Chapter 375: Pinokangni (54)

"…indeed fits the stereotype people have of the Sea Patrol Rangers." Walte does not force Xing to keep recalling, only sighs: "These people… are bizarre, unpredictable, and like to go solo. Sigh, no wonder they're suspected."

Xing finds Sanyueqi on the street; she gazes at the grand theater floating in the sky and murmurs: "I don't know if it's too sudden, I've always felt… Miss Zhigengniao hasn't died, she's still alive somewhere. It was all just a… prank…"

"Because, isn't this a dream? How could anyone die in Dreamland? Shouldn't only good things happen… right?"

After experiencing these events, Sanyueqi's mood clearly drops, indicating she just wants a sip of icy cold soda to calm down.

The two return to the Clockboy statue to regroup; based on the current clues, Jizi suggests starting the investigation with the two murders.

However, she's also curious about one thing: "If someone dies in a dream, what about them in reality? Since the family ordered it, why not return to reality first, verify Miss Liuying's situation at the hotel… and also inquire about Miss Zhigengniao."

"How about this? We'll split into two groups; there are things in the dream that concern us, I want to investigate first, then meet back with you later," Walte proposes.

Though Jizi is also curious, she asks nothing further. After the group agrees, they part ways.

——

Sword Art Online.

"Will they be like us?"

Asuna pauses, lowers her head to stare at the wavering reflection in the cup, where her slightly furrowed brows are mirrored, "… died from microwave damage to the brain."

Looking back now, Pinokangni really resembles the scene when they first experienced this game: everyone entered a virtual world, also believing they could reap happiness there, and likewise were shrouded by the shadow of "death."

If they die in the game, they also die in reality.

"Most likely they'd die…" Kirito inhales deeply, "If someone who suffers 'death' in a dream returns to reality while awake, the family's long‑concealed truth about 'death' would have spread long ago. People trust Pinokangni's dream to be absolutely safe precisely because of this unbreakable guarantee."

"For centuries no rumors of 'death' have surfaced; the family must have meddled. Right now Liuying and Zhigengniao are either physically gone or still alive, but the family has erased their memories of that period in Pinokangni… I can only think of these two explanations."

——

When the others walk away, Walte's gaze fixes on a corner.

"…," Walte's eyes sharpen: "Honored guest, may you step out for a meeting?"

Hearing footsteps behind him, Walte turns, but the moment his gaze reaches Huangquan, his pupils contract sharply, and he involuntarily draws a breath of cold air.

"This, this is way too similar!?"

Huangquan says expressionlessly, "Being stared at like this makes me uncomfortable too."

Walte quickly composes himself: "My apologies. I'm Walte Yang, a member of the Star Rail, I'm sure you've already met my companions."

"Walte…" Huangquan muses.

Walte's gaze darkens: "What's wrong with that name?"

Huangquan doesn't answer directly, but asks back: "…Before that, didn't you ask my name?"

"I think that's unnecessary, Miss Huangquan, you are now a renowned figure in Pinokangni. Someone claims you are the true culprit of this series of murders—the Oblivion Gang members who came to the banquet also met a tragic end by your blade, and now you are trying to stir up another blood‑soaked storm in Pinokangni."

"Oblivion Gang." Huangquan turns, "'Tragic death'… that duke turned his near‑death body into flames, sacrificing himself. He was a steadfast, heroic traveler of fate; even a villain should not be defamed so."

——

Honkai 3.

Pfft—

Tesila suddenly laughs, elbows Walte, "Look at that expression of yours, you actually got scared by Yayi in another world?"

"Come on, that's not Yayi." Walte pushes his glasses, takes a sip of the now‑cooled bitter coffee, "At least not entirely, right? Yayi doesn't have that—"

He hesitates, unsure how to describe Miss Yayi, mainly her eyes. Though also a pair of beautiful violet eyes, Yayi's gaze is not so empty.

Empty to the point… almost nothing remains, only a desolate, bleak wasteland.

"You don't mean to say mature, do you? Huangquan is indeed more mature than Yayi." Tesila lets out a "hehe" laugh.

"Moreover, among the isotopes that have appeared so far, this Miss Yayi is probably the strongest, even more dangerous than that Star Core Hunter who can easily alter reality, the Silver Wolf." She chews bubble gum as she speaks, "And I have a feeling… her strength might be on par with Jingyuan, perhaps even a bit stronger."

"Stronger than Jingyuan… your speculation has no basis."

"So it's just a guess." Tesila blows a huge bubble.

Although this Yayi is powerful, Walte remains uneasy. She can become an imperial envoy, which shows she has walked far enough along a certain destiny, far enough to attract the Star God's attention. But if that destiny isn't the Patrol Hunt, what could it be? This makes him both curious and worried.

——

"Moreover, there aren't few suspicious guests. Do they really think… a long sword is more dangerous than the Black Hole in your hand?" Huangquan says lightly.

Walte's complexion changes with a "swish."

"…a keen intuition, even the family couldn't reveal the true nature of this staff." Walte's gaze behind his lenses sharpens, "So you must also know, Miss Huangquan, that spying on the Black Hole is unwise; as a potential dangerous element, your knowledge of us has reached an unsettling level—"

"Reveal your true identity and state your purpose. Otherwise, I must ask you to be ready to be torn apart by gravity."

Facing the imminent threat, Huangquan's expression doesn't change: "That probably won't happen… but if it can lower the guard of you nameless guests, I'm happy to help."

"Whether you believe it or not, Sea Patrol Ranger, Huangquan… this is who I am now. And visiting Pinokangni is only for an ancient Last Wish."