This wasn’t a dream. Of course, it wasn’t a dream.

Shen Wang smiled. He had always been exceptionally good-looking, with peach-blossom eyes that tilted slightly upward, exuding a comforting warmth and a faintly alluring charm that made it hard for people to look away.

“Captain Zhou, have you finally realized something’s off?”

Zhou Xiangzhe, who had suddenly been addressed as “Captain”: …

To be honest, Shen Wang almost never called Zhou Xiangzhe “Captain.” It was only during their initial acquaintance that he had shown some verbal courtesy, but after that, he never used the title again. At his core, Shen Wang was a self-centered person who didn’t bother with excessive respect for others, not even deigning to use honorifics in conversation.

The only time he would call him “Captain” was when he was being sarcastic.

Just as Zhou Xiangzhe was about to explain, a loud bang echoed, and the violent shaking nearly knocked them off their feet.

Shen Wang clicked his tongue. “This is your doing.”

This place wasn’t a dream at all—it was a painting. Dreams might be intangible and untouchable, but paintings were made of real paint and paper. [Deer God] possessed an extremely corrosive nature, and after Zhou Xiangzhe used his abilities, the entire building had faded a layer of color.

Zhou Xiangzhe also realized something was wrong, and the two quickly left the area.

The moment they stepped out of the hospital, the building behind them collapsed into ruins.

“If you’re not a dream, then this place shouldn’t be a dream either,” Zhou Xiangzhe noticed more details. “This place feels less like my dream and more like a combination of my past experiences and the things I want to do?”

Shen Wang glanced at him. “That’s because this is a painting—a painting by Hundred Eyes.”

“A-level pollutant Hundred Eyes?” Zhou Xiangzhe was surprised. “It’s still alive?”

“Not its main body,” Shen Wang thought about how to explain this.

Ah, right!

“The director pointed me in the direction to find you, but when I arrived, I ran into the defector [Lan]. I tried to avoid him but failed, and he pushed me into the painting.”

Good brother, take the blame for me. It’s not like you’re here right now anyway.

“Lan again?” Zhou Xiangzhe frowned, then looked at Shen Wang. “But why were you in the pollution source? Before the mission, Qiang Li’an communicated with me multiple times, assuring me that you were only responsible for pollution incidents outside the pollution source.”

“Don’t blame him for this. I accidentally walked into the pollution source while investigating Area 3. Area 3 and the pollution source are connected.”

“Connected?” Zhou Xiangzhe was very surprised. “The pollution source is expanding, and polluted areas are appearing around it, but all pollutant entities are still contained within the pollution source. The second team isn’t so incompetent as to let high-level pollutants escape. So how could there be a connection between the two?”

Shen Wang replied casually, “I found a river in Area 3 that shouldn’t exist. It was very wide and had flowing water. The river appeared out of nowhere and wasn’t a gathering point for pollutants. I followed the river to find its source, and before I knew it, I had entered the pollution source and happened to run into Little Twenty-One.”

“That boy who always sneaks out to play on the swings during meals?”

Shen Wang clicked his tongue. “Your memory is ridiculously good. I almost couldn’t match him to his name at the time.”

Zhou Xiangzhe sighed softly. “Did he take you to the orphanage? I went there, but they wouldn’t let me in.”

“Looks like we can’t get the umbrella back either.”

“Didn’t I already say I’d give you a new one?” Shen Wang didn’t expect him to still care about this. “Let that umbrella stay in the orphanage, along with the memories. We’re not the same as we were when we were kids.”

Hearing this, Zhou Xiangzhe turned to look at Shen Wang.

After a moment, Zhou Xiangzhe nodded. “Alright. I want an umbrella that two people can use together.”

Zhou Xiangzhe thought: This reunion is quite interesting.

They didn’t cry and hug each other, nor did they question why it had taken so long to meet again. Shen Wang didn’t even ask why Zhou Xiangzhe had always known he was Little Fifteen but never acknowledged it. They simply confirmed each other’s identities in an ordinary way and continued exchanging mission information as usual.

It was as if the more than ten years apart hadn’t happened. Shen Wang was still just going to the hospital for treatment every few days.

Finally, after finishing his treatment, he waved to Little Seven, who was waiting for him at the hospital entrance. They didn’t need to say anything—they both understood.

He was back.

There was no awkwardness, no sense of unfamiliarity, no feeling that the other had grown into someone different. They spoke with the same tone, the same demeanor, the same smile.

