Rachel Lan stood motionless, as if turned to stone. I walked over, trying to touch her, but it felt as if my hand was reaching into thin air.
"Haha, it's useless, Ethan Zhang. I've completely absorbed her. You..."
"Shut up, you bastard."
I cursed loudly, standing silently in front of Rachel Lan, reaching out with both hands—only to grasp at emptiness.
"Do you remember the first time we met? Actually, it wasn't at that overturned bus. It was when Chen Jun in the Nether almost killed me, and you appeared. Rachel, thank you. If it hadn't been for you that day, I might have really died."
I spoke softly, recalling that moment. Back then, Yin Choujian was already extremely weak, having fallen victim to the Three-Day Ghost Entrapment from the old man and the blind granny, suffering severe injuries. When Chen Jun arrived, Yin Choujian was dealt another heavy blow.
"The way people meet is always so strange. I've walked this path all the way, and I told you long ago—I envied you, envied your impulsiveness. Whenever you saw something, you'd never ignore it. Others called you trouble, but maybe now I'm more suited to that title. All thanks to you, Rachel."
Tears welled up in my eyes as memories of the past flooded my mind.
"Did you know? Maybe I liked you from the very beginning. Thank you for what you did on the Ten Guides Road. But now, it's my turn, Rachel. If you can hear me, I want to tell you—I want to protect you. I used to be too weak, but now, I can do it. Even if it costs me my life, I will protect you, Rachel..."
As I spoke, baleful energy poured out from every part of my body. At this moment, I felt the power of the Hades' Will completely suppressing me, as if it wanted to crush and erase me. Rachel Lan remained expressionless.
"Rachel, listen. No matter what this thing is, no matter what the Hades' Will wants, no matter if we can be together, in the future I see, our child will be born. You're not alone, not lonely. You have me, Uncle Mo, and so many friends. Everyone is waiting for us to return, so..."
I paused, gathering all my strength, and shouted.
"Wake up, Rachel... Let's go back together..."
Just then, I felt myself being pulled upward bit by bit. My baleful energy grew weaker, while the power of the Hades' Will became stronger and more domineering, as if it wanted to wipe me out completely. I was crushed by immense force, reaching out again and again, trying to touch Rachel Lan.
"You've always been like my sun, Rachel. Do you know? Without you, I wouldn't have made it this far. I just hope that from now on, I can hold your hand and walk forward together. No matter what problems come our way, we'll face them side by side. The future is right before us, Rachel, please wake up..."
Suddenly, I saw a flicker in Rachel Lan's eyes. At that moment, I had fully extended my ghost threads into the raging power of the Hades' Will, which tried to crush me completely.
I looked at Rachel Lan with unwavering determination, reaching out my hand.
"Ethan..."
A single tear fell from Rachel Lan's eye. Overjoyed, I shouted, then immediately reached out. Rachel Lan extended her hand, and I gripped it tightly. In that instant, I roared.
"Help me, both of you."