Seeing the elevator doors about to close, Ash hurried over to press the button, but regretted it as soon as he was inside.

Inside the elevator, there was also a disabled girl in a wheelchair. She had no limbs and was dressed in a Gothic dress, sitting like a doll in the specially-made wheelchair, staring expressionlessly ahead, not sparing Ash a single glance as he entered.

Eternal Damnation, Ash's nemesis in the company. She was the main manager of the Gospel project team and also the director of the Media and Communication Center, a position that theoretically shouldn't overlap with Ash's. However, when Ash was temporarily transferred to assist the Gospel project, the team ran into policy risks and was abruptly shut down, leading Eternal Damnation to be reassigned to the Blood Moon project with fewer resources. She perhaps believed Ash brought bad luck, so she resented him.

Right now, of the ten rumors about Ash, eleven were spread by her, with the extra one used to defame Ash's colleagues, indirectly smearing him. Naturally, Ash was no easy target; as the previous manager of the Blood Moon project, he maneuvered things slightly to make Eternal Damnation feel stifled and ineffective at whatever she did.

"Second floor, Public Department."

A charming young woman gracefully entered the elevator, so stunning that Ash was momentarily captivated. Yet, as a work machine devoid of blood and tears, transformed by capital, he felt nothing for beautiful women. Just then, Mercury Wooden Horse suddenly asked, "I heard that Mercury Wooden Horse from the Human Resources Department died?"

"I wasn't close to her," the charming girl said. "She was with the Senluo project, and I'm with the Dazzling Star project. You might as well ask the new head of the Senluo project."

Eternal Damnation snorted coldly, saying no more.

Ash looked at her somewhat puzzled; he'd just become head of the Senluo project today, and the news hadn't been announced yet. "And you are?"

"The head of the Dazzling Star project and also the Brand Department Director," the charming girl nodded slightly. "I feel we'll soon have a chance to collaborate."

"Third floor, R&D Department."

Before Ash had a chance to ask her name, the charming young woman wheeled Eternal Damnation out, seemingly very close to each other.

"Fourth floor, Operations Department."

Ash left the elevator and arrived in the maintenance department's office, which was naturally empty. Whether supervisor or head, no one had a private office; everyone worked together and went to a meeting room for private discussions.

His desk was covered with figures—Swindler, Necromancer, Bewitching Girl, Shadow Consort of Purple Grudge, and Blood-hidden Empress. Ash had a deep affection for the work "Mage's Handbook," as its unexpected success had earned him over twenty months of bonuses from the company.

Ash first brewed a cup of coffee for himself, settled back into his ergonomic chair, which creaked softly under the pressure. He glanced at the empty workstation beside him and suddenly felt a mix of emotions welling up inside him.

The leadership change at the Senluo project was mainly due to the sudden passing of the previous head, Mercury Wooden Horse. However, Ash wasn't the only candidate; his colleague Youlan Weiser was also highly favored by the Fourth Boss.

Yet, at the critical final selection moment, Youlan Weiser suddenly resigned to start her own business, automatically making Ash the head of the Senluo project. This is why Ash worked tirelessly for the company: all six major projects were closely watched by the Fourth Boss, and project heads were even called Tactile Directors; if Ash managed well, he could take great strides toward financial freedom.

Though he had to consider his health, there was no chance to battle if he didn't push while he was young. In all fairness, the company wasn't bad—they paid for overtime, offered three annual raise opportunities, and the Fourth Boss promised that as long as subordinates generated results, the company would never mistreat those above Tactile Director!

The Fourth Boss governs the realm with tact!

Therefore, Ash ought to feel happy about this rare opportunity, yet for some reason, looking at the empty desk, he felt an overwhelming sadness pressing down on him.

Suddenly, Ash saw a piece of paper under Youlan Weiser's desk lamp. He pulled it out to find just one sentence:

"Death is merely an illusion."

Ash felt a bit puzzled, tossed the paper aside, and began working, turning on his screen. The reason he was called back to work so late by the Fourth Boss was because the new event "Hunting the Angel of Ruby Mountain" was about to go live.

"Once upon a time, there were eight."

"The first died, and the body lay in a pool of blood."

"Then, the second died, its body atop the first. It didn't bleed, but a tiny white soul crawled out from a wound beneath it, lifting the second body."

"The third died, its soul eaten by the fifth, but the body ran away."

"The fourth died, its body turned to mountains while its soul fled."

"Fifth, which ate the third soul, sat on the mountains sleeping; the sixth tried to ambush it but was counter-killed, the body split into six parts, yet the soul fled."

"The body of the sixth was held aloft by the fifth."

"Seventh too died, the body split into eight, but one part ran away."

"The eighth disappeared."

"Now, it's time to kill the fifth."

