“Not just my ‘Explosion’,” said Seven.
“And what else?”
“And the lives of the rest of us,” Seven replied.
Numerous members of the “Cat” team began gathering behind Seven, including Eleven, who had been unconscious and was now slung over Thirteen’s shoulder.
“Will your lives be enough?” came Tiger’s hoarse voice, laced with skepticism.
“This is the final purpose of the ‘Cats,'” Seven answered. “Dying there with ‘Vermilion Bird’—that’s the end for all of us.”
“And what about your conviction?” Tiger pressed. “With your ‘Explosion,’ what exactly can you ignite?”
“I’m not like you,” Seven said. “I’ve heard you can detonate the very air before you. That kind of power is beyond my reach.”
Seeing that Tiger meant no harm, Seven wrapped the hair tie back around his wrist.
“That’s why I asked…” Tiger continued. “With just your ‘Explosion’ and the dozen or so lives behind you, you plan to take on Vermilion Bird head-on?”
“Like I said, I’m not like you,” Seven turned away. “I can’t ignite the air, but I can ignite myself.”
“Yourself…?” Tiger frowned slightly, having never considered such a possibility.
A man who couldn’t detonate the air before him but could detonate himself. Was that conviction—or delusion?
“And what about ‘Gale’ and ‘Lushwood’?” Tiger asked next.
Twenty and Twenty-One both stepped forward, standing behind Seven with defiance written across their faces.
“What level can ‘Gale’ and ‘Lushwood’ even reach?”
“What the hell does our level have to do with you?” Twenty snapped. “Don’t think that ‘respect your elders’ crap works here. Kill us or get lost.”
“Brother Twenty,” Twenty-One patted his shoulder. “Ease up. No need to wreck your health over this. If you can’t, I’ll curse for you.”
“Damn nuisance,” Twenty muttered. “My ‘Gale’ can flay three layers off you. Wanna test that?”
“But I have no confidence in killing Vermilion Bird,” Tiger said softly.
“Huh…?”
The three paused slightly at his words.
“He doesn’t care about consequences,” Tiger continued. “Though he lacks the sheer power of Black Tortoise, he’s too much like Azure Dragon.”
“In other words, a cunning bastard,” Seven nodded. “Isn’t that perfect?”
“Perfect?” Tiger chuckled. “He’ll use every means to kill you. Unlike Black Tortoise, he won’t give you a single opening.”
“I’d be more afraid if he were like Black Tortoise,” Seven said coldly. “After killing her, not a single ‘Cat’ was left unscathed—physically or mentally.”
Tiger’s expression shifted slightly. “Is that so…”
“None of us want to admit it, but in the end, we broke her,” Seven said. “We set her heart ablaze, burning her from within. If Vermilion Bird is another tragic soul, and history repeats, then it’ll be us who are shattered from the inside.”
“You’re an interesting bunch,” Tiger laughed faintly. “I’m glad I carry your ‘Divine Arts.'”
“And I’m glad there’s still someone like you among the ‘Beasts,'” Seven replied.
“Like me?” Tiger shook his head. “No, I was the first to lose my mind.”
“Good,” Seven nodded. “Die early, reincarnate early. Go mad first, wake up first. For you, it’s all just a dream.”
Tiger fell silent, bending down to pick up fragments from the ground.
Seven considered asking more about Vermilion Bird, but he realized that Tiger’s non-interference was already the greatest help he could offer now.
So he said nothing, turning to lead the others away.
“In his mouth,” Tiger suddenly spoke, still crouched.
“Hm?” Seven turned back, narrowing his eyes at him.
“Those three ‘eyes’—they’re all in his mouth,” Tiger said. “With ‘Plunder’ on your side, the fight could end quickly.”
“Just as I thought,” Seven replied. “Now that our ‘Strongest Shield’ is dead, it’s the ‘Strongest Spear’ against another ‘Spear.’ The outcome won’t take long.”
“But the ‘Spear’ you’re facing isn’t ordinary,” Tiger said. “It’s a ‘Mad Spear.’ He’s the most unhinged of all the ‘Beasts.’ Those three ‘eyes’ in his mouth aren’t under his control, so he gnaws at them day after day. The pain makes them obey.”
“Truly mad,” Seven nodded. “I was worried about time, but this works perfectly.”
“May you live,” Tiger said.
“May you die soon,” Seven bowed slightly.
With that final gesture of thanks, the group vanished into the empty plaza, splitting into smaller teams heading in different directions.
Tiger, meanwhile, remained like a scavenger, picking up fragments one by one.
Soon, countless “Participants” rushed past in fury, not one sparing him a glance.
As if, following Black Tortoise, even Tiger had merged with the “Land of End,” becoming nothing more than part of the scenery.
No one noticed him. No one knew where he’d go next.
The great bell and screen that had been his refuge were shattered. Where else could he stay?
Ah, right—when the bell and screen broke… why had he heard wailing?
Tiger slowly raised his head, gazing at the crimson sky.
Amid the rain of shards, he had distinctly heard the lament of two lost souls.
But in this place, weren’t there far more than just two lonely ghosts mourning?
“Little Xuan, my name is Hu Yiran. I’m a few years older—call me ‘Brother.'”
“Okay… Brother Hu.”
“‘Brother Hu’? Who even says that these days…?”
“Sorry… I…”
“Azure Dragon said your name is Wu Xuan. From now on, you’ll be called ‘Black Tortoise.’ And since my name has ‘Hu,’ I’m ‘White Tiger.’ He said… we won’t have our own names anymore.”
“No names…? But what about Brother Yan…?”
“Yan… even if the title doesn’t match his name, he can only be ‘Vermilion Bird.’ Little Xuan, remember—never speak your real name. It’s against the rules. You’ll die.”
“Then if they ask who I am, what should I say?”
“Tell them, ‘I have no name, but here, they call me Black Tortoise.'”
Gathering the fragments in his hands, Tiger carried them to Black Tortoise’s side and gently placed them in her arms. Then, with a long sigh, he sat down.
“I’ve retrieved every piece of your heart that I could. The rest… I’ll mend for you here, slowly,” he smiled bitterly. “I never asked what unfinished wishes you had… Forgive me. In a place like ‘Paradise,’ I’ve grown unused to farewells.”
Just as he closed his eyes to rest, Tiger noticed Black Tortoise’s severed arm.
Her outstretched finger still pointed in the direction Seven had left.
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