This story illustrates that dishonesty and betrayal ultimately lead to consequences, and that thorough preparation and understanding of adversaries can enable one to turn the tables on those who wronged them. The protagonist, after being betrayed by her boyfriend and lab partner who used her as a scapegoat for cheating, uses her knowledge of the situation to set a trap that exposes their scheme, demonstrating that those who manipulate others often become trapped by their own choices.
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Reborn, I Gave His Hairpin to His Lover—This Time She Was Caught Cheating in the Exam HallAdded:
I stared at my own gravestone, listening to the man I loved whisper sweet nothings to the woman who destroyed my life. The silver hair pin gleaming in her hair was my death sentence. But when I blinked, the cemetery vanished. I was back, and this time she's taking the fall. The smell of stale espresso and rain soaked asphalt was what brought me back. I gasped, my lungs inflating with a sharp, burning agony, as if I had just breached the surface of a freezing ocean. My hands flew to my chest, expecting to feel the crushed sternum, the shatter glass, and the slick, terrifying warmth of my own blood, but there was nothing, just the soft, worn cotton of my college sweatshirt. I blinked against the harsh fluorescent lighting of my dorm room. The digital clock on my nightstand glared in neon red. Tuesday, the 5th of May, 2026, 1:18 a.m. I dragged my trembling hands down my face. My skin was intact. The blaring sirens that had composed the final soundtrack of my previous life were gone, replaced by the mundane hum of the mini fridge and the distant chatter of students crossing the quad outside my window at Cresmont University. I was 22 again. 2 days before the state medical board preliminary exams. Two days before my life was supposed to be ripped apart.
In my past life, this was the exact week my entire world collapsed. I had been dating Kevin Cross, the golden boy of the premed program for 3 years. I thought we were the perfect team, destined for residencies at Mass Gen, planning a future that looked like a glossy brochure for the American dream.
I didn't know he had been sleeping with my lab partner, Leora Bennett, for 6 months. I didn't know that Leora, terrified of failing the prelims and losing her conditional acceptance to John's Hopkins, had begged Kevin to help her cheat. And I certainly didn't know that Kevin's solution was to use me as the sacrificial lamb. A sharp knock at the door snapped me out of my spiraling memories. Emily, babe, you in there? The voice sent a violent shudder down my spine. It was a voice I had last heard whispering, "I'm sorry, Emily, but it was the only way." Right before he left me to face the disciplinary board alone, I forced my breathing to steady, pasted a sleepy smile on my face, and unlocked the door. Kevin stood there looking like he had just stepped out of AJ Crew catalog. His sandy blonde hair was perfectly tassled, and he was holding two iced lattes from the Blue Bottle Cafe downtown. Morning, beautiful, he said, leaning in to kiss my forehead. It took every ounce of my willpower not to recoil. His lips felt like a brand. You looked like you were up late studying, so I brought reinforcements. Thanks, I murmured, taking the cold plastic cup.
I'm just stressed, snorts. The exam on Thursday. You're going to crush it, Emily. You always do. He set his cup on my desk and reached into the pocket of his navy bomber jacket. Actually, I got you a little something. Consider it an early good luck charm. He pulled out a small velvet ring box. My heart turned to ice. I knew exactly what was inside.
He popped it open to reveal a vintage silver hairpin. It was beautifully crafted with intricate filigree twisting up to a teardrop-shaped lapis lazuli stone at the top. Kevin, it's beautiful.
I lied. Finding awe. Found it at an antique shop on Newberry Street. He said smoothly, his blue eyes locked onto mine with practice sincerity. The moment I saw it, I thought of you. I want you to wear it to the exam. Let it be a reminder that I'm always with you. You were with me. All right, I thought bitterly. Right up until you made the anonymous phone call to the proctor. I will, I said softly. Taking the box.
I'll wear it on Thursday. Thank you. He stayed for another 20 minutes, making idle chatter about his Kaplan review courses and our dinner plans for the weekend plans. He fully intended to cancel once I was expelled. When he finally left, the click of the dorm door locking behind him echoed like a gunshot. I dropped the suite, naive girlfriend act instantly. I walked over to my desk, dumped the ice latte into the trash, and picked up the hairpin. To the naked eye, it was just a beautiful piece of vintage jewelry, but I had spent the last two years of my previous life obsessing over this exact object.
