Another Future (Part 1)

The office, the corpse, and Hannibal had all vanished.

Guk found himself surrounded by mirrors—mirrors reflecting his image.

"What the hell?"

Guk cautiously moved forward, mechanical claw raised and warhammer clenched tight, until he reached the end of the side hall and opened a glass door.

There was a room inside. He stepped in.

"Huh?"

This was unmistakably his old den in Blackstone Fort. Golden sunlight cut into the room, coating the cave's furnishings in a pale gold sheen and creating a warm, hazy atmosphere.

Guk cautiously edged forward when a shrill cry rang out.

"Boss!"

It was a Snotling. Guk could barely remember its name—something like Jiang... Grass Rope? Or Grass Sandal?

"What is it?"

"The roast meat's almost ready."

Another gentle voice spoke. It was Liya.

"Mm-hm."

Guk replied, suddenly feeling stiff all over and unbearably exhausted.

He had not been in such terrible shape for a very long time.

He slowly walked to the chiseled window and yanked down the leather covering it, allowing golden light to pour in.

Looking out the window, he saw an utterly breathtaking sight.

The brilliant sun was rising over the horizon, staring at Guk like an eye.

The overlord looked down over the vast desert. Beyond the terminator, he could see the night side, where countless campfires glittered in the darkness like stars.

"Why am I..."

Guk's gaze refocused, and he suddenly saw his bright reflection in a polished metal shield nearby.

But he also noticed that the shield reflected another figure, standing directly behind him.

That figure had exactly the same outline as his own, but its skin was blood-red.

"How are you here?"

Guk spun around.

"I have always been here."

The scarlet Guk stared at him and answered in a low voice.

"Boss? Boss?"

Just then, the doors