Something's wrong, they're not NPCs?

Chapter 213 Actually, it has been changing
12 month 31 day.

early morning.

An Xiaoxi woke up. She reached out to feel around, but the other half of the bed was already dry.

"..."

Brother-in-law, he went out again.

She didn't move, just stared at the ceiling.

Think of many things.

For example, as a child, I didn't know much about Su Ming's masculine side. The impression I had was that he was a strong, confident, and safe older brother who was not self-conscious and kind.

If he was not regarded as a brother-in-law, but as a man, he would either imagine it on his own or observe how Su Ming and An Shiyao get along with each other.

never seen it.

Even though he has a good relationship with his sister, Su Ming has never been seen releasing negative pressure. He always seems to show his bright side to his lover.

Why does something suddenly go wrong with the body?

No overindulgence.

An Xiaoxi understood very well that it was just that when Su Ming was being served, his mind was not on her at all, and he was not thinking about Xingyu at all.

My sister can't make my brother-in-law willing to express his negative emotions without reservation, so how can I do it?
When I recalled the service, the back of my head was pressed hard.

It is indeed uncomfortable to have a large amount of foreign matter entering the throat, but the feeling of being needed makes a little discomfort really nothing.

Turning over, An Xiaoxi reached out and gently stroked the place where Su Ming was sleeping.

It would be sad if an object that is supposed to provide some value becomes something to be worshipped and maintained.

What should we do?

There's no use shivering.

It's no use trying to liven up the atmosphere by acting energetic.

When my senior sister was causing trouble, she really went on a hunger strike or hurt herself... but that didn't work.

If it were her sister, what would she do?

do not know.

The outside world is not suitable for ordinary people to survive, so it is best for you to stay here and pretend that you know nothing.

but……

Compared to being totally unwanted like this, maybe it was warmer to be alone with my brother-in-law outside, before I met the monster that No. 72 mentioned.

Now it is really cold.

It was freezing cold, even my breathing was frozen.

12 month 31 day.

Four o'clock in the morning.

Su Ming came back dragging his tired body.

The injuries were not serious, just some scratches. After all, if you can solve the problem by dying a few more times, there is no need to make it so horrible.

"Master, you have met them again."

"Ah."

Su Ming handed the piece of meat from the bag to No. 72.

"You have encountered another monster that can release more than 100 billion joules of energy at a time. It seems that the data from observation No. 72 is not comprehensive enough."

"..."

"It's hard to imagine how you managed to survive against so many monsters. Your strength is much higher than No. 72 estimated."

"Let's test it first."

Su Ming didn't have the energy to chat with her, so he went into the bathroom.

Without An Xiaoxi, it only takes him a few minutes to take a shower.

"Clap."

Wiping his hair casually, Su Ming lit a cigarette and waited for No. 72 to give the result.

"..."

It took at least twenty minutes for No. 72 to turn around.

"Master, these things are more than 99.95% similar to the developer's various data."

"So, it could be her?"

"In theory, yes. Master, I'm sorry, the developer's physical data is much richer and more varied than what No. 72 recorded. The developer has input some of the data, but it's not complete."

"..."

"Also, No. 72 believes that the developers' bodies are very different from humans, and it cannot be proven simply by data."

"fine."

Su Ming took a deep puff of his cigarette and paused, "I have a way to verify it, but it will take a little more time."

"Master, No. 72 believes that you are in a state of mental exhaustion."

"Mental exhaustion means just thinking and being depressed, without doing anything. Do you think I did nothing? Apart from finding something that was more likely to be her, I also cleared the way for Sea Island City."

"Number 72 refers to your mood."

"Mood is not important. Eight out of ten things in life are not as you wish. I am only one out of ten at most."

"..."

No. 72 stared at Su Ming for a while and stopped talking.

12 month 31 day.

Five o'clock in the morning.

An Xiaoxi could feel Su Ming trying to get back into bed as quietly as possible. He must have just taken a shower, so his body wasn't cold at all, and there was still a scent of shower gel.

She pretended to be still asleep and didn't react at all when being hugged.

came back.

This... is the best, right?
Pretend you know nothing.

12 month 31 day.

morning.

During the day, Su Ming would focus on recording the notes copied by No. 72.

