LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 2: Chapter 2
"What are you angry about? Shouldn't you be happy?" Shenhe said with a slightly sarcastic smile on her face. "It doesn't matter. As long as Yun is safe, I don't care about anything else."
"You're wrong," Lucas unexpectedly shook his head and said, "I don't know what medicine you're taking, but you must stop."
Shenhe hesitated a little. "But..."
"No buts..." Lucas patted the table and said, "This is an order."
Meanwhile, outside the student council office:
"Why is it taking so long?" Pan Zhi, who had been "asked" to leave, stood in front of a mirror on the outer wall of the office, stroking his chin with a slight frown. "I wonder what they are doing in there?"
Pan Zhi was very jealous by nature. Although Shenhe had no interest in him, he believed that with his Vision and being one of the family's key training prospects, it was only a matter of time before he could win Shenhe's heart if he put in a little effort.
Despite his rational mind telling him that the age and status difference between Shenhe and Lucas made any romantic involvement impossible, watching the woman he was infatuated with alone with another man made him very uneasy.
"Maybe I'm overthinking it," Pan Zhi said, adjusting his hair in the mirror with a confident smile. "No matter how you compare, I'm much better than that young lad. Shenhe... I know you love me, you're just shy to express it. Don't worry, one day I'll make you admit it!"
However, Pan Zhi had no idea that his self-talk was clearly heard by Lucas and Shenhe from behind the one-way glass.
"I say..." Shenhe, leaning on the one-way glass for support, blushed slightly. "Are all men this stupid?"
"Not all," Lucas, working hard behind her, replied. "But many men become quite foolish when dealing with women they like."
"Is... is that true?" Shenhe bit her lip. "But... I don't feel that you are being foolish at all. Does that mean... you don't like me?"
"Is what I'm doing not foolish enough?" Lucas said softly. "I've spent my whole life playing the role of a good child and a good student. If I wanted, I could graduate peacefully from this school, get a job everyone envies, find a beautiful wife of equal status, and have a few children. But to win you over, I had to take this huge risk. One wrong step, and my life would be ruined."
Lucas's words left Shenhe momentarily silent. She knew she was an attractive woman; her coldness and pride largely stemmed from self-awareness. However, a man with a promising future like Lucas, even if he didn't choose her, could easily win the hearts of many excellent girls who were gentler, better matched in family background, and younger.
For ordinary people, beauty often cannot withstand the ravages of time.
"Your life isn't ruined yet," Shenhe said calmly. "But my life has already been ruined by you. I hate you."
"You can hate me," Lucas smiled, "but make sure to finish that sentence."
"I hate you," Shenhe hesitated for a moment, "My Master."
[Activated: Mischievous Shiba Inu Effect, Obtained C-level Loot Box X1]
An hour later:
"Isn't this taking too long?"
As time passed, Pan Zhi's mood worsened. Whatever they were discussing, it should have been finished by now!
Could it be that...
They were really doing something unspeakable in there?
"Ugh..."
At that moment, a strange sound suddenly came from the office. Without a doubt, it was Shenhe's voice!
Pan Zhi felt a wave of nervousness and hurried to the door, trying to open it. However, the door was somehow locked, and he couldn't push it open no matter how hard he tried.
Locked?
Why lock it?
If they were just talking, why would they need to lock the door?
"Open the door!" Pan Zhi pounded on the door angrily. "What are you doing in there?"
However, the door remained firmly shut.
In his anger, Pan Zhi took two steps back. The Hydro Vision at his waist emitted a blue light, and a water ball the size of a soccer ball formed in his hand. Just as he was about to use the water ball to break down the door, he heard a creak. The door opened slowly, and Lucas poked his head out with a smile.
"Sorry to keep you waiting... What are you doing?"
"Nothing..." Pan Zhi dispersed the water ball, frowning. "But what were you doing in there, and why lock the door?"
"Oh, you misunderstood. The door locks automatically and only I can open it," Lucas lied with a straight face. "After all, I hate being interrupted while working."
"Hmph!" Pan Zhi pushed Lucas aside and entered the office, seeing Shenhe sitting in her original position without any sign of anything unusual. He then asked, "You... you're fine?"
"What could possibly be wrong with me?" Shenhe replied calmly. "We were just discussing some plans to help Yun out of trouble."
"It took a bit too long," Pan Zhi said suspiciously. "And I think I heard some strange sounds earlier."
Pan Zhi's words made a look of surprise flash across Shenhe's face, but it quickly disappeared. She just gave a cold laugh and said, "How long I talk to others is none of your business."
"I..." Shenhe's words immediately made Pan Zhi's face change color. He muttered, "I... I was just a little worried about you both..."
"Worried about what?" Shenhe asked calmly, showing no change in expression. "Are you afraid that I, along with this little guy, will do something inappropriate in this office?"
"I..." Pan Zhi, whose thoughts had been exposed, quickly shook his head. "No... I would never think like that!"
"Hmph, even if I did do something like that, it's none of your business." Shenhe stood up and said coldly, "I only ask that you stay far away from me."
After finishing her sentence, Shenhe left without looking back, leaving Pan Zhi standing alone in the room.
Pan Zhi's face was a grim sight. He turned to look at Lucas, gritting his teeth. "I told you to stay away from Shenhe, didn't I?"
"Of course," Lucas said nonchalantly. "But this time, it was Ms. Shenhe who came to see me. You should know by now, we're both just trying to ensure Chongyun is okay. By the way, speaking of that, your fiancée..."
"What about my fiancée?" Pan Zhi asked coldly.
Lucas licked his fingers and smiled. "She's very... slippery."
"You're asking for it!"
Pan Zhi lost control and, in a fit of rage, swung his fist directly at Lucas's face.
[Villain Simulator Defense Mechanism Activated]
Pan Zhi's strength far surpassed that of Lucas, so his punch sent him flying, but surprisingly, Lucas didn't feel any pain.
This was thanks to the system. The "Immersive Mode" could be turned on or off at any time, meaning that even if Pan Zhi's punch had killed Lucas, his real body wouldn't feel a thing in Immersive Mode.
Blood trickled from Lucas's nose. He wiped it off casually, snapped his fingers, and said, "Security."
At that moment, three burly men in uniforms entered the room. Seeing Lucas, the student council president, with blood on his face, they immediately asked in unison,
"What happened?"
The synchronization in their voices almost made Lucas feel like transforming on the spot.
"This man broke into the school and assaulted me," Lucas said calmly. "Take him to the administrative office. For a crime like this, he should be detained for at least three months."
"You... you set me up!" Pan Zhi suddenly realized. Lucas had provoked him on purpose to make him act out, only to have him arrested.
"Mind your words," Lucas dusted off his clothes and replied indifferently. "This was an open strategy, nothing underhanded. Any complaints? Save them for your lawyer. A-Da, A-Er, A-San, take him away."
"Yes!" The three security guards nodded in sync again. They surrounded Pan Zhi and repeated in unison, "Please come with us."
"Hmph!" Pan Zhi scoffed. "Do you three think you're enough to stop me?"
As a highly regarded disciple of his sect, Pan Zhi was confident in his strength. He didn't even consider these ordinary school guards a threat. A layer of water element energy surrounded his body, and three water spheres shot toward the guards in an instant.
However, the guards were surprisingly fast, easily dodging the water spheres. Before Pan Zhi could react, two of the guards had already pinned his shoulders, and the third punched him squarely in the chest.
Pan Zhi felt a tremendous force hit his chest, and his body flew backward.
This time, he flew even higher and farther than when he punched Lucas, his body tracing a graceful arc in the air before crashing to the ground with a thud.
Cough! Pan Zhi spat out a mouthful of blood, his brow furrowed. "Who... who are you people?"
"We are..." The three guards struck a pose like something out of an old movie, then said in perfect unison, "Five-star students from the Tianheng Mountain Professional Security Academy!"
"These three were personally assigned by Lady Tianquan to protect the academy," Lucas waved dismissively. "Now, take him away."
Power levels alone don't always determine the outcome. A highly skilled ordinary person could still hold their own against someone with a Vision.
"Yes!" The guards swiftly lifted the weakened Pan Zhi and dragged him out of the office.
"Exit Immersive Mode."
[Immersive Mode Exited!]
"Phew..." Lucas let out a long breath.
Honestly, it was a strange feeling.
