Chương 48: City of the Dead
(Ha ha… Including the unborn children in the wombs of pregnant women and the elderly on the brink of death, the number of living beings in Tianxin City that have yet to succumb to the zombie plague stands at… two hundred thirty-seven thousand six hundred fifty-seven.)
(Ha ha… It seems there are quite a few fortunate souls, surviving amidst the zombie frenzy. Truly, the resilience of humanity is remarkable… Hahaha…)
(But I am curious, will their tenacity and good fortune hold when faced with you? Heh heh… I am quite intrigued, human boy… Hahaha…)
His cold gaze remained unwavering, as if the imminent extinguishing of these hundreds of thousands of flickering life candles could not stir the heart of the demon king.
Xiao Mu Yu stood impassively, sword in hand, gradually harnessing the power inscribed within the magical array on the ground.
(Ha ha… You truly are a cruel and heartless scoundrel! Hahaha… Not even the deaths of so many can touch your stony heart. I am certain that if you were a demon, you would be the most exceptional and merciless of them all! Hahaha…)
(But I am increasingly skeptical—could your heart truly be made of stone? Hahaha… The more I ponder, the more I wonder what could possibly penetrate that icy, unfeeling heart of yours. Heh heh…)
(Human boy, I look forward to that day, the day your heart of stone is moved. Heh heh… I believe it would be the most exquisite spectacle in this world, hahaha…)
With his eyes gently closed, Xiao Mu Yu's consciousness gradually sank into a monochrome realm, quietly perceiving the rapid flow of magic along the runic pathways, accumulating power like a volcano on the verge of eruption.
(However, in a sense, I can understand your lack of compassion, heh heh… How considerate of me! Heh heh… With such thoughtfulness, human boy, are you not moved to tears? Hahaha…)
Raising his head coldly, Xiao Mu Yu disregarded the demon, allowing the biting snow and wind to tousle his hair. In a moment of reverie, he seemed to hear something…
Why do you wield a sword?
To protect what is most precious in my life.
Then, what is most precious to you? Is it your own life?
…No.
Is it not…? Ah… I see. Then, to safeguard this most cherished thing, how far are you willing to go?
Even if it means descending into the depths of despair, forsaking all that I am as a person.
…
His icy gaze reflected the innocent, fragile flickers of life, as Xiao Mu Yu expressionlessly raised his sword-bearing right hand, as if lifting a heavy mountain, slow and laborious…
As the man gradually elevated his right hand, a chaotic yet orderly force began to ripple through the air.
In Ezreal's monochrome realm of consciousness, a violent energy surged like a volcano about to erupt, rising and churning within the space.
In that instant, Ezreal felt as though he stood at the mouth of an erupting volcano, entirely convinced that if this power were to fully unleash, it would surely unleash a cataclysm akin to a saintly tier's full-force strike…
At least, for the innocent populace of Tianxin City, it would spell disaster.
"…" Staring blankly at the indifferent figure on the terrace, gathering violent energy, Ezreal's gaze lacked any focus.
His expression, vacant and devoid of soul, resembled… a broken puppet.
Upon entering Tianxin City, he was met with warm, friendly smiles…
After subduing the "rabid patients," he received heartfelt embraces from the townsfolk…
In the arena, he joined the crowd in cheering for his beloved sister…
Must it all culminate in such a tragic conclusion?
Ezreal was gripped by fear…
Fearful…
He cherished this city, just as he cherished every city and town he had traversed.
Even after years of trials, having visited countless unique cities, this place, though seemingly ordinary and unremarkable compared to others, was filled with such warmth…
Look…
They are gazing at him…
Smiling at him…
If only… if only…
"No… don't!!!"
With a heart-wrenching cry, Ezreal broke free from Freya's embrace and dashed towards the cold figure on the terrace.
The golden strands of his hair caught the faint warmth of sunlight against the backdrop of the chilling night, and as tears streamed down his cheeks, the boy reached out desperately towards the seemingly close yet distant figure, as if to avert the impending tragedy…
Yet…
(Go on! Human boy! Activate it!! Human boy!! Hahaha…)
(Murdering one or two is a crime, but slaughtering tens of thousands becomes merely a number, hahaha… Human boy! Activate it!!! Roar!!! Rage!!! Let us bury life together!! Hahaha…)
Amidst the demon's maniacal laughter, Xiao Mu Yu raised his right hand to its zenith, then swung it forward with force!
Endless energy surged violently, roaring…
In that moment…
The entire world fell silent.
No clamor, no sound.
The cold wind ceased, and the snow halted.
Within the dark hall, the golden-haired boy cried out desperately, lunging forward…
By the bedside of a patient, a wife dozing beside her slumbering husband opened her eyes groggily. Upon feeling her husband's calm and steady breath, she smiled reassuringly, smoothing the wrinkles of the sheets before settling back down to sleep.
In the refugee tent, a mother who had narrowly escaped the zombie-infested area cradled her daughter, barely a year old, gently rocking her. As her daughter finally succumbed to sleep, a look of relief graced the mother's face…
Within the darkened church, a couple hiding from the zombies embraced tightly, offering warmth and comfort to each other's spirits on this perilous, cold winter night. Under the watchful gaze of the goddess, the young couple made vows of eternity at the altar…
In the year 1998 of the Magical Era, December…
It is winter now.
A winter marked by howling winds and snow-laden mountains.
It is an exceptionally frigid winter night.
So cold that it extinguishes hope and buries sins…
It is now two in the morning, a time when most still drift in dreams, far from the dawn.
The clouds in the sky gradually parted, the storm clouds that had ravaged the southeastern regions finally receding, no longer tormenting this place.
The wind ceased.
The rain stopped.
As the clouds dispersed, the sky, obscured for months, began to reveal its true visage, the brilliant stars showering down gentle light.
At that moment, a light was born.
It seemed to dispel the darkness, banishing unease.
The radiance from the clock tower's highest platform pierced through the deepest shadows, driving away the dark clouds that seemed poised to drop like rain.
It illuminated the city, bestowing the most beautiful and dazzling "light" upon the boy, whose eyes were stained with tears and despair, as well as upon this… City of the Dead.
The true… City of the Dead.
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