Chapter 12: The Faceless Rebellion

Twenty minutes ago, Desire City.

The most densely crowded commercial center.

A tall, slender figure clad in a white suit and wearing a gentleman’s bowler hat walked slowly through the crowd. Behind him trailed a stunning secretary, blonde-haired and blue-eyed, her gaze filled with wild devotion and infatuation as she watched his back.

As they walked, the masked man paused and looked up at the giant screen mounted on the building at the pedestrian street’s crossroads. The screen broadcasted live footage from the Metropolitan Congress.

The perspective was from a helicopter hovering high above. The roof of the Congress building had collapsed significantly. Outside, the square was packed with masses of people screaming and fleeing from thousands of rampaging desire creatures.

Guards charged toward the Congress gates, only to be met with fierce resistance from black warriors at the front door and beastmen at the back, suffering heavy casualties.

“They’re doing well, naturally,” the masked man nodded with satisfaction.

“Your Holiness, do you think the one who can conjure the purple mist will also come here?” the secretary asked anxiously from behind.

“He will,” the Pontiff chuckled lowly. “Sable Crane isn’t the type to keep quiet. Before he’s taken down, he’ll surely reveal our plan to that person. Plus, the Federation’s proactive announcement to expose the truth at Congress will draw everyone’s attention there.”

The secretary immediately relaxed. “If that’s the case, no one will interfere with Your Holiness’s final plan.”

“Heh, then it’s time to begin,” the masked man smiled lightly and stepped forward once more.

Suddenly, someone walking briskly, eyes fixed on the screen, collided with the Pontiff’s shoulder.

“You f***ing—”

Though a burly man, he was thrown back by the impact. Cursing, he looked up and saw the Pontiff’s strange attire, his anger boiling over.

“Are you blind? Can’t you watch where you’re going?!”

The Pontiff tilted his head slightly and cast a faint glance his way.

“Your mother—” the man puffed out his chest, about to curse more viciously, but stopped abruptly.

A finger, as if melting, pierced into the man’s forehead, binding him to the Pontiff.

“I forgive your rudeness,” the Pontiff said calmly, lightly moving his finger as if manipulating the man’s mind.

“And grant you the grace that your wish will be fulfilled.”

Under the Pontiff’s indifferent words, the man’s lips trembled, eyes whitening, saliva dripping unconsciously, mumbling incoherent sounds.

It was as if he were living a vivid dream in which he was omnipotent, his every desire granted.

In his mind, all the suppressed desires, ambitions, and cravings surged forth and were instantly realized.

In reality, the Pontiff gently withdrew his finger.

The man’s eyes rolled back, a strange smile spreading across his face, an expression of utter satisfaction. Slowly, he knelt and collapsed to the ground.

His clothes dissolved and vanished, and his body began to melt like rippling water.

“Murder! Killers!”

The dense crowd quickly noticed the bizarre transformation, screaming loudly in panic.

They scattered, frightened, watching the Pontiff calmly advance step by step until he stood in the very center of the crowded crossroads.

“Dear compatriots, I am the Pontiff of the Extreme Desire Church.”

As he spoke, the man who had melted into a muddy mass began to rapidly reform into a humanoid figure, then slowly stood up, transforming into a smooth, faceless being without a single feature.

The crowd, already retreating slightly, panicked further and stepped back several paces.

“War, oppression, class struggle, infighting.”

In the next instant, the faceless figure lunged swiftly, knocking down a passerby who couldn’t evade in time, locking him tightly.

“The people of this world are unable to realize their desires, deprived of the most basic rights of humanity, living oppressed and miserable lives.”

As the faceless being gripped the man, his eyes rapidly whitened, his face glowing with extreme joy and satisfaction.

“And I am the one enlightened by the heavens.”

At the same time, the fallen man’s form began to rapidly shift toward the same faceless shape.

“I have come so that no one shall suppress their desires.”

Two faceless beings shakily stood, then pounced again, each ensnaring two unlucky victims.

“Do not fear, embrace me boldly. I will fulfill your noble, vile, merciful, and fierce wishes—every one of them.”

The Pontiff stood at the crossroads, passionately waving his arms as if delivering a rousing speech.

“We will forever become one; you within me, and I within you!”