When in Immersive Mode, Lucas felt as if he was fully immersed in the simulator, becoming a different person—cunning, sinister, and cold-blooded, completely different from his real self.
But he didn't feel any sense of conflict. It wasn't as if the system was controlling his actions; rather, he had intended to act that way all along.
What was more troubling, though, was that Lucas found himself somewhat enjoying playing the villain.
Could it be... that deep down, he was actually an evil person?
[Admit it, the simulator is influencing you.]
"No... I'm not!" Lucas quickly refuted. "Reality and simulated life are different!"
[Let's see how long you can stick to that.]
That's right!
This was just a game.
Like many games, there are paths for good and evil.
As long as I can distinguish between reality and the game, I won't be affected!
Since time effectively stops while using the Life Simulator, even in Sensory Mode, it felt like Lucas had already spent considerable time with Shenhe.
Thankfully, all sensations in the Life Simulator were virtual, so the punch from Pan Zhi hadn't left any lasting marks on Lucas in reality.
[Why are you stopping?]
"Can't I take a break?"
[Or are you not up for it?]
"I'm more than up for it!" Lucas retorted, frustrated. "But if I stay in Immersive Mode for too long, time passes too slowly."
While using the Life Simulator, time in the real world remained still, but within the simulation, time flowed normally.
In other words, using Immersive Mode, Lucas could live an entire lifetime while not even a second passed in reality.
Moreover, in text mode, he could observe everything from a third-person perspective. However, in Immersive Mode, he had to experience everything firsthand, especially when playing the villain. It felt... odd.
Of course, there were certain key moments when he still preferred to participate himself.
After all, being a good person and growing up don't always have to be mutually exclusive events.
[16th year, 8th day: You visited Shenhe to report the progress of the peace agreements, and the two of you had a work-related conversation in her room.]
[Effect of "Mischievous Shiba Inu" triggered, received C-rank loot box X1]
[16th year, 13th day: You and Shenhe visited the second victim's home to seek an apology. With your subtle direction, you successfully obtained the second agreement. You then entered the bathroom with Shenhe.]
[Effect of "Mischievous Shiba Inu" triggered, received C-rank loot box X1]
[16th year, 18th day: You and Shenhe visited the third victim at the hospital and successfully obtained the third agreement. You then handed a nurse's outfit to Shenhe.]
[Effect of "Mischievous Shiba Inu" triggered, received C-rank loot box X1]
[16th year, 21st day: You heard Chongyun had been released from his confinement, so you decided to pay him a visit...]
"Pause." Lucas said suddenly, as he read that line of text. "Enter Immersive Mode."
[You wouldn't go after Chongyun, would you?]
"No!" Lucas groaned. "I just want to see him and have a chat."
Ironically, though Lucas had approached Chongyun with a plan in this Life Simulator, Chongyun had become his most trusted friend.
This innocent, kind-hearted boy still didn't realize that his violent outburst had everything to do with Lucas's manipulation.
[Entering Immersive Mode]
A familiar sensation washed over him, and the scene before Lucas transformed into a clean, tidy room with simple furnishings. A large calligraphy of the word "Dao" hung on the wall.
"Lucas!"
A pair of pale hands suddenly waved in front of him, revealing a boy with a doll-like face and short, ice-blue hair sitting across from Lucas, smiling. "What are you daydreaming about?"
No need for introductions—this was Chongyun.
Compared to his appearance in the game, he looked even younger now, his clear eyes seemingly able to see straight through to someone's soul.
"N-Nothing," Lucas quickly shook his head. "How have you been lately?"
"Not much, just a little confinement," Chongyun said, scratching his head with a bit of frustration. "It's all my fault for not being able to control myself... How embarrassing."
"It's not your fault," Lucas shook his head and said, "It's the fault of those bad students. It's also my fault. I didn't manage them well. As the president of the student union, I can't escape the blame."
These words were not hypocritical.
In fact, Lucas genuinely felt guilty about what happened to Chongyun.
"Don't say that!" Chongyun suddenly pressed down on Lucas's shoulder, locking eyes with him, and said earnestly, "Others may blame you, but I never will, because... we're best friends!"
The thought of taking advantage of such a kind-hearted boy made Lucas feel a wave of guilt.
At that moment, the door creaked open, and Shenhe gracefully walked in, placing a tray of refreshments on the table. She smiled and asked, "What are you two talking about?"
"We're just chatting casually," Chongyun, whose mood had visibly improved since Lucas's arrival, smiled. "It's been a tough time for both you and Aunt Shenhe. I've heard you've been tirelessly helping out with my matters."
"Don't say such things," Shenhe replied softly. "Ever since my sister entrusted you to me, I've treated you like my own son."
"Please... stop saying things like that. Auntie, you're barely older than me!" Chongyun's pale cheeks flushed slightly with embarrassment. He bit his lip and stammered, "Besides, I'm an adult now. Shouldn't you... start thinking about your own future?"
Chongyun's feelings toward Shenhe were complicated. He was deeply grateful for her care but also felt a pang of guilt. If it weren't for him, this remarkable woman might already have a happy family, perhaps even children.
His words made Shenhe pause. She glanced at Lucas, sighed, and said, "Forget it. Someone my age doesn't have many options left. All I hope is that you study hard, Chongyun, and take care of me in my old age."
"How can you say that?" Lucas suddenly interjected. "In my eyes, Aunt Shenhe is the most beautiful and captivating woman in the world."
"Well, that's a rare compliment..." Chongyun looked slightly surprised. "It's the first time I've heard you praise a girl so highly, Lucas... what a shame though..."
"A shame? What do you mean?" Shenhe and Lucas asked in unison.
"It's just..." Chongyun scratched his cheek awkwardly. "It's a shame Aunt Shenhe is my elder, and Lucas is my friend. Otherwise, I think you two would make a great couple."
"We wouldn't match at all." Shenhe shook her head. "You two chat. I... I need to go practice."
As Shenhe left the room, Chongyun furrowed his brows and muttered, "Lucas, have you noticed something strange about Aunt Shenhe lately?"
"Strange? What do you mean?" Sweat beaded on Lucas's forehead, and he tried to stay calm. "I don't think she's any different from before."
Crap!
Lucas's heart raced with anxiety.
Could it be that Chongyun had noticed something?
If he discovered the truth about the relationship between him and Shenhe, it would surely break his heart!
"It's completely different!" Chongyun rapped his knuckles on the table. "You don't understand Aunt Shenhe. She has a fiery temper. If she'd heard what I said earlier, she would've been furious! But instead, she barely reacted."
Indeed, based on her old temper, it would have been a miracle if Shenhe hadn't flipped the table after hearing that comment.
Relieved by Chongyun's words, Lucas chuckled. "Maybe she's just exhausted from running around for your sake lately and doesn't have the energy to be angry."
"Sigh, maybe you're right..." Chongyun looked troubled. "Lucas, you're my best friend. Can I ask you a favor?"
"Of course!" Lucas quickly nodded. "What is it?"
"I hope you can take care of Aunt Shenhe for me during this time..." Chongyun smiled wryly. "Though she's older than us, her temper can be a bit fiery. If she gets too emotional and does something reckless..."
"Don't worry," Lucas patted his chest confidently. "I promise... I'll take good care of her."
Yes, in every sense of the word... take care of her.
"Hahaha, enough of that," Chongyun grinned. "I've been cooped up for so long, I almost suffocated. Today, you have to keep me company."
"No problem," Lucas laughed. "Forget your worries and have some fun for a day."
Later That Day
This time, Lucas didn't exit Immersive Mode. He truly spent the entire day with Chongyun, from morning till night.
Lucas wasn't sure why he did it. Perhaps it was to ease the guilt he felt toward Chongyun.
After all, if it were the "Lucas" from this simulation, Chongyun might have just been used as a tool to get closer to Shenhe. In that case, Chongyun would be pitiful.
Before they knew it, night had fallen.
Unable to refuse Chongyun's hospitality, Lucas agreed to stay the night at his residence. Though the estate had many guest rooms, he ended up sharing a room with Chongyun. As old friends, chatting late into the night didn't feel odd.
Perhaps because of the exhausting day, Chongyun began snoring lightly not long after they lay down.
Due to his pure Yang constitution, even Chongyun's bed was made of special ice to suppress his internal heat.
