Chapter Seventy-Seven: Friends

Ace quietly left his original position, and the warriors of the Special Alliance, following the destruction of the metal giant, ceased their assault and retreated in an orderly fashion. The joint task force of Fantasy City and the city guards gave only a brief chase before returning to their defensive zones, beginning repairs on their protective systems.

“A level ten, is it?” Turning back amidst the crowd, Ace could no longer see any trace of the young man who had destroyed the metal giant. “A being worthy of admiration.” Ace was certain that if he faced a level-ten powerhouse, defeat would be inevitable.

“Go back and tell those old generals in the military to calm down. We just can’t win.” Ace sighed, his expression bleak. He had meant to test the performance of the [External Armor], but just a single strike from a level-ten esper had rendered the painstaking research of the Alliance utterly worthless.

It seemed that if he wanted to defeat Fantasy City, relying on those inflexible researchers would never be enough. He would have to depend on himself. With that thought, Ace looked up once more, gazing at the dazzling starlight.

“I need to become stronger.”

…

Angela placed Xie Liu somewhere comfortable. Seeing the massive army of the Special Alliance withdraw from the skies, she knew this senseless war was finally over. After settling Xie Liu, she went out to search for rescue personnel.

Angela stood a dozen meters away, waving her small hand to attract the attention of passing rescuers. Xie Liu let out a groan, trying to move his battered body. Just then, something dark suddenly fell and landed in the sand before him.

Startled, Xie Liu focused his gaze and, with a weak curse, muttered, “You’re still alive? Tough luck, huh.”

Before him lay Snake Fang, now reduced to only his upper half; his lower body had vanished, with only metallic debris sealing his wound.

Snake Fang looked almost entirely metal now—half his face transformed, no longer resembling a living person. “No wonder the Special Alliance is full of monsters. What kind of abomination did they create?”

The giant piloted by Snake Fang had been shattered by Tianhe and Chiba, yet the most crucial figure hadn’t been destroyed. Snake Fang opened his eyes, now devoid of pupils, replaced by golden light, shining like molten metal.

“I don’t think you can be saved,” Xie Liu decided to mock Snake Fang despite his own dire state.

“Is your mouth always this provocative?” Snake Fang replied, his voice metallic. He seemed unable to move, lying just three meters from Xie Liu, within arm’s reach.

“Now, is there anything you still don’t understand?” Xie Liu ignored Snake Fang’s sarcasm, panting, “In your final moments, did you ever reflect—were your actions free of guilt?”

“Thinking about it won’t help anymore.” Snake Fang’s tone was unusually calm. Perhaps, after witnessing the power of a level-ten esper, nothing could sway his emotions.

“I am but a failure, destined never to be written into history.” Snake Fang stated quietly. “But you, the victor, may not be remembered either.”

“They’ll only record that a certain level-ten esper defeated the enemy and won the war.”

“Are espers truly heaven’s favorites?”

Xie Liu simply smiled and shook his head, unconcerned. Snake Fang suddenly asked, “You said you were powerless once.

But how did you come to this point, becoming an esper?

Why are you able to coexist peacefully with other espers?

Moreover, in this war, your role was crucial, yet you are not angry about not receiving any honor.

Why would you risk your life for people unrelated to you?”

“You’ve asked a lot at once! How should I answer?” Xie Liu smiled awkwardly. Snake Fang was silent for a moment, then spoke, “Let me rephrase. Why can you tolerate this unjust world?”

The smile on Xie Liu’s face gradually faded, his expression turning solemn. He answered without hesitation, “Even so, the world remains beautiful.”

Snake Fang’s broken body trembled slightly, and he lay back with a bitter smile. “Is the world still beautiful?”

He seemed to lose all strength, staring quietly at the sky as the golden light in his eyes slowly dimmed. “Sakura, Amy, I’m coming…” When his words fell silent, the light in his eyes vanished, and Snake Fang closed his eyes.

Watching Snake Fang slip away, Xie Liu’s gaze turned mournful. He sighed, “You were quite a character. A pity.” With that, he coughed twice, blood mixed with fragments of his lungs spilling forth.

A few minutes later, Angela arrived with a group, hurriedly placing the now barely conscious Xie Liu onto a stretcher. In his haze, Xie Liu saw someone checking Snake Fang’s remains, then lost consciousness.

…

It was a week later when Xie Liu emerged from the medical pod, assisted through all the examination procedures by the medical staff.

“This time, your luck was extraordinary. Nearly all your internal organs were smashed, none of your bones were intact, yet your brain was unharmed. Thanks to timely esper healing, you managed to survive. You really ought to thank the person who treated you in time; if they hadn’t protected your last breath, not even God could have saved you.” A Mediterranean doctor handed Xie Liu the report. “The treatment costs have already been covered for you—you’re free to go.”

“Huh?” Xie Liu was puzzled. Who had been so kind as to pay his medical bills? Glancing at the bill for 170,000 merit points, he doubted the paupers like Gong Hou would have done it.

With these questions, Xie Liu left the hospital, only to find a crowd in the lobby, gathered around a banner reading “Congratulations on Discharge.” As Xie Liu appeared, Wendy and Tianhe Miyuki placed a flower wreath around his bewildered neck.

“What’s going on?” Xie Liu saw Gong Hou and others present, though they weren’t as enthusiastic as Wendy, busy with their own affairs. He didn’t spot Ye Ling among them.

