The moment Huai Shi laughed.
Ivory Tower, old campus—beneath the glorious matrix, behind layers upon layers of lockdowns, a familiar figure slowly emerged and raised his eyes.
The white-haired old man, his hair reaching his waist, wore a black formal suit and handmade leather shoes. His cufflinks and tie were immaculate.
Russell!
"It's not too late to stop now, Woodman."
Russell's phantom flicked away ash, gazing at the opponents before him with a mocking smile. "Otherwise, be careful you don't die without a burial site—"
"You think you can fool me with a mere illusion, Russell?"
Woodman sneered and shook his head, exposing the disguise. "I'm not so incompetent that I'd mistake where you are. You picked the wrong place to play empty fort tricks!"
As he spoke, he waved his hand. The silent Outer Path King stepped forward and threw a punch!
With clean, decisive force, he annihilated the lingering phantom. Then, without holding back, he slammed his fist into the matrix before him, shattering the veins like those of a colossal tree inch by inch. Countless tomes fell from the air, their covers splitting apart.
And Woodman had already reached out and caught one of the books slowly descending from the air. His hands trembled with excitement, and his eyes nearly shone.
But soon, the book in his hands... began to shrink.
Its thickness rapidly diminished.
Until, in the end, it became a battered, damaged book covered in cracks.
Woodman's smile gradually froze.
That was the Essence of Phenomena that had signed a contract with Russell all those years ago...
—"Confessions"!
In that instant, the cover of Confessions slowly opened in Woodman's hands. What poured forth from within was seventy years of grief, rage, and regret.
Enduring pain, irreparable mistakes, unbearable losses, unacceptable outcomes.
An emotion called "confession."