Honkai Quest/Dialogue

* Adventurer's Journey
* Old Dreams

#### The Beginning 1

*[CG plays wherein Seele, tears in her eyes and seemingly injured, walks through a door at the top of innumerous stairs, with the next scene we see being Seele and Delta engaged in combat with one another, blades crossed:*

***Seele:** We're… almost… there…*

*Bronya: Everything will be okay, Seele…*

*Bronya: The Bronya will be back soon.*

*Bronya: The Adventurer will defeat the Dark Lord!*

***Seele:** Bronya…*

***Seele:** Wait for… me…*

*Bronya: But…*

*Bronya: If the Bronya doesn't come back…*

***Seele:** Seele…*

*Bronya: Don't come looking for the Bronya…*

***Seele:** Bronya…*

***Seele:** You're a… liar!*]

**Seele:** Give my Bronya back!

**Delta:** Bronya…? Um, I don’t know what you’re talking about, Master Adventurer…

**Seele:** Don’t play dumb with me, you foxy Dark Lord!

**Delta:** Wha… The Dark Lord?! There must be some misunderstanding…

**Delta:** I can explain, Master Adventurer!

**Delta:** After we got separated, I found a downy, greenish fruit in the forest. I took just one bite and then passed out.

**Delta:** And when I woke up, I found myself in this Dark Castle…

**Delta:** Master Adventurer, I swear I…

**Seele:** Save it!

**Seele:** From the very beginning, you had been pretending to be an innocent novice adventurer to lower my guard.

**Seele:** But just when we were about to acquire the Ancient Relic, you disappeared all of a sudden. The Relic hears the inner voices of all, including the Dark Lord’s!

**Delta:** Well then, my dear Adventurer, what kind of inner voice are you hearing at the moment?

**Seele:** It’s of course… Eh?

**Delta:** Master Adventurer, I think we’re lost…

**Delta:** Look! I found these yummy fruits for us!

**Delta:** Watch out!

**Seele:** How come…

**Delta:** Alas, my dear Adventurer. You are still that useless coward.

**Seele:** No I’m not… I, I already defeated all of your devil soldiers…

**Seele:** And now it’s your turn, you foxy Dark Lord!

**Delta:** Is that so? Then why didn’t you kill me when you had the chance just now, my dear Adventurer?

**Seele:** I…

**Delta:** Relax, my dear Adventurer. We still got plenty of time. So why don’t we take a look back at our little adventure?

**Delta:** The woods guarded by the elves, the ruins full of contradictions, and the Floating Isles on the edge of the truth…

**Delta:** Where did things start to go wrong?

--

#### The Beginning 2

**Delta:** So why don’t we take a look back at our little adventure?

**Delta:** The forest guarded by the elves, the ruins full of contradictions, and the Floating Isles on the edge of the truth…

**Delta:** Where did things start to go wrong?

**Seele:** Song of the Brave, Act 3, Scene 3 ended. Thank you all for your support to our show! Take care!

**Spectator A:** You’re SO COOL, Miss Adventurer! Especially in that scene where you expose the Dark Lord!

**Spectator B:** Are you leaving tomorrow, Miss Adventurer?

**Seele:** Uh-huh.We’ve already stayed here for three days. It’s about time.

**Seele:** After all, there’s a Dark Lord out there for us to defeat.

**Spectator B:** You can do this, Miss Adventurer! I believe you can beat the Dark Lord and save your sister!

**Spectator A:** Yeah! Beat the Dark Lord up! I hate it!

The children at the auditorium were twittering loudly.

**Spectator C:** Sorry… They’re just so excited. Alright, kids, time to go home. You’ve been bothering these ladies for too long.

Peace soon returned to the little stage at the edge of the woods. Seele then came to Delta to pick up the prop sword.

**Delta:** Ugh, kids… My ears hurt.

**Seele:** I… I’m sorry, Miss Delta… They didn’t mean that…

**Delta:** I know. It’s alright.

**Delta:** I have to say you did a good job on stage. You’ve made great progress compared to your practice this morning.

**Seele:** Ah, I did? Thank you for your approval, Miss Delta!

**Delta:** It’s not my approval that you’ve earned. It’s the audience’s.

**Seele:** Woah… “It’s not my approval that you’ve earned. It’s the audience’s.” - That line is so cool…

**Seele:** Did you see my notepad? I gotta write this down - Maybe I get to say it too on stage someday.

**Delta:** It’s not a big deal… But before you do that, Seele, could you please put this thing away?

She pointed to the sword piercing her collar. Delta was still maintaining a parrying posture for the finale.

Seele had clearly forgotten all about it after her chat with Delta.

**Seele:** Ah, I’m so sorry! I’ll remove it right now…

**Delta:** You sure apologise a lot.

**Seele:** Ah, sor… Um, I mean, I’ll try to say it less often.

“Sorry” almost slipped out of her lips, but she swallowed the word down when her eyes met Delta’s.

Seeing that Delta was in no mood to continue the topic, Seele tried to change the subject.

**Seele:** To be honest, I’d be surprised to see your “transformation” on stage if we hadn’t practiced together several times.

**Delta:** Transformation?

**Seele:** Uh-huh… I mean, you always look so cold… I didn’t expect you could bring an innocent, reckless character to life…

**Seele:** I have this feeling that what you’ve shown in your acting is much more sincere than acting. It’s like you’ve been reenacting your own life…

**Seele:** Ah, that was not what I meant… I, I was just trying to say that you are an excellent actress…

**Delta:** …

Delta squinted her eyes for a second, but she instantly straightened her face.

**Delta:** Acting is easy. It’s just a form of muscle memory training.

**Delta:** I can play the part of an innocent idiot well, just like you can play a brave adventurer well.

**Seele:** Actually, I wish I could do more than playing my part well…

**Delta:** You want to become a brave adventurer in real life and find your sister, don’t you.

**Seele:** Yes.

**Delta:** Ha, that’s cute… You can start from apologising less, “brave adventurer”.

**Delta:** It’s getting dark. Pack your stuff up. Let’s go check what’s in the woods

**Delta:** As we agreed earlier, you can lead the way.

Delta left as soon as she finished her words. Her lone figure reminded Seele of how they first met.

--

#### Emerald Woods 1

It couldn’t have been more than a week ago, before she met this girl who called herself Delta…

At the alchemist shop, Seele clenched her purse as her eyes kept jumping between the shelves.

**Seele:** One Crude Crystallite, oh, actually… I’ll have two… and one Moonlit Agate… plus three Rumble Berries… Thanks.

**Shop Assistant:** Coming right up! That’ll be 30 gold.

**Seele:** That’s so… pricey!

**Shop Assistant:** Huh?

**Seele:** Oh, sorry… I think I forgot my purse! I’m so sorry!

Seele bowed to the shop assistant repeatedly before she turned around and left in a hurry.

Long after she couldn’t even see the shop, Seele stopped and sighed in relief before she sat down on the street bench.

**Seele:** Of course… it is still too early for me to upgrade my weapon…

She took out a slice of dry bread and began to eat. Crumbs fell down and attracted many pigeons.

She paid no heed to these birds.

She took out a booklet titled “Adventurer’s Guide v2.0.3 with Bronya’s Notes” and skipped to the last page.

“P.S. Don’t worry for me, Seele. I will defeat the Dark Lord and come back to you in no time.”

“But, in case I don’t make it back… don’t come looking for me.”

**Seele:** But… Bronya, I’ve got to look for you.

Her hand gently slid through the worn page, as if to feel the warmth left by the last reader.

**Seele:** Huh, my gold is running out… I should probably go to the Adventurer’s Guild to pick up some errands and get paid.

**Seele:** Just follow the Guide step by step, and I’ll become a worthy adventurer one day… like Bronya!

Seele stood up abruptly and patted her cheeks.

**Seele:** That’s right, Seele, you can do it!

**Seele:** You can absolutely do it!

One hour later, Adventurer’s Guild.

**Seele:** My… My name is Seele!

**Guild Master:** Alright, got it. No need to yell. Miss, where do you come from?

**Seele:** I… I came from a village called Undine’s Tale. It’s a bit far away… Took me seven days on the Adventurer’s Path.

**Guild Master:** Adventurer’s Path… It’s been a long while since anyone set foot on it.

**Seele:** Yeah… I didn’t see anyone else on the trail. And our village doesn’t get any visitors these days.

**Seele:** My flower shop is not having any business either… and there’s no one to bring me news about Bronya.

**Seele:** So I had to close the shop and come here myself to find Bronya.

**Guild Master:** Which means, you were an NPC at the flower shop and now you wanna turn adventurer?

**Seele:** What does “NPC” mean?

**Guild Master:** Oh, no, you literally know nothing…

**Guild Master:** Listen up, miss. In a typical adventure game, the adventurer is the most important and only controllable character.

**Guild Master:** And all the rest of the characters, including you, are just stage props to decorate the adventurer’s journey. Understood?

While he spoke, the bearded man kept knocking on the “Adventurer’s Guild” sign with his knuckles.

Seele didn’t understand much, but in her eyes, the two words suddenly became dazzling with unmatched glory.

What was I thinkin about? Becoming an adventurer seems a million times harder than I imagined…

**Seele:** But… the Adventurer’s Guide says the Guild can give new adventurers quests for them to earn gold and EXP…

The man took a quick glimpse at the booklet in her hand and finished his drink in one go.

**Guild Master:** Yeah, it does say that, but time has changed, young lady.

**Seele:** That’s… that’s OK! I don’t mind if it’s boring or hard! And I can take less pay!

**Guild Master:** …

**Guild Master:** Be that as it may, I’m afraid I don’t have many quests for you… Maybe you can try this one first.

**Guild Master:** I’ve got to warn you first. It’s the easiest kind of quest… and I can only pay you 1 gold.

The man grabbed a rolled-up and worn-out paper from under the counter and handed it to Seele.

**Seele:** I’ll take it! Thank you so much, sir! I’ve finally got a quest… I’m on it, right now!

Seele carefully folded the quest sheet and put it in her pocket before she ran out of the door.

Her heart had soared up and taken to the sky, and it was no wonder she missed everything the man said later.

**Guild Master:** Phew… that’s easy.

**Bystander A:** Got to give it to you. You’re a master of scams.

The man filled himself a cup and took a sip.

**Guild Master:** My tricks only work on small girls who haven’t seen any of the world yet.

**Bystander A:** Come on, don’t sell yourself short. I’d easily fall for it if I wasn’t a frequent at your place.

**Bystander B:** Don’t tell me you believe running errands for him makes you an adventurer. You’d be a bigger fool than I reckoned.

**Guild Master:** Hah… the world we live in today… We don’t have any adventurers, and we sure don’t need one…

**Bystander A:** Damn right! With the Dark Lord gone, adventurers are nothing but jokes! Come on, let’s drink some more!

8 hours later.

The quest wasn’t particularly hard: deliver some freshly brewed beer back to the Guild.

But to do that, Seele needed first to get some beer from the brewery outside town.

And to do that, she needed to source some wheat and hops for the brewery.

The hops part was easy, but wheat had to be fetched from the other side of town.

And to get her hands on the wheat, she needed to knock down the magical scarecrow guarding the wheat field.

To defeat the scarecrow, she needed to upgrade her weapon, which again involved shopping at the alchemist’s shop.

The purchase for the upgrade wasn’t really cheap, and Seele’s thin purse certainly didn’t help.

After figuring it all out, Seele traveled across the town back and forth, from dawn till dusk…

Fortunately, at the end of the day, Seele managed to return to the Guild with two barrels of freshly brewed beer.

**Seele:** Phew, even a beginner Adventurer requires a lot more effort than working at the flower shop.

**Seele:** But I think I’m on the right track to becoming a strong Adventurer.

She worked hard to hold down her excitement and try not to look so rookie.

After making sure everything was ready, again, she took a deep breath and pushed open the front door of the Guild.

*[CG plays wherein Delta is standing within the Adventurer’s Guild, back to the door, with spray paint on the wall and someone hung upside down by her tail, turning around when she notices the sound of the door being opened, with Seele seemingly having passed out once entering the building:*

*Civilian: H-help…*

***Delta:** Hey, old guy…*

***Delta:** Quit playing dead.*

***Delta:** Show me your bite when you were fooling me!*

***Seele:** Guild Master, I'm ba-*

***Delta:** Huh?*

***Delta:** Who the heck are you?*

***Seele:** Eeeeeeeeeeeeeek!*

***Delta:** Hey! You…*

***Delta:** Don't pass out here!*

***Delta:** Hey…*]

--

#### Emerald Woods 2

A heavy smell of drunkards overwhelmed her instantly and almost knocked her out.

Actually, she did pass out.

And when she finally woke up from the knockout…

**Seele:** Why does the sky… look so blue?

She thought hard for a moment before she realised she should be looking at the Guild’s roof instead of the blue sky.

Well, the roof was torn down just a minute ago or so.

“Adventurer’s Guild” on the wall was smeared by paint splash. The solemn Guild Master was now hanged upside down.

Everything was in a mess, and the culprit was sitting at the counter sizing up a barely awake Seele.

**???:** Looks like this one will be fine.

**Seele:** …

Without the blood-like paint on her face, the strange girl began to look a lot less scary in Seele’s eyes.

**???:** Since you’re alright, I should bounce now. Got business.

**???:** If I scared you, sorry, that wasn’t my intention.

The girl grabbed the bottle by her, leaped off the counter and walked out. Seele found herself no taller than herself.

**Seele:** Wait!

Seele didn’t even know why she said that.

**???:** What? You wanna revenge the bastard?

**Seele:** You… you can’t… drink… You’re… still under age… like me…

**???:** It’s cherry juice. I don’t drink.

**???:** Is it too weird for the tavern to stock some cherry juice for cocktails?

**Seele:** Ta… tavern? Isn’t here the Adventurer’s Guild?

**Seele:** Oh, right! The Guild Master! We have to help him! Ah!

Seele barely got up when she found a giant sword came swooshing down right before her, blocking her way.

**???:** I can see why you bought the cheap scam in the first place now. Never seen an easier mark than you.

**Seele:** What?

**???:** This place is a tavern through and through. Only it’s named “Adventurer’s Guild”.

**Seele:** Huh?!

**???:** The bastard probably has got tons of dopes like you to work for him free in the name of the “Guild”.

**???:** He tried to pull his old trick on me. It didn’t work and, well, things got a little bit physical… Hey, what’s wrong?

Seele collapsed to the floor and froze like a statue. She simply couldn’t face the music.

The glorious “Adventurer’s Guild” on the wall now seemed more like a blinding mockery at her stupidity.

**Seele:** Wait… you… you came here because you wanted to become an adventure too, right?

**???:** Huh? You got it all wrong, miss.

**???:** I’m just looking for something in the tower. And I came here only because someone might show me the way.

**Seele:** …The tower? That would be the Dark Castle… You wanna go there?

**???:** Doesn’t matter whether I want or not. I’ve got a reason to be there.

**Seele:** I’m going there too… My sister Bronya… she went there and never returned.

**Seele:** The Guild is the only lead I have… I don’t want to stop here.

**Seele:** So, let’s do this together!

**???:** Huh?

**Seele:** You… you look incredibly strong! You are probably the strongest besides Bronya!

**???:** And that’s why I need to bring you along to slow me down?

**Seele:** I… I’m not going to slow you down! I can fight too! See this!

Seele stood up and proudly swung her weapon a few times, only to be sniffed at by the girl.

**Seele:** I… I also have this… the Adventurer’s Guide!

**???:** From the swindler?

**Seele:** No… it’s not! Bronya left me this!

**Seele:** It has all the knowledge you need to know as an adventurer! And the way to get to the Dark Castle, too!

**Seele:** “Cross the Emerald Woods to reach the Elder Ruins and find the way to the Floating Isles with the Grand Sage’s help.”

**???:** Sounds pretty easy… Thanks, miss.

The girl patted on Seele’s shoulder and passed her by to walk out of the tavern.

Seele tried to follow her, but the giant sword once again blocked her way and said no to her in a loud and clear way.

**???:** Why are you following me?

**Seele:** Aren’t we… partners? The book says every adventurer travels with partners.

**???:** You weren’t listening. I told you I’m no adventurer, and I don’t wanna be one.

**???:** Plus, I don’t need a partner either.

**Seele:** But…

**???:** No buts. Stop following me.

The girl sounded just as icy as her face. She wasn’t even angry. She was simply denying Seele’s childish request.

Seele wanted to say something more, but then she realised that she wasn’t in any place to make a request.

Just then, a most unbefitting sound broke the awkward silence.

\*stomach rumbles\*

**???:** …

**Seele:** …I have some dry bread. Would you like some?

**???:** You…

**???:** Do you take me for a stray cat that takes food from any hand?

**Seele:** Heh, if you were, you’d certainly be a fierce kitten that greets anyone with your bared teeth.

**???:** …

**Seele:** Take it. You’re welcome! It doesn’t taste good, but it will make your belly stop singing.

The girl hesitated for a moment before she dropped her weapon to take the bread.