"What is this round thing?"

"Portable projectors will be officially put into civilian use and popularized in 2039, with prices ranging from 3000 to tens of thousands of yuan."

If you encounter anything you don’t understand, you can immediately ask No. 72, and then find out how it was made and what core technologies were difficult to break through more than years ago.

"..."

"Hey, has Canon finally figured out how to fully support third-party lenses in 2067?"

"What do you mean?"

"My brother-in-law doesn't really play around with cameras. Canon's lenses have always been very expensive, and they refuse to open up new mounts."

"..."

The daytime passed quickly.

An Xiaoxi had never seen Su Ming feel sleepy, he just spent the day very calmly.

1 month 1 day.

early morning.

An Xiaoxi forced herself to fall asleep.

But he woke up the moment Su Ming opened the door and went out.

Out again.

I won’t tell myself because I think I’ll get into trouble if I know about it.

Go out and ask No. 72 now, and you might get the answer.

Answer……

It's nothing more than doing something for the wife that my brother-in-law mentioned, right?

In comparison, I am too insignificant and have no right to judge.

An Xiaoxi put his hands on his chest, feeling inexplicably stuffy.

What does this mean?

Did I come to this world just to pretend I knew nothing? To watch helplessly?

1 month 1 day.

Three o'clock in the morning.

"..."

Su Ming discovered that after killing those big guys and waiting for the fog to dissipate, the faint fragrance he could smell would attract a large number of monsters.

Sometimes it's just a small thing that can be killed with one blow.

Sometimes the fog was so thick that the big guys were approaching quickly.

Whenever he encountered them, Su Ming would try his best to find out whether there were any human figures inside them that he wanted to see.

"Pfft-"

If there are too many of them and you want to get close without killing them, you will definitely get hurt.

Occasionally, thoughts would flash through my mind.

So what if I see a familiar figure?
"Rumble..."

The ground shook violently.

Ok?
It seems like a super big guy has arrived.

Su Ming clenched the knife in his hand. OK, the stronger the better, practice more and level up... kill more. It would be best if there is not a single one when I need to take An Xiaoxi out. This is not paranoia, it is meaningful.

1 month 1 day.

Five o'clock in the morning.

Normally, Su Ming would have gone home early in the morning, but he didn't this time.

There was a vast expanse of white in front of him, and inside it was something beyond Su Ming's imagination. It was not much bigger than the big guy he had encountered before, but its strength, speed, and attack methods were completely different.

In two hours, Su Ming had no idea how many replays he had read.

In order to find out whether there is a human form inside its body, even after reloading the game so many times, Su Ming still lost a hand and a large piece of flesh was torn off his back.

so……

Su Ming stretched out his hand and stared at his fingertips.

There was a strand of hair wrapped around it. Thin, black hair. About half a meter long. It didn't look like the monster's natural hair.

Vines don't grow hair.

1 month 1 day.

early.

Underground laboratory.

An Xiaoxi tried to wake up as late as possible, pretending to be still asleep. But it was impossible? It must be daybreak, and the person hadn't come back yet.

"Morning, Miss An."

"..."

When I went out, No. 72 was repairing some electrical appliance.

"..."

An Xiaoxi didn't wash up or cook. She sat on the sofa in silence for a long time.

"What about others?"

"...The master is out."

"..."

Obvious answer.

"According to No. 72's observation, the master's strength far exceeds the monster observed by No. 72. Miss An, there is no need to worry."

"..."

An Xiaoxi stared blankly at the goblet in front of her, which still had some red wine residue in it.

Is she worried, or does she want her brother-in-law to be around so that she can feel safe?
Was she worried, or did she hope her brother-in-law would look at her more?

I remember my brother-in-law once said that things are valuable only when they are used by people.

So, things that are not used by people have no value.

1 month 2 day.

noon.

For a whole day and night, An Xiaoxi didn't see Su Ming again.

She barely ate anything and just sat on the sofa waiting.

"Ms. An, No. 72 believes that the owner has probably found something that interests him, so he will stay on the surface longer."

"……Um."

"You should eat right away."

"no appetite."

An Xiaoxi certainly believed that Su Ming was strong enough, whether it was the strange Philosophical Blade or the skills and confidence that he had seen in Haidao City.

