Villain Simulator, Ch 138

[Quest: Convince Yae Miko]

A quest?

Though the conditions for completion seemed simple, in reality, this was one of the more challenging tasks.

As if predicting his actions, the door opened on its own before he could knock.

"What are you standing there for?" Yae Miko asked with a soft smile. "If you've got something to say, come in and say it."

Before him stood Yae Miko, stunningly beautiful yet exuding a dignified aura. While her appearance hadn't changed much over the years, her demeanor was entirely different.

Lucas couldn't help but recall the joke from years past: "She's just a 148-centimeter, pink-haired, big-breasted, fox-eared girl."

But now, the "little girl" had matured into a young woman. She'd grown taller, her figure more pronounced, yet her pink hair—and something else—remained the same.

Lucas's gaze involuntarily shifted downward, noticing that even there, she had surpassed Kitsune Saiguu.

"If you want to look, just say so," Yae Miko teased as she poured tea, her smile mischievous. "It's not like I'd refuse to show you."

She seemed entirely unbothered by Lucas's sudden change of demeanor. Reaching out, she touched his chin and remarked, "I still prefer you without a beard."

"It's all white now," Lucas replied with a bitter smile. "It makes me look old."

At just over forty, Lucas's hair had already turned completely silver from stress and sorrow.

"What's wrong with aging?" Yae Miko shook her head. "No matter how old you become, you'll always be my master."

"I…" Lucas opened his mouth to speak, but the words "I'm leaving" stuck in his throat.

Perceptive as ever, Yae Miko had already guessed his intentions. Smiling faintly, she said, "You want to accompany Sister Ganyu to Liyue to seek the means to save Lady Saiguu, don't you?"

Caught off guard, Lucas could only nod silently.

"Let me ask you," Yae Miko said, her hand brushing his cheek. "What are your chances of success in joining Liyue's adepti?"

"Less than ten percent," Lucas admitted.

"And the odds of finding a method to revive Lady Saiguu?"

"Also less than ten percent," Lucas replied, his voice dry.

"So overall, you have less than a one percent chance of success," Yae Miko sighed. "And yet, you still insist on going?"

"Even if it's one in a thousand, one in ten thousand," Lucas said resolutely, "I must try."

"Does it have to be Lady Saiguu?" Yae Miko's voice trembled as she bit her lip. "Can't I take her place in your heart? Kyoko, Lady Saiguu, Hibiki… After all these years, shouldn't it finally be my turn?"

Lucas hadn't expected Yae Miko to know about his fleeting relationship with Hibiki. Stunned, he found himself at a loss for words—until a familiar voice broke the silence.

"Would this be enough?"

Looking up, Lucas saw a silver-haired, red-eyed fox-eared woman—it was Kitsune Saiguu, the very person he longed to see.

But of course, he knew better. The fox clan was adept at transformation magic, and the figure before him was merely an illusion conjured by Yae Miko.

"If you wish," Yae Miko said softly, "I could stay like this forever and never change back."

"But you're not her," Lucas said, shaking his head. "Miko, trust me—whether or not I succeed in finding the secret, I will return. And when I do… whether it's the three of us or just the two of us, we will never part again."

Hearing these words, Yae Miko's eyes lit up. Her solemn demeanor melted away, and she became the lively little fox of years past.

For Lucas, this journey was less about reviving Kitsune Saiguu and more about finding closure for himself. No matter the outcome, he would have no regrets.

"What are you waiting for?" Yae Miko exclaimed, grabbing Lucas's wrist. "Hurry and pack your things! The sooner you leave, the sooner you'll be back!"

"There's no rush," Lucas chuckled. "Lady Ganyu departs tomorrow, and I'll accompany her to Liyue."

"Hmph, Sister Ganyu is quite beautiful," Yae Miko teased, raising an eyebrow. "You're not planning to fall for her, are you?"

"Don't be ridiculous," Lucas replied, shaking his head. "I'm just an old man now."

Though Lucas was only in his forties and the effects of Hakushin's Spring made him look no older than thirty, his silver hair lent him an air of maturity.

"So what?" Yae Miko laughed. "Sister Ganyu's age is dozens of times yours. Whether you're young or old, I like you just the same."

Since Kitsune Saiguu's departure, it had been a long time since Yae Miko smiled so sincerely.

"Well, I should start packing," Lucas said after chatting with Yae Miko for a while. "We leave tomorrow."

"Are you going back tonight?" Yae Miko asked softly. "You could pack tomorrow instead."

Lucas understood her implication immediately. He had made the little fox wait far too long, and promises alone weren't enough—actions were needed as well.

"Alright," Lucas said with a wry smile. "But not too late—we have to wake up early tomorrow."

"Mm-hmm!" Yae Miko's tail wagged enthusiastically as she grabbed his hand. "Let's rest now!"

"Rest now?" Lucas glanced at the still-bright sky outside. "But we haven't even had dinner yet."

