Terra Continent, Ursus Snowplains.
The endless expanse of pure white snow made Talulah's eyes ache. She didn't know how much longer these days would last.
Speaking of which, why isn't Alina back yet?
She had only gone to the eastern village to trade for some food. Normally, she would have been back by now. Her Draco instincts gave her a bad feeling. She called FrostNova and Patriot to ask, but they hadn't seen Alina all day.
"No, I have to go look for her!" Without a second thought, Talulah turned and ran towards the eastern village.
Her footsteps echoed across the empty snowplains, each one like a drumbeat against her inner fear. The frigid air bit at her cheeks, and her breath turned into white clouds in the night, quickly dissipating into the silent environment. Her heart raced, and the ominous premonitions shrouded her mind like a shadow.
As she ran, her feet left deep imprints in the snow, making crunching sounds. But the unease in her heart grew stronger because she could smell the faint scent of rust and sweat mixed in the air—a primitive smell, one closely tied to life and death.
Her agile, full-speed sprint came to a sudden halt. As a powerful Draco who had never wavered even when facing the Ursus Empire's strongest Imperial Guard, she was now trembling all over, as if facing an immense terror.
On the snow, a figure stained with dark red blood was curled up. The filthy blood mixed with dirt made her look messy, her limbs twisted at angles no normal person could achieve. The ring Alina always wore was gone, but her shattered hand still clutched a basket tightly.
Seemingly sensing a familiar presence, the barely conscious Alina mumbled, her voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz.
"I'm... sorry... The dried fruit... for the children... I couldn't protect it..."
"Alina! Who did this? Was it those villagers? I'll kill them!"
"Talulah... I... I'm not going to make it."
"Alina! You can't give up! You have to hold on! I haven't shown you the sight of Infected children and normal children living together under the same blue sky!! You can't die! I won't let you die!! Once we get back to camp, they can definitely heal you!!!"
"Talulah... don't force it. I have no regrets, being able to see you one last time. But finally, I have one last request. I hope you won't resent those who hurt me. Don't hate them, or else... you will be consumed by hatred..."
Tears streamed down from Talulah's eyes. In that moment, she desperately wanted to call Alina's name, but no sound would come out. She wanted to speak, to answer Alina, but she couldn't.
Why? Why did it have to turn out like this?
"ALINA!!!"
She couldn't think of any way to save Alina. In that critical moment, she thought of the dimensional chat group and, without hesitation, pleaded for help.
She knew most of the group members would be helpless, but at a time like this, she couldn't care about that!
Then she saw the new member's reply and a request that followed.
[Steel 'Lao Da'] has requested to join your world. Accept?
[Yes/No]
"Yes!"
The next moment, a heavy wooden door appeared about ten meters away from her. A tall, slender young man with silver-gray hair, dressed like a delinquent and exuding a calm, cool aura, ran out. He was carrying a case of milk in one hand and a blue tarot card in the other, running towards her.
"Persona!"
Qian Yi crushed the tarot card, intending to summon his Persona to heal Alina. However, the expected Persona didn't appear, as if a thick Wall of Heart was blocking it.
My self-cognition should have been strengthened enough to summon a Persona in reality.
Is it because of the different worldviews?
"In that case, Izanagi-no-Okami! Come forth!"
Qian Yi pulled a silver pistol with the S.E.E.S. logo from his pocket, pointed it at his own head, and pulled the trigger.
A mysterious being wearing a shining silver trench coat and a magnificent silver mask slowly materialized behind him. Its arms, legs, and chest were covered in exquisite, brilliant armor. In its hand, it held a great sword with a ring-shaped guard, its blade glinting with a cold light. The image was noble and sacred, carrying an endless majesty and solemnity, as if a deity from an ancient legend, inspiring awe and reverence.
Its name was Izanagi!
"Salvation!"
The Izanagi-no-Okami behind Qian Yi spun its great sword, making it rotate rapidly like a propeller. It floated like the wind towards Alina, enveloping her entire body.
Talulah's gaze was filled with disbelief and shock. Her eyes were fixed on Alina in her arms, as if she couldn't believe what she was seeing. The red liquid quickly solidified under the light's effect, restoring the skin's original color. She watched in amazement as Alina's once-twisted limbs slowly returned to normal, bones and muscles realigning as if gently smoothed by an invisible force.
Even more incredibly, Alina's breathing, which had been on the verge of disappearing, gradually returned to normal. Her chest rose and fell powerfully, the breath of life re-injected into her body.
Talulah: "??!"
"Calm down. Have some milk to calm your nerves first." Qian Yi smiled, handing over the expired milk.
After confirming Talulah drank it, Qian Yi nodded with a triumphant grin. "This is a souvenir. Please accept it."
"Ah, you're too kind." Talulah had lost all hope of Alina surviving. But as soon as the newcomer arrived, Alina was alive, and he even gave her a gift.
This is so embarrassing.
Just as she was about to refuse, she saw that Qian Yi had already vanished, leaving only a case of milk on the snow.
What a good person. But why does my stomach suddenly hurt?
[Steel 'Lao Da']: Problem solved.
[Customer Service Shoko at Your Service]: It's good that the problem is solved. As expected of Lao Da. By the way, shouldn't the new member introduce himself?
[Steel 'Lao Da']: Just call me Qian Yi. Of course, you can also call me Bancho.
[Yearning to be a Magical Girl]: Bancho? Are you the boss of some organization?
[Underworld Head-Spinner]: What does Bancho mean?
[Customer Service Shoko at Your Service]: Bancho is another word for the boss of an organization. Here, it usually refers to a gang leader or the head of a school's delinquents. To put it simply, Bancho means 'The Boss.'
[I Wanna Eat Mei-Flavored Instant Noodles]: Then what does 'Lao Da' mean?
[Customer Service Shoko at Your Service]: ....
How was she supposed to explain this?
Should she tell Kiana that a famous basketball player died in a helicopter crash, so people call him 'Lao Da' (Jail Boss)?
No, no, no. Since Qian Yi chose this name, it couldn't be for such a dark reason. There must be another reason. Perhaps due to cultural differences between worlds, 'Lao Da' over there simply means 'The Boss.'
[Steel 'Lao Da']: It's nothing special. I was in a plane crash before, so I became part of the 'Lao' generation. Plus, I was the leader of the "Self-Proclaimed Special Investigation Team" in my hometown, which in other words is 'The Boss' (Lao Da). It's just a pun, so naturally, I'm called 'Lao Da'.
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