Even now, Ming Yi still hadn’t fully come to terms with being stabbed to death.
Too fishy. Too many suspicious details.
Getting mugged was bad enough—but skipping straight to murder? Illogical. And dying at the exact same moment as his senior and the others?
It felt like someone had deliberately sent him to this world.
Then there was that strange voice in his head.
The shadowy figure with no discernible face.
The dagger that looked like a wisp of darkness.
Since arriving here, a quiet unease had clung to Ming Yi. From the scattered clues, he’d caught a hint of conspiracy.
He’d never voiced it—not even to his senior sister.
He couldn’t confirm the conspiracy’s shape, nor risk dragging others into danger by speaking up.
Until he grew strong enough, this secret would stay buried. Silent.
—
—
While the others crowded around Ming Yi with questions, Meryl and Bailian stepped quietly aside.
“What’s the plan?” Bailian asked. “Their potential far exceeded expectations.”
“We recruit them,” Meryl said. “Barring surprises, they’ll become a formidable force. Bringing them into the Liberation Syndicate would be a massive advantage.”
She paused, lips parting—then closed them again.
Bailian pressed gently, “And if… they refuse?”
If another faction claimed that power, it would threaten the Syndicate.
“Should we eliminate them now?”
Meryl’s frown deepened.
She disliked killing. But in this dog-eat-dog Shattered Realm, taking a life carried little weight on the conscience.
“I don’t know,” she sighed. “Honestly… this is beyond my control.”
“We’ll handle it if it happens.”
Bailian nodded. His stern face revealed nothing.
Meryl clapped her hands. “Everyone! A moment, please.”
“First—congrats on awakening your Corruption Artifacts! You have great potential to become powerful Shatterborn.”
“Second—I, Meryl Calis, sincerely invite you all to join the Liberation Syndicate!”
“You’ll grow strong. Your presence will be a tremendous boost to us.”
“And in return, we’ll offer protection and guidance to help you adapt.”
The senior sister glanced at the senior brother. His brow furrowed deeply, mind racing.
Then Ming Yi spoke calmly: “We’ll join.”
Meryl’s smile widened.
The senior brother stared, surprised. Ming Yi added, voice even: “Do we really have a better option? Clueless in this world, we got lucky meeting someone as kind as Sister Meryl—and landing a spot in the world’s top organization? Honestly, we hit the jackpot.”
“But…” The senior brother hesitated, then fell silent.
Truth was, he’d planned to accept anyway. They had no choice.
Meryl’s eyes brightened. “Wonderful! From now on—we’re comrades!”
Ming Yi returned a faint smile.
“We’ll rest here for now,” Meryl continued. “We depart for the Liberation Syndicate’s East Asia Branch in three days.”
Ming Yi tilted his head. “By the way—what was Loki Squad really doing out here? Hunting Ravagers?”
“Ah…” Meryl’s gaze flickered slightly. “Actually, our mission wasn’t hunting. It was mapping.”
“Mapping?”
“Yes. With the Third Generation’s arrival, the world reset. Most ruins changed completely—except areas we’d already altered. Our knowledge weakened. We needed updated maps.”
“And since no one knew what might lurk in the ruins post-reset, a Class S squad was assigned for safety.”
“I see…” Xiao Chengcheng nodded thoughtfully. “So the map’s nearly done?”
“Almost,” Akiko chimed in warmly. “Two or three more days, then we head home.”
“Feel free to rest now. Plenty of rooms available.”
—
—
“Wow, this world’s wild!” Xiao Chengcheng strolled down the hall. “Good thing I awakened my Corruption Artifact too—though who knows how strong it is…”
A sly grin spread across his face. “What if mine’s the strongest? Then I’d be the web novel protagonist—sweeping through another world with insane power and a harem! Hahahahaha!”
Old Lei sighed, watching him daydream.
“Get real,” the senior brother adjusted his glasses. “We’re not at ‘overpowered MC’ stage yet. First, we survive.”
“Huh? Won’t the Syndicate protect us?”
“People aren’t always what they seem. Better stay cautious.”
Meryl’s face flashed in his mind.
“Meryl wasn’t telling the whole truth,” the senior sister cut in.
Xiao Chengcheng blinked. The senior brother nodded slowly.
“Loki Squad’s mission… wasn’t just mapping.”
He rubbed his temples. “But what can we do? We’re beginners. Even if we knew their real goal… what then?”
—
—
In the hall, Ming Yi remained still.
Meryl approached. “Something wrong, Ming Yi?”
“I’m still… worried about my blood thing,” he murmured, scratching his head sheepishly.
“No need to worry,” Meryl softened. “Back at the East Asia Branch, someone might recognize your case.”
“Then… can I still become a strong Shatterborn?” His voice trembled slightly.
Seeing his timid expression, Meryl’s heart softened.
“Of course. A Corruption Artifact that blocked a Class-A Corruptor’s strike isn’t weak. Master your blood through practice—you’ll have a real shot.”
“Really?” Hope flickered in his eyes.
“One more question?”
“Go ahead.”
“If we hadn’t agreed to join just now…” Ming Yi tilted his head, offering a shy, almost innocent smile.
“Would you have killed us?”
Meryl’s smile froze.
*He played me.*
Shock surged through her. She had to reassess this quiet, seemingly shy boy.
But her smile never wavered.
“There is no ‘what if.’”
