I was still being crushed by an enormous biting force—the Chimera showed no intention of letting go. I pressed a hand to its head, and instantly my consciousness snapped back; I couldn't see the Chimera's memories.
What's going on?
A creaking sound echoed—a voice from within the Chimera's body. That suction force began dragging me toward its jaws again.
With a bang, I struck the Chimera's head with my fist. It whimpered and loosened its jaws. Instantly, the marshland reverted to its original state, and the Chimera was hurled away with a thunderous crash, leaving a massive crack in the ground.
I landed steadily, quietly watching the Chimera lying in the distance. As it scrambled to its feet, black energy radiated from its body, and it began rushing toward me.
Bang! This time, my punch didn't work. Though it staggered the Chimera, it lunged again, blood-red eyes flashing. With two sharp sounds, I caught the red beams it fired at me, crushing them in my hands as its four massive claws closed in.
I gripped the Chimera's forelimbs, and instantly, my whole body landed in the marsh. Yet I didn't touch the mire—the ground beneath us caved in under the immense force.
A sizzling sound—the Chimera's black aura burned away as I gripped its forelimbs. Coldly staring at it, a golden glow flared in my hands, twisting its limbs. As it tried to turn, I let go and followed, pressing my hand against its body.
A sizzling sound—a blood-red swastika appeared on the Chimera's belly. It howled, and with a thunderous crack, the black aura shattered, exposing its true form. I raised my right hand, pressing two fingers to its head.
Behind me, black and white streams of energy instantly fused, forming a massive, distinct Taiji—like a giant Yin-Yang.
Wait, Ethan Zhang. It's over now.
Suddenly, the force was too much—I spun and swept out with two fingers. With a thunderous roar, the ground split open, revealing blackness beneath. The vast marsh fractured as if the continent itself were breaking apart. Gasping, I looked at the Chimera behind me; its eyes had returned to normal, its hostility gone.
What did you just call me?
I stared at the Chimera in confusion—he had spoken, and said my name: Ethan Zhang.
It's your name. Don't you remember? Ethan Zhang.
I kept watching the Chimera. Sure enough, it was speaking.
I don't remember. Who am I? Why am I here? What is this power within me? Can you tell me about my lost memories?
The Chimera slowly approached, its limbs never touching the ground. When it reached me, it simply stared in silence.
That's not urgent. You just need to know your name is Ethan Zhang.
Tell me—why am I here?
The Chimera shook its head.
The Illusory Realm is made up of countless overlapping worlds—you could think of it that way. I came to find you because everything you've done saved the Animal Path.
I nodded, forcing a bitter smile—I couldn't recall anything the Chimera was talking about.
Is there a way for me to return to the Living World?
I told you before—the power of imagination can manifest through your instincts. But now, I can't sense any coexistence within you.
I looked at the Chimera in confusion.
Coexistence?
It was something familiar yet strange. I knew what instinct was, but I couldn't remember ever possessing it.
By the way, can you take me to the upper layer?
I asked, and the Chimera looked at me, puzzled.
What do you plan to do in the upper layer?
To find Mother Goddess Nuwa.
The Chimera shook its head.
The upper layer is in chaos right now. I've been in the middle layer for a long time, just staying here. Up there, the powerful beasts are fighting over something—it's best not to go at this moment.
Take me up there.
I looked seriously at the Chimera. Now, I could only follow the faint traces of memory to slowly recover what I'd lost—my most urgent goal.
No, Ethan Zhang. If you want your memories back, I can take you to the Celestial Hound—he might be able to help.
Celestial Hound?
I looked at the Chimera in confusion, recalling the dog-shaped figure in last night's moon—a sense of something special lingered.
Let's go now!
We have to wait until night. Ethan Zhang, do you really remember nothing?
I nodded with a quiet 'mm.'
There are things I still remember, but who I am, and how I came to be here—those memories are completely gone.
The Chimera came up to me, watching silently for a while before speaking.
Your body has completely become part of the Illusory Realm—you have no physical form anymore.
What do you mean?
The Chimera sighed helplessly.
Whether human or ghost, the dead all have somewhere to go. But things in the Illusory Realm are different—after death, they become part of the realm. You're now part of the Illusory Realm, and returning is nearly impossible. You've lost the instinct for coexistence and can't manifest the realm's power anymore.
Suddenly, a wave of sadness washed over me. I didn't know where this sense of loss came from, but hearing I couldn't return, sorrow poured from my heart.
Is there any way to regain the instinct for coexistence, or to obtain instinct itself?
The Chimera shook its head.
Usually, when something loses its instinct—human, ghost, or otherwise—the body disappears too. The fact that you've come to the Illusory Realm is a mystery, even to me. Maybe fate still favors you.
I remember the Merfolk telling me that I survived because someone in the Living World still thinks of me.
The Chimera laughed.
That's just a rumor. Many have come to the Illusory Realm, but they're long dead, and no one in the Living World remembers them. That's not why you're here.
Then what's the real reason?
The Chimera couldn't say why I existed here.
All day, I could only sit quietly by the lake, staring at my own reflection, feeling utterly miserable.
At last, night arrived. The Chimera and I waited for the moon to rise. When the stars filled the sky, the moon finally appeared, and the Chimera, lying on the ground, opened his eyes.
Wait here for a moment. I'll go find that Celestial Hound.
With those words, the Chimera vanished before my eyes.
As I waited, anxiety gnawed at me. I wanted to go back—to return to the Living World. Everything I'd been suppressing erupted all at once.
Without realizing it, my eyes widened as I saw my cheeks were already soaked with tears.
You really are Ethan Zhang—hahaha.
A cheerful laugh sounded behind me. I turned to see a shadowy dog—larger than a normal canine—standing there. It was the Celestial Hound.
Do you know my past?
I stood up, excitement surging through me as the Celestial Hound burst into laughter.
Never thought I'd see the day, Ethan Zhang. You, such a great villain, still aren't dead.
My heart clenched. The Chimera glanced at the Celestial Hound in confusion.
Was I really a villain before?
I asked, and the Celestial Hound nodded immediately.
Of course you were. You committed countless atrocities—it's a miracle you're still alive. I noticed you last night, but didn't expect it was really you, Ethan Zhang. Evil always gets its due.
My face turned ashen as I stared at the Celestial Hound before me. His eyes were cold, and his fur bristled.