Chapter 121

“Suicide Experiment and the ‘Assassin’ Xia’er.”

Quickly flipping through a few pages, Xia’er returned to the first page and read carefully.

This notebook did not record daily events like a diary; instead, it concluded with a summary at the end.

[“Dear self,”]

[“I’ve summarized everything I’ve written over these days.”]

[“Most of the time, I spent in a peaceful routine, so there wasn’t much worth recording. I condensed them into key points for easy reference.”]

[“If you want the full version, check another notebook.”]

[“I calculated the timing. When you arrived in the simulation, I should have been at work.”]

[“You must be wondering why I didn’t do ‘real business’ and instead took a regular job?”]

[“This is what ‘real business’ means.”]

Xia’er turned the page.

[“Before us, we wondered why Lucy and Obold received unexpected ‘rewards’ when following set rules, while we gained nothing.”]

[“We never fully embraced a peaceful or mundane life.”]

[“At first, I tried to reverse-engineer the rule about ‘not contacting the Extraordinary.'”]

[“This rule seemed abstract, contradicting my initial desire to become stronger for self-preservation. It was too vague.”]

[“In contrast, Obold used the ‘Evil Eye’ to gradually figure out the rules, leading to a life he never imagined.”]

[“Lucy, with her ‘Destined’ abilities, also figured out the rules and started taking her job seriously.”]

Xia’er turned the page.

[“I tried living a truly peaceful life, staying with my sister, getting a decent job, moving away from Clock Tower Lane District, and studying law.”]

[“Guess what happened? Just like sudden bad luck, good luck also came my way… You can read the diary for details. In short, I got lucky, almost as if I could catch money by walking.”]

[“Ironically, what you now want to escape and eliminate is what you once dreamed of.”]

[“These days were among the happiest in my life, but you won’t experience them…”]

[“But with the right mindset, it’s all just a fleeting illusion. With Obold and Lucy’s abilities, they would uncover the rules in a month, two months, or three.”]

[“Accepting peace is accepting death.”]

Xia’er paused slightly, gently rubbing the paper with her thumb and index finger before turning the page.

The description of “Nature” in the simulated self’s account made Xia’er’s heart tremble slightly, but the simulated self quickly dismissed any notions with strong language.

The simulated self had ample time to think through these matters, while Xia’er only had 24 hours. The simulated self understood the need to quickly dispel any idealistic fantasies about reality.

Otherwise, it would affect the quality of the entire simulation.

Xia’er continued reading the notebook.

[“First, regarding the description of ‘Nature,’ I searched through all the ancient texts Avina lent me but found no relevant descriptions.”]

[“Many organizations call themselves ‘Nature,’ which may be a term passed down since the Chaos Era. The origin of the quill pen might indeed be related to the past.”]

[“From what we can deduce, ‘Nature’ likely refers to ‘Gardener’ and ‘Inspector.'”]

[“Another event: I concluded after trying it out.”]

[“The rules of the quill pen have no effect on system abilities. Even using system skills or abilities does not trigger misfortune.”]

[“Perhaps the system’s existence far exceeds the limits of the rules set by the quill sealant, so it remains unaffected.”]

[“Do you know how I discovered this?”]

The text stopped here, forcing Xia’er to turn the page to continue.

Fragmented text.

Xia’er silently complained to herself but realized she was criticizing herself, so she swallowed her frustration.

[“You asked me to find a way to separate the spirit of the quill pen from the sealant itself. I found a high-success method.”]

[“Indeed, I need Avina’s ‘Substitute Sacrifice Relic.’ I borrowed it from Avina in advance. She will send it on July 21, as I can’t contact the Extraordinary beforehand.”]

[“Besides the ‘Substitute Sacrifice Relic,’ I added a safer plan. No matter what, you can’t guarantee the quill pen will use the ‘Substitute Sacrifice Relic’ perfectly.”]

[“This plan is called ‘Reversal of Death.'”]

[“Remember the description of ‘Reversal of Death’ at level 2?”]

[“Even at ‘Ashes to Dust,’ you can still exist as a pure spirit.”]

[“Isn’t this ‘pure spirit’ your own spirit when not controlled? I thought if I could regain control of my body using ‘Reversal of Death’ without completely disintegrating.”]

[“You know, the system doesn’t always provide complete skill descriptions. For example, ‘Agility’ also enhances strength and reaction.”]

[“I wondered if the ‘pure spirit’ could activate even before the body is completely gone.”]

[“To test this, I conducted suicide experiments.”]

Conducting suicide experiments to find system loopholes?

Xia’er suddenly felt a phantom pain in her body… This sounded like something she would do.

