“Oh! You’re so beautiful! Thank you, darling~”
“...You’re welcome.”
“Hmm, an elf? How incredible... I really want to study you, but I owe you a favor. If you ever need help, you can contact me.”
“...Thank you.”
“Waaaah, I’m so sad, give me a hug! I was so scared!!”
“Huh? Um...”
Mu Ran stood there, somewhat helpless, as he was pulled into the embrace of a tall, mature woman with long hair. The tips of his ears turned a faint shade of red.
Behind his back, where he couldn't see, the woman carefully stroked the youth’s soft, silky silver hair, her face filled with satisfaction.
...What fear? There wasn't a trace of it.
Feeling the temperature of the youth’s originally cold arms gradually rise, the woman pulled away, satisfied.
“Wow! I feel so much calmer just by holding you. You’re amazing, darling~”
The youth’s emerald-green eyes, clear as lake water, darted around in confusion, looking like a little goldfish startled by ripples on the surface.
A flash of doubt crossed his eyes, as if he questioned the sincerity of her words. However, his personality only allowed him to let out a cold, detached “Mhm.”
The woman didn't mind his coldness. Instead, she spoke with undiminished enthusiasm. “Do you want to come down the mountain with me? I’ll take you home to play!”
Under the anxious gazes of dozens of people hiding in the shadows, Mu Ran quietly shook his head in refusal.
“I see...” The woman looked slightly disappointed.
She gazed at the youth’s lonely and cold aura and couldn't resist giving him one last gentle hug before leaving.
She whispered softly in a tender, motherly tone, “Don't be sad. You’ll find the person you’re waiting for.”
“Seeing you look like this makes my heart ache. Be a little happier.”
“Who wouldn't love a good child like you?”
“I’ll come see you again. Wait for me.”
Accompanying the warmth of the embrace was the faint, lingering scent of perfume from the woman’s long hair.
After giving Mu Ran’s head another gentle pat, the woman finally left, albeit reluctantly.
The youth remained frozen on the spot. The tips of his ears, hidden beneath his hair, were so red they looked ready to bleed, and the frost in his expression began to melt away.
It wasn't until the fallen tiger let out a dissatisfied howl that he snapped back to his senses, trotting over in a panic to pull out the arrow.
*Huh?*
...
【Mu Ran: Wow, the passersby are getting more and more enthusiastic...】
【Mu Ran: The world rating is getting better and better... Strange, is it happening this fast?】
Mu Ran was communicating with the System when he saw the tiger, which had been nuzzling him affectionately, suddenly darken its gaze and let out a low, threatening growl.
【System: ...Those people are coming out.】
【Mu Ran: !】
He was wondering why the experiment hadn't ended yet!
He stared at the group of people who suddenly appeared in the forest. His gaze turned icy, and he manifested his weapon as if on guard.
The System also took a few steps forward, its tail curling around the youth’s ankle as it let out a low roar.
Some of the Soul Users found their Companion Beasts trembling at that single low growl.
They were quite shocked.
*Why are you scared of a normal tiger’s roar?! You’re Companion Beasts!!*
They didn't have time to express their confusion, however, because their Star Sovereigns were too busy trying to "pet the cat."
“Don't be afraid! Don't be afraid, darling! We mean no harm!” — This was a gentler Star Sovereign.
“Waaaah, I finally get to see you in person, I need to take a photo quick...” — This was a Star Sovereign lost in the joy of "cloud-petting."
“Rest assured, we haven't violated the agreement between Central Island and you. We were just curious.” — This was a rational Star Sovereign.
Amidst the overlapping explanations of the various Star Sovereigns, Mu Ran had no choice but to express understanding and lower his weapon.
As if it were a signal, the Star Sovereigns approached, both excited and cautious.
Then, Mu Ran was buried within a human wall constructed of sweet words.
Some offered comfort, some offered praise, some expressed excitement, and some expressed gratitude...
【Mu Ran: Help...!】
Mu Ran struggled amidst the honeyed words and turned his head to look at the System, only to find that the tiger was also surrounded by many animals.
“Awoo~” *Wow, that roar you did just now was so cool.*
“Hiss, hiss.” *Very imposing, not bad.*
“Ying ying ying~” *Even though I was scared just now, this Immortal will forgive you.*
“Chirp chirp!” *Don't scare people like that in the future, okay?*
An elegant white wolf circled the tiger; a dangerous red python coiled around the tiger’s body; a petite brown fox scratched at the tiger’s tail; and a pure white sparrow perched atop the big cat’s head...
The amber beast eyes met Mu Ran’s emerald-green eyes at the same moment.
A silent plea for help.
Mu Ran: !
*It’s over!! The System has fallen too!!*
...
The Star Sovereigns returned to the island feeling fully satisfied. Recalling the youth’s flustered, blushing face and his shimmering, watery green eyes, they couldn't help but chuckle foolishly.
Mu Ran: *I was just suffocating!! Suffocating!!*
The two of them, finally catching their breath, at last felt the signal that the experiment had ended.