"That's okay," Yae Miko said, pulling him closer. "After all, it'll take at least seven or eight times…"

Cough, cough. Lucas exaggeratedly cleared his throat. "Maybe I should sleep at home tonight instead."

Good grief. Seven or eight times? Forget reviving Kitsune Saiguu—he'd need to figure out how to revive himself first.

"Just kidding!" Yae Miko quickly blocked the door, worried he might actually leave. From a drawer, she carefully pulled out a small porcelain bottle, grinning mischievously. "This is a special elixir I prepared—it'll keep your energy up!"

"Never mind whether it works," Lucas said, narrowing his eyes. "Why did you make something like this? Don't tell me… you've been plotting this for a while?"

"Wh-what are you talking about?" The little fox broke into a nervous sweat, her eyes darting evasively. "It's just… just because…"

Lucas took the bottle and casually tossed it aside. Smiling, he said, "I don't need that, Miko. Let me teach you a saying from Liyue."

"What saying?" Yae Miko asked, feeling both nervous and curious.

"'The old are full of vigor,'" Lucas said, flexing his arm as lean muscles bulged.

Using spells to enhance his physical strength was a trivial task for someone like him.

"One last thing," Yae Miko said, steadying her breath. "Do you want me to change back, or stay like this?"

Yae Miko still maintained her transformation as Kitsune Saiguu. Lucas knew that if he asked, she wouldn't refuse.

"No, return to yourself," Lucas said with a gentle smile. "You are you. Kitsune Saiguu is Kitsune Saiguu. You're not her, and you don't have to be her."

[Quest Completed: Convince Yae Miko]

[Reward: Character Card - Yae Miko: Boundless Illusions]

[Effect: Increases the effectiveness of illusion-based skills by 50%.]

A character card as a reward?

There had been similar rewards in other parallel worlds, like the character card for Keqing: Thunder Rakshasha. In addition to providing various enhancements, a character card allowed the bearer to teleport near the corresponding character's location.

[Exiting Immersive Mode]

[Entering Text Mode]

[You bid farewell to Yae Miko and the Grand Narukami Shrine, embarking on your journey to Liyue alongside Ganyu.]

[At this time, Inazuma had not yet implemented the Sakoku Decree to close its borders, and the thunderstorms around the islands were far less volatile. With Ganyu accompanying you, crossing the sea to the unfamiliar land of Liyue was a smooth and uneventful journey.]

[This was your first time leaving your homeland. You had always believed that Inazuma City was the most bustling place, and Tenshukaku the grandest building. But the city of Liyue left you with a sense of wonder, as if you had spent your life as a frog at the bottom of a well.]

[Ganyu explained that while Liyue had many adepti, most were reclusive and uninterested in taking disciples. She could introduce you to three adepti, but your success would depend entirely on your own efforts.]

[Liyue's adepti are known as "Three-Eyed Five-Manifestation Immortals." The "three eyes" refer to their mastery of elemental power, with an implied "inner eye" that is hidden from view. The "five manifestations" are abilities granted by Rex Lapis himself.]

[The First Adeptus: Cloud Retainer]

[Your first destination was the abode of Cloud Retainer, Ganyu's mentor. To show your sincerity, you brought various gifts for your visit—items that Yae Miko had specifically urged you to prepare. Concerned you might lack funds, she had sent you off with a selection of rare treasures.]

[Cloud Retainer, with her original form as a crane, didn't surprise you much given your years among yokai. She showed little interest in the treasures you brought, but was thoroughly impressed with the culinary offerings.]

[The two of you hit it off, and Cloud Retainer regaled you with tales of Ganyu's embarrassing childhood moments, leaving the qilin flustered and red-faced.]

[Though Cloud Retainer seemed fond of you and even entertained the thought of taking you as a disciple, her expertise lay in mechanical arts, which were of no use for your goal. Reluctantly, you had to move on.]

[The Second Adeptus: Moon Carver]

[The next adeptus was Moon Carver, who, according to Ganyu, was the kindest of the adepti and most likely to accept you as a disciple.]

[This time, you cut straight to the point, sharing your story and explaining your purpose for crossing the seas. But when Moon Carver learned that your goal was to revive someone, he merely sighed and sent you away, unmoved by your pleas.]

[The Third Adeptus: Mountain Shaper]

[Your final hope lay with Mountain Shaper. While seeking his dwelling in the mountains, you became lost. Fortunately, you encountered a kind-hearted herbalist girl named Qiqi, who guided you to the adeptus' location. She seemed to recognize you as a seeker of immortal wisdom but warned you that many had tried before and none had succeeded.]

[Thanks to Qiqi's guidance, you found Mountain Shaper's sanctuary. Unlike the warm hospitality of Cloud Retainer or the gentle demeanor of Moon Carver, Mountain Shaper was cold and aloof. When you requested apprenticeship, he proposed a grueling test: you were to sit motionless before his abode for seven days and nights. Even the slightest movement would mean failure.]

