Golden light surged up and wrapped around him.
He smiled at Lyra.
But then—
She suddenly rushed forward and threw her arms around him.
A hundred thousand questions exploded in Lam Huy Trường's mind.
What?
Why am I getting hugged out of nowhere?
Hello, goddess of love—did you take the wrong route or something?
A jolt of electricity struck from his watch again.
LHT spasmed violently, a sharp cry tearing out of his throat.
He couldn't tell if the shock came from the hug… or the watch.
All he knew was—
His body went numb.
His consciousness felt like it was being crushed.
"Looks like I overdid it this time." The mechanical voice rang out.
"Ah… s-sorry, Professor…" Lyra mumbled.
LHT looked utterly drained.
He resembled a piece of overcooked dried fish—half-charred… or maybe a lightning rod with his hair standing straight up.
Lyra tugged lightly at his sleeve.
At the same time, the AI's voice echoed.
"What is your intention behind suddenly initiating physical contact with the Professor?"
"Lyra Granger… an embrace between two individuals in such a soaked condition can easily lead to… ambiguous developments."
Mrs. AI's voice was cold.
Like a judgment descending from above.
Lyra quickly waved her hands, shaking her head.
"That's not it—"
"Not it?" The AI cut her off sharply, leaving no room to retreat.
LHT's body was still tingling, heavy and sluggish.
But his ears strained to listen.
Lyra glanced at him, her expression awkward.
"I… I didn't want to be left behind, and…"
"And?" The AI's voice sliced in, sharp as a blade.
"And I didn't know how to stop you, Professor… so I just…"
"Oh… I see."
"So out of selfish desire—because you didn't want to be abandoned like a pitiful little puppy—you decided to—"
The AI's voice carried a hint of triumph—
Then suddenly stopped.
Because LHT was moving.
Slowly, he raised his right hand.
Then—
Slapped himself across the face.
"Professor?"
"Professor?!"
Two voices rang out at the same time beside him.
His senses gradually returned.
Though his body still ached.
LHT slowly stood up.
His gaze locked onto Lyra.
She froze for a split second.
That expression…
Sent a chill down her spine.
Then—
Images suddenly flashed through her mind.
A black-and-white scene.
A little girl holding her hand, running through a flower garden, laughing brightly.
A young woman.
Resting her chin on her right hand.
With her left, she let gold coins fall one by one in front of her.
A curved smile.
Cunning.
As if whispering something.
Seductive… or manipulative.
Another scene—
A boy curled up in a corner, clutching his head.
Her hand had once reached out to him…
Only to stop midway.
Because of the look in his eyes.
"Why… you promised you would protect us…"
"Why…"
Those words tightened around her heart.
Like chains locking each beat in place.
Lyra gritted her teeth.
Forcing herself out of the stream of memories.
She lowered her head in front of LHT.
"I won't get in your way."
"You can use me as a disposable pawn if you want."
"I won't complain."
Her head stayed bowed low.
Both hands trembled.
Her nails dug into her palms until they turned white.
LHT looked at her.
His voice turned cold.
"Too bad."
Lyra raised her head—
Then lowered it again.
Her lips were bitten pale.
Her whole body looked like a puppet with its strings cut.
She slowly sank to her knees on the wet ground.
So in the end… I still—
"That's exactly why you keep bowing your head and begging others."
"…Huh?"
Tears blurred her vision.
Mixing into the falling rain.
She looked up.
At him.
But LHT—
Didn't seem to be looking at her at all.
"If you're going to bet your life—"
"Then you need to understand—"
"It's the most important thing you have."
"Don't turn yourself into someone else's pawn."
He stepped behind her.
Then crouched down.
His hands rested on her shoulders.
His breath brushed close to her ear.
"Your life… belongs to you."
Lyra slowly turned her head.
Her gaze trembled.
LHT continued.
"The game has already started."
"If you want to join me—"
An old sentence.
Words from a certain girl—brave, unwavering.
From before.
Standing in front of him.
Blocking his path.
Like a scene rewinding in his mind.
LHT let out a faint chuckle.
"Then don't take your life lightly."
He helped her to her feet.
Then let go.
But he stayed close—
As if ready to stop her from collapsing again.
"I only registered for a team-based game—"
"—because I wanted it to be more fun."
"Not to turn it into a watered-down version of reality."
His voice was steady.
Not loud, but every word landed clearly.
"If you don't give it your all—"
"I'll kick you out of the party."
With that, LHT turned around.
And walked away.
Without hesitation.
Lyra stood still for a few seconds.
Her vision was still blurred.
But then—
She gave a slight nod.
Her hand pressed against her chest.
Her gaze—
More resolute than before.
She dashed after him.
Her steps splashed through the rainwater.
LHT glanced back.
Saw her catching up.
The corner of his lips lifted slightly.
A faint smile.
He exhaled.
Raised his hand, letting the cold rain fall into his palm.
"First…"
His gaze swept across the battlefield.
"Smash the cocoon?"
His hand moved lightly—like a conductor guiding an orchestra.
"Or clear out this mess first?"
The wind howled.
The scent of blood and metal mixed in the air.
"Or do both—"
"—in one go?"
His heart began to beat faster.
Heat surged through his blood.
"I'm… starting to get excited."
An AI voice rang out.
Dry.
Blended into the sound of rain.
"Your survival rate has just dropped to 0% after bringing her along, Professor."
LHT let out a laugh.
"Yeah."
"Ha ha."
"Either way—"
"If someone wants to die in battle…"
"I still respect that spirit."
He tilted his head slightly.
A sharp glint flashed in his eyes.
"Besides…"
"I've already started lecturing."
He kept walking through the rain.
The smile on his lips slowly widened.
"Hey, Mrs. AI—"
"There's more than one way—"
"To win."
His smile tilted.
Turning into a crooked smirk.
"Don't you think?"