“Life is a mission. All other definitions of life are fallacies, leading people astray. Religion, science, philosophy—though they differ in many ways, they all agree on this: every person’s existence is a purpose in itself.”
These are the words of Mazzini, spoken in his work Life and Writings.
I really like this quote because if I don’t see survival as the ultimate purpose of living, it would be like denying the entirety of my twenty years of life.
After all, up until now, I’ve never pursued any greater meaning in life—just merely “surviving.”
Click, click, click.
In a dimly lit room, a somewhat disheveled teenager was tapping away at a keyboard, playing a 3D action game set in the Three Kingdoms era.
“F○ck!”
Watching Zhao Yun, who was killed for the Nth time by some absurdly overpowered grunt while grinding for weapons, the teenager cursed in frustration.
By the way, the Zhao Yun in the game was modded to be a female version, something this teenager had downloaded online out of boredom.
“I never noticed before, but when she’s lying on the ground, you can actually see her underwear.”
Hmm… what if Zhao Yun really was a woman?
Nah, that’s just too much novel-reading nonsense.
Lost in these idle thoughts, the teenager got distracted and died again, which killed his enthusiasm to keep playing. He quietly exited the game.
Oh, right, I haven’t introduced myself yet.
This scruffy teenager, with stubble on his chin and lifeless, dead-fish-like eyes that seem wildly out of place for his age—that’s me. My name is Zhai Nan.
…
What? You say my name sounds like “zhai nan” (otaku)?
Great, you’ve successfully hit one of the few sore spots I have, but there’s nothing I can do about it, which is the most infuriating part.
I really don’t get what those two were thinking when they named their son this. They barely fulfilled their duties as parents, so the least they could’ve done was pick a decent name for their kid.
The thought of those two people made my mood sink instantly.
I’m getting off track. Back to the self-introduction.
Name: Zhai Nan, Age: 19, Gender: Male, Occupation: Freelancer. If you’re wondering whether I have a girlfriend, sorry, the wind’s too loud, I can’t hear what you’re saying.
Sigh. “Speaking of which, the diner I was working at is about to go under. Guess I’ll need to find a new job.”
No stable job, no social circle, not even a steady life to hold onto. If someone called this “living like a leech, waiting to die,” I’d have no argument to counter it.
“But then again, when there’s no one or nothing I’m responsible for, this outcome isn’t exactly surprising, is it?”
I let out a self-mocking chuckle and shook my head.
Suddenly, my computer screen flickered, catching my attention. A page popped up with text on it.
“Do you… want to change the world? Past or future.”
Below the text was a text box, seemingly waiting for me to input my answer.
“What’s this… a survey?”
There are always people like this, conducting random surveys as if they can analyze the human psyche that way.
Is the human mind really so easy to figure out? At the end of the day, everyone’s thoughts are different. Unless you survey every single person in the world, what’s the point of this?
Besides, for a nobody like me, the only thing I can change is probably my daily meals, and even that depends on how much money I have in my wallet. Changing the world? Hah.
I shook my head and moved my mouse to close the window, but no matter how many times I clicked the X in the top-right corner, the window wouldn’t budge.
“Damn it, a virus? Are apps this rogue nowadays?”
I sighed. Whatever… I’ve got nothing better to do, so I might as well answer it and get it over with.
“Change the world, huh…”
I leaned back in my chair, tilting it backward, staring at the dim ceiling as I fell into thought.
It’s a pretty edgy idea, but to say I’m completely uninterested would be a lie.
There’s no one in this world who’s entirely satisfied with their life. People want to be more attractive, richer, happier.
There’s always something you want to change. Most things are hard to change, but if it’s just words, why not be honest about it?
With that in mind, I thought for a moment and typed my answer: “If given the chance, I would.”
Then I clicked submit.
Immediately, another window popped up with the message:
“You really want to change the world!? That could lead to some serious consequences!! (Serious)”
Huh? Surveys don’t usually reply like this… And why does it feel like the other side is getting a bit excited? Also, what’s with adding your emotional state at the end of the sentence?
I mentally roasted the situation but started thinking about how to respond.
Changing the world would obviously have serious consequences. It might even cause problems I can’t even imagine.
But… even so, it’s got to be better than the world I’m in now, right?
As if venting the frustration that had been building up inside me, my tone grew a bit irritated.
“Doesn’t matter. As long as I can change the status quo, I’m willing to do anything.”
After sending that reply, I zoned out for a second, and another window popped up almost instantly.
