Chapter 21: The Disappearing Act

[Task Performer Health: -25] [Total Health: 25/100] [Host, you have to get out of here now or you’re going to die in this world!]

The System paced frantically within the mental space. The task was already completed; dying wouldn’t usually be a problem, but the issue was that the Host’s body in this world was generated from data. If her health hit zero, the body would become ethereal and vanish into thin air. That would scare the Female Lead to death.

Furthermore, dying while the body was in a “virtualized” state could damage the soul. Typically, once a Task Performer entered a world, the original soul was sent elsewhere with wiped memories, and the Main System would alter everyone’s perception.

The System felt a pang of guilt—it… hadn’t explained any of this to the Host.

[Task Performer Health: -16] [Total Health: 9/100]

As the notification rang out, the System saw parts of its Host’s face beginning to turn translucent.

Crap, the System thought. The Female Lead is still awake!

The setting where the body starts pixelating once health drops below 10 was a terrible feature. Many senior Systems had complained, but the Main System refused to change it.

Zhao Xue didn’t realize half her cheek was vanishing. She felt terrible, a distinct sensation of life draining away. Her arms holding Meng Yao felt weak. Sensing Meng Yao’s trembling body, Zhao Xue thought she was just scared and tightened her grip.

“We’re almost at the exit.”

She didn’t see Meng Yao’s constricted pupils, or the hands that tried to reach for her face but couldn’t move.

Why… why is Zhao Xue’s face disappearing?

Meng Yao hadn’t been afraid of the kidnappers, the drugs, or the fire. But seeing Zhao Xue’s face turn into light, a massive wave of panic engulfed her. She realized Zhao Xue was vanishing entirely.

Just as they reached the door, a charred beam wrapped in flames fell from above. It felt as heavy as a mountain, slamming Zhao Xue down to one knee. Copper-tasting blood surged up her throat, trickling from the corner of her mouth and dripping onto Meng Yao’s lips, mixing with her tears.

Half a face, fire, blood, and Zhao Xue. This was Meng Yao’s last memory before the carbon monoxide poisoning finally dragged her into unconsciousness again.

[Total Health: 4/100] [It’s over! Host, your body is vanishing! Should we just exit the world? The Female Lead will probably think she hallucinated it.]

Zhao Xue’s voice was cold: [Give me a health potion.]

[Purchase Energy Drink: -40 Points. Points Remaining: 10.] [Health +20. Total Health: 24/100.]

The missing parts of Zhao Xue’s face grew back as if nothing had happened. However, from the smoke inhalation, her health began to plummet again. She finally managed to carry the unconscious Meng Yao out just as the firefighters arrived.

Zhao Xue couldn’t even lift her eyelids. She lay on the scorching earth, holding Meng Yao. Feeling the girl’s faint breath, she finally let go of her will and closed her eyes as white-clad medics approached.

The Dream of Loss

The fire was hot, searing Meng Yao’s very soul. She sat against a wall in her mind, watching the flames approach.

Maybe dying like this isn’t bad, she thought. No grandmother, no family. Why live?

Suddenly, a pair of arms pulled her into a hug. “Don’t be afraid.”

Meng Yao snapped her eyes open. It was Zhao Xue. A beam hit Zhao Xue’s back, causing her to spit blood. Yet she patted Meng Yao gently. “Don’t be afraid. I’ll take you out.”

“Why… why save me?” Meng Yao asked.

The “Zhao Xue” in her dream looked down and smiled, the fire reflecting in her eyes. “Because you’re my little dog.”

Memories of their time together flooded back. Meng Yao realized this Zhao Xue was unique. And her grandmother was still alive. Then, she saw Zhao Xue begin to fade.

“How… how can this be?” Meng Yao stammered, trying to cover the vanishing spots on Zhao Xue’s face with her hands, but they were too small.

Zhao Xue tilted her head and hugged her tight. “Don’t cry. I’m always by your side.”

She placed a cold, disappearing kiss on Meng Yao’s forehead. “Goodbye, my little dog…”

The Awakening

“Xiao Yao! Xiao Yao! You’re awake!”

Meng Yao opened her eyes to her grandmother’s joyful voice. Her voice was raspy. “Zhao… Xue. How is she?”

“Don’t worry,” her grandmother said. “That young lady was picked up by her family. Dr. Feng says she’s recovering well.”

Meng Yao’s heart settled. Grandma wouldn’t lie. But as she looked at the ceiling, she wondered: Was it a dream?

