However, the moment this thought arose, Qiji suddenly remembered something...
He recalled the system's notification when he acquired [Thousand Faces]—
[Five-Star Trait: The strength of the Armament can grow indefinitely, increasing infinitely based on the host's mastery and compatibility with the character card!]
[Note: When Mastery and Compatibility are both 0, the Armament possesses normal power; thereafter, it can be infinitely upgraded based on this! When Mastery and Compatibility reach a specific threshold, the second-stage form can be unlocked ahead of schedule!]
Mastery is easy to understand; it's simply a matter of proficiency. As Qiji uses the Armament more, her proficiency will naturally increase.
However, he had been somewhat confused about the compatibility.
Logically speaking, he had been playing the role of "Thousand Faces" for nine years, and it was precisely because he played the role perfectly enough and gained recognition that he finally obtained the title of "Thousand Faces".
So, they were already a perfect match, what more could they possibly need?
But now, Qiji suddenly had a guess—
Is it possible that his so-called "compatibility" means he wants Qiji to also play the role of [Thousand Faces]'s brother?
When Qiji received the Thousand Faces Card, he examined it closely and found that all the other entries on the card were lit up, except for one that remained dark.
[elder brother]...
Without a doubt, Qiji is a pure power-hungry player.
As long as he can become stronger, he wouldn't mind having her as Suyo's older brother, or even having Suyo as his bratty younger sister!
Moreover, it was already this strong when the compatibility was only 0; what would it be like when the compatibility was maxed out?!
Not to mention, you can unlock the second-stage form of the Armament early!
How powerful it will be then Qiji? I can't even imagine!!!
Since that's the case, why not give it a try?
Let's give it a try!
Suyo's small hand gripped Qiji's hand tightly, her palm covered in wounds, blood dripping onto the sand, spreading into tiny blood flowers.
Upon seeing this, Qiji was startled, realizing that he had been so focused on the intensity that he had been careless for a moment.
Even when busy, one can remove their Armament.
However, before removing the mirror, he thought of something and left a fragment behind to look at his face at that moment.
And then, sure enough—
Qiji discovered that the pure white mask on his face had somehow transformed into the appearance of a "Thousand Faces" fox!
No wonder!
No wonder!
Now everything makes sense!
So that's what logging into the Sea of Consciousness with [Thousand Faces] means!
Blanch! Why didn't you say so earlier!
No wonder this guy mistook her for her brother.
She's even wearing her brother's mask herself!
Qiji sighed softly to himself.
After figuring out the whole story, for a moment, Qiji also felt that Suyo's performance, although somewhat divine...
But it's also reasonable...
I even felt a little sorry for them.
Having watched the video of "Brother and Sister," he naturally knew the kind of feelings Suyo had for her brother.
but...
After all, I'm not his real brother.
However, if being fake is acceptable, then I'll pretend to be her brother for once...
Anyway, he's quite experienced as an older brother.
'Hey, Xiao Xi, you'll forgive me, right?'
'My brother didn't want to be anyone's brother, it's just...'
'You know what I mean?'
Having made up his mind, Qiji stopped hesitating.
He bent down slightly, patted Suyo's head, and then gently...
Okay, I pulled gently, but it wouldn't budge at all!
It took a little effort from Qiji to finally pull Suyo up from the ground.
You know what, this guy's kneeling was surprisingly firm!
Even with Qiji's Max-level physical strength, he still had to exert a little effort.
Suyo felt like she was dreaming!
At first, she thought her brother's appearance was just a hallucination she had seen on her deathbed.
But when her brother slayed the Remnant for her, when her brother donned his Armament, when her brother leaped forward to embrace her and save her—
Nestled in her brother's arms, she looked up at his mask, which seemed so real.
Nestled in her brother's arms, she nervously reached out and poked his chest; it felt so real.
Nestled in her brother's arms, she snuggled close to him and inhaled his scent, so real.
Thus, an almost insane idea was born uncontrollably in Suyo's mind, grew wildly, and was eventually confirmed by her own conviction.
Among the Echoer, a very niche, almost taboo legend once circulated—
Some say that the Sea of Consciousness is the source of all consciousness and also its destination.
It is said that human consciousness does not completely disappear after the physical body dies.
Instead, it will return to the Sea of Consciousness like a drop of water, becoming a part of it.
Those who die with unwavering convictions will not completely dissolve into this sea if they are drawn by the strong longing of the living.
Instead, they become "Guardian Spirit," lingering on the other side in the form of remnants of their consciousness.
This legend is niche because it has never been verified.
Most people who try to find Guardian Spirit return empty-handed.
Those who claim to have seen it are often vague in their accounts, and some are even considered mentally unstable.
Even so, this legend continues to circulate quietly in certain circles.
As for the Suyo, I had just heard of it.
Therefore, without a doubt—
The person standing before me now is my brother...
It's not an illusion!
This is not wishful thinking!
Rather, even in death, they continue to protect themselves...
Brother.
My Guardian Spirit, my brother.
Chapter 86 I Only Want My Brother
Although due to the terms "compatibility" and "sister complex", Qiji has already decided to play the role of Suyo's older brother in the Sea of Consciousness.
But Suyo's older brother is clearly dead...
So, how is he supposed to play a dead person?
How can this be explained?
Tell me I didn't actually die, that I've been by your side all along?
Was it for some reason that I was unable to recognize or meet you before?
This is clearly absurd!!!
Qiji tried his best to think, only to feel countless brain cells dying and being damaged...
In short, let's just say something random to stall for time and get by.
Qiji made up his mind and was about to speak when Suyo unexpectedly became very understanding.
The girl stood on tiptoe, extended her still-bleeding finger, and gently touched the mouth area on the Qiji fox mask.
"Brother, you don't need to say anything, I know everything."
Legend has it that if Guardian Spirit becomes aware that it is Guardian Spirit, and realizes that it is actually dead...
Then, the obsession that constitutes its existence will waver, and the Guardian Spirit's form will disappear.
That kind of thing is absolutely forbidden!!!
She had finally gotten her brother back, and she absolutely wouldn't allow him to leave her again!!!
Even if it's just as a Guardian Spirit, accompanying her by her side.
That's fine too.
—What did you learn?
Qiji wanted to ask, but he held back.
It's better to avoid trouble; getting away with it like this isn't out of the question...
Moreover, if it's just about playing the role of Suyo's older brother during the period of logging into the Sea of Consciousness, it would actually be a matter of course for Qiji.
Isn't it just "online siblings"?
Anyway, he's always been pretty good at being an older brother.
He also owes a great deal of credit to Xiao Xi, who gave him so much experience.
When Qiji wasn't a very responsible older brother, Xiao Xi accompanied him as he grew up.
It's so great to be Xiao Xi's older brother!
To distinguish it from his real voice, Qiji deliberately strained his voice:
"Xiao Xi, let's go."
"Brother... what did you call me?"
Suyo suddenly looked up, his eyes behind the mask seeming to widen.
"Little Shi, what's wrong?"
"Oh... I... I saw my brother, I was probably too excited, I just had auditory hallucinations."
Suyo lowered his head and said softly.
I must have misheard. How could my brother call me by the wrong name?
"Ahem, there are four Echo Fragment over there. Go take a look and see if there's anything you need."
Qiji quickly changed the subject; he had inadvertently let something slip earlier.
Most importantly, the compatibility of the [Thousand Faces] card is determined in real time, and the process is very rigorous!
The moment he let it slip, the compatibility score displayed on the system interface immediately dropped by 0.00001...