lesson,” he added, his voice a low rumble that echoed through the desolate landscape.

Ye Long struggled and spat out a mouthful of blood. His consciousness was fading.

But it didn’t seem that bad…

Or perhaps, death wasn’t that scary.

It was as if he’d died before.

But Ye Long couldn’t remember.

What was affecting his memories…

What exactly…

Chino stepped forward and squeezed Ye Long’s neck. “You must know you can’t beat me, yet you still came.”

Ye Long’s power was far inferior to his. Chino could sense this. There’s no reason why Ye Long wouldn’t feel the difference.

Moreover, Chino suspected that Ye Long’s mind might not be clear, his attacks were erratic and chaotic.

In short, Ye Long fought without any strategy. He wanted to create distance, then suddenly charged.

And perhaps, it was precisely because of this, knowing he couldn’t win, that Ye Long accepted this duel.

Because he was in a state of utter chaos.

“Your eyes tell me you’re resentful, but you don’t know why. You’re confused,” Chino said, his voice a low rumble that seemed to penetrate Ye Long's very soul.

Ye Long opened his mouth, about to unleash a torrent of dragon flames, but Chino instantly clamped his jaws shut. “I don’t like to talk about talent, but your ability application isn’t even as good as a toddler learning to walk.” His voice was devoid of emotion, stating a simple fact.

“There’s a saying. If you lack talent, then you must have the will to die.”

Bang!

With that, Chino slammed Ye Long’s dragon head to the ground.

And at that moment, Ye Long’s consciousness completely faded.

But in that moment of unconsciousness, he heard a voice.

“Meeting again. What bad luck.” The voice was soft, almost gentle, yet laced with an undercurrent of something cold, something unsettling.

“…I didn’t expect she would make you drink the potion.”

“You’re in pain, aren’t you?”

“Because of the memory loss, you can’t even remember who you are.”

“I know what you want to ask.”

“The potion’s power is causing your memory loss. It’s changing your soul. And your consciousness is resisting the change. That’s why your memories are fragmented.”

“There are two ways to escape this.”

“One, open the treasure and accept its power. That power will allow you to ignore all influences.”

“But at the same time, you’ll also gain entirely new memories. These memories will far surpass your current ones… and you will no longer be you.”

“Two, forget everything, just like before, erase everything. But this time, you’ll lose not only your abilities, but also your memories.”

“The conclusion is still the same. You will no longer be you.”

No matter what choice he makes, one thing remains unchanged.

“I won’t be me anymore…”

“Why do I have to do what you say?”

“I choose, the third path!”

The voice was silent for a moment.

“There is no third path. If there were, it’s not a path you can take, not a path Ye Long can take.”

Ye Long’s pupils suddenly dilated. “What if I insist?”

“Then you’re just bringing suffering upon yourself.”

A white-haired man appeared in the darkness.

He sat on an endless stone bench. Next to him was a large black dragon with two wings.