**???:** Thanks

**Seele:** So… guess we are partners now, right?

**???:** …

**???:** Follow me if you must, but don’t expect me to protect you.

**Seele:** No no no! I can protect myself! I…

**???:** Don’t lie to yourself, Seele. You’re weak and you know it.

**Seele:** Alright…

**???:** So, think of this as me returning the favor. I’ll train you, hard.

**Seele:** Huh?

**???:** Don’t act surprised, miss. I just need some distraction to kill the boring time.

**???:** And training with Delta may… get you killed, so it’s probably too early to cheer for it, understand?

**Seele:** (Delta? Is that her name? Sounds familiar… Oh, right, it was written on the tavern’s wall.

**Delta:** What now? Are you regretting?

**Seele:** No no no! No matter how hard it is, I can definitely keep up! Thank you so much, Madame Delta!

**Delta:** Ha, I like your attitude. Beats the two brats by a mile.

**Delta:** But stop calling me that… Do I look that old to you?

**Seele:** No no no! It’s just that you handle things… in a mature way.

**Seele:** If you don’t like it, I can simply call you Miss Delta.

**Delta:** Well, that’s slightly better.

Present time, the center of the Emerald Woods

The spring was splashing and leaves were whistling. Fresh sunshine announced the beginning of a new day.

And it also announced that the nightly search of Seele and Delta was totally in vain.

**Delta:** …

**Delta:** Let’s take a break here, Seele.

**Seele:** Eh? I’m fine, miss Delta. Not sleepy at all…

Bam!

Drowsy and dizzy, Seele didn’t see the tree right in front of her and bumped into it hard.

**Seele:** Ouch… that… that didn’t hurt at all! I’m an adventurer, strong and tough…

Seele tried to get on her feet, but Delta approached her and held her down with her hand on Seele’s shoulder.

**Delta:** Rest, Seele. You’re tired.

**Seele:** Oh… OK.

**Delta:** …

Delta lifted her hand and sat down by the tree while Seele lay down on the thick and soft leaves.

**Seele:** Miss Delta…

**Delta:** What?

**Seele:** I’ve been training with you for a while… Do you think I’m a qualified adventurer yet?

**Delta:** …

**Seele:** At first, I thought I was gonna train with dumbbells and sandbags… but it turned out to be acting on the stage…

**Delta:** Dumbbells and sandbags? They’re not for you, at least not now.

**Delta:** As a touring troupe, we can make some dough to feed ourselves and get rid of the usual adventurer troubles.

**Delta:** As for the sword fighting… it’s just part of the play, but I figure that’s quite enough for your level right now.

**Seele:** Yeah… right. Every time we put on the show, you scare me a lot… like you were the real Dark Lord…

**Delta:** Well, maybe your feeling is telling the truth.

**Seele:** !

Spooked, Seele jumped up on her feet instantly and met Delta’s enigmatic eyes.

**Seele:** You… you look super scary all of a sudden…

**Delta:** Well, follow me and there’ll be no shortage of scarier freaks along the way. That I can guarantee.

**Seele:** Huh? Someone even scarier than you? I can’t imagine.

**Delta:** …

**Delta:** You’ll know when it comes. Seele, this djinn we’re seeking… where is she now?

**Seele:** Hmm… let me see. According to the Guide, she lives at the center of the woods, by the clearest spring.

**Seele:** “Only with the Water Djinn’s help can an adventurer cross the woods and reach the ruins that lie behind.”

**Seele:** “No adventurer would miss her dwelling, because gods will guide them there.”

**Seele:** That’s… what the book says.

**Seele:** …

**Seele:** Miss Delta… was I… cheated again?

**Delta:** …

**Seele:** Waaaaah…

Seele’s face turned red in an instant. She held her head and rolled over the leaves, weeping out loud.

But a minute hardly passed before she stopped.

**Seele:** Miss Delta…

**Seele:** There’s a… road signboard… under the leaves.

**Delta:** A signboard?

**Seele:** Yeah. It says “The Water Djinn is not ahead”… which means she’s actually ahead, right?

**Delta:** …

Something occurred to Delta and she swung her sword to sweep clear all the leaves ahead.

And before their eyes now lay one signboard after another.

**Seele:** “Turn around. The Water Djinn definitely isn’t ahead”… “Keep going and you’ll find no Water Djinn”…

**Delta:** …

**Seele:** So the Water Djinn… is definitely ahead, right?

--

#### Emerald Woods 3

This was the clearest spring in the woods. Clearer than the sky and glittering like a sapphire.

And the master of the spring, the silver-haired djinn, was sitting by the spring, looking all sullen.

**Water Djinn:** Will an adventurer visit today? Yes? No? Yes? No?

She kept picking the petals of the flower in her hand, not aware of the two strangers approaching.

**Seele:** That’s… that’s the Water Djinn! Miss Delta, we found her!

**Delta:** Shh…

**Delta:** Don’t alert her, Seele. Watch closely before we move.

**Seele:** Oh… OK.

**Water Djinn:** Well, looks like no adventurer is coming today.

She lowered her head and stared at her lonely reflection in the water.

**Water Djinn:** “Young adventurer, did you lose this gold coin to the spring, or this silver one?”

**Water Djinn:** It’s been so long… since I asked someone this question…

**Seele:** Gold coin… Oh, right, it’s in the book!

**Seele:** “To win the Water Djinn’s favor, you need to toss a gold coin into the spring. Nothing pleases her more.”

**Delta:** …

**Seele:** And a side note: “The more coins you toss in, the better the sound, and the more likely the Water Djinn notices.”

Just when Seele took out a handful of gold coins from the backpack, Delta signaled her to stop.

She pulled out something round and shining, and tossed it into the water.

**Water Djinn:** Ah… the sound of gold coins dropping into the spring! Finally an adventurer has come to visit!

The Water Djinn stepped on the water to walk to where Seele and Delta hid.

She waved her hand and what Delta dropped in the water was brought up to her, wrapped in spring water.

**Water Djinn:** Young adventurer, is this your… Huh?

**Water Djinn:** What’s with these arcade token coins?! And two stuck together! Can’t even use them!

**Water Djinn:** Darn it… Who is messing with me?! Show yourself!

**Seele:** Miss Delta… I think the Water Djinn is upset… Miss Delta?

Seele turned around and found Delta gone.

**Delta:** Hey, Water Djinn, what’s up?

**Water Djinn:** You must be the prankster who tossed these tokens, right? Their colors even match yours, pink and cyan!

**Delta:** Yeah, that’s right, so give me back these tokens now.

**Water Djinn:** That’s no way to treat the djinn who can help you become a worthy adventurer!

**Water Djinn:** You came here with no respect. I’ll never… Ugh!

Delta broke her words with a swift slash. The blade missed the Water Djinn by a mere inch and parted the water.

**Delta:** I say that’s respect enough. Don’t you agree?

**Water Djinn:** …

**Delta:** Now it’s your turn to repay my respect.

**Delta:** Answer me, Water Djinn, where can I find the ruins hidden behind the woods?

**Seele:** (Miss Delta… so impressive! She makes the perfect adventurer…)

**Seele:** (But the Water Djinn is no slouch either… She didn’t even blink before Delta’s sword…)

Standing right behind Delta, Seele waited for the Water Djinn to reply, but she remained still and emotionless.

**Water Djinn:** I’m so very sorry, dear adventurers! Please, come here and wash away your travel weariness in the refreshing spring!

**Water Djinn:** Oh, right, and please take them, stamina potions hand-made by me…

Delta and Seele were both baffled. They saw a Water Djinn who was bowing and apologising non-stop.

And then she took two bottles out of nowhere, filled them with spring water, and handed them over to Seele and Delta.

**Delta:** Just some spring water…

**Water Djinn:** No no no, this spring is blessed by the Goddess of Water. It can cleanse your soul and wash away your sins.

**Water Djinn:** And if you don’t mind, dear adventurers, you can bathe in the spring and rinse the Stigmata on your backs.

**Seele:** Sounds impressive… So this is what a djinn is capable of?

**Water Djinn:** Humph, no adventurer can take down the Dark Lord without my help.

**Delta:** Is the spring’s power really coming from you?

**Seele:** So… Bronya must have received your help, right? I’m looking for her but I’m kind of lost.

**Water Djinn:** Bro… Bron… oh, yeah, I helped her a lot too, of course.

**Delta:** Lying comes with a price, Water Djinn.

**Water Djinn:** Any… anyway, she must have taken the Adventurer’s Path, just like every adventurer before her.

**Seele:** But the map on the Adventurer’s Guide shows the path ends before the woods.

**Water Djinn:** That’s because I didn’t draw it on the map… Ah, no, I mean, here comes the great Water Djinn’s first advice.

**Delta:** (Seele’s Adventurer’s Guide… Maybe this idiot djinn came up with the first edition…)

**Water Djinn:** The flowing spring will point out the direction for you.

**Seele:** Oh, I see!

Seele took out her pen and wrote it down on the booklet, totally unaware of what Delta tried to say but didn’t.

**Delta:** Just follow the spring, right? Got it. Thanks, djinn.

**Water Djinn:** Wait, adventurers! You can’t be at the ruins yet!

**Delta:** Huh? But why?

**Water Djinn:** Because there’s a deer… deer-headed monster. No, actually there are two!

**Seele:** Deer-head monster?!

**Delta:** Deer-head monster?

**Water Djinn:** Yeah, they are pretty tricky to handle. They guard the entrance to the ruins and test anyone who wishes to pass.

**Delta:** Protectors of the forest? I doubt they can give me any trouble.

**Water Djinn:** …That might be true, but still, there’s no need to do this the hard way.

**Delta:** The reason being?

**Water Djinn:** They’re only active in the day, and they fall asleep after the sunset, which is the best time to defeat them.

**Seele:** But… isn’t that cheating? How can we prove our worthiness without passing the trial?

**Water Djinn:** Ah, that’s not cheating. Only a shortcut. Adventurers are supposed to be more than one track-minded knuckleheads…

**Water Djinn:** Well, your partner may have enough reason to ignore the deer-head monsters, but you…

**Seele:** …

Seele pinched her fingers anxiously. She knew full well what the Water Djinn meant to say.

**Delta:** Seele, we’ll wait till nightfall.

**Seele:** What?

**Delta:** I couldn’t care less about the trial, and I’m not wasting my stamina on it.

**Seele:** Miss Delta…

She patted on Seele’s shoulder and sat down on a rock by the spring.

**Delta:** Hey, idiot djinn! Do you serve anything else than spring water? No juice? Cherry would be great… or blueberry.

**Water Djinn:** What do you take me for?! A waitress NPC?! And quit calling me that!

Dusk that day, where Emerald Woods and Elder Ruins connect.

The sun rose as usual that day, and its warmth wrapped her up like a snug blanket. Sweet dreams soon caught her.

In or out of the dreams, she was always the guardian and the knight who’d challenge every adventurer fair and square.

In the dream, she began to think of that adventurer girl again…

She didn’t laugh much, but this emotionless girl made her look almost like a smiley doll in comparison.

She had seen many adventurers. Some were easily defeated, while some gave her a real challenge.

This girl clearly belonged to the former type.

She couldn’t help reminding the girl that she could train herself elsewhere before coming back for another challenge.

But this girl wouldn’t listen. She kept coming for more defeats.

Slowly and slowly, she became a trainer for her rather than a challenge giver.

Slowly and slowly, she began to forget why she guarded the entrance to the ruins.

Slowly and slowly, she started to pity the girl.

“You know there’s no turning back… and you don’t even know what’s waiting around…” She reminded the girl.

But still, the girl unsheathed her sword for the ninety-ninth time.

And just like the ninety eight times before, her sword was knocked off.

The sun rose and set.

Finally on one day, the girl passed the trial, bid her farewell, set foot on the path, and… never returned.

The sun set as usual this day. The moonlight gently woke her up and captured the remnants of her dream.

The deer-headed knights came to her and told her about the day in the woods… and the arrival of three strangers.

They walked into the Emerald Woods, a place she couldn’t and wouldn’t leave.

She was the lock keeping the old forest and humanity’s last home away from worldly troubles.

The deer-headed knights were a blessing from the gods who stood guard for her while she rested in dreams.

When the moon lit up the woods and she recovered from the dreams, the knights would join her eternal watch.

She now walked out of the misty woods to stand before the three strangers.

**Forest Djinn:** Leave in peace, strangers. You shall not pass.

**Water Djinn:** Ha, I got to tell you, she’s the most difficult one to deal with around here…

**Forest Djinn:** Water Djinn? Why are you here?

**Water Djinn:** I should ask you the same. Forest Djinn, why are you still keeping the pointless pact?

**Forest Djinn:** This is my mission.

**Water Djinn:** …

**Delta:** Tsk, so we waited till night and we get the toughest guy? Interesting.

**Water Djinn:** Hold on, Delta.

**Water Djinn:** I know her. She is stubborn, but she’s got a good soul. Let me talk to her and maybe we can sort this out.

**Delta:** I know a much easier way.

Delta lifted her greatsword and took a step ahead.

**Delta:** I can tell from miles off that she’s different. Unlike you, she takes more than coins and nice words to convince.

**Forest Djinn:** …

**Delta:** And I know exactly how to make her step back.

Bam!

Delta leaped up for a crushing blow at Forest Djinn, but her sword was blocked by deer-headed knights from nowhere.

**Delta:** So they must be the deer-head monsters. Are they your friends?

**Forest Djinn:** They are a blessing from the gods. Turn back now, stranger. This is not your place…

**Delta:** Ha… interesting… This bubble universe is much more fun than I expected.

**Forest Djinn:** ?!

**Delta:** Looks like I’ll have to get serious a bit… Relax, djinn, this will be quick.

--

#### Emerald Woods 4

Bam!

Delta’s greatsword clashed once more with the deer-headed knight’s shield.

**Forest Djinn:** Hmm…

**Delta:** Come on, djinn, I don’t get you.

**Delta:** I’ve given you plenty of opportunities, but you never followed up. Why?

**Forest Djinn:** I’ve no reason to harm you. My mission is to protect and prevent.

**Delta:** Blablablah… It’s a duel. The winner lives and the loser dies. Simple as that.

**Forest Djinn:** …

**Delta:** If you’re not prepared to give it your all… you might pay a very dear price, djinn.

Delta dove down to the next attack, and the deer-headed knight lifted its shield again in defense.

**Water Djinn:** Enough! Stop right now, you two!

A wall of water suddenly rose up between Delta and the Forest Djinn.

**Delta:** Idiot djinn, what are you dong?

**Water Djinn:** I…

**Delta:** If you get mixed up, my blade won’t be able to avoid you.

**Seele:** No, Miss Delta, don’t hurt the Water Djinn, please!

Seele raised her scythe and stood in front of the Water Djinn.

Her hands were as shaky as her voice, but she stood up nevertheless.

**Delta:** …

Delta hesitated for a moment before she sighed and withdrew her steel.

**Delta:** Great… you two just have to spoil a good fight.

She took a swing casually and a thick tree fell in response. She sat on the trunk and began to drink cherry juice.

**Delta:** So, djinn, can we pass now?

**Forest Djinn:** …

**Water Djinn:** Come on, don’t be so rigid. You saw what she’s capable of, right? Just let them pass…

**Forest Djinn:** Why?

**Water Djinn:** Huh?

**Forest Djinn:** You knew I’d stop them, but you led them here anyway. Why?

**Water Djinn:** …

**Water Djinn:** No no no, you got it wrong. I thought you had given up the pact and left this place like the others.

**Water Djinn:** After all, I’m the only misfit of our breed… Makes perfect sense for me to be left here alone.

**Water Djinn:** And when I came here before, I only saw the two deer heads… and I got beaten up pretty bad…

**Forest Djinn:** …

**Forest Djinn:** More lies… Water Djinn, no wonder we can’t get along.

**Water Djinn:** Come on, you know what I mean, and that’s good enough. So, can I take them into the ruins now?

**Forest Djinn:** No.

**Water Djinn:** But why?

**Forest Djinn:** I don’t test adventurers anymore. My mission now is to protect and prevent.

**Forest Djinn:** Protect the woods and prevent anyone from entering the ruins.

**Water Djinn:** No, the pact that bound you has long ended, Forest Djinn.

**Water Djinn:** As for what you promised Bronya… well, that’s only a dumb promise, right?

**Forest Djinn:** …

The Forest Djinn didn’t answer. She closed her eyes and looked like she was trying to remember something.

