Time and space froze in that moment.

Juxi was immersed in the aperture, naked from the waist up. Has the portal opened again?

Where am I? It's so painful, please just let it end... Ahh... Ahhh!

Juxi's inner world was on the verge of collapse.

(Juxi's mental space)

Struggling meaninglessly in endless corridors.

We haven't fought for our country for a long time. We even feel that the country is just a vulgar and detestable name.

Humans have transitioned from nations to alliances, but the situation has never shifted in our favor.

It's hard to tell whether they are friend or foe!

"What do you want? What do you want to achieve?"

Suddenly, an old, hoarse voice questioned my inner thoughts, but I didn't know how to answer because all I ever wanted was to protect my family, just like Yu Naijie now.

"I am the God-King of the previous generation, the creator of all things... ohhh!"

The golden-haired old man suddenly appeared in the grayish-white world, sitting on an endless beach. He seemed leisurely on the surface, but deep down, he was helpless and lamented the mediocrity and powerlessness of humanity.

"If I told you everything, could you still accept me? Including my will!"

Will? But I have no power... What else can I do? Isn't this a joke?

"Is that so? Without power, mere will is not enough? No way."

"Well, of course. How can you expect to win against a god without any weapons?"

The old man felt familiar, like we've met somewhere... Have I forgotten?

Snap...

"Hey, I got a catch... Almost went off topic, sorry."

After saying that, the old man released the fish he had caught back into the pond, as if fishing was just a game with the fish.

"Power and authority have always been the path pursued by all things, but..."

The old man intentionally paused, stood up from the sandy ground, and his white and golden striped robe floated in the sea breeze. His eyes were filled with the world's weariness and sadness.

At this moment, he must be reminiscing about the lost love, right?

Calm and composed (hiding my own panic), I coughed and continued, "But people often overlook the easiest yet hardest power to preserve, which is love!"

Love? I murmured to myself, "Love, what do I know about love? I love my sister, I...!"

"And that's your problem."

Facing the old man's intimidating aura, I was trapped and unable to free myself.

The sand swept past us, and the old man's words stunned me.

I had never thought about this question before. It's true that I was obsessed with my sister, but unconsciously, I found it difficult to accept anyone other than Yu Nai and Yu Xiangjie. With all these changes, even my longing to protect them became a luxury.

"What do you want? What do you want to achieve?"

"I... I want..."

"Remember your own answer and be responsible for it."

The old man reminded me once again. Responsible... Me...

Illusion:

Juxi, is dinner ready?

Xiaoxi, can we (go out on a date) together... is that possible?

Juxi, my brother... Xiaoxi...!

The kind and gentle Yu Xiangjie, occasionally fierce, and Yu Naijie, who sometimes brings trouble but is honest with her words.

"What was I thinking? I just wanted to be together, was that enough? But did I... truly achieve it?"

Tears flowed uncontrollably from my eyes, and I couldn't distinguish if it was from my heart or body anymore.

Until the final scene...

Yu Xiangjie's graceful figure kept appearing in my mind, and the terrifying images almost overwhelmed my brain!

The chaotic fragments before me twisted into a terrifying mess...

Her enchanting smile gently leaned against my shoulder, and the two of us leaned against each other without any words.

"Yu Xiangjie, Yu Xiangjie! I... Uh?!"

Her dark long hair and lips, carrying a faint natural fragrance, covered my mouth. Under her neat bangs, those affectionate eyes stared blankly at me, and then she spoke slowly.

Juxi, my brother, let's make a promise——to always be together, inseparable!

The same street view and the same her, this is the happiness I pursue. Where will our next meeting place be?

If I keep staying in this silent time, I will surely be very happy. But do I deserve to have this happiness as an incomplete person?

I remember, I remember everything. I remember all the scenes of our story!

"Is that so? Do you still believe that the person you love would like the dark side of you?"

"I..."

"You are not a puppet, nor a malicious spirit. You are the real Tsubaki Juxi, Yuuka Shinhai's younger brother!"

Uh, how does this old man know everything?

"Who are you?"

"Me? Hehe..."

The old man's smile is intriguing. In the face of my differences, he half-jokingly says,

"Someone who no longer exists... Can't be considered human, can I?"

"..."

"Instead of these trivial questions, you haven't answered the question I asked."

I have figured it out. What I should protect and the direction where my most important emotions belong. Yes, everything else is just an illusion created by my desires!

This time, I won't hesitate. My answer is...

"I want to end this pointless battle and create a perfect new world where there will be no more sadness or tears!"

My heart is prepared to become a hero, because I know that the final mission is approaching, and success or failure depends on this moment.

