But while all the prisoners were immersed in the beautiful music, Brian Brooks simply could not suppress the shock and astonishment in his heart.

Because he had heard this piece before... "Farewell."

Outside the long pavilion, beside the ancient road, fragrant grass stretches to the horizon.

Brian Brooks's pupils gradually contracted. Isn't this the world after transmigration? Why does the song "Farewell" exist here too?

When he first saw the mechanical civilization, he thought this place should have no connection to Earth.

But now it seemed he was wrong. Could this be the future of Earth?

The harmonica stopped, and the noise returned once again to Prison No. 18.

When the gate opened, he was no longer as awkward and wary as on the first day. Instead, he walked straight past the lined-up prisoners and headed directly to the square downstairs.

Acting on his own did not attract any drones from the sky, nor did the robot guards spare him a glance.

Just as he reached the outside of the cafeteria, Olivia Harris greeted him with a beaming smile: "Good morning... Didn't sleep well?"

At this moment, Brian Brooks had two dark circles under his eyes. He looked coldly at Olivia Harris, thinking, "Don't you know perfectly well whether I slept well or not?"

After escaping from the nightmare, he had lain in bed pondering things for a long time, not falling into a deep sleep until midnight.

Although Brian Brooks had a photographic memory, he was, at his core, still an ordinary person—unlike special people like Olivia Harris. He couldn't stay up most of the night and still be full of energy the next day.

Emily Thompson glanced at Brian Brooks's face and said, "Most people come out of a nightmare greatly weakened, listless for half a day. But you're different. You broke free from Little Olivia's control in the nightmare and picked up the dagger. The fact that you can still stand today is already remarkable."

Brian Brooks sat down across from him and got straight to the point: "How can I become someone like him?"

Emily Thompson smiled. "You really are direct. But you can't take his path; you're actually more suited to mine."

As soon as he said this, Brian Brooks clearly sensed that both Ethan Clark and Olivia Harris had strange expressions.

He didn't know why, but suddenly the atmosphere felt more serious—even the dozing big cat lifted its head to look at him.

He really wanted to ask what Emily Thompson's path was, exactly.

But Emily Thompson seemed to be quite famous, and as a transmigrator, asking such ignorant questions could be fatal.

Brian Brooks skipped over his doubts and asked again, "How can I take your path?"

"Don't get the wrong idea," Emily Thompson laughed.

When Emily Thompson smiled, the traces of time at the corners of his eyes made Brian Brooks realize that the other man might be older than he had imagined.

Emily Thompson continued, "Ethan Clark and Olivia Harris met me a bit too late, so they couldn't take my path. And although I appreciate you now, it's still not enough."

"Understood," Brian Brooks nodded.

That made sense.

He thought, if someone felt an instant connection with him and then taught him everything, that person was probably up to something.

What he faced might not be an opportunity, but a danger.

But for Brian Brooks, just being able to touch the edge of that mysterious world was already enough.

That was something he had daydreamed about before, something that didn't exist on Earth.

Now, he was already very close to it.

"So, how about it? Want to play chess today?" Emily Thompson looked at Brian Brooks. "You don't seem to be in good shape. Why not take a day off? Chess is all about meeting your match. If I win just because you're not at your best, it doesn't mean much."

As the prisoners lined up for food and ate, more and more prisoners were freely moving about the cafeteria.

Today was a bit different. Many prisoners were eating while keeping an eye on Brian Brooks's side.

Some even stood up with their trays, eyes fixed on the chessboard.

Nearby, even John Miller was watching with great interest, surrounded by a group of people like stars around the moon.

John Miller was thoroughly enjoying this.

On either side of the chessboard, Emily Thompson waited for Brian Brooks's response, while Brian Brooks stood up and calmly said, "No need to rest. Throwing the Driving Emperor's Endgame: Rook two to five, rook five advances seven, cannon two to eight, rook five to six, pawn four advances one."

Chess is usually a back-and-forth contest, but this time Brian Brooks simply stated all his moves in one go, as if he already knew Emily Thompson would cooperate, directly pushing the game to its conclusion.

Brian Brooks's red rook entered the fray, drawing out the black general, and with the final pawn advance, formed a checkmate.

It was a brilliant move that ordinary people would never think of.

Others might not know what Brian Brooks was saying, but Emily Thompson definitely understood.

There was only one way to break the Driving Emperor's Endgame!

Emily Thompson looked up at Brian Brooks, then flipped his black general upside down on the board. "I thought you weren't in good shape, and if I won, it would be taking advantage of you. Turns out I was overthinking it."

In the crowd, John Miller's underling heard John Miller mutter, "He won again, that's so cool. If I could beat someone like Emily Thompson just once, my whole life would be worth it. I want to learn chess too!"

At this moment, Brian Brooks looked at Emily Thompson and asked, "Can I ask you a question?"

Chapter 12: Return