With the ability to transform, I am a judge.

Leading the little angel Alice across the bridge, Yang Li found it still congested with cars and pedestrians. Not wanting to waste time, she took a slightly longer route and quickly made it across.

Although Shizuka Marikawa had previously mentioned that her friend's house wasn't far across the river, Yang Li had been traveling at full speed for over 20 minutes but still couldn't find it. Despite his confusion, Yang Li continued to wander around the area, since the markings on the map seemed correct.

As dusk approached, Yang Li arrived near a two-story building. The tall walls and black-painted steel gate gave it a very safe feel.

"In a little while we're going to meet lots of older brothers and sisters. They're all my friends and won't hurt Alice. Now, Alice, close your eyes. I'm going to perform a magic trick."

Obediently, Alice covered her eyes after being untied and lowered. Yang Li smiled, squatted down in front of her, and took out an oversized backpack from his 'storage space'.

"You can open your eyes now."

Wow! Sister is amazing!

As expected of a child known for their innocence and cuteness, their eyes lit up with curiosity so easily. Even with just that simple, pure expression, Yang Li felt a warm glow in her heart.

"But Alice mustn't mention this magic trick later, it's a secret between her and her sister."

"Yes! Because it's a secret, I can't tell my sister's friends."

Yang Li gently patted Alice's head, slung his backpack over his shoulder, and then knocked on the door with the hilt of his knife. The noise inside instantly ceased, and everything fell silent. Yang Li saw Alice tilt her head in confusion.

"Open the door quickly, or I'll spank Saya-chan's bottom a few times."

As Yang Li spoke with a playful tone, a soft "ee" came from Takagi Saya inside the room, followed by approaching footsteps. Feeling his clothes being tugged a few times, Yang Li looked down at Alice, who was pulling at his clothes.

"Why did my sister spank Saya-chan's bottom?"

"Because my older sister really likes Saya-chan, we need to have a friendly chat."

Yang Li had absolutely no concern about whether he would corrupt the children, spouting his own nonsensical theories. However, Alice's slightly conflicted and hesitant expression completely charmed Yang Li.

"Does my sister like me? If she does, she'll have to spank my bottom... Hmm, sister, please be gentle."

Section 27, Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Final Link to the Main Quest

Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Final Link to the Main Quest

Night had just fallen when Yang Li sat on the sofa drinking juice, watching the innocent and adorable Alice, who had just taken a bath, running around the living room. Yang Li wondered why, for some reason, she hadn't seen the puppy that appeared in so many fanfiction works at the hospital. Was it just a fabricated story spread by fans?

Children are always lovable (except for mischievous ones), so the well-behaved and sensible Alice easily made friends with the others and joined the new circle. In any case, things are pretty good now, at least Yang Li thinks it's great except for her bound left arm.

Qiu Shui placed the knife on the table in the corner, after all, it was a knife without a sheath, which was very dangerous! Yang Li explained that he found the knife on the way to the hospital, which was not a lie at all, even though it was found in a treasure chest.

After stretching his right wrist, Yang Li threw the empty juice can into a nearby trash can, then looked at his left arm, which was wrapped up like a mummy, with a disgusted expression.

Because she took precautions before the impact, she only suffered a forearm fracture, and at most a dislocation and strain later on. After a thorough examination and treatment, Shizuka Marikawa used the extra bandage to tie her arm securely.

If it weren't for the fact that only her left arm was wrapped in bandages, people would believe she was a mummy if her whole body was bound like that. This feeling of being unable to move is awful. It's a pity that 'Abyss Paradise' doesn't provide a fully digitized physique, otherwise, she could recover from her fracture in a few days.

Dinner was prepared by Saeko Busujima. This girl, who has the demeanor of a Yamato Nadeshiko on the outside but is a sadistic and bloodthirsty person on the inside, actually has such abilities, which truly satisfied everyone's appetite.

Japanese food is rather bland, and Yang Li ultimately couldn't get used to it, but in this world context, having anything to eat was already a blessing. If they had gone to reclaim the land from the beginning, who knows what it would be like now?

With nothing to do, Yang Li began to analyze the current situation...

Rei Miyamoto has injured her spine and is currently receiving treatment from Shizuka Marikawa. She needs to stay in her room and rest, and it's estimated that it will take at least ten days for her to barely regain her mobility. If the next main quest has a time limit of 10 days, she will have to leave the main group.

Moreover, this area isn't exactly safe. On his way here, Yang Li saw quite a few wandering undead. Plus, he didn't know if the sighted monsters he'd encountered in the city were still around, so Yang Li wasn't sure if it was safe to stay here.

