Chapter 27: A Conversation That Cannot Return

After being locked inside the room, Zhao Lin’s first reaction was to observe the furnishings and see what had changed.

There was nothing different.

Even the pendulum clock on the cabinet was the same—

The ebony clock had smooth curves, its body carved with the profile of a goddess holding up a star.

The golden sun-patterned pendulum swung tirelessly back and forth, while the glass surface faintly reflected his shadow.

The flow of time here was always unpredictable.

But even more unpredictable… seemed to be Si Qingxuan.

Zhao Lin stood in silence for a while, then walked to the window, attempting to open it.

He found that it had been sealed shut from the outside with wooden planks.

The scratches on the frame were fresh—it had been boarded up not long ago.

Zhao Lin: “……”

He knew it.

Someone held grudges.

Last time he had climbed through the window for a surprise attack and got kicked out—this time, the other party wasn’t going to give him that chance again.

He should at least be grateful that a small gap was left—

It didn’t seem like the intention was to suffocate him in the room.

He could almost picture it—

Si Qingxuan smiling faintly, yet saying without mercy, “Stay put and don’t bother me.”

Zhao Lin raised his hand and traced every pattern on the window before opening his palm to look at it.

His ability meant he rarely needed weapons.

But during rookie training, he had still learned the basics of firearms, and he never stopped practicing—eventually turning it into a hobby.

Once slender hands, with only faint calluses from playing instruments—

Now had roughened slightly with gun calluses, even bearing a few faint scars.

Looking at those marks, Zhao Lin thought—

Si Qingxuan probably wouldn’t like his hands like this.

…But it didn’t matter.

He wouldn’t be holding Si Qingxuan’s hand again anyway.

A window that wasn’t even that sturdy for an awakened had easily sealed his thoughts.

He could burn it to ashes without effort—

But what about his relationship with Si Qingxuan?

It couldn’t go back.

If he still treated Si Qingxuan as the same person from before—

And himself as the same hopeful version of Zhao Lin—

Then he would be gravely mistaken.

He wasn’t so despicable as to pretend he had forgotten everything.

He only wanted to ask Si Qingxuan why he had entered this illusion—

And to safely get him out of it.

So more than anything, he wanted cooperation.

In other words, he hoped Si Qingxuan would accept the four awakened ones as allies.

Anything beyond that… he didn’t dare to think about yet.

Because in this illusion, Si Qingxuan was far more at ease than the four awakened ones from the official organization—

There was no way he was just an ordinary person without resistance.

Which meant…

Si Qingxuan was very likely an awakened as well.

But… how had he become one?

Years ago, a meteor shower descended upon Earth—

A sign of catastrophic anomalies awakening.

Since then, strange creatures had surged into the human world as if given life.

At the same time, some people who experienced that night became awakened, infused with spiritual energy.

That first group could be considered fortunate—

They gained various “abilities.”

After that night, new awakened individuals continued to appear.

But natural awakenings were extremely rare—

About one in ten thousand, with no fixed conditions.

Countless cases proved one thing—

There was no standard for becoming an awakened.

Anyone could become one.

It was purely a matter of probability.

Awakened individuals stood on the frontlines against disasters.

They were the dam protecting human civilization from relentless threats.

They lived knowing they might die at any moment.

Because most awakened—sooner or later—would lose part of their humanity to the madness of mutation.

So rather than waiting for that fate,

They chose to use their remaining time to protect what they cherished.

Only a few geniuses could climb higher—

Ascending toward something like “godhood.”

Most, however, burned themselves like fuel—

Reducing their lives to ashes unknown to the world.

Whether such a life had meaning—

Everyone had their own answer.

But most operatives in the Disaster Prevention Bureau kept their distance from loved ones.

Disappearances like Zhao Lin’s were not uncommon.

Compared to the peaceful world of ordinary people,

The world of the awakened was far too dangerous.

Without guidance, newly awakened individuals would struggle greatly.

Clang.

The door was gently pushed open, and a head peeked inside.

“Boss—” Song Zan whispered, dragging out the word as he sneakily called, “We’re here—”

Zhao Lin sighed. “Come in.”

The door swung open.

Song Zan, Domingo, and Garcia walked in casually.

“Boss, so you got locked up too.” Song Zan frowned, “Looks like all four of us are being restricted.”

“How did you get out?” Zhao Lin asked.

“Wouldn’t it be strange if we couldn’t?” Song Zan said matter-of-factly, “We’re awakened—we could break the door with our bare hands… well, actually it was Garcia. He picked the lock and let us out.”

Garcia smiled gently. “Just a small trick.”

“We gathered to discuss our next move.” Domingo adjusted his hat, “For some reason, the people in this castle seem to be placing us under house arrest.”

Zhao Lin thought—

He probably knew why.

Because Si Qingxuan found them troublesome.

“Let’s stay put for now.” Zhao Lin adjusted his collar, “I need to… wait for someone, and talk to him.”

“Wait for who? Is there even anyone here we can talk to?” Song Zan asked instinctively, then froze as realization dawned on him, “Don’t tell me—you mean—”

At that moment, light footsteps sounded outside the door.

Everyone tensed.

They turned to Garcia. “Didn’t you already put suggestions on the nearby servants? Why is someone coming?”

Garcia’s ability was mental suggestion—affecting how others perceived things.

He had planted the idea:

“This door is secure. No one inside can escape, so there’s no need to watch it.”

So the servants should have ignored them entirely.

“I did. There shouldn’t be any mistake.” Garcia said.

