Chapter 1: The backdrop of the candid photo was the base, with a heavy snowfall in progress.

Chapter 1: The backdrop of the candid photo was the base, with a heavy snowfall in progress.

In the picture, the male insect wore a furry-capped coat, while the female insect was slightly bent forward, with an expression of mild confusion.

In the second photo, as the female drew near, the male insect playfully pulled down the large furry cap, enveloping both their heads within it.

It was a rather silly sight.

However, both the insect who captured the photo and the one who wrote the news seemed to be utterly captivated. The lively and sweet atmosphere, along with the overwhelming pink bubbles on the screen, practically spilled over.

Only Anton, sitting in front of the screen, grew more and more grim. The hand holding his optical computer had turned white from the force he was applying, wishing he could slice the bugs on the screen apart with a thousand cuts.

Yet suddenly, a slow smile spread across his face as he fixated intently on the image of the male insectoid in the screen.

"I see now, hahaha, it's all this male insect's fault. If not for him..."

"By slaying this alpha, everything can revert to its rightful course. So what if I can't eliminate Hirthar? It will be more than enough to devastate him by destroying the thing he cherishes most, ensuring his existence becomes a living hell."

As if he had suddenly found a new purpose, Anton abruptly rose and established a secure communication link.

With the troops under his command insufficient to challenge the current Military Department, there was no need for him to continue hiding certain matters. He would do anything to turn the tables.

...Anything to stage a miraculous comeback.

*

"Alright, stop."

Ai Ke spoke up, signaling Yale to cease the emission of his mental power. Then, he pressed a button beside him.

Soon, a densely packed report materialized in front of him.

He swiftly scrolled through the screen to find the relevant data, his expression growing more solemn by the moment. "Strange..."

Yale emerged from the large instrument, his movements somewhat awkward due to the special protective suit he was wearing, and his voice muffled.

"How is it going?"

Having saved the precious data, Ai Ke smiled upon hearing this.

"Almost done. First, take off that protective suit and go rest at the back."

Yes, after passing the assessment and rejoining the Empire's Research Institute.

Contrary to what Mord had predicted, Yale didn't end up as a mere assistant but soared to become a core member of the project –

The object of study.

He now reasonably suspected that the reason they had lured him back was because no male drone could offer such close proximity for observing various data and physiological responses, let alone assist in myriad research endeavors.

A series of studies have confirmed that his exterior is indeed that of a genuine insectoid, possibly with initial subtle characteristics that became more pronounced after his secondary differentiation.

"Abnormal data?"

Yale duplicated the report and moved it in front of him for closer examination.

—However, at his core, he was still human. His soul or mental energy, whatever one might call it, had subtle differences from that of an ordinary male insectoid.

Ai Ke believed that this distinction was the reason for the existence of S-Class male insectoids, or the origin of their "mutation" from A-Class males.

Yale held a reserved stance on this matter.

However, this was just an ancillary project in their research on genetic serums. Their primary objective was to develop a serum that could alter the genes of female worms, thereby increasing the birth rate of high-ranking male worms.

"Recently, your mental power seems to be fluctuating, appearing somewhat unstable, not as precisely controlled as it was before."

Ai Ke perused the report repeatedly, sensing something amiss, and turned to question Yale.

"Have you been undergoing mental energy channeling sessions recently? Remember to pace yourself, or it might undermine the foundation of your mental landscape."

"I haven't utilized my mental powers these few days, well, except just now."

Yale paused, recollecting the sensation of wielding his mental power just now.

"Maybe I didn't feel any decline in control. Could it be that some other factor interfered?"

"It's possible."

Ai Ke recalled the sequence of events and also noticed something amiss.

"There seems to be fluctuations in the spatial aura around you, causing the instrument to load a fraction of a second slower at the beginning…"

He tapped on the new report and pointed out a peak to Yale.

"Here, it resembles a peculiar oscillation I detected during our previous project when we were measuring a wormhole."

Wormhole.

