As the flames and shockwave reached Ning Yu, she immediately activated her recharged ability, [Blood Mirror].
The explosion's force was reflected by the [Blood Mirror], but since there was no enemy to target, Ning Yu didn't attempt a perfect counter timing, which would have amplified the explosion's power.
Even so, the explosion's power was formidable.
When the smoke cleared, Zhuang Wugou's head had been obliterated, and the reflected blast had blown a massive hole in the exhibition hall's wall.
If not for the [Blood Mirror], the group would have likely been severely injured or killed.
Ning Yu took out an extractor from her pocket and began extracting serum from the Sloth.
It was then that she realized a serious problem:
With Zhuang Wugou gone, the core of the base was missing, and she wondered how the Ark would continue to function.
This depended on how crucial Zhuang Wugou's role had been in the base's operations.
All the parts that relied on him would now need to be reassigned elsewhere or to other people, and she wondered if this would cause chaos within the base.
Despite Zhuang Wugou's actions, the current state of the Ark base was actually quite suitable for staying temporarily.
Ning Yu knew that the apparent prosperity of the Ark base was partly due to its well-established systems, but more so due to Zhuang Wugou's advanced technology, such as the zombie power generation in the underground second floor.
He had also established research groups and a system for cultivating awakened individuals.
Although all of this was ultimately to serve the purpose of sending awakened individuals to die and become nourishment for mutated zombies.
So, what would happen to the Ark base now?
Ning Yu had a big question mark in her mind.
She suddenly thought of someone who might be willing to take over this responsibility.
Shaking her head, she stopped thinking about these messy things. If the Ark fell apart, so be it.
All she cared about were Shen Yiyue and her sister.
Shen Yiyue was already packing up all the weapons, while Ji Mengyao helped Wu Di to his feet.
"Let's go back?" Ning Yu suggested.
"Today is also Mengyao's birthday."
When Ning Yu mentioned this, everyone remembered.
However, the events of the day were too heavy, and Ji Mengyao seemed to still be in shock, her eyes dull and her head lowered.
Wu Di was still in a daze, silently being supported by Ji Mengyao. He had also heard Zhuang Wugou's words.
But from the beginning, he hadn't come to the Ark for any ideals; he had only come to be with Ji Mengyao.
Now, seeing that Ji Mengyao seemed to be in a bad mood, he didn't say anything.
......
On the way back, Ning Yu drove silently, with Ji Mengyao and Wu Di in the backseat and Shen Yiyue in the passenger seat.
"Mengyao, happy birthday."
Wu Di took out the turntable he had wanted to give her and placed it in Ji Mengyao's hands.
He had cleaned off the dust during the journey, and it now gleamed like new.
He gave Ji Mengyao a gentle smile.
Ji Mengyao temporarily forgot about Zhuang Wugou's incident, as at least one happy thing had happened today.
As soon as she looked up, she pointed at Wu Di in surprise:
"You....?"
Wu Di, seeing Ji Mengyao's reaction, was momentarily confused:
"What's wrong with me? Do I have a flower on my face?"
Shen Yiyue, hearing this, turned around to look at Wu Di, but all she saw was his smile that hadn't yet faded.
But Shen Yiyue suddenly realized something and exclaimed, "Ah!"
"What's going on?"
Ning Yu, also puzzled by their reactions, wondered what was so special about giving a birthday gift.
The birthday gifts she and Shen Yiyue had prepared for Ji Mengyao were still at the apartment, not yet taken out.
"Wu Di.... he smiled!!!"
Shen Yiyue excitedly shook Ning Yu to emphasize her excitement.
Ning Yu quickly stopped her, worried about the dangerous driving:
"Alright, alright, I'm still driving...... What? What did you say?"
Now even Ning Yu couldn't help but glance back, completely forgetting her earlier warning about driving.
Wu Di's warm smile had already disappeared, replaced by a look of bewilderment. Hearing Shen Yiyue's words, he touched his face, as if he didn't recognize himself.
"Really? I feel like I'm completely different from before!"
His face lit up with excitement, his third expression after the smile and bewilderment.
"Your emotional disorder....."
Ji Mengyao covered her mouth, unable to believe it, but also thrilled, her eyes welling up with tears of joy.
"Mengyao? What's wrong? Why are you crying....."
Wu Di's excited expression turned to panic as he saw Ji Mengyao's reaction, unsure of what to do.
This was probably the day with the most expressions Wu Di had ever shown.
"You fool, do you know how long I've been waiting for you....?"
She began to sob, but it wasn't out of sadness, but pure joy.
"I was so afraid that one day you.... would never be able to accept this emotion...."
Now it was Ning Yu and Shen Yiyue's turn to be stunned: How had these two progressed so quickly in just one day?
Waiting for you for so long? This emotion?
What had they done when the two of them were alone?
Wu Di, however, seemed to have suddenly come to terms with it, as he could finally express and feel emotions like a normal person.
