I, the final BOSS of the beta test server!

However, it is not incomprehensible.

After all, for the gravekeepers who have spanned several eras of history, three years is just a blink of an eye.

The lifespan of a legend is at least several hundred years. Therefore, for those powerful people who have crossed the boundaries of humanity and made the leap of their life essence to a higher level... their perspective on time is naturally different from that of ordinary people.

Three years is an extremely long time for ordinary people, especially in the chaotic times after the catastrophe, when the lifespan of mortals has been greatly reduced... Three years may be one-tenth of a person's lifetime, representing a complete life journey.

However, for a legendary warrior, three years may only be enough time for him to go into seclusion, conduct research and experiment.

"Three years... I wonder what Akxia's current situation is like in the abyss deep within the ocean."

"However, since there hasn't been any unusual movement in Paradise, it means her condition is relatively stable, and the gravekeeper's plan hasn't started yet..."

"And Axia herself should still be sleeping peacefully in the deepest part of the abyss."

Last looked at the peaceful and tranquil city scenery outside the dim sky.

"And, three full years have passed—"

"Little Grey."

"How much have you grown now?"

"Have you become strong enough, resilient enough...even if you leave me and Chief Cessel and don't need to rely on anyone, you can still face all difficulties and obstacles?"

"after all……"

His mumbling disappeared into the dim sky along with the rushing wind, and was never heard by anyone.

"The time for our farewell is coming soon."

"soon--"

"You will have to carry the weight of the fate of all shore defenders and human civilization on your fragile shoulders."

……

The midpoint of the broken coastline, the watchtower.

This is the headquarters of the Shore Watchers organization.

For a long time, no matter how turbulent the outside world was, no matter how the spark of human civilization was in turmoil... it had never truly affected the territory protected by the Watchtower.

Most shore watchers regard the watchtower as a haven where they can rest and a spiritual refuge.

No matter what kind of trauma or suffering one endures while carrying out a mission in the outside world... as long as one returns to the Watchtower, one can completely relax and recuperate.

however--

The last two or three years.

Even in the watchtower, the atmosphere had become noticeably tenser.

The Iron Cross tribe, which had been peaceful for a long time, has recently been plagued by frequent outbreaks of plague in human settlements across the country...

Cults are causing chaos in various places, and the frequency of blood sacrifices has increased significantly.

And—those forbidden creatures that the shore guards have been so vigilantly guarding against, that are now stirring in the depths of the ocean beyond the coastline...

The small-scale disturbances that broke out one after another in various parts of the mainland kept the entire Shore Guard organization in high-speed operation and in a state of nervous tension for a long time.

Although it hasn't completely exceeded its capacity yet, causing any extremely serious, irreversible consequences...

However, even the most basic shore guards already had a vague premonition...

It is just like there are various signs in nature before a storm comes.

At this moment, these minor disasters that have broken out one after another across the mainland are actually some kind of omens and warnings, and are the prelude to a war that has been brewing for a long time.

Can they really survive the storm and continue the last spark of civilization?

And, Chief Cecil—

Can he really lead everyone to victory in the upcoming war?

Objectively speaking, no one knows the answer to this question.

However, everyone maintains a certain indescribable conviction and inexplicable trust in this.

They have no choice, no way out, and they are unwilling to have any way out.

……

A petite figure wearing a shore watchman's standard cloak moved quickly among the noisy crowd in the watchtower.

She was so slender, and her pretty face was hidden by the hood. Apart from a few strands of gray hair occasionally floating out, not a single detail of her facial expression could be seen.

But when she passed through the dense crowd in the watchtower, these proud shore watchers spontaneously made way for her.

"Is this...that Gray?"

"Is she back from another mission?"

"Well, the mission she accepted this time was to suppress the Iron Cross Plague on the northwest border, right?"

"It's said that the leader of the Iron Cross Plague was a peak-level fifth-order mutant Iron Cross... Among all the Iron Crosses on the continent, he was second only to the Iron Cross King in power, commanding the entire Iron Cross tribe."

"But I didn't expect that the mutant Iron Cross leader... was actually killed right among his own Iron Cross tribe. With the source and leader of the plague eliminated, the Iron Cross plague naturally ceased to exist."

"In the Iron Cross's base camp, he single-handedly assassinated a peak-level fifth-order mutant leader... even those sixth-order high-ranking officials couldn't do that, right? He truly is the strongest newcomer."

"No, the title of strongest newcomer is already a thing of the past for Gray... Although she has only been a member of the Shore Guard for less than five years, many people believe that she is already on par with the top brass."

"There are even rumors that the successor chosen by Chief Cecil—"

"She will be the next leader of the Shore Guardians."

"However, Gray's style when carrying out missions is truly a bit crazy... She never relies on her teammates, but always acts alone."

