Chapter 242: Are They Teammates? (18)

Waiting to die was never something anyone could face calmly.

Especially when, once they "died," they might truly die, the kind of death from which there was no coming back.

He Yu hadn't mentioned the odds.

But it was obvious they weren't high.

Originally, it had been fifty-fifty.

Now that the one still alive was He Yu, whose identity remained abnormal, the chances were probably far lower than half.

Duan Yuchen let out a long sigh.

"I never imagined there'd come a day when I'd just sit here waiting to die. Zhen Xing, come on. You're gentler than the others. It shouldn't hurt too much."

He closed his eyes, his eyelids trembling faintly.

Without the slightest hesitation, Zhen Xing waved the Rubik's Cube.

Duan Yuchen vanished from where he stood.

Once someone had gone first...

The rest became much easier.

Qiong, Siya, Yuan Ze, and Zhante all disappeared one after another, each carrying uneasiness in their hearts.

Tang Ke stood up.

Their body was slightly stiff, and their voice had turned hoarse.

"He Yu..."

They had countless things they wanted to ask.

Countless things they wanted to say.

Yet when they opened their mouth, only He Yu's name came out.

Nothing else.

Deep within their eyes lay unmistakable anxiety.

If all of them died...

Then both Faction One and Faction Two would end up with no points.

How the system would judge such an outcome...

No one knew.

How could they not feel nervous?

And besides...

There was still the chance to become the Top Talent.

Would He Yu truly stick to his original decision?

Wouldn't he rather leave?

Or perhaps...

Had he already figured out a way to escape?

Once all of them had "died,"

Would He Yu simply ensure that the rules allowed only himself to advance?

At a moment like this...

Tang Ke couldn't stop overthinking.

Although Gedai had already said that none of them could influence the outcome anymore, that He Yu wouldn't bother deceiving them now...

Tang Ke agreed with that reasoning.

Yet they still couldn't stop their thoughts from running wild.

He Yu lowered his gaze to them.

He understood Tang Ke's feelings.

Before death, people's emotions were always tangled and contradictory.

Even knowing they couldn't change the outcome...

They still wanted confirmation of He Yu's intentions.

Only then could they "die in peace."

His glasses rested low on the bridge of his nose.

His eyes looked over the top of the frames, calm and steady.

"You're gambling."

"So am I."

"Perhaps..."

"You could try trusting me one more time."

Tang Ke and Gedai met his gaze.

The restlessness in their hearts inexplicably settled.

Standing nearby, Eugene watched everything unfold.

His expression grew dazed.

Again and again...

He Yu had always fulfilled the promises he made.

He had never abandoned them.

Back then, everyone had distrusted him just as much as they distrusted every other contestant.

But now...

Most contestants trusted him.

Some more.

Some less.

If He Yu won this gamble...

Eugene could almost picture the future competitions.

With just a single sentence from He Yu...

Everyone would answer his call.

Trust worked that way.

Once betrayed, it disappeared instantly.

But if it was rewarded over and over...

It only grew deeper.

Until...

Everyone became like Zhen Xing or Ling Buchen.

At that point...

Even if they found themselves in another situation like today's...

As long as He Yu gave the order...

They would all obey without hesitation.

Trust...

Was just that complicated.

Gedai and Tang Ke gritted their teeth and closed their eyes.

As before, Zhen Xing sent them away.

Eugene certainly didn't want to "die" at Zhen Xing's hands.

Mechanical Planet natives knew their own weaknesses best.

He waved toward He Yu.

Then instantly vanished.

After Eugene left, Bo Jingshan confirmed no one remained capable of threatening He Yu.

He nodded once.

His long saber flashed.

The blade struck the ground.

His figure disappeared.

Only He Yu, Blue Eyes, Zhen Xing, Ling Buchen, and Wanrenzhan remained.