Although, from what Shen Wang had said… it seemed he had known Zhou Xiangzhe was Little Seven even before coming here. But Zhou Xiangzhe felt he had revealed too much and couldn’t pinpoint when Shen Wang had figured it out.

“An umbrella two people can use together?” Shen Wang gave him a strange look. “Who are you planning to share it with?”

Zhou Xiangzhe thought for a moment. “I could share it with the person who gave it to me, but it might attract some unwanted attention.”

Shen Wang: …

It wasn’t hard to imagine. Zhou Xiangzhe was a big name in Central City, usually out on missions. If he suddenly returned and, against his usual behavior, shared an umbrella with someone, everyone would be shocked. Such a rare sight would surely draw a crowd, eager to witness the spectacle.

Shen Wang clicked his tongue. “Don’t drag me into your mischief. I’m not interested in that.”

Boom! Another sound of shattering glass echoed.

They turned to look at the sky not far away. The humanoid figure formed by butterflies was still slamming against the glass.

“If this is a painting, is it hitting the glass of the frame?” Zhou Xiangzhe suddenly realized.

“Probably,” Shen Wang replied casually.

“Can we just let it in?” Zhou Xiangzhe pondered. “I originally wanted to find its true body in the dream.”

Shen Wang glanced at him. “This isn’t a dream.”

“I know. Whether it’s a dream or not, I just want to make contact with it.”

“If its original form is really An Heng, then I suspect its current state isn’t physical but a wandering spirit. I need to capture its soul.”

Shen Wang understood.

This pollutant was like the soul leaving the body in a supernatural novel. Its original body was a vegetative patient, but after being polluted, its soul left its body and began causing havoc. It could also turn polluted people into leaves hanging on trees. Caterpillars would eat the leaves and transform into butterflies, which it controlled, becoming its spokespersons.

“Given how frantic it is, it should break through the glass frame soon,” Shen Wang said.

A flash of purple crossed his eyes as he quietly reduced the eight layers of glass he had set up to three. Well, now the Illusory Butterfly was already smashing against the third layer.

“There’s actually something I’m curious about,” Shen Wang changed the topic after finishing his task.

Zhou Xiangzhe looked at him. “What?”

“This painting is based on your memories… well, that’s what Lan said.”

“Since it’s based on your past, and I’ve seen the orphanage and this hospital, why isn’t there anything about Yutang South City or the S-level pollutant [Deer God] you killed?”

Shen Wang asked curiously, “Wasn’t that a big deal for you?”

Zhou Xiangzhe seemed to have never considered this question. After Shen Wang asked, he hesitated and fell silent.

The S-level pollutant [Deer God] was the terrifying enemy that had cemented Zhou Xiangzhe’s reputation. Zhou Xiangzhe had paid a heavy price to eliminate it—difficulty using his abilities, persistently high pollution levels, and even changes in his appearance. This event had almost completely altered the course of his life.

Yet, there wasn’t a single trace of [Deer God] in this painting.

Wasn’t that strange?

“Maybe it’s not absent,” Zhou Xiangzhe said, though even he wasn’t sure. “Maybe it’s hidden somewhere.”

“Hidden?”

“[Deer God] was born from the devotion of thousands of its followers. Each follower would devoutly offer their body to it. [Deer God] is also a pollutant that exists in a spiritual form, which allows it to possess and transfer between the bodies of its followers.”

“Back then, it took a lot of effort to locate it. The Pollution Control Center even used a baiting plan, deliberately allowing people to be polluted to lure [Deer God] into their bodies.”

Shen Wang was curious. “Did it work?”

“Of course not,” Zhou Xiangzhe shook his head. “Those who were polluted became its most devout followers.”

“Then how did you find it?”

Zhou Xiangzhe fell silent again.

Shen Wang realized something and clicked his tongue. “I see. Another one of your ‘self-sacrificial’ methods?”

“Not exactly,” Zhou Xiangzhe said. “It’s just that [Deer God] also knew that polluting and controlling an S-level mutant was more profitable than polluting thousands of ordinary people.”

Humans are creatures of self-interest, and pollutants born from humans are naturally profit-driven monsters.

So, with just a little hint from Zhou Xiangzhe, it wanted to try controlling an S-level mutant. Even if it failed, it could always transfer to another follower. However, it didn’t know that Zhou Xiangzhe’s ability was [Swallow]. Once it entered Zhou Xiangzhe’s body, it could never leave.

