Genshin Impact: Evil Simulator

Outside Liyue Harbor, in an unknown forest.

Lucas was poking the campfire in front of him with a stick, pondering over the fact that he had just transmigrated and awakened a system.

[Congratulations to the host for activating the "Villain Life Simulator" system.]

[This system allows the host to simulate a life. If you perform well in the simulated life, you will receive generous rewards.]

[Additionally, the host must play an evil role in the simulator as much as possible, or face the consequences.]

"So, your function is a 'life simulator,' and as long as I live a life through the simulator, I can get rewards?"

[Exactly, your comprehension is commendable.]

"I can understand this system, given that I've read many power fantasy novels, but..." Lucas put down the stick and frowned slightly. "What does it mean that I must play an evil role in the simulated life as much as possible?"

[This system's mechanism requires the host to constantly create chaos in the simulated life to increase the 'Chaos Index.' The higher the Chaos Index, the richer the rewards. In principle, the more evil the role the host plays, the greater the chaos created.]

"But... I don't want to be a bad person," Lucas shook his head.

[Host, are you perhaps a goody two-shoes?]

"Hey, hey, just because I don't want to be a bad person doesn't mean I'm a saint!" Lucas couldn't help but retort. "Also, is it so strange not to want to be a bad person? First, being a bad person means doing bad things, and I don't want to hurt anyone. Second, being a bad person means being hated by others, and I don't want to be hunted down."

[Rest assured, everything that happens in the simulated life is entirely fictional. You can think of it as a game. The evil deeds you commit won't harm anyone, and similarly, even if the characters in the simulated life hate you, it won't cause you any real harm.]

"But why choose me?" Lucas asked helplessly. "Wouldn't it be easier to directly choose an evil person?"

Lucas might not be an absolutely kind person, but he certainly wasn't a villain either.

[This is also the main god's intention. She wants to know if an ordinary person with a kind heart can maintain their true nature after constantly committing evil acts.]

"What a nasty main god..." Lucas said with a complicated expression. "However, generally speaking, systems are meant to benefit the host. If I'm not interested in these benefits, the system can't do anything to me, right?"

[The main god will periodically test the host. If the host is not strong enough, they will die from being unable to withstand the test.]

It seemed he was just a toy for the main god. However, thinking about it, systems are inherently higher-dimensional entities. No one gets a system for no reason; there must be a purpose behind it.

Maybe he was like Truman from The Truman Show, just an object of observation for a higher-dimensional "main god."

"Hmph, if that's the case, then let's start," Lucas seemed unwilling to give up his principles so easily. "I don't believe that I can't survive without being a bad person."

[Command received. Life simulator is about to start.]

[Please choose three talents from the following. One will be retained as a permanent talent after the simulation ends.]

(Rarity ranges from low to high: white, green, blue, purple, gold)

[Alcoholic (White): You love to drink.]

[Born Poor (White): It's hard for you to get rich.]

[Humble Origin (White): You will be born into a poor family.]

[Infamous (Purple): Your effectiveness increases when committing evil acts.]

[All Evil (Purple): You may receive additional rewards when committing evil acts.]

[Try Again (Purple): You can avoid death once and get another chance (usable once per simulation).]

...

Aside from the common white talents, most of the rare talents were related to "evil." Moreover, even the white talents were mostly negative effects, worse than not choosing at all.

It felt like he was being forced to commit evil deeds. Why did other people's "life simulators" start with various excellent talents, while his started with such a villainous setup?

Lucas chose "Infamous," "All Evil," and "Try Again."

At worst, he just wouldn't use them.

[Life simulation officially begins.]

[Age 0: You were born into a merchant family in Liyue Harbor, with a well-off background.]

This start wasn't bad.

[Age 1: During the 'grabbing ceremony,' you grabbed a Mora. Your father was very pleased, thinking you had the potential to be a merchant in the future.]

[Age 2: Your father hired two young women to be your wet nurses.]

So extravagant? But this shouldn't count as doing something bad.

[Age 3: You haven't been weaned yet.]

Not weaned yet... but understandable.

[Age 4: You haven't been weaned yet.]

[Age 5: You haven't been weaned yet.]

[Age 6: Your father thought this wasn't good, so he dismissed the wet nurses.]

That's right. How could I keep drinking like this?

[Age 7: While playing on the street, you saw a group of boys bullying a purple-haired girl. Your choices are...]

[1. Help the girl.]

[2. Bully the girl.]

The former is a good deed; the latter is an evil act. This doesn't even need thinking!

Bullying a little girl is too despicable.

"Help the girl," Lucas decided.

[You stood in front of the girl to protect her but were beaten up by the boys. You were punched in the chest by a boy twice your age and unfortunately died.]

What? This is too absurd!

But it makes sense. Children can be reckless, and accidental killing isn't impossible.

[Do you want to use the talent 'Try Again' to make another choice?]

"Use it."

[Life simulator rebooting...]

[Age 7: While playing on the street, you saw a group of boys bullying a purple-haired girl. Your choices are...]

[1. Help the girl.]

[2. Bully the girl.]

"B-bully the girl."

No choice but to pick this. After all, it's just a line of text in the "life simulator."

[You joined them in bullying the purple-haired girl. Unexpectedly, the girl wasn't weak, wielding a wooden sword and fighting back. In the end, both sides were injured. The purple-haired girl glared at you and said fiercely, "I remember your face. I, Keqing, will avenge this!"]

[Reward Obtained: D-rank Loot Box ×1 (Reward can be claimed after life simulation).]

Damn… I actually offended Keqing! Keqing, the future "Liyue Qixing" Yuheng, one of the seven highest-ranked individuals in Liyue Harbor. With this grudge, my future days are bound to be tough... Fortunately, this is just a life simulator. If I offended Keqing in reality, I probably wouldn't be able to survive in Liyue Harbor.

[Age 8: You entered the prestigious school, Tianquan Academy, in Liyue Harbor, established by Tianquan, Ningguang. Only exceptionally talented students and the children of nobles and wealthy merchants can enroll.]

[With your wealthy background, you naturally got the chance to enroll easily. However, on the first day of school, you were shocked to discover that your deskmate was the girl named Keqing, whom you had bullied a year ago. Seeing the complicated look in her eyes, you said:]

[1. What I did a year ago was wrong. I hope you don't hold it against me. From today on, can… can we be friends?]

[2. Tsk, what bad luck, to be deskmates with a violent girl like you.]

[3. What are you looking at? Want to take a punch at me? Well, just don't miss! (This option unlocks special character voice and grants specific rewards).]

If I use the "Alignment Nine-Grid" to judge these three options, it would be the difference between "Lawful Good," "Neutral Evil," and "Chaotic Evil." Honestly, with my naturally kind personality, I would want to choose the first option. After all, kids don't hold grudges for long, and Keqing isn't a narrow-minded girl.

Admitting my mistake now and extending a friendly gesture might not only earn her forgiveness but also make us good friends. However, based on the system's past behavior, if I chose the first option, it wouldn't end well. Not only that, but it seems the more villainous the choice, the better the rewards.

Moreover, the last option even offers a "special character voice"... Wait a minute, if I remember correctly, isn't this a line from the character Sett in League of Legends? Could choosing this option grant rewards related to Sett? Since it's just a life simulator, might as well maximize the benefits of being a villain.

"What are you looking at? Want to take a punch at me? Well, just don't miss!"

[Special Reward Obtained: Skill - Charging Fist.]

[Effect: When attacked, you can accumulate "Heroic Intent." The more damage taken, the more Heroic Intent accumulated. When using "Charging Fist," all accumulated Heroic Intent is unleashed, dealing damage to enemies in the area. The more Heroic Intent accumulated, the higher the damage and larger the area.]

So it really is Sett's voice line, and I got Sett's skill? In that case, if I keep spouting villain lines, wouldn't I become invincible?

[Upon hearing your words, young Keqing's face changed dramatically. Unable to bear her anger, she punched you in the face, causing a nosebleed. The teacher, frightened, hurriedly took you to the infirmary. Under the care of the beautiful nurse, you quickly recovered with no serious injuries.]

[Keqing was given a major demerit for hitting a classmate. Although she wasn't expelled, she started being isolated because of this violent incident. No one wanted to be her friend anymore.]

Reading this, Lucas couldn't help but feel a bit guilty and remorseful, although it was just a storyline simulated by the [Life Simulator].

[Age 9: You formed the "Crown Prince Gang" with a group of wealthy kids, acting arrogantly around the school.]

[Age 10: Although Keqing was isolated, she still studied and practiced martial arts diligently. However, she was no longer the cheerful and outgoing girl she once was, becoming timid and reserved instead.]

[Age 11: One day, you saw Keqing with a very exquisite lunch box, and you said:]

[1. This lunch looks good. Did you make it yourself?]

[2. What? The dignified Miss Keqing eating such a humble meal?]

[3. I'm hungry. Feed me your lunch, or else…]

This is too much… Lucas, though feeling reluctant, said, "I'm hungry. Feed me your lunch, or else…"

[Upon hearing your words, a flash of anger appeared in Keqing's eyes. But as someone who had been isolated, she didn't want to cause trouble. Keqing agreed to feed you lunch but insisted on going somewhere private. Your response was:]

[1. Why go somewhere private? I want you to feed me in the classroom, in front of everyone!]

[2. Fine, we'll go to the rooftop then. It's usually empty there.]

No way, even if it's just a game, Lucas still has principles. Killing someone with psychological torture is too cruel.

"Fine, we'll go to the rooftop then. It's usually empty there."

[You and Keqing went to the rooftop. Although she disliked you, Keqing endured and fed you lunch. While enjoying the meal service, you chatted with Keqing. You felt that Keqing spoke more during this one lunchtime than in the past three years combined.]

[Age 12: This year, it seemed you and Keqing had formed some sort of tacit understanding. Every noon, Keqing brought two lunch boxes to the rooftop, one specifically prepared for you. You never expected Keqing to not resist you, and sometimes you even saw a rare smile on her face. Your relationship was very subtle; though you were known as "enemies" in the whole school, you were the only one she could talk to.]

