2

Sylvie led me out of the shelter through a tunnel and into an off-road vehicle.

I was sitting in the passenger seat.

A system notification sound suddenly rang out:

[Mandatory Task: Establish the Boundary of the Godless Zone]

[Mission countdown: 22 hours 37 minutes]

[Failure Penalty: Host Death]

"You need to establish a godless zone," Sylvie said. "This is a mandatory task assigned to you by the system."

What is the price?

"50% of the memory."

I remained silent.

I've already lost my childhood. If I lose another 50%...

"If you don't establish it, you'll die. Once the 24-hour countdown is up, the system will forcibly erase you," Sylvie said. "And...even if you forget me, I'll keep reminding you."

I looked into her eyes, and they were filled with determination.

Okay. Tell me how to do it.

"We need to find a place with high ground. The Nanyun Mountain villa area is the most suitable."

We rushed out of the shelter. Outside, the entire city was in a state of apocalypse. Black characters floated in the air, and the buildings they touched crumbled.

"Quick!" Sylvie grabbed my hand and ran towards Nanyun Mountain.

We walked through collapsed streets, crossed broken bridges, and avoided wandering pollutants.

Finally, we arrived at the Nanyunshan Villa District.

Sylvie chose a three-story villa, located on the highest point.

"This is it. Let's begin. There are 20 hours left in the mission countdown."

I walked to the outside of the villa.

"Word of Power: Imprint."

A faint white light emanated from his palm and condensed into glowing runes on the ground.

This is the first mark.

The tenth one.

I can't remember where I went to junior high school.

The twentieth one.

What are the names of my high school friends? I can't remember.

The thirtieth one.

My memory is getting increasingly hazy.

The fortieth one.

I stopped and turned to look at Sylvie: "Who...are you?"

Sylvie's hand trembled slightly, and a deep pain flashed in her eyes. But she quickly regained her composure and smiled gently:

"My name is Sylvie. We grew up together. Continue laying the marks; ten more to go."

I paused for a moment, then slowly nodded.

Although I don't remember anything about her, I choose to believe her.

Just as I was preparing to lay the forty-sixth tile—

The sound of orderly footsteps came from afar.

Sylvie's expression changed drastically: "Someone's here!"

I turned my head and saw at least thirty deacons in black uniforms moving in this direction, lined up in neat rows, holding weapons that emitted a black glow.

Mark was at the very front of the line.

A fanatical smile spread across his face: "Owen! You blasphemer, you heretic! You can't escape!"

The thirty deacons behind Mark quickly dispersed, surrounding the entire villa area.

"You think you're safe hiding here? I've left a tracking mark on you. The light of God will purify all evil!"

This guy's perception has been altered.

He truly believed he was eradicating evil for the true God.

"Owen!" Sylvie grabbed me. "Keep laying the markings! I'll hold them off!"

Are you alone?

"Believe me!"

Blue light surged from her hands, weaving into a giant net in the air.

"The ability to stitch reality together!" Mark recognized Sylvie's power, his expression changing. "Another heretic! The true God will judge you all!"

"Yes. And I won't let you breach Irving's boundaries."

A blue light net suddenly unfolded, temporarily isolating Mark and the deacon team.

"Quick! Irving! You still have five marks to fill!"

I gritted my teeth and charged toward the next position.

The forty-sixth!

Boom! Mark's attack struck Sylvie's light network. The blue network trembled violently, and a crack suddenly appeared on Sylvie's arm, like a crack in porcelain.

"Sylvie!"

"Never mind me! Keep laying the paving!"

She gritted her teeth, her hands flailing as she repaired the light net. But I noticed two more cracks had appeared on her arms.

Each time she uses her power, the cracks on her body increase.

"All troops! Focus fire on that female heretic! Purify evil for the true God!" Mark ordered.

Thirty deacons launched their attack simultaneously, shouting "Long live the true God!" and "Purify evil!" Black light rained down on the net of light.

Crack! The first crack appeared in the light net. Five more cracks appeared on Sylvie's body.

There are now 18 cracks on her arm.

"Irving...hurry..."

The forty-seventh!

"Break through her defenses! Eradicate the heretics!" Mark roared.

Crack! Crack! Countless cracks appeared on the light mesh.

Sylvie's body was covered in cracks, and blood seeped from the cracks.

The forty-eighth!

Forty-nine!

The last one! I rushed towards the villa gate.

Boom! Sylvie's optical network collapsed.

Mark charged forward instantly, a golden spear materializing in his hand.

"Die, you heretic!" He hurled his spear at me.

"No!" Sylvie rushed over and stood in front of me.

Pfft!

The golden spear pierced Sylvie's shoulder.

"Sylvie!" I hugged her.

Her body trembled, and blood gushed out. But she still smiled: "Quick...lay down the last one..."

"But you..."

"I'm fine..." She pushed me away with all her might, "Quick!"

I gritted my teeth, put her on the ground, and rushed to the last position.

"Word of Power: Mark!"

The fiftieth mark has been laid.

Fifty marks lit up simultaneously, their white light forming a closed loop that enveloped the entire villa.

"Word of Power: Boundary - Closed!"