The Year of the Snake

Tang Wu sat by the cliff, drenched in blood and smoking. Li Zuguo crawled over and said, "Give me one."

Tang Wu flicked the cigarette and lighter over to him.

Li Zuguo lit the cigarette, took a deep drag, and asked with a smile, "So, when are you planning to go back? You should be able to return to the real world by now."

Tang Wu gave a bitter laugh, as if talking to himself. "Go back? What would going back accomplish? What could people like us do there? What would we even do? We're nothing but killing machines. I want to break through this damned cage and find the truth, for myself, for the world, and for everyone who helped me and then died because of me. The truth that everyone in this world has been pursuing so desperately."

As soon as he finished speaking, the injured teammates behind Tang Wu stood up, some leaning on the ground, others supporting one another. They exchanged glances, and in an instant, the whole valley filled with their voices.

"Tang Wu, we'll help you." ...

This novel and its characters are entirely fictional. Any resemblance is purely coincidental. Do not imitate.