The Soul Force Wielder

The loud commotion had drawn many couples from nearby rooms into the hallway. Everyone stared at Yichen and Shiyue in stunned silence.

"Someone, help us! She needs a hospital!" Yichen shouted desperately. But the crowd around him remained utterly still.

Just as Yichen prepared to call out again, he noticed no one moved at all. He approached the nearest person. They didn’t react to his presence, frozen like a lifeless doll. Yichen realized everyone in the corridor was the same.

The silence was so absolute it felt like time itself had stopped. This unnatural sight sent a chilling dread down Yichen’s spine.

*Soul Force Wielder.*

The term suddenly flashed in Yichen’s mind.

But could a Soul Force Wielder truly stop time like this?

"Ugh..."

Shiyue groaned in pain, collapsing to her knees. Her right hand clutched her severed left arm tightly. Blood kept flowing. Yichen rushed to her side. Her face was deathly pale, twisted with agony.

Yichen recalled some first aid basics. He scanned the area for supplies. The closest female guest held a towel. Without hesitation, Yichen took it and wrapped it around Shiyue’s wound. He hoisted her onto his back and sprinted toward the elevator. But the buttons did nothing. Gritting his teeth, Yichen dashed for the stairs.

Inside the room, Zixuan remained frozen in the position Yichen had pushed her into. Her mind was blank. Seeing Yichen and Shiyue tangled on the bed had shattered something inside her. An unprecedented hatred swelled, driving her to summon her Stellar Mark and slash at Shiyue. But when she saw Yichen throw himself in front of Shiyue—her Stellar Mark piercing his forehead—another piece of her snapped.

Yichen had chosen someone else.

She had hurt Yichen.

"Big Sister..."

A soft, ethereal voice echoed through the room, filled with worry.

A purple magic circle appeared, and Claire materialized before Zixuan. Claire knelt in front of her.

"I’ve stopped time in this area. They can’t escape."

Claire gently embraced Zixuan from the front, clinging to her like a daughter to her mother.

"You only need Claire, Big Sister. I’ll always stay by your side. So please, don’t be sad anymore, okay?"

"Claire..."

Zixuan’s eyes regained a flicker of light. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she hugged Claire back. She wept softly. Claire stroked her back with small, comforting pats. Seeing Zixuan’s grief, Claire’s own face threatened to crumple. She forced a smile. She was comforting her sister—she couldn’t show sadness.

After a long while, Zixuan’s sobs subsided.

"Thank you, Claire."

"Big Sister!"

Claire looked up happily. Zixuan now wore a faint smile, stronger than before. Claire suddenly realized Zixuan’s thoughts still lingered on Lin Yichen. Claire suppressed her disappointment, keeping her smile. Even if she wasn’t the most important to Zixuan, she could still help her.

"Meeting you was truly wonderful, Claire."

"Claire will follow you forever, Big Sister."

Zixuan hugged Claire once more, then stood up. She wiped her tears. Her eyes were calm again.

"Big Sister, what will you do next?"

Zixuan stared at the floor silently for a moment.

"First, find them..."

Her gaze was lost.

"Eh? They’re right outside."

"Time magic doesn’t affect Yichen. Probably not Shiyue Zhao either."

"Eh? Aren’t they ordinary humans?"

Claire’s dark eyes widened in surprise.

Zixuan shook her head gently, her expression somber.

"That was just my lie."

***

Yichen carried Shiyue downstairs. The receptionist at the counter was frozen too. Fighting his creeping dread, Yichen ran outside to find a taxi. But it was nearly 1 a.m.—the streets were empty.

He pulled out his phone to call 120. No signal. He tried again and again. Nothing. Back inside, he grabbed the landline. Dead air.

Yichen felt like he’d fallen into another world.

"Damn it!"

He cursed fiercely. But there was no time to waste. Shiyue’s wound still bled. Zixuan might catch up any moment. Yichen sprinted toward the hospital, Shiyue on his back.

"Shiyue, how are you holding up?" he panted as he ran.

"Hurts... so much..."

Her voice was barely a whisper.

"Hang in there! I’m getting you to the hospital. You’ll be fine!"

By car, it’d take twenty minutes. Running? He had no idea how long.

"Heh."

Shiyue let out a weak, breathy laugh.

"Shiyue?"

"Dying by your side... feels... not so bad."

"Hey! Don’t say that! You’ll be okay!"

"Yichen... I... I really like you. I’ve liked you for so long. Now... I can finally say it. Yichen... do you... like me?"

Yichen hesitated, then replied:

"I’ll tell you after you recover! Just hold on!"

"Yichen... you’re so mean..."

That was their last exchange. Yichen ran harder, muscles screaming in protest. He didn’t stop.

Eventually, he halted. He looked around at the buildings. Terror filled his eyes.

"Where... where is this?"

It was an abandoned industrial zone—nowhere near the hospital route he knew.

He didn’t want to believe it, but the surroundings confirmed he’d taken a wrong turn. Then he felt Shiyue go limp on his back. Her arm slipped from his shoulder.

"Shiyue!"

He laid her down, fingers trembling as he checked for breath.

Nothing. The towel he’d tied to stop the bleeding had come loose. A trail of blood marked their path. Yichen realized his makeshift bandage had failed—he’d caused her to bleed out.

His eyes widened. Hands shook. Mouth opened and closed soundlessly. He shook Shiyue frantically.

"Shiyue... wake up! Hey! You wanted my answer, right? Wake up! I’ll tell you now! Shiyue!"

No response.

Tears of regret spilled down his face, dripping onto the ground.

"Shiyue... I killed you."

The wind howled around him, mocking his failure.

It was all his fault. Running from the banquet. Letting desire override reason. Botching the bandage. Taking the wrong path.

Every single thing.

"Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!!!"

Yichen slammed his fists into the ground again and again. Skin tore. Bone showed white. The searing pain meant nothing. He kept pounding.