After the battle, Nuo Ai’er and Leinata sat side by side on the steps in front of the wooden cabin, both feeling a sense of relief.
Everything had finally ended.
The ogre Kui Mu, who had lurked in the eastern forest and caused countless tragedies, had finally died under Leinata’s blade.
Leinata turned her head, looked at the petite figure beside her, and took the initiative to reach out and gently hold Nuo Ai’er’s hand.
“Huh?” Nuo Ai’er was startled by the sudden hand-holding.
“Nuo Ai’er… thank you.” Leinata’s voice was very soft and gentle.
“Thank you for helping me leave that forest and giving me a chance for revenge… Without you, I might have been stuck in that tree hole, barely surviving forever.”
Nuo Ai’er squeezed her hand back and shook it with a smile: “Don’t say that, you saved me too.”
This was the truth. Without Leinata, Nuo Ai’er would probably be stuck in the level.
‘Which jerk designed this level? The newbie level is this hard (｀Δ´)’
As she said this, Nuo Ai’er seemed to suddenly think of something, her eyes lighting up.
“Oh, right (ﾟ⊿ﾟ), since the source of the curse, Kui Mu, is dead, then the curse on you should be completely gone, right?”
That is to say, from now on, even without wearing this little red hood, Leinata can walk freely in the sun, right?
Hearing this, Leinata’s body stiffened slightly.
She subconsciously raised her hand and nervously pulled the red hooded cloak tighter over her head, then turned away, a blush spreading across her cheeks.
“Um, actually, there’s still a little bit of curse left…” she mumbled quietly, her eyes evasive.
Nuo Ai’er was stunned for a moment, then realized what was happening.
‘Ahaha, I get you (ฅ’ω’ฅ)’
There’s no such thing as a curse “remaining a little bit.”
Leinata probably just couldn’t bear to part with this outfit and wanted an excuse to keep it (.
Nuo Ai’er couldn’t help but laugh: “Alright, then I’ll give this outfit to Leinata! Anyway, I… don’t really need it anymore.”
Leinata sighed in relief, turned her head, and exchanged a smile with Nuo Ai’er.
Then, Leinata looked up at the clear blue sky.
“Nuo Ai’er, you know? Actually, in the past, I was always thinking about ending my own life… After going through those things, I was completely disappointed in this world. Living was simply torture.”
‘Wow, such a self-destructive tendency ( ๑ŏ ﹏ ŏ๑ )’
But considering what Leinata had been through, it wasn’t hard to understand…
Leinata said softly, as if telling someone else’s story: “The only thing that kept me alive until now was my hatred for Kui Mu… I thought countless times that once I killed him, my life would be over. I thought that after killing Kui Mu, I wouldn’t want to live anymore. Maybe I would find a place no one knows and secretly die in a corner where Little Grey couldn’t see me…”
She paused here, turned her head, and her gaze gently fell on Nuo Ai’er: “But now it’s different. I’ve found a spiritual pillar to keep me alive.”
Nuo Ai’er blinked and asked curiously: “What is it?”
Leinata looked at her, her cheeks flushing again.
She didn’t say anything, just quietly looked at her.
‘Could it be ∑(°口°๑)’
Everything was understood without words.
However, before she could react, Leinata next to her suddenly spoke.
“Um, Nuo Ai’er… I have a suggestion.”
Leinata nervously rubbed her fingers together: “You said earlier you didn’t know where to go, right? If you don’t mind… would you like to live with me from now on?”
“Huh (°ー°〃)?” Nuo Ai’er was dumbfounded.
“No matter where we go, we’ll be together.” Leinata said with a smile.
“Ah… well… haha…” Nuo Ai’er’s smile froze on her face.
She lowered her head awkwardly, not daring to meet Leinata’s expectant eyes.
Uh-oh, what should I say now…?
Nuo Ai’er was a player, after all. Once the instance was over, she would leave, and it was highly unlikely she would ever see Leinata again.
“Well, Leinata,” Nuo Ai’er bit her lip. “Actually, how do I say this… I’m not from this world. I’m…”
Just as Nuo Ai’er was about to force herself to explain, her body was suddenly enveloped in a soft white light.
[Transferring…]
[Please do not move, player…]
Nuo Ai’er’s eyes widened in horror.
“Huh (“▔□▔)”
No way! This system transfer is way too fast! It doesn’t even give time for a goodbye?!
“Nuo Ai’er? What’s going on?!” Leinata was terrified by the sudden change. She panicked and tried to grab Nuo Ai’er’s hand, but found her hand passing through the white light.
“I… have to go back to my own world.” Nuo Ai’er gritted her teeth and directly told Leinata the truth.
“Go back…?” Leinata wasn’t stupid. Even if she didn’t know the exact meaning, she roughly understood what was about to happen.
“Are you going to abandon me?!”
“…”
Seeing Nuo Ai’er silent, Leinata completely broke down.
She had just found a reason to live, had just gained someone she wanted to protect…
Why, why did she have to lose her again?
“No! Don’t go! Nuo Ai’er!”
Whether it was tears in her eyes or the white light growing brighter, Leinata’s vision of Nuo Ai’er began to blur.
But the next second…
“Ahhh!”
Nuo Ai’er chose to lunge forward and hug Leinata.
“I’m sorry, Leinata…” Nuo Ai’er’s eyes were also glistening with tears. “You have to live well.”
“Wuwu…” Leinata held her back tightly, tears bursting out. “Please, don’t leave me alone…”
Uh-oh…
Nuo Ai’er had a bad feeling.
If this continued, as soon as Nuo Ai’er left, a broken Leinata would surely do something stupid.
‘I don’t care anymore. Even if I have to lie or do something else, I can’t let her lose hope!’
“We’ll meet again, I’m sure we will!” Nuo Ai’er shouted loudly, her voice trembling. “So don’t give up!”
These words seemed to really give her strength.
Leinata trembled all over. She tightly hugged the gradually fading small body in her arms and forcibly stopped her sobs.
She lifted her head, her emerald-green eyes burning with unprecedented obsession.
“Okay… I promise you, I will live well, but—”
Leinata’s voice was hoarse but firm: “No matter which world you’re in, no matter how long it takes… Wait for me, Nuo Ai’er. I will definitely find you! Absolutely!”
After making this final promise, the white light suddenly burst forth.
“Mm, I’ll wait for you.”
Nuo Ai’er smiled as she responded to the promise, and then her figure completely disappeared from Leinata’s embrace.
Only Leinata remained in that spot, kneeling in the empty sunlight.
She lowered her head, hugged the red hooded cloak tightly—Nuo Ai’er’s last gift to her—and remained motionless for a long time.
…
…
[Settlement complete.]
[Player Nuo Ai’er, congratulations on achieving the perfect ending of the instance “Little Red Riding Hood and the Dangerous Forest” — “New Life”]
[Settlement rewards being distributed…]
[Basic points earned: 50.]
[Special achievement unlocked: “Little Red Riding Hood’s Beloved”]
[Bonus points: 20.]
[Total points currently held: 70.]
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