I'm Not a Flame-Chaser

"A name is not a code."

"... Natasha Xiola."

Raven still remembered the first time she saw that man. In that dark yet bright, spacious yet enclosed space, he was the only one standing at the door, like a statue, motionless, "welcoming" her.

He was the only "normal person" in the Imaginary Tree, but it was precisely his ordinariness that made him extraordinary among the Flame-Chaser in the memory of glorious but stagnant events.

To be honest, Raven's first impression of him wasn't good. Perhaps it was because of the principle of "like repels like," but her intuition told her that this man was not someone to be trifled with, as she and he were very similar in some ways.

Subsequent events proved her intuition correct; she was thoroughly taught a lesson. But... this changed Raven of him. She realized that this helmeted man was not like her. Beneath his cold exterior lay a passionate heart that she, a mercenary, could not match. Raven found that she and Sakura had a lot in common.

Even though they weren't on the same path, he could tell she was a mercenary driven by self-interest, yet he didn't show any disgust towards her. Compared to the others who didn't even recognize her until they left, he was the only one who patiently accompanied and taught her from beginning to end.

"I heard from Sakura that you're always the first one to appear in front of people. Why is that?"

Raven would occasionally recall the rare moments of leisure he spent chatting with during his breaks, the soft, pale yellow light shining on his cold, steel helmet, serene and distant, making him seem less like a living person and more like a motionless work of art.

"... You're just here to go through the motions, not to uncover secrets."

The helmeted man's answer was even colder than Kevin's, but Raven merely smiled slightly at the corner of his mouth, which had a beauty mark, without replying.

Yes, she knew that the deeper she went into this strange place, the more dangerous it would be. On the contrary, as long as she followed the procedure the helmeted man told her, she could leave.

But... this wasn't a secret she wanted to uncover; it was just a personal matter. However, she didn't explain it to him, perhaps it was better for her to keep it to herself.

After all, this guy is already an undead, having died 50,000 years ago.

Strangely enough, Raven lost everything due to the Honkai at a young age and worked hard to climb up, interacting with all kinds of people in various countries, white and black, old and young, experiencing things that many people could not experience in their entire lives. Yet, she felt a sense of peace for the first time in front of this man.

It wasn't the psychological comfort she felt when rescuing those children, but rather a peace she had never experienced before, as if the two had been friends for many years.

"As you said, I'll be leaving soon. The next time we meet might be a long time from now. Is there anything I can bring in for you?"

Raven picked up a cup of tea from the table, blew on the steaming rim, and asked.

Are you still planning to come back here?

"..." The man's question silenced Raven. She wanted to drink her tea, but seeing her reflection under the hood in the tea, she gently put down her teacup. "I told you, didn't I? My brother told me to live. Those words were like a curse, making me desperately want to live. But what exactly is living? Is it just that my bodily functions haven't stopped? Is that living?"

"..."

"Maybe not, but I don't know how I want to live. Should I run a tavern? Or build a big house? Or live like this, as a mercenary, homeless and living on the edge?"

"The choice is yours."

"Haha, you've said this to me so many times, but the problem is... people don't lack the courage to choose, they lack the direction to make those choices. If everyone had the courage and direction to make choices, then this world wouldn't need me, nor would it need the World Serpent. So..."

After laughing, the Raven's face, hidden under its hood, was tinged with bewilderment.

Her lips moved slightly, whispering as softly as a mosquito's buzz—

"Lin, can you tell me how I'm supposed to go on living?"

The Raven, whose real name was Natasha, woke up leaning against the wall. She glanced groggily at her chicks in the nest and a secluded room, and breathed a sigh of relief.

After that lightning-loving young lady brought Kong back, she dealt with her for a while before finally sending her away. The continuous work during this period had taken its toll on her, and she had to take a short break.

How strange, why did I dream about that person? Could it be because I haven't seen him in so long? What's wrong with me... I'm just like a little girl in love...

Raven chuckled self-deprecatingly. She didn't think much of it, but occasionally, when she was tired, she would recall the heart-to-heart talks with that reassuring man.

He didn't teach himself many lessons; all he did was respect her choice.

And so, the Raven would always think of him.

She couldn't help but think, what if he were still alive...

"Hmm? That guy Chen Tianwu..."

After his initial reflection, the Raven glanced around the nest and his expression immediately turned cold, for one person was missing.

P. S.: Today is a birthday celebration for a reader, so there will be a three-chapter special.

A "Rebirth" in the Sky: A Corner of the Photo Album (Part 1)

"Hey~ the true nature of this world is actually hidden beneath its dull and boring exterior, isn't it?~"

"Whether you are a diligent person or a reckless person, you are all part of this world. It has never changed, whether the wind blows and the rain falls or the sun shines brightly."

"I always hear people say, 'Look at the world from a different perspective,' but I think it's beautiful from any angle, just like me!"

Her long, pink hair, like dandelions scattered in the sea breeze, brushed against the girl's cheeks. She reached out to catch the playful wind sprites, but they still escaped from her grasp.

She smiled gently, facing the rising sun, like ink spreading out and finding a painting.

"However... it is often said that imperfections are also a kind of beauty, so does this world also have imperfections?"

So... who's missing?

The girl picked up her camera and took a picture of the shimmering water in the rising sun, then smiled as she looked at a photo album lying to the side.

This is her fifteenth year of traveling the world again. She has been to most parts of the world, and her footprints cover wonders in harsh environments, remote and isolated tribes, bustling cities, and cultural relics.

In the past, she imprinted all the scenery in her heart; now, she picks up her camera and captures the beauty in photographs.

She knew very well why she did it.

In order to show someone who may never come back the places she has been, to leave her traces, and to share her experiences with him when he returns.