What a strange development… Lucas couldn't help but be speechless for a moment. Could it be that Keqing poisoned the lunch to kill me slowly? No, no, no… that's too dark and twisted.

[Age 13: Keqing seemed much more cheerful. Being beautiful and academically excellent, she became the crush of many boys. However, the girls who once isolated her, instead of reconciling with her, resented her even more for her popularity.]

[One day after school, you saw Keqing being bullied by a group of girls. Your choices are:]

[1. Join in bullying Keqing.]

[2. Pretend not to see it.]

[3. Walk over and say, "Get lost. Don't you know that only I can bully this girl in this school?"]

 Is this another one of those vile choices?

Bullying Keqing together?

Back when I was eight, even teaming up with a bunch of ruffians, all I could manage was to slightly overpower young Keqing. Now that she's been training in martial arts for years, she'd beat me up easily.

Besides, bullying girls alongside boys is one thing, but doing it with other girls? If I did that, I wouldn't have the face to stay in school.

"I choose the third option."

[You step forward, push the girls away, and arrogantly say, "Get lost! Don't you know that in this school, only I am allowed to bully her?"]

[Because you are the school bully, the girls don't dare to cause more trouble. They mutter a few words and then leave. Before leaving, the beautiful girl named Xiao Wan gives you and Keqing a complicated look, which you ignore.]

Hey, pay attention to me!

This girl looks like a typical female antagonist from a shoujo manga. Don't just brush her off like that!

[You reach out to help Keqing up, but she slaps your hand away. With tears streaming down her face, she screams at you, "Stop pretending to be kind! Do you think I'll forgive you because of this? Never! The reason I'm in this state is because of you! I hate you! I'll hate you forever!"]

Although these are just words, for some reason, Lucas felt as if he could really hear the girl's curses.

She's right.

No matter what I've done, the reason Keqing is isolated and bullied now all stems from the punch I threw at her years ago.

If it weren't for that incident, with Keqing's talent and personality, she would have become a well-liked and outstanding student.

Even though Lucas and Keqing have formed some sort of "twisted" friendship, it doesn't change the fact that he's always been a jerk, and Keqing has always hated him.

[After saying that, Keqing runs away, covering her face. In her haste, she leaves one of her shoes behind. Your choices are...]

[1. Chase after her and return the shoe.]

[2. Take Keqing's shoe.]

[3. Use Keqing's shoe for something else.]

Damn!

The first two options are okay, but the third one is outright hentai! Of course, Lucas is torn about his choice.

The first option is out. It's simple: I'm playing the villain here. Choosing this feels like it would lead to redeeming myself.

As for the third option, though I'm curious about what "reward" it might bring, it feels like it would steer the plot in a very strange direction.

"I'll take Keqing's shoe."

[You do nothing but pick up Keqing's shoe.]

[Reward: Keqing's Shoe ×1 (Reward can be received after the simulation ends).]

What use is this reward?

[The next day, when you arrive at school, you notice everyone giving you strange looks. To your shock, the school's bulletin board and many other places are plastered with photos of Keqing feeding you lunch on the rooftop, accompanied by derogatory labels like "slut" and "shameless."]

[You have a bad feeling. Back in the classroom, you see Xiao Wan and her group bullying Keqing again, holding those photos and sneering, "Look at this little slut fawning over him. It's disgusting! Who knows what indecent things they're doing on the rooftop every day!"]

[Keqing keeps her head down, wiping away tears. Faced with this situation, your choices are...]

[1. Kick Keqing while she's down.]

[2. Beat up the girls bullying Keqing.]

[3. Stay silent and act like you didn't see anything.]

Damn!

My blood pressure is rising!

Wait a minute...

Lucas suddenly realizes something important.

If bullying Keqing counts as "villainy," then beating up female classmates should count as "villainy" too, right?

Yeah, the system only requires him to commit evil acts, not specifying who the target should be.

With this in mind, Lucas's face lights up with a meaningful, wicked smile as he makes a choice:

"Beat up those girls bullying Keqing!"

[Without hesitation, you raise your fist. Despite never having trained in martial arts, a move called "Charging Fist" suddenly comes to mind. With a powerful punch, you smash Xiao Wan's pretty face, leaving it bloody.]

[Reward: D-Rank Loot Box ×5 (Reward can be received after the simulation ends).]

As expected, hitting girls definitely counts as evil.

[Your action scares the other girls bullying Keqing. One of them questions, "You're a boy! How can you hit girls?" Your response is...]

[1. Because I'm uncivilized.]

[2. Do I need a reason to hit you?]

[3. Are girls more precious than boys? I punch girls too!]

Honestly, fighting violence with violence is wrong.

But damn, it feels good!

"Are girls more precious than boys? I punch girls too!"

[Reward: D-Rank Loot Box ×3 (Reward can be received after the simulation ends).]

[You don't stop there and continue provocatively, "Are girls more precious than boys? I punch girls too!" The boys who usually follow you join the fight, turning the classroom into a chaotic brawl. Even Keqing, finally snapping, starts fighting back against the girls who bullied her.]

[You win the fight easily, but it results in severe consequences. All perpetrators, including you, receive stern warnings and a month-long suspension.]

[Being a rich and spoiled brat, you don't care and spend the month playing. However, when you return to school, you find out that Keqing has dropped out.]

[It turns out that Xiao Wan and her group pinned the entire incident on Keqing. Coupled with the negative impact of those photos, Keqing had no choice but to leave school. Not only that, but her family was affected too, and they soon moved away from Liyue.]

Keqing… She dropped out of school?

For some reason, upon seeing this line, Lucas felt a bit empty inside.

Though he intended to stand up for Keqing, the outcome was that Keqing had to drop out of school. Her family, unable to bear the pressure, left Liyue.

Most students at Tianquan Academy came from powerful families. Offending so many influential families made it impossible for Keqing's family to stay in Liyue.

At this time, Keqing had not yet become one of Liyue's Qixing, the Yuheng Star, so she could only accept her fate.

[Age 14: After Keqing left, you continued to act arrogantly at school, but somehow it felt less enjoyable. To your surprise, one day Xiao Wan confessed to you. It turns out she hated Keqing because of you. She liked you so much that she didn't hold you accountable for hitting her but blamed everything on Keqing.]

I see…

No wonder this girl always targeted Keqing.

No wonder, even after such a big incident, your punishment was just a month's suspension.

How much of a masochist is she?

Now, Lucas finally understood why so many middle school girls were crazy about delinquent boys.

They were a bit abnormal.

[Facing Xiao Wan's confession, your response is:]

[1. Sorry, I already like someone else.]

[2. Want me to like you? Then be my dog.]

[3. Get lost! I hate ugly women the most!]

Honestly, Lucas had no interest in a girl who bullied others, so he chose: "Option 3."

[You yelled at Xiao Wan, "Get lost! I hate ugly women the most!" Xiao Wan left in tears.]

[Reward: Talent - Heavy Punch.]

[Effect: Increases damage to the opposite sex by 20%.]

[Age 15: You graduated.]

[Age 16: You inherited the family business and started doing business.]

[Age 17: On a whim, you had someone inquire about Keqing's whereabouts, only to find out her family had fallen, her father had died, and Keqing herself was missing.]

[Age 18: Using the connections you made at school and your ruthless methods, you quickly established yourself in Liyue Harbor.]

[Age 19: Many people proposed to you, but you rejected them all.]

[Age 20: The Abyss Order's activities in Liyue became more frequent. Ningguang sent the Millelith to eliminate them, but they suffered heavy casualties. Survivors reported a highly skilled female officer with purple hair, about twenty years old.]

[Age 21: The Abyss Order grew more rampant. The mysterious purple-haired officer, known as "Thunder Calamity Rakshasa" for her mastery of the Electro element, killed many of Liyue's top fighters.]

[Age 22: Families in Liyue Harbor were being exterminated, including Xiao Wan's family. You realized that the targeted families were those of girls who had bullied Keqing.]

[Age 23: You felt something was wrong and hired many bodyguards. One day, while riding in a sedan, you heard sounds of fighting outside. You got out to find your bodyguards dead. Nearby stood a familiar figure with a blood-stained sword, walking toward you.]

You recognized her as Keqing, but her skin now had strange blue patterns, and one eye was blood-red. Seeing you, she smiled wickedly, "Lucas, it's your turn!"

Keqing, or rather Thunder Calamity Rakshasa, didn't wait for you to speak and slashed with her sword. You felt the world turn upside down as your head hit the ground. The last thing you saw was a beautiful but bloodthirsty smile.

[Simulation ended.]

[Cause of death: Killed by dark Keqing.]

[Overall rating: Don't underestimate women.]

[Rewards have been sent and can be viewed anytime.]

What… what the heck!

This ending left Lucas both amused and frustrated.

Unexpectedly, in this life simulation, Keqing became dark after her misfortune and joined the Abyss Order.

But according to the game's story, the Abyss Order members are mostly remnants of the ancient, destroyed nation of Khaenri'ah. How did a native of Liyue like Keqing join the Abyss Order and gain such power?

Lucas couldn't find a reasonable explanation. Thankfully, this was just a virtual life with no real-life consequences. Although he died young at 24, the rewards were pretty good.

[Please choose one of the following talents as your inherent talent: "Evil Deeds," "Infamous," "Try Again."]

[Inherent talents are effective in reality. Each time you start the life simulator, you can choose one inherent talent as your initial talent.]

All three talents were purple, with no obvious ranking.

But in terms of versatility, "Try Again" seemed the best.

This "Villain Life Simulator" was full of malice; one wrong choice could lead to death. It was harder than some prank galgames.

So having a chance to revive each time was very useful.

[Acquired inherent talent: "Try Again."]

[Try Again (Purple): You can avoid death once, getting another chance (usable once per simulation). In reality, it has a one-month cooldown.]

What!

