These words reminded everyone, leaving them feeling chilled to the bone. If the mission hadn't been marked successful, didn't that mean the Cryo Regisvine wasn't dead?
"Boom!"
A bucket-sized beam of icy light shot violently toward Type 95, its momentum so fierce that it sapped any will to resist.
"Type 95! Watch out!" In that critical moment, Qin Xiaoyue pushed Type 95 to the other side. However, after pushing Type 95 away, Qin Xiaoyue had no time to dodge. Her chest was pierced through by the icy beam. She stood there for a few seconds before collapsing to the ground.
"No! Commander!" When Type 95 was pushed away, she saw Qin Xiaoyue's body being pierced by the icy beam to save her, and Type 95 shouted in deep sorrow.
Scrambling to her feet, Type 95 picked up the fallen Qin Xiaoyue. Blood flowed continuously from the gruesome, terrifying hole in Qin Xiaoyue's chest, instantly staining Type 95's white clothes red. But Type 95 didn't care about that; she only had eyes for Qin Xiaoyue.
"Commander, why are you so stupid? You didn't have to push me. Now you're hurt because of me. If something happens to you, I'll never have peace of mind! So, I forbid you from dying!" Type 95 said, weeping.
"I'm sorry, Type 95, I might not be able to grant that request. Promise me you won't feel guilty. I feel it was worth it to die for you! Cough, cough, cough..." Qin Xiaoyue's life force was fading rapidly, and she could pass away at any moment, but she used her last bit of strength to speak to Type 95, all to ensure Type 95 wouldn't be heartbroken because of her.
As Type 95 and Qin Xiaoyue said their final goodbyes, Uncle Li stood by in silence. Having experienced seven worlds, he had long grown accustomed to seeing Divine Seal Bearers lose their lives during missions.
Some Divine Seal Bearers even killed each other over missions. Uncle Li viewed human life more indifferently than others; even he himself might die on a mission one day. Yet, this time, Qin Xiaoyue's death caused a ripple in his numb heart.
It turned out he had quite liked this brash, bold, and passionate young girl. Such people were too rare among Divine Seal Bearers. It was a pity she died in the end; good people always die before bad ones!
Staring at the Cryo Regisvine in the distance, Uncle Li swished his Wind-Ling Sword at it and said, "You monster, you're actually not dead? Since that's the case, I'll just have to make you fall again. This time, I guarantee I won't let you get back up."
After saying this, Uncle Li charged at the Cryo Regisvine, and the two began a fierce battle.
Su Ruoyu watched Qin Xiaoyue lying in Type 95's arms. This was the second time she had seen someone die before her eyes; the first was her biological grandmother, and this time it was Qin Xiaoyue. It made Su Ruoyu realize how fragile life was—one moment everyone was laughing and talking, and the next, she was witnessing the life-and-death separation of Type 95 and Qin Xiaoyue.
Qin Xiaoyue's death didn't cause much of a stir for Su Ruoyu; after all, they hadn't known each other long, so death was just death! However, seeing Qin Xiaoyue die for Type 95 made Su Ruoyu feel a bit envious. At least Qin Xiaoyue died for someone she loved. What about her? Would she be erased by the Divine Miracle because of a failed mission?
No, she didn't want that kind of death. This kind of meaningless death—she absolutely didn't want it. Su Ruoyu gripped the magic book in her hand as lightning continuously erupted from it, wrapping around her. With a whoosh, she charged toward the Cryo Regisvine.
To avoid being erased, to complete the mission, to go home—this Cryo Regisvine had to die.
For some reason, the Cryo Regisvine, having stood back up, was three times stronger and faster than before. This made it difficult for Uncle Li to parry; his attacks grew weaker, while the Cryo Regisvine's attacks became increasingly intense.
The most dangerous part was that icy beam. Qin Xiaoyue had died because of it. Uncle Li didn't dare to be even slightly careless, but even so, he still nearly died a few times from the icy beams fired by the Cryo Regisvine.
Fortunately, Su Ruoyu joined the battle at this moment, which greatly relieved the pressure on Uncle Li. However, even with the two of them attacking the Cryo Regisvine, its momentum showed no signs of waning.
Its momentum hadn't waned? Uncle Li felt something was wrong. How could it not have weakened after fighting for so long? Didn't that mean their previous attacks were in vain? Realizing this, Uncle Li almost coughed up blood, but he quickly calmed down. There must be a reason why the Cryo Regisvine's momentum wasn't fading. As long as he found it, killing the Cryo Regisvine would be no problem.
