Chapter 656: A Pledge Within the Nightmare
by xennovel“Ah man, when are you taking us out?”
“I still promised I’d give you a massage…”
“Exactly, meeting you here is fate. Take us out first—I want to kill Dracula…”
“And after you’re done with him, bring us back. I haven’t had enough fun yet…”
“This place is really fascinating. As a researcher, I’m intensely curious about it. If possible, I’d like to stay a little longer to gather some samples before we head back…”
“…”
Night Owl, Old Wang, and Nine-Headed Serpent couldn’t help but voice their opinions.
They chattered incessantly.
But soon their voices grew softer until, eventually, they were barely audible.
Lu Xin turned to look at Number Two and saw him gently scratching his ear.
Noticing Lu Xin’s gaze, Number Two sheepishly explained, “Sorry, I just can’t stand hearing them talk…”
“I… get really irritated by any noise…”
“…”
“It’s alright. I used to be like that until I met a friend named Gecko.”
Lu Xin understood but couldn’t help asking curiously, “But don’t you find it strange…”
“Why haven’t they been swallowed by this nightmare world?”
“…”
“This happens a lot.”
Unsure why Lu Xin even asked, Number Two explained earnestly, “Everyone who enters this world eventually gets consumed—the timing just varies. Some quickly, some more slowly.”
Glancing at Xia Chong, who was drifting in a half-conscious state beside them, he added, “Look, she’s one of the quick ones.”
“And these others…”
Looking up at Night Owl—whose animated lips moved so rapidly their voices were nearly silent—he continued, “Some might last longer because they treat this place like an exciting VR game, while others haven’t yet grasped the danger and despair, even considering it a research subject.”
“That’s why they haven’t been consumed.”
“Or you could say that this world somehow repels them…”
“…”
Number Two shook his head slightly and said, “But sooner or later, despair will take hold. They’ll realize that this world isn’t just thrilling—it’s terrifying. Researchers, especially, may even choose to assimilate with it.”
“So they haven’t assimilated simply because they haven’t hit rock bottom yet.”
Lu Xin murmured, “This is the Nightmare of God—it can devour and assimilate everything.”
“But this assimilation comes with conditions. Only when completely tainted by this world does assimilation occur.”
“As long as they retain some curiosity and freshness toward it, they keep their distance.”
“So even if they are torn to pieces, they won’t be assimilated.”
“…”
“…”
After speaking at length, Lu Xin’s gaze grew clearer.
He had already been tainted by the Nightmare of God—only mildly, but that taint meant he understood its nature. Comparing himself with the Club members and Number Two made many things obvious.
“So…”
After a pause, he ventured, “Actually, you’re the same…”
“Compared to others, you just hold on a bit longer.”
“You’ve noticed you’re becoming more and more assimilated by this world, which fills you with both fear and despair.”
“…”
Number Two listened in silence.
For him, these were already well-known truths.
They offered no new help.
“Since that’s the case, why not… be like them?”
Lu Xin pondered, testing the waters as he looked at Number Two.
“There’s no other way…”
Number Two, understanding Lu Xin’s meaning, softly said, “Number Nine, I know what you’re thinking. Even as you speak, I expected this. But it’s pointless—your friends, first of all, are extraordinarily gifted…”
“And secondly, they haven’t been here long enough.”
“But I’m different. I’ve been here far too long…”
“So long that I’m too exhausted to even think straight…”
At this, Number Two slowly looked at Lu Xin before dropping his gaze again.
“I can feel you want to help me, Number Nine.”
“But the only one who can truly help me is your other half…”
“…”
“…”
Lu Xin paused, finally understanding Number Two’s meaning.
Number Two understood this world far deeper than Lu Xin ever could.
What Lu Xin had only recently realized, Number Two had known ages ago—and likely tried countless times.
Yet the vast nightmare had drained all his emotions; even the desire to try had vanished.
He knew his state better than anyone, and thus his despair ran deep…
Faced with this, he suddenly didn’t know what to say.
The surroundings seemed to turn desolate.
All around: a broken world, a pair of silent onlookers, and three excited voices that made no sound.
A half-conscious weapon rack.
Below, humanoid creatures twisted together, rolling in an uncontrollable river.
Time was warped here, so no one knew how long it had been—only the oppressive silence was felt.
Lu Xin stared at Number Two, who hung his head listlessly, feeling as if a giant hand gripped his heart.
He truly didn’t want to see Number Two like this; countless impulses to help surged within him.
Yet the thought of the only way to help filled him with profound despair.
Is that really his only option?
Even the black particles in his eyes trembled, desperately searching for an answer, though no other method came to mind—until his head began to ache and the skies darkened.
Lu Xin suddenly lifted his head and looked at Number Two with determination:
“I will help you.”
“……”
“……”
Perhaps Lu Xin’s words were too earnest, or perhaps Number Two was overly sensitive to the word “help.”
Slowly, Number Two lifted his head and saw that in the dim glow of the shattered world, Lu Xin’s face was slowly lighting up—as if he’d reached a groundbreaking realization.
In the distance, the nightmare world ignited a sun, its dazzling light instantly bathing the realm.
Lu Xin’s profile, illuminated by the brilliant glow, shone brilliantly.
“I won’t kill you.”
Fixing his gaze on Number Two, Lu Xin whispered, “But I promise, one day I will get you out of here!”
Number Two froze, his expression blank.
He seemed to understand yet couldn’t grasp the meaning behind those words.
When Lu Xin spoke, his face was more earnest than ever as his eyes locked onto the confused gaze of Number Two.
It was as if he were making an announcement—a solemn vow:
“Number Two, as long as you never truly lose hope, this world will never devour you.”
“So, I hope you’ll wait for me. Just as you once believed I had killed you to free you, trust that I’ll bring you salvation.”
“I guarantee that someday, I’ll find a way to really drag you out of here.”
“…”
“You…”
Number Two looked at Lu Xin’s smile, his expression tinged with uncertainty.
His eyes remained confused, yet even the hairs on his arm seemed to stand on end.
He couldn’t explain why he felt a surge of excitement.
It was as if he’d been struck by a sudden jolt of electricity when he least expected it.
“This is my promise, Number Two.”
Lu Xin looked at him with clear, unwavering eyes and a gentle smile as he softly said, “I will never abandon you like the Orphanage Director, nor exploit you like that voice did. So trust me.”
“I said I’d come back for you, and I will—without fail.”
“…”
Number Two stared at Lu Xin for a long moment; his lips trembled slightly as his eyes grew red.
His lips quivered and even his body shuddered.
Without knowing why, a torrent of emotions suddenly surged within his despairing heart.
“Number Nine…”
After a long while, Number Two slowly raised the back of his hand, wiped his eyes, and said, “Thank you.”
“I don’t even know why—though hope seems slim, hearing your words makes me happy…”
“…”
Lu Xin walked over to Number Two, gently embraced him, and softly said, “After we parted ways, I learned so much.”
“You know, Number Two…”
“This is what we call hope.”