The first path is to recover from all injuries and return to the normal trajectory of life.

The second path, abandoning human identity, gaining great power and immortality.

A year ago, the Dragon's makeshift stronghold, in an emergency room.

Xuefeng, who was wearing a black gothic dress, calmly looked at Baihui, who was lying on the hospital bed in front of him with his bright red eyes~, so weak that he could only barely speak, and gave Baihui the choice of these two paths in an almost casual tone.

And Xue Feng's hand was almost casually holding the slightly changed stone mask, making various comparisons to Baihui to explain the choice he gave.

No, not almost, or almost randomly. It's really casual and indifferent, as well as careless.

Because in Xuefeng's eyes, words and actions, there is no sincere apology, no condescension, no sanctimony, no coercion, no interest temptation.

It's like no matter which choice Patricks makes, it won't affect anything. It seems that it is just a whim~ tide, so it is given the choice of two paths for Baihui.

This picture, these two choices, probably I will never forget.

From that day on, he was no longer a human being, but a real, veritable, undead monster.

Baihui randomly found a rag, wiped all the blood on the small knife, and then withdrew the smooth and sharp knife back to his waist as if it had just been cast and had not been used.

"The operation is over, all the personnel involved have been cleared, and now they are back to the base."

"Understand, the operation is over, stop all facility intrusions, and start removing traces."

Confirming that his commission for the day had been completed, Momoe moved the stone mask he was wearing to the side, then reported to Naoba, and disappeared into the dark corner of New Tokyo City under the bright lights again.

He didn't take any transportation props, and Momoe didn't return to the town where he and Naoba lived. Even with his current body, Baihui can run back to the town before dawn comes. And still have enough energy to go the next day.

Instead, they returned to the roof of the tallest building on 10th Street. Coming to the iron door on the rooftop, Baihui casually pushed the door in, but inside this door was not a staircase, but an ordinary antechamber used to change shoes.

That's right, this is the temporary stronghold of the Watchman Dragon located in the gap between the positive and negative ~ world~ worlds.

With the help of its own particularity and the function of the base gate, it can be attached to a temporary base anywhere in the world at will, and it has probably reached the extreme of this world in terms of stealth maneuvering. For various reasons, the shorter the distance, the less cost-effective it is to move through a temporary base.

However, it is a great way to get to the place of execution through this stronghold. And after living with Xuefeng and others for about a year, Baihui is also completely accustomed to this way of traveling.

That's right, on that day, he chose the second path, abandoned his human identity, and after gaining power, he joined the Overwatch Dragon at the invitation of Yukikaze. And in this temporary stronghold, he also got his own room.

Of course, Baihui joined the outlying organization of the Overwatch Dragon. To be precise, Baihui joined not the Watchful Dragon Legion or the House of Everything, but the Watchful Dragon Guild.

In order to fight against the impending world catastrophe, and in order to make the Overwatch Dragon develop more rapidly, it was proposed by Xuefeng and then recognized by the Wanshiya system, a subordinate organization: the Overwatch Dragon Guild.

Baihui was the first to join this plane, and the first to join the Overwatch Dragon Guild.

Because he has his own life in this plane, Baihui doesn't just live in this stronghold. It's just a matter of going to the execution site through the stronghold's stealth maneuvering ability, as well as the occasional meal and overnight stay.

"I'm back, Alice."

"Welcome home, Miss Pak Hui. Miss Xuefeng has instructed you to go to the test area for a detailed physical examination when you return. However, you don't need to go right now, you can take a break here. However, please refrain from lengthy actions such as sleeping and bathing. ”

"Yes, I see, go now. By the way, help me prepare the bath water and nightdress, and I will go straight to the shower after the inspection is completed. By the way, today, I will stay here and leave tomorrow. Remember to return to Kawagoe City, Saitama by noon tomorrow. ”

"Understood. Begin to heat up the bath water, the nightdress is ready to finish. Before noon tomorrow, this base will be attached to Kawagoe City, Saitama. ”

The magic array system spread throughout the stronghold, as well as the central management system "Alice", although they were still fussy at first, at the same time, they were at a loss, and at the same time, they were a little uncomfortable. But now, a year later, I'm completely used to this life.

Including in the dark night where no one knows, complete ~ all kinds of commissions issued by people, from finding kittens all the way to bloody killings.

Sure enough, habit is the most terrible thing?

Coming to the test area on the second basement floor, Baihui stood on top of a device with a familiar way. Then, the indicator light of the device and the various magic patterns inside began to light up one by one.

