The Reflected Self

Chengyao University was the institution Xu Feng had always aspired to attend. It wasn’t because the curriculum was exceptional, but because of the expectations his parents had planted in him since childhood. It was close to home, and for every major, the career path after graduation was stable and clear; many students were locals who stayed to work in the area.

However, one thing could be deduced from this.

At the very least, this dreamscape didn’t check for diplomas when picking its victims.

“So, what do we do next?” Xu Feng looked at the college student before him, his respect growing slightly. To him, a college student was a symbol of diligence, knowledge, and hard work.

Noticing the way Xu Feng was looking at him, Zhao Yi suddenly felt a sense of burden, as if his very soul were being interrogated.

“Ahem. Since I said I have a way, I definitely have one. For example, all we need is a sufficiently powerful bolt of lightning,” Zhao Yi said, pointing toward the sky with a deadpan expression.

“What does thunder have to do with going back?” Xu Feng couldn’t grasp the logic. Surely he doesn’t mean we get electrocuted to be reincarnated back home?

“Kid, you wouldn’t know. While I was running away to catch my breath, lightning struck in your direction. I saw it clear as day—the trail the lightning left across the sky didn’t disappear! it gradually evolved into a short-lived rift. Through that crack, I saw something from the real world: a streetlamp!”

“But what you don’t know is that after the lightning, a mist rolled in. A monster taller than a skyscraper was hiding in that mist,” Xu Feng added, recounting his experience. Zhao Yi froze.

“A monster?”

“Yeah. It even destroyed the village behind me, otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to escape.”

“To think there was such a thing…” Zhao Yi frowned, resting his chin on his hand as he pondered a solution.

Xu Feng kept his hands behind his back, his fingers absentmindedly twirling his hair. It took several loops before he realized the habit was wrong, and he quickly pressed his hands back against his thighs.

Too dangerous! What was I just doing? I’m not going to… succumb to this “maidenhood” so quickly, am I!

Xu Feng shook his head again, patting his cheeks. His silver hair swayed like a little white cat that had just climbed out of the water.

“Kid, are you cold? I saw you shivering pretty hard just now,” Zhao Yi asked out of concern.

“I wasn’t, wow!” Xu Feng blurted out an immediate rebuttal. A few seconds later, his face turned a mysterious shade of red.

What the hell was that “wow”! Between this cute voice and the verbal tics, how am I ever going to restore my old image!

“Hahaha! Well, kid, it’s getting late. Let’s build a fire and spend the night nearby. We’ll wait for the next lightning storm,” Zhao Yi said, looking at the sky. The sunset had already dyed the woods in shades of gold and violet-red.

“Whatever you say, then.” Xu Feng kicked a nearby tree trunk in frustration, his gaze wandering aimlessly.

This kid is really interesting! Much easier to get along with than the relatives’ kids during New Year’s!

Before coming to the dream world, Zhao Yi, as a college student, had always found it a massive headache to deal with children. But if every child were like the one in front of him—well! It would certainly solve a lot of conflicts!

One hour later…

Night crept silently from the horizon to the edge of the forest. The quiet darkness stilled the forest’s restlessness.

Before them were flickering red flames, warmly kissing their faces and chasing away the dampness and unease. The wonderful crackling sound acted as white noise. Xu Feng extended his small hands, closing his eyes to feel the beauty of the fire. His expression became soft and peaceful; his mouth inadvertently curled into a silly smile, as if a warm little yellow flower had bloomed atop his head.

“Sitting by the fire feels so good, wow~” Xu Feng lamented from the bottom of his heart.

“I learned this during a summer camp after my freshman year. You can try it yourself in the future, kid.” Zhao Yi added a piece of kindling, sounding rather proud.

“Mmhmm… yeah…” Xu Feng nodded as he listened, his silver hair gradually drooping.

“Back when I started university, the first day was incredible. Over a dozen upperclasswomen were kind enough to help me move my luggage, I…” Zhao Yi wanted to share more of his experiences, but noticing Xu Feng wasn’t responding, he went quiet.

