Returner

Chapter 27: Returner

Chen Li, accepted into the prison containment, was already Han Dong's permanent assistant.

Giving this opportunity for fate enhancement to Chen Li was, in essence, indirectly strengthening the prison and boosting Han Dong's overall power.

After all, Chen Li was within the Brain Prison, always available at a moment's notice and inseparable from him.

Chen Li held the exquisite Holy Grail in her hands, looking somewhat perplexed.

However, due to their unique relationship, she didn't doubt Han Dong… To a certain extent, Han Dong was her master.

Gulp, gulp!

The fluid in the Holy Grail took immediate effect upon being consumed.

A potent aura of malevolent resentment seeped from Chen Li's pores… even her black hair, influenced by this sinister energy, floated in the air.

Dark, shadowy veins spread across Chen Li's arms, her bones creaking.

After a few minutes.

When Chen Li opened her eyes again, the ferocity radiating from them was far stronger than before.

"Evil Refining successful. Contained Object [Possessed Chen Li]'s combat rating has been upgraded to: D-"

"Chen Li, you've gotten stronger!!"

"Mhm… Thank you."

Chen Li felt the changes in her body, her emotions stirred. She wanted to step forward and hug Han Dong… but hesitated, stopping herself for some reason.

"You're welcome. I'll need your help in many ways in the future. For now, that's all. When I return to that world, I'll find a way to get you some food, and occasionally let you out to move around."

"Okay."

Their relationship wasn't exactly close, and Han Dong was also the type who didn't quite understand 'socializing'… As their collaboration concluded, they were both unsure of what to say.

With this, the beginner-level fate event concluded.

Buzz! (Ringing in his ears)

When Han Dong opened his eyes again, he found himself in the familiar Festival Plaza.

However, compared to the scene of thousands gathered just a few days prior, only Han Dong had emerged at this moment.

Due to the different time limits for each event, various 'Returners' would appear at different times.

"Returner! A new Returner..."

The plaza was off-limits.

The surrounding ordinary residents could only vaguely see Han Dong in the center of the plaza.

Before they could even get a clear look at Han Dong's face, a soft leather mask was placed over his head, concealing his features.

"Mount up!"

Han Dong looked up, and the one who had placed the mask on him was none other than a member of the Black Rose Knights.

However, Han Dong's slender frame made it impossible for him to climb onto a horse that was the same height as him. He tried to hoist himself up onto the horse's back several times, but his feet never even left the ground.

The knight, though wearing a mask, was clearly growing impatient. He grabbed Han Dong by the collar of his linen shirt and easily lifted him onto the horse's back. The semi-modified metal hooves of the horse galloped swiftly, heading deeper into the Holy City.

Wherever the black and gold horse passed, pedestrians on the road would lower their heads slightly, gazing at the knight with admiration… and casting envious glances at Han Dong.

They all knew that the young man being escorted by the knight was precisely a 'Returner' who had successfully emerged alive from the Destiny Space this time.

"Leaving the residential area?"

As the horse crossed an inner city canal and a checkpoint, they arrived at an empty, deserted wide street.

This was vastly different from the narrow, dirty paths in the commoner districts.

The wide streets were constructed from high-quality marble inlaid with cement.

On either side of the road, a kerosene streetlamp stood every fifty meters, its brass pole intricately carved with various patterns.

To the right of the road was an inner city canal, nearly a hundred meters wide. Several steam-powered ships were navigating the river, mostly responsible for cargo transport, with giant emblems symbolizing their affiliated 'units' emblazoned on their hulls.

To the left of the road stood a dark stone wall, approximately eight meters high.

Han Dong vaguely saw transparent, colorful patterns occasionally appearing on the stone wall's surface, making it seem as if it couldn't be easily approached.

The length of the stone wall was comparable to the street; as far as the eye could see, its end was nowhere in sight.

Han Dong didn't inquire about his destination, as the outcome wouldn't change regardless of his questions. He simply needed to follow the knight to the end.

Suddenly.

The black horse stopped.

The knight grabbed Han Dong, dismounted together, and stood before the stone wall.

As the knight reached out and touched the stone wall in front of him, an unbelievable sight unfolded… Where his palm made contact, the stone wall transformed into an iron gate, leading to an unknown interior.

The knight's gaze, cast through his goggles, signaled Han Dong to hurry inside.

There was no turning back, nor any choice.

He walked for about three thousand meters in the pitch-black passage. For Han Dong, who had spent seven years searching for corpses in his cellular form, this was nothing.

He pushed open a similar iron gate at the end.

He stepped into a spacious, warm room.

The fireplace flames dispelled the chill from Han Dong's body. Various metal decorations adorned the walls, and opposite them was a long black wooden table with brass metal trim.

Inside, three 'elders,' differing in appearance and attire, were seated.

Each appraised the sickly young man with a different gaze.

One of them was a knight, but unlike the Black Rose Knights, he wore a suit of bright white, lightweight armor.

Without a mask, his handsome Caucasian face and flowing golden shoulder-length hair gave Han Dong the first impression of a quintessential Templar Knight.

This handsome knight was the youngest of the three, but by appearance, he seemed no older than forty.

Seated in the middle of the three was a red-robed mage holding a metal staff.

However, his build was even more imposing than the knight beside him. The well-defined muscles beneath the robe, coupled with a thick beard, made him look like a barbarian who had chosen strength in a game but mistakenly picked the mage talent.

Han Dong estimated that this person's physical magic might be even more potent than elemental magic.

Third was a middle-aged woman dressed in saintly attire. Red stripes ran through the white, a color scheme symbolizing her noble status.

Furthermore, she had clear, water-like light-colored eyes, giving off an approachable and comfortable vibe.

Of the three, this woman seemed the most approachable.

"This is the first time I've seen a 'Returner' with such poor physical condition... but congratulations nonetheless, Valen Nicholas. It's quite impressive to get promoted from the common district."

After his assessment, the bearded mage proactively asked:

"Please describe in detail the Destiny Event you cleared, including its type, difficulty, requirements, and the rewards you ultimately received.

Don't worry about the time; the more detail you provide, the easier it will be for us! You'll also receive the most accurate 'Knight-Errant evaluation'."

"May I ask first... what is this for?"

Han Dong needed to understand his current situation and the other party's objective before giving a 'suitable' answer.

"This is a basic Q&A session for all 'Returners.' After recording your experiences, we will grant you the title of 'Knight-Errant' based on your situation.

You will then proceed to the Royal Knights Academy for specialized training.

Prepare yourself for your next journey into 'Destiny Space'!

Dedicate everything to the survival of humanity!"