...
Coughing up blood, Qin Xiaoyue grabbed Type 95's hand and said in a weak voice, "Type 95, before I die, there's something I must tell you. If I don't say it, I'm afraid I won't be able to rest in peace."
"I don't want to hear it! I don't want to hear it! I don't want to hear it! Don't talk, just hang on! I'll take you to a doctor right away, and you'll be fine!" Type 95 said, sobbing.
"Alright! Stop doing those useless things. I know my own body; I know I'm not going to make it. So please, be a good girl and listen to me finish, cough, cough, cough..." Qin Xiaoyue said in a pleading tone.
"Okay, I understand! I'll be a good girl. Tell me what you want to say!" Type 95 said, wiping away her tears.
"I want to tell you something. Please don't call me a pervert after you hear it?"
"Okay! I promise I will never call you a pervert."
"You are truly kind-hearted. Then I'll say it... cough, cough, cough... Actually, I really like you, I like you so much. I've always wanted to marry you; this is true. Others might laugh at me for being a yuri pervert, but I just want to say they are ignorant. Love has no gender boundaries. It's enough that I like you. I will walk my own path and let others talk... cough, cough, cough!" Qin Xiaoyue said, gazing affectionately into Type 95's eyes.
"Commander, as long as you hang on and don't die, I agree to marry you. So please, don't die, okay? Wuwuwu..." After hearing Qin Xiaoyue's confession, Type 95 agreed immediately, begging only for Qin Xiaoyue not to leave.
"What? You agreed! Cough, cough, cough... It's a pity I won't have the fortune to enjoy it." Qin Xiaoyue said with a look of guilt, "Actually! I want to tell you one more thing. Don't get angry when you hear it?"
"Okay! Tell me everything! I promise I absolutely won't get angry." Type 95 nodded quickly.
"Actually, I'm not your commander. Saying I was your commander was all a lie. But the desire to be your commander has never disappeared. Cough, cough, cough... I... hope... that in my next life... I can... be your... commander."
After Qin Xiaoyue finished these last words, her eyes slowly closed, a sweet smile on her face. The right hand that had been gripping Type 95 slowly loosened and finally dropped powerlessly.
Feeling Qin Xiaoyue's body begin to turn cold, Type 95 knew that Qin Xiaoyue was gone. She had passed away peacefully, without a single complaint.
She was still so young; her life ahead should have been wonderful. Yet, because she saved her, she died. This was all her own fault.
If she had been more careful and noticed the Cryo Regisvine's attack sooner, Qin Xiaoyue wouldn't have had to push her away and take the fatal attack from the Cryo Regisvine.
But there are no 'ifs' in this world; there are only living tragedies.
"I'm sorry! Xiaoyue, actually I'm not a real Tactical Doll 95. I'm a fake. But I am willing to become a real 95 for you." With tears streaming down her face, Type 95 said in deep sorrow to the closed-eyed Qin Xiaoyue, "If I can become a Tactical Doll in the next life, I would be willing for you to be my commander."
Picking up Qin Xiaoyue, she walked a short distance away. Feeling that the upcoming attacks wouldn't affect Qin Xiaoyue's body here, Type 95 gently placed her on the ground. "Xiaoyue, wait for me. I will avenge you."
Raising her automatic rifle, Type 95 stared at the Cryo Regisvine in the distance with eyes full of hatred. "Cryo Regisvine! You were a creature living here, and we had no grievances against you. Logically, it should be our fault for wanting to kill you. But Xiaoyue was killed, and I don't give a damn about that anymore! I will tear you into pieces!"
...
"Good morning, everyone. Today I have some good news to share: we have a transfer student in our class. Boys, cheer! She is a beautiful girl! Girls, don't be jealous of her looks and bully her, okay?" A female teacher said to the young girl standing at the door, "Student Xiaoyue, come and introduce yourself to everyone!"
A girl with long, straight black hair walked in. She wrote her name on the blackboard. After finishing, she called out to the students below, "My name is Qin Xiaoyue. Don't talk to me unless you have to, because I am very dangerous."
"Ha... haha! Student Qin Xiaoyue really has a unique personality, doesn't she? Well then, just sit in the second-to-last seat by the window!" The female teacher, sweating slightly, said with a hint of awkwardness regarding Qin Xiaoyue's introduction.
Qin Xiaoyue carried her schoolbag to her seat and sat down, then looked out the window. Below, a group of students were having PE class, their faces beaming with sunny smiles. One might have expected Qin Xiaoyue to marvel at how beautiful life was at such a sight, but she merely muttered to herself, "As I thought, it would be better if the world just ended!"