Of course, this bed wasn't as extraordinary as the ice jade bed in The Return of the Condor Heroes. It merely cooled the room down a bit.
Aside from Chongyun, no one could endure such a bed. So, Lucas laid a mat on the floor, about a meter away from Chongyun's bed.
Seeing Chongyun fast asleep, Lucas was about to exit "Immersive Mode" when suddenly, the system's voice rang out again.
[You suddenly feel an impulse. What will you do?]
[1. Handle it yourself.]
[2. Use the Sound Transmission Stone to call Shenhe over.]
[3. Go to Shenhe's room to find her.]
Huh?
A choice at this moment?
As a gentleman...
"Ahem... I choose option two."
Why option two? Because Lucas wasn't familiar with the layout. If he chose the third, he'd probably get lost. And as for option one...
Choosing such an ordinary option in this villain simulator would surely lead to some bad outcome.
That must be it!
Since it was in Immersive Mode, the system didn't automatically carry out Lucas's choice. He took out the Sound Transmission Stone and whispered, "I miss you. Come find me."
Wait, did that just sound a bit creepy?
However, this time, Shenhe didn't respond immediately. After a brief silence, she hesitated and asked, "...Wouldn't that be inappropriate?"
"It's fine. Chongyun's asleep," Lucas replied, his tone carrying a subtle hint of threat. "You know how deeply he sleeps. Even if we butchered a pig next to him, he probably wouldn't wake up."
"...Did you just call me a pig?" Shenhe paused, realizing something odd in Lucas's words. "I understand. Wait for me."
She's really coming?
Actually, Lucas wasn't sure if Shenhe would come. After all, this time was different—they were in Chongyun's room.
Not long after, just as Lucas was drifting off to sleep, the door quietly creaked open. Shenhe, like an ethereal beauty, appeared before him.
"Do you like it?" Shenhe asked softly. "I dressed like this... just for you."
"I like it... very much," Lucas murmured.
"Shh, don't speak," Shenhe whispered. "You don't want Chongyun to hear, do you? Just this once, let me take the lead."
Lucas might not be a good teacher.
But Shenhe was undoubtedly an excellent student.
At the very least, in less than a month of learning, Shenhe had already mastered some effective methods.
Lucas knew in his heart that Shenhe's diligence wasn't due to any affection for him. It was simply to earn his approval.
No matter how close Shenhe appeared to be with him, Lucas could still see the complexity hidden in her eyes.
Resentment, disgust, and... disdain.
It was a strange relationship. Both Shenhe and Lucas knew how they truly viewed each other, yet on the surface, they managed to coexist "harmoniously."
["Mischievous Shiba Inu" effect activated: You've earned 3 C-level loot boxes.]
Sure enough, this time's actions were more exaggerated than before, so the rewards from "Mischievous Shiba Inu" were significantly higher.
In the past three months, Lucas had been looking for every opportunity to activate the "Mischievous Shiba Inu" effect.
He had to admit, "Mischievous Shiba Inu" was indeed a powerful purple-tier talent. In just these three months, it had already yielded more than a dozen C-level loot boxes. Rationally speaking... it was worth it.
[Day 89, Age 16: Everything is going smoothly. You successfully obtained a letter of forgiveness from the last victimized student, who was also the one most severely injured. He temporarily lost his sight after Chongyun's attack caused pressure on his optic nerves. When you and Shenhe visited him, his face was still wrapped in bandages.]
["Mischievous Shiba Inu" effect activated: You've earned 1 C-level loot box.]
[Day 90, Age 16: The three-month period has finally ended. Thanks to your combined efforts with Ningguang, Chongyun has received forgiveness. He will return to school without facing any punishment. On that day, you saw Shenhe smile again—a rare smile, one that seemed like a release.]
[That night, you sat alone in the student council office. You and Shenhe had created many "wonderful" memories here... at least, in your mind.]
[What Shenhe didn't know was that you had hidden some secrets in this office. In many corners, you had installed high-quality cameras imported from Fontaine. Everything that happened between you two was recorded.]
[So, your choice is...]
[1. Invite Shenhe to the student council office.]
[2. Destroy the cameras and cut all ties with Shenhe.]
Looking at the options, Lucas hesitated for a moment.
"I... my choice is..."
"I choose the second option."
In the end, Lucas made his decision.
[Hmph, I thought that would be your choice. Seems you're not yet ready to become a true villain.]
"This is my life simulator," Lucas replied coldly. "I'll make my own choices."
[Of course, my dear host.]
[You use the Sound Transmission Stone to invite Shenhe to the student council office.]
"Activate immersive mode."
[Immersive mode activated.]
When Lucas opened his eyes again, the Shenhe in front of him was more beautiful and captivating than ever.
"What's the matter?" Lucas smiled awkwardly, perhaps because of the tension. "Is it because this is our last meeting, and you want to leave with a better memory?"
"If I could, I'd erase all the memories of these past three months," Shenhe replied expressionlessly. "But this is the last time."
"I know, it's the last time," Lucas nodded. "I've said it many times—I'm a bad person, but I'm also a man of my word."
"Do you know something?" Shenhe's lips curled slightly. "I don't care whether you're a bad person or not. You don't need to keep emphasizing it."
["Mischievous Shiba Inu" effect activated: You've earned 3 C-level loot boxes.]
Two hours later.
Shenhe knew this would be the last time. From this point on, she would completely cut ties with Lucas.
Ironically, three months ago, she had planned to bring Lucas down with her once Chongyun was exonerated. But now that it was all over, she had lost the desire to kill him.
"So..." Lucas said somewhat dejectedly, "this really is our last meeting?"
"Yes," Shenhe replied without turning back. "If I walk away today, it's over between us."
"Then stay," Lucas blurted out.
Shenhe's body trembled slightly at his words. She turned her head, her eyes showing a hint of surprise. "What... did you say?"
"Our deal is over, but that doesn't mean we're done," Lucas said seriously. "Shenhe, I like you. Everything I've done was because I like you. But I know, for various reasons, we can't be together. That's why I took the route I did. This time, I won't use anything to pressure you. So, will you... stay?"
Upon hearing this, Shenhe's emotions became extremely complicated.
---
After all, in this world, there was no such thing as "Stockholm syndrome." Shenhe had no way to explain why she felt a strange affection for this "bastard" who had been threatening her all along.
"Are you... serious?" Shenhe slowly walked towards Lucas. "You should know, being with me will come with significant obstacles, right?"
"I know," Lucas nodded, "but I'm willing."
"I..."
Shenhe felt a surge of emotion, and just as she was about to reach Lucas, there was a sudden crisp snap from beneath her feet.
She looked down to see an oddly shaped small device at her feet that had appeared out of nowhere. Picking it up, Shenhe murmured, "Is this... a kamera?"
Thanks to the bustling trade network in Liyue Harbor, foreign goods often made their way there. So for someone like Shenhe, from a wealthy family, a camera wasn't unfamiliar.
She instinctively turned the camera on, and what played on the screen was...
As the sounds from the camera filled the air, Lucas's face darkened.
It's over. I'm done for.
Lucas truly found himself in a situation where no excuse could save him.
Those cameras were placed by the version of himself in the "Villain Simulator," not by his own volition. But explaining that to Shenhe? She would never believe it.
"I actually, for a moment, believed your words..." A cold killing intent radiated from Shenhe. "Lucas, from start to finish, you're nothing but an irredeemable villain!"
With a loud snap, the red rope that Shenhe used to suppress the fierce aura of the "Lone Star Calamity" unraveled and fell to the ground.
"I'm going... to kill you!" Shenhe declared, word by word.
And this was the last image Lucas saw before he exited the full-immersion mode.
[Due to the discovery of the cameras you placed, Shenhe, enraged beyond measure, unsealed her powers and, in her madness, gave you no chance to explain. She killed you in a brutally cruel manner.]
[Life simulation over.]
[Cause of death: Killed by the furious Shenhe.]
[Overall evaluation: One wrong move, and you lose everything.]
[Your rewards have been sent and can be viewed at any time.]
Staring at the words on the screen, Lucas found himself laughing bitterly.
Wha... what kind of nonsense is this?!
He was just one step away from living a shamelessly blissful life with Shenhe.
Why did this kind of plot twist suddenly happen...?
"It's like the game itself just decided to kill me off!" Lucas, scratching his head in frustration, shouted, "System! Are you messing with me on purpose?"
