And out of left field here comes another chapter!! What a plot twist
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After running for a while, their environment shifted to an old ruined town, similar to the first simulation.
"How are you doing on ammo?" Chao Yu turned to Zhu Yuan who was scavenging an abandoned PubSec station.
"Three non-lethal standard mags, and one standard." Zhu Yuan replied, skillfully switching the empty mag to another.
"Hmm, that won't be enough." Chao Yu rubbed his chin in deep thought before looking around the area.
The area is desolate, perfect to camp it out until a rescue team arrives, finding a suitable broken-down building both decided to stay here for a while.
The building had a door that led to a lobby, though it was dark as there was no light, the one entrance made it perfect for guarding as they only needed to keep one eye on the door.
In the last simulation, Chao Yu wondered because he only had 10 minutes to spare, but here he can stay for several hours before needing anything. And he knew the consequences of wandering around and in the end, he died before making it out.
Sitting down on the cold ground, Chao Yu frowned and turned to Zhu Yuan who sat next to him.
Chao Yu read in a book if a person is introduced into a stressful situation, not only anxiety would arise but also held-back emotion or even pent-up lust in rare situations.
Knowing how stressful it might be Chao Yu ask "How are you feeling."
"What? about this whole hollow thing?" Zhu Yuan paused to collect her thoughts "It's... Scary, we only trained to stop criminals on the street, not navigate the hollow... But knowing you're here I feel safe." Zhu Yuan leaned closer to Chao Yu almost touching shoulders.
"I heard Hollow Navigation is in the second year so technically we are meant to be taught, just not yet- ow" Being smacked in the shoulder, Chao Yu feigned pain. "Haha, what, I'm not wrong."
"Hmp." Zhu Yuan pouted before leaning ever so closer and resting her head on his shoulder. "Thank you.." Zhu Yuan's whisper reached Chao Yu's ear.
Chao Yu smiled on the inside, successfully distracting her from the stress.
"No need, we are siblings. On hard times, it's our job to ease each other." Chao Yu was reassured but Zhu Yuan's mood dropped significantly when he mentioned 'siblings'
After that a long silence assumed but Zhu Yuan broke the silence.
By shifting slightly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Albrecht... do you think of me as just a sister?"
Chao Yu blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected question. He turned his head slightly, but Zhu Yuan didn't move, her head still resting on his shoulder. He could feel the tension in her body as if she had been holding back these words for a long time.
"Of course," he said carefully. "We grew up together, we played together. You're my family."
Zhu Yuan let out a soft breath, something between a sigh and a quiet laugh. "I see..." Her voice carried a hint of something—disappointment?
An uneasy silence settled between them, heavy and lingering.
After a moment, Zhu Yuan spoke again, her voice barely above a whisper, "I wonder... if things were different, would you still see me the same way?
"Chao Yu's chest tightened, but he didn't know how to respond. Words formed and faded in his mind, none of them feeling right.
Zhu Yuan continued, her tone soft and distant, "Sometimes... I wish we weren't bound by this. That maybe... just maybe... you'd see me for who I really am."
Her words hung in the air, delicate and fragile.
Chao Yu opened his mouth to speak but stopped himself. The weight of her emotions was unmistakable, and for once, he was at a loss.
The silence returned, deeper than before, stretching endlessly between them but Chao Yu who thought about it for a long time spoke up.
"We can't"
Zhu Yuan's breath hitched, her body tensing against his. "Why not?" Her voice trembled, laced with a vulnerability she could no longer hide.
Chao Yu closed his eyes, his jaw tightening. "Because... if I let myself see you that way... I don't think I could protect you the same anymore.
"Zhu Yuan lifted her head, her eyes searching his face. "What do you mean?"
Chao Yu's gaze remained fixed on the dark, empty doorway ahead. "If I let my guard down... If I allow myself to care about you like that... I'd hesitate-" Chao Yu stopped his sentence leaving an unfinished answer.
Chao Yu swept his gaze to the system quest.
[Path To Knighthood (III): Become a recognized hero, Die a heroic death, yet never experience the last death]
He he had a quest to fulfill and his end would be soon in his prime, he couldn't bear seeing Zhu Yuan cry in his grave. But he couldn't bring himself to tell Zhu Yuan his inevitable fate.
Zhu Yuan's eyes softened, her hand unconsciously reaching for his sleeve. "You think... feeling that way makes you weak?"
Chao Yu hesitated, his shoulders tense. "I can't afford to be distracted. I need to keep you safe. That's the promise I made... even if it means keeping you at a distance."
