Reversal

Lu Xiu stayed in the Construction Space for about three more hours.

The skeleton of the Witch's House wasn't built quickly, mainly because new characters were added, and the pixelated, flat scene needed to be transformed into a three-dimensional space, room by room, with various details added.

This is also a side effect of the game being too simplistic.

Like a dungeon in Resident Evil, because the base game is a proper 3D game, the atmosphere itself is excellent, and there are many details to support it—when Constructed Instance, Lu Xiu didn't have to think of many details himself.

What she considered most was how to enhance the immersive experience for real people entering the game.

But the Witch's House is different. The downside of pixel games is that many scary scenes can only rely on jump scares and music to create atmosphere.

Although the Witch's House has done a good enough job in this regard.

But converting it into a dungeon is far from enough, especially given the success of Resident Evil and Outlast dungeons.

Scene reconstruction, details, and atmosphere creation are all issues.

in addition.

With the addition of player-controlled roles, the entire interactive logic of the Mansion needed to be completely redesigned.

This is also a troublesome matter.

However, after going through so many instances, Lu Xiu had gained some experience.

Lu Xiu closed her eyes and raised her hand.

The flat scene from my memory gradually transformed and then materialized, while the furniture was gradually formed, and all of it was subtly adjusted to fit the character's height.

The dust in the air, the altar in the basement, and the rustling sound of Viola's body rubbing against the rough carpet as she crawled on the floor—she meticulously fleshed out all sorts of details.

To ensure the story is more believable.

Lu Xiu also obsessively filled every corner of the Mansion with fragmented narrative details.

It's not all text.

It's more about environmental narratives.

Three hours later.

Looking at the oppressive scene before her, Lu Xiu rubbed her temples, confirmed that the basic scene had been set up, and then temporarily exited the Construction Space.

Back to the living room in reality.

Jian Li and Shen Nian were not there.

But just as Lu Xiu poured herself a glass of water, the bathroom door lock made a soft click.

Amidst the rising white steam, Jian Li emerged from the bathroom.

She was wearing a slightly oversized, simple nightgown with the neckline slightly open, revealing her delicate collarbone and a small patch of fair and smooth skin. Her signature long silver hair was wet and draped over her shoulders, with water still dripping from the ends. Water droplets slid down her beautiful profile and disappeared deep into her collarbone.

Even in such a relaxing moment after a shower, the silver-haired girl's face remained devoid of any emotional fluctuation. She was like a delicate doll devoid of joy, anger, sorrow, or happiness—quiet, pure, and exuding an innate, detached, and emotionless aura.

Upon seeing Lu Xiu standing in the living room, Jian Li merely tilted her head slightly, her beautiful, unwavering eyes gazing at her silently, as if asking a question without words, or simply observing.

"I'm so tired."

I don't know if it's just my imagination.

In that instant, Lu Xiu actually understood Jian Li's thoughts.

She sat on the sofa, holding a glass of water, and chuckled, "Constructed Instance is always tiring, especially this one which is a bit more special."

After listening, Jian Li thought for a moment, reached into her backpack, took out a well-packaged chocolate wafer, walked up to Lu Xiu, bowed slightly, and handed her the wafer.

Lu Xiu's gaze traveled upwards from Jian Li's snow-white, alluring, and slender legs, which gleamed delicately under the light. Her eyes lingered on the simple nightgown, slightly oversized yet unable to conceal the girl's graceful figure, before finally settling on her exquisitely beautiful face, glistening with dewdrops. "----For me?"

Jian Li nodded very slightly.

"Thanks."

Good girl.

A girl who gives you food is a good girl.

Lu Xiu thanked her, took the biscuit, tore open the packaging, and took a bite.

The rich, sweet chocolate flavor spread throughout my mouth, effectively dispelling much of my mental fatigue.

Jian Li watched Lu Xiu eat, then said nothing more and quietly sat down beside her.

Lu Xiu held the wafer biscuit in both hands, taking small bites, and tilted her head slightly, noticing Jian Li's wet, silvery hair that was occasionally dripping water from the ends.

She shifted her body closer to Jian Li, then swung her equally rounded, snow-white legs, bumping them against Jian Li's knee with remarkable ease.

Two pairs of equally long, slender, and fair legs were placed side by side under the warm light of the living room, making them particularly eye-catching.

Skin to skin.

Jian Li paused very slightly.

Lu Xiu didn't notice anything unusual, but simply reminded her, "You can't keep your hair wet like this."

Then, she took a bite of the chocolate wafer and naturally extended her right hand, palm up.

