[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-this-life-i-will-be-the-protagonist":3,"chapter-this-life-i-will-be-the-protagonist-this-life-i-will-be-the-protagonist-chapter-760":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","This Life, I Will Be the Protagonist",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1532617,1991,"Chapter 760: 760: Divine Game – Card Swap 9","this-life-i-will-be-the-protagonist-chapter-760",760,"\u003Cp>Lightchaser stared at the three kids huddled together, and decided it was time to shatter their fantasy about eternal friendship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You know your so-called 'friends for life' each tried to ditch you and escape on their own, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three kids instantly fell silent. One looked up at the sky, another stared at the ground—awkwardness filled the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eventually, it was the little Oak Owl who broke the silence, speaking righteously:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You were going to sell us for money. We're your property. Why would you kill us?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little Moon Fox and the Candlebeast's eyes lit up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They nodded in sync: Exactly! We weren't just running—we were logically, strategically trying to escape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lightchaser: …\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Oak Owl cleared her throat, voice hoarse from crying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sis—no, Boss, listen. We're smart. Instead of selling us off, why not keep us around and let us work for you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lightchaser, who had held in her laughter all night, finally let out a small chuckle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This kid had clearly decided resistance wasn't an option and was now going with the second strategy—prove her value, and persuade her instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Lightchaser quickly dropped her smile. Her expression scrunched into disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Work for me? Aren't you trying to go to school?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We can still help after we start school!\" the Oak Owl said quickly. \"Once we're educated, we'll be even more useful.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lightchaser scoffed. \"So now I gotta pay for your schooling too? Listen to yourself. You think I'd believe a plan you wouldn't even believe?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Oak Owl went quiet for a few seconds—then perked right back up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Okay then. Do you have any enemies? You could raise us to help you get revenge.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Candlebeast: \"Why wouldn't she just take revenge herself?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Oak Owl: \"We'd be her backup plan. What if she, like, dies before she finishes?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Candlebeast gasped. \"Can you even say something like that?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Moon Fox: \"Well, things are already messed up, and she does make a point. Who knows how long she'll live.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Candlebeast shrieked: \"I want out! I want to cut ties with them!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lightchaser: …\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Oak Owl: \"I can brew potions for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moon Fox: \"I can copy items and I can heal.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Candlebeast: \"I can turn any food into magical food.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oak Owl: \"Instead of selling us and letting someone else profit, you could keep us and make that money yourself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Candlebeast: \"Wait, why should we make money for her and not someone else? Also, what even is a person, really?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moon Fox: \"Yeah, why her? She's been pretty mean.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oak Owl: \"But what if we end up with someone worse?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lightchaser just sat there, listening to them openly debate whether or not she was the least bad option.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is the liveliest Winterveil I've ever had, she thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stretching out her absurdly long arms—almost as tall as the kids themselves—she let out a lazy yawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From her dimensional pack, she pulled out some cookware and ingredients, then tossed a few water orbs into a bucket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She waved at the kids. \"Come here. Wash and cut these vegetables.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Oak Owl sprinted over first, eyes practically sparkling. \"You're not selling us anymore?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lightchaser tilted her chin. \"Cut. Quit talking.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She realized this kid was the first to accept the new rules.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other two weren't far behind. Whatever grudges they'd had seemed to melt away. They all began chopping vegetables—clumsy, but obedient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That actually got Lightchaser intrigued. She braced her elbows on her knees, resting her head lazily on her hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aren't you the same brats who were just screaming about how much you hated me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their chopping paused. The kids exchanged a glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Again, it was the Oak Owl who spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You taught us. Suppress your emotions, focus on solving the problem.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She said it like it was the most obvious thing in the world, like Lightchaser was weird for even asking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Moon Fox nodded. \"We're showing our value.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lightchaser pressed on. \"So why do you think staying with me is better than getting sold off?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Moon Fox and Candlebeast both turned to the Oak Owl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They weren't sure themselves. But Rita already had her mind made up, and somehow that gave them confidence too—even if they didn't fully understand why she chose the elf.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why had she chosen her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rita's logic was simple: The elf was cool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She hadn't yet learned to weigh choices in terms of gain or loss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She just… admired her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though she'd suffered under her just earlier that day, Rita was still in awe—by her deception, her ruthless flip, her efficient takedown of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her tall, lean frame like a predator. Her striking elf beauty. Her stylish hunter's gear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And most of all, the way she'd lectured them—those words had carved themselves deep into Rita's heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn't some childish role-play. This was a new world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this elf didn't treat her like a clueless brat—she explained how the world really worked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rita admired that. She wanted to be that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So she chose her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was that simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After she finished laying out her reasoning, she turned to Mistblade and Fat Goose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't let me influence you. You can decide for yourselves. But if we are getting sold…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked up at the towering elf—still taller than her even while seated, utterly dwarfing her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I want to buy myself back. Whatever price someone would pay, I'll double it. Let me redeem myself within five years.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I can make potions. I can put up those bubble shields. Keep me around—I'll prove my value.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're the teacher and boss I chose for myself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moon hung high above them. Winterveil was coming to an end. The new moon would rise soon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The campfire lit Lightchaser's face, but Rita couldn't read her expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—shing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lightchaser drew her long sword. In a flash, she extended her arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Combined with the sword's length, the blade's tip rested gently against Rita's throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Separated by the flames, Lightchaser spoke:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I hate idiots. I don't repeat myself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rita's body trembled, but her face stayed brave. Her eyes burned with determination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So long as you're willing to teach me, I'll remember everything you say.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lightchaser: \"In my world, there's no such thing as law or justice.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rita: \"Then I'll abandon law and justice.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lightchaser: \"Magic Academy enrollment is next July. What makes you think I'll let you go?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rita: \"I don't know for sure. But I have six months to convince you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lightchaser asked one last question:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What if I'm not as strong as you think?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rita: \"Then that's something I'll only consider the day I surpass you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far away, bells and fireworks rang out from town, welcoming the new moon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the clearest sound by the fire… was Lightchaser's low chuckle.\u003C\u002Fp>",1128,"2026-06-06T06:15:17.348Z",1,"novelbin.me","940a43893bb956df67e11c9745fad7cb738740609a815217632427c907409132","this-life-i-will-be-the-protagonist-chapter-761","this-life-i-will-be-the-protagonist-chapter-759",1404,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthis-life-i-will-be-the-protagonist-cover.jpg"]