Myriad Realms Gatekeeper

It was too crowded.

It was like a bus during the festival season, so packed that Shen Ye could barely breathe.

So many fully armed human soldiers—

Had the Undead been defeated?

"Kill it!"

a soldier barked harshly.

"Wait a minute! I said, I'm one of our own!" Shen Ye suddenly removed his Face Armor, revealing his human face.

Another soldier, raising the broadsword in his hand, bellowed:

"Traitors who succumb to the Undead, we're not seeing them for the first time!"

All kinds of weapons were pressing down on Shen Ye.

A spear was pointed at his chest, already piercing through the seams of his Broken Leather Armor and into his skin.

Shen Ye's expression didn't change as he yelled:

"I am in search of a hidden Undead General."

He drew his Human Scout Short Sword—

Nightcolor.

"This shortsword carries 'Quiet Sanctity'. I hope you can make a quick judgment and then leave, so as not to cause misunderstanding."

Shen Ye stated solemnly.

Several soldiers looked at each other in confusion.

"Sir!"

a soldier turned and shouted.

Quickly, an officer clad in full Battle Armor entered the secret passage and came in front of Shen Ye, glancing at the shortsword in his hand.

"There's no problem with this sword; only Human Scouts whose souls have not fallen can possess it."

"He's one of us,"

the officer declared.

The soldiers put down their weapons, whispering among themselves:

"What's going on, he's one of our own after all."

"Yeah, no wonder he didn't counterattack just now."

"So young, sheesh, I heard being a Scout is particularly tough."

Shen Ye looked towards the officer, only to find him observing Shen Ye with an inexplicable gaze.

"Alright, clear out, quick! Continue the pursuit of the remaining Undead!"

the officer yelled out loudly.

The soldiers no longer lingered, squeezing out of the secret passage.

——Now, only the officer and Shen Ye were left.

"Brother, do you need any further assistance from us?"

The officer placed a hand over his chest, blocking others' view, then bent his ring finger and middle finger inwards, extending the thumb, index finger, and pinky quickly, flashing a hand sign.

Shen Ye was taken aback.

On Blue Star, this gesture meant "I love you."

Is your Nightmare World this trendy?

No, that's not right.

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This gesture must have some hidden meaning.

Shen Ye followed the officer's gaze and looked down to find the officer contemplating the Face Armor in his hand.

Understood.

This Face Armor seemed not merely to shield his face; it must signify something else.

Damn it.

Fooled by the big Skeleton again.

This damned thing, picking up any random object turns out to be special.

When I get back, I'll drain half the water from the aquarium.

"Speak, don't be shy,"

the officer added, his gaze returning to Shen Ye's face, waiting for his response.

Shen Ye's mind raced, and he spoke:

"As you can see, my situation is somewhat difficult. If you have any way to help, I certainly won't refuse."

The officer seemed to understand his meaning, his mouth taut as he declared loudly:

"I'll leave you a survival pack for solo operation."

A brown leather bag was thrown to the ground.

"Thank you. Please let me know your name, and you will be duly rewarded," Shen Ye said.

"Roman," said the officer.

"Alright, Roman, we'll meet again," Shen Ye said.

"See you around,"

The officer set down the lone soldier survival pack, nodded at him, and turned to leave the passage.

Suddenly, a series of urgent horseshoe sounds came from outside.

"Make way for Baron Warren!"

someone yelled.

The next moment, several men riding armored steeds swooped in, dismounted, and rushed into the secret tunnel.

The man in the middle, donning a full set of Armor, shouted loudly:

"What happened? Roman, you've lingered too long here. Could it be that you're deliberately delaying the battle?"

"Not at all. I've encountered one of our Scouts in the tunnel," Roman retorted.

"A tunnel? A Scout?"

The man snorted and, striding past Roman, scrutinized the situation inside the tunnel.

The tunnel was filled with heaps of white bones.

A Human Scout stood amongst them, wielding a Dusk Shortsword.

"Take this Scout into custody! I suspect he is a spy for the Undead!" the man ordered.

Roman hastily said, "Hold on! He has the Nightcolor Sword, which is—"

"Silence! Of course, I know those who wield the Nightcolor Sword haven't sold their souls, but I want to know what his mission is," the man interjected.

Shen Ye could no longer hold back, asking:

"I was speaking with Roman; who are you to inquire about my mission?"

The man laughed mockingly, his voice menacing, "I am Baron Warren of Eagle Castle from the south. You, a mere Scout, dare to ask for my name. Watch as I strip you of your clothes, whip you twenty times, and then we'll see about your little secrets."

Shen Ye's heart skipped a beat.

This man was quite vicious, with a liking for whipping?