The students around her began to whisper about the new transfer student.
"The new transfer student is so cute, but her aura is a bit too intense; it makes people afraid to approach her easily."
"I actually like this personality! I wonder what kind of guys she likes. If she likes handsome guys, I wouldn't mind being her boyfriend."
"I advise you not to get any ideas. Do you know who she is? She's the mayor's daughter. Be careful or you might find yourself transferred out of school for no reason tomorrow."
Upon hearing she was the mayor's daughter, the surrounding students couldn't help but gasp. This girl's background was truly extraordinary; it seemed they would have to be careful not to get on her bad side in the future!
"Tch! How boring!" Qin Xiaoyue said, feeling very annoyed by the students' gossip.
Hearing the noisy students, the teacher became very angry and said, "Alright, quiet down, everyone! Otherwise, your homework will be doubled today!"
The school dismissal bell rang, and a group of girls crowded around Qin Xiaoyue, chattering away. They all wanted to be friends with this long-haired girl who had such a powerful aura. After all, her father was the mayor; if they could build a good relationship with her, their futures would be bright!
"Student Qin Xiaoyue, where do you live? Is it far from here?"
"Your hair is so silky! What shampoo do you use?"
"Do you want to go shopping with me today? I know a clothing store with really nice clothes."
Qin Xiaoyue knew exactly what these people were after. Having seen it so often, she naturally understood what they were up to. She ignored the girls and picked up her schoolbag to leave.
After returning home, a noblewoman dressed in gorgeous clothes was eating grapes on the sofa. Upon seeing Qin Xiaoyue, she spoke directly, "You're back! My son and I will be eating out later, so make your own dinner!"
After saying this, the noblewoman went straight back to her room, muttering as she left, "What bad luck!"
"Bang!"
The sound of the door slamming shut echoed through the empty living room.
Qin Xiaoyue's family was a blended family; her mother had passed away after she started elementary school. Before her mother's body was even cold, her father had brought a young, beautiful woman home the very next day and demanded that Qin Xiaoyue call this woman 'Mom'.
At that time, Qin Xiaoyue ran away from home immediately. That was her first time running away. She didn't feel she was in the wrong; she felt pity for her mother. This kind of man was truly not human. Her mother had loved him so much, yet he had brought a woman home immediately after her mother's death. Qin Xiaoyue would never believe that her father and this woman hadn't known each other beforehand, even if it killed her.
The next day, Qin Xiaoyue was caught by her father's subordinates and locked in her room, where she was not allowed to eat. Her father told her to reflect in her room and demanded that she only be released and fed once she realized she was wrong and called the woman he had brought home 'Mom'.
However, to her father's surprise, Qin Xiaoyue was very stubborn. She refused to admit fault for three days and three nights without eating, and eventually fainted from hunger in her room. Fortunately, she was sent to the hospital in time, or she would have been a goner!
Since then, her father never forced her to call the new woman 'Mom' again. Whenever Qin Xiaoyue saw that woman, she would just address her as 'you' or 'hey'! Qin Xiaoyue was very happy at the time, thinking she had won, but the days that followed plunged her into a hellish life.
This new woman was named Zhao Baihua. After marrying her father, she gave birth to a boy. Ever since this boy was born, her father had essentially left Qin Xiaoyue to fend for herself, ignoring her completely. Furthermore, because he was often away working and not coming home, it could be said that when her father wasn't around, this woman was the ruler of the household.
Ever since the first day she arrived at the house, when Qin Xiaoyue refused to call her 'Mom', Zhao Baihua had held a grudge against her and would always find trouble for Qin Xiaoyue for no reason.
Nice clothes, delicious food, trips to amusement parks or the cinema—none of these were for Qin Xiaoyue. She felt like an extra in this house, someone who didn't matter at all.
"This is your allowance for this month!" Zhao Baihua handed three bills to Qin Xiaoyue.
Upon receiving them, Qin Xiaoyue felt something was wrong. "Why is my allowance so little?"
"Oh my! You're complaining it's too little? When it comes down to it, why does a girl like you need so much money? You should be grateful you even have any to use." Zhao Baihua said with disdain.
Three hundred yuan? Was she trying to send away a beggar? Qin Xiaoyue glared fiercely at Zhao Baihua, but what did a glare mean to Zhao Baihua? She didn't care at all, instead planning to just give Qin Xiaoyue a single bill next time.
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