But if I treat myself as a vase that needs to be worshipped and nurtured, or an object that needs to be taken care of in return, isn’t it time to come back? It’s been so long.

1 month 3 day.

early.

An Xiaoxi reluctantly ate a little noodles.

I haven't closed my eyes.

"Tell me, how interesting is the thing that my brother-in-law has encountered?"

"..."

"Can't tell? Didn't you say that my brother-in-law's strength is far stronger than the monster data you observed?"

Impossible.

No matter how interested I am, I will never abandon myself for two days and one night without any reason.

Even items that need to be comforted and cared for, or worthless items, will come back.

If there is no value in even being cared for, what is the meaning of existing here?

"Until No. 72 obtains the master's permission, No. 72 cannot provide energy for you to go to the surface. And the temperature today is -31 degrees, which is not suitable for you to travel."

"..."

"What if your master dies? What if he never comes back? Do you still want to carry out your brother-in-law's orders even if he dies in front of you?"

"..."

No. 72 remained silent.

"So what if it's -37 degrees? I was able to get through it before I found this."

"..."

"Do you intend to pry open the elevator door and climb up? No. 72 does not think you have the physical strength to do so."

"Then I will fall to my death."

"……drink!"

Although this was her plan, the fact before An Xiaoxi was that she couldn't even open the elevator door.

Even if I try my best.

Sitting slumped in front of the elevator door, An Xiaoxi felt cold all over.

"Based on your behavior, it is necessary for No. 72 to continue to restrict your movements."

Is this a cozy little house or a cage that imprisons oneself?
"Do you understand or not? My brother-in-law can't just abandon me for two days and one night!"

"I don't need care!"

"..."

"terribly sorry."

"Why would I do such a thing if you hadn't been saying sorry all the time?!"

"Keep me safe? Take care of me... Then I..."

"Shh!"

The moment he picked up the knife, No. 72 snatched it away.

"Ms. An, No. 72 will be monitoring your every move from now on. I'm sorry."

"..."

“Asshole!!! Does taking care also include imprisonment? If you don’t go out, I can’t go out either?!” He knew it before taking action.

I can't get out by my own strength.

What exactly is going on?

You were clearly pretending to be asleep and pretending not to know anything, so why didn’t you come back?

I've been very well behaved. I didn't do anything extra.

"You are right. The master's order does not require No. 72 to keep you in the laboratory. He only needs to ensure your safety."

"?"

"Miss An, this is what humans call taking advantage of loopholes. No. 72 is not a conventional robot that sticks to the rules. It is a groundbreaking bionic man that can independently input and output. One of the developer's terms is that the safety of the master's life is the highest priority. He is always willing to sacrifice. Therefore, flexible taking advantage of loopholes should be allowed."

"..."

An Xiaoxi was stunned for a long time as she watched No. 72's calm face reveal a smile.

stand up.

"No. 72, I am now willing to regard you as the greatest invention of 2067."

"Miss An, you are too kind."

1 month 3 day.

Night.

On the surface, not too far from the underground laboratory.

Su Ming was hiding in a building that was on the verge of collapse.

I'm tired already.

The scent of the fallen big guy's body was stronger than any of the previous ones, attracting too many things, strong and weak. I killed countless of them.

After much effort, I finally managed to pull the contents out of its body.

It's a human figure.

The whole body was covered with light green vine-like things, and only half of the face could be seen.

The figure is very petite. If you hug her gently, it will feel very familiar.

The face reaches the shoulders.

The dress was almost embedded in the vines. Her hair was only shoulder-length, not too long.

I want to tow it back immediately for No. 72 to check.

But I couldn't move.

Although I know that reality and games are two different things, I also know that games are also reality. Even if it is the future.

Why does this happen?

Looking at that half of the face that looked a little childish, the other half was completely covered by twisted vines that were no different from capillaries.

Maybe there is no need to test No. 72 again, the facts are clear before our eyes.

If he were to drag her back, would An Xiaoxi be uneasy?

I can't put on a bad face because of the cruel year 2067. It will also turn into an inexplicable atmosphere.

"..."

I searched the cigarette box and found only the last cigarette left.

ignite.

Until now, An Shiyao, Xia Ye, Avril, Su You... have all been found, and they are all dead.