[Sitting still for seven days was challenging enough, but doing so without eating or sleeping made it nearly impossible. Even with your extraordinary constitution, it was a formidable trial.]

[Determined to resurrect Kitsune Saiguu, you accepted without hesitation. For days, Mountain Shaper came and went, treating you as if you were nothing more than a stone.]

[Throughout those seven days, you endured torrential rain, scorching heat, and unrelenting torment without budging an inch.]

[As the trial entered its final moments, you suddenly heard the distant cries of a young girl pleading for help. You recognized the voice—it was Qiqi.]

[The cries were heart-wrenching, as if she were being attacked by wild beasts or assailants. But with only minutes left in the trial, leaving to help her would mean failing the test.]

[You Decide…]

1. Go to her aid.

2. Ignore her cries.

After brief consideration, Lucas muttered calmly, "Ignore her."

[What a cold-hearted choice~]

The system remarked wryly.

"This is supposed to be an evil-aligned system, isn't it?" Lucas replied dryly.

[You ignored the cries for help. The voice grew more desperate, piercing your ears like a worm burrowing into your skull. You could almost picture Qiqi's bloodied form in your mind's eye.]

[Still, you remained unmoving. At the exact moment the seven days ended, the cries abruptly ceased.]

[The doors to Mountain Shaper's sanctuary opened slowly. The adeptus, with his crane-like visage devoid of human emotion, emerged, exuding an undeniable aura of majesty.]

["Such ruthlessness," Mountain Shaper said with a hint of mockery. "To ignore a child's cries for help—is this the type of person I should take as a disciple?"]

["Those cries were but your illusions," you replied evenly. "The rugged paths and abundant Qingxin flowers make it unlikely for someone as familiar with these mountains as Qiqi to meet with harm. Furthermore, this isn't the first time you've tested disciples in this way—offering them an apparent way out at their breaking point. You are harsh but kind at heart."]

["Clever words!" Mountain Shaper barked, though his tone softened. "Even so, leaving someone to die violates the very principles of immortality."]

["Blind kindness can be more dangerous than malice," you countered calmly. "If Qiqi were truly in danger, I would not have hesitated to help. Since it was merely your illusion, why waste the effort?"]

[To your surprise, Mountain Shaper laughed. "Interesting. Despite not being a native of Liyue, nor young by mortal standards, you have a certain appeal. Very well—you may stay."]

["Thank you, Master!" You bowed deeply and eagerly added, "I wish to learn…"]

[Before you could finish, Mountain Shaper interrupted coldly. "You have no right to choose what you learn. Liyue's immortal arts must be studied step by step. I will teach, and you will learn. If you fail, it is my fault. If you succeed, it is your merit."]

So domineering!

If this were a romance game, Mountain Shaper would undoubtedly be the archetypal icy male god.

[Age 45: A Year of Training]

[A year passed under Mountain Shaper's tutelage, reminding you of your time training under the tengu chief. Yet, the years had taken their toll, and things were no longer as they once were.]

[Your innate talent and existing skills allowed you to quickly grasp Mountain Shaper's teachings. You even began to combine his talisman techniques with the sorcery you'd learned before, creating a unique style.]

[Far from disapproving, Mountain Shaper often offered guidance to refine your innovations. His evaluation? "Though still a sapling, you may one day grow into a towering tree." High praise, given his nature.]

[Though Mountain Shaper despised disturbances, his barrier permitted animals and a few locals to enter freely. As a result, Qiqi was often the only human company you saw throughout the year.]

[Her innocent and clumsy nature charmed you. Sometimes, you pondered that if life had been kinder, you might already have grandchildren her age.]

[Qiqi called you "Uncle" instead of "Grandpa" and often brought mountain fruits to share. In turn, you entertained her with simple spells, finding solace in the quiet companionship of an old man and a young girl.]

[Age 47: A Breakthrough]

[Under Mountain Shaper's guidance, your cultivation advanced rapidly. Not only that, but your newly developed techniques began to form a cohesive system.]

[Mountain Shaper remarked that your work resembled the long-lost art of "Onmyoudo," a synthesis of Liyue's immortal arts and Inazuma's sorcery. In recognition of your achievement, he named the style after this ancient discipline.]

[Age 48: Three years passed in training. Qiqi had grown taller, but your efforts to find a way to revive Kitsune Saiguu remained fruitless. Frustration gnawed at you, but Mountain Shaper refused to answer your inquiries about resurrection arts.]

[Age 49]

[To your horror, the calamity that had consumed Kitsune Saiguu began to stir in Liyue. As more demons and foul creatures emerged, chaos erupted. One day, the conflict escalated into a massive battle on Mt. Hulao, and you joined Mountain Shaper in the fight.]

[Tragically, amidst the clash, a young herbalist stumbled onto the battlefield and was caught in the crossfire. She was none other than Qiqi.]

[Her small form lay lifeless, crushed under the weight of a cruel and senseless fate.]

----

Author's Note: Well take this extra chapter!

Goal remains the same for the next two!