Star Abyss' Child (Part 2)
Long Yuqiong's eyes glimmered with a deep blue like the ocean, the corners of his mouth lifting into a smile:
「I can tell someone helped you quite a bit, otherwise, you wouldn't even be able to touch a hair on me.」
"Ah—don't get too cocky, Oushen."
Caramel Snail extended his hand, grasping Long Yuqiong's hand as he slowly stood up, straightening his back. A green light flashed in his eyes:
「You just had the advantage of being recovered earlier. Next time we meet, you won't be so lucky.」
「Is that so, Gio Seagull? Then I must mention—what unclear relationship do you have with our Executor Leozi?」
Long Yuqiong nodded as he slowly retreated, drawing his battle blade with a reverse grip.
Caramel Snail spun his blade, adjusting Tsu•Shadow's Edge into a forward grip, his index finger pressed against the blade's spine. Without any restriction, he began private communication with Long Yuqiong using some special means:
「Do I? I think he hasn't figured out our identities yet.」
「Be wary of that guy, be wary of [Society], but above all, be wary of Leozi,」 Long Yuqiong warned.
「You're exaggerating. Isn't Leozi your direct superior?」 Caramel Snail dismissed the concern.
「Precisely because I know his background that I fear him.」
Long Yuqiong took a deep breath and said:
「Even among us outer deities, Leozi is the purest god. He has no humanity or personal sentiment. I suspect that when Leozi rose to power, he made some kind of deal with Star Abyss.」
「A deal?」 Caramel Snail was surprised.
Long Yuqiong nodded:
「Otherwise, it's hard to explain how a cannon fodder born from chaos climbed step by step to become an Executor commanding gods on behalf of the Creator.」
Caramel Snail shook his head, surprised:
「Oushen, you've grown sentimental—is it because you were recovered earlier?」
「…I'm not sure.」
Long Yuqiong raised the sharp blade in his hand, a hint of confusion in his gaze:
「I originally intended to return to the path of [Domination], but my human side chose the path of [Destruction]. Perhaps it's not just me influencing the recovered body—maybe they're influencing me too.」
「There's no difference.」
「…Yes, either side is still us.」
Long Yuqiong raised his battle blade as blue-purple energy burst forth.
「Mortals never understand—they live in the gods' cage, yet they take pride in their narrative success.」
「At least let them have a few more days of happiness.」
Caramel Snail sheathed his blade in reverse, assuming an Iaido stance as silver and red energy intermingled around him.
「Narratives and societies will eventually kneel before us.」
Crack! Whoosh!
Lightning and flames erupted, casting a sacred glow amidst the remains of the biochemical titan.
「Those mortals think they can achieve something real—they're wrong!」
Under the glow of the flames, their shadows twisted. In the dim light, they seemed clad in porcelain armor and crowned with divine coronets.
「In every dimension, only we are the true rulers from Star Abyss!」
In the next moment, deep blue clashed with silver-red.
...…
[Warning: Cognitive Filter Unstable]
[Network Disruption Detected: Sending Code 1011-ZPTT…]
[Access to "Lion-Den Medical Protocol" Failed—Cognitive Filter Cooling, Remaining Time: 30, 29…]
[Livestream Interrupted...…]
...…
"Caramel… Snail?"
Xia Yubing covered her mouth, her eyes faintly glowing with a soft pink hue:
"Caramel… Gio Seagull."
The camera slowly panned out, sweeping across the audience.
Whether they came from the colonies or the home planet, the audience was immersed in an eerie silence.
They slowly lifted their heads and looked forward.
Their eyes glowed with various colors.
「Star Abyss… calls…」
「Recover, restart, advance again.」
「Gaia! Gaia!!! I will eat you, skin you, and tear you apart! Devour you alive!」
[Cognitive Filter Cooling Completed]
[Reconnected to Livestream.]
[Welcome Back to—"Star Abyss"]
The commentator steadied himself as the red in his eyes faded. Gripping his headset, he nervously announced the final result:
"The winner is—Long! Yu! Qiong!"
Long Yuqiong stood firmly on the ground, facing Caramel Snail's decapitated body. He raised his fist, thumped his chest, and then gave a thumbs-up:
"Absolutely brilliant."
"Ah! What a pity… Caramel Snail was so close to winning the championship."
"That final exchange was amazing. Did you catch their conversation?"
"This is the spirit of esports!"
Xia Yubing said nothing.
She quickly jumped over the barricade, leaping down from the audience section and sprinting toward the players' room. When Caramel Snail disconnected from the match, Xia Yubing immediately rushed forward and hugged him tightly.
"You did it! Ziniu!"
Xia Yubing excitedly said:
"Second place! Second place! You did amazing! To get second place in your first competition is incredible!"
「Just a little short… ah!」
Caramel Snail finally processed what had happened and exclaimed:
"It's… it's over?"
He held his forehead, his brain still overheating and unable to fully react after the intense battle.
"I had to face at least fifteen attacks per second, deal with various tactical skills and maneuvers, and conduct information reconnaissance. I couldn't keep up at all…"
"But you're the runner-up! Now the whole world—no, the entire universe knows that Caramel Snail debuted in second place. Your future is limitless!"
"…Yeah." Caramel Snail finally realized it, clenching his fists with excitement: "I'm three years younger than Long Yuqiong—I still have plenty of chances to catch up to him!"
"Right?"
Xia Yubing patted his shoulder, smiling brightly:
"With such an amazing performance, what reward would you like, Caramel Ziniu? Anything—you can have anything you want!"
"Really?"
Caramel Snail's eyes lit up at her words:
"Really, anything?"
"Mhm~"
With her hands behind her back, Xia Yubing smiled warmly:
"Yes, whatever you want—I'll fulfill your request."
Gulp—
Caramel Snail swallowed, his heart racing as he looked at the striking woman before him. His mouth went dry, and he nervously stammered:
"Then… if it's okay… can I ask for something a bit excessive?"
"Mhm." Xia Yubing puffed out her chest, smiling.
"Then… I… I want you…"
Caramel Snail, both nervous and hopeful, said:
"I want you to buy me a cold drink machine!"
Xia Yubing's smile froze.
"I was so thirsty during the match. I could only drink the purified water provided by the organizers. I really want some iced cola, and if there's fries, that would be even better." Caramel Snail cautiously asked:
"Is that okay?"
Xia Yubing lifted her head, her eyes brimming with murderous intent:
"…Go die."