The Draw and the Conversation

As the first light of morning appeared, Kamar-Taj looked like a piece of amber that had grown from the peaks of the Himalayas. In the basin ringed by snowy mountains, a thin frost covered the saffron buildings. Copper bells hanging from the eaves trembled in the dim light, letting out a wail like wind passing through a bone flute.

Xiahou woke with a start at the sound of the bells. Holding his aching head, he looked around. His memories gradually returned. He and Uncle Mads had drunk until midnight, and he only remembered that Mordo and Wong seemed to have joined them later.

He had drunk more than ten bottles of Maotai himself, then decided that wasn't enough and ordered a lot of beer. Somewhere along the way, he had blacked out.

He didn't know how he had gotten back, only that he seemed to have argued with Mordo again. His body still wasn't tough enough. It looked like he needed to train some more.

After lying there a little longer, he went to the communal bathroom outside and washed himself thoroughly. When he came out, he felt refreshed all over.

He then opened his personal information. He still remembered that he hadn't used the task rewards he had claimed yesterday!

Seeing that his balance had risen to 5,030 energy points and that he had gained ten random draws, he marveled to himself at how generous the rewards for this task were.

He opened the draw screen, intending to use up all his draws first.

But the random draw screen was a little different this time. There was now an option for ten draws at once.

Although it didn't offer a guaranteed reward or a discount like ten-pulls in other games, it was much better than making him press the button ten times!

He promptly selected the ten-pull to see what different things he would get.

The single slot machine display became ten, and different images began spinning wildly across the top.

As the displays stopped, ten different pictures appeared.

But eight were ordinary food and everyday items, completely worthless. Only two were unique: a cardboard box and a golden totem rendered in pixel art.

Cardboard box: Metal Gear series

Hiding inside the cardboard box allows one to disguise oneself and stay concealed. It can also lure enemies at certain times, making it one of the series' most humorous and practical items.

Totem of Undying: Minecraft

When a player holding the Totem of Undying takes fatal damage, it consumes itself to save the player's life.

Looking at the two newly acquired items, he thought that although they weren't very useful, they might come in handy someday! Right?

That was the only way Xiahou could console himself. As for the remaining energy points, he planned to save them for when he needed them later.

After finishing the draw, Xiahou shook his head and left his room. He had drunk too much yesterday and had no desire to eat anything, so he decided to go find Ancient One and get some tea from her. He had to admit, it was rather addictive.

As he passed the training ground, Mordo was now assisting with instruction. He only glanced at Xiahou without saying anything and continued watching the people training.

Xiahou didn't go over to him either. He walked straight past and headed for Ancient One's courtyard.

When he entered the tea room, Ancient One was sitting there drinking tea as usual. But across from her was a cup of green tea, still steaming. Clearly, she already knew Xiahou was coming.

Xiahou didn't hesitate. He sat down, picked up the tea and started drinking. He also felt his aching head grow much better.

Ancient One looked at Xiahou, who made himself completely at home, and shook her head with a smile. "You're far too prejudiced against Mordo! He's just a little extreme."

Xiahou was utterly bewildered and shouted inwardly, Who am I? Where am I? What is going on?

Seeing Xiahou's expression, Ancient One didn't need to read his mind to know that he had clearly forgotten what happened last night.

She explained, "Yesterday, after you disrupted the course of Kaecilius's life, you went drinking, and he invited Mordo and Wong along partway through.

"Later, when you were drinking, Mordo expressed his displeasure with you. He thought you should show me more respect!

"And you said Mordo was an ungrateful wretch! You also said he would betray Kamar-Taj someday and had no standing to criticize you!" As Ancient One spoke, she took out her folding fan and gave it a wave.

Xiahou stared blankly. "Did I say that? I think I forgot!"

Ancient One tapped the table with her fan. "I know you've always had a condescending and cynical attitude. You think you know most of what happens in our world, and you reveal those things to make yourself stand out!

"But sometimes, knowing too much about the future isn't a good thing! It could make the future worse!"

Seeing Xiahou about to object, Ancient One continued, "Don't be so quick to argue! You know I can see the future!

"Do you know? In the futures I saw, your constant revelations about the plot threw the world into chaos! More than ten thousand worldlines were destroyed because of it!

"Even if you are special, you should have realized that this world isn't just a game. Everyone here is real. You shouldn't take pleasure in doing this! Because you're kind at heart too, aren't you?"

Hearing Ancient One's words, Xiahou lowered his head and fell into thought, wondering whether he really was like that.

Because of what had happened with Abigail, he had already resolved not to deliberately hurt the people of this world. When had he changed?

Perhaps his heart had begun to change after he gained power beyond that of ordinary people.

Ancient One watched Xiahou reflect as she picked up the teacup on the table and began to savor its contents. The fan in her hand waved merrily. She had experienced this conversation thousands of times using the Time Stone, and with only a few exceptions, she had received an answer that satisfied her every time.

After reflecting carefully, Xiahou said to Ancient One, "Thank you, Sorcerer Supreme! I did get a little carried away. But there are still some things I might tell certain people, just so I won't have regrets! Still, I'll respect the lives in this world from now on!"

"As long as they don't provoke me first, I won't take the initiative to hurt them anymore! After all, there's a saying from my education: 'If people leave me alone, I leave them alone. If they cross me, I'll cross them!'"

Xiahou's expression was utterly serious as he said the last sentence, as though he wanted to tell the person before him that this was his bottom line!

Ancient One merely smiled and nodded. "That's right. I haven't asked you to change who you are. I only hope you'll cause a little less destruction in this world! And I want you to know that as long as you don't attack ordinary people, even if you come into conflict with politicians or countries later on, I won't interfere with your decisions!"

Hearing Ancient One's last words, Xiahou knew she must have seen something. After all, Marvel's main stage was America, and everyone knew what the people at the top of that country were like.

He patted his chest and assured Ancient One, "Don't worry! And if I see ordinary people in danger and can help, I will! As for the rest, all I can say is we'll see who's stronger!"

He then returned to his previous expression and said to Ancient One, "By the way, Master Ancient One! It feels awkward calling you that all the time. How about I call you Gabriel from now on?"

Ancient One rapped him on the head with her fan. "There are no angels or God in this world. If anyone counts as God, it's the great god Oshtur. At least he once created angels. But he took them all away!"

Xiahou rubbed the spot where she'd hit him. "Then I'll call you old fogey! Speaking of which, what did you do with my Ghost Fire?" (I looked it up: "old fogey" can also refer to an unconventional woman, describing an older woman with a distinctive way of doing things.)

Ancient One...

Seeing that Ancient One wasn't going to answer, Xiahou continued, "As for Mordo, I admit I'm a little prejudiced against black people. And after I came to this game world, a black man was the one who took my first blood!"

At that, he instantly gritted his teeth. How had he forgotten to find that man and get revenge?

"You know what Mordo does later on! You could say Uncle Mads was led astray by Dormammu, but what about Mordo? He's a complete ungrateful wretch! Still, since you've spoken up, as long as he doesn't provoke me, I won't give him the time of day either! All right?"

Ancient One smiled at Xiahou's answer. "That's the best outcome! If you have nothing else to do, go out and have fun! You can wander wherever you like, as long as you don't blow up Kamar-Taj!"

Xiahou said, "So why would I blow this place up? And you really aren't after anything from me? I keep feeling like you're plotting against me! (￣(工)￣)"

This time, Ancient One gave Xiahou no answer. She simply opened a portal beneath his feet and let him drop straight through.