Chapter 608

He was a man I could never have.

He was simply too outstanding. Moreover, when dealing with powerful entities like companies, Lin Yu was not only able to remain neither humble nor arrogant, but he could also persuade the other party to abandon their original interests and instead prepare to offer Lin Yu a great gift after just a few words.

Okay, maybe those few words were a bit too casual.

As Supreme Guardian embarking on the path of preservation, Bronya was certainly aware of the names of the two star gods, Order and Harmony.

Not every piece of information about Star God and his forces is of sufficient value.

However, judging from the subsequent reactions of the employees of the company called Topaz, Lin Yu's sacrifice this time... was truly enormous.

"I'm sorry, it's all because of our incompetence that Mr. Lin Yu has to pay such a high price."

"Oh, about that, I think you'd better not put too much pressure on yourself."

Hearing Bronya's guilty words, Lin Yu chuckled and said.

"This isn't much of a price to pay, after all..."

"Even if the company didn't come today, I would still think about whether to just release this information directly."

"After all, Penacony is our train crew's next destination. If something goes wrong there and no one can clean it up, I'll be the one who suffers in the end."

"I was just acting in my own interest. Helping you was just a favor. Even if you want to thank me, you don't need to put too much pressure on yourself."

[Acting solely for their own benefit—this statement is undoubtedly sincere and true.]

But you know very well—the more nonchalant you are in this regard, the more easily she will feel guilty.

The more easily she falls into guilt, the easier it is for you to succeed—oh, well, you've already succeeded, now it's just a matter of when you're ready to eat.

Can I say that I really didn't mean to say these things?

This system has accepted the message.

But what matters most to a person is not what they think, but what they do.

[You didn't actually have this thought, but you unconsciously uttered words that were enough to win over a young girl. In the eyes of others and this system, your explanation at this moment—is actually quite weak.]

[And if you didn't do it on purpose, that's even scarier. It means that subconsciously, you've been trying to steer your actions in a way that's 'good for picking up girls'—wow, you're even more desperate than this system imagined.]

Come on, I was just trying to use their strength against them.

In the original story, the company was unaware that a big news event was going to take place on Sunday. Although sending Sandstone and Dr. Ratio was a sign of respecting them, judging from the subsequent results, Sandstone almost messed things up despite going all out.

Now that I've told the company about the chicken wings causing trouble, they'll definitely help us attract Sunday and Dream Master's attention once our Stellaron Hunters arrives.

If the two sides start fighting and even end up brain-splattering, it will be much easier for me to take action.

"... You were actually serious."

[So, you managed to outmaneuver Topaz?]

What are you talking about? The information I gave the company was definitely true.

There was indeed internal strife within the family.

Penacony did indeed have someone betray the harmony.

Indeed, some people intend to bring 'order' to Penacony.

As for what Sunday himself thinks—does that matter?

The information the company receives is not specific enough—is that important?

I haven't wronged the company. If they handle things well this time, they can get their hands on Penacony.

But in the process, I can also gain something.

When everyone benefits from each other, it's called a win-win situation.

Oh, good idea—what about Sunday?

He's probably a good person on a moral level.

But after saying so much nonsense and doing so many ridiculous things, he essentially just hijacked a bunch of people, indulging in self-pity and assuming that everyone else was as dreamy as him.

Reality is indeed full of regrets and pain, but that doesn't mean that illusory dreams are everyone's final destination.

To put it simply, a group of people, trusting in the reputation of their family and friends, went on vacation to Penacony.

Then on Sunday, he shouted, "I'm going to help you," and locked everyone who came on vacation in Dream of One, making decisions for them.

I just went on vacation, and I almost slept through the night—whenever I think about how this person is essentially doing this kind of stupid thing, I think he should just grit his teeth and bear it.

[You seem a bit agitated. What's wrong? Do you really dislike him?]

I dislike what he does more than the people who dislike him.

Don't forget, the fragment you gave me was used by a previous user who made a terrible mistake because of their own selfish desires.

Oh, it really is...

Among the items Lin Yu obtained from the system, the Voidpower Gem Shard has always been one of the items Lin Yu uses most frequently.

What is little known is that the previous owner of this item Minase Yuka, once used the power of the fragments to directly envelop her city in Phantasm Lantern Barrier after learning that the cause of the world's destruction was related to herself, due to jealousy and despair.

Within the Phantasm Lantern Barrier, she successfully rewrote the consciousness of everyone in the city, erasing the memories of her beloved of her other companions, making him constantly gaze at her, and ultimately even using this method to bring her and her beloved together in a loving union.

In the end, however, the man she loved saw through the Phantasm Lantern Barrier and chose the crueler reality.

After that, the girl, moved by the other person, chose to dispel the barrier and return to reality with him.

As for the fact that Minase Yuka eventually disappeared from existence in front of the boy named Gougetsu Kakeru due to overuse of the Phantasm Lantern Barrier, that's another story.

In short, Lin Yu himself definitely rejected Sunday's approach entirely.

Although a direct confrontation could solve the problem, now that the company has practically delivered itself to his doorstep, if he doesn't make good use of such a valuable enforcer, is he even human?

As for saying these things, Lin Yu didn't want to explain them too clearly to Bronya.