[Every detail can potentially change the outcome.]
[Additionally, during full-immersion mode, you had plenty of chances to put away the cameras, but you didn't pay attention.]
Hearing this from the system, Lucas couldn't think of a proper retort.
It was true. If he had just been a little more mindful of the details, maybe this ridiculous outcome could've been avoided.
Luckily, this was just a game. If it were real life, dying like this would have been incredibly frustrating.
[Please choose one of the two talents: "Mischievous Shiba Inu (Purple)" or "Exceptionally Brilliant Mind (Blue)" as your innate talent.]
Since he had previously chosen the innate talent [Try Again], this time he could only pick one from these two options.
"I'll choose [Mischievous Shiba Inu]," Lucas said, his face turning slightly red. "Don't get me wrong, I'm picking this just because its rarity is higher."
[No need to explain, I understand.]
To be fair, the [Mischievous Shiba Inu] talent was indeed quite powerful. For example, in this life simulation alone, it had earned Lucas twenty C-rank loot boxes.
Although the activation conditions for this talent were a bit "peculiar," it was mostly a challenge in real life. Within the life simulation, its efficiency was very high.
At the very least, after going through the [Villain Simulator] twice, Lucas had a decent understanding of the system's mechanics. As long as he stayed true to himself, even becoming an infamous villain in the virtual world wasn't a problem.
Being evil in the virtual world was all about doing good in the real one!
Of course, to Lucas, this was just a way to console himself.
As for those twenty C-rank loot boxes, after some careful planning, Lucas exchanged them for one A-rank loot box, three B-rank loot boxes, and two C-rank loot boxes.
While higher-tier loot boxes might offer better rewards, their overall value could sometimes be outmatched by lower-tier ones.
[Opened A-rank loot box: Received reward - "Serenitea Pot."]
[Dust Serenitea Pot.]
[Rank: A]
[Effect: Creates an independent space of your own.]
[Description: At least you won't need to buy a house anymore.]
So, the Serenitea Pot was an A-rank reward?
Although creating an independent space might not seem immediately useful, it was actually quite convenient. Whether it was for storing materials or other purposes, it would be extremely handy.
[Opened B-rank loot box: Received reward - Skill: "Diamond Body."]
[Diamond Body.]
[Rank: B]
[Effect: Permanently increases defense by 10%. Once per day, you can generate a defensive shield that blocks 90% of one attack's damage.]
[Description: This skill will make you... very tough!]
A defensive skill?
Although it could only be used once a day, blocking 90% of damage from one attack was nearly equivalent to negating the damage altogether.
Of course, this only applied to most attacks. If someone like Raiden Shogun hit him with her "Musou no Hitotachi," even if 90% of the damage were blocked, Lucas would still probably be sliced in half.
[Opened B-rank loot box: Received reward - Equipment: "Giant's Gauntlets."]
[Giant's Gauntlets.]
[Rank: B]
[Effect: The size and weight of your fists increase with the force of your punches.]
[Description: What's a man without size?]
Equipment?
What appeared before Lucas was a pair of simple, black fingerless gloves. For someone like him, who only had the [Charging Fist] skill, this was the perfect piece of gear.
Though wearing these gloves might make him feel a little edgy.
[Opened B-rank loot box: Received reward - Summon: "Greymon."]
[Greymon.]
[Rank: B]
[Effect: Summon a Greymon to assist in combat.]
[Description: Greymon, a Digimon at the Champion level. It has sharp claws and huge horns, its body a deadly weapon, making it highly aggressive.]
Whoa! A Greymon?!
Not only that, but the reward also came with a PokéBall... Although, there was something oddly out of place about storing a Digimon in a PokéBall.
Still, Greymon was only a B-rank summon.
This made Lucas curious about what higher-level summons could be. Could it be Godzilla? WarGreymon? Ultraman? A Gundam? EVA?
[Opened C-rank loot box: Received reward - 300,000 Mora.]
Ah! How simple and straightforward!
For the currently penniless Lucas, this kind of reward was very practical.
[Opened C-rank blind box: Received reward - Equipment: "M1911 Handgun."]
[M1911 Handgun.]
[Rank: C]
[Effect: Comes with a silencer, 7-round capacity.]
[Description: A .45ACP semi-automatic handgun. It doesn't quite fit this world, but it's a reliable companion.]
Seriously, a handgun?
However, what made Lucas want to laugh was that the gun's rank was actually lower than the gloves. Then again, in a fantastical world like Teyvat, firearms were naturally limited.
At least, compared to those who could easily hurl fireballs, summon rocks, or shoot lightning with their Visions, the power of bullets seemed a bit underwhelming.
Besides, for someone like Lucas, who hadn't received any formal firearms training, this gun might actually be less effective than a brick.
After opening all the rewards, Lucas finally felt a bit tired and gradually drifted off to sleep in the bumpy carriage.
He couldn't help but wonder if Shenhe would appear in his dreams tonight.
...
Meanwhile, at Mt. Aozang, at the residence of Cloud Retainer:
"Kill... I'll kill you!"
A silver-haired woman suddenly sat up from a wooden bed, her pale face drenched in sweat. She was panting heavily, her eyes filled with murderous intent.
"Another nightmare?"
At that moment, a low, somewhat raspy female voice came from beside the silver-haired woman. "This adeptus has told you before: even when sleeping, you must wear the red thread. Never be careless."
The silver-haired woman was, of course, none other than Shenhe, a disciple of Cloud Retainer, the adeptus known as "Liyue's three-eyed and five-manifestations adepti."
Shenhe turned her head and saw a white-feathered crane standing beside the bed. Her expression grew somewhat complex as she said, "Master..."
That crane was none other than Cloud Retainer herself, one of Liyue's renowned adepti. In a calm tone, Cloud Retainer said, "I have often heard you speak in your sleep, but never have I heard such violent and malicious words before. What did you dream of?"
Shenhe's constitution was a rare one, known as the "Lone Star Calamity." Combined with her traumatic childhood, it often caused her to wake from nightmares in the middle of the night.
However, no matter how terrifying her previous nightmares had been, Shenhe would usually forget them soon after waking up.
But this dream was different...
In this dream, not only had she encountered many people she had never seen before, but what was even stranger was that she remembered the events in the dream with unusual clarity...
Especially the three months she spent with that villain named Lucas. Even the smallest details felt as if they had truly happened.
And when she thought about that man... no, to be precise, that boy, who had deceived her from the very beginning, Shenhe couldn't help but feel a surge of anger rising again.
She only remembered that, at the end of the dream, she had been unable to suppress her rage and had killed the boy outright. Immediately after his death, the dream abruptly ended, and she woke up.
Everyone knows that what you think about during the day can manifest in your dreams at night. But much of what appeared in Shenhe's dream was completely unfamiliar to her, especially... certain things. Shenhe, being an innocent maiden, had never experienced anything like that in real life, yet the details of the process in the dream were so vivid and realistic. Even thinking about it now made her face flush, her heart race, and her mouth dry.
"Shenhe?" Cloud Retainer, noticing the odd expression on her disciple's face, furrowed her brow and asked again, "I asked you what you dreamed about. Why aren't you speaking?"
"Ah, I..." Shenhe's face reddened again.
How could she possibly tell her highly esteemed master that she had done such shameful things in her dream?
"No need to hold anything back," Cloud Retainer softened her tone, speaking gently. "Whatever it is, you can tell me."
"I..." Shenhe hesitated for a moment but finally spoke up, "In the dream, I killed a villain with my own hands."
"Oh? I thought it was something serious, but you only killed an evil person." Cloud Retainer nodded, looking rather approving. "Tell me, what wicked deed did this villain commit?"
"He..."
As soon as Shenhe opened her mouth, she suddenly felt confused.
What bad thing had he done?
It seems that, aside from using Chongyun to threaten her, he hadn't actually done anything evil.
Not only that, if it weren't for his help, Chongyun wouldn't have been able to clear his name.
That's right, this "deal" was entirely voluntary on her part; he didn't force her into it...
No, Shenhe, how could you defend that scoundrel?
He's clearly a devil with no sense of morality, treating people's emotions as mere toys to manipulate at will!
Thinking this, Shenhe resolutely said, "He harassed me."
Harassed?
Cloud Retainer was momentarily taken aback.
Could it be that kind of harassment?
This left Cloud Retainer in a bit of a dilemma.
