Chapter 14 The first one to leave was the puppy, March 7th; it seemed to be in poor health...

On March 7th, you seemed to be feeling unwell, and you were very worried about her, so you boarded the landing carriage to Onfaros with a heavy heart.

But as it turns out, good luck doesn't always last, and misfortune always follows. The train car crashed into a cliff, and the first thing you saw when you opened your eyes was Danheng's anxious gaze.

...Uh, his gaze seems to be looking down...?

You shook your head, not feeling any injury, and asked in confusion, "Teacher Danheng, what are you looking at?"

Little Green Dragon would never admit that he was hesitant about whether to give you CPR.

Although he was completely uninhibited back on the space station, things are different now... If the situation were critical, he certainly wouldn't hesitate for a second, but right now your injuries don't seem too serious, it's just that you haven't woken up yet, so he's hesitating about whether it's necessary to take this approach.

After all... you're not just his best friend, but also someone he has certain unspoken feelings for. Why are people always so brave in everyday life, yet become so cautious around those they care about?

A blush crept onto Danheng's ear. He coughed a few times, then reached out and pulled you up from the ground. "It's nothing...it's good that you're alright."

After exchanging a few words about the current situation, and being unable to contact the outside world by phone, you were at a loss when a pink figure seemed to flash by in the distance.

You became alert, exchanged a glance with Danheng, pulled out your baseball bat, and followed him.

The darkness, the grand, unnamed temple-like structure, the broken pillars lying haphazardly on the ground, the withered branches baring their claws like ghosts in the night—all create a desolate scene that makes you somewhat worried about the safety of this planet, and you act with greater caution.

However, when you finally saw the silhouette of that figure, you were stunned.

"...Little goblin!?"

Big ears, vibrant colors, long, fluffy tails—isn't that the little fairy from the Lost Realm in "Raising a White Evil Simulator"?! You just took a picture with them not long ago...!

The little fairy floats above the cliff, waiting for you like a quest guide; it won't move unless you leave. Just then, your phone beeps, your heart skips a beat, and you quickly pull it out and open the screen.

In a list of hopeless "[Message sent failed]" messages, the "[Raise White Evil Simulator]" game icon has a bright red dot above it.

[Are you nervous? Feeling lost? Little gray-haired girl, do you need Hanabi-sama's help?]

—I know that Hanabi and Sangbo are behind this game system, but why are they still messaging me at this time!?

You typed rapidly, each keystroke filled with shock and bewilderment: [? You're also in Onphalos???]

[Oh dear, is there any need to be so surprised? Didn't you see that little imp?]

You take a deep breath, a thought forming in your mind: [...So they all really exist? The little fairy, Xilian...and Bai'er? Are they merely based on a world-building concept, or do they truly exist in Onpharos?]

The game's main screen had changed; it was no longer the familiar wheat field, but a pitch-black expanse where nothing could be seen, and Little White Evil was nowhere to be found. When you opened Little White Evil's attribute screen, the content had been completely overturned—

Name: Bai E (??????)

Gender: Male

Age: 19 (Comment: Fleeting moment, eternal legacy)

Identity: Golden Descendant (???)

Combat ability: 90/100

Charm rating: 90/100

Please select: [Feed], [Dress Up], or [Tutorial]

The icons for several interactive buttons are all dark and cannot be clicked.

[Sister, don't worry, you're already here, you'll find out the rest eventually.]

...It seems that both Hanabi and Sangbo can use this game system. Fortunately, their tones are completely different, otherwise it would be hard to tell who is speaking.

Danheng, who was beside you, asked why you suddenly stopped and what had happened, but now those questions seem so distant. Your mind races through all the events of the past few days:

Silver Wolf said, "You're the main character in this game."

Hanabi said, "We can't accomplish such a momentous thing on our own."

Screwgoom said, "[He] seems to care a lot about the Pioneers... The simulated universe also reveals, to some extent, the reaction of the Star God himself."

Data, calculations, reasoning... a belated headache surged up. The train crash still left some old wounds. In the memory of the moment of the crash amidst a sky full of flames, your battered body became transparent and then solidified again. Countless rays of red light burst forth from the depths of your body, repairing those shocking wounds... These fragments of images eventually converged into a maniacally laughing red mask.

In the simulated universe, [His] data... no, at one point, He seems to be more than just data.

In the flashback, the mask is brought close to your face, "In any case... I hope you enjoy this game."

You closed your eyes.

—Ah, ha! !!

*

Bai E originally thought today would be just another ordinary day.

As usual, he followed Teacher Tibao to "Chongyuan" to rescue refugees. He had swung his sword countless times, and his movements were already somewhat numb, but after seeing people he had saved and prevented from being swallowed by the darkness, he breathed a sigh of relief and felt that he could continue fighting like this forever.

Years ago, his best childhood friend, his most admired hero, and the object of his youthful affections... suddenly disappeared without a trace. He waited anxiously for a long time, hoping that ball of light would shine deep in the wheat field. He sat by the swing from one dark night until dawn before his mother, unable to bear seeing him suffer, pulled him home.

