Time passed. Last week was filled with chaos and things that changed the core dynamic in the world. Three main big bases along with other small bases was razed to the ground, leaving nothing. The three bases that Yichen was in charge of were destroyed, but the ordinary residence escaped, albeit unscathed. However, the bases Haoyu and his subordinates were in charge of were destroyed beyond recognition.
The leaders of each base were killed and their bodies were nowhere to be found, but the leader of the Qing base and R base was said to be alive and brought to the military base.
They're probably dead by now…
That's the collective thoughts of people who heard the news. They feel pity for those who were caught and brought back to the military base.
At least those who are killed on the spot won't face any torture inside that hell-like place…
They lamented human greed.
In a certain prison, a group of people stand guard in front of a metal door. When they saw Haoyu, a man quickly opened the heavy door and closed it tightly after Haoyu went in. He then looked at his friends.
"Our cleaning tools are ready, right?"
His friend looked at the corner. It was filled with cleaning tools, creating a small mountain. Then he looked back to the one who asked.
"Yeah, it's there."
"… the plastic bags?"
"Also the plastic bags…"
The group nodded to each other and stood guard. Silence returned to the long and cold hall. They can't hear what's happening behind the door, but they know it's nothing good.
Haoyu stands in front of a row of chairs. The room was quite spacious, with tables and weapons displayed in one corner, filling the entire wall. The four chairs in front of him restrained one individual each. They're all unconscious, giving Haoyu time to observe each of them. A white, fluffy ball with bunny ears appeared. It was about to greet Haoyu but paused after seeing where they were.
Its round eyes looked around. When it saw the weapons on the corner, its round body shivered slightly. It then hid inside Haoyu's collar and snuggled into his neck.
[H-host, what's going on?]
[I caught the culprits. Where have you been?]
Haoyu touched the trembling ball, a faint smile appeared on his lips. It's been over a week since he saw this silly ball last. Although he did forget it for more than half of the time, he still felt worried about it… maybe.
He coughed lightly.
Zero enjoyed the touch and warmth, ignorant of its host's thoughts. It answered cheerfully.
[I was checking the law book and asked a few seniors about protagonist replacement. They said it never happened before, but it's not impossible.]
Zero looked at the people who were restrained. When it looks at a certain someone, its round eyes sparkle.
[You've done all the steps! The original protagonists' halo dimmed a lot since the last time I saw them! You can definitely replace them now!]
Chu Yang and Qing Yue. They're the original protagonist of this world. they naturally have a halo, worthy of their status. That halo gives them unprecedented luck and makes their path smooth. When he first met them, their halo were shining brightly. But after a series of attacks from him, the halo on their body dimmed away. He actually can take the halo directly, but that'll cause damage to it.
He doesn't want to give damaged things to Yichen.
So he did this roundabout way, just to preserve the halo's condition.
[Host, are you going to take them now?]
[Yeah.]
Haoyu stretched out his hand and a silver mist swirled on top of his palm. It floats gently, reaching the two protagonists' bodies and entering them.
Sshh—
The last bit of golden light of the halo flickered, then disappeared under the attack of the silver mist. The silver mist exited the body and floated back to Haoyu. It placed two small balls of golden energy, then disappeared back into Haoyu's body.
With a thought, the golden energy disappeared into Haoyu's space. Zero's eyes become rounder, amazed by Haoyu's series of actions.
"Mnn…"
A groan took Haoyu and Zero's attention. The four people who were unconscious let out a groan one by one, moving slightly. They were slowly awakened. Chu Yang was the first one who completely regained his consciousness and is currently looking around. When he realized he was in a foreign place, he quickly struggled.
"Ugh?!"
He looked down and saw his body restrained to a chair. A pair of black, shiny letter shoes entered his eyes. He looked up and the face he saw almost made him faint again. His body shuddered almost instinctively.
"H-Haoyu…!"
He called his name hoarsely. His pupils shook and his breath hitched and became heavier. His body remembered the pain Haoyu inflicted the last time they met. His brain also starts to move. The fact that he's here means that not only has his plan failed, but it also leaked to the man in front of him.
Seeing that pair of inhumane eyes looking down on him, he knows it's over.
I'm going to die…!
That realization hit him. His eyes widened and he entered a hysterical state.
"Ah… Ah! No! NO!!!"
Clang, clang—!
"LET ME GO!!! HELP!!!"
He struggled in his chair. The edge of the rope tying him grazed his skin, turning them red. His movement gets bigger and more reckless, causing his skin to break and bleed. His face was pale, full of fear and panic. Without the help of his halo, he can't calm down and his sanity slowly slips away under immense fear.
The noises also awaken the others and they also realized they were in danger. They're in a strange place and are tied to a char. Qing Yue looked at Haoyu and asked him with a dark face.
"Haoyu, what's the meaning of this?!"
Qing Ruhuan and the leader of the R base also looked at Haoyu, demanding an answer.
"You attacked us out of nowhere, destroying our bases, and now you tied us here? If your answer doesn't satisfy me, I will kill you, Haoyu."
Qing Yue said his name through his gritted teeth. Veins throbbed on his forehead as he held his anger and stared at Haoyu stubbornly.
Haoyu watched the show silently. After the noises died down, he finally responded. Haoyu sneered angrily, "Out of nowhere? Are you sure you're not the one who provoked me?"
"Don't play word games with me, you better spit your plans of Yichen before I pry open your head and search for it myself."
Qing Yue's anger was pulled by Haoyu's disdain and mocking. He laughed angrily, "I'll tell you. I want that bitch to kneel on four and beg me for mercy! I want him to be tossed to various dirty people and become a plaything. I want him to suffer and cry! I want to peel off that arrogant and cold mask of his!"
"I hate him… I hate him from the bottom of my heart. Such a lowly person destined to lay under me and depend on me to live, but he dared to step on my face and get away from me!"
Qing Yue then glared at Haoyu. His eyes were red with anger and hatred.
"And you! I hate you even more! The person who took that bitch away from me!"
He laughed crazily after seeing the anger in Haoyu's eyes.
"You loved such a lowly and worthless pers-!"
Before he could finish his words, a numb pain came from his jaw. Haoyu had pinched his jaw tightly, almost crushing it with his fingers.
"Ugh!"
He made Qing Yue look up. Haoyu stared into Qing Yue's eyes.
"A lowly insect like you dared to insult him…? Death is a blessing for you. I will throw you to those dirty people and let you become a plaything. When you're broken, I will let those zombies eat your body bit by bit. Slowly. So you can enjoy the pain."
He let go of his jaw roughly, wiped his fingers in disgust, and then moved his attention to the silent Qing Ruhuan.
"Speak."
His aura was too heavy and oppressive. Qing Ruhuan gave up under his pressure.
"T-they plan to sell him to R base… to become a s-s*x slave…"
After saying that, he shut his mouth and lowered his head. Haoyu moved his attention to the leader of R base, then sneered after seeing his fear-stricken face.
Haoyu tidied his cuff as he said in a low voice.
"I will sell you guys. Be a good s*x slave. At least you can compensate Yichen with the money your body brought."
"I will come and take your souls after you die."
Receiving their disbelieving eyes, a mocking smile appeared on his lips. Cruel words were flowing out of those sexy, but cold lips.
"You don't think I will let you go even after death, right?"
He turned around and stepped out of the door.
"I will wait for your afterlife."
An eerie chuckle echoed in the room and the metal door closed tightly, hiding the man's figure.