Jiang Xiaoqi:
haven't seen you for a long time.
I'm the headmistress, Xiaoqi! Do you remember me?
If nothing unexpected happens, you should not see this letter for more than ten years, or even longer.
By then, you should no longer cry so much, and you won't be the silly child that other kids describe you to be.
What will you be like when you grow up? I think you'll be very handsome and brave, just like your father.
Yes, Xiaoqi, I've met your father. What the headmistress is about to say should clear up some of your doubts.
First, please forgive me for separating your soul without my permission.
Only in that way, before entering that world, can you, born of the challengers and Aberrant Monster, grow up safely in this world.
Your father's name is Jiang Daoran. He's a very skilled challenger, and I'm a team member he saved.
Gui Ci, your mother... perhaps that's not the right way to address her. The Aberrant Monster doesn't have a specific gender, but he appears male, so let's just call him Father. (Hopefully he won't come to my dream tonight to express his displeasure; who knows what a sharp-tongued Aberrant Monster he is.)
We thought that successfully completing the level would be the end, but unexpectedly, the system turned the tables and placed the final, devastating seven-star dungeon at the intersection of the two worlds, Feng Mountain.
The complacent challengers were no match for the monsters that occupied the Feng Mountain Dragon Vein. Even the bravest warriors who sacrificed their lives could not save the surviving humans. Your father died tragically in the final battle.
When Gui Ci sealed the monster with his divine soul, he used his last bit of spiritual consciousness to save me from death, asking me to take good care of you. Perhaps you will also enter the adventure world in the future, and at that time, he will meet you again.
The subsequent mass deaths drew the attention of the Supreme Bureau and associations. Your existence was too sensitive, so I founded this orphanage to accompany you as you grew up.
It's a pity that the headmistress has too many old injuries and can't protect you for much longer, so she wrote this letter in the hope that it can help you one last time.
Xiaoqi, don't cry after reading this letter. You will grow up to be a very capable adult.
Your Dean's Mom: Wang Qing
Tick-tock.
A tear fell onto the letter, blurring the last words.
Jiang Nuo lowered her arm holding the letter, turned and leaned against Si Yan's chest, her silent tears making the moment even more so.
Si Yan had also read the contents of the letter, sighed softly, hugged Jiang Nuo tightly, rubbed the still red corners of her eyes with his fingertips, and gently stroked her back with his hand around her waist.
The uncle wasn't in a hurry to urge him. He leaned against the window on the other side and took deep drags on his cigarette. Perhaps he remembered the old man's instructions, and he finally fulfilled that last wish.
After a long while, Jiang Nuo wiped her tears on Si Yan's shoulder, and when she looked up to speak, her throat was still a little hoarse.
I've never seen... him before.
He still couldn't bring himself to call him "father"; it felt too unfamiliar.
To my surprise, the reply came from 0732.
[The one you've met, the mission taker.]
Jiang Nuo was stunned, blinked blankly to wipe away the tears clinging to her eyelashes, and gripped Si Yan's hand tightly.
[when.]
[Hell-level Six-Star Dungeon: Death Fantasy ]
0732's voice was much softer than usual, perhaps because he sensed Jiang Nuo's emotions.
[Through countless cycles of death in the six-star dungeon, it was the spirit of Gui Ci that saved you; it is because of this that we had the opportunity to connect with you.]
But no matter how hard Jiang Nuo tried to recall, his memories of the final instance remained vague.
He pressed his slightly throbbing left eye. "Why don't I remember? Did you erase my memories?"
[No, you may soon find the answer at the final Dragon Vein.]
" Feng Mountain..."
Jiang Nuo murmured, seemingly understanding one of the prompts in 0732: obsession eliminated.
"Want to go in and take a look?" the uncle suddenly asked him. "It's changed a lot. Many of the old facilities have been demolished, they say it's risky."
"Over the years, the government has established many welfare homes and implemented good policies, so this orphanage has gradually become deserted."
The middle-aged man chuckled as he smoked, "But it's a good thing; it's a good thing that fewer and fewer children are without homes."
Jiang Nuo looked at the building, which was now very different from the one in her memory, and looked up at Si Yan, seeing the tenderness and love in his eyes.
"Let me take you inside; perhaps there's a picture of the headmistress there."
"Good."
Si Yan raised her hand and wiped away the moisture from the corner of Jiang Nuo's eyes, smiling as she said, "I hope Dean Mama will be satisfied."
Once they entered the alley and were sure the older man couldn't hear them anymore, Jiang Nuo continued their conversation.
"I am the child of Aberrant Monster and a human, no wonder I'm so hard to kill."
These words carried a hint of self-deprecation. Jiang Nuo suddenly remembered the monsters of Feng Mountain and asked in surprise, "The final repair of the Dragon Vein... it's not going to be like going through a dungeon again..., is it...?"
That would be a miracle.
As they were talking, Jiang Nuo noticed that Si Yan didn't seem to mind, so she pinched his cheek and said, "You seem quite excited about it."
"If I could experience the life you once lived with Nuonuo, I would definitely look forward to it."
Even if it's fraught with danger, I'll gladly accept it.
Jiang Nuo exclaimed in surprise.
" Si Jiaojiao, you're really brave. The dungeon world is terrifying."
Seeing that his mood had improved considerably, Si Yan smiled and said, " Nuonuo will definitely protect me."
Jiang Nuo took Si Yan on a tour of the orphanage. The size and purpose were similar, but the style had changed, and many of the facilities and decorations that evoked childhood memories were gone.
When the staff who came to greet her heard that she was a child who had returned before, they specifically explained this to the current director. As a result, Jiang Nuo, who was wearing a mask, was recognized during the photo session.
The dean and staff promised not to post the photos online. The two then had a meal with the children in the cafeteria. To Jiang Nuo's surprise, the cook from back then hadn't retired yet; she had just gone from being an auntie to being called "grandma" by the children.
Eating the same food that was exactly as she remembered, and sharing anecdotes about her past life here with Si Yan, Jiang Nuo relaxed, as if time had stood still once again.
Before leaving, Jiang Nuo, whose donation had been refused by the dean on the grounds that the budget was sufficient, still left behind some commonly used supplies that she had originally intended to give to the children.
Si Yan received a phone call as soon as she got on the bus.
"Grandpa's back. We need to go to the Supreme Bureau for a meeting tomorrow."
Jiang Nuo's eyes were a little sore from crying, and she was resting in the passenger seat with a steam eye mask on. Hearing this, she pulled down the eye mask and looked at him, "What kind of meeting is it?"
"A meeting to plan ahead for the restoration of the Dragon Vein in Feng Mountain."
This is the first time in all these issues that we've needed to hold a meeting in advance.
Jiang Nuo put the envelope away and nodded to signal Si Yan to drive.
"The members who go this time should ideally be people we all know well, so there's no need for a break-in period; otherwise, there will be big problems."
"I'll do whatever you say."
Si Yan rubbed his head.