Apocalyptic Era: Starting from picking up a Bishoujo
Chapter 149 - 142 Return to Reality_2

Chapter 149: 142 Return to Reality_2

"Zhuang Cheng," she called out to me.

It took me a few seconds to regain my composure, then I turned to look at her as she patiently watched me.

"I’m back," I said.

-

Despite many twists and turns, speaking of outcomes, my primary goal for entering the Void Realm this time was successfully achieved.

I had successfully met with No.2 Small Bowl and given her the name, though "Small Bowl" wasn’t exactly a real name, but a temporary code name designed by her and Mazao. It indeed carried many shared memories between her and Mazao, sufficient to rescue her from the crisis of sin demonization. I had perfectly met Mazao’s expectations.

The awakening of the Master of Divine Seal and the proposed competition for the fragments were certainly significant, and I was genuinely interested in them. However, to me, those matters still did not outweigh my importance in Mazao’s heart. If Mazao were ever to completely lose hope in me and sever all ties with me, it would indeed feel like the sky was falling—a peculiar comparison that might make me sound like a man obsessed with a little girl, but that’s not really the case.

When I announced my triumphant news, she was so overjoyed that she hugged me tightly.

Moreover, now that No.2 Small Bowl had escaped the crisis of sin demonization and it was confirmed that holding hands in sleep couldn’t bring Mazao into the Void Realm, there was no longer any reason for me to share a bed with Mazao. Sharing a bed with a beautiful person of the opposite sex is a very common expectation, and naturally, I was no exception, which made me deeply regret this.

I also informed Mazao about the existence of the Master of Divine Seal and the fragment competition, which plunged her into deep worry and sorrow.

"Zhuang Cheng, do you plan to participate in this fragment competition?" she asked.

"I guess I have no choice but to participate," I said.

Although the Master of Divine Seal stated I had invaded the Void Realm autonomously, from my perspective, I actually never had the option to refuse entry. The Divine Seal Fragments would automatically return to me, and as long as I slept, sooner or later, I would be pulled into the Void Realm again. And in the Void Realm, it was the Master of Divine Seal’s home field; I couldn’t think of a way to defy him yet.

Of course, I could choose to never sleep from now on. But such a measure, not just for me but for others—at least for No.4 Xuanming and No.6 Impermanence—it should be quite easy to accomplish as well. I didn’t think a trick of this level would make the Master of Divine Seal surrender.

Also, considering that No.2 Small Bowl was chosen as a participant in this fragment competition too, due to the relationship with Mazao, I couldn’t ignore her situation. I had to retain my participant status.

Besides these negative reasons, I had proactive reasons for participating in the fragment competition.

"The Master of Divine Seal said we could exchange ’answers’ for Divine Seal Fragments," I took out my own Divine Seal Fragment, "Though I can’t use this one bound to me for an exchange, if I can obtain another one, according to the rules, I could ask him a question. Such as ’Why did the Doomsday come?’, or ’What is the solution to resolve the Doomsday?’"

Considering that the Master of Divine Seal might be the primary culprit behind the world’s apocalypse, he might not be willing to answer such questions.

Similarly, even if I were to collect the most Divine Seal Fragments and become the so-called winner and then wish for him to "save the world," he might still not be willing to fulfill it.

This kind of behavior is undoubtedly tricky and ugly, but the initiative is ultimately on his side, and we can’t expect him to absolutely act according to our hopes.

However, since he has already boasted, I think it is necessary to try to probe him.

Mazao thought for a moment then shook her head: "...No, Zhuang Cheng, collecting Divine Seal Fragments is fine, but you shouldn’t make deals with that Master of Divine Seal."

"Why?" I asked curiously.

"Making deals with unknown and bizarre entities, more often than not, doesn’t lead to good outcomes. Especially those who claim they can fulfill any wish are the most suspect," she looked at me with a worried expression, "Even just asking questions could be dangerous. If it were just an ordinary bizarre entity, you wouldn’t have to worry about threats. However, this time your counterpart has the power of the divine seal, and you mustn’t take that risk."