Yale froze for a moment, an odd sensation fleeting across his mind but leaving no trace behind.

*

The night deepened.

With no pressing research projects at hand, most of the worms in the institute had left on time. Only a few laboratories still glowed with lights.

After organizing his daytime data, Ai Ke was about to leave when something reminded him of Yale, who was still buried in comparing data.

" Aren't you going back? You should seize the chance to rest when it's not busy. Otherwise, your body might give in when work picks up."

"Alright, I understand."

The male worm didn't turn his head, not even altering his posture as he leaned over to examine a sample.

"My homebound worm will come to fetch me soon. I'll stay for another two hours to catch up on my work."

Ai Ke sighed.

It was the same with Yale back when he was at the research institute. Sometimes, he could work tirelessly for days without a reminder, appearing gentle and compliant on the surface but stubborn inside.

Just like Teacher Mord.

"In any case, remember to leave early. I'll come back and lock up after I'm done organizing."

Yale absentmindedly acknowledged with a soft hum, not noticing the gentle click of the door closing.

Time ticked by, and the chill of the night gradually seeped into the laboratory.

A gust of wind, seemingly from nowhere, blew through the slightly ajar entrance, creaking the door.

Yale snapped back to reality, realizing that most of the agreed time had passed and it was time to start packing up.

But perhaps due to standing for too long, half of his body felt stiff and numb. As he abruptly moved, he lost his balance and leaned to the left.

His waist accidentally bumped into a nearby device, producing a muffled thud.

"!"

As the dull pain spread, a faint sensation of dizziness washed over Yale. He reached out to steady himself on the table beside him and slowly shook his head.

Strange, what kind of feeling is this...?

Through his swaying vision, fragmented colors emerged, and the world spun before his eyes. Before he could react, his palm was already pressed against the cold ground.

"Cough..."

Yale had lost all sensation in his body, but he struggled to prop himself up on his elbows, crawling forward on all fours, attempting to emerge from under the table's shadow.

It seemed that he had briefly lost consciousness.

Time seemed to stand still, as that moment stretched infinitely, spanning across the vast and endless cosmos. On the other side of the universe, a subtle resonance could be felt, carving out a brand new path.

"..."

Yale opened his eyes once more, only to see that door before him.

It was a pitch-black door that seemed to devour all light, silently hovering in the void. Its edges twisted and distorted amidst the chaos of spatial rifts, mere centimeters away from his face.

Memories erased were now flooding back, along with the sensation in his body, leaving him momentarily stunned.

So those were the visions he'd had that fateful night, which even led to Xi Ze witnessing his abnormal state – hence the insectoid's bizarre behavior these past few days...

Yale lifted his gaze, slightly dazed, then slowly realized he appeared to be within some sort of surreal space. This peculiar sensation was familiar, one he'd experienced right before his unexpected death.

—If he pushed this door open, he would return.

This thought struck like a bolt of lightning, instantly dispelling all confusion. His pupils dilated, and he snapped out of his trance almost immediately.

He could go back?!

Without thinking, Yale reached for the doorknob.

Yet, just as he was about to exert force, he froze mid-action, his hand stiffening before gradually releasing its grip.

No way.

He couldn't simply leave like this.

Putting aside the possibility that this could be a trap, the chance behind the door might not lead to home but to a definitive end... Regardless of whether this opportunity was a one-time shot, he couldn't abandon everything and flee.

The initial shock and ecstatic confusion subsided, and Xi Ze's image surfaced in his mind, restoring reason to prominence as if a sturdy rope tightly pulled him back, preventing him from taking another step forward.

Yale clenched his fingers and stumbled backward.

As if in response to his decision, the awaiting door seemed to vanish like a reflection in water, and the familiar oscillation instantly faded away from him.

"?!"

In the next moment, Yale snapped his eyes open.

He was still in the brightly lit laboratory, as if nothing had changed and nothing had occurred.

"Huh... Uh?!"

If it weren't for the fact that he truly landed on the floor, Yale might have believed it was just an illusion or a figment of his imagination during a trance.

