Natasha: Welcome to be my assistant, Ron.

As a doctor, Natasha had a dream.

She wanted to create a warm world, a place where no one feared the cold, and people could live safely amidst the snow and ice. This was a dream she once shared with her brother.

But her brother fell ill, and it was a severe illness. His disregard for human life and his obsessive pursuit of success turned Natasha's brother into a ruthless monster. He used incomplete medicines on the people of the lower district, showing no concern for their lives, only caring about the results of his experiments.

As a result, Natasha drove him out of the lower district, letting him fend for himself in the endless snowstorm. This left a deep shadow in Natasha's heart.

Natasha's abilities were far inferior to her brother's. Vah, a top graduate of the Belobog Medical Academy, possessed unparalleled knowledge and talent. Natasha, once merely his assistant, could not match Vah's extensive knowledge. Immunity to the snowstorm was a dream they once shared, but after Vah's heinous acts failed to yield results, Natasha buried this idea deep within her heart.

She knew that achieving true immunity to the snowstorm would require immense talent and countless experiments to perfect the formula. In the entirety of Jarilo-VI, almost all animals that could be used for clinical trials had vanished into the snow, leaving only humans for testing. This path could only lead to the same ruthless methods Vah had employed, treating human lives as mere experimental subjects and piling up corpses to create a snowstorm immunity potion. This was a path Natasha, a follower of the Path of Abundance, could never accept.

But now, she had found a way to fulfill her dream.

Natasha looked at the light screen before her. This "Life Simulation Game" had unexpectedly appeared a while ago. When she first encountered it, she doubted her sanity and conducted a full-body check-up on herself. The results showed she was completely healthy, with no signs of mental illness. Her recent life had been ordinary, ruling out any triggers for a mental breakdown.

This made her take the game more seriously. After understanding how to operate it, Natasha became very interested in the game's potential. It could simulate the future and allow her to test her choices, greatly benefiting her and the lower district. The lower district was in chaos, maintained only by the Geoflame organization. Any mistake on Geoflame's part could plunge the entire lower district into chaos, turning it into a living hell.

Wanderers and miners would fight over scraps of food, and wealthy merchants would exploit the people to maintain their luxurious lifestyles. Using the Life Simulation Game to predict the future could significantly reduce the chances of such outcomes.

Unfortunately, as the leader of Geoflame and the sole doctor of the lower district's only clinic, Natasha's daily life was filled with endless tasks. Her days were spent making crucial decisions for Geoflame or performing life-saving surgeries. She had very little time to play the Life Simulation Game, so she often had to rely on AI to run simulations while she focused on real-life matters. Occasionally, she would make a few choices in the game during her limited free time.

However, the AI's ineptitude in managing the simulations yielded little benefit for Natasha, only providing decades of simulated memories and, from the last simulation, the founding of the First Empire of Jarilo. It was during this time that she discovered something significant around Belobog:

"Snowstorm Immunity Experiment Records—Vah"

These were the final works of her brother Vah, whom she had driven out of Belobog. After understanding the value of life, he had poured all his efforts into this last masterpiece. The book was filled with Vah's meticulous notes and high hopes for the potion. The current snowstorm immunity potion could generate body heat to resist the cold for a certain period without severely damaging the body. This was a significant improvement from the potions used in the lower district.

Vah had even outlined the final steps needed to achieve complete immunity. Flawless snowstorm immunity would allow humans to live freely in the ice and snow, without fearing the cold or the rift's corrosion. The only remaining step was to make humans resistant to the rift's corrosion.

The rift, caused by the Stellaron, was known to Natasha through research notes she had obtained from the Stellaron research team in her simulated memories. Although she didn't fully understand the complex principles of the rift, she knew it involved the release of imaginary energy from the Stellaron. Resisting this energy would require the blessing of a Path, and Vah, not being a Pathstrider, could not take this final step.

But Natasha could.

Selflessness and sacrifice were core tenets of the Path of Abundance, and Natasha, with her dedication to saving lives and maintaining peace in the lower district, had made significant progress on this path. She had the ability to complete the potion and lead the world in a new direction. However, this required immense resources and support.

From her simulations, she knew that neither Bronya as the Great Guardian nor Himeko as the Emperor of the First Empire of Jarilo invested heavily in medical advancements. Most resources went into military spending and urban development. This approach had failed, as evidenced by the outcomes of her simulations. Natasha believed that if snowstorm immunity were achieved, humans could coexist with the Stellaron and the rift, making extreme cold and rift corrosion no longer threats, only needing to clear rift creatures, which was much simpler than dealing with the Antimatter Legion or the Interstellar Peace Corporation.