“This guy really has the desire to change the world. The intel was right! (Thinking)
But wouldn’t that be painful for you? The weight you’d have to bear would be heavier than you can imagine! (Even more serious)”
What kind of person just types out their inner thoughts like that? And what’s this about “intel”? Is this kid okay?
After a flurry of mental complaints, I calmed down a bit. I tried closing the window again, but it still wouldn’t work. Staring at the new dialogue box, I thought of something and gave a bitter smile.
Painful? For me, what could be more painful than my life right now?
“Even so… I want to change.”
After sending that, it took a bit longer this time before the next reply appeared.
“This guy’s treating such a serious matter like a game!! Definitely a bad person! (Thinking)
But if you choose to change the world, ice cream might disappear from this world!!!! (Super serious!)”
Saying something so absurd with such a serious tone—are you some kind of cosmic comedian!? Five exclamation marks!? Is ice cream more important than the world in your mind!?
I couldn’t help but wonder if this person was trolling me, which made me a bit pissed off as I typed back, “So what? I don’t even like ice cream!”
The reply came back almost instantly.
“You useless, scruffy, otaku-named shut-in! People who don’t like ice cream are bad people! (Super angry)”
Whoa, why the sudden personal attack!? And stop bringing up my name! It actually hurts, you know! Also, what’s with this toddler-level logic!?
Ugh… I’m exhausted. Roasting this person is genuinely tiring.
Just as I was about to restart my computer and ignore this nonsense, another window popped up.
“I’ve collected all your data, and as expected, you have strong criminal potential. You have the right to remain silent, but everything you say will be used as evidence in court. Per the International Spacetime Management Regulations, I will now eliminate you.”
Huh?
I’m being labeled a criminal over ice cream? And sentenced to death, no less?
A bloodbath caused by ice cream?
Also, if you’re going to eliminate me, what’s the point of evidence!?
Crash!
In the quiet night, the sound of shattering glass rang out abruptly. A figure in red smashed through the window and leaped inside.
In the moment they entered, I caught a glimpse of their appearance by the moonlight. Their face was masked, revealing only a pair of strikingly clear eyes, glistening as they reflected the flying glass shards, and a cascade of flowing, elegant hair.
A home invasion!? And it’s a woman!?
Thud. The woman landed gracefully on one knee before slowly standing up.
I was so startled by this sudden turn of events that I fell to the floor, staring at the intruder in shock.
My room was dark, so I could only make out her figure by the faint light from my computer. She was wearing a tight red outfit, holding a large, elongated device covered in countless buttons. It looked like a weapon but also like some precise instrument. Her attire seemed completely out of place in this era.
“Target location reached… initiating search for target individual.”
“Target… confirmed.”
“Evidence… confirmed.”
“Commencing elimination of target.”
“Zhai Nan, for the crime of severely disrupting spacetime order, I will now execute you.” The girl raised her massive weapon, aiming it at me as I sat there, dumbfounded. Then… I noticed, under the dim light of the computer, a flicker of apology and sadness in her delicate eyes.
“…I’m sorry.”
With that, she slowly closed her eyes and pressed a button on the device.
“…”
“…”
“Huh?”
I was too stunned by the sudden situation to react, staring at the weapon for a long time. Nothing happened. As I looked at her with confusion, she too seemed puzzled, glancing at her device.
“No response…? That’s not right, why?”
Who are you asking?
This girl, who had barged into my room, declared she’d kill me, and was now inspecting her weapon right in front of her target. My brain couldn’t keep up, but I weakly raised a hand. “Um, excuse me…”
“How did big sister teach me to use this? Wait, could it be… low battery?”
“Who are you…”
“Ugh, I still can’t use it properly. I knew I shouldn’t have snuck out.”
“Are you listening…”
“Wah, there are so many buttons. Big sister warned me multiple times not to press them randomly, or else…”
The girl started frantically inspecting her device, muttering to herself with teary eyes.
Though she looked pitiful, tinkering with her device in a panic, I—her supposed target—had no time to appreciate her clumsy charm.
At the very least, she should compensate me for breaking my window. A few thousand bucks wouldn’t be too much to ask, right?
Finally unable to stand her muttering, I shouted, veins popping on my forehead.
“Hey!!”
“Eek!”
Startled, the girl’s hair practically stood on end. In her fluster, she accidentally pressed a large, conspicuous red button.
Immediately, a cold, mechanical voice came from the device.
“Emergency Time Conversion System… preparing.”
“Environmental conditions confirmed… initiating.”
