[ Congratulations! You have finally (realised) become a love interest! ]

“You...you troll system! Evil system! Piece of shit! If I ever get the chance to review you, I will definitely give you the worst rating! The worst of the worst of the worst! If I had ever had a chance to give you a virtual body, I would give you the ugliest--hold on a moment…” 

Cecil was about to subject the system to a ten minute harangue, until she processed the words from the previous notification. 

In the novel, since Xue is the protagonist of the novel and the Supreme God, he had an affinity to all elements, and that includes dark magic. Dark magic was exclusively meant for demons, but for whatever reason, the original author decided to make it specially available for Xue, it was contradicting. 

Readers had mentioned this to the author, to ask the author to explain. Unfortunately, they chose to dodge the question and not answer it, treating it as invisible. 

“Even though the author stated that Xue had an affinity to all elements, including dark magic. So, even if he had the affinity, he is still susceptible to the influence of dark magic?” 

[ As you have seen earlier, Isleif has lost most of rationality after drinking demon blood despite being a part of Xue. 
Hence, only those of a demon lineage will not be affected by demon blood which is attuned to dark magic. ]

Cecil tapped her fingers on her chin.

“I know some of the soul fragments practised dark magic and Xue would eventually absorb them. Now that I look at it...it was only possible that they practiced dark magic because of Veau and Zeau involving themselves in this matter. If Isleif hadn’t done what he did, I might have never known about the repercussions of Xue absorbing dark magic.” 

Since now Cecil had the chance to cerebrate, she started to dig further into the matter. 

“So, along with his evil soul fragments influencing his thoughts...another reason behind Xue’s diminishing rationality was absorbing the evil soul fragments that had been attuned to dark magic.” 

[ Congratulations, you have triggered and fixed another plothole!
It would not make sense for Xue not to be influenced by dark magic, since it is an element only exclusive for those of demon lineage!
If you had not come down here to Death’s Edge, and experience a different part of the story, you would not have stumbled upon this truth. ]

[ Optional Mission #10: The True Reason behind Xue’s Diminishing Rationality
Objective: Figure out other reasons behind Xue’s drastic change in personality in the original novel after reuniting with Hana
Reward: 2000 points ]

[ You are no longer at 0 points again~ ] 

Cecil was too engaged in her thoughts to be even mad at the system for blasting her with notifications and mocking her for getting out of the zero zone. 

So, were those evil soul fragments evil in the first place? Did they drink demon blood willingly or were they forced to drink it? 

But if Xue absorbed them in the first place, shouldn’t he have an adverse reaction in the novel like this? Why did he not show any reaction? 

Maybe that was because he had gotten stronger since he had absorbed more souls, and his body could handle the sudden change. 

Cecil knew her questions would only be answered as long as she followed Xue and Hana in their journey. 

“Xue…” she sighed, turning to look at the man. “Did you fully absorb the fragments, knowing what would happen to you? Just like what happened with Isleif?” 

Xue’s eyes remained closed, his expression serene as he breathed evenly. 

“Okay, we packed everything up, yay!” Hana clapped as she huffed. 

K’xug let out a small smile at her positiveness, and her simple mind. Seeing it again after four long decades, it was nostalgic.

It was like Hana never changed at all.

“Now…” Hana furrowed her eyebrows and she pouted. “How do we clean and wash it?” 

The two of them looked at Cecil for answers. 

Why are they even looking at me...

The pots and bowls were all dirty, and they were in a place where no civilisation existed. Cecil remembered about the swamp that she fell into with Xue, but washing their dirty belongings there was just too much. 

“I don’t know.” Cecil widened her eyes, shaking her head. “I don’t even know this area.” 

Suddenly, a notification came in from the system. 

It was another way to spend her points...again. 

[ You may install a new feature in your storage ring! 
This new feature ensures the items inside your storage will remain spick and span!
Even the dirtiest items will be cleaned up in no time, no need to worry about getting anything dirty anymore! ]

[ It costs 2000 points to obtain the feature for your storage ring. ] 

Cecil looked at the dirty dishes and pots, before looking back at Hana and K’xug, especially Hana. She was wearing the most troubled and pitiful look on her face.

"Cecil, we can't put these stuff back into your storage ring, can we? They are so...dirty."

Cecil shuddered, just thinking about the dirty dishes mixing with the other stuff in her storage ring. Moreover, she had spent a huge amount of points to purchase this ring, she didn't want to treat it carelessly! 

“Fine, buy that feature and include it in my storage ring.” 

