The Creatures That We Are

Chapter 112: Farewell

“Huh?!”

In addition to Gao Yang, the others were shocked as well, and they wondered if their eyes were playing tricks on them. Gao Yang turned to his companions with a pounding heart. War Tiger was the only one who looked unfazed, like he had anticipated the man’s disappearance.

“Did Cheng Xin just vanish?” White Rabbit asked no one in particular in an unsteady voice.

War Tiger nodded and said, “Something like that.”

Gao Yang suddenly recalled how War Tiger had refrained from approving the idea when they voted to get rid of Cheng Xin.

He asked quietly, “Did you know this would happen, Teacher?”

War Tiger gave him a look, his lips curled into what looked like a smile. “You’re smart, Yang Yang. Have you not considered the possibility?”

Gao Yang felt conflicted. Of course he had considered the possibility. Could one’s present existed in silo when their countless past selves and future selves had died? It was like those temporal paradoxes: could one continue to live on if they returned to ten years ago and killed their past self?

Gao Yang had thought that things wouldn’t go exactly as they wished, but the situation had been too urgent for him to give the possibility much thought.

“Old Wang!” Officer Huang turned to look at the man he had just befriended, choking up. “You...”

Old Wang wasn’t so dense that he wouldn’t guess his fate after witnessing Cheng Xin’s disappearance.

He was at first shocked. Then he was terrified. But all that was left in the end was a complicated sense of peace, a resigned serenity that felt more like an empty numbness after suffering again and again at the mercy of fate.

He slumped down on a seat and flashed a smile at Officer Huang. “Do you have a cigarette for me, Old Huang? I quit a long time ago, but I’m feeling the urge suddenly.”

“Of course!”

Officer Huang rushed to produce a cigarette and a lighter for Old Wang. Despite his Talent, God of Firearms, his hands wouldn’t stop trembling.

Old Wang slowly took the cigarette and put it between his lips, lowering his head as he thumbed the flint wheel of the lighter.

Click, click, click. Three tries, yet the lighter sputtered sparks uselessly without producing proper fire.

Old Wang’s shoulders drooped, and what little light there was in his eyes dimmed.

He lowered his hands with tears at the corners of his eyes.

“Fuck.”

He was gone.

The lighter and cigarette fell to the seat and tumbled to the floor, abandoned.

“Old Wang, Old Wang!”

Officer Huang’s shouts echoed in the car, but no one answered.

“Come on, Yellow Ox.” War Tiger gently rested a hand on Officer Huang’s shoulder.

“He died for us,” Officer Huang choked out, his shoulders trembling. “We would’ve been the ones entering the tree hollow if he hadn’t volunteered.”

“He was a good man.” War Tiger sighed regretfully. “And it’s always the good ones that fall mercy to fate.”

Officer Huang nodded, looking disheartened and lost. He wiped his eyes and said, “Let’s go.”

The five of them got onto the platform. The train slowly departed before quickly vanishing into the darkness.

Gao Yang didn’t allow himself to relax until he was sure that none of his companions were going to disappear like Cheng Xin and Old Wang, and his heart settled back into his chest.

“How long has it been?” War Tiger asked Chen Ying.

“Three days.” Chen Ying sounded anxious. “Where are our people? Who were you talking to? I didn't see Old Wang, nor did I see Cheng Xin!”

“They died,” War Tiger said simply. It was his belief that it was better to cut out an injured part than letting it fester.

Chen Ying trembled. Although she had considered the possibility, she couldn’t accept it easily. “The second team were all dead?”

“Yes, my condolences.”

War Tiger gave White Rabbit a look. Understanding the silent cue, she went up to Chen Ying.

“There is a silver lining, Miss Chen. We got the Rune Circuit.” White Rabbit patted her waist pack. “We speculate that it’s likely to be the Time-Space Rune Circuit, but we’ll only know for sure by inspecting it back at our base.”

Chen Ying was still reeling from the death of her companions, and it took her a moment to break out of her reverie. “Okay, I understand.”

Before White Rabbit could go, Chen Ying called out to her and added, “I have to brief HQ about what happened this time.”

“Sure thing. Just send someone to return to base with us. I’ll give them a detailed explanation. Then we’ll sign an agreement for shared ownership of the Rune Circuit.”