...However, a week passed, a year passed, three years passed...and the light still did not appear. His posture became more upright, the calluses on his hands became rough, season after season of wheat was harvested, and batch after batch of bread was made, but he still did not wait for you.

Xi Lian was also very sad. She became less talkative and less playful than before, but she still tried to comfort Bai E, saying, "Perhaps she has some kind of emergency?"

Bai E knew she was also struggling with longing, so he just shook his head with a wry smile.

Life goes on.

...until the devastating fire that swept through the village.

As he set off, Bai'e stood at the ferry dock, gazing at the calm sea in the distance. The ocean was azure, and the fiery sunset reflected on the gently rippling water, turning the blue into a dazzling orange-yellow in his eyes.

The beautiful scenery before him was breathtaking, but behind him lay only ashes.

At that moment, he realized that he was truly all alone now.

...

"Big brother, thank you for saving me!"

The innocent voice of a child pulled Bai Er back to reality from her memories.

He looked down and saw a little girl with a dirty face. He had just rescued her from the monster. Her soft little face was covered with dust and dirt, and her clothes were tattered, but her eyes were bright.

"This little flower is for you!" She flashed a bright smile, her white teeth contrasting sharply with the dirt on her face. "Thank you, big brother, for saving me, my mom, and the teddy bear!"

"...You're so brave, not afraid at all when facing such a terrifying monster. You're amazing."

Bai E squatted down, wiped her face with a tissue, and ruffled her hair. "Who is Little Bear?"

The little girl proudly raised her face, "The bear is my best friend! We promised to become brave adults together!"

She held up the slightly damaged teddy bear in her arms. "Little bear, say thank you!"

Bai Er softened his voice, "I heard it say thank you. You are all very polite and will surely become the kind of adults you aspire to be."

...And what about him? Has he become the person you hoped he would be? The day you left, you said you just wanted him to be safe and healthy, but although he's grown up well, he's not as happy as he was as a child. How can he be happy without you?

If this is his responsibility as a "savior," he would accept it calmly even if his heart was pounding so hard he could hardly bear it.

He will always look forward to the day he reunites with you. If it doesn't happen in ten years, then twenty, thirty years... I just hope that if you see him again then, he will be old and frail, his face full of wrinkles, and he won't be as young and handsome as he is now, please don't despise him.

The little girl's mother, who was not far away, waved to her and beckoned her over, giving Bai E a grateful smile.

Bai watched them leave and walked into the group of refugees who were leaning against each other.

Alright, it's time to go back. Ohma is still quite a distance away; he needs to get back to Aglaia as soon as possible. Speaking of which, didn't Feng Jin ask him to try and find an ancient book in the ruins last time? He'll have to look for it later, otherwise…

"..."

A hesitant female voice sounded from behind:

"……noob?"

*

You had a premonition that you would meet Bai E, but you didn't expect the reunion to come so soon.

You see that familiar yet unfamiliar man squat down and gently comfort the little girl. His voice has lost its childishness and become deeper, but it carries a refreshing youthful spirit that is very pleasant to the ear.

His silhouette seemed unreal in the darkness, and he was no longer wearing his usual simple village clothes; instead, he wore a sharp and imposing white and gold battle robe. Just as you were about to call out to him, you witnessed the scene from before: his profile was briefly revealed before he turned his back to you, leaving only two tufts of hair sticking up, hinting at his former self.

You hesitated before speaking, only after the little girl had completely run away.

Is it really him...? From age 9 to 19, those ten years have passed inexplicably. Has he already forgotten you? Can he recognize you? You used to be just a ball of light...

Ten years may seem like a fleeting moment to you, but for Bai E, it's a long time—enough for him to grow from a little boy into a mature young man. Put yourself in his shoes; if you were in his shoes, you'd surely lament the unfairness of time.

But the man's back remained frozen in place.

"Xiao Bai." Seeing his reaction, you became even more certain.

—He moved.

His movements were swift, and his conspicuous white hair flashed by.

"Watch out!" Danheng snapped out of his daze upon hearing your call and quickly summoned Jiyun. "We can't be sure whether the natives are friend or foe right now—"

The mysterious white-haired man flashed in front of you, his heavy sword clashing with the sword, producing a clang, but as he approached you, he switched his dangerous weapon to soft fingertips and a warm arm.

He reached out and hugged you tightly.

Bai E lowered his head, like a stray puppy that had finally found its home. His tall figure enveloped you in his arms, his arms holding you tightly, his eyes red-rimmed.

"Didn't we agree..."

His blue eyes held a mixture of joy at regaining what was lost and immense fear. Ecstasy, shock, and lingering dread... all these emotions intertwined, creating a brimming, transparent quality that almost brought tears to his eyes.

"Didn't we agree that the puppy would leave first...?"

A note from the author:

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The act of cooking and preparing for future events seems to subtly and unintentionally plant and reveal hidden clues... [Sunglasses]