"The power of the Endbringer—do you truly understand what it is? Maybe your grasp of instinct itself is just as shallow."
Wraithshade left, apparently unwilling to waste more words with me. I sneered, quietly staring at everything around me.
"The investigation into the Endbringer is already finished. Yes, that instinct is special, but we conducted a thorough study from the very beginning. When your instinct was born, a massive amount of data was transmitted, so we probably understand your Endbringer better than you do."
"Good morning, Earthly Soul. It's a new day. How do you feel?"
"The Founding Emperors?"
Staring at everything in front of me, I pondered many questions. The most important: why haven't they taken Yvonne May's Instinct? Yvonne May is the weakest among the seven Ghost Sovereigns. The Dark Banquet's sudden attack implanted artificial souls into the Ghost Sovereigns and the Immortality Society, causing them to lose their memories and forget their powers.
"That's why we can't take Yvonne May's Instinct. Doing so would mean touching what the Founding Emperors are sworn to protect."
"The way you say it, it's as if the Founding Emperors are still alive."
"Of course they're alive. They're right here, in this darkness."
Wraithshade shook his head helplessly.
"Master Wraithshade, The Stalker is dead."
Instantly, Wraithshade's eyes widened. He muttered, "Impossible."
Isn't Yvonne May in this darkness? She possesses Yvonne's Instinct, which lets her return to the past. Why don't you just take it from her?
"How do you think? By the way, I spent all last night thinking—why haven't you taken Yvonne May's Instinct?"
"It's true—The Stalker has completely vanished."
I shook my head, smiling faintly.
"Because you can't. Or rather, Yvonne May's Instinct isn't really an instinct—it's something a level above. That's why you can't take it from her. Time itself has existed since the world began; it doesn't have a past, it simply flows."
"True enough. The research may go on for many days, perhaps decades or even centuries. I'll come by every day to keep you company."
"There's only one possibility—the Founding Emperors. Only they could do it."
His words left me utterly stunned—the ancestors of civilization were still alive, and right here in this darkness.
Wraithshade sneered and shook his head.
"The investigation into End is already finished. Yes, that instinct is special, but we conducted a thorough study from the very beginning. When your instinct was born, a massive amount of data was transmitted, so we probably understand your instinct better than you do."
I gave a cold laugh, watching as Wraithshade began to walk away.
He said nothing, weaving among the black-clad figures, as if asking about something.
"By the way, you'd better tell that Replicator—if he can't control End, he'll be devoured by it."
Wraithshade turned back, sneering.
"That's not your concern. It's already been mastered. The last time we confronted you, there was a minor error, so your instinct was returned. But this time, it's been completely taken."
"It seems you are not someone who can obtain instinct. In other words, you cannot be chosen by the Void. You're a failure, unqualified."
As I spoke, Wraithshade's eyes widened, staring at me. I saw a trace of anger in his gaze.
"Then there's no need to say more, Earthly Soul. It's pointless. I've heard enough excuses from failures like you..."
"Even Ji Yun'er, who orchestrated the annihilation of a nation and died in battle, possesses instinct, while you do not. Want to know why? Only those who have obtained instinct can know. I don't know how many instincts you've managed to collect, but most attempts to implant them in your kind have failed, haven't they?"
At this, Wraithshade strode over.
"Previously, when instinct left its host, it would gradually fade away. During that process, our people couldn't perfectly replicate the original—there were flaws, so the instinct would backfire and eventually vanish. But now things are different. We have artificial souls that can flawlessly mimic the original, so you don't need to worry, Earthly Soul."
"I see. But it still doesn't work, does it? Even with artificial souls, your experiments failed—stealing others' instincts and implanting them in your people."
Wraithshade's eyes flickered with uncertainty, but after a moment, he smiled and nodded.
"You’re right, but that was months ago. Now we've created nearly perfect artificial souls. Do you know, it's been over six months—half a year—without a single backlash. The Replicator has mastered your End power, and is even stronger than you ever were."
