Apocalyptic Era: Starting from picking up a Bishoujo
Chapter 247 - 231 Truth or Dare

Chapter 247: 231 Truth or Dare

"Do you also feel that he doesn’t seem human?" I asked.

"Not human?"

Mazao first appeared puzzled, then she pondered for a moment before saying, "Now that you mention it, he indeed doesn’t seem human... but I didn’t feel that specifically, only that he seemed to be attracted here by... some reason."

She paused briefly, glanced at Fufeng beside her, then continued, "Like he was drawn here by some strange occurrence."

I think what she originally intended to say was "Attracted by my own Broom Star Physique," but because she wasn’t sure whether Fufeng was friend or foe, she didn’t know whether to reveal this piece of intelligence. She used to not care about such things, but now, perhaps out of consideration for me, her partner, she didn’t want to take the initiative to expose our circumstances.

If what she said was true, then it’s very likely that Dong Che didn’t come to us as part of Gua Tianshi’s plans, or did Gua Tianshi’s divination powers even take Mazao’s Broom Star Physique into account? In any case, there must be some sort of trouble with Dong Che, and continued interaction with him is probably going to muddy the waters even more.

Strange occurrences due to the Broom Star Physique aren’t something one can easily distance themselves from. At other times, I would have welcomed such troublesome abnormal events coming my way; now, I would much prefer they take a number and at least wait until the affairs endangering Mazao have been resolved.

Maybe a string of bad events is just part of the adventure. Thinking this way, it somehow doesn’t seem so hard to accept.

"It’s quite normal for demon hunters to not seem human or to exude a strange aura," explained Fufeng, seemingly used to it. He was leading the way and after a while, he spoke again, "Mr. Zhuang Cheng..."

"Just call me Zhuang Cheng," I said.

"Alright, Zhuang Cheng," he nodded, "are you aware of the divine seal?"

I had been partly focused on the Divine Seal Fragment hidden somewhere in Fufeng Base, and the fragment in my consciousness had been vibrating faintly up until this moment. Hearing him bring up the divine seal, I couldn’t help but pay serious attention.

"Are you referring to the cause of the Fantian incident?" I asked.

"Exactly, the Fantian incident... the power that used to separate the normal world from the abnormal world has vanished, and the cause is the shattering of the divine seal... Although most people in Luo Mountain do not believe in this theory, let alone the existence of the divine seal, it does exist," he said, "And in this base, a Divine Seal Fragment is housed."

He actually said it outright!

I was internally shocked, but I managed to control my facial expressions before saying, "Assuming this is true, why are you telling me this?"

"Legend says the divine seal is a Divine Artifact that can change the world, and only those who can change the world can see it. In other words, without fate, one can’t even see it. Even if one sees it by force, without the destined, it cannot be taken," he explained, "Earlier this year, we discovered this Divine Seal Fragment here but were unable to move it. After discussions, we decided to establish a branch base at this location.

"We already had plans to establish bases in the surrounding areas, so this simply moved the plans forward and adjusted the specific site selection. Of course, the goal is to guard this Divine Seal Fragment and wait for someone who can move it to appear."

So, he believes that I might be the "someone who can move it"?

"By ’we,’ do you mean Fa Zheng and his loyal followers, including yourself?" I asked, "Fa Zheng can’t move the Divine Seal Fragment either?"

"With Impermanence’s power, it certainly could be moved, but what we really want isn’t such an outcome," Fufeng said, "The Divine Seal Fragment will inevitably gravitate towards those who are fated, and we hope to collect the Divine Seal Fragments. For this, we need to unite those who are fated with the divine seal.

"We cannot let the divine seal fall into the hands of those with malicious intent, which seems to be a very reasonable thought, and therefore our Governance Ideology deems it necessary to collect it first. Transcendentalism Mountain’s Impermanence has also become aware of the reality of the divine seal and the existence of its fragments, and we cannot afford to fall behind in this competition to collect the Divine Seal Fragments.

"Zhuang Cheng, you have the qualifications to become Impermanence; in other words, you are also likely to be a person who can change the world, perhaps with a destiny linked to the divine seal. I hope you can try to touch the Divine Seal Fragment and verify this judgment."

I cannot agree to this request—I made that decision in a split second.

The last time I came in contact with another Divine Seal Fragment was in an independent reality space, I touched the Divine Seal Fragment that was once hidden in Dr. Silver Mask’s heart, and it automatically established a connection with me and was then taken into my consciousness.

And according to my subsequent tests, I have formed a binding relationship with this second Divine Seal Fragment. Just like the first one, wherever I go, that fragment follows.

