Chiyo Ji: ...
He dared not say much about this life-or-death matter; who that “she” referred to was something he already understood perfectly well.
Within the Chiyo household, Chiyo Eine had always been the brightest star, the center of everyone’s attention. Her suspected secret crush on a woman was obvious to all.
Back when the world was still relatively stable, their ancestor Chiyo Ming had once clashed with Chiyo Eine over something similar.
At the time, her stance had been that Chiyo Eine should, while the world was still peaceful and her body still in good condition, hurry to leave descendants.
Preferably she should find a top-tier player with equally strong genes.
But as time went on, the veteran players saw that the world seemed at risk of outright destruction, so the topic was never brought up again.
After all, if humanity’s future itself was uncertain, rushing to leave offspring seemed pointless.
“Sis... to be blunt, she’s basically deceiving and using you.”
Chiyo Ji said cautiously.
“You’re the most capable in our family, always have been. You’re different now, you’ve gained far greater power.”
“I’m not qualified to lecture you, but I think you should pay more attention to your own affairs now.”
“I don’t know how the world ends, but whatever happens, even if humanity truly collapses, I hope you survive.”
Chiyo Ji spoke earnestly. Before his sister he had mostly felt a faint intimidation, but this time he truly spoke from the heart.
Chiyo Eine froze for a moment. She looked at the younger brother who had grown much taller than her, and her expression cleared.
She smiled and reached up to ruffle his messy hair, saying nothing.
......
“Looks like it worked pretty well, that video of yours had an effect.”
In the Room, Lu Ce leaned on the sofa and said to Xie Antong, who was sitting cross-legged on the bed, radiating seven-colored light.
Her posture resembled a seeker cultivating, like an immortal in training.
The Black Knight was propped nearby watching TV and chimed in:
“Of course it did. Look at her. And you just stay at home all day? Why not hurry and improve yourself?”
Lu Ce: ...
He didn’t know what he could do. Agony’s power seemed to require an outsider attacking with malice in order to be absorbed.
Cutting himself a couple times these past days had felt meaningless.
But during this period, Xie Antong’s power had indeed been steadily growing.
The world-altering fusion had a huge effect on her; as one of the earliest to receive the cultivation method, she had surged ahead of the other top players.
“Mm.”
Xie Antong opened her eyes and nodded with a smile.
“It’s truly astounding. This hasn’t even fully begun, yet it’s reached this level.”
A strange light flickered in her eyes. Her expression was intoxicatingly bewildered, and her temperament had shifted dramatically.
Lu Ce, looking at her now, felt as if divinity, animal instinct, and humanity were taking turns within her.
“I should go.” Xie Antong said suddenly.
“To do what?” Lu Ce asked instinctively.
“To do some of the things I wanted to do back when I was still an ordinary person. Simply put, travel and sightsee.” Xie Antong looked up at the starry sky outside.
“This world might soon become unrecognizable—maybe the highest peaks will be flattened, maybe the deepest trenches will be filled with blood and flesh.”
“Before that day comes, I need to hurry and see the world.”
Lu Ce nodded in agreement.
Whether out of a human’s attachment to their homeland or for the benefit of Pleasure’s cultivation, it was a good idea.
“Yeah, go. Stay safe.”
The warning felt almost pointless; in a world like this it was doubtful there existed anything that Xie Antong would heed as “staying safe.”
Suddenly, everything blurred for a moment and Xie Antong had straddled him, grabbing his collar.
“What? I said I’m leaving, why do you look like you breathed a sigh of relief?”
“That’s not right—what, are you afraid I’ll eat you? ...”
Lu Ce: ...
To be honest, he had worried about this the past couple days. Xie Antong’s gaze was always predatory.
He felt a strange cowardice, wondering if this was Pleasure’s influence over her, or even Pleasure’s scheme.
Or perhaps Agony had also affected his own personality?
“Why are you acting so meek right now? If it’s really that bad, why not wear your mask—the purple one?”
“You thought it through? Then you might really not be able to leave.” Lu Ce retorted with a stubborn edge.
“Hmph.” Xie Antong flashed and left his body. “Fine, I’ll spare you this time. After all, the tastiest things should be saved for last.”
“But when I truly need it, I might really have to use force, oh.”
“But you don’t seem to be my match right now.” Lu Ce looked up at the ceiling.
“Heh, maybe. But next time we meet, it might be different, so you should work hard in the meantime.”
With that, her figure vanished—Xie Antong disappeared without a trace, gone to wherever she pleased.
Silence returned to the Room. Only the TV, which the Black Knight was watching, played a video about car maintenance and racing upkeep.
“I’m telling you, man, you really let her go!” The Black Knight finally couldn’t hold back.
“I was about to go out for a spin myself. When did you get so timid?”
“You can go out now if you want,” Lu Ce said coolly.
“Sigh.” The Black Knight sighed in an old-man tone. “I know what you’re stuck on. You think the existence of Divine Power means she’s not herself and you’re not yourself, right?”
“But to me that sounds like nonsense. Maybe that’s only a barrier for you—people like her might use it as an excuse to act wild. If you ask me, you’re just too chicken...”
Listening to the Black Knight, Lu Ce lay back on the bed and frowned in thought.
Just when he felt uncertain, a pinned message suddenly reappeared on the Game’s public chat, and it even specifically mentioned him!
