Rhodes Island's Psychologist

Ch 133: He's Invincible

As he walks in the dark, Lin Yie explains to Liz again and again that he's really here to save her.

"Rhodes Island? I've never heard of that place."

"You will know when we get out."

Lin Yie asks, "Do you know what the outside looks like?"

"There are stars. There's the moon. And mountains, trees..."

"What else?"

"I don't know."

Her voice trails off to complete silence.

She can't even remember what her home looks like, let alone the world beyond the tunnels.

Lin Yie says, "We just have to keep walking forward."

"But..."

She swallows her words.

Lin Yie looks down. Even though he can't even see Liz, he knows that she's in his arms, probably staring at where his face would be in fear.

What should I say?

"Ah, there's a type of dessert called pineapple bun. I think you will like it."

"Pineapple bun?" Liz asks, some of her fear giving way to curiosity, "What's that?"

"It's very tasty and sweet."

With that, the conversation ends and the awkward silence returns.

Lin Yie is not sure if he's just bad at making conversations. Other than pineapple buns, he has no idea what he should talk about next.

And so, he starts talking about the food in his world.

After a while, Liz speaks up once more.

Lin Yie shakes his head helplessly.

"Will I be able to taste those foods when I get out?"

She sounds excited, albeit with some lingering hesitation.

Lin Yie nods, "Of course. You will also meet someone who can become your friend."

"Friend?"

"Yeah. There's a girl called Nightingale. Her health is really poor right now, so she hasn't been able to go outside, but we hope she'll soon be able to."

"I don't know her."

"You will," Lin Yie chuckles, "She's... airheaded."

Suddenly, his tone grows heavy, "But I really admire her. Despite her health, she still cares a lot about the others. Even when she's beaten down and covered in blood, she keeps fighting. To be honest, I think she's a fighter, more than anyone else I know.

He rubs his eyes quickly.

Liz mutters, "Can I see her?"

Lin Yie nods in silence.

...

Silence. More silence.

But eventually, Lin Yie sees the faint rays of light from the surface.

"Go open the door," Lin Yie says.

"But my leader said---"

"Your leader lied to you," Lin Yie takes the matter into his own hands and pushes the door open.

"That sister called Nightingale..."

Nightingale swallows her words, as she takes her first step outside the dungeon that had imprisoned her all these years.

Is it finally over?

Lin Yie takes a deep breath and breathes a sigh of relief.

He follows Nightingale outside.

But the scene awaiting him is completely different from what he saw before.

What... How can this be?!

*Thud*

Lin Yie suddenly collapses onto the ground. He can feel his consciousness slowly fading into darkness. Even though this is just a dream, he can feel intense pain from his back, or maybe his spine. He can feel his blood gush out and his broken bones jab into his flesh.

But he can't die yet.

"Go on. Keep running, you bastard!"

"Is this how you are going to repay us?!"

I can't die yet. I can't.

Someone says to the Sarkaz who ambushed Lin Yie, "Bring the torture tools over. I'm going to skin him alive."

...

Lin Yie listens to the devils discussing how he should be tortured, as he lies on the ground. He can't feel his fingers. Besides the intense pain, he can't feel anything. His body seems to be completely paralyzed.

Ms. Liz's dream is not real. Dreams cannot be controlled.

"Sarkaz's Liz..."

"Leader said..."

!

Lin Yie understands now. There is no dungeon. There are no Sarkaz warriors. It's all Liz's imagination.

She's the one locking herself here.

Lin Yie stares at Liz, who is held down by two Sarkaz's. He knows that if he closes his eyes now, he will return to the nursing room, and Liz's fate will be sealed forever.

He can't return now.

"It's not the real world. Everything is based on Ms. Liz's beliefs. In other words, it's an illusion created by her subconscious, and the subconscious is unpredictable."

"What should I do when it changes then?"

"Ptilopsis suggests that you abandon the plan and believe in yourself."

Lin Yie lifts his head and puts every last bit of his strength into his words, "Liz, your nightmare is over! The dungeon is gone! You're free! You're in Rhodes Island right now!"

Tears flow out of his eyes, as Lin Yie shouts desperately.

He tries to shout again, but no words come out. His vision fades more rapidly than before.

Liz opens her mouth slightly, as she stares at Lin Yie's crumpled face.

I did my best...

This is your dream.

Liz, wake up...

...

...

...

"Pineapple Bun?"

Lin Yie hears her soft voice again.

It's over now. He will soon depart from this world.

"Pineapple Bun, get up."

!

...

"Mark, what happened to you?"

The Sarkaz named Mark collapses onto the ground without saying a word.

Lin Yie grips the sword in his hand tightly and stares at Liz.

He's just an ordinary human. He's not favoured by the heavens, nor can he transform into some monstrous being, but...

In her eyes,

He's invincible.

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Draft by Demosama

Proofread by PanzerComrade56