Lucas didn't expect this talent to work in real life too, not just once, but with a one-month cooldown. For a life-saving talent, a long cooldown was understandable.

As for the remaining rewards, he received nine D-grade Loot boxes.

[D-grade loot box: Opening it grants a D-grade reward (3 boxes of the same grade can be combined into a higher-grade box).]

This is great!

"Combine directly into three C-grade boxes! Then into one B-grade box!"

All in! Go all in!

[Opening B-grade loot box...]

[Open B-Level Loot Box, Congratulations, You've Obtained "Accumulated Virtue System"!]

[Accumulated Virtue System: Whenever you do a good deed or receive someone's gratitude, you can earn "Virtue Points." Once these points accumulate to a certain level, you can receive rewards.]

[Note: The system only works in reality.]

A loot box... Can it even yield a system?

Moreover, it's the complete opposite of the "Evil Life Simulator"—the "Accumulated Virtue System."

So, in the simulated life, I have to be as bad as possible, but in reality, I have to be a good person.

Although Lucas often helps others, he doesn't do these things to get system rewards but because it's his nature.

To put it nicely, Lucas is kind-hearted. To put it bluntly, he's a bit of a pushover.

In novels and comics, he might become that kind of gentle male protagonist.

But since doing good deeds can earn rewards, it's a great thing, much better than forcing himself to be a bad person.

Moreover, even if the things in the simulated life are fictional, Lucas would inevitably feel some guilt. If he can compensate through the Accumulated Virtue System, it would be a good thing.

"Rakani Chu!"

"Makabaka!"

At this moment, a strange low growl suddenly came from behind Lucas. He turned around and saw two eerie creatures with dark skin and white masks. One held a wooden club, and the other a torch, both slowly approaching him with a hostile aura.

Hilichurls?

Having some knowledge of the game Genshin Impact, Lucas naturally recognized the name of these monsters immediately. As monsters present throughout almost the entire game, from the lowest-level Hilichurls to the rather troublesome Hilichurl Chieftains, they are the most frequently encountered enemies by players.

However, for Lucas, who had just crossed over, facing these suddenly appearing enemies made him a bit nervous.

"Jinei Nima Sla!"

At this moment, one of the Hilichurls, waving its wooden club and shouting gibberish, charged at Lucas.

Although Lucas was usually kind and never fought, in reality, he had learned some martial arts from his grandfather for self-defense.

Of course, he learned these things mainly to make the old man happy. After all, in his eyes, his grandfather's so-called "techniques" were no different from Master Ma's "Five-Linked Lightning Whip."

But seeing the Hilichurl attacking, Lucas instinctively used those moves. He sidestepped to dodge the club's swing and then landed a solid punch on the Hilichurl's chest.

"Charging Fist!"

Maybe because this was the only "active skill" he knew, Lucas automatically used this skill.

Although the essence of "Charging Fist" is "the more damage taken, the harder you hit," for an enemy like the Hilichurl, which has low defense and no armor, Lucas's punch broke its chest bones with a crack, sending its thin body flying like a kite with a broken string, crashing hard onto the ground.

The Hilichurl struggled for a moment before its body stiffened, then turned into black mist and disappeared into the ground.

[Killed a monster, gained 10 Virtue Points.]

Can you even gain Virtue Points by killing monsters?

It seems the so-called "Accumulated Virtue System" is still based on benefiting humanity. After all, killing isn't exactly a virtuous act.

But Lucas didn't bother thinking about these complicated issues; being kind doesn't mean being weak.

Seeing its companion killed with one punch, the other Hilichurl lost its arrogance and tried to flee. Lucas swiftly took two steps forward and punched it to death.

[Killed a monster, gained 10 Virtue Points.]

Looking at the distant silhouette of Liyue Harbor, Lucas started his journey of traveling and fighting monsters.

...

Meanwhile, in a bedroom of a mansion in Liyue Harbor,

"Kill... I'll kill you!"

A purple-haired girl suddenly sat up from her bed. She looked about seventeen years old, with bright eyes and white teeth, and a flawless complexion. However, she looked extremely pale, her snow-white cheeks covered in sweat.

She was Keqing, the Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing.

She had just woken up from a very strange dream.

In the dream, she returned to her childhood and met a bad boy named "Lucas." This boy caused her to be isolated at school, expelled, and even her family was affected, forcing them to leave Liyue.

After leaving Liyue, Keqing's family fell into decline, her parents died in misery, and finally, unable to bear the pressure, she chose to jump off a cliff to end her life.

Unexpectedly, after jumping off the cliff, Keqing didn't die but was saved by the Abyss Order. They promised her great power in exchange for her loyalty.

Perhaps because she had experienced life and death or because she wanted revenge, the despairing Keqing agreed to the Abyss Order's "deal."

After a series of painful transformations, Keqing finally obtained great power. She became a high-ranking officer of the Abyss Order and sought revenge against the city of Liyue, which had once "abandoned" her.

At this time, Keqing's strength was unparalleled. Her innate talent was extremely high, and now, after undergoing the Abyss transformation and wielding the power of darkness, she had surpassed the Liyue Qixing.

As the demoness "Thunder Calamity Rakshasa," she destroyed all the families of the children who had bullied her back then. The one responsible for all this, Lucas, was saved for last.

Just as Keqing was about to decapitate Lucas, she suddenly regained a bit of consciousness and was so terrified by the horrific scene that she woke up.

"Strange..."

Keqing wiped the cold sweat from her forehead and murmured to herself, "Why am I having such dreams?"

The version of herself in the dream was vastly different from her real self. Bloodthirsty, brutal, and indiscriminately killing the innocent...

In the dream, she had turned into the villain she despised the most. However, she couldn't entirely blame herself; after all, going through so many things and falling into darkness was inevitable.

"But..." For some reason, there was a spark in Keqing's eyes. "The me in the dream was so strong. At the very least, I should have the power equivalent to that of a Archon's servant, right?"

Currently, Keqing's strength, with her Vision, was already at the top level, but there was still a significant gap compared to her corrupted self in the dream.

Generally, the details of a dream would quickly fade away after waking up, and the characters in the dream would be hard to remember. But strangely enough, Keqing clearly remembered the face of a person named "Lucas," even though she was certain she had never met this person in real life.

"Hmph..." Keqing snorted coldly and muttered to herself, "This person named 'Lucas'... his actions are despicable. It's a good thing he's just a dream character. If I met such a person in reality, I'd teach him a good lesson!"

...

"Achoo!"

At this moment, Lucas, who had not yet entered Liyue Harbor, inexplicably sneezed. He had no idea that he had already been remembered with hatred by a significant figure from Liyue Harbor.

"How much farther do I have to walk..."

Lucas, already exhausted, sighed, "Why does it feel like I'm not getting any closer?"

[At your current pace, it will take about three more days to reach Liyue Harbor.]

"Do you have a navigation function too?" Lucas frowned. "By the way, isn't there a teleport waypoint in the game? Can you teleport me directly?"

[This function is not yet activated...]

"Ugh..." Lucas said helplessly. "Can you open the character simulation again? Maybe I can get a reward for fast travel."

[The character simulation refreshes daily at midnight. Please wait patiently.]

"Help... Help!"

Just as Lucas was about to complain, he suddenly heard a cry for help from behind the bushes.

Startled, Lucas rushed towards the direction of the cry without hesitation.

Pushing through the bushes, he immediately saw a massive figure standing like a tower not far away, holding a giant axe that was two to three meters long.

The creature looked somewhat like a Hilichurl but was several times larger. It was a Mitachurl, an intermediate monster among Hilichurls!

In front of the Mitachurl were several wagons and people dressed as merchants. Lying around them were a few armored warriors, wounded and holding weapons.

Unlike in the game, where Mitachurls were not a big deal to players controlling powerful Genshin characters, these monsters were quite troublesome for ordinary adventurers and caravan guards.

"Beast! Stop hurting people!"

Without hesitation, Lucas stepped forward and punched towards the Mitachurl's chest.

"Charging Fist!"

The Mitachurl didn't even bother to dodge, but to its surprise, it felt a tremendous force hit its chest, causing it to stagger back a few steps.

Indeed...

While his Charging Fist could easily take down a Hilichurl, it wasn't enough to defeat a much stronger Mitachurl in one blow.

Moreover, the punch seemed to have angered the Mitachurl. After retreating a few steps, it stabilized itself and swung its giant axe towards Lucas.

Lucas couldn't dodge in time, and the giant axe struck his back, causing him to spit out a mouthful of blood.

[Heroic Intent Accumulation: 50%]

The other effect of the Charging Fist was that it could accumulate "Heroic Intent" when attacked, increasing its damage. Gritting his teeth and enduring the immense pain, Lucas struck the Mitachurl again.

"Charging Fist!"

A brilliant golden light instantly gathered on Lucas's fist as he struck directly towards the chest of the Mitachurl. Perhaps instinctively sensing the danger of this punch, the Mitachurl hurriedly put its giant axe in front of itself. However, Lucas's fist did not stop and smashed right into the axe's blade.

With a crisp "snap," a crack appeared on the giant axe in the Mitachurl's hand. The look in its eyes under the mask showed a trace of disbelief. Before it could react, the giant axe shattered into countless pieces.

Lucas's fist went straight through the axe and fiercely hit the Mitachurl's face, shattering its mask along with the impact. In almost an instant, the previously arrogant Mitachurl was lying on the ground, devoid of any sound.

Seeing the Mitachurl's body dissipate into black smoke, Lucas finally breathed a deep sigh of relief.

[Savior of the caravan, you have earned 200 Virtue Points.]

As expected, the points not only came from defeating the Mitachurl but also from saving the passing caravan.

"Thank you, young hero, for saving us!" A middle-aged man with a small mustache patted the dirt off his clothes, took a step forward, and said, "If it weren't for you, we would have been in big trouble."

"It is only right to help when seeing injustice," Lucas nodded politely. "But if you knew the road was dangerous, why didn't you bring more guards?"

