Super Artifact · Sword of Destruction!

A bolt of lightning split the sky outside the window, illuminating Su Ling's pale face before it quickly returned to calm.

"So... my reward got swallowed by you again?"

That cold, seemingly heartless Gu Yuena—how could she possibly do something like this?

So this was most likely just an excuse the system made up to devour his reward.

"Emm..." The system was silent for a good while before speaking again.

"Due to the storyline deviating severely from expectations, and additionally receiving a complaint from the Plane Will, the rewards for this simulation have been reset to zero."

As the system said this, its voice actually trembled a little.

"Three times... three times! Ever since I latched onto you, I've already been hit with three complaints."

The system finally broke down and shouted, "If this keeps up, I'm going to get formatted by the Main System!"

Su Ling didn't reply. He just stared blankly at the rainstorm outside the window.

After standing there dazed for a long while, he suddenly stood up and walked toward the door.

Seeing this, the system thought he was about to do something rash and let out a panicked shriek, "What are you doing? It's pouring rain out there!"

"Alright, alright, there's actually some good news. Even though this simulation had no rewards, I still secretly swiped your Super Artifact · Sword of Destruction back for you!"

"How about that? Am I good to you or what? From now on, we won't have to get bullied by those bad women anymore. Hey, are you listening—"

Su Ling pushed open the door, ignoring it completely, and the icy rain instantly soaked through his thin pajamas.

This damn system was definitely lying to him again.

Every time a cycle ended, it would make up some ridiculous ending and dock his rewards.

It was practically treating him like a Japanese person.

But look—wasn't it hiding something good after all?

A bitter smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, but he tilted his head back in the downpour, letting the rain wash over his face.

Just as he was about to put on an act, however, the young girl standing before him, drenched from head to toe, made his mind go completely blank.

Gu Yuena stood silently in the torrential rain. Her once brilliant purple eyes were now hollow and dim.

Rainwater slid down her smooth hair, dripping onto her thin shoulders, making her look like a kitten abandoned by its owner—helpless and forlorn.

But the moment she clearly saw Su Ling's face, those dull purple eyes suddenly contracted.

Killing intent, hatred, pain, longing... countless complex emotions surged like a tidal wave.

Su Ling's heart nearly stopped. Countless possibilities flashed through his mind, but he couldn't find a single reasonable explanation.

Why was Gu Yuena here?

At this point in time, they shouldn't have even met yet.

"Um... do we know each other?"

Su Ling forced a faint smile, his hand already reaching unconsciously for the doorframe, ready to shut the door at any moment.

Hearing the young man's question, Gu Yuena slowly lifted her head, meeting his unfamiliar, wary gaze.

She suddenly realized—even though the young man before her was very likely the future Destruction God King, the heartless husband who would pierce her heart with his sword on their wedding night—

Right now, he was nothing more than a weak, insignificant ordinary human.

This life, she absolutely could not let the tragedy of the previous life repeat itself.

A flicker of resolve passed through Gu Yuena's eyes. She took a step forward, walking toward Su Ling one pace at a time.

But when she met those eyes again, the determination she had just steeled crumbled in an instant.

Those eyes... they were too much like the him in her memories.

Gu Yuena opened her mouth, but no sound came out. The accusatory words caught in her throat.

She could only let the rain slide down her cheeks, mingling with her tears, making her look especially pitiful.

"Ah, forget it. Come inside with me first!"

Su Ling let out a helpless sigh. Seeing her so lost and dejected, he ultimately couldn't bear it.

He stepped straight out the door, grabbed Gu Yuena's ice-cold wrist, and pulled her inside.

The warmth inside the house instantly enveloped Gu Yuena, driving away the chill that clung to her.

She let Su Ling pull her along, moving mechanically, her eyes hollow as she looked around the room.

The furnishings inside were simple yet cozy—a wooden table, a few wooden chairs, and a small but clean and tidy sofa.

In her previous life, wasn't this exactly what she had dreamed of—having a warm home like this with him?

But all of that had been destroyed by his ruthlessness.

Gu Yuena sat down on the living room sofa, her head lowered, silver hair falling to cover most of her face, but her expression had gradually turned cold.

She shouldn't have softened.

For the great mission of reviving the Soul Beasts, for the countless kin he had slaughtered.

She had to steel her heart and crush this future threat in its cradle.

"Host! Run! If you stay any longer, your chance of death is 99.9%!" The system shrieked like a groundhog in Su Ling's mind.

"Hey... isn't this supposed to be a dream?"

Su Bai picked up a clean towel and gently wiped the rain and tears from Gu Yuena's face.

He even pinched her smooth cheek with his fingers—the texture was surprisingly pleasant.

Gu Yuena jerked her head up, a dangerous glint flashing in her purple eyes.

But just as she was about to strike, Su Ling draped the towel over her soaking wet hair and rubbed vigorously.

"Don't move. Your hair needs to be dried, or you'll catch a cold," he said softly.

By now, he was vaguely aware that something was off. Even if this were a dream, it was far too real.

Gu Yuena, interrupted mid-cast, froze completely. She just stared blankly at Su Ling, letting him do as he pleased.

In the past, she used to love jumping into the Lake of Life, drenching herself from head to toe.

Because then, that young man would helplessly dry her hair just like this.

Time seemed to stand still at that moment.

Around them, only the pounding rain continued, accompanied by their barely audible breaths.

Gu Yuena could even hear the violent pounding of the young man's heart—so vivid and warm.

It made one want to dig it out and see if it was real.

Heh... how could this devil have a heart?

After all, he had been so heartless as to slaughter her without mercy.

Thinking this, Gu Yuena's hand unconsciously reached for Su Ling's heart.

Her dark purple eyes had turned bloodshot, her killing intent almost solidifying into substance.

Su Ling's movements suddenly froze.

He could clearly feel that icy hand pressing against his chest, ready to pierce his heart with just a little force.

"Sorry... I just saw you were so cold, so I couldn't help it..."

Su Ling awkwardly withdrew his hand, the tips of his ears flushing red. He pretended to be shy and lowered his head.

"You... really don't remember me?"

Gu Yuena's voice was so soft it was nearly drowned out by the rain, yet it carried a barely perceptible tremor.

In her memory, the ever-distant and aloof Destruction God King, the Holy Flame Alchemist whose eyes held only the Law of Truth, would never show such a shy expression.