The Cyber Ascension Arc 4 | Volume 4 | Chapter 32
"The Fate That Never Ends"
The library was silent, but not empty. Shadows stretched unnaturally across the walls, curling like living fingers. Outside, the Blue Realm flickered with the residue of battles past. From the perspective of Nashino, Youchina, Yuzurei, Shinoki, Emily, Musukoni, and Shioinkin, Jin Yuan lay dead—head bowed, chest still, a giant katana at his side.
Yet, in reality, he was far from gone. The Fate Sphere had merged with him, tethering his essence across time. Present Jin Yuan was nearly immortal now, unkillable by conventional means—but not invincible.
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Future Jin Yuan stood silently, observing the chaos. Thoughts raced behind eyes that had seen decades of sacrifice and loss.
The Phoenixes… hm. It's time for manipulations.
He stepped to Shinjukuna's fallen form, placing a hand on his chest. Blue sparks of absorbed energy surged from the fallen man into him. With each heartbeat, he felt the threads of time themselves bend.
Now, he could travel—to the past, to the moments that had shaped everything. His path was clear: the beginnings, the loves, the betrayals, all of it… and he would twist them, carefully, meticulously.
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He appeared in the past, high school years ago, where young Jin Yuan nervously clutched his confession to Chanoki. She had asked for space, and he had respected her wishes. The scene was tender, simple—yet Future Jin Yuan's presence warped it into something darkly calculated.
Chanoki looked at him with curiosity, eyes wide, voice soft.
Chanoki: "Umm… who are you, mister? I haven't seen you around."
Future Jin Yuan: "It doesn't matter. I just need you to answer honestly."
Her brow furrowed in confusion.
Chanoki: "Umm? What… what is it?"
Future Jin Yuan: "Are you going to say 'yes' to Jin Yuan?"
Chanoki froze, shock flickering across her face.
Chanoki: "Why? What… why are you asking?"
Future Jin Yuan: "Just answer." His tone was calm, unflinching, a shadow over her heart.
Chanoki: "…I… I love him. I'll say yes."
Future Jin Yuan's eyes narrowed, calculating, cold.
If she accepts him… I might live peacefully. But I can't save my friends that way.
Future Jin Yuan: "Then… you must reject him."
Chanoki: "Why should I? I won't!"
Future Jin Yuan: "If you don't… I'll kill him."
Chanoki: "HEY! Are you crazy!? I… I won't let that happen!"
Future Jin Yuan: "Then pretend you're rejecting him. I'm a serial killer, his enemy, and I don't allow him a love before me."
Panic rose in her chest. She tried to call Jin Yuan—but he threw her phone into the air, disappearing like smoke into the shadows.
Future Jin Yuan: "See this."
A photograph appeared: present Jin Yuan surrounded by armed men. Snipers. Death.
Chanoki's tears fell instantly.
Chanoki: "YOU BASTARD!"
She swung at him, but his grip caught her fist effortlessly.
Future Jin Yuan: "Think… if you say yes, he dies. If you want him alive, reject him. The choice is yours."
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Days passed. Fear hung in the air like smoke. Every decision she made was weighed against the life of the boy she loved. Finally, Past Jin Yuan approached her, tentative, hopeful.
Jin Yuan: "Chanoki… what's your answer?"
She hugged him tightly, tears streaming, muffled against his chest.
Chanoki: "I… I love you too!"
He wiped tears from his eyes, voice trembling with joy.
Jin Yuan: "Wait… I'll bring ice cream. Let's celebrate!"
He walked away, blissful in his innocence. But in the shadows, Future Jin Yuan's eyes narrowed.
Future Jin Yuan: "What have you done…?"
Chanoki trembled.
Chanoki: "It's… just… please don't hurt him!"
Future Jin Yuan: "Then… pretend you're cheating on him."
Tears streamed down her face as she nodded.
Chanoki: "If he survives… I'll do it."
Past Jin Yuan returned with ice creams, but froze. Across the street, a bench held Future Jin Yuan, casually sitting beside Chanoki. He kissed her cheek.
Chanoki: "You're… clingy." She chuckled weakly, but her red, tear-stained eyes betrayed her pain.
Past Jin Yuan ran, clutching the ice creams, crying quietly.
Future Jin Yuan: "Perfect… now she has true love on him."
And then, a clone appeared—a copy of Past Jin Yuan, created by Future Jin Yuan to maintain the illusion for Chanoki.
Clone Jin Yuan: "Emily… who is that one?"
He hugged her gently.
Chanoki: "You… still love me?"
Clone Jin Yuan: nods silently
Future Jin Yuan walked to the rooftop, watching the two interact.
Now… she has her own life. And the threads of fate are mine to manipulate.
He disappeared into the shadows, leaving Chanoki weeping, hearts breaking, and the timeline forever altered.
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