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Flurries of snow drifted down as a piercing air-raid siren blared throughout Akita Town.

Countless people were jolted from their sleep. Hearing the massive booms from outside, they rushed to their windows to look out.

They saw advanced helicopters circling in the night sky, their blinding white searchlights illuminating the darkness and making it impossible to keep one’s eyes open. Figures in advanced combat gear rappelled down ropes from the helicopters in an orderly fashion, quickly assembling into columns on the street below.

One of the Operators set down a large metal case he was carrying on his back, pulled out a high-tech device from within, and after some brief adjustments, pressed the big red button on it.

Instantly, a visible pulse of energy erupted, sweeping across all of Akita Town.

As the psychic pulse washed over them, all seventy thousand citizens of Akita Town froze in unison. A massive amount of information flooded their minds, making them understand their situation. Then, under a hypnotic command issued by the device, the citizens quickly got dressed and obediently walked out onto the streets to await the Star Association’s next move.

The instance had been cleared. Over the next few days, the Star Association would conduct detailed physical examinations and investigations on all of Akita Town’s citizens to ensure they suffered no aftereffects from the countless loops and reboots. As for the development of the "Akita Town Ruins," the Star Association would cooperate with the Forging Association to complete the work within a week.

The crisp sound of bells drew closer, and the operations team watched as a Christmas Sled pulled by reindeer slowly landed before them.

"Operator Zhou Chen, we’re from the Star Association’s Restricted Area Management Bureau. We’ve received orders from headquarters to take Jack Reeves into our custody." The operations team captain stepped forward to speak with him. "An Any Door to headquarters can be opened at any time. Rest assured, headquarters will take excellent care of such an admirable hero."

"Jack, go with them. The Star Association is a modern Extraordinary Organization," Zhou Chen said. "While you were trapped for these past few decades, more than two hundred years have actually passed in the outside world. The world has changed a lot, and you’ll need time to catch up."

"A modern Extraordinary Organization... more than two hundred years..." Jack was stunned by these words for a long time. Finally, he let out a soft sigh and nodded. "I understand."

He climbed down from the Christmas Sled, refusing the stretcher the Operators wheeled toward him.

Immediately, the outline of a doorway appeared in the air. An Operator pushed open the Any Door, and the smell of hospital disinfectant drifted out. On the other side was a clean, tidy, and bright isolation ward, fully stocked with all kinds of equipment and instruments, where many medical personnel were waiting.

Jack’s face showed his surprise. He had seen too many bizarre things tonight, and this scene before him was undoubtedly another profound shock. As a legendary agent from a bygone era, he had never seen such a magical door that could traverse space.

Guided by an Operator, Jack walked toward the Any Door. Suddenly, he stopped before it, turned, and waved goodbye to Zhou Chen and Renie. He took one last, long look at Akita Town, which he had guarded for decades, and let out a sigh of relief, like a man casting off his shackles, finally free.

He stepped through the Any Door. The doorway closed, and the space returned to normal.

"Well then, now it’s just us."

Zhou Chen looked at Renie. "Do you still want to fight?" 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Only the two of them were left in the Sword Forging Competition, but only the last one "standing" could become the champion.

Renie leaned listlessly against the sled’s soft backrest and waved her hand. "I’m dead tired. I can’t be bothered to keep fighting. The championship is yours.

But I am curious, what’s with this whole getup?"

Renie pointed at the magnificent red robe Zhou Chen was wearing. He now looked a lot like the legendary Santa Claus, except he wasn’t a kindly, white-bearded old man, nor was he wearing a Santa hat. However, the red robe did have an attached hood, which, if you squinted, could probably count as part of a Santa suit?

"Jack gave me a ruby, which must be an Extraordinary Artifact. I used it and ended up like this." Zhou Chen patted the sled and joked with a smile, "At least I won’t have to buy a car now."

’This thing is way more stylish than a floating car.’

Renie’s eyes were filled with envy; she wanted a cool ride like that too. She was already starting to ponder how she would pester her master when she got back so he would forge a cool vehicle for her as well.

"My head is killing me, I’m out of here... Oh, right, the spear is yours." Renie rubbed her forehead. The aftereffects of focusing so intensely on forging for so long were starting to kick in, giving her a splitting headache and making her listless. A wave of drowsiness washed over her.

She automatically forfeited and left the competition.

[Congratulations, contestant Zhou Chen, you have won this year’s Sword Forging Competition!]

A congratulatory phrase appeared on the competition’s System Panel. With a thought, Zhou Chen made the Christmas Sled and its nine reindeer dissolve into motes of starlight. The red robe on his body vanished as well, and he was once again bare-chested.

[The Any Door will open in: Three... Two... One... ]

[Any Door open. Please proceed to the winner’s podium to receive the champion’s trophy.]

Zhou Chen pushed open the Any Door that appeared before him and returned to the volcanic zone created by holographic projections.

This time, the staff hadn’t made any mistakes. On the surface, it was a scorching hot volcanic region, but the temperature was quite pleasant.

A powerful, stirring battle hymn rang out. The virtual volcano erupted, blasting large amounts of lava into the sky, where it burst like fireworks.

"After more than twenty days of competition, the 35th Sword Forging Competition has finally come to a close! Let’s congratulate contestant Zhou Chen on taking the crown, and thank all the contestants for the wonderful performances they’ve given us!"