Two faceless beings turned into four; four became eight.

Countless pedestrians screamed and fled, only to be caught by the growing horde of faceless “hunters,” falling into the illusory spiritual world where all their desires were fulfilled before transforming into new faceless beings.

The once bustling heart of Desire City’s commercial center swiftly descended into a terrifying scene of chaos!

*

The news rapidly reached the Federation Police Headquarters in Desire City.

Inside the interrogation room, the chief sat furiously pounding the table, glaring intensely at Qi Yu, who was bound by restraints.

“Qi Yu, as a former Federation officer, you should know cooperating with us is your best way out.”

Qi Yu smiled bitterly and looked up. “Chief, I’ve told you everything I know. I haven’t hidden a single detail.”

Bang!

The chief slammed the table hard. “Don’t give me this nonsense! The Congress has been attacked, and you tell me you know nothing?!”

Qi Yu shook his head. “I really don’t.”

Suddenly, the interrogation room door was thrown open. A panicked officer rushed in.

“Chief! Something terrible has happened!”

He glanced at Qi Yu and lowered his voice. “The commercial center—there’s a major incident!”

The chief shot him a sharp look. “What the hell? I’m interrogating someone. What could be more important than the Congress attack?!”

The officer leaned close and whispered the details.

“What!!” The chief trembled, then hurriedly looked at Qi Yu.

Boom!

In an instant, Qi Yu’s right hand morphed, snapping the restraints and blasting through the interrogation room’s wall.

“Chief, mobilize the maximum police force to support immediately!” Qi Yu shouted.

Before anyone could react, he spun and dashed through the breach.

“That’s probably the Pontiff Justice mentioned!”

Qi Yu sprinted wildly. Though already running fast under his suppressor-enhanced physique, he felt painfully slow.

Suddenly, he leapt up, his black, transforming right hand aimed at the ground. After a brief charge, it unleashed a terrifying explosion that blasted the earth below.

The recoil propelled Qi Yu high into the air, speeding toward the city center.

Within minutes, he arrived at his destination, eyes wide with shock at the gruesome sight before him.

Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of faceless beings were frantically hunting down humans in the chaotic crowd.

“Everyone, do not fear. Let us unite as one and fulfill our desires together.”

“Let us embrace true peace!”

The Pontiff laughed loudly amidst the faceless horde.

“Damn it!”

Though uncertain of the full situation, Qi Yu knew it could only spell disaster.

He made a swift decision.

Black matter rapidly spread over his entire right arm, transforming into a long, menacing gun barrel.

Qi Yu raised his arm, aiming at the Pontiff, the muzzle glowing with destructive energy.

The Pontiff seemed to notice and turned to face him.

Fire!

A powerful bullet shot forth.

But before the bullet could reach its target, all the faceless beings in its path leapt high, forming a living shield.

Pew pew pew pew pew pew!

A series of piercing impacts rang out. Six faceless beings at the front were pierced through, black pustules bursting from their wounds.

Then came a chain of explosions.

Boom boom boom boom boom boom!

In a single shot, Qi Yu obliterated six faceless beings.

Yet his expression darkened instantly.

Hundreds of faceless beings swarmed the scene, continuously assimilating humans at a rate far beyond Qi Yu’s shooting speed.

‘Must kill the ringleader!’ Qi Yu’s mind raced. His right arm shifted shape from sniper rifle to cannon, charging energy as he took aim again at the calmly standing Pontiff.

From afar, the Pontiff merely looked up at Qi Yu. Suddenly, all the faceless beings opened their mouths wide and spoke in unison.

“You’re the shooter kid allied with Justice?”

“Stop this futile resistance. Either become my aid or obey your desires, and merge with me.”

“Not a chance!” Qi Yu roared, firing again.

This time, a massive shell rocketed forth but smashed into the faceless wall once more.

Boom!

The blast shredded nearly ten faceless beings but failed to reach the Pontiff.

The Pontiff shook his head, raising a hand lightly. “Vera, deal with him.”

“Yes!” The blonde secretary instantly transformed into a streak of shadow, dashing toward Qi Yu with incredible speed and agility, reaching him within two seconds.

At that moment, Qi Yu was charging his third attack.

Vera spread her hands, fingers morphing into sharp claws, striking a cross slash at Qi Yu.