The Juxi rushing out of the door is not heading outside, but arrives at a large pharmaceutical workshop. The huge sign on the roof reads "Shinhai Pharmaceutical Factory."

It seems that I have finally come to the time to face my fate.

The old man with his massive figure comes to me, and his leaf-like hands gently touch my head. He says, "Don't follow in my footsteps again. Believe that the other you will understand this, and he will help you."

Something is not right... Outside is in ruins everywhere, but here is intact.

Could it be that this is the true headquarters of Shinhai, in a place where living people cannot reach?

But what are they doing here? Could it be...

"Haha, Xiaoyu, you have done well to discover my secret. Then I won't hide my identity anymore."

A man in his forties suddenly appears on the top floor of the factory, with stubble beard... it's dad?!

"This factory is something that extracts people's minds. You can also call it a mind controller."

"I didn't expect it to be you, Dad. You're not deceiving me, right?"

Juxi, supported by strong gravity, gets up from the ground. Although he doesn't often spend time with his father, with the inexplicable tacit understanding between father and son, he can feel that his father is definitely not an easy person to deal with!

"Your dad is quite a joker... Of course, I can also call you Lord Cangyi Black Dragon, right?"

"Hmph, you even know this identity... You got it from the Titan, didn't you?"

The middle-aged man in front of me is clearly not the kind father Juxi usually knows. He is just a person who conspires with Satan (Edward)!

"Let's not talk about these things for now. But are you really willing to stand on Satan's side and be played around by him?!"

"Played around? Hahaha!"

What is he laughing at! Juxi is thinking in his heart. Could it be that the purpose of their alliance is not to dominate the rules of the collapsing world and obtain control over the new world?

Juxi, who is enraged to the point that his veins are popping, grabs the nearest staircase heavily and tries to rush over.

"Youth is so impulsive, but...!"

From the soles of the Black Dragon's shoes, black lines emerge and wherever they touch, powdered destruction ensues.

Juxi is thrown heavily back to the ground from the three-meter-high staircase.

"Tsk tsk tsk, my pitiful son, what we need is not to make this city and the whole world a mess. Besides, I don't think a mere evil spirit like you can understand it."

Don't understand? Juxi wipes off the blood from the corner of his mouth with some dissatisfaction. Because this person has inexplicably controlled him since he was a child.

Now this man is still trying to limit the actions of another me with this attitude?

"Hehe, as long as one of you disappears, then the other person's power will naturally be fully liberated, so you can share this memory that doesn't belong to you, right?"

"Cough cough... you can't fool me, sharing memories and such..."

Did that shatter his internal organs? But even if he is severely injured, he must stand up, because the source of all these changes is right in front of him!

His lies can no longer hide the truth, including this non-existent Otherworld.

"In fact, it's impossible, right?"

"Uh!"

The incoherent Black Dragon Emperor reveals a sense of nervousness, most likely because he feels guilty!

However, his actions have already angered the Black Dragon Emperor, and there is no turning back now.

"That's right, sharing memories is unattainable, even for me, the previous King of the Gods, I can't compare. But it's not impossible, sharing souls can also obtain some of their memories."

"Well, it's too troublesome. Instead of saying sharing memories with you, it's more accurate to say that you are a part of Ashura."

The previous position of the Black Dragon Emperor suddenly seemed to freeze... it's just an afterimage!

Is this the gap between gods and humans?

The battle has begun and ended. This is Juxi's first battle, but unfortunately... it will also be the last!

"It won't be the last, because our battle has just begun!"

Suddenly, Juxi lost control of his body, and instead, his partner, another Juxi, took over!

The power of the Black Dragon Emperor suddenly contracted back into his body. A powerful enemy has joined the war!

"Haha, partner! From now on, you can leave it to me without worries. You have already earned my full approval to come this far."

"You...!" The Black Dragon Emperor looked at Juxi in shock, as if he had seen his archenemy.

The descent of Ashura brought him both joy and fear.

Because flowing within Juxi is Odin, the mighty god who imprisoned him with his own hands, he naturally fears Odin's power as well.

"Heh... hehe, it seems that you have still been tricked. But can you be as powerful as the mighty Odin in his prime!"

The Black Dragon Emperor's expression gradually evolved from anger to ferocity.

"After I get out, Satan will just be a minor character. I will easily destroy him!"

After saying that, the Black Dragon Emperor's body turned into a red light, piercing through the air towards Juxi. His goal is about to be achieved, this opportunity cannot be missed!

"Freedom, I will have it soon..."

Hmph, there's no hope for a beast's intelligence. Juxi's mocking expression was seen clearly by the Black Dragon Emperor, but what is this...?

It's a trap!