Chapter 29

【Huang Quan: Mm... then suppose there existed a vast dreamscape, so lifelike it was indistinguishable from reality. Where there was no parting by life or death, where everyone could reap the happiness and fulfillment they deserved, and live on in eternal joy.】

【Tell me, would you be willing to take refuge within it?】

【Stelle: No matter what, I would never choose to live within a dream!】 This time, Stelle was utterly resolute.

【Then... suppose that beautiful dream was fated to shatter, that everything would depart: friends, family, strangers; then the light breeze, the birds in flight, the stars... and lastly, yourself.】

【Every person, every person within their memories, those smiles and tears, the vows fulfilled and those left unkept... all would at last march toward their destined end. If, at the very start of the journey, you already knew its destination...】

【Tell me, would you still set out upon this road?】 Another weighty question, posed by Huang Quan.

【Stelle: I would forge ahead without a second thought!】 Stelle answered with iron resolve!

【Huang Quan: I know it is difficult, there is no need to rush your decision. As I said... the answer is not serious.】

【Listen, touch, think — through these you shall gain feeling. Treasure it; through feeling, we make our choices. So, returning to the very first question...】

【Tell me... do you still remember me?】 Huang Quan posed this question once more.

【Stelle: No, this is our first meeting.】 Stelle thought it over carefully, then gave a firm reply.

【Huang Quan:... I understand.】

【How very interesting. In that single instant, it was as if millions of similar yet distinct versions of you gave entirely different answers.】

【That truly was the last question — thank you. We each still have our own roads to walk; let us part ways here.】

The questions were finished, and Huang Quan had no further demands.

【Stelle: You still haven't told me how to leave...】 Seeing that Huang Quan seemed about to depart, Stelle hurriedly pressed on.

【Huang Quan: The golden dream is about to begin stirring. Through the long night ahead, you will likely encounter many setbacks, witness countless tragedies, and in the end... all that meets your eyes will be but black and white.】

【But please believe — within that black-and-white world, a single flash of red will appear and vanish in an instant; yet when you make your choice, it will surely manifest once more...】

【And you must chew carefully upon its meaning—】 Saying this, Huang Quan walked behind Stelle, a blade materializing in hand.

【—Then, return to the waking world.】 A single tear of blood slipped from the corner of Huang Quan's eye.

Immediately after, Stelle's pupils dilated sharply, as if struck by a heavy blow,

and a spray of multicolored blood burst forth from within her body!

She began to fall backward, her consciousness slowly scattering.

When she startled awake once more, she found herself still seated on the train's sofa.

An inexplicable tear slid down her cheek, leaving Stelle both bewildered and faintly wistful.

March 7th: "Wuwah! That final scene... s-so... so terrifying!"

The technique Huang Quan had employed on Stelle at the end gave March 7th quite a fright.

Hook: "I-it's the bad lady! A super-duper scary bad lady! Even scarier than the old witch!"

Natasha: "Scarier than the old witch?"

Natasha: "Be good now, Hook — come do your homework with big sis. (Kindly. jpg)"

Hook: "N-Natasha big sis, Hook was wrong! (Scared. jpg)"

Hook looked at Natasha's message and couldn't help but shiver.

Sampo: "I'm a little curious — this Huang Quan lady went on and on with a bunch of mumblings, what on earth was she even talking about?"

Paimon: "It sounds way too lofty and grand, Paimon can't understand it."

Lumine: "I didn't really get it either."

Zhong Li: "I cannot shake the feeling there is something pointed being implied."

Sparkle: "Ehh, haven't you all figured it out yet??"

Sparkle: "She was clearly speaking in riddles!"

Hu Tao: "Riddles? But why would she do that?"

Sparkle: "Does speaking in riddles even need a reason? Hehe, or maybe it does~?"

Sparkle: "But, what if she herself is a riddler? Then wouldn't she not need any reason at all~ Hee."

Sampo: "Ohh~"

Sampo: "Put that way and it makes a lot more sense."

Sampo: "So this lady's a riddler, huh!"