Chapter 162

Chapter 162: Aftermath

The moon sank below the horizon. A sliver of dawn light split the sky.

The sun would rise as it always did.

The black dragon lay sprawled on the ice, dazed, struggling to accept the new reality.

The world had found hope again on this day, but to Tang Xian'an, it felt like he was just waking from a long, long dream.

His body felt frozen solid.

Tang Xian'an had hoped against hope that the moon was not Lu Yan, but the possibility was vanishingly small.

He didn't know exactly what had happened, but he understood this: Lu Yan had become the moon, and had vanished from the world.

Tears the size of fists rolled down the dragon's armor-like scales, each one cratering the ice where it fell.

Just as Tang Xian'an was drowning in despair, a figure materialized abruptly before him.

Lu Yan was holding a small suitcase. "Borrowed a teleport. First time using it, still a bit clumsy. Am I late?"

Having reassembled his original body, Lu Yan had unexpectedly gained a talent not listed on any registry: [Expropriation].

This talent functioned similarly to Michael's Gift. The difference was, Gift lent one's own talents to others. Expropriation took talents from others for personal use, though they could be returned afterward.

It made sense. After all, the original talents had all separated from his own body in the first place.

If they could be bestowed, they could also be reclaimed.

Tang Xian'an looked down, staring at him blankly.

Lu Yan opened the suitcase in front of him. "Brought you a change of clothes."

The black dragon was silent for a moment. Then, he drove a claw through the ice, creating a hole, picked up the small suitcase in his jaws, and dove into the dark water below.

When he emerged, having changed, Tang Xian'an was back in human form, though he was dripping wet, a pitiful sight.

Lu Yan didn't have time to speak before he was pulled into a crushing embrace.

Tang Xian'an held him so tightly, Lu Yan could barely breathe.

He heard Tang Xian'an's muffled whisper against his shoulder. "I thought…"

For one terrifying moment, Tang Xian'an had truly believed Lu Yan was gone for good.

Like the little mermaid dissolving into sea foam. Like the moon sinking into the ocean's depths.

Lu Yan offered a soft, helpless laugh, patting Tang Xian'an's back. He offered no explanation.

He didn't need to. His presence here was explanation enough.

The sun, absent for so many days, finally began its ascent.

Lu Yan's nature meant he was incapable of flowery, tender words.

Squinting slightly against the growing light on the horizon, he said, "Let's go. Time to get back to work."

If they didn't return soon, headquarters would be holding Tang Xian'an's memorial service in City A.

The world had been purified, but the pollution wasn't completely eradicated. It continued to spawn. While most of it had vanished, some pollutants had reverted, becoming Awakened again.

The Prevention and Control Center needed to help these individuals, who had been detached from human society for too long, reintegrate.

The sole benefit of the purification was that they no longer had to fear humans warping into pollutants. Their evolution would now be complete.

"Mm…"

Though still technically on leave, Tang Xian'an didn't mind going back to work.

But for some reason, hearing those words from Lu Yan's mouth felt peculiarly… disappointing.

The System snorted. [You're a real buzzkill. Don't forget to get married.]

[Since you can't inherit the dog-dragon's assets, turning them into communal marital property is just as good.]

So, Lu Yan paused, then added, "We can stop to get a marriage certificate on the way."

Tang Xian'an hadn't expected that sentence.

A smile spread slowly across Tang Xian'an's face. He took Lu Yan's hand, so overwhelmed with happiness he seemed almost lost. He leaned in, pressing kisses from Lu Yan's forehead down to the corner of his mouth, the affection in his eyes brimming over.

"Lu Yan… Lu Yan…"

Lu Yan felt like he was being enthusiastically licked by a giant dog with a wagging tail.

He didn't mind it.

The System issued a derisive click. [Tch. Disgustingly enviable humans.]

They shared the present. And they would share a future.

A future full of promise.