Suddenly, Xia’er stopped envying the simulated self for having a few happy days.

[“One ‘Reversal of Death’ takes nearly two days to recover mentally. This process cannot involve Avina healing me, making it very torturous.”]

[“It might be because ordinary suicides don’t leave the spirit intact without physical movement. Also, this suicide can’t completely destroy the body, otherwise, ‘Reversal of Death’ wouldn’t work.”]

[“For this, I considered poison.”]

[“Adelle is highly skilled in medicine and thoroughly understands poisons.”]

[“Based on basic criteria, Adelle’s talent is at least ‘Medical Lv.2’ to ‘Medical Lv.3.’]

[“After Adelle completed the second-stage ‘Plague Doctor’ replication ritual, I wrote to her with my request.”]

[“I need a neurotoxin to kill enemies quickly and a counteragent to keep the body active.”]

[“I need a spiritual death—a vegetative state—to trigger the ‘pure spirit.’]

[“I chose the last week for this experiment. If it fails, you’ll arrive a week earlier, and a perfect ‘Assassin’ potion is ready for you.”]

[“Of course, seeing this summary means I succeeded.”]

Xia’er took a deep breath and turned the page.

[“Adelle exceeded my expectations. After knowing I’d take the poison, she and Avina worked together. In less than a week, they created a potent antidote.”]

[“This isn’t a true poison but more like a ‘pseudo-death.’ Drinking both the poison and the antidote first paralyzes all organs, including the brain. The antidote activates half a minute later.”]

[“When paralysis stops, it’s considered death. Without the antidote, it’s a true poison.”]

[“Though Avina and Adelle did their best, half a minute of paralysis causes irreversible damage to the brain and organs, especially the powerful antidote, causing another severe assault.”]

[“This can only be used in simulations. The good news is, after drinking the poison, I successfully triggered the ‘pure spirit’ of ‘Reversal of Death.’]

[“The ‘pure spirit’ can control a completely immobile ‘corpse,’ but it’s exhausting. I recovered after five or six days.”]

[“By the way, put the poison in the left tooth socket and the antidote in the right. Bite both. Adelle recommended a doctor to help open the slots. It’s not painful.”]

[“If you don’t have time to press the pocket watch, immediately bite the poison and antidote and use the ‘pure spirit’ to activate the ‘substitute sacrifice relic.'”]

[“I couldn’t solve Lucy and Obold without injury. I’ve asked Tara to help. She’ll arrive today. Please check.”]

[“Good luck.”]

Harsh.

Xia’er couldn’t find words to describe the behavior in the simulation.

This was completely reckless, treating life carelessly.

Even reading these words from a detached perspective, Xia’er felt a chill.

But the logic and actions in the simulation mirrored her own…

So, this is how others see me?

Xia’er reflected on her actions.

She couldn’t deny that her behavior was extreme.

Xia’er rummaged through her canvas bag and found the wooden box containing the crystal-like poison and antidote. There was also a note with an address inside.

The potion and ‘substitute sacrifice relic’ were still with Avina, according to the simulation. They were supposed to arrive today.

No matter what, Xia’er decided to load the poison first.

Xia’er stopped the carriage mid-ride, handed the address to the coachman, and the carriage turned towards the clinic.

“Assassin” potion, huh…

Indeed, drinking this potion seems to be the safest choice. If Xia’er couldn’t handle it, few others could either.

Normally, a first-stage replication ceremony only requires a few lives, yet countless Extraordinary beings have died by Xia’er’s hand in the simulation and reality.

The carriage traveled for about five minutes and finally reached a quiet clinic. Xia’er entered the clinic with her belongings and saw a middle-aged woman in a white coat and monocle sitting behind a wooden desk.

The woman looked at Xia’er and initially hesitated, then seemed to remember something, asking, “Miss Xia’er?”

“Adelle introduced me.”

Xia’er nodded and placed the box on the desk, saying, “I need these two items embedded perfectly in my back teeth.”

Seeing the familiar wooden box and the familiar girl, the doctor couldn’t resist wiping her glasses and checking the calendar on the desk.

Today was indeed the 21st…

The same girl, the same box, the same words.

Why did this scene seem so familiar?

The doctor wiped the sweat from her forehead and whispered, “Miss… I won’t reveal your information to anyone. It’s my principle. You don’t need to test me anymore…”

She remembered clearly that this girl had come once a week ago with the same request.

At this moment, Xia’er realized something.

The simulated self had initially processed the poison here for experiments and trials. Coming again was odd.

So, Xia’er said, “I finished the previous one. I’m here to get more.”

The middle-aged physician swallowed hard.

