Chapter 40: Whitewashing Weakens by Three, Blackening Strengthens by Three

Trusting Kalolin completely—and fully aware of her own status as a battle-worthless weakling—Chen Kong obediently retreated to a relatively safe distance.

But this "obedience" was so painfully obvious that it left the viewers watching from outside the Dimensional Screen utterly speechless.

"Come on, dude, again? You’re hiding again?"

"I’m saying it plainly—plainly! Lao Kong, can you at least pretend to have the aura of a Final Evaluation candidate? Show some dignity!"

"Maybe Lao Kong does have some power… but then again, probably not."

“On How I’ve Grown Stronger, Yet Still Remain Terrified”

As the dimension-bound audience roared with sarcastic commentary over Chen Kong’s cowardice, Kalolin, sensing the stirring within the mist, suddenly adopted a rare combat stance.

Her hands clenched tightly—two data daggers, glowing with a pale blue light, slid effortlessly from her sleeves and landed precisely in her palms.

Kalolin gripped the blades, her emerald cat eyes locked onto the swirling fog ahead—waiting.

Though the strange mist obscured her vision entirely, she could still infer the scene within through the unnatural flow of the fog and the faint, rhythmic footfalls echoing from within.

After what felt like an eternity, Kalolin finally spoke, her voice cool and sharp:

"Good thing Tian Dao isn’t here. Otherwise, trash like you wouldn’t even be allowed to step within his presence."

Her words barely faded when a massive, purple-coral-topped crab monstrosity burst forth from the fog, lunging directly at Kalolin.

But before it could close the distance, a data dagger streaked through the air, crackling with distorted electricity—its tip striking the purple coral cluster on the creature’s head with perfect precision.

The impact sent the beast into violent spasms. It staggered a few steps before collapsing lifelessly to the ground.

Kalolin didn’t even glance at the fallen corpse. Instead, she turned toward another part of the fog, raising her second blade in silent readiness.

From that direction, two more crab beasts emerged, their eyes gleaming with feral hunger.

They had no idea who Tian Dao was. They didn’t care.

With only primal instincts left, their sole purpose was clear: kill every living thing they saw.

ROAR!

The two roared in unison and charged.

But just like the first, one of them never made it far.

Kalolin’s second dagger flew through the air with uncanny precision, striking the coral cluster on its head.

Even as the creature raised its massive iron claw to intercept, the blade—like a guided missile—dodged the claw and pierced its mark.

With one beast dead, Kalolin instantly shifted her focus to the last.

Seizing the fleeting moment created by its fallen comrade’s sacrifice, the final crab rushed over the corpse, closing in on Kalolin.

Facing the slender First-Rank Stellar Envoy, the creature raised its claw high, preparing to crush her.

But Kalolin remained utterly still. A faint, mocking smirk curled at the corner of her lips.

Zzzzzt—

A sharp crack split the air.

From behind the creature, a data dagger materialized—flying through the mist like a ghost—before plunging into the coral cluster on its head.

The blade? The very same one she’d thrown earlier.

Yes—Kalolin’s data daggers were under her absolute control. As long as they stayed within fifteen meters of her.

Boom!

Without the coral cluster to guide it, the final beast collapsed instantly, dead beyond revival.

Seeing the enemy eliminated, Kalolin turned without a word and began walking toward Chen Kong.

But before she’d taken more than a few steps, a faint, ominous sound echoed from the corpse behind her.

"Look out!" Chen Kong cried, lunging forward in panic as he prepared to activate his Stellar Source—The Dreamer.

But before he could take another step, another hidden data dagger flashed into existence.

Plink!

The blade pierced the small crab’s brain core with surgical precision, pinning it to the larger corpse.

Chen Kong froze.

"Mother-Offspring Crab," Kalolin said calmly, stepping beside him, "I noticed it from the start. Give me your precious Stellar Source ability. Because besides Tian Dao, I don’t need protection from anyone."

She raised her hand.

The two data daggers—like drones returning to their master—whirred through the air and settled back into her sleeves.

With a delicate handkerchief, she wiped the greenish residue from the blades, inspected them carefully, then slid them back into their hidden recesses.

Then, without expression, she turned to Chen Kong.

"Let’s go. Your Void Pattern can briefly clear the mist. With you, I’ll find Tian Dao soon."

Her tone was calm—but firm. Unyielding. No room for refusal.

To her, it seemed, the thoughts of anyone else were irrelevant. As if the world beyond Tian Dao didn’t matter at all.

