บท 19: Villain Simulator, Ch 19
The only thing that could be certain was that at this very moment, Keqing's heart was filled with an overwhelming hatred for Lucas.
Unlike the Keqing of this dimension, she was not the renowned "Yuheng Star" of the Liyue Qixing, nor was she a protector of Liyue. Instead, after the tragic loss of her family and home, she harbored resentment and dissatisfaction, descending into the Abyss Order to become a vengeful "Thunder Calamity Rakshasa."
Even the same person can take a completely opposite path in life after experiencing different fates.
"Is this… a dream?" Keqing glanced at the mirror beside the bed. The reflection showed her usual appearance, without any eerie stripes from falling into the Abyss. Her complexion was as fair as ever, and even her eyes remained clear.
She stood up and looked around. The walls were covered with photographs, depicting her growth and family moments.
The Camera from Sumeru was, of course, not an unusual object for a prestigious family like Keqing's.
There was an image of herself practicing swordsmanship with her grandfather.
Another of her fishing with her father in Qingce Village.
And one of her cooking with her mother in the kitchen, accidentally burning the fish.
And finally, an image of herself being appointed as the "Yuheng Star"...
One scene after another flashed before her like a revolving lantern, piecing together the life of this Keqing from the primary dimension. Thunder Calamity Keqing's eyes suddenly welled up.
If none of those things had happened, if it hadn't been for that man named Lucas's bullying, could this have been her life too?
She slowly pushed open the door. It was already late at night, and the moonlight bathed her porcelain-like skin. The Electro Vision at her waist gave off a faint glow.
So, in the dream, not only had she not fallen, but she had also become the Yuheng Star and obtained a Vision…
How envious…
At least in this dream, she had achieved her childhood dream.
The endless killing had made Thunder Calamity Keqing forget that she once had such a wish.
"The night is long, and sleep escapes me. I thought I was the only one who couldn't sleep, but it turns out even the young lady is still awake?"
At that moment, a slightly lazy voice suddenly sounded from behind Keqing.
"Who's there?!"
Years of life-and-death battles had honed the instincts of the Keqing from the other dimension. Like a flash of lightning, she instantly appeared in front of the speaker.
However, upon seeing the person's face, Keqing's expression showed utter shock.
Lucas!
Indeed, no matter what, she would never forget this man, even if he turned to ashes!
He was the source of all her misfortune!
The person who had appeared behind her was none other than Lucas. He had merely come out for some fresh air, not expecting to run into a Keqing whose mind was temporarily overtaken by the "Thunder Calamity."
"It's… you…" Keqing gritted her teeth.
"It's me," Lucas responded with a smile, seemingly unaware of Keqing's strange behavior. "What's wrong, young lady? Didn't we just meet? If you have any instructions, just let me know."
Young lady?
Why was he addressing her like that?
Keqing felt a wave of confusion.
The Lucas she remembered was an arrogant, bullying scoundrel, but this Lucas in front of her was dressed like a servant, and his demeanor was much more humble.
Ah, right! This is a dream!
Keqing immediately understood.
From what had happened so far, it was clear that everything in this dream was following her desires.
A warm and harmonious family, becoming the Yuheng Star, obtaining a Vision...
Even the person she hated most had become her servant!
"Keh keh… So that's how it is…" Realizing this, Keqing couldn't help but let out a strange chuckle. "This is… so amusing…"
Her sudden laughter made Lucas's spine tingle.
Goodness, wandering around at this hour, not returning to her room to sleep, and now laughing like this. Could she be possessed by something evil?
"So…" Keqing narrowed her eyes slightly and said, "You're my servant?"
Was she still half-asleep?
"Yes, young lady." Though a bit puzzled, Lucas pointed to the number on his chest and said, "It's right here—senior servant, Lucas, No. 9527."
What a twist of fate…
Keqing sneered internally. How should she deal with this guy?
Should she run him through with her sword?
No. In the "real" world, she had already killed Lucas once.
While it had indeed felt sweet to taste the fruits of revenge at that moment, after watching his lifeless body fall at her feet, all she had felt was a void.
It wasn't until later that she realized: death is just a momentary pain and despair. As a method of revenge, it was the lowest form of punishment.
Indeed, simply killing him would be far too easy!
She wanted to humiliate and torment him repeatedly, until she grew tired of it, and then kill him.
At this point, Keqing was entirely driven by her desire for revenge, seemingly unaware that this so-called "dream" might not last long.
"So…" Keqing said coldly, "You'll obey all my orders?"
Lucas nodded. "By common reasoning, that does seem to be the case."
Wait, why am I speaking so oddly?
"Very well!"
Keqing sat down on a stone bench nearby, lifted one foot, and sneered, "Then take off my shoes."
Lucas was puzzled. "Why on earth should I take off your shoes?"
"You don't have the right to ask questions," Keqing nearly pressed her toes against Lucas's face. "Do as I say."
