Eternal Night

Vol. 1 Chapter 26.2

Smiling Gas Final

Translated by xiaohei
Edited by xiaohei

While everyone was filled with hope, Yu Feichen felt a familiar sensation coming from his body.

The gray space from before was back again, but unlike last time, there was a huge map in front of him. Upon closer inspection, Yu Feichen realized that it was the map of this world, and all the patterns were created from a series of intertwining gray lines.

The system sounded, “Occupation begins.”

In the next moment, a brilliant dor of light appeared where the Oakvale Concentration Camp was located, followed by thin golden lines that spread out in all directions.

Shortly after, an even brighter dot appeared at the edge of Sasha that spread out just like before.

A thought came to mind.

Perhaps these dots represented the impact he created on this world.

When the spread stopped, a prominent golden section appeared on the gray map that covered about an eighth of it.

“Core position occupied successfully.”

“Conversion begins.”

Then, the map seemed to stay the same, but when he looked closer, Yu Feichen noticed that the golden lines were slowly, almost imperceptibly, creeping toward the other areas.

Given enough time, the world would surely be covered by this soft and dazzling golden glow.

At this moment, the system sounded again.

“Victory.”

“Please select your believers.”

The scenery changed, and everything was foggy. He was back in the world, but everyone was still.

Blondie, Bai Song, the nurse, the president.

Before entering the Gate of Eternal Night, the voice had told him, “You should bring those who follow you wholeheartedly. You may bring one back from each adventure.”

However, Yu Feichen realized that he couldn’t just pick his believers as he pleased.

First of all, many people had things they wanted to do in their worlds, and he admired people like them. For example, Anfield and Blondie.

Not only had Blondie made the decision to enlist in the military, he also had someone he fancied.

Bai Song had his own dreams, too, but it didn’t seem like they were attainable anymore.

He walked up to Bai Song. If he were to pick this child as his teammate, he would seem a bit ordinary in every aspect, but compared to others like him in this world, he didn’t seem so bad after all.

Never mind, he thought.

The past was already sealed in his memory, but when he first walked into Paradise, he was just as lacking in everything.

As he looked toward Bai Song in the still scene, Bai Song suddenly moved and opened his eyes.

“Bai Song,” he called out to him.

Bai Song seemed taken aback for a moment. “…Brother Yu?”

“What do you plan to do in the future?”

“I don’t know,” he answered. “I don’t have any family left, and my leg is also no more…”

After some thought, he continued, “Once I get used to losing my leg, I’ll find something within my means.”

Yu Feichen wanted to take Bai Song with him.

But… What should he say?

The surreal scene made him feel as if his entire mind was immersed in a dreamlike void.

His thoughts were jumbled like never before. He suddenly wondered. How did I come to join Paradise in the first place?

Where did I come from?

Who brought me there?

He had a bad memory, and many things in his past were just blank slates to him.

It wasn’t a habit for him to forget, it just wasn’t a habit for him to think back to the past.

Following these thoughts in his heart, it was as if the dense fog gradually cleared away…

A drowning sensation swept over him. His entire body was submerged in seawater, and he was constantly sinking down. Possibly from the reflection of sunlight, a brilliant golden halo crowned the surface of the sea like the peak of dawn.

A hazy voice seemed to come through the dazzling blue seawater, beyond this mundane world.

“Will you come with me?”

The moment the voice rang out in his ear, he lost control of his body and repeated to Bai Song, “Will you come with me?”

Bai Song looked confused, and he asked the same question that he asked before.

“—Where to?”

“To… dangerous places, places where you’ll have to risk your life.”

“To return to the land of no return, save those who have not been saved, redeem the sins that are still to be redeemed.”

“Until you’re buried in eternal night.”

“Or maybe you’ll live forever.”

“… I’ll go.”

As soon as Bai Song gave his answer, the world spun around.

A familiar and gentle voice emerged in Yu Feichen’s mind again.

“Eternal Night 49314 completed.”

“Return channel opening in 10, 9, 8, 7, 6,…”

As the countdown began, he looked at the world around him, one final look.”

People were laughing and celebrating, an atmosphere of impending victory engulfed everything.

This world was also going to become a part of the past.

If he had any regrets…

His eyes finally settled on the newspaper on the coffee table.

It was a copy of the Black Badge Army’s internal newspapers that the alliance had been trying to collect.

A message was printed on one inconspicuous corner.

Due to illness, Captain Anfield has resigned from all duties and his condition is unknown. Continued observation is necessary.

“…4, 3, 2, 1.”

“Welcome to Paradise.”

The first thing that came into Yu Feichen’s view was endless darkness.

When his eyes adjusted, he saw some faint, deep violet spots floating in the air.

Then, someone grabbed his sleeve. It was Bai Song.

Suddenly, a dim white light lit up ahead, illuminating a black metal chair wound with chains.

On the chair was a man dressed in black, the upper half of his face hidden underneath a good, gray hair spilling out at the sides. A beautifully-shaped chin and pale skin could be seen.

“Hello.” The man seemed to be smiling. His voice sounded deep and relaxed. “My name is Klaros, the gatekeeper.”

“Hello,” Yu Feichen returned the greeting.

In the silence, Klaros leaned back and rested his elbows on the armrest before interlocking his fingers.

“Firstly, I sincerely apologize for not explaining the rules clearly to you before you entered the gate.”

Yu Feichen said nothing upon hearing this. He just looked at him silently.

“Due to an accident, a minor rupture fell through our checks in the world you entered, which meant that you were forced to complete both the war and deconstruction tasks that normally would not occur simultaneously in order to return.”

As he spoke, he raised his wrist to reveal a chain wrapped around it. “I have already received punishment for neglecting my duties.”

—So that’s what happened, Yu Feichen thought.

Klaros smiled.

“Secondly, I congratulate you with the same sincerity for completing your first adventure in the Gate of Eternal Night. You are now officially grown up.”

Then, he raised a hand and pointed behind Yu Feichen.

“…Look.”