After all, while she was well-versed in the heavens above, the earth below, yin and yang, the eight trigrams, and strange portals, she knew very little about matters between men and women.
So, she had never taught Shenhe anything about such things.
But, the child had grown up after all. Having such dreams was normal. Keeping Shenhe isolated from the world forever was not a long-term solution.
"Master," Shenhe's face flushed slightly as she asked, "Do you think I'm having these dreams because I can't shake off the inner demons, causing evil thoughts to arise?"
"How could that be?" Cloud Retainer forced herself to remain calm and said, "Don't overthink it. All girls, when they reach a certain age, will have these sorts of strange dreams."
"Really?" Shenhe asked in surprise. "By the way, Master, has Senior Ganyu, whom you often mention, also had such dreams?"
"Of… of course!" Perhaps wanting to comfort Shenhe, Cloud Retainer nodded hastily. "Her dreams are even more bizarre than yours. For instance... dreaming of rolling down a hill, all the way to the bottom."
"Master, that... I don't think that was a dream. Senior Ganyu seems to have actually done that," Shenhe said seriously. "And you've mentioned it quite a few times."
…
"Achoo!"
In Yuehai Pavilion, a blue-haired girl with black horns sneezed heavily as she was reviewing documents.
"Strange..." Ganyu rubbed her nose, frowning slightly. "Could it be that I've been overworking myself and accidentally caught a cold? No, I have a half-immortal body. How could I contract a mundane illness? Maybe it's because of excessive dieting, and my immune system has weakened? Sigh… I really want some Sweet Flowers..."
…
Back at Mt. Aozang, after comforting Shenhe for a while, Cloud Retainer seemed to suddenly recall something and asked, "By the way, how long have you been training under me?"
"If we count from the day Master brought me up the mountain..." Shenhe respectfully replied, "It has been over twenty years."
"Your dream reminds me," Cloud Retainer mused, "For over twenty years, I have taught you martial arts, immortal techniques, and helped you suppress your inner demons. Now that you've achieved mastery, it's time for you to take up the mission of vanquishing demons and upholding justice."
"Master, are you saying..." Shenhe mumbled as if realizing something, "that it's time for me to leave the mountain?"
"Indeed. You came from the mortal world, and now you must return to it," Cloud Retainer said, though there was a hint of reluctance in her voice. She still spoke firmly. "Your Senior Ganyu has already made her mark in Liyue. Though you are human, your talent is extraordinary, and you have received my full teachings. This time, when you descend the mountain, I will give you a task."
"Please, Master, tell me!" Shenhe quickly responded.
"Slay one hundred demons, teach a lesson to one hundred evildoers, and do one hundred good deeds." Cloud Retainer raised her wing, revealing three feathers. "Until you complete these tasks, you are not allowed to return."
"Disciple... will obey!" Shenhe nodded.
"Since you've been away from the mortal world for so long," Cloud Retainer added, "I will give you a treasure for your journey."
A treasure?
Hearing those words, Shenhe felt a surge of emotion. Despite Master's usually cold demeanor, she still cared deeply for her. Now that Shenhe was about to leave, her master must be worried about her.
But what kind of treasure would it be?
A superior weapon? A refined technique? Or perhaps the recently improved portable Guizhong Ballista?
Cloud Retainer waved her wing, and a book slowly landed in Shenhe's hands.
Shenhe looked at the cover, and to her surprise, the title read: The Art of Conversation by Cloud Retainer.
W-what is this?
"Shenhe, this is a book I've spent many years compiling, filled with the communication skills I've accumulated over time," Cloud Retainer said proudly. "You've lived in isolation for so long, and when you return to the world, you may not know how to interact with others. When you're unsure, consult this book, and your problems will be solved."
"I… I understand! I will follow your guidance!" Shenhe, touched, carefully put the book away. "But, such a rare book—if published, Master, your reputation would surely spread across the seven nations."
"Cough cough... I am not one to seek fame," Cloud Retainer coughed lightly. "Alright, pack up and head down the mountain. If you're unsure where to go, find your Senior Ganyu. She will definitely help you out of respect for me."
"Yes!" Shenhe nodded.
In truth, Cloud Retainer wasn't being entirely honest. She had finished writing the book years ago and had even taken human form to visit a publisher in Liyue to get it published.
However, after reading it, the editor rejected it, saying, "This book's content is too advanced for the people of Liyue right now."
Unconvinced, Cloud Retainer self-published one hundred copies. As for the outcome… well, the remaining ninety-nine copies were still hidden under her bed.
As Cloud Retainer watched Shenhe leave, her thoughts drifted back to centuries ago. Back then, she had watched Ganyu's departure in the same way, only to see the child...
Roll all the way down the mountain.
"Whoosh!"
At that moment, a shooting star streaked across the sky, cutting through the stillness of the night.
"Shenhe, Ganyu..." For some reason, an ominous feeling flashed through Cloud Retainer's mind. She murmured, "You two, please stay safe."
…
The next morning.
"Young Master Lucas, this is the Ke family residence," said the merchant leader Zhang Luo, pointing at the large plaque overhead with pride. "What do you think? Quite grand, isn't it?"
The caravan had stopped in front of an opulent mansion. Two stone lions stood guard at the entrance, exuding a fierce aura. The gatekeepers, wielding water-fire staffs, looked burly and stern—definitely not people to be trifled with.
"Truly extraordinary…" Lucas nodded.
Though he was quite familiar with Keqing from the game, he knew little about her family. Of course, there wasn't much information on any of the characters' backgrounds in the game.
Keqing was simply said to come from a prestigious family in Liyue. But just how prestigious, Lucas wasn't sure.
"Follow me," Zhang Luo led Lucas into the Ke mansion, explaining as they walked. "The Ke family's business is wide-ranging, primarily in real estate, weaponry, and martial arts schools."
"A martial arts school?" Lucas asked curiously.
"Of course! How do you think Miss Keqing became so skilled? The people of Liyue highly value martial arts. After all, the Geo Archon is known as the 'God of War.' For mortals without a Vision, the only way to gain strength is through martial arts. Liyue Harbor has many schools, but when it comes to swordsmanship, the Ke family's Cloud-Rising Sword Style is second to none."
"Old Zhang!"
At that moment, a crisp voice called out from behind them. They turned to see a maid of about eighteen or nineteen years old, with her hair tied up in a bun. Although she couldn't compare to Keqing or Shenhe, she was still quite a beauty.
"So it's Miss Chunxiang," Zhang Luo greeted her with a smile, unfazed by her rude tone. "Don't misunderstand. This young man, Lucas, helped us during some trouble on the road. Without his help, we might not have made it here safely."
He then introduced her, "This is Chunxiang, the head maid of the Ke household."
Even the maid is this beautiful?
Lucas marveled inwardly.
Truly the household of a prestigious family…
"If that's the case, then a reward of Mora would suffice," Chunxiang said indifferently. "Why bring him into the estate?"
"Well, you see," Zhang Luo quickly explained, "I noticed his skills are impressive, and I thought he might find some work here at the Ke residence."
"There's no need for that," Chunxiang rejected flatly. "The household is currently hiring guards, but only those who are truly skilled. Not just any bumpkin can take the job. Besides, Miss Keqing is a formidable fighter herself and doesn't need any guards."
The maids of prestigious families sure are sharp-tongued…
Before Lucas could respond, Zhang Luo patted him on the shoulder and said, "Don't worry, Young Master Lucas won't disappoint you! Why not test him yourself?"
"Since you're so insistent, I'll humor you," Chunxiang beckoned to Lucas. "If you can withstand ten of my moves, I'll let you stay."
"Well…" Lucas scratched his head awkwardly. "Isn't that a bit much?"
"Oh?" Chunxiang sneered. "Afraid?"
"Yeah..." Lucas nodded nonchalantly. "I'm afraid that if I accidentally ruin such a pretty face, it would be quite a hassle."
Lucas was an honest man, and his speech was straightforward.
After all, the only move he knew was [Charging Fist], a technique that, if not used, was fine, but once unleashed, it would seriously injure someone. Even hulking Hilichurl brutes, weighing several hundred pounds, would be reduced to ash with one punch. If a delicate girl like Chunxiang were to take a hit, it would be more than just a matter of disfigurement.
However, Chunxiang took his words as nothing but pure provocation.
