Chương 159: Release the Anger, Release Everything
Baibai carefully examined the soul of a slave, uncovering hidden mechanisms within the frenzy. If evil thoughts represent original sin, then this frenzy embodies the power of that sin when indulged. These tortured souls are incredibly compatible with madness, much like a spring under immense pressure—the greater the strain, the more powerful the rebound.
Madness thrives on the suppression of the soul's numbness, bursting forth with even greater intensity. It longs to release its repression, its anger, and everything it has been forced to contain.
The frantic creature on the operating table, with its enormous limbs, slowly transformed. Its body shrank, ultimately taking on the form of the slave, mirroring not only the physical appearance but also the demeanor, breath, and despair of those around it.
A heavy silence enveloped Baibai as he looked at the lifeless slave on the ground and then back at the frenzied creature. A peculiar sensation washed over him—a deep-seated depression laced with a sense of impending danger. He felt the creature's properties fluctuate, like a balloon at the brink of bursting.
After a moment of contemplation, Baibai glanced at the nefarious figures outside the window. Doubt crept in as he considered whether to create twelve of these volatile beings. He sensed that, in a one-on-one confrontation, this creature might rival his dark side. In terms of raw power, it could surpass his frenzy.
The thought of twelve frenzied beings felt like carrying multiple ticking bombs—potentially deadly if mishandled. Yet, excitement sparked within him. "Come down, go to the corner," he commanded.
However, the frenzied creature merely stared blankly, mirroring the slave's previous numbness. It complied, moving to the corner, squatting down, and holding its head without a hint of movement.
Without hesitation, Baibai initiated the process to create more of these living bombs. This time, he recognized the potential for ultimate transformation. Although these creatures might not distinguish between friend and foe, who would be the wiser if he kept their nature a secret?
A human nuclear bomb—this was the true weapon of war he had envisioned. He could even experiment with conditions like severe depression or Stockholm syndrome, transforming them into something more formidable than he had originally imagined.
Baiyi was captivated by this transformation, though his approach diverged from that of Marku. In his view, any controllability should be sacrificed for the sake of creating a one-time weapon. He accepted the imperfection, shaping it into a bomb.
Meanwhile, outside Night Town, the number of Dawn Team members had swelled to nearly a hundred. The arrival of twenty Dawn Teams was the kingdom's limit, as many favored stronger realms. After a week of waiting, impatience grew palpable among the members.
Charles observed Lilia, who remained close to Taylor, and decided it was time to act. He stood up, a smile on his face, and channeled magic to confine his voice to the area.
"We're close to our target number. This rule zone is perilous; some entities may disregard the rules entirely. Exercise caution," he warned.
"Everyone has secrets. Do not let others discover yours. If you uncover someone else's secret, eliminate them immediately or distance yourself."
He reiterated the established rules, then turned to Lilia. "Remember this. A new rule will refresh daily in this town. Before we set off, we need someone to explore these new rules. Who will volunteer?"
As soon as he finished speaking, several stepped forward, and three of the strongest figures vanished in an instant. They were stealth-oriented members, perfectly suited for the task.
Charles remained calm while the others suppressed their anxiety. In this rule area, even those born to defy authority could not truly disregard the rules.
On the day of the White Plague, the rule had been clear: no communication. While isolated groups could manage, conversing with any other beings would trigger dire consequences. The indigenous inhabitants would face annihilation, marked by the rules, summoning monsters far too formidable to resist.
Time dragged on, and unease began to ripple through the ranks. The captains of the three teams began to pace, increasingly concerned about the lack of information.
Just then, a commotion erupted among one of the teams. "I've found the rules! You can't look someone in the eye for more than three seconds!" a young man exclaimed, relief evident in his voice.
The tension eased as others began to relax. Knowing the rules made the situation far less deadly.
"Then what are we waiting for? We need to act swiftly. If we clear this rule area, we can address others more quickly," another urged.
"Let's go. This place isn't as fearsome as described," chimed in another.
"Let's wait a bit longer. What if the rule is aimed at us?" a cautious voice interjected.
"Targeting? Are you suggesting our secrets might be exempt from the rules?"
Discussions ensued, revealing the differing strategies of various teams—some conservative, others aggressive. Charles listened without interruption, allowing them to reach a consensus.
Eventually, they agreed that dispersing according to their team characteristics was the best approach. After all, the rule that mandated they could not refuse requests played into their strategy perfectly.
As time passed, one team froze in shock. The member responsible for communications burst with excitement, declaring that their presumed-dead teammate had sent a message.
The newfound information invigorated the Dawn Team members. If they could survive an hour, it would give them ample time to reclaim control.
However, the last team still awaited news. Just as doubt began to creep in, another message arrived, reporting safety but indicating they still needed to wait for the rules.
The leaders remained skeptical as they discussed the situation. Charles, who had been listening with his eyes closed, suddenly opened them, addressing the crowd with urgency.
"The rules remain unclear, and your teammates are likely dead," he stated firmly.
His declaration sparked confusion, but some members quickly pieced together the implications.
"Are you suggesting the messages were fabricated?" a young man questioned.
"That's impossible!" the first team leader retorted, claiming their communication code was secure.
Charles sighed, acknowledging their expertise. "But the situation has changed. Someone within can bend the rules while still being recognized by them. If you don't believe me, let your three teammates come out and prove it."
The three captains exchanged uneasy glances as their liaison officers began attempting contact.
As the conversation unfolded, their expressions shifted from confusion to concern. Although their teammates responded fluently, they were subtly urging the teams to enter.
The realization hit hard, and a sense of dread filled the air. The rule area was more terrifying than they had anticipated.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the liaison officers finally ceased contact, recognizing the futility of their efforts. The other party had stopped pretending.
"If this were a normal rule zone, I wouldn't have summoned you here," Charles said gravely. "We must formulate a strategy for Night Town, and I need your cooperation. I've been here for half a month, and no one knows it better than I do. How do you feel about that?"
The members of the Dawn Team exchanged glances, awaiting their captains' decision. Silence enveloped them.
Lilia regarded Charles with intensity. Bai Yi had warned her about him, but now, she was relieved to have remained with the Dawn Team. Yet, she worried for her teammate hidden within the mayor's residence, fearing for their safety if Charles's words held truth.
Finally, Taylor broke the silence. "We're willing to listen, but we need to understand your reasoning behind your plans."
Charles nodded, a smile returning. "Of course. My goal is revenge for my fallen comrades. I won't let you die."
Seeing no further objections, he continued, "For now, we must wait until midnight. It's evening, and if the rules refresh while we're inside, we'll face complications. Let's conserve our energy."
Suddenly, a powerful figure emerged, his expression cold and aura menacing. "You're using my teammates as scouts?"
The other captains echoed his concerns, their eyes narrowing at Charles.
He sighed. "This is a necessary procedure. You would do the same if roles were reversed. I haven't hidden anything from you."
The tension in the air lessened slightly as the captains paused to consider.
Charles then added, "After midnight, I will be the first to enter and assess the rules. Instead of bickering, let's focus on the dangers I've mentioned."
With that, the unease dissipated, and the conflict was swiftly resolved.
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