If she remembered correctly… That was a very potent poison, right? She had once been part of the Redemption Society and knew such crystal-encased substances were extremely potent poisons.

Bringing Xia’er to the operating room.

Handling these things required great care; the entire process of hollowing out the wisdom teeth and embedding poison took nearly two hours.

After finishing everything, the doctor wiped the sweat from his face, exhausted, and said, “Miss Xia’er, it’s done… please be careful and try to eat something that doesn’t require much chewing.”

“Yes, thank you.”

Xia’er asked, “Is the surgery fee still free this time?”

“Yes, it’s still free. This is what I owe Miss Adelle.”

The doctor nodded.

“Alright.”

Knowing she wouldn’t need to pay for the surgery, Xia’er didn’t hesitate and walked straight out of the hospital, returning to the carriage.

At that moment, Xia’er felt an unusual sensation.

Inside her mouth, where the wisdom teeth were supposed to be, there were two strange protrusions, causing a strong foreign body sensation, like accidentally swallowing a bone while eating.

She felt that the poison and awakening potion would easily break if she exerted any slight pressure.

Xia’er had to gently bite her own tongue throughout to keep her jaws from closing together and avoid accidentally breaking the poison.

If she accidentally broke it, she could only pay attention next time.

It was already 6:30 PM, and by the time the carriage brought Xia’er home, it was almost 7 PM.

Opening the door, Xia’er smelled the aroma of meat inside. Looking toward the dining table, she saw a bowl of steaming meat broth and a plate of mixed vegetables that looked like a salad.

“You’re back?”

The sound of footsteps came from the stairs. Xia’er looked up and saw her sister, Li Qi, descending the stairs wearing an apron.

“I made dinner since you hadn’t returned for a long time… Does it suit your taste?”

Li Qi smiled.

This familiar and warm scene made Xia’er pause slightly, but remembering the words of the simulated self in the notebook, she took a deep breath and said stiffly, “I…”

Xia’er wanted to say she wasn’t very hungry, but looking at Li Qi’s smile, she decided to walk to the dining table and take a spoonful of the meat broth, drinking it down.

There was no need to guess; these days, it must have been the simulated self cooking every day, and Li Qi cleaning up afterward.

“It’s good.”

The taste was a bit bland, with too little salt, which is common for beginners. But Xia’er still smiled and gave it a positive review.

“I still have some work to do, so I’ll go back to my room first.”

After saying that, Xia’er slowly put down her utensils and walked upstairs with somewhat heavy steps.

The simulated self was right; this was exactly what she had always dreamed of.

Find a better job, move to a better place with her sister, and after work, call friends to go shopping, without struggling for survival every day… living in enjoyment…

“You’ve been sick often recently, make sure to eat well…”

Li Qi walked to the dining table and asked, “Was it because I cooked poorly?”

Taking a sip of Xia’er’s soup, Li Qi’s expression turned slightly awkward. She laughed and said, “I’ll add some more salt and reheat it before bringing it to your room… By the way, some things from your friend arrived, and I put them in your room.”

“Okay…”

Xia’er carried her canvas bag upstairs, closed the door behind her, and leaned against it, taking a deep breath.

She suddenly thought of an old meme from her previous life.

It showed a middle school student holding a toy pistol by the car window with the caption, “Pick up the gun and I can’t hug you, put down the gun and I can’t protect you.”

Xia’er never expected such a thing to happen in real life.

From the moment she activated the system and entered the simulation, to the moment she committed her first murder, Xia’er knew she couldn’t turn back on this path.

Xia’er saw the exquisite handbag on her desk, opened it, and found a potion bottle, a jewelry box, and a letter inside.

This was from Aivana.

Reading the letter, Xia’er saw the contents:

[Dear Xia’er:]

[The money you sent has exceeded the cost of the potion. There’s too much to fit, so I’ll send the extra money tomorrow.]

[Although I didn’t take the “detective” route, I still hope you won’t choose the “killer” path… I’m not negating you, but I’ve seen too many killers and butchers in my family.]

[When you asked about getting a “butcher,” I know where to get a perfect potion, but I’m sorry for deceiving you. Maybe due to selfishness, I don’t want my friends to become like that…]

[Though the “detective” path is difficult, I can teach you how to transition from the “killer” path to becoming a “law judge”… if you’re willing.]

[I don’t know what happened to you, and you’re unwilling to tell me. This feeling is hard to bear.]

[Sorry, I seem to have rambled.]

[Maybe I miss you, Xia’er.]

[—Your friend]

[Aivana]

Xia’er put down the letter.

Her heart wasn’t particularly moved. For the simulated Aivana, they hadn’t seen each other in almost a month, but Xia’er had just met her yesterday, making it hard to empathize.

