Chapter 10: Dysphoria

Within the vastness of Sol III, to the far east, lay the magnificent region of the Loong State: Huanglong, a place where civilization teetered under the looming threats of the Tacet Discords.

Amid this region of chaos, where the brutal assaults of the Tacet Discords threatened to engulf all, the great city of Jinzhou stood as a resilient imperial bastion on the frontier, refusing to yield.

Founded by a legendary figure ages ago, Jinzhou epitomized the spirit of resilience and ingenuity, pulsating with a vibrant energy that defied the chaos surrounding it. It was the newest city in Huanglong and the sole settlement in Outer Huanglong, marking its distinct importance in the region.

Its towering walls, crafted from reinforced stone and fortified with protective enchantments, gleamed under the sunlight. Guard towers dotted the perimeter, watchful soldiers scanning the horizon for any hint of danger.

Strategically nestled on the northern border of Huanglong, Jinzhou was cradled by a great lake on three sides and mountains on the fourth. This unique position rendered it a crucial stronghold against the ever-looming threat of Tacet Discord.

Jinzhou's humid climate cycled through four seasons, each bringing beauty and challenges. As a vital pass in Huanglong, it played an indispensable role in the region's defence.

Near the guarded gates of Jinzhou, the imposing Pioneer Association building stood tall. Within, Kyorin was seated at a desk strewn with papers. His usually concealed face was now revealed for identity confirmation. With brows furrowed in concentration, he meticulously completed the required documents as DEVA hovered beside him.

Despite his initial reluctance, Kyorin had yielded to Rover's insistence after DEVA subtly hinted that night might soon fall.

Nearby, Rover's expression softened as she watched Kyorin. She could sense his frustration but also recognized the effort he was putting forth to comply. 'I must admit, he's quite handsome,' she thought, then sighed, 'It's a shame his personality is so stubborn,' she remarked, as though she were any less stubborn herself.

After a while, Kyorin looked up, briefly meeting Rover's gaze. "The work is done," DEVA declared as Kyorin sighed, handing the completed documents to Yangyang, who accepted them with a grateful nod.

"Thank you, Mr. Kyorin. I'll handle the rest," Yangyang said, her reassuring smile brightening the room. "You should both head to your next assignments; it wouldn't be wise to keep them waiting."

Kyorin nodded and rose from his seat, a mix of relief and irritation settling over him. He was glad to be finished but still bristled at the forced cooperation. As he walked away, Rover fell in step beside him. "Thank you for your help," she said gently.

Kyorin simply gazed at her without responding, his expression unreadable. Rover's irritation flickered briefly before she remembered, 'Oh, right, I forgor he's mute.'

She sighed inwardly, feeling a bit foolish for expecting a verbal reply. "Well, that's one way to kill a conversation," she muttered, half-embarrassed, half-annoyed. His silence, paired with that intense gaze, only seemed to magnify her unease, making her feel as if he was dissecting her thoughts.

DEVA, picking up on the awkward tension, chimed in smoothly, "If you have something to say to him, I can always translate, you know." Her tone was teasing, but her eyes darted between them with interest.

Rover shot DEVA a look, half-grateful, half-exasperated. "No need. I was just…" she trailed off, unable to put her jumbled thoughts into words. Whenever she looked at Kyorin, a strange sensation filled her heart that defied explanation.

His presence felt inexplicably familiar, as though they shared a deep bond from a forgotten past. Yet, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't pin down why these feelings surfaced.

The more she dwelled on it, the stranger her thoughts became, spiralling into an unsettling confusion. With a frustrated sigh, she decided it was better not to think about it at all. Some things were better left unsolved.

"Just what?" DEVA pressed, curious.

"Never mind," Rover muttered, quickening her pace, hoping to escape the intensity of the moment. It felt like the air around Kyorin was too charged, and she needed space to clear her head.

DEVA tilted her head, watching Rover's retreating figure. "Is she that eager to register herself at the Nexus Tower?" Kyorin asked telepathically, a hint of curiosity lacing his thoughts.

DEVA gave him a knowing look. "You know, Boss, for someone who can see hundreds of miles away, you're surprisingly blind."

Kyorin frowned, caught off guard. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means that, for all your keen observation skills, you're pretty clueless when it comes to people," she teased, a trace of amusement in her voice. "Especially when it comes to someone like her."

"Huh?" Kyorin let out a huh, baffled.

DEVA chuckled. "Alright then, I'll put her on 'that' list."

"What list?" Kyorin asked, his confusion deepening.