Those who chase profit will ultimately be defeated by it.

“Alright,” Shen Wang shrugged. “It’s all in the past anyway. Digging too deep would just make me annoying.”

Zhou Xiangzhe watched Shen Wang, a faint smile in his golden eyes.

He actually wanted Shen Wang to keep asking, because he could sense that Shen Wang was starting to care about him.

People always like being cared for, and he was no exception.

“Let’s go to where the butterflies are smashing the wall. We can make contact as soon as they break through,” Shen Wang said.

Zhou Xiangzhe watched as Shen Wang took a step forward. The wind caught the hem of his black combat uniform, identical to Zhou Xiangzhe’s, revealing the tight-fitting suit underneath.

“Shen Wang,” he called out.

Shen Wang stopped and turned to look at him, only to be met with a hug.

Zhou Xiangzhe’s body was warm. He was a bit of a neat freak, so his clothes were always clean, carrying the faint scent of sunshine, contrasting with his cold exterior.

Zhou Xiangzhe thought: It’s cliché, but I want to hug him.

“Shen Wang,” Zhou Xiangzhe called his name again.

“Little Fifteen, I’ve missed you so much.”

Shen Wang felt the strength in Zhou Xiangzhe’s embrace, and the coldness in his eyes gradually softened, replaced by a rare warmth.

He reached out and returned the hug, completing what had been only half an embrace.

“Yeah, I know.”

Meanwhile, the butterflies finally shattered the last layer of glass. They cautiously flew forward, only relaxing once they confirmed there was no more glass ahead. The butterflies fluttered up and down, stretching and shrinking their forms, making them look even more eerie.

It let out a distorted laugh, searching everywhere for Zhou Xiangzhe and Shen Wang.

“Where are they?!”

“I’ll stuff you back into the dream!”

“No one can wake up from my dream!”

The Illusory Butterfly condensed into a humanoid form, but Zhou Xiangzhe was, after all, an S-level mutant. The painting based on him was vast, and the butterfly was surrounded by unfamiliar buildings. Searching like this would take forever.

After some hesitation, the Illusory Butterfly scattered, countless butterflies flying off in different directions.

This was the best way to find them.

All the butterflies were part of it. Once they found their targets, they could call the others back and reform.

The surroundings were filled with pavilions of various sizes, with buildings standing around them. The butterflies fluttered about, but then, crack—a thunderclap echoed across the sky.

“Huh?” The Illusory Butterfly looked up at the sky.

The weather grew increasingly gloomy, and the air became heavier with moisture. Within minutes, rain began to pour down. The butterflies’ wings grew heavy, and they flew slower and slower until they could only take shelter under cover to avoid the rain.

The Illusory Butterfly couldn’t understand.

“Why?”

“It’s just ordinary rain, but it’s affecting the butterflies’ flight?”

The Illusory Butterfly was an A-level pollutant that existed in a spiritual form. All the butterflies were parasitic pollutants it controlled—in other words, the butterflies were manifestations of its pollution.

Ordinary rain shouldn’t wet the butterflies’ wings or hinder their flight.

But now, this rain was genuinely affecting everything.

The Illusory Butterfly’s heart sank. It instinctively felt something was wrong, but what could possibly go wrong?

It was a spiritual pollutant. If something went wrong, it could leave immediately and wouldn’t be harmed. Even an S-level mutant could only try to find it in a dream.

So, everything should be fine.

The Illusory Butterfly tried to reassure itself, but it grew increasingly restless.

As an A-level pollutant, it had dominated this pollution source for nearly twenty years, never encountering a pollutant of a higher level. So, it didn’t understand that this restlessness was the instinctual fear of prey sensing a predator.

The rain grew heavier, drenching everything. The butterflies’ wings stuck together as if coated with glue, unable to even flutter.

Boom! The thunder grew louder, and the sky darkened further.

The Illusory Butterfly finally began to retreat. It wanted to leave.

It controlled one butterfly to fly out, but as soon as it left the shelter of the pavilion and touched the water, it let out a piercing scream.

The intense pain nearly made it pass out. The wing that had touched the water was corroded as if doused in strong sulfuric acid, disintegrating in an instant.

“What is this?!” the Illusory Butterfly screamed in terror.

Amid the sound of rain, the tolling of a bell could be heard. The Illusory Butterfly turned sharply toward the source of the sound.

There was nothing—just rain everywhere. No bell, no people. The heavy rain poured down, and almost all the butterflies were soaked. They disintegrated without any resistance, leaving only charred remnants in the rain.

