Wow! The item-dropping rate is really high!

At last, they welcomed a rare period of calm development.

Without any missions, every day was filled with training—Mech Suit Piloting Training, Psychic Pressure Resistance Training, Psychic Power Training, Physical Reflex Training.

The newly reformed squad, with Bai E and You at its core, brought in Rose and Stone, two artificial warrior friends of Bai E, and one more...Zero.

The first soldier Bai E had rescued from the praying mantis creature during the bug attack on the camp.

A talent specialty in shooting.

Bai E could see his talent for 'Weakness Detection'—a high burst rate ability.

His skills were quite impressive.

Apart from Bai E and Rose who had their own training schedules, the other two rookies were undergoing all the expedited special training needed for the squad under You's leadership.

After all, these good days of training wouldn't last long, and a mission could arrive at any time.

Not to mention whether missions could be refused, even if they could be, Bai E didn't want to refuse them.

Battle, that was what excited him now.

As he survived longer in this world, combat had become an indispensable part of Bai E's life.

And just as the evening ended with physical training, Bai E saw a bright trajectory line rising into the sky in the distance.

A signal flare!

From the direction of Black Street!

What happened?

Bai E didn't hesitate, grabbing his equipment and heading straight out of the military camp.

...

More and more figures were gathering above Black Street.

The will to betray spread at the level of souls, causing all affected residents to gravitate towards this place involuntarily.

Perhaps their minds harbored similar thoughts, or perhaps not.

But the force of will from higher dimensions made them gather here uncontrollably, like moths to a flame.

Blondie stood with one foot on Kuang Xin, who was trying to struggle beneath him, leaning over to look into the eyes of Gilder, who had knelt down because his legs could no longer bear the weight, "Where's that big shot behind you? Why hasn't he shown up? Is he scared? He better not be scared."

Gilder tried to puff out his chest, as if to maintain the dignity of an adult.

His old lips quivered slightly as he gritted his teeth and said, "If you turn back now, the boss might still spare you."

"Smack!"

Gilder's gaunt face instantly reddened.

"Ptooey!" Blondie spat disdainfully onto his face, "Spare me? Do I need him to spare me?"

He then turned to look at the figures watching from not too far away.

For a moment, he saw shimmering souls flickering before his eyes.

Souls... so many souls...

His mouth was practically watering.

Join me! Join us!

"Come! Offer your betrayal to our lord as evidence!"

Blondie forcefully stamped on the back of Kuang Xin, who was still struggling, and casually whipped Gong Yan, who was beside him with his whip.

"Smack!"

He raised his left hand high, his voice filled with frenzy, "We are born of chaos, we are untamed souls! Nothing can bind us! Betray everything, embrace freedom!"

"Buzz!" A thick grey mist condensed in Gu Lan's eyes, burning with psychic energy that seemed to ignite his entire body.

However...

"Boom!"

An unworldly force crashed down like a thousand-pound boulder.

Several subordinates, their eyes flickering with a purple glow, looked at Gu Lan, who lay submissive on the ground, with an evil smile on their faces.

"See? See?" Blondie sneered, "Betray! After betrayal, you will have everything! The world will be at your feet! Come! Tell me, what do you want?"

What do you want? What do you want?

'You can live any life you wish, attain everything your heart desires.'

The infinity of formlessness towered within the heart, the warm whispers enveloped the ear, and the stray dog lowered its head, calm in expression.

The soul, captured by the demon, had lost the will to struggle.

Betrayal... Can everything be obtained after betrayal?

In the blank expanse of my mind, there appeared the land, the waterwheel, the work of the past few days, and that girl from the guard.

What is it that I want?

Are these the things I want?

No! No, they are not!

"Do you have a dream?"

That girl had asked me once.

"Go and set a dream for yourself!"

A dream?

What is a dream?

I don't know.

No one ever taught me this word.

I am a stray dog, a nameless stray dog.

Ever since I can remember, that's what everyone has called me.

I can't speak grandiose phrases; the words of adults are incomprehensible to me.

I also don't know how to think, for no one has taught me how.

But at this moment...

You ask me what I want?

What do I want?

In my heart.

In my soul.

If the mighty lord knew everything, if he could see through my barren soul, then please look at my heart!

I have never sold my soul to anyone, you are the only one to bear witness to it!

It is entirely mine, a soul that belongs wholly to a human!

It is definitely not something dark like what's happening before me!

Go to hell! I don't know anything at this moment!

What do I want?

How the hell would I know what I want?!
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Aside from what that lord once said—

"I want everyone in this world to be happy, joyful, free!"

The stray dog, with eyes closed, yelled like mad.

Announcing his heart's intent to the world.

Far away, across numerous buildings, Bai E, who was closing his eyes listening to something, relaxed his arms slightly, and finally lowered his bow-carrying arms.

Franca's aura of spiritual energy paused briefly, her gaze turning to the stray dog in surprise, as the partly drawn longsword halted mid-motion.

She could feel it, the devil's aura, had diminished a bit...

Swaying figures, as if enlightened, began to emerge from the shadows of each corner.

Coming out to greet this sunshine, to join this radiance.

"I want everyone in this world to be happy, joyful, free!"

"Everyone should realize their self-worth in coming into this world!"

"Everyone should fulfill their dreams!"

Life is a pilgrimage accumulating suffering, but the unforgettable journey always shines as brightly as the stars.

No matter how many times we face separation and sorrow, we will always rejoice in the joy of reunions.

"The world isn't perfect, but it is certainly not bad."

The stray dog "saw" the figure seated cross-legged on the stump at the center, surrounded by everyone.

He sat there without any pretense, like any ordinary person taking a break from work, a slight smile on his face, speaking calmly as if chatting with friends, quietly addressing everyone.

"So you see... in our lives, we might encounter many things that bring us sorrow, even more darkness, but don't be sad, don't hesitate, don't wander. When the possibly once-in-a-lifetime choice presents itself before your eyes, follow the guidance of your hearts."

"Shout out your dreams loud and clear! That golden dream, I will help you achieve it!"