**Seele:** Bronya? Miss Forest Djinn, have you seen her?

**Forest Djinn:** You are?

**Seele:** I… I’m Seele, Bronya’s sister.

**Forest Djinn:** Her sister… No wonder…

She could finally explain the familiarity she felt about Seele. They were too much alike in some way.

Clearly, Seele wasn’t as strong or brave as Bronya, but in her eyes, the Forest Djinn found…

Tenacity that even Bronya couldn’t match.

**Seele:** Bronya… she went to the Dark Castle but never returned. I… I want to find her. Miss Forest Djinn, if you know…

**Forest Djinn:** I’ve seen her, Seele. And I made her a promise before I sent her away.

**Forest Djinn:** A certain pact made me the guardian of the ruins. My only mission was to guide worthy adventurers to the Dark Castle.

**Forest Djinn:** And Bronya… she didn’t pass the trial in the first place.

**Forest Djinn:** But she refused to give up. She challenged me again and again…

**Forest Djinn:** In the end when she finally passed the test, I realised she had become a friend to me rather than an adventurer.

**Forest Djinn:** And as a friend, I made her a promise.

**Forest Djinn:** Stop new adventurers from entering the Dark Castle after she left.

**Seele:** Stop new adventurers? But what if Bronya fails?

**Forest Djinn:** Seele, you know it better than me. Bronya never admits defeat.

**Seele:** Hmm…

**Forest Djinn:** And after Bronya went to the Dark Castle, the scourge inflicted by the Dark Lord had mostly died down.

**Forest Djinn:** The Dark Castle once was a black hole sucking in all adventurers and putting out all hopes and light.

**Forest Djinn:** Now… monsters still ravage the land, but the black hole is put to an indefinite halt.

**Delta:** That’s why the Adventurer’s Path is hardly trodden upon… The world needs no adventurers when the Dark Lord is gone, eh?

**Forest Djinn:** A peaceful world that doesn’t need adventurers anymore. Isn’t that what everyone dreams of?

**Seele:** But Bronya never returned… If the world is saved, where is she right now?

**Forest Djinn:** Sorry, I don’t know.

**Seele:** I feel an adventurer isn’t all about taking down the Dark Lord. Returning safely is also Bronya’s mission. I miss her.

**Water Djinn:** Forest Djinn, just let them pass. I’ll tag along and make sure they’re safe.

**Delta:** No, thanks, I’m not taking more dead weight.

**Water Djinn:** Who are you calling dead weight? I’m a powerful djinn… I can heal and bless!

**Water Djinn:** Yeah, I don’t fight as well as her… but neither does any other djinn! She’s freakishly strong, even for a djinn!

**Forest Djinn:** …

**Water Djinn:** Er, no, I meant that as a compliment. Don’t get it wrong…

The Forest Djinn closed her eyes again and withdrew her lance.

**Forest Djinn:** Leave now before I regret.

**Water Djinn:** Huh?

**Seele:** Eh?

**Delta:** Heh.

**Forest Djinn:** But remember, there’s no turning back once you step into the ruins.

**Forest Djinn:** You might find the truth you seek… but it might not be the truth you want.

**Delta:** Enough with your riddles. Guess we won’t be seeing you again.

**Delta:** Seele, let’s go.

**Seele:** Oh, ah, yeah! Goodbye, Miss Water Djinn and Forest Djinn. Thank you!

**Forest Djinn:** May the spirit of the forest be with you.

**Water Djinn:** May the spirit of the spring… Hey, wait a sec! You two are leaving me here?! I got you here, remember?

The Water Djinn took off to catch up. The Forest Djinn whispered something to her when she passed by.

The Water Djinn paused for a brief moment before she hurried ahead into the tunnel leading to the ruins.

Seele slowly fumbled forth in the darkness, while Delta followed her closely. The Water Djinn eyed Delta.

**Delta:** Someone tied up your tongue?

**Water Djinn:** …

**Water Djinn:** The Forest Djinn told me you didn’t give it your all in in the fight, and that she’d be on the ground if you did.

**Delta:** Ha, I should point out it was you who held me back.

**Water Djinn:** That’s because, your monstrous power… reminded me of the demons… or even the Dark Lord. I think she felt it too.

**Delta:** …

**Water Djinn:** Come to think of it, if your story is passed down, you’d probably be called “Delta the Demon Adventurer”…

**Delta:** Demon Adventurer? Not bad.

**Water Djinn:** Delta…

**Water Djinn:** Who are you exactly?

**Delta:** …

**Water Djinn:** Come on, why so serious? I’m just kidding.

**Water Djinn:** As long as you can slay the Dark Lord, no one cares if you will become the next one.

--

#### Elder Ruins 1

Late night that day, near the entrance of the Elder Ruins.

**Seele:** here must be the Elder Ruins in the book.

**Water Djinn:** Yeah, that’s right! Any adventurer who wishes to enter the Dark Castle must pass the Grand Sage’s test here…

**Delta:** Shut up, idiot djinn.

**Water Djinn:** Humph, I wasn’t talking to you. Seele asked me a question and I was obliged to instruct her…

**Delta:** Shut… up. Don’t make me repeat.

**Water Djinn:** …

Delta gave the Water Djinn a vicious look and silenced her immediately.

**Seele:** Miss Delta, please don’t be mean to Miss Water Djinn… It was my bad. I shouldn’t…

**Delta:** Be quiet now as well, Seele.

**Seele:** …

The silent ruins became even more eerie now that only their anxious breaths could be heard.

Delta observed the surroundings with a clear head, but she could see nothing except endless broken walls.

**Delta:** (It’s too quiet here… unnaturally quiet…)

**Water Djinn:** See-Seele, what’s wrong with her? Does she always act this weird?

**Seele:** Shh… Don’t talk, Miss Water Djinn. Miss Delta might…

**Delta:** Hey, idiot djinn.

**Water Djinn:** Wha-What? I wasn’t bad-mouthing you! Not even a word!

**Delta:** Can you feel the existence of water in here?

**Seele:** Eh? Are you thirsty, Miss Delta? I have a few bottled spring water in my backpack…

**Delta:** No, Seele, I meant flowing water. Idiot djinn, is there flowing water in these ruins?

**Water Djinn:** Delta… didn’t anyone tell you to ask nicely when you need a favor? I don’t really appreciate your manners! You…

The Water Djinn stopped all of a sudden. She seemed to have realised something and her face turned grave.

**Water Djinn:** No… I can’t feel any running water here…

**Delta:** …

**Seele:** No running water… Is that a serious problem?

**Water Djinn:** Running water means life, but everything here is still… and dead…

**Seele:** But isn’t the Grand Sage supposed to be here?

**Seele:** The Adventurer’s Guide says the Grand Sage has been here for ages, waiting for worthy adventurers to defeat evil.

**Delta:** But the book doesn’t mention whether the Grand Sage is alive or not, right?

**Seele:** You… you mean…

**Delta:** The Grand Sage might be dead.

**Seele:** !

**Delta:** Or, there wasn’t any Grand Sage to begin with.

**Seele:** Huh? If so, how did Bronya and adventurers before her get to the Dark Castle?

**Delta:** Yeah, how did they do it, Water Djinn?

**Water Djinn:** Huh? Why ask me? I’ve never been to the Dark Castle. How should I know?

**Delta:** Heh.

**Water Djinn:** Delta, I think you’re being paranoid.

**Delta:** And?

**Water Djinn:** Maybe this is part of the Grand Sage’s trial.

**Water Djinn:** Maybe… she concealed all signs of life and she is watching how we would respond somewhere.

**Delta:** Is it so?

**Water Djinn:** It’s… it’s just a guess!

**Delta:** Hmm, keep talking.

**Water Djinn:** May… maybe the Grand Sage is behind some stone tablet! We should press on and look around…

**Delta:** No, we’re resting here tonight. We’ll resume tomorrow at first light.

**Water Djinn:** Huh?

**Delta:** Unknown dangers might be lurking in the darkness.

**Delta:** Besides…

Delta walked up to Seele and patted on her shoulder.

**Delta:** Wake up, Seele.

**Seele:** Um… huh? Miss Delta? So-Sorry! I shouldn’t have…

**Delta:** Seele, over here.

**Seele:** Oh, OK…

Seele followed Delta to a broken wall a few steps away.

**Delta:** It’s a few hours before dawn. Seele, drop your backpack and sleep here.

**Delta:** You didn’t get any shuteye for two straight days… Rest well and we’ll continue at dawn.

**Seele:** Eh?

**Delta:** There’s a small patch of grass here. Beats the hard ground of rocks.

**Seele:** You seem aloof, but you actually care about me…

**Delta:** Whatever.

**Water Djinn:** \*yawns\* Then I should probably have a rest too.

**Water Djinn:** The ground over there looks flat. I’m gonna go sleep there. Let me see if I can make a water bed with my aqua power…

**Delta:** Don’t go too far.

Water Djinn sauntered away, yawning.

Seele lay on a small patch of grass and used her cloak as a blanket.

She then scooched over to make some room.

**Seele:** Miss Delta, would you like to lie down here… This grass patch should be enough for the both of us.

**Delta:** Nah, I’ll go over there.

Delta pointed at a pile of broken steles nearby.

**Seele:** What… Those are rocks! You won’t be able to have a good sleep on them…

**Delta:** It’s the best spot for night watch - I have a wider view there, and I can help the both of you in case of an emergency.

**Seele:** Night watch? Aren’t you going to sleep? You don’t look tired at all though…

**Delta:** I’m used to staying up late.

**Delta:** Plus, when spending the night in the wild, you have to have someone keep watch. It’s basic knowledge for adventurers.

**Seele:** Oh, right… now I remember I read it in Adventurer’s Guide.

**Seele:** Well then, can I watch the night tomorrow?

**Delta:** Nah, it’s that idiot Djinn’s turn tomorrow.

\*snoring sound\*

Water Djinn’s loud snore came with a cool night breeze.

**Delta:** Can’t believe she already fell asleep… Meh.

Delta grabbed her weapon and walked towards that pile of steles.

**Seele:** Thank you, Miss Delta…

**Delta:** For what?

**Seele:** I think this is the “adventures of the brave” as I have always imagined -

**Seele:** Strong determination, reliable companions, and excitement about the unknown future…

**Delta:** Don’t thank me.

**Delta:** It’s you who made the move. I did nothing.

**Delta:** If you have to thank someone, thank your own courage then.

No response was heard. Delta turned around, only to find that Seele had already fallen asleep.

**Delta:** …

Delta let out a sigh… She then walked to the pile of steles, sat down, and quietly looked up to the clear starry sky.

She could feel her fatigue. She was just trying to elude sleep, or more precisely, its derivative - dreams.

Delta hadn’t had any dreams for a long time.

Dreaming is a sign of deep slumber. While Delta could wake up at any second.

Close her eyes, clear her mind, and open her eyes five minutes later - this had been her way of sleeping.

However, this time, she suddenly heard something the moment she closed her eyes.

It was piercing, howling wind.

Delta immediately opened her eyes, only to find herself lying in thick snow.

She tried to stand up, but the snow trapped her like quicksand. The harder she tried, the deeper she sank.

Her body temperature kept dropping, and she gradually lost consciousness. In a daze, she heard someone calling her name.

Not her codename “Delta”, but her real name, the one that she had lost a long time ago.

She recalled that night of raging snowstorms, where this endless nightmare began.

Actually, she wished it was just a long nightmare.

Because no matter how terrible nightmares appear, they would always dissipate when she woke up in the morning.

And her loved one would be by her side, and gently wipe her tears.

But how could she ever wake up in reality…

Delta pinched herself as hard as she could.

…

The glaring sunlight hurt Delta’s eyes.

**Delta:** Owie…

To her surprise, she had a headache. She rubbed her forehead in bewilderment.

**Delta:** What happened… I fell asleep?

**Delta:** But why…

**Delta:** Seele? Idiot Djinn?

No one answered.

There was nobody in view.

Only Seele’s little backpack was lying on that grass patch.

**Delta:** Ugh… I shouldn’t have let my guard down.

**Delta:** You have something to do with that weird dream I just had, don’t you.

Delta looked up at a small figure perching on top of the stone wall in front of her.

**???:** Maybe I do, maybe I don’t.

**Delta:** I’m not in a good mood right now. You better not beat around the bush and waste my time.

**???:** Waste your time? There must be some misunderstanding, Adventurer.

**???:** You’re talking to the legendary Grand Sage, the master of the ruins, and…

**???:** The arranger of your trials.

--

#### Elder Ruins 2

**Grand Sage:** You’re talking to the legendary Grand Sage, the master of the ruins, and…

**Grand Sage:** The arranger of your trials.

**Delta:** The Grand Sage? You? Huh, I assumed you to be much bigger than this.

Seeming a bit annoyed at Delta’s taunt, the Sage flew to a taller stele and stood on top of it, looking down at Delta.

**Grand Sage:** The “Grand” in “Grand Sage” does not refer to the size of stature. Rather, it’s about the massiveness of my wisdom, insight, grace, and…

**Delta:** Cut the crap. Just tell me how to get to the Dark Castle.

Though Delta hadn’t made any move, her tail already raised her greatsword and pointed it at the small figure.

**Grand Sage:** Alas, young adventurers always lack patience.

The Grand Sage didn’t seem to be daunted by Delta’s threat. She let out a sigh, and nudged the tip of the sword aside.

**Grand Sage:** Before you start to explore the ruins, don’t you want to know where your missing companions are?

**Grand Sage:** At the moment, they might be suffering or facing terrifying enemies somewhere in the ruins…

**Delta:** So what?

**Grand Sage:** They… Huh? What did you say?

**Delta:** What does their suffering have to do with me?

**Grand Sage:** …

**Delta:** Are you saying that you won’t tell me how to get to the Dark Castle unless I save them?

**Grand Sage:** Of course not. I’m just shocked to see an adventurer abandon her companions without hesitation…

**Delta:** I’m not an adventurer. And they are not my companions.

**Grand Sage:** Um, alright…

**Grand Sage:** Well then, Adventurer, it’s time to follow my guidance and finish your trials in the ruins.

The Grand Sage took out a roll of parchment from her sleeve, and cleared her throat.

**Grand Sage:** Master Adventurer, welcome to this time-honored Elder Ruins.

**Grand Sage:** You and your pals will first experience the amazing “magic of displacement”.

**Grand Sage:** If you are separated from one another under the magic, please do not panic, as it will be the ruins’ test of you.

**Grand Sage:** Your friendship and lofty ambitions will bind your hearts together and lead you through the trials to the secret…

BAM!

Delta abruptly slashed the stele on which the Grand Sage was standing in half.

**Delta:** Get to the point. I don’t have time for a beginners’ tutorial.

**Grand Sage:** Be patient, Adventurer. Listening to the Grand Sage’s instructions is part of your trials.

**Delta:** Can’t I skip this part and hear my quest already?

**Grand Sage:** No, you cannot. It’s how the system works.

**Delta:** Ugh… Fine, whatever.

**Grand Sage:** …

**Delta:** How about we try something simpler and more efficient.

**Delta:** I ask questions, and you answer them with a simple yes or no. You think you can do this?

The Grand Sage glanced at the slit stele and the pink greatsword in front of her, and nodded with a shiver.

**Delta:** Question No. 1, Seele and that idiot Djinn are both alive and haven’t left the ruins, yes or no?

**Grand Sage:** If you’re referring to the other two adventurers, then yes.

**Delta:** Question No. 2, there are other “Grand Sages” in the ruins, yes or no?

**Grand Sage:** Wha… How did you know…

**Delta:** I just took a guess. According to you, all adventurers will be tested separately at different locations in the ruins.

**Delta:** Which means, as I’ve met you, Seele and Idiot Djinn would meet their own Grand Sages who give them instructions.

**Delta:** Of course, it’s also possible that you test us at different times. But your reaction just now validated my first guess.

**Grand Sage:** …

**Delta:** Well then, Question No. 3 -

**Delta:** What should I do to leave this place and get to the Floating Isles and the Dark Castle?

**Grand Sage:** Um, Miss Adventurer, could you please show some respect for the ruins and me?

**Grand Sage:** Who would ask for walkthroughs about the final boss stage at the newbie tutorial?!

**Delta:** Players who are only interested in the results, like me.

**Grand Sage:** …

**Grand Sage:** Fine! If you’re in such a hurry, here’s the most difficult puzzle in the ruins!

**Delta:** I’m listening.

**Grand Sage:** “Imagine that this complicated array of puzzles of the ruins is something like a board game being played by the gods, and the adventurers are observers of the game.”

**Grand Sage:** “Even if they knew every rule, however, they might not be able to understand why a particular card is played in the game.”

