Unexpectedly triggering a death trap instantly eliminated a powerful beast, and although Bai Xia and Tian Zheng were surprised, they quickly adjusted.
After securing the spoils, two choices lay before them: to continue exploring or to temporarily retreat.
In the past, there would have been no hesitation; they would have charged right in.
However, encountering the beast unexpectedly made them consider pausing, not out of fear, but because meeting such a powerful enemy so early suggested the final boss might be even stronger!
In this scenario, relying on just the two of them was clearly dangerous, especially since it was the more violent nighttime for monsters.
“What should we do? Should we continue deeper?”
Bai Xia handed the decision to Tian Zheng and picked up the torch she had casually tossed aside. In the torchlight, the village of Xiaoxiong remained eerily quiet, unchanged by their recent battle.
Beyond the torchlit area, everything was engulfed in darkness, making it impossible to see clearly and adding to the eerie and frightening atmosphere.
After some thought, Tian Zheng decided they should retreat.
“Meeting such a powerful enemy at the start is definitely too risky for just the two of us. Let’s call it a day and come back tomorrow during daylight.”
Although they had fought monsters, Tian Zheng wasn’t concerned that the creatures in Xiaoxiong would flee, as this was just a game. The mission would remain unchanged until a player completed it.
Bai Xia had no objections. Compared to the pitch-black night, daylight was obviously more suitable for battle, and the evil undead creatures in the village might be weakened during the day.
With their decision made, they didn’t hesitate. After exiting the village, they parted ways at a relatively safe spot and logged off.
When Bai Xia awoke and put aside the login device, it was already dark outside.
Honestly, she had spent the entire afternoon riding to their destination, and although the game’s scenery was beautiful, it became boring after a while.
Especially since she was cradled in a large man’s embrace the whole time, making her feel even more uncomfortable.
It wasn’t that she disliked it, and Tian Zheng hadn’t done anything inappropriate, but she just felt off.
Thinking about it, it made sense. After all, the body now housed a mature male soul, so feeling repulsed was only natural.
“Sigh.”
Taking a deep breath to calm herself, Bai Xia got out of bed and took a hot shower.
She had planned to have some late-night snacks, but after showering, she felt no appetite. Plus, the lingering effects of her earlier experience left her feeling irritable, making it hard to enjoy her usual interests like new anime or movies.
Feeling puzzled, Bai Xia scratched her head and, with no other choice, turned off the TV and went to bed early.
But that night, she didn’t sleep well and had many strange dreams.
Most of the dreams were vague, but one stood out.
In the dream, Bai Xia saw a square room with no doors or windows, completely sealed off.
The room was empty except for a single person locked in a corner.
It was a small girl, about five or six years old, blending into the room’s shadows.
When Bai Xia noticed her, the girl seemed to sense it and looked up.
And then… their eyes met.
What kind of gaze was it? Empty, void, lacking any human vitality.
Like a perfectly crafted doll missing its soul!
The girl silently stared at Bai Xia, feeling both close and infinitely distant.
Bai Xia’s heart suddenly ached, overwhelmed by an inexplicable emotion that nearly made her collapse.
She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but…
“Ha───!”
Suddenly sitting up, gasping for breath, Bai Xia realized her nightgown was soaked with cold sweat, making her shiver uncomfortably.
In the pre-dawn darkness, she stared blankly ahead, and after a while, reached out to touch her face, feeling the wet traces of tears.
Why was this happening?
Her chest still echoed with emotions not her own, and exhausted, Bai Xia lay back on the soft bed.
In the dim environment, she stared at the ceiling, her mind drifting back to the dream and the girl’s eyes.
Who was she? The thought surfaced unbidden, leading to one answer—it was undoubtedly the true owner of this body, or rather, the original Bai Xia.
But why that gaze? Desperate, devoid of attachment, as if she had abandoned the entire world.
“So, what did you go through?”
Staring blankly at the ceiling, it was still dark outside, but sleep was impossible.