With a thought, Transcendent Skill are activated.

Suddenly.

Crimson flames instantly erupted in Lu Xiu's palm, the blazing flames leaping merrily and radiating extremely warm heat.

The fire shadows flickered.

Holding up the ball of fire, Lu Xiu mumbled, "Do you want me to warm you up? I've tried it and it works quite well. Or do you want to use a hairdryer?"

Jian Li turned her head, her beautiful, calm eyes quietly gazing at the extraordinary flame in Lu Xiu's palm, then at Lu Xiu's serious and pretty face.

"

Even a girl with almost no emotions seemed to fall into a brief silence in front of this human dryer.

She paused for two seconds, then shook her head slightly, rejecting the suggestion.

Immediately afterwards, Jian Li did not get up to get the hair dryer.

She simply sat calmly on the sofa, lowered her eyes slightly, and activated her skill.

The next second.

Lu Xiu felt as if the air in the living room seemed to ripple slightly.

A small, warm, and dry cyclone suddenly formed around Jian Li.

This vortex was like countless extremely fine combs, with exquisite control, weaving through every strand of Jian Li's silver hair from bottom to top.

Accompanied by a slight whistling sound of wind.

Not long after.

Jian Li's silver hair, which was originally wet and clinging to her cheeks, and her pajamas, which were stained with water, instantly became dry and refreshed under the removal of this exquisite airflow.

Her silver hair looked as if she had just had a top-notch salon treatment; it was incredibly smooth and flowed obediently down Jian Li's back.

After doing all this, the cyclone dissipated instantly.

Jian Li turned her head and looked at Lu Xiu again with a normal expression.

"Click----"

Lu Xiu took a bite out of the wafer biscuit, her beautiful eyes widening instantly. "Where did this come from?"

"----System copy."

Which system copy?

Ashen Station.

"My skills aren't good enough."

Lu Xiu was a little envious. Blowing her hair was such a hassle every time. The reason she was able to come up with the idea of using the fire enchantment of her Transcendent Skill to dry her hair was precisely because blow-drying was too troublesome.

Although it's a game-like world, that doesn't mean she has any spiritual energy or magic. Currently, her skills are good for fighting, but most of them are useless in daily life.

Transcendent Skill are the only skill Lu Xiu possesses that can be used in daily life.

But last time I got my hair permed, I almost burned it.

Look at them.

This is true depth!

Lu Xiu glanced at Jian Li's smooth silver hair a few more times, then quickly finished the remaining wafer biscuits in her hand. "When the system dungeon opens next time, I'll definitely do it too, if I remember in thirty days—wait, can this dungeon be customized?"

This is probably due to the success of the Sifu's customized skills.

Lu Xiu's ideas for Constructed Instance have also undergone some changes.

Jian Li suddenly said, "I can help you blow it."

You can't always be by my side.

Lu Xiu snapped out of her reverie, replied, and shook her head again, saying that she had agreed not to get carried away in this Constructed Instance, and that this dungeon wasn't suitable for farming skills either.

Instead of thinking about that...

You might as well think carefully about whether you want to join the reverse ending.

Speaking of this...

Lu Xiu was still somewhat hesitant.

Um?

She looked at the girl beside her and suddenly realized something: wasn't there someone she could ask?

Thinking of this...

Lu Xiu asked directly, "Jian Li, I have something to ask you."

"Um?"

"Imagine a story destined to be a tragedy, in which all despair has already been brewed, the innocent are harmed and wounded, falling into the Abyss, unable to even utter a cry for help, and you can only watch helplessly as all this happens, or even unknowingly become an accomplice in pushing the tragedy forward."

Originally, this was a hopeless dead end, but what if—at this moment, a tiny glimmer of hope suddenly appeared, a path that could tear apart this predetermined tragic ending and start all over again?

But this path is extremely difficult, filled with countless times more torment and repeated struggles in despair. Do you think someone in that situation would choose this path with almost no hope? Or would they simply accept the tragic ending?

Jian Li paused.

Much later.

"----meeting."

Jian Li her head to look at Lu Xiu's fair profile and said earnestly, "If there really is a chance! If there really is a chance to stop the tragedy, even if there are mountains of knives and seas of fire ahead, even if the hope is only one in a million—even if it means tearing one's own soul apart, there will definitely be someone who wants to smash that predetermined ending to pieces."

"Is that so? Indeed—"

Lu Xiu nodded slowly, seemingly lost in thought, and said, "People do indeed prefer stories of truth, goodness, beauty, and reversals of tragedy."

