Successive deaths have troubled Wen Xishu's mindset.
But having weathered storms before, the erosion of dust hasn't depressed him.
In the distance within the clock tower, there seem to be some rustling sounds.
Facing these hanged figures again, Wen Xishu now possesses the same means, equipped with multiple shields and immense strength.
He is the true monster; this time, he forcibly suppresses the negative emotions within and begins a frenzied sprint.
The puddles formed by dust tears cannot hinder his steps.
Wen Xishu's strides accurately avoid each puddle. Subsequently, countless hanged figures awake, once more mocking Charlie with their voices:
"Charlie, you're a waste, a waste~"
Numerous ropes weave across the sky, marking the trajectory of the hanged figures' collective attack, but all ropes attempting to approach Wen Xishu are swatted away by the arms behind him.
The arms of the wall of rejection seem to imply absolute defense, making it difficult for the ropes even to touch, let alone approach Wen Xishu.
The hunger emanating from Wen Xishu's abdomen leads him to, at times, directly shove the ropes into the large mouth in his belly.
Subsequently, Wen Xishu also activates the hanged figures' ability, levitating and charging into their midst.
He moves like a fierce general slicing through bandits, with multiple arms continuously waving, scattering the bodies of hanged figures everywhere as he advances.
"Charlie Charlie, nobody loves you."
The hanged figure saying this is swiftly torn apart by Wen Xishu with his bare hands and then shoved into his abdomen.
The faces of the hanged figures show no fear, still bearing mocking smiles, not because they believe they still have a chance.
It's just that they sport an annoying face regardless of the circumstances.
The hanged figures symbolize self-loathing, yet there must be other elements.
Suddenly, Wen Xishu's body feels immense pressure, immobilizing him.
That is gravity.
Whispering nooses, dust tears, and gravity manipulation, the three abilities of the hanged figures.
With gravity's alteration, the hanged figures accelerate, while Wen Xishu slows. These hanged figures again rush madly, attempting to kill Wen Xishu as they did the first time.
But facing this change, Wen Xishu is ruthless:
"You think only you can create geographical advantage?"
Scorpion Knife is pulled out by Wen Xishu; holding the knife, instead of striking the enemy, he reverses the knife handle and beautifully maneuvers it, stabbing himself in the abdomen.
The immense pain contorts Wen Xishu's expression into a snarl.
Simultaneously, Wen Xishu's body begins to mutate, sharp spikes sprouting from his arms.
The arms behind him become robust and powerful, with nails akin to blades.
This transformation is driven by his yearning to breakthrough and his desire to kill.
Meanwhile, the surrounding gravity begins favoring Wen Xishu.
Earth Marsh Trapped Beast combined with Mutated Slaughter.
Two methods combined with Wen Xishu's current monster form instantaneously reverse the battlefield's situation.
This time, it's no longer Wen Xishu who is slowing down; it's the hanged figures.
Facing the oncoming hanged figures, Wen Xishu raises his knife and strikes, summoning the Shadow once again.
The Shadow finally does not give Wen Xishu the finger this time; it quickly comprehends the advantaged situation, nodding at Wen Xishu, and joining the mowing down army.
Man, shadow, and blade, amidst countless hanged figures, a frenzy of slaughter unfolds.
Severed limbs and heads fly continuously, eerie dust spraying perpetually.
Ten minutes later.
The shadow vanishes.
Wen Xishu clutches his knife, his breathing somewhat labored.
Behind him stretches an endless, gray haze of dust. All are the corpses of the hanged figures.
This dust doesn't disperse but slowly, starts to reassemble into new hanged figures.
Killing hanged figures can't kill the root of Charlie's inner conflicts, nor his past experiences.
The inner malady remains, ensuring the perpetual existence of the hanged figures.
Yet the emergence of new hanged figures requires time.
Time enough for Wen Xishu to explore the clock tower.
...
...
At the alley's end, a skewed, dilapidated brick clock tower rises abruptly.
Piercing into the misty gray sky. Its pointed top has collapsed, exposing the twisted steel frame.
The large clock face is hollow, lacking hands and numbers, leaving only a pitch-black round hole.
It seems here, time is stagnant, and pain eternal.
Wen Xishu remains cautious, after all, stronger foes might lurk within the clock tower.
The heavy oak door long-decayed and half ajar, scratched and inscribed; as Wen Xishu pushes the door… he discovers the inscriptions align with the wall of rejection.
"Don't enter," "Leave here," "Get out!"
All echo similar content.
He ponders briefly, ultimately deciding to go inside.
The dust makes the interior of the clock tower feel decayed. On the ground floor, childhood artifacts are piled in the corners.
Wen Xishu's eyes first land on a worn teddy bear sewn with patches, its eye gouged out. Not only that, but its head seems torn open, with cotton exposed.
He notices... words are written on the teddy bear's belly: Huohua.
Several torn fairy tale books, gauged by their cover art of children, though their titles are now illegible.
Additionally, there's a chipped math competition medal. The medal isn't gold.