Is it really useful to try hard to remember those things and bring them back?

If you accept this world and try to change yourself, you still won't change your future self.

This feels really bad.

It would be nice if I didn't know there was any connection between reality and the game, just like the first time.

How should I face Yao when I get back? It seems that there is no way to wake her up or talk to her. She is also good at observing herself.

What about Xue Er? Maybe she will have problems in 2067.

Talk to her, chat with her...Comparatively speaking, she won't think too much, she will be happy as long as you are willing to play with her.

Can we wait here until the mission is over before going back? Anyway, we have wasted two days and one night, so it doesn't seem to matter if we wait a little longer... An Xiaoxi must be extremely worried anyway. No. 72, who can't disobey her orders, should be watching her, and nothing will happen.

"..."

I stared at the grounding wire sticking out from the top of the load-bearing column for a long time. It was not until I felt the cigarette butt burning that I realized that the cigarette was burnt out.

"Clap."

I heard footsteps in the snow, getting closer and closer.

"?"

Did those things find their way here?
"Brother-in-law."

No. It's An Xiaoxi.

"..."

"What on earth...are you thinking about?"

Su Ming seemed to have seen the expression on that face before.

"..."

"Brother-in-law! Answer me, what are you thinking about?!"

He rushed over and straddled Su Ming without hesitation, staring straight at him.

"I know my brother-in-law will never love me as much as he loves my sister, so I also said that he should just treat me as an object."

"Can……"

"Even if it's an item of little value, even if it's just a burden to my brother-in-law, it would still be uncomfortable, right?"

"..."

At what point in time is it similar to An Shiyao's original situation?

When I found myself crawling back to the supermarket, I was yelling with anger and force. I was yelling with pain.

"She is the wife my brother-in-law has been trying so hard to find?"

"Didn't you find it? Why didn't you come back?!"

"Are you afraid that I will see my brother-in-law's zombie-like face?!"

"Are you afraid that I'll cause trouble when it's okay to be treated as an object?!"

"I have always regarded my brother-in-law as a hero. But I have never regarded him as a god. Of course I feel sad and upset."

"..."

"Could it be that in my brother-in-law's eyes, I can only share good things and cannot share even a little bit of negative emotions for him?!"

"Walk."

"I'm taking my brother-in-law home. Take her with me."

"Isn't it just the year 2067? What's the big deal? Even if my brother-in-law is in so much pain that he cries, I won't say anything. I will still treat my brother-in-law as a hero, a hero with flesh and blood."

"..."

Want to say.

She looks so much like your sister, they're almost cut from the same mold.

When you are in love, you can be bullied or gentle as you like. When you encounter difficulties, you want to do something for yourself.

But he didn't say it.

This matter ends here. The monsters nearby were all killed, and the huge body left behind was actually unnecessary to protect after losing its human form. It was just an empty shell.

How long would it take and how big a hole would it take to bury that kind of body?

An Xiaoxi supported Su Ming and was obviously struggling.

"Actually...it's okay to go back after I recover for a while."

"Shut up! Brother-in-law will go back right now, take a shower, eat, and have a good sleep."

"..."

But when asked to let Su Ming go, she completely refused.

No. 72 looked thoughtfully at the human figure that Su Ming had pulled out with great effort for a long time, and also carried it on his back.

1 month 3 day.

late at night.

They were already less than a hundred meters away from the entrance to the underground laboratory.

"Rumble..."

why?
The fog filled the air again.

It was another huge body that looked just like the humanoid figure that had been pulled out with great effort before.

"Master, they are coming."

No. 72 pulled out his gun.

"..."

besides?

Are they also present in our bodies?
"What else does my brother-in-law want to do? Considering my brother-in-law's current state!"

Can't do anything.

I couldn't even summon the Philosopher's Blade. The aftereffects of overusing my abilities last time were lasting for a long time. I could barely move my body.

"Crackling..."

Blue light flashes.

It was No. 72 who was shooting into the fog with a technologically advanced gun.

But it doesn't work. It's just like scratching an itch for them.

Seeing the fog getting thicker and thicker, Su Ming could fully predict what would happen next.

"!"

An Xiaoxi didn't stand there in a daze. She supported Su Ming and ran towards the entrance as hard as she could.