**Grand Sage:** “But when they know the rules, they consider that they can ‘solve’ all the puzzles of the ruins.”

**Delta:** …

**Grand Sage:** Humph, this is one of the oldest puzzles of the ruins. No adventurers ever solved it.

**Grand Sage:** You don’t understand a word of it, do you. Haha~ you were like…

**Delta:** I know this reference.

**Delta:** It’s from The Feynman Lectures on Physics.

**Grand Sage:** Wha… what?!

**Delta:** The original text should be - “We can imagine that this complicated array of moving things which constitutes ‘the world’ is something like a great chess game being played by the gods, and we are observers of the game.”

**Delta:** “Even if we knew every rule, however, we might not be able to understand why a particular move is made in the game.”

**Delta:** If we know the rules, we consider that we ‘understand’ the world.”

**Delta:** That’s all I could remember. That book was so boring. I only read a few pages before I gave it away.

**Delta:** Who would’ve thought your puzzle comes exactly from the few pages I read. Alright, so what’s the question of…

**Grand Sage:** This isn’t right… Why would you know the content of the scriptures left by the Grand Sage?

**Delta:** Left by the Grand Sage?

**Grand Sage:** Er, I mean… No, I didn’t say anything! You heard nothing…

**???:** Alas, Jingwei, you’re such an embarrassment.

**???:** You’ve wasted so much time and still failed to take her out, and you almost revealed our secret… Shame on you.

**Grand Sage:** What Jingwei? I… I’m the Grand Sage of the ruins…!

**???:** Humph, save it. You’ve only been disgracing the Grand Sage, you little coward.

Delta turned around and saw an indigo figure about the same size as the Grand Sage.

She was standing on a higher stele, looking down at the two.

**Delta:** So you are another Grand Sage, huh?

**???:** Hahaha… Hehehe…

**Grand Sage X:** That’s right! I am the true master of the ruins, the herald of the freezing netherworld, and the dark angel of eternal sleep - the Grand Sage X!

**Delta:** Pff, are you trying to be funny?

**Grand Sage X:** …

Though Grand Sage X looked very embarrassed, she still managed to maintain her pose for her debut.

**Grand Sage:** Oh, that’s her persona. You know, some adventurers like this type.

**Grand Sage X:** …

**Delta:** Why are you here, Grand Sage X?

**Grand Sage X:** I wouldn’t stop for fatuous adventurers who couldn’t even pass the first trial.

**Delta:** Hmm, you’re saying they both failed?

**Grand Sage X:** Correct! Now it’s your turn, Dar… mmmmm-!

Before Grand Sage X could finish talking, the Grand Sage hurriedly flew over and muffled her.

**Grand Sage:** She… she was just saying “Darling Adventurer, it’s time to start your trials…” Right, Grand Sage X?

**Grand Sage X:** Um, yeah, that’s exactly what I was going to say.

**Delta:** …

**Grand Sage:** \*whispers\* What are you doing! You almost spilled the beans!

**Grand Sage X:** \*whispers\* I…

**Grand Sage:** \*whispers\* You don’t know what we’re dealing with! See those thick stone steles? She just cut them like butter!

**Grand Sage X:** \*whispers\* I was just worried about you… And I don’t want to play the game with them anymore… I never win.

**Grand Sage:** \*whispers\* Alright, alright. I’ll think of some excuses to trick her. You play along and follow my lead.

**Delta:** You know there’s no team channel for you two, and I can hear you, right?

**Grand Sage:** …

**Grand Sage:** Anyway… time is running out. Get ready for your trials, Adventurer!

**Delta:** Okay. I’d like to see how you’re going to trick me.

**Grand Sage:** Ahem… Please follow me to this ancient triangular stele array, Adventurer.

**Grand Sage X:** Please stand on the circular floor surrounded by the three steles to activate the device.

**Delta:** That’s it? You call this a trial?

**Grand Sage:** This is just the beginning~ The trials are designed to be an evolutionary process of increasing difficulty…

**Grand Sage X:** Don’t waste too much time on the beginning. Just stand there so that we can give you further instructions.

Delta cast a suspicious glance at them, and then casually walked to the spot as they instructed.

The next moment, the three steles began to emit green light, forming a cage with a click, which trapped Delta inside.

**Delta:** Humph, so this is the real trial for adventurers?

**Grand Sage:** Save it, you crafty Dark Lord!

**Delta:** Dark Lord?

**Grand Sage:** Who’d have thought the Dark Lord has secretly evolved this far… You even have a human form now! And you used it to trick those adventurers!

**Grand Sage X:** Thank goodness we saw through your ruse before it was too late and transferred the two adventurers to a safe place…

**Grand Sage:** What is your evil plan? To murder the adventurers? To steal the secrets of the ruins? Or…

BAM!

Delta suddenly thrust her greatsword into the ground.

**Delta:** Humph, you call yourself Grand Sages? More like Grand Morons.

**Delta:** I couldn’t be less interested in the adventurers or the stupid secrets of your stupid ruins.

**Delta:** I told you, I just want to know the way to the Dark Castle.

Delta then stamped her foot on the ground a few times.

**Delta:** That click came from underground, right?

**Delta:** And it doesn’t sound solid when I hit the ground with my sword or foot. There’s space down there, am I right?

**Grand Sage:** Um…

**Grand Sage X:** Shoot!

**Delta:** These steles and broken walls are all just camouflage. The real ruins are underground.

**Delta:** Don’t bother to think of an answer, Grand Sages. The looks on your faces already gave the answer to me.

**Delta:** As for how to get down there… I won’t need your help on that either.

Delta tightly grasped the hilt. Countless cracks began to sprawl in the ground from the landing point of the blade.

**Delta:** Wake up, Sleeping Beauty…

**Delta:** Shatter this place for me!

--

#### Elder Ruins 3

Meanwhile, somewhere under the ruins.

**???:** Choose Race: Elf or Half Elf.

**???:** Choose Class: Mage or Warrior.

**???:** Are you sure you want to be a Half Elf Warrior, Miss Vollerei?

**Seele:** Yes. This one looks strong… Can I be her?

**???:** Of course. Race and Class confirmed.

**???:** Initiating character attributes, abilities, features and equipment…

In a badly lit chamber, four figures were sitting around a stone table.

**Seele:** I’ve made my choice. Here you are, Miss Alice.

The girl called Alice adeptly took the cards handed by Seele.

**Alice:** Alice will host. The story of the Adventurers and the Dark Dragon begins.

**Alice:** The Dark Dragon is evil. It destroyed and looted the world.

**Alice:** Adventurers, you have trekked so far and finally reached the Dark Dragon’s lair.

**Alice:** You decided to take a rest tonight to refresh and fight the Dark Dragon tomorrow.

**Water Djinn:** That’s it? We’re about to fight the final Boss already?

**Alice:** The next day, you wake up in a strange room. What do you do, Adventurers?

**Water Djinn:** Same thing I did when I woke up here this morning -

**Water Djinn:** Scream.

**Seele:** Um, I think I’ll pass out…

**Alice:** What about you, Grand Sage Y?

**Grand Sage Y:** I light a torch.

**Alice:** The room is lit by Grand Sage Y’s torch. You see many treasure chests.

**Alice:** Please wait. Alice needs to roll the dice to decide your results.

**Alice:** Seele passed out but was woken up again by Water Djinn’s scream. What do you do next, Water Djinn?

**Water Djinn:** A room full of treasure chests? Can I go check those chests? I open the biggest one!

**Alice:** Water Djinn opened a treasure chest and is blinded by glittering treasure. Water Djinn loses her sight for one round.

**Water Djinn:** …

**Water Djinn:** Wait a sec… Alice, this game doesn’t feel right.

**Water Djinn:** The timing of dice rolling is already weird… And why would someone be blinded when opening a treasure chest?!

**Water Djinn:** It doesn’t make sense!

**Alice:** It doesn’t?

Alice tilted her head to look at Water Djinn, with a hint of confusion in her emotionless voice.

**Alice:** Database shows the same thing had happened to adventurers before. The game will simulate all possible threats.

**Alice:** Alice’s game is designed to test and toughen adventurers. Try your best to avoid danger and prove yourselves.

**Seele:** But all we’ve experienced so far are bad things… Falling into a trap, losing baggage, food poisoning, getting hurt…

**Alice:** Alice has fun, happy stories. You’re out of luck and missed them all.

**Alice:** Frogs rained down at the princess’s wedding in a distant kingdom; a lost traveler strayed into the territory of a race of tiny people; the country in the far north has no nights or seasons…

**Water Djinn:** All of these stories are too bizarre to make sense to me… And I’m a Djinn.

**Water Djinn:** And you just play along like this, Grand Sage?

The girl who was referred to as “Grand Sage” seemed reticent. She fixed her eyes on her cards without looking up.

**Water Djinn:** Great, another cold fish. She talks less than the one with two horns on her head.

**Water Djinn:** Who’d have thought the legendary Grand Sage just hides under the ruins and plays games with a little girl all day…

**Alice:** It’s called Board RPG for Adventurers. The Grand Sage created it to help adventurers improve their capabilities.

**Water Djinn:** With all due respect, I don’t think anyone who could pass Forest Djinn’s trial would need this…

**Water Djinn:** Especially that monster Delta.

**Seele:** Miss Delta would be mad at you if she knew you said that…

**Water Djinn:** I know. That’s why I said it behind her back… Anyway, where is she? Why hasn’t she joined us?

**Seele:** Grand Sage told me she’s still up there being tested… But why does she need extra testing? She’s way stronger than us.

**Alice:** Grand Sage Y said…

**Grand Sage Y:** Alice, they don’t need to know. Continue the game.

**Alice:** But the Adventurers asked a question. Alice is supposed to answer their questions.

**Grand Sage Y:** Have better judgement, Alice. Some questions will only bring problems if answered.

BAM!

There was a loud thump as something crashed into the iron door of the chamber.

**Grand Sage Y:** Who’s there?!

**Grand Sage:** It’s me…

**Grand Sage Y:** Jing… Grand Sage? Why did you hit the door so hard? Just get in.

No response but some muffled muttering came from the other side of the door.

**Grand Sage Y:** What’s wrong, Jingwei? Don’t panic. I’m coming.

**Grand Sage:** NOOO! Don’t open the door! Bring Alice and the Adventurers and just run! The Dark Lord… Mmmaaaargh!

BAM!

With another thud, a large bulge stuck out from the thick iron door.

Then came a deluge of thumps which finally ceased when the door broke away from the frame and smashed into the wall on the other side of the room/chamber. (text-box cut-off)

As everyone’s jaw dropped, Delta lowered her leg at the door.

**Delta:** Knee strikes, hook kicks, side kicks, tail sweeps… I haven’t practiced my fighting moves for ages. Kinda rusty.

Delta’s tail flicked and tossed two “Grand Sages” who had been bound by her tail among the four girls in the chamber.

**Grand Sage:** Owie… my head… is spinning… So many Alice…

**Grand Sage X:** Is this… what infernal regions look like… There’s only chaos in sight…

**Grand Sage Y:** Hey! Are you two alright? Wake up!

**Seele:** Miss Delta!

**Delta:** Oh, you are here, Seele and Idiot Djinn. I see you two have been taken good “care” of.

**Seele:** Er, I think so. We were just playing a board game with Miss Alice.

**Water Djinn:** Um, Seele… I think she means kidnapping…

**Seele:** What? Kidnapping? No no no. Miss Djinn and I are fine. Miss Alice and the Grand Sage have been very nice to us!

**Seele:** Grand Sage just told us that you were still being tested. There must be some misunderstanding…

**Delta:** Being tested? Hahahaha… For what? To see if I’m a qualified Dark Lord?

**Seele:** Huh?

**Grand Sage Y:** I see you have given up lying, Dark Lord.

**Delta:** Dark Lord, Adventurer, human… Whatever you wanna call me. I’m not here for you.

**Delta:** It’s you whom I’m looking for.

Delta raised her greatsword and pointed at Alice who had remained silent.

**Delta:** I played a few games with those two critters for a while, and they told me everything.

**Delta:** The two of them and the one with striped stockings, none of them are the real Grand Sage. They’re just support ELFs.

**Seele:** Huh? Then where is the real Grand Sage?

**Water Djinn:** Could it be…

**Alice:** …

**Delta:** The real Grand Sage is you, am I right, little girl?

**Alice:** Some questions will only bring problems if answered. Alice must have better judgment. Grand Sage Y told Alice this.

**Alice:** Alice refuses to answer your question.

Suddenly, Alice’s body emitted glaring white light. When everyone else could open their eyes again -

**Seele:** This place is… the ruins? We’re back on the ground again?

**Grand Sage Y:** This is the magic of displacement that the Grand Sage left to Alice…

**Grand Sage X:** And Alice used the magic of ruins’ barrier as well?!

Grand Sage X was pointing at a vacant lot not very far away from them.

Alice and Delta were standing in the middle of the lot, while the others were kept out by a light wall.

**Alice:** …

**Delta:** Seriously, I’m not interested in beating a kid up.

**Delta:** But if that’s the only way to get the answer from you…

**Delta:** Then you leave me no choice.

--

#### Elder Ruins 4

**Alice:** …

**Delta:** Are you done?

**Delta:** You could get hurt. Quit messing around, silly.

**Alice:** Alice is not messing around. Alice has been collecting data, observing, and analysing you.

**Delta:** Huh?

**Alice:** Data collection complete. Alice can answer your question now. Alice is not the real Grand Sage.

**Alice:** The real Grand Sage has been gone for ages.

**Alice:** The Grand Sage made Alice and the support ELFs to continue the research and protect the ruins.

**Delta:** So that’s the reason you had to fight me?

Delta looked back and glanced at the three “Grand Sages”.

**Alice:** Wrong. Alice fought you in order to collect data and identify you.

**Alice:** Result of analysis: Delta is similar but not identical to the Dark Lord.

**Alice:** Delta does not belong to this world, just like the Dark Lord. But Delta is not the Dark Lord.

**Seele:** Miss Delta doesn’t belong to this world…?

**Delta:** Yeah. Why are you so surprised? I didn’t tell you?

**Seele:** No… How could you not tell us something this important…

**Water Djinn:** But even if she told us, we wouldn’t believe her.

**Alice:** Alice apologises. ELFs misjudged Delta. ELFs should apologise too.

**Grand Sage:** Sorry… We shouldn’t have been so hotheaded…

The three ELFs stood in a row behind Delta, their little heads lolling.

**Grand Sage:** When the three of you entered the ruins, you were all tested by the magic of discernment left by the Grand Sage.

**Grand Sage X:** And the results  showed that the composition of Delta is highly similar to the Dark Lord.

**Grand Sage Y:** Alice suggested transferring the other two adventurers to the inside of the ruins to protect them while observing you.

**Grand Sage X:** But the three of us couldn’t afford the possibility of the Dark Lord destroying Alice and the ruins…

**Grand Sage:** So we discussed and decided to take you out with the ruins’ defense system… Or weaken you a little at least.

**Delta:** You mean that stupid trap with green lights? Gee, how weak do you think I am?

**Grand Sage X:** Our trap is fine! It’s just that you’re so unreasonably strong!

**Delta:** Hmm?

**Grand Sage X:** I… I didn’t say anything…

**Alice:** The ELFs had no ill intent. They just wanted to protect the ruins.

**Delta:** To be more precise, they wanted to protect something in the ruins. Am I right?

**Alice:** …

**Delta:** And so did you.

**Delta:** You teleported us on the ground, because you didn’t want something underground to be smashed during our fight.

**Alice:** It’s Alice that they tried to protect.

**Delta:** Huh?

**Grand Sage:** \*sighs\* Let me explain this to you, Adventurers.

**Grand Sage:** Long, long ago, when the Grand Sage was still here, this place hadn’t been reduced to rubble -

**Grand Sage:** It used to be the Grand Sage’s laboratory. And the three of us were her assistants created by her.

**Grand Sage X:** When the Dark Lord descended, it brought infinite monsters and destruction, as well as countless magic devices and books from another world.

**Delta:** (Another world? Another bubble universe maybe? I knew it…)

**Grand Sage X:** The Grand Sage had been studying those devices and books in the hope of finding out ways to defeat the Dark Lord.

**Delta:** I see… Including The Feynman Lectures on Physics, right? You know, the book where the puzzle I was given came from.

**Grand Sage X:** I’ve never heard of it before. But the Grand Sage did compile all useful information in the books into her scriptures.

**Grand Sage X:** Those adventurers in the past bought us a lot of time, but we failed to find a way to defeat the Dark Lord anyway.

**Grand Sage Y:** There were a few methods that might work, but the odds were heavily against us, and they were very dangerous.

**Grand Sage Y:** Those methods were sealed by the Grand Sage in the ruins and touched by no one ever since.

**Grand Sage Y:** At the end of life, the Grand Sage utilised all her knowledge to build an unparalleled massive magic barrier.

**Grand Sage Y:** The barrier isolated the part of the world that the Dark Lord had already destroyed, i.e. the Floating Isles, from the rest of the world where humanity could be safe from monsters.