Once I come into contact with the Divine Seal Fragment at Fufeng Base, it’d be hard for me to guarantee that I won’t automatically bind and take it into my possession. Doing this covertly is no issue, but doing it in front of Fu Feng would likely leave me with only two options afterward: either be bound to Fa Zheng’s campaign chariot, or be regarded as an enemy for stealing the Divine Seal Fragment.

Rolling into the political vortex of Luo Mountain for a mere Divine Seal Fragment is not worth it, and attracting the ire of Impermanence Fa Zheng for no good reason is equally undesirable. What’s more, the request Fu Feng is now making seems to have a hint of fishing for information.

I’m not naive enough to take whatever people say at face value. Is the goal of Fa Zheng and his group really just to find someone connected to the divine seal? Although I don’t mind adding the title of "One fated with the divine seal" to my name, getting dragged into some complex machinations is another matter entirely; one to which I’d rather not attend.

Yet, refusing outright would seem suspicious. The phenomenon of automatically binding and taking possession of Divine Seal Fragments is undoubtedly linked to my identity as the Chosen One of the Void Realm. If Fa Zheng really is Number Six, him hearing that I’ve refused contact with the Divine Seal Fragment without reason could lead to suspicion.

Whether I agree or refuse, my identity as the Chosen One could be somewhat revealed. Actually, I don’t mind revealing this fact, as I haven’t been particularly fixated on hiding my identity as the Chosen One. However, I’ve found some amusement in this game of guessing each other’s identities.

"Even if this judgment is verified, what then do you plan to do? I have not yet planned to join Governance Ideology, nor do I want to engage in your battle with Extraordinaryism," I said bluntly.

"Isn’t it a bit late to say that now, Zhuang Cheng? You’ve not only killed Extraordinaryism’s Great Success Rank, but also challenged Impermanence of Extraordinaryism; you’ve essentially become an enemy of Extraordinaryism," Fu Feng said, "I’m well aware of your thoughts. You have no interest in Luo Mountain’s political disputes, find it all insufferably mundane, and want to immerse yourself in your own world...

"However, as long as you live in the mortal world, you are inevitably unable to escape these matters. Especially when you possess such formidable power.

"Even if you become Impermanence, as long as there are other Impermanences in this world, you still must interact with other people. You need to determine who are your allies and enemies. Where there are people, there is politics; no one can stay completely detached."

I decided to steer the conversation back to earth: "Then at least wait until Fa Zheng comes before discussing further. The Divine Seal Fragment is a very important object, isn’t it? Let him decide on these matters when the time comes."

"Alright," Fu Feng agreed, albeit reluctantly.

Soon after, he chose rooms for me and Mazao. I specifically requested a double room. In a foreign place, it’s best to stay as close as possible. Mazao didn’t object.

We entered a room which resembled the luxury suites found in hotels, complete with two beds, and Fu Feng left. His previous words did resonate with me. ’Where there are people, there are politics; no one can stay completely detached’—it’s an undeniable truth. Yet, to join the fray just to avoid conflict is putting the cart before the horse. I’m not so easily swayed by a few words as to waver in my convictions.

And right now, I have tasks hundreds of times more important than those mundane political struggles to attend to.

After closing the room door, I turned and looked at Mazao. Finally, we had the chance to be alone. Now, I would reveal my true feelings to her.

A feeling of unease rose within me. Despite the mental preparations I’d made, as the moment approached, I couldn’t help feeling afraid.

No previous battle had made me this nervous; perhaps this was the first time I’d felt this way since the basement on the fifteenth floor.

Mazao sat on the bed, and upon seeing that I remained standing, she voiced her confusion, "Zhuang Cheng?"

"Mazao, there’s something I want to tell you," I said.

Seeing the solemnity in my attitude, she too sat up straight, serious.

"You once asked me why I’ve done so much for you, right?" I asked.

"Mhm, you said it was because... because you like me," she murmured softly.

"That is indeed a very important reason. However, there’s an even earlier reason that came before this," I said.

"An earlier reason..." She looked at me, bewildered.

"I lied to you. I’m not a good person. The reason I took you home, covered in blood and weak, was not because I couldn’t bear to leave you lying there in the night, but because I saw a possibility in you— the possibility to lead me out of a boring, conventional world into unpredictable, incredible adventures," I said.

After hearing this, she paused for a long while, slowly coming to terms with the revelation, "What you were really interested in..."

"Yes, I wanted to use your Broom Star Physique to attract endless dangers," I admitted.