"Do you want to be saved?" My voice was low, almost lost in the oppressive air.
I shouted, my voice echoing across the water, but all I heard behind me was frantic splashing—no plea for help, no answer. A cold sneer curled my lips as I turned and walked, step by deliberate step, toward the Curse Lake. The air itself seemed to bite at my skin; the curse power was so dense, it felt as if the very atmosphere wanted me gone. The Forsaken—001—was still thrashing, her survival instinct driving her to claw her way out of the lake’s grasp, but the curse was eating away at her, bit by bit. She wouldn’t last much longer before dissolving into oblivion.
Defiance and sorrow flickered in 001’s eyes—a look I’d seen before, one that made her both infuriating and unforgettable. She was trouble, more complex and dangerous than I’d ever imagined, a woman whose spirit refused to break even as the world tried to erase her.
001 kept fighting, her gaze growing wild and sharp, locking onto me with pure hatred—no trace of pleading, only raw fury. I settled on the lakeshore, and a chill like death crept instantly through my veins.
I didn’t know what faith meant to the dying, but I knew one thing: pity was wasted here. All of them—Forsaken, monsters, survivors—had been abandoned long ago, meant to be dead. Yet they clung to life with stubborn desperation. I felt a bitter laugh rise from my chest.
"Once, I was just like you. I thought I was nothing—forsaken, worthless, forced to swallow pain and torment every single day. I used to pray for someone to save me, to hear my voice and pull me out of hell. But no one ever came. No one listened. There was only silence."
With a sharp slap, 001 struck the water in fury, sending a burst of black curse power splattering toward me. I twisted aside, barely dodging. The curse here felt heavier by the second, and the lake itself stilled—hungry to consume 001.
“Serves you right! You Forsaken are just like the monsters who spawned you—meant to die, but too stubborn to let go. In this world, nobody gives a damn about your rage, regret, or grief. If you want something, claw for it yourself. Mercy isn’t real here. That’s the law, and you’re not special.”
As I spoke, I forced myself to stand and turn away, feeling strength surge back into my legs. I could still walk. I could still move forward. I had only one reason to be here—to find the Blood Jade, to claw my way back to the living world, and finish what I started. Nothing else mattered.
I looked back at 001. She was nearly spent, sinking into the lake, black curse power flooding her mouth and body. Soon, she’d be gone—erased by the darkness.
"You... you bastard..."
A furious roar came from behind me. I chuckled and muttered under my breath.
"If you still have the strength to curse me, maybe you should focus on surviving the time before you're devoured. Not a pleasant feeling, is it?"
I don't possess the power of the Human Soul, the kind that can easily peer into another's world. What I have is the ability to sense when someone is nearing their end. Right now, Entity 001 radiated that deathly aura—she would soon reach her conclusion, dying in the Curse Lake.
There's no need for me to lend her a hand. It's not what she wants, not what she wishes to see.
Suddenly, a cold, sinister smile crept onto my face. I slowly turned around, raised a hand, and clenched it into a fist, the sound of knuckles cracking.
"I'll help you just this once. Let you be freed—let you pass these meaningless moments of pain before death in peace."
Though my strength had mostly returned, I knew I shouldn't act recklessly. But right now, all I wanted was to end Entity 001—like a voice inside me was urging me on.
I hunched slightly, my fist slowly drawing back. This is one of the advantages of Fist Extremis—as long as the body can still move, it can be unleashed, no inner power required.
"Sixfold... Extremis..."
With a thunderous roar, I leapt up, my fist swinging toward where Entity 001 was.
My mind went blank. Scene after scene flashed through my head—withered trees, dead animals, dried riverbeds, a falling sun, a starless night.
A wave of sobbing pierced my mind. A tear-streaked face, overwhelmed by sorrow, looked up at the sky as rain poured down. Yet the crying was crystal clear—a face desperate to survive but utterly helpless. There was no mercy, no hope. It was as if everything had been stolen away.
With a crash, I changed the trajectory of my strike at the last moment. My fist struck the black curse water, caving it in and revealing Entity 001's body. Her eyes were wide, staring at me.
My body moved on its own, stepping forward and diving into the sunken lake. My right hand, torn and bleeding, grabbed Entity 001’s raised hand and yanked her up with a roar. Instantly, I reached out with my left, striking the surging black water below with a second punch.
With another explosive splash, I dragged Entity 001 out by the hand, and we crashed into the Junk Sea, tumbling for a long distance before coming to a stop.
A violent heartbeat echoed. Entity 001 stared at me in shock, her gaze now softened, tinged with sadness.
"Why...?"
I shoved Entity 001 aside and stood up. My hands were temporarily useless. Coughing, black blood dripped from the corner of my mouth. I looked up at the blue sky, lost in thought. Why did I pull someone back from the brink—just as I’d told the Human Soul, no one is a savior.
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"Do whatever you want after this. I’m leaving."
As I spoke, I started moving. After a few steps, I turned to look at Entity 001.
"Consider it a tiny repayment for not killing me before. Don’t think too much of it."
Before me stretched the endless Junk Sea. All I could do was keep walking forward. Behind me, the Curse Lake had started moving again, relentlessly devouring everything in its path.
"What is this? What does any of this mean...?"
Behind me came Entity 001's heart-wrenching scream, tinged with sobs. I closed my eyes, recalling the last image I saw—Entity 001, crying in a downpour of despair, swallowed by hopelessness.
My hand could move a little. I raised it, staring at its slight tremble, as a flood of emotions erupted within me.
"Maybe I still wish I could be Ethan Zhang."
I muttered, my voice tinged with sorrow. Everything Ethan Zhang once had was supposed to be mine too, but it’s all been stolen, never to return. He and I are now completely different people.
"What are you thinking? Hurry up, the sun’s about to set. I need to find a place to rest."