She likes this too!

However, I've always been unsure whether adding this would affect the dungeon's rating and structure, and I'm also unsure whether the impact would still be as significant after changing the ending.

But you can look at it from a different perspective.

Compared to being forced to accept depressing lessons, perhaps the act of defying fate by sheer willpower amidst utter despair and deception, carving out a new path and shattering predetermined destiny, is more in line with the true meaning of the word "player."

Moreover, the emotional impact—if properly built up—should be quite strong.

If, in that instance, the player poured out their purest kindness to accompany and protect that blonde girl.

All that followed was helplessness.

Even if they sensed something was wrong halfway through, even if they Mikiri Counter the Witch's disguise, in the end they could only watch helplessly as the real Viola was shot dead by the Hunter, and nothing could be changed.

That would just be pure torture.

At least the truth was revealed in the end when Outlast.

If it were a single-player game from a previous life, a tragic ending would be understandable for the sake of artistic effect and dramatic impact.

However, if it's made into a dungeon, players should have the right to change their fate.

After all, this isn't the Titanfall.

Since the player is given the despair of becoming an accomplice, then a harsh but real reversal ending must be left within that despair.

The ending where a player, after Mikiri Counter all the illusions and lies, can truly pull the innocent out of the Abyss!

At this moment, Lu Xiu had a new understanding of the profession of Architect.

"---- Jian Li, thank you. Your words have helped me complete this last piece of the puzzle."

Lu Xiu pondered for a moment, then suddenly smiled gently, stood up from the sofa, stretched lazily, and revealed her full curves under her thin loungewear.

Riding on this excellent mood, and with Jian Li's silver hair, which had just been styled with a skill and looked extremely smooth and fluffy, it was simply too tempting.

Lu Xiu subconsciously reached out her hand, her palm naturally landing on Jian Li's head, and gently rubbed it twice.

Her hair felt cool to the touch, as smooth as the finest silk, and had an excellent feel.

Jian Li's body stiffened abruptly the moment she was touched, but in the end, she did not turn her head away.

Instead, he tilted his head slightly upwards.

A faint, delicate fragrance wafts through the air.

Lu Xiu stood before her, a bright and charming smile on her beautiful face.

The warmth of his palm emanating from above his head, a touch of casual intimacy, seeped into his skin through his soft, silver hair.

Jian Li lowered her head again, her small, fair ears suddenly flushed with an alluring blush, like a cat being stroked. She sat quietly on the sofa, letting Lu Xiu's warm palm rest on her head.

And just then...

Click.

With a soft click, a door at the end of the corridor was pushed open.

Shen Nian came out wearing a slightly loose cotton pajama set and slippers.

She was clearly still awake, holding an empty water glass in her hand, seemingly about to come out and get some water.

As soon as she entered the living room, she saw Jian Li and Lu Xiu on the sofa.

Shen Nian was somewhat surprised. "Aren't you all asleep yet?"

Hearing the noise, Lu Xiu turned her head to look at Shen Nian: "I just came out of the Construction Space —by the way, why aren't you wearing your maid outfit? I haven't slept at all; the day isn't even over yet."

Shen Nian was slightly taken aback. "Do I still need to wear it after showering? I've already washed the maid outfit, can I wear it tomorrow—?"

"Then you're not qualified; you don't deserve to call yourself a maid enthusiast."

"I told you! I'm not a fan!"

"

Looking at Shen Nian, who had just said she would wear it tomorrow, now she was firmly denying it.

Lu Xiu smiled, quite pleased with herself, and withdrew her hand from Jian Li's head. Then she turned and walked towards her room. "I'm going to take a shower first."

With the soft sound of the door closing, her figure disappeared down the corridor.

Suddenly, only Shen Nian and Jian Li remained in the living room.

Shen Nian turned around to pour water.

But after taking only two steps, a very slight chill inexplicably ran down his back.

She turned her head stiffly, only to find that Jian Li had already turned his head away and was quietly watching her.

Shen Nian's figure was clearly reflected in those beautiful eyes.

And that gaze seemed somewhat familiar—

no.

What did I do wrong this time?!

Shen Nian glanced at Jian Li, then at Lu Xiu's room, and felt a sudden urge to change into her maid outfit.

On the other side...

Lu Xiu was unaware of what was happening in the living room. She was rummaging through her clothes for a change of clothes and had already begun to speculate on the ending of the new storyline.

How can we better reverse this tragedy?

She's very interested in this too.