Chapter 934: 933. No matter what the cost Chapter 934: 933. No matter what the cost Upon hearing Cui Siter’s words, Lu Ban felt surprised, yet he also had a sense of “as expected.”

For the creator of this world, or rather The Dark One, desired Lu Ban to forever sink into despair here. Surely, the tragic accidents befalling those around him were the last things Lu Ban wanted to see. If it were just one person, it could be considered a regret.

But if everyone were to die, then Lu Ban’s existence in this world would lose all meaning. With nothing but despair and sorrow here, there would be absolutely no reason for Lu Ban to stay. Obviously, that’s not the kind of scenario The Dark One had in mind when he placed Lu Ban in this place.

Hence, just as Cui Siter had said, only when everyone around Lu Ban was dead, might he then have the chance to trace back through the past and find an opportunity to leave.

However, in an ordinary day-to-day life, neither Cui Siter nor Shia would die accidentally; thus, Lu Ban couldn’t simply reach the being behind the scenes.

But now, on this island, Lu Ban and his companions were facing the greatest crisis.

Not all, but at least most of their companions might die in the attacks of these monsters.

Therefore…

Lu Ban came to a realization.

“These monsters, are they the work of an outsider’s power?”

Just like what Lu Ban initially surmised, if he wanted to escape this world, he would have to rely on the power of other ‘Indescribable’ beings.

Clearly, The Dark One wasn’t going to easily ruin the environment around Lu Ban.

Thus, all of this could only be the doing of some Ancient Overlord who had taken notice of this place.

Even harming Cui Siter was the will of that higher power.

Because even if Lu Ban knew that the death of those around him could return him to reality, he wasn’t necessarily capable of decisive killing.

“You can think of it that way. I had already been attacked by those monsters and had suffered severe injuries, but the one who arranged it all didn’t want me out of the picture; hence, I was saved. At that moment, I recovered all my memories, which is why I know that if you meet the conditions, you can completely break free from this world.”

Cui Siter’s voice became very soft, as if he were running out of strength, every word sounding like Testament left to the world.

“In fact, that entity also left a message for me.”

He fell silent for a moment, then continued.

“As long as you stay here, I can have a prolonged life. My life won’t come to a dramatic end; I could even have a fulfilling conclusion.”

“I might meet a lady and have an unadorned but not unromantic love affair, start a family and a business, take on newcomers at the bureau to continue fighting crime, worry about groceries and the children’s education, then after retirement, I would deal with lingering health issues from my working years, chat over tea with old friends, and in the end, depart under the care of my children.”

Cui Siter spoke, then coughed up a pool of black blood. His insides were gradually failing, and his face was completely pale.

Outside, it was dark; even the ocean was hard to discern, and in the impenetrable darkness where one could not see their own hand, whispers of an ancient Evil God seemed to resonate from time immemorial.

“I don’t want to die.”

Cui Siter looked at Lu Ban.

Lu Ban understood clearly.

No one can truly let go.

Even for a Chosen such as Cui Siter, even with the fate he chose in the real world.

But no one is truly unafraid of death.

Even at that time, in such circumstances, Cui Siter made that choice, but given another chance, would he choose the same path again?

At many times, people’s choices are made out of necessity.

Firefighters rushing into a blazing inferno to save a child, soldiers forming a human barricade in floods, and police officers grappling with violent felons—all too often, many are compelled by irreversible circumstances to sacrifice themselves and become heroes.

Cui Siter, Shia, as Chosen by the Gods, were simply pushed step by step to that position by fate.

They were not born as such great beings; in a life of barely surviving and inevitable death, they simply chose their own endings.

But now, given the opportunity to do it all over again with all his memories intact, would Cui Siter really accept that fate again?

“Even if finding out all this is part of Its calculation, knowing It can see through the hearts of men, It’s aware that even with my knowledge of these truths, I wouldn’t let you go easily. If anything, the informed me would likely become a force that keeps you here.”

Cui Siter said, his body shaking with the jolting car, becoming increasingly jerky, like a wind-up toy losing power, ready to collapse at any moment.

“But at this point, I don’t have a choice anymore, haha.”

He burst into laughter, which quickly turned into a series of coughs that brought sorrow to those who heard them.

“Hold on, Uncle Cui.”

Shia heard the coughing, glanced back for a moment, then turned her head forward again. They were nearing the dock where they could find a boat and use the positioning system to leave The Island and head to other nearby islands or at least evade the attacks of those monsters out at sea.

Cui Siter glanced at Shia and then turned to look at Lu Ban.

“I know that if I were to act on my true desires, I wouldn’t be able to let you leave this place. Therefore, I have chosen to stay behind to help you fend off these monsters. If I must die in the face of inevitable danger, I will have no regrets.”

He grasped Lu Ban’s hand, Cui Siter’s hand had turned ice-cold, just like this night.

“I’m well aware that you wouldn’t kill me, kill us, just to return to reality, so you should appreciate why I made the choices I did after learning all this. If I were trapped in a false world and you were in my place, you would make the same decisions. I’m certain of it.”

Cui Siter spoke earnestly, the strength in his hand diminishing, almost like that of a baby.

“Never mind, it’s just a return to the original state; I have long been as good as dead. But in any case, being given such an opportunity to tell you these words could be considered a good deed by that guy.”

Lu Ban felt Cui Siter’s hand suddenly grip with force.

It was as if crossing time itself, back to when he was at his most spirited, Cui Siter summoned all his strength to tightly grasp Lu Ban’s hand.

Pain from the impending death spread across his face; it was evident as Cui Siter’s pupils dilated, then dispersed, and in the moment of death, he would endure immense suffering, beyond all else.

“Remember us, Lu Ban.”

Cui Siter said in a hoarse voice, his gaze locked onto Lu Ban as if to etch his figure deep into these eyes.

“No matter the cost, you must save this world.”

His face suddenly contorted, at this moment every cell began to fail, his consciousness flickering like a candle in the wind, close to extinguishing.

“Mom.”

From Cui Siter’s mouth, the muffled sound represented his last bit of consciousness, like a newborn baby, Cui Siter in his final moment uttered the same word he voiced when he first entered this world.

And then, that slight glimmer of light faded from Cui Siter’s pupils.

*

Delayed by the typhoon for a long time.

Asking for recommendation tickets, asking for monthly tickets!