Rebirth

If a bloodthirsty monster were to suddenly gain humanity, would it reflect on the lives it had taken? Probably not—it might even see that as a shackle or a burden. But what if the killing wasn't done by choice? For Ling Ying, the truth was as cruelly twisted as that. In her past life, she was just an ordinary college student, somewhat socially awkward with hardly any close friends. Though her decent looks meant she never lacked people fussing over her, she wished they'd just leave her alone. Aside from studying, eating, and sleeping, all she wanted was to sit alone at her computer and play games.

"Humans really are such troublesome social creatures," she'd often sigh to herself. Perhaps that was why, when she suddenly and inexplicably transmigrated while playing League of Legends alone in her dorm, she was shocked to find she was no longer the so-called troublesome human she'd always complained about. She had become a bug—more precisely, a Blade Worm, the most numerous and lowest form of Void Creature. Before her stretched a sea of her own kind, who only hissed and screeched—no socializing needed. But what crushed her was that, unlike typical transmigration stories that came with cheat abilities, she was not only weak as a Blade Worm but couldn't even control her own body properly. At all times, a powerful Instinct Consciousness drove her to do things that went against her human mind. Perhaps that was the original consciousness of this insect body. Thanks to that, on her very first day in this other world, she was thrown into a bloody fight among her own kind, barely surviving an attack from several Blade Worms. The Instinct Consciousness told her this was one of the Void's natural selections—only the fiercest Blade Worms deserved to live. Even the lowest creatures didn't need cannon fodder. Soon enough, the Void Rift would spawn a new batch of Blade Worms anyway. As for the ones killed, Ling Ying and the other survivors dragged them to a hidden corner and ate them. Raw. She certainly didn't want to do something so disgusting, but not eating meant dying—that's what the devouring instinct told her. Her body, out of her control, gulped down the flesh of her own kind. The intense nausea and discomfort nearly made her consciousness black out. Worse, this was just the beginning. Cannibalism resumed at dawn the next day. Every day after, she was forced to kill and devour until her human emotions and awareness grew numb. Chewing on the flesh of other Blade Worms became as simple and natural as eating or drinking. There were benefits, though—at least she evolved stronger than those around her. Eventually, no Blade Worm could beat her in the hunt. Until one day, she crossed the threshold, evolving from a weak Blade Worm into a higher Void Beast. A watcher in the shadows noticed and cast her out of the Void Rift. After a dizzying spatial shift, Ling Ying found herself in a world both strange and familiar—Valoran, the grand stage of the game League of Legends.

"A civilized world," Ling Ying remarked without much emotion. If she were still her old self, she'd probably be thrilled to see the game's world in person. But after a life steeped in blood and death, the so-called human emotions in her consciousness had grown thin. All that remained was the memory that she had once been human—a line she held as unbreakable. After all, if she could hunt humans like prey, could she still be called human? That was her thinking. Yet reality quickly proved that her so-called psychological barrier was meaningless before the devouring instinct. While hunting a herd of Rock Sheep in the desert to fill her stomach, she stumbled upon a trembling girl behind a sand dune. The girl wore shepherd-like clothes and looked maybe ten years old. Seeing a human after so long gave Ling Ying a flicker of warmth. But when she saw the utter despair and terror in the girl's blue eyes, that warmth vanished. Right—in her eyes, I'm a monster. Ling Ying mocked herself and turned to leave. She truly didn't want to attack humans. But the Instinct Consciousness thought otherwise. The girl's flesh gave off an alluring scent that captivated her in an instant, making her cast everything aside and follow instinct as always. By the time she realized what she'd done, only the girl's mangled remains were left. Ling Ying stared into the girl's lifeless eyes, the sweet taste of her blood still on her lips, battering the final defense of humanity in her heart until it crumbled. She felt the part of her soul that could be called human slip away. What remained existed only for existence's sake.

That same day, two strangers lost something precious. One lost her life; the other lost all hope for the world.