However, Xia’er did feel Aivana’s sincerity.

Xia’er took out the potion bottle and decided to digest it completely before finding Tara.

From the moment she drank the potion, doom should start brewing. Xia’er held something that seemed neither a crystal nor a Pandora’s box releasing demons.

Raising the potion bottle to her eyes, she saw countless unknown particles floating in the pale purple liquid, resembling thin fish scales, but clearly not.

Instead, they looked like slices of some creature’s skin.

Xia’er uncapped the potion bottle, and a fragrant scent filled her nose, like high-end perfume, emitting a gentle fragrance.

The scales inside began to stir excitedly, seemingly eager.

Xia’er raised her hand and drank the potion in one gulp.

A faint fruit aroma filled Xia’er’s mouth, and the cool potion trickled down her throat, absorbed entirely before reaching her stomach.

Xia’er closed her eyes, waiting quietly for the side effects and delirious whispers to come.

Having drunk many potions, Xia’er had learned to be prepared for the aftermath.

One second, two seconds…

One minute, two minutes…

Time passed slowly.

The expected cold or hot sensation didn’t appear in her organs, and Xia’er felt as if she had just drunk plain water.

She even suspected that Aivana had secretly switched the potion for fruit tea.

The transparent scales were actually just slices of fruit?

Xia’er slowly lifted her head with closed eyes, feeling the vague, instinct-like abilities and their usage methods emerging in her mind, and she was surprised to open her eyes.

Huh?

Finished?

Just like that?

Xia’er raised her hands, semi-transparent scales covering them, protecting her fingerprints and skin. Only then did she confirm that she had truly consumed the potion.

Where did Aivana buy such a good potion? Even side effects and delirious whispers were unheard of, so it must be very expensive.

Xia’er took a deep breath, walked to the window, and climbed onto the roof, jumping down from the other side of the street.

The scales had already sealed the poison in her mouth, preventing the crystals from breaking easily. With a thought, the scales could instantly shatter the crystals containing the poison and awakening potion.

Xia’er hung the “substitute sacred relic” around her neck and hurried towards Tara’s residence, her speed surpassing human limits due to the enhanced agility from the “killer” potion.

Not far from Tara’s residence, both were in the Gemstone District, and Xia’er soon arrived at Tara’s doorstep.

As Xia’er stood in front of Tara’s door, her sensitive skin detected over ten pairs of eyes fixed on her.

This was the heightened perception brought by being a “killer.”

Knock knock knock—

Xia’er knocked on the door, and soon, Tara’s door opened. Tara, dressed in black, saw Xia’er and her eyes lit up.

“Lady Xia’er, please come in~”

Tara stepped aside, inviting Xia’er into the house. Before Tara could speak, Xia’er said, “Are your trusted allies here?”

As expected, the Mother Goddess knows everything.

“Yes, Lady Xia’er. I brought several trusted allies.”

Tara nodded.

“Have them kill Obold and Lucy, retrieve their Sealed Objects ‘Evil Eye’ and ‘Strong Fortune Coin,’ now.”

Xia’er issued the command directly. At that moment, Tara noticed something off about Xia’er.

The earthly manifestation of the Mother Goddess… drank the potion?

And it wasn’t the “Avenger” or “Reformed Monk”?

Tara took a deep breath, suppressing her inner joy, and said, “Congratulations, Lady Xia’er, for regaining part of your power. Tara will arrange the task immediately.”

Tara bowed her head and walked around Xia’er, rushing out the door to brief her trusted allies on the mission details.

Xia’er turned her head and looked at the darkening sky.

This time, she didn’t wait until the last few hours but started the plan to attract the feather Sealed Object shortly after the simulation began.

The “substitute sacred relic” could seal spirits for about 24 hours, so Xia’er had no concerns about timing. Whether she sealed early or late made no difference; the key was whether the plan succeeded.

She didn’t need to waste time waiting. If it failed, she had to quickly think of a new plan and start another simulation.

Even if she was possessed, staying on the feather longer would allow her to understand what it was saying.

Xiaer could now understand simple conversations in Ancient An Su language, even unfamiliar words could be translated later.

After all, she could perfectly remember those words and wouldn’t forget them.

Time passed, and within an hour of issuing the order, Xia’er received Obold’s head and a blue-purple “Evil Eye.”

One more…

PS: *195 chapter (in arrears) + 2 (on leave) + 12 (monthly votes) – 2 (updated) = 207 (in arrears)

What?

Why are there more votes as the month ends???

But it doesn’t matter, now I’m back at full strength after my leave!!!

Starting with 8K words tomorrow! Keep going! Tomorrow’s me!!!

Good night!!!

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