Four Split Personalities

Game Time AM01:25

Shaven Empire, the Imperial Capital of Trenn, Sin Duke’s Manor

"Almost there..."

Ji Xiaodao, who had been reading in bed, let out a sigh and casually snapped her fingers to extinguish the orb of light that had been floating quietly beside her. Under the illusionary moonlight, she gently stretched her body, then slipped off her sleep robe and quickly changed into her main gear that typically needed updating every five days.

Quiet Return, Night Rain, her two usual weapons; at least Unique Fine quality, fully matching her current level, combat style, and professional traits; including the Black Curse Thin Sword that had been reluctantly forged into fine quality; and a plethora of functional items such as high-level magic scrolls and disposable special effect daggers, Ji Xiaodao’s equipment set was luxurious enough to rank in the top ten among all players.

This was under the premise that she wasn’t high enough in level, and many high-end pieces of equipment didn’t meet the wearing requirements yet.

Unlike most people at the start, Ji Xiaodao never worried about consumables, equipment, or supplies. With resources like the Sin Duke, Duke Galos, Marshal Galahad, and Fara Osis Mage Tower at her disposal, she usually only needed to mention an upgrade to any one of them, and then just pick it up at the right time, swappable if not to her liking, and with a high degree of autonomy in terms of appearance—as if she wasn’t playing the same game as the mainstream group.

For instance, if Feather Song, also a female player, got her hands on a set of clothing that had good quality, attributes, effects, but was revealing, as embarrassed as she might be, she’d probably have to force herself into it, whereas Ji Xiaodao could simply throw such a thing away and pick another piece of clothing that was roughly the same in quality but suited her aesthetic better.

Again, if Feather Song’s crossbow broke, her dagger got dull, or she ran out of potions, she’d have to go on various quests to earn money, while if the same happened to Ji Xiaodao, she would just make a list, and by the next day, she’d receive a batch of brand new, more handy equipment, not only at no cost but even making money by selling the old gear.

At first glance, Ji Xiaodao was a standard pay-to-win player...

There’s nothing wrong with saying that because she practically had all the traits of a pay-to-win player now, except that there was a fundamental difference between her and most pay-to-win players.

That is, even without the assistance of equipment or items, she remained very strong, incredibly strong.

In terms of level, her main job was now at level 28, which she ground up bit by bit through quests—although those so-called ’quests’ were a little special, they didn’t lack in difficulty at all.

When it came to combat experience, not to mention about once a week ’overwhelming practice,’ Ji Xiaodao would seek advice from powerhouses like Galos and Galahad whenever she had the chance and downtime. The method of seeking advice could be inferred from Motan’s reward quest on Caselo Prairie, which meant thoroughly getting thrashed by an opponent much stronger than oneself.

The difference was that Motan was eligible for NPC thrashing only because she triggered a reward quest, whereas Ji Xiaodao could carry out such reward-like quests whenever she had time, selecting to always practice at 100% load, feeling as real as the Real World, whether it was a sword hack or being lacerated by Wind Blade.

Under such circumstances, her growth in strength was unbelievably fast.

Without kidding, if nothing unexpected happened, given another month or so, Ji Xiaodao could definitely surpass the current Cordova, taking over as the second rank in combat power.

She had been a combat genius from the beginning, a ’monster’ level genius, but this talent could not be utilized in the Real World, so no one, including herself, knew about it until her sister dragged her into playing The Realm of Innocence. It was this long-dormant talent that began to gradually awaken.

Even so, Ji Xiaodao still had no idea what she wanted or what she wanted to do...

She was becoming more accustomed to her current position, remaining by that person’s side as a witness and executor. Although the latter’s actions felt like they should provoke her anger or sorrow, those emotions were always kept outside by something, feeling as intangible as a dream.

Players cannot control the minds of other players, not even with that person’s Power of Original Sin...

Ji Xiaodao had known this from the start, so she was clearly aware that the problem actually lay with herself.

Was it because of her inherently unpleasant personality?

Was it because she was inherently heartless and aloof by nature?

Was it because her true nature was indeed Chaotic Evil?

She had thought of many possibilities and swiftly denied each one of them.

Ji Xiaodao understood herself well, so she knew that none of those reasons were sufficient to justify why she had stayed by that person’s side, nor were they a valid excuse for her complicity in tyranny.

She couldn’t find the answer, and was doing her utmost not to lose herself or break down in this process.

She had chosen to stay, perhaps because she wanted to see what that person wanted or wanted to do, or maybe for some other reason she herself didn’t even know.