Alas, it was all because he was handsome.

——No, on a serious note, this man likely had a conflict with Roman, which was why he came to disrupt Roman's matter.

"Warren? I'll remember you,"

Shen Ye responded.

Shen Ye flexed his wrist, idly brandishing the shortsword he held.

Baron Warren was taken aback, then flew into a rage.

A mere scout daring to threaten me?

"Come, someone, get me—"

His bellow of rage had only just begun when it abruptly cut off.

In full view of everyone.

The scout in the tunnel grabbed his single-combat pack and suddenly sank into the ground, vanishing from sight in an instant.

Gone?

How is that possible?

"Quick, go check it out!"

Baron Warren, with several of his subordinates, drew their weapons and charged into the tunnel.

They arrived at the spot where the scout had been standing.

—There was nothing there.

A soldier brandished his spear, piercing the ground with all his might.

Thud.

The spear sank deep into the earth.

The soldier, grasping his spear, felt a slight tremor in his hand and had an inkling.

He looked up and said, "Lord Baron, the ground below is solid earth, there are no traps or secret passages."

"I don't believe it!"

Baron Warren snatched a long halberd from one of his men and struck the ground with all his force.

Crash—

With one hit, countless clumps of earth flew up, swirling into the depths of the tunnel like a tornado.

There really was nothing underground.

But how did that scout simply vanish?

Suddenly, a voice rang out:

"I've heard that some assassins living incognito have joined this battle."

Baron Warren turned sharply to see Roman with his arms folded, speaking with a tone as if enjoying the drama unfolding:

"They are masters at hiding in the shadows, specializing in assassination missions."

"Warren, you were truly brave just now, to actually announce your name outright."

Baron Warren's face turned pale.

He was aware of this himself.

A scout, indeed, was nothing much.

But if it were an ace assassin on a secret mission, whom he had publicly humiliated, should they seek retribution after the battle was over...

He couldn't very well spend every day and night on guard, could he?

Damn it.

His original target was Roman, so why provoke such an existence?

No, that's not right...

Isn't the battlefield the true place where it's easiest to kill?

What if the other party intends to assassinate him amidst the chaos?

Someone who can disappear right before his very eyes...

Such level of assassin is impossible to guard against!

Baron Warren's heart clenched, no longer caring to trouble Roman, he shouted loudly:

"Let's go!"

He led his men out of the tunnel swiftly, leapt onto his warhorse, and sped away in a cloud of dust.

Elsewhere.

Main World.

Shen Ye, followed by a pile of bone dust and ashes, fell to the ground.

"Dismiss!"

Without waiting to stand up, he silently commanded in his heart.

The door in mid-air immediately disappeared.

—In the nick of time, he had released the "Door" ability on the ground without hesitation, kicked it open with a slight exertion of his foot, and then fell back.

Damn.

Baron Warren, that's right, you really are nuts, what were you thinking coming at me for no reason?

I'll remember you.

"Hey, do me a favor and take all this stuff away; these things can't appear in my world."

"Okay." said the big skeleton.

A slight ripple emanated from the ring.

All the bone fragments and dust were collected into it.

"Damn it, there's something off about that face armor! Didn't you see that guy signaling to me?"

Shen Ye reproached.

"You can't blame me! How was I supposed to know the ins and outs of human military, anyway you came back safe, didn't you?" the big skeleton defended.

"Hmph."

Shen Ye didn't bother to respond further, instead staring into the void.

Streams of white light were already beginning to coalesce into tiny characters, forming today's Evaluation Entry:

"This use of the door has earned the Evaluation Entry:"

"One of Us."

"Green Entry (Excellent)."

Shen Ye was taken aback.

Again, the green entry "One of Us"?

He looked downward, noticing more characters emerging:

"Evaluation: As an ordinary human, the highest level entry you can obtain is white, but you have managed to use the environment to your advantage, resolving a predicament, and returning unharmed. That is the fundamental reason you can receive this entry exceptionally."

"Entry Effect: Slight."

"You may keep this Evaluation Entry for future upgrade, or you can consume this Evaluation Entry to gain Basic Attribute Points."

"Note!"

"This is your second time receiving this entry exceptionally."

"Current Special Event Triggered:"

"If your next Evaluation Entry is again a green entry 'One of Us', you will earn the special honor entry for 'Three Consecutive Exceptional Receipts of the Same Evaluation Entry by an Ordinary Person'."

"This honor entry will invoke a strong resonating force, summoning a Hidden Ability to come forth."

"You only have one chance to acquire this Hidden Ability."

"Please tread with caution."

(Thank you to Mu Bai Jinyu for the Alliance Hierarch reward, there will be an additional chapter after this one as a thank you!)