Yale's breaths came in short gasps, his ears filled with the pounding of his racing heart. Struggling to his feet, he fought against the waves of dizziness threatening to overwhelm him.

As if to confirm the reality of what had just transpired, memories from that dream half a month ago flooded his mind.

His mother, the principal, his mentor... In the end, he had become a vegetable.

Yale finally regained his composure, realizing the incredible opportunity before him.

Although he had no idea about the time difference between the two worlds, if not much time had passed there, his body was likely still lying in a hospital bed, officially declared a vegetative state.

The existence of that door transcended the highest level of comprehension for any living being, but it was undoubtedly the culprit behind his transmigration. Yale could sense that it hadn't vanished; given the right circumstances, the door would reappear!

As long as these two conditions were met, there was still hope for him to return and survive.

These simple cause-and-effect scenarios raced through his mind, swiftly leading him to a conclusion he had yearned for —

He could go home!

He could go home!!

Home – these two words were etched into his bones and blood. The mere thought of the possibility sparked an instinctive joy and longing deep within his soul.

Yet, now, a choice so simple lay before him. He didn't even need to do anything; he just needed to push that door open and take one step forward to return home smoothly.

But what about Xi Ze?

Suddenly, this name supplanted those alluring words, overpowering them like a tenacious vine taking root in his heart, intertwining with every nerve and vessel.

Normally, he might not have felt much, but at this moment, the pain tore at him relentlessly, reminding him of something unforgettable and irreplaceable that he still held dear.

"..."

Yale remained kneeling on the ground, his breath gradually calming from its initial agitated excitement until it was almost silent. The corners of his lips, which had initially been involuntarily lifted, slowly straightened before he firmly pressed them together.

The floor beneath his palm was cold, almost freezing the flesh there, but soon, a warm sensation danced upon it, gradually restoring the lost comfort to his body.

The male insect always made sure to send him gifts that would constantly remind him of their connection. These thoughtful tokens had subtly infiltrated his surroundings, gradually becoming indispensable without him realizing it.

A faint curve formed at the corner of Yale's lips, but it quickly vanished.

Moreover, he had just promised not long ago that he wouldn't leave without permission and would accompany the male partner on their home planet.

Their relationship was still fresh, comparable to the honeymoon phase in human terms. Due to their busy schedules, they hadn't spent much time together.

They had already planned future trips, like going to pet the supposedly soft lambs and visiting snowy mountains for hot springs... The male partner even cautiously mentioned the idea of laying an egg for him.

Just counting these, there were already numerous ties between Yale and Xi Ze, along with countless promises and agreements yet to be fulfilled.

Yale once believed he was a stray seed, without roots and struggling to adapt to the climate, constantly waiting for a gust of wind to carry him back to familiar ground.

Now, as that wind arrived, he belatedly realized—

He had already taken root in this unfamiliar soil, sprouting countless roots and absorbing new nutrients to sustain a new life.

The male partner wasn't that soil, but rather a tall and silent tree growing beside him. Their branches intertwined, and their roots connected; separation would inevitably harm both of them.

"Yale! What's wrong? Are you in pain?!"

A startled voice roused Yale from his stupor. He blinked hard and, with the support of a nearby instrument, pulled himself up from the ground, preventing Ai Ke from whisking him away to the infirmary.

"I'm fine, I just tripped by accident."

Clearing his throat, Yale realized his voice was barely audible, hoarse with weariness. "I might be a bit sleepy. A splash of water on my face should do the trick."

"Are you sure? You look so pale..."

Not wanting to cause Ai Ke any worry, he momentarily pushed aside the chaotic thoughts from before, quickly recomposed his expression, and hurried into the adjacent room next to the laboratory.

Click.

The door closed gently, cutting off the last sliver of light. Yale leaned against it, remaining still for a moment before remembering to turn on the lights.

Supporting himself on the light switch, he took a deep breath and stretched his numb legs. He then made his way to the washbasin.

