"This was Shenzhou. Over these years, Xiao Shi and I had traveled through Shenzhou while helping you recover from your injuries. We went through quite a lot and met quite a few people."
Her tone was calm, yet it was clear that she was peaceful and happy right now. "Now that you've awakened, it's time for us to leave."
"Ah... okay."
Amber nodded blankly. "By the way, where's Shi Bao?"
"She has never been able to sit still. She's probably outside right now, searching everywhere for something that can hold her interest."
Fu Hua sounded exactly like a parent staying home to look after the house, making Amber unable to stop herself from giving her a few extra looks.
"Alright, call her back first. It's time for us to head to the next world."
Why did Master seem even more impatient than she was?
Amber was somewhat puzzled, but she was not one to dwell on things. Taking back control of Feathered Dust, she returned to reality after five thousand years. The scene around her was completely different from before she lost consciousness. It had become entirely modernized.
However, she had no attachment to Type-Moon. Since Master was urging her, she stored the Core of the Herrscher of Reason in her backpack, pulled back the Herrscher of Reason from wherever she was, and called out to Navigator.
Mr. Navigator, can we travel now?
Command accepted Directional coordinates collected. Beginning cross-world transfer.
The same weightless, burning sensation as her first journey swept through her body. When she came back to her senses, the scene before Amber had turned into a completely unremarkable room. Its white walls, tiled floor, and total lack of furnishings aside from a single bed made her think of her time in the hospital.
Even when she had been in the hospital, though, her room had contained far more things than this place.
After looking around, Amber looked down at herself. She had returned to her original appearance. Her black bangs and the fact that she could not see the tops of her feet were proof enough.
After confirming that all the equipment in her backpack could be used at any time, Amber equipped Feathered Dust again before finally feeling somewhat relieved. Mr. Navigator, where are we?
Jujutsu Kaisen Please continue collecting recognition from key figures. Would you like to perform a draw?
Several Windows popped up in succession, giving Amber the same feeling as when she had first traveled across worlds. The first time was unfamiliar, but the second was easy. Although she had slept for a long time, she skillfully opened the Gacha Interface.
Her recognition had already risen to 22,000. Such unprecedented wealth made Amber's eyes light up, and only then did she notice the current banner.
It was Shier.
Amber was excited. Shier was also one of her favorite 2D wives. The Shier on the cover, dressed in different Valkyrie Armors, dazzled her eyes and put her in a wonderful mood. The authority of the Herrscher of Death and Life was also extremely useful in this world—no, it was extremely useful in any world! It was an incredibly powerful authority that combined offense and defense!
As for Sukuna, Amber was not afraid of him at all.
Not to mention that the level of a Herrscher was utterly beyond the reach of a Jujutsu Sorcerer. Even if something really went wrong, she still had General Fu Hua, who could slay Sukuna!
Thinking of that, Amber could no longer wait for the upcoming draws. She immediately said, "Mr. Navigator! Let's start with one free ten-pull! Oh, and you don't need to mention the miscellaneous stuff. Just tell me about high-value items like Stigmata, weapons, and Character Cards."
Draw complete. Tong Yao ×1, Stigmata: Shier, Herrscher of Death and Life (Top), Stigmata: Ryunosuke Uryu (Bottom), Character Card: Shier Fulei (Quantum Sea Period)
What incredible luck!
Amber was overjoyed. Although she had not drawn Shier's Character Card from the Death and Life period, that was fine. She would get it eventually if she kept drawing. She had over 20,000 Stellar Jades—no, recognition, after all.
"Another ten-pull! And add... 7,000 weighted points."
Her habit of saving whenever possible ultimately won out.
Draw complete. Door of the Other Shore ×1, Stigmata: Edgar Allan Poe (Bottom), Stigmata: Shier, Herrscher of Death and Life (Bottom), Character Card: Shier Fulei (Cocolia Orphanage Period), Blessing: All Living Beings of Abundance, One Dharma Realm Heart
"Ah?"
Amber blinked.
This draw had produced a golden Blessing, a golden weapon, and two golden Stigmata. By all rights, it really was incredibly lucky, but... it was not what she wanted.