**Delta:** Huh, so humanity’s been living in a sheltered garden ever since, and the tales about the Dark Lord are gradually forgotten.

**Grand Sage Y:** While Alice is…

**Alice:** Alice is the core of the barrier.

**Seele:** Wha…

**Alice:** The Grand Sage made a pact with the Djinns -

**Alice:** The Djinns select qualified adventurers and send them to the ruins to be trained to fight the Dark Lord.

**Alice:** Alice blocks monsters from the Floating Isles. The Djinns will help too when things get out of hand.

**Alice:** This is how the pact works, as always.

**Delta:** So… this place is actually a training base for adventurers?

**Alice:** Correct. Alice and the ELFs designed games and made devices to train adventurers.

**Alice:** The Floating Isles are the closest to the Dark Castle and thus the most dangerous. Alice would only send adventurers there after the training.

**Seele:** Um… did my sister disappear on the Floating Isles?

**Seele:** Her name is Bronya. She’s about the same height as me, and normally wears her silver hair in ponytails like this…

Seele took out her pen and notepad, trying to draw a sketch of Bronya to show Alice.

**Alice:** Alice has met Bronya. She is good at playing games. Alice likes her.

**Alice:** But Alice cannot answer your question.

**Seele:** Huh?

**Grand Sage:** Under normal circumstances, the ruins’ barrier only allows one-way passage - from the ruins to the Floating Isles.

**Grand Sage:** The barrier would collapse only after the energy of the Dark Lord dissipates.

**Seele:** Which means… Bronya might still be on the Floating Isles?

**Seele:** Oh, and other adventurers too… Wait, this isn’t right.

**Seele:** There are fewer monsters now, so if the Dark Lord’s already been defeated by Bronya, why is the barrier still on?

**Alice:** Sorry. Alice does not know the answer.

**Seele:** But…

**Delta:** Let it go, Seele. You won’t get the answer here no matter what. And even if you do, you won’t believe it anyway. Just push on and find the truth yourself. It’s the meaning of your whole adventure.

**Seele:** …

**Water Djinn:** Hey! You’re mean, Delta.

**Delta:** Shut up.

**Water Djinn:** You… you’re unbelievable!

**Water Djinn:** Alice, give this brat more tests - the hardest tests you have! Make her suffer so she’ll learn to be nicer to people.

**Alice:** Alice refuses. The trial is over.

**Alice:** Alice considers your team strong enough to pass the trial and go to the Floating Isles.

**Alice:** Delta’s power is unprecedented according to Alice’s database.

**Seele:** Stronger than Bronya…?

**Alice:** Correct.

**Delta:** Well, that’s because you’ve only seen very few people and are therefore easy to impress.

**Alice:** And Seele’s strong determination to find her sister gives her great strength to fight her enemy.

**Seele:** Yes… I must find Bronya and take her home!

**Water Djinn:** What about me? I’m as strong as them, right?

**Alice:** Water Djinn resembles the Grand Sage. They both have beautiful silver hair and lovely blue eyes.

Everyone was shocked at Alice’s response

**Alice:** The Grand Sage was petite and the same height as Alice. She always wore a trencher cap and a pair of round spectacles.

**Alice:** “This would make me look less cute and much wiser.” she once said so.

**Alice:** But her favourite clothes was actually a cute blue and white dress. She looked like Alice in Wonderland in that dress.

**Alice:** And Water Djinn’s dress has the same colors.

**Water Djinn:** Um, I don’t know what to say… Thanks, perhaps?

**Seele:** So that’s why you were named Alice by the Grand Sage…

**Alice:** Wrong. Alice picked her own name.

**Alice:** Alice was once called Omega, a codename given by the Grand Sage, which means “last piece of work”.

**Alice:** But Alice did not like it. Alice wanted a real name rather than a codename, to remember the Grand Sage.

**Delta:** …

**Alice:** So Alice is curious - Delta is not a real name but a codename.

**Alice:** Humanity does not like codenames. But you only have a codename. Why do you have no real name?

Everyone turned to look at Delta. She remained silent for a while.

**Delta:** I once had a name. But not anymore.

**Delta:** Like you said, names are for remembering some people or something.

**Delta:** I… I have nothing worth remembering. A codename for others to refer to me is enough.

**Delta:** And I don’t care if it’s Delta or what.

**Alice:** Alice does not understand.

**Delta:** You’ll understand when you grow up.

**Alice:** Alice has lived far longer than you.

**Delta:** …

**Water Djinn:** Let it go, Alice. That cold fish won’t tell you if she doesn’t want to. It’s not like it’s some important info anyway.

**Water Djinn:** She’ll probably throw a huge tantrum and smash your ruins if you push her too hard.

**Delta:** Huh, you’re not as stupid as you look.

**Alice:** Alright. Alice still does not understand. But Alice will not inquire anymore.

**Alice:** The passage to the Floating Isles will open in 300 seconds. Please get ready, Adventurers.

**Seele:** Miss Alice… Would you like to go with us? You deserve your own adventure rather than just recording others’.

**Alice:** Sorry. Alice cannot leave.

**Seele:** Huh?

**Alice:** The Alice in front of you is not the real Alice.

**Alice:** Alice’s physical form is a massive, immovable device at the bottom of the ruins.

**Alice:** And my human form only exists on this side of the barrier.

**Seele:** Wha… How could this be…

**Alice:** It’s the order given by the Grand Sage. Alice must comply. Alice must stay.

**Alice:** But Alice feels happy to have met you all, Adventurers.

**Delta:** But if the Dark Lord no longer exists, the barrier will also disappear, and you will be able to leave here then, right?

**Alice:** Correct. No Dark Lord, no need to maintain the barrier. In that situation, Alice can leave.

**Seele:** Then… Miss Alice, can we invite you to go on new adventures after we defeat the Dark Lord?

**Seele:** Er, but if there’s no Dark Lord, there won’t be any adventures to take… Well, we can still go on a trip together then!

**Alice:** …

**Alice:** Alice has recorded Seele’s invite. Alice will wait for Seele to come back and go on trips together.

Seele held Alice’s hands and wouldn’t let go.

**Delta:** Alright Seele, time to go. The passage has already opened.

**Delta:** And take your tears back. They are not needed here.

**Water Djinn:** Hey!

**Delta:** You too, Idiot Djinn. Hurry up.

Delta grabbed Water Djinn and forcibly dragged her towards the passage.

**Alice:** Access granted. Please go on, Adventurers.

Seele finally let go of Alice’s hands, and slowly walked to the entrance of the passage.

She looked back at Alice, unwilling to take another step.

**Water Djinn:** Hey, Delta… Should we go and help her get through this?

**Delta:** Nope. That’s her problem. She’s gotta deal with it alone.

**Water Djinn:** Ugh, you have a heart of stone. Are you a Djinn too? The Stone Djinn?

**Delta:** Not funny.

**Water Djinn:** Then what do you expect me to say? Oh, us Djinns do have some juicy stories to tell.

**Delta:** Alright, tell me the story about the pact then. Which Djinn made the pact with the Grand Sage?

**Water Djinn:** …

There was an awkward silence.

**Delta:** Whatever. I’m not that interested anyway.

Suddenly, they heard quick footsteps approaching.

Delta looked back and saw Seele, her head lolling.

**Delta:** Done saying goodbye to them?

**Seele:** Yeah…

**Delta:** Then let’s go.

The three girls marched towards the Floating Isles in total silence.

Soon, they reached the end of the passage, and walked out in dazzling sunlight.

The next moment -

**???:** Welcome, Adventurers from faraway lands.

**???:** Welcome to the Floating Isles.

--

#### Floating Isles 1

About 30 minutes later after the three adventurers arrived at the Floating Isles.

**Water Djinn:** \*glug glug glug\*

**Rita:** Master Water Djinn, you have to try this.

**Water Djinn:** Huh?

**Rita:** This is fresh Airy Fruit juice, one of our special local products. Though it’s not as sweet as the Rocky Fruit juice you just had, it’s as refreshing as your spring water.

**Water Djinn:** Er, but I’m already so full…

**Rita:** I can guarantee you’ll like it.

Rita bent down and poured Water Djinn a full glass of greenish juice.

After some hesitation, Water Djinn raised her glass and drank the juice up.

**Water Djinn:** Whoah! This juice is so good! Can I get a refill, Rita?

**Rita:** Of course, Master Water Djinn.

**Water Djinn:** Ahahaha, did you hear that, Delta? She called me MASTER Water Djinn!

**Seele:** Hehe, Miss Water Djinn is beaming.

**Delta:** …

**Water Djinn:** Seele! Delta! You gotta try this! It tastes so unbelievably good! As good as my spring water!

Water Djinn waved her glass at Seele and Delta who had been seated at another table.

**Rita:** We’re flattered that you like our juice, Master Water Djinn. Miss Delta, Miss Vollerei, here’s your juice.

**Seele:** Um…

Seele hesitated for a few seconds, and took a glass of juice.

However, Delta made no move, her arms still crossed. Rita smiled and gently put down the other glass in front of her.

**Himeko:** Come on, girl!

An inebriated red-haired woman sat down between Seele and Delta, her arms around their shoulders.

**Himeko:** This is your welcome party! Make yourselves at home!

Himeko patted Seele’s shoulder heavily and held Delta tighter with the other arm.

**Delta:** Leave me alone. You smell terrible.

**Himeko:** What, you don’t like the sweet smell of alcohol? This is the smell of adulthood~ Wanna try it?

**Delta:** No.

**Himeko:** You seem like a cute little girl, but why are you so cold to us? We’re not bad people.

**Delta:** …

**Himeko:** Yeah yeah. You’re trying to look cool, I know.

Seeing Himeko had no intention to withdraw her arm from her shoulder, Delta coldly moved her hand away, raised the glass and took a sip.

**Delta:** Hmm…

**Delta:** (It does taste good.)

**Himeko:** Delicious, huh? I can tell from your face that you love it. Oh, and this Airy Fruit wine is even better, do you wanna…

**Rita:** Himeko Senpai, Miss Delta clearly prefers to have some alone time, so how about we give her more personal space.

Rita came back as they spoke, and refilled Himeko’s drink.

**Seele:** …

**Rita:** You barely touched your food, Miss Vollerei. Our local specialties don’t agree with you?

**Rita:** Sorry… we don’t have abundant foodstuffs here. Our farmlands have been polluted due to the Dark Lord’s assault…

**Seele:** Ah, no no no! The food you’ve prepared looks great, Miss Rossweisse! It’s just that…

**Rita:** Hmm?

**Seele:** This place looks so different from what I had imagined. I… I think I need some time to process.

**Rita:** I see. What did you think the Floating Isles should look like, Miss Vollerei?

**Seele:** Um, I thought it must be a chaotic place where adventurers would encounter swarms of scary monsters…

**Rita:** It used to be like that. But after efforts made by all the adventurers, we managed to build this Adventurer Base.

**Seele:** This is amazing… Who’d have thought there’s a safe, sophisticated Adventurer Base on the Floating Isles…

**Seele:** Are all the adventurers here?

**Rita:** Fu Hua Senpai is patrolling on other isles. The rest of them are all here.

Seele disappointedly bowed her head. She didn’t see the petite figure she had been looking for.

**Rita:** I must say, Miss Vollerei, you and your companions surprised us even more.

**Seele:** Huh?

**Rita:** If we hadn’t seen you with our own eyes, we wouldn’t believe that Master Water Djinn came here with new adventurers.

**Himeko:** Each of the adventurers here has been guided by Master Water Djinn. We would never have made it here without her help.

**Himeko:** Here’s to Master Water Djinn!

**Water Djinn:** Huh? Oh, cheers!

**Rita:** Here’s to Master Water Djinn!

Dozens of adventurers raised their glasses to Water Djinn while chanting her name.

**Delta:** Ugh, so loud…

Delta rubbed her forehead, stood up impatiently, and started to walk towards the exit.

**Seele:** Where are you going, Miss Delta?

**Delta:** To the Dark Castle.

**Delta:** This party is taking forever. I don’t have time for this. Neither does the Dark Lord.

**Seele:** But it seems Miss Water Djinn wants to have more food…

**Delta:** She can stay here.

**Seele:** Eh?

**Delta:** She’s nothing but a burden to me. I prefer to go without her.

**Delta:** Her duty as the guide is already complete. I only need to pass through the Floating Isles to reach the Dark Castle.

**Delta:** I don’t need any help to get rid of the monsters on the way.

**Seele:** Wait, Miss Delta! I… I don’t want to stay here either. Can I go with you?

**Seele:** Um, but I have a few questions to ask the adventurers here… Can you wait for me for a while?

**Delta:** Make it quick.

**Seele:** I will! Thank you, Miss Delta!

Seele forced her way through the cheering adventurers, and came to Rita.

**Seele:** Miss Rossweisse…

**Rita:** Oh, Miss Vollerei, where were you and Miss Delta? We’ve been looking for you.

**Seele:** Miss Rossweisse, have you met an adventurer named Bronya?

**Rita:** …

Seele’s voice was small compared to the adventurer’s cheers.

But when Seele mentioned the name “Bronya”, they all quieted down immediately.

**Seele:** Huh? What happened…Er, did I say something wrong? I’m so sorry…

**Rita:** Bronya…

**Rita:** Why do you want to find Bronya, Miss Vollerei?

**Seele:** Because… she’s my big sister. She went missing a long time ago. I came all the way here to find her…

Being stared at by the adventurers, Seele helplessly stood there with her head bowed, wringing her hands.

She could hear the adventurers murmuring, but she could not hear the exact content of the murmurs.

She was afraid. Her voice even started to tremble. But she finally managed to gather some courage to look up at Rita -

**Seele:** Miss Rossweisse, if you know Bronya’s whereabouts, please tell me…

However, Rita did not respond. Instead, she turned around to face the adventurers and clapped her hands.

**Rita:** Adventurers, the party is over. Please return to your posts and start your work and daily training.

The adventurers dispersed. Rita started to clean up.

**Water Djinn:** The party’s over already? But it just started…

**Seele:** Miss Rossweisse…

**Rita:** …

**Seele:** Did I do something wrong…? Why does everyone seem to hate me and my sister…

**Rita:** You did nothing wrong, Miss Vollerei.

**Seele:** But why did they…

**Rita:** Because “Bronya” is a name that no one here wants to speak of.

**Rita:** I don’t know how to explain this to you…

**Seele:** Explain…? What did my sister do… Please tell me, Miss Rossweisse!

**???:** It’s fine, Rita. I can explain it to them.

**Rita:** Fu Hua Senpai, you’re back early.

**Fu Hua:** I heard that Water Djinn and the new adventurers came, so I returned to greet them.

**Fu Hua:** These are the new adventurers?

**Rita:** Yes, Fu Hua Senpai. This is Miss Vollerei, and that young lady over there is Miss Delta.

**Rita:** Adventurers, this is Fu Hua Senpai. She is the founder of this base.

**Fu Hua:** Greetings, Adventurers from faraway lands. My apologies for not being able to welcome you earlier. I was patrolling elsewhere.

Fu Hua bowed to make her apologies, which rattled Seele.

**Seele:** Ah, please don’t say that, Fu Hua Senpai… I, we, we should be apologising for troubling you and Miss Rossweisse…

**Fu Hua:** I overheard part of your conversation just now, and have got a rough idea of what’s going on.

**Seele:** Do you know where my sister is, Fu Hua Senpai?

**Fu Hua:** Yes. Come with me, Seele, Delta, and… Water Djinn. I’ll show you where Bronya is.

A few minutes later, an open space outside the base.

**Fu Hua:** We’ll go southwest to an isle and climb up a mountain there, which is the highest spot in the neighborhood.

**Fu Hua:** When we get there, we will be able to see Bronya.

**Seele:** A mountain… Is my sister having her training there?

**Fu Hua:** You’ll understand when we get there.

**Fu Hua:** But before we set off, I must first deal with a lurking danger among you.

**Seele:** Lurking danger? Oh, I see. Fu Hua Senpai, I assure you that Miss Delta is not…

**Delta:** Ugh, whatever, I’m used to this. Fight me if you want. I’m tired of explaining anyway.

**Delta:** But I’m curious - what’s your criteria for identifying the Dark Lord? Combat power? Or my horns and tail?

**Fu Hua:** No. Though you have an aura similar to the Dark Lord, I know you’re not it.

**Fu Hua:** She is the lurking danger, not you.

**Water Djinn:** …

**Seele:** What? Miss Water Djinn?

**Fu Hua:** Why have you been pretending to be the Water Djinn? Why did you join the adventurers and come here?

**Seele:** Pretending? Miss Water Djinn? How come…

**Water Djinn:** …

**Fu Hua:** Answer me. Who are you, impostor?

--

#### Floating Isles 2

**Fu Hua:** Answer me. Who are you, impostor?

**Water Djinn:** I… I’m the Water Djinn! The Djinn who lives in the spring of the Emerald Woods and guides adventurers!

**Seele:** Uh-huh, we did meet Miss Water Djinn there and have been guided by her, just as the Adventurer’s Guide says.

**Water Djinn:** Right! The Adventurer’s Guide! You can trust that guidebook, because…

**Delta:** Because you wrote it in the first place. Right, Idiot Djinn?

**Water Djinn:** I… Why are you taking her side! We’ve been traveling partners for this long, can’t you just help me out here?

