Chapter 00097: Name
# Name
Chapter 97
Novel: Above Destiny
Chapter 97: Name
In the distance, the last winds of the rift blew in, accompanied by the thunder of collapse and fracture.
With the workshop shattering, those broken and twisted creations finally met their long-desired end.
Yet, from this final moment, a melody seemed to rise.
It was scattered and unclear.
So familiar.
“Longing for home, longing for home, home is truly lovely…”
As they fell, those fragmented humanoids and monstrous creations looked up, singing the hymn that had echoed in their souls since they were born: “The sky is clear, the wind is cool, nostalgia comes in waves… How are the people of hometown now, always remembered… I wish to return home, back to my old abode…”
Thus, they joyfully praised, descending into the deep darkness beneath the earth.
Embracing the end.
Hoping they would never see another tomorrow.
“……”
In the center of the workshop, Ji Jue witnessed all of this, uncertain whether to rejoice or mourn for them, only letting out a long sigh.
Yet above him, it seemed something stirred.
It was the faded thorny crown.
Like a farewell, it patted Ji Jue's forehead, gave one last nod, then transformed into a wisp of light, rushing away, disappearing at the edge of his sight.
He didn’t even have time to react!
Stupidly frozen in place.
He felt as if that entity had been as skilled as a seasoned patron, finishing up and leaving without even dropping a tip, cold and indifferent…
Just moments ago, they were so affectionate, as if glued together!
Ji Jue instinctively wanted to snort in disdain.
But recalling the profound and surging feelings he had just experienced, he couldn’t help but want to hold on, wanting to rush out and call after the disappearing figure: “Brother, how about getting a membership? Will you come back to me next time?!”
Yet, the revolution had already slipped away, with no reply.
Only Ji Jue remained in place, wandering between the shattered sky and earth, witnessing the final moments of the rift.
Until the very end, destruction loomed large.
Finally, he activated the permissions left by the Prophet and opened the door leading to outside the rift.
As for the others, they had long been sent outside by the Prophet the moment Ji Jue took control of the workshop, saving him the trouble.
However, the radiant door before him flickered only for a moment before extinguishing, vanishing from sight.
It hadn’t opened at all.
“Ah, this…”
Ji Jue was dumbfounded.
He restarted the permissions, a third time, a fourth; regardless of how he activated the permissions, that departing door remained shut.
Had it not even appeared, but was closed instead?!
“What the hell?!”
Ji Jue took a step back, looking at the ground that had fractured before him, and the darkness and void under the cliff, sweat flowing down his back uncontrollably.
No matter how he activated it, the final workshop structure did not respond, only the watch on his arm lit up with an answering glow.
Then, he noticed… a pile of overlapping pop-ups!
【Detection of Eternal Door displacement, detection of abnormal time fluctuation, detection of supreme changes, detection of rift index abnormalities…】
And the last line at the bottom: 【Detection of dimensional gateway opening, already closed, already closed, already closed, already closed…】
What the hell, you bastard!!!
“Is it you, huh?”
Ji Jue was so angry he nearly cried: “What the hell did you close?!”
But immediately after, he saw a pop-up appear.
【Non-offensive component detected, status complete —】
【— Rift recovery system preheat complete, would you like to activate?】
Recovery my foot!
Ji Jue truly cried: What time is it, and you’re still worrying about picking up your junk! Your life is at stake, man…
But with no other choice, he clicked “Yes.”
Then, he stood frozen in place.
Completely dazed.
In an instant, a piercing whistle erupted from the void blackness.
Above the empty sky, it seemed a giant beast howled and roared, thunderclouds instantaneously spreading, a grand and massive shadow projecting forth from the flashes of lightning, yet it was impossible to see clearly.
Only layers upon layers of dark grey clouds flooded the empty sky; then a gigantic vortex emerged from within, an explosive, violent attraction unleashed.
Like a black hole.