Replaying the moment the exam proctor pulled it from my hair and unscrewed the top, I grabbed a pair of fine tip tweezers from my cosmetic bag, gripping the silver shaft of the pin firmly, I clamped the tweezers onto the silver setting just below the lapis stone and twisted. Click the top unthreaded smoothly. The pin was hollow. Using the tweezers, I reached into the narrow cavity and pulled out a tightly rolled cylinder of ultra thin parchment paper.
I unrolled it on my desk, flattening it out. The text was microscopic, requiring a magnifying glass to read comfortably, but I didn't need to read it to know what it said. It was a masterpiece of condensed information. The entire KB cycle, obscure pharmacology pathways, complex neurological diagrams. It was everything Leora had been struggling to memorize for the past 3 months. In my past life, Kevin had anonymously tipped off the exam board that a student would be using a hollowedout vintage hairpin to cheat. He didn't name me. He just gave the description of the item. During the exam, the proctors did a targeted sweep, found the pin in my hair, and dragged me out in tears. My academic record was permanently flagged. I was expelled in disgrace when I tried to explain that Kevin had given it to me.
He denied it, claiming I had bought it myself. Leora, of course, testified against me, claiming she had seen me hollowing it out in the dorms. My parents cut me off, ashamed of the public scandal. I took a job whitessing at a miserable diner just to pay rent.
While Kevin and Leora graduated with honors and moved to Baltimore together, I died a later, my car swerving off an icy road while driving home from a grueling double shift. I stared at the tiny cheat sheet, a cold, dark laughter bubbling up in my chest. You want to play games, Kevin? Fine, but this time I'm writing the rules. I carefully rolled the parchment back up, slipped it into the hollow shaft, and screwed the lapis stone back on. The trap was set, but this time I wasn't going to be the prey. I was going to be the predator.
Thursday morning arrived with heavy gray skies and a suffocating humidity that clung to the Boston streets. My alarm buzzed at 6:00 a.m. I didn't need it. I hadn't slept a wink. I dressed meticulously. A simple white blouse, dark slacks, and a beige cardigan.
Professional, unassuming, the picture of a dedicated stress medical student. I pulled my dark hair back into a loose, elegant French twist. I didn't use the silver hair pin. Instead, I secured my hair with standard bobby pins, slipping the deadly antique into the side pocket of my leather tote bag. By 7:30 a.m., the grand marble foyer of Harrison Hall was packed with hundreds of terrified students. The air was thick with the scent of stress, sweat, stale coffee, and frantic whispering. People were clutching flashcards like life preservers. desperately cramming last minute facts into their overtaxed brains. I stood by the heavy oak doors of the main auditorium, sipping water, waiting. Emily, hey. I turned. Leora Bennett was pushing her way through the crowd. She looked flawless as always.
Her blonde hair was styled in a pristine voluminous blowout that must have taken an hour. She wore a tailored blazer and smelled strongly of Chanel. No. Five. a scent that instantly brought bile to my throat. "Hey, Leora." I smiled, forcing my facial muscles to convey warmth.
"Ready for this? As ready as I'll ever be," she sighed, though her eyes betrayed a frantic, nervous energy. She kept glancing around, her fingers anxiously twisting the silver rings on her fingers. "She knew what was about to happen. She knew Kevin had planted the evidence on me. She was just waiting for the execution. Where's Kevin?" she asked, finding casual interest. He went in early to grab a seat near the front.
I replied, "You know how he is." "Yeah," she laughed lightly. "Always the overachiever," she paused, her eyes darting to my head. I saw the brief flicker of confusion cross her heavily mosscarried eyes when she didn't see the silver hair pin. "Your hair looks nice," she prompted, unable to help herself.