**Delta:** I haven’t believed anything you’ve ever said ever since I realised you were the writer of that guidebook Seele has.

**Delta:** Adventurers will find the entrance to the ruins sooner or later.

**Delta:** That guidebook just lures adventurers to your spring, where you give them extra guidance that they don’t really need.

**Water Djinn:** …

**Delta:** Which means, there is no “Water Djinn who guides adventurers” in the first place.

**Seele:** How could this be… So Miss Water Djinn has been lying to us…?

**Water Djinn:** No, I didn’t lie to anyone… I am the Water Djinn…

**Fu Hua:** No, you are not.

**Water Djinn:** You don’t know me!

**Fu Hua:** I know the real Water Djinn - she was a friend of mine. She left this world before my eyes.

**Water Djinn:** …

**Water Djinn:** So she no longer lives in this world after all…

The sky was still clear, but everyone had a feeling that a storm just fell -

The rain started to pour, and the wind was howling.

The fake Water Djinn, who was at the center of the storm, gazed at Fu Hua in an exceptionally calm manner.

**Water Djinn:** Old friend of Water Djinn, please tell me…

**Water Djinn:** What had happened at that time…

**Fu Hua:** …

**Fu Hua:** Water Djinn, Forest Djinn, the Grand Sage and I were the first to come to the Floating Isles.

**Fu Hua:** We had challenged the Dark Lord countless times, but failed to defeat it due to its eerie powers from another world.

**Fu Hua:** So we decided to let the Grand Sage leave this dangerous place and continue her research on ways of defeating the Dark Lord in a safer area.

**Fu Hua:** And the rest of us stayed here to hold the Dark Lord off and buy some time for her.

**Fu Hua:** In the end, the Grand Sage failed to find a way to defeat the Dark Lord, but she managed to create a barrier.

**Fu Hua:** At the same time, the Dark Lord launched the final assault. The sky was full of dark rifts, from which deluges of monsters came…

**Water Djinn:** Ugh, these disgusting creatures are endless!

**Fu Hua:** Calm down, Water Djinn. We must hold out until the Grand Sage’s barrier activates.

**Water Djinn:** Of course I know that, human.

**Forest Djinn:** Watch out! More monsters coming!

**Water Djinn:** Ugh… annoying roaches.

Blue spring water congealed into countless spears in mid-air and rained down on innumerable rampaging monsters.

**Water Djinn:** \*coughs\*

**Forest Djinn:** You should stop using that spell, Water Djinn! Your body can’t take it anymore!

**Water Djinn:** Humph, don’t underestimate me.

**Fu Hua:** Watch out!

**Forest Djinn:** ?!

The Dark Lord ripped space and soundlessly emerged from a dark rift near the three girls.

It did not immediately launch an assault, but the lightless rift started to consume everything nearby like a black hole.

And Water Djinn, who was already feeble and strained, was the closest to the rift.

**Forest Djinn:** Grab my hand, Water Djinn!

Forest Djinn and Fu Hua clutched Water Djinn’s hands at the same time, trying to pull her away from the rift.

However, the Dark Lord suddenly launched a violent attack.

It smashed the Floating Isle under their feet in a flash. Forest Djinn fell down with the shattered isle.

**Fu Hua:** Forest Djinn!

**Fu Hua:** Darn it… Hold on to me, Water Djinn!

**Water Djinn:** Let go, human. Do you want to be consumed too?

Fu Hua gripped on to Water Djinn’s hand, which in turn caused her to be sucked deeper into the rift.

**Water Djinn:** Foolish human…

Blue spring water formed a giant water sphere beside Water Djinn.

**Fu Hua:** What are you doing…

**Water Djinn:** Just leave, human. Go defeat the Dark Lord and return to the Emerald Woods.

**Water Djinn:** And tell her I’m sorry…

**Fu Hua:** Water Djinn pushed me away with that water sphere she summoned, and was consumed by the rift.

**Fu Hua:** No one knows what is behind the rift. No one knows where she is.

**Fu Hua:** The Grand Sage managed to activate the barrier thereafter, which closed the Dark Lord and the monsters off on the Floating Isles.

**Fu Hua:** And I stayed here to fight the monsters and guide adventurers while looking for Water Djinn.

**Seele:** So… Fu Hua Senpai is the first adventurer, and the real Water Djinn was your adventure companion…

**Seele:** Then who is this Miss “Water Djinn” who has been traveling with us…

**Water Djinn:** I… I’m also a Djinn of spring water, just like her.

**Water Djinn:** I’m her little sister.

**Seele:** What!?

**Fu Hua:** I see…

**Water Djinn:** When the Dark Lord first descended, humanity and the Djinns formed an alliance. They sent their best warriors to fight the Dark Lord together.

**Water Djinn:** My sister and Forest Djinn were both our strongest warriors. While I was the least powerful among us Djinns…

**Water Djinn:** I didn’t master many spells, and I was not very strong… So I wasn’t chosen for the battle.

**Water Djinn:** I had been waiting for my sister and Forest Djinn to come back and tell me their adventure stories ever since they left.

**Water Djinn:** But only Forest Djinn came back to the Emerald Woods in the end.

**Water Djinn:** I had asked Forest Djinn about my sister’s whereabouts many times. But she never gave me any answers.

**Water Djinn:** I tried to go find my sister, but Forest Djinn had been guarding the entrance to the ruins and wouldn’t let me pass.

**Delta:** So you got your eyes on the adventurers.

**Water Djinn:** Yeah. I made up some stories based on the Djinn folklore I’ve heard and wrote that Adventurer’s Guide, and snuck it into human towns.

**Water Djinn:** I disguised myself as my sister, and provided guidance for all adventurers that came to the Emerald Woods.

**Water Djinn:** I had been waiting for any adventurers who had been guided by me to bring back intel about my sister.

**Water Djinn:** But there were fewer and fewer new adventurers… And not a single one had returned.

**Water Djinn:** And then I met you, Delta.

**Water Djinn:** You’re the strongest adventurer I’ve ever met - way stronger than Forest Djinn, maybe even comparable to the Dark Lord.

**Water Djinn:** So I thought, if I joined your team… Forest Djinn wouldn’t be able to stop me.

**Delta:** Join my team? Don’t flatter yourself. You just tagged along.

**Water Djinn:** Yeah… why would I do that…

**Water Djinn:** I think I already kinda knew what happened to my sister… when Forest Djinn refused to answer my questions.

**Water Djinn:** Then why did I still come here… Why did I have to ruin my last bit of hope…

**Seele:** Miss Water Djinn…

**Delta:** Because… sometimes it’s easier to just be hopeless.

**Delta:** A glimmer of hope is even more depressing than sheer desperation - it will slowly torture you, until it kills you.

**Water Djinn:** …

**Seele:** Miss Delta… please don’t say that…

**Fu Hua:** She’s right.

**Fu Hua:** Hope can be more painful than desperation…

**Fu Hua:** Let’s just go.

They walked in total silence.

Soon, they arrived at the Floating Isle Fu Hua mentioned, and reached the mountaintop.

**Fu Hua:** The Dark Castle is over there.

Everyone looked in the direction that Fu Hua pointed - it was a devastated, sunless Floating Isle with shattered earth, on which monsters were ??? (textbox cut-off)

**Fu Hua:** And that’s where your sister is, Seele.

**Seele:** Huh? Is she still fighting the Dark Lord? I gotta go help her out!

**Fu Hua:** No, the old Dark Lord has already been defeated.

**Seele:** Then…

**Fu Hua:** Your sister Bronya… has become the new Dark Lord.

--

#### Floating Isles 3

**Seele:** Bronya is the new Dark Lord?

Seele froze with shock. Her scythe dropped to the ground.

**Delta:** …

**Seele:** No… it can’t be…

**Seele:** Fu Hua Senpai, there must be some misunderstanding… Bronya… my sister can’t be…

**Fu Hua:** I wouldn’t believe it either if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes.

**Fu Hua:** Bronya was not the strongest adventurer, but the most relentless. Since her first day here, she’d come to me for instruction in training every day. She was determined to grow strong enough to defeat the Dark Lord.

**Fu Hua:** She wasn’t talented or had magic powers like other adventurers. I once asked her why she wanted to be an adventurer.

**Fu Hua:** She told me that her little sister was once attacked by monsters and almost died.

**Seele:** …

**Seele:** I was indeed seriously wounded when I was a child… And it left a permanent scar on my back.

**Seele:** But I’ve always thought it was from a beast attack…

**Seele:** I… I don’t remember it at all…

**Fu Hua:** That’s probably why she was so determined to defeat the Dark Lord -

**Fu Hua:** She wanted to protect you and shield you from danger and any terrifying facts about monsters.

**Fu Hua:** Later, she formed a commando of adventurers and carried out a raid on the Dark Castle.

**Fu Hua:** It was a tough battle. But they managed to defeat the Dark Lord at last.

**Fu Hua:** However, before they could celebrate the hard-won victory, Bronya, who was next to the Dark Lord’s corpse, suddenly noticed something unusual -

**Fu Hua:**The Dark Lord’s body suddenly began to emit cold light, and the blast it generated immediately swept all the adventurers out of the Dark Castle, except for Bronya.

**Fu Hua:** And the gate of the Dark Castle has been closed ever since.

**Seele:** How could this be… Bronya…

**Fu Hua:** And for a period of time thereafter, there were indeed fewer monsters. But the barrier was still on.

**Fu Hua:** So we guessed that…

**Delta:** Bronya didn’t really kill the Dark Lord.

**Fu Hua:** Yes. And then, the number of monsters started to increase again.

**Fu Hua:** I was worried that something unusual might be going on in the Dark Castle, so I sent several adventurers to inspect.

**Fu Hua:** They found out that the gate of the Dark Castle was somehow open again, and that there was a new Dark Lord inside.

**Fu Hua:** The new Dark Lord… looked just like Bronya.

**Seele:** This can’t be true… They must’ve made a mistake…

**Fu Hua:** I couldn’t believe it either. So I went to the Dark Castle myself.

**Fu Hua:** And I was attacked by Bronya.

**Fu Hua:** She looked a bit different… But I was sure it was her. And the power she was using… was the power of the Dark Lord.

**Fu Hua:** Even so, I still couldn’t hurt Bronya.

**Seele:** No… this can’t be true… NO WAY! My sister… my sister is NOT the Dark Lord!

Seele frantically clutched Fu Hua for a moment, then stepped back and picked up her weapon, her eyes filled with tears.

**Seele:** You… you must be the Dark Lord’s minion! You disguised yourself as an adventurer and came here to trick me!

**Seele:** You lied to Miss Water Djinn… and now you try to lie to me… You are the true Dark Lord, aren’t you!

**Delta:** Calm down, Seele.

**Seele:** Miss Delta, my sister is not the Dark Lord… You know that, don’t you?

**Seele:** This woman here… she is the cunning Dark Lord… My sister must have been taken captive by her…

**Fu Hua:** Seele!

**Seele:** …

**Fu Hua:** I’m Bronya’s friend. I taught her how to fight, and I had been fighting alongside her!

**Fu Hua:** I don’t want to believe it as much as you, but the truth is the truth!

**Fu Hua:** Your sister - the Bronya we know - no longer exists!

Fu Hua’s roar suddenly cooled Seele down.

She knew from the bottom of her heart that Fu Hua was not the Dark Lord’s minion and didn’t lie to them.

She just couldn’t believe the cruel truth.

**Delta:** \*yawns\* This has been an interesting story. But it’s none of my business.

**Delta:** And this “dragon slayer becomes the dragon” kind of drama is so twenty years ago.

Delta carelessly waved a hand and started to walk down the mountain.

**Delta:** Seele, if you wanna find out and see the truth with your own eyes, you can come with me. I’ll help you one last time.

**Delta:** But if you’ve already lost all courage to face the truth, then just stay. I’m leaving either way.

**Seele:** …

**Delta:** One thing is for sure though - it doesn’t matter to me whether the Dark Lord in that castle is Bronya or not.

**Delta:** I’ll kill her/he/it if they get in my way.

**Seele:** NO! YOU CAN’T DO THAT!

**Delta:** …

**Fu Hua:** Delta, you underestimate the Dark Lord. There’s no way you could defeat her on your own.

**Delta:** You never know until you try, am I right?

Just then, an adventurer from the base came.

**Adventurer:** Fu Hua Senpai, our base is surrounded by hordes of monsters! At least three times as many as last time!

**Fu Hua:** You go back now and help. I’ll be right there.

**Fu Hua:** Seele.

**Fu Hua:** If you cannot believe what I said no matter what, go to the Dark Castle with Delta.

**Fu Hua:** See the truth with your own eyes.

Fu Hua then left in the direction of the base.

**Delta:** \*sighs\* So, what are your next plans? Stay here? Or go with me?

**Water Djinn:** I… I don’t know. I already found the answer I’ve been looking for, but…

**Seele:** …

**Seele:** I… I’m going back to the base. I want to help the adventurers!

**Delta:** Are you sure about this?

**Seele:** Bronya would make the same choice… She would definitely choose to go fight the monsters and protect everyone.

**Seele:** I want to be like my sister. I want to become a real adventurer who fights fearlessly to protect this world!

**Delta:** …

**Delta:** I have to say, you’re already a real adventurer.

**Delta:** Alright. I guess I could use a warm-up before the final fight. I’ll go to the base with you and do them a favor.

**Seele:** Miss Delta…

**Delta:** Hey, Idiot Djinn, are you really gonna stay here?

**Water Djinn:** Yeah… Just go without me. I’d like to be alone for a while…

Moments later, outside the Adventurer Base.

**Fu Hua:** Fight as hard as you can! We’re in no place to retreat!

**Fu Hua:** Defeat the monsters and protect the world behind us!

**Delta:** Nice slogan, but I don’t see any Honkai beasts getting properly beaten up.

**Fu Hua:** Delta? Seele? What are you two doing here?

**Seele:** We’re here to help! To protect this world!

**Delta:** Well, I’m just here to warm up. Anyway, let’s beat some monsters. We’re losing daylight.

--

#### Floating Isles 4

**Seele:** Fu Hua Senpai!

**Fu Hua:** Don’t come close!

**Seele:** Huh?

**Fu Hua:** There’s something unusual about the number and moving pattern of these monsters… It feels as if the Dark Lord is leading them.

**Fu Hua:** Something must be brewing up in that Dark Castle… Bronya… The Dark Lord must be making a move.

**Fu Hua:** Delta, you’re indeed the strongest adventurer I’ve ever met.

**Fu Hua:** You shouldn’t be wasting your time here. Go to the castle and defeat the Dark Lord. We will deal with these monsters.

**Delta:** \*yawns\* Alright, I’m bored anyway. Time to do something more challenging.

**Delta:** Seele, I’m asking you one last time - do you want to go to the Dark Castle with me?

**Seele:** …

**Delta:** If you still want to find your sister - doesn’t matter whether she’s the Dark Lord - this is your last chance.

**Seele:** I… I’m going with you! But…

**Seele:** But Fu Hua Senpai and the adventurers are still fighting the monsters… I can’t just leave like this…

**Delta:** You have to make a choice, Seele.

**Seele:** …

**???:** We hereby declare Judgment Day!

A myriad of blue water spears rained down on the monsters with the cry.

**Delta:** Ha, you’re actually not that useless, Idiot Djinn.

**Seele:** Miss Water Djinn!

**Water Djinn:** Go to the castle with Delta, Seele!

**Water Djinn:** You have to be there for your sister, no matter what!

**Seele:** But…

**Water Djinn:** Don’t worry. I’ll stay here and fight these monsters with the adventurers - just like my sister used to do!

**Delta:** Ha, you finally make a proper warrior.

**Water Djinn:** Delta… I still don’t like you, but thank you, for helping both Seele and this world.

**Water Djinn:** Go to the castle, defeat the Dark Lord, and protect this world… We need no more war or bloodshed!

**Delta:** You have got to be kidding me, Idiot Djinn.

**Water Djinn:** Huh?

**Delta:** I’ve told you like a million times, I’m not some adventurer. Ask someone else to protect this world.

**Water Djinn:** Huh?

**Delta:** Relax. I’m still going to that Dark Castle. As for the Dark Lord… I’ll see what I can do, but I’m not promising anything.

