As a symbiotic being, I raise children amidst the chaos.

Although he had already rejected the "Kalen" he was seeing, for some reason, he kept hearing whispers in his ears, repeatedly telling him that the person in front of him was the real Karen Kaslana.

"No... No!! Yu Duchen's power could never have done these things!" Otto didn't know why he suddenly had strength, and he actually broke free from Chen Yuan's restraints, then frantically retreated backward.

However, after taking only a few steps back, he felt his body suddenly sink, as if he had sunk into a ball of cotton, and his whole body became limp.

Otto turned around, only to be stunned by what he saw—another Karen Kaslana was standing there, smiling broadly, her face radiant with a smile as bright as the sun, quietly gazing at him.

Just then, Chen Yuan's cold and deep voice echoed in Otto's ears again, "This is not an ordinary Feather Crossing, but an enhanced version. I named it 'True Feather Crossing.' Although it's a little tacky."

Chen Yuan continued, "The upgraded Feather Crossing Dust is incredibly powerful. It can not only create realistic illusions, but also have a significant impact on your perception and thinking."

"In other words, here, you simply cannot distinguish what is real and what is illusory. It can be reality or an illusion, entirely depending on your perception."

"However, escaping from this illusion isn't difficult. Just harden your heart and personally kill any one of the Karens here, and you'll immediately break free from this terrifying illusion and regain your freedom. How about that? Pretty simple, right? Hahahaha..."

At this point, Chen Yuan slowly walked up behind one of Karen's figures. Just then, Otto's eyes widened, his eyeballs almost popping out of their sockets, his gaze fixed on Chen Yuan, filled with rage.

He saw Chen Yuan's right arm instantly transform into a massive, gleaming blade. Under Otto's bloodshot gaze, he swung his right arm, and the giant blade pierced straight through Kallen's chest.

Karen, visibly shaken by the severe injury, turned deathly pale. Her knees buckled, and she collapsed to her knees before Otto. Blood gushed from her wounds, staining the ground a gruesome sight.

Even in this desperate situation, Karen endured the excruciating pain, gazing at Otto with eyes filled with sorrow. Bright red blood trickled from the corner of her mouth, like a poignant plum blossom blooming in the dead of winter.

A faint smile appeared on her slightly upturned lips, a smile that seemed to convey both a helpless acceptance of fate and a deep reluctance to part with Otto.

Then, with her last ounce of strength, Karen whispered, "Goodbye... my great inventor..." Before she could finish speaking, her head drooped slowly, and she lost her life.

At that moment, Otto's heart pounded violently, as if gripped tightly by an invisible hand. No matter how intelligent he was, he had never imagined he would witness such a scene, and for the first time, disbelief appeared in his eyes.

Although Chen Yuan had clearly told him beforehand that this was just a fantasy, when the bloody scene was truly displayed before his eyes, the sense of despair still overwhelmed him like a tidal wave, making it unbearable.

In that instant, all the moments he had shared with Karen, those beautiful memories, and the deep emotions hidden in his heart surged up like a surging tide.

Otto felt a tearing pain in his heart, a pain that seemed to be pulling his entire life and even his soul out and dragging them into an endless abyss of darkness.

"How about that? Isn't it easy?" Chen Yuan said with a slight smirk. After saying that, he ruthlessly kicked Karen's lifeless corpse in front of Otto. Then, he strolled leisurely to Otto's side.

Just then, Chen Yuan suddenly changed the subject, "Oh, right! Considering that you might not be able to bring yourself to do it for some reason, I've specially and thoughtfully prepared a special gift for you."

As he finished speaking, Chen Yuan snapped his fingers lightly. Instantly, the Karen who had been tightly surrounding them automatically parted to the sides, making way for them.

At the end of the passage, a huge mirror gradually appeared. Otto subconsciously looked up at the mirror. However, with just one glance, he felt as if he had been struck by lightning, his body trembling violently, swaying precariously like a candle in the wind.

The reflection in the mirror was of an enormous Honkai Beast. Its sharp fangs gleamed coldly, and its thick, powerful limbs were covered with vicious barbs, especially the two thick arms, which had long bone spurs growing from their base.

This appearance of the Honkai Beast was etched into Otto's memory, an image he would never forget. Because Kallen had once been brutally murdered by the bone spikes of this very Honkai Beast!