"Did you do something different?" There it is, I thought. She needs to make sure the evidence is in place. Oh, just threw it up, I said casually. I reached into my tote bag. Actually, I'm glad you came over. I'm having a bit of a crisis. A crisis? What's music wrong? Her voice spiked with a mix of fake concern and genuine panic. My scalp is breaking out from stress, and these metal bobby pins are digging right into a raw spot. I lied seamlessly, rubbing the side of my head with a pained expression. It's giving me a migraine. I can't sit through a 4-hour exam like this. I was actually going to let my hair down. But you know Dr. Pendleton's strict rules about hair being tied back during the practicals. Leora blinked, processing the information. Well, do you have a hair tie? No. I forgot them in my dorm.
I sighed dramatically. I pulled the velvet box from my bag and opened it.
The silver lapis hair pin gleamed under the harsh lobby lights. Kevin gave me this gorgeous antique pin on Tuesday for good luck, but it's too heavy for my fine hair. It just pulls and hurts.
Leora stared at the pin. She recognized it immediately. Kevin must have shown it to her, boasting about his brilliant plan to frame the naive girlfriend. I don't know what to do. I continued, looking frantic. If Pendleton sees my hair down, he'll dock points for protocol violations before I even open the booklet. I looked at Leora's thick voluminous blowout. Leora, your hair is so thick. Could you do me a massive favor? What? She asked. Wary. Could you wear this for me? Just hold on to it during the exam. And in exchange, could I borrow one of your velvet scrunchies?
I see you have an extra one on your wrist. Leora looked from the scrunchie on her wrist to the silver hair pin in my palm. I could practically see the rusty gears turning in her head. She knew the pin contained the cheat sheet.
If she took it, the evidence wouldn't be on me. But if she refused, I would go into the exam hall without it anyway, ruining their plan. Greed and arrogance flashed in her eyes. Leora was a narcissist to her core. She loved the idea of wearing Kevin's gift, the one he had bought with her in mind, the symbol of their secret affair. Furthermore, she probably figured she could just take the pen into the exam room, excuse herself to the restroom, and quietly dump it in the trash, destroying the evidence altogether. Or better yet, she could use the cheat sheet herself since it was safely in her possession. "Oh, Emily," Leora cooped, her voice dripping with fake sympathy. Of course, I can't have my favorite lab partner suffering through a migraine. She pulled the black velvet scrunchie off her wrist and handed it to me. You're a lifesaver, Leora. I gushed, taking the scrunchie. I handed her the heavy silver hair pin.
Here, it really is beautiful. It'll look stunning in your hair. Thanks, she smirked. She didn't put it in her pocket. Her vanity went out. Right there in the lobby. She gathered the top half of her blonde hair and secured it expertly with the antique pin. The lapis stone sat proudly at top her head like a crown of stolen jewels. "How does it look?" "Perfect," I whispered. "It's exactly where it belongs." A loud buzzer echoed through the foyer, signaling the opening of the doors. The mass of students began to shuffle forward into the cavernous auditorium. Good luck, Emily, Leora said, patting my arm patronizingly. Good luck, Leora, I replied. You're going to need it. I took my assigned seat in the middle section.
Raj. I quickly spotted Kevin three rows ahead of me, his posture rigid. He turned around, scanning the crowd. When his eyes met mine, he offered a reassuring handsome smile. I smiled back, pointing to my hair, now tied up in Leora's black velvet scrunchie. I watched his smile falter, his brow furrowed in confusion. He squinted, trying to make out the dark fabric in my dark hair. Realizing the gleaming silver antique was missing. Before he could react, the heavy auditorium doors slammed shut, echoing like thunder, Dr. Arthur Pendleton, the notoriously ruthless head of the examination board, stepped up to the podium. He was a tall, gaunt man with a face carved from granite and zero tolerance for academic dishonesty. Good morning. Pendleton's voice boomed over the microphone, chilling the room into absolute silence.
Before we begin distributing the preliminary booklets, I have an announcement. He paused, adjusting his glasses. The silence in the room was deafening. I leaned back in my chair, my heart beating a slow, steady rhythm of absolute triumph. 10 minutes ago, Dr. Pendleton continued, his eyes sweeping over the terrified faces of a student body. The administrative office received an anonymous phone call. We were informed that a student in this very room intends to compromise the integrity of a state examination using hidden materials. A collective gasp rippled through the auditorium. Head swiveled.
Kevin went completely rigid in his seat.