【Bullet Screen: "Hahaha, this is the first time I've ever seen people lining up to die."】

【Bullet Screen: "Damn, Bo Jingshan looked pretty cool... even the way he used his blade was awesome."】

【Bullet Screen: "Blue Star's contestants are all incredible. Their performance this season has been absolutely amazing."】

【Bullet Screen: "Watching them commit 'group suicide' is both heartbreaking and hilarious. I really hope everyone advances. Wuwuwu."】

Zhen Xing looked at He Yu.

A smile rested in his calm phoenix eyes.

Tilting his head slightly upward, he said,

"I'm leaving."

"Take care of yourself."

He Yu still sat upon Blue Eyes' shoulder.

His legs dangled lazily in the air.

Looking back at Zhen Xing, he nodded and smiled.

His attitude toward Zhen Xing and the others...

Had always been different.

Zhen Xing had noticed it himself.

His smile grew even brighter.

When he smiled, his narrow phoenix eyes possessed a unique charm.

Combined with his composed temperament...

He looked exceptionally handsome.

The eastern sky had begun to brighten.

Morning was approaching.

The world rested in tranquil silence.

Zhen Xing reminded him once more,

"He Yu."

"Although Blue Eyes has sealed the instance and prevented the rules from changing..."

"You still need to hurry."

"End this instance as quickly as possible."

The longer it dragged on...

The more dangerous it became.

What if whoever controlled everything eventually found a way to alter the rules...

And assigned He Yu to Faction One?

Zhen Xing himself belonged to Faction One.

If He Yu joined his faction, it wouldn't affect him.

But Faction Two...

Would be completely wiped out.

He wasn't worried about the people in Faction Two dying.

He was worried He Yu would be heartbroken.

So after they all left...

He Yu should finish the instance as soon as possible.

Which meant—

Kill Blue Eyes.

Hearing that, He Yu nodded gently.

"Don't worry."

Zhen Xing smiled again.

Looking up at He Yu.

He Yu looked back down at him.

Their eyes met in midair.

One about to die.

One remaining alive.

The scene carried an inexplicably tragic beauty.

【Bullet Screen: "Wuwuwu, I'm shipping them so hard."】

【Bullet Screen: "Oh my god! There's not even any romantic atmosphere, but they look so perfect together. It's heartbreakingly beautiful. I'm taking a screenshot!!"】

Just as the audience screamed excitedly...

Wanrenzhan suddenly strode forward.

With one swing of his axe—

He sent Zhen Xing away.

The move came so abruptly that everyone was stunned.

Wanrenzhan spoke in his usual booming voice.

"Isn't this just logging off for a while?"

"Why are you making it so dramatic?"

"So long-winded."

"Hurry up and go."

Zhen Xing: "..."

The audience: "..."

Before Zhen Xing could utter another word...

He disappeared.

The final look he shot Wanrenzhan was extremely unfriendly.

The audience, who had been enthusiastically shipping the scene...

Fell completely silent.

They had absolutely nothing left to say to that dense idiot Wanrenzhan.

What the hell did he mean by "so long-winded"?!

You're obviously just jealous!

Wanrenzhan paid absolutely no attention to Zhen Xing's last glare.

He also looked up at He Yu and waved.

"Hey."

"First, make sure you stay alive."

"I'm off."

"Hope we meet again."

His voice trembled slightly on those final words.

But that brief trace of emotion...

Was perfectly hidden beneath his bold, carefree manner.

He lifted his axe.

Slashed across his own neck.

Then vanished.

This time...

Wanrenzhan left with extraordinary decisiveness.

Not taking even a single cloud with him.

Free and unrestrained.

It almost didn't seem like him.

But only he himself knew...

How he truly felt.

Because...

This farewell...

Might truly be forever.

Only Ling Buchen remained.

He Yu looked at him.

Ling Buchen was already looking back, wearing his usual gentle smile.

Everyone had a different personality.

So everyone had a different way of saying goodbye.

Between He Yu and Ling Buchen...

No extra words were necessary.

Just like earlier...

When Ling Buchen had stopped Gedai from using the Verification Card.

Was it truly because he wanted to stop Gedai?

No.

He had realized He Yu needed time.

So he had deliberately bought him that time.

Neither of them needed to speak.

