Chapter 997 - Intersection of Past, Present, and Future (2)
The man-made radiance enveloped the dark sky.
Rhode lifted his head. The round moon and stars were nowhere to be seen. Instead, various, endless lights shone from below. Rhode stood from a tall height, clearly witnessing the spotlights converging into a river of light that flowed forward. The entire world was as though an ocean of light. The virtual idol appearing on the massive screen on the wall was smiling and displaying merchandise in her hand. The searchlights shone from below, leaving a gloss on the night curtain.
“What should I say about this…”
Rhode stood at the side of the street, looking at everything. He extended his hand and tapped on the vending machine. But what he felt wasn’t the ice-cold sensation that he remembered. Instead, his hand passed through the machine made by modern technology as though it were air. He shrugged at this sight before turning around and gazing at the triangle building towering into the clouds. It was around evening now. Even though the city was still bustling with clamors, the place he was at had gradually quietened. There was no one else around. Apart from the pure, white radiance shining from the row of solar-powered street lights, there was nothing else.
“I suppose this is the place.”
Rhode sensed that this wasn’t a world of his illusions. Instead, this world was real—it existed and didn’t exist at the same time. Just like him, this world had as though been split into two: one was a true presence, the other a reflection in the mirror. Rhode raised his hand again. A faint white light enveloped his body while the entire space shook. Then, he tapped on the vending machine lightly.
Knock, knock.
The crisp tapping sounded. The vending machine shook slightly. Upon sensing this familiar sensation, the corner of Rhode’s mouth lifted. He clenched his hand into a fist and glanced to the sides, before striking the vending machine with force this time.
Pow!
The vending machine shook violently. Then, three to five drink cans fell out from their rows and rolled out from the outlet. Upon detecting the rough treatment, the vending machine instantly let out an ear-deafening screech that split the night sky. But Rhode wasn’t mindful at all. He lowered his head and picked up the drink cans that had rolled to his feet. When he lifted his head, he coincidentally saw the reflection of the glass window as the convenience store owner exasperatedly charged out of his store, looking left and right while standing by the vending machine. But Rhode wasn’t any longer there.
“Allow me to introduce myself. I’m the Dark Dragon, Arthur.”
“I’m surprised. I expected the Dark Dragon to be more of a solemn character behind the scenes.”
Rhode said, twitching his brow. He was serious when he said it, especially after recalling Ion’s indifferent face while looking at this smiley and friendly Dark Dragon before him. He felt like the contrast was too huge. Arthur didn’t respond to Rhode’s remarks. He simply maintained his smile and shortly after, Serena introduced herself.
“I’m the Light Dragon, Serena. I’m delighted to meet you again, Mr. Rhode.”
This Light Dragon sure lives up to its name…
Rhode gazed at Serena and compared to Lilian in his mind. He discovered that Serena and Lilian were somewhat similar. They had a similar aura of light glowing around them. But unlike Lilian’s, Serena’s was much more steady and perfect as she completely made up the areas Lilian lacked. Rhode even felt like Serena was rather dazzling. But that was only for an instant. He quickly shifted his gaze to the remaining sisters. Upon sensing his gaze, they chuckled and waved their hands at him.
“Greetings, Mr. Rhode. I’m the Judgment Dragon, Ferlyn.”
“Greetings, Mr. Rhode. I’m the Ruling Dragon, Jess.”
How interesting.
Upon meeting the sisters, Rhode immediately recalled Gracier and Madaras. If they could speak, perhaps they would be similar to this pair of sisters. But these two… Could it be that they had been living in the secular world for too long? They didn’t seem like Creator Dragons. Instead, they seemed more like two superstars holding an autograph session with the fans.
“Greetings. Everyone, I suppose you’re aware that I’m the current Void Dragon, Rhode.”
Rhode stopped fiddling with the can of cola and let loose of the can in his hands. Then, he lifted his head and gazed at the four of them.
“Now that we’re done greeting one another, I suppose we can get into the main topic now. I think we have some questions to answer,” Rhode said.
[1] A Hong Kong horror film released in 2002.