"That fast?"
Wraithshade shook his head.
"The aptitude is different."
"The power of End—do you truly understand what it is? Maybe your grasp of instinct itself is just as shallow."
Wraithshade left, apparently unwilling to waste more words with me. I gave a cold laugh, quietly staring at everything around me.
"Those who cannot possess instinct will never understand why it is born. It's the strongest desire in one's heart. These people will probably never feel it, because only the weak know despair, only they form obsessions. If you win everything from the start, you'll never have that drive. Even now, my obsession hasn't faded. Laugh all you want, but in the end, it's always those who laugh first who suffer most, Replicator."
Another long, endless day passed. The room was empty—except for the light shining on the vat where I was held, there wasn't a soul in sight.
I couldn't sleep. I could only stare quietly. This feeling was worse than death, and it tormented me, but I was used to it. My days in Guizuka were even harder. I had no strength, only able to let them do as they pleased. But now, things are different.
Staring at everything in front of me, I pondered many questions. The most important: why haven't they taken Yunmei's instinct? Yunmei is the weakest among the seven Ghost Sovereigns. The Dark Banquet's sudden attack implanted artificial souls into the Ghost Sovereigns and the Immortality Society, causing them to lose their memories and forget their powers.
At that time, only I managed to suppress them. Soon, they tore the instinct from my body, like ripping out a heart, leaving me in unbearable pain.
With a bang, I slammed my fist against the vat, glaring ahead in fury.
"You forced me into this. I'm not some naïve fool like Zhang Qingyuan."
When people finally arrived, I waited for Wraithshade to come. As always, the black-clad researchers surrounded me, observing and recording.
I quietly waited for Wraithshade. After a while, a shadow rose up before me.
"Good morning, Earthly Soul. How are you feeling today?"
The same question as always.
"How do you think? By the way, I spent all last night thinking—why haven't you taken Yunmei's instinct?"
"Why is that?"
Wraithshade stared at me, looking contemptuous.
"Because you can't. Or rather, Yunmei's instinct isn't really an instinct—it's something a level above. That's why you can't take it from her. Time itself has existed since the world began; it doesn't have a past, it simply flows."
Wraithshade laughed heartily.
"Your thinking is interesting. Is that so?"
Suddenly, I stared blankly at Wraithshade. It seemed that wasn't the real reason.
"Fine, I'll tell you a little. Her instinct was present even when she was still human—I noticed it then. The inability to take it means there's a powerful force guarding it, restricting anyone who dares to covet that instinct. I only realized this after coming to the Dark Banquet."
"What do you mean?"
Wraithshade sighed helplessly.
"The eight ancient surnames, the eight great clans—whose descendants are they?"
"The two Emperors, Yan and Huang?"
I stared in surprise, and Wraithshade nodded.
"That's why we can't take Yunmei's instinct. Doing so would mean touching what Yan and Huang are sworn to protect."
"The way you say it, it's as if the Emperors Yan and Huang are still alive."
"Of course they're alive. They're right here, in this darkness."
In an instant, my eyes widened in disbelief at Wraithshade. Just then, a swirl of shadow drifted in—a figure knelt before Wraithshade.
"Master Wraithshade, Master Hunter is dead."
Instantly, Wraithshade's eyes widened. He muttered three words:
"Impossible?"
The figure on the ground nodded.
"It's true—Master Hunter has completely vanished."
Immediately, Wraithshade grabbed the figure in anger, slamming him against the vat in front of me with a bang.
"Investigate thoroughly! It's absolutely impossible. In this darkness, there's no one who could possibly kill him..."
Wraithshade suddenly let go, and excitement gradually flickered in his eyes. He burst out laughing, then said,
"There's only one possibility—the Emperors Yan and Huang. Only they could do it."
His words left me utterly stunned—the ancestors of Chinese civilization were still alive, and right here in this darkness.