I could see the back of his neck flush bright red. He knew he had made the call. He also knew the pin wasn't on my head. We take such allegations with the utmost severity. Pendleton barked. The caller was highly specific regarding the method of concealment. Therefore, nobody will open a booklet until a targeted search is conducted. Pendleton stepped down from the podium, flanked by two stern-looking assistant proctors. The item in question, Pendleton announced as he began walking slowly up the center aisle. His eyes scanning the rose like a hawkseeking prey, is a vintage silver hairpin topped with a blue lapis stone.
Panic erupted in Kevin<unk>'s section.
He whipped his head around, looking at me in sheer terror. I just stare back, my face a mask of blank innocence.
Pendleton continued his march up the stairs. He walked right past my row. He didn't even look at me. He kept walking, zeroing in on the front left section.
You there? Pendleton's voice cracked like a whip. He pointed along. Bony finger at a seat in the third row. Stand up slowly, shakily. The blonde girl and Rosie stood up. Leora Bennett's face was the color of chalk. Her hands were visibly trembling as she gripped the edge of her desk. And right there, gleaming under the bright fluorescent lights of the auditorium, was the vintage silver hairpin securing her perfect blonde hair. "Miss Bennett," Pendleton said softly, the danger in his voice palpable. "Remove the pin and hand it to me. The trap had sprung, and it was flawless." Leora's hands shook so violently she could barely grip the silver medal. The entire auditorium of 400 students held its collective breath.
You could hear the faint hum of the fluorescent lights and the heavy ticking of the wall clock. I I don't know what you're talking about, Dr. Pendleton.
Leora stammered, her voice a thin.
Ready? Squeak. It's just a hair accessory. We shall see, Pendleton said coldly. He held out his open palm. Hand it over now. Miss Bennett. Tears welled in Leora<unk>'s eyes, instantly clumping her expensive mascara. She reached up, her trembling fingers pulling the pin free. Her blonde hair cascaded down her shoulders in a messy, disorganized heap.
She dropped the hair pin into Pendleton's outstretched hand as if it were burning hot coal. Pendleton didn't hesitate. He grasped the silver shaft, pinched the lapis lazuli stone, and twisted. Click. The collective gasp from the students echoed off the high vaulted ceilings. Pendleton pulled the hollow top away, reached into his breast pocket for a pair of reading glasses, and extracted the tightly rolled cylinder of parchment paper. He unrolled it slowly, his face hardening into a mask of pure, unadulterated disgust, detailed anatomical diagrams, phicinetics. The entire preliminary syllabus condensed into a square inch of paper. Pendleton announced, his voice vibrating with anger. Miss Bennett, you are completely and utterly disgraced. Gather your belongings. You are coming with me to the dean's office. No. Leora shrieked.
The sound tearing through the quiet hall. The veneer of the perfect composed premed student shattered instantly. No, you don't understand. It's not mine. I didn't put that in there. The evidence was literally embedded in your hair.
Pendleton countered, gesturing to the assistant proctors to flank her desk.
She gave it to me. Leora screamed, spinning around and pointing a shaking accusatory finger directly at me. Emily.
Emily gave it to me right before we walked in. She asked me to wear it.
Every single head in the auditorium swiveled in my direction. I forced my eyes to widen, letting my jaw drop in a mask of perfect. Devastated shock. I pressed my hands to my mouth, allowing a single convincing tear to spill over my lower lash line. Miss Hayes. Pendleton looked at me, his thick eyebrows furrowing. Did you give this item to Miss Bennett? I stood up slowly, my knees knocking together in a carefully choreographed display of terror. I asked her to hold my hair pin. Yes. The metal was digging into my scalp and giving me a migraine, but I had absolutely no idea there was anything inside it. Dr. Pendleton, I swear it. Then where did you get it, Emily? Leora screeched, her voice bordering on frill. Tell them who gave it to you. I looked over at Kevin.