[ Remaining points: 0 ]

[ Additional feature unlocked for your storage ring! 
“Spick and Span!” ]

[ Hopefully, you will be able to conserve your points next time~ ]

“...” 

Cecil chose not to say anything back to AI500. 

She felt like she might explode at any moment. The system had been sucking up every point she has been receiving at this moment.

“Don’t worry, just keep it in my storage ring,” Cecil explained, her expression uncomfortable. “It has a feature that keeps whatever item stored inside it really clean.” 

The explanation sounded weird to Cecil, her voice even started going to a higher pitch. However, the two of them immediately believe Cecil’s strange explanation. 

“It is really a family heirloom, what a unique storage ring!” Hana clapped in awe. 

Even K’xug looked at her without any doubt, nodding in approval. 

I still can't believe all of them are believing such a lie.

***

It was close to nightfall, and the environment wasn’t as bright as before.

Hana was busy with making another dish with her leftover stew, after procuring the remaining items she had stored away in the ring.

She cooked the rice in the pot, stirring it continuously to prevent it from burning. The steam blew to her face and she made a face, using her hand to sweep the hot air away. She leaned in, blowing the steam that was starting to scald her hand as well. 

“What are you planning to cook now?” 

“Hmmm, congee with my leftover stew from yesterday,” Hana hummed, pointing to the recipe in the book. “Look, over here, just that I am adding my own twist to it! Thank god we brought some rice!” 

Cecil smiled softly, standing up and she sighed, massaging her sore and aching body. She winced when she tried to move her sprained right wrist. 

“Are you alright, Cecil?” 

“I’m fine, I’ll be heading out again to gather more herbs and flowers.” 

“Again? You should rest more!” 

“I feel restless,” Cecil shook her head. “Besides, it is hard for me to rest for now, and I have a time limit to find those herbs.” 

“Huh?” 

“Nevermind, I’ll come back soon, Hana.”

“Take care!” 

“Of course.” 

Cecil walked towards the entrance of the cave, carrying her lantern with her. 

She wanted to make use of her remaining time on the radar to gather a few more herbs and flowers, after resting for a few hours. However, the rest proved to be a fretful one since she was worried for Xue, and at the same time, her mind was still trying to process that she had changed the story so much, until the point where the position in the story was now a love interest. 

Hence, unable to get a peaceful rest, she decided to distract herself by gathering herbs and flowers. 

Nearing the entrance, Cecil noticed a copper brown-haired man standing outside, near to a tree. His hand was touching the tree trunk, a look of wonder in his heterochromia eyes, as if he saw the entire world in a different light. 

He noticed light from the corner of his eyes, turning to look at Cecil. 

“You must have been trapped in that cave for a long time,” Cecil said softly. “It’s like you've never seen a tree before.” 

K’xug sighed, looking back at the tree as he withdrew his hand.

Cecil knew she shouldn’t dwell on such a depressing topic. 

“Since you are out now, you should start moving your joints and muscle again,” she suggested. “You should be feeling better now, no?” 

K’xug nodded slowly and he stepped back, summoning out his weapon. 

Cecil wondered what his soul weapon would be, and she realised it wasn’t just a single sword. It was dual swords, just like her, but she used daggers. 

The center of the blade was black in colour, and the edge of the blade was silverish-white. The hilt of the sword was equally black like the centre of its blade, and the blade was sleek. The hilt of the blade had intricate patterns carved into it, and the centre of its blade were inscribed with symbols that Cecil could not understand. 

Alas, K’xug never revealed its scabbard, hence, Cecil couldn’t admire the design of the scabbard even if she wanted to. 

“Dual swords? They look great.” Cecil complimented. “I am guessing you haven’t practised with your swords in a while?”

K’xug nodded, excluding the time he was trapped in the cave...K’xug had been slacking in terms of practising his combat skills.

“Well, I shall not disturb you then, I’ll be heading off to collect more herbs.” 

K’xug could do nothing but nod again. 

Cecil walked off, heading off into the forest with her lantern.

K’xug glanced down at the dual swords in his hands, he could still hold them perfectly. His body was stiff, and he was still hurting all over, but at the thought of being able to use weapons again, to train and to fight, it excited him and he gave it a test swing, impatient. 

Unfortunately, K’xug completely forgot he was in the mortal realm at this moment. His strength was still drastically different from that of a mortal, even though he was still recovering. Thus, a single, unrestrained swing from him sent the attack cutting through the air. 

It sliced a tree clean from its stump and the tree groaned noisily, collapsing behind Cecil just as she walked past. 

