The Creatures that We Are

In that moment, the band of awakeners converged on Qilin step by step—those who had suffered through the civil war, those who held onto their convictions, those who chased the light of dawn. Though their bodies bore countless wounds, their eyes blazed like infernos.

They were ready. Through countless nights of heartbreak and rage, they had imagined this moment again and again.

The arrogant, mad ambitioner weighted with heavy sins would finally face divine judgment.

Gone was Qilin's usual grace and dignity. His suit hung in tatters, caked with mud. His glasses had vanished, and shockwaves had torn away his Black Gold prosthetic eye, leaving an empty socket. Sweat had transformed his carefully combed hair into a mess plastered across his forehead. The blood of both himself and his enemies’ painted his face.

In silence, he scowled at the layered attacks and awakeners gathered beyond the Absolute Barrier.

He knew what awaited him—the moment he killed Gao Yang, the barrier would vanish. Disorientation, Mute, and Strange would prevent Unreachable's activation. The prepared attacks would tear him apart.

Gao Yang slowly said, “Seems to me that they’re getting impatient. Let’s not waste more time.”

He raised his hand and snapped his fingers, dissolving the Absolute Barrier. Then he closed his eyes, ready to embrace a temporary death alongside Qilin's doom.

But nothing happened.

Gao Yang's eyes flew open in surprise. The Absolute Barrier had indeed vanished, yet so had their prepared attacks. His companions still encircled Qilin, frozen in their poses, their expressions unchanged.

The scene felt wrong. If not for the bitter wind carrying the scent of blood and burning flesh, Gao Yang might have believed time itself had stopped.

But that wasn't it. They were the ones frozen—Gao Yang included.

“Pfft.”

Qilin's poker face cracked. His Phantom armor dissolved, blood gushing from his shoulder stump, yet he showed no sign of pain.

He doubled over, almost losing balance with the sheer force of his laughter.

“Hahahaha…”

“Hahahahahaha…”

The hysterical laughter clashed with the space absurdly, as if the world was a fragile metal box shaking and crumbling under the sound. He laughed. Then he laughed some more. Finally, he seemed to have laughed enough. He sat down on the ground to be at eye level with Gao Yang. ꭆΑΝŎꞖĚs̈

His eyes lifted, and Gao Yang suddenly found himself able to speak.

Shock, despair, and fear passed, leaving only a deep confusion that blocked Gao Yang’s throat like a lodged stone.

With immense effort, he forced out three hoarse syllables. “How…did…you…”

“Gao Yang, do you like the sweet dream of victory I’ve specially made for you?” Qilin asked.

Gao Yang's face drained of color. His throat bobbed uselessly.

“Did you think I was waiting for Unreachable? Well, yes, I’m waiting for something like that, but not the noun referring to the Talent…” Qilin used his bloodied right hand to smooth back his disheveled hair.

“But an adjective describing me.”

He violently tore away his shirt and necktie, revealing his chest. A strange green vertical eye pulsed there, surrounded by web-like patterns that bulged like blood vessels or intricate Black Gold relief.

Those were the physical manifestations of the Psyche Rune Circuit and the Summon Rune Circuit “melting” into Qilin.

“Level 8 Eidos and level 8 Puppeteer combined to allow manipulation of both mind and body. I call it Lonesome Emperor.”

“You are frustrated, Gao Yang. You didn’t understand how things reached this point.” Qilin's mood seemed almost jovial as he leafed through Gao Yang's thoughts like a familiar book, explaining with unsettling patience.

“Notice the rain falling from the sky? Created with God of Water and Green Lotus Lake's waters. Each raindrop serves as a mirror, reflecting psychic power. The moment you entered the park, you stepped into Eidos's domain.”

“You were made to forget some details—your suspicion of the rain. It’s unusual for such torrential rain to happen in winter, but level 8 Eidos could easily make you forget that thought without you noticing.”

“Yes, you’ve entered the range of Puppeteer’s contract as soon as you stepped into this fight with me at the lake. You were ignorant of it because you were numbed by Eidos.”

“Yes, three minutes for the contracting was a little long, but I succeeded.”

Gao Yang could only listen, unable to speak or even change his expression.

Qing Ling approached with measured steps. Her face remained impassive as she knelt, deferentially injecting Qilin with Medicine C.

Heavenly Dog and War Tiger followed, presenting the Time-Space and Damage Rune Circuits with equal reverence.

The next moment, Gao Yang's body betrayed him, surrendering the Elemental and Poison Rune Circuits to Qilin against his will.

Qing Ling, Heavenly Dog, and War Tiger returned to formation—all awakeners now stood in two perfect lines flanking Qilin, like loyal soldiers awaiting their general's inspection.

Not dead, yet utterly subservient. Perfect puppets, bound by no time limit.

QIlin rose to his feet. “What a drawn-out farce this has been, Gao Yang. Finally, things settle into place.”

“I harbor no hatred for you, Gao Yang. For any of you.”

“You fight and rage due to your pathetic limits. Because the truth is in the hand of the minority.”

“Fear not. Humanity's bright future awaits, and you shall witness it with me.”

Qilin strode to the parade's center. In six seconds, his left arm and right eye regenerated through the combined power of Gao Yang's level 3 Gecko, Dead Pig's level 7 Self-Recovery, and Adept Horse's level 7 Healing.

He spread his arms toward the sky, eyes flickering with holy white light. His chest resonated as he pronounced each syllable with reality-shaking force.

“All!”

“Will!”

“Be!”

“One!”

Behind him, Gao Yang had no choice but to wait as well.

Time crawled by, second by second, yet nothing changed.

Qilin's eyes opened. Arrogance gave way to confusion.

Hope flickered in Gao Yang's despairing eyes.

…

…

“Overlord descends. All will submit.”

Houseau3's Thoughts

Has Dragon ever not made a dramatic entrance? No?

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