One reason is that it's troublesome to explain, and another reason is that knowing many things isn't necessarily a good thing.

Especially now, after communicating with Miss Bronya, Lin Yu is basically certain of one thing.

The girl in front of him was now in the same state that people around him had of Lin Yu ten years ago, before Lin Yu killed Otto.

Whether Lin Yu was telling the truth or lying, doing good or bad... well, it seems he didn't do many bad things back then.

No matter what Lin Yu does, everyone around him will immediately fill in the blanks and imagine the best possible outcome for him, ultimately concluding that it benefits Lin Yu.

Lin Yu knew that no matter how much he explained to someone who had entered this state, it would only have the opposite effect.

For example, right now, whatever he says, Bronya will imagine that "Lin Yu is definitely doing this for my own good" or "Lin Yu is saying this to keep me from feeling too much pressure."

What can he say? He can only say that the lament of a certain guy who lost money is very applicable to the present.

Being misunderstood is the fate of those who express themselves.

Bronya.

At this moment, Lin Yu ignored the previous topic and suddenly asked Bronya a question.

"If you had the chance to meet Cocolia again in your dreams, would you choose to stay in your dreams with your beloved mother, or would you choose to return to reality and continue your current life?"

"I... of course I'll choose the latter option."

After hesitating for only a moment, Bronya immediately spoke to Lin Yu without hesitation.

Even today, despite all the mistakes my mother has made, I still consider her my beloved mother.

"If I had the chance to meet her... that would certainly be a good thing for me."

"But I am Cocolia Rand's daughter, but I am also the Supreme Guardian of Belobog."

"Since I have inherited this title, I must fulfill the obligations that come with it and bear the responsibilities that come with it."

At this moment, the girl, who had previously appeared somewhat frail, suddenly became incredibly resolute in her eyes and demeanor.

"I'm just an ordinary person. I also have people I want to see in my dreams and things I want to achieve."

"But—a dream is just a dream. The reality we live in is the foundation upon which we stand, isn't it?"

After saying that, Bronya looked at Lin Yu, remained silent for two seconds, and then decided to ask the question that was on her mind.

"Mr. Lin Yu, you asked this question..."

"It's nothing, just a casual question."

Yes, just like she said, no matter how beautiful a dream is, it's still a dream; reality is where we should stand.

Perhaps some disabled people can live a better life in that dream.

However, for ordinary people, indulging in daydreams may not be a good thing.

On Sunday, if you don't understand this principle, no matter how hard you dance, you will never succeed.

After all, now...

—It's almost time, chicken wings, I'm coming to beat you up.

However, just as Lin Yu had this thought, he suddenly felt that Bronya's gaze had inexplicably become more intense.

"Um, Miss Bronya?"

"Lin Yu... this time I'll do as you wish and call you that."

Although the girl's power as Pathstrider wasn't particularly strong, Lin Yu actually sensed an unprecedented aura emanating from Bronya at that moment.

"I know you're putting on a nonchalant act so as not to burden me too much."

"Actually, no—can you stop making up so much nonsense?"

Seeing that the girl really was just as he had guessed, and after imagining a whole bunch of scenarios that didn't match reality, Lin Yu took a step back without making a sound.

"And what exactly do you want by suddenly coming over here?"

"You already have the answer in your heart, don't you?"

Without giving Lin Yu a chance to retreat, Bronya suddenly rushed to Lin Yu 'Lin Yu side and hugged him tightly.

"I am very grateful for everything you have done for Belobog, and that is why I felt some strange emotions when I saw you."

"I initially thought this was just another emotion stemming from gratitude, but now..."

"I'd like to say something."

Faced with the girl's embrace, Lin Yu did not struggle, but he also did not hug her back.

"No matter what my motives were, I am still the murderer who drove your mother to her death."

"Are you really not bothered by this at all?"

"... I still mind a little."

"Even so, I am certain that I... Bronya Rand, still love you."

At that moment, the determined-looking girl looked up at Lin Yu, who was staring down at her.

"Moreover, I, who chose to betray my mother and killed her with my own hands, am the culprit who caused Cocolia Rand's death."

"My mother has made an unforgivable mistake, and her death... was already a foregone conclusion."

"No one else has any reason to bear the guilt of killing her; this sin... only I can bear it!"

Listening to the girl's resolute words, you know very well that this is actually when she is most vulnerable.

You would never be absent at a time like this.

[Hehehe, do you think talking to this system right now is the most important thing you should do? — Facing Bronya Rand, who has always maintained a facade in front of others but has completely let her guard down in front of you, you know very well what choice you will make at this moment.]

Yeah, you already know what I did—so what are you babbling about!

[Isn't this just giving you a push? Big Duck is practically offered to you, and you're still thinking 'it's not right to take advantage of someone in distress.' Such a beautiful, voluptuous girl is throwing herself at you, and you don't move? What kind of man are you?!]

You don't need to tell me this!

"Actually, you're being a bit too biased towards me, I..."

"If it's self-deprecating talk, then even if you say it, I won't believe it."

"I'm saying..."

Looking at the girl who had interrupted him, Lin Yu said irritably.

"Aren't you really worried that I and the company will team up to fool you?"

"Yes, I'm not worried."