A bitter smile crossed Zhu Yuan's lips. "So, you're protecting me... by hurting me?"
Chao Yu's throat tightened, the weight of her words hitting him harder than any blade ever could. But he stayed silent, his resolve unwavering.
Zhu Yuan looked away, her hand falling back to her side. "You're such an idiot, Albrecht..." Her voice was barely audible, carrying a mix of anger, and sadness.
Chao Yu didn't respond. He couldn't.
The silence returned, colder than before, as they both stared into the darkness, side by side yet feeling miles apart.
As day turned to evening, they stood in the same position, Zhu Yuan who had been silently sobbing was left with red eyes but she couldn't face Chao Yu to show them.
But the silence was broken by multiple footsteps.
Chao Yu's eyes sharpened and peeked beyond the door. to see a team of hollow investigator's rescue team.
Chao Yu's eyes lit up. "Zhu, our rescue is here. Let's go." Chao Yu chided but Zhu Yuan did not respond, only standing up and avoiding eye contact.
Sighing at the sight, he said nothing and grabbed the attention of the hollow investigator's rescue team.
~~
An oppressive silence filled the transport vehicle, broken only by the low hum of the engine. Chao Yu sat rigidly, his gaze fixed on the passing scenery outside, but his mind was miles away.
Zhu Yuan was beside him, her body angled away, eyes downcast as she fidgeted with the hem of her jacket. Her shoulders were drawn tight, her silence spoke volumes.
Chao Yu's mouth opened, then snapped shut, words catching in his throat. He wanted to say something—anything—to bridge the distance that had grown between them. But every thought felt hollow, meaningless.
After what felt like an eternity, the vehicle shuddered to a stop in front of their house. Without a word, Zhu Yuan bolted from her seat, never once looking back.
Chao Yu muttered a strained thanks to the PubSec officer before following, his movements heavy and hesitant.
entering the door he saw the worried Zhu Lang, Zhu Yuan's mom who was worriedly looking at the stairs
"Madam Zhu, where is Zhu Yuan?" Chao Yu asked, his voice laced with worry. His eyes lingered on the stairs, the weight of their unspoken words pressing down on him."
"Dear, Zhu Zhu went upstairs without speaking." Zhu Lang's eyes were filled with concern. "She looked upset... Did something happen?" Zhu Lang's gaze softened, worry etched on her face. "You should go talk to her, Chao Yu. Whatever happened... she needs you."
Chao Yu looked away, guilt tightening his chest. "I... I don't know if I can help her right now."
Zhu Lang studied his face, her expression softening. "I may not know what happened, but Zhu Zhu looks up to you. Whatever burden you're carrying, don't carry it alone."
Chao Yu's jaw tightened. "I don't want to hurt her..."
"Sometimes protecting someone means being honest with them," Zhu Lang said gently. "Just be there for her."
Chao Yu nodded but made no move towards the stairs. Instead, he turned towards his room. "I... I need some time to think."
Zhu Lang watched him go, her eyes filled with concern. "Alright... Take your time... Just know that I see you as a son. Though not officially, my love for you will always be there."
Zhu Lang's words pierced his heart—not with comfort, but with a twisting pain that left him hollow.
This turmoil within him... it all began because they were bound by this sibling relationship.
Without another word, Chao Yu turned away, his footsteps slow, shoulders sagging under the weight of his burden.
Closing his bedroom door behind him, he leaned against it, his head tilting back as he closed his eyes. He could still feel Zhu Yuan's warmth beside him, the echo of her words lingering in his mind.
With a deep sigh he laid on his bed, staring restlessly to the ceiling before closing them.
'I'm sure tomorrow will return to normal.'
Chao Yu who never had a parents and sibling felt at a loss on what to do, before, he envied them for having such trusting companionship but experiencing them now he felt that his past wish was without forethought.
"Sigh, families are... complicated."
~~
*RING RING*
Hearing his alarm, Chao Yu groggily woke up and looked at the time.
04:00
Usually Chao Yu would get up and prepared for a morning run but today he felt drained and decided to stay in bed and scrolled through his phone to pass the time.
As 5 am approached he woke up and got ready for school.
"Zhu Yuan, wake up" Knocking at Zhu Yuan's door, he was answered with silence, frowning he knocked once more.
"LEAVE ME ALONE!!" Zhu Yuan's voice startled the whole house.
Chao Yu sighed before walking downstair.