Therefore, Natasha needed a helper. She needed someone who could govern Belobog and fully support her. She needed Ruan.

Taking a deep breath, Natasha recalled her simulated memories. Ruan consistently proved himself valuable in the simulations. For instance, in the last simulation, Ruan, as Himeko's best aide, stabilized the Empire's regime and even managed to contain the Stellaron. Though he sacrificed his life to defeat the Antimatter Legion's greatest threat, the Calamity Vanguard, his abilities were undeniable.

Now, Natasha had delegated her tasks to Oleg and others, leaving her clinic unusually quiet, giving her the perfect opportunity to immerse herself in a simulation.

This time, she had to recruit Ruan and realize the dream of snowstorm immunity. She wanted to transform this imperfect world into the one she envisioned.

With this resolve, she clicked on the light screen and started the game.

Meanwhile, Ruan had also started the game. The screen displayed new simulation text:

"In the 700th year of the City Building Era, you became the bodyguard of Bronya Rand and accompanied her to the lower district of Belobog."

"After enjoying a day off she granted you, you spent a lazy night like a sloth."

"You expected Bronya, who had instructed you about your work for the next day, to wake you up, but when you woke up, it was already noon, and Bronya was nowhere to be seen."

"Curious, you went to Bronya's room, finding the door closed and receiving no response to your knocks."

"You sensed something was wrong."

"You went to the hotel front desk and called for Gerti, taking Bronya's spare key under her puzzled gaze and opened Bronya's room—"

"You were shocked by what you saw."

I was shocked? What could be in Bronya's room?

Considering Bronya's strange behavior, Ruan thought she might have encountered trouble. Maybe someone had discovered her identity as a princess from the upper district?

The thought made Ruan serious. A horrifying image popped into his mind—someone in black standing over Bronya's bed, a gleaming knife in hand, smiling wickedly before stabbing Bronya in the heart.

Was I about to witness a murder scene? Is the lower district's security that bad?

If that's the case, I'll need to guard Bronya tonight to prevent any harm to such a perfect boss.

Ruan silently made up his mind as he watched the text fade, his expression becoming strange.

Instead of a crime scene, he saw Bronya lying peacefully in bed, along with Himeko, each on a separate bed, sleeping soundly.

They lay so quietly, as if someone had tucked them in, their soft breathing audible. The room was neat and tidy, without any signs of disturbance.

On the desk were two thick books detailing the mining operations and Geoflame's finances. It seemed they had spent the night studying these matters before falling asleep near noon.

...You don't need to work yourself to death, Bronya.

Ruan didn't know how to react, but the simulation continued, showing him carefully closing the door, not wanting to wake the two sleeping beauties.

The screen text faded, and new text appeared:

"You carefully left Bronya's room. Feeling happy about the unexpected day off, you started thinking about how to spend the day—"

"1. Another day off? Time to slack off! You decide to follow your instincts and laze around. Choosing this will grant you 20 Void Points and let you spend the day peacefully."

"2. Free time should be used freely. The lower district is full of mysteries, and you want to explore and see the world. Choosing this will increase the chance of triggering random events."

This choice came with a description box:

"Void Points: Your maximum Void Points are 100. When they reach 100, you will automatically embark on the [Void] Path."

Seeing the options, Ruan scratched his head, hesitant. His primary goal in this simulation was to embark on a new Path, and the first option was tempting. It offered a guaranteed chance to step onto the [Void] Path. However, the [Void] Path didn't align with Ruan's needs.

He wasn't sure if the [Void] Path could withstand the Calamity Vanguard's destructive power. The [Void] Path seemed more like a

 support role than a combat role. If it were a classic DPS Path like [Hunt] or [Destruction], he would have chosen it instantly. But [Void] didn't seem suitable.

Moreover, achieving the [Void] Path required five days of doing nothing, and he doubted Bronya would let him rest for another four days. 

Better to choose the second option and hope for a chance to find a different Path. Even if it's not a DPS Path, something like [Abundance] to maximize tankiness would be great, allowing him to survive the Stellaron's explosion.

After deliberating, Ruan chose the second option.

The screen text faded, and new text appeared:

"You choose to explore the lower district and look for interesting things."

"Random event triggered—"

"Walking through Rocktown's streets, you see Geoflame members handing out flyers."

"You take a flyer and learn that Natasha's clinic is distributing free 'Cold-Repelling Medicine' today, limited to 100 doses."

