Infinite Nightmares

Faced with Zhang Wenda’s request, it was clear the other party had already prepared in advance.

She held the object, which looked like a piece of blue chalk, up to Zhang Wenda. With a smile, she said, "This is the Blue Core you asked for. The instructions and usage techniques are all ready. Would you like to make the exchange now, or later?"

"Please rest assured, our shop values its reputation. A 26-point Blue Core can absolutely help you deal with any creature below Level 3."

"I told you before, they’re from the adult wor... I mean, from Thought Wave Two, right? Are you sure the Blue Core can handle them?"

Zhang Wenda hadn’t forgotten that they could only be seen in the "adult world." If this only increased his power in Thought Wave One, it would be completely useless, no matter by how much.

"Rest assured. Our shop values its reputation and repeat customers. If you can’t defeat them, you can return it for a full refund at any time."

"Let’s do it." Zhang Wenda handed over the three drops of Oil Bab. He then watched as the shopkeeper raised a white-gloved dog paw, carefully picked up the Blue Core, and pressed it against his forearm.

The Blue Core, which should have been solid, instantly melted into Zhang Wenda’s arm the moment it made contact, transforming into a blue scar. Now, the set of three scars on his arm was finally complete.

A square sheet of paper was presented to Zhang Wenda. "These are the instructions for the Blue Core."

Then, the shopkeeper pulled a thick, triangular red cloth from a hidden compartment in the box and tied it around Zhang Wenda’s arm.

"With this, you can monitor the remaining energy in your cores. It’s a free gift. Please come again."

The instant the cloth was tied on, Zhang Wenda saw numbers appear over his three scars. The Yellow Core was at 24, and the Blue Core was at 26. Clearly, this cloth functioned much like his watch in the "adult world."

He picked up the paper and began to study it intently, determined to burn the three rituals recorded on it into his memory.

Half an hour later, Zhang Wenda emerged. He was wearing the clothes the shopkeeper had given him, and his expression was grim as he walked out.

"We’ve been at it all day. Can we go back now? I’m hungry and I’m tired," Song Jianguo said, her face a mask of impatience.

"You can go home after you take 2826 home," Zhang Wenda said.

Song Jianguo seemed to sense that something was wrong and looked at Zhang Wenda in surprise. "What about you? You’re not sleeping in the treehouse tonight?"

"Just go back. Don’t worry about me." As he spoke, Zhang Wenda walked out of the dog-fur hut. But the moment he was outside, he saw someone unexpected. The one who had lowered the rope was none other than Teacher Rabbit.

The purple, red-eyed rabbit stood its ground, letting the black cats that crowded around nuzzle affectionately against its body.

"It’s best to have someone waiting for you on the outside in a place like the dark web," the rabbit said, its tone calm. "Otherwise, it’s easy to lose contact."

Hearing this, Zhang Wenda now understood who had lowered that life-saving rope for him.

"You... Never mind. In any case, thank you for today." Zhang Wenda didn’t want to say anything more. He felt there was no point; if Teacher Rabbit wanted to follow him, then so be it.

Noticing the slowly healing wounds on Zhang Wenda’s body, it walked over. "Close your eyes."

Zhang Wenda felt a furry palm press against him and a cool sensation spread through his body. When he opened his eyes again, his remaining injuries were almost completely healed.

As soon as Zhang Wenda was healed, Song Jianguo rushed over, holding out the injured cat. "This little one’s eyes won’t heal. Can you fix them?"

The rabbit completely ignored her, walking over to 2826 to begin treating his wounds.

"Is that Qi Gong Number 6?" the well-informed 2826 immediately identified the rabbit’s ability.

The rabbit didn’t answer. It simply covered a wound with its thick paws for a moment, and when it moved them away, the injury was completely gone.

After its limbs were healed, 2826 stopped the rabbit from treating him further. He took the flashlight from Zhang Wenda and prepared to open the door to go home.

"Don’t let it stop halfway! Have it heal you completely, and then it can heal my cat," Song Jianguo urged from the sidelines.

But 2826 didn’t do that. He slowly shook his head. "The power of Qi Gong Number 6 isn’t healing. It’s transference."

Those words sent a shiver through Zhang Wenda. He whirled around to look at the rabbit.

Seeing the rabbit treating the little cat, Zhang Wenda turned to slip away. But he had only taken a few steps before the rabbit, now holding the Black Cat, blocked his path. "Where are you going? What are you going... to do?"

It was phrased like a question, but Zhang Wenda could tell from the rabbit’s expression that it intended to stop him.

"Do you want to kill them?" The rabbit’s voice sent a chill through everyone who heard it. It had finally voiced its deepest fear to Zhang Wenda.

This was why it had been so determined to help Zhang Wenda. It was terrified he would go down the wrong path.

"Don’t do something you’ll regret for the rest of your life. I was once in your exact situation. Seeing you is like seeing my former self. I made it out, but you haven’t yet. I want to help you make it out, too."

Zhang Wenda actually laughed at that. "How can you say that? Why would you think I want to kill them?"

"I don’t! I don’t want to kill them! I just want them to break the control this rule has over me! Don’t you get it? The rule is still with me! It tortures me every single day, and it’s agonizing."

"Like I said, I’ve been in your shoes. Don’t try to lie to me. I know exactly what you’re planning to do."

"If it weren’t for this rule, I would’ve run away long ago! Why would I go through all this trouble? I don’t even want to see their faces!"

"I really don’t want to kill them. I swear," Zhang Wenda pleaded, trying to convince the rabbit blocking his path.

"Then why are you risking your life to get stronger? Can you answer me that?"

"Because I need to make them listen to reason, Teacher! Have you ever seen my parents? They aren’t human—they’re monsters!"

Zhang Wenda exploded. "Do you know what monsters are? They don’t communicate, they just roar! The only time they’ll act human and sit down to talk reason is when you’re stronger than them, when you dare to fight back!"

At this, Zhang Wenda calmed himself, lowering his voice slightly. "Don’t worry. You don’t have to follow me anymore. I’m not going to do... that. I’m grown up now. As long as they release me from this rule, they can live their lives, and I’ll live mine. We’ll sever all ties completely."

With that, Zhang Wenda walked past the rabbit and headed for the flea market’s exit.

"Back then, I was just like you. I said almost the exact same things."

The rabbit’s voice boomed in Zhang Wenda’s ear like a clap of thunder. "And in the end, I killed them."