Coming to their senses, the two were speechless.
*It’s over?*
*...But this was just one experiment!! Does every ending from now on require us to be fawned over before it can finish?!*
【Mu Ran: What on earth happened again... (weakly)】
The System had long since reverted to the white fox, lying in Mu Ran’s arms. Recalling the situation of being surrounded by fluff just now, its heart still fluttered with lingering fear, and its ears drooped.
【System: ...If we can contact the people from Lost Island again, perhaps we can ask them.】
At the mention of Lost Island, Mu Ran became thoughtful.
【Mu Ran: Blue can't hide in the cave forever... Do you think it’s appropriate for her to go to Lost Island?】
【System: If a Mimic can live a normal life there.】
After thinking hard for a long while, Mu Ran suddenly snapped out of it.
【Mu Ran: Wait... that’s not right. Isn't our goal just to finish the experiments and slip away! Why am I still adding extra scenes for myself? qwq】
【Mu Ran: The world consciousness will definitely perfect the follow-up plot. Why am I taking on extra work!】
The System gave an encouraging pat and nuzzled Mu Ran’s arm.
【System: Then let nature take its course. We’ll just conduct the experiments normally.】
Recalling Blue’s bizarre delusions and the "purification" ability he had claimed for himself, the System went silent for a moment before adding guiltily:
【System: ...We’ll deal with situations as they arise.】
***
The craze of discussing the Wanderer on the forums reached a new peak recently.
Ever since the Star Sovereigns who had watched from the shadows posted their speculations on the forum, the Star Sovereigns who had previously felt unwilling to give up were revitalized.
However, as they observed the youth from all angles, they gradually discovered a few blind spots.
【Have you guys noticed? Usually, when other animals are around, the white fox isn't by the youth’s side...】
【My Little Gold said that the tiger that played dead had a very domineering aura! But when they ran into it again in the forest later, it didn't have that feeling anymore.】
【I mean... don't you think that when these animals are around the Wanderer, their eyes look a bit more spirited and their aura is more composed?】
【Hey, didn't the kitty say he was there to wait for someone...】
【Shit, I have a very strange theory for some reason...】
...
“What are you looking at?”
The Mimic’s hand jerked, and he hurriedly put down the mask.
Turning around, he saw Yun He standing behind him with downcast eyes.
“Um... just looking at the forums~” The Mimic licked his lips sheepishly, his eyes darting around. “So, I’ll be going now?”
Yun He pressed down on his shoulder, picked up the mask, and looked at the last post the Mimic had been browsing—
【Hot take: I think the person the Wanderer is waiting for is that fox!】
“A very interesting speculation,” he commented flatly.
The Mimic rolled his eyes, not quite understanding what Yun He meant.
*...By the way, was I this neurotic when I was polluted before?*
“Come, let’s go to the hall. We need to talk.”
Mimic: QVQ?
“Regarding...”
Yun He curled his lips as if he were quite interested. “The matter of the ‘Fox Immortal’ you mentioned before and this mysterious fox on the forum...”
***
The System twitched its ears and silently buried its head deeper into Mu Ran’s arms.
The gazes from the shadows had tacitly split into two groups: one observing Mu Ran, and one observing the fox.
...And the strength of both sides was evenly matched.
The person and the fox felt like they were sitting on pins and needles under the scrutiny.
Looking at the fluffy creature in his arms that only showed half of the back of its head, Mu Ran complained in his mind.
【Mu Ran: You can still bury your head in my arms! But what about me? QAQ!】
*Then I...?*
The System hesitated, its two paws pushing against Mu Ran’s chest as if to leave.
Mu Ran helplessly held it down, stroking the fluffy little head beneath his hand soothingly.
【Mu Ran: Just kidding =v=】
Sensing that another lucky passerby had been selected, Mu Ran stroked the white fox in his arms once more and then set it down.
【Mu Ran: Who is closest to the lucky one this time?】
The System sensed for a moment.
【System: The grey wolf.】
*Good, good...* Mu Ran breathed a sigh of relief.
He felt like the tiger had appeared too many times and everyone already had a strange impression of it... It made it so that the System had to act out a bit of familiarity whenever it possessed the tiger. Sigh.
【Mu Ran: Then I’m going?】
【System: Yeah. I’ll come over once they stop paying attention to this side.】
【Mu Ran: Mm-hmm.】
Mu Ran left.
The System curled up on the boulder that still held some warmth. Its originally relaxed body gradually stiffened under the shadow-like gazes from the darkness.
*Why aren't they leaving...?*
On the other side, Mu Ran was confused.
*Why hasn't the System arrived yet?*
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 拟者 | Mimic | A type of being or entity, possibly related to the character "Blue." |
| 云鹤 | Yun He | A character from Lost Island. |
| 狐狸仙 | Fox Immortal | A term used by the Mimic to describe the System's fox form. |
| 灰狼 | Grey Wolf | One of the animal forms the System can possess. |
