Chapter 207: World Annihilation

【The sleep ends; a new dream is weaving.】

【Extraneous deity and world-ending catalyst detected; weaving halted.】

【Extraneous deity ID 079 confirmed, designation "Whisperer," threat level: World Annihilation.】

【Causal thread audit concluded; Thousand-Faced Dragon's fate entanglement rate: 14.47%, meets emergency awakening clauses three, seven, and seventeen. System cleanup initiating.】

【Per clause, minor awakening protocol activated: Planetary Defense System D-09 engaged, designation.】

"Great Red Dragon!!"

Li En jolted awake from sleep, the crimson light of annihilation still burning before his eyes.

Its crimson wings blotted out the capital; its dusk-colored dragon eyes held no mercy, no emotion—only destruction. The moment such a monster appeared in the sky, the glorious capital was doomed.

His final memory—or rather, Heroine Laina's—was that crimson light falling to the earth.

It destroyed everything.

But it seemed its target was not this kingdom's city; the destruction was merely collateral—or rather, disinfection.

"What the hell is this?!"

Li En leapt to his feet, drenched in sweat, as if just pulled from water.

His body trembled uncontrollably—not from the supernatural ability triggered by night-fear, but from primal dread and unease at facing a monster utterly beyond resistance.

If I truly faced that thing, I wouldn't even have time to resist—less than the "impaled" Heroine Laina.

"Laina—is this your end?"

Li En took a deep breath, gripped his left hand with his right, and slowly steadied his trembling body.

The Soul Hero card on his chest also ceased its restless activity.

【Truth Awareness Progress: 45%】

Li En was nearing the 50% threshold to activate the Soul Hero card; thus, in sleep, he had faintly touched the final scene of Laina's memories.

"This information overload is too much—I need to pause."

The events of that time didn't seem as simple as they appeared; the Thousand-Faced Dragon's role in this world requires deeper consideration.

". Alright, I've paused."

He pondered—it seemed he need do nothing.

The intelligence he possessed was too scant, and the matters involved too high-tier, making them largely irrelevant to his current reality.

"No, there is some connection—what happened back then wasn't limited to the Beasts. The Snake also said—"

【. The one who never closes its eyes isn't even a problem; what's behind it is the real trouble.】That was the Snake's exact words before.

"So the thing behind it is the Extraneous Deity? The one who never closes its eyes—that's the Owl? What a mess of internal strife and external threats, trembling in the storm—"

Li En felt more and more that this world was a trap—full of troubles, full of holes. This tiny kingdom had only a few cities, yet it sealed at least two "Beasts," and now involved this "Extraneous Deity"—a term that sounded dreadfully ominous, seemingly capable of world annihilation?

"What exactly happened back then..." Li En vaguely sensed that even the Owl wasn't the full truth.

Even asking yielded no answers; even those directly involved died under inexplicable circumstances.

And my reincarnation this time—was it within this kingdom? Was it because this matter never ended?

"Headache."

Li En sighed, rose, and looked around—but the Snake was nowhere to be seen.

It was Li Ensu, he guessed—the Snake was probably wasting time partying hard, too busy to bother him. It hadn't appeared immediately to mock him; it was likely still drunk on revelry.

"I'll go practice swordplay."

Though it was still dark outside, Li En, unable to calm his mind, decided to sweat it out—to quiet his thoughts.

But this time, even when dawn came and he collapsed from exhaustion, closing his eyes still brought back that annihilating crimson light.

That was the cleansing fire scorching the surface, the light performing a surgical removal of an entire planet.

"Before such power, all belief and effort are meaningless." That destruction wasn't even aimed at you.

When necessary, I will reset this continental plate—or erase it outright.

As for the survivors on top? Do I care?

Li En swung his sword again, yet a strange longing surged within him.

". Can I ever gain such power? How must I act to become this strong?"

For most, overwhelming unknown power first inspires fear—even terror. But some, after awe, immediately grow calm—not only desiring such strength, but actively seeking to obtain it. Li En instinctively sensed: perhaps one day, he too could become this powerful.

"Ha, little Red Dragon isn't even stronger than me—why don't you show me some respect?"

The Snake slithered out, swaying unsteadily—clearly drunk.

"Sorry, but I can't respect an old man who just finished partying, crashed a banquet, and stayed up all night. Ugh. Heavy perfume and alcohol stench—disgusting old man!"

"Hah! Youngster, you'll have your day too—you'll have your day."

The Snake leapt onto Li En's head, belched, and fell into deep sleep, mumbling: ". Some can never forget, some feelings are destined to betray, some—"

Then, humming a tune, he fell asleep again.