“Dong, dong…”

The tolling grew closer. The Illusory Butterfly kept trying to find the source but found nothing.

“Who are you?”

“Where are you?”

“What do you want?!”

The tolling continued, so loud it felt as if the Illusory Butterfly’s nonexistent ears were bleeding. It wanted to rush into the rain, but the sight of the butterflies turning to black ash made it freeze in place.

The tolling stopped, but before the Illusory Butterfly could catch its breath, a faint chorus of overlapping prayers began.

“The world is falling into error; we are all greedy sinners.”

“The gods have sent punishment; all humans will be left homeless.”

“The world tilts, the sun and moon lose their order; only the great ‘Deer God’ can offer salvation!”

“Great Deer God! Merciful Deer God! Holy Deer God!”

The Illusory Butterfly looked into the rain, where human-like figures seemed to be approaching through the downpour.

“Who?” The Illusory Butterfly wanted to hide, but there was rain everywhere.

The rain formed a curtain, blocking all sight. In the chaotic rain and mist, only shadows could be seen.

It couldn’t see anything clearly.

“Deer God comes to offer salvation, bringing rain that nourishes all things; Deer God comes to save the world, leaving behind a shadow for all to revere.”

“Every person is Deer God; Deer God is every person.”

“Who are you? Why have you come to face Deer God?”

The Illusory Butterfly could no longer stay put. An overwhelming sense of fear gripped its mind, and it quickly manipulated one of its butterflies to endure the pain and crash into the rain.

If it didn’t leave now, it would die!

But even so, it couldn’t escape. Golden threads began to emerge from the rain, each one tightly binding its invisible, intangible soul. The Illusory Butterfly screamed and struggled, but the threads only grew tighter, until the butterfly’s wings were neatly severed and fell to the ground.

“Ah!” the Illusory Butterfly cried out in pain. “Let me go, let me go!”

“Heretic!”

“Impure faith is a blasphemy against Deer God!”

“Kill it!”

“No, we must convert it. Deer God never kills. Deer God is so merciful. It’s fine, it will be converted by Deer God.”

The Illusory Butterfly’s eyes widened as it watched the golden thread drill into the butterfly’s skull. The colorful wings gradually turned gold.

“No!”

Not far away, Shen Wang and Zhou Xiangzhe suddenly looked up, their gazes fixed on the distant sky.

Shen Wang was the master of the painting, and Zhou Xiangzhe was its foundation. They both sensed something was wrong.

“What’s going on?” Shen Wang frowned. “Over there… it’s raining?”

Zhou Xiangzhe was also puzzled. “Can it rain in a painting? I thought paintings were most vulnerable to water damage.”

They exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with caution.

Shen Wang stared at the dark clouds for a moment. “Zhou Xiangzhe, why is Yutang South City called Yutang South City?”

“There are five major high walls in the country, each in a different direction. To preserve the characteristics of the original regions, they were named accordingly. Yutang South City got its name because the area where the high wall is located was once called ‘Rain City,’ so they took the character for rain.” Zhou Xiangzhe paused, frowning. “That’s why Yutang South City has frequent rain.”

“…You’ve got to be kidding me.”

There was no time for further reflection. They immediately rushed toward the area where it was raining.

As soon as they stepped out of the street, the scenery around them changed. Rain poured down, instantly soaking their clothes.

Shen Wang wiped the water from his face. “What heavy rain.”

Zhou Xiangzhe’s silver hair was drenched and stuck together. He raised his eyes, his gaze sharp and cold.

Accompanied by the sound of a new bell tolling, a coffin appeared.

The coffin was faintly visible in the rain, quickly filling with water. The rain splashed noisily on the surface, creating ripples. Shen Wang wanted to go over and take a look, but Zhou Xiangzhe grabbed his arm.

“I feel something’s wrong,” Zhou Xiangzhe said. “Don’t go over.”

Shen Wang looked at Zhou Xiangzhe. “Why?”

“My ability has returned,” Zhou Xiangzhe frowned slightly.

After Swallowing [Deer God], Zhou Xiangzhe had been unable to use his ability. It felt like a pipe clogged with mud. But now, he felt that the pipe called “ability” had been cleared a little, and he could barely use it.

This was not a good thing.