Ling Ying stopped struggling. Her so-called persistence was a joke. Now, inside and out, she was a true monster.

"Then there's no need to hold on anymore, this damn hell."

Ling Ying began to seal off her consciousness, sitting behind the high walls of her inner world, watching through thick windows as her body, driven purely by instinct, committed more sins. The bandits who burned and looted vanished; the oasis residents had no time to celebrate before their village was slaughtered. The Void Creatures roaming the desert's edge disappeared, and the herders' flocks went missing too. She slaughtered every living thing in her path, even going mad enough to take on a group of Void Ekko led by a Queen Beast. That fight left her barely alive, but she took down several times her number in Ekko, even tearing half the dorsal fin off the Queen Beast before it fled. Many such battles followed. Countless kills, countless near-deaths. The name Mirage Nightmare grew infamous, and the blood outside Ling Ying's window thickened. Finally, the notorious creature met several powerful humans and was defeated by their wit and teamwork.

"This should be it, right? Is it finally over? My sinful insect life." Ling Ying closed her eyes, awaiting her final judgment, her release. But fate played another joke on her. After drifting in a space filled with purple light for a while, she was reborn, even regaining a human-like body. The devouring instinct that had always controlled her was gone. She could return to the human world, but for Ling Ying now, there was no crueler punishment. Though she was far more stunning than her past self, beneath that transcendent beauty lurked a bloodthirsty Void Creature. She was no longer driven by instinct to kill, but her sins didn't disappear. Crushed by guilt and remorse, she tried to end herself—but fate's cruel humor struck again. She couldn't kill herself; the thought would be erased by some subconscious force as soon as it appeared. All she could do was try to readjust to human life, long lost to her. But could she, who had once lost all humanity, live on as a human with a clear conscience?

"I can't!" Ling Ying cried out involuntarily, drawing strange looks from passersby. She quickly covered her mouth and fell silent. She'd only sat down to rest, but the sudden surge of thoughts had plunged her into a daze, forgetting she wasn't in some desolate desert but at the port of Bilgewater City, the most prosperous city in Shurima. Why she came here, she didn't know. Maybe she was tired of the yellow sands and wanted to see the sea, or maybe something else—who could say? Since turning back into a human, she'd mostly wandered like a zombie, so ending up at Shurima's northern tip wasn't strange. And the vast blue ocean did ease her mind a little.

But Ling Ying was about to leave. More people were gathering, and her shout had probably drawn attention—especially since she was wrapped in a robe and cloak, looking suspicious. Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned. Just as she stood, she saw three thuggish types swaggering toward her. Two had curved swords and short guns on their belts—likely sailors' weapons. That made them either sailors or pirates. If the former, fine; the latter would be trouble. Lawless men at sea wouldn't behave even in a regulated city. Ling Ying stopped moving and turned her face away to avoid notice.

But fear came true. Footsteps stopped in front of her. Worse, the leader, reeking of alcohol, plopped down beside her and stroked his tacky beard with a self-styled coolness.

"Can't do it? How about big brothers help you out, hahaha." The three laughed lewdly. Under her hood, Ling Ying forced a bitter smile. Had she been too loud? That's why trouble came—she'd always been careful to keep her distance, but one slip was all it took.

Her mind raced, but to the three, she seemed to ignore them, motionless. That annoyed them. The next moment, Ling Ying felt something press against her forehead through the hood—cold, like a gun. Of course, they wouldn't shoot over nothing. The bearded leader tilted the barrel and flicked off her hood.

"Oh! What's this, a beauty! Why the closed eyes? Don't be shy." Seen. These guys were insufferable. But she didn't move. She feared that if she attacked a human again, the humanity she'd barely reclaimed would slip away.

"Oh, now's not the time for silence, pretty lady. Big brothers are happy to listen to a girl's troubles." The bearded man leaned in with a lecherous grin, then suddenly wrapped an arm around her slender waist.