Lucas furrowed his brow, but as the saying goes, "A person under another's roof must bow their head." Moreover, due to his actions in the "Villain Simulator," he had always harbored a subtle sense of guilt toward Keqing.
So, after a brief moment of hesitation, Lucas crouched down and carefully lifted Keqing's high heel.
This was the first time in "reality" that Lucas had observed a girl's foot up close, though in the simulator, he had already toyed with Shenhe's feet countless times.
Wait a minute, this isn't the time to be thinking about Shenhe!
As memories of the hundred days he spent with Shenhe in the simulator surfaced, Lucas felt his face heat up.
Shaking off those distracting thoughts, he slowly removed Keqing's high heel and held her small foot in his hand.
So, Keqing's feet... are this small?
They were quite different from Shenhe's. Shenhe's feet were longer and colder, with a texture akin to fine porcelain rather than human skin.
Keqing's feet, on the other hand, were much warmer. Small and delicate, they were uniquely cute as they rested in his palm.
Keqing seemed to notice that the man in front of her was staring at her foot. Her face flushed as she coldly demanded, "What are you looking at?"
"I was just…" Lucas immediately realized his "impropriety." Quickly averting his gaze, his face reddened as he stammered, "N-nothing. If there's nothing else, I'll head back."
"Who said you could leave?" Keqing sneered. "Next, kiss my toes."
What now?
This degrading way of humiliation! Can you bear it?
Keqing probably didn't realize that what she intended as "humiliation" might, for some people, be considered an ultimate "reward."
Hearing her words, Lucas's mind buzzed.
What kind of strange request is this?
Could this be some kind of "obedience test"?
Lucas had heard that in feudal times, some people would make others perform humiliating acts to train their obedience.
However, as he looked at Keqing's cute, snow-white toes, resembling delicate jade, he hesitated.
Kiss them, and lose his dignity.
Don't kiss them, and lose his job.
Finally, after a brief mental struggle, Lucas raised his head and awkwardly said, "I guess… I can't do it after all."
"Hmph…"
Keqing coldly snorted, her hand moving to the hilt of her sword.
If he refuses to be humiliated, then he can die!
But before she could act, Lucas continued, "Feet have a lot of bacteria, you know. I don't even know if you, young lady, have cleaned your feet properly. Kissing them without care seems unhygienic. If I catch athlete's foot from this, that would be troublesome…"
(AN: athlete's foot is a common fungal infection that affects the skin on feet)
"Wh-what are you saying?!"
Keqing's temper flared immediately upon hearing his words. She shoved Lucas aside, shouting angrily, "I'll wash them right now!"
Since her descent into the Abyss, Keqing had become impulsive and quick to anger—traits that earned her the title of "Thunder Calamity."
Without even putting on the shoe she had just removed, Keqing stormed over to the courtyard pond, intending to wash her feet right then and there.
Her heavy footsteps startled the koi resting in the pond.
"Hey, hey, don't wash your feet in there!" Lucas hurriedly warned, "What if you fall into the pond? It's dangerous…"
"What nonsense! I'm the mighty Thunder—SPLASH!"
Before she could finish, Keqing lost her balance due to having one foot bare and fell right into the water.
"Thunder what?" Lucas mumbled, "Thunderfish?"
Luckily, the decorative pond wasn't very deep, so falling in posed no real danger.
Ten seconds later, Keqing was still struggling in the water.
Thirty seconds later, her struggle ceased, and small bubbles began to rise to the surface.
A minute later, the water returned to stillness.
No way…
Could it be that Keqing was actually a non-swimmer?
Indeed, whether in this dimension or another, Keqing couldn't swim at all.
Without hesitation, Lucas immediately jumped into the cold water.
Soon, he resurfaced, dragging a dazed Keqing out of the pond.
"Hey, hey!" Lucas patted her cheek, panicking. "Are you okay?"
Keqing coughed out some water, her voice weak. "I think… I saw my dead uncle waving at me from behind a bridge…"
The Bridge of Helplessness?
"Don't go!" Lucas quickly urged, "If you cross it, you'll die for sure!"
"My uncle…" Keqing murmured, "He was saying something…"
"What was he saying?" Lucas shook her a bit, his voice urgent. "He must've been telling you to stay strong, right?"
"My uncle said…" Keqing muttered, "What you love is your life…"
With that, Keqing slowly closed her eyes, falling into unconsciousness.
Which uncle are you talking about? Is it Uncle Chen?
Lucas shook Keqing's shoulders, panic rising. "Miss, wake up! Don't go with your uncle! He's not a good guy! You don't want to be his pet, do you?"
It was only now that Lucas realized Keqing had earlier mentioned something about "Thunder"—Thunder Rex, right?
Staring at the now pale-faced Keqing, Lucas was at a loss for what to do.
[What are you waiting for? According to the plot, now's the time for CPR.]
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