Chapter 4: The Unexpected Guest

The Unexpected Guest

"In any case, that is how it is. Do you understand?" Facing the young girl's question, Qing Qing Xukong nodded slightly, looking somewhat dazed.

This was ten minutes after the incident. The location was Qing Qing Xukong's home. Having listened to the girl's long-winded explanation, Qing Qing Xukong still found it hard to accept.

"Sorry... could you describe it more simply?" Qing Qing Xukong asked cautiously. He stole a quick glance and, seeing no displeasure on the girl's face, finally looked at her with relief.

"Squeak—Bang!" This untimely sound of a door opening interrupted the exchange between Qing Qing Xukong and the young girl before him.

"Let me explain." A deep male voice intervened in their conversation.

"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Yan. This fellow is Ling Yu. In short, your current situation is not safe. We are here precisely for that reason." The man named Yan at the door introduced himself and his purpose with efficiency, far better than that white-haired girl.

"What do you mean... my situation is not safe?" Qing Qing Xukong asked, confused.

"You don't think what happened this afternoon was just a dream, do you?" The man named Yan stared at Qing Qing Xukong, his gray eyes fixed on him.

"What do you mean... that accident, could it not have been a dream?" Qing Qing Xukong felt as though he had fallen into an ice cellar; everything around him seemed to be stealing his warmth.

"Young man, have you not yet accepted this established fact?" Ling Yu's words clashed greatly with her appearance, but Qing Qing Xukong's chaotic thoughts had no time to sort through all of this.

"Not a dream...?" A huge sense of powerlessness surged over Qing Qing Xukong. He realized this world was not as simple as he had perceived.

"... You are merely human. Your understanding of the world is limited to what you can perceive. Beyond the stars, there are even more stars." The man named Yan looked at the moon outside the window and spoke, somewhat absent-mindedly.

"I understand less and less... what exactly... is going on?" Qing Qing Xukong felt an invisible pressure surge toward him, and he slumped onto the sofa.

"In other words, Qing Qing Xukong, your existence caused all of this to happen, and we are here precisely for that reason." Yan stared tightly at Qing Qing Xukong, making him feel extremely uncomfortable.

"Haven't you realized yet, young man? You reset the entire Earth's timeline for your own selfish desires." Ling Yu wore a mischievous grin, naturally placing her hand on Qing Qing Xukong's shoulder, turning her body slightly, and using her other hand to play with Qing Qing Xukong's hair.

"I... reset the Earth's timeline?" The overly intimate behavior made Qing Qing Xukong glance at the girl. He found her eyes, like turquoise, staring at him. Qing Qing Xukong immediately averted his gaze, cleared the thoughts in his mind, and calmed down slightly. Was it because of the girl's untimely behavior? He shook his head, banishing that strange thought from his mind.

"Enough, stop teasing him. You are now like a lamb among wolves..."

"Yes, young man, you are now like a girl being watched by a city wolf while walking at night." Before Yan could finish, Ling Yu made a nasty joke.

"That's enough. Go stand aside, you vicious god." Yan shouted impatiently.

"In any case, I am giving you two choices: either accept surveillance while we provide you with protection, or..." Yan gradually calmed down and did not speak the following words, but still stared at Qing Qing Xukong, his eyes flashing with dangerous light.

"I... do I have the right to choose?" Qing Qing Xukong replied with a bitter smile.

"You are a sensible person. It seems I do not need to handle your aftermath." Yan's words made Qing Qing Xukong feel relieved... fortunate?

"This world has been influenced by something from beyond the stars. We call it 'Star Energy'. Those polluted by it can obtain incredible abilities, which we call 'Enders', meaning those who will eventually reach their end. The monster chasing you, we call it 'End Beast', meaning a shell that has reached the end of the road, retaining only bestial instincts. And you have long been one of us. Perhaps I should call you an Ender?" Yan's words struck like a heavy hammer, making him realize he was no longer a person of the world he once knew.

"The vast Star Energy contained within your body makes those 'End Beasts' drool with desire. However, you, who also contain vast Star Energy, are a time bomb to us. If necessary, we can eliminate you at any time." Yan calmly finished saying all of this.

"Yes, young man. We will be staying here temporarily from now on. Of course, if you have any needs, you can come to me anytime, whether day or night." Ling Yu said to Qing Qing Xukong with a mischievous grin.

"Yes, that is it. We have no better choice to protect you better. Anyway, you live alone. You should... not mind, right?" Yan said in a threatening tone.

"I think I have no right to choose." Qing Qing Xukong said helplessly.

Thus, this boring farce ended with Qing Qing Xukong's compromise. Thus, two strange guests were added to Qing Qing Xukong's life, and this matter was temporarily concluded.