Chapter 9: Choosing a Faction

“Please choose your main mission, Host. Branch One: Salvation! Branch Two: Destruction!”

“The requirements for the Salvation mission: The Host must not use any form of coercion to help everyone in this world find peace. All must leave of their own free will. Completion rewards: one thousand points of good karma, and dominion over this world.”

“The requirements for the Destruction mission: Kill every human in this world, eradicating both their bodies and souls so that none can ever be reborn. Completion rewards: one thousand points of evil karma, and dominion over this world.”

“The main mission is mandatory; you cannot refuse to choose. During the main mission, the system will randomly assign side missions, which the Host may accept or decline. Rewards will be granted according to the circumstances.”

When Ye Chen first regained consciousness, he was immediately confronted with the system’s missions. The two main mission choices were polar opposites. This was a world after death; here, no one could die or fall ill, for all were already dead. Everyone in this world was a student at this academy.

One mission required him to be a benefactor, helping every single person find release. With so many people in the academy, who knew how long it would take to persuade them all? What if he encountered a few stubborn souls who refused to listen? The time to completion could drag on indefinitely. The other mission, however, was far too bloodthirsty—so much so that even Ye Xing, the darker side of Ye Chen’s dual personality, balked at carrying out such carnage.

Ye Chen could be considered someone with a dual personality. Both consciousnesses originated from the same soul, so even if they disagreed, they never quarreled. Their opinions quickly aligned. Ye Xing, exasperated by the hassle, handed full authority over this world’s affairs to Ye Chen, declaring, “Do as you please—I’m not getting involved.”

Thus, gentle-natured Ye Chen chose the first option—Salvation—without hesitation, fully prepared for the arduous journey ahead.

“System, I choose Salvation!”

“Host has selected the Salvation branch! Awakening the body...”

Night had fallen. Clouds slowly veiled the bright moonlight, casting a hazy pall over the world. Within a vast academy, two youths lay sprawled on the ground in the shape of great stars. Even on a summer night, lying here could easily bring a chill; the cool wind gnawed at Ye Chen’s body, and the ground beneath him was hard yet still retained some warmth.

Once he was certain he could control his body, Ye Chen opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was a starry sky in this afterlife world—one he had never seen before. Without anyone realizing, as he gazed at those stars, the starlight reflected in his eyes, transforming them into a miniature of the heavens above.

“Strange... was that an illusion?” When he first looked up, the sky seemed foreign, indifferent. But in the next instant, it felt intimate and caring—like stepping into the home of a stranger, only to be enveloped in the warmth of a long-lost family. The familiar comfort and reassurance he once felt beneath the sky surged back.

“What illusion?” A spirited, strong-willed voice broke his reverie. Ye Chen’s vision was blocked by a face with delicate features and a hint of confusion—an adorable girl who had been patrolling the academy with a gun, ever vigilant even at night. This was the student council president, nicknamed “Angel.” When Ye Chen muttered his question, her curiosity was piqued.

“You’re blocking the stars,” Ye Chen replied coolly, gently pointing out her proximity.

“The stars?” Yuri Nakamura glanced up at the sky. The moon was bright, the stars appeared as usual—nothing extraordinary. She couldn’t fathom what was so captivating about the stars, and promptly categorized Ye Chen as one of those odd types. Still, she did not mind; after all, none of her Afterlife Brigade members were what one would call normal. To call them “unusual” was a kindness—in truth, they were all a bunch of fools.

“Never mind. I must recruit this newcomer—lately, we’ve been short-staffed!” A brilliant smile broke across Yuri’s face as she addressed Ye Chen: “Welcome to the ‘Can’t Stand Being Dead Brigade.’ How about joining us? If you sit back and do nothing, you might end up erased! By the way, our group’s name changes all the time. At first, we were the Afterlife Battlefront, but that sounded like admitting we’re dead. So, now we’re the ‘Can’t Stand Being Dead Brigade.’ Or, why not help us come up with a name?”

“I think such a daunting task is best left to the gentleman over there—he looks eager to take it on,” Ye Chen replied, determined to prevent her from speaking further, and promptly sold out the other youth who had just awakened after him.

“Oh! So you’re awake too, young man! Interested in joining us?” She immediately shifted her attention, extending her olive branch to the newly conscious boy.

“Huh? Let me ask, is that a real gun?” The poor boy, just roused and already faced with Yuri’s insistent recruitment, suddenly noticed the conspicuous sniper rifle in her hands. He gazed at her with a deadpan expression, as if doubting the sanity of everyone present.

“Ugh!” Yuri sighed, exasperated. “Everyone who comes here reacts like this. Come on, get used to it—accept reality! The fact that you’re here means you’re already dead.”

“So I really am dead? That must mean that guy was truly powerful... But I’ll make him regret it.” Ye Chen, staring at his own hands, muttered with serene detachment.

“Accept what, exactly?” The other boy refused to believe he was dead at all, dismissing both Ye Chen and rifle-toting Yuri as chronic fantasists, and asked in bewilderment.

“See that person over there? That’s our enemy—the ‘Angel’ of the Can’t Stand Being Dead Brigade. If she targets you, you might get erased! Well, that’s a joke in this world.” Using her scope, Yuri pointed to “Angel,” who was patrolling the sports field, and began indoctrinating the two newcomers with her convoluted worldview.

“If you don’t want to disappear, then stand up and fight—resist Angel and God! That’s the only way to keep existing in this world. So, what do you say? Will you join us?” Regardless of the complex expressions playing across the other boy’s face, Yuri reached out to Ye Chen and the boy with a cheerful invitation.

“Host has triggered a mission: Join a faction. Options: 1. Angel’s Student Council, 2. Afterlife Battlefront, 3. Remain Independent. Reward: one meal card (in this academy where only meal cards are used, this card will feed you for a lifetime—food will never be an issue). Note: As the Host is now deceased, you cannot die from injury, but if you don’t eat, your physical strength will eventually drop to the point where you cannot move. If you choose to remain independent, there is no meal card reward and you must find your own food. You may not forcibly take food from others.”