“System energy insufficient.”
“Switching to backup energy… unable to connect to backup energy.”
“System detects operator in danger, switching to forced conversion mode.”
“Conversion subjects: Su Jiayi, Zhai Nan.”
“Conversion destination… undetermined.”
“Conversion worldline… undetermined.”
“Commencing conversion… entering countdown… 10 seconds.”
“10… 9… 8…”
“…”
“…”
We both silently watched the device enter countdown mode. When I snapped back to reality, the girl was still standing there, dazed.
“Say something!!” I couldn’t help but yell.
“It’s over…” The girl looked utterly defeated, her shoulders slumping in despair.
“No, wait, I’d really appreciate it if you could explain what’s going on. This time conversion system… what is it?”
“It’s a system that forcibly converts space without interference from external forces, used only in emergencies when the operator is in danger,” she explained.
“So…” I didn’t fully understand, but I pressed on. “In this situation, will we be safe?”
“Don’t worry, it’ll be fine!” She smiled brightly, patting my shoulder and giving a thumbs-up. “Made in China! Quality guaranteed… usually.”
“Oh! I see, then I can rest easy!”
“Exactly! Trust me, you won’t regret it! Hehehe!”
“Yeah, you’re right, haha!”
“…”
“…”
“You think I’d say that!?” I jumped up, shouting, grabbing her shoulders with teary eyes. “What do you mean ‘usually’!? This situation doesn’t look ‘usual’ at all! Didn’t your mom teach you to bring your brain when you leave the house, you airhead!?”
“I… haven’t seen my mom in a long time,” the girl said softly, her eyes welling up with tears.
“Oh, uh, sorry—wait, no!”
Why did this suddenly turn into a sob story!? Did I just stumble into some heavy family drama!?
“I don’t care if it’s family issues or teenage angst! Just figure out a way to stop this thing!”
“And I’m not an airhead! It’s all your fault! You yelled and scared me, that’s why this happened!!” The girl suddenly looked aggrieved, tears in her eyes as she protested.
“And now you just skip the sob story like that!? Proving you’re not an airhead is your priority!?”
After my relentless roasting, she seemed at a loss for words, puffing out her cheeks and turning away with a “hmph!”
“What’s with the tsundere act!?”
The sheer absurdity of this situation left me with an overwhelming sense of helplessness. I let out a hollow “hahaha” laugh, stumbling backward and bumping into my computer.
I glanced back, my eyes falling on the conversation from earlier.
It seems those messages were from this girl, and now it looks like I’m about to be transported to who-knows-what world.
Normally, a protagonist’s reason for crossing worlds is something heroic, like saving a kid on the street and getting hit by a car, or getting caught up in some grand event, or at the very least, getting struck by lightning. Anything would be better than my situation!
Why do I get stuck with such a pathetic way of crossing over!?
“No! I refuse this miserable way of crossing over—!!”
With my final wail in this world, the countdown on the time device reached its end.
“…1… 0, time’s up, preparations complete—Emergency Time Conversion System… activated!”
Wah, wah…
In a wooden room with a strong ancient aesthetic, a crying infant was surrounded by a group of people in long robes.
Huh…? Why are you all staring at me like that? Eek… I’m not wearing any clothes, don’t look, I’m embarrassed!
“Master! It’s born, it’s born! Congratulations!! Mother and child are safe! It’s a boy!” The midwife holding me beamed at a middle-aged man.
“Really!? Haha, let me see him!”
“Master, you should name the young master.”
“Haha, my wife and I already discussed this.” The man smiled, taking the infant in his arms and announcing the name they’d chosen. “My wife values the virtue of ‘clarity’ above all, so your name… shall be Xiao Qing.”
“Good name, good name!” The surrounding people laughed and chimed in with compliments.
I’m… a baby?
I’ve crossed over?
“…”
Hello, everyone… let me introduce myself again.
Name: Xiao Qing, Age: Just born, Gender: …
I glanced down at my body and breathed a sigh of relief.
Gender: Male
Era: A distant… ancient, unknown time.
Still a crying infant, I philosophically tilted my head 45 degrees upward to the left, gazing at the sky.
“Life is never entirely fair and is often full of pain, but in the end, it’s still quite interesting.”
Mencken once said this in a newspaper.
It’s a quote I don’t like, because my life has been utterly devoid of joy.
But on this day, this girl shattered my life of merely “surviving.”
And on this day, the world gave my existence a meaning beyond “survival.”
As for everything that’s about to happen, I remain completely unaware.
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