The Woodcutter's Axe

Li Ke really didn't know what to say. He absolutely wasn't the kind of person who would act like this.

Whether it was constantly flirting with girls, doing all sorts of weird things, or criticizing and causing trouble in front of village girls, these were all things he would never do.

And he absolutely, absolutely—

Wouldn't be so obsessed with butts!

So there had to be something wrong with this simulation!

"Could it be that because I knew it was a quick simulation, I let loose and did whatever I wanted?"

After thinking a little about why he'd been so uninhibited, Li Ke could only come up with that explanation.

He was a very steady person, and extremely cautious. He would never mess around.

People's abilities had limits. The harder you worked, the more you understood that. The more you schemed, the more likely you were to stumble into unforeseen situations.

So he was always very cautious.

But using his ability to "simulate" was different. He wouldn't really die because of something like this. In fact, the more recklessly he acted, the more he could uncover unknown dangers. If he played it safe in the simulation, he might overlook hidden dangers instead.

So it made sense that he'd let loose like that in there...

"Like hell it makes sense! How could I possibly be so shameless and lecherous?!"

Li Ke grabbed the table in front of him, ready to flip it over.

But halfway through the motion, he saw the pills on it. He paused to think, released the table, and put the pills away.

He grabbed the table again, intending to flip it, but then noticed how exquisite the bowls were and that the candlestick was ceramic. After another moment's thought, he moved the candlestick and bowls aside so they wouldn't break.

There was no helping it.

He was poor.

By the time he'd finished, he'd lost all desire to flip the table. All that remained was a deep sense of melancholy.

"Ah... If only I were rich..."

Li Ke angrily rapped on the table a few times, then continued watching his simulation records.

Month Six: You and Xayah and Ahri heard that Noxus had launched a massive invasion of Placidium, sweeping across nearly half of Ionia in just a few months. Xayah also heard some bad rumors. With a gloomy expression, she left. You also heard about Irelia's battles in Placidium and realized that the tide of war in Ionia was about to turn.

Month Seven: Xayah returned once, but this time she only looked at you sadly and said, "Humans and Vastaya really can't coexist." Then she had a huge argument with Ahri and left.

You tried to stop her, but this time Xayah didn't hold back. While you were caught off guard, one of her feathers nearly pierced your heart.

Ahri took you to find a doctor, and Xayah left for good.

Month Eight: Irelia miraculously defeated Swain, and the Ionian people began their counterattack in earnest.

Month Nine: You recovered, but a Noxian squad arrived at the peaceful village. You stepped in and killed them all.

Month Ten: The Noxians discovered you and sent a suicide squad.

You were wounded in your fury. Seeing a child who was determined to stab you even in death, you lost your reason.

When you came to your senses, all that remained around you were corpses.

You couldn't sleep because of the mental trauma. Ahri began to comfort you, and the two of you officially became a couple.

Month Eleven: You took Ahri and the villagers to a safe temple, then began gathering people willing to resist Noxus.

You were added to the Noxian wanted list.

Month Twelve: You led a group of swordsmen in a surprise attack on a Noxian supply route. During the raid, you encountered a formidable opponent and exposed Irelia's ancestral sword.

Year Two, January: Irelia found you. She looked at the sword in your hand with a complicated expression, as if she wanted to say something, but she didn't. She only glanced at Ahri beside you, then left.

Ahri found this strange and followed her.

You didn't know what they talked about, but afterward Ahri's expression seemed odd. When you asked her about it, she didn't answer.

Year Two, February: The Noxians cornered your group. You and Ahri were locked in a fierce battle. Because her injuries were so severe, Ahri lost control and consumed the memories and life force of the Noxians and your dying subordinates to heal herself.

As you tried to comfort her, Ahri attacked you, leaving you unconscious. When you woke, she had vanished completely. Everyone, including you, had forgotten all memories of her and continued fighting under your command.

Year Two, May: You successfully drove the Noxians out of the territory you occupied, but you couldn't shake the feeling that you'd forgotten something important.

Irelia sent you an invitation, asking you and your subordinates to come to Placidium and help her. After thinking it over, you agreed.

Irelia asked when you and Ahri were going to get married. You asked her who Ahri was.

Year Two, June: Irelia saw someone wearing a hooded cloak. When you spotted the fox tail behind them, you instinctively gave chase, but couldn't catch up. At the same time, you heard that Kusho had been killed by his prized student, Zed. You learned that Zed had founded the Order of the Shadow and become its leader, the Master of Shadows.

Year Two, July: Someone told you that the sword you carried had actually been set aside by Irelia's family for her future husband. But the sword went missing when the Noxians invaded her home.

Year Two, August: You discussed the matter with Irelia, whom you knew very well, and noticed that her expression was a little strange.

Year Two, September: Irelia was exhausted. While discussing tactics with you, she fell asleep. You carried her to bed and kept watch over her all night.

Year Two, October: You and Irelia led your armies to defeat the last Noxian stronghold in Ionia. With your help, Ionia defeated the Noxians a full year earlier than it had in the original history. You and Irelia were hailed as heroes.

But you noticed some discordant voices.

Year Two, November: You decided to leave with your troops and Irelia. The Noxians hadn't even been completely driven out of Ionia, yet everyone was already trying to become king.

You discovered that the most deeply corrupted organization was the Brotherhood, which Irelia had originally founded.

Year Two, December: Irelia rejected your proposal, but moved in with you.

Year Three, January: Irelia left. She left you a letter apologizing and saying that she had been despicable.

Year Three, February: You couldn't find Irelia, but you found Xayah. She looked at you coldly, with a large group of farmers' corpses beside her.

You questioned her, but she answered coldly. You tried to make her turn back, but she said you had been enemies from the very beginning. Then you fought.

You died.

Before you died, you heard three words.

"Heartless bastard."

"Huh?"

I got axed?

Li Ke stared blankly.