"You may not know," the caravan leader shook his head, "I've traveled this route hundreds of times, and usually, we only encounter some troublesome Hilichurls at most. I never expected to run into a Mitachurl this time... I've heard people say that there have been strange occurrences with the monsters near Liyue Harbor recently, but I didn't believe it until we encountered this."

"I see..." Lucas nodded thoughtfully.

"By the way, I'm Zhang Luo, a merchant from Liyue Harbor," Zhang Luo patted his chest and asked, "May I know the young hero's name?"

"Lucas" he replied directly.

"Good name!" Zhang Luo took a money pouch from his coat and handed it to Lucas. "Here is a token of my gratitude, please accept it."

At that moment, a system prompt appeared before Lucas.

[1. Accept the reward.]

[2. Politely decline.]

Although Lucas wanted to accept the money, in typical RPG games, not accepting money usually leads to extra rewards.

"I appreciate the gesture, but money is not necessary. I didn't help you for the money," Lucas shook his head.

[You have earned 200 Virtue Points.]

Sure enough, refusing the money earned him extra Virtue Points. Generally speaking, system points are usually more valuable than Mora.

Hearing this, Zhang Luo's face showed even more admiration. He asked, "Since that's the case, why are you here, young hero?"

"I'm from a distant place, seeking opportunities in Liyue Harbor," Lucas made up an excuse. "I didn't expect to run into you here."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Luo's eyes lit up. "In that case, why not let me introduce you to my employer? With your skills, you should be able to find a good job there."

"Your employer?" Lucas asked curiously.

"Yes," Zhang Luo replied with a proud smile, "My employer is well-known in Liyue Harbor, the esteemed Ke family. Our young lady is Keqing, Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing."

Such a coincidence? Lucas nodded. "Then I'll trouble you, Uncle Zhang, to introduce me."

At the moment, Lucas had no plans for his future in Teyvat. If he could find a job with the Keqing family, it wouldn't be a bad thing. After all, they were a prominent family and would at least provide food and accommodation.

Of course, this was partly because Lucas felt a bit guilty towards Keqing. Even just seeing her happy in reality would be a comfort to him.

"Great! That's wonderful!" Zhang Luo was overjoyed. "In that case, please travel with us. By carriage, we should reach Liyue Harbor by tomorrow."

"Then I gratefully accept your offer."

Lucas didn't refuse such a good opportunity. Zhang Luo, treating his "savior" with great respect, not only arranged a carriage for him but also provided a lavish meal.

Soon, it was late at night. As Lucas lay in the carriage Zhang Luo had prepared for him, the system's voice reappeared.

[System reminder: The cooldown time for the "Life Simulator" has ended. Would you like to start a new simulation?]

"Start."

It is worth mentioning that when the "Life Simulator" starts, time freezes. However, this time freeze applies to Lucas as well, so it's impossible to use the system to stop time and do "bad things."

[Receiving instructions, the "Life Simulator" is about to start.]

[Please choose three talents from the following. After the simulation, one will be retained as a permanent talent.]

[Hot-Tempered (White): You get angry more easily than others.]

[Skillful in Wordplay (Green): You are very good at using idioms.]

[Humble Background (White): You will be born into a poor family.]

[Brilliant Mind (Blue): You are very intelligent and good at learning.]

[Respected by Others (Blue): You are more likely to gain others' respect.]

[Mischievous Shiba Inu (Purple): Every time you do something a Mischievous Shiba Inu likes to do, your abilities will improve.]

[Angry Shiba Inu (Blue): The enemy of the Mischievous Shiba Inu, you gain strength by not doing what the Mischievous Shiba Inu likes to do.]

[Cat Lover (White): You have no resistance to cats.]

[Violent Streak (White): You prefer to solve problems with violence.]

[Sister Complex (White): You really like your sister.]

Some inexplicable talents appeared again...

First of all, the inherent talent [Try Again] is definitely a must-have, as it's a life-saving talent, not something to joke about. As for other talents...

Although a purple talent appeared, this [Mischievous Shiba Inu] feels very suspicious no matter how you look at it. Anyway, let's choose it and try it out.

The biggest advantage of the [Life Simulator] is that it has nothing to do with reality, and you can let yourself go completely, right?

"I choose [Mischievous Shiba Inu] and [Brilliant Mind], and add the inherent talent [Try Again]."

[Talent selection complete, generating character template.]

[Life simulation about to begin.]

[0 years old: You were born in a scholarly family in Liyue Harbor. Your father is a highly respected teacher.]

This time... it feels pretty good.

If my father is a teacher, he might teach me to be a very righteous person, right?

[1 year old: During your first birthday, you grabbed a book, making your father very happy as he believes you have the makings of a scholar.]

I say, isn't this birthday grab a recurring option in every life simulation? For example, through the items grabbed, you can roughly predict the career path in this simulation. If I'm not wrong, this time I might follow in my father's footsteps and become a teacher? Such a reliable profession surely wouldn't lead to a villain's path, right?

[2 years old: You showed greater intelligence than other children. Your father started teaching you to read and recognize characters early (Talent [Brilliant Mind] activated).]

[3 years old: You can already write more than a thousand characters.]

[4 years old: You can recite "Three Character Classic" and "Thousand Character Classic" by heart.]

[5 years old: You became known as a prodigy in Liyue Harbor. Even Ningguang, the Tianquan, came to test you and recognized your intelligence.]

[6 years old: You often get close to the maids at home and find that after each interaction, you feel very comfortable and your mind becomes clearer (Talent [Mischievous Shiba Inu] activated).]

Stop! He's only six years old!

[7 years old: Your father found out about your interactions with the maids. You thought he would be angry, but he didn't mind, thinking a talented person should be a bit more playful.]

Hey! What happened to the highly respected teacher in Liyue Harbor? This is too unreliable, right?

[8 years old: You find that you prefer older women compared to girls your age.]

Something's not right... I didn't choose the [Sister Complex] talent, did I? System, come out and explain!

[In each life simulation, your preferences may change due to various factors. It's not my fault.]

So, in this simulation, the character is naturally inclined to like older women?

[9 years old: To provide education to more children, your father, with Ningguang's investment, established a school called "Tianquan Academy" and became its principal.]

Goodness... Even in different timelines, Tianquan Academy still exists? However, this time, I shouldn't become a school bully, right?

[10 years old: Xiangling, the daughter of Chef Mao from Wanmin Restaurant, confessed to you, but you rejected her.]

[11 years old: You saw a silver-haired beauty on the street and couldn't forget her. For three days, you couldn't eat well. You searched the streets where you saw her, but found nothing.]

Wow, at eleven years old, I'm already developing into a hopeless romantic?

[12 years old: Although your father is the principal of Tianquan Academy, you took the entrance exam like any other student and scored the highest marks.]

[13 years old: You excelled in both character and academics, quickly becoming a model student.]

[14 years old: After a round of elections, you became the student council president. While organizing a parent-teacher meeting, you unexpectedly discovered that the silver-haired woman from three years ago was actually the "aunt" of a student named Chongyun. Her name is Shenhe.]

Shenhe? In the game lore, Shenhe is indeed Chongyun's aunt. But if I remember correctly, Shenhe should be training under Cloud Retainer. How could she attend a parent-teacher meeting as Chongyun's guardian?

Sensing his confusion, the system replied:

[In each life simulation, even without the host's intervention, the worldview might change.]

So, in this timeline, Shenhe stayed with Chongyun for some reason?

[You developed an unprecedented infatuation with Shenhe. A voice in your head told you that you must have her, no matter the cost. At this moment, you decided...]

[1. Plan meticulously to win Shenhe step by step.]

[2. Give up on this seemingly impossible relationship.]

Hey, hey! This development is too strange! Let's not even discuss Shenhe's age and status difference with me. Planning to pursue a classmate's guardian at fourteen is too much!

"No, no! I choose the second option!"

[Are you sure?]

"What else? Trying to woo a classmate's guardian is too outrageous!"

[You couldn't overcome societal prejudices and gave up on pursuing Shenhe. However, your constant longing for her took a toll on your health, leading to your eventual death from a lovesickness-induced illness.]

[Achievement unlocked: Hopeless Romantic.]

[Reward: C-level loot box x1.]

Thank you very much! Dying like this? Could it get any more absurd?

[Host deceased. Would you like to activate the talent "Try Again" to challenge life once more?]

"Yes..." Helplessly, might as well give it another shot. I want to see how the story unfolds with the other option!

[You developed an unprecedented infatuation with Shenhe. A voice in your head told you that you must have her, no matter the cost. At this moment, you decided...]

[1. Plan meticulously to win Shenhe step by step.]

[2. Give up on this seemingly impossible relationship.]

"I choose... the first one."

[To win over the woman named Shenhe, you plan to use any method at your disposal. By reviewing academic information, you have learned about Chongyun's family situation.]

[Chongyun comes from a renowned exorcist family in Liyue Harbor and possesses an extremely rare pure Yang body. During his childhood, his parents tragically died during an exorcism mission. His aunt, Shenhe, took on the responsibility of being his guardian and raised him. Although Shenhe is technically Chongyun's aunt, given their age difference, she appears more like his sister.]

[Based on current information, how do you plan to pursue Shenhe?]

[1. Directly pursue Shenhe with an aggressive approach.]

[2. Start with Chongyun and gradually get closer to Shenhe.]

Direct pursuit seems very unlikely to succeed. After all, not only is there a nearly ten-year age difference between them, but the generational gap is also hard to bridge.

Sorry, but to get the reward...

"I choose the second option."

[You decide to start with Chongyun. Using your wit and intelligence, you quickly devise a meticulous plan.]

[At 15 years old, you used your position as the student council president to gather a group of privileged students and offered them favors to help execute your plan. With a mix of threats and incentives, they agreed to your request.]

[You had them bully Chongyun, knowing that his gentle nature would make him an easy target. At the right moment, you stepped in, driving away the bullies. Chongyun did not realize this was all orchestrated and was deeply grateful, thus beginning your friendship with him.]

Sorry, Chongyun! You want to be my good friend, but I want to be your uncle-in-law!

