As Nuhao and Lin Jincheng retreated, the crimson world finally began to crumble. Though I hadn’t finished off that Nuhao, I was more than satisfied with what I’d accomplished.
Why hadn’t it finished me off? Probably because it was at the end of its rope too.
I pushed thoughts of Lin Jincheng aside and slowly turned my gaze to Shen Shiyu.
Her face, now restored to its true form, was smudged with dust. Streaks across her pale cheeks made her look like a kitten with whiskers drawn on—a ridiculous sight.
"Kyuubi, can you help me?"
I tried to lift my hand but found I didn’t even have the strength for that.
In this state, I couldn’t revert my transformation alone. And beyond that, I needed to get out of here.
"You want to leave?" Kyuubi asked, sensing my intent.
"Yeah. Can you help?"
My drained body refused to move. I felt utterly helpless.
"Alright. I’ll help you a little," Kyuubi agreed without hesitation, understanding my condition.
"Thanks. And... clean up after me too."
Kyuubi’s return eased my anxiety. To me, it was a reliable partner. After fighting side by side, I’d never sensed any malice in it. Though it often talked about killing, it rarely acted on it around me.
"No problem. But... are you sure about sparing them?" Kyuubi fixed me with a skeptical look, clearly noticing my mercy.
"I’m not ready to take lives yet..." I shook my head with a bitter smile.
The weight of killing felt too heavy for me to bear.
So heavy that I’d even begged Gullerlando not to kill Lin Jincheng, Shen Shiyu, and Liu Kai...
I knew that once you took a life, something shattered forever.
"Fair enough. Though maybe that’s exactly why you were chosen?" Kyuubi nodded, accepting my resolve without judgment.
"Kyuubi... after I use my last cards, will I stay trapped in the Fallen World until my last breath?"
I counted my remaining cards.
Only two left.
After using them...
I’d probably say goodbye to this world.
Lost in thought, I turned toward the sky, its scarlet cloak now fading.
A flash of light later, the familiar ceiling of my room replaced the sky.
Kyuubi worked fast.
Bored with the ceiling, I lowered my gaze to where Kyuubi had stood.
Empty. It must still be cleaning up the scene.
"With so many dead... can the world really reset and function normally?"
Sitting quietly on the floor, I suddenly remembered the third-floor hallway at school.
Human remains littered the corridor. Many must have died there.
According to Kyuubi, those who died in the Fallen World would be forgotten. But was that monster’s domain part of the Fallen World or reality?
Would it follow the world’s rules?
A question worth pondering...
*Ugh.*
I immediately dismissed it. What a waste of brain cells.
Kyuubi would explain everything when it returned.
Why stress over this when I should be worrying about facing Shen Shiyu?
She likely knew my identity now. With Baiya’s power...
She probably wouldn’t forget me. Lin Jincheng hadn’t forgotten—I doubted she would either.
Just thinking about the coming trouble made me want to claw at my messy bedhead.
Wait—wasn’t I still in my little girl form?
If a burglar broke in now...
Things could get... *stimulating*.
But a harem manga scenario like that probably wouldn’t happen.
So... I should be fine, right?
I squeezed out my last bit of strength, flopping onto my back in a sprawl.
Staring blankly at the ornate ceiling lamp, I waited for my energy to return.
Honestly, today’s magic drain was worse than ever.
Before, I could still muster a little strength. Now? Nothing.
Like a quadriplegic waiting for a community volunteer to rescue me.
I lay there for hours... and even fell asleep.
But...
Was it fate’s cruel joke?
No volunteer came. Instead...
"Who are you? How did you get into my brother’s house?"
A harsh voice shattered my sweet dreams. I blinked open heavy eyelids.
"Brother?" I blurted out instinctively.
"Brother? I don’t know you. How did you get in here?!"
His eyes scanned me with suspicion, as if searching for clues.
"Ah, well... I’m..."
His suspicion triggered a memory—I hadn’t reverted my transformation yet.
Which meant I was still wearing...
Panicked, I forced myself upright, tucking my skirt tightly under my knees.
I wasn’t a girl, but being seen like *that*?
I’d be mortified—even by my own brother!
My face burned. I knew it was bright red.
The heat seemed to scorch my thoughts too. I stammered, unable to form a coherent excuse.
"What exactly? How did you get in?"
Maybe sensing his tone was too sharp, he softened his voice. Seeing my flustered state and loli frame, he probably thought he’d scared me.
"Um..."
"Go on."
"I’m actually..."
"Yes?"
"*Kyuubi, save me!*"
I still had no answer. Words felt useless.
I shouted Kyuubi’s name in desperation.
"Fine, fine. What a troublesome master."
Kyuubi’s lazy voice answered instantly—from behind my brother.
"Kyuubi?"
My brother tilted his head, confused by my outburst.
Before he could process it, Kyuubi’s agile form leaped onto his head.
Unaware of the creature perched above him, my brother stroked his chin, still puzzling over my words.
"*Please!*"
I shot Kyuubi a pleading look, unconsciously sticking out my tongue like a reflex.
"*Me?*"
"*No—me~*"
Before my brother could react, he collapsed at my feet.
Snoring softly—he’d fallen asleep instantly.
"Hours have passed. You should have some strength back. Revert already."
Kyuubi hopped down from his body, landing on the one-meter-high coffee table. It plopped down, tail flicking.
It was right. The exhaustion had lessened. I wasn’t agile, but I could move.
I immediately unclipped my belt, returning to my true form.
Glancing at the window reflection—there was my familiar, bedhead-haired nobody again.
"Ugh. I wish I could marry someone who looks like my transformed self!" I grumbled at my plain reflection.
"You won’t get the chance. But if you want a child, I have solutions."
"No thanks. I’m fine like this..."
"Really? You’re running out of—"
"*Exactly* because my days here are numbered. I won’t burden some girl with romantic debts."
For a split second, Kyuubi’s offer tempted me.
But no. I refused to be the deadbeat dad type.
Even if she wouldn’t remember me... I wouldn’t leave that kind of mess behind.