**Water Djinn:** Hey!

**Seele:** Hehe, Miss Delta and Miss Water Djinn haven’t changed a bit…

**Delta:** Well then… let’s go, Seele.

--

#### Dark Castle 1

*[A repeat of the first CG plays, but instead of cutting to Seele and Delta during their play, it cuts to Bronya, trapped in what appears to be stone, holding a strange egg-shaped object and sitting dormant on the throne of the Dark Castle, with a second cut back to Seele, tears flowing down her face as she realises her worst fears have become reality:*

***Seele:** We're… almost… there…*

*Bronya: Everything will be okay, Seele…*

*Bronya: The Bronya will be back soon.*

*Bronya: The Adventurer will defeat the Dark Lord!*

***Seele:** Bronya…*

***Seele:** Wait for… me…*

*Bronya: But…*

*Bronya: If The Bronya doesn't come back…*

***Seele:** Seele…*

*Bronya: Don't come looking for the Bronya…*

***Seele:** Bronya…*

***Seele:** How… is this…*

***Seele:** Bro… nya…*]

On the throne in the castle sat a young girl.

She was tightly holding the egg in her arms with a relieved smile on her face, as if she had fallen asleep contentedly.

**Seele:** Bronya…

Seele shuffled to the throne.

**Seele:** What… happened to you…

Seele did not understand what she saw.

She slowly raised her hand and tried to touch the girl on the throne -

It was cold.

Seele instantly withdrew her hand as if she just got burned.

**Delta:** Seele, stay away from that statue.

**Delta:** Seele!

However, Seele could no longer hear her. She embraced the girl on the throne desperately.

**Seele:** I’m so sorry… Bronya…

**Seele:** Sorry it took me so long to finally find you…

But the girl on the throne did not respond to her words or tears.

**Seele:** You never take good care of yourself… You shouldn’t be sleeping here, you’ll catch a cold.

**Seele:** Time to wake up, my dear Bronya…

**Seele:** Let me take you back. We have a warm fireplace and hot soup at home…

**Seele:** Oh, and I have made many new friends on the way. I want to introduce you to them…

**Seele:** Bronya…

**Seele:** Wake up… Bronya…

Knowing it would all be futile, Seele still kept stroking the statue’s face.

**Seele:** …

Her tears fell down on the statue’s face and turned cold in an instant.

**Seele:** Miss Delta… you always know what to do… So you must know how to wake Bronya up, right?

Seele abruptly turned to look at Delta, expectant and desperate.

**Delta:** I… I’m not sure…

**Seele:** You mean you do know something that we could try and might work, right?

**Delta:** Calm down, Seele…

Seele expectantly clutched the statue’s hands.

**Seele:** Her hands are so cold… She must be freezing…

**Seele:** Miss Delta… if you do know any solution, please… please help my sister!

**Seele:** The smile on her face is so sweet… as if she managed to protect something important…

**Seele:** My sweet sister is not the Dark Lord!

**???:** Go… back…

A vague voice came from the shade behind the throne.

Before Seele could react, Delta had already drawn her sword and stood before her.

The shade behind the throne spread like black mist, and then condensed into a dark figure.

Delta remained vigilant, but the figure formed by the black mist seemed to have no intention to make further moves.

**Seele:** Bronya…?

**Delta:** Stay back, Seele!

But her warning was too late. Seele’s fingertips already came into contact with the egg held by the statue.

And the next moment, more black mist suddenly gushed out of the egg and overwhelmed the two girls.

**Delta:** Ah…

**Seele:** Miss Delta! Are you alright?

**Delta:** Don’t worry. I can deal with it single-handedly.

The figure formed by the black mist suddenly took a step towards the two girls.

Bronya: Leave… now…

**Delta:** Stay back, Seele.

**Seele:** But…

**Delta:** She is no longer the Bronya you know.

…!

--

#### Dark Castle 2

**Delta:** (This isn’t right…)

**Delta:** (She was obviously attacking me with full strength, but she didn’t follow me when I kept my distance from her.)

Delta retreated to the safe zone in which she wouldn’t be attacked, and started to observe the empty hall.

**Delta:** (Dilapidated walls, an ancient throne, and a stone statue of Bronya… Wait, the statue?)

Delta suddenly realised something she didn’t notice before.

**Delta:** (It was that egg held by the statue that first launched the attack… not “Bronya”.)

She tentatively took a step towards the statue.

And “Bronya” immediately entered an attack stance.

**Delta:** I see… You’re protecting that statue, aren’t you, Bronya.

**Seele:** Eh? But why would Bronya’s shadow…

**Delta:** No, I don’t think that’s…

Bronya: Dark Lord… not defeated…

“Bronya” seemed to be suffering and was trying to say something to the two girls.

Bronya: Seele…

**Seele:** Did she just… call my name?

Bronya: World… will… be destroyed…

Bronya: Leave… now…

“Bronya” whispered in great pain, but still started to attack them.

Meanwhile, a tear droplet suddenly rolled down the statue’s face, and dripped onto the egg it held.

The teardrop infiltrated into the egg, and it let out a short glint like a response.

The glint, though brief, was enough for Delta to see what was hiding inside the egg.

**Delta:** I see… Hmm, I should have thought of it earlier. There’s nothing else in here after all.

She shook her head, and blocked “Bronya”’s attack with her sword.

**Delta:** Seele.

**Seele:** Don’t get distracted for me, I’m able to protect myself.

**Delta:** Your sister is not the Dark Lord.

--

#### Dark Castle 3

**Delta:** Your sister is not the Dark Lord.

**Seele:** Huh?

**Delta:** Bronya is indeed an adventurer worthy of the name. She went through all the trials and challenged the Dark Lord.

**Delta:** And when she found that she couldn’t beat it, she sacrificed herself to protect the world…

**Delta:** Like an idiot.

**Seele:** So… That statue really is my sister…?

**Delta:** Yeah. I don’t know how she turned into that…

**Delta:** But it seems that she did successfully seal that thing inside the egg.

**Seele:** So the Dark Lord is still in that egg?

**Delta:** Yeah. But I think Bronya can hardly hold this form anymore.

**Delta:** This shadow is obviously straining herself. Which suggests that her life is wearing out.

Bronya’s shadow became even mistier as the two girls talked.

At the moment, it seemed that the shadow had become too weak to attack anyone.

Bronya: Bronya… can… still…

Bronya: Hold… it…

Her broken voice echoed in the empty castle.

Bronya: Seele…

Bronya: Go… back…

Seele blankly stared at the statue, then she turned to Delta as if she suddenly thought of something.

**Seele:** Miss Delta… can we save Bronya by breaking that egg?

**Delta:** I think so. The seal will be disabled if we break the egg. And Bronya will therefore be freed.

**Seele:** But we will also free the Dark Lord, and it might destroy the world…

**Seele:** Bronya chose to sacrifice herself… What should I do?

**Seele:** Should I choose to accept my sister’s sacrifice?

**Seele:** No… A real adventurer should make the same choice as Bronya did.

**Seele:** I’ve already grown…

Delta did not say a word. She just gazed at Seele in silence, waiting for her to make her own choice.

**Seele:** But… I couldn’t do it.

She breathed a sigh of relief.

**Seele:** I’m selfish… I don’t want to sacrifice myself to save the world like Bronya did…

**Seele:** No, I don’t want anyone to be sacrificed.

**Seele:** Miss Delta… you must think I’m useless…

**Seele:** You’ve helped me so much and trained me for so long, but I still failed to become a real adventurer…

**Seele:** Though I know I couldn’t do it… I really want to save my sister, and I don’t want the word to be destroyed…

**Seele:** I don’t want to give up anyone…

**Delta:** Then go save your sister, and find a way to save this world too.

**Seele:** Eh?

Seele turned to Delta but didn’t meet her eyes.

Delta leaned on her greatsword and calmly stared at the statue, or maybe something further away.

**Delta:** Go save your sister, Seele. It’s what you have to do, and no one else has the right to do it.

**Delta:** As for this bubble universe… it’s none of my business what it becomes, but since things already went like this…

Delta scratched her head and let out a sigh.

**Delta:** To complete my mission, I guess I’ll have to save this dull world by the way.

**Seele:** Huh?

**Delta:** I never said they couldn’t both be saved at the same time.

Delta turned around to look at Seele.

**Delta:** You’re right, Seele - you’re not like Bronya. But it doesn't mean that you aren’t a real adventurer.

**Delta:** At that time, Bronya may have had to choose to sacrifice herself in order to save this world.

**Delta:** You said you didn’t want anyone to be sacrificed for this world… It’s naive to think that way for sure, but it’s not wrong.

**Delta:** Lucky for you, it doesn’t automatically require someone to make the final sacrifice to save something.

**Seele:** Miss Delta…

**Delta:** Ah, when did I become this mouthy… Never mind.

**Seele:** Huh?

**Delta:** I told you I came to look for something, but I never told you what it is.

**Delta:** It’s the Dark Lord. To be precise, something that’s been consumed by the Dark Lord.

**Seele:** So… you know how to defeat the Dark Lord?

Delta did not answer her. She just picked up her greatsword and started to walk towards Bronya’s statue.

And that fading shadow already lost all strength to attack her.

**Seele:** Wait, Miss Delta! Let me help you…

**Delta:** you do what you should do, Seele.

**Delta:** After I disable the seal, protect your sister. As for that “Dark Lord” in this egg…

**Delta:** It’s my mission to get rid of it. I don’t like people telling me what to do when I’m working.

**Seele:** But…

**Delta:** Don’t worry, Seele.

Delta raised her greatsword and gave a rare smile.

**Delta:** It’s not my first time dealing with this kind of enemy.

*[CG plays of Delta slashing the egg held by the petrified Bronya, followed by a blinding light.*]

--

#### Dark Castle 4

*[CG plays wherein Delta enters her Fervent Mode, swords drawn and eyes focused towards fighting the Dark Lord:*

***Delta:** Seele, now I can answer those questions.*

***Delta:** There is more than one way to defeat the Dark Lord.*

***Delta:** It all depends on my choice.*]

--

#### After The End

Several days later

━

**Delta:** I should have turned off the transceiver before I got in here… What is it?

**???:** Just letting you know that I have received your mission report. And, welcome back, Delta.

**???:** FYI, turning off the transceiver won’t work. I can still use the exclusive emergency line.

**Delta:** Yeah yeah, I got it, you have the utmost privilege and all access.

**Delta:** Just read the report already. It has all the info you need to know. I’m busy. Talk to you later.

**???:** Wait, Delta.

**Delta:** What? I’m taking a bath. Not in the mood to talk about work.

**???:** I’d like to hear your opinion on this mission.

**Delta:** My opinion? Humph, I don’t remember you caring about something like that.

**Delta:** You only care about the result, not the process.

**???:** People change.

**Delta:** But you won’t.

**???:** …

**Delta:** Anyway, if you really want to know, I can tell you. In short, this mission was like… a typical role-playing game -

**Delta:** Adventurers go through difficulties in order to eventually defeat the Dark Lord and save the princess… That kind of story.

**Delta:** The only thing that’s kinda interesting was the final Boss. But it was still hardly any challenge.

**???:** It’s mentioned in your report that the target had been consumed and assimilated by that Honkai beast.

**Delta:** Yeah. And that’s the main reason why I chose to abort the retrieval mission. We don’t need something polluted.

**???:** Then what are the other reasons?

**Delta:** Huh?

**???:** You said “main reason”. So what are the other reasons?

**Delta:** …

**Delta:** You don’t have to be so acute, seriously… There’s no other reason. That was just a slip of the tongue.

**???:** …

**Delta:** Relax… I didn’t do anything to anyone in that bubble universe. They could handle their own problems.

Just then, someone knocked at the bathroom door.

**Rozaliya:** Miss Delta! I just finished my 200 push-ups! Can I get in the tub with you now?

**Delta:** Already? I don’t know how you could do push-ups that fast. Are you sure you didn’t just do 80 and lied about it?

**Liliya:** I told you Miss Delta wouldn’t believe you, Roza Idiotka.

**Rozaliya:** But my legs hurt, my hands hurt, and my back… Everywhere hurts!

**Rozaliya:** Can you just let me in to take a bath with you, Miss Delta? >\_< Pretty pleeeaaase~

**Liliya:** Roza Idiotka, you know it won’t work on Miss Delta… It might backfire though.

A sudden dull thud came from the inside of the bathroom. It seemed that Delta had just hurled a bottle of shampoo at the door.

**Delta:** Go away. And do another 200.

**???:** I see you have something to deal with right now.

**Delta:** It’s already dealt with. Oh, if there’s no new missions lately, I’m gonna go investigate that…

**???:** No, Delta. There’s no need for you to meet him at the moment.

**Delta:** Huh? But I wanna…

**???:** I said drop the case, Delta. It’s an order.

**Delta:** …

**Delta:** Fine… whatever. Are you done? Can I hang up now?

**???:** Wait, Delta. I have one more thing to say. It’s important.

**Delta:** Then just say it already. You’ve spoiled most of my bath time.

**???:** Keep the bath short, or you’ll feel dizzy.

**Delta:** You-!

The communication was cut before she could snap back.

**Delta:** Ugh… so annoying.

**Delta:** I’m sorry you had to see this.

Her tail surfaced and wagged, as if it was giving a response.

**Delta:** It’s alright. Don’t force yourself to accept the new me.

**Delta:** You have the right to hate me… You will definitely hate to see me like this.

Her tail fell on her hand, as if it was comforting her.

**Delta:** Me? I don’t know if I like my new self…

**Delta:** I had no other choice ever since that day… Am I right?

Her eyes turned blank for a second.

**Delta:** I know what path I’m trekking on… and I know you wouldn’t like it, but I…

Her tail dived back and splashed water in her face, as if it was showing its displeasure.

But she just gazed at the bathroom ceiling, deeply lost in thought.

**Delta:** …

**Delta:** A long bath does make me feel dizzy…

### Old Dreams

#### A Story

It’s a story about two sisters.

One afternoon four years ago. Special care unit, Third Hospital of St. Freya.

After the second daily examination, she always spent half an hour reading.

For the past 297 days since she could move, it had been a part of her daily routine.

But this time, for some reason, she fell asleep while reading.

It was a very deep sleep. She didn’t wake up when someone opened the door of the ward.

It was another girl. She seemed surprised to see the girl asleep on the bed. Then she softly closed the door.

She soundlessly walked to her, sat down on a chair by the bed, picked up a fruit knife on the nightstand, and…

Started to violently pare an apple.

Obviously, she wasn’t good at what she was doing. The apple peels she pared off were thick, some even chunky…

**Little Sister:** ▇ Idiotka, are you trying to chop your own fingers?

**Big Sister:** Eww, of course not… Eh? You’re awake, ▇?

**Little Sister:** Uh-huh, I woke up when you sat down.

**Little Sister:** I didn’t make any sound because I wanted to see what surprise my idiot sister got me this time.

**Big Sister:** Heehee~ Prepare to drop your jaw - I spent three nights learning this apple bunny magic from Isabella! Ta-dah!

She proudly handed the apple to her little sister, which was basically an apple core at the moment.

**Big Sister:** Er… Not this one!

She hurriedly took the apple core back, and took a huge bite of it.

**Big Sister:** I swear I know how to make a bunny out of an apple! Let me try again…

**Little Sister:** ▇ Idiotka, give those poor apples a break. I’m already happy that you’re back safe and sound.

**Big Sister:** Heehee~ You don’t need to worry about me! Your big sis is a super strong fighter now~ I can beat 10 people all at once!

**Little Sister:** Okay…

**Big Sister:** I defended an entire gate on my own this time! There were soooo many enemies, but your big sis…

**Little Sister:** Alright alright I got it, ▇ Idiotka.

**Big Sister:** I single-handedly fought them all off! I was like “BAM!” and then “BANG!”, and they were like…

**Little Sister:** Yeah, yeah… I know you’re an awesome fighter now! You don’t need to keep telling me that!

**Big Sister:** …

**Little Sister:** Sorry… I didn’t mean that.

**Big Sister:** It’s okay~ My bad. I shouldn’t have been telling you this over and over.

**Big Sister:** I know you don’t like hearing about this kind of thing… But somehow I just couldn’t help sharing them with you.

**Big Sister:** Maybe it’s because I’m soooo excited that I finally get to see you again… Sorry, ▇.

**Little Sister:** No, it’s not your fault. It’s me… I…

**Big Sister:** Oh, right! I got another big surprise for you! I almost forgot!

She excitedly interrupted her, taking out a huge, heavy book from her backpack.

**Big Sister:** I saw a huge bookstore on the way, so I bought this for you.

**Little Sister:** The Feynman Lectures on Physics…?

**Big Sister:** Yup. I leafed through it but didn’t understand a thing. But Zofia told me it’s super popular among kids of our age!

