Great in Life, Glorious in Death

A temporary shelter several meters underground.

"Judging from your expression, you seem quite optimistic?"

Bai Zhi put the card into his Inventory, looked at the Fireworks of Romance in front of him, and raised his eyebrows slightly.

"This isn't about being optimistic or pessimistic! If the data on my computer isn't humanely destroyed before I die, I won't die in peace!!"

Fireworks of Romance speak loudly.

"I don't want to experience social death after I die. If I really don't come back to life, you have to do this for me!!"

"... Alright, I wish you good luck in being transported to another world and becoming Slime after you die."

Bai Zhi rolled his eyes slightly.

"A dying man's words are good; your true nature has been revealed as you approach death."

"Uh... didn't everyone say that comedians generally don't die? It's just better to be safe than sorry. These things are all necessary."

He slightly tugged upwards at the corners of his mouth, Fireworks of Romance.

"Anyway, I've lived long enough. Although I've only been Player for a few months, these few months have been more exciting than the previous ten years. What more could I ask for? Player are just a matter of dying sooner or later. If I don't act more open-minded, what am I supposed to do? Panic, wallow in self-pity, break down and cry? Please, don't be ridiculous, I can't afford to lose face like that."

"Really? Then what's the second favor you want me to do?"

Bai Zhi stood up.

"It's simple. After I die, at my funeral, you must wear a formal dress... like that White Formalwear from before would be fine. And no matter if it's sunny or rainy that day, you must hold a black umbrella and stand far away from the crowd, looking in my direction."

Fireworks of Romance had a serious expression on their faces.

"How about it, can you do it?"

"... What's the point?"

Hearing this even stranger request than the previous one, Bai Zhi's lips twitched slightly.

"Of course it makes sense! This way, everyone will think there's a dark, interesting, and unknown story behind my death. Just thinking about it is super cool, right?!"

His face was beaming with Fireworks of Romance.

"If my life could truly end in this way, then I would have no regrets!!"

"... Here's what we'll do: if you really die, I'll attend your funeral, but I'll stay far away from the mourners. No matter the weather, I'll ride a very flashy motorcycle, casually revealing my uniquely styled belt. That way, the people attending the funeral will think you must have been an unknown Kamen Rider in your past life."

Rolling his eyes, Bai Zhi replied, somewhat speechless.

"If you're still not satisfied, I'll prepare a toy phone. Halfway through the funeral, I'll pretend to answer a call, then ride away on my bike. That way, the people attending your funeral will think the weirdo is still at work. What do you think?"

"Sure! I watch Kamen Rider too!!"

Fireworks of Romance nodded vigorously.

"... Go in peace."

"You're awake? The surgery was a success. Congratulations, you're a boy now."

When the Between Heaven and Earth’s Mountains and Seas finally awoke from their slumber, these words reached my ears.

"!!!"

She jolted awake, quickly sat up from the ground, and then, because of her injuries, lay back down even faster than she had gotten up.

"Just kidding, don't get so worked up."

Shrugging, Bai Zhi tossed a bottle of Mineral Water into the other person's hand.

"Drink some water first. You seem to be quite dehydrated. It's still safe here for now, so just stay here and remember not to wander around."

"Wait a minute... what about the Fireworks of Romance?"

He struggled to sit up and stared blankly at the empty Underground Shelter. Between Heaven and Earth’s Mountains and Seas was momentarily stunned.

"He died, he died a horrible death, the kind where he screamed in agony."

Bai Zhi waved his hand and turned to walk out of the shelter.

"Of the original nine Player, five have already died. If you don't want to be the sixth victim, you'd better stay here obediently."

"I can help too..."

"Before you say that, you'd better check your physical condition. I can handle what's coming up. If you go, you'll just be a burden. I don't have the spare time to take care of you."

He stopped midway, turned his head to look at Between Heaven and Earth’s Mountains and Seas struggling to stand up, and Bai Zhi's expression was one of nonchalance.

"In your current state, where you can barely stand, what could you possibly do there?"

"... I'm the Support."

She bit her lip, Scroll of Painting floated around her Between Heaven and Earth’s Mountains and Seas.

"I can be of a lot of help, and you need to help too..."

"Compared to those things, save your life first."

He abruptly interrupted the other person, leaving behind this sentence before turning Bai Zhi and leaving the shelter located several meters underground.

On the ground, Black Clad Young Girl a long sword hanging from her waist was already waiting.

Why not take her with you?

She turned to look at him, and when she saw that he was the only one who came out, the Young Girl's eyes flickered slightly.

"Too many people have already died; there's no need for more to Dead Person."

Shaking his head slightly, Bai Zhi raised his head and looked ahead.

"Steel Bones and Fireworks of Romance still have a chance of being resurrected. If we take her there, she'll probably be really dead if she dies there. And... never mind, let's go, let's finish this sooner."

Before them, the castle was in ruins. After being ravaged by those tentacles, the entire Rose Manor was eerily quiet, devoid of any sign of life, and the tentacles had all vanished without a trace.

The birds, butterflies, ants, grasshoppers, and other small animals that could be seen among the flowers have all vanished. If the Underground Shelter hadn't been located several meters underground, they probably wouldn't have escaped this calamity either.

At the top of the castle, a blood-red beam of light pierced through the sky and plunged straight into Tian Kong Lead-Gray Clouds.

What are you holding in your hand?

The Young Girl looked at the Glass Bottle in Bai Zhi's hand, which was half- Soil, with a hint of curiosity.

"Earthworms, for fishing later."

Holding the bottle up to show it to the other person, Bai Zhi took the lead and walked into the castle.

"Hurry up, who knows what's going on in the Core Area... What's wrong?"

Seeing the Young Girl beside him suddenly catch up and grab his arm, Bai Zhi was slightly taken aback.

"Going up the stairs is too slow, I'll just jump up with you."

The Young Girl looked up and spoke calmly.

"Hold me."

"Jump? How do I do that...?"

With their body completely off balance, the last sound of their voice faded into the rapidly passing wind.