“Okay.” Chen Ying breathed deeply to tamp down her welling sadness. “I’ll call HQ.”

“Go ahead.”

...

Gao Yang followed the others out of the station to the street above. They were immediately greeted by Heavenly Dog, Lovely Lamb, and Dead Pig. The three of them were carrying takeouts for lunch.

They had been staying at the station for three days, and they left temporarily to grab some food. They didn’t expect Gao Yang and the others to return safely during the time.

“Sister White Rabbit!” Lovely Lamb ran up to them and threw herself into White Rabbit’s arms, breaking into tears. “I thought, I thought I’d never see you again...”

“Who do you think you were talking to, Cute Little Lamb?” White Rabbit pinched her chubby cheek. “Sister Rabbit is blessed with good fortune!”

“Congrats, Heavenly Dog.” War Tiger stuck out his lips to gesture at him. “It’s the Time-Space Rune Circuit. Your type.”

“Right, that’s great.” Heavenly Dog didn’t look too excited. He asked worriedly, “Are you all alright? Anyone hurt?”

“Heh, you’ve grown up, kiddo, asking after your teammates.” War Tiger gestured at them with a smile. “Come on, let’s go.”

“Mr. War Tiger.” Chen Ying quickly caught up to them. “I’ve made a briefing. I’d go with you.”

“Sure. Go ride with White Rabbit.”

War Tiger let Chen Ying take the passenger seat and got into Heavenly Dog’s car instead.

On their way to the Millennium tower, White Rabbit retold what had happened as she drove.

Chen Ying lowered her head with guilt. “I should’ve stopped Cheng Xin.”

Officer Huang reassured her, “Don’t be too hard on yourself. You tried.”

“No, I wasn’t determined enough. Subconsciously, I was hoping that they would find the Rune Circuit too.” Chen Ying clutched on the seatbelt before her chest. “I got them killed.”

“What the hell is wrong with you lot at the Hundred Rivers Union?” White Rabbit was suddenly irritated. “None of you are that strong, but you all sure are prideful, and you keep making everything your own responsibilities.”

Chen Ying paused and finally nodded slightly. “You’re right. Pride without the power to back it up means nothing.”

“Easy enough to say.” Officer Huang smiled dryly. “Didn’t a particular someone keep blaming herself when Wu Dahai and Heavenly Dog got hurt, so much so that one had to wonder if she would ever stop wallowing?”

“Shut up, Yellow Ox!” White Rabbit slammed the driving wheel. “Don’t think I’d let you off the hook just because you’re older than me. In terms of work experience, I’m your senior!”

“Yeah yeah.”

“And I haven’t forgotten about what just happened!” White Rabbit said angrily. “Why didn’t you let go of Old Wang at once? You almost got your companions killed.”

“Yes, I recognize my mistake, and I’ll reflect on it.” Officer Huang sighed, feeling melancholy again at the thought of the dead man.

He had known Old Wang for less than one hour—in terms of subjective time, that was. However, human relationships weren’t easily measurable by time.

Officer Huang couldn’t get out of his head the idea that in another timeline, perhaps he and Old Wang would be thick as thieves, that they would play cards and go fishing together, as well as go on spring vacations and have barbecues together with their respective families.

Falling silent, Officer Huang looked out of the window.

Gao Yang was quiet as well. He had been down since he got into the car.

It was only natural.

In less than twenty-four hours in his perceived time, he had witnessed Wan Sisi’s death, struggled to fight Mad Red, got dragged into Ghost Horse’s betrayal and saw his downfall, encountered and slaughtered the many monsters in the Rune Cave, escaped the twisted time and space, and finally confirmed the death of all members of the second team of the Hundred Rivers Union.

The series of dangers pulled Gao Yang along like an irresistible current and prevented him from mourning Wan Sisi. Now that everything had settled down, exhaustion and pain returned in full force, filling him to the brim and constricting his chest, yet at the same time, he felt hollow.

He wanted to do something. Shout at the top of his lungs, perhaps, or maybe he simply needed a hug or a chance to silently cry to his heart’s content.

“I’ll drop you off, Gao Yang. Have a good rest,” White Rabbit said softly, knowing what Gao Yang had been through.

“Thanks.”

Gao Yang nodded gratefully. He did need some time for himself.