Chapter 31

“The calm surface conceals turbulent currents beneath.”

Chapter Thirty-One: Turbulent Depths Beneath Calm Waters (Fifth Update)

Shax glanced at the two potions and the church notebook he had stashed away in the warehouse, leaving only Thomas’s diary behind.

The four empty slots in the warehouse were now filled, each slot containing: the “Eye of Order” pact, the “Avenger” potion, the “Tempter” potion, and Duwen’s research notes.

He could sell the “Avenger” and “Tempter” potions to Aivana when he got the chance, provided he first built a friendship with her and made sure she didn’t become suspicious. After all, Aivana had quite strong deductive abilities.

As for the two notebooks, Shax did not destroy them. They were clues to the traitor of the Salvation Goddess Religion, and he could use them to curry favor with High Priestess Yulis at an opportune moment.

However, what mattered most now was to finalize his job as soon as possible, so he could reasonably bring his sister Yulis away from the Clock Tower Lane District, far from that damned match factory with its endless days and nights.

Shax checked his Mortality Point number.

Mortality Point Number: 38

He had spent 5 points on the pact, another 5 on saving the archive character, and now had 38 points remaining.

Even if he earned no money in the simulation, he still had enough points for three simulations, just like when he first obtained the system.

But unlike then, Shax now possessed greater self-preservation capabilities, and his uncertain future had become clearer.

Nonetheless, she felt a lingering worry deep inside.

Knowing the hidden aspects of this world, could she still safely extricate herself?

How long would this peaceful daily life last?

At least now, she had gained a bit of the ability to snuff out dangers in their infancy.

After lying in bed for a while, Shax knew she couldn’t fall back asleep after just waking up. She got out of bed and started writing down tomorrow’s tasks in her spiritual note.

[1] Go straight to the Dean and ask for a recommendation letter.

[2] With the recommendation letter in hand, head to the police station, and see if she can bump into Aivana by chance.

[3] Develop the habit of praying at the Salvation Goddess Religion, and see if she can bump into Yulis by chance.

Shax thought for a moment.

On the 18th…

[4] Attend Amy’s afternoon tea party and bring her a gift.

[5] Persuade her sister to move out with her.

Shax reviewed her plans for tomorrow, nodding in satisfaction.

Having more friends means more paths. After this incident, she realized the importance of making connections, and tried to befriend them in reality as well.

Looking at her notes, a sudden thought crept into Shax’s mind.

Was this plan written by herself, or was it dictated by her “real” self?

Shax put down her notebook and pencil, quickly getting up. She felt a slight ringing in her ears, but it vanished almost instantly.

This sensation of ringing had only occurred to her when she became the “Avenger” version of herself.

This sense of disorientation and doubt about herself made Shax extremely cautious.

She remembered that every Extraordinary Person she had encountered had their own “spiritual note.” This term was something she had heard from both Yulis and Aivana.

Could this be why she had not written a “spiritual note” herself?

Strictly speaking, her real self wasn’t really an Extraordinary Person, so why would she need a spiritual note?

Moreover, she couldn’t afford to write a spiritual note rashly, even though she could use Chinese to record it. In this strange world where extraordinary abilities existed, there might be someone who could directly understand the meaning of written words.

The system was her biggest secret, and it had warned her that revealing it in the real world would pose significant risks. After pacing for a while, Shax turned toward the wastebasket next to her desk and took out a crumpled piece of paper.

This was the initial idea she had when she first instructed the simulated version of herself to write…

Self-record of actions.

She took the candle and lit these papers, quietly watching them turn to ashes. Only after all the papers had burned did she gather the ashes and take them to the bathroom, flushing them down the drain.

Feeling somewhat relieved after completing everything, Xia’er realized that her inner peace was not as serene as she had imagined.

“Hiss—”

After returning to her room, Xia’er took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.

To distract herself, she opened the system interface and entered the simulation interface.

From the system prompt earlier, she noticed that her simulated days had been refreshed. By removing the “Fated Death,” she had extended her fate duration.

“Future: 16 Days (July 4, Sheng Year 741, 11:58 AM) (Consumption: 10 Mortality Points)”

“Past: 688 Days (July 31, Sheng Year 739, 12:55 PM) (Consumption: 200 Mortality Points)”

“Old: *** Day(s) (???) (Consumption: 10,000 Mortality Points)”

Sixteen days later, two years ago, and still incomprehensible old days.

However, from this, Xia’er managed to deduce some patterns. It seemed that for every year she went back, the Mortality Points increased by 100. Going back two years required 200 Mortality Points. The calculation method remained the same, with the system rounding off in its darkest way.

In a month, it seemed that all events consumed 10 Mortality Points.

After experiencing an event, Xia’er had no interest in checking what would happen eight days later. She lay back on the bed, gradually falling asleep again as she closed her eyes.

The emotional ups and downs, the transformation into an archive character, and the complete simulation left Xia’er feeling exhausted. She slept for a few hours and woke up when the sky was just beginning to lighten.

She washed up, changed into her school uniform, and put on her backpack. She placed Thomas’s notebook inside, as it was better to carry such important items with her.

Her older sister was still asleep. Xia’er prepared two breakfasts, left one note after eating one, and then went out.

The streets outside were gradually becoming lively, with children playing and laughing. Suddenly, a child running past Xia’er with an iron hoop lost control of it and started coughing violently, but quickly resumed running as if nothing had happened.

“Do you know? The Heishuidang had an internal conflict last night, and three people died! Even their leader is dead!”

“Of course, my brother told me he saw them shooting at each other. In the end, a madman set the place on fire, burning the entire shop!”

“Oh? What was the reason? Was it about the spoils? Did your friend see anything?”

“Shh… Don’t tell anyone else—I heard they died together, in love!”

“Wow…”

The conversation of the passersby made Xia’er smile. She quickened her pace towards the academy.

These notorious people would never have thought that after their deaths, they would be remembered by commoners as a few “perverts” who died for love.

Arriving at the academy, although there were no classes today, all the faculty members were present, arranging for servants to clean and prepare every corner of the hallways for tomorrow’s graduation ceremony.

“Xia’er? Why are you here?” A female teacher wearing black-rimmed glasses approached Xia’er, smiling and asking, “Did you get the date wrong? The graduation ceremony is tomorrow.”

“Teacher, you’re teasing me… I need to find the dean. There’s something I need to discuss with her.”

“Are you talking about promotion? Yes, you are so outstanding; the principal will definitely give you a recommendation letter to An Su University.”

The teacher stepped aside, allowing Xia’er to enter the academy. “She’s in her office. Go straight to her.”