**Little Sister:** Ahahaha, hahahahha…

**Big Sister:** Huh? What’s so funny?

**Little Sister:** ▇ Idiotka… It’s a college textbook. You were tricked by Zofia, as usual.

**Big Sister:** WHAT?! But Zofia and the girls were all like… Darn it! This isn’t over!

**Little Sister:** Calm down, ▇ Idiotka. I’ll finish this book. Maybe I’ll like it.

**Big Sister:** Uh-uh! I gotta pick this bone with them right now!

**Little Sister:** Don’t leave, ▇. Stay with me for a while longer. I wanna hear your stories of this mission.

She stayed in that ward for a long, long time that day.

After the sun had set, she still hadn’t finished all the anecdotes about her latest mission.

**Big Sister:** Isabella and I were both trapped in that building until…

**Nurse:** Visiting hours are over, Lieutenant ▇.

**Big Sister:** Huh? Already? But I’ve still got a lot of stories to tell my sister!

**Little Sister:** It’s okay, ▇. You can tell them next time you come visit me.

**Little Sister:** It’s almost time for my treatment. I need to get ready. I can’t let the doctors and nurses wait.

As she feebly dragged herself out of bed, her big sister suddenly gripped her hand.

**Big Sister:** ▇, please get well soon… You have to get well soon!

**Little Sister:** I will. Actually, I’ve already been feeling much better lately. Yesterday, the nurses took me out to see red leaves. I can walk now.

**Big Sister:** That’s not what I meant.

**Little Sister:** Huh?

**Big Sister:** I mean when I was fighting… It’s been so long, but I still couldn’t get used to fighting alone.

**Big Sister:** Isabella, Zofia, Maria… I tried hard to fight with them, but it just didn’t feel right… No matter how hard I tried.

**Little Sister:** …

**Big Sister:** It felt like… something important was missing.

**Little Sister:** I know…

**Big Sister:** In the past, when we fought together, I wasn’t as good as I am now, but I always felt spirited and full of strength.

**Little Sister:** I know, ▇. I used to feel the same…

**Big Sister:** So, ▇, you have to get well soon! Because without you…

**Nurse:** I’m sorry, Lieutenant ▇. But you have to leave now. Visiting hours are over.

**Big Sister:** Alright… I’ll come visit you again tomorrow, ▇! I’ll bring you blueberries! Your favourite!

**Little Sister:** Uh-huh. See you tomorrow, ▇.

She slowly stood up, slowly walked towards the door, and left the ward as slowly as possible.

The other girl was left alone in the ward again, just like before her sister came.

**Nurse:** The elevator is broken. You can take the stairs here… Hmm?

**Big Sister:** Miss Nurse, my sister…

**Nurse:** Oh, don’t worry. She is getting much better.

**Nurse:** If things go well, she may be discharged next week.

**Big Sister:** Whoa! Really? Thank you!

**Nurse:** But…

**Big Sister:** Huh?

**Nurse:** That experiment inflicted more damage on her than we expected.

**Nurse:** We’ve been doing everything we can to treat her. But… at best, we are only able to restore her health for now.

**Big Sister:** What does that mean?

**Nurse:** I mean… she might not be able to fight like before.

**Big Sister:** Wha…

**Nurse:** Moreover, the sequelae induced by the experiment may continue to affect her for 3 to 5 years. Worst-case scenario…

**Big Sister:** You have got to be kidding me!

She clutched at the nurse’s collar with all her strength, as if she was trying to strangle her.

**Nurse:** Please, Lieutenant ▇… calm down…

**Big Sister:** But you promised to cure her no matter what! I was a subject of that experiment too, you can do research on me to find a cure for her!

**Nurse:** Kehhh… You’re choking me…

She suddenly realised what she was doing, so she let go of the nurse immediately.

**Big Sister:** I’m so sorry… I was just…

**Nurse:** Keh… It’s alright, Lieutenant ▇. I understand.

**Nurse:** But don’t worry - the Marshal already contacted a school and arranged her enrollment. She can go to school like a regular child after her discharge.

**Nurse:** I know it’s not how you wished for… But it’s the best we can do for her at the moment.

**Big Sister:** Does my sister know about this?

**Nurse:** I think so. The Marshal came yesterday. You know her… She probably had told your sister everything.

**Big Sister:** …

She teetered back until her back was against the wall, and feebly sat on the ground.

**Big Sister:** Dammit… dammit!

She started to desperately punch the ground with her bare hands.

**Nurse:** I’m sorry, Lieutenant ▇… But I’m sure Marshal Cocolia has taken your sister’s wellbeing into consideration.

**Big Sister:** Dammit… I’m such a moron… I’m the biggest moron in the whole world!

She started to madly pull her own hair, the back of her hands covered in scratches.

**Nurse:** Lieutenant ▇… please don’t be like this…

**Big Sister:** Dammit… I can’t believe I just said those things to her…

--

#### A Nightmare

There was nothing left to do other than escape.

Where could she run? She had no idea. But she dared not stop.

If the buildings fell down, she could run towards open spaces.

If the ground shattered, she could run towards where it’s still solid.

If the sky was torn, she could run towards where it’s still intact.

Running away was the only way. She could not look back. She could never stop.

Because that would only mean despair or death.

So she had no choice but to keep running.

Christmas, four years ago. Downtown St. Freya.

**Big Sister:** Bravo-01 calling for reinforcements! We are heading to the evacuation point along Central Avenue. Repeat: Bravo-01 calling for reinforcements!

**Comms:** …

**Big Sister:** Dammit… those bastards!

**Little Sister:** \*panting\* Still no response, ▇?

**Big Sister:** Screw those chickens, ▇! If no one is coming for us, we just keep running!

**Little Sister:** \*panting\* Okay…

**Big Sister:** Just two blocks away from the garage! I have access to it, let’s go get an armored car and get outta here…

**Little Sister:** \*gasping\*

**Big Sister:** ▇!

She finally fell down in the thick snow, gasping for air.

Which should have happened long ago. She was in no condition to go anywhere, let alone keep running like that.

She gritted her teeth against the pain, and strained to run this far. But she couldn’t move any inch further.

**Little Sister:** \*gasping\*

**Big Sister:** ▇! Are you alright? Can you still walk? Hang in there, we’re almost…

**Little Sister:** \*gasping\* Just go without me, ▇… You can still make it on your own…

**Little Sister:** There’s no time… for the both of us…

**Big Sister:** What are you talking about! Come on, let me give you a piggyback! We can… Owie!

She reached her hand to her, but was bitten the next moment.

**Big Sister:** What the hell, ▇!

**Little Sister:** Just run without me. There’s no time for the both of us.

**Big Sister:** Uh-uh!

**Little Sister:** You idiot… You don’t understand…

**Big Sister:** You’re right, I’m an idiot! I’m not the smart one! But I know I’m your big sister! It’s my job to protect you!

**Little Sister:** …

**Big Sister:** As long as I’m alive, I’ll get you outta here! Nothing can stop me! Not even your sharp teeth!

**Little Sister:** You big idiot…

**Big Sister:** Ah…

**Little Sister:** ▇…?

**Big Sister:** Just run…

**Little Sister:** Are they here already…

**Little Sister:** Let me help you, ▇…

**Big Sister:** No! Don’t come close!

**Little Sister:** Huh?

She tossed a card to her sister while resisting the monsters’ attack.

**Big Sister:** Take my ID card, ▇.

**Big Sister:** Run if you still can, or walk. Go to the garage and use it to get an armored car…

**Big Sister:** And get the hell outta here!

**Little Sister:** But… you…

**Big Sister:** Don’t worry about me! Just leave! I can still hold them up for a while!

**Little Sister:** I can’t do that… Those monsters are… Let me help you fight them.

**Big Sister:** I said go!

**Little Sister:** But…

**Big Sister:** You’re too weak to fight them! It’d be pointless for you to stay here! Just leave without me. I’ll catch up to you later!

**Little Sister:** …

**Big Sister:** Stop wasting time here!

**Little Sister:** …

She seemed to have a lot to say, but she didn’t open her mouth in the end.

She clutched the ID card, staggered to her feet, and feebly limped away.

**Big Sister:** …

**Big Sister:** You idiot…

**Big Sister:** \*gasping\*

**Big Sister:** (▇ must have escaped…)

**Big Sister:** (Can’t believe I just said that to her… and I probably won’t have any chance to apologise.)

**Big Sister:** (But I guess it’s alright… It’s not the only apology that I owe her anyway.)

**Big Sister:** \*coughs\*

**Big Sister:** (Come to think of it, I’ve been a terrible big sister to you, ▇…)

As her senses gradually faded away, her body temperature also started to drop.

However, she suddenly heard a rush of approaching footsteps.

**Big Sister:** (Who could it be…)

She tried to raise her weapon, but failed to even move her hand.

The footsteps then halted in front of her.

Shock, anger, self-reproach… She didn’t know how she felt at that time, or how she was supposed to feel.

She had never expected… No, she should have known that she would come back.

**Little Sister:** I found her, doctor! Over here!

**Big Sister:** \*coughs\*

She wanted to yell at her to leave this dangerous place, but blood clogged her throat. She couldn’t make a sound.

The coldness in the air slowly penetrated into her body, forcing her to close her eyes.

Beep- Beep-

She finally managed to slightly regain consciousness, and started to pick up this repetitious sound.

“Where’s my sister? What is this place? What time is it? Where have those monsters gone?”

She had so many questions to ask. And the answer to the first one was revealed right away.

She could feel that her sister’s warm hand was holding her icy hand.

**Little Sister:** I’m ready, doctor.

**Doctor:** Is there anything you want to say to her? We still have time.

**Little Sister:** I don’t know what to say… I guess it’s because I have too much to say.

**Little Sister:** And I somehow feel that I might have another chance to say them to her in the future.

**Little Sister:** So, doctor, let’s do this. Please cure her.

She didn’t know what was happening. But she felt that her hand was gripped more tightly, as if the other girl was afraid of losing her.

**Doctor:** I respect your choice. But I have to remind you one more time -

**Doctor:** First of all, you are the one who is ▇, not her.

**Doctor:** Second, there’s no turning back, for either of you.

**Little Sister:** I understand. Thank you, doctor. I already made up my mind.

**Little Sister:** She says it’s the big sister’s job to protect her little sister. But I think it should work both ways.

**Doctor:** I see.

**Doctor:** Close your eyes. I’ll make it quick.

**Little Sister:** Okay.

The grip on her hand became so tight that her hand hurt.

But the pain was soon replaced by a warm sensation welling up from her palm.

The warmth gently enfolded her, just like how her sister used to embrace her.

She slowly closed her eyes again.

--

#### A Recording

Recording started.

**Delta:** Hello? Can you hear me? Hello?

**???:** Yes. Welcome back, Delta. How was the mission?

**Delta:** Um… it was kinda boring.

**???:** Really? I thought you’d like the lantern fair and the idol culture of that bubble universe.

**Delta:** Well, it turns out I don’t.

**???:** Alright, let’s get down to business. Delta, please report the result of the mission.

**Delta:** The retrieval failed.

**???:** Go on.

**Delta:** Before I arrived in that bubble universe, that thing was already damaged.

**???:** Who did it?

**Delta:** I don’t know yet. Some kind of giant creature perhaps. I’ve done some inspection - there were huge claw scores and burn marks everywhere.

**???:** Or it could be human sabotage.

**Delta:** I don’t think so. Unless the perpetrator was trying to mislead someone.

**???:** Hmm?

**Delta:** That thing wasn’t completely broken. When I got there, some of its functions were still working… in a weird way -

**Delta:** It had generated countless humanoids, and controlled them to eliminate anyone who did not belong to that bubble universe.

**???:** So you were attacked too?

**Delta:** Yeah. But those humanoids were just sloppy craftsmanship. Beating them didn’t even count as a warm-up.

**Delta:** As for that thing… It was broken and useless anyway, so I left it there to spawn something fun.

**???:** You did the right thing.

**Delta:** Yeah… I’m not a newb. I know what I should do.

**???:** Any other intel?

**Delta:** Oh, I have three more things to report. Hmm, they probably count as two things… or three? I don’t know.

**Delta:** Anyway… Our data suggests that bubble universe had witnessed many time distortion occurrences before I arrived.

**Delta:** But I didn’t see any time-related anomalies there.

**???:** …

**Delta:** The second thing to report happened 40 minutes later after I entered the bubble universe -

**Delta:** A few people left the bubble universe by some means. I don’t have the number yet, but the energy fluctuation indicates it’d be no more than 3.

**???:** …

**???:** What’s the third thing that you want to report?

**Delta:** I brought two girls from that bubble universe.

**???:** What?

**Delta:** They were being attacked by those humanoids when I saw them. So I saved them.

**Delta:** Then they started following me everywhere. They were like “this place is the worst, waah…”, “take us with you, pretty please…”

**???:** I believe you had dozens of excuses to reject them.

**???:** And I was expecting you to reject them.

**Delta:** I know… But it’s complicated…

**Delta:** Anyway, I brought them here. They are taking a bath right now. Do you want to meet them later?

**???:** …

**Delta:** Er, relax… I will take care of them. They won’t give you trouble.

**???:** It’s not part of your mission, ▇.

**Delta:** …

**???:** That’s exceeding your authority, ▇.

**Delta:** Don’t call me by that name…

**???:** I just want to remind you not to do what you shouldn’t do, ▇.

**Delta:** I said don’t \*beep\* call me by that name!

**???:** Calm down, Delta. This is not like you. At least not like the regular version of you.

**Delta:** What are you going to do to them?

**???:** Nothing.

**???:** I told you, I just wanted to remind you not to do what you shouldn’t do. Just don’t make a habit of it.

**???:** As for the girls you brought back… Make sure they are only your problem, not anyone else’s.

**Delta:** Humph…

**???:** Oh, and the target of your next mission has been confirmed. You’ll receive the anchor coordinates soon.

**???:** Until then, you’re free to have your own plans.

**Delta:** Hmm… You’re giving me a long vacation rather than punishment? This is not like you.

**???:** Oh, I forgot to tell you - your vacation has been cut by 70%.

**Delta:** Wha…

**???:** Enjoy your vacation, Delta.

**Delta:** Hey! Wait…

Recording ended.

--

#### A Dossier

Password requested to access the file.

Enter password: \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*

Password confirmed.

Subject codename: DELTA

Subject name: ▇

Experiment details:

Time: ▇/▇/▇. Subject underwent the operation and recovered well. No rejection reaction has been observed.

▇ days after the operation, Subject developed symptoms of lower fever and projectile vomiting. Tentative diagnosis: postoperative rejection.

Examination has found out that the Honkai factors in the Subject were implanted approximately ▇ years ago. Diagnosis revised: pseudo-rejection.

▇ hours later, Subject developed erythema on the entire body and other allergic symptoms including shock.

On the day, Subject suffered a total of 23 shock occurrences. Symptoms appeared more intense when Subject was asleep.

▇ days after the operation, Subject was diagnosed with emotional hypersensitivity. Allergen: Subject’s dreams. Category: Post-traumatic stress.

Cognitive behavioral adjuvant drug treatment has been carried out. Effect: subpar.

From Day ▇ to Day ▇ after the operation, Subject suffered from insomnia for over three consecutive days.

Subject suffered mild cognitive disturbance and claimed to be painting the wall to make a backdrop for the next tour.

No visible pigments could be observed on the ward wall, but Honkai factors had been detected. Subject’s rejection and allergic symptoms receded.

▇ days after the operation, the “color exposure” experiment had been conducted on the Subject.

━━━━━━

Experiment details:

\*\*\*\*\*Access Denied\*\*\*\*\*

━━━━━━

Results of experiment:

Subject is now capable of adeptly exerting Emotional Factors¹ in battle².

At the request of ▇, a fluorescent protein reagent has been infused into Subject’s weapon to turn the Emotional Factors into visible “pigments”³.

Note 1: Emotional Factors are presumed to be a combination of the manifestation of Subject’s emotions and her internal Honkai factors.

The generation of Emotional Factors is related to Subject’s emotional hypersensitivity, and the release is related to Subject’s pseudo-rejection.

Note 2: Comparative tests have shown that the symptoms of Subject’s pseudo-rejection and emotional hypersensitivity were significantly alleviated-

((Author's Note- (textbox cut-off, though I assume it relates to combat))

Note 3: “Pigment” is only a designation rather than the literal reference of the word. The main constituent of “pigment” is Emotional Factors, and the rest are unknown. The adhesion of “pigment” is time-related.

Preliminary findings: Contact with the “pigments” can lead to stress-induced emotional contagion.

Contacts’ symptoms disappear as the “pigments” fade away. Due to the small sample size, the research is still in progress.

━━━━━━

Transcription provided by PXLPancakes