"Don't look down on me!" A flash of anger crossed Chunxiang's pretty face. "I've never slacked off in my training so I can protect the young miss. Since that's the case, let me show you my resolve!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Chunxiang drew a longsword from her waist and charged at Lucas with impressive speed and agility. Her swordsmanship was exceptionally graceful.
"White Clouds Emerge from the Peaks!"
This was the opening move of the Cloud-Rising Sword Style. Despite her youth, Chunxiang had mastered the technique to perfection. The strike aimed directly at Lucas's shoulder, intending to instantly incapacitate the boastful young man.
[Diamond Body]
Lucas didn't dodge; instead, he activated the newly learned Diamond Body. As Chunxiang's sharp blade made contact with his shoulder, it felt as though it struck a steel wall.
This skill could reduce the force of an attack by 90%, and given Lucas's enhanced defensive abilities, the sword strike felt no more significant than a needle prick.
Moreover, the blade didn't even penetrate.
With a "clang," half of the sword blade shattered and flew off. Chunxiang's hand went numb from the shock, and the longsword fell to the ground.
[Charging Fist]
At that moment, Chunxiang sensed a tremendous surge of energy rushing toward her. The previously harmless-looking young man now exuded an invisible aura of pressure. His fist, like an arrow loosed from a bow, shot towards her face.
Though the punch stopped just in front of her nose, the force of the wind still caused Chunxiang's hair to flutter, and her cheeks tingled slightly from the impact.
If that punch had actually landed on her face… the consequences would have been unimaginable.
Being kind-hearted, Lucas naturally didn't follow through with the punch. After all, this wasn't a life-or-death battle, and his opponent wasn't a Hilichurl brute but a delicate young maid.
[Showed mercy and earned 200 virtue points]
Wait… I can earn points like this too?
Lucas slowly lowered his fist, smiling as he said, "See? I wasn't wrong, was I?"
"You… I…" Chunxiang's face displayed a complex expression, but in the end, she sighed and admitted, "I lost."
"Didn't I tell you!" Zhang Luo clapped his hands, laughing. "So, does this mean that Young Master Lucas has passed the test?"
"What are you all doing here?"
At that moment, a somewhat lazy voice called out from behind Lucas.
Before he could turn around, Chunxiang's expression instantly shifted to one of respect as she said, "Young Miss! Old Zhang brought someone into the estate, and he's here to apply for a guard position, so I sparred with him for a few moves..."
Young Miss?
Lucas's heart skipped a beat.
Could it be that the person behind him was… Keqing?
Although he really wanted to turn around and see what Keqing looked like, for some reason, he suddenly felt too scared to do so.
After all, in the [Villain Simulator], he had done many things that hurt her.
"There's no need for that. We already have enough guards in the household," Keqing said indifferently, showing no interest in the man standing with his back to her. "Besides, I don't need someone weaker than me to protect me. Take him to the accounts room to collect some Mora, and then let him leave."
It seemed that fate had never meant for him and Keqing to cross paths.
A bitter smile appeared on Lucas's face. He turned around and said to Keqing, "Thank you, Young Miss, for the reward."
"No…" Keqing was about to dismiss him, but the moment she saw his face, it felt as though her heart had been struck by a heavy hammer.
---
The man's appearance was identical to that of the villain who had appeared in Keqing's dream not long ago!
There was no mistake—Keqing would never forget that man's face.
Just as Lucas was about to turn and leave, Keqing suddenly spoke, "You... wait a moment."
Lucas was slightly startled but turned around and said, "Is there something else, Miss Keqing?"
Keqing gave him another glance, further confirming her suspicions. Trying her best to appear calm, she asked, "What... what's your name?"
"Lucas."
Even the name was the same!
What was going on?
Countless questions flooded Keqing's mind.
Why was the man from her dream appearing in reality? Was there some connection between him and the villain in her dream? Could it be... that he was that villain?
Naturally, Keqing couldn't voice all the doubts racing through her mind. Instead, she rolled her eyes slightly and said, "Although my residence has no shortage of guards, I do need a servant to handle some chores. The job comes with room and board, full benefits, and a good salary. Are you interested?"
Although Lucas had no idea why Keqing's attitude had suddenly changed, he was thrilled to gain a place to stay and the chance to be near her. He quickly nodded and said, "I'm willing."
"But, Miss..." Chunxiang, Keqing's maid, looked hesitant. "There have never been any men in your residence. Isn't this a bit improper?"
"What's improper about it?" Keqing tilted her head. "Don't worry. If anyone dares to do anything inappropriate, I can end them with a single sword strike. You know my skills."
Keqing certainly had the right to say this.
Despite her youth, she was already one of the Liyue Qixing, and the youngest in her family to ever master the Cloud-Rise Sword Art to such a high level. With the Vision she possessed, her strength was among the best.
"Prepare some clothes for him, have him take a bath, and find him an empty room," Keqing ordered with a wave of her hand. "Tomorrow morning, come to my study to discuss your duties."
...
After arranging everything for Lucas, Keqing finally returned to her study.
On the clean and organized desk lay a sheet of rice paper, with a hastily sketched portrait on it—the likeness of the man she'd dreamed about. It was a rough sketch, drawn from memory during Keqing's restless thoughts over the past few days.
"What is going on?" Keqing murmured to herself, confusion clouding her expression. "He looks exactly like the villain from my dream, but judging by his behavior earlier, he doesn't seem like a bad person... But then again, do villains wear the word 'bad' on their foreheads?"
People with Visions not only gained the ability to harness elemental power but also developed certain "traits" that set them apart from ordinary folk.
For example... they could have prophetic dreams.
These dreams couldn't predict the future but could hint at certain "information" for the dreamer.
And regarding her dream about Lucas, the information it might be hinting at could be: "Lucas is a villain who must be brought to justice."
However, even though Keqing harbored a grudge against the villain in her dream, she couldn't just conclude that the man she had just met, also named Lucas, was evil based on a dream. She certainly couldn't cause him trouble over that.
Despite being a noble lady, Keqing was not unreasonable.
Everything... needed evidence.
Exactly!
No matter how well the man hid his true nature, as long as she could find evidence of his evil intentions, that would be enough.
At that moment, a knock came from the door of her study.
"Come in."
At Keqing's words, the door opened, and Chunxiang entered with her head lowered. "Miss, I've done what you asked. His clothes and room have been arranged, but..."
"But what?" Keqing raised an eyebrow. "Speak freely, no need to hesitate."
"Although it's not right to talk about others behind their backs..." Chunxiang said thoughtfully, "I can't shake the feeling that this Lucas... seems suspicious."
"Oh?" Keqing's interest was piqued. She quickly asked, "Suspicious in what way?"
"First of all, his strength is unfathomable. I may not be a top-tier fighter, nowhere near your level, Miss, but among my peers, I'm not weak. Yet I couldn't even scratch him," Chunxiang, the head maid of the household, had a sharp eye for details. "With his skills, he could easily become an adventurer or hold a position at a martial arts school. So why... would he choose to be a mere servant here?"
True, even though the Keqing residence offered excellent benefits, being a servant wasn't exactly a prestigious job.
"Good point," Keqing nodded and asked, "So why do you think he's chosen to work as a servant here?"
"Hmph, if you ask me..." Chunxiang snorted, "I think he's infatuated with your beauty, Miss, and that's why he's gone to such lengths to get close to you."
Most women would shy away from such praise, but Keqing's personality was straightforward. She was well aware of her own beauty and confident in it.
After all, the number of young suitors who had come to propose to her over the years had practically worn down the threshold of her home.
"That's plausible, but..." Keqing shook her head. "How would you prove it?"
Even if Lucas was infatuated with her, as long as he didn't act on it, she had no grounds to accuse him.
"That's easy." Chunxiang smiled knowingly. "Just find an attractive woman to test him."
"Brilliant idea!" Keqing clapped Chunxiang on the shoulder, smiling in approval. "Since it's your idea, the task falls to you."
"Alright, I—" Chunxiang suddenly realized something was off and quickly protested, "Wait... me?"
"It can't be me, can it? That would be too obvious," Keqing shrugged. "Don't worry, when you test him tonight, I'll be right outside. If he tries anything inappropriate, I'll catch him red-handed!"
Keqing clenched her fists as she spoke, as if she already had the villain from her dream firmly in her grasp.
