"What did that little girl say to you, 001?"
Rachel Lan looked at me with a puzzled expression. I smiled and shook my head, gazing out the window. We had chosen a room directly opposite the one we stayed in when we arrived, and now dusk was approaching again.
"What is it, Ethan? Tell me."
Rachel Lan smiled with curiosity and leaned closer to me. I nodded.
"It's nothing much, really. Do you still remember Exile Town, Roxie?"
Rachel Lan nodded.
"Why bring up that place all of a sudden? But it was quite beautiful there. If we get the chance, let's go play again. I don't know what Exile Town is like now, but I really miss it."
I made a sound of agreement and spoke.
"The situation here is similar to Exile Town. It's like the world's consciousness is driving this destruction."
Rachel Lan rested her chin on her hand, lost in thought for a moment before smiling.
"And what else? What else did she say to you?"
"You'll know tonight."
I smiled mysteriously. Rachel Lan clung to my hand, acting sweet and trying to get me to tell her more, when suddenly the door was pushed open.
Sylvia Blue leaned against the doorframe, smiling at us. Rachel Lan blushed and stood up, speaking shyly.
"Sylvia, why didn't you knock before coming in?"
"Sorry to interrupt your romantic moment, but something's changed."
We hurried out of the room, and immediately saw what Sylvia meant by 'something's changed.' In front of us was a massive black ring, like a black sun. Its edges radiated black flames, slowly moving toward us. There were four of these, closing in from all directions.
"They should still be about 100 kilometers away. They're moving slowly, but it's only a matter of time before they get here."
Agent Seven muttered. The dim sunlight fell on us, and this sunset felt like a reflection of everyone's mood. No one knew what those black suns were, but one thing was certain—it was bad news. The timber rampart we'd worked so hard to build might not withstand a single blow.
"We'll just have to take it one step at a time."
Entity 004 floated up as he spoke.
"006 and 009 haven't arrived yet. If something happens, it'll be bad. In this situation, having one more person is always better."
Soon, the Forsaken returned to their rooms. The sunlight had vanished, hidden behind the thick clouds surrounding the forest.
"Roxie, we..."
Suddenly, my eyes widened. Rachel Lan seemed off, as if she'd lost consciousness. Her eyes stared blankly at the black sun. Though it felt rude, I waved my hand in front of her face a few times—she didn't react. Gradually, I saw her pupils turning black, just like the distant sun.
With a whoosh, Sylvia Blue suddenly appeared before us. With a wave of her hand, a streak of silvery-blue light flashed before our eyes.
"It's better if she doesn't see this."
Sylvia Blue muttered. I looked at her in confusion.
"What's happening to Roxie?"
Just as I asked, Rachel Lan cried out in alarm.
"Ethan, what are you doing?"
I quickly lowered my hand. The blackness in Rachel Lan's eyes had completely faded.
"You should know better than anyone."
Sylvia Blue spoke, then withdrew the silvery-blue light and left. I was surprised to find that the distant black suns had vanished. It was strange—the sky was growing darker.
"What just happened?"
Rachel Lan asked. I shook my head; I wasn't sure either, but I could sense a trace of darkness lingering.
"Roxie, you should get some sleep tonight. Tomorrow morning, you'll know what I discussed with 001."
Rachel Lan looked at me quietly, then yawned and nodded.
"Then I'll go sleep with Sylvia."
I made a sound of agreement. The surroundings had grown completely quiet. Strange cries echoed from the forest, but every room with a door had no windows, so the soundproofing was excellent—no need to worry about Rachel Lan being woken up. The timber rampart's height and the thickness and hardness of the wood made it unlikely for these Wraithspawn to break through easily. I could try to fulfill what I'd discussed with 001 earlier: using her power to turn the beasts that fight to the death here day and night into soldiers.
"I'll be watching you, Ethan. Just do what you need to do."
Beside me, Spirit Snake grew larger, coiling around me like a wall. I calmed myself and sat on the ground, placing the Thorn of Imagination on my knees, gripping it with both hands and closing my eyes. A sharp pain nearly jolted me awake, but soon a numbness spread through my body as my consciousness slowly faded.