Li En sighed—this kind of person, even if you asked, you couldn't get answers. If he wanted to speak, he wouldn't appear like this.

But as he watched the rising sun, his heart grew heavy.

Today was the day of the agreement.

Yet the sleepless unease from last night now felt negligible—compared to the unstoppable annihilation of the dream, the strike that could obliterate a nation or sink a continent, his personal troubles now seemed laughable.

"No, still annoying."

But agreements must be kept—like breakfast must be eaten on time.

As breakfast hour neared and more people filled the parlor, Li En's scalp prickled.

Victoria, Dimon, and even Mush had come—some unknown reason had drawn Mush here specifically to discuss the passage.

Li En looked up at the Snake on his head and sighed.

This was a "safe choice"—not exciting enough to draw his attention; this must have been his earlier arrangement.

Prolonged pain is worse than quick pain; what must come will come. He gritted his teeth and stood up.

He walked toward the target, moving in unison with both hands and feet, his face stiff and expressionless.

"Ophelia."

Yes, the so-called safe choice was the automaton Ophelia—the one likely to cause the least disturbance.

"If you choose Victoria, she will be more loyal than you imagine—even twisting the lifestyle of dark elves to bind your future. Hmm, honestly, after marriage she is a good woman, and you are quite fortunate."

"If you choose Shi Difen, he will 'awaken' within three months and begin relentlessly pursuing you. He will abandon you five years later, journey far away to find a divine artifact called the Sex-Changing Belt, then secretly return to your side."

"Miss Miss Shaliman is a good match; another Miss Miss Shaliman is more radical. The S-dar child will be born in ten months. Congratulations—you have successfully become a son-in-law."

"The Divine Maiden will gladly accept your confession and share you with her sister. Congratulations, my lord of the First Family. Honestly, you'll have many children and grandchildren—recommend this choice. Just none of your kids will ever call you 'Dad.'"

"Bai doesn't recommend you choose her. She's perfectly normal—though a bit young, she's a good match, which is why she's not here."

Having confirmed the safe choice, the snake revealed the outcomes of the other options, effectively announcing the answers in advance.

"But Ophelia—she's one of my beloved disciples! And she hasn't yet completed her 'Contracted Weapon.' You can borrow her to obtain a highly effective 'Solar Weapon.' Her structure is anything but ordinary."

Recalling the snake back then—like an enthusiastic salesman—now he lay curled up asleep, as if this amusement wasn't enough to capture his interest.

Li En took a deep breath and stood before the female automaton.

She looked up at him, and within her metallic eyes, an expression of confusion emerged.

Li En drew another sharp breath and spoke outright.

"I like you! Will you spend your life with me?!"

The voice was loud, echoing beyond the door; those who heard it all stared in shock.

Wait, bro—are you sure this is fine? You're not even the same species—you're silicon-based and carbon-based!

"I—I'm serious," Li En insisted, forcing himself to hold firm.

"Sssss!"

The familiar hiss came from behind him. Li En turned—and there, at the door, was Miss Miss Shaliman, exhaling sharply.

Hmm, expected. Too normal. If the snake didn't stir up chaos, would he even be the snake?! Only Miss Miss Shaliman was perfectly predictable!

"Uh, Li En, you actually like this… pervert?"

Dai Niya, blushing furiously, slipped out from behind Miss Miss Shaliman, her face filled with curiosity and astonishment.

"Lord Li En is truly a man of steel! A real man should love steel!"

Behind the Princess, the Lord of the City arrived too—a bearded giant who laughed heartily, as if nothing could be more ordinary. To a man who loved swords and blades, loving an automaton armored like armor was perfectly natural.

But behind him, the Radiant Guards and knights looked at Li En with strangely mixed expressions.

"Uh, Lord Li En, I've come to deliver your teacher list," said Luo Yisi the mage. Well, soon the entire mage community would know—perhaps even many automaton crafters would now consider him one of their own.

"It's really nothing. Among mages, many fall in love with their own creations. Falling for a humanoid being is already quite respectable." He was still trying to save Li En's dignity, but from the looks others gave him, he was only digging him deeper (Dai Niya: So… that's what mages are like?).

"Senior Brother Li En," said Lari, her cheeks flushed with unmistakable shock.

"Destroy this world," Li En had gone completely numb. This door had become a city gate! Snake, you bastard—how many people did you arrange?!

"A lifetime's promise? Acceptable. Execute." Ophelia's reply completed the explosion.

(End of Chapter)