The Strange God once again used an orb of light to cleanse Lulu Lu’s negative emotions—this time, far more than before.

Yet Lulu Lu remained deeply unsettled. The game… wasn’t over.

“Why? Why isn’t it over? Didn’t I die?” she demanded of the empty space.

*“Because you haven’t reached the perfect ending.”*

The Strange God’s tone was utterly matter-of-fact.

*“And who told you death ends everything? How naive.”*

“I’m tired,” Lulu Lu whispered.

*“No longer wish to continue?”* The god’s voice stayed lazily neutral, unreadable.

“Mm. Playing a yandere isn’t fun at all. Every move I make just hurts others. I feel like the source of sin—a criminal who deserves judgment. I can’t stand this guilt anymore.”

*“So… do you still find the yandere trait appealing?”*

Without hesitation: “Of course! What does 2D have to do with 3D? I love yandere characters in anime—but that doesn’t mean I want to *be* one in real life. Pah! Calling *that* ‘yandere’ insults the term. It’s just kidnapping. Psychopathy.”

*“Ara ara… I feel your anger. Your understanding of ‘yandere’ has deepened. How delightful.”*

“Delightful my ass! Strange God—can you just *stop* this?”

*“You may stop, little sister Lulu Lu.”*

Lulu Lu froze. “Really?”

*“Naturally. After you achieve the perfect ending.”*

“…You think I won’t quit? I’ll refuse to play the yandere. I’ll just slack off the second I log in.”

*“Try it. I’ll take a nap and count how many cycles you’ve looped through when I wake.”*

“Why are you doing this?!” Even as a soul, her voice burned with fury.

*“I said it before. I’m bored.”*

“Just… *bored*? Are you a freak?!”

*“Aha! Correct, little sister. I am.”* The Strange God sounded utterly unashamed. *“I know you’re angry. Guilty. You feel you’ve wronged Yanyan Lu and Lily Liu. So blame it all on me. It’s not your fault—it’s the god’s. Just follow this bastard’s rules to end it, return home, claim your wish. Doesn’t that give you purpose? Simple.”*

Unusually chatty today, the god added: *“Oh, and slacking off won’t pause the game.”*

“So no matter what… I have to keep playing this damn yandere roleplay?”

*“Exactly. Returning home has a price. Yours is to play—thoroughly—until you clear it.”*

The words faded. Space before Lulu Lu’s soul twisted.

Then—*her*.

Lily Liu. The one she’d longed for.

“Lily Liu!”

Lulu Lu gasped, instinctively reaching out. Her hand passed through—hologram-thin, visible but untouchable.

*“Hehe…”*

The illusion of Lily Liu smiled eerily. Lips moved, yet the voice poured into Lulu Lu from all directions:

*“Your soul isn’t bound by the original Lulu Lu’s memories or instincts. You inherited no love for her. Yet you called her name. Reached for her. How… interesting.”*

“An illusion? What are you saying?”

*“Nothing. You simply… made your choice in that moment.”*

No need for explanation. Lulu Lu understood.

Her love for Lily Liu wasn’t memory—it was etched into her soul.

Seeing the illusion, emotion surged:

*Don’t let it end like this.*

*Don’t let her fade away.*

*Try again.*

*Claim her. Stay with her. Forever.*

Lulu Lu sighed. “You’re talkative today. Never knew you were a chatterbox.”

*“Oh my~ Someone lacked motivation. But you played so reluctantly yet diligently… gave me such joy. So—a hint.”*

*“What you’ve done to Lily Liu isn’t enough. A true possessive yandere claims not just the body… but the soul.”*

“…The soul?” Lulu Lu stilled. Then fell into thought.

*“Yes. The soul.”*

The illusion vanished. No further words.

*“Now, little sister—choose your save point.”*

“Give me time.”

*“Of course.”*

Save point images appeared—but Lulu Lu ignored them. She replayed all six attempts in her mind, especially the last. An idea stirred… sharpened… ignited.

After a silence, she spoke.

“I’ll start from the beginning.”

Her soul’s gaze, though formless, held unshakable resolve.