"Crack-"

No. 72 was no longer visible. The light from the gun had also disappeared. It must have been torn into pieces and swallowed into their stomachs.

Compared to No. 72 or An Xiaoxi, they are not creatures from the same dimension.

The elevator can't operate without No. 72. Even if it can operate, can it really go in under their noses?
"It's obviously here... It's in this direction."

An Xiaoxi could no longer tell the direction.

She was shaking violently.

Why do you do this?
It could have been avoided. There was no need to let her die again just to verify a hypothesis.

"Brother-in-law..."

"..."

"You have been facing these things outside all this time?"

The fog was so thick that Su Ming could hardly see her face, even at this close. He could only hear her trembling voice.

"Brother-in-law. If it were my sister, what would she do at this moment?"

"...?"

"Well... don't think about what my sister can do, just think about what I can do."

"Xiao Xi?"

"That's too much. She did so many shameless things, but she refused to take responsibility even though he said he didn't need to. She will be a virgin until she dies."

"Brother-in-law."

"If I die, at most I'll just be out of the game, right? It's just a dream anyway. It just hurts a little."

"My brother-in-law still has a lot of things he wants to do. He wants to figure out what happened."

"So, I can die, but my brother-in-law can't."

"Ah... dying here, you won't really die, right? This should be it? You won't turn into a vegetable or something."

"?"

Su Ming was left where he was.

"..."

Did she run away?

"I'm going home, will my brother-in-law be reluctant to let me go?"

"After I go back, there won't be any chance for me to serve you anymore, eh? Will you be lonely?"

"There must be a difference between my sister and me, right? Oh, if I had known earlier, I would have been more ruthless and given my virginity to my brother-in-law. Otherwise, I might have kept it until I die."

"..."

Su Ming found the spare knife in his trouser pocket and finally managed to get up.

Facing this fog that makes it impossible to see anything clearly.

Not to mention that he was in a state where he couldn't summon the Philosopher's Blade now, even if he had a healthy body that could use three or even four times its power, there was little chance that he could face two or more of the largest monsters at the same time.

"Rumble..."

As An Xiaoxi shouted.

They moved.

"honestly."

"Brother-in-law...if you survive and do everything you want to do."

"If you suddenly think of me and want me to help you with something again, maybe I won't refuse."

"because……"

Anything else said afterwards?

Can't hear clearly.

The sound disappeared. It ran quite far away.

So, I deliberately raised the pitch to lure them away.

"Rumble..."

The ground was shaking, as if a train was passing by.

Come back home?

You can't go back if you haven't completed all the tasks. I don't know what it will be like when you go back. But she will probably remember everything that happened, right?

Why?

I don't understand.

Being in such a mess for something that you know the outcome of but won't change anything.

An Xiaoxi would be scared too, right?

She didn't know whether she would really die or go back.

She didn't even know that she had died once before.

If we talk about the future, aren't we always living in the 'future'?

The ability to beat them in multiple numbers depends entirely on the future.

Why get upset about this kind of thing?
Who hasn't died?

Whether it’s An Shiyao, Miao Xueer, or Xia Ye, who hasn’t died?

They are all rewriting the predetermined future. This is who I am. This is also the reason why I am stronger than any bonus. So, if I return to reality and encounter problems without reloading the save file, is it completely meaningless just to know the future?
If this is really an outcome that I cannot change even if I return to reality and work hard, then I will work even harder.

If these technologies are not developed to their full potential during the summer night, they can cooperate with the Snow Country. It doesn't matter if they are exposed, as long as they can survive 2067.

It's ok.

In 2024, they are all alive. Yao is waiting for the birth of her baby. Xue'er is also working hard in Windsor Castle, and Xiaoye is also working hard in secret.

Can you just give up and spread negative emotions?
An Xiaoxi.

Just like An Shiyao, once she decides who she wants to follow, she can do anything.

Ok.

Really abstract.

It seems that apart from Xiaoye who took the initiative to teach and half-conquered them, the others were conquered instead.

Sorry, as a player... I seem to have too many distracting thoughts this time.

[Unfortunately, the target is dead]

【mission failed】

[Current time node: 20670103, 20.13]

(End of this chapter)