Each understood the other's intentions perfectly.

He Yu smiled.

"See you again."

Ling Buchen paused.

Finally, looking directly into He Yu's eyes, he spoke sincerely.

"If possible..."

"Advance."

"You have to leave here alive."

He hoped He Yu would find a way to become the Top Talent.

He hoped He Yu would no longer have to continue competing.

Between the two choices—

"Everyone advances."

Or...

"The competition ends, and He Yu becomes the Top Talent."

Ling Buchen hoped He Yu would choose the latter.

With every new competition...

The system only became more determined to kill He Yu.

Every instance was another dance on the edge of death.

No one knew better than Ling Buchen how much pressure He Yu carried.

If possible...

He wanted He Yu to leave.

Even if the price was his own life.

In response...

He Yu merely smiled.

He shook his head.

He said nothing.

Yet Ling Buchen understood.

He Yu didn't want to make that choice.

And...

That choice might not actually be the better one.

With a sigh, Ling Buchen spoke no more.

His figure disappeared.

Now...

Only He Yu and Blue Eyes remained in the semifinal arena.

Kill Blue Eyes.

Complete every mission.

The instance...

Was about to end.

—

Transfer Station.

The other eighty-seven contestants wore complicated expressions as they looked at the final twelve arrivals.

Melvi was practically speechless.

He glared at Eugene and Gedai.

"You two have completely lost your minds!"

"It's one thing for everyone else to believe He Yu."

"But both of you are from Mechanical Planet!"

Mechanical Planet natives.

Universally known for their rationality and emotional detachment.

"Especially you, Eugene."

"You refused to believe me before."

"And look what happened."

"You've all gone insane!"

Melvi nearly broke down.

His mechanical face was filled with despair.

It had to be said...

Although Mechanical Planet natives all possessed artificially perfect features...

They still differed greatly.

At least...

Eugene was much better-looking than Melvi and the others.

Eugene lay back without even looking at him.

Resting both hands behind his head, he stared blankly upward.

"Yeah."

"I've gone crazy."

But...

He still wanted to believe He Yu.

Even if everything happened again...

He would still make the same choice.

Melvi: "..."

His breathing grew heavier.

"This is the Top Talent Show!"

"And you actually dare trust someone else?"

"You threw away your chance so casually!"

"Even if you couldn't win, couldn't you at least run?"

"You actually stood there waiting to die!"

Someone nearby lowered their voice while looking toward Zhen Xing and Ling Buchen.

"Those two are the real lunatics."

"They don't even care about winning anymore."

"In that situation, if Zhen Xing's group had joined forces with Eugene's..."

"They probably could've beaten He Yu and Blue Eyes."

"And yet they ignored victory entirely."

"They only cared about He Yu."

The other contestants simply couldn't understand.

Did people really exist...

Who valued someone else's life above their own?

Ling Buchen couldn't even be bothered responding.

Zhen Xing merely swept them with an icy glance.

A silent warning.

Everyone immediately shut their mouths.

No one dared continue.

Duan Yuchen sighed.

"Let's just wait for the result."

Qiong nodded.

"I believe He Yu truly wants everyone to advance."

"I just don't know how the system will judge it..."

Zhante also lay down.

The smile remained on his lips.

He looked completely at peace...

As though quietly waiting for death.

Ninety-nine people.

All staring at the only remaining livestream inside the Transfer Station.

Their eyes filled with anxiety.

Some still held onto hope.

Some no longer cared.

Others had fallen into complete despair.

Though they could still speak.

Still breathe.

In every meaningful sense...

They were already dead.

All that remained was waiting for the final judgment...

To determine whether they would truly be erased.

At this moment...

Their lives no longer belonged to themselves.

—

Inside the competition.

The root wrapped around He Yu shifted gently.

Blue Eyes lifted him up until they faced one another.

One pair of black eyes.

One pair of azure-blue eyes.

Each beautiful in its own way.

Blue Eyes looked a little aggrieved.

Just now...

He Yu had spent all his attention on everyone else.

He hadn't paid any attention to him.