In silence, Ash processed the main points of this event, clearly defining the next goal for the Senluo project team: hunt the Angel of Ruby Mountain. Once the hunt was completed, this event could be declared a perfect conclusion, and the Fourth Boss would surely not withhold rewards, assuring Ash a future where he could be a loyal dog of the company!

What's wrong with being a dog? Many people are envious of being the Fourth Boss's dog!

Ash yawned and started working; once he grew weary, he'd open "Mage's Handbook" to play a round or two of Random Dreams from the Distant Realm to refresh himself.

Just then, the phone rang.

He glanced at the caller ID: "Hello, bro?"

A gentle voice came through the receiver: "The news about someone suddenly dying at your company is everywhere. Dad, Mom, and your dear nephew all want me to ask if you're okay."

"Really, even the little brat cares? Looks like those big red envelopes every year weren't in vain." Ash spun his chair around, laughing: "All's well, nothing to worry about. Someone else suddenly dying doesn't have anything to do with me. I eat well, sleep well, and soak goji berries in my thermos every day, don't worry."

"So what are you up to now?"

"Me? I... just came from a wedding and am about to head home."

"A wedding? Whose wedding?"

"A college classmate's." Ash replied, clicking "Void Realm Exploration" - "Distant Realm" - "Select Operators" in the game while talking on the phone.

Just then, Ash heard noisy commotion on the other side, then the receiver emitted a helpless voice: "Mom wants me to ask, when will your wedding be?"

"Why do I feel like you're not really concerned about me, but instead seizing the opportunity to rush me into marriage?" Ash laughed: "But pushing won't help, it's not like I can get married just because I want to. You think I'm like you, finding true love in high school. For a wandering Foreigner like me, to find love..."

"...is not impossible."

There was a pause on the other end for a few seconds before an astonished voice came through: "Ah? You have someone you like? Confirmed the relationship? Will you bring them home this year for us to meet?"

"Yes."

Ash looked at the list of operators on the screen, murmuring: "I already have someone I like."

"What kind of person? What profession? Age? I'm not the one who wants to know, really. It's Mom and Dad who want to see your taste."

"One is a Sword Master, a Four-winged Legendary, 18 years old, sophomore at Sword Flower University; the other is a Time Mage, also a Four-winged Legendary, 19 years old, profession is Empress."

This time, the pause on the other end was longer, until Ash heard his nephew's noisy voice: "I know, I know, those are two super beautiful female characters in the game! Haha, Uncle likes characters from the game!"

After a long while, a hesitant voice came through the receiver: "Younger brother, if you're under too much pressure, you can come home any time. Your room is always ready for you. Also, Mom and Dad have some resources and connections. Even if you don't like blind dates, you never know."

"No need." Ash said: "They are the ones I like. I cannot disappoint them; I must return to them."

The other side was almost at a loss whether to cry or laugh: "Don't be like this. I'm on speakerphone, Mom and Dad are all frightened."

"By the way," Ash said: "Although it might not mean much, tell my nephew that this year's red envelope is gone, and all that's waiting for him is Uncle's specialty of vine-wrapped braised pork!"

Ash hung up the phone, looking at the two familiar character illustrations on the screen.

Death Mad Sword Maiden.

Black and White Witch.

"That was close, almost completely turned into the shape of the Gods of Four Pillars." He murmured: "I thought it was a fiercely binding contract or brainwashing, but it turned out to be evoking my deepest memories, little by little confusing my reality and dreams, until I couldn't distinguish illusion from reality. If I hadn't seen these two illustrations, I might have really let myself be alienated into touch."

Ash was indeed a corporate slave at a mobile game company and had indeed come into contact with the game "Mage's Handbook." But that company could certainly not have Eternal Damnation or Mercury Wooden Horse, nor a position like Tactile Director, and definitely no Four Boss!

The Gods of Four Pillars sneak falsities amidst truths, so Ash didn't see through it. He even gladly accepted it all. Ash estimated that once he completely accepted the notion of being 'an employee of the Four Boss,' even if they let him back into reality, he'd become the most faithful dog of the Four Pillars God, Ash.

"Too bad, a bit too late." Ash said: "Because just now, I've fully realized—"

"The ones I love, are no longer just characters on paper."

Screen, desk, office, company...everything melted like ice cream.

Ash slowly opened his eyes and saw a brilliant mass of flowing silver crouched beside him. He sat up and looked around; the sky was in chaotic disrepair, the earth was a blood sea overturn, the apocalypse continued, everything slid towards the end as usual, the air filled with colors of magic, the whole world dazzling as if celebrating.

The flowing silver mass asked: "You suddenly fell over, but woke up in three seconds. What happened?"

Ash looked at her, realizing the silver color was Silver Lamp, and chuckled bitterly:

"Had a beautiful nightmare, and..."

He rubbed his eyes, but the world before him remained vibrant.

"Still a bit sleepy."

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