Then, as if the sages of old were reappearing, the watch leapt over Ji Jue, reactivating the non-offensive array, transforming into countless invisible hands.
Once more, everything on the verge of destruction fell under control.
Afterward, a massive stream of light gently rose from the non-offensive pull…
Whether it was the essence of supreme goodness spewing forth when the rift shattered, or the ocean-like crimson essence, or countless spiritual circuits, alchemical frameworks, runic sigils, and even supreme blessings… all were yanked in!
Not allowing a single one to be lost in the void beyond this world.
Thus, gripping, pulling, mastering, and rolling everything up as if packaging it together, all of it was sucked into a vortex.
Not letting a single thread escape!
As if an inexperienced relative having a feast, tossing a plastic bag, gathering up everything!
Even the ground Ji Jue was standing on was roughly pulled away!
Eventually, when the vortex dissipated and the thunderclouds shrank, the colossal being behind those clouds gave off an echoing cry reminiscent of a whale's song, like burping after a big meal, nonchalantly turning away…
Only leaving Ji Jue, seeming like a fool, plunging into the blank void of darkness, blood-tear screaming: “Hey, open the door! I haven’t gotten on the ride yet!”
Smack!
Just as the membrane of the rift shattered completely, the light of the transmission door flickered and vanished.
He was entirely swallowed up.
And in the darkness, only emptiness remained.
In a moment of daze, with familiar moonlight, the stars glimmered, the night calm, and distant echoes of streams resounded.
In the whirl of change, he fell like a dog caught off guard, crashing to the ground.
After a long while, he couldn’t catch his breath!
Finally regaining enough strength to rise, he wiped the mud and dust off his face, unable to suppress a string of “ugh, ugh, ugh!”
Back in the world he had long been apart from, he didn’t even have time to breathe a sigh of relief.
As he surveyed the desolate surroundings, he felt an overwhelming surge of sorrow and anger, tears nearly falling.
What in the world is this group of the Embers?
At this moment, he finally saw it clearly: whether it was the Prophet, the blade of transformation, or this broken watch, they were all bad news, solely obsessed with how to take advantage of him!
Leaving him with a chaotic mess after finishing their business…
How could he look this unreasonably used?
Always meddling in the business of others ultimately leads to a bad end, and look at his lousy luck…
Ji Jue couldn’t help but want to slap himself, why hadn’t he learned a thing?!
With his lengthened sighs and frustrations, he suddenly heard the familiar sound of a horn in the distance.
It was hard to tell whether it was an excited call or a mischievous jab at him.
A little way down the hill, in a chaotic and noisy camp, a tricycle was rumbling up the slope, racing toward him.
Under the pale light of searchlights, Ji Jue saw many familiar faces in the camp, vehicles from the security bureau, and even next to an ambulance, little An lay on a stretcher.
The boy saw Ji Jue in the distance, lifted his head, and excitedly waved toward him.
Though it was just a short separation, it felt like ages, making it hard for Ji Jue to contain his joy.
He had finally returned.
Everything that had happened in the rift was now over.
He was back in his own world.
He smiled, raised his hand, ready to respond.
Yet, from behind him that had originally been empty, a voice suddenly rang out, youthful and gentle.
Gathering his courage after hesitation, it asked: “Excuse me… Are you Mr. Ji Jue?”
His movement stiffened for a moment, turning around in confusion.
In the tranquil moonlight, there was no trace of anyone.
Then, as if something suddenly fell onto his shoulder.
Like a ghost softly patting his shoulder in the middle of the night, startling him enough that he nearly screamed.
But when he regained his senses, he saw on his shoulder a pair of small eyes curiously and confusedly looking at him.
Not understanding.
Why was Ji Jue not speaking to him.
It was a small, vibrant green bird, delicate and lively, its wings shimmering with a metallic light, ethereal spiritual waves appearing and dissipating, so tranquil.
It was impossible to tell if it was a common bird or a metallic creation, as if born from nature.
