Popularity is everything; I play a super genius

However, the moment this thought arose, Saki suddenly remembered something...

He recalled the system's notification when he acquired [Thousand Faces]—

[Five-Star Trait: The strength of the armor can grow indefinitely, increasing infinitely based on the host's mastery and compatibility with the character card!]

[Note: When Mastery and Compatibility are both 0, the armor possesses normal power; thereafter, it can be infinitely upgraded based on this! When Mastery and Compatibility reach a specific threshold, the second-stage form can be unlocked ahead of schedule!]

Mastery is easy to understand; it's simply a matter of proficiency. As Saki uses the armor more, his proficiency will naturally increase.

However, he had been somewhat confused about the compatibility.

Logically speaking, he had been playing the role of "Thousand Faces" for nine years, and it was precisely because he played the role perfectly enough and gained recognition that he finally obtained the title of "Thousand Faces".

So, they were already a good match, so how much more compatible could they be?

But now, Saki suddenly had a guess—

Is it possible that his so-called "compatibility" is meant to make Saki Jakuhan also play the role of the brother of "Thousand Faces"?

When Qi Ji obtained the Thousand Faces Card, he examined it closely and found that all the other entries on the card were lit up, except for one that remained dark.

【elder brother】……

Without a doubt, Saki is a pure power-hungry player.

As long as he can become stronger, let alone making her Su Shi's brother, he wouldn't mind even making Su Shi his bratty little sister!

Moreover, it was already this strong when the compatibility was only 0. What would it be like when the compatibility is maxed out?!

Not to mention, you can unlock the second-stage form of the armor early!

How powerful it will be then?! I can't even imagine!

Since that's the case, why not give it a try?

Let's give it a try!

Su Shi's small hand gripped Qi Ji's hand tightly, her palm covered in wounds, blood dripping onto the beach, spreading into tiny blood flowers.

Upon seeing this, Qi Ji was startled, realizing that he had been so focused on the intensity that he had been careless for a moment.

Even when busy, one can remove their protective gear.

However, before removing it, he thought of something and left a fragment of the mirror behind to look at his face at that moment.

And then, as expected—

Saki discovered that the pure white mask on his face had somehow transformed into the appearance of a "thousand-faced" fox!

No wonder!

No wonder!

Now everything makes sense!

So that's what logging into the Sea of ​​Consciousness with "Thousand Faces" means!

Blanch it! Why didn't you say so earlier!

No wonder this guy mistook her for her brother.

She herself is wearing her brother's mask!

Saki sighed softly to himself.

After figuring out the whole story, for a moment, Qi Ji also felt that Su Shi's performance, although somewhat divine...

But it's also reasonable...

I even felt a little sympathy for them.

Having watched the video of "Brother and Sister," he naturally knew what kind of feelings Su Shi had for her brother.

but……

After all, I'm not his real brother.

However, if being fake is acceptable, then I'll pretend to be her brother for once...

Anyway, he's quite experienced as an older brother.

'Hey, Xiaoxi, you'll forgive me, won't you?'

'My brother didn't want to be anyone's brother, it's just...'

'You know what I mean, right?'

Having made up his mind, Qi Ji stopped hesitating.

He bent down slightly, patted Su Shi's head, and then gently...

Okay, I pulled gently, but it didn't budge at all!

It took a little effort from Qi Ji to finally pull Su Shi up from the ground.

You know what, this guy's kneeling was actually pretty solid!

Even with Saki's Max-level physical strength, he still had to exert a little effort.

……

Su Shi felt like she was dreaming!

At first, she thought her brother's appearance was just a hallucination she saw when she was dying.

But when her brother slayed the remaining elephant for her, when her brother donned his armor, when her brother lunged forward to embrace her and save her—

Nestled in her brother's arms, she looked up at his mask, which seemed so real.

Nestled in her brother's arms, she nervously reached out and poked his chest; it felt so real.

Nestled in her brother's arms, she snuggled close to him and inhaled his scent, which felt so real.

Thus, an almost insane idea was born uncontrollably in Su Shi's mind, grew wildly, and was eventually confirmed by her.

Among the Echoers, there once circulated a very niche, almost taboo legend—

Some say that the sea of ​​consciousness is the source of all consciousness and also its destination.

It is said that human consciousness does not completely disappear after the physical body dies.

Instead, it will return to the sea of ​​consciousness like a drop of water, becoming a part of it.

Those who die with unwavering convictions will not completely dissolve into this sea if they are drawn by the strong longing of the living.

Instead, they become "guardian spirits," lingering on the other side in the form of remnants of consciousness.

This legend is niche because it has never been verified.

Most people who try to find a guardian spirit return empty-handed.

Those who claim to have seen it are often vague in their accounts, and some are even considered mentally unstable.

Even so, this legend continues to circulate quietly in certain circles.

As for the lawsuit, I had just heard of it.

Therefore, without a doubt—

The person standing before me now is my brother...

It's not an illusion!

This is not wishful thinking!

Rather, even in death, they continue to protect themselves...

Brother.

My guardian spirit, my brother.

……

……

Chapter 86 I Only Want My Brother

Although due to the terms "compatibility" and "sister complex", Saki has already decided to play the role of Su Shi's older brother in the sea of ​​consciousness.

But Su Shi's older brother is clearly dead, isn't he...?

So how is he supposed to play a dead person?

How can this be explained?

So you're saying I didn't die, and that I've been by your side all along?

Was it for some reason that I was unable to recognize or see you before?

This is absolutely ridiculous!!!

Saki tried his best to think, only to feel countless brain cells dying and being damaged...

In short, let's just say something random to stall for time and get by.

Qi Ji made up his mind and was about to speak when Su Shi unexpectedly became very understanding.

The girl stood on tiptoe, extended her still-bleeding finger, and gently touched the mouth area on the Qiji fox mask.

“Brother, you don’t need to say anything, I know everything.”

Legend has it that if a guardian spirit becomes aware that it is a guardian spirit, and realizes that it is actually dead...

Then, the obsession that constitutes its existence will waver, and the guardian spirit's form will disappear.

That kind of thing is absolutely forbidden!!!

She had finally gotten her brother back, and she absolutely wouldn't allow him to leave her again!

Even if it's just as a guardian spirit, accompanying her by her side.

That's fine too.

……

—What did you learn?

Saki wanted to ask, but he held back.

It's better to avoid trouble; getting away with it like this isn't out of the question...

Moreover, if it's just about playing the role of Su Shi's older brother during the time he's logged into the Sea of ​​Consciousness, it's actually just a matter of convenience for Saki.

Isn't it just "online siblings"?

Anyway, he's always been pretty good at being the older brother.

He also owes a lot of experience to Xiao Xi.

When Qi Ji wasn't a very responsible older brother, Xiao Xi accompanied him as he grew up.

It's so great to be Xiaoxi's older brother!

To distinguish it from his real voice, Saki deliberately strained his voice:

"Xiao Xi, let's go."

"Brother, brother... what did you call me?"

Su Shi suddenly looked up, his eyes behind the mask seeming to widen.

"Little Shi, what's wrong?"

"Oh... I... I saw my brother, I was probably too excited, I just had auditory hallucinations."

Su Shi lowered his head and said softly.

I must have misheard. How could my brother call me by the wrong name?

"Ahem, there are four Echo Fragments over there. Go take a look and see if there's anything you need."

Qi Ji quickly changed the subject; he had accidentally let something slip earlier.

Most importantly, the compatibility of the [Thousand Faces] card is measured in real time, and the process is very strict!

The moment he let it slip, the compatibility score displayed on the system interface immediately dropped by 0.00001...