Ling Ying's body jolted. This was the first time—in either life—a man had done this. And such a scumbag! For a moment, the long-suppressed instinct nearly awakened, but she held it down.

"Let big brothers see if you're developing properly, ahaha..." A dull thud cut off his grating laugh like a skipping record. A flying kick sent him flying meters away, crashing into stacked cargo crates by the port. He groaned, clutching his bloody head on the ground.

"Boss! Damn it! You're asking for—pfft!" The first lackey didn't finish his line before a powerful uppercut sent him spitting blood at a forty-five-degree angle, staggering backward in a daze before tripping over a rope and splashing into the sea. The second lackey, farther away, managed to draw his gun, but it was snatched in an instant. The heavy grip slammed into his shiny head, knocking him senseless, then he joined his comrade with a kick into the water, leaving a trail of bubbles.

The commotion drew more onlookers. Ling Ying realized someone had helped her. But she also felt many eyes focusing on her, making her afraid to open her eyes. If those eyes—clearly not human—were seen, it'd be worse.

Just as she was at a loss, she felt someone pull her hood back on. Then a hand, oddly cold in the hot air, took her right arm and led her away from the crowded pier.

"Huh?" Intense confusion and unease made Ling Ying open her eyes. Her guide was also wrapped in a cloak, face hidden by a scarf. She wondered if they might take a wrong turn or hit a wall. But no—the guide deftly wove through alleys. After nearly ten minutes, they turned into a dark, narrow lane. The guide suddenly yanked Ling Ying against the wall, then shifted to pin her there in a suggestive pose.

"Thinking you can find redemption by becoming a wooden doll that doesn't resist the world? How laughable, Mirage Nightmare."

Those four words hit Ling Ying like a thunderbolt, plunging her into unspeakable gravity. Her already pale face lost all color. She couldn't forget that name, though she wished she could. Staring at the Cloaked Figure, countless possibilities flashed through her mind. Was he a victim? Or just someone in the know? But she had a human body now—how was she recognized? A thousand questions hung on her lips, but her trembling lips only stammered without a word.

"Sorry, none of those are right." A light female voice came from under the thick hood. As if reading Ling Ying's thoughts, the Cloaked Figure shook her head slightly and made a shushing gesture with her free hand.

"Want to know why all this happened to you? I'll let you in on a secret—it's all because of me. I'm the root of everything you've been through. I brought you to this world, made you a Void Creature. I've watched every move you made. Including how you let yourself attack humans."

The information made Ling Ying's pupils contract sharply. She'd been in this world for a while, but amid the survival crises, she'd never had time to ponder the reason behind her transmigration. Now, the culprit stood before her. No explanation, no apology. Her tone was as casual as discussing a trivial matter.

Ling Ying stared at her in disbelief, then suddenly swung a fist at the Cloaked Figure.

She couldn't accept it. Transmigration was one thing, but she couldn't tolerate being burdened with an unpayable blood debt while the other acted so indifferent, looking down on it all.

Her fist, full of force, swung out—but instead of hitting flesh, it passed eerily through the Cloaked Figure's head, as if she were intangible air. Half terrified, half confused, Ling Ying was quickly grabbed by the arm, twisted behind her, and pinned again.

"By the way, don't let your emotions run wild, or else..." Purple energy light bloomed from the Cloaked Figure's palm, conducting like electric currents into Ling Ying. Her arm began to twist unnaturally, skin splitting, flesh curling. In an instant, her white right arm turned into a terrifying Demon Claw covered in purple carapace.

"See? Your human body is just a disguise. In essence, you're still an ugly Void Creature, and that's all you'll ever be. If you get too emotional, you might turn back into a killing machine, no different from your siblings."

The Cloaked Figure loosened her grip, and Ling Ying broke free. She frantically looked at her arm, but found no change—the horrific mutation seemed like a fleeting illusion.

