Facing Death Alone

Qin Yiguan originally wanted to log off.

As the person who directly harmed Teacher Qing, Fourth Zheng Xuan has now died by his own hand.

Qin Yiguan really wanted to visit Teacher Qing and tell him the news.

Even if Teacher Qing couldn't understand, Qin Yiguan would still speak up immediately, because it was his promise.

As blue code emanated from his body, a thought popped into his mind.

He wanted to die.

He stood there, with the beautiful hillside behind him, gazing northward for a long time.

He still wants to die.

He wanted to go to the far north, find a bottomless abyss, and then jump in to end his life. Living was too painful; every breath of fresh air felt like lava burning his throat. He didn't want to stay in this world.

Although the grass underfoot is full of life, its life is so short and fleeting.

Living a strong life is meaningless; it only means enduring more hardships. Death will come sooner, so why not find relief sooner?

Qin Yiguan's eyes were incredibly gloomy.

He seemed to have lost all emotion, his heart filled with only a deathly stillness.

He began to walk, heading towards the mysterious north.

We passed through grassy mountain valleys, crossed deserted wastelands, and entered a city.

Here, a grand street parade is underway, with the sky filled with virtual projections of the "Smiling Bear," and people dancing and singing in the streets, with cheerful and lively music filling every corner.

But in Qin Yiguan's eyes, all of this was gray and white, and people's smiles were incredibly pale.

--Everyone is going through suffering; living is torture, and their smiles are all fake.

"Young man, today is a happy day, why aren't you smiling!"

An older woman, dressed in a floral dress and with face paint on, danced and, without permission, took Qin Yiguan's hand.

At this moment, Qin Yiguan was utterly despondent, but he managed a forced smile. "Even as I smile, I feel like I'm dying."

The woman in the floral dress seemed to sense the despair and loneliness in the stranger's heart in an instant. Her expression changed, and she could no longer smile. Her eyes became somewhat fearful, and she kept backing away, disappearing into the cheerful crowd in a panic.

The boy continued walking.

I walked through the city, through the wasteland outside the city, passed through another city, and walked through the wasteland again. I walked silently, unable to feel the passage of time. The scenery on both sides no longer mattered; it all turned into a hazy gray expanse. I kept walking and walking, heading north.

I don't know how long I walked, nor how far I walked.

He saw a facility stretching as far as the eye could see on the wasteland ahead.

It resembled an arched tunnel, winding across the ground like a metal centipede lying on the ground.

The boy felt a strong sense of urgency.

This is it. I can finally die here. I will end my life here.

Ahead.

An elderly man, about 60 years old and dressed in a gray Zhongshan suit, stood in front of the tunnel, quietly watching him.

With a deathly stillness in his eyes, Qin Yiguan slowly spoke, "Who are you?"

The elderly man in the grey Zhongshan suit smiled gently. "Who I am is unimportant. I'm waiting for you here to see you off. No one understands that strong thought in your heart better than I do."

And at this very moment.

A gap slowly opened in the tunnel behind the elderly man in the Zhongshan suit.

Inside, however, lay a black abyss, its length immeasurable, but its width a full 200 meters. It was eerie and terrifying, with no bottom in sight. Black and red light surged within it, spreading a chilling aura in all directions.

Staring into this abyss gives one the feeling of staring into a demon.

"Go."

Lu Zun smiled strangely, "Qin Yiguan, this is what you want, this is where you most want to go. Move forward, and you will achieve your wish."

Qin Yiguan looked at Lu Zun and said, "Thank you."

He then lowered his head and came to the edge of the abyss, with one foot already dangling in the air.

Staring into the abyss is an indescribable feeling, sending chills down your spine and making your soul tremble.

The boy suddenly smiled. "I'm finally free."

He spread his arms and jumped into the abyss.

"Hehe."

Lu Zun stood at a distance, a low smile on his face, but he seemed unable to contain his joy, his laughter growing louder and louder, "Hahaha... hahaha!!!"

Rust City No. 03

Inside an unassuming two-story apartment building.

In a pitch-black room.

The boy suddenly gasped for breath and woke up with a start.

He sat up, his eyes wide, and looked around. His voice became clear and crisp, "Where am I? Why is it so dark?"

He pulled back a corner of the curtain, and a ray of sunlight shone into the room, creating a glimmer of light in the darkness.

Normally, Qin Yiguan would be afraid of this faint light, but at this moment, he showed no abnormality, as if he had never suffered from [Gestalt Collapse].

He tiptoed to open the door, crouched down, and hid behind the stair railing, as if afraid of being seen. He didn't dare make a sound as he went down the stairs and looked into the living room on the first floor.

But then they saw Xiao Ning, sitting in a wheelchair, holding some modified energy blocks in her arms, quietly waiting on the first floor.

Beside Xiao Ning was a five or six-year-old girl in a red dress with a ponytail, who was very cute and playful, nestled next to Xiao Ning's wheelchair.

The little girl was named Xiao Ya, and she was Qin Yiguan's neighbor. Whenever Qin Yiguan went to the Central District to "borrow" fruit, he would always share it with Xiao Ya and the other little Castoffs in the neighborhood.

Who are you?

Qin Yiguan was huddled up on the stairs, wishing he could shrink himself into the gap between the stairs. His eyes were filled with terror, and there were even tears glistening in them.

"Elder brother?"

Xiao Ning turned her head. She couldn't see, so she could only sense things in the darkness, and she asked in confusion.

Xiao Ya waved excitedly, "Brother Yiguan, we've brought you food!"

Qin Yiguan remained silent, shrinking back even further; he didn't recognize these two people.

Xiao Ya tilted her head, "Brother Yiguan, what's wrong?"

Xiao Ning frowned. She 'saw' that the person squatting on the stairs was not Qin Yiguan, but a little boy who looked to be about five years old.

Xiao Ning suddenly paused, her arm groping, and she grabbed the Xiao Ya who was about to rush out to play with Qin Yiguan.

"I am not Qin Yiguan... who are you?"

The boy on the stairs spoke fearfully.

"Xiao Ya, try not to move, or you'll scare him."

Xiao Ning whispered, "That's not Brother Yiguan, his name is Child, he's five years old... He's been 'five years old' all these years, he's one of Brother Yiguan's personalities, he has autism."

"Huh?"

The Xiao Ya asked in confusion, "How can Brother Yiguan be Child? He's an adult!"

But the next moment...

Suddenly, the Xiao Ya remembered something, her face showing a hint of fear. "Sister Xiao Ning, what day of the week is it today?"

Xiao Ning whispered, "Wednesday."

Xiao Ya suddenly covered her mouth, "Daddy said we can't be friends with Brother Yiguan on Wednesdays!"

And at this very moment.

The ' Qin Yiguan ' on the stairs seemed to have mustered immense courage, pointing at the energy block in Xiao Ning's hand and asking, "Is there... is there any candy in there?"

Xiao Ning slowly exhaled, "Yes."

Immediately, Xiao Ning turned her wheelchair, came to the edge of the stairs, and handed the energy block in her hand forward.

Qin Yiguan looked fearful. He reached out with lightning speed, grabbed the energy block package, then turned his back and paused for a moment to make sure no one would come forward to interfere before unpacking the package and taking bites of the energy block. Only when he was eating candy did his expression relax, unlike before when he was like a taut bowstring.

Xiao Ning sat in her wheelchair, her eyes closed, carefully sensing the sensations, her brow furrowed.

"It shouldn't be like this..."

"Brother Yiguan's 'split personality' hasn't appeared for a long time."

"He even said that the disease had been cured."

Why did the Child suddenly take over the body?

Where did his primary personality go?