Chapter 51: But I Refuse

On the top floor of the clock tower in downtown City A, Qingxian's cloud-white long hair fluttered in the air. She sighed and reluctantly pressed the communication device by her ear.

"Why did Perpetual Night's Lament manage to infiltrate again? Didn't the Intelligence Division predict this?" Qingxian's spiritual energy revolved around her, giving off a cold and ethereal presence.

Usually, before players who posed a threat to Z Country infiltrated, their movements would be predicted by the Rank A ancient artifact, the "Eight-Directional Seismograph"...

The Action Division would then dispatch members in advance to intercept them overseas—that's how Division 17 always operated.

"Apologies, the opposing side used an unknown countermeasure item to block the predictions of the Intelligence Division."

Once for Serad, once for Lian, and now for the third time tonight... Immortals have an old saying: "Things happen three times."

"...Never mind. I'll handle this matter. Afterwards, have the person in charge write a 50,000-word self-reflection for me."

Qingxian said coldly, then looked down upon the vast night view of City A, where neon lights blended with the sky, creating a splendid and bustling world.

"The message has been relayed to the person in charge. Thank you for your understanding, Lady Qingxian."

"Although the Rank A Sequence game is still a long way off, what exactly do you want to accomplish, Perpetual Night's Lament?"

She pondered the enemy's intentions but couldn't find an answer. Yumikou dissipated into spiritual energy from the highest point of City A's clock tower, creating a trail of ethereal aura that dissipated silently...

Now appearing on the city's commercial street, Yumikou recalled Lian's attitude toward "Shadow."

"...Surely they're not here to find love, right?"

As soon as the words left her mouth, Yumikou instantly denied them. She rubbed her temples, feeling that her recent state of mind needed adjustment.

"Really, I've been dreaming about going on a date with Alister every night... Is my Dao heart unstable?"

A month of continuous work without a day off to go on a date with that guy...

The aloof fairy-like goddess carried a hint of minor resentment as she patrolled City A...

...

...

At 10:16 PM in the late-night park, as an outside delivery rider rode his electric scooter past, the mysterious black-clad player, accompanied by shadows, finally spoke:

"You seem to make sense."

"In that case, sir—" Lian was about to inform all members of Perpetual Night's Lament.

But in the next moment, Alister calmly interrupted Lian's thoughts and said with composure:

"—But I refuse."

Silence fell upon Lian this time.

At the next moment, Lian's slight dissatisfaction vanished. She grabbed the edge of her chestnut-colored coat and earnestly asked:

"Since you believe what I said makes sense, can you tell me your reason for refusing?"

Her purple eyes shimmered in the darkness, like a black cat in a deep alley staring intently at the newcomer, impossible to ignore.

Her rosy lips slightly parted, as if she had something to say, leaving one wanting to savor the taste of a sweet dessert.

"The things that an S-Rank player can't accomplish, I will do."

Alister suddenly stood up with his hands in his pockets, walked out of the light, and stood on the boundary between the park and the street. His elusive gaze glanced at Lian.

"The things you consider impossible, I will achieve."

Alister withdrew his gaze and looked at the tall buildings of City A. His enigmatic figure made Lian's pupils dilate, and her breath stopped for a second.

Since the Sequence game granted Alister an "Empty" rank that couldn't be evaluated, he felt that he should do something big, something beyond the capabilities of others.

Whether it was arrogance or being edgy, a strong person wouldn't care about others' opinions—Alister always considered himself strong, at least in terms of his mindset.

"Hehe..." Lian, sitting on the bench, let out a sigh of relief, then turned coquettish. "Mr. Shadow, you're really good at talking big~"

Surpassing the S-Rank players "Dìxiān" and "Purple Night's Radiance" to achieve a happy and fulfilling ending for the whole world—anyone else would be laughing for a long time.

But...

"Although Mr. Shadow is boasting, he's quite handsome, isn't he?" She rested her cheek against her fingertips, poking at her shallow dimples, making her fair and elastic skin appear even more radiant.

A mysterious, aloof man with ambitious goals—who wouldn't be moved by that?

"No need for unnecessary flattery. If there's nothing else important, let's end tonight's conversation here." Alister really wanted to go back and get some sleep.

"If you're sleepy and want to go to bed~" Lian patted her well-proportioned, long legs and teased, "You can sleep on Lian's lap? Lian can pamper the little baby~"

Alister felt like he had developed immunity to this woman and calmly declined, "I'm not interested in your body, so please stop these intentional actions."

"I don't believe you."

Lian lazily reclined on the bench, with her right hand propped on the armrest and her left hand playing with her cascading hair. Her chest rose and fell with each breath, a stark contrast to her innocent college student appearance.

In the next second, she became cute and charming again, playfully saying, "Lian has a perfect figure that no man can resist~ Unless... Mr. Shadow, are you against humanity~?"

Being labeled as "against humanity" without any grounds, Alister raised an eyebrow and truly wanted to teach this woman a lesson.

He took a deep breath, adjusted his state of mind, and looked back at her, saying:

"You are indeed beautiful—"

"Right~" Lian smiled sweetly, light and ethereal.

"—But beauty is not something worth mentioning." He had said the same thing to Himizuki.

"Waaah~ Mr. Shadow's words are really heartbreaking~" Lian feigned the look of a victim, "The world is full of suffering... Lian will take a step ahead~?"

Her tone of grievance disappeared in an instant. Lian smiled mischievously, got up, and disappeared into thin air, leaving behind gradually dissipating particles of her magic formation.

It was at that moment when Alister was about to leave.

"Ah~ If you have any intention of joining Perpetual Night's Lament, feel free to find Lian anytime~"

Lian peeked her head out from the spatial rift, her ink-black hair blending with the night. She looked like a little rabbit behind a tree stump.

"We'll talk about that later." Alister didn't look at her.

Lian lightly bit her finger and then curled her lips, saying, "You're so cold, I love it~" before finally leaving.

The sound of car horns faintly echoed in City A. The cool evening breeze circulated through the park, and the dense rows of trees rustled, creating a serene ambiance.

"Ah..."

Alister finally understood why Lian had left so suddenly.

In the neon lights ahead, Qingxian's gaze turned icy as she walked out from beside the bus stop. The spiritual energy of the Heavenly Dao locked onto Alister.

"Wandering here at night, is there something important, Mr. Shadow?"

"As you can see." Alister took out a sports drink from his coat pocket. "I'm just out for a stroll to enjoy the night view of City A."

"There's a presence of Perpetual Night's Lament here." Qingxian's gaze remained unchanged.

"Well..." Alister seemed troubled and frustrated as he pondered. "Lian just invited me to join Perpetual Night's Lament. I promptly refused and simply chatted with her for a few moments."

Qingxian examined "Shadow" expressionlessly. "Oh? Your charm is quite significant."