Rushing water...

Cold streams sluiced through his fingers as Yale cupped water to rinse his face, the chill leaving his mind momentarily blank.

The insect in the mirror had disheveled black hair and a dazed expression. Though not appearing unwell, an indelible shadow clung to him like intangible threads.

For a fleeting moment, he was lost in a memory of a child, clad in thin hospital garb, standing at the entrance of a hospital, confused and directionless amidst a labyrinth of roads. At that time, he was recovering from a severe illness, bereaved of his mother, penniless, and without a single soul to lean on. He believed hell couldn't be worse.

But that was merely life, a mundane world filled with bitterness, sweetness, malevolence, and kindness.

True hell was gaining only to lose everything utterly, discovering the bitter core after savoring sweetness—falling from the distant clouds to shatter into a million pieces.

Yale's damp fingertips gently traced his reflection in the mirror. All signs of joy had vanished, leaving behind a barren, pallid emptiness.

After spending so much time with Xi Ze, the only lesson he'd learned was the art of concealing emotions, a skill that allowed him to easily deceive the worried gaze of other insects.

He forced a smile, but it was so grotesque that even he couldn't bear to look. Tears nearly spilled from his eyes again.

...Yet, he was no longer that terrified of the insect race.

Despite his determination to stay and live on with the female insect, that dream from that day had indeed been a beautiful one—a beacon of goodwill and assistance that had guided him through his journey.

But it was erased, and he no longer remembered. Over time, he would have stopped thinking about it, if not for its inconvenient resurrection.

What should he do now?

Yale let out a bitter smile, took a deep breath to clear his mind, and propped himself up on either side of the washbasin, his face down in silence for a long while. It wasn't until a drop of water suddenly fell from his nose that he snapped back to reality.

Plop.

His body jolted, and he lifted his head to meet his reflection's gaze. With a start, he bolted out the door.

He needed to see Xi Ze—now, immediately, without delay.

"Junior Brother? Where are you going? Are you feeling better?!"

As Yale brushed past Ai Ke, he hastily asked his senior brother to lock the door before dashing out.

The research facility wasn't situated in a remote location. Impatient for the elevator, Yale briskly descended the stairs, even encountering a professor who had been persistently climbing them for years as exercise.

The bespectacled insect, with its kindly demeanor, leisurely commented, "Your Excellency? Why aren't you taking the elevator? Are you trying to get some exercise too?"

"No... It's urgent!"

Yale slowed his pace slightly, ensuring he wouldn't accidentally bump into the professor, mumbling his response.

The professor understood and, with a slight wobble, moved aside to let him pass, saying, "Oh, in that case, please hurry on. Be careful."

"Thank you. Take your time on the stairs!"

Exiting the research building, Yale was still surrounded by an array of silver structures with similar designs, which could easily lead one astray. However, without hesitation, he navigated the labyrinth of corridors and soon reached the entrance.

... Was he already this familiar with the place?

A fleeting thought crossed his mind, making him pause briefly, but he didn't dwell on it excessively.

The guard at the gate, spotting him, instantly flashed a wide grin, greeting him warmly as usual, "Your Excellency? Leaving work? The admiral's car doesn't seem to be here yet…"

Yale nodded, instinctively asking, "Haven't you finished your shift?"

The guard let out an "eh," skillfully unlocking the complex door while chatting away.

"Yes! That guy broke his leg on an assignment and is on leave for recovery. I had to fill in, but at least I'm getting double pay these few days, so it's not too bad!"

As the intricate door swung open, layer by layer, their daily brief exchange came to a close, as routine as always, almost becoming a habit.

Yale hesitated slightly, no longer rushing as he had been. He composed himself and stepped out.

He hadn't noticed before due to his haste, but now, stopping in his tracks, he realized that snow was falling softly from the sky, not heavy but certainly not light. Without an umbrella, his head and shoulders were soon dusted with a layer of snowflakes.