"Ah, that was just an illusion." The Cloaked Figure shrugged.

"But what I said is true, so I really don't recommend you test it yourself. Unless you don't care?" Her teasing tone earned a vicious glare from Ling Ying, like a starving wolf ready to pounce. But perhaps her words had effect—Ling Ying held back, waiting for her next move.

"Good choice. As a reward for being a good kid, here." A crystal the size of a fist instantly captivated Ling Ying's attention. After all, she was once a girl—such things always drew her. But after the initial dazzle, she noticed the crystal emanated a purple glow. It gave her an ominous feeling, yet her body inexplicably yearned for it.

"Can you feel it? The craving in your body. This is a Void Crystal, a gem overflowing with Void energy. Its purpose? To accelerate the evolution of individual Void creatures. Far more efficient than simply devouring others. It's quite suitable for someone like you in your current state... Hey, I wasn't done talking—don't snatch it."

The cloaked figure hoisted the crystal above their head, dodging Ling Ying's grab. Failing to get it, Ling Ying instinctively hopped twice like a child reaching for a toy, only to flush with embarrassment when she realized what she'd done. It was all that damned crystal's fault—it made her desperate to possess it.

The cloaked figure held the crystal up, observing it for a moment. Once sure Ling Ying wouldn't try to snatch it again, they spoke slowly.

"Ah, I thought you'd be more aggressive. After all, this thing is as lethally addictive to low-level Void creatures as marijuana is to an addict. It seems I was right—after gaining a humanoid form, you've temporarily shed the influence of the devouring instinct. Tsk, lucky one."

The cloaked figure extended the crystal toward Ling Ying. Her lack of a more drastic move seemed to disappoint them. Ling Ying didn't reach for it. Despite her body's yearning, she held back. She glanced at the crystal, then at the cloaked figure, and spoke with skepticism.

"Why?"

"What do you mean? This crystal, or..."

"Everything that's happened to me. Why?"

"Tsk, hahaha. Not choosing, but wanting it all?"

The cloaked figure let out a light, cheerful laugh, as if Ling Ying had said something amusing. It wasn't until Ling Ying's face darkened, as if it could drip water, that they stopped laughing, cleared their throat, and spoke seriously.

"Ah, sorry. Yes, I have my own motives, but I can't tell you yet. With your current strength, knowing too much would only bring you trouble, nothing more. Hm? Don't look at me like that. I'm genuinely thinking of you—at least for now. When you're strong enough, I'll naturally tell you. So, evolve. Grow stronger..."

"Why?"

This time, Ling Ying wasn't asking—she was demanding.

"Why should I? You can't deny your connection to the Void, can you? If I evolve the way you say, wouldn't I just be aiding the enemy? Haven't you caused enough harm to the people of my homeland?"

Ling Ying's voice was full and forceful, silencing even the cloaked figure, who had dominated the conversation until now.

"So, do you want to live forever in guilt and regret? Or do you want redemption?"

"?"

"Is that too vague? Let me put it more directly. Do you want to live in constant fear, never knowing if you'll wake up one day consumed by the devouring instinct again? Or do you want complete free will, no longer bound by that instinct?"

"What does that mean?"

"Exactly what it sounds like. Low-level Void creatures are pitiful things driven by the devouring instinct. They live to uncontrollably devour and kill until they die—or until they're lucky enough to evolve to a higher level. As for you, you're something of a chosen one, even luckier than them. By chance, your humanoid form separated your original human consciousness from the devouring instinct of your Void body. But that's also a ticking time bomb. The devouring instinct is only dormant for now. At your core, your fragile consciousness still can't resist it. Intense emotions or overusing Void power will trigger its reawakening. To escape this, evolution is the only path. Only high-level Void creatures can enjoy true free will."

The cloaked figure tossed the crystal in their palm, then asked softly after a moment.

"So, what'll it be? Trust me, or keep living as you are? I'm fine either way. You're part of my plan, but not that important."

