Chapter 626: Ready

"Everyone, I'm ready." Li An took a deep breath and turned to look at his companions beside him.

Guo Yao stepped forward, gripping Li An's arms tightly, her eyes filled with worry: "Li An, you must be careful. I... I'm so scared." Her voice trembled slightly, her lips quivered gently, and her gaze revealed boundless fear and concern.

Li An gently stroked Guo Yao's hair and said softly, "Don't be afraid, Yaoyao. I will definitely return safely." He forced a smile onto his face, trying to reassure Guo Yao, yet that smile also hid a hint of barely noticeable tension.

Okabe Rintaro stepped forward, patting Li An's shoulder: "Li An, we all believe in you! You are our hope; you must succeed!" His eyes flashed with fanatical light; although he tried hard to conceal it, the tension in his heart was still visible. His palms were slightly sweaty, and his fingers trembled involuntarily.

"That's right, we are all waiting for your triumphant return!" Makise Kurisu said from the side. She pushed up her glasses, trying to appear calmer, but her slightly trembling hands still exposed her unease.

Li An nodded, turned, and walked toward the location of the conspiracy device. When he arrived before the massive device hidden in the abandoned factory, a powerful sense of oppression rushed toward him. Strange light flickered around the device, emitting a low rumble, as if a slumbering giant was awakening.

"This is it." Li An murmured softly. He approached the device cautiously, the key item in his hand flickering with a faint light.

Just as he inserted the key item into the device, a sharp alarm sound rang out. The device suddenly activated its self-destruct sequence, and powerful energy fluctuations spread outward like surging waves.

"No good!" Li An's heart jolted. Before he could react, he was struck heavily by the energy wave and sent flying. His body traced an arc through the air, then fell heavily to the ground, a wisp of blood oozing from the corner of his mouth.

"Li An!" Seeing this scene from a distance, his companions were filled with anxiety. Guo Yao, disregarding everything, tried to rush over but was grabbed by Okabe Rintaro.

"Yaoyao, don't act rashly! It's too dangerous now!" Okabe Rintaro shouted loudly. His face was full of anxiety and worry, and large beads of sweat rolled down his forehead continuously.

"No, I must go save Li An!" Guo Yao struggled desperately, tears bursting from her eyes. Her gaze was filled with despair and pain.