He was staring straight ahead, his face the color of wet cement, sweat beating on his forehead. This was the moment, the beautiful chaotic crossroads where I would force him to choose between saving his lover or saving himself. Kevin gave it to me, I said, my voice trembling, projecting just enough to carry across the silent room. Kevin Cross, my boyfriend. He bought it for me on Tuesday as a good luck charm for the exam. Pendleton's icy gaze snapped to Ro G. Mr. Cross. Stand up. Kevin rose to his feet. He looked like a man walking to the gallows. He looked from me to Pendleton and finally to Leora, who was staring at him with desperate, pleading eyes. She was waiting for him to save her. She was waiting for him to admit the plan had gone wrong and take the heat alongside her. But I knew Kevin.
When the ship went down, Kevin Cross would always scramble for the only life raft. Mr. Cross, Pendleton said, holding up the hollowedout pin. Did you purchase this item and give it to Miss Hayes?
Kevin swallowed hard. He looked at Leora's tear streaked face and then he drove the knife in. "I have absolutely no idea what she's talking about," Kevin said, his voice remarkably steady. "I've never seen that piece of jewelry in my life. Emily must have bought it herself and is trying to blame me to save her own skin. The silence that followed was absolute. Leora's mouth opened and closed silently. The betrayal hit her so hard I could physically see her posture collapse. Kevin had just thrown her entirely under the bus. Something inside Leora snapped. The sophisticated, calculating girl vanished, replaced by a woman scorned. You lying bastard. Leora screamed, vaultting over her desk.
Papers flew everywhere as she lunged at Kevin. You bought it. You wrote the cheat sheet. You told me you were going to call the board and frame Emily so we wouldn't get caught. Pandemonium erupted. The assistant proctor sprinted down the aisle, grabbing Leora by the arms as she thrashed wildly, trying to claw Kevin's eyes out. He's been sleeping with me for 6 months. Leora sobbed hysterically as the guards dragged her backward. Look at the paper.
Look at the handwriting. He's left-handed. The slant is his. He wrote it for me. Pendleton looked down at the tiny scroll of paper in his hand. Then back up at Kevin, who was now trembling visibly. All the color drained from his lips. Mr. Cross, Pendleton said, his voice dangerously low. You will accompany Miss Bennett to the dean's office immediately. The rest of you, open your booklets. The exam begins now.
As Kevin was escorted up the aisle, his eyes met mine for a fraction of a second. The look of panic, confusion, and utter defeat in his gaze was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. I sat down, picked up my pencil, and opened my test booklet. My mind was perfectly clear. The fallout was swifter and more brutal than I could have ever imagined. I was summoned to Dean Gregory Walsh's office later that afternoon, but only as a witness. The administrative suite was a war zone. Through the frosted glass of the conference room, I could see Kevin's parents, Richard and Helen Cross, heavy hitters in the Boston real estate market, screaming at investigator Robert Hastings, the university's head of disciplinary action. They were threatening lawsuits, trying to leverage their wealth, but it was utterly useless. This wasn't just a university exam. It was a state medical board preliminary. The state authorities were involved and they could not be bought. When I gave my statement to investigator Hastings, I played the heartbroken, oblivious girlfriend to absolute perfection. I handed over text messages showing Kevin cancelling plans, proving he was distant. I cried when they told me about the affair. I looked utterly devastated when Hastings confirmed that a handwriting analysis unit had matched the microscopic text on the parchment to Kevin's lab reports.
But the real killing blow didn't come from the hairpin. It came from Leora.
He'll hath no fury like a narcissist betrayed during her furious interrogation. Desperate to drag Kevin down with her. Leora confessed to everything. Not only did she detail their affair and the plot to frame me, but she also revealed that Kevin had been operating a lucrative underground cheating ring for the past 2 years. to ensure her own revenge. Leora gave the disciplinary board the exact password to a hidden encrypted folder on Kevin's laptop. When the university's IT department breached it, they found hundreds of stolen test banks, compromised grading rubrics, and a ledger of payments from desperate premed students. Kevin hadn't just cheated on one exam. He had compromised the integrity of the entire science department. The hammer fell on Friday morning. I was sitting on a stone bench in the quad, sipping a black coffee and enjoying the crisp morning air when I saw them. Kevin and Leora were exiting Harrison Hall. They weren't walking together. In fact, they kept a wide, hostile distance between them. They were both carrying heavy cardboard boxes filled with the contents of their dorm rooms. They had been formally expelled.