"From a Geoflame member, you learn that the 'Cold-Repelling Medicine' is based on a formula left by Natasha's brother, Vah. After removing side effects and simplifying the formula, it can't provide complete immunity to the snowstorm but can repel the cold to some extent and offer a small blessing from the [Abundance] Path, slightly resisting rift corrosion."

"Faced with this, you decide—"

"1. Visit Natasha's clinic to inquire about the medicine. You will likely gain information about the [Abundance] Path, increasing your chances of stepping onto this Path."

"2. Cold-Repelling Medicine? Not my concern. You're not interested and continue exploring Rocktown. You will continue to trigger random events."

[Abundance] Path?

Ruan's interest was piqued. While not as exciting as [Hunt] or [Destruction], it was definitely a good fallback option.

Without hesitation, he chose the first option.

The screen text faded, and new text appeared:

"You arrive at Natasha's clinic."

The text faded, replaced by a new scene—Natasha's clinic was bustling with people eager for the Cold-Repelling Medicine, afraid of missing out.

"Don't push, don't push... Dr. Natasha will distribute medicine for three days. If you don't get it today, come back tomorrow!"

A Geoflame member shouted, trying to control the crowd:

"It's all gone! No more medicine! Come back tomorrow!"

The crowd slowly dispersed, reassured by the Geoflame member's efforts.

Ruan approached, stopped by the tired Geoflame member:

"No more... Come back tomorrow..."

Ruan smiled, "I'm here to see Dr. Natasha. I met her a few days ago. Could you introduce me?"

"Here to see Dr. Natasha? Are you sick?"

The Geoflame member, skeptical, stepped aside:

"Go ahead, but don't expect to get any medicine. Dr. Natasha says it has to be freshly made..."

Ruan nodded, entering the clinic.

Inside, it was quiet, likely due to the medicine distribution. Natasha was mixing some potions at her desk.

Ruan watched with interest until Natasha finished her work and looked up, slightly surprised:

"You're... Ruan? Bronya's bodyguard?"

"What brings you here... Are you sick?"

Ruan shook his head and smiled:

"I'm not sick... I saw the flyers about the medicine and was curious. The flyer mentioned the [Abundance] Path's blessing, offering some protection against the rift's corrosion... Can you tell me about the [Abundance] Path?"

"I want to become a [Abundance] Pathstrider."

Natasha looked thoughtful for a moment, then said:

"I didn't expect you to be interested in this... But stepping onto the [Abundance] Path can be challenging."

"I don't know exactly how to do it... When I became a Pathstrider, I was simply practicing medicine, and after prescribing some medicine, I had a vision of the 'Pharmacist.'"

"There's no shortcut... But if you really want to become a [Abundance] Pathstrider, join me in making medicine."

"Help me aid the people of the lower district. Maybe then you'll have a chance."

The screen dimmed, and new options appeared:

"Natasha invites you to join her. Choose—"

"1. Accept the invitation. You will join Natasha's personal faction as her assistant. After some time, you will definitely step onto the [Abundance] Path."

"2. Decline the invitation. You will lose the chance to step onto the [Abundance] Path, remaining Bronya's bodyguard."

What's so great about being Bronya's bodyguard? Becoming a [Abundance] Pathstrider is way better.

Ruan chose the first option without hesitation, and the screen continued:

"To step onto the [Abundance] Path, I'm willing to be your assistant, Natasha."

Natasha smiled, seemingly pleased.

"Welcome, Ruan."

Meanwhile—

Bronya looked at the screen, pressing her temples, trying to calm herself as the text appeared:

"You were attacked by Himeko, who tied you up in bed. She saw you as the biggest obstacle to recruiting Ruan and decided to tie you up for a day, recruit Ruan, and then release you."

"You were caught off guard and couldn't fight back, forced to watch her boast about how she would recruit Ruan and their bright future together."

"Suddenly, you saw a white ball thrown into the room, releasing a milky powder with a sweet fragrance, filling your senses."

"You were hypnotized, your mind becoming hazy."

"In your daze, you saw a figure with a prominent chest gently remove your bonds, placing you and Himeko on separate beds and tucking you in."

"She kissed your forehead, wishing you goodnight."

"You felt a motherly warmth from her."

The screen text faded, replaced by new text:

"Time flies, and you slowly wake from your sleep—"

"???'s hypnosis on you ended."

"Meanwhile, your bodyguard Ruan has left your faction."

"Ruan has now joined Natasha's faction as her assistant."

Bronya's expression turned grim.

What in the world is going on?!