Chapter 1386 The Call of the Stars (Twelve) _1

Having watched countless horror movies, Xu Shang-Chi deeply understood one principle: if one day you find yourself in a horror film, the most important rule for surviving the perilous journey is not to give into curiosity.

Don't wonder how the world became like this, don't speculate about what the world will turn into, don't question the who, what, when, where or why. Above all, don't ponder over where you came from or where you're going.

There's no crucial objective that must be accomplished; there's no truth that is essential to uncover. The moment doom descends, these things no longer matter; the key is to stay alive. That's Xu Shang-Chi's philosphy as an ordinary person.

Of course, it might not hold true for the superheroes who are blessed with powers beyond average human capacity. Feeling responsible for rescuing the world is a natural part of their lives.

However, in the hellish world that Xu Shang-Chi currently inhibits, superpowers prove to be counterproductive and even wisdom and acuity turn detrimental.

"What the hell is happening to both of them?" Jarvis, sitting next to the fireplace on the roof, glances at the desolate Wanda and then at the trembling Riley, his face filled with puzzlement.

"Am I loosing my sanity or are they?" Jarvis drops his gaze on his hands. It's more of a rhetorical question but Xu Shang-Chi quickly responds with: "They're the ones losing it."

Covering his eyes with his hand, Jarvis asks, "What is happening? Why can't we just use magic to wipe out the monsters, or create a portal to get home?"

"Haven't you noticed yet?" Xu Shang-Chi looks at Jarvis somewhat helplessly. "The disaster in this world isn't merely those beasts in the streets. Or do you really believe these creatures are a catastrophe?"

Jarvis looks around. Even though the rooftop of the bar isn't too high, it's still high enough to take in the surrounding streets in one sweep. The area is silhouetted in an eerie calm, devoid of chaos and shrieks of horror. The fleeting shadows are chasing minor sounds without having caused excessive damage.

So how exactly did New York transform into its current desolate state? Struggling to comprehend, Jarvis imagines an invisible hand shattered New York and then pulled back its wreckage.

Pointing at his temples, Xu Shang-Chi suggests, "This disaster might be attacking the human's psyche directly. Why else would these two turn out like this?"

"Then you…," Jarvis tries to ask "Why haven't you lost it?" but quickly recalls - why hasn't he lost it? Because he is actually a robot?

Xu Shang-Chi reaches for the jade pendant hanging from his neck and recites the Clear Heart Mantra internally. Yet, his voice is subtly trembling as he advises, "Avoid thinking, fantasize less, suppress all instincts and senses. It might make things slightly better…just slightly."

Swallowing hard, Xu Shang-Chi can clearly feel the ritual becoming increasingly arduous. Within his internal vision, the Clear Heart Mantra that erected a wall in his heart starts to shiver noticeably.

Xu Shang-Chi realizes that once the wall collapses, he won't fare much better than Riley and Wanda - except that due to his lesser strength, the level of destruction he'd cause after going out of control would be much less detrimental.

Riley who's been tormented by his intense Spider-sense seems to have had enough. He starts to sway his body to and fro, constantly hitting his forehead with his fist, muttering incoherent gibberish.

"This isn't the Spider-sense…this isn't the Spider-sense…the noise in my head…it isn't the Spider-sense…"

"Then what is it?" Jarvis intuitively asks.

Xu Shang-Chi tries to cover Jarvis's mouth, but it's already too late. Riley's swaying becomes more extravagant. Whenever he tilts forward, his head almost hits the ground as he screams:

"It's not the Spider-sense, it's… it's…" Riley looks up and announces in the style of an opera singer: "…it's a song!"

Riley springs up, instinctually swinging his fists at the air. Xu Shang-Chi throws himself at Riley trying to tame him, but his strength is no match for Spiderman. He's flung away after one round.

With a loud "thud", Xu Shang-Chi heavily crashes onto the ground. Clutching his chest he screams in pain. Hearing his cry, Riley suddenly stops. Vigorously shaking his head, it seems like he returns to his senses for a moment.

Seizing this opportunity, Jarvis leaps onto him, pinning him down. Jarvis undoubtedly is stronger than Xu Shang-Chi, but as Riley's struggle intensifies, Jarvis also starts to lose his grip.

Stumbling to his feet, Xu Shang-Chi wants to rush over to him, but before he can, Riley flips Jarvis over, fiercely charging towards him and even begins to strangle him.

Just as Xu Shang-Chi wants to rush over to save Jarvis, Riley abruptly loosens his grip. He lands a punch on himself, drawing blood from his own mouth corner.

"Riley! Riley! Stay calm!" Xu Shang-Chi yells.

In Xu Shang-Chi's view, Riley widens his eyes, staring intensely at the sky, before slowly kneeling down, a terrified expression all across his face.

Yet, if one looks closer, amidst the surges of fear washing his face and eyes, there emerges a touch of unwavering determination.