บท 33: Villain Simulator, Ch 33
When it came to combat and exorcising demons, Shenhe was certainly confident, but having spent years training in seclusion, she wasn't very skilled at interacting with people.
Luckily, she had the booklet her master had left her. With its help, she was sure she could figure out what was really going on with that man.
Perhaps due to her preoccupied thoughts or her usual diet of bland food, the delicious dishes on the table seemed tasteless to Shenhe. She kept a close eye on Lucas's every move, waiting until he finished eating and left the restaurant. She stood up immediately, ready to follow him secretly.
"Excuse me…" Just then, Xiangling suddenly blocked her path, looking a bit embarrassed. "Could you wait a moment?"
"Is there something you need?" Shenhe asked coldly.
Although her beauty was undeniable, she was as cold as ice. Moreover, with her destined fate of Lone Calamity Star, she often exuded an aura of foreboding that could be quite intimidating.
Poor Xiangling was so scared she almost burst into tears, nervously stammering, "Y-you haven't paid your bill yet."
"My… apologies…" Shenhe finally realized her mistake, quickly taking out some Mora and stuffing it into Xiangling's hands. "Is this enough?"
"It's… it's too much…" Xiangling quickly replied.
"Doesn't matter. You can keep it all!" Shenhe brushed past Xiangling and hurried outside.
Shenhe's full attention was focused on Lucas, and she failed to notice that as she stepped out of the restaurant, several unfriendly eyes were already following her.
....
"Man, the food at Wanmin Restaurant is really top-notch," Lucas muttered as he turned into an alley, taking a shortcut. "I should head back and report in."
"Hold on."
A slender, snow-white arm suddenly stretched out, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I have some questions for you."
Lucas instantly recognized the voice—it was Shenhe's, a voice he had heard countless times in the simulation.
But unlike now, it was usually him standing behind Shenhe, speaking while… "assisting" her.
Startled for a moment, Lucas quickly regained his composure, turning around with a calm smile. "Oh? Young lady, I don't believe we've met. What can I do for you?"
Despite his polite words, when Lucas turned and saw the girl before him, his eyes couldn't help but reveal a flicker of something… familiar.
Shenhe was wearing a form-fitting black silk outfit that highlighted her nearly unfairly perfect figure. Her abdomen, toned from years of training, showed the clear lines of muscle, and her upper garment, embroidered with delicate golden threads, strained to cover her full chest, giving the impression it might burst at any moment.
A red string wound from her shoulder blades around her neck, adding a touch of sensuality to her icy demeanor.
Although only her smooth, snow-white shoulders were exposed, she exuded an irresistible allure.
'Yes! That gaze!'
Even though Lucas's glance at her body had only lasted a moment, Shenhe was all too familiar with the desire in his eyes.
It was the same lustful look that wanted to devour her whole, leaving nothing behind.
However, a single glance wasn't enough to confirm whether this man had any connection to the villain from her dreams. Keeping her emotions in check, Shenhe said coldly, "Thank you for helping out at the restaurant earlier."
As she spoke, Shenhe took out a rubber bullet and furrowed her brow. "This concealed weapon is blunt, soft, and lacking sharpness. If it had been a plum blossom dart or a flying stone, that scoundrel would likely be dead by now."
While the continent of Teyvat had long-range weapons like guns, they typically used elemental ammunition and were large and noticeable.
What Lucas had used, his M1911 pistol, was fundamentally different. So, it was no surprise that Shenhe mistook it for a concealed weapon.
Still, the fact that this object could break bone? The person who wielded it was definitely formidable.
"Just helping where I can, nothing to thank me for," Lucas replied, laughing awkwardly when he realized Shenhe had noticed something unusual. "That thug was rude, but he didn't deserve death. A light punishment was enough."
Strange…
Shenhe couldn't help but feel suspicious. In her dream, this man had been a ruthless, cunning villain, completely different from the mild-mannered person standing before her.
Could she have been mistaken? Or was he simply putting on an act?
"You thought you could escape me?"
Suddenly, a familiar angry voice came from behind. Brother Hu had returned, bringing with him the two lackeys from earlier and a squat, bald man with beady eyes.
"Knife Brother, that's the guy who blindsided me!" Brother Hu pointed at Lucas, adding dramatically, "He wasn't just hitting me—he was slapping your face!"
Despite his unremarkable appearance, Knife Brother carried himself with a steady air, and hanging at his waist was none other than a bright red Vision!
