Chapter 25: Experiencing the Solitude of God (Silent with the Divine)

The giant bear charged, unleashing a heavy punch.

"First Spirit Skill: Jade Shield of Stone."

A layer of stone armor manifested over his body, meeting the earthen fist head-on. A thunderous crash sent both of them reeling backward. The burly man stared in shock at the shield on Nian Yun’s body and his own trembling, aching fist.

"Second Spirit Skill: Reinforcement."
"First Spirit Skill: Barrage Punch."

Red steam began to rise from the black bear, and his feet sank deep into the earth.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

The bear's paws rained down upon the stone shield like a torrential storm, leaving Nian Yun forced into a purely defensive stance. Soon, cracks began to spiderweb across the jade armor.

"Crash!"

With the final blow, the shield shattered. Nian Yun, who had been relying solely on his arms for defense, was sent flying by the sheer force of the impact. Nearby, the young girl watched in terror, her delicate legs trembling uncontrollably.

"Run!" Nian Yun gasped, clutching his chest as he dropped to one knee. "The gap in spirit power is too wide. I can’t win this."

"Kid, in your next life, try gauging your strength before making decisions," the brute sneered.

As he stared at that massive incoming fist, Nian Yun tried to dodge, but he was far too slow.

"Seven Treasures Glazed Tile, Second: Speed."

A flash of prismatic light descended, and suddenly, he felt a surge of agility in his legs.

"Whoosh."

The black bear’s heavy blow swung at empty air. The beast looked at Nian Yun, then turned his gaze toward the girl holding the seven-colored pagoda. His face paled with fear. "You... you’re from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect."

"I’m still here," Nian Yun declared.

Bolstered by the wind element and the speed boost, Nian Yun covered the distance in a heartbeat, unleashing a heavy, stone-clad strike.

"Smack!"

The fist landed squarely on the brute’s face. A spray of saliva flew as the man staggered, his face slightly disfigured, swaying unsteadily.

"Second Spirit Skill: Crag-Breaking Severance."

The shattered fragments of the stone shield on the ground swirled and gathered around Nian Yun’s fists, reforming into a brand-new set of stone gauntlets. Beside him, the girl channeled her pagoda. "Seven Treasures Glazed Tile, First: Power."

A red light bathed Nian Yun. The black bear stood his ground once more. "Third Spirit Skill: Black Bear Stomp."

Red against black, stone against bear—they collided. Neither side would yield.

"Kid, the gap between spirit rings isn't so easily bridged!"

As the bear’s paw slowly pushed Nian Yun back, the brute noticed faint purple lightning sparking at the corners of Nian Yun’s eyes. Before he could react, a stinging sensation crept across his bear-fist.

"Your part in this play is over."

"BOOM!"

The black bear was blasted backward. In his panic, he was met with a flurry of blows from Nian Yun’s lightning-infused stone gauntlets.

...

"Thank you."

"I was just passing by. It’s a good thing you were there, or we would’ve been done for. Hi, I’m Nian Yun."

"I... I’m Ning Rongrong."

"Ning Rongrong? It’s a pleasure to meet you. You’re very beautiful."

Ning Rongrong froze for a moment. "Th-thank you."

"Achoo!"

Noticing Ning Rongrong’s soaked shoes, Nian Yun walked forward. He knelt slowly, lifting her lower legs while supporting her slender waist with his other hand.

"Ah, you—"

Ning Rongrong’s face flushed red, and she started to protest, but her voice died away the moment he picked her up. Still dazed, she found herself deposited onto a large rock. Nian Yun carefully removed her waterlogged shoes and pulled a silk handkerchief from his pocket.

"I can do it myself," she murmured.

Nian Yun glanced up at her without stopping his work. "This rock isn't very stable."

At that, Ning Rongrong fell silent, watching as he meticulously wiped her feet. Soon, his movements ceased.

"Thank you."

Nian Yun stood up and handed her the shoes.

"Ah."

"I’ll carry you."

"No, no."

"Do you not like it? Then I'll hold you instead."

"No, that’s not what I meant. Fine, carry me." Looking at the pitch-black surroundings, Ning Rongrong finally made her choice, her face burning.

The moon hung high, illuminating the path ahead. Resting against Nian Yun’s back, Ning Rongrong felt an overwhelming sense of warmth and peace.

"Nian Yun, are you planning to sign up for an academy, too?"

"Yes, but I haven't decided where yet. Do you have any recommendations?"

"I’m not entirely sure myself, but I’ve heard Shrek’s faculty has excellent resources."

"Oh, I see. Thank you for the advice."

Ning Rongrong wanted to say more, but after a moment of hesitation, she stayed quiet. They strolled down the path and soon saw the lights of a hostel. Once in the room, Nian Yun gently set her down and found a pair of slippers by the bed, placing them between them.

"Alright, I’ll head back now. Goodnight."

Just as Nian Yun turned to leave, Ning Rongrong reached out and grabbed his hand.

"Your handkerchief... it's dirty. Give it to me."

Nian Yun smiled, gave a light nod, pulled the handkerchief from his pocket, and left the room. Watching his figure disappear, Ning Rongrong felt a pang of loss. She curled up, clutching the handkerchief tightly, her heart feeling warm.

"Click."

System: "Congratulations to the host for completing two tasks simultaneously. However, since the breakthrough mission was not completed exactly as requested, the reward..."

In the world of consciousness, the breakthrough to rank forty-one spirit power caused the wind, lightning, and stone elements to surge with newfound ferocity. Before Nian Yun floated a dim, colorless teardrop.

"I suppose I just need to activate it myself. Come then."

Nian Yun closed his eyes, reaching out to commune with the tear. Space swirled, and he plunged into the lake beneath his feet.

Empty, pitch-black.

"So long... so lonely... how much longer..."

The voice echoed in Nian Yun’s mind.

...

"Hah!"

"Where am I?"

Nian Yun jerked awake at his desk, staring at Furina on the screen, frozen in her idle animation. Realizing something was wrong, he checked his phone: [6:00].

"Crap, time is running out. How did I fall asleep?"

"Click-click-click."

His eyes were glued to the screen, his right hand tapping frantically.

[Quest Log: Masquerade of the Guilty]

The map rotated, hesitating.

[6:30]
(Sobbing) "Listen to me, I really am a god."

[6:40]
"Hydro Archon, guilty. Penalty: Death."

[7:20]
"So long... so lonely... how much longer..."

His vision blurred. As he rubbed his eyes, a single tear slid down his cheek.

"What’s this? A tear?"

He wiped it away with the back of his hand. "I haven't cried in a long time. This feeling... it’s so strange."

"Time is short; I need to finish the quest."

[7:40]
"Hydro Dragon, Hydro Dragon, don't cry anymore."

At that moment, another voice echoed in his mind.

"Alright, alright, don't cry. Mommy will buy it for you."

"Thank you, Mommy."

The young Nian Yun stood in the distance, watching the heartwarming scene. A sharp ache pierced his heart, and pain rippled through his entire body.

"Where is this?"

At his computer, Nian Yun clutched his chest, tears streaming down his face uncontrollably.

"Click."