[Your friendship with Chongyun quickly developed. He even invited you to his home, where you met Shenhe again. Despite the years, her appearance remained as enchanting as when you first saw her.]

[You noticed Shenhe's deep affection for Chongyun, but she was cold towards others. Even though you had once helped Chongyun, she did not warm up to you. However, her aloofness only fueled your desire to win her over.]

[At 16 years old, a year had passed since you befriended Chongyun. He trusted you deeply and even confided small secrets, such as his susceptibility to madness when exposed to heat due to his pure Yang body. You planned to exploit this.]

[You repeated your previous tactic, calling on the same group of bullies you had once used. Over the past year, you had covertly provided them with benefits and assistance. On the surface, as the student council president, you appeared to oppose them, but secretly, you were closely allied.]

What a crew of scoundrels!

[Previously, in the simulation, you were just an arrogant young master, but now you have become a hypocritical "model student."]

[One day after school, you and Chongyun were surrounded by the bullies. At your signal, they attacked Chongyun with pepper spray. As expected, this triggered Chongyun's pure Yang body, sending him into a frenzy, and he retaliated fiercely.]

[In his madness, Chongyun was incredibly ferocious. The bullies were no match for him and were severely beaten.]

[The incident caused a huge uproar. Chongyun, for severely injuring his classmates, faced expulsion and possibly juvenile detention.]

[Upon hearing this, Shenhe immediately sought your help. She knew you were the student council president and the principal's son. If you intervened, Chongyun's punishment could be reduced significantly.]

[Over the past year, you had often visited Chongyun's home, meeting Shenhe many times. But you had never seen her so anxious before. Although not Chongyun's biological mother, she had raised him and considered him her son.]

[Sitting at your desk, you didn't rush to handle Chongyun's situation. Instead, you told Shenhe you had fallen in love with her at first sight. Shenhe, biting her lip, asked, "What do you mean?"]

[Your answer to Shenhe's question is...]

[1. I can help Chongyun, but you must agree to be my lover.]

[2. Shenhe, you don't want Chongyun expelled or sent to juvenile detention, do you?]

[3. Spend one night with me, and I'll make sure Chongyun is safe.]

As expected, all three options use "Chongyun" as leverage to threaten Shenhe. However, the tone and approach differ, potentially leading to different outcomes.

The first one seems too gentle; given Shenhe's strong-willed nature, she likely won't submit easily. The third one seems too blunt, almost like forcing the issue... If it came to that, Shenhe could easily overpower you. You need to be strategic with every choice.

"I choose the second option."

[With a meaningful smile, you said, "Shenhe, you don't want Chongyun expelled or sent to juvenile detention, do you?"]

[Hearing this, Shenhe's initially firm attitude softened. She knew that if Chongyun were sent to juvenile detention, his future and reputation would be ruined, and the family would disown him.]

[Shenhe sighed deeply, frowning, and said, "For Chongyun... I will do anything."]

[Nodding, you replied, "Chongyun will face a three-month suspension. After that, his fate will be decided. Your actions during these three months will determine his future."]

[Faced with your almost blatant threat, Shenhe, although very angry, nodded and said, "As long as you can ensure Chongyun's future is secure, I... I will do anything for you."]

[You didn't expect your plan to go so smoothly. Looking at the beautiful woman you've admired for a long time, you feel a surge of excitement. You say:]

[1. "There's plenty of space under my desk."]

[2. "Do you see that sofa over there?"]

[3. "My office also has a one-way mirror."]

Is this really the student council's office?

Right now, Lucas is very suspicious. When this office was built, was there some other purpose in mind from the beginning?

Three choices, three methods. Generally speaking, different choices can lead to different developments. However, since Shenhe has already completely compromised, it means that whatever choice he makes shouldn't be a problem; only the process will differ.

[What's wrong, having trouble deciding? Don't worry, you have a month. It's not like this is your only chance.]

"Even if you say that, honestly... does it really make a difference what I choose?" Lucas frowned and said, "No matter what I choose, it's just a different piece of text."

Moreover, usually, the text presented by the system is straightforward and leaves little to the imagination.

[Just choose, and you'll see.]

For some reason, the system's response made Lucas picture Shenhe's face in his mind.

"I... I'll choose the first one."

[As I guessed...]

It's just a system, don't try to figure out the host's thoughts!

[You patted your desk and smiled, "There's plenty of space under my desk."]

[Upon hearing this, Shenhe's pale cheeks blushed even more. Shenhe, who has always been a lofty flower admired by many in the family, is admired for her looks, figure, and strength. Many men have courted her, but she has never even looked at them. Yet today, she has no choice but to be coerced by a boy much younger than herself.]

[Seeing Shenhe hesitate, you frowned slightly and said, "What's wrong, Miss Shenhe? You wouldn't just talk without action, would you? You should know, if I wanted to, I could decide Chongyun's fate today."]

[Upon hearing this, Shenhe dared not hesitate any longer and had to compromise.]

Is this really me?

Looking at these lines, Lucas's mood was very complicated. Luckily, these are just words, so the guilt in his heart was somewhat alleviated. Unfortunately, these are just words, so Lucas can only use his imagination to picture Shenhe yielding in front of him.

Yes, the most contradictory thing in Lucas's mind is that even though he knows his simulated self is terrible, as a man, he can't help but feel a bit envious of his simulated self.

[Sensing the host's strong emotional fluctuations, switching to "Immersive Mode."]

"Immersive Mode?" Lucas was startled and hurriedly said, "What the heck..."

Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly felt a darkness before his eyes. When he opened them again, the scene in front of him had completely changed.

Now, what lay before Lucas was no longer the slightly cramped carriage but a rather spacious office. Bookshelves lined up like walls, neatly filled with books. The exquisite one-way glass clearly showed students and teachers walking in the hallway outside. Not far away, a beautiful leather sofa looked very comfortable for resting.

Of course, the most eye-catching thing was the oversized desk in front of him. The ebony surface was dark and shiny, seemingly just waxed, reflecting a slightly young but very familiar face.

That was... his own face!

That face looked no more than sixteen or seventeen years old, but it had a maturity beyond its years. He wore a pair of delicate gold-rimmed glasses, clearly a model student.

Is this... me?

What on earth is going on?

Lucas lightly pinched his cheek. It hurt a bit, which meant this wasn't a dream.

Could this be the so-called "Immersive Mode" the system mentioned earlier?

Just as Lucas was pondering, he suddenly heard a slightly nervous voice:

"I... I'm starting."

Lucas's heart was startled, and he quickly looked down. He saw a cold and beautiful silver-haired woman staring at him with a complicated expression. As soon as their eyes met, she immediately looked away. It was Shenhe!

In an instant, Lucas seemed to understand. Could it be that the so-called "immersive mode" allows his consciousness to directly enter the body of a character in the simulated life and experience what the character goes through firsthand?

[Correct understanding!]

[As a player of the "Life Simulator," you can switch between "text mode" and "immersive mode" at any time. Neither mode affects the game's storyline.]

[In "immersive mode," you can take actions within the limits allowed by the system. If your actions contradict the storyline, the system will forcibly adjust them to fit the game's plot.]

So even in "immersive mode," I can't fully control the character and only experience the current character's "feelings"?

[That's right, this is to prevent program errors.]

Lucas slowly closed his eyes, starting to feel the experience brought by the "Life Simulator." Although what he was doing was undoubtedly a "bad thing," as an "outsider," he had no way to change it.

It must be said that Lucas in the simulation liked Shenhe for a reason. Perhaps because of years of cultivation, Shenhe looked much younger than her actual age. Even if she were said to be a senior in school, few would doubt it.

At this moment, good and bad, right and wrong, seemed... no longer that important.

Lucas leaned back in his chair, the leather creaking softly under him. His fingers drummed a nervous rhythm on the armrest as he watched Shenhe.

She was crouched between his legs, her long silver hair cascading like a veil around her face. Her hands were on his thighs, her touch hesitant.

Suddenly, the door handle jiggled, causing both of them to freeze. Lucas's eyes widened in panic as he recognized the sound.

"Sorry to interrupt..."

At this time, the office door suddenly opened, and a tall, elegant silver-haired woman walked in. She wore a black and yellow cheongsam, accentuating her slender yet curvaceous figure.

Although Lucas was just a student, as the student council president and the son of the principal of Tianquan Academy, even teachers had to knock before entering the student council office. There were only two people who could enter without knocking: one was Lucas's father, the principal, and the other was Ningguang, the Tianquan among the Liyue Qixing.

Of course, there were few places in Liyue Harbor where Ningguang needed to knock. She had admired Lucas's intelligence since he was young. However, this time, there was a complicated look on Ningguang's usually smiling face.

"Aunt Ning... Ningguang? Why... why are you here?" Seeing the unexpected visitor, Lucas became very nervous. Shenhe, who also heard Ningguang's voice, stopped her actions out of tension.

Generally, when someone of Ningguang's status and as an elder suddenly visits, Lucas would stand up to show respect. But now, it was impossible for him to stand up. Ningguang seemed preoccupied and didn't notice Lucas's polite but stationary posture.

She sat in front of Lucas and frowned slightly. "It's about the recent violent incident where thirteen students were seriously injured, all from wealthy families. Do you know how much effort I put into smoothing things over?"

"Thank you, Aunt," Lucas nodded quickly. "I didn't expect Chongyun to do something so crazy."

"I know it must be hard for you since he's your good friend," Ningguang sighed. "But given the severity of the incident, he will have to face appropriate punishment."

The desk suddenly shook lightly, and a pen holder fell to the floor with a "thud."

"What's happening?" Ningguang, cautious by nature, sensed something amiss. "Why did the desk suddenly move?"

"I... I accidentally had a leg cramp!" Lucas quickly explained.

"You're so young. How can you have so many health issues?" Ningguang showed a doting smile. "How about I massage it for you?"

Lucas, who Ningguang watched grow up and treated almost like a son, was very nervous. She had gone to great lengths to handle the violent incident not just to protect Tianquan Academy but also to shield Lucas from the consequences.