The effect of this golden Blessing was indeed powerful. Its in-game effect was: when a character provided healing, allied targets other than the healing recipient would recover HP equal to 30% of the amount healed. It basically turned single-target healing into group healing, but...
She had no healing methods at all right now... She had not drawn the core of the Herrscher of Death and Life, so this Blessing was completely useless...
Amber wanted to continue, but when she looked at how her original 22,000 recognition had fallen to only 13,000, her hoarder instincts made her hesitate somewhat.
After thinking it over, she decided not to get carried away. Rather than drawing when her luck was bad, it would be better to wait until the feng shui improved.
Having decided that, she simply used Shier's Character Card from the Quantum Sea Period.
Hmm... why did it feel like nothing had changed? Aside from her outfit becoming Shier's classic white top, blue vest, dark-blue-and-light-blue skirt, and blue-striped thigh-high socks, there seemed to be no other changes.
Right, part of Shier's appeal was Black Xi, but I don't seem to have a second personality?
If that's the case, doesn't that mean I'm missing Black Xi's armor?
Another Me
Fu Hua, who could hear Amber's thoughts, fell silent for a moment before saying, Perhaps Xiao Shi can help with that.
"Shi Bao?"
Amber was somewhat confused. "Is Shi Bao going to help by pretending to be Black Shier?"
No...
Fu Hua had not expected the Herrscher of Reason's impulsive action to actually prove useful at this moment. She did not particularly want to place that consciousness together with Amber, so after that consciousness successfully awakened, she had the Herrscher of Reason keep it by her side.
To be honest, even now, Fu Hua did not really want Amber to come into contact with it. However, this could not be hidden forever. Once the Herrscher of Reason came out later, she would certainly mention it.
Rather than that, it would be better for Fu Hua to explain the situation herself.
"So... I have another me too?"
Amber was confused upon hearing this.
Yes.
Fu Hua nodded. In essence, she is not you. She is a consciousness born from you through the Tide of Chaos. I have met her a few times. The process... was not pleasant, but I was already prejudiced against her. What she is truly like still requires your own judgment.
After thinking for a moment, she continued, You do not need to worry about danger. Xiao Shi and I will keep an eye on her actions.
Amber had not really considered danger. After all, if she had truly been dangerous, Shi Bao would have killed her long ago.
With that in mind, Amber prepared to ask Shi Bao about the situation, only to discover that after switching worlds, she had equipped Feathered Dust but forgotten to equip the Core of the Herrscher of Reason.
I was suffocating in there!
The instant she came out of the backpack, the Herrscher of Reason could not help shouting. I was setting up a street stall when I ran into a customer with good taste. We barely exchanged a few words before I got thrown into a little black room! All my antiques have gone to waste now!
"Uh... sorry."
Amber said awkwardly.
Eh, that outfit... you really did turn into Shier?
The Herrscher of Reason only now noticed Amber's appearance.
"Mm..."
Amber nodded.
I told you the two of you looked almost identical. Looking at you now, that's really true. If your face were one or two years younger, you would be exactly the same as Shier. The only differences are your hair and eye colors.
The Herrscher of Reason looked as though she had known it all along.
"Huh?"
Hearing that, Amber froze. She hurriedly opened the room door and searched for the bathroom.
Naturally, there was a mirror in the bathroom, and with its help, she finally saw what she looked like right now.
...There really was barely any change. This was completely the face she had one or two years ago.
Realizing that she was now using the internet under her real identity, Amber, who had remained calm in the previous world while hiding behind a network cable, was shocked several times over. Her expression became far more nervous as well.
Ah, right! That makes you even more alike!
The Herrscher of Reason's eyes lit up.
Amber: ...
The Herrscher of Reason also realized something was off with her tone. What I mean is, isn't this basically a perfect fit? Your personalities aren't completely identical, but they're very similar. And with this Black Amber Armor, isn't that great? It'll be really hard to go out of character!
Thanks, that was comforting, but only a little.
"Speaking of which, where's the other me?"
Amber remembered the newly born consciousness Fu Hua had mentioned.
Eh, she's calling you. Why are you shy now that you've met the real person?
The Herrscher of Reason poked the consciousness residing within the Herrscher core.