"Dear, what happened to Zhu Zhu" Zhu Lang who heard the scream worriedly asked, she thought it was a small conflict but seeing it had still in affect today Zhu Lang was worried.
"We... had a disagreement that led to her crying. Madam, could you call the school for me, me and Zhu Yuan will be absent, I would like to try to mend this conflict."
Zhu Lang's eyes softened with understanding. "Of course, dear. Take all the time you need. I'll call the school and I'll tell them both of you are sick.
Chao Yu gave a grateful nod before heading back upstairs. He stood outside Zhu Yuan's door, hesitating. He could still feel the sting of her words, her pain. But he knew he couldn't leave things as they were.
Taking a deep breath, he knocked gently. "Zhu Yuan... Can we talk?"
Silence. For a moment, Chao Yu thought she would ignore him again, but then he heard shuffling on the other side. The door creaked open just a sliver, enough for him to see her red, swollen eyes peeking through.
"What do you want?" Her voice was hoarse, a mixture of anger and hurt.
Chao Yu's heart sank. He had never seen her like this before—so vulnerable, so guarded. It made him feel even worse.
"I just... I wanted to apologize. For yesterday. For everything," he said, his voice soft. "I didn't mean to hurt you."
Zhu Yuan's eyes narrowed. "Then why did you?"
The question hung heavy in the air. Chao Yu looked away, guilt tightening in his chest. He struggled to find the right words, but everything sounded hollow.
Zhu Yuan seeing Chao Yu unable the answer, pursed her lips before fully opening the door revealing her in a half-worned pajama, her cleavage peeked at the top.
Before he could he could react, Zhu Yuan pulled him into her room, before putting him down against the door and sitting on his lap.
"Answer me honestly, are you keeping distance because you hate me or because you respect my parents"
Chao Yu's mind went blank. His heart raced as he felt Zhu Yuan's warmth pressing against him, her face dangerously close, eyes locked onto his with a fierce determination that left him speechless.
"I could never hate you," he whispered. "I can only keep the status quo to not sadden your parents
Hearing the answer, a small smile formed on her lips and her hands grasped his head as she leaned in for a kiss.
Chao Yu who was surprised by this action, felt he should push her away but on second thought Zhu Yuan's parents would never know what happened her and deepened their kiss.
"Mfmm." Feeling Chao Yu's tongue invade her mouth, she felt an electrifying sensation coursing through her.
He knew he would regret this choice but he couldn't bear keep pushing her away. He threw away all senses of foresight and enjoyed the present.
After a long time, they seperated "Let's keep this silent from them." Zhu Yuan said.
After a short pause Chao Yu nodded.
After some silence they both stared to each other, sensing each other's desire, they kissed once more, even more vigorous than the last.
They lost themselves in each other, their emotions spilling over like a dam finally breaking. Chao Yu's hands roamed her back, feeling her shiver under his touch, while Zhu Yuan's arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer as if afraid he might disappear.
Their breaths mingled, their hearts pounding in sync as she surrendered to the feelings she had buried for far too long. Every kiss, every touch was a confession—of longing, of love they could never speak aloud.
Time ceased to exist as they clung to each other, their bodies pressed together. The room seemed to shrink, their world reduced to just the two of them, sharing a forbidden moment they both knew couldn't last.
But as the passion grew, so did the weight of reality. Chao Yu's mind began to clear, the consequences of their actions piercing through the haze of desire. This was dangerous. But he couldn't stop. Not when she looked at him like that, with eyes full of trust and love.
"Albrecht..." Zhu Yuan's voice trembled, her forehead resting against his. "Promise me... no matter what happens... you'll stay by my side.
His heart twisted painfully. He wanted to promise her the world, to say he'd never leave. But deep down, he knew he couldn't make that promise. Not when his future was already written in fate's cruel script.
But at that moment, with her lips brushing his, he was willing to lie. Just this once.
"I promise," he whispered. As he said a golden light descended on his head, another oath to keep yet knowing its fated to be broken. Sealing his words with another kiss, his heart aching with the knowledge that it was a promise he could never keep.
They held each other for what felt like an eternity, savoring every second, every heartbeat, as if time would tear them apart the moment they let go.
Finally, they broke apart, their faces flushed, breaths uneven. Zhu Yuan rested her head on his shoulder, her arms wrapped tightly around him. "Let's keep it at this for today, we shouldn't do these thing for too long unless we raise their suspicion.
Hearing his reasoning, Zhu Yuan nodded.
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now gimmi stones