# 253
Chapter 253 – Choice
“Klein!?”
Lin Qiye stared at the two colossal beasts in the distance, his heart sinking.
Although he had never encountered a “Klein”-level mystery before, he had fought the Flame-Vein Earth Dragon, which was close to the “Boundless” realm. The pressure exuded by these two beasts far surpassed that of the dragon.
Compared to them, the Flame-Vein Earth Dragon was as harmless as a kindergarten child.
As the two giants advanced toward the city, a blinding golden light burst forth in the distance. Several golden figures seemed to be clashing with the hound, but the other beast was still moving rapidly.
“A special team?” Lin Qiye felt slightly relieved at the sight.
But even a special team couldn’t stop two “Klein” creatures at once—unless another special team was present.
There wasn’t.
Lin Qiye drew a deep breath, slowly closed his eyes, and two seconds later opened them again.
Two figures now stood behind him.
One was an elegant noblewoman in a starlight silk dress, her eyes like constellations;
the other a young sage in a deep-blue mage robe, leaning on a staff.
“Mother, Lord Merlin.” Lin Qiye’s gaze was grave. “I need your help.”
Nyx stood beneath the dark clouds, her skirt seeming to merge into the night. She looked at him tenderly. “Of course, my child.”
Merlin gazed at the distant beasts, stars swirling in his eyes as he traced the threads of fate. After a moment he closed them again, reining in his aura.
“Lord Merlin, what did you see?” Lin Qiye knew he had used prophecy and couldn’t help asking.
Merlin didn’t answer directly. He opened his eyes, glanced down at the city, then turned to Lin Qiye. The ever-calm sage wore an expression of rare astonishment.
“This is…”
“Lord Merlin?” Lin Qiye pressed. “What did you see?”
Merlin opened his mouth as if to speak, but finally only shook his head. “Nothing…”
Lin Qiye frowned, full of doubts, yet this was no time for questions. He pointed at the sea-monster in the distance.
“Is there a way to kill it?”
Nyx narrowed her eyes. “A mythic beast almost divine—at our current level, we can’t kill it.”
“What if I bear a soul again, like last time?”
“Bearing a soul could barely delay it—but not for long.” Nyx looked at him. “Thanatos, it hasn’t been long since your last soul-bearing. Another so soon will shatter your soul.”
“What happens if it shatters?”
“Collapse of the soul. At best you become a drooling idiot; at worst your soul disperses on the spot.” Nyx’s tone was deadly serious.
“Then what if I bear Lord Merlin’s soul?”
“It’s not whose soul you bear, my child.” Nyx shook her head. “Your soul can no longer endure the weight of a god.”
Lin Qiye’s brows knitted tighter.
“Lord Merlin, if I bear your soul, what are the odds?” He turned to Merlin.
Merlin pondered. “The chance of killing it is nearly zero. But merely trapping it is simple—magic’s strength lies in its versatility.”
A glimmer appeared in Lin Qiye’s eyes. He looked toward the city and fell silent.
Delay it… is that really enough?
A god already dwells within the city; Cangnan is in peril. Even if I stall it, what happens when the time runs out?
How likely is reinforcements to arrive in time?
And when the sea-monster breaks free and rampages through the streets—what then?
Suddenly Lin Qiye thought of something. He lowered his hand to his chest; his fingertips met something cold…
Perhaps he did have a chance to kill it.
He had no wish to be a savior. In this city he cared only for his aunt, A Jin, and the rest of Team 136.
He could take his aunt and A Jin and flee—yet would Team 136 abandon the city?
They would not.
Then…
Images of Team 136 flashed through his mind: Chen Muye, Wu Xiangnan, Hongying, Wen Qimo, Leng Xuan, Si Xiaonan… Zhao Kongcheng.
Zhao Kongcheng…
Lin Qiye gripped the air; a summoning array unfolded and a familiar Straight Blade appeared in his hand. Three small characters were engraved on the blade:
—Zhao Kongcheng.
For a moment he was back in that rainy night, seeing the figure he could never forget.
“If I walked away now, when I die and fall into hell, you’d surely curse me bloody…” he murmured to the blade.
“I don’t want to be a hero, but… this time I have no choice.”
He knelt, thrust the Straight Blade into the ground.
“Good view. Watch from here… how I guard this city for you.”
He stood, turned to Merlin, eyes more resolute than ever.
“Lord Merlin, lend me your power.”
…
Outside the city.
ROOOAAR—!!
The howl of the Hound of Hell shook the heavens. Beneath its paws a black circle spread rapidly, countless skeletons surging forth, the breath of the underworld filling the air.
Eight golden figures hovered overhead. Xia Simeng gazed at the tide of bones, killing intent blazing. She clenched her fist and punched the earth from the sky!
BOOM—!!!!
A visible shockwave erupted, shattering tens of thousands of skeletons. She straightened, her expression graver than ever.
“Captain!” Kong Shang landed beside her. “The kraken is heading straight for the toll station—we can’t stop it.”
ROAR—!!
With another bellow from Garm, the other Phoenix squad members charged, their Forbidden Ruins blooming as they fought.
“Apart from us, no one in this city can block it,” Xia Simeng said quietly. “Split the team—stop both beasts.”
Kong Shang froze. “Captain! Together we can barely handle one. Split up, and we have no chance at all.”
“Then let there be none.” Xia Simeng walked calmly toward Garm, her golden cloak snapping in the wind.
“We are the Night Watch. Even if we die… we die before this city!”