The Red-robed BOSS Says I Killed Him - Chapter 10

Chapter 10

The Control Layer was even further down.

It was a literal well.

Black and bottomless.

A narrow metal bridge hung across the center of the well, and at the end of that bridge sat a massive, black Heart Core.

It pulsed rhythmically, as if it were alive.

With every beat, the rift in the reality feed grew a little wider.

“Tinglan.”

Li Shuheng called my name.

I looked back.

His face was deathly pale, yet the red at the corners of his eyes was startlingly vivid.

“You still have one last chance to back out.”

“No.”

“Do you really want to do this?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t want to kill you ever again.”

He seemed pinned to the spot by those words, remaining motionless for a long time.

I walked to the middle of the bridge. Wind swirled up from the bottom of the well, tossing my hair into a mess.

“Li Shuheng.”

“Haven’t you always wanted to know what I would choose once I remembered everything?”

“I’m telling you now.”

“It won’t be your death, and it won’t be you staying locked up.”

“I want you to come out alive.”

His gaze instantly fractured.

It wasn’t the look of panic.

It was the look of someone who had waited far too long and finally heard the words they never dared to believe.

But a second later, he still took a step forward.

“And the price?”

“We pay it together.”

“Luo Tinglan, you make it sound so easy.”

“It isn’t easy.”

I looked at him, my nose stinging with unshed tears.

“I’ve just finally had enough.”

“I’m sick of you always being the one to decide how I should hurt.”

“This time, it’s my turn to choose.”

The bridge suddenly shook violently.

Lin Xizhe’s voice drifted down from above, laced with uncontrolled fury.

“Stop the separation immediately!”

“Luo Tinglan, you cannot afford the consequences!”

“None of your damn business.”

I pressed my hand against the Heart Core, and my old main-control clearance was instantly activated.

A cold System voice rang out.

“Old main-control clearance detected.”

“Execute reset?”

“No.”

“Execute separation?”

“Yes.”

“Please confirm the subject of separation.”

“0719 emotional core host, Li Shuheng.”

“Please confirm Personality Anchor.”

Just as I was about to speak, countless black chains suddenly lunged out from the surroundings.

Li Shuheng reacted faster than I did, lunging forward to shield me in his arms.

I heard him let out a muffled groan as the chains pierced through his shoulders and back.

“Li Shuheng!”

“Don’t stop.”

He gritted his teeth, his palm pressing against the back of my head.

“Keep going.”

“You’ll die!”

“I’ve died before.”

“This time is different!”

“Yes.”

The veins on his forehead were bulging with the strain, but his eyes remained locked onto mine.

“Because this time, you said you chose me.”

“So even if I die, I accept it.”

My tears finally spilled over.

“Shut up.”

“Just stay alive first.”

The System asked again.

“Please confirm Personality Anchor.”

I looked at Li Shuheng, my voice trembling.

“Anchor designated: Luo Tinglan.”

“No!”

For the first time, Li Shuheng truly panicked.

He reached out to stop me, but I grabbed him back, stood on my tiptoes, and kissed him.

It was brief.

But his entire body went rigid.

I leaned my forehead against his, tears falling.

“Listen closely.”

“I’m not lying to you this time.”

“I’m taking you with me.”

In the next second, the Heart Core shattered with a roar.