As dusk fell, perhaps due to the day's rising temperatures, the thick fog that had lingered for many days finally began to dissipate. This allowed the outline of the lower district to gradually emerge: haphazardly constructed buildings stretching vertically, countless towering chimneys, and sprawling factories intertwined with steam pipes...
The once silent atmosphere came alive as the first lights flickered on. Though still messy and carrying an unpleasant odor, there was a rare sense of calm and life returning to the district.
For them, it seemed as though everything had come to an end.
The people downstairs were cheering—likely the officers who had participated in the operation. Faintly, one could hear their boisterous laughter as they planned to head to the tavern for a night of drinking. The lively atmosphere even made Luo Wei want to join in...
This was only natural, as everyone had been under immense pressure for over half a month.
However, they were celebrating a bit too early...
Luo Wei silently watched the little girl sitting on the edge of the rooftop, her face adorned with an enigmatic smile.
A greater and more severe crisis had already quietly descended...
"They seem quite happy, don't they?"
She gazed at the joyous and excited crowd below, her expression one of disinterest as she pouted slightly.
"Boring, dull..."
Then, she turned her gaze toward Luo Wei in the distance.
In comparison, she seemed to find this human before her far more intriguing.
"How did you do it?"
The little girl blinked at Luo Wei, her curiosity evident.
The atmosphere grew eerily quiet.
Luo Wei silently stared back at her. What did she mean by "how did you do it"? Was she asking how he had thwarted the conspiracy?
Stopping a conspiracy was simple: identify the obstacles, learn from experience, reload, and try again.
But of course, he couldn't say that. He could only force a smile, trying his best to appear less tense.
"I was just trying to survive..."
"How modest~" The little girl giggled. "I saw everything. Those guys were all fools. Without you, this city would have been doomed."
"You're a big hero~"
She continued to smile at him.
Luo Wei had no idea how to respond. Engaging in conversation with a true evil god was an experience he had never had before.
He had no clue what this terrifying being was thinking. Why wasn't she causing trouble for Saint Callen? Instead, she was sitting here, chatting with him as if they were old friends. It completely shattered the image of an evil god he had in his mind...
But upon closer thought...
It seemed she really was just bored.
After all, her character profile stated that this [Outer God] was the embodiment of fear and chaos, someone who enjoyed watching humans fall into despair and madness. In essence, she could be summarized as...
A troublemaker.
And unfortunately... he seemed to have become her source of entertainment.
Seeing Luo Wei remain silent, his eyes fixed on her with caution, the little girl wasn't angered. Instead, her smile deepened.
"Throughout humanity's brief history, there have been many great heroes who ultimately rotted and fell," she said, studying Luo Wei as if she had thought of something amusing.
"I'd really like to see what you look like after you've fallen. It must be quite delicious and delightful~"
Luo Wei shivered at the sight of her innocent, childlike smile.
"You... a being as great as you, surely there's no need to waste your time on an insignificant ant like me. It's not worth it, not at all."
He flattered her while subtly glancing toward the ground below, searching for an escape route.
Of course, escaping from an evil god was nearly impossible. He was merely considering his options.
At worst, he could start over. Next time, he would make sure to deal with Laure from the Knights early and thoroughly.
As he pondered this, the little girl shook her head with a smile.
"How could it not be worth it? Anything that brings me joy has value!"
With that, she gently hopped down from the edge of the rooftop and slowly approached Luo Wei.
Only then did Luo Wei take the time to observe her appearance.
Aside from her slightly dark skin, her ash-white hair had a long cowlick sticking up. When she smiled, her small fangs were visible, making her look almost indistinguishable from an adorable elementary school girl...
Yet she was anything but cute. Her earlier words seemed sincere.
She truly was observing him like prey, seemingly pondering how to disrupt his future life just to provide herself with a bit of trivial amusement...
This sent a chill down his spine.
"Hmm—?"
At that moment, the little girl seemed to take an interest in Ophelia, whom Luo Wei was clutching tightly to his chest.
She frowned slightly, as if detecting a scent she didn't like.
"It's that one..."
The little girl glanced at Ophelia and then gave Luo Wei a disdainful look. "You seem quite fond of her, don't you?"
Luo Wei was momentarily stunned. Who was she referring to? That ancient god? And what did her question imply?
Regardless, this wasn't good. Luo Wei instinctively tightened his grip on Ophelia.
But to his surprise...
Almost instantly, the little girl let out a mischievous laugh.
She pointed playfully at Ophelia in his arms.
Luo Wei quickly looked down, only to see Ophelia's neck drooping limply, like a lifeless doll.
"Ophelia!!"
Luo Wei shook her body in panic, frantically touching her cheeks.
He was horrified to find that her body had turned ice-cold, completely stiff—a corpse.
Ophelia had stopped breathing. She was dead.
Luo Wei held her cold body, his mouth opening and closing as if he wanted to say something, but no words came out.
He had never anticipated such a turn of events. The world seemed to spin around him.
"You—!" Luo Wei glared at the smirking culprit.
"This is between us! Why did you harm her?"
The little girl appeared frightened by Luo Wei's reaction. "You didn't like it?" she asked innocently.
"Like what?? Are you out of your mind? Don't think I'll fear you just because you're an evil god!"
Luo Wei seemed to have reached his breaking point. With Ophelia dead, he no longer cared about his own life. He immediately pulled out his revolver.
First, he aimed it at her in anger.
Then, he turned it toward his own temple.
There's still a chance, still a chance...
It's only 3/4. I still have three more tries!!
Next time, I'll make sure to deal with that damn Laure early, and crush that black snake!
I never want to see this creature again!
...