You Are the Abyss, Do Not Fear the Gaze

We fell into the Deep World.

The passage of time here is just a concept, within this short period of time.

Shen Hui, who was born in 1936, has grown from a toddler to an 18-year-old and has officially become an adult.

"369, today we're having your coming-of-age ceremony!"

The farm teacher stood in front of 369, looking at him with a smile.

369 was filled with excitement; under the tutelage here, he knew this was a great day.

"Can I really go see my mother? And can I have a child with her that is my own?"

The teacher gently stroked 369's head. "Of course, you will continue your life with your mother; this is the love she gave you."

"But you need to be a pure person. Are you still having nightmares? If so, that won't do."

369 immediately shook his head, just like a rattle-drum.

"No, teacher, I haven't had nightmares for years. My mother Guardians every night until I fall asleep!"

Teacher: "That's good. Get ready, I'll call you when it's time to go tonight."

369 nodded vigorously, in high spirits, and went to the farm's meadow. He lay down on the ground and looked up at the Laughing Moon in the sky.

There is no the Sun in this world, so the concept of a sun doesn't even exist. There is only the Laughing Moon that appears day and night.

However, it will become rounder and larger at night.

369's eyes were full of tender love as she watched each person on the farm grow up and go to see their mother, have a child with her, and then leave the farm to live alone outside.

Now, besides him, there are only a few young children left.

Those children, on the other hand, were born when they left the farm at the age of eighteen, to be with their mothers.

It has to be said that he looks almost exactly like the friends 369 remembers from their childhood.

And today, I will be born into my own life with my mother.

As he was happily lost in thought, a black dot suddenly appeared in the sky above 369 and rapidly approached him.

"Quack, quack, quack~"

Several hoarse and unpleasant cries reached 369's ears; a large, jet-black bird had flown over.

369 immediately became excited. There were very few small animals here, and he never expected to encounter one today, and it even flew directly towards him without any hesitation.

The Raven circled in mid-air, and 369 stretched out its arm, as if trying to grab it.

But the Raven flew down on its own and landed in 369's hands.

Then, tilting his head, he looked it over with a gleam in his eyes.

This was the first time 369 had ever seen such a fearless animal; before, they could only observe it from afar, and it would fly away as soon as they got close.

Moreover, this Raven gave 369 a very familiar feeling, as if... it knew him very well, and even felt like it was him...

For some reason, 369 immediately began to scrutinize the other person with great interest, and started asking himself:

"You flew in from outside, didn't you? What's the world like outside? I'm so excited!"

But just then, the Raven that had been staring at 369 suddenly spoke, "Hello, hello."

"You can talk?!" 369 was extremely excited.

The Raven continued, "Shen Hui, Shen Hui."

Listening to these two people, 369 had a very familiar feeling; it seemed like he had heard them somewhere before?

Shen Hui?

"Is this your name? You have a name, but I only have a code, number 369. My mother said that I could have my own name when I grew up, and today I will have my own name too."

369 is talking to himself.

The Raven continued to call out, "Shen Hui, Shen Hui."

369 looked at the other person with a puzzled expression. "Did you give me this name?"

Raven nodded at this moment, and 369 seemed a little excited. "Neither white nor black is called gray, so I'll be called Shen Hui. I'll tell my mother tonight! This is the name I chose for myself!"

The Raven took flight at that moment, its voice completely different from its previous mimicking tone.

It carried a strange, incomprehensible accent and a language whose meaning was unclear but whose actual content was known:

"You are the abyss, do not be afraid to gaze upon it. You are Shen Hui, and I am Shen Hui. I will find you at any time, in any space. I am going to find the door. Remember, your name is Shen Hui."

After the Raven finished speaking, it flew away.

369 was left standing there, looking somewhat dazed, his mind racing.

What did those words mean?

Nightmares that I hadn't had for several years have started reappearing vividly in my mind, every detail crystal clear.

A world shrouded in mist, filled with darkness, fear, and various negative emotions.

Various terrifying and bizarre creatures, as well as those high above, beings that should inspire worship but instead evoke fear, unknown creatures.

A city blooming from despair, a bottomless sea, endless mountains, a vast empire riddled with decay, corruption, and Pestilence, an infinite world existing in another dimension...

However, this time, there was no fear or apprehension associated with its appearance; instead, there was a strange sense of familiarity.

It seems... it seems I should be in that darkness, in that unfathomable deep sea, in those vast empires and infinite worlds...

369 grasped something, but nothing concrete; it was just a feeling.

A shout then brought 369 back to reality.

"369, what happened just now? I think I heard you shouting something."

The teacher came out of the farm and asked.

369 instinctively avoided the topic of what had just happened. "Nothing, teacher. I'm just a little happy. After all, tonight is my greatest moment."

The teacher said, "Go back now."

369 nodded and returned to the farmhouse.

At night, the bright moon hung high in the sky.

"369, ready to depart."

369 changed into a formal suit, got into a car with his teacher, and headed towards their final destination for the night.

369 didn't know where it was, but he knew that he could see his mother there.

As the car slowly came to a stop, 369 stepped out and found himself inside a building.

The teacher also got out of the car and pointed to a door in the distance.

"Your mother is right behind you; go see her."

Hearing this, 369 seemed very excited, but couldn't help but think of the Raven he had encountered earlier that day.

But then he shook his head and walked alone toward the door.

Arriving at the gate, I pushed it open and went inside.

Upon seeing the scene before him, 369's eyes widened.

"Mother!"