"Furthermore, her plans are always ruthless, never leaving herself any room for retreat. Take, for example, this time, when she single-handedly assassinated the Iron Cross leader among tens of thousands of other Iron Crosses. Even the slightest mistake would have been fatal."

"If I had a choice, I'd still prefer the next leader to be a calm and steady type like Cecil... Gray is too young, and her style of action is too risky. I always feel a little uneasy. She might lead the entire organization into an irreversible abyss."

"Hush, be careful with your words... Matters like the successor and the next leader will naturally be considered by the top brass and the Sissel leader. How can we have any say in their decisions?"

……

Trivial gossips carried by the wind echoed in Gray's ears, but did not stop her steps for a moment.

"Little Grey!"

Suddenly, a girl with a ponytail rushed out from the crowd of people talking outside and grabbed Gray's hand under her cloak.

The girl's bright eyes flickered with unconcealable worry. "You've carried out countless high-risk missions this year. Each one was like licking blood on the edge of life and death! And every time you finish one, you immediately move on to the next one, leaving yourself no time to rest."

"I know your sequence is special... but if you keep tensing up like this, you'll eventually break!"

Facing her friend's concern, a light flickered in Gray's eyes.

However, in the end, she gently pushed the other person's hand away: "I'm fine, don't worry about me."

"and--"

Gray paused for a moment.

"I'm sorry, Janice—"

"I have reasons why I must do this."

As she finished speaking, Gray had already broken free from Janice's grasp.

She walked straight through the vast buildings and square outside the watchtower and disappeared into the majestic pure white tower.

Only Janice was left staring at Gray's disappearing back, lost in thought.

They were friends who had known each other since the rookie assessment—

But, for some reason.

Ever since returning from the Lost Paradise...Agnese felt that Gray had become a little different.

……

Gray climbed the steps of the watchtower one by one.

Soon, the long staircase of the tower came to an end, and a simple wooden door came into view.

Gray knocked gently on the door, then pushed it open and entered, bowing.

"Leader Sissel."

Behind the door, the old man with white beard seemed to have known about Gray's return and was waiting behind the long table.

After noticing Gray pushing the door open, the old man smiled slightly.

"I won't say any more polite words."

His voice paused.

"Gray, what you have been waiting for for so long——"

"The opportunity for revenge has arrived."

Chapter 141: Revenge on Brother Luster (Two in One)

"A chance...for revenge?"

"Leader Sissel, you mean..."

Listening to the words of the old man at the long table, Gray subconsciously raised her head.

Even at the source of the plague, facing tens of thousands of Iron Crosses, those emerald green eyes remained calm and indifferent, without a trace of emotion.

At this moment, it was as if the dead silent water surface was broken by falling rocks... It began to fluctuate violently, rippling out layers of ripples, and could no longer maintain its previous calm.

"You mean, Brother Luster...is there finally any movement from the gravekeepers?"

However, facing the girl's anxious questioning, Cecil did not give a direct answer.

The old man with a white beard simply lowered his eyes calmly, took out a scroll written on parchment from the long table, and slowly began to read it.

This is the file Grey kept within the Shore Watchers organization, which records in great detail the entire process from Grey passing the newcomer assessment, actually joining the Shore Watchers organization, to carrying out her first mission... until today.

"In three years, I've gone from being an unknown newcomer to the Shore Guardians to where I am today..."

"I've seen your resume over the past three years."

"Even though you possess the fire inherited by the shore keepers, your progress cannot be summed up in just one word based on that fire."

Flipping through the files in his hands, a hint of imperceptible relief flashed across Cecil's old eyes.

"It seems that Sharona and I were right in our initial judgment."

"You are indeed the one we can entrust the future of Shore Guardians to."

When she heard the name "Sharona", Gray's eyes trembled slightly.

Sharona, this is the real name of the vice-captain of the "Lost Paradise" project... Shadow Servant Sister.

To this day, the Lost Paradise Project is already a thing of the past three years ago... The details of that mission were kept secret within the Shore Watchers organization, so for the vast majority of Shore Watchers, they only regarded it as another mission that resulted in casualties, and did not know the inside story.

but--

For those who witnessed the Lost Paradise Project like Gray...even though three years have passed, the memory is still vivid.

She knew the entire plan and the truth of it very clearly.

Also, the one who directly led to the sacrifice of Shadow Servant Sister—

That unforgettable betrayal.

"Brother Luster..."

Gray's voice was no longer calm. Her heart, which had been silent for a long time, seemed to be hit by a heavy hammer, making a trembling sound.

"Calm down, Gray."

"I know you've been waiting and looking forward to this opportunity for a long time."

"But given your current mental state, even if you really walked in front of him, there would be no other possibility except defeat."

The old man's voice came again.

It wasn't very loud, but it seemed to have a deep-rooted power, clearly engraved in Gray's ears.

So, slowly.