"No...no!" Otto's heart was instantly overwhelmed by boundless rage, all reason and composure vanishing in an instant. His eyes widened as he stared intently at the Honkai Beast in the mirror, watching helplessly as it approached the innocent Kallens step by step.

Just then, Otto was shocked to find himself uncontrollably following the Honkai Beast in the mirror. Immediately afterward, the scene before him began to overlap with a scene from the depths of his memory.

With a soft "plop," Karen collapsed again in front of him. She gazed at Otto with tender eyes one last time, as if conveying her final apology.

"Stop...!" Otto screamed hoarsely, his voice filled with despair and madness. He desperately tried to calm himself down and break free from this extremely twisted emotional vortex.

However, he wasn't angrily blaming the Honkai Beast in the mirror, nor was he deeply resentful of being so cruelly mocked by fate. Instead, his anger burned towards the mortal world that was toying with Kallen.

"Don't you understand yet? That stubborn obsession in your heart is precisely the root of this terrifying illusion."

“The endless pain, the unforgettable regret, and the deep and passionate love intertwine to form every little detail here.”

"If you truly yearn to escape this nightmare land, then be brave. After all, you're not Otto anymore; you're just a Honkai Beast."

"Of course, the Karen that just fell down can't be considered killed by you. If you want to really leave this place, you'll have to finish off one yourself."

Upon hearing this, Otto's pupils suddenly contracted sharply. The scene that appeared before him was exactly what he feared most, the scene hidden deep in the darkest corner of his heart.

That demonic presence, like an inescapable shadow, clung tightly to his soul, becoming a painful past he could never forget for all eternity.

At this moment, Otto's hands clenched tightly involuntarily. Due to excessive force, the skin at his knuckles turned pale and bloodless, and the veins were even clearly visible.

"You...you bastard!" Otto abruptly stood up from his seat, his eyes fixed on Chen Yuan in front of him. His voice was like a thunderclap, filled with burning rage. His former composure and calmness had vanished in an instant, replaced by an uncontrollable anger.

"How dare you use my past like this, using Karen to torment me!" Otto roared furiously, his body trembling slightly, clearly on the verge of exploding.

Faced with Otto's accusations, Chen Yuan merely stared back at him coldly, his eyes devoid of any sympathy or pity. There was only unfathomable indifference and undisguised sarcasm.

“Perhaps, but isn’t this exactly the same as what you’ve done, Otto Apocalypse?” Chen Yuan said coldly, his tone chillingly calm. “You manipulate the entire world at will, treating people’s hearts as playthings, controlling the fate of all things. Now, I’m merely returning a small portion of the methods you’ve used on others. Is this little bit already too much for you to bear?”

Otto took a deep breath, his chest heaving as if trying to inhale all the surrounding air. He closed his eyes tightly, his brow furrowed, and his hands clenched into fists, trying to calm his restless heart.

After a long while, Otto slowly opened his eyes, a hint of weariness in them. He gritted his teeth and said in a slightly trembling voice, "I admit... I have committed many unforgivable sins. But... Karen should never be dragged into this terrible vortex again!"

"I should bear all the sins! Karen, she is so kind and pure, she deserves a bright future. And that future must not be overshadowed by my mistakes!"

Just then, Chen Yuan let out a disdainful sneer. "Hmph, how magnificent! I'm almost moved to tears by your heartfelt words."

"What a pity! The Kallen Kaslana you keep saying you want to protect isn't any of these people at all! I've made that clear to you long ago, but you're still hesitating!"

"Think carefully about your plan. You've come this far, you absolutely cannot stop here, my esteemed bishop!"

Otto fell silent after hearing this, knowing full well that Chen Yuan was right. After a long while, he slowly raised his head, a resolute glint in his eyes, "If this is the only way to escape, then I am willing to face it."

Chen Yuan raised an eyebrow slightly, seemingly surprised by Otto's decision. He nodded, snapped his fingers, and a Kallen slowly walked towards Otto. The latter clenched his fists, his body trembling slightly. He walked towards Kallen step by step, each step incredibly heavy.

When he reached Karen, she smiled at him, a smile as warm as ever. Otto closed his eyes. "I'm sorry, Karen, for showing me this pathetic state again."

(Please give this poor author some free gifts!! A few clicks to urge me to update!! Thank you, readers!! Please~ Please~).