Chapter 1550 - 1547: About to Begin

"If Ye Qiu, you leave and never return, then I will also take my own life. Besides having no meaning to live anymore, I can't forgive myself for staying here waiting. If we're going to escape, then let's escape together. If you want to do this, Ye Qiu, I'm willing to leave with you."

After saying this, she placed her right finger against the center of Ye Qiu's chest. Her gaze began to soften, and a slight smile appeared at the corners of her mouth.

"However... I think everyone who participates in today's strategy battle feels fear and wants to escape. Yet, despite being scared, there are more than ten people willing to join. That's because the Clan Leader and Ye Qiu, the two strongest people in this world, are willing to stand at the front to lead everyone... that's what I think... I know Ye Qiu doesn't like bearing such responsibility."

"But, this is not just for others, it's also for us... for restoring the original world and meeting again, I hope we can work together."

Ye Qiu raised his right hand, quietly holding Fang Wushang's fingertip against his chest. The strong emotion of not wanting to lose her filled his chest.

"...Sorry... I'm really scared. Honestly, I really wish we could just escape together. I don't want Fang Wushang to die, and of course, I don't want to die either."

Ye Qiu stared into Fang Wushang's eyes and finished what he was saying:

"Even if the world is destroyed, it doesn't matter... I want to live with you in that forest cabin forever... just the two of us... forever..."

Fang Wushang held her chest tightly with her other hand. Then, as if enduring something, she closed her eyes and furrowed her brows. Finally, a helpless sigh escaped from her slightly parted lips.

"Ah... it's like a dream. If we really could do that, it would be wonderful... being with you every day... forever..."

She stopped talking here, as if cutting off that small wish, and pressed her lips tightly together. When she opened her eyes and looked up at me, her expression was quite serious.

"Ye Qiu, have you ever thought about it...?

At the first wave, everything happened so suddenly, countless people got injured. I think at that time, many people were probably transported to hospitals. Regular families aren't capable of caring for injuries like that for years. So, they were probably moved to hospitals."

"Hmm... maybe that's the case..."

"Those people's bodies are on hospital beds, connected with many tubes just to maintain life... I don't believe that can continue indefinitely without issue."

Suddenly, a terrifying feeling of becoming thin all over came over me, and to confirm our existence, I tightly embraced Fang Wushang.

"...So, regardless of whether we can fully repel the wave... there will be an ultimate deadline."

"...And that deadline will vary based on everyone's physical condition... In this world, I've never discussed this with anyone... but Ye Qiu, you're different."

"I... I want to be by your side forever. I want us to have a good relationship, truly get married and grow old together. So... so..."

She could no longer speak, and Fang Wushang buried her face in my chest, finally unable to hold back her sobs. Ye Qiu slowly stroked her back, helping her say what was left to be said:

"So... we must fight now..."

The fear hadn't disappeared, but Fang Wushang was doing her best to resist the urge to escape, ready to shape her destiny. How could I give up here?

No problem—it will definitely be fine. As long as we're together, definitely—

To shake off the horrid dread that invaded my mind, Ye Qiu tightened his arms around Fang Wushang.

In front of the boss room, there were already people gathered who were obviously quite powerful, and Ye Qiu believed they were the ones who would soon be battling together. As Ye Qiu and Fang Wushang arrived, they walked towards them.

As the two of them were noticed, everyone tightened their lips, and nervousness showed in their faces as they focused their attention on them. Among them, there were even those using their right hand to give a family-style salute to them.

Ye Qiu stopped his steps, deeply troubled, but Fang Wushang beside him returned the salute with graceful skill, and then poked Ye Qiu in the abdomen.

"I say, Ye Qiu, since you're considered a leader, you'd better return this gesture properly!"

"How could I..."

Left with no choice, Ye Qiu gave a stiff salute. In all the battles he had fought, he'd belonged to many groups, yet this was the first time receiving such attention.

"Yo!"

Ye Qiu turned to see the face of the Blade Master Kleek, with a headband decorated with low-level patterns, smiling at him after giving his shoulder a hearty slap. Surprisingly, beside him stood a huge figure—the fully armed grocery store owner wielding a Two-Handed Axe.

"What... you guys are joining too."

"Is it really so surprising?"

The grocery store owner spoke roughly with indignation:

"I heard this operation would be quite tough, so I abandoned my trade to help. You just can't seem to grasp my great selfless spirit..."

The shopkeeper exaggeratedly kept talking, while Ye Qiu patted his arm and said:

"I understand your selfless spirit now. So, during loot distribution, maybe we won't count your share?"

Upon hearing Ye Qiu say this, the giant in front of him placed his hand on his shiny head, his brows furrowing as he replied:

"Well, um, this topic..."

Both Kleek and Fang Wushang laughed brightly when he started to hem and haw, lacking resolve. Their laughs were infectious, easing the tension among those gathered here.

At exactly one in the afternoon, several experts arrived one after another. Draped in blue robes and wielding a massive Cross Shield was Long Yijian and the elite troop of the Lantian Clan. Upon seeing their figure, tension once again enveloped those present.

Judging purely from strength, the only person stronger than Ye Qiu and Fang Wushang was Long Yijian himself, yet their united demeanor was impressively oppressive. Besides the common colors of blue and white bearing family symbolism, each had different weapons, but the group's power they exuded was vastly different from the army units seen before.

The Holy Knight and his four subordinates divided the group into two sides and directly walked towards Ye Qiu. As Kleek and the grocery store owner were pushed back a few steps under the pressure, Asuna easily exchanged salutes with them.