Cecil flinched, feeling a gust of wind blowing at her dirty clothes as she stumbled. She blinked rapidly, turning around to see the pitiful tree behind her and K’xug staring at her in incredulity. 

“...”

K’xug raised a sword in the air towards her, as if apologising to her. 

Cecil forced a smile on her face, a drop of sweat rolling down her face. “Just...don’t practise when anyone is near, for now.” 

K’xug raised his sword again.

***

Within an hour, Hana was done with preparing all their meals and she glanced worriedly at Xue who was still unconscious. He wasn’t showing any signs of waking up soon, thus, she hadn’t prepared any share for him. 

She heard some strange noises from outside of the cave, tilting her head as she stood up, advancing towards the entrance curiously. The moment she reached the entrance, she witnessed K’xug practising around with his dual swords, his movements precise and adept. 

Observing from afar, Hana felt something was amiss. Somehow, somewhere in her mind, when this man trained like this, there is always another person he would train with. She furrowed her eyebrows deeply, pouting to herself. 

K’xug gradually noticed her presence, stopping his training and he realised his body felt much lighter, though it was aching more than before. He neared Hana, crouching down a little to meet her eye level as he gave a questioning stare. 

Hana withdrew back in shock, her eyelashes fluttering. “You stopped training?” 

K’xug nodded. 

“Mmmm, somehow, I feel that you should be training with someone else,” Hana pouted to herself. “It feels familiar yet unfamiliar.” 

K’xug pulled back this time, giving her a confused stare. 

She always sees me training with Xue.

So, her mind somehow remembers? Even though her memories aren't there? 

Suddenly, Hana clapped her hands together and she gasped happily. “I see now, it’s Xue, isn’t it? You are always training with Xue!” 

K’xug was visibly shocked.

“I don’t know why,” Hana shrugged as she beamed. “Somehow, thinking of it that way sounds right and familiar to me--” 

Just then, Hana felt a sharp pain in her head and she winced, ducking her head down. 

K'xug noticed her actions, putting his swords away as he bend down hurriedly, placing his hands on Hana's shoulders, showing a look of pure concern.

However, the pain was gone as soon as it came. Hana lifted her head up, wearing a look of bewilderment. 

She knew K'xug was asking whether she was okay, and what happened to her. 

"That was weird," Hana tilted her head. "I heard myself talking me."

K'xug tilted his head back at her, equally bewildered by her response. 

Hana shook her head at him. "I don't understand either."

All of a sudden, they heard a loud yell from within the cave. The two of them gasped, looking back at the cave. 

There was only one person in the cave, and that person was Xue. 

Xue is awake?!

The two of them thought of the same thing, rushing back into the cave.

***

Pt. 1

《 start 》

Hana Katae. 

You cannot forget, no matter what. 

You have to remember. 

For you, for Xue and for K'xug. 

Please remember. 

This is a prayer from me right now, to me in the future.

《 stop 》

***

Pt. 2

《 start 》

Do you like Hana?

Of course I do, K'xug. 

Is she important to you?

Definitely. 

The two men clashed swords one last time, their duel ending in a draw. 

Hana clapped on the sidelines, raising her arms up and Xue gave her a double high five.

K'xug closed his eyes and smiled to himself.

Even though Hana isn't a suitable partner for you, if you both like each other…

Who am I to stop love?

Here's to hoping the journey for both of you isn't a harsh one.

Alas, at that time, K'xug did not know that the "like" Xue mentioned was a "like" for that of a friend. 

It was a matter of miscommunication. 

If one of them had dug deeper, if one of them had continued the conversation, they would realise their perceptions were completely different. 

...and that, K'xug was right. 

Hana wasn't a suitable partner for Xue. 

...and that, K'xug was wrong. 

Their journey would be a harsh one.

The weather is great today! Hey, K'xug, let's invite my parents over!

K'xug sighed. 

He will have to work extra hard to sneak Xue's parents in. 

Veau said he'll distract those old bastards! 

He will? What for?

He said he was bored, so…

Xue will be bringing his parents in today? Let me help, let me help! 

Are you sure you want to join in, Hana? Veau will be coming along. 

Ehhh? Veau?! He...he always bullies me...

Xue laughed, none of them had ever come out unscathed from Veau's antics.

So, you still want to come along, Hana?

Hana pouted, thinking of the times the blue-haired devil had bullied her. 

No, I don't want to anymore! Just the other day, he threw a giant worm into my tea! And then he said I was good at looking ugly!

K'xug shook his head. 

Weird devil.

--Path to the Supreme God

《 stop 》