Chapter 29: Chapter 29: The Way to Win
Just as Lin Anyi resolved to endure, a light bulb went off in his head:
"Wait a second, I don't need to persist for a whole month in the simulation. I only need to make it through a week."
With this realization, Lin Anyi felt a great sense of relief.
In the previous simulation, his downfall came quickly. On the very first day, he was dragged into the basement, where Alechino ruthlessly punished him. Coupled with the mental control exerted by the [Hypnosis App], he faltered within seven days, unable to resist her influence.
By the time two months had passed, his heart had fully surrendered to Alechino, forcing the simulation to end.
But this time, things were different.
This time, he came to Alechino willingly, albeit reluctantly, due to Funina's pleading. He was sure Alechino wouldn't break him immediately or resort to her prior methods. No, she was confident now. Confident enough to take her time, enjoying the process of teasing and breaking him slowly over the course of a month.
"That's where her mistake lies," Lin Anyi thought, piecing together Alechino's plan in his mind.
Lin Anyi began to strategize.
"She'll assume she has plenty of time to play her games. I need to use that against her."
He decided to present himself as cooperative, biding his time while carefully avoiding situations where Alechino might use the [Hypnosis App] to weaken his will.
"As long as I can remain vigilant for seven days, I'll be fine. The system has never required me to survive the entire month." Feeling more confident, Lin Anyi prepared to execute his plan.
The next seven days were grueling, both mentally and emotionally.
Lin Anyi played the part of a dedicated butler, suppressing his disdain and masking his emotions whenever Alechino tried to tease him. Whether it was her invasive touches or sly advances, he forced himself to stay calm, refusing to give her any satisfaction.
"Endure. Don't react," he reminded himself over and over again.
Alechino seemed to enjoy the cat-and-mouse game, reveling in the slow erosion of Lin Anyi's defenses. She made no attempt to force herself on him, confident that her charm and persistent seduction would eventually win him over.
This twisted enjoyment of hers was a blessing in disguise for Lin Anyi. It bought him the time he needed to execute his plan and avoid falling into her clutches.
Finally, after enduring seven torturous days, salvation came in the form of the system's voice in his mind.
[Simulation ended!]
[Congratulations, Master. Task completed!]
[Do you want to save the data of this simulation?]
The words brought a mix of relief and confusion.
"Save the data? What does that mean?" Lin Anyi muttered to himself.
The system elaborated:
[After saving the data of this simulation, you will receive your task reward. However, you will no longer be able to reset to this point. Future simulations will always begin on the eighth day at the Hearth House.]
The system's answer made him further understand the choice he was facing.
As Lin Anyi weighed his options, he couldn't shake the gravity of his decision.
Normally, every simulation began at his home a week before the events at the Hearth House. However, choosing to save this data would mean permanently altering that starting point. From now on, every simulation would begin with him already under Alechino's watchful eye, deep within her clutches.
It wasn't just about the simulation itself; it was a gamble that could shape his future encounters and challenges.
Lin Anyi sat in silence, the tension in his chest growing heavier with each passing second. Finally, after taking a deep breath, he made his choice.
"Save."
His voice was steady and resolute.
The road ahead was uncertain, fraught with challenges, but Lin Anyi trusted in his intellect and resilience. He had worked tirelessly to survive these past seven days, enduring Alechino's presence and manipulations without breaking.
To walk away from this progress would render all his suffering meaningless.
And then, there were the rewards.
His curiosity burned. What could the system have in store for him after such an arduous trial? It wasn't just about survival—it was about growth, about equipping himself for future simulations, and about protecting Funina from further harm.
With the decision locked in, the simulation ended, and Lin Anyi was thrust back into reality.
Unlike his previous experiences, this time he felt no residual pain or exhaustion. Perhaps because he hadn't endured the basement punishment in this simulation, there was a sense of lightness and relief he hadn't known in a long time.
For the first time, Lin Anyi allowed himself a small, triumphant smile.
"They say the third time's the charm. After two failures, I finally succeeded!"
His excitement surged as he dove into the system, eager to uncover the fruits of his labor.
[Simulation Settlement]
[Evaluation: C]
[Rewards: Alechino Character Card]
Allows the user to gain 70% of Alechino's power. Duration: Three minutes. Cooldown: One hour.
[Skill Acquired: Estrangement]
Using charm, the user can provoke hostility toward a designated person.
[Reward: Alechino and Clorinde receive all memories of this simulation.]
Favorability Change: None. Processing the Rewards
Lin Anyi's eyes scanned the reward screen, his thoughts racing as he digested the implications.
The Alechino Character Card was undeniably powerful. For someone without the Eye of God, gaining even a portion of Alechino's strength was an immense boost. Although the transformation lasted only three minutes, it granted him temporary invincibility against all but divine forces.
The skill Estrangement, while less immediately useful, held potential. He couldn't imagine deploying it against Alechino right now—it would only result in Funina suffering greater persecution. But he knew there would be others like her in the future, more enemies to contend with. In such a scenario, this ability could become a game-changing weapon.
And yet, it was the third reward that left Lin Anyi feeling conflicted.
"Allowing Alechino and Clorinde to gain memories from this simulation... how is that a reward?"