Chlorine Sodium's Arknights

The symbol representing the protagonist... wasn't lit up?

Normally, this symbol would shine brightly in Chlorine Sodium's eyes, so dazzling it would blind everyone, letting all traversers know this person was the protagonist, the Child of the World.

If you had to understand it, it's like the special effect wings attached to a wealthy VIP in a trashy online game – incredibly flashy.

But the girl in front of her only had the symbol, which was gray instead of lit.

This was the first time she'd encountered such a situation.

Was it because she hadn't become the protagonist yet? Or had her protagonist qualifications been stripped away for some reason?

No, there was still too little information. The most pressing task now was to hide herself.

And judging by the girl's appearance, she had none of the protagonist's aura. The girl in front of her was as pitiful as an abandoned stray dog, or rather, as destitute as could be.

If left alone, she probably wouldn't survive the night.

"You are..."

Suddenly, her cracked lips parted, and her weak voice quickly dissipated into the biting cold wind.

But with her Herrscher hearing, she still heard the silver-haired girl's words.

"Are you... an elf?"

These were almost unconscious words, yet they carried an instinctual will to survive.

It had to be said, the human will was truly a wondrous thing.

An elf?

Did any elf have two metal iron fists?

Emmm, it seemed like the saintess of a certain world also claimed to be Iron Fist Unrivaled.

Was she mistaking herself for some fairy tale?

After all, she was just a child. It was common for children to perceive the world with their young understanding.

In that case, then...

Suddenly, a malicious plan began to form in Chlorine Sodium's mind.

Going with the flow was the simplest method. If you think I am, then I am. This would also save the time needed for further disguise.

The greatest lie is to make someone believe.

"Yes."

Chlorine Sodium abandoned her previous arrogance and authority, instead controlling the Armed Doll to put on a cute smile, as if she were truly that elf. She circled the girl with the doll's small body.

Agile, cute, lively, with a touch of etherealness.

It was practically perfect.

"Yes, I am an elf."

Elves could grant wishes. The girl had long lost hope. Perhaps this was the "beauty" she saw in her final moments.

Beautiful things always brought comfort. Once people lost hope, they paradoxically felt at ease, because they had no other choice. Losing choice meant losing the struggle and inner turmoil.

"A wish... I want..."

The girl, with a gradually appearing tragic smile, as if seeing the beauty of heaven, slowly spoke her final wish.

"I want... to see Grandma, I want to see spring, I want to go home... I want... to live."

"...Of course, your wish can be granted."

Her formerly childlike voice suddenly became flat and emotionless. The girl had fainted. The moment she collapsed, Chlorine Sodium determined that the girl posed no threat whatsoever. She used the Armed Doll's large metal hands to lift the girl's body.

A wicked plan was in motion, and all that remained was to execute it.

Since she couldn't eliminate the protagonist for now, she would accompany her. She would deceive her, pretend to be her best companion, and then reveal her true form at the end. It was incredibly simple.

The more familiar they became, the greater the hatred would be in the end. How could she not profit immensely?!

And most importantly, it was safe. What could be safer than lurking beside the protagonist as the ultimate mastermind?

Nothing!

I'm becoming more and more impressed with myself. Indeed, as long as I want it, no one can stand in my way.

Coincidentally, a new identity awaited her. To play the part, she had to see it through.

She would orchestrate a grand play.

Carrying the unconscious girl, Chlorine Sodium began her journey out of the forest...

Chapter 5: The Chosen One

This place is truly desolate to the extreme.

It reminded her of Siberia in Russia, a vast, boundless wilderness where not a single person or settlement could be seen, only occasional herds of beasts gathered on the snowy plains.

She didn't mind. She could even open up Imaginary Space and live inside. However, large-scale Honkai fluctuations would inevitably be detected by some sensitive, mysterious entities. Such a thoughtless act would not only bring trouble but also many enemies, which was not what a Herrscher, or rather, Paimon, wanted.

Regarding the protagonist, it's currently unknown if this girl's identity is truly the protagonist. She shouldn't be provoked easily, but one shouldn't give up on laying the groundwork for future grudges. Therefore, the top priority is to save her life first. Simple slaughter isn't worth many points.

They found an abandoned village in the wilderness and temporarily placed the girl there. Chlorine Sodium was currently outside the village, searching for a suitable target.

The animal ecology here is quite similar to her previous world.

Thinking this, she found what she was looking for.

It was a wild wolf. It seemed there was a pack nearby, but it didn't matter.

In an instant, beside Tesla Zero, a gate of imaginary space violently opened, and a blade shining with dazzling light roared out from the void!

The weapon gleamed with fire and surging energy. Exquisite patterns showcased the weapon's value and uniqueness. This should have been a tool for heroes, a testament to legendary craftsmanship. However, to the Herrscher, such a precious weapon was merely a disposable projectile.

This was the power of a Herrscher. Compared to the original Herrscher of the Void, Chlorine Sodium had specifically poured all her points into strengthening her body, leaving only a small portion for a new identity.

Therefore, the current Herrscher of the Void was many times more powerful than the original in terms of both strength and ability usage. She could not only use the Subspace Spear but also many other stored items. She could even temporarily slow down the flow of time within a confined space.