[Swallow] and [Deer God] were in a stalemate. Neither could destroy the other within Zhou Xiangzhe’s body, so they remained locked in a deadlock. Zhou Xiangzhe became a living prison for [Deer God], while [Deer God] prevented Zhou Xiangzhe from using his ability normally.

Any change in this balance was a major event.

Shen Wang understood what Zhou Xiangzhe meant. He nodded and didn’t move forward, but the coffin began to make noise.

First, there was a loud bang as the coffin shook violently, accompanied by screams and coughing.

“Let me go! Let me out!”

Shen Wang recognized the voice—it sounded like… the Illusory Butterfly?

“Save me, save me!”

“Why didn’t any of you notice? Cough, cough, I’m awake, I’ve always been awake!”

“Cough, cough, I’m still alive. I can hear you talking. Don’t give up on me!”

Zhou Xiangzhe understood better than Shen Wang. He quickly realized what the Illusory Butterfly meant.

“An Heng was a vegetative patient, but most likely the kind who could feel and perceive the outside world but couldn’t wake up,” Zhou Xiangzhe explained. “He lay on the hospital bed, fully aware that his family had abandoned him, that he had been sent to a hospice, and that he couldn’t even move.”

“It was under these circumstances that he came to see sleep as something terrifying, which is why he developed this pollution ability and became obsessed with dragging victims into dreams.”

Shen Wang imagined what it would be like to be unable to sleep but forced to keep his eyes closed, his body immobile, hearing everything, his flesh rotting and stinking, unable to signal even when the pain became unbearable.

…It was even more tragic than being paralyzed.

Boom! A flash of lightning illuminated the rain.

It was only then that Shen Wang and Zhou Xiangzhe noticed countless figures standing behind the coffin, their forms faintly visible in the rain. Each of them had their hands clasped in a gesture of prayer.

Countless golden threads connected to the coffin, enveloping it completely.

The tolling of the bell grew closer.

Zhou Xiangzhe’s frown deepened. He stood in the rain, staring at the figures. He had Swallowed [Deer God], so he was all too familiar with the people standing in the rain. His memory was so good that he could even recall where these victims had stood three years ago and to what extent they had been controlled by [Deer God].

All the figures raised their heads in unison, their golden eyes reflecting the images of Shen Wang and Zhou Xiangzhe.

Shen Wang looked at them. “Is this [Deer God] in the painting?”

“No,” Zhou Xiangzhe shook his head. “The pollution on them is the same as [Deer God]’s.”

“[Deer God] is special. It was polluted by faith, born as an S-level pollutant. Not only its followers, but even statues, literature, and paintings can give it power.”

As he spoke, Zhou Xiangzhe’s frown deepened. “It’s impossible for [Deer God] not to appear in a painting based on me.”

So, [Deer God] had leaked a trace of its pollution in this peculiar way, manifesting in the painting and standing in opposition to Zhou Xiangzhe.

The figures raised their hands, their golden eyes seemingly glowing.

They chanted in unison—

“Deer God! Welcome back!”

“Deer God! The world needs you!”

“Deer God! Have mercy on your people!”

Even though it was just a trace of pollution from an S-level pollutant, at this moment, it felt far more eerie than any A-level pollutant Shen Wang had ever seen.

“The world doesn’t need a monster like this,” Zhou Xiangzhe said.

The usually calm man’s eyes were filled with icy coldness. His expression was terrifying and distant, like ice on a frigid mountain. The rain soaked his clothes, only adding to his dangerous aura.

“Get lost.”

The figures didn’t retreat. They didn’t even stop chanting, still raising their hands and continuing their unified calls.

Zhou Xiangzhe’s eyes grew even more dangerous. He rolled up his sleeves, revealing a silver bracelet on his wrist. He didn’t remove it but simply reached out toward the figures.

The moment he clenched his fist, the chanting abruptly stopped. The figures stood with their hands raised, their eyes vacant as they stared at the sky.

A black, ear-shaped sphere suddenly emerged from the ground, like a dolphin leaping out of the water. But it wasn’t playing—it opened its mouth and swallowed all the chanting figures in one gulp.

The black sphere fell back to the ground, its tail still wagging slightly.

Shen Wang: …?

Shen Wang turned to look at Zhou Xiangzhe, who let out a soft sigh of relief.

Zhou Xiangzhe hadn’t used [Deer God]’s pollution. He hadn’t even removed his pollution suppressor. So, this was actually Zhou Xiangzhe’s original ability.

The S-level ability [Swallow]—a power that could swallow all lower-level pollutants… in the form of a ball.