"Don't worry, Boss," DEVA replied cryptically. "You'll figure it out eventually. Hopefully, before winter arrives." {A/N: A saying that means; before its too late.}

DEVA jolted forward as Kyorin moved close by, lightly scratching his head and pondering, 'Exactly what are these two on about?' He frowned as he put his mask back on while leaving the doors of the Pioneer Association.

Outside, Chixia stood by the entrance, her eyes twinkling as if she'd finally found a spark of light. "Looks like you two are finally done! I thought it'd be nightfall by the time you finished, but it's already evening—so pretty close," she said with an exaggerated huff, clearly exasperated by their four-hour argument.

Rover, maintaining her composed demeanour, responded calmly, "It was just a few basic questions."

"Boss found all the questions rather tedious," DEVA relayed Kyorin's frustration. Rover responded with a sharp elbow jab to his side, catching him off guard and drawing a slight wince, though it remained hidden beneath his mask.

He shot her a narrowed look, but Rover's smile remained sweet and unbothered. Kyorin knew she had no intention of apologizing, and truth be told, he neither expected nor wanted one, especially from her. Instead, he buried his irritation, letting the moment pass as he shifted focus to the tasks ahead.

"Alright, I'll take you two to the Nexus Tower for her registration," Chixia said cheerily. She glanced at Kyorin, relaying Baizhi's message, "Baizhi said she had to leave urgently for the academy and couldn't wait. I hope you understand." Kyorin nodded in acknowledgement.

Chixia added, "Oh, and it's probably better if you head to the academy tomorrow morning. For today, let's just get you registered at the Nexus Tower," she said, gesturing toward the two distinct buildings—one nearby and the academy in the distance.

"Alright, let's go." Chixia took Rover's hand, gently guiding her toward the Nexus Tower.

As they walked off, Kyorin turned to DEVA and telepathically said, "Let's go?" To which, DEVA responded with a simple nod as they followed the two girls inside the main region of the city.

As they entered the city's heart, the streets buzzed with life. Flocks of people moved about, children laughing and playing, their voices echoing through the alleys, while adults and shop vendors busied themselves with their daily tasks, haggling and chatting amidst the hustle.

"You can't catch me!"

"Honey, let's go over there."

"What do you think? If one of us goes to the city hall and tells them we are esteemed guests, will they let us meet the Magistrate?"

"Are you crazy? Lady Sanhua will kill us!"

"Come check these goods out."

"Buy one, get one free!"

The city's main square bustled with a myriad of people in different attire, each with their motives and agendas. The vibrant atmosphere was filled with a symphony of voices, laughter, and the clinking of shells, painting a lively picture of daily life in Jinzhou.

Kyorin's eyes darted around, absorbing every detail of the bustling city. The vibrant marketplace, the lively crowds, the chatter of shop vendors—all of it entered his field of view, though something felt off.

DEVA, walking beside him, noticed his constant vigilance. 'Why is Boss so... on edge?' she wondered, sensing a shift in his demeanour.

For Kyorin, the cityscape of Jinzhou wasn't just a vibrant metropolis—it was a world that felt both foreign and unsettling.

As he walked through the streets, the noise and energy of the city started to blur.

The vivid colours of the market dimmed, the faces around him lost their clarity, and the echoes of his past began creeping into his present reality.

Tap-tap. The steady rhythm of his steps faltered as a creeping sense of dysphoria swept over him. In his eyes, the city's vibrant scene twisted into a chaotic, haunting image. The people scattered in all directions, their faces marred by panic as if fleeing from an unseen threat. 

Merchants abandoned their stalls, leaving goods discarded in their wake. The laughter of the children dissolved into cries of confusion and fear. Angry shouts pierced the air, the words garbled yet unmistakable in their intent.

"Get out!"

"Why are you here?"

"Leave us alone!"

The crowd's collective fear, its hostility, became palpable. It clawed at Kyorin's mind, pulling him deeper into the fusion of memories and reality.

The vibrant streets of Jinzhou twisted into the fractured remnants of his past. Majestic buildings crumbled before his eyes, warping into the oppressive ruins of cities he'd once known. The ground beneath him seemed to shift, jagged and unwelcoming.

The faces around him transformed into those of enemies long forgotten and civilians caught in the storm of his former life. Their features contorted with terror and rage as if his mere presence had resurrected their deepest fears. The air became heavy and thick with the scent of panic and old wounds that never quite healed.

Kyorin stood at the heart of the chaos, his presence radiating a dark familiarity. He felt the world closing in on him, the weight of his past anchoring him in a moment that blurred the line between what was real and what had been.

The vibrant marketplace had dissolved, leaving a haunting echo of his past existence—a realm where his mere presence heralded chaos and unrest.

kugh! He bit his tongue, the sharp pain grounding him. He knew the images were only illusions, echoes of a life he couldn't escape.