As a very realistic person, Yang Li doesn't rely on the protagonist group's halo for everything. His only goal is to grasp reality, survive, and then become stronger.

Apart from Rei Miyamoto, the other girls were washing themselves in the bathroom, while the two boys were upstairs doing something. If I'm not mistaken, they were breaking into a cabinet and were about to get the equipment inside.

The importance of firearms is undeniable. Yang Li is far from being able to ignore firearms, even the monsters she encountered before... Besides, with the existence of 'Abyss Paradise', who knows if she will go to some technologically advanced worlds in the future, where the firearms are absolutely unimaginably powerful.

While her mind was filled with all sorts of random thoughts, a subtitle suddenly popped up in front of Yang Li that only she could see, just like the two treasure chests that had appeared earlier.

The new main quest has begun!

Main Quest: A terrifying crisis has targeted the protagonist's team; this is an unprecedented disaster! (Fourth Ring, Final Stage)

Task Difficulty: LV.12

Mission Brief: An unknown monster is approaching, and the protagonist team's aura is hard to resist.

Mission objective: To face and defeat the strongest monster to date in any way possible.

Time limit: 20 days.

Mission Reward: Complete the trial mission to obtain the qualification of a formal judge.

Penalty for failure: Trial of the Judge failed!

The mission's difficulty level of LV.12 far exceeded the limits of Tier 1, leaving Yang Li's expression somewhat uncertain. Facing this unknown monster while still recovering from her injuries, even 'Abyss Paradise' was skeptical, stating that she could fight in any way possible.

Yang Li would never believe it if someone said that 'Abyss Paradise' hadn't interfered and modified things! As for what the final opponent would be, he conservatively estimated that it would be at the level of the monster he encountered in the city, or even higher!

"Perhaps we can leverage the power of Takashiro Manor."

Given that the place is run by Saya Takagi's parents, there's a good chance Yang Li could infiltrate it with Saya's help. The Takagi Manor, with its considerable firepower, can also help her deal with her upcoming opponents.

As for whether Saya Takagi's father will help or not, when the enemy arrives, they will have to act to survive, even if they don't want to. With a large number of cannon fodder probing the enemy, Yang Li will be able to decide whether to go for a close-quarters assault or use a dust explosion for another round.

However, if the final BOSS attacks High City Manor, the casualties will be extremely tragic. But what does that have to do with Yang Li? Even though they are all flesh and blood people, not so-called NPCs, Yang Li will do anything to survive and become stronger!

Before, she had no goals and felt that dying wouldn't matter, but now, in the 'Abyss Paradise,' there were just too many things that could bring her 'pleasure'! Playing with the lighter she'd just found in the house, she was almost reluctant to die…

A somewhat cruel smile crept across her face. Luckily, no one saw it, or Yang Li's carefully cultivated image would have collapsed. Although she usually revealed her true self, who says a person can only have one essence? Only one set of principles for dealing with people?

She has always been a very contradictory person... She can be all smiles, like a friendly older sister next door, or she can kill madly without batting an eye, and she can even push those she has deceived and misled into the abyss without any mercy...

Yang Li glanced at Qiu Shui, which was located in the corner. Although its special effect only worked on targets with a constitution of 13 or less, the weapon's effectiveness was undeniable. In close combat, this was far more useful than a kitchen knife.

A darkness welled up within her, and Yang Li's expression turned somewhat cold. A classic phrase came to mind. For some reason, she suddenly felt that this phrase perfectly suited her current state of mind; it had a certain charm.

"My heart and actions are as clear as a mirror, and all my deeds are for the sake of justice."

After a soft murmur, only unwavering resolve remained in Yang Li's heart. If the time truly came to sacrifice, she was ready to easily abandon Komuro Takashi, Hirano Toda, and the others...

As for Alice, because of her mother who deeply moved her, she's no longer within the scope of those to be abandoned. (Is this your reason for being a loli-obsessed girl from now on? No need to say anything more, caught red-handed.)

Chapter 28: Is teasing others an ingrained, deep-seated essence?

Chapter Twenty-Eight: Is Teasing Others an Innate Nature?

The days of recuperation were always boring, and thinking about this made Yang Li feel quite dejected. She was already prepared to stay in her Nanli residence and become a couch potato. After all, with her left arm bound and unable to move, Yang Li couldn't do her daily sword-wielding practice with just one hand.

She was no longer wearing the combat suit that completely blended into the shadows, but a bear-patterned T-shirt and jeans, a youthful and vibrant outfit that instantly gave Yang Li a different style. However, the two boys upstairs hadn't seen her yet, and it was anyone's guess what kind of looks they would give her.