Screech!

A sharp scratching sound rang out as Qi Yu’s right arm sprouted numerous black tendrils to block, but Vera’s claw sliced them into segments.

Meanwhile, the Pontiff calmly glanced at the large screen above the street intersection and slightly trembled.

The Congress, unseen when covered earlier by the purple mist, was now enveloped in a dense purple fog.

He immediately recalled the purple mist at the city square two days prior, a wave of unease rising within him.

The thousand-plus faceless beings in the commercial center accelerated their movements.

*

About twenty minutes later.

Every human on the main street of the commercial center had been transformed into faceless beings.

The Pontiff sat serenely in a white plastic chair, eyes fixed on Qi Yu before him.

The “shooter” was missing his right hand at the elbow and his left leg, pierced through the scapula by the secretary who now resembled a feline woman, her claws firmly holding him kneeling and despairing.

“Well done, shooter kid. Your abilities are quite impressive,” the Pontiff said, propping his chin with interest as he observed Qi Yu.

“Surrender and join me in a great cause, or,” he chuckled, “become part of me. I offer you the choice.”

Qi Yu collapsed weakly to his knees, looking at the terrifying man and then frantically glancing around, but all he saw were countless faceless beings encircling him.

A profound sense of helplessness engulfed him.

‘If this Pontiff’s expansion continues unchecked, by the time the Federation responds, Desire City might already be...’

He shuddered at the grim future he imagined.

Millions in Desire City, all turned into extensions of this Pontiff.

Absolutely, absolutely must not let this happen!

Lost in thought, he suddenly looked up at the Pontiff’s indifferent expression.

His severed right arm rapidly reshaped, the destructive glow quickly restored.

He raised his hand, aiming at the Pontiff: “Die—”

Ssshh!

A finger pierced his forehead.

The Pontiff looked at the suddenly halted Qi Yu and sighed softly.

“Stubborn. Though catalyzing desire may stunt your growth potential...

“Your power, after my enhancement, is usable.

“Now, become part of me.”

As he spoke, Qi Yu’s face twisted, eyes turning blank.

At this moment, Qi Yu’s mind slipped into an incredibly vivid illusion.

Married to his beloved colleague Beixi, raising children, growing old, enjoying a happy family.

Receiving continuous promotions, accolades, and bonuses at work.

Playing his favorite games every day.

The author of The Eunuch returns with explosive new chapters.

The dead resurrected.

Endless desire fulfilled, making Qi Yu feel blissfully happy.

Meanwhile, in reality, Qi Yu convulsed violently, black matter growing over his body, transforming into armor that mimicked his lost right arm and left leg, rapidly turning him into a terrifying, unconscious desire creature.

“Remarkable potential,” the Pontiff murmured, sensing the dreadful aura from desire-transformed Qi Yu. “If he could master his desires and his powers properly, he might rival me. Such a shame.”

He chuckled softly. “Go forth, extreme desire shooter. Destroy this city’s armed forces.”

“Roar!!!”

Desire Qi Yu unleashed a deafening howl, trembling as he struggled to control his cannon hand toward the Pontiff.

“Hm?” The Pontiff snorted coldly.

Desire Qi Yu convulsed fiercely.

Tears streamed from the monstrous, black-matter-wrapped face.

He howled again, then suddenly turned and charged back the way he came.

At that moment, a barrage of missiles rained down from the horizon, targeting the faceless-infested intersection.

“Shooter!” The Pontiff’s voice faltered in alarm.

Desire Qi Yu roared fiercely, lifting his right hand toward the incoming missiles.

His black arm rapidly morphed into a missile launcher.

Swish swish swish swish—

Dozens of desire missiles shot forth, colliding midair with the incoming missiles, igniting dozens of massive fireballs.

Amid the earth-shaking explosions, a resplendent fighter jet streaked overhead.

A crimson figure ejected from the plane, diving like a cannonball toward the Pontiff’s location.

Seconds later, it crashed with a terrifying shockwave and cracks, knocking down dozens of faceless beings.

Amidst the dust and smoke, Zhou Yan, clad in domineering demon armor, emerged slowly and sighed softly as he saw Desire Qi Yu’s form.

“Looks like I’m still too late.”

***

They’ve arrived!