When I opened my eyes, I was startled to find myself in a vast black space. Not far away, a cluster of shimmering, multicolored light appeared. I immediately swam toward it, but something felt off—this wasn't my own instinctual space, which puzzled me greatly.
Suddenly, a hand grabbed me. I turned my head—it was the Wraithlord, looking at me with helpless resignation.
"You sensed it, but let yourself be distracted by what's in front of you. I've already told you so much."
I responded with a sound. My eyes burned with heat, and suddenly I saw the darkness around me grow thicker. The lighter areas outside were my instinctual space.
"Stop sneaking around. Show yourself."
An evil laugh echoed. I clenched my fists, and the Wraithlord shook his head.
"I don't know what these kids want from you, but you might as well listen. It can't hurt."
A wave of dark energy descended from above, gradually condensing into a human shape before me. It became a man—the Beggar, the one who Sylvia had injured before, from the Dark Banquet.
"What do you want?"
"You've sensed it, haven't you? Even if you don't want to admit it, Roxie was born of darkness—she can't escape her fate of falling into it. You tried to change things, but you're powerless. When the Dark Banquet begins, you'll realize just how insignificant you are."
A wicked, sinister laugh echoed. I clenched my fists, glaring at the Forsaken in anger.
"Hey, insignificant? Ha, are you talking about yourselves?"
The Wraithlord suddenly stepped forward, and for a moment, the Forsaken looked surprised.
"It's true that everything is insignificant before you, but we don't care about you. You mean nothing to us. I'm here to negotiate with Ethan Zhang—a second negotiation, and this time, I don't think you'll be able to refuse."
"What do you want?"
The Forsaken laughed and pointed at me.
"What's happening in this world is called the Sundusk Cataclysm. It's happened eight times in history, and this is the ninth. Think carefully before you get involved—there's a reason the darkness in Roxie's body is overflowing. The pathway isn't closed; the key is already in your hand. Use it the right way, and the passage will open."
"Thorn of Imagination..."
I muttered something, and the Forsaken laughed heartily.
"Smart. Do you want to protect Roxie? If you want her to be normal, we can grant you a World Pass. Then Roxie won't have to attend the Dark Banquet. Think it over—whether to cooperate with us or keep going as you are. The consequences of the Sundusk Cataclysm might be irreversible for you. While you still have a chance, make your decision quickly. If you decide, just release a tiny bit of dark power—we'll contact you ourselves."
The Forsaken slowly vanished. I was filled with anger, while the Wraithlord sneered, glaring ahead with malice.
"I hate people who prey on others' weaknesses. In the past, my answer to them was always the same: kill—not just their bodies, but their will too."
I said nothing and slowly approached the multicolored area.
I got closer and closer. This dazzling, colorful world was right before my eyes. I swallowed and plunged in. This was 001's power—Imaginative Genesis.
"It's truly incredible power. This world is full of wonders, but you can't understand it."
I glanced at the Wraithlord. He watched me quietly. As he said, I couldn't comprehend this power, much less control it. The Wraithlord wandered the space, curiously observing.
"Let me do it for you, Ethan Zhang. Is that alright?"
I nodded without hesitation. This power was far too bizarre. How could I use it to turn the beasts in the forest into soldiers?
"I'll handle the operation. As for what kind of soldiers to create, that's up to you—just imagine them in your mind. I'll make the soldiers you envision."
I made a sound of acknowledgment, and gradually my consciousness faded within this space. I didn't know why, but it was the result of my own choice.
Suddenly, I snapped awake. The fighting was still raging, and deafening roars echoed endlessly.
"Ethan, look over there."
I looked over. It was a phenomenon similar to what happened earlier—this time, four White Suns shone as brightly as day, illuminating the entire world. Even the distant black waters were covered in white light.
"It's starting, Ethan Zhang. Hurry."
I nodded, made a sound, and floated up. My thoughts began to race as I headed toward the forest floor.