[Vol. 6] Chapter 252: The Interwoven Cycle
The girl spoke for a long time, as if performing a one-person play, telling the story of another life that existed only in her dreams.
The nine-tailed fox before her, a girl who closely resembled yet was not the protagonist of that story, simply listened in silence. From start to finish, she did not interrupt, not even once. Only the flickering light in her silver eyes revealed that her heart was far from calm.
"And that’s how it happened. Until that day, when my friends and I went to challenge the newly released dungeon, [Hellfire Demon God’s Prison]. I stepped into the dungeon’s teleportation gate, but instead of arriving inside the dungeon as expected, I somehow ended up here. The world known as the [Origin Realm]. Not only that, but I retained all the abilities and possessions from the game."
"The game..."
Xiao Kong nodded thoughtfully, as if deep in contemplation, before quickly asking another question.
"Then, Violet, did you find happiness in that game called [Illusory World]?"
Her answer came without hesitation.
"Of course. It felt like… a long, beautiful dream. One that still lingers in my heart even after waking up. It wasn’t just Hen, I made so many friends there. That adventure filled the voids and regrets I was born with in my real life."
The black-haired girl looked up, her smile warm and full of understanding.
"It was wonderful. I often think of them, of everything we went through, step by step. Even if it was all just my own illusion, these memories are more precious and irreplaceable than any Divine Artifact."
"I used to be lonely, unsure of my own worth or purpose. At one point, I even resented the entire world. If I hadn’t stumbled into Illusory World by chance, I might have become someone entirely different."
Xiao Kong also smiled.
"You always manage to make so many friends. Sometimes, I really envy you."
Their gazes met, and the priestess’s voice became more serious than ever before.
"So… I am Dawn, the reincarnation of the Spirit Fox Shrine Maiden, aren’t I?"
The girl, known as the Fox God, shook her head.
"You are not a replacement for anyone, nor can anyone replace her. Violet, the cycle of beginning and end is eternal and unchanging. Everything must face its eventual demise. Even gods are no exception. No matter how similar the second turn of reincarnation may seem to the first, it will never be the same person again."
"But that fate still lingers around me, leading me step by step along the path she once walked… doesn’t it?"
Xiao Kong nodded. With a gentle sway of her nine tails, a soft white glow seeped from the mural, condensing into a flawless sphere of light in her hand.
"Now, it’s time to make your choice. Whatever you decide, I will not force you… Violet, will you accept everything she once was and face your destiny? Or will you walk away? Tell me… what is your answer?"
"......"
Violet took a deep breath. She didn’t bother asking foolish questions like "What will happen to the Ancient Spirit Realm if I refuse?" or "What about you?" Instead, she simply smiled.
"You know, I actually hate trouble the most. If I could, I’d rather not get involved in any of this and just continue being a carefree traveler, going wherever I please…"
"But what I hate even more is leaving behind regrets and debts. I’ve received too much from her, inherited too much. If I turned my back on all of it now, I’d probably never sleep peacefully again."
She slowly reached out toward the glowing light in the fox god’s hands, still grumbling as she did.
"Wait a second. Don’t tell me she even predicted this? Since she and I are essentially the same, our personalities and thought processes must be pretty similar too… Damn fox, she even schemed against her future self. That’s just downright devious…"
"Ah—"
Her fingertips touched the light. The essence of karma, bonds, and everything that once defined the Spirit Fox Shrine Maiden spread gently, enveloping her completely.
When Violet opened her eyes, she found herself lying on a lush grassy field.
The sky was a deep, clear blue, and the soft sunlight shone down gently, bright but not blinding. A light breeze blew, causing the treetops and grass to sway and make a soft rustling sound. The peaceful and beautiful scene seemed like it could last forever.
There was no one else around, except for two young women under one particularly tall tree, gazing at the sky and softly talking.
Violet walked closer and saw them clearly.
One was a tall, slender, and cool beauty with silver hair, dressed in a silver-blue robe with a short cloak hanging loosely around her neck. A short dagger hung at her waist. She leaned against the tree, looking like she was about to leave on a long journey.
The other girl was dressed in a red and white shrine maiden outfit, with cute fox ears on her head and a small fox mask covering her face. She was sitting on the ground in a relaxed posture, her shoes beside her, revealing her delicate feet wrapped in white socks. A small bell rested on the grass next to her shoes.
They seemed unaware of Violet, as if she didn’t belong in this space and time. Or perhaps, this was simply a memory preserved, and the two girls were lost in their own conversation.
"Have you made up your mind?"
"Someone has to do it. Doesn’t it sound cool for the World Guardian to step up and sacrifice themselves to protect the world? It’ll probably be passed down through the ages."
"…You might really die."
"Yeah, that’s a possibility, but everyone dies. Even the world is destined to wither one day, it’s just a matter of when. To be honest, I’ve lived long enough, and I’m getting a bit bored. What’s that saying…? ‘Step down and let someone else take over’? Haha, it’s just the cycle of life, the wheel of karma. That’s what life is supposed to look like."
"......"
"Don’t give me that look. Ever since we separated, you’ve become a lot more gloomy. If something’s bothering you, just say it. Bottling it up inside isn’t good for you, right?"
"Because I am Hen, the Fox God represents the reserved and rational side. If you want to know my true feelings, you can ask Kong about it."
"Ah, haha..."
The white fox girl scratched her head awkwardly, then quickly lowered her voice, as if whispering.
"Hen, actually, I owe you an apology... Even though I left some backup plans, the World [Creation of the world Project] is still just a prototype. There will definitely be many more challenges ahead, and all of them will fall to you to solve..."
"I'm sorry, not only for splitting you into two parts, but also for making you and her bear so many heavy responsibilities. After you go, you might never return home. It might even be... forever."
The silver-haired girl suddenly turned her head, raised her hand, and flicked the white fox girl's mask lightly.
"Hen... will you hate me?"
*Pop*
"Ouch! What was that for? I was being serious!"
Although she tried to lighten the mood with a playful tone, the silver-haired girl just looked at her, her silver eyes still calm but with a serious tone.
"Dawn, the Ancient Spirit Realm is not just your home, it’s also mine and Kong's. You've paid a heavier price than anyone else, and compared to that, our sacrifices are nothing."
"This body is half of the Nine-Tailed Fox God Konghen. I am not some weakling you need to protect. Remember, a true companion is someone who supports and protects each other, not someone to be pampered or sheltered."
"Stop saying things like that. Otherwise, even I... will get angry."