No. Zhao Xue really could disappear. A thought crossed her mind: What if… Zhao Xue isn’t from this world?

She clenched her fingers, trying to catch the sunlight. You can vanish. How can I possibly keep you?

The “Kidnapping”

Zhao Xue was recovering in A-City under the care of her grandfather, Feng. He had insisted on a helicopter transfer to a better hospital. Zhao Xue was wrapped like a mummy, but she was bored.

[System, get me Meng Yao’s contact info.] [I can’t, Host. The Female Lead is protected by World Consciousness.]

Zhao Xue sighed. Another departure without a goodbye.

Meanwhile, Meng Yao had been discharged. She had been accepted to B-University as the top science student in the province. She declined all interviews. She stayed busy so she wouldn’t have to think.

In a dark room, Meng Yao was setting up a bed with soft velvet blankets and Zhao Xue’s favorite toiletries. Her eyes glowed with a dark intensity. She checked a message from Lin Shuang: My dad says Zhao Xue is being discharged the day after tomorrow. She’s coming back to S-City.

Meng Yao locked the room and left.

At 9:00 PM, Zhao Xue returned to her villa. It was pitch black. She showered and fell into a deep sleep.

In the dead of night, her door handle turned. A figure in a black mask entered. The System started screaming, but Zhao Xue silenced it.

[Host, wake up! Capture the thief!] [This ‘thief’ is your precious Female Lead.]

Zhao Xue had woken up the moment the lock turned, but she smelled that clean, familiar scent. She decided to see what Meng Yao was up to.

Meng Yao leaned over, tracing Zhao Xue’s face in the moonlight. Her gaze was filled with a terrifying possessiveness. She placed a cloth over Zhao Xue’s mouth.

[Host, what is she doing?] [Feels like she wants to play ‘Kidnapping.’]

Zhao Xue held her breath. After two minutes, Meng Yao removed the cloth and, thinking Zhao Xue was drugged, began to kiss her passionately. She kissed until she cried, a single tear falling into Zhao Xue’s mouth.

Zhao Xue tasted the salt. She’s really gone down a rabbit hole, she thought.

Meng Yao carried her to a car. Zhao Xue snuggled into her chest like a kitten, feeling Meng Yao stiffen in fear of her waking.

[System, use your energy to jam the security cameras.]

The Gilded Cage

Zhao Xue woke up the next morning to the sound of a chain. Her ankle was locked in a shackle connected to the wall.

The door opened. Meng Yao walked in, looking calm but anxious.

“Meng Yao, what is this?” Zhao Xue asked, her voice flat.

“I’m sorry,” Meng Yao rasped. “You’re not Zhao Xue. You vanish. You leave me. I don’t know how else to keep you.”

The kidnapper looked more pitiful than the victim. Zhao Xue sat there in a white dress, the black metal against her pale skin creating a stark, erotic contrast.

“Meng Yao, you’re breaking the law,” Zhao Xue said coldly. “And I don’t want to stay here forever.” (She actually thought: This ‘wedding room’ is way too simple.)

Meng Yao’s face darkened. She grabbed Zhao Xue’s chin and kissed her forcefully.

“If you don’t want to be with me, who do you want? Su Xu? Your fiancé? Going abroad to find someone else? You are staying with me for the rest of your life!”

She tackled Zhao Xue onto the bed. She was like a wild animal, kissing and marking every inch of skin.

“Don’t—mm—I haven’t—” I haven’t showered yet! Zhao Xue tried to say, but her mouth was blocked.

Later, Zhao Xue lay staring at the ceiling, covered in marks. Meng Yao, unable to meet her eyes for fear of seeing hatred, fled the room.

Zhao Xue sat up, rubbing her sore waist. Actually… that was kind of hot. I think I might like being forced a little.

For two days, Meng Yao only brought food and left, avoiding eye contact.

[Host, let’s leave this world. The Female Lead has turned love into hate.] [Don’t be in a rush. This ‘play’ is actually quite fun.]

On the third night, Meng Yao returned, smelling of alcohol. She pinned Zhao Xue down, her eyes red with tears.

“Zhao Xue, don’t leave me, okay?” she begged. “I love you. But I did something wrong. Please don’t hate me. I just wanted to keep you.”

A tear fell onto Zhao Xue’s chest. The warmth of it made Zhao Xue’s heart tremble.

“Zhao Xue… love me, okay? Without your love, I’ll die.”