The Creatures That We Are
Chapter 1254: Gates of Closure

Chapter 1254: Gates of Closure

“You’re right,” Gao Yang said in a hollow voice, “He’s never been that.”

“So this is Dragon’s mission,” Gregor breathed out. “He didn’t go all out during the Battle of the Curtain Call because he needed to preserve strength for this moment.”

Zhang Wei wasn’t sure how to untangle his complicated feelings. “So I was the petty man who misunderstood a bigger man.”

“Same for me,” Adept Horse said. “But I would still consider the worst-case scenario should I go back in time.”

Liao Liao felt a stab of guilt. “Captain Dragon... Why didn’t he say anything?”

“Maybe he wanted us to misunderstand him,” Vermilion Bird said.

Realization dawned on Liao Liao. “Ah, so that’s that.”

The others caught up as well except for Wang Zikai. He didn’t understand and didn’t try. He was simply disappointed. “Really? He just died? We aren’t gonna fight?”

Gao Yang dissected the situation bleakly. Dragon must have seen his true mission in its entirety the moment he touched the Miracle Rune Circuit—he was going to reach level 8 Overlord and “open” the Gates of Closure, only the price would be his life.

So Dragon must preserve his strength. Even if he could’ve killed all seven death monsters at the price of his life, he must not do that.

Then, after the Battle of the Curtain Call, he vanished with the Miracle Rune Circuit without any explanation. On one hand, he wanted to stop others from trying the wrong answers; they couldn’t create other combinations with one Rune Circuit missing.

On the other hand, Dragon wanted them to see him as a potential enemy.

Concerns bred the strength for survival. Complacency led to death.

The humans had to stay alert with a concrete threat urging them to get stronger in order to make as much progress as they could, which was what Dragon wanted.

Dragon could only open the Gates. He couldn’t enter it. The rest of them were on their own.

No one knew if what awaited beyond the Gates was light or darkness, rebirth or destruction. They couldn’t go wrong by maximizing their power.

Rumble. The Gates of Closure slowly opened.

Although it had only opened by a crack, it was as wide as a valley to them, from which colorful lights flooded out. It seemed to be coming from a higher dimension, capable of piercing everything, every life, or even time and space itself.

The world turned into a submerged oil painting once more, and those portrayed in the painting melted. This time, though, they retained their autonomy and could move freely without feeling any threat. They merely existed as something more fundamental.

“Gao Yang, the Gates are closing!” Dr. Jia shouted.

“How do you know?” Zhang Wei asked.

“My hunch!” Dr. Jia said, unabashed.

“Seriously? Should a scientist like you make a judgment based on a hunch?” Liao Liao couldn’t help but comment.

“I don’t care! I’m getting in! And you all are, too! Protect me!” Dr. Jia demanded more than requested. He would not let a chance to understand the ultimate truth of the world slip—the only chance.

“Think about what Dragon said,” Gregor pointed out. “Dr. Jia’s hunch is right.”

“You only have one chance. Are you ready?”

They all realized that he was right.

“Brother Yang, what are we waiting for?” Zhang Wei exclaimed.

“Bro, we’re really gonna save the world this time!” Wang Zikai rubbed his hands together in anticipation.

“Make the call, Gao Yang,” Vermilion Bird said.

They all turned to Gao Yang, ready for this to be a one-way trip.

Finally, Gao Yang stepped forward.

“Let’s go.”

They braved the pouring pigments and entered the Gates of Closure as melting colors. One lone figure remained outside as they vanished, then “he” scattered into energy particles. It was a substitute.

Rumble.

The Gates of Closure slammed shut.

...

“Captain!”

Dragon stood in a wasteland in a dim, dissipating light. Darkness was about to flood the world. He turned around to find White Rabbit calling out to him.

Dressed like a delinquent, the girl rushed over to him and threw herself into his arms. “I missed you to death, Captain!”

“Yeah, you literally missed him to death,” War Tiger said with a grin, a cigarette in his mouth and no weapons arming him.

White Rabbit was belatedly shocked by her own audacity. She hurriedly let go of Drgon.

Wiping tears from her eyes, she turned around and shot War Tiger a glare. “Shut it!”

“Hey, it’s not fair! Why didn’t you give me a hug when you saw me?” Wu Dahai, wearing a leather jacket and leather pants with his broom head standing in attention, put on a hurt look by War Tiger’s side.

“You shut it, too!” White Rabbit took a deep breath. “Don’t force me to say censored words before Captain.”

“White Rabbit, you should be yourself before someone you like,” Officer Huang said with a smile, a gentle arm around Su Xi.

Eyes lowered with a small smile, Su Xi hummed to lull a baby to sleep.

“No!” White Rabbit pouted. “Captain will only see my best side!”

“Haha, you’re too young to understand.”

Officer Huang turned back to his wife and child. He made a face, and the baby let out a peal of laughter, reaching his chubby hand to touch his father’s face.

“Stop it,” Su Xi chided softly. “Our child was finally falling asleep.”

“Captain.”

“Captain.”

Ghost Horse and Songstress greeted in unison. The former was dressed in a suit with an air of exhaustion and reservation, but his eyes were soft. The latter wore a white dress and a veil with a bouquet of forget-me-nots, radiating happiness like a bride.

“Captain.”

“Captain.”

“Captain.”

It was Mischievous Monkey, Dead Pig, and Ba Qiuchi’s turn. Mischievous Monkey leveled Dragon with a calm look while standing on one foot, clad in a taichi outfit. Dead Pig and Ba Qiuchi wore cute couple jumpers; Dead Pig looked big and awkward like a bear, making Bai Qiuchi seem like a lively doe.

Liu Qingying, with her silver hair in an updo, wore a red sleeveless qipao that exposed her back. She smiled, her eyes alluring and bright. She was again the owner of a barbecue restaurant everyone knew her as.

“Captain.”

“Captain.”

“Captain.”

Zhong He, Yellow Lotus, and Thick Earth called out at the same time. They were dressed in casual clothes, each holding a beer, with faces flushed with alcohol. It seemed that they had had a pleasant gathering.

“Captain.”

“Captain.”

“Captain.”

...

Many more voices greeted Dragon. All past members of the Twelve Zodiac Signs circled him, wearing their animal masks.

Dragon nodded. “You’re all here.”

White Rabbit couldn’t wait to ask the question that all of them were thinking. “Captain, are the Gates of Closure real?”

“Of course.”

“Then did you open it?”

“Of course.”

“Awesome! I knew you would do it! What’s on the other side, Captain?”

“Sorry,” Dragon said. “I don’t know.”

“Oh, that’s too bad...” White Rabbit was a little sad.

“It’s okay.” Dragon smiled. “Dark Horse will see it for us.”

“Alright.” White Rabbit’s eyes glinted, her lips curved into a mischievous smile. “I do miss him a little all of a sudden.”

“Haha, nice! Let’s think Little Yang Yang to death as well!” War Tiger guffawed.

Dragon turned and glanced above his shoulder for one last time. There lay nothing, but also everything.

“It’s getting dark. Let’s hurry.”

Without hesitation, Dragon started walking.

They all parted ways to let him go first, then they followed him.

Wind billowed. The sky darkened.

A group of humans vanished into the vast wasteland, lonesome yet brimming with warmth.

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