Perhaps because she's become a girl, Yang Li's mindset seems to be shifting towards that of a real girl, and she finds certain stares incredibly annoying. If something were to happen, she might suddenly explode in anger and do something irrational.

The situation at 'Abyss Paradise' is very unclear. Yang Li's disguise number is 2001213. Does that mean there are at least that many contractors and judges? Or are those who have already died included?

There's also the consumption of talent. Yang Li still doesn't understand what the so-called Source Crystal is, since he's never seen one before... It's probably just a rare resource that you get by completing certain tasks, but how exactly you get it is still unknown.

Yang Li was overwhelmed by countless worries, but if she didn't think about these things, she had nothing else to do. She couldn't just stare at the sky and become a salted fish, could she?

As if she knew about Yang Li's troubles, Alice, who had been running around playing, suddenly rushed over and jumped into Yang Li's arms.

"Sister, what are you thinking about? You seem so serious."

"I wasn't thinking about anything, I was just thinking about... how I should live a carefree life from now on."

The word "salted fish" slipped out, causing the adorable Alice to look puzzled. What exactly is a salted fish? In a world where most mobile phones are still flip phones, the concept of a salted fish is indeed a bit ahead of its time.

"If you don't understand, that's fine. Alice is still young. She'll understand everything when she grows up."

Her eyes revealed a gentle warmth; perhaps only a little girl like Alice could evoke such emotions in Yang Li? Only that innocent and naive heart could reach her long-closed heart.

Yang Li gently rubbed Alice's head, but before she could say anything, a scream from upstairs interrupted her. The scream, filled with terror and fear, made Yang Li's brows twitch.

"..."

Our gaze shifts to Komuro Takashi and Hirano Toda, as Yang Li is nestled on the sofa contemplating life.

With the force of the two crowbars, the safe was suddenly opened. Hirano Toda gasped for breath, then looked like a fanatical believer. Komuro Takashi behind him was careful, afraid that Hirano Toda might accidentally crush his 200-pound body onto his small frame.

"A sniper rifle! Could this be a completely modified version of the AR-10? You definitely can't get your hands on something this good in Japan!"

Hirano Toda kept rubbing the gun with his thick, fat hands, his face beaming with excitement, as if he were caressing a lover's body.

"There's even a crossbow in the cabinet! It's a replica of the one Robin Hood used! Made in England, the kind of crossbow that can even kill bears!"

Then came a string of technical terms that Komuro Takashi couldn't understand at all, leaving him speechless and completely baffled. He stopped listening to Hirano Toda's excited explanation and went to the pried-open cabinet, picking up the guns inside.

Just as Komuro was about to take a closer look, he saw a bright glint in Hirano Toda's eyes as he squatted on the ground. For a moment, Komuro began to seriously question Hirano Toda's sexual interest; why was he more excited about seeing a gun than a girl?

"Ah! That's a riot control shotgun, an American-made firearm with tremendous firepower. It was quite effective in the Vietnam War! Although it was ultimately routed by the Chinese, that doesn't diminish its excellence! And this submachine gun..."

Seeing Hirano Toda get all fired up, Komuro Takashi was so frustrated he almost vomited blood, and his face immediately darkened.

"Click".

Komuro Takashi moved with lightning speed, immediately cocking the gun and pointing it at the fat man, as if to say, "If you don't speak human language, I'll shoot." Although it was empty, it still made Hirano Toda, who was familiar with various firearms, panic.

"Ah! Even if it's unloaded, you can't point a gun at people!"

Hirano Toda screamed, hastily adopting a defensive posture, curling into a ball, his initial frenzy instantly vanishing. Komuro Takashi silently lowered his gun; he had also been enraged, otherwise, why would he have aimed a gun at his own comrade?

"Hmm? It seems like Komuro and Hirano are having a lot of fun. Just a moment ago there was a scream."

A mature voice rang in their ears, and for some reason, both of them trembled and stiffly turned their heads. Their eyes reflected Yang Li, dressed casually, leaning against a nearby table, looking quite languid.

"What's wrong? Are you so engrossed in watching it?"

The teasing words instantly snapped Komuro Takashi and Hirano Toda out of their daze, leaving them completely flustered. After all, they couldn't very well admit they'd been engrossed in watching something, could they? That might be a disaster…

"No, it's just that you've never worn such casual clothes before, Sister Jiude. You look beautiful, so it was a bit of a surprise."

"So, in your eyes, I wasn't pretty before?"

Clearly, this was a question that could be fatal if one wasn't careful. Komuro Takashi's mind conjured up images of Yang Li torturing and killing the victim. He forced himself to calm down, feeling himself stoop and take a few steps back before managing a dry laugh.

"Sister Jiude, you look good in everything, really, don't you think so, Hirano?"