Challenge: The Fool with the Surname Okayamine

Interlude Chapter 179: The Strange Gate

Time passed like the wind brushing against his cheek. In this long period of time, Wuming had lived in this world called "Neighborhood" for a whole week.

Within this [Ninth Realm], which he vaguely sensed was a giant circle, two "girls" strolled along the streets filled with singing.

For some reason, ever since Rineme met Wuming, she has made him dress up in women's clothing every day so that they can go to other places together in disguise.

Although she was in a hurry to leave today and was too lazy to change into casual clothes, she left the apartment in her home clothes, which led to the situation today.

Their appearance drew everyone's attention, and the blonde girl walking in front was particularly dazzling, as eye-catching as the stars in the sky.

Standing silently beside her was a woman dressed in a maid's outfit, with pale skin, whose empty eyes seemed to hold nothingness. Her only notable feature was her height...

"Ah! Isn't this the former ruler, Lady Kiri Rinemu?"

"What's so surprising? You're new here, aren't you? You don't even know those things."

"Oh! What is it! I came from the Sixth Eighth Realm before the [Road to Heaven]. Now I have to be an idol day and night to make a living, so I don't have time to listen to gossip."

"I see. So what level of idol are you? You seem to be working very hard. Are you some kind of rising star?"

"Uh...no, I'm just an ordinary, talentless B-grade idol, and I'm not far from turning into nothingness."

"So that's the level. Otherwise, I, an A-level idol, would feel much more at ease."

"No, I came to ask, isn't she a ruler? I was thinking that if there really was no other way, I would go to Lady Kiri Rine and become her fan to survive."

"Oh, so you didn't know? It seems that for some reason... she vomits whenever she sings, so she was replaced by the gentle and beautiful Lady Kizunain."

"I see."

The surrounding chatter made Li Yinmeng, who was standing next to Wuming, feel unwell, but there seemed to be nothing she could do about it.

This nameless person has completely figured out how to survive in the Ninth Realm.

Every action in this world requires the consumption of spiritual energy. Although spiritual energy can be gradually absorbed, quasi-spirits will be transformed into so-called nothingness after losing their dreams, forgetting their past and becoming completely empty.

Idols can help alleviate this feeling, and fans can also find the ability to survive through idols and contribute idol energy to each other's survival.

On the other hand, if one lacks the ability to become an idol or does not want to be a fan, one will soon lose the reason to live and eventually die.

Of course, they are special now. Although they have lost their memories, the girl in their hearts is still their spiritual pillar, making them subconsciously want to find her. Even if their minds are empty, they will not become nothing.

As for Rion Yume...

Wu Ming couldn't help but glance at the girl ahead who had quickened her pace. According to the information he had gathered, she had once been so dazzling...

Even though she couldn't sing, some people wanted her to stay on stage and become everyone's pillar of support, but Rion couldn't accept that feeling and left the stage on her own initiative.

"Are you really not going to become a fan? You're perfectly safe right now..."

Upon arriving at a coffee shop, Wuming used his spiritual power to order two sandwiches to relax, and then, out of kindness, suggested something to Rinemu.

The girl did shudder upon hearing this, but quickly forced herself to shake her head.

"Well... how could someone as cute as me disappear so quickly... Haha, Wuming, I just don't go on stage, of course I'm still an idol."

She said this, but it always gave off a very sad feeling.

Seeing how she was barely holding on, Wuming still kindly offered his concern:

"Rinemu, are you... really alright? But aren't you interested in the position of Dominator? If you can't have it, try to let it go, so don't be sad."

Perhaps she was oblivious to the atmosphere, because what she said sounded strange. However, Rinemu did indeed show a puzzled yet indifferent expression.

"No, I feel pretty good about things right now. I've never thought about becoming a ruler. Going back would be too much trouble, no way~~ But I still prefer a job where I can be lazy. Until I find another one, I probably don't have any other ideas."

Are you really alright...?

"What are you talking about? I've been perfectly fine."

Wuming's expression turned puzzled.

"Weren't you sad and upset because you were forced off the stage? You were just..."

"Oh, so that's what you meant. Actually, it's not. I don't want to be the leader. I want to be lazy. It's just that people are talking about you behind your back, and you must be a little unhappy about it."

"I see."

"If I had to say anything, it would only be that I felt bad because Ruiye immediately kicked me off the stage after she found out I couldn't sing."

And so they began to enjoy their sandwiches. Although, strictly speaking, quasi-elves wouldn't starve, they were probably just simply satisfying their palates.

Although the cafe was crowded, surprisingly, whenever Rion was seen there, people would naturally look away and continue their hard training, as if they hadn't seen her at all.

As for the issue of her own voice, Rion can teach her how to use a falsetto, and it's not too difficult for her to be accurate.

After they had eaten most of their meal, Wuming and Liyinmeng made two cups of black tea and chatted idly.

