The Creatures That We Are-Chapter 1070: Annoying

“Ah!”

One Stone screamed, falling to her bottom. Ke Yo staggered back and covered her mouth in terror and shock, unable to believe that Gao Yang had so decisively killed Vermilion Bird. Raven Shark stared at Vermilion Bird’s forehead, face ashen and lips pursed.

Vermilion Bird remained quiet. Her body didn’t react visibly, but only blinked and slowly closed her eyes within ten seconds. Then her head drooped.

It was quiet, the passing of one life.

Gao Yang took the Life Rune Circuit from her and grasped it tightly; he looked almost cold-blooded as he moved.

Evanescent Omnireplication!

The Rune Circuit hummed and flickered brilliantly in green. It quickly melted before gloving Gao Yang’s hands in light green membranes. Gao Yang’s eyes had also turned green.

He tightened Vermilion Bird’s hands.

Life Bank, trade!

Transfer half of my lifespan to Vermilion Bird!

Tiny green symbols surfaced on Gao Yang’s arms, face, neck, and chest, linking together like strangely shaped leaves and branches—life energy taking forms. They moved along his body and slowly converged to his hands to climb to Vermilion Bird’s hands. Then they streamed up her arms to her neck, spreading to her face and the chest where the heart was.

Thirty seconds later, the green symbols on Gao Yang vanished. A powerful nausea knocked him off-balance. He collapsed. The green gloves were gone, reverting to the Life Rune Circuit and falling on the ground.

“Captain!” Ke Yo hurriedly went up to help him to his feet.

Gao Yang panted with a pale face. “I’m...fine... How’s...Vermilion Bird?”

One Stone was stunned as a witness. Finally, she broke out of her reverie and put a hand on Vermilion Bird’s neck. She shouted, “There’s a pulse! She’s alive! You did it, you’ve extended her life!”

“Wonderful, wonderful!” Ke Yo let out a deep sigh of relief.

“Don’t celebrate just now.” Gao Yang slowly stood up. “We don’t know if she can wake up yet.”

“At least that didn’t fail.” One Stone looked at him with conflicting feelings. “As expected of a leader. You were so decisive. You didn’t even pause before killing her. Were you not afraid?”

Gao Yang smiled. “I’m a little thirsty.”

“Water.” Raven Shark was already bringing him a cup.

“Have some rest, Captain.” Ke Yo grabbed a chair and helped Gao Yang to it.

Gao Yang slowly finished the water and stayed silent for a good thirty seconds before his eyes regained light—a regular person would’ve blacked out for at least a few hours after losing half of their lifespan.

He twirled the empty cap in his hand and looked up at One Stone. “Do you really think I was gambling?”

One Stone realized belatedly. “Oh! How did I forget about Gamer?”

“Ah, that’s it!” Ke Yo caught on.

Gao Yang explained with a smile. “I still have replicated Gamer as insurance. In case Evanescent Omnireplication failed, I would’ve reset Vermilion Bird to three minutes ago. It would be a wasted effort, but she would live. That was why everything had to be done quickly, no second wasted.”

One Stone shook her head with a wry smile. “Captain Gao, did you really have to play the trick on us in times like this?”

“I was going to tell you in advance,” Gao Yang paused, “But I changed my mind last second. Vermilion Bird has always been a prankster. I did that for good luck...”

He stopped, noticing that none of them were listening to him anymore; they were all staring in the same direction with a blank face.

Gao Yang slowly turned around.

Vermilion Bird, sitting in her wheelchair, had opened her eyes, looking at Gao Yang quietly.

Silence filled the room; it felt like the air had frozen into ice.

They all opened their mouths, but couldn’t make a sound. Everyone was afraid that the woman wouldn’t respond to them once they spoke, just like how it had been up until now.

Gao Yang wasn’t any more experienced in facing such a situation. His lips parted, yet his voice was stuck in his throat.

After what felt like a century.

“Is this...a dream...?” The wheelchaired woman asked.

Gao Yang’s eyes reddened. For once, he didn’t know what to say or do.

Ke Yo broke down into tears and sobs, but covered her mouth for fear of disturbing the dream-like moment.

One Stone and Raven Shark remained still, their mind blank. They couldn’t process this overwhelming joy.

Then another century passed.

Finally, Gao Yang broke the silence with a smile. “Yes, this is a dream.”

“Ah...” Vermilion Bird chuckled weakly and blinked. “Got a...cigarette...?”

“It’s bad for your health. You should quit.”

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“Just one last... Promise I’ll quit...”

“You’re not even getting a drag, let alone a whole cigarette,” Gao Yang insisted.

“No, this isn’t a dream...” Vermilion Bird slowly shook her head, a tear falling. “The Gao Yang in my dream wasn’t this annoying...”

“Sister Xia!” Ke Yo could no longer hold herself in. She threw herself into Vermilion Bird’s arms and bawled.

“Ah...ah...” Raven Shark sobbed in starts and stops while standing in place.

One Stone went up to give Gao Yang a grateful hug before turning to embrace Ke Yo and Vermilion Bird with her long arms.

“This is what I’m talking about. This is what a hero should be doing.” The system had appeared behind Gao Yang at some point, resting one hand on the chair’s back and the other hand on his shoulder.

Gao Yang didn’t say anything. He quietly watched the reunion, dazed. Then he broke into a lopsided smile.