Those people...

Were so annoying.

Every single one of them wanted to talk to He Yu.

Every single one stole He Yu's attention.

Blue Eyes felt terribly wronged.

He was even a little angry.

The emotions had appeared for no reason.

He knew he shouldn't feel this way.

Yet...

No matter how hard he tried...

He couldn't control them.

Thinking that way only made him feel even more wronged.

But because he knew he was being unreasonable...

He felt too embarrassed to say anything.

He simply gazed at He Yu pitifully.

He Yu raised a hand and gently stroked the ginseng's face.

His voice softened.

"Isn't it just the two of us now?"

Blue Eyes froze.

Then his eyes lit up.

Instantly...

He became happy.

That's right.

Now...

There were only him and He Yu.

Only them.

Filled with satisfaction, he lowered his head.

The round leaf atop his head extended toward He Yu.

He spoke softly.

"Pick off this leaf."

"The mission should be completed."

In other words...

Once the leaf was removed...

The ginseng would die.

The Blue Eyes residing within it...

Would also disappear.

Leaving this world.

Leaving He Yu.

He Yu didn't answer.

He stared blankly at the leaf.

His voice had become hoarse.

"...Is this your weak point?"

Blue Eyes shook the leaf gently.

His voice was full of laughter.

"It wasn't before."

"You had to cut me apart completely to kill me."

"But that was too troublesome."

"So I moved my weak point into the leaf."

"You only need to pluck it."

Sure enough...

The leaf hadn't originally been his weakness.

Blue Eyes had created that weakness himself.

So it would be easier...

For He Yu to kill him.

【Bullet Screen: "AHHHHH BLUE EYES!!"】

【Bullet Screen: "I was just shipping someone else, but the moment Blue Eyes spoke I switched back. Damn it! The true pairing really is unbeatable!"】

【Bullet Screen: "Wuwuwu my heart is melting. He Yu belongs with our Blue Eyes!!"】

He Yu's expression became complicated.

He raised his hand again and gently patted the ginseng's face.

Then he said softly,

"Let's go to the snowy mountain."

"I chose this place because it's close."

"After three days of adjustment..."

"The mountain should've recovered."

Blue Eyes' eyes immediately lit up.

He turned around at once.

Knowing He Yu didn't have much time...

He moved at incredible speed.

Without stopping for even a moment.

Racing toward the snowy mountain.

When He Yu had first entered this world, he'd landed before reaching the mountain.

The place they'd just left was beyond it.

Blue Eyes ran astonishingly fast.

Soon...

He arrived beneath the mountain with He Yu still on his shoulder.

Sure enough...

The instance had repaired itself.

The snowy mountain, once completely emptied, was covered in snow again.

Blue Eyes kept He Yu on his shoulder.

His roots were perfectly suited for climbing.

They carried him rapidly and lightly upward.

Less than half an hour later...

They reached the summit.

Once again...

The mountaintop lay blanketed in pristine white snow.

Beautiful beyond words.

Blue Eyes looked at it with nostalgia.

Then sighed regretfully.

"The snow beast melted."

He Yu patted him.

Signaling that he wanted to get down.

His boots crunched softly against the snow.

He tightened his clothes.

The corners of his lips lifted.

"Then let's build another one."

"The Frost Beast is too big."

Blue Eyes shook his head.

Suddenly...

He thought of something.

His eyes sparkled.

"I'll build it."

"You watch."

He placed He Yu beside a nearby rock.

Two roots stretched out like hands...

And began rapidly piling up snow.

Each thick root could gather huge amounts of snow at once.

But shaping it wasn't nearly as convenient as using hands.

He Yu didn't remain seated.

Warm breath escaped his lips into the cold air.

Supporting himself on the rock, he jumped down.

Stepping through the snow as he walked toward Blue Eyes...

He pulled on a pair of gloves.

Reaching Blue Eyes' side...

He bent down and quietly began building a snowman.

Blue Eyes beamed brilliantly.

The leaf atop his head trembled happily.

"These roots really aren't as convenient as hands."