Lucas couldn't help but grumble internally. How does a guy like this get a Vision?
"You're done for! Knife Brother is a big deal around Tiger Rock Street!" Brother Hu smirked, his face scrunched up in fury. "You're gonna get what's coming to you!"
As Lucas pondered how to handle the situation, he suddenly felt something soft. He turned and saw that Shenhe had wrapped her arm around his, holding that strange booklet in her other hand. Without expression, she read aloud, "He's my man. You dare touch him, and you'll answer to me!"
Is she reading from that booklet again?
Lucas was speechless. What kind of weird stuff did that booklet teach her?
In truth, with Shenhe's strength, these thugs were no more than pests. She was only acting this way to gauge Lucas's reaction.
"Hu, we could take them down, no problem, but we should avoid unnecessary conflict," Knife Brother said, squinting his eyes until they were nearly invisible. "How about this—pay us 500,000 Mora for medical expenses, and I'll let you go."
"But…" Lucas responded calmly, "What if I don't pay?"
"You're asking for it!" Brother Hu yelled furiously. "Knife Brother, teach him a lesson!"
"So be it! I'll show you the power of a Vision!" Knife Brother raised his hand, puffed out his cheeks, and spat out a stream of flames toward Lucas.
It was clearly meant to mimic a Pyro Vision skill.
But Lucas only smirked, walking through the flames to grab Knife Brother by the wrist, making him yelp in pain. A small plastic device slipped from Knife Brother's hand, which Lucas caught with ease.
"Did you think I'd fall for this?" Lucas toyed with the plastic device, laughing. "A cheap Sumeru fire starter, along with some high-proof alcohol—great for street performances, but trying to pass it off as a Vision? That's just sad."
Indeed, the fire trick was nothing but a cheap stunt. While it wouldn't fool anyone in Lucas's time, in the less technologically advanced Liyue, it could still deceive plenty of people.
Realizing his trick had been exposed, Knife Brother turned pale, pleading, "B-brother, we're just trying to make a living… Please, have mercy."
"Mercy? Sure. I'm not a bad guy." Lucas smiled coldly before shoving the fire starter into Knife Brother's mouth. "Just chew it up, and I'll let you go."
Knife Brother knew full well what chewing the device would do, but for some reason, the man before him seemed completely different now—his aura was darker, more menacing. That glint in his eyes… no one without blood on their hands could possess such a gaze.
Without hesitation, Knife Brother closed his eyes and bit down hard. With a loud "pop," the fire starter exploded, taking a few of his teeth with it.
"Hmph…" Lucas finally let go, laughing as he said, "Now scram."
As he watched the thugs stumble away in fear, a satisfied grin crept across Lucas's face. At the same time, the system's voice echoed in his mind:
[How does it feel to embrace the dark side? Isn't it nice?]
The system's voice instantly caused Lucas's smile to freeze on his face.
That's right—why was he feeling a sense of joy from doing something bad?
Not only that, but deep down, Lucas had genuinely felt a murderous urge when facing Knife Brother. If the man had resisted even a little, he might have crushed his throat without hesitation.
After all, in the simulator's immersive mode, the Lucas who had destroyed Mondstadt, invaded Natlan, and corrupted Snezhnaya had taken countless lives. Killing a petty thug was no more significant to him than squashing an ant.
Cold sweat began to drip down Lucas's forehead.
When had he become like this?
Could it really be, as the system suggested, that he was slowly and subtly becoming an evil person, influenced by the simulator?
Lucas wasn't the only one who noticed something odd. Even Shenhe, standing behind him, felt a moment of surprise from the scene she had just witnessed.
Though brief, both the man in front of her and the villain from her dreams exuded the same familiar aura—a menacing wickedness.
"P-please don't misunderstand!" Lucas quickly tried to explain. "I... I was just scaring them a little. I didn't think he'd actually..."
"What's the problem?" Shenhe replied calmly. "For such despicable scoundrels, this is the proper way to deal with them."
To Lucas's surprise, Shenhe didn't find his behavior problematic at all. She casually opened the notebook she had been carrying, flipping to the last page, and mumbled to herself while making a note, "Taught two villains a lesson... that leaves… hmm, ninety-seven… no, ninety-eight more."
"What are you talking about?" Lucas asked, puzzled.
Shenhe was referring to the tasks her master, Cloud Retainer, had given her before she left the mountains: defeat one hundred demons, teach one hundred villains a lesson, and perform one hundred good deeds.
