They All Said This Wasn't the Life Simulation Game! Section 13

As they were nearing the hotel where they were staying, the girl still had that conflicted look of "I have something to say, but I don't know how to say it." He spoke softly.

"Are you having trouble with something? Or is there anything I can help you with?"

"Huh? Ah... No, it's just... uh..."

The girl was stunned. Being seen through didn't feel good, as it laid her embarrassment bare. After some hesitation, she sighed, seemingly letting go of her silly shyness, and said.

"I just wanted to ask if you have time later..."

"Yes, do you need help with something?"

When he wasn't on missions, he was usually training, so in a sense, he was quite free—she should have known that.

"No, it's just... if you have time, can we go out together?"

After saying that, she quickly added.

"Ling said it. You've helped us a lot, and Ling wants to thank you, so she hopes I can take her to the amusement park with you."

She spoke quickly, as if rushing to explain.

"Ling probably wants to go herself, right?"

"Huh? Mm... Mm! Yes..."

Hearing her somewhat absentminded response, he began to doubt if she had even heard what he said.

So he swallowed the words "Then the two of you can just go" and instead said.

"I understand, when?"

"...I'll message you later."

"Okay."

He nodded and pushed open the suite they were temporarily staying in. The girl followed closely behind, entering the room and locking the door. She then fastened the chain that was hanging nearby.

"Click..."

As she locked the door, she heard the sound of the door closing. She turned to find that he had already gone into his own room, seemingly preparing to rest.

The living room was very quiet, as if she were the only one there.

However, this environment made her feel more comfortable. She enjoyed this peaceful atmosphere and was even a little happy that she had achieved her intended goal.

She walked towards her own room with light, silent steps, preparing to rest.

The living room fell silent, as if no one lived there at all.

...Inside the room...

"Mission complete? As expected, it had to be the two of you... You're so fast, your efficiency is through the roof."

The person on the other end of the communication said with a laugh.

"Should I say, as expected of our [Golden Signboard]? Wang?"

"..."

"Alright, alright. I know you don't like wasting words with me. In fact, when I saw it was you calling, I knew what I had to do... As for the bounty, I'll handle it for you as soon as the client transfers the money. It's still the same account, right?"

"Mm."

"Good... After this mission, you can also rest for a while. There are no major targets recently, so you don't need to step in. If nothing unexpected happens, you'll have a short vacation. How about it? Do you have any plans? I got a ticket to Eden's concert, so I'm planning to go to the Mu Continent."

"You..."

"Eh, forget it, forget it... I know it'll be training again, right? And I know you don't like listening to me nag... Can't you just chat with me like Al? I thought we were friends."

"I..."

"Hm? You haven't hung up yet... It seems you're in a good mood today~ What's wrong? Is something making you happy? Like finding an old companion or something?"

"You're talking too much."

Xi Wang's voice turned cold in an instant.

"Okay, okay~ I'm sorry for hitting a nerve. Sorry~"

The other party apologized casually, showing no signs of remorse.

"Tell me, did you need something from me? I'll tell Al later."

"...Can you still get tickets to Eden's concert?"

"Oh? Why are you interested in that?"

The other party suddenly became interested and asked curiously.

"I'm going out with someone later."

"Ho ho... It's Sakura, right?"

"...Mm."

"That's great~ I originally thought you were a block of wood, always gloomy and unhappy, but I didn't expect you to open up now..."

"?"

"Don't worry about that, I'll definitely be able to get the tickets. After all, we do have a little bit of connections. I'll be sure to get you good seats."

"Thank you."

Xi Wang responded sincerely. After all, what the other party said was somewhat true—they were still "friends."

"Also... I've run out of my candy. Please replenish it for me."

"Huh? So soon? You should eat less, be careful of cavities... Is it the special prescription kind? Those take a while to get, you know?"

"No, just the regular kind."

"Oh, I see... Alright, I understand. Go to this safe house at the following encrypted coordinates to pick it up. It's not too far from your home."

"Thank you."

"No problem, no problem~ That's what I do as logistics, after all... Oh, right, you're going as a pair, aren't you? Do you need me to arrange the hotel, transportation, or travel guides? I have some good recommendations~ Oh, and you can just use your card to pay. Consider it official expenses, I'll reimburse you! Oh, and remember to buy each other some gifts then..."

Without paying any more attention to the other party's rambling, Xi Wang decisively ended the communication.

"..."

He fell silent, staring blankly in the direction of another room for a while. Then, he lowered his head and looked at the small notebook on the table—it was a notepad provided by the hotel, and it already had some fragmented writings on it. Judging by the format, it looked a bit like a diary.

"[Month ■■, Day 2. Thirty-six pieces. Mission complete. (A long summary of the mission process and some fragmented descriptions of scenery and buildings). I was invited to hang out afterwards. I need to make time for Sakura's invitation...]"

Xi Wang paused here, opened his terminal to search for Eden's recent concert schedule, and then continued writing at the end.

"[Concert on the evening of the 15th. Remember to tell Sakura in advance.]"

Xi Wang stopped writing and glanced casually at the page before tearing it off, along with the page behind it that had imprint marks. He then used a lighter to set them ablaze.

"..."

He stared blankly at the burning flames, as if thinking about something, or perhaps thinking about nothing at all. He looked completely dazed.

After the flames had completely burned out, Xi Wang seemed to snap back to reality. He swept the ashes into his palm, took out the candy box, and poured one candy from it. Then, he put the candy and the ashes together into his mouth.

Today was the 37th piece.

Xi Wang mentally adjusted the recorded number slightly. Then, he slowly walked to the bedside and lay down on the floor next to the bed—that was where he had prepared his resting spot.

As if still unaccustomed to it, he turned onto his side, curling up slightly. He looked at the candy box and the short blade wrapped in cloth placed beside him, shrouded in the bed's shadow, and stared into space.

Both items were very close to him. He could reach them with just a slight movement of his arm, so there was no need to worry about any accidents.

I'm eating more and more...

While savoring the sweet taste mixed with a strange flavor in his mouth, Xi Wang thought this.

However, he didn't care.

He simply savored the sweetness, closed his eyes, and slowly drifted off to sleep.

...In another room...

"Mhm... Yes, the mission has been completed."

The girl named Sakura said to the person on the other end of the communication.

"Well done, as swift as always. As expected of you."

A familiar voice, familiar praise. This was how every call began.

"So... how is our [Blade] doing?"

"Very well."

"Oh? No abnormalities? Still as stable as before?"

"Mhm."

"Is that so? That's a shame."

The other party sounded somewhat disappointed, but didn't seem too bothered. They quickly returned to the original topic.

"The bounty will be processed and transferred to you after the client contacts us. The usual account, right? As for the next period, you can rest well. Of course, if you're short on money, I can give you a few more missions. After all, you still have family to take care of~"

"...No need."

"Going back to see your sister? That's fine too. It has been a while since you last went back..."

"You talk too much."

"But you have to listen. Who do you think your superior is?"

The other party said something infuriating.

"And you don't need to be so vigilant. After all, we promised that as long as you joined, your sister would be protected. Your and your sister's information also has the best security measures... We keep our word. So, as long as you don't defect, you and your sister will be fine."

Protection, you say? It's surveillance, isn't it?

Sakura knew this very well, but she had no choice... Ling was her only family, and her only weakness.

"So... do you need me to assign you a mission? [Forget-me-not]?"

The other party said languidly.

"...No need. Xi Wang invited me to go out and have fun."