"Even if making a deal with him could possibly reveal the truth about the apocalypse?" I asked.

Mazao hesitated for a moment, then nodded, "...Yes, even so."

Even though there was an option right in front of me to directly obtain the answers, I was afraid of the risks and didn’t move forward, which somewhat deviated from my style. However, this was even more true for Mazao. The fact that she, whose mission was to prevent the Doomsday from happening, was persuading me not to take dangerous shortcuts touched me deeply.

"I understand. Until I can confirm whether there are risks involved in the transaction itself, I won’t make any deals with him," I said, finding a middle ground.

She breathed a small sigh of relief.

Perhaps she wasn’t just worried about me asking the Master of Divine Seal for ways to stop the Doomsday. She was also concerned that I might propose a deal for my own desires. Although she didn’t know what my desires were, everyone has desires. The bait thrown by the Master of Divine Seal was just so universally tempting.

But even if I chose to remain inactive, others might not. Take No. 6, for example. He clearly had a strong obsession with making wishes and might immediately initiate a trade with the Master of Divine Seal after acquiring new Divine Seal Fragments. No. 5 seemed to also have such inclinations. When the time came, I could observe from the sidelines.

Several days passed thereafter.

During this period, there were no new upheavals. There were no further trips into the Void Realm, nor any weird incidents. Considering Mazao’s inherent Broom Star Physique, this peaceful period could be seen as a harbinger of an impending storm, negatively (or positively, for me) speaking.

However, just like the heroes of some extremely busy fantasy stories might have normal breathing space, even Mazao wasn’t constantly engulfed in perilous events 365 days a year. She took it all in stride, continuing to keep her guard up, prepared for any impending catastrophe that might strike again.

I especially took her out for a walk twice and also bought her several sets of seasonal clothing. It wasn’t just out of necessity. Her habitual readiness for danger often made me feel a protective urge to treat her to tasty food and beautiful sights, to allow her to enjoy things she couldn’t have in the resource-scarce Doomsday Era.

Sometimes she would frown in displeasure, criticizing that these indulgences might erode her resilient spirit. I couldn’t deny that such resilience was indeed indispensable given the hardships her life was destined for. Yet, I genuinely loved seeing her usually cold expression melt into an unconsciously revealed smile of happiness.

And seeing her adorable yet distressed expression, I couldn’t help wanting to make her feel even more conflicted.

She seemed oblivious to my "ill intentions." Probably because she saw me through rose-colored glasses, interpreting all my actions as purely good-natured.

"Zhuang Cheng, you’ve done so much for me, how can I ever repay you?" she sighed.

"You want to save the world, don’t you? Compared to what you aim to do, my help doesn’t even qualify as repayment. Just accept it without worry," I said.

"But, Zhuang Cheng, aren’t you also planning to prevent the Doomsday with me?" she said, "Since you want to repay me, I should repay you too."

Planning to prevent the Doomsday—me?

I kept the truth hidden in my heart.

Occasionally, Mazao would look at the food in her hands with a very complicated expression, perhaps thinking of No. 2 Small Bowl, who still lived a harsh life in the Doomsday Era.

When buying her new clothes, I also invited Zhu Shi to guide us. Zhu Shi saw everything I did and seemed to see through my motives, occasionally giving me a silent look.

"Senior Brother Zhuang, you’re somewhat of a bad influence," Zhu Shi whispered to me privately.

I countered, "Don’t you want her to be happy too?"

"Of course, I want to do that too, but Mazao won’t accept anything I buy for her... Uh, let’s not talk about that."

She seemed to have slipped up and quickly changed the subject, then looked toward Mazao not far away. More precisely, she looked at the red GPS bracelet still worn on Mazao’s left wrist.

"Senior Brother Zhuang, when do you plan to tell Mazao the truth?" she asked.

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