Nagazora City, Li Mu's home.
Li Mu and Kiana gathered around the table, looking at something resembling a helmet placed on it.
"By the way, Mu, what is this?"
Kiana leaned closer to the object and poked it with her finger. It reminded her of the virtual helmet Li Mu had used a while ago to let her witness the battle on the moon.
Li Mu didn't hide anything and told Kiana about the object's origin.
"Something sent by another friend. I asked her to make it before; I didn't expect her to be so fast."
"What's it used for? A virtual helmet?"
"No, this thing is used to create mental illness. It can split the user's personality and carve out a new one."
Li Mu picked up the helmet, looked at Kiana, and flashed a malicious smile.
"Good bro, do you want to try it? We can call the split personality 'Sirin' or something."
Seeing the smile on Li Mu's face, Kiana shivered, shifted her position, and immediately widened the distance between herself and Li Mu.
She crossed her arms in front of her chest to form an "X," signaling Li Mu not to come closer.
"Please absolutely don't. I don't want to become mentally ill just yet."
She didn't know if Li Mu was joking, but the last time he showed this weird smile, she had said goodbye to her little brother...
Seeing Kiana's nervous look, Li Mu stored the helmet into the System's built-in inventory.
"Don't worry, good bro. This isn't for you."
Kiana was already used to Li Mu's ability to make items appear and disappear at will, so she didn't show any surprise. Seeing Li Mu put the helmet away, she shifted her position again and scooted back to his side.
"So, that thing can really split personalities?" Knowing it wasn't going to be used on her, Kiana expressed curiosity.
"Of course, this is the masterpiece of the greatest inventor of this era."
"You actually know someone that amazing?"
"Don't underestimate my network!"
Kiana thought about it, and it seemed to make sense. After all, as a reincarnator, it was quite normal to use his foresight to befriend some powerful figures, right?
But soon, upon learning that Li Mu intended to use it himself, Kiana expressed concern. She couldn't understand why Li Mu would give up being a normal person and insist on making himself mentally ill.
"So, Mu, why do you want to split your personality?"
Looking at the worry on Kiana's face, Li Mu became uncharacteristically serious, adopting a look of profound compassion.
"Good bro, you know, the Honkai is pressing in step by step, and our world is in imminent danger."
"In order to save this fragile world and fight against the Honkai, people must constantly sacrifice their lives."
Listening to Li Mu's words and thinking of the tragic future he had revealed, a solemn expression appeared on Kiana's face.
For the sake of everything she loved, she had long prepared herself to put her own life into the chamber of the gun.
But then she heard Li Mu say: "And this time, it's my turn to sacrifice my life."
Kiana's face paled in shock, and she hurriedly grabbed Li Mu. "Mu, you're going to die?!"
Li Mu looked at her strangely and said, "Why would I die? I only have one life. If I die, there won't be any possibility of witnessing the perfect ending of this world."
"But you said you were going to sacrifice your life..."
"Heh!" Seeing the worry on his good bro's face, Li Mu laughed. "Sacrificing a life once doesn't mean dying. Who doesn't know how to do sit-ups nowadays!"
"As long as I can split out a personality, doesn't that mean I have an extra life?"
"Don't underestimate my world-shaking wisdom!"
"...What kind of nonsense are you talking about?"
Seeing the confusion on Kiana's face, Li Mu pressed her shoulder back and sighed, "Sigh, good bro, I've done too much for this world. You must not betray my trust!"
Hearing this, Kiana looked down at her rather prominent chest and said with a resentful look, "Bro, I feel like I've sacrificed much more than you..."
Li Mu smiled but didn't speak.
He checked the time and realized it was almost evening.
So he looked at Kiana and asked, "Good bro, aren't you going home?"
Hearing this, Kiana leaned back into the sofa, looking as if she wanted to sink into it.
She waved her hand and said in an exhausted tone, "So tired. Home is too far. Why don't I just stay over at your place tonight? You have a spare room anyway. If not, I can even sleep in the living room..."
"No way~" Li Mu refused.
"Why?" Kiana was puzzled. She seemed not to expect Li Mu to refuse and looked quite wronged. "Aren't we good bros? You never refused to let me stay over before. I even cooked noodles for you..."
Li Mu ignored the wronged look on Kiana's face, sighed, grabbed her wrist, pulled her up, and then pushed her by the shoulders toward the door.
"Times are different now, good bro. Although I treat you as a brother, I can't control what others say."
"You running to my house repeatedly lately has already caused quite a few rumors. I assume you don't want gossip about you spreading around school, right?"
Listening to Li Mu's words, the tips of Kiana's ears turned red.
However, she also thought that if she didn't stay at Li Mu's place, and MEI called later to invite her for dinner without a suitable excuse to refuse...
Kiana shuddered and pushed hard against the doorframe.
"I don't mind! Hurry up and let me in!"
"No, I mind. Bang!"
Watching the tightly shut door split the world in two, Kiana felt a thick barrier had formed between her and Li Mu.
As if covered by a dark cloud, Kiana's whole aura turned gloomy.
So, staring at the closed door, Kiana sighed and ultimately left.
"Don't be too nervous. Maybe MEI is busy today and won't call me for dinner?"
Walking down the street, Kiana secretly cheered herself up.
Just then, a familiar voice called out to her.
"Oh? Isn't this my eldest niece?"
Kiana turned around stiffly and saw a black Maybach stop beside her. The window rolled down, and sitting inside was actually MEI's father, Ryoma!
The moment she saw Ryoma, the lingering hope in Kiana's heart finally died.
"You... what are you doing here?"
Ryoma smiled brightly and signaled the driver to open the door.
"Just happened to be discussing business nearby. What a coincidence!"
"Eldest niece, hurry up and get in. Let's go to my house for dinner. MEI should have already finished cooking. It's a good time for you two to bond."
Bonding twenty-eight days a month is a bit too extreme. And using MEI's food to bond, are you sure you're not trying to murder me?! Kiana retorted fiercely in her heart.
However, since the other party was an elder and her dad's good friend, she couldn't possibly say no. Her good upbringing forced her to keep these words inside.
Kiana forced a smile that looked uglier than crying.
"O... okay..."
Watching Kiana get into the Maybach with a bitter face, Li Mu looked gratified, laughing internally.
He looked at the System panel.
[Crystal Balance: 2990]
He was only one meal away from reaching 3000 Crystals.
We're good bros, how could I let you slack off at my house? Hurry up and suffer with me!