Though Chunxiang felt a bit apprehensive, she couldn't argue once Keqing had guaranteed her protection. She sighed and said, "I... I understand."
"Eleven o'clock tonight, we'll meet outside Lucas's room." Keqing smirked coldly. "I refuse to believe I can't catch you in the act!"
Seeing the unsettling smile on Keqing's face, Chunxiang couldn't help but shiver. It was the first time she had ever seen the usually composed young lady look like this.
Later that night.
"Ah, a bath really hits the spot," Lucas sighed with contentment as he stepped out of the bath. "Finally, I can sleep in a real bed tonight."
Ever since he had crossed over into the world of Teyvat, Lucas had been either camping outdoors or bouncing along in carriages. He hadn't had a good night's sleep in ages.
Tonight, he intended to rest well and start his work for Keqing tomorrow.
In truth, with the system he possessed, Lucas had no shortage of money. The reason he stayed was to make up for the "sins" he had committed against Keqing in the Villain Simulator.
Just as Lucas was about to lie down and sleep, a knock came at the door.
Yawning, he asked, "Who is it?"
"It's me, Chunxiang." A sweet voice came from outside the door. "Brother Lucas... are you still awake?"
Outside, Chunxiang recited her rehearsed lines while gesturing toward the hiding Keqing.
Although Chunxiang wasn't as beautiful as Keqing, she was still quite attractive. A man alone in his room, approached by such a beauty late at night—most men wouldn't be able to resist.
However, from inside came Lucas's response: "I've already gone to bed. Let's talk tomorrow."
Both Keqing and Chunxiang froze.
Wait, what?
Why wasn't he following the script?
This wasn't because Lucas was particularly chaste; rather, in the Simulator, he had already spent countless "work exchanges" with Shenhe. Although what happened in the simulation didn't affect his physical body, it had certainly satisfied him mentally.
As the saying goes, only the bull gets tired, the land remains.
Right now, the bull needed a rest!
However, Chunxiang and Keqing were not about to give up so easily.
At Keqing's nod of approval, Chunxiang continued, "I... I have something very important to discuss with you. Please... let me in."
Something important?
Hearing this, Lucas sighed in resignation and got up from his bed to open the door. At that moment, he wasn't wearing a shirt, revealing the well-defined muscles from his regular exercise routine. His appearance was clean-cut, and his damp hair still had traces of water droplets, which made Chunxiang, who had almost never seen a man's body, feel her heart race unexpectedly.
No, no, no!
Chunxiang quickly shook her head, reminding herself that she was here to help the young lady test this man with suspicious intentions. How could she allow such thoughts to cross her mind?
Lucas didn't seem to notice Chunxiang's inner turmoil. He simply asked, "What's the matter?"
"Are you just going to leave me standing outside?" Chunxiang gave him a playful glance and said, "Can't we talk inside?"
"That... doesn't seem proper," Lucas scratched his cheek, feeling a little awkward. "It's late at night, and if a man and woman are alone in the same room, it could damage your reputation if word got out."
Hmph, what an act!
Perhaps due to her preconceived notions, Chunxiang had already convinced herself that Lucas was a bad guy. She assumed he was just playing hard to get, so she responded sweetly, "It's fine. If you have nothing to hide, what's there to worry about? You're not a bad person, after all."
That's right!
I'm not a bad person!
Chunxiang's words hit a nerve with Lucas. After playing the villain twice in the Villain Simulator, he desperately needed someone to affirm that he wasn't actually bad.
"Good point!" Lucas nodded. "Come in."
With that, he stepped back and allowed Chunxiang into the room.
First step: complete!
Feeling triumphant, Chunxiang couldn't help but smile. She was convinced she was about to expose this man's hypocrisy.
"So..." After Chunxiang entered the room, Lucas asked, "What's this important matter you wanted to talk about?"
"No need to rush..." Chunxiang took a deep breath and slowly unbuttoned two buttons on her collar, revealing a glimpse of her fair neck. She fanned herself with her collar and said, "It's so hot in here..."
[Based on common sense, I think this woman is trying to seduce you.]
The system's voice suddenly rang in Lucas's head.
Stop talking nonsense!
Lucas silently replied in his mind, telling himself that Chunxiang was a proper young lady from a noble family.
But despite his internal protest, his eyes couldn't help but wander to Chunxiang's exposed neck.
Noticing Lucas's gaze, Chunxiang felt a bit shy, but more than that, she was pleased with herself. She teased, "Why... why are you staring at my neck?"
"Well..." Lucas said with a straight face, "Can I... touch your neck?"
"Wha... what?" Chunxiang hadn't expected Lucas to be so direct. Although she felt a little embarrassed, she blushed and, determined to help Lady Keqing expose him, said, "Fine... okay."
After all, Keqing was hiding right outside. If Lucas dared to lay a hand on her, Keqing would come to her rescue.
Ten minutes later.
"Achoo!"
A cool night breeze blew, causing Keqing, who was hiding outside, to sneeze adorably.
Strange...
Why had so much time passed, and yet there was no noise from inside?
Suddenly, Keqing's face grew tense with worry.
Could it be that... Lucas had already subdued Chunxiang and was doing something unspeakable to her?
Although Keqing and Chunxiang were officially master and servant, they had grown up together, sharing a bond as close as sisters. The thought that Chunxiang might be in danger made Keqing unable to sit still. She crouched low and sneaked to the door of Lucas's room, pressing her ear against the door to listen in.
Keqing had excellent hearing, and sure enough, she soon heard Chunxiang and Lucas's voices coming from inside the room.
Chunxiang: "Will... will it hurt?"
Lucas: "For the first time, it might hurt a little, but I'll be as gentle as I can."
Chunxiang: "Really? You're not... lying to me, are you?"
---
Lucas: "How could that be? I've done this many times before, and every time the other person said it felt great, wanting more."
Chunxiang: "But... how do I know you're not lying to me?"
Lucas: "Didn't those last few moves feel good?"
Chunxiang: "Well... they were quite pleasant. Fine, go ahead, but if you hurt me, I won't let you off!"
Lucas: "Don't worry. Turn your back to me, I'll start from behind."
Chunxiang: "Mm..."
Oh no!
What kind of awful conversation is this?
Even though Chunxiang's tone didn't sound coerced, Keqing knew very well that Chunxiang was quite naive and had little contact with men from outside. It wasn't impossible that she could be deceived by sweet talk.
The thought that Chunxiang might be about to fall into Lucas's trap was enough to make Keqing lose her composure. She kicked open the door with a loud bang, angrily shouting, "Let go of that girl... huh?"
However, upon entering the room, Keqing didn't find the inappropriate scene she had imagined.
Instead, she saw Chunxiang sitting on a chair with her back to Lucas, while Lucas gently massaged the back of her neck. Chunxiang, meanwhile, wore a look of enjoyment on her face.
Startled by Keqing's sudden intrusion, both Lucas and Chunxiang froze in place, the three of them staring at one another in confusion. After a moment, Keqing awkwardly cleared her throat and asked, "What... what are you two doing?"
"Miss!" Chunxiang's face flushed as she hurriedly explained, "Young Master Lucas said my neck was stiff and that if I left it unchecked, it might be bad for my health, so he kindly offered me a massage."
Well now...
A moment ago, she was calling him "that guy," but now, suddenly, it's "Young Master Lucas"?
How did that change so fast?
"Exactly," Lucas said with a smile, seemingly oblivious to any awkwardness. "My grandfather is a well-known massage therapist, and this is a skill passed down through my family."
"Yes, yes!" Chunxiang quickly nodded in agreement, "Young Master Lucas's skills are extraordinary..."
"Ahem!"
Keqing coughed heavily, shooting Chunxiang a sharp look. Chunxiang then seemed to realize that she hadn't come all the way here in the middle of the night just to enjoy a massage. Her face flushed even more, and she fell silent.
"Sorry, I seem to have misunderstood," Keqing said with an embarrassed expression. "I happened to pass by and overheard some unusual sounds from this room, so I barged in. I hope you don't mind." Then, turning to Chunxiang, she added sternly, "And you! Coming to a man's room in the middle of the night—what are you thinking?"
Upon hearing this, Chunxiang felt incredibly wronged. 'Wasn't this your idea? And now that things don't look suspicious, you're blaming me for it?'