"I don't know what kind of beings you are, and I still can't trust you—or rather, I can't trust myself right now. But at least one thing I have to agree with: I've had enough of hiding from the world. If evolving as you say can truly bring freedom and redemption..."

Ling Ying stepped forward, reached out, and took the Void Crystal from the cloaked figure's hand.

"Good, I like obedient kids. You won't regret this choice."

"Maybe."

"Hey? A little more trust wouldn't hurt! Ah, anyway, to make up for the things I can't tell you, here's a shortcut: go to Piltover and find a crystal like the one in your hand. It ended up there by accident, mistaken for a Hextech Crystal. It's time it returned to the Void's grasp."

"Why? Are you just using me as an errand girl?"

Ling Ying frowned. The cloaked figure's words were suspicious no matter how she looked at it.

"Wrong. This is a starting gift from me. To evolve, the crystal you have now is useful, but not enough. For reasons I can't explain, I can't give you more. So you'll have to collect them yourself. But I'm giving you intel—absolutely accurate. Think of it as a trial. On this continent, Piltover is the perfect starting point, isn't it? If you can't even survive in that city, you're just a lucky waste. And wastes don't deserve the truth or any help."

A sudden gust of wind swirled around the cloaked figure, and Ling Ying felt a clear pressure radiating from them. Strong. For the first time, she felt utterly overpowered. Against someone like that, even if they forced her to do something, she couldn't resist, could she?

"From your expression, I don't need to say more, do I? If you understand, take this. My initial investment in you—or, as you might call it, starting gear."

A plain cloth pouch was tossed in front of Ling Ying. It looked small and unassuming, but the magical fluctuations within suggested it held great secrets.

"Let's end our first meeting here. I hope next time I see you, you're not a corpse, you weakling."

With that, the cloaked figure vanished, even more effortlessly than they had arrived. Ling Ying stared at the pouch for a long time before finally making up her mind to pick it up and quickly walk out of the alley. She headed for the harbor to ask when the next ship to Piltover would depart. After all, regardless of the cloaked figure's motives, going to Piltover wasn't a bad choice for her now.

That evening, the Silver Dawn set sail from Shurima to Piltover, carrying a ship full of diverse passengers—and a girl determined to start anew.

On the tall lighthouse at the harbor, a cloaked figure stood silently, watching the ship leave the inner harbor's breakwater and enter the surging blue outer sea.

"So you didn't do anything in the end? That's not what you expected, is it?"

Another cloaked figure appeared from behind. The two nearly identical figures stood together at the lighthouse's edge, gazing at the sunset-lit sea. Like two statues, watching over the harbor's comings and goings.

"I'm thinking, maybe this one isn't completely useless."

The first cloaked figure broke the silence.

"All this time, she's brushed death countless times, but it never truly killed her. Instead, she grew."

"Hm? Forget the earlier ones—did you send those mercenaries too?"

Cloaked Figure Two's tone carried a hint of anger.

"That was too much. She almost died. If the Void essence from her dissolving body hadn't devoured those careless humans at the last moment, giving her enough energy to regenerate, she'd be nothing but bones now."

"But she survived, didn't she? And even gained a new life."

Cloaked Figure One shook their head with a self-deprecating laugh, changing the subject.

"Do you think she'll really bring redemption, like Mother said?"

"I don't know. In a way, I'm like you. I think her choice this time was too impulsive. But I still trust Mother."

"Is that so? I hope so."

Cloaked Figure One let out a bitter laugh. After a moment, he raised his right hand and traced a line through the air, instantly forming a portal as tall as a person.

"I'll hold back for now. I hope she really can grow into the existence you and Mother expect. I'm leaving first—the Void has been unsettled lately, so you should be careful too."

"Thanks for the concern."

Cloaked Figure Two replied in a low voice, continuing to watch the sailboat drift farther and farther away, until the straight mast vanished beyond the line where sea and sky merged.