Slowly, the clarity of reality began to seep back in, drawing him away from the phantoms of his past. The pain served as an anchor, pulling him out of the chaos swirling in his mind and back into the bustling streets of Jinzhou.

As the flashback dimmed and the present reality settled back into place, Kyorin was left with a lingering unease. The vividness of the memory had shaken him, drawing a sharp contrast between the safety of now and the chaos of then. 

Haah-Haah-Haah—he tried to steady his breath, his mind slowly piecing together the reason for his dysphoria.

'No wonder I felt so uneasy when offered kindness,' he thought.

The depths of his past churned, and from within, a single word rose to his memory, a term many used to address him: "Wraith-blade."

"Boss, are you alright?" DEVA's voice cut through his thoughts, gentle but filled with concern. She had noticed his growing discomfort and slowed her pace, turning to check on him.

Kyorin gave a small nod. "I am fine," he replied curtly, though the shakiness in his voice betrayed his words. DEVA wasn't convinced. She'd seen this before—the way he brushed things off.

"Did you remember something?" she pressed, half-expecting him to deflect with his usual, 'You distracted me from my reverie.'

However, to DEVA's surprise, Kyorin nodded. "I think I remembered one of my aliases," he said, his voice hiding something deeper.

DEVA's interest was piqued instantly. "Oh? What was it? Something grand? Like 'The Strongest' or something along those lines?" she asked.

Kyorin paused, his gaze drifting into the distance, before muttering, "No... that title... it didn't belong to me."

DEVA blinked, caught off guard. "Wait, you weren't the strongest?" Her tone was incredulous, but Kyorin shook his head.

As they approached the imposing structure of the Nexus Tower, DEVA's curiosity surged. She turned to Kyorin, her voice a blend of intrigue and caution. "So, what was it? What were the aliases you remembered?"

Kyorin's response came after a brief pause as if pulling a memory from deep within. "Many commonly called me Wraith-blade." He glanced at her, gauging her reaction.

DEVA: "💀"

DEVA was taken aback, bafflement washing over her. "Wraith-blade... it suits you, but if not you, then who held the title: strongest?"

"Hmm, the strongest... That title belonged to the leader of the Unorthodox Group," Kyorin replied calmly. "Though... he was weaker than me."

DEVA inwardly frowned, clearly puzzled. "Wait, if you were stronger, shouldn't you have been called the strongest?"

Kyorin shook his head, his gaze distant. "Though I've remembered more... being the strongest isn't always about raw power."

His tone softened, leaving the rest of the explanation unspoken, there was more to that title—something beyond strength alone: a reflection of oneself.

DEVA, unable to decipher his words, hovered silently as a hush descended while they marched towards the looming Nexus tower.

"DEVA, during my three years of seclusion... did you figure out that I—or rather, the soul inhabiting this body—doesn't belong to this world?" His voice was steady, but there was a hint of tension beneath it.

DEVA glanced at him, nodding. "I had my suspicions," she admitted. "But now it's confirmed. The former Shepherd wasn't from this world either."

Kyorin's expression darkened at the mention of the Shepherd. He let out a weary sigh. "I told you, didn't I? Do not bring up anything related to that... title."

He warned her. "Whether it's directly or indirectly, never mention it to me. I will never accept that position." His voice carried a firm resolve, hinting at the burden of the role he adamantly rejected, like a chain he refused to bear once more.

DEVA sensed his defiance and fell silent, the weight of his declaration settling in as they approached the towering Nexus Tower. "Still, I'm baffled that you weren't called the strongest," she remarked.

Kyorin shook his head, his expression steely and resolute. "Those who call themselves the strongest merely compare themselves to feel a sense of pride."

He elaborated on the façade of such titles. "You hear things like 'Strongest in all of Kūn—Strongest on Earth,' or even 'Strongest below Qián—Strongest below Heaven,' perhaps even 'Qián's Equal—Heaven's Equal.'" His tone dripped with mockery.

He paused, the air thickening with tension as his gaze hardened, cold and unwavering. "But I don't want any of those titles," he declared firmly.

"Throughout myriads of existences I have encountered, I remain unmatched. Why should I adopt an over-glorified title when I already have titles that define me?" Kyorin asserted, his voice steady and unwavering. He did not seek a label to define his strength; he only sought a title that reflected his essence and how he was perceived as an individual.

"That would only compel me to measure myself against others and seek their approval, which is unnecessary when I am already confident in my power." His belief resonated deeply; he needed no one's recognition to affirm that truth.

Leaning slightly forward, his voice chillingly calm, he added, "I have no comparison."