Fluid alchemy!
And that voice, he had heard in the camp, deeply memorable.
“Little Nine?”
He widened his eyes, struggling to connect this light bird in the moment to that silly child sitting on a cart calling for their mother everywhere.
“How did you get out?”
“Prophet Mama said before leaving that in a few days everyone was going to leave, traveling to a faraway place. But bringing kids was too troublesome, so I was told to listen to you, to stay at your house for a while.”
Little Nine sadly flapped her wings, “After taking a nap, everyone didn’t know where they went, and I became like this…”
Ji Jue's expression twitched, flickering without stopping!
So he was… used again?
Leaving the kid at home for others to take care of while he went off to seek peace, just like that.
Prophet, do you really have any conscience at all?!
Yet he glanced down at the little bird wagging its tail happily, ultimately scratching his head helplessly: Fine, one is just as easy to raise as two.
Might as well think of it as starting a zoo.
One has to accept reality; besides, could he really let this little kid run around outside without any care?
But before that…
He lifted the tiny bird and asked, “What’s your name?”
“Little Nine is Little Nine.”
The bird tilted her head in confusion: “Everyone calls Little Nine for Little Nine; isn’t Little Nine a name?”
“I mean, do you have other names?”
Ji Jue explained, “Besides the number, is there a more ordinary name? If not, I can help you come up with one; how does that sound?”
Saying this, he spiritedly pointed to the nearby tricycle, inspired: “You see, it’s called Little Humpback, how about from now on, you’ll be called Little…”
“Ah, I remember now!”
Little Nine excitedly jumped, interrupting him: “Prophet Mama told me once that I had a name before, something like… something like…”
She earnestly recalled her past memories, her eyes brightening, as she remembered the original name:
“—Gloria!”
“……”
In the silence, Ji Jue was petrified, struggling to lower his head and look at the small bird in his palm: “You said… what?”
“Gloria!”
The little bird joyfully hopped, replying: “Mama called me that; my name is Gloria!”
Ji Jue fell silent, confused, and stunned.
Suddenly, he recalled the Prophet’s earlier words when introducing Little Nine to him—she was different from everyone else, being the first manufactured…
First time?
If everything is an endless cycle, and everyone has a predetermined role, then where would there be a creation that was the first to be made?!
Indeed, not a single word from the charlatan was true!
When dying, they said there were no regrets, no attachments.
However, they quietly handed him such a huge matter… and hadn’t even warned him in advance!
Is it that you’ve gotten used to taking advantage of people?!
Yet even amidst all his complaints and scorn, now gazing at the little bird in his palm, Ji Jue couldn’t help but smile: “Hello, Gloria.”
Did the mercury finally succeed? Or was this the Prophet’s achievement over the years? Or was it a miracle born within time and the unknown?
Unclear and puzzling.
But this must be a good thing, right?
Nothing can be better than this.
So, fine, let it be this way…
And who says being taken advantage of can’t be enjoyable? As long as I’m happy, doesn’t it not count as being taken advantage of?
While comforting his shaken heart, Ji Jue turned around, took one last look at the shining stars above, briskly stepped onto the vehicle seat, twisting the throttle:
“Let’s go, we’re going home!”
“Home!” Gloria also spread her wings, joyfully shouting.
Ji Jue thought for a moment, then called out: “Chicken legs all you want!”
“Beep!!!!”
Little Humpback neighed enthusiastically.
The bird that was starting to build a nest on his head suddenly became curious, “What are chicken legs?”
“It’s something edible and tastes pretty good; do you want to try it, Gloria?”
“Okay, okay!” The bird also brightened, like singing: “Thank you, big brother!”
“No big brother allowed!”
“Eh? Why?”
“Don’t ask why; I just won’t allow it!”
And so, hundreds of years later, under the illumination of the moon and stars, the tricycle beeped and rumbled away into the distance.
The distant sound of the tide continued to echo.
(End of Chapter)