HuMing didn’t know how far he had walked. Along the way, he saw many experimental subjects.
Those bodies, long since devoid of life, floated in tanks of chemical fluid. Whatever value they once had had already been wrung dry by Francis.
Otherwise, Francis wouldn’t have kept them here at all.
It was his hobby.
Walking down the corridor, HuMing felt as though he had stepped back into memory.
Back then, he had walked down a similar hallway, finally meeting Francis at the end.
The difference was, at that time he carried the resolve for revenge. Today, he simply wanted to put an end to this scourge.
He finally reached the end.
Pushing open the door, he was momentarily stunned by what lay inside.
The place was identical to the spot where he had once killed Francis.
It seemed that HuMing’s “nail” had been buried in Francis for a long time, one that had left him unsettled ever since.
“Even trapping you there couldn’t kill you? HuMing, you’ve truly surpassed every human limit.”
Francis stepped out from the opposite door.
He faced HuMing directly, without a shred of defense.
HuMing took off his coat, making sure nothing on him would hinder movement.
Yet hearing Francis praise him brought no joy. The man only saw him as a specimen.
“Any last words? Say them now, and I’ll send you on your way.”
“HuMing, I truly don’t understand. I told you before—I can make you into a god in this world, someone no one can disobey. Isn’t that enough to satisfy you?”
Francis’s voice didn’t waver under HuMing’s words.
His hands clasped behind his back, his eyes glimmered with anticipation.
“Back then, because of HuMin, you killed me. I could understand that—revenge is a necessary emotion. But now HuMin is alive, and so are you. If you and I work together, the world will be ours. Did you see those test subjects? Ordinary people can’t stand against them.”
“You talk too much.”
Before the last syllable faded, HuMing lunged forward.
But before he could reach Francis, several shadows darted out from the darkness.
A flash of white light streaked through the air, and HuMing instinctively halted.
A neat cut appeared in his clothes.
His gaze sharpened—around Francis stood several figures, their long blades gleaming coldly.
They had positioned themselves with flawless precision, leaving no openings.
“Did you think I’ve done nothing these past ten years? Shi Zhong was a failure—but I’m not. You should know my ability surpasses everyone else’s. If I wish it, I can create things that shock the entire world. That’s why I deserve to be its god.”
As Francis repeated the word “god,” HuMing cut him off.
“Whether in the past or now, you still don’t see yourself clearly. Back then, I broke through all your obstacles and killed you. Now, I’m doing the same thing. Our story isn’t some fairy tale about a hero and a dragon—you abandoned everything around you, while I chose to accept it.”
HuMing shed the rest of his clothes, his gaze resolute.
This was nothing like the feeling of revenge he once had.
Now, he wanted to end Francis and go home to his family alive.
He had finally found a great family. He couldn’t throw it all away now.
He understood now—when someone who has always lived in darkness sees the light, they can’t help but draw closer.
It’s both an obsession and a yearning.
“It’s dragged on too long, Francis.”
“Yes, HuMing. I always thought you were someone who understood me. But now I see I was wrong. From start to finish, you’re just like the others—you’ll never understand me!”
Francis pointed at HuMing. Instantly, the men around him rushed forward.
“I’ll kill you once and for all!”
Footsteps thundered atop the shipping containers as five attackers advanced from every angle.
Without hesitation, HuMing scrambled up a container, his field of vision opening wide.
A figure blocked the overhead light, blade whistling down toward him—
But before the attacker landed, HuMing’s kick slammed into his chest, sending him crashing into the metal wall.
Before the man could recover, HuMing seized his blade and drove it straight into his heart.
In the same breath, he tore it free and swung it behind him—cutting down another before they could even touch him.
Francis’s heart pounded wildly. He retreated, fumbling a button from his pocket. After a moment’s hesitation, he pressed it.
"Hindrance... hindrance...really... such a hindrance!"
HuMing muttered under his breath. A heartbeat later, his blade flew at one attacker’s head.
The man dodged—only to have HuMing close the distance, seize his arm, and slam him into the floor.
Blood sprayed from his mouth.
“A life without will… truly a pitiful existence.”
That was the last thing he ever heard.
HuMing lifted his head toward the final opponent. The man gripped his blade tightly, face calm, though his hands trembled—tremors born of instinctive fear.
“Death is your only fate.”
Like a judge passing sentence, HuMing charged.
…
Francis pushed open the gate.
The rusted guardrail was old; a light touch made it groan.
Stepping out, he faced the sea breeze. Ahead lay the dock.
The port was empty—no ships in sight, only the vast, dark sea. The surface was black as ink, without a glimmer of starlight. The rain blurred the world like a veil, making everything seem unreal.
He had forgotten where this emergency exit led—but clearly, it was a dock.
“So… it’s been raining all along?”
His voice was quiet. Behind him, footsteps drew steadily closer.
Francis turned, and at last faced the one he least wished to see.
“Your plan failed. Time to face your end.”
Blood stained HuMing’s clothes. His gaze fell on the man sitting on the bench.
Francis looked worn down, hair hanging over his eyes, hiding his thoughts.
Still, he tossed the switch at HuMing’s feet.
“Take it. I never thought I could beat you without paying a price.”
HuMing’s brow furrowed—he suddenly realized Francis might still have a final card to play.