Netherworld Retrograde

Chapter 300: Chapter 141: Re-entering the Ark

Li Yelai watched as Captain Benlei’s figure gradually disappeared in the mist.

During this time, Mr. Shadow did not make a move, but instead emitted a faint and abstruse laugh.

Li Yelai knew His thoughts.

As an Awakened Spirit User of the Four Awakenings, according to Li Yelai’s previous analysis, if Ben Lei were to be offered as a sacrifice,

Li Yelai would be able to obtain the fourth Face.

Afterward, he could find an opportunity to activate the Face and gain a new powerful ability once more.

But Li Yelai had hindered Mr. Shadow’s devouring, which, in Mr. Shadow’s view, was like giving up a chance to obtain a Face.

Li Yelai had no regrets. Captain Benlei was his comrade-in-arms and a great hero in humanity’s battle against the Disaster Fog.

How could he become a sacrifice? Such an act would be utterly sacrilegious!

Li Yelai could bear others becoming sacrifices because they were all enemies, having long been stripped of any human rights, but Ben Lei was different...

”As it stands, I still have some restraining power over you,” said Li Yelai, looking at Black Shadow deep in the fog. ”He is my friend and should never become a sacrifice. If... I ever bury my colleagues in the future, do not interfere, let them go...”

Mr. Shadow did not respond, leaving it unclear whether he tacitly agreed or simply disdained to respond to Li Yelai’s plea.

The next second, Li Yelai’s consciousness had already returned to the Physical World.

At this moment, he was standing on the hospital’s grass, and in front of him was a straight slash more than fifty meters long and over three meters deep.

It was Li Yelai’s strongest strike to bury Captain Benlei, as the Dharma Image wielded the Azure Dragon Halberd, cleaving the hospital’s lawn and Captain Benlei in two.

Looking at Ben Lei’s corpse, Li Yelai fell silent.

”You did well, he was still smiling even before he died. Even if it was only a distorted illusion, he was reunited with his comrades,” said the Melting Furnace Captain, who had arrived unnoticed by Li Yelai’s side. He slowly exhaled and said, ”Thank you, Night General. There will be a reward from the officials.”

As he spoke, he handed a small vial of medicine to Li Yelai: ”The latest biomass recovery agent. Heal your wounds.”

Li Yelai silently took the pharmaceutical, hesitating for a few seconds before asking, ”How should the Third Squad handle the Ranger team?”

”The Ranger team won’t disappear; it’ll remain permanently in the Third Squad’s combat sequence,” the Melting Furnace replied. ”New comrades will continue the fight against humanity’s enemies under the name of the Rangers. He had thought of this all along, hm...”

Li Yelai nodded slightly and said softly, ”Condolences.”

Then, picking up the Azure Dragon Halberd, he turned and walked away.

The Melting Furnace Captain was left standing there, silently watching the resting place of Captain Benlei.

He let out a long sigh: ”Should I have just erased your memories at that time, Ben Lei... you bastard.”

Meanwhile, Li Yelai returned to the hospital floor. The Heavy Knight had already retrieved his Big Black Umbrella for him.

”Thank you.” Li Yelai retracted the Azure Dragon Halberd back into the Big Black Umbrella and handed the recently acquired medicine to the Heavy Knight.

He remembered she had just been injured by Captain Benlei’s Inner Strength. As for himself, with the Life Force of his heart stirring, his wounds were already mostly healed.

The Heavy Knight shook her head and said, ”The Melting Furnace Captain already gave me one. Are you all right?”

”Not very, but it’s nothing,” replied Li Yelai, looking a bit tired. His clothes were torn to shreds, and his skin was smeared with fresh blood, making him appear quite disheveled.

Seeing his condition, the Heavy Knight softly responded, ”Yesterday, Captain Benlei invited me to join the Rangers.”

Yes, the Heavy Knight was also a member of the Third Squad. It seems Captain Benlei had already found his successor.

Captain Benlei, you really sorted everything out before just... walking away...

Li Yelai forced a smile.

”If there is anything I can help with, remember to call on me.”

The Heavy Knight gave a silent nod.

...

Li Yelai and Ben Lei’s battle did not destroy the hospital— at least not too much.

In the hospital staff’s shower room, Li Yelai stood quietly under the showerhead, drenched in blood.

The warm water tenderly caressed his body, slowly washing away the blood and dirt. He closed his eyes, feeling the gentle flow of water wash over his body as if cleansing the weariness and pain within his heart.

Even though his wounds had already healed, he still felt uncomfortable in his body.

Personally burying his comrade had hit him too hard,

making him feel a nauseating sickness.

Burial... it was too cruel. If Cheese, Doll, Yang Chen, or even Li Yunyan met with misfortune and became distorted,

would he truly be able to withstand the pressure and bury them?

Could he really do it?

Li Yelai fell silent under the rinse of warm water.

He understood the dilemma of the Processors, defending Giant City in the face of Calamity, yet also searching for balance between madness and distortion.

Otherwise... it would end up like Captain Benlei.

Captain Benlei’s psychological defenses were shattered by guilt and nostalgia, leading to a complete distortion. His close bond with his team could not bear the consequences of their sacrifice.

Only upon facing all this did Li Yelai truly feel the terrifying weight.

No wonder some Processors are especially cold towards their teammates, even using Taboo Items to isolate their emotions —to avoid the risk of distortion from extra feelings.

Should he do the same? Sever all connections with the outside world and close off his heart?

Li Yelai sighed.

He didn’t know what was best.

Not until he heard voices from outside the room did Li Yelai snap back to reality, dried off his body, changed clothes, and walked out of the bathroom.

Li Yelai, wiping his wet hair, looked up to see a snowman Doll sitting at the doorway in the hallway.