Chapter 44: A Fused Reality and a Reluctant Alliance

“Mm. She’s my younger brother. Although she’s a girl now… probably. I’m not too sure.”

Although they had discussed confirming whether Liu Xingluo had truly transformed into a girl the previous night, ultimately, that confirmation never happened.

After all, if Liu Ruyan were to personally verify it, she would undoubtedly be opening the floodgates to a whole new world for Liu Xingluo.

Thus, Liu Ruyan ultimately refrained from ‘laying hands’ on her younger sibling.

However, judging by the physical characteristics she displayed during their shared bath yesterday, the current Liu Xingluo was, without a shadow of a doubt, a girl through and through.

“Probably? What exactly is going on?”

Listening to Liu Ruyan’s explanation, Bailu found herself growing increasingly bewildered.

‘What in the world is all this about?’ she wondered.

What she had initially assumed to be a straightforward capture mission was proving to be far more intricate than she had anticipated.

“Mm, that’s exactly how it is,” Liu Ruyan affirmed.

Liu Ruyan then concisely relayed to Bailu everything Liu Xingluo had previously confided in her.

Bailu’s reaction, as one might expect, mirrored Liu Ruyan’s initial astonishment, leaving her utterly dumbfounded.

If Bailu’s understanding was correct, Liu Xingluo had suffered an accident and had subsequently merged with another girl, possibly an 异生兽 (TL Note: A type of alien monster or mutated beast), without even realizing it.

After this fusion, she could maintain her original form while also being able to transform into the girl’s appearance at will, which was the very Liu Xingluo standing before her now.

‘Is this some fantastical novel, or is it truly reality?’

However, as a super-powered individual herself, Bailu possessed a remarkable capacity for acceptance.

She quickly came to terms with this extraordinary premise.

After all, if someone like her could awaken superpowers, then no matter how preposterous other events in the world became, they wouldn’t seem so strange.

“I think I understand the situation now,” Bailu stated. “However, I have orders from my superiors to bring her back.

Don’t worry, if your younger sibling doesn’t pose any threat, the higher-ups should release her quickly.”

“Alright then, I’ll trouble you to look after my good-for-nothing younger sibling. She’s my only family left.”

“Okay, leave it to me. See you later.”

After pressing the disconnect button, Bailu redirected her gaze to Lain.

She had a clear understanding of Liu Xingluo’s situation now.

All that remained was Lain’s case.

‘What was this guy’s deal?’

‘Could he, too, have merged with an 异生兽 (TL Note: A type of alien monster or mutated beast), just like Liu Xingluo?’

‘Unlikely,’ she mused.

‘A single case of fusion with an 异生兽 (TL Note: A type of alien monster or mutated beast) was already rare enough.’

‘How could a second instance occur, especially with both fused individuals acting together?’

‘The probability of so many coincidences aligning was simply too low, infinitesimally small, almost negligible.’

“What’s your name? And why do you also exhibit traces of an 异生兽 (TL Note: A type of alien monster or mutated beast) presence?”

“My name is…”

“Wait!” Liu Xingluo interjected. “Lain, don’t speak yet. Let me explain.”

Fearing Lain might utter something peculiar that would worsen the already delicate situation, Liu Xingluo quickly halted his speech.

‘It was better to handle the communication herself.’

“Lain, is that his name? Is he human, like you?”

“No,” Liu Xingluo clarified. “He’s different from me. He’s a pure 异生兽 (TL Note: A type of alien monster or mutated beast).”

“What?!”

Bailu immediately adopted an aggressive stance, her gaze fixed on Lain.

‘If he was an 异生兽 (TL Note: A type of alien monster or mutated beast), there was nothing more to say; she would simply kill him!’

‘Although her superiors had ordered his capture, killing one wouldn’t be an issue.’

‘In any case, Liu Xingluo would undoubtedly be accompanying her back to meet the important figures.’

“Wait, wait, wait! Don’t be so quick to fight!” Liu Xingluo pleaded. “While it’s true he’s an 异生兽 (TL Note: A type of alien monster or mutated beast), he’s also my guardian.

He won’t act without my command.

So he’s safe, rest assured.”

Witnessing the potential for the situation to escalate further, Liu Xingluo rushed forward to block Bailu.

‘They were all on the same side; there was no need for them to fight each other.’

“So, you mean it was your command for him to chop off those team members’ hands earlier?”

“Ah… that was a misunderstanding,” Liu Xingluo quickly explained. “Because they were attacking me at the time, I told Lain to find a way to make them stop.

As for the result, well, Lain simply chopped off their hands.

I am incredibly sorry for that; it was my fault.

But Lain is truly safe; there’s no need to fight him.

Lain, could you return to my shadow for now?

Only emerge when I call you, or if I’m in danger.”

To prove Lain posed no threat, Liu Xingluo promptly ordered him back into her shadow.

“Understood.”

Lain complied with the command, disappearing into Liu Xingluo’s shadow to protect her.

“See? He listens to me very well.”

“Alright,” Bailu conceded. “I’ll overlook him for now.

However, this matter isn’t over. You’ll have to come back with me. Any objections?”

“None, none at all, of course not. As it happens, I also have something important to tell you all.”

Fortunately, the battle had been successfully averted through dialogue this time.

Otherwise, it would have undoubtedly spiraled into an incredibly troublesome development.

Coincidentally, Liu Xingluo also needed to inform the defense organization about the Sixth Princess’s impending arrival in the human world, so they could prepare for the confrontation.

“Good. Alright, Command Center, the mission here is complete.

You can send a team now.”

“Understood. A detainment vehicle has been dispatched. Please remain stationary at your current location.

Estimated arrival within ten minutes.”

“Alright, we’ll wait here for ten minutes.”

“Okay. Um… thank you for believing me. Considering how outlandish the things happening to me are.”

“It’s nothing,” Bailu replied. “I haven’t fully believed you, either.

If you were to make any dangerous moves, I wouldn’t hesitate to attack you.

Moreover, it’s precisely because what’s happened to you is so outlandish that it actually gains a certain degree of credibility.”

After all, art often imitates life.

If a story were truly fabricated, one would likely strive for realism, ultimately making it less outlandish.

“Mm,” Liu Xingluo affirmed. “Rest assured, since I’ve chosen to return with you, I certainly won’t make any dangerous moves.

After all, I’ve seen plenty on television about how formidable you super-powered individuals are.”

To instill in the public’s mind the might of super-powered individuals, thereby allowing them to live in peace, the authorities had spared no effort.

They not only had super-powered individuals participate in various offline promotional events but also broadcast their heroic combat prowess on television.

Thus, in Liu Xingluo’s heart, these super-powered individuals represented the very foundation upon which their normal lives could continue.

Even with the impending arrival of the Sixth Princess in the human world, Liu Xingluo believed that as long as the super-powered individuals united, it wouldn’t pose a significant problem.

“Well, thank you very much for your support,” Bailu said with a smile. “If Zhang Wei heard that, he’d be absolutely thrilled.”

To have one’s persistent efforts acknowledged by others was indeed a gratifying experience.