****
The next day, at their agreed meeting time, Tian Zheng immediately noticed something was off with Bai Xia.
“What’s wrong?”
In his memory, the girl was full of energy, her eyes lively and expressive, often conveying much with just a glance.
But today, Bai Xia seemed listless, her eyes dull and lifeless, like someone who had been sleepless for days and then stayed up all night.
Bai Xia snapped out of her daze and shook her head. “What? Nothing. I just had some trouble sleeping last night and had weird dreams.”
“Dreams?”
“Ah… I guess so.”
Bai Xia scratched her head, not wanting to dwell on it, so she quickly changed the subject. “Enough about that. Are we continuing to explore Xiaoxiong?”
“Not yet. Let’s warm up by fighting some smaller monsters first.”
Bai Xia hesitated, then nodded, agreeing that her current state wasn’t suitable for diving into a high-difficulty dungeon. Tian Zheng’s insight surprised her.
They left Xiaoxiong and found a nearby monster spawn point to regain their rhythm, mainly to help Bai Xia get back into the game.
But for some reason, Bai Xia kept making mistakes against the usually easy-to-defeat small monsters.
If not for Tian Zheng’s constant vigilance and timely assistance, she would have been killed.
Seeing this, Tian Zheng frowned, not in annoyance, but concern.
So, he pulled Bai Xia aside to a safer spot in the grass.
“Let’s take a break.”
“…Sorry.”
Bai Xia sat down without resistance, her mood still low.
But there was nothing she could do. Ever since that strange dream, closing her eyes brought back the girl’s lifeless stare, leaving her restless and confused.
She had hoped the game would help, but it seemed to be making things worse.
“What’s there to apologize for?”
Tian Zheng smiled and suddenly reached out, gently messing up her hair. Bai Xia tensed, about to say something, when he softly asked, “Is something troubling you in the real world?”
“Maybe, I guess.”
Bai Xia stared blankly at the grass, too distracted to resist his affectionate gesture.
Tian Zheng’s touch was light, like calming a fidgety cat, offering a strange sense of comfort that eased her unknown anxieties.
“I shouldn’t pry into your real-life issues, but your condition is worrying. I’m not great at comforting people, but you mentioned it was just a dream, right? And the Bai Xia I know wouldn’t be this unsettled by a dream…”
The man withdrew his hand, not acknowledging the stunned girl, and stood up, summoning his weapon as he walked toward the respawned monsters.
But halfway there, he stopped and turned, flashing a smile Bai Xia had never seen before.
“Also, if you’re truly facing an insurmountable problem, why not share it with me? I might not be good at comforting, but I can definitely help.”
Before Bai Xia could respond, Tian Zheng charged into the monster horde, his broadsword flashing, and for a moment, she thought he looked rather dashing.
But she quickly shook her head, took a deep breath, and stood up, calling out to him, “Hey, are you seriously trying to hit on me, you old pervert?”
Hearing this, Tian Zheng hesitated, and in that moment, a wild deer kicked him back!
Bai Xia, not caring about his dignity, laughed as she approached him, looking down with a smirk. “Ha, look! Lusting after a loli gets you kicked by a deer!”
“That’s not a deer, and… I saw everything.”
Saw what? Bai Xia blinked, then realized she was wearing a sailor uniform, and Tian Zheng was lying on the grass below her, giving him a clear view.
“Die, you pervert!”
Her voice dropped an octave, and Tian Zheng had a bad feeling, but before he could respond, a black shoe with a butterfly bow stomped toward his head!
Thud!
Naturally, she missed, as Tian Zheng’s reflexes were no joke. He quickly got up, his expression a mix of exasperation and amusement, knowing he couldn’t blame her for this.
“I’m sorry, it’s all my fault, Bai Xia. Can you forgive me?”
Bai Xia glared at him, huffed, and finally relented, retrieving her weapon and heading toward the distant herd of wild deer.
“Let’s finish this quickly. I’m in a bad mood today… so these monsters will just have to be my punching bags.”