"I used hands before."

"Did it take a long time?"

"Not really."

"When I was thinking about you..."

"It didn't feel long."

"Oh."

"Don't you want to see my human form?"

"I've already seen it."

"Ghost Li."

"Ghost Li was my ugliest appearance."

"Forget that one."

"Oh."

"So I should forget Ghost Li."

"What about the big cat?"

"Little Green?"

"Little Black?"

"Or..."

"The giant fish?"

"..."

"You built it wrong."

"Huh?"

"Did I?"

"Where?"

"I don't see anything wrong."

"I lied."

"...He Yu!!"

...

Laughing.

Teasing each other.

By the time the sun climbed over the horizon...

The first rays of dawn illuminated the mountaintop.

And the people.

And the snowmen.

Blue Eyes built another Frost Beast.

Beside it...

He carefully built a life-sized He Yu.

He worked on this "He Yu" with incredible seriousness.

It looked astonishingly lifelike.

Beside them...

He Yu built a Devil Vine.

Then a Tangyuan.

Since the snow was white...

He simply wrote the character "Black" across it.

Blue Eyes refused to admit that was him.

He insisted it was White Tangyuan He Yu.

Which earned him an eye roll.

The final snowman they built...

Was Blue Eyes in human form.

He Yu knew Blue Eyes was much taller than himself.

Yet he intentionally built the snowman exactly the same height as his own.

Blue Eyes had strong objections.

But when he saw the two snow figures standing side by side at exactly the same height...

Perfectly harmonious...

He became happy again.

He Yu didn't sculpt facial features.

Only...

A pair of beautiful blue eyes.

This was a mining mountain.

There were countless ores scattered around.

He Yu picked up two blue gemstones.

They weren't the correct azure color.

He intended to make do with them.

Blue Eyes plucked them away.

No one knew how he did it...

But the stones became the exact shade of azure.

Placed into the snowman's face...

Even without facial features...

Anyone could immediately recognize who it was.

He Yu...

With black eyes and glasses.

Blue Eyes...

With azure-blue eyes.

Standing together.

One glance was enough to recognize them.

Intimate.

Harmonious.

Beside the Frost Beast...

The Devil Vine...

The Tangyuan...

The scene became even warmer.

He Yu stood beside the snowmen.

Blue Eyes stood beside him.

Leaning his head forward to look.

The large leaf atop his head...

Extended right beside He Yu's hand.

He Yu smiled.

"Do they look nice?"

As he spoke...

His fingers gently brushed the leaf.

The instant they touched it...

His hand suddenly froze.

His expression changed.

The leaf drifted softly to the ground.

Blue Eyes disappeared.

A gentle breeze swept across the mountaintop.

Though it was morning on the snowy mountain...

The wind was unexpectedly warm.

It brushed gently across He Yu's face.

Like...

A lingering farewell.

He Yu knew.

Blue Eyes had done it on purpose.

At exactly the right moment...

He had quietly chosen to leave.

He had deliberately brought the leaf within He Yu's reach.

He Yu had merely touched it.

He hadn't even applied any force.

Yet Blue Eyes...

Had severed the leaf himself.

He didn't want to waste He Yu's time.

Nor did he want a drawn-out farewell.

Back when his consciousness had been incomplete...

He'd always wanted to cling to He Yu and never let him leave.

But now...

Blue Eyes was Li Zhan.

A mature.

Rational.

Complete individual.

He knew...

What was best for He Yu.

Just as he had appeared without a sound...

He disappeared without one.

And yet...

He would always remain by He Yu's side.

He Yu stood motionless.

After a long while...

He drew a deep breath.

Closed his eyes briefly.

Opened them again.

His gaze had become clear once more.

Looking toward the light ahead...

He stood among the various snowmen.

Cold.

Resolute.

His eyes regained their unwavering determination.

He would continue moving forward.

Without hesitation.

【Misty Waters Mission Progress: 100%. Reward: 1000 points.】

【All missions in the instance <Are We Teammates?> have been completed.】

【Faction point calculation will now begin.】