Henry Clark’s sense of foreboding grew stronger and stronger; it felt as if he had been reduced to the level of livestock. But what exactly did they want to harvest from him...?

Just as Uncle Clark was about to say something, there was a knock at the door. At the same time, everyone’s wrist vibrated in unison, and the attack countdown suddenly started ticking.

With a creak, the door slowly opened. An elderly man wearing a monocle and dressed in a black vest appeared at the doorway. The man, who looked like a butler, glanced in surprise at the unlucky fellow who had been smashed to the ground by David Baker and couldn’t get up. He didn’t ask any questions, but simply bent slightly and said, “Sorry to keep you waiting. Are you the guardians that Alcat introduced before he left?”

“Yes.” Uncle Clark, David Baker, and William Carter nodded. It seemed this was their identity in this world.

“Then please follow me. Miss Integra is waiting for you.”

The elderly butler turned and slowly walked out.

Their watches vibrated again, displaying new data: [Temporary mission: Stay within 100 meters of Butler Walter, or be eliminated. Reward points: none.]

Uncle Clark smiled and motioned for the others to follow. William Carter and John Baker walked out behind him. As they reached the doorway, the two bumped into each other, exchanged a glance, and then ignored one another.

The overweight middle-aged man James Thompson hesitated for a moment before hurrying after them. Next was the skinny, sleazy-looking middle-aged man Samuel Harris. Grace Brooks bit her lip and hurried after them in small steps. As she reached the doorway, she hesitated and glanced back, seeing Henry Clark moving slowly along the wall. Suddenly, she ran back, grabbed Henry Clark’s sleeve, and tugged, “Um... let me help you...”

Henry Clark was taken aback, then gave a grateful smile. “Thank you!”

The two of them stumbled along at the back, unable to pick up their pace.

“Actually, I could have waited for you back there. I don’t really understand the mission or anything.” Henry Clark was being led along by the timid girl, stumbling forward.

Grace Brooks looked up at him in surprise, then suddenly realized, “The watch says we have to follow that butler, or else we’ll be eliminated... I-I don’t really get it, but I think it probably means dying.”

Her voice was so low it sounded like it might break off at any moment. It was lucky Henry Clark had good hearing, or he wouldn’t have caught it.

“Watch?” Henry Clark touched his wrist, his heart skipping a beat and a chill running through him. If not for her, he might have died there for no reason at all.

“Thank you for the reminder.”

“N-no need to thank me.” Grace Brooks seemed unaccustomed to talking to people, stammering with her head down.

“There should be one more person back there, right?” Henry Clark suddenly remembered the guy who had been cursing at the start. Judging by the sound, he’d been dealt with by someone named John Baker and couldn’t get up.

Grace Brooks shook her head timidly. “He looks really fierce, and he curses. I don’t dare talk to him...”

Henry Clark touched the damp spot on his chest and said, “That person said I was bleeding too, right?”

Grace Brooks hesitated, then whispered, “You look more like a good person...”

Henry Clark couldn’t help but want to give a wry smile. In the end, it was lucky he had decent features, though he’d long forgotten what “decent features” even looked like.

Suddenly, there was a soft sound behind them, like a bubble popping. Everyone’s wrist vibrated, and their watches displayed: “‘Hope Team’: one member dead.”

Grace Brooks glanced down and couldn’t help but start trembling, her voice quivering, “That person... is dead...”

Henry Clark’s heart skipped a beat. The cruelty he’d assumed became reality, and he still couldn’t quite accept it. Someone had just died like that, and in the end, all they could do was make a sound like a bursting bubble.

The feeling of being toyed with by something was truly uncomfortable.

He suddenly realized the two of them had slowed down, and, feeling uneasy, reached out to grab her wrist. “Don’t be afraid, keep moving forward...”

“But... if I had...”

“No buts.” Henry Clark suddenly tightened his grip, his hand like an iron clamp, making Grace Brooks wince in pain. He lowered his voice, “He’s dead, but you saved me. He died because of himself, not because of you.”

He paused, then softened his tone, “Let’s pick up the pace. If we don’t move, both of us will die.”

He had never doubted the reality of this world, nor did he doubt the “Main God Space” that Uncle Clark spoke of.

Unless it was a god, who else could let him live again after his heart had shattered?

He remembered the fear of life ebbing away with every drop of blood, and he understood even more clearly the wonder and danger of this world.

Chapter 4: Stay or Leave?

Grace Brooks wiped her tears and nodded, her eyes red as she pulled Henry Clark forward, picking up speed again. They trailed behind everyone else, and from time to time she guided Henry Clark as he slowly climbed the steps.

The entire building was unexpectedly large. After walking for more than ten minutes, they finally reached the end.