Chen Kong, already lacking any real will of his own, complied without hesitation.

He walked ahead, using his Void Pattern to act as a living fog-dispelling tool.

Watching the two disappear into the mist—one leading, the other following—the audience outside the Dimensional Screen erupted into chatter.

"Queen consort! Definitely the queen!"

"Canon pairing confirmed—Tian-Kalolin stock is going to explode!"

"Stellar version of My Robot Girlfriend—locked in!"

"Man… capitalism… our Tianxing faction might never get a chance."

Thanks to Chen Kong’s Void Pattern, they quickly located Chen Xing, who had already dealt with the crab beasts in the parking lot.

Once Chen Xing joined them, the trio broke free of the mist and stepped into the open air beyond the parking lot.

But the moment they saw the scene outside, their expressions froze.

Time seemed to stop.

Chen Kong’s face twisted in horror—unable to believe what he was seeing.

Chen Xing’s expression darkened. His Demon Blade Xueyan instantly flared with terrifying demonic fire, his body tense with unbearable pressure.

And Kalolin—cold, rational, and composed as ever—was the only one who had lost all control.

Her voice trembled.

"Tian Dao?"

Her body shook violently.

They say: Whitewashing weakens by three, blackening strengthens by three.

Staring at the lifeless form of Tian Dao, soaked in blood and barely breathing, Kalolin shed every mask she’d worn.

Her hair stirred without wind. Her skin began to ripple with glowing, circuit-like patterns.

Then—without warning—a torrent of visible, crackling white lightning surged through her entire body.

[Stellar Energy Technique — Overload!]

"Die!"

No hesitation. No calculation.

Fueled by rage, Kalolin transformed into a silver lightning bolt, abandoning all logic and precision. Her data daggers carved lethal arcs through the air, aiming straight for the Coral Knight’s vital core.

This was no longer the calm, calculating Kalolin.

This was pure, unbridled fury.

And seeing her sudden eruption, the Coral Knight’s eyes flickered with a strange glint.

According to Yun Meng’s intel, Chen Xing—the man with the brown hair, wielding the demonic blade—should have been the second strongest among the Stellar Prodigies, beneath Tian Dao.

But now, this version of Kalolin… she radiated far greater danger.

Had she hidden her strength all along? Or had the Abyss awakened something deeper within her?

As he watched the berserk Kalolin, the Coral Knight remained calm—his posture relaxed, his movements effortless.

The same electric blade that had torn through the crabs with ease now deflected her attacks with a casual flick of his wrist.

No effort. No urgency.

Clearly, he was far above her.

But Kalolin wasn’t alone.

Chen Xing joined the battle instantly.

Now facing two of the top five Dual Stars, the Coral Knight could no longer afford to be relaxed. He adjusted his stance, his expression sharpening.

After all, Yun Meng and Tian Dao had made it clear: this Artificial Abyss was not a test of strength, but of survival. He must win—no excuses.

Because if he held back, the “desperation” would fail. The Abyss wouldn’t pressure them. It wouldn’t force their latent potential to surface.

But now, it seemed, they’d underestimated the emotional weight the Abyss could unleash.

This… this was not just a test.

This was a storm.

And the aftermath?

No one knew how they’d handle it.

---

On the edge of the parking lot, beneath a rusted, abandoned car, Tian Dao watched through the Dimensional Screen.

His palms were slick with sweat. His heart pounded like a drum.

He couldn’t help it.

Kalolin’s current state was terrifying—furious, unhinged, beyond control.

And Tian Dao had no doubt: once she found out the truth…

She’d come after him.

Even if she couldn’t beat him, he’d be helpless. Because he was the one in the wrong.

He began frantically brainstorming ways to explain, to apologize, to survive.

Because if he couldn’t give her a convincing reason…

He’d be done.

No peace. No rest.

Just endless punishment.

And then—oddly—just as the battle raged, the production team paused, briefly shifting the camera’s focus to Tian Dao.

On screen, he was still, eyes shut—but his lips trembled. Sweat poured down his forehead.

He looked terrified.

The contrast was hilarious.

This was the same man who, just moments ago, had strutted through the Abyss like a god.

Now? A trembling, sweating mess.

The audience erupted in laughter.

"HAHA! Look at him—he’s scared!"

“On How the Director Wrote an Abyss… and Accidentally Wrote Himself Into One”

"Tian Dao: I said create an abyss for Kalolin and the others—not for me!"

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(End of Chapter)

Chapter end