"To be honest, you seem a bit of a loser if you want to find a job that gives you purpose and allows you to survive in this place, but you don't want to work.

"Wow! How dare you insult the person who found you!"

Did I hurt you? Um, I'm sorry.

Wu Ming felt a little guilty for bringing up such a question right away. Was it really okay to be so sarcastic towards his benefactor?

But soon, Rion's second half of her answer immediately erased the guilt in her heart.

"Didn't your school teach you that you should never tell the truth in a conversation? It's very hurtful!"

"Huh? No... you actually admit it."

"Otherwise, I used to be a really good singer, an absolute genius idol in the Ninth Realm. Although I became a loser after I couldn't sing anymore, damn it, it's all because of you that I feel hurt again!"

"Isn't this your own initiative? How can you blame me for doing it?"

"Wow! Looks like I need to have a serious talk with you, you nothingness! I'm clearly your master!"

"Don't presume to think you're my master! I'm not one of those people with a strong sense of subservience!"

The two always bicker at this moment. Even though Rinemu's face is pretty and cute, it's just that she spits out a lot of saliva.

Wuming and Wuming were always bickering while wiping their faces with handkerchiefs, but their friendship was surprisingly good; you could say they got along very well.

After leaving the coffee shop, the two continued walking through the streets of the Ninth Territory. It seemed that Rionmu would wander around different streets on her own every day.

During this time, they could also hear many idols singing, although it was rather boring for the two of them.

"I have absolutely no interest in idols."

"These younger people aren't good enough; they're not nearly as cute as me."

These are their personal feelings about other idols, so neither of them intends to stop and listen to other people's songs.

As the two continued walking forward until they reached the main gate leading to the tenth domain, a sudden heartbeat sound rang in Wuming's mind.

Wuming subconsciously pressed his hand to his chest. The heartbeat was strong and unfamiliar, as if it was guiding him in some way, seemingly related to his past.

Rion noticed Wuming's unusual behavior, and the two stopped simultaneously. She turned to Wuming, but he kept his gaze fixed on the doorway.

"Wuming, what's wrong?"

Wu Ming shook his head, but his gaze remained fixed on the large door.

"I am fine."

Although that's what they said, when the few security guards behind the door walked inside to report to their waiting companions for a shift change...

Wuming, as if possessed, walked towards the door, his steps uncontrollable. Rinemu shouted from the side:

"What are you trying to do! I'm reminding you that the boundary gate is currently sealed. Unless the Dominator grants permission, it is..."

The sound reached his ears, but Wuming subconsciously ignored it. He placed his hand in front of the door and gently pushed it open from the inside out. He then walked in.

"Hey, wait for me!"

Despite her feelings for Wuming, Huili Rineme followed the open door without hesitation.

Fearing that Mizuha would find out, she quickly closed the door again. Looking at Wuming, who seemed to be possessed, walking step by step toward the gate of the [Path to Heaven], she had some worry in her eyes.

"Hey, can you hear me! Wuming! Hey!"

Wuming casually placed his hand on the boundary gate, and suddenly, countless jet-black mud gushed out from the boundary gate like a spring, quickly turning the boundary gate completely black.

"Huh? Ahhh!"

Liyin Meng followed closely behind, and before she could react, the gate opened slowly and unbelievably, like a bottomless black hole.

An immense suction force erupted from the black hole, frantically absorbing everything around it.

Just as Wuming was instantly pulled into this powerful suction, Liyinmeng was startled. After a slight hesitation, she immediately reached out and grabbed Wuming's foot.

"No way! You're my friend after all... If you can save someone, at least we should try!"

However, this suction force was exceptionally strong, as if an endless force was pulling at Wuming, and Rinemu's efforts seemed to be in vain.

Despite her gripping Wuming's feet tightly, the powerful force remained unmoved, instead dragging her forward as well.

Rion felt her body rushing forward uncontrollably, the wind whistling in her ears, her heart filled with terror and worry.

Ultimately, the two were absorbed into the gate, and just as the quasi-elf guards returned from their shift and opened it, the gate of the [Path to Heaven] instantly reverted to its original state, and the city returned to its usual bustling activity, with no one noticing their disappearance.

In a tranquil space, as if it were seawater, Wuming opened his eyes somewhat blurry and found himself sinking into the water along with Liyinmeng, who had fallen down to save him.

"Rion! Where...where is this? This is..."

In that gradually sinking, hazy world, Wuming seemed to see a huge black crystal pillar, in which he could vaguely see his own reflection, as if it were tempting him to touch it.

He touched the crystal pillar, and a bright light flashed in the dark space. Suddenly, Wuming's body was enveloped in black flames.

Like flames burning him like thorns, Wuming felt pain all over his body, as if it were about to explode.

Memories resembling death began to flood his mind: cutting off his own fingers, biting off his own tongue, having his head severed, his body cut in two, and his flesh destroyed by a beam of light.

"Aa ...