"Hehe..."

The thought of that person silently flipping through photo albums while listening to her enthusiastically recount all the new and exciting things made the girl chuckle.

But...

What is he doing now?

The girl stopped smiling, looked up, and gazed at the brightest star among the countless stars in the still-dark night.

Is he fighting for the happiness and joy of many? Are there any new companions by his side? Is that girl who looks so much like him also by his side?

The girl saw a shooting star streak across the sky, lowered her head, and clasped her hands together.

May he not be alone, may he walk on the path of his dreams and reach the end of happiness.

"Oh! Sorry to keep you waiting! I didn't expect anyone to come to this old, run-down place!"

A small boat docked at the shore, and an elderly man with white hair laughed heartily at the waiting girl.

"Haha, the scenery here is so beautiful, how come no one comes?"

The old man was fond of the quirky, cheerful girl. He stretched his limbs, steadied the bow of the boat, and shook his head at the girl. "It was bustling more than ten years ago, but now there's nobody here. It used to be a popular tourist spot, but it fell into disrepair, nobody cared, and it's full of trash."

"I used to row this boat more than ten years ago. People came in an endless stream, and every trip was full. I could earn several hundred yuan a day! Now, I just want to relax and look around."

At this point, the old man looked at the girl's delicate smile and let out a soft "Eh?": "Eh... little girl, haven't we met before?"

The girl smiled brightly, neither confirming nor denying. "I came here more than ten years ago, but there were too many people back then, and I couldn't see the scenery at all, so I came back again now, and it is indeed very beautiful."

"Oh... more than ten years ago, you were just a little baby, right? You must have been incredibly cute back then, that's why I remember you!"

"Hehe..."

The girl smiled but didn't answer. She boarded the boat, pulled down her skirt, sat down, and put away her camera and photo album.

"Sigh, why come to this godforsaken place? Wouldn't it be better to go to some more beautiful places?" The old man started the engine as soon as the girl boarded the boat, and the boat chugged off in the direction of returning.

"We'll walk the path we've already walked. Grandpa, haven't you lived here for over ten years and rowed your boat for over ten years as well?"

"This is how I make a living, young lady. You certainly don't lack money." The old man laughed heartily without any restraint, his laughter echoing across the vast, azure water. "Young lady, you're so pretty, don't you have a companion? Didn't you come with your boyfriend?"

"Yes, I have."

The pink-haired girl, who was called "little girl," smiled and raised her left hand, shaking the ring on her left ring finger.

"They're married! Wow, which young man is so lucky? By the way, why didn't he come along?"

"He... ran off with another girl."

"They ran away?!"

The old man was taken aback, his eyebrows furrowed, and he said with a hint of anger, "What do you call this? Scumbag? It's outrageous! How can he leave such a beautiful girl behind and run off with another girl? He has no taste at all."

The pink-haired girl couldn't help but laugh so hard she almost fell over, "Hahaha... Grandpa, you're too excited! Don't capsize the boat!"

"Oh, I just think it's so infuriating! He just abandoned such a young girl and ran away. What will people think of you now..."

"Hmm... no, he'll definitely come back."

"Are you still waiting for him?"

"Of course." The girl smiled radiantly, gently brushing a strand of hair from her lips, her watery eyes gazing into the unknown distance. "Even with countless pains and loneliness, he endures them all alone. I want to share even a fraction of his burden, so I'm here waiting silently, letting him know that someone is waiting for him to return."

Even though we are separated by countless worlds.

Even though countless hours have passed.

She wanted him to know that Elysia was right there.

Meeting him was not a mistake of timing, nor a mistake of place, nor a tragedy ordained by fate.

So, no matter how long it takes, she will continue to wait.

"... Haha, what a lucky lad."

Seeing the flawless smile on the girl's face, the old man couldn't help but sigh, then smiled as well, looking at the bright sun rising from the water in the distance.

Day after day, year after year, everyone has their own way of life. He chose to ferry people across the river, and the girl chose to wait. What's wrong with that?

But, young lady, the man you speak of is enduring pain and loneliness, but aren't you the same?

Half an hour later, the girl returned to the spot where she had left the shore. She skipped ashore, paid the fare, waved to the departing old man, took a deep breath, pondered where to go next, and turned around...

"Clatter..."

The girl looked down in rare terror and saw the photo album she cherished fall into the water. Her mind went blank and she lunged at the sinking album.

Someone pulled her back in time, preventing her from falling into the water.

"Let me go! My photo album!"

This was the first time she had ever been so anxious.

That wasn't just her memory; it was proof that she had existed in this world, and it was also the beauty of the world she wanted to show that person.

As long as the photo album remains, even if she leaves for some reason in the future, it can be left to him, to tell him everything about her and her feelings.

"No... my photo album..."

"... If it's gone, just make another one."

"You..."

The girl turned around angrily, a rare occurrence, but was completely stunned when she saw the person holding her back.

The world where the sea meets the sky is now peaceful.

"Can I come with you, Elysia?"

"..."

Sometimes.

The encounters between people are always so wonderful.

It's not a miracle, it's just that... we always stop at the starting point, that's all.

"You... you're wrong."

Elysia chuckled, tears welling in her eyes.

"You should say..."

"'My wife'."

A "Rebirth" in the Sky: A Corner of the Photo Album (Part 2)

"Mmm... uh..."

The ambiguous sounds of lips touching tongues were drowned out by the noisy crowd, and the warm, moist breaths were deliberately suppressed.

In the corner of the last row of the group tour, a beautiful spring scene is unfolding.

Outside the window, the scenery along the coastline heading south is beautiful, but while everyone else is admiring the view, two people are enjoying their own "landscape."