"Nothing important," Shenhe replied nonchalantly. "Just a mission from my master."
"Master?" Lucas's eyes widened in surprise.
Whoa, she's really into this role-playing thing!
"N-no, I misspoke!" Shenhe's face flushed slightly as she quickly corrected herself. "I meant my teacher! I've spent most of my life in the mountains, and now I've come down to the city for training, following the tasks my teacher set for me."
Due to her experiences in the simulator, where she had been coerced by Lucas to call him "master", the word had slipped out naturally when she saw him. After all, in the simulator, Lucas had indeed acted as her "master", often assigning her various "little tasks."
"I see..." Lucas nodded. "While Liyue is mostly a peaceful place, there are still people with ill intentions. Miss Shenhe, since you're unfamiliar with the world, it's best to stay cautious."
"Wait a minute!" Shenhe suddenly narrowed her eyes and asked, "How do you know… my name?"
Crap!
Lucas's heart skipped a beat. He had unconsciously called out her name.
"Be… because…" Suddenly, an idea flashed through his mind. Pointing at the book in Shenhe's hand, he said, "I saw your name written on the back of that book."
Shenhe flipped the book over, and indeed, there it was, neatly inscribed: "A Gift from Cloud Retainer to Her Disciple Shenhe."
For some reason, seeing those words gave Shenhe an inexplicable sense of disappointment. For a brief moment, she had nearly confirmed the man's identity.
"But calling someone by name without an introduction might be considered impolite," Lucas said, laughing awkwardly. "Nice to meet you. My name is Lucas."
Lucas!
Upon hearing those three words, Shenhe felt as though lightning had struck her. She instinctively clenched her fists but quickly relaxed them. Her lips, once tightly pressed, softened into a slight smile.
This was destiny presenting her with an opportunity!
As someone born under the fate of "Lone Calamity Star," Shenhe believed more than anyone in the concept of destiny. Those dreams she had experienced were likely premonitions, guiding her to punish this villain! Now, all she needed to do was catch him committing some evil act, and then she could bring him to justice!
Lucas, of course, had no idea why Shenhe was suddenly giving him such an odd smile. Feeling a bit awkward, he said, "Well, if there's nothing else, I'll be on my way…"
"W-wait a moment!" Shenhe instinctively grabbed his wrist and said, "Mr. Lucas, could you help me with one more small favor?"
Lucas was naturally a helpful person, and this was Shenhe asking, after all, so he nodded. "Of course. What do you need?"
[You've earned 500 Virtue Points!]
Besides, doing good deeds earned points!
"I just arrived in the city and don't have a place to stay. I was hoping to rent a house in Liyue," Shenhe quickly came up with an excuse. "Could you help me find one?"
This request seemed reasonable enough. Given Shenhe's apparent lack of worldly experience, she didn't seem like someone who could haggle over prices. In Liyue, where most people were skilled merchants, she might be taken advantage of.
"No problem. There's a real estate agency nearby," Lucas replied, leading the way. "Follow me."
In Liyue Harbor, where land was precious, property prices were sky-high. Many young people couldn't afford to buy homes, so the rental market was booming.
Inside the agency:
"Welcome!" the real estate agent greeted them warmly. "What kind of service can I offer you?"
"We're looking to rent a place." Lucas answered.
"Of course, of course!" The agent glanced at Lucas and Shenhe, smiling meaningfully. "We have many lovely homes perfect for couples. Take a look at this one, with a luxurious bath! And this one, this bed even has a vibration feature…"
"Ahem!" Lucas's face turned red with embarrassment. "You've got it wrong. We're not a couple. Just a single room will do."
"My apologies," the agent said, slightly embarrassed. "Do you have any specific requirements?"
"The requirements are simple," Shenhe suddenly spoke up. "The living room needs to be spacious, and there should be a large desk and a sofa…"
"Uh…" The agent was puzzled. "Are you looking for an office?"
Shenhe had described the layout of Lucas's student council office from her memory.
"What I plan to do with it is none of your business," Shenhe said coldly. "Just tell me if you have something that fits."
"Well, we do have places like that, but…" The agent rubbed his fingers together suggestively. "They'll be more expensive than a regular single room."
...
Author's Note: More Shenhe interactions!!!
We've reached 800 ps and dont worry the 2 extra chapters will be uploaded on weekend! Cmon lets go above 1k and you get more chapters!!
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