"No... no need!" Cold sweat broke out on Lucas's forehead. "I... I can do it myself!"

If Ningguang were to massage him now, his secret would be exposed. If she found out that her well-behaved Lucas was threatening a student's parent in the office, he would be expelled even before Chongyun.

"Oh, I almost forgot, you're grown up now," Ningguang laughed. "Okay, you do it yourself then."

Ningguang then bent down to pick up the pen holder, but she noticed something strange under the desk.

"What is this?"

Under the table, a red string peeked out. Ningguang, puzzled, grabbed it casually, intending to pull it out. But to her surprise, the string seemed to be tied to something, making it impossible to move.

This red string was tied to Shenhe. Shenhe was born with a unique constitution called "Lone Star Calamity," which made it hard for her to suppress her violent tendencies, bringing bad luck to those around her. Fortunately, when she was born, an immortal named Cloud Retainer happened to pass by and used special magic to bind Shenhe's violent tendencies with this red string. Shenhe had worn this string for over twenty years, never once taking it off.

At this moment, the string Ningguang had grabbed was precisely the one tied to Shenhe. Shenhe and Lucas's expressions changed instantly.

Lucas moved his hand, gently caressing Shenhe's head, urging her to do something about the string.

As Ningguang was about to discover the peculiarity of the string, Shenhe acted decisively. With a sudden burst of ice in her hand, she conjured an ice blade and, with a swift motion, cut the string Ningguang was holding.

This happened in an instant. When Ningguang pulled the string again, she only managed to pull out a four- or five-inch piece.

"This red string..." Ningguang placed the string on the table, puzzled. "Why is it under your desk?"

Although Ningguang had never seen this string before, as the Tianquan of Liyue Qixing, she was knowledgeable and immediately sensed the string's immortal aura, realizing it wasn't an ordinary object.

"This is..." Lucas quickly thought of an excuse. "My girlfriend's bracelet. She must have accidentally left it here."

Hearing this, Shenhe's face turned red under the table, and she gave Lucas a resentful look. Who is your girlfriend?!

"Oh, so you have a girlfriend now?" Ningguang wasn't surprised. As the student council president of Tianquan Academy, Lucas was excellent in both character and academics, with a well-off family and good looks.

Many girls at school had long been infatuated with him. However, regardless of how outstanding or beautiful the girls were, Lucas always politely declined their confessions. Ningguang knew of so many girls who had been rejected by Lucas that she couldn't even count them on two hands.

Of course, this was because Lucas in this life simulator was only interested in older women and had no interest in girls his age. His "love" for Shenhe was unique, and he had little interest in any other women.

"Yes... that's right..." Lucas nodded, smiling awkwardly. "Please, Aunt Ningguang, don't tell my parents."

Although Lucas's parents were very open-minded and never opposed him having relationships during school, this "girlfriend" was fictitious. He couldn't possibly tell Ningguang and his parents that his "girlfriend" was actually a classmate's parent.

"Not telling is fine," Ningguang said, squinting slightly. "But I'm very curious, what kind of girl caught your eye?"

"Her?" Lucas hesitated for a moment before replying. "She is a very special girl, like a white lotus on a snowy mountain, unattainable. But I know that beneath her cold exterior lies a heart burning with passion. Being able to be with her is the happiest thing in my life."

Listening to Lucas's words, Shenhe's feelings were complicated. Honestly, she didn't dislike Lucas before today. Because he was a good friend of Chongyun, Shenhe even felt a bit of gratitude and affection for him. However, these feelings were like those of an elder sister towards a younger brother.

Now, seeing Lucas's hidden, malevolent nature, Shenhe couldn't reconcile this with the polite and respectful boy who used to call her "Aunt Shenhe." It was as if a demon's heart was lurking within him.

"It seems she is a very remarkable girl," Ningguang nodded, smiling. "Rest assured, I won't tell your parents. This will be our little secret."

Ningguang winked playfully. Who would have thought that the mature and composed Tianquan would have such a playful side? Of course, Ningguang only showed this side to someone she knew very well.

Honestly, in terms of appearance and figure, Ningguang was not inferior to Shenhe. She was also the type of "older sister" Lucas liked. Why did he choose Shenhe over Ningguang? That remained unknown.

Lucas secretly thanked his lucky stars that the simulator's version of himself wasn't interested in Ningguang. Otherwise, scheming against her would have likely resulted in his own demise. In terms of stars, Shenhe was a five-star, while Ningguang was a four-star. In terms of scheming, Shenhe was at most a two- or three-star, but Ningguang was definitely more than a five-star.

"Thank you, Aunt Ningguang," Lucas finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Alright, I need to leave now," Ningguang said, standing up. "You'd better keep a low profile for a while to avoid trouble from the victims' parents."

"I will," Lucas nodded. "Also, I need to ask you a small favor."

Ningguang seemed to have already guessed what Lucas wanted to say and sighed. "It's about Chongyun, isn't it?"

"Yes," Lucas glanced at Shenhe before saying seriously. "It wasn't Chongyun's fault. I hope you can help mediate and at least get a lighter punishment."

"I'll try my best," Ningguang sighed. "But it's not as simple as you think. Be prepared. I'll talk to the parents, but getting forgiveness from the victims is the most important part."

"By the way," Ningguang, just about to stand up and leave, suddenly said, "When you have time, let me meet your little girlfriend? I'm really quite interested in her."

"Uh... let's forget about that," Lucas scratched the back of his head helplessly and said, "She has a bad temper and personality. If she accidentally offends you, that would be troublesome."

At this moment, Lucas's body suddenly started trembling slightly.

"Are you okay?" Ningguang immediately noticed something was wrong with Lucas and showed a worried expression. "Why... why did you suddenly start shivering?"

Luckily, Lucas had strong willpower, managed to sit still, and said calmly, "I'm fine, just a bit uncomfortable."

"I'd better take you to the clinic..." Ningguang seemed very concerned about Lucas and said, "You looked very strange just now."

"I'm really fine," Lucas finally recovered, wiped the sweat from his cheeks, and said, "Please, Aunt Ningguang..."

At this moment, Ningguang suddenly took two steps forward, directly walked to the front of the office, bent down, and pressed her forehead against Lucas's.

"Strange..." Ningguang frowned and said, "No fever."

At this point, Lucas's body had completely stiffened, unable to utter a single word out of fear.

Fortunately, Ningguang did not look further and instead stepped back two steps, smiled slightly, and said, "It seems your body is indeed fine. In that case, I'll leave first."

"Goodbye..." Lucas finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"What?" Ningguang raised an eyebrow and said, "I'm leaving, and you won't see me off?"

"I..."

Just as Lucas didn't know how to respond, Ningguang smiled reassuringly and said, "Alright, I was just joking. Sit tight. You have a lot of trouble ahead, so use your clever little brain to think about how to solve them."

Watching Ningguang leave the office, Lucas finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Shenhe wiped the corner of her mouth and said indifferently, "I heard everything you just said... It seems you really intend to save Yun."

"I may not be a good person, but I always keep my word," Lucas sneered and said, "However, this is just the beginning. In the next three months, I need all the victims to sign the consent forms to ensure Yun's safety. You know what this means, right?"

"I know," Shenhe, though not as cunning as Ningguang, was not a fool. She showed a self-deprecating smile and said, "It means that until the thirteenth victim signs, I must work for you, right?"

"Correct. Moreover, you must be cautious and sincere, treating me as devoutly as you would the Geo Archon," Lucas suppressed his excitement and said, "So, tell me, Shenhe, what should you call me?"

Shenhe hesitated for a moment but then, holding back her shyness, uttered the two words.

Lucas didn't want to be a villain.

But he had to admit, being a villain... feels really good!

You can completely disregard societal norms and have no need to hide the filth and evil in your heart.

Shyness, pain, resentment...

From childhood to adulthood, Shenhe was always admired and held in high regard, but now, in front of this much younger boy, she was like a pleading little dog.

Shenhe, endure it!

All this is to save Yun. For that child, no matter what you suffer, you must endure it!

Shenhe had already made up her mind.

As long as Yun is successfully exonerated, she will immediately kill Lucas. Even if it means dying in the process, she cannot let Lucas live.

Doing so would be for revenge and to ensure that no one would ever know what she did for Yun's sake.

After all, to Shenhe, Yun was like her own son.

However, at this moment, Lucas seemed completely unaware of the murderous intent behind Shenhe's fake smile. He gently patted her cheek and said, "For the next three months, you must completely obey my orders. But don't worry, I won't let anyone know about our relationship. Just like Aunt Ningguang said, this... is our little secret."

"Hmph..."

Shenhe couldn't help but say coldly, "Sounds nice, but if someone finds out, your own reputation will be destroyed too, right?"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk!" Lucas shook his head and said, "That's not the attitude you should have towards your master. You should know the consequences of defying me, right?"

Unexpectedly, Shenhe suddenly smiled and stood up.

"What are you doing?" Shenhe's sudden action made Lucas a bit nervous.

Could this woman be unable to hold back and plan to have a life-and-death struggle with him?

However...

Even in the extremely realistic "Immersive Mode," he was still in a simulated scenario within the "Character Simulator." Even if he "died," he would just exit the game.

"Don't you like my strong and aloof demeanor?" Shenhe pressed down on Lucas's shoulders, her silver hair cascading like a snowy waterfall. "You wouldn't want me to be passive, right?"

"Interesting."

A slight smile appeared on Lucas's lips.

One hour later...

[Exit Immersive Mode, entering Text Mode]

As the system's prompt sounded, the scene before Lucas changed from the beautiful office to a somewhat cramped carriage compartment.

For a moment, Lucas seemed a bit disoriented.

Everything that had just happened felt too "real."

It was like playing a fully immersive VR game, but not only were the visuals completely realistic, even all other sensations were identical to reality.

[How was it? Being a villain feels pretty good, doesn't it?]

