Chapter 677: The Heartbreak That Haunts Lynn

Indeed, he had forgotten. After separating from Zuo Zuo, he was no longer the complete Colossus's Heart. Though he still retained authority, he could no longer fully resist this space's ability to project the fears hidden deep within one's heart.

Just like Zuo Zuo at the very beginning—her sheer terror had caused the things she feared to materialize around her.

And he had been away from Zuo Zuo for quite some time now.

Logically speaking.

This space was very likely to interfere with him as well.

"But why now, of all times? Why does it have to set me up right at this moment?!"

Lynn ground his teeth, feeling like he was about to fall apart.

Because the Desire Mother Tree was currently searching for him everywhere, and he hadn't even escaped her projection range yet. Having this happen to him right now—wasn't that practically a death sentence?!

"Forget it!"

Lynn rolled up his sleeves with a series of clicks, gritting his teeth as he looked around warily.

"Let's see what you can project for me. Do you really think there's anything I, Lynn, am afraid of? What a joke!"

"If you're thinking about showing me something like not being able to go home—save it. It's not like I absolutely have to go back! If you think I'd be scared of something happening to my parents, hah, you underestimate me. I had their fortunes read once—even if I died, they'd still be kicking and laughing. Their lifelines are rock-solid! You think I'd fear that?"

Hah!

Sure, he was a fallen being.

But he'd never experienced anything as bizarre as a planet exploding.

You ask what he's afraid of?

A newborn calf fears nothing—it'll slap a tiger and ride a Root-level entity. Him, afraid of something? That's absolutely ridiculous!

Lynn (▼へ▼メ) scanned his surroundings with murderous intent, grabbed a dazed passerby on the street, threatened him a couple of times, snatched the cotton candy from his hand, took a savage bite, and tossed it aside. The villain's aura was fully maxed out!

And just as Lynn was searching through this projection for something that might actually frighten him—

Suddenly.

From across the street, a crisp, girlish voice rang out.

"Lynn, I'm sorry. Even though you buy me lollipops every day, and I've always thought of you as a good friend, we're really not meant to be. Don't come looking for me anymore."

Lynn instantly froze.

His eyes went hollow.

Then, with a mechanical creak, he instinctively turned to look across the street.

There, on the opposite sidewalk amidst the flowing traffic, stood two kids who had clearly just started kindergarten, both carrying little backpacks. The little girl who had spoken had neat bangs, big, mischievous eyes, and a lollipop in her mouth as she earnestly faced the little boy in front of her.

The little boy's eyes were just as hollow. He also carried a backpack, his skin so tender it seemed ready to drip with moisture. And he looked at least 90% similar to Lynn—like a miniature version of him.

Neither of them looked a day over five!

"Wh-why?!"

The mini Lynn was clearly panicking. He quickly stepped forward, looking at the little girl's face, and asked:

"Is it because I'm not handsome enough?"

His voice was milky and childish, but the tone was full of panic.

The little girl across from him shook her head, clutching her lollipop and blinking her big eyes. "No, no. Lynn is really handsome and really cute. I actually like Lynn a lot."

The mini Lynn was dumbfounded. "Th-then... why do you want to break up?"

The little girl looked at him seriously and asked, "Does Lynn really want to know?"

The mini Lynn nodded vigorously, a hint of innocent longing in his eyes.

The little girl thought for a moment, then closed her eyes, took the lollipop out of her small mouth, paused for a few seconds, opened her mouth wide, and revealed her row of decayed teeth. She clenched her tiny, hard fists and said:

"You know my dad is a dentist, but you still stuff lollipops into my backpack every single day! Ever since I started dating Lynn, I've gotten a spanking every time I go home. It's become a daily routine now!"

She pointed at her perfectly decayed teeth.

"Every single rotten tooth here has your name on it, Lynn! So to keep my teeth from all rotting away, and to get a few less spankings, I have to break up with you today."

Little Lynn panicked, stammering, "B-b-but... every time I gave you candy, you never refused! If you didn't eat them, wouldn't your teeth be fine?"

The little girl tilted her head, her big eyes wide. "But the candy Lynn gives me is just too delicious!"

BZZZT—

Little Lynn went completely hollow.

Lynn went hollow too.

[Ding! Your Happiness -5]

Then, under Lynn's watchful gaze, the little girl waved at the hollow little boy and skipped away with her backpack.

And that officially marked the end of Lynn's very first romance.

Left behind.

Only the dazed, lonely little boy remained, exceptionally desolate, the north wind blowing forlornly.

Lynn stood stiffly, finally understanding what this space had projected for him, and finally grasping its method of dealing with him.

That's right.

The moment he saw that little boy, he had already guessed it.

Because this scene, even now, more than a decade later, was still etched into his memory. Every time in the dead of night, he would recall every detail, jolting him awake, filling him with confusion and helplessness.

Because on that day, he had experienced his first heartbreak ever.

His first emotional wound...

One could say.

That day was like a scar, forever branded on his heart, gnawing at him, impossible to let go.

And he had always wondered since.

Why hadn't he chased after her back then? She was such an adorable girl. It was obvious the situation wasn't irredeemable. If he had just tried a little harder, maybe he could have made her stay, maybe...

Lynn lowered his head, gloomy.

But why hadn't he chased after her back then?

Why had he stood there and let a pure, innocent relationship slip through his fingers?

He tried hard to recall, feeling dejected.

Then he jolted.

He remembered.

Right, it was because...