His words echoed through their mental connection—sharp and absolute, resonating with a finality that left no room for doubt. DEVA regarded him thoughtfully, sensing the weight behind his declaration.

Kyorin stood as a solitary figure against a tide of boastful claims, embodying an ethos that defied convention. "Let them have their empty titles," he continued, his tone icy. "In the grand tapestry of existence, I am feared, respected, hated, or perhaps adored. My strength; It does not need others' validation."

As Kyorin declared his stance, DEVA recalled the former Shepherd's words: "Truth doesn't seek validation, DEVA."

Inwardly, a smirk crept onto her lips, a flicker of reassurance washing over her. 'Indeed, truth doesn't seek validation,' she thought, her gaze returning to Kyorin. 'You are indeed the Shepherd, even if you reject that title, Boss.'

She felt a surge of admiration, recognizing his strength alongside his conviction. His refusal to embrace a label only emphasized his essence as a "Shepherd", reassuring her of potential salvation for the world and herself.

With that thought, DEVA said, "We have arrived at the tower, Boss," her tone noticeably more relaxed.

Kyorin nodded, gazing up at the Nexus Tower, a breathtaking marvel that pierced the sky. Its sleek, towering form blended modern design with ancient mystique. Glowing runes and symbols adorned its surface, pulsating softly as if alive.

A brilliant beacon pulsed rhythmically, casting waves of light cascading down like liquid brilliance at its top. The central light symbolized the tower's importance and was a guiding beacon for those wandering in their odyssey.

Kyorin's keen eyes scanned the interactive panels lining the base and sides. The air crackled with energy, and ethereal particles floated around, shimmering like stars in a gentle breeze, enhancing the tower's enigmatic presence.

Kyorin and DEVA regrouped with Chixia and Rover, who stood before the imposing structure of Jinzhou's Nexus Tower.

Chixia beamed with enthusiasm. "Here we are! Jinzhou's Nexus Tower!" 

She gestured grandly. "Think of it as... uhh... Jinzhou's largest server station or an integration hub. It's something along those lines. Sorry, I'm not much of a tech person myself." 

Chixia continued, "Long story short, it's a navigator, a defence system, and a regional information centre all in one enormous package."

She pointed at the smaller towers they had encountered earlier. "The smaller ones are Resonance Beacons."

"Data is shared between all Beacons. You activate one, and the entire map's data gets relayed to your Terminal. Pretty nifty, huh?" She said with a smirk.

Chixia then instructed Rover and Kyorin, "Just place your Terminal here."

As they registered themselves, she gazed out at the dark-lit city and suggested, "Alright, since it's pretty late, how about you two go to—"

Chixia paused, recalling that both were new to the city. She scratched her head just as Yangyang arrived, greeting them with a cheerful, "Evening!"

"Evening!" Rover and Chixa greeted, while Kyorin simply nodded in acknowledgement, and DEVA echoed, "Evening, Subject Yangyang."

"Hmm..." Yangyang stretched her arms and said, "Finally done with work." Rover chimed in, "We have troubled you."

"Thank you for your assistance, Subject Yangyang," DEVA added.

"No worries," Yangyang smiled before noticing Chixia's troubled expression and asked, "What's wrong?"

"You see about their stay…" Chixia trailed off, and Yangyang quickly understood. "Ah, I remember you two don't have a place to stay, right?"

Chixia nodded. "What do we do now?"

Yangyang hesitated before offering, "I-I have an empty guest room at my place. If you two don't mind, you could come over and..." Her face flushed as she whispered, "Sharing a room."

She glanced at the two, a hint of awkwardness creeping in at the thought of a man and a woman who are not married to each other sharing a room.

"I—" she began, ready to refuse when DEVA interjected, "We will look for a tavern."

As DEVA spoke, she and Kyroin departed from the trio. Observing their retreating figures, Chixia remarked, "So independent."

.

.

.

After some time, Kyorin and DEVA found a tavern. Kyorin opened the door to their quarters and stepped into a modest room with wooden walls and sparse furnishings.

The room boasted a low, intricately carved bed adorned with a refined mat, exuding an air of elegance and craftsmanship. A lone window allowed a soft glow to seep through, creating a gentle play of light and shadow within the space.

Kyorin sat on the edge of the bed, running his hand across the soft mat. "Hmm, too soft," he muttered, his expression shifting as he found it plush for his liking.

DEVA offered, "Should I ask the receptionist for a harder bed?"

Kyorin shook his head.

With a word, he lowered himself to the cool, firm ground. "This is much better," he silently muttered.

As he made himself comfortable on the floor, his eyelids became heavy, and he quickly fell asleep.

To be continued...