“You’re the last one discharged. Everyone wanted to throw a party for you, so they waited.” Franny emerged from the crowd, silver eyes scrutinizing Xie Liu. “Not bad, you’ve recovered well.”

“Come on, everyone’s been waiting ages.” Franny smiled gently, pulling Xie Liu along. He saw Zhao Yu and Uehara Shuichi holding signs, Tita quietly reading by the wall, and Mayuzuki Sayo polishing a dagger, giving Xie Liu a cold smile—her left arm fully healed.

But Angela was nowhere to be seen.

Xie Liu recalled the doctor’s words; without Angela, he would likely have died. He had meant to thank her.

Leaving the hospital, Xie Liu saw several luxurious cars parked outside, his eyes lighting up.

Everyone boarded, heading toward Franny’s estate.

At the door, the group clamored noisily. Just as they entered, Ye Ling, dressed as a maid with hands on her hips, blocked their path. “Wendy, how dare you trick me! We agreed to cook together, and now there’s only me and Angela?”

Wendy smiled helplessly. “Well, you see, I just can’t cook.” She clasped her hands in plea. At the same moment, Angela, also in maid attire, ran over with a ladle, “Ye Ling, why are you here? Come quick, I—”

Angela froze, spotting Xie Liu among the crowd. Xie Liu smiled and waved.

“Ah~!” Angela shrieked like a kitten with its tail stepped on, disappearing within seconds.

Xie Liu’s smile stiffened. “What did I do wrong?”

“Because you’re ugly!” the crowd chimed in unison.

…

“I’ve heard the details from Wendy. Thank you so much this time.” Franny pulled Xie Liu aside during the banquet. “If not for you, Wendy and the others might not have made it back alive. If you hadn’t stopped that metal giant, the Hokkaido branch would no longer exist.”

“Wait, stopping that guy at the end wasn’t my doing.” Xie Liu interrupted, but Franny shook her head. “I contacted Chiba earlier—he rushed over from the Far East branch. If you hadn’t delayed it, Chiba couldn’t have arrived before it entered the branch.”

“However, the higher-ups seem to have given all the credit to Chiba. Sorry about that; I’ll try to negotiate for you.” Franny looked embarrassed. Xie Liu smiled, sipping his juice. “This is just fine.”

Franny seemed about to say more when Xie Liu suddenly spoke, “By the way, I suspect there’s a traitor in your Hokkaido branch.”

Franny’s gaze turned strange, and the atmosphere between them grew tense. She nodded, “I know.”

Xie Liu realized he had underestimated her. She must have known about the traitor long ago, only surprised by this attack. Their conversation ended, neither sure how to proceed, until Franny spoke, “We held a meeting at headquarters and passed a bill to formally expel the powerless from the city’s main branch. I’m sorry, I didn’t—”

“It’s not your fault, and you have nothing to apologize for. Don’t worry too much about it.” Xie Liu cut her off. Franny pressed her lips and nodded. “I plan to open the Hokkaido branch to those expelled from headquarters, but our branch is too small—it’s like a drop in the bucket. I need to contact other branches to ease the pressure.”

“We have a long road ahead. Take it step by step.” Xie Liu met Franny’s gaze. “I trust you, because you are Franny.”

Her eyes flickered with emotion. Xie Liu shrugged with a smile and turned to leave.

…

“Today, let’s toast to everyone’s safe discharge!” Franny stood at the head of the table, raising her glass. Everyone followed, drinking together. Tianhe Miyuki, underage, could only glare at her juice.

Setting down her glass, Franny continued.

“This battle moved me deeply and left many warnings.”

“Seven days ago, we lost 1,436 outstanding warriors, all elites of the city. Through our carelessness and complacency, we lost far too many talented people.”

“This event tells us we are still not safe, still on the brink of war. Each of us must remain vigilant. Our enemy is still strong.”

Franny’s words were not only for those present but also transmitted throughout the Hokkaido branch via her ability.

“But we will not fear. Our forebears fought their way through countless thorns; what they accomplished, we can as well. This event shall not happen again. We will be prepared, ready at any time for battle.”

“In this fight, I was honored to witness our warriors’ bravery. Thanks to your courage, even in the face of overwhelming odds, we held the line and protected our home. Let us pray for the dead. In the future, we will carry flowers and swords.”

“Flowers for our comrades, swords against our enemies!”

…

“Well, that's it. We should head back.” Xie Liu and his companions bid Franny farewell, who saw them off outside the city. “Come visit often!”

“Not likely. Nothing good ever happens when we do.” Xie Liu laughed; Franny smiled in response. “Meeting you and becoming friends was truly wonderful.”

“We’re honored as well.” Xie Liu nodded, then turned to leave with his friends. “See you at the Hunter Tournament next month.” With that, they entered the spatial device. At that moment, Wendy stepped forward and shoved a small item into Xie Liu’s hand. “This is for you.”

Xie Liu paused, glancing at the warm little item—it was a lunchbox. “You made this? You can cook?” He looked at the boisterous girl in surprise.

Wendy grinned. “Not telling you.” She glanced at Angela, hiding in the corner. “See you at the Hunter Tournament.”

“Mm, see you.” Xie Liu stowed the lunchbox, pressed the teleport button with Gong Hou and the others, and the group vanished.

(End of volume)