Who's shy? I just didn't expect that after meeting the real other me, I'd find her even more pathetic than in my memories. I'm a little speechless, that's all.
An identical voice rang out in her mind, and Amber immediately realized that this was the other self born from her consciousness.
"Ah?"
Amber had not expected her other self to open with sarcasm. She quickly prepared a retort, but what came out of her mouth was, "H-How am I pathetic...?!"
No! Now that I'm looking like myself, I can't bring myself to say anything...
She was just a socially inept person with no real-life friends who only ever talked to people online...
Amber could not help feeling dejected.
Seeing this, Black Amber, who had been somewhat nervous, relaxed considerably.
She had been born from the fusion of Amber's consciousness and the Tide of Chaos. She was filled with hatred toward humanity and hostility toward life. Although the Herrscher of Reason's long-term care and guidance, along with the beautiful things belonging to humanity in Amber's memories, allowed her to suppress the malice in her heart, her existence was still evil.
Not only did Fu Hua think so; Black Amber herself was aware of it as well.
She had imagined many times what might happen when she met Amber. Amber might be wary of her. Fu Hua might destroy her because of Amber's wariness. Or Amber might hate her, leaving her able to live only alongside the Herrscher of Reason from then on.
In truth, she had also considered that Amber might accept her, but she did not dare think too deeply about it.
Lahmu was an amalgamation of slaughter and chaos, but the most important thing within it was love for their mother. Amber naturally could not be considered her mother, but Black Amber still felt intense affection and curiosity toward the consciousness that had given birth to her.
If such an existence hated her, she would be in great pain.
That was why she had built up defenses from the very beginning. As long as she started out expecting to be hated, it would not hurt so badly.
Yet she had never expected that before they had even met face-to-face, this girl would be talking about "another me"...
She felt joy and happiness within her heart, but immediately realized that it was only because of the girl's innocence that the girl held no guard against her.
Did this idiot truly understand how dangerous she was? If she wanted to devour this idiot, the idiot's strength of will would be completely incapable of resisting.
Perhaps she wanted Amber to wake up and realize how dangerous she was. Or perhaps she wanted Amber to be more vigilant and understand that she should not think too highly of someone she had just met. Black Amber chose to mock her with words such as, "You're so naive, you're practically an idiot," and, "It's a miracle you survived this long with that brain of yours."
But after the words left her mouth, she became afraid of making the girl sad and could only forcefully change direction.
It had to be said, in this regard, she had inherited Amber's personality in the most damnable way possible.
Black Amber also knew that Amber was so relaxed and careless because Fu Hua and the Herrscher of Reason were there as safeguards, but... she still felt the joy of being accepted.
Eh?!
Seeing the two of them like this, the Herrscher of Reason laughed even more happily. She entered Feathered Dust and looked at Fu Hua as though saying, I knew there wouldn't be a problem, before turning to Amber. Black Amber has learned quite a lot from me over the years. She'll definitely be able to help you. She also happens to complete Shier's character setup, so you won't have to worry about going out of character.
Only after saying that did she reveal her actual purpose. I'm interested in this world too. Let me out first so I can stretch my legs, and you two can keep getting acquainted.
"Alright."
Amber nodded.
Perhaps because people had two hands, she could only equip two weapons at once. Feathered Dust and the Core of the Herrscher of Reason each occupied one slot, so she could not equip a scythe at all. Letting Shi Bao out was indeed a good idea.
Cursed Spirits and the Blue-Haired Girl
Amber was not particularly worried that the Herrscher of Reason would do anything excessive in this world. Although Shi Bao could be mischievous, she actually understood social conventions very well. Her straightforwardness was not because she could not read the room, but because she did not care about the atmosphere.
Watching Amber accept Black Amber into her body, Fu Hua seemed as though she wanted to say something, but ultimately held back her concerns for the moment.
When the girl had first fallen unconscious, Fu Hua had thought that next time, she would definitely eliminate every threat around the girl. But now, five thousand years later, although she was still worried about the girl's safety, she would no longer let anger cloud her judgment.
Amber was her disciple. Fu Hua should provide help when she faced setbacks, but she should not place her in a greenhouse without any threats. That was absolutely not a suitable way for the girl to grow.
Before you continue