Without any hesitation, he pulled Ji Mengyao into his arms and whispered in her ear:
"Mengyao, I've kept you waiting."
His bold actions and words made Ji Mengyao blush, and she lightly poked him:
"What are you doing, Ning Yu and Shen Yiyue are still here!!"
But she didn't push him away, staying comfortably in his embrace.
"Wow!!!!!"
Shen Yiyue, the ultimate gossip, was the most excited.
"You two..... when did you progress to this point?"
Her curiosity was burning.
Ji Mengyao, now embarrassed, tried to escape Wu Di's embrace, but he held on tightly, his strength too much for her to break free.
"Ah.... it's so sweet, I'm full of dog food."
"Come on, Ning Yu, open your mouth, don't be shy, have some too!"
She tried to feed Ning Yu some imaginary dog food, earning a glare from Ning Yu, who reminded her she was still driving.
The two in the backseat were immersed in their sweet world, whispering secrets to each other.
Shen Yiyue lay down in the front seat:
"Woohoo, so sweet! You two should get married soon."
Her eyes, however, kept glancing at Ning Yu, who was driving seriously.
iemie, male, Race: Moon. Hobby: Collecting anomalies. At first, he thought he possessed two systems: the Crimson Rainbow Moon and the Clear Cold Frost Moon. One day, he discovered that he himself could also become a system for others, holding the chessboard of fate. The Eighth Epoch, also known as the Eternal Moon Epoch. Humans, witches, elves, bloodline descendants, specters, demons, and spirits together compose a new history. Walking the path on behalf of the moon, before he knew it, Chen Miemie's footsteps were followed by all manner of strange and wondrous anomalies. As time passed, many titles circulated about him—The King in Yellow, Lord of Anomalies, Heart of the Eternal Moon, and more. "Me? I'm just a traveler who enjoys collecting interesting creatures," Chen Miemie said.
grated, and just when he finally managed to get into an elite academy, he discovered that he actually had a system, and the way to earn rewards was extremely ridiculous. So for the sake of rewards, he had no choice but to start acting ridiculous as well. Su Cheng: "It's nothing but system quests after all." But later, what confused Su Cheng was that while he was already quite ridiculous, he never expected those serious characters to gradually become ridiculous too. And the way they looked at him became increasingly strange... (This synopsis doesn't do it justice, please read the full story)
] This is a dark fantasy-themed dating simulation game. The main gameplay involves containing various monster girls and investigating the truth of a world shrouded in mist alongside your companions. However, due to his love for the dark and bizarre atmosphere, Luo Wei ended up turning a dating game into a detective mystery game. Women? Women only slow down his quickdraw! To Luo Wei, the female leads in the game are more like tools to perfectly clear levels and squeeze out rewards. For Luo Wei, flirting with every girl he meets and then discarding them is standard procedure. Worried about characters losing affection points? No need. With his maxed-out charm stat, Luo Wei is practically a "human incubus." A little psychological manipulation and those points come right back. It's a bit scummy, but the paper cutout heroines in the game won't actually come at him with real cleavers. However... Luo Wei has transmigrated. He's accidentally entered the second playthrough of this game. His past actions have caused all the girls to transform into terrifying yanderes. Due to the game's setting, most of the heroines he once contained are "troubled girls." Obsessive, twisted, mentally unstable, all aggressive yanderes... The type who will kill you if they can't have you... Luo Wei wants to cry but has no tears left. "I really just want to survive..." In short, this is a story of battling wits and engaging in a love-hate relationship with yanderes.
] [Lone Wolf, No Male Gaze] [Protagonist is pursued early on; extreme protagonist-stans, stay away!] The "Carnival Paradise" descends and slowly devours the real world in the form of a game. By chance, Zhu Yan awakens the talent [Roleplay], becoming one of the first beta players. He thought he could develop safely, but after clearing the first instance, he is branded by humanity as the chief culprit behind the game's spread—a traitorous villain. A villain? Who would ever... become one! He'll be the villain! From then on, Zhu Yan is not only a player but also a lackey for the Carnival Paradise. Between the straight path and the crooked path, he chooses the con. With his left hand, he dons the villain's mantle, staging scenes within instances, infuriating players who decry him as a despicable traitor, all while the game happily promotes him. With his right hand, he joins the non-human organization "Fangcun Mountain," which opposes the Carnival Paradise, transforming into a mysterious player who slaughters game bosses, earning cheers of "Long live the expert!" from fellow players. Gradually, Zhu Yan rises to become an S-rank human player in Fangcun Mountain's archives, while also being the Carnival Paradise's certified top game Boss. But when the final war erupts and both major factions place their hopes in him— Players tag his various aliases: "Experts, this offensive depends on you." The Carnival Paradise's supreme Boss throws an arm around his neck: "Bro, you're the iron, I'm the steel; you can't let me down again!"
