Departure

It was obvious that this user, 【WhatAreYouLookingAt】, was definitely the Possession Anomaly from earlier.

She was already posting on the forum; her internet speed was impressive.

Ren Yi covered his face helplessly, truly at his wit's end.

If he posted in the thread now, it would be a dead giveaway—a classic case of 'the lady doth protest too much.'

Should he message her privately? You could only add friends in person.

Although he could try to get the Anomalies to keep his secret, this group... Ren Yi's brow furrowed.

He had to remember that, as abstract as they were, these Anomalies were essentially high school graduates in the middle of a fearless, rebellious phase.

There was no guarantee that some troublemaker or big mouth wouldn't turn around and leak the news.

In truth, Ren Yi didn't mind using his status to provide some convenience for his classmates in the final few days after his business was done, as long as it was within his power.

But that had to happen after he had cleared the mutant beast nests, completed his plan, and collected enough energy crystals.

Ren Yi disliked this feeling of things spiraling out of control.

On the forum, as soon as 【WhatAreYouLookingAt】 posted, a swarm of gossiping Anomalies immediately converged, the messages scrolling by at lightning speed.

【EarthboundSpiritsAreTheWorst: Holy crap, you're a legend! You actually dared to go look for the guy who cleared the Instance?】

【HeadCollectorGirl: Heavens, watch your safety! Did you shake off the pursuers? Are you hurt?】

【ThinkingOfCorpseTombsForYou: How was it, how was it? Is that 'Son of God' the real deal?】

【WhatAreYouLookingAt: Well...】

【WhatAreYouLookingAt: He's the real deal, I'll give him that. My ability didn't work on him at all.】

【WhatAreYouLookingAt: Anyway, word of advice: don't go looking for trouble with him. If my ability weren't special enough to let me run, I would've been caught today.】

【WhatAreYouLookingAt: Just stick to picking on the weaklings. Don't go provoking that idiot who's single-mindedly killing mutant beasts.】

Ren Yi stared at the word "idiot" on the screen, a question mark slowly forming above his head.

This "WhatAreYouLookingAt" didn't seem to intend to expose him directly.

But what was with that sarcastic tone? How childish could she be?

The messages continued to refresh below.

【HeadCollectorGirl: Understood! Crystal clear!】

【ThinkingOfCorpseTombsForYou: Uh, that's basically saying nothing... I wasn't going to get close to that Son of God anyway.】

【EarthboundSpiritsAreTheWorst: What do you plan to do next?】

【WhatAreYouLookingAt: I'll probably head out with the extermination force. Maybe I'll get a chance to settle the score with that Son of God?】

【WhatAreYouLookingAt: Just kidding. Again, I only tried it because of my special ability. Don't follow my example and go looking for a death wish, fam.】

Ren Yi finally understood.

Luckily, it seemed this "WhatAreYouLookingAt" didn't intend to do anything spiteful that would hurt them both by tearing off his disguise regardless of the consequences.

However, she also knew he could see the forum, so... what was the meaning behind that subtle "I'll come find you" hidden in her words?

Ren Yi rubbed his temples.

There was nothing he could do. He was currently in the spotlight and his movements were restricted; he could only wait for "WhatAreYouLookingAt" to come to him.

But no matter what, with the identity of the "Son of God" on him, he held more chips.

He just hoped she wouldn't cause any more big commotions.

Thinking more was useless. Ren Yi composed himself and refocused his consciousness on his arm.

He might as well use this rare rest period to make a few more energy crystals. Storing energy in his body wasn't a long-term solution after all.

Ren Yi's "handicraft" improved rapidly after successfully making one crystal, but he only had time to make about a dozen before he was interrupted.

Gawain pushed the door open, followed by two guards. "Son of God, it is time to depart."

Ren Yi looked out the window. The sky was pitch black, without a single glint of starlight in the night sky.

It was the early hours of the morning, the darkest time of day.

But the Holy City was a different scene entirely. Lights blazed, and the sounds of people and mechanical roars intertwined. Countless vehicles had already gathered outside the city, ready to go.

Ren Yi followed Gawain and stepped into a divinely styled, exquisitely decorated... pickup truck.

Ren Yi's mouth twitched again, but he managed to restrain himself.

It made sense. It was the apocalypse, after all.

The Pope was already seated in the back of the pickup, having clearly been waiting for a while.

Gawain skillfully took the driver's seat. As the engine roared to life, the pickup truck slowly started, and the massive convoy behind it followed, driving toward the city outskirts.

Ren Yi leaned back in the passenger seat, closing his eyes to rest.

He didn't know how long it would take to reach the destination, but Ren Yi didn't plan to ask.

As the wilderness hunter "Mo Ming," he shouldn't be ignorant of the location of the "nearest large mutant beast nest."

Even though he didn't ask, the Pope spoke up of his own accord.

"We should reach the City of Stars before noon."

"City of Stars?" Ren Yi's eyelids jumped, and he nearly failed to maintain his expression.

What? Xin City? Was he going to rendezvous with Lu Zihan?

No, that was impossible. He remembered seeing photos of Xin City on the forum during the day, and it had been night there. The Holy City and Xin City were worlds apart.

Fortunately, the Pope quickly continued, "To prevent that Rule from descending suddenly, we plan to operate in small squads."

"If we disregard sacrifices, we should be able to finish the cleanup within two days. However, if living sacrifices are required, I'm not sure if the final count will meet our God's requirements..."

It seemed this "City of Stars" was not the same as "Xin City."

So, this "City of Stars" was the mutant beast nest?

"I will enter the city with the troops," Ren Yi replied calmly, his eyes still closed.

"Your exalted self..."

"Your Eminence." Ren Yi opened his eyes impatiently, the face of "Mo Ming" filled with annoyance.

"In this urgent hour, I don't believe there is any need for these hollow tests."

The Pope nodded good-naturedly. "I have overstepped."

Ren Yi let out a surface-level sigh. "I know you still have doubts. Regarding the final ceremony, I do have something to discuss with you..."

Before his voice could fade, he opened his palm, and a circular crystal shimmering with a misty glow appeared out of thin air.

"This is the Divine Gift Crystal obtained after a living sacrifice," Ren Yi said, his voice carrying a hint of mystery.

"On my way back to the Holy City, I slaughtered mutant beasts all along the way. It took a great deal of effort to refine just this one."