After all, when creating her character, she had meticulously copied the settings of a certain enthusiastic citizen. It was just too effective.

The blade instantly shattered the wild wolf's head. The reason it wasn't aimed at the body was to avoid smashing the meat into pulp, which would make it difficult to transport back.

The now-useless weapon vanished into the snow. In its place, several golden chains shot out from the imaginary space, wrapped around the wolf's corpse, and prepared to drag it back.

Judas's main body was within the imaginary space, and Tesla Zero merely used her metal hands to pull the chains back.

This was also a result of the meticulous copying.

Shanshan exclaimed, "Master of the craft!"

Yelena felt like she had dreamt.

Her tragic and short life flashed before her eyes like a revolving lantern.

But she was fortunate, for before she died, she finally received divine favor, and a messenger was sent to guide her to the heavens after death.

God asked her if she had any regrets.

When she was about to die, she thought she would have many regrets.

A strong will to survive drove her to wander through the snow-covered forest, from the joy of escape to the confusion of being lost, and finally to the despair of finding no way out.

But when God truly asked her, she couldn't think of a single thing to regret.

What did she have left to regret?

She had no family left. As an Infected, she was scorned by the entire world.

With no kin or friends, the normal person's three deaths were a luxury for Yelena. For an Infected, death was a triple threat. When such a person disappeared from the world, no one would know them, nor would anyone remember them.

Death was like a stray dog dying on the street, unnoticed, leaving no trace.

Her dozen or so years of life felt like a dream, perhaps even an illusion. Maybe living was the dream, and dying was when she entered the real world.

But she was fortunate, for she could enter heaven after death.

There would be no pain, no cold, no hunger.

So... had she arrived in heaven?

As she took a step towards the gates of heaven, Yelena opened her eyes.

She saw not a heavenly paradise, but... an unfamiliar ceiling...

It was somewhat dilapidated, with cobwebs in the corners clearly visible on the gray-black ceiling.

But warm light illuminated the space, bringing warmth to the cold light and making the broken roof less jarring.

Where was this?

Yelena's head throbbed, like the dizziness one feels after waking up from sleeping too long.

Could this be an illusion after her death?

But the next moment, seeing the plates of food and the greasy meat on the table reflected by the firelight in the fireplace, she was certain it wasn't an illusion.

Her taste buds stirred, the warmth from the fireplace felt familiar on her skin. Even though the room was still cold due to her Originium Arts, none of this felt like an illusion. Everything was too real, yet too unreal.

The real reality was that her Originium Arts couldn't be controlled, releasing cold outwards uncontrollably. But it all felt somewhat fake.

It was simple: no one would entertain an Infected who couldn't control her Originium Arts. No one would.

So, where was this?

This made young Yelena feel a little apprehensive, afraid she might harm the true owner of the house, yet also afraid that it was all just an illusion.

Until a silver-haired woman appeared beside her.

Her long silver hair cascaded down her back. Unlike Yelena's dry, lifeless gray-white hair, it was a true snow white, as pure as snow illuminated by the sun.

Her blue-black eyes were calm and placid, yet exuded an undeniable charm.

She was a stranger, but the difference between them was as vast as a duckling meeting a swan.

Could she be a noble?

In Yelena's limited understanding, only nobles had the means to dress so exquisitely and possess such an aura.

So the question is, why am I here next to this noble?!

Could it be...

The girl recalled, could it be that wish?!

Was the spirit she saw that day real?!

"You are...?"

Seeing the girl's confusion and resistance towards a stranger, the silver-haired girl didn't mind. Instead, she closed her book.

"My name is Chlorine Sodium. Although many call me A'Lu, I still prefer people to use my full name."

"So I suggest you call me by my full name. I'm a Doctor, usually very busy. I like a peaceful life, I don't like intense joy, nor do I like profound despair. All I want is a life as peaceful as a plant's. I came to Ursus this time on official business, but this place is truly terrible. I can only try to find a place to stay while moving towards where I need to go to work. I just happened to pick you up on the way, so..."

Putting down her book, Chlorine Sodium's face suddenly leaned close to the girl's, sniffing.

"Although I don't know who you are, I'm a kind person, so I brought you to where I'm temporarily staying. I like a quiet life, so I suggest you'd better not be ungrateful."

With that, the girl picked up a fork, speared a small piece of meat, and brought it to the girl's mouth. It was like feeding, but the girl's cold expression and condescending attitude were more like a superior ordering a subordinate.

"Eat it, consider it as you understand what I've said and are willing to comply. Do you understand?"

However, the sheer amount of information the girl spoke in one breath was overwhelming, and she didn't pay attention to whether the girl understood. Yelena was stunned, not understanding the current situation. It was just the explanation from a strange woman after a self-introduction.

A normal person would likely not agree with her actions, as they were too overbearing and harsh, especially towards a child who had suffered.

However, looking at the food on the fork, little Yelena swallowed. Having tasted boundless despair and prolonged hunger, she no longer had any resistance to food.

Seeing that the girl was no longer resisting her, the silver-haired girl nodded and said.

"Last question...

Are you a rabbit or a donkey?"