Their nerves tightened.

A few seconds later—

A familiar figure entered.

The person wore a loose white shirt with a lace ruffled collar like snow-white waves.

His tall yet slender frame carried the ornate clothing effortlessly.

Pale wrists were hidden beneath layered sleeves, leaving only delicate fingers visible.

He brushed his hair back lightly, every strand exuding effortless elegance.

He looked like a noble youth stepping out of a painting—

Someone meant to be surrounded by roses and silk.

It was the familiar young master Morlanden.

A lazy, indulgent smile hung on his face.

“It’s quite lively here.” He said with a faint smile, “Seems I should instruct my servants to add another lock to your doors.”

The awakened ones: “……”

Soon, they realized something was wrong.

Time had reset.

The butler and Lucia no longer recognized them.

So why did the young master Morlanden act as if he knew them well?

From his tone and expression—

He clearly remembered them.

Why… was he the only exception?

“So locking us up was your order?” Garcia asked cautiously.

The young master glanced at him. “Yes. So what?”

“You—” Garcia began, but Domingo stopped him. “Wait.”

Domingo looked at Zhao Lin. “The person you were waiting for… it’s him, right?”

The young master said nothing.

Zhao Lin nodded slowly.

“Alright. We’ll leave you two to talk.” Song Zan dragged the others out, still managing an awkward grin, “Take your time!”

Bang. The door shut.

“Your teammates are quite lively.” The young master smiled at Zhao Lin, “Seems you’ve had a fulfilling few years.”

Zhao Lin stared at him silently for a few seconds, then raised his hand as if to touch his face—

A sharp cry cut through the air.

A black bird appeared out of nowhere, landing on the young master’s shoulder, glaring fiercely at Zhao Lin.

It looked ready to bite off his fingers if he moved any closer.

Zhao Lin paused and withdrew his hand.

“Can you speak to me in your own appearance?” he said softly, his voice like the night—cold and hazy.

“…Qingxuan.”

“You still dare to call my name.”

The young master—Si Qingxuan—sighed lightly.

“But I don’t want to see you anymore.”

Zhao Lin’s fingers trembled slightly before clenching into fists.

“To be honest, I’m still angry.” Si Qingxuan said, glancing at the bird on his shoulder, “This bird is called Ghostcry Thrush. It’s ugly—I used to dislike it.”

The bird pecked his hair in protest.

“But now that I see you—”

Si Qingxuan looked up at him.

“I suddenly find it quite adorable.”

“Zhao Lin.”

“I really want it to peck out your eyes… and tear open your chest.”

His gaze fell like a blade—cold and piercing.

Zhao Lin showed no fear.

Or rather—he accepted it.

Whatever Si Qingxuan wanted to do, he would accept it willingly.

“I’m sorry.”

The air froze.

Si Qingxuan didn’t move, but the bird trembled, hiding its head under its wings as if unable to bear his anger.

“That’s it?” Si Qingxuan’s voice was calm, “Just a single apology?”

Yes.

In truth, when Si Qingxuan saw Zhao Lin again in the illusion,

He had already guessed why Zhao Lin had disappeared.

Because Zhao Lin had become an awakened—

And even joined the Disaster Prevention Bureau.

He cut ties to protect him.

Because from that moment on, they belonged to different worlds.

But what was love?

Was it something so cheap that it could change with status—

Or something that could be discarded so easily?

Si Qingxuan once believed they were essential to each other.

But now—

It seemed he had been the only one who thought so.

Of course, Zhao Lin had his reasons.

But Si Qingxuan would never accept them.

You cannot blame a lover for being heartless—

Only blame yourself for loving too deeply.

That was the cruelest part.

He had long understood this.

Yet when facing Zhao Lin…

He still couldn’t suppress the resentment and hurt.

“Forget it.” Si Qingxuan looked away, his heart aching though his lips curved into a smile, “We won’t talk about this anymore. And don’t call my name again.”

“You’re not worthy.”

His words were cold.

Zhao Lin’s expression darkened.

“Let’s talk about your situation.” Zhao Lin took a breath, steadying himself, “When did you become awakened? After we leave, the Bureau may come to register you.”

“Awakened?” Si Qingxuan glanced at him, smiling faintly, “My surname is Morlanden. I’m the master of this castle. I’ve never heard of any awakened.”

Zhao Lin knew he was refusing to be connected in reality.

But life as an awakened wasn’t simple.

He tried to persuade him—

“You—”

“From now on, we only discuss business.”

Si Qingxuan’s expression hardened, a hint of hostility in his eyes.

“You’ve wasted too much time here. I’ll give you a clue—

The first summoning ritual in this castle was performed by Ricardo Morlanden.

The butler is preparing for a second one.

What’s happening now is the aftermath of the first ritual—

The root problem lies with Ricardo.

He gained power from his god, but lost control of it.”

“To resolve this, you must find Ricardo.

He is somewhere near this castle.”

“I’ll give you four hours.”

Si Qingxuan smiled.

“Find Ricardo Morlanden and break this time loop.”

“Otherwise…”

“I’ll follow the butler’s plan and offer you as sacrifices to that so-called ‘god.’

It will appear during the ritual anyway—

And I’ll kill it then.

Shatter this illusion completely.”

The Ouroboros was the source of the illusion.

Kill it—and everything ends.

“The countdown—starts now.”

“I hope… you won’t disappoint me.”

📚 Also on NHV Novels

I’m Your Star

Beautiful SemeLow Self-Esteem UkeModern Setting

Read Now →
Not interested