The Enemy's Loyal Hound? He's Mine Now!

[This story is seriously blocked by writer's block. I won't abandon it, but I'm taking a break for a while.]

In the post-apocalyptic era, the few remaining humans have split into two major factions: the "Old Era Alliance," centered on astral-energy mutation, and the "New Humanity Union," focused on consciousness transfer and mechanical modification.

Both sides fight over the power of the "Falling Star," while humanity struggles to survive in the wasteland.

Xie Qi, a genius in the "Alliance," is suspected of having transmigrated and currently suffers from amnesia. Fortunately, he is also bound to a "game" connected to reality.

Unlike in the game's story, he is no righteous ally.

Controlling, distrustful, and ruthless... All these words describe him. Everyone on the chessboard is a piece he can move, himself included.

After falling in love at first sight with the enemy faction's loyal hound, who has mismatched red and white eyes, all he can think about each day is how to turn him against his own side.

As it happens, the enemy's loyal hound whom he has his eye on is thinking the same thing.

After a failed mission, he finds the enemy he's long coveted beneath the starry sky.

Yinghuo on the battlefield is dangerous and mysterious, keeping everything under control as he toys with and pursues Xie Qi's squad;

Yinghuo, lying in a pool of blood, is fragile and pitiful. He watches Xie Qi approach with wary eyes, helpless to stop him.

Smiling, Xie Qi embraces Yinghuo's broken body as though holding the whole world:

"Listen, let's run away together."

"Just the two of us."

*

[Yinghuo's affection levels]:

Early:

"I can't let you keep living! ...How could I have missed?!"

Middle:

"Here's a little hint: go right. What? You want to know why I'm helping you? Don't read too much into it. I just want to see what kind of changes you'll bring to this world, that's all."

Late:

"Let me fight by your side until the very end. Whether the road ahead is smooth or leads to a dead end, I will always be your blade."

P.S.:

1. The gong is a piece of trash who treats his team members like cats or collectible cards to raise.

2. One-on-one romance. The gong and shou belong to opposing factions early on and are genuine enemies who fight for real. Later, they will leave their factions and work together.

3. This might be a long story, with a slow start.

I drew the cover myself.

A world after a somewhat Lovecraftian apocalypse, plus a game. Superpowers vs. mechanical ascension.

Theme: Staying true to one's principles and kindness