After those cruel words fell.
How much time had passed?
Bai Ze could no longer estimate or recall.
It was only when she realized she was still alive, that she still needed to breathe.
She emitted violent coughs.
However, due to being mute, her voice sounded peculiar and helpless.
“Ah… Ah-ha… Ah, cough!”
Ji Yu Su, having no experience in taking care of girls.
Just coldly watched the elf maiden.
Who she had released, suffering beneath her.
The girl curled up in pain under her.
Resembling a live shrimp, with flushed, delicate cheeks, desperately coughing.
Observing her twisted delicate features and the last glistening tear squeezed from the corner of her eye.
Ji Yu Su didn’t know how to gently stroke her back.
By the time the black-haired girl realized what she should do.
Bai Ze’s condition had improved somewhat, and she was weakly gasping for air.
Then, she reached out her hand.
As if executing a sentence.
She silently tightened her grip on the elf slave’s neck.
A unique force brewed in the palm of her hand.
In the Western Church, it was called “magic”.
While in the East, it was known as “spiritual energy.”
Girls possessing it could perform many miraculous feats.
For instance, at this moment.
Injecting into Bai Ze’s throat.
Alleviating her veins.
Eradicating pain.
But Bai Ze just gave a bitter smile.
She regarded it as Ji Yu Su’s threat.
Because she… had irritated her ears.
And she could end her at any time.
Just like crushing a tiny ant.
So, I implore you, noble Moon of the Empire, the original protagonist who pursues the female lead.
Strangle me…
I beg you…
That way, I won’t feel so sad and pained.
The physical pain is secondary.
What truly torments Bai Ze right now is her shattered heart.
Inside it once held an innocent girl.
Innocently thinking that she was being treated well.
Bai Ze was willing to offer everything to her.
But in the end, in her heart… what was she worth?
A plaything to be freely given away, to be toyed with by anyone…
It’s hard to imagine how desperate it is for Bai Ze.
The one who pushed her into the abyss was precisely the person she trusted the most.
Bai Ze thought her tears had already dried up.
Unexpectedly, they emerged again at this moment, bringing an intense, acrid sensation, like sulfuric acid poured into her eye sockets.
But the girl couldn’t make a sound.
Couldn’t even let out a pitiful cry.
So Bai Ze just opened her pale lips.
Breathing continuously.
Like a fish suffocating on the shore.
It was precisely at this moment that her mind heated up.
Trembling, she lifted her hand and, for the first time, touched Ji Yu Su’s skin.
It was the back of the hand she had clenched around her own neck.
Somewhat cold, incredibly smooth, faintly sensing the tendons exerting a slight force beneath the skin.
Before Ji Yu Su could understand what Bai Ze was intending to do,
Bai Ze showed a relieved, bewildered expression, closing her eyes.
Then, she tightly gripped Ji Yu Su’s wrist, urging her not to let go, to exert more force, to let herself suffocate.
The girl’s small face reddened as a result.
Until the hands were suddenly thrown off.
Bai Ze then felt a moment of ease in her throat.
Ji Yu Su, however, furrowed her brow, glanced at her manipulated right hand, and then back at Bai Ze.
Not obedient.
Really not obedient.
But that’s fine.
For some reason, a faint smile appeared at the corner of Ji Yu Su’s lips.
Then, she left the bed and walked alone towards the bathroom.
The slender shadow that covered Bai Ze disappeared.
Replaced by the moonlight casting a pale glow on her face.
In a daze, she opened her tearful eyes, gazing at the tranquil night sky outside the window.
In truth, in that moment just now,
She truly contemplated leaving this world.
……………
The sound of rushing water echoed from the bathroom.
Ji Yu Su began her shower.
Bai Ze, feeling insecure, lay on the soft yet comfortless bed, curling up and hugging her knees.
It’s said that this posture, imitating how a baby sleeps in its mother’s womb, can provide a sense of security.
The elf maiden didn’t think much about it.
She just unconsciously ended up in this position.
A tiny figure, with cute, red ears and reddened eye sockets, occasionally emitting fragile inhales.
Bai Ze: Sister System, is life always this painful? Or is it just my life…
System: Think positively; in reality, most people’s lives are often like this.
System: I’m not very good at comforting people, and I’m not like other systems that can magically pull out life-changing gadgets like Doraemon.
System: But when you’re sad, I’ll always give you a virtual hug.
System: Hug~
Bai Ze: …(inhales)
System: So, my host, even in the most desperate moments, don’t easily give up.
System: Even if all guidance shatters, please become the King of Orange Stickers.
Bai Ze: …Thank you, I feel much better now.
For the speechless girl, the only places she finds solace are the bathroom and the ethereal embrace of her system sister.
In the past, when reading novels, Bai Ze always thought that systems were entities that diminished intelligence.
Either that, or they were behind-the-scenes villains manipulating the protagonist.
But now, Bai Ze understands. In the moments of loneliness and despair when traversing a different world, having someone to talk to, even if it’s a virtual hug from a system sister, is a fortunate thing in this bleak world.
Even if the system sister is truly a bad person, and all the kindness shown is a guise for manipulation, Bai Ze willingly accepts the self-imposed cocoon.
Bai Ze is still that same person.
The love-deprived, lonely youth.
Easily trusting, easily hurt, easily shedding tears.
He would willingly open his heart to anyone who treated him kindly.
But she is no longer him.
Because from this moment on, Bai Ze has made a decision.
She wants to, along with the elf princess Sherya…
Make those wicked women who insulted her, defiled her, and abused her pay the price.
To desperately survive in this cruel world.
To use everything at her disposal, even if kindness can be abandoned and looks can be sold.
Until she walks out of the abyss of servitude.
At the same time — she wants those condescending women to experience the taste of falling into the abyss!
The young elf maiden silently clenched her delicate fist.
Even though tear streaks adorned her soft face, it was filled with a determined spirit.
Ji Lian… Master.
This should be the last time I call you master.
Perhaps I should say “thank you” to you.
Thank you for teaching me to let go of innocence and illusions.
Thank you for giving me the warmth of longing and then taking it back.
Thank you for pushing me into the abyss with your own hands…
— Click!
Suddenly, the door of the bathroom swung open from the inside.
In the faint scent of oranges, white mist filled the air, creating a dreamlike atmosphere.
A woman emerged from the enchanting scene, with glistening water droplets still clinging to her flawless curves.
They meandered down toward the dimly lit valley like a winding river.
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