What Retainers Are

The Shadow World.

"Uh... is it dangerous?"

After mentally recalling his past experiences, Bai Zhi's expression became slightly strange.

He had seen both [Doll Princess] and [Lord of Flesh and Blood] in Anna's memory Void, but to be honest, he didn't really have any real feeling about these two things. At most, he felt a little regretful about the destroyed world... and he also really wanted to eat takoyaki.

Finally, after much difficulty, we were able to see what the so-called "[Lord of Flesh and Blood]" was really like. The way he made his entrance was so cool. Not only did those who prayed for his true name have to watch over him, but countless stars in the night sky gathered to form an eye pattern. His entire entrance was incredibly impressive.

Then, a few seconds later, they turned around and ran away.

This is like a gang leader with tattoos all over his face and neck, carrying a large machete, leading hundreds of henchmen behind him, each armed with steel bars, machetes Watermelon Knife, and other weapons, marching through the streets with an imposing aura.

Then one day, a fully armed gang leader led his men to fight. After rampaging through the area and causing widespread suffering, they finally arrived at the agreed-upon location. He glanced at his opponent, his expression changed drastically, and he turned and ran, even losing a shoe in the process... His dignity was completely shattered in an instant.

Although Bai Zhi admitted that the terrifying Monster Gestation from the remains of a world was indeed very powerful, having witnessed its hasty retreat, he really didn't feel any sense of reality about it.

... Do I really look that scary?

The reason he wanted to use that Nostalgic Postcard to write to the other person was to ask why they ran away whenever they saw him, in order to answer a question that had been bothering him.

Unfortunately, the postcard didn't have a reply function, so he had no choice but to give up. Although he was curious about the possible secrets within himself, he had no intention of bringing a Terrifying Existence into this world.

"Yes, it's quite dangerous."

Qingyi nodded very seriously.

"Humans are absolutely incapable of fighting against that kind of thing, unless they surpass humanity... I'm a little worried about you."

"... ha?"

"Back in the [Noah's Ark] that appeared in this world, you must have already vaguely guessed what those Anomaly were yearning for, right?"

As she spoke, Qingyi's expression grew increasingly serious.

"[Origin Coin], or [Source], is the most crucial factor in everything, the core of a world. [Noah's Ark] represents the ultimate origin of that world."

"Everyone possesses something called [Source], but Player have far more [Source] than common, and the Anomaly crave this [Source]... So is this the main reason why Player are more attractive to Anomaly?"

After a moment's thought, Bai Zhi raised an eyebrow with interest.

"The operation of [Noah's Ark] probably also requires the support of [Source], so it will charge a certain amount of Origin Coin to everyone who goes to the hotel to take refuge or stay. This is a mutually beneficial thing for the world itself... What exactly is [Source]?"

"I don't know. I can't even get to that level. Only Manager who has completely mastered [Noah's Ark] might know something. But one thing I'm sure of is that the amount of [Origin Coin] in each person's body doesn't actually represent strength, but rather value."

She reached out and tugged at Bai Zhi's sleeve, Qingyi quite worried.

"There are two possibilities when that kind of device explodes: one is that the amount of [Origin Coin] in the user's body is too much, exceeding the limit, making it priceless; the other is that the user has no [Origin Coin] at all, making it a top-tier Anomaly."

"Uh... so I am..."

After hearing Qingyi's words, Bai Zhi's expression became slightly strange.

"Both of these two options seem exceptionally bad, and you might be the third."

Qingyi looked worried.

"Anna is Retainer of the [Doll Princess], possessing a portion of that Terrifying Existence's authority. Your situation is the same as Anna's, or perhaps even worse, because you may simultaneously be Retainer of both the [Lord of Flesh and Blood] and the [Doll Princess], which caused the device to shatter. And in that case..."

"Why couldn't it be another option?"

Having finally figured out why the White-haired loli in front of him was nervous, Bai Zhi rolled his eyes inwardly and chuckled slightly as he reached out to pat her head.

"For example, I might be a one-in-a- Chosen One, belonging to the highest value category, or perhaps I am actually the most outstanding of the Anomaly, which is why..."

"There's absolutely no way that Anomaly tales could be recognized by the [World Contract] and [Noah's Ark]."

She looked up at him and spoke Qingyi.

Similarly, Anomaly can never become Player and gain the system's recognition.

"Hmm... if that's the case, then it seems I am the Chosen One."

Bai Zhi withdrew his hand from the other person's head and nodded very seriously.

"The amount of [Origin Coin] within me is unimaginable. Even if I lose 100 million yuan per minute, it would take 750 years to lose 1%. Because I am the Chosen One, [Noah's Ark] automatically recognizes me as its master. Because I am the Chosen One, I have also gained the recognition of [World Contract]."

"Can you please listen to me properly...?"

The White-haired loli's words carried a hint of helplessness.

"Being merely watched is somewhat better, but if you become Retainer of that Terrifying Existence's kin, it means that everything about you is in their hands. There's really no worse option than that. Do you understand the gravity of the situation?"

"Wait, Anna is like that too?"

Suddenly remembering something, Bai Zhi frowned slightly.

"Yes, that's right, this is something I've been wanting to tell you alone."

A white-haired loli sighed.

"I've heard Anna talk about those things, and to be honest, her situation is far worse than I imagined. Even when she was just a few years old, she formed a connection with that so-called [Doll Princess] in her dreams, and somehow became her Retainer ..."

What happens after you become Retainer of that thing?

Bai Zhi frowned.

"What else could that mean? Once you become Retainer of that Terrifying Existence, everything about you—your body, your Soul, and even your will—is already under its control."

She spoke Qingyi, her voice low and gentle.

"Strictly speaking, 'Retainer' isn't a good term. My Big Brother's message explained this situation in detail... It's best not to reveal Anna's situation to anyone. If the news that Anna is [Doll Princess]'s' Retainer gets out, all the Player will come to kill Anna, especially the 'Night Watcher' organization you mentioned."

"Because the existence of Retainer is essentially like a coordinate system."