Facing the system's "soul-searching question," Lucas's expression became complicated. He frowned and said, "I was just experiencing the storyline. Even so, I still can't accept the things I did in the Simulator."

[But you didn't resist at all in Immersive Mode, did you?]

Hearing the system's words, Lucas's face turned red. He mumbled, "That's... that's beyond my control. Besides, I didn't enjoy it!"

[I recorded everything that happened in Immersive Mode. Would you like me to replay it and see your expression?]

"No!"

Lucas blushed and said, "Why would you record that? I don't want to become some kind of perverted guy!"

[Don't worry, only participants can see what happens in the Simulator.]

"That's good..."

Lucas finally breathed a sigh of relief, but he didn't seem to notice that something was off with the system's response.

[The Villain Simulator is currently paused. Do you want to continue?]

"Continue."

[Day 1 at age 16: You had Shenhe work for you all afternoon. She seemed inexperienced, so you gave her a lot of guidance.]

[The talent "Mischievous Shiba Inu" activated, receiving a C-level loot box X1]

As expected of a purple talent, it not only enhances abilities but also grants rewards.

However, this makes sense. No matter how much one's character improves in the Character Simulator, it has no direct impact on reality. It's more convenient and efficient to receive rewards directly in the real world.

[Though you want to continue exploring the true essence of character with Shenhe, you know there's no need to rush. You have a full three months to deal with her. As night falls, you decide...]

[1. Take Shenhe Home]

[2. Let Shenhe Go Home Herself]

Hmmm...

Playing a villain doesn't mean being a jerk. After having fun, letting the other person take a taxi home seems a bit too scummy.

"Take Shenhe home."

[You suggest taking Shenhe home. She is a bit surprised but does not refuse. When you reach her home, you hand her a "Sound Transmission Stone" and tell her you'll use it to contact her when you "need" her.]

[Shenhe understands the implication of your words. She looks slightly complex as she puts the Sound Transmission Stone into her sleeve, nods, and then enters her residence.]

[You watch Shenhe's figure disappear before preparing to leave. Just as you turn around, someone suddenly grabs your collar. A man dressed as a Taoist is holding you with a suspicious look, asking for your identity. You answer...]

[1. I am a friend of Chongyun]

[2. I am Shenhe's lover]

Is there even a need to think about this... choosing the second option is practically self-destructive.

"Choose the first one."

[You tell the man that you are a classmate of Chongyun. He looks at your school uniform and then nods. He tells you, a bit unpleasantly, that he is Chongyun's uncle and Shenhe's fiancé, named Pan Zhi, and that you should keep your distance from Shenhe in the future.]

[However, you notice from his expression that he is lying. You guess he is just one of Shenhe's many admirers. You respond...]

[1. I will]

[2. I refuse]

"The first one."

At times like this, it's better to keep a low profile. Who knows if choosing the second option would lead to him killing me in a fit of anger?

This "Villain Simulator" appears calm on the surface, but it hides danger everywhere. Sometimes, a single wrong choice can lead to GAME OVER.

[After hearing your response, Pan Zhi releases you but doesn't notice the cold smile on your face.]

[Back home, you immediately start drafting a comprehensive plan to get the forgiveness of the thirteen victimized students. For you, this is not difficult. Not only because they were originally your allies, but also because you've gathered a lot of leverage against them over the past two days. You have many ways to get them to sign the forgiveness letter. Your choice is...]

[1. Get all the victimized students to sign the forgiveness letter immediately]

[2. Have the victimized students sign the forgiveness letter one by one]

"The second one." Lucas thought for a moment and chose the second option.

[However, you are not in a hurry. As long as even one victim hasn't signed, Shenhe will still be under your control.]

[Age: 16, 3rd day: Using the Sound Transmission Stone, you call Shenhe back to school. Unexpectedly, she arrives with a man, the same Pan Zhi who stopped you at her door two days ago. He seems very attentive to Shenhe, but she reacts very coldly.]

Why is this guy here again?

Lucas frowned slightly. Now was his "happy time" with Shenhe, and this NPC was ruining it.

Looks like I have to step in myself!

"Enter immersive mode!"

[Command received! Switching to Immersive mode.]

The familiar feeling returns as Lucas opens his eyes again. He is now sitting in the familiar seat of the student council president.

Sure enough, sitting across from him, besides Shenhe, is another man.

He looks about twenty-seven or twenty-eight, with a somewhat handsome face and a blue Hydro Vision hanging from his waist.

No wonder he dared to claim to be Shenhe's fiancé.

The family of Chongyun and Shenhe is a famous exorcist clan in Liyue Harbor, and also a sect. However, even so, the number of disciples with Visions is very few. Therefore, those with Visions are usually specially nurtured by the sect.

Obviously, Pan Zhi is one of them.

"Hello, we meet again," Lucas, now more skilled in immersive mode, smiled at Pan Zhi, who looked slightly impatient. "If I remember correctly, I only invited Miss Shenhe to the school, right?"

"Chongyun is also my junior. I think I have the right to discuss this matter," Pan Zhi said coldly. "Moreover, don't you think you're meeting with Shenhe too frequently?"

Undoubtedly, Pan Zhi has feelings for Shenhe; otherwise, he wouldn't be so attentive to her schedule.

"Sorry, but you are not Chongyun's guardian, are you?" Lucas clasped his hands and supported his chin. "Or do you have some special relationship with Shenhe?"

Sure enough, Pan Zhi didn't dare to claim to be Shenhe's fiancé in front of her this time. Instead, Shenhe frowned and said, "Senior Pan, I understand your concern for Yun, but please wait outside for now."

"I... I understand." Pan Zhi bit his lip but didn't dare to anger Shenhe. He nodded and prepared to leave the room. Before closing the door, he gave Lucas a fierce look, not hiding the threat in his eyes at all.

"I met that man two days ago," Lucas leaned back in his chair, finding a more comfortable position. "He said he was your fiancé."

"Hmph..." Shenhe sneered. "Do you think that's possible? He's just a guy I can't shake off, like gum stuck to the bottom of a shoe."

"I agree," Lucas nodded. "He's not worthy of you."

"Oh?" Shenhe said lightly. "Then who do you think is worthy of me? You, my master?"

"I am not worthy either. I am just a petty man who threatens you with tricks," Lucas shrugged and smiled. "When these three months are over, you should find a decent man."

"Is this..." Shenhe seemed surprised by his words. "Are you sincere?"

"Of course not," Lucas laughed. "I wish I could have you as my captive for life."

Now, Lucas was completely in character. Even the system didn't find his actions or words inappropriate.

"That's more like you," Shenhe said bitterly. "But I probably won't marry anyone. My body is so filthy now."

That was a veiled insult.

"No need to be so down. I called you today to tell you some good news," Lucas said, opening a drawer and taking out a document. "I have already obtained the first signed forgiveness letter."

"Really?" Shenhe was delighted. The only thing that could bring her some joy now was progress in Yun's case. She carefully read the document and murmured, "You acted so fast?"

"I told you, even if I am a scoundrel, I am a trustworthy scoundrel," Lucas smiled ambiguously. "So, don't you think you should reward your master for this good news?"

"Now?" Shenhe was taken aback.

"Yes," Lucas nodded. "Right now."

"But..." Shenhe glanced at the door. "That guy is still waiting outside."

"I know," Lucas smiled. "Let him wait. We have taken the first step successfully. You don't want to stop halfway, do you?"

Finally, for Yun's sake, Shenhe nodded. "I... I understand."

"Very well," Lucas opened the most secret drawer in the office, where many useful "gadgets" were hidden.

"Wait a moment, I need to prepare some protection..."

"No need," Shenhe shook her head. "I... I took the medicine."

Lucas immediately understood what Shenhe meant. He frowned, "Why... did you do that?"

"What are you angry about? Shouldn't you be happy?" Shenhe said with a slightly sarcastic smile on her face. "It doesn't matter. As long as Yun is safe, I don't care about anything else."

"You're wrong," Lucas unexpectedly shook his head and said, "I don't know what medicine you're taking, but you must stop."

Shenhe hesitated a little. "But..."

"No buts..." Lucas patted the table and said, "This is an order."

Meanwhile, outside the student council office:

"Why is it taking so long?" Pan Zhi, who had been "asked" to leave, stood in front of a mirror on the outer wall of the office, stroking his chin with a slight frown. "I wonder what they are doing in there?"

Pan Zhi was very jealous by nature. Although Shenhe had no interest in him, he believed that with his Vision and being one of the family's key training prospects, it was only a matter of time before he could win Shenhe's heart if he put in a little effort.

Despite his rational mind telling him that the age and status difference between Shenhe and Lucas made any romantic involvement impossible, watching the woman he was infatuated with alone with another man made him very uneasy.

"Maybe I'm overthinking it," Pan Zhi said, adjusting his hair in the mirror with a confident smile. "No matter how you compare, I'm much better than that young lad. Shenhe... I know you love me, you're just shy to express it. Don't worry, one day I'll make you admit it!"

However, Pan Zhi had no idea that his self-talk was clearly heard by Lucas and Shenhe from behind the one-way glass.

"I say..." Shenhe, leaning on the one-way glass for support, blushed slightly. "Are all men this stupid?"

"Not all," Lucas, working hard behind her, replied. "But many men become quite foolish when dealing with women they like."

"Is... is that true?" Shenhe bit her lip. "But... I don't feel that you are being foolish at all. Does that mean... you don't like me?"

"Is what I'm doing not foolish enough?" Lucas said softly. "I've spent my whole life playing the role of a good child and a good student. If I wanted, I could graduate peacefully from this school, get a job everyone envies, find a beautiful wife of equal status, and have a few children. But to win you over, I had to take this huge risk. One wrong step, and my life would be ruined."

Lucas's words left Shenhe momentarily silent. She knew she was an attractive woman; her coldness and pride largely stemmed from self-awareness. However, a man with a promising future like Lucas, even if he didn't choose her, could easily win the hearts of many excellent girls who were gentler, better matched in family background, and younger.

