Chapter 98: The Inevitable Ending
On the other side of the door, a group of students was banging on it. Wei Chen moved a pile of miscellaneous items to block the door.
Lin Ye closed the door leading to the Gray World, and after closing it, the door disappeared entirely.
“Leave this to me. When she wakes up, she’ll probably want to see you more.”
Pulling aside the items that Wei Chen was using all his strength to hold against, Lin Ye pushed Song Xiao Xiao into his arms.
If this were a story, Lin Ye felt he should be a miscellaneous supporting character. He really liked that role.
Removing the clutter, he opened the door to the library. The students who had been banging on the door just moments ago all subconsciously took a step back when they saw Lin Ye.
That didn’t stop Lin Ye from showing no mercy. Amid the screams, Lin Ye shut the library door.
After dealing with the troublesome students, Lin Ye went alone to the rooftop. The unconscious students had vanished, and a gray figure was sitting at the edge of the rooftop waiting for him.
Upon seeing the “junior schoolmate,” Lin Ye suddenly remembered what had happened on the rooftop earlier.
“Senior, you’re so slow.” “Sorry, I had to handle some trivial matters.”
Though it felt pointless, Lin Ye really wanted to kick this junior schoolmate off the rooftop.
“You won. The Gray World gate has been closed, and the world has returned to long-lasting peace.”
The junior schoolmate said flatly.
“Is that it? I thought the real final battle would be next.”
Lin Ye did not relax. He couldn’t tell if the other party was lying.
“Want to fight me? Such a tempting offer. Unfortunately, the story has ended. Senior, it’s time for you to go back.”
The junior schoolmate said regretfully.
“Are you saying this world is just a story, and we are all characters within it?”
Lin Ye had always felt this world was somewhat unreal but could never pinpoint why.
“What we are experiencing now is indeed just the story in a book, but this world once really existed. This story isn’t fictional. However, back then, Wei Chen didn’t have a roommate as reliable as you.”
The junior schoolmate turned around and smiled lightly at Lin Ye, then casually said:
“So the world was destroyed.”
The clouds dispersed, and thousands upon thousands of gray figures densely filled the night sky. They all turned their heads in unison to look at Lin Ye standing in the center of the rooftop.
“Senior, I hope we can meet again in the real world. Then we’ll fight again.”
A crisp shattering sound came to his ears, and Lin Ye lost consciousness.
……………………
“How was it? Interesting story?”
Little Ye took a sip of ice-cold cola, the ice cubes clinking crisply.
“Average. I don’t have such a terrifying junior schoolmate.”
The shattered snail shell gradually disappeared. Lin Ye placed the gray book he was holding onto the table. Mia was right; some books really were dangerous.
“She was already pretty cute in the book.”
Little Ye picked up the Abnormal Incident Compilation in the Gray Realm and put it back in its place.
“What would happen if I disappeared inside it?”
Lin Ye took another sip of cola. The ice cubes inside seemed like they would never melt.
Your consciousness would be absorbed by the book and merged within it, but before that happens, I’ll pull you out.”
Little Ye closed the Deep Abyss Secrets she had just finished reading and pushed it in front of Lin Ye.
“I should head back soon. Can I read this book next time?”
Though a long time had passed in the book world, only a few hours had passed here. There was still time to eat before the nighttime activity in the shelter.
“I’ve already handled this book. You can read it anytime, but don’t put it back on the shelf before reading. There are several similar books, easy to mix them up.”
Little Ye finished her cola and ate the ice cubes inside.
“You’re leaving?”
Lin Ye also liked eating the ice cubes in cola; the texture when biting them was subtle.
“Yeah, see you next time.”
With that, Little Ye disappeared.
‘I wanted to spend a leisurely afternoon but ended up wasting the whole afternoon for nothing...’
After leaving the book world, Lin Ye could clearly feel the Seed of Spirit had grown significantly. This experience was not without gain; in fact, it was quite rewarding, but he still felt a bit bored.
The story’s ending was already decided; no matter how hard he tried, it was meaningless.
Lin Ye finished his cola and ate the ice cubes, sighed, and chose to return to the shelter.
…………………
Just after returning to the shelter, a black bug as thick as a bucket jumped into Lin Ye’s arms.
Little Black wriggled its body and made meowing sounds.
The little dog also ran to Lin Ye’s leg and rubbed against his calf.
“Chirp chirp.”
The little snail slowly crawled to Lin Ye’s side.
“Your ability is very useful. I’ll borrow you again tonight.”
Lin Ye nodded at the snail’s tendrils.
“Chirp chirp.”
After playing with the little animals for a while and feeding them some food, Lin Ye began preparing dinner.
There were many living supplies in the shelter now, so cooking was very convenient.
After preparing dinner, Lin Ye opened the group chat and started eating.
“It’s time for the enjoyable nighttime activity again.”
“Hopefully it’s the red maze. I still haven’t gotten the blueprint.”
“Collecting red keys.”
“Got the blueprint, just need two more organs.”
“Buy them in the trading area, not expensive.”
“Why so cheap? I was planning to stockpile and almost went broke.”
“You really deserve it.”
“There are too many organ sellers; prices won’t go up.”
“Too bad we can’t trade with other areas. Met a guy during the station mission; their mutation organs have already been hyped up.”
“Must be a few experts hoarding to make a big profit.”
“Aren’t they afraid of too many deaths? War missions are tough.”
“We’ll see when the time comes. First, make whatever money we can.”
“Short-sighted.”
“Normal, too many people like that.”
“Luckily, we’re pretty friendly here.”
【Nighttime Activity Start】
【Tonight’s Activity: Maze Exploration】
【Join?】
【09:59】
“Join.”
“Great, got the blueprint.”
“Starting the deep maze.”
“Big shot bless, hope to get a blueprint.”
“Big shot bless, hope not to meet second-tier creatures.”
……
Fully armed, Lin Ye sat by the bed waiting for the countdown to end. Little Black lay on the little dog’s back, purring. The little snail was on Little Black’s head, making chirping sounds. The three seemed to have a unique way of communicating.
【00:01】
【00:00】
……………………
【Nighttime Activity Start】
【3:59:59】
【Acquired Special Skill: Snail Shell】
【Snail Shell】
【You can hide inside the snail shell. Before the snail shell breaks, you will not take damage (1/1)】
【Note: Feeling of home】
Lin Ye woke up on the red floor, surrounded by the familiar red maze.