Her rear was on the ground, her legs pulled up and pressed together, her body hunched forward. She had buried her entire self into her knees, using them as a pillow.

What kind of dreams was Xu Feng having?

While it was strange to dream within a dream world, his consciousness felt far more vivid.

Ding.

A sound similar to the clinking of a coin echoed.

Immediately after, the disorienting mist cleared. Xu Feng saw a long table. A ghastly white light hung precariously, shining down on two men dressed in black. One sat on the left, the other on the right—a scene of a seemingly balanced transaction.

“Did you get the ‘Seed’?” the man on the right asked.

“Cut the crap! I risked my life to get this out of the Organization! Give me the money first!” The man on the left slammed his fist onto the table impatiently.

“Fine.”

The man on the right pushed a briefcase across the smooth tabletop. The man on the left caught it, snapped it open, and revealed stack upon stack of crisp, gleaming banknotes.

“Every cent is there. Give it over,” the man on the right said calmly.

“Heh. Take it.” The man on the left pushed over a purple test tube, inside of which swirled a gaseous substance.

“Sir, this isn’t what we agreed upon. Haven’t you kept quite a few Seeds for yourself?” The man on the right held up the tube to question him, but the man on the left had already vanished. The transaction had gone wrong.

Ding.

Another coin clinked.

The white light cut out. A moment later, it flickered back on. But this time, the focus of the light surrounded only Xu Feng.

“Is anyone there?” Xu Feng shouted into the void. His voice was swallowed whole by the ethereal darkness.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Xu Feng could only walk forward. Suddenly, the ground beneath his feet changed, stepping onto something with a ridged texture.

Xu Feng looked down. His left foot was on a white tile patterned with a set of scales; his right foot was on a black tile patterned with a crown. The two types of tiles alternated, paving the road ahead.

What is this nonsense?

Xu Feng continued forward. Suddenly, a light fell a short distance away, illuminating the back of a pure black armchair. Its exaggerated design looked incredibly luxurious, even slightly reflective.

“You’re here. You saw the transaction, didn’t you?” A boy sat in the chair, his back turned to Xu Feng.

His voice sounded familiar at first, but Xu Feng couldn’t place it.

“Who are you?” Xu Feng stopped in his tracks and asked.

“Come over and see for yourself,” the boy replied.

Let’s see what game you’re playing.

Two beams of light intersected in the darkness. Xu Feng stood directly in front of the chair. The boy had black hair and sat with his head down, wearing a suit. He held a coin in his hand, flipping it up and catching it.

“Who are you?” Xu Feng asked impatiently again.

“Who am I? You’ll know once you look.” The boy lifted his head. The moment their gazes met, Xu Feng stumbled back a step in horror.

The boy’s appearance was exactly the same as his original self! Aside from the hair and clothes, the only difference was his golden eyes!

“Now that you’re here, don’t you want to try sitting in this chair?” The boy stood up, bracing himself on the armrests. He gave Xu Feng a twisted smile and began to walk toward him, step by step.

Terror gripped Xu Feng’s heart. His body was unable to move an inch under the weight of an nameless pressure.

“Come, try sitting in it. See if you’re worthy.”

The boy reached out both hands and pressed down on Xu Feng’s shoulders. Simultaneously, the armchair moved instantly behind Xu Feng.

“Sit.” The boy exerted a slight pressure, and Xu Feng’s legs immediately gave way.

Thump!

The moment Xu Feng touched the chair, a sense of weightlessness replaced the solid ground! The armchair had transformed into an endless black abyss.

Falling! Falling! Plummeting without end!

Xu Feng was like a wooden statue, falling into the depths for an eternity.

“Still not worthy… It doesn’t matter… I’ll wait for you.” The boy watched from the edge of the precipice, his voice full of regret.

Who are you?! Why are you showing me this! And what the hell was that chair!

Light vanished from Xu Feng’s sight, and so did the boy on the cliff.

Ding.

The coin rang again.