For ordinary people, beauty often cannot withstand the ravages of time.

"Your life isn't ruined yet," Shenhe said calmly. "But my life has already been ruined by you. I hate you."

"You can hate me," Lucas smiled, "but make sure to finish that sentence."

"I hate you," Shenhe hesitated for a moment, "My Master."

[Activated: Mischievous Shiba Inu Effect, Obtained C-level Loot Box X1]

An hour later:

"Isn't this taking too long?"

As time passed, Pan Zhi's mood worsened. Whatever they were discussing, it should have been finished by now!

Could it be that...

They were really doing something unspeakable in there?

"Ugh..."

At that moment, a strange sound suddenly came from the office. Without a doubt, it was Shenhe's voice!

Pan Zhi felt a wave of nervousness and hurried to the door, trying to open it. However, the door was somehow locked, and he couldn't push it open no matter how hard he tried.

Locked?

Why lock it?

If they were just talking, why would they need to lock the door?

"Open the door!" Pan Zhi pounded on the door angrily. "What are you doing in there?"

However, the door remained firmly shut.

In his anger, Pan Zhi took two steps back. The Hydro Vision at his waist emitted a blue light, and a water ball the size of a soccer ball formed in his hand. Just as he was about to use the water ball to break down the door, he heard a creak. The door opened slowly, and Lucas poked his head out with a smile.

"Sorry to keep you waiting... What are you doing?"

"Nothing..." Pan Zhi dispersed the water ball, frowning. "But what were you doing in there, and why lock the door?"

"Oh, you misunderstood. The door locks automatically and only I can open it," Lucas lied with a straight face. "After all, I hate being interrupted while working."

"Hmph!" Pan Zhi pushed Lucas aside and entered the office, seeing Shenhe sitting in her original position without any sign of anything unusual. He then asked, "You... you're fine?"

"What could possibly be wrong with me?" Shenhe replied calmly. "We were just discussing some plans to help Yun out of trouble."

"It took a bit too long," Pan Zhi said suspiciously. "And I think I heard some strange sounds earlier."

Pan Zhi's words made a look of surprise flash across Shenhe's face, but it quickly disappeared. She just gave a cold laugh and said, "How long I talk to others is none of your business."

"I..." Shenhe's words immediately made Pan Zhi's face change color. He muttered, "I... I was just a little worried about you both..."

"Worried about what?" Shenhe asked calmly, showing no change in expression. "Are you afraid that I, along with this little guy, will do something inappropriate in this office?"

"I..." Pan Zhi, whose thoughts had been exposed, quickly shook his head. "No... I would never think like that!"

"Hmph, even if I did do something like that, it's none of your business." Shenhe stood up and said coldly, "I only ask that you stay far away from me."

After finishing her sentence, Shenhe left without looking back, leaving Pan Zhi standing alone in the room.

Pan Zhi's face was a grim sight. He turned to look at Lucas, gritting his teeth. "I told you to stay away from Shenhe, didn't I?"

"Of course," Lucas said nonchalantly. "But this time, it was Ms. Shenhe who came to see me. You should know by now, we're both just trying to ensure Chongyun is okay. By the way, speaking of that, your fiancée..."

"What about my fiancée?" Pan Zhi asked coldly.

Lucas licked his fingers and smiled. "She's very... slippery."

"You're asking for it!"

Pan Zhi lost control and, in a fit of rage, swung his fist directly at Lucas's face.

[Villain Simulator Defense Mechanism Activated]

Pan Zhi's strength far surpassed that of Lucas, so his punch sent him flying, but surprisingly, Lucas didn't feel any pain.

This was thanks to the system. The "Immersive Mode" could be turned on or off at any time, meaning that even if Pan Zhi's punch had killed Lucas, his real body wouldn't feel a thing in Immersive Mode.

Blood trickled from Lucas's nose. He wiped it off casually, snapped his fingers, and said, "Security."

At that moment, three burly men in uniforms entered the room. Seeing Lucas, the student council president, with blood on his face, they immediately asked in unison,

"What happened?"

The synchronization in their voices almost made Lucas feel like transforming on the spot.

"This man broke into the school and assaulted me," Lucas said calmly. "Take him to the administrative office. For a crime like this, he should be detained for at least three months."

"You... you set me up!" Pan Zhi suddenly realized. Lucas had provoked him on purpose to make him act out, only to have him arrested.

 "Mind your words," Lucas dusted off his clothes and replied indifferently. "This was an open strategy, nothing underhanded. Any complaints? Save them for your lawyer. A-Da, A-Er, A-San, take him away."

"Yes!" The three security guards nodded in sync again. They surrounded Pan Zhi and repeated in unison, "Please come with us."

"Hmph!" Pan Zhi scoffed. "Do you three think you're enough to stop me?"

As a highly regarded disciple of his sect, Pan Zhi was confident in his strength. He didn't even consider these ordinary school guards a threat. A layer of water element energy surrounded his body, and three water spheres shot toward the guards in an instant.

However, the guards were surprisingly fast, easily dodging the water spheres. Before Pan Zhi could react, two of the guards had already pinned his shoulders, and the third punched him squarely in the chest.

Pan Zhi felt a tremendous force hit his chest, and his body flew backward.

This time, he flew even higher and farther than when he punched Lucas, his body tracing a graceful arc in the air before crashing to the ground with a thud.

Cough! Pan Zhi spat out a mouthful of blood, his brow furrowed. "Who... who are you people?"

Pan Zhi's strength ranked at the fifth level, the "Genshin" level, out of seven tiers, meaning he should have been able to easily overpower ordinary people.

"We are..." The three guards struck a pose like something out of an old movie, then said in perfect unison, "Five-star students from the Tianheng Mountain Professional Security Academy!"

"These three were personally assigned by Lady Tianquan to protect the academy," Lucas waved dismissively. "Now, take him away."

Power levels alone don't always determine the outcome. A highly skilled ordinary person could still hold their own against someone with a Vision.

"Yes!" The guards swiftly lifted the weakened Pan Zhi and dragged him out of the office.

"Exit Immersive Mode."

[Immersive Mode Exited!]

"Phew..." Lucas let out a long breath.

Honestly, it was a strange feeling.

When in Immersive Mode, Lucas felt as if he was fully immersed in the simulator, becoming a different person—cunning, sinister, and cold-blooded, completely different from his real self.

But he didn't feel any sense of conflict. It wasn't as if the system was controlling his actions; rather, he had intended to act that way all along.

What was more troubling, though, was that Lucas found himself somewhat enjoying playing the villain.

Could it be... that deep down, he was actually an evil person?

[Admit it, the simulator is influencing you.]

"No... I'm not!" Lucas quickly refuted. "Reality and simulated life are different!"

[Let's see how long you can stick to that.]

That's right!

This was just a game.

Like many games, there are paths for good and evil.

As long as I can distinguish between reality and the game, I won't be affected!

Since time effectively stops while using the Life Simulator, even in Sensory Mode, it felt like Lucas had already spent considerable time with Shenhe.

Thankfully, all sensations in the Life Simulator were virtual, so the punch from Pan Zhi hadn't left any lasting marks on Lucas in reality.

[Why are you stopping?]

"Can't I take a break?"

[Or are you not up for it?]

"I'm more than up for it!" Lucas retorted, frustrated. "But if I stay in Immersive Mode for too long, time passes too slowly."

While using the Life Simulator, time in the real world remained still, but within the simulation, time flowed normally.

In other words, using Immersive Mode, Lucas could live an entire lifetime while not even a second passed in reality.

Moreover, in text mode, he could observe everything from a third-person perspective. However, in Immersive Mode, he had to experience everything firsthand, especially when playing the villain. It felt... odd.

Of course, there were certain key moments when he still preferred to participate himself.

After all, being a good person and growing up don't always have to be mutually exclusive events.

[16th year, 8th day: You visited Shenhe to report the progress of the peace agreements, and the two of you had a work-related conversation in her room.]

[Effect of "Mischievous Shiba Inu" triggered, received C-rank loot box X1]

[16th year, 13th day: You and Shenhe visited the second victim's home to seek an apology. With your subtle direction, you successfully obtained the second agreement. You then entered the bathroom with Shenhe.]

[Effect of "Mischievous Shiba Inu" triggered, received C-rank loot box X1]

[16th year, 18th day: You and Shenhe visited the third victim at the hospital and successfully obtained the third agreement. You then handed a nurse's outfit to Shenhe.]

[Effect of "Mischievous Shiba Inu" triggered, received C-rank loot box X1]

[16th year, 21st day: You heard Chongyun had been released from his confinement, so you decided to pay him a visit...]

"Pause." Lucas said suddenly, as he read that line of text. "Enter Immersive Mode."

[You wouldn't go after Chongyun, would you?]

"No!" Lucas groaned. "I just want to see him and have a chat."

Ironically, though Lucas had approached Chongyun with a plan in this Life Simulator, Chongyun had become his most trusted friend.

This innocent, kind-hearted boy still didn't realize that his violent outburst had everything to do with Lucas's manipulation.

[Entering Immersive Mode]

A familiar sensation washed over him, and the scene before Lucas transformed into a clean, tidy room with simple furnishings. A large calligraphy of the word "Dao" hung on the wall.

"Lucas!"

A pair of pale hands suddenly waved in front of him, revealing a boy with a doll-like face and short, ice-blue hair sitting across from Lucas, smiling. "What are you daydreaming about?"

No need for introductions—this was Chongyun.

----

Author's note: Yeah, being the fucking shit site that it is, it doesn't even support more than 15k words per chapter.

Anyway, yeah, I'm not giving up.

It'll take me a while to make the chapters 15k words longer, but it'll be worth it when I reupload them :)

Just wait a while, as soon as I'm well again, you'll see all the chapters available on WN, whether they want it or not. I am also uploading them to scribble/hub.. 

Previously they banned me for spam/advertising, so I won't put in any messages to pat r e o n again (its in my profile if you want to join tho, there are 187 chaps free :) )

Yes, love you all and happy new year!!! :)