Beast Tide

After a moment of consideration, I came up with an answer.

"Xiao Ye, what's wrong? You suddenly closed your eyes and aren't speaking... Huh!?"

Si Nan Ying's words cut off abruptly because I suddenly leaned forward and took her hand.

"Let me be with you."

I said this with the most resolute tone I'd ever used.

"Huh, huh, huh, huh, huh, huh, huh, huh!!??"

Si Nan Ying was completely flustered. Even in the moonlight, it was clear her face had turned red.

"Being with you, are you proposing!?"

"Proposing to your sister!" I slapped her hand, and Si Nan Ying let out a muffled groan, rubbing her head. Seeing her return to her silly, cute form, I felt both annoyed and amused.

"After the barbecue festival, you'll be returning to the Imperial Capital, right? What I mean is, I've decided to go to the Imperial Capital with you."

"A little bunny like you, facing those wolf-like elder brothers after returning, would probably be gobbled up in an instant. Wouldn't it be better to have a companion?" I added.

Si Nan Ying probably blinked over a dozen times before understanding my meaning. She frantically shook her head, repeatedly saying, "No, no! You have no idea how dangerous the struggles there will be! I don't want you to die because of me!"

"Unfortunately, I've already decided. Anyway, I have things to do in the Imperial Capital, so accompanying you is no big deal, right? Besides, even though you say no, you're secretly very happy, aren't you~"

"Ah, yes... No, no, I'm really worried about you!"

...Such an easy-to-read person.

So I stopped talking and just looked at her quietly. After a long while, she finally realized I wouldn't change my mind and gave up trying to persuade me.

"But you have to promise me three things before I can truly allow it, okay?"

"Just name your conditions."

"Alright, then," she straightened her posture, her expression becoming extremely serious, "I want you to swear to me: First, always prioritize your own safety; Second, don't force yourself to do things you can't do; Third, if I truly become a victim of the struggle, don't grieve for me, forget me as soon as possible! Now, swear!"

Her serious demeanor made me sweat profusely. If this were a galgame, you'd already be setting a massive death flag, hey! If I swear, won't I also be setting a flag?

But there was no other way. I could only clench my fist and swear as she said.

"I, Liu Ye, hereby swear: First, I will always prioritize my own safety; Second, I will not force myself to do things I cannot do; Third, if you truly become a victim of the struggle, I will not grieve for you and will forget you as soon as possible. Is that okay?"

"I don't feel much sincerity... Oh well, let's leave it at that. After all, it's you."

What do you mean, "After all, it's me"... Whatever. Seeing her finally smiling again, I couldn't help but feel relieved.

After our talk tonight, our relationship took another step forward.

On the northern edge of Winter Arrival City, atop a tall building--

"This is the worst! Everyone else is celebrating the festival, and we have to patrol!" Guard A complained discontentedly.

"Who told us to investigate that big incident last time? Just accept it!" Guard B said dismissively.

"But didn't they already set up a surveillance network covering the entire city? What use are we then?"

"Captain Si Nan Yuan says it's better to be safe than sorry."

"Tch..."

"Huh? What's that?" Guard B suddenly shouted.

"Where? I don't see anything?" Guard A immediately looked into the city but saw no abnormalities.

"Not in the city, but outside!"

"Outside!?"

Following Guard B's pointed direction, in the distant darkness, towards the Winter临 Mountains, small red dots appeared, and a rumbling vibration could faintly be heard, as if countless beasts were running across the ground.

"God... Those, those are--"

Before the words "Demonic Beasts" could be spoken, a gust of wind pressure came from above, and several strange birds descended from the sky, instantly tearing the heads off the two guards.

"What? A Beast Tide!?"

Even Si Nan Yuan, usually so calm, couldn't help but cry out in shock.

"That's right, there are thousands of Demonic Beasts in total! The first few tribesmen who discovered them have lost contact. It's estimated the Beast Tide will pass the city outskirts in a few minutes, causing massive casualties!"

"Damn it!"

Si Nan Yuan stomped her foot in anger. Such a Beast Tide rarely happens, perhaps once every few hundred years. Why did they have to run into it this time? It's obvious those mysterious opponents are behind this! She had only focused on the city's internal security, never expecting danger to come from outside!

Completely outplayed!

"Xiao Mo, go contact Elder Hong; Shi Yu, Liu Su, you go gather everyone in the family with combat ability; A Fei, Zhang Hu, you are responsible for the city government; everyone else, go evacuate the citizens, as quickly as possible!"

"""Yes!"""

"Captain, what about you?"

"I'm going to contact the young lady!"

In the city center, everyone had gathered, enjoying the festival's beauty with the highest enthusiasm.

Suddenly--

"Woooo-----wooo------wooo--------"

The piercing alarm shattered the night sky, stinging everyone's eardrums. The people who had been singing and dancing moments before fell silent as if doused with a bucket of cold water.

The people stopped, looking at each other, confused about what was happening.

Then, the spirit light display board, which had been flashing with ornate patterns, turned a blinding red, displaying the words "Warning--Warning--". Not just the display board, but the streetlights, the lanterns, all turned an ominous crimson!

At some point, the alarm stopped, replaced by a woman's voice.

"Attention all citizens! Attention all citizens! A massive Beast Tide is currently approaching the city center. Please seek shelter in buildings under the guidance of professionals! Repeat, a massive Beast Tide is currently approaching the city center. Please seek shelter in buildings under the guidance of professionals!"

"Everyone, please come this way, act in an orderly fashion, don't panic!" Several members of the Si Nan Family appeared in the plaza and began to guide people. Many began to evacuate, but most were still unsure of the situation.

"Beast Tide? You mean the legendary one?" "You must be kidding! How could something like that just show up?" "I haven't finished my barbecue yet." "Are there really shelters around here?" "Isn't this some kind of official April Fools' event!"……The people began to chatter, all looking incredulous. The family members anxiously shouted, urging people to evacuate, but with little effect.

"Listen, what's that sound?" someone said. A rumbling sound could be faintly heard in the distance, and even the ground began to tremble slightly.

"Quick, look at that!"

Suddenly, someone pointed to the sky. Everyone looked up and saw, illuminated by the vast red light, several enormous shadows appearing in the sky. The giant shadows swooped down – they were several monstrous birds, each twenty meters long!

The people who had been incredulous moments before fell into complete silence, and then—

""""""Ahhhhhh------!!!!!""""""

Accompanied by deafening screams, the night of revelry reached its climax.