[Generating Epilogue... Would the host like to view it?]
"...Yes."
[Epilogue begins]
[Funeral Chapter]
Hu Tao brought a very delicate urn to Wanmin.
"Kael's body has been completely corroded by Karma. Only by burning it to ashes can he truly find peace. This is his ashes."
Chef Mao's hands trembled as he took the urn.
His rough hands caressed the urn, feeling its cold surface, and tears began to flow.
His son, who had been so tall and strong, was now reduced to this small urn...
Xiangling's eyes were filled with tears, but she tried hard not to let them fall.
"Dad! Don't you remember what we promised Brother? We said we wouldn't cry!"
"Right, right." Chef Mao quickly wiped away his tears.
Hu Tao suggested, "Chef Mao, since Kael's funeral wasn't completed, if you're willing, we can hold a proper funeral and bury him."
"No need."
Chef Mao looked at the urn with gentle eyes.
"I know Kael was most concerned about us. I think he'd rather stay by our side than be buried in the cold ground. Let him stay with us."
[Xiangling Chapter]
The new champion of the Liyue Culinary Competition was decided.
The newly appointed head chef of Wanmin—Xiangling.
With two champions in a row, Wanmin became the most popular restaurant in Liyue.
Business was booming every day.
Xiangling brought her trophy back to Wanmin and placed it on the shrine dedicated to Kael.
On either side of the urn were two identical trophies.
"Brother, look, I've won the culinary championship too! This time, there were competitors from Liuli Pavilion and Xinyue Kiosk! The same people who bullied us when we were kids! I beat all of them! Serves them right!"
Xiangling's face beamed with pride. She thought that if Kael were still alive, he would have been so proud of her.
"But don't worry, I won't stop here. I'll work even harder to improve my cooking skills. One day, I'll become a renowned chef across Teyvat and make Wanmin famous!"
"Xiangling, stop dawdling! Come help with the customers!"
Chef Mao's booming voice came from the kitchen.
"Coming, coming!"
[Ningguang Chapter]
"Lady Ningguang, this is Bamboo Shoot Soup from the new restaurant in Liyue. See if it suits your taste."
Ningguang picked up the spoon, took a sip, and then put it down.
A flash of vulnerability appeared in her eyes, but it disappeared so quickly that her secretary didn't even catch it.
"Don't buy Bamboo Shoot Soup for me anymore."
No one in this world could ever replicate that taste again...
[Keqing Chapter]
Another Lantern Rite had arrived.
Time had flown by, and Kael had been gone for a long time.
Keqing walked alone to the Jade Chamber.
"This rabbit lantern is so cute!" a girl exclaimed in front of a vendor.
"Do you like it? Then I'll buy it for you."
The boy took out his coin pouch without hesitation.
Keqing watched the scene, lost in thought.
She stood there, lonely and out of place amidst the festive atmosphere.
Keqing covered her face with her hands, tears streaming down and slipping through her fingers.
She remembered her promise to Kael.
She would live on with the memories.
But...
"Kael, I miss you so much... I really miss you..."
"You said we'd meet again... No matter how long it takes, I'll wait..."
On this special day, allow her to indulge in her grief.
Tomorrow, she would keep her promise and return to being the calm and rational Keqing.
------
[Epilogue ended.]
[Life Simulation Rating has been calculated.]
[Cause of Death: Burned to ashes by Hu Tao.]
[Review: You were the renowned head chef of Wanmin, beloved by all of Liyue. You died in the year you won the Culinary Championship, and everyone mourned your passing.]
[Achievements Unlocked: Culinary Champion, White Moonlight, Lifelong Love, Liyue's Greatest Brother, etc.]
[Overall Rating: SS-tier]
[Reward 1: Choose 2 talents from 'Reincarnator,' 'Black Stockings Fetish,' or 'Head Chef.' These talents will be permanently bound to the host.]
Kael, still emotionally drained from the epilogue, felt a sense of melancholy.
He said half-heartedly, "Reincarnator and Head Chef."
[Rewards have been distributed. Host has acquired the talent 'Reincarnator.' Upon death, the host will be granted one chance to reincarnate and return in peak condition. Waiting period: one week. During this time, the host will exist as a spirit.]
[Host has acquired the talent 'Head Chef.' The host will possess the highest culinary skills in Teyvat. No matter the ingredient, the host will gain inspiration for cooking upon touching it.]
[Reward 2: Teyvat Map. As the host visits each nation, the map of that region will be unlocked. The map can be used to locate items and characters. Currently unlocked: Mondstadt.]
The rewards for the SS-tier rating were excellent.
Kael had received a very practical item this time.
From now on, no matter what he was looking for, he could just open the map and find its location.
Under normal circumstances, Kael would have been thrilled.
But he was still caught up in the emotions from the previous Life Simulation and couldn't bring himself to feel happy.
This Life Simulation had been longer, and he had experienced both familial and romantic love. Seeing the pain his death had caused those around him...
It had affected him more deeply than all the previous simulations combined. (me too)
[Host currently has 20 Attribute Points. Would you like to use them to eliminate negative emotions?]
So the system had this function too.
If he used the points, would he stop feeling so sad?
But...
Thinking back to everything that had happened in the Life Simulation...
The warmth of Chef Mao's, Xiangling's, and Keqing's tears seemed to still burn in his palms.
He didn't want to erase those feelings.
"I won't use the Attribute Points. I don't want to eliminate these emotions."
[...]
[Host, as I calculated, you are the human who can bring the highest yield to the Tragedy System. After four Life Simulations, you've achieved an S-tier or higher rating three times.]
[The host in the Life Simulation is a projection of yourself. All the choices made are what you would do in different environments when faced with problems.]
[This is why I chose you. You have an innate kindness that allows you to easily form emotional connections with the characters in the Life Simulations.]
[However, this is also your weakness. Your empathy is too strong. If negative emotions accumulate to a certain point, you'll suffer a mental breakdown.]
[It is recommended that the host use Attribute Points to eliminate negative emotions.]
"I'll use the elimination before the negative emotions pile up too much. Don't worry. This time, I'll pass."
[...Understood. Would you like to continue with the Life Simulation?]
"Let's take a break. Give me some time."
[Understood.]
...
"Knock, knock, knock."
There was a knocking sound from the living room.
Kael looked out the window. It was still early in the morning.
Who would come knocking this early?
Kael originally wanted to ignore it, but the person at the door kept knocking persistently.
The sound was starting to annoy him.
He walked to the living room and opened the door.
Amber stood at the doorstep, looking nervous.
Seeing Kael's disheveled appearance, she realized he had just woken up and felt a little embarrassed.
"You said... I could come visit you anytime... I was just passing by... so I... Ah!"
Amber let out a yelp as Kael suddenly pulled her into a tight embrace.
She could feel the warmth of his body, and her face turned bright red.
"What's... what's wrong?"
Kael scooped her up and carried her into the room.
Amber, now lying on the bed, felt extremely shy but also a little confused.
Kael had always been so distant with her.
Why was he suddenly so affectionate?
Kael looked deeply into Amber's eyes, all his emotions surging to the surface.
Remembering the Amber from the Life Simulation, he now understood why she had looked so heartbroken.
He gently caressed her cheek. "You must have been so sad before."
Amber thought Kael was referring to the time she stormed off while looking for a house.
"It's... it's nothing. I'm not angry anymore."
"I'll treat you well from now on."
Although Amber was happy to hear this, she couldn't understand why Kael's eyes looked so sorrowful.
All she wanted was to make him happy.
Amber wrapped her arms around Kael's neck, and their lips slowly drew closer...
----
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