A few minutes later, after countless rays of light scanned Baihui several times, the device fell silent again, and Baihui left the test area straight and went to the bath ~ room in his room.

"Ahh

A detailed physical report of Baihui came to the front of Xuefeng after passing through the line. Looking at Baihui's various physical reports on the screen, which had completely entered the inhuman realm, Xuefeng couldn't help but recall the scene when he asked Baihui.

After explaining the choice, Xuefeng turned around and planned to leave the emergency room: "I'll give you a day......"

Baihui directly interrupted Xuefeng's words and said firmly: "No need, I choose the second path." ”

"Huh? Why? ”

With a little memory, Baihui said slowly. There was a sad light in those eyes, it was a memory that I didn't want to touch easily, and it was a sad memory that was buried by my current self.

“…… Ever since I was a child, I was alone, and my parents rarely came home because of work...... And I don't have any friends, no one wants to play with me, and no one really wants to help me...... I can say that my childhood was synonymous with loneliness, and I lived alone from beginning to end. ”

"When I came into contact with the supernatural and urban legends, I was completely fascinated by the loneliness of the ......"

"Maybe I'm instinctively pursuing the truth and the other side of the world, so I'm directly obsessed with it and persistently pursuing it."

"But it is undeniable that although I don't have any hope intellectually, deep down I also look forward to being able to use these to get my own friends and make me no longer alone. Even if it's just a miracle......"

"Because I have been in contact with these beings for many years, and have encountered danger several times, it would be a lie to say that I am not afraid. But even though I'm scared to death because of this, I'm still obsessed with it, hoping for a miracle to happen......"

Just as the night passed, the dawn brought, the sadness in the eyes gradually disappeared, and the light of hope rose here, Baihui said with reverence.

“…… That's right, miracles really happened. ”

"Because of an accident, Naoba gently helped me who was so scared that I didn't dare to move at all. I thought it would be over, but a few days later, Naoba bravely stood up for me again for me, facing the senior ~ sister......"

"I'm still obsessed with the mysteries and urban legends, but Naoba has been helping me on the grounds of my timidity."

"Although I know that my actions are stupid and naïve in the eyes of Naoba, Naoba has never left my side. I've been saying that I'm definitely not going to do it next time, but I've always been by my side, helping me, and protecting me......"

As time passed, as if remembering something, Baihui left her own tears and said in a panic.

"And this time, it's even more to protect me, even though my whole body trembles, Naoba still holds the weapon firmly and faces the enemy that I can't defeat at all......"

"Obviously leave my words, obviously ignore my words...... It's still the physical fitness of the straight leaves.,It's completely possible to escape.。 But he always stood in front of me and protected me......"

“…… This time, in the end, it was you who protected Naoba at the cost of your own life. Xue Feng said lightly.

After a long pause, Baihui said in an extremely firm tone.

"That's right, I've been cowardly, cowardly, scared countless times!"

"But if I see my best and only friend at the beginning, giving his life to protect me, then it is better to let me trade my life for Naoba's survival!"

"I've been helped by Naoba countless times, and I've been protected by Naoba countless times."

"This time, it's up to me to protect Naoba, even if it's at the cost of my own life!"

Looking at the stone mask in Xue Feng's hand, Baihui said firmly and slowly.

"If I put that mask on, I'll gain power, right, I'll get enough power, I'll get enough power to protect Naoba in the future, right!"

Xue Feng nodded and said, "That's right. However, at the price, you will lose your human identity. ”

"I don't know who you really are, Celestial? Demon? Or aliens? But none of this matters. I have prayed to the Heavens, but the Heavens have never answered me. I used to think the world was safe enough, but my only friend almost lost his life in front of my eyes. ”

"So, I need strength, I need strength to be able to protect Naoba in the future."

"At the cost of abandoning human identity? That's not worth mentioning at all! ”

Looking at those firm and pure eyes, Xue Feng seemed to think of a lot, recalling countless past events.

The last dragon army that had followed him, constantly using the forbidden method for the ultimate glory. The racial alliance that once faced countless enemies times its size, but still fearlessly charged forward, and never took a step back until it was killed. The Forbidden Knights who once returned from the realm of the dead in order to protect the world and fulfill their vows, and guarded the living as the dead......

No power is original sin, and no faith is worst!

Xue Feng, who came back to his senses, handed over the stone mask in his hand: "Understood." Since it's your choice, wear this mask. ”

Without hesitation, Baihui put the stone mask on his face.