In the center of the hall, every warrior held a Certificate of Rewriting that emitted a cold, crystalline shimmer.
This was no ordinary medal; it was the ultimate punctuation mark on their destinies.
Holographic projections flickered in the air, presenting two deceptively simple options: [YES] or [NO].
Yet, the weight of those choices felt heavy enough to crush the very space around them.
To choose "NO" meant returning to a peaceful life—stripping off the blood-soaked glory of battle and reclaiming a mundane but complete self.
To choose "YES" meant remaining the keen edge of this squad, marching forward into an even deeper, more perilous unknown.
"Is this what 'Free Will' feels like?" Phyllis murmured. She stared at the glowing projection, her fingertips trembling in the void. For the first time, this wasn't a "Save Brother" quest forced upon her by the System; it was the first stroke of her own pen upon the canvas of her life.
"Why do you all get a choice, but I don't?"
Lawson looked at the high-tech interfaces before his comrades, then at his own empty hands. His expression became quite a sight. He deliberately struck a ridiculous pose, his hands cupping the air as if holding an invisible certificate made of the Emperor's New Clothes.
"Hey, System Master! Is this discrimination against 'Ten-Year Veterans'? I wanted to see if clicking 'NO' would teleport me straight back to my family's backyard!"
Though his actions were buffoonish, the lingering loneliness in the depths of his eyes betrayed him. Having bonded with the {Sword of System Authority} he had become the personification of this world's rules. There was no retreat for him; he had to continue as the "Manager" of this massive machine.
"WAAAAAH!!! DON'T GO!!!"
Before anyone could make their choice, Ester completely broke down. She executed a "Guide-exclusive Slide," her knees skidding across the tiles in a tragic arc. As if pulling an infinite supply from a four-dimensional pocket, she frantically wiped her streaming tears with tissues, wailing:
"I didn't think the parting would come so soon! We haven't been together long, but we've eaten meat together, been beaten together, and faced death together! I can't let you go! Sniff... if you all choose 'NO,' Ester will become a useless, unwanted brick system again!!!"
Tissues piled up like a small mountain around her.
This scene instantly derailed the heavy, "fateful" atmosphere. The warriors looked at the weeping Ester, then at Lawson, who was still playing the fool.
"Mr. Lawson..." Phyllis looked at him, her gaze hardening with resolve. "If it were my brother, he would definitely stay and fight. As his sister, I must become the Knight who guards him!" With a decisive motion, Phyllis pressed [YES].
Dodge looked at the certificate in his palm and let out a low, gruff laugh. He glanced at Lawson. "Bro, I miss the days of not hacking monsters, but if I let you toil away here alone, my muscles would probably wither from guilt." He slammed his thumb onto [YES].
Katie simply added a calm sentence: "Senior Lawson, Senior Dodge, I am with you." She chose [YES] without a second thought.
Luther pushed up his glasses and walked toward Dodge. "A teacher for a day, a father for a lifetime! I will continue to follow you, Master!" He, too, clicked [YES].
These four chose to carry the heavy burden of their armor, continuing to swim against the current in this world of chaotic laws.
However, the air did not grow somber because of Emma, Valerie, and Victor's choices. Instead, it was filled with a heart-warming sense of relief.
Emma chose to walk out of the "exquisite cage" that had held her captive for nineteen years. At that moment, the phone—embedded with the Armor Link system—automatically triggered a factory reset.
It wasn't just the uninstallation of a weapon; it was a total severance from a life manipulated by her parents.
She kept her memories, she held onto her emotions, but she finally laid down the hands meant for slaughter, reaching out instead to embrace the freedom she had long hungered for.
As for Victor and Valerie, the lovers who had clung to each other through nightmares and death, their choice brought a sting to everyone's eyes.
"Since you're afraid of losing each other, then spend a lifetime guarding each other's peace," Dodge said, patting Victor on the shoulder. This time, he didn't use his usual crushing force; his eyes were filled with the blessing of an elder brother.
Two Certificates of Rewriting collided in the air and vanished. Victor was no longer the Blue Gale; Valerie was no longer the Burning Flame. They were just a man and a woman who had survived a catastrophe, deciding to support each other through the rest of their days.
"So... choosing [NO] doesn't mean you'll be forgotten," Ester sobbed, her mountain of tissues finally stopping its growth. She looked at Emma and the others—who were no longer wearing armor but were still smiling at her—and finally laughed through her tears. "Great... everyone is still 'everyone,' we're just going to live different lives."
Lawson looked at the departing trio and said quietly:
"Choices have been made. Emma, the rebuilding of Nova Star Town requires a 'Resilient Soul'—a tumbler that never breaks. Victor, Valerie, find your sanctuary. If wedding bells ever ring, make sure to invite this old crew. The task of clearing this damn game... that's for us 'restless' warriors to handle."
"I haven't guided you for long, but in my heart, you will always be my most important students. "Katie held Valerie and Emma's hands, the warmth from their palms softening her usually sharp gaze.
"Valerie, remember my words! If Victor ever dares to bully you or makes you shed a single tear of grievance, don't be polite—cross this door and find me!" At this, Katie whipped her head around, her azure eyes flashing with a frost cold enough to freeze the air as she locked onto Victor. "I'll make him personally experience what 'Never forgive those who harm my student' feels like!"
"Waaah!" Victor was nearly knocked over by the sheer pressure of her killing intent. He stumbled back, cold sweat instantly soaking his shirt. He waved his hands frantically. "Mercy, Master! I wouldn't dare! With Valerie's punching power, I'm lucky if I don't get 'physically transcended' by her. I'm the one who needs protection! Ahaha..."
Seeing Victor's pathetic "henpecked husband" state before he had even officially retired, Katie finally burst out laughing, her worries mostly eased. She then turned to Emma, who was still waving a branch (for some reason, she still hadn't dropped it).
"Emma, same goes for you. If you run into trouble, don't just stand there like a rooted tree and take the hits. Without your armor, your small frame isn't a super tank anymore. If you need to dodge, dodge! Understand?" Katie's voice sounded like a scolding, but the slight tremor betrayed her concern.
Emma stopped waving the branch. The bright sun shone on her face—the halo of a wealthy heiress had faded, replaced by a vibrant, spirited glow. She gave Katie a brilliant smile.
"Don't worry, Master! I might move slowly, but I understand the malice of the world! When it's time to bolt, I'll be fast! But..." Emma straightened her back, her eyes reflecting a resolve they had never held before. "If I encounter trouble, I won't just hide. I'll do as you taught me: stand firm until I've solved it completely!"
That sentence finally shattered Katie's last emotional defenses.
"Silly girl..." Katie couldn't help herself. She lunged forward and pulled the seemingly slow but deeply steady girl into a tight embrace. "I didn't realize you saw things so clearly while acting so carefree. I really underestimated you... Go! Go and welcome the life you deserve!"
The heavy doors of the Base slowly opened, then slowly closed.
Katie and the others remained where they stood, their eyes following the three retreating figures. Victor held Valerie's hand, the two of them seemingly arguing about what to have for dinner; Emma skipped lightheartedly behind them, occasionally turning back to wave.
It wasn't until their silhouettes completely vanished at the end of the Nova Star Town streets that the single tear Katie had been suppressing finally rolled down her cheek, shattering on the floor. It was a tear of joy—a salute to the comrades of the old era and a fanfare for the birth of new lives.