The end of the world is approaching, I'm handing myself over to the country.

Is Ainz Ooal Gown stupid?

Zhou Jian didn't think so.

Would an S-rank powerhouse, the master of the Endless Bone Domain, be a fool?

It's simply because the number of cards each side holds is on a completely different level.

The Bone King is full of secrets, and revealing even a little bit of them could severely impact Zhou Jian's worldview.

On the contrary, Zhou Jian was penniless.

A worthless life.

There is nothing to lose, and therefore nothing that cannot be known.

It could even be said that Zhou Jian no longer felt he had any secrets in front of Ainz Ooal Gown.

Zhou Jian remained silent for a moment, then changed his approach.

He countered, "Can't it just be a heart-to-heart talk between friends?"

He deliberately emphasized the word "friend".

The disappointment on Ainz Ooal Gown's face vanished instantly, replaced by a playful smile.

He shook his head and did not answer the question.

"You have received my sincerity."

Ainz Ooal Gown extended a finger, tapped his own heart, and then pointed at Zhou Jian.

"But what about your sincerity?"

"Aren't you afraid of making me feel disheartened by this constant perfunctory attitude?"

The atmosphere in the air suddenly became thick and dangerous with that rhetorical question.

Zhou Jian could sense that the other party's patience was running out.

He took a deep breath: "If I refuse now, will I ever be able to leave my comfort zone again?"

Zhou Jian spoke casually.

Ainz Ooal Gown looked at his tense body, yet pretended to be relaxed, and smiled faintly.

There was no murderous intent in that smile, only helplessness and indulgence.

He shook his head again.

"I don't have many friends, but you definitely count as one."

"I can even understand why you would tell the people behind you about our conversation today, because we have different positions."

Ainz Ooal Gown spread his hands, his posture calm and composed.

Even so, I won't be angry.

"But if you regret it that day, you can come find me anytime."

"The gates to the Endless Bone Realm are always open for you."

Ainz Ooal Gown watched Zhou Jian's reaction with a smile.

On that human face, an almost devout seriousness appeared.

"Because even if we can't cooperate, we'll always be friends."

friend.

These two words brought no warmth whatsoever; instead, they sent a chill down Zhou Jian's spine.

Zhou Jian's brain was racing, trying to decipher the hidden meaning behind every word the other person said.

However, Ainz Ooal Gown seems to have grown tired of this guessing game.

"You don't need to be too nervous. I'm not looking for your answer right now."

On Zhang Heng's face, the gentle smile remained, but now there was an undeniable air of dominance.

You still have time to think it over.

Ainz Ooal Gown raised a finger and shook it gently.

"However, it would be best to give me an answer before the end-of-month assessment."

End-of-month performance review?!

This was the first time he had ever heard the word.

This is a secret that even he didn't know!

The other party even knows these things...

Before Zhou Jian could recover from the overwhelming information shock, the figure of the Bone King began to become illusory.

He stood there, his body gradually turning into pale white specks of light, as if they would dissipate with a gust of wind.

"Remember my words, my friend."

"If I could, I really wouldn't want to be on the opposite side from you."

The last sound, faint yet clear, reached Zhou Jian's ears.

next second.

The light spot completely disappeared.

The Bone King, along with his face that belonged to Zhang Heng, simply vanished into thin air.

It was as if he had never existed.

The surrounding air resumed its normal flow.

That oppressive force, as heavy as a mountain and suffocating, vanished at the same time.

Pfft!

Zhou Jian's legs went weak and he almost knelt down. He instinctively used his hands to support himself on the ground and barely managed to steady himself.

Huff... huff... huff...

Heavy breathing echoed through the silent, broken streets.

He gasped for breath, greedily inhaling every drop of air, trying to calm his wildly beating heart.

Cold sweat had already soaked his back, and the sticky feeling clung to his skin, making him feel chills.

He suddenly raised his head and scanned his surroundings warily.

After confirming that Ainz Ooal Gown had indeed left without leaving any traps or surveillance, he did not hesitate at all.

He turned around and ran wildly towards the safe zone.

We must go back immediately!

Log off immediately!

Everything that happened here, every word he had just heard, was far beyond his ability to handle.

This is a shocking secret that could even determine the survival of all humanity!

The wind whistled in his ears as Zhou Jian pushed himself to the limit.

The energy barrier emitting a faint glow in the safe zone was getting closer and closer in his field of vision.

The moment he passed through the barrier, a long-lost sense of security enveloped him once again.

But he didn't linger for a moment.

He rushed straight to the nearest offline point, without even having time to say hello to anyone.

[Currently exiting Wasteland Era...]

I hope this day will never come...

As the cold notification tone ended, Zhou Jian abruptly opened his eyes.

We must report this to Elder Chi immediately!

This was the only thought in his mind at that moment.

Despite his exhaustion, he rushed into the toilet.

I splashed cold water hard on my face, trying to clear my confused thoughts.

The cold touch calmed him down a little.

He looked up at his pale, shocked face in the mirror.

In his mind, every detail of his meeting with Ainz Ooal Gown began to replay wildly.

Ainz Ooal Gown knew that he had obtained the power of death.

This was unexpected, but still within the realm of understanding.

After all, the other party was an S-class powerhouse, and he had only obtained the power of death because of the other party.

Given the disappearance of the bone ring, it's not surprising that the other party guessed this.

However, what the other person said next completely overturned his understanding.

Cooperation?

Help us change our future?

Even knowing the rules of the safe zone, he could still say with such certainty that he could do better than Lin Mo.

Does this mean that he is not trying to forcefully break through the defenses of the safe zone?

He wants to... take his place!

It is precisely because we have a good understanding of the safe zone.

Only Ainz Ooal Gown could be so certain.

Ainz Ooal Gown can replace someone, become that person, and then walk into the safe zone openly and legitimately!

Thinking of this, a chill ran from the soles of Zhou Jian's feet straight up to the top of his head.

Regardless of Ainz Ooal Gown's purpose, these things must be told to Elder Chi.

I received so much information today, such as the end-of-month assessment.

Even... perhaps the Bone King has a way to replace Lin Mo and become Lin Mo!

More likely, it can replace anyone, but this replacement has significant limitations.

That's why he chose Lin Mo.

Was his initial approach driven by a desire to become himself?

But then they discovered something even better.

Also, Ainz Ooal Gown once tried to change the future because of someone, but he failed in the end.

Someone whom Ainz Ooal Gown considered incredibly important left him.

Is Zhang Heng's current obsession due to that person?

If the outcome could be changed, would none of this have happened?

Ainz Ooal Gown could also be Zhang Heng.

No!

The seriousness of this matter has exceeded his budget!

We must, we must let Elder Chi know immediately!

Not a second can be wasted!