"No, no, it's alright," Lucas said with a smile, showing no sign of taking offense. "Miss Chunxiang has been quite considerate, perhaps wanting to explain the rules of the residence to me so I wouldn't accidentally offend anyone. That might be why she visited at this late hour."
This guy...
Keqing frowned slightly, unsure whether Lucas was being naive or just cleverly making up an excuse for Chunxiang.
Either way, one thing was clear: Lucas hadn't done anything inappropriate to Chunxiang.
"Y-yes, that's exactly it!" Chunxiang quickly nodded again. "That's what happened!"
"But you still didn't need to come so late at night. What if someone finds out and starts gossiping? What then?" Keqing said flatly. "Alright, let's go. You're coming with me."
"Yes, Miss!" Chunxiang stood up immediately, but as she left, she couldn't resist glancing back at Lucas and saying, "We'll continue next time..."
"Are you coming or not?" Keqing shot her a glare, causing Chunxiang to quickly scurry out of the room after her.
A little while later, Chunxiang and Keqing found themselves back in the study.
Bang!
Keqing slammed the door shut and frowned. "Chunxiang... I sent you to probe Lucas, so what on earth were you doing?"
"You can't blame me! His massage skills are just so good..." Chunxiang sheepishly stuck out her tongue. "Miss, you should try it sometime. It feels like all my muscles were completely rejuvenated—so relaxing."
"I would never do such a thing!" Keqing's face reddened slightly. "And don't let his innocent act fool you. Maybe he's onto you and is just pretending to be harmless."
"Maybe you're overthinking it?" Chunxiang shook her head. "Even when he was massaging me just now, he wasn't the least bit inappropriate. He might actually be a good person, just as his name suggests."
Keqing felt something strange stir inside her. Just a short while ago, Chunxiang had shared her suspicions that Lucas was a scoundrel, but now, after spending just a little time in his room, she seemed to be defending him.
"Forget it," Keqing said, shaking her head. "Time will tell. Lucas... I'll catch you slipping one day!"
Meanwhile, back in his room, Lucas lay down again, his sleepiness mostly gone after the little commotion earlier.
"Whatever, I can't sleep anyway..." He sat up and called out, "You there?"
[Just ask what you need. Don't keep checking if I'm around, especially if you're planning to borrow money. Should I say yes or no in that case?]
To be fair, this system had quite a personality.
Most systems served their hosts like dutiful servants, always eager to please. His, however, was more like a rebellious child, always talking back.
"Hey..."
[What do you mean 'hey'? I have a name.]
Lucas said casually. "You know, since we'll probably be spending a lot of time together, why don't I give you a proper name?"
[Fine, as long as your naming skills don't make me regret it.]
With a sharp tongue like that... maybe "Orochimaru" would be a fitting name?
"Ahem..." Lucas nodded. "How about 'Xiong'?"
[...]
[I can't believe I expected something decent from you. Fine, just call me Xiao Xi.]
"Why not Xiao Tong?" Lucas teased.
[If you keep going, I might just 'stab' you.]
"Alright, alright, Xiao Xi it is." Lucas chuckled. "Is the cooldown over? I'd like to start the next simulation."
[Of course. It's nice to see you eager.]
[Command received. Life Simulator will now begin.]
[Please choose three talents from the following options. After the simulation, one will be randomly retained as a permanent talent.]
[Musical Genius (Green): You have better-than-average musical talent.]
[Dual Citizenship (Green): You can hold citizenship in two countries simultaneously.]
[Masochist (Green): You derive pleasure from being mistreated.]
[Medical Sage (Gold): You have an extraordinary medical gift, destined to change the course of history through medicine.]
[Die of Old Age (Green): Unless you are killed, you will only die of natural aging.]
[Strong at Fifty (Green): After the age of fifty, your stats will steadily improve.]
[Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (White): You will develop obsessive-compulsive tendencies.]
[Unmotivated (White): You lack the drive to accomplish anything.]
[Ambitions of Chancellor Cao (Blue): You gain extra rewards when pursuing romantically involved individuals.]
[Minotaur Slayer (Green): You enjoy killing minotaurs.]
Wow!
A golden talent!
Finally, on his third run of the Villain Simulator, Lucas saw his first golden talent.
But it's Medical Sage, huh?
Though a gold-tier talent, it didn't seem to directly enhance his strength. It was entirely a support ability. Still, for someone like Lucas, who enjoyed helping others, this talent suited him well. Though he wasn't a medical student, he had learned some massage and chiropractic techniques from a family member who was a doctor. Now, with the chance to become a legendary healer, how could he pass it up?
As for the other two talents...
Should he pick two to complement Medical Sage? Or should he keep just one and focus on choosing a permanent talent?
Wait...
Suddenly, a flash of insight crossed Lucas's mind.
If his hunch was right, this selection could make him invincible...
"I choose [Medical Sage], [Die of Old Age], and [Strong at Fifty]," Lucas said.
[You're not picking a blue talent? (Annoyed)]
"Hey, come on! That 'Ambitions of Chancellor Cao' is totally absurd!" Lucas replied, half-laughing, half-exasperated. "The activation condition is even harder than the previous [Mischievous Shiba Inu]!"
Indeed, with [Mischievous Shiba Inu], all you had to do was flirt to get a reward. But with this one, you not only had to flirt, you also had to flirt with someone else's partner.
Of course, there was logic behind Lucas's choice of these two green talents.
[Die of Old Age] may seem unremarkable—"unless killed, you'll only die of natural aging"—but that also meant that as long as the character in the simulator didn't do anything reckless, they wouldn't die from some random accident.
After all, there were too many unpredictable factors in the Villain Simulator. You could even get hit by a falling flowerpot while walking down the street. With this talent, paired with [Medical Sage] and [Strong at Fifty], if the character made it past sixty years old, they would only get stronger!
It seems when choosing talents, you can't just focus on rarity and effects. If two talents complement each other, they might create a "1 + 1 ≥ 2" synergy.
This isn't even the Villain Simulator anymore; it's basically the Retirement Simulator!
In Lucas's mind, he pictured an elderly, kind-hearted doctor murmuring, "The older you get, the more you need to nourish yourself!"
[Talents selected. Generating character template.]
[Life simulation is about to begin.]
[Age 0: You were born in a village near Mondstadt. Your father is a village doctor, and your mother is an ordinary farmer.]
This start seemed pretty normal.
In previous life simulations, Lucas either came from a wealthy merchant family or a scholarly household, which made it easier for him to play the "villain" role. This time, though, being an ordinary villager meant it would be hard to do anything villainous, right?
[Age 1: A new neighbor moved in next door. They are tenants of a Mondstadt noble family and have a son the same age as you named Rostam.]
Rostam?
Why does that name sound familiar?
Although Lucas wasn't a "lore master," he did remember a few well-known characters from game history.
Wait a second…
Wolf Pup Rostam!
That's right, Lucas suddenly recalled that this was the same Rostam who, 500 years ago, was the deputy leader of the Knights of Favonius and the founder of the Wind Swordsmanship style!
It's possible the name could be a coincidence, but given how the life simulator usually works, it's unlikely they would assign an NPC with the same name as an important historical figure.
Which means...
"Xiao Xi! Is this life simulation... taking place 500 years ago?"
[All life simulation timelines are randomized. The exact time is up to the host to figure out.]
As expected... trying to get any crucial information out of the system was nearly impossible.
Oh well, better keep going.
[Age 2: Under your father's guidance, you began learning about pharmacology. Surprisingly, you showed a natural talent for it. Even before you could speak clearly, you were already able to identify various medicinal herbs and their properties.]
[Age 3: Since you lived nearby, you quickly became good friends with Rostam. Unlike you, who preferred peace and quiet, Rostam was energetic and loved hearing stories of heroes. He told you that one day he would become a great hero protecting Mondstadt.]
[Age 4: You, too, wanted to become the hero of Rostam's dreams. However, being frail and often sick, you weren't suited for martial training. So, you focused even more on medicine, hoping to use it to help others.]
Reading this, Lucas was nearly moved to tears. This is the ideal life simulation!
Helping others through medicine, saving lives with golden needles—there's no way this could turn into a villain's story!
[Age 5: You adopted a pet rabbit and named it "Snowball." However, your purpose for raising it wasn't because you liked animals, but to conduct various medical experiments on it. Your father, the village doctor, could no longer satisfy your thirst for knowledge.]
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