The evening glow pierced through the clouds, bathing a beautiful island in the lake’s heart.

The clear water shimmered with rippling light.

A silver-haired youth of sixteen or seventeen carried bulging shopping bags along the lakeside path toward a wooden cabin.

Holding the bags in one arm, he fumbled with his keys and opened the door.

As he stepped inside, a girl of about fourteen sat by the windowsill.

Her long black hair cascaded to her waist, and she wore a pink strapless dress.

She was incredibly cute, with large, sparkling eyes like twin stars.

Her porcelain skin glowed with a delicate sheen in the sunlight.

She looked utterly enchanting, as if from a dream world.

The girl held a thick book, reading intently.

A faint smile lingered on her lips.

"Cleia, what are you reading that has you smiling so happily?" The silver-haired youth set down his bags and smiled.

"Huh? Brother Verlith, you’re back! Look at this myth story—the king held a grand parade completely naked, parading through streets while people watched. He thought he wore the world’s most beautiful clothes. Isn’t it funny?"

She tilted her cute face slightly upward, smiling.

The youth leaned in to see the open page.

"This is a fairy tale from myth literature, ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes.’ It exposes how vain the emperor-led ruling class is! How extravagant! And how foolish! Isn’t that today’s nobles? Nothing to laugh at—just pitiful!"

"Ugh, rigid brother, you’re just like that king!" The black-haired girl puffed her cheeks.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"I’m not calling you vain, Brother. But you treat popular opinion as absolute truth!"

"Am I like that?"

"When you mock nobles, isn’t that history advancing? When they reap what they sow, society steps toward a better future."

"Well, Cleia, you’re too absorbed in myth literature."

Smiling gently, the youth softly stroked her head.

Like a kitten, she narrowed her eyes in contentment, snuggling close and resting her head on his lap.

"Brother, why does myth literature exist on this Igudora Continent? Its stories piece together another whole world."

"Those are just book tales. Learning from myth civilizations gave us motor trains racing thousands of miles daily, the Skyward Garden floating in the sky, and advancing sea tech… Perhaps it’s the Tree God’s blessing for our rapid growth."

Gently lifting her shoulders, he shared his view.

"Is it truly just a story? Could the world called Lanxing not exist? Maybe those reading us as books see us as stories too."

Hearing this, the youth fell silent. After a moment, he spoke.

"Perhaps it is possible."

"Exactly!" She pouted, stressing her words.

"Yes, yes. Tired after reading all day?" He indulgently agreed.

"Cleia, your health is poor. Rest more, okay?"

"Okay…" She obediently replied.

"Look what I bought—roast chicken! A feast tonight."

"Really? Great!" Her eyes lit up. She jumped off the sill, pushing him toward the kitchen…

—

The night sky hung hazy, the moon veiled in black.

A deafening explosion ripped through Didong Station.

Choking smoke filled the air.

Thick fumes blinded the crowd.

Screams erupted. Panicked people scrambled toward safety.

A packed train sped down the tracks.

Entering Didong Station, it slammed emergency brakes.

Metal screeched between rails and wheels.

Steel wheels slid. Before stopping, flames burst in one carriage. A girl’s silhouette flashed in the window.

Crash…

A petite figure smashed through the windshield, thrown by force.

Her pale hand lightly pushed off the ground. Her body twisted 180 degrees, stabilizing. She leaped, landing perfectly.

She was a breathtaking maiden.

Dazzling silver hair flowed to her knees.

Her slender frame wore a large cloak.

Her chest swelled prominently, full and firm.

Suddenly, a sharp glint flashed in the Silverhaired Maiden’s pink eyes.

She spun, kicking backward. A fully armored soldier lunging to grab her flew high, crashing aside.

Clang…

She seized his sword smoothly.

Majestic, she stood at the platform edge, calmly waiting for soldiers surging from the train and station.

Bang! Bang! Bang…

Bullets fired continuously.

She rolled sideways. Shots whizzed past her former spot.

After the roll, one leg crouched diagonally. The other coiled tight. She shot forward like a cannonball toward the firing squad.

"How dare you shoot here! Who allowed reckless fire, ignoring innocent lives!"

Clack! Clack! Clack…

Her white blade danced. Dozens of spears shattered, scattering.

She reversed her sword abruptly.

Ding…

She blocked a left thrust. Her blade scraped close, slicing the soldier’s arm. Blood splattered.

She stomped, twisted her waist, and delivered a spinning kick. Two grunts flew backward.

Her silver blade whirled. Every soldier fell in one strike.

Scorching heat surged from above.

She leaped back gracefully. Her ribs struck two soldiers behind her. They flew, chests caved in—broken ribs clear.

A flame-spewing greatsword slashed where she’d been. Heat compressed the air, choking onlookers.

She parried the fiery assault, retreating. Her feet slammed the stone platform, cracking it.

Shockwaves knocked people over. Terrified screams filled the air.

Glancing at fallen passengers, she veered away, leaping into the tracks.

Her attacker—a towering knight—followed, chasing hard.

His sword was twice hers in length, wide as two palms. Flames engulfed the blade. Infrared radiation distorted vision, warping everything.

Wielding it, he slashed wildly at the shorter maiden.

To avoid cuts, she blocked the flames. Sparks flew with each clash. Heat built. Flames roared fiercer.

Retreating, she was cornered at the track’s wire fence—no escape.

Yet the maiden showed no panic. Only impatience crossed her face.

"You can’t run!"

"By common sense, true," she replied.

The knight sneered coldly.

"Fire Command: Carbon Slash!"

The flaming blade descended, spewing red fire. Raging heat broke her defense, scorching her body.

Acrid burning filled the air instantly.

Smiling victoriously, the knight waved flames aside, expecting a corpse.

Only cloak ashes remained.

"Damn it! Where’d she go!"

"Sir, there!"

"What?"

He looked up. The Silverhaired Maiden soared skyward, flapping large white wings.

Stunned, he barked orders to pursue.

Amid fleeing crowds, a blond youth leaned against a platform corner at Didong Station. He watched it all, gazing at the distant figure. A faint, thoughtful smile curved his lips.