Dragon Raja 4; Chapter 50: Journey to the End of the World (50)

Dragon Raja 4

Time seemed to slow down. Even the biting cold wind softened, and in this strange pause, the massive tidal surge looked like a magnificent spectacle.

“I’m here to tell you that thirty minutes ago, the world entered Ragnarok,” Lu Mingze said as he set a crystal glass in front of Lu Mingfei and filled it with champagne.

“You drop something like that on me with no warning,” Lu Mingfei sat down across from him. “But could you at least explain what Ragnarok is?”

“The ultimate constraint of history, an unavoidable fate, the day of the kings’ trials. The Lord of Despair has risen from the abyss, wielding two watermelon knives, cutting from the Arctic to the Antarctic.”

“Even though you’re not human, could you at least try to speak human language?”

“Ever heard the saying that ‘the secrets of heaven must not be revealed’? When someone tries to interfere with the workings of fate, they will be struck by backlash.” Lu Mingze glanced toward the north. “The tidal surge will hit in 30 seconds. I can extend that to about five minutes. Any last words?”

“Are you going to offer me your services again? Maybe sell me a spaceship to escape to Mars?”

“I must have told you before, a devil isn’t omnipotent, especially when it comes to events at the level of historical constraints. To be honest, I can barely protect myself.”

Lu Mingze shrugged. “I can get a helicopter to take you out of here, but what awaits you is more disaster. Once the symphony of destruction begins, one catastrophe will follow another. First, the tidal waves will hit all coastal cities, then cities in earthquake zones will start crumbling one by one. Major rivers will change course, and even the creatures of the Amazon rainforest won’t be spared. Supervolcanic eruptions will darken the skies for years. Humanity didn’t build enough underground shelters in time, so they’ll be forced to take up arms to survive. Dragons and hybrids won’t be an exception. This is Ragnarok. If you’re strong and lucky enough, you might survive to see the new age, but by then, you’ll have no soul left.”

“Just messing with you,” Lu Mingfei said quietly. “To be honest, I used to think that since I had four chances, I’d only use three and keep the last quarter of my life intact. That way, you couldn’t do anything to me. But I eventually figured it out: you and I are gambling, and in a casino, how many people walk away peacefully with their winnings? You’ll find a way to make me need to trade with you—whether it’s for a girl I like, a friend, or a great cause for justice.”

“Are you saying you’re not willing to make a deal with me?” Lu Mingze smiled.

Lu Mingfei nodded. “So this kind of ending isn’t bad for me. I’ll die still being the loser named Lu Mingfei.”

“If life gave you a chance to start over, what would you want to change?”

Lu Mingfei looked at the towering wall of water slowly closing in. The smooth surface of the wall seemed to reflect his calm face. “I’d want to live a simpler life. If I liked someone, I’d tell her right away. If I hated someone, I’d beat them up without hesitation. I’d be someone badass, like the boss or the senior big shot, carrying a knife and traveling the world… Anyone who dares touch the person I like, I’d kill them first.”

“Uh-huh, uh-huh…” Lu Mingze nodded as he made notes.

“Why are you writing this down? These aren’t my last words. Even if I had last words, who would you recite them to?” Lu Mingfei asked, puzzled.

“So you can’t deny it later when you act tough,” Lu Mingze tucked away his notebook and raised his glass. “Let’s have a drink.”

“The Earth is already screwed, what future are you talking about?”

“It can always be done over again, right? It’s not like you humans haven’t messed up before…”

At that moment, the phone that hadn’t been able to connect to the satellite suddenly rang. But it wasn’t EVA calling—it was… Chen Motong.

That number hadn’t called in years, and gradually, Lu Mingfei had stopped expecting it. He had grown up, understood that people aren’t bound together by some unbreakable fate, and life isn’t a movie where every encounter has a destined conclusion. Speaking of fate, wasn’t there enough between him and Nono? She had shown him the way, and she had even taken a knife for him. Wasn’t that fate enough? Did he really need some romantic moment with her to feel satisfied? Was he that much of a hopeless romantic?

Nono, somewhere far away, must have heard the news of the world’s end too. She was probably busy calling old contacts, trying to figure out what was happening.

Lu Mingfei kind of wanted to answer the call, but he didn’t have time anymore. The tidal wave was right in front of him, and his life was already counting down.

People are like that—they hesitate when they have time, playing the song “Love Needs to Be Spoken” a thousand times in their head, yet never daring to seize what they want. Then, when time runs out, they rush to airports and weddings, chasing after someone, only to deserve the exhaustion. And even then, they might not catch up. Even if he answered the call, what would he say to Nono? It wouldn’t matter, and sitting right in front of him was a friend, holding a glass of wine, watching him quietly. The time he had left wasn’t enough to fix the regrets of this life, but it was enough to finish this drink.

He threw his phone into the sea, raised his champagne, clinked glasses with the devil, and drained it in one gulp.

The next moment, the overwhelming wave swallowed them whole.