As the snow melted against his warmth and seeped into his clothes, it sent a chilling sensation deep down, as if touching his very soul, yet it was also vividly real.

After walking for about ten minutes, he entered a busier part of the city.

Despite the late hour, enormous projections and neon lights still shimmered brightly. Countless star-like trajectories intertwined in the air, outlining the breathtaking silhouette of this high-tech metropolis.

The swarming insectoid creatures moved to and fro, their laughter and breaths weaving an invisible web, connecting countless lives. Amidst this torrent of life, even the biting cold seemed to soften.

It was like stepping from a serene stillness into the warmth of vitality, with the air carrying the sweet scent of food.

Yale paused, moving along his usual path. Perhaps due to a subtle shift in his mindset, his steps gradually slowed until he came to a complete stop.

Had his previous impression of the insectoids been this warm and charming?

"Hello?"

A childish voice rang in his ear, snapping Yale back to reality. He looked down to find a young subadult insectoid standing by his feet, holding a balloon, looking slightly bashful.

"I'm going home now. I'll give this to you!"

The brightly colored balloon floated gently, emitting a faint smell of glue. After it was handed over, it instantly filled his field of vision, making the world seem brighter in that instant.

Yale felt a strange flutter in his heart. Upon regaining his composure, he crouched down and sincerely thanked the child, "Thank you."

He took the balloon from the small hand and watched the young one skip away. Infected by that joy, he couldn't help but smile too.

"Beep beep!"

A familiar hovercar pulled gently to a stop by the roadside, beeping twice before settling quietly, ready for immediate use.

Yale redirected his gaze, pushed himself up from his knees, and stuffed the balloon into the hovercar.

Despite the interruptions, he hadn't forgotten his original purpose—

To see Xi Ze.

The hovercar cruised unobstructed, smoothly arriving outside the training grounds. The military female on guard hurried over and, upon recognizing the license plate, signaled to another military female.

"Your Highness?! Please wait, I'll send someone to inform the Marshal."

Before Yale could react, that military female darted off like a hare, vanishing in an instant. He coughed softly, stepped out of the car, and dismissed the nervous guard.

The snowfall intensified, but the lights from the training grounds were visible nearby. Soon, the door opened, and a figure dashed through the snowstorm.

"Huhu..."

He exhaled a cloud of mist. A white blur appeared in his vision, followed by a tall, sturdy silhouette. Despite being clad in dark military attire, this figure seemed out of place amidst the cold, dark night.

The moment the omega appeared, everything around him seemed to brighten, transforming from dull to intriguing, from ordinary to endearing.

This change was so striking that it was almost impossible to overlook.

Yale froze for an instant, then suddenly smiled, his tense shoulders relaxing as if he had found relief and acceptance.

—Before Xi Ze left the training grounds, the world in his eyes still held color and unique beauty, no longer a bleak grayness.

Unbeknownst to him, he had stopped seeing only himself or focusing solely on Xi Ze, but truly perceived this vast world around him.

A world vibrant with colors and full of wonders, identical in its allure to that other world.

Where was he? Who was he?

These questions no longer seemed crucial, at least not enough to trap him once more—he was no longer an alien NPC in this world, and the life around him was no longer an illusion.

Perhaps staying here wouldn't be so bad.

For the first time, he clearly acknowledged this thought, faced this notion of "losing himself" head-on.

This wasn't betrayal; it was merely another possibility of life.

"Mighty Sovereign? Why are you here early?"

Yale stared fixedly at the male insect before him. After a moment, he opened his arms and hugged him tightly, enveloping himself in the warm and familiar scent.

"What's wrong?"

Xi Ze paused for a moment, returning Yale's embrace with force. With his other hand, he brushed off the snow piled on Yale's head and shoulders, softly querying with some confusion.

"Nothing. I just wanted to see you earlier."

He chuckled intermittently, as if sighing, warning, or simply expressing the joy and mirth that naturally arose from their intimacy.

—You have a new home now, Yale.

Live well from now on and keep moving forward.