NOVEL NEXT Chapter 48
Chapter 48: The First Past Simulation and “Old Friends” (Five Updates)
“Reality”
“June 18, Sheng Year 741, 18:28”
“Evaluation: The host is unlocking more and more ways to die.”
“Isn’t it beautiful, Other Realm? If used properly, it can bring you unexpected benefits. Lucky you, that you survived this time.”
“It was obvious that you could have unlocked an ending where you lived till the end—by following that Radiant Bishop back to the Church—but you chose a more entertaining way to die. Too bad you didn’t get to see the final splash when you drowned; I’d give it zero points.”
“Take it. This is what you deserve based on your performance.”
<em>Reward: Mortality Points * 8</em>
<em>Mortality Points: 29</em>
Xia’er gradually awoke from an unbearable ringing in her ears, returning to reality. After losing the protection of the Radiant Bishop, her spirit hadn’t fully recovered from the residual effects of the Other Realm.
But now there was no time for her to dwell on it. She had already told Aivana about her plan to report, and she didn’t know when Aivana would meet her demise. Once that happened, Xia’er would lose her contact person, jeopardizing her sister’s survival as well.
She quickly opened the System and accessed the Point Store. Soon, she found what she wanted:
“[Other Realm Page (Bloodstained, Torn, No Information)]”
“Mortality Points: 3”
“[Radiant Bishop’s Handwritten Letter (with attached Church Emblem)]”
“Mortality Points: 5”
“[Omen of Death’s Retrospection (Awakened)]”
“Mortality Points: 128”
“…”
The emblem of the Radiant Bishop might be an Extraordinary item, so it made sense that removing its imprint required 5 points. But why did the Other Realm page cost 3 points? Wasn’t it something she herself wrote?
As for the last one, the Omen of Death’s Retrospection… it was even more expensive than a Potion.
Xia’er tentatively clicked on the Omen of Death’s Retrospection, revealing a more detailed description:
“[Omen of Death’s Retrospection (Awakened)]: Special Sealed Object. After awakening, if anyone comes within 7 meters or after 21 days post-activation, it will enhance all diseases, parasites, and viruses within a 700-meter radius explosively. The effect decreases gradually outward from the center. If untouched for 7 days after activation, it will deactivate automatically.”
“Side Effect: The holder’s bodily metabolism will accelerate, eventually reaching 14 times the original metabolic rate.”
The trigger conditions were laid out before Xia’er.
The first simulation, which involved the initial outbreak of infection in 16 days, was likely tied to the second activation condition—someone placed and awakened the Sealed Object [Omen of Death’s Retrospection] in the sewer on June 13th.
As for the second simulation’s outbreak, it should have been triggered by the first condition—someone coming within 7 meters. That person was Adelle, whose body still remained in the sewer.
If the murderer had hung the object in the sewer and awakened it on June 13th, waiting for it to explode on July 4th, then the ritual planner drinking the Potion must have occurred on June 13th, because they couldn’t be certain that no one would enter the sewer, especially in a place like Clock Tower Lane District, where all sorts of people mingled.
As long as she returned to a point before June 13th, she’d have a chance to expose the person who drank the Potion and planned the ritual…
If the ritual was disrupted after consuming the Potion, and if they witnessed everything without being harmed by the Potion’s backlash, they would definitely come after Xia’er.
The key to breaking the deadlock might lie in what Xiu mentioned—the Poisoner’s pathological self-love for their own creations.
Time was running out for Xia’er.
She opened the Simulation Interface and looked at the past simulation.
“Past: 6 Days (Sheng Year 741, June 12, 11:30) (Consumption: 10 Mortality Points)”
Xia’er furrowed her brow slightly.
Although it was fortunate that she wasn’t sent back dozens or hundreds of days, this specific time frame was somewhat ambiguous.
Six days…
Prior to the ritual, the planner might not have consumed the potion yet. If I cause any premature suspicion, the planner is very likely to abandon all previous arrangements and choose not to drink the potion in order to avoid exposure.
This noon at most allows waiting until the morning of the 13th, which is when the sabotage must begin.
We can only pray that by then, the planner has already consumed the potion.
Xia’er exited the simulation interface.
She directly exchanged the “Other Realm Page” and the “Radiant Bishop’s Personal Letter” and placed them into the “Warehouse.” Her Mortality Points were now down to 21.
If I really do raise suspicion, she will review the “Other Realm Page” again to see where the light resembling twin pupils is located.
If the planner hasn’t started drinking the potion, that radiance will certainly be at their hideout, in the place they consider safest.
By locking onto the hideout, we essentially lock onto their identity.
Xia’er took a deep breath.
“Past, No.2.”
Xia’er doesn’t know when the mole will receive the message or when Aivana will be targeted for assassination. All she can do is hurry, faster and faster.
…
“Past”
“Sheng Year 741, June 12, 11:30 AM”
“Countdown – 23:59:59”
A flash of white light flickered before Xia’er’s eyes. When she opened her eyes again, the night outside the window had turned into day, and she was no longer at home.
At this moment, Xia’er sat behind the last row of long desks, with the wide lectern below. She could hear the teacher’s lecture and some students whispering softly.
She quickly opened the system, confirming that the items redeemed from the warehouse were still there intact. Then, she stood up from her seat, just managing to grab her bag, and walked around the back seats, heading toward the door down the steps.
“Xia’er, what’s wrong?” The male teacher on the platform looked puzzled at Xia’er, while a fleeting thought crossed his mind.
When did Xia’er cut her hair?
Am I seeing things?
The girl who was usually the most diligent in class is now leaving with her schoolbag slung over her shoulder — something none of the noble children would dare to do.
“Sorry, I’m not feeling well. I’ll take leave today,” Xia’er said without looking back, leaving the teacher dumbfounded.
“That… Is that Xia’er?”
“Did I see wrong? When did she become so… arrogant?”
“She’s so cool…”
The classroom buzzed with chatter but quickly quieted down after the teacher tapped on the lectern.
At this moment, Xia’er quickly left the campus and boarded a public carriage headed to the outskirts of Clock Tower Lane District, arriving shortly thereafter.
Since she intended to cause destruction, she currently had two plans. However, each plan required an actual inspection and finding help from an “old friend.”
Ten minutes later…
Xia’er walked into Clock Tower Lane District, stopping at a corner. About ten seconds later, a tall, thin man wearing a newsboy cap turned into the alley.
He seemed not to notice Xia’er leaning against the wall of the alley, trying to continue walking forward. But the hidden dagger at his waist fell to the ground at this moment, making a crisp sound.
He hurriedly bent down to pick it up, but the next moment, he realized that the blade was floating right in front of him.
“Bol, where is Solari?” Xia’er’s calm voice sounded behind Bol, causing him to break out in a cold sweat.
What… situation?
BOOM ——
The blade violently struck the wall beside him, plunging halfway into the red brick house. This loud bang startled Bol completely.
“I’ll give you three seconds to lead the way.”
“3……”
“I’ll… I’ll…” Bol nodded repeatedly; he could feel something intangible squeezing his throat.
Devil… It’s a devil…..