Their academic records were permanently stamped with academic fraud, ensuring that no reputable medical school in the country, let alone John's Hopkins or Mass Gen would ever look at their applications. Kevin faced potential criminal charges for wire fraud due to the cheating ring. His golden boy future was annihilated. Kevin spotted me sitting by the fountain. He stopped in his tracks. He looked hollowed out, dark circles bruising the skin under his eyes. He set his box down on the pavement and walked slowly toward me.
Leora, noticing him stop, paused as well, her eyes glaring daggers in my direction. Emily, Kevin said, his voice raw and broken. I need to talk to you. I took a slow sip of my coffee, crossing my legs. There's nothing left to say, Kevin. It wasn't supposed to happen like this, he whispered, glancing nervously at Leora, who was hovering a few yards away. I was terrified of failing. I made a mistake. Please, Emily. My parents cut me off. The police are talking about an indictment for the test banks. My life is over. Actions have consequences, I said evenly, feeling no pity. None at all, Leora marched over, unable to resist the drama. Don't act so high and mighty, Emily, she spat her face pale and hagggered without her usual perfect makeup. You got lucky. If my head hadn't hurt, if I hadn't taken that stupid pin, it would be you holding a cardboard box right now. I looked up at her, my expression completely flat. I let the silence stretch between the three of us, allowing the weight of the moment to settle in. Then, very slowly, a cold, sharp smile spread across my lips. I reached into the pocket of my cardigan and pulled out a small metallic object.
I held it up between my fingers. It was a standard black bobby pin. My head never hurt. Leora, I said, my voice dropping to a whisper that only the two of them could hear. Leora frowned, confused. What? I shifted my gaze to Kevin, his eyes locked onto the black bobby pin in my hand, and I watched the realization dawn on him with the force of a physical blow. I knew about the affair for months. Kevin, I said softly.
I knew about the cheating and I knew exactly what you were going to do with that antique hairpin. Kevin stumbled backward, his face draining of all remaining color. No, that's impossible.
You You set us up. I just gave you the rope. I whispered, standing up from the bench. I tossed my empty coffee cup into the nearby trash can. You two were the ones who tied the noose. I didn't wait for them to respond. I turned on my heel and walked away. the sound of my sensible leather boots clicking rhythmically against the cobblestones. I didn't look back. I had a pharmacology exam to pass, a medical degree to earn, and a long brilliant life ahead of me.
This time, I was going to live it entirely on my own terms. If you felt the sweet, I see satisfaction of karma catching up to those who deserved it.
Don't keep it to yourself. Smash that like button. Share the story with anyone who loves a flawless revenge plot. And make sure to subscribe to the channel for more jaw-dropping true to life drama. Let us know in the comments how would you have handled Kevin and Leora.
See you in the next video. After watching the video reborn, I put his hair pin on his lover. This time she was the one caught cheating in the exam hall. I'd really like to know what you think. How did this story make you feel?
What really pulled me into the story was the feeling of quiet justice finally coming full circle. Sometimes the people who manipulate others end up trapped by their own choices. And seeing that happen here felt both tense and strangely satisfying. It also makes you think about how one small decision can completely change the outcome of someone's life. Do you think the main character did the right thing this time around? And if you had the chance to relive a painful moment, would you handle it differently? Thanks for spending a little time with us on Vivid Emotions. If this story stayed on your mind after watching, I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments. And if you enjoy emotional reborn stories like this, feel free to like and subscribe for more. One, when I open my eyes again, I found myself lying on a soft, fragrant bed, I checked my phone, and the date displayed was August 5th, 2033.
There were only seven days left until the apocalypse began to laughter from a man and a woman echoed unreservedly from outside the bedroom. One was my boyfriend Calvin and the other was his close sister-like friend Diana. It seems that heaven has indeed heard my prayers.
Three, I got dressed, opened the door, and walked up to find leftovers on the dining table. They were cold, but that didn't matter. For a woman who had survived eight years in an apocalyptic world, this was a supreme delicacy.
After all, I had even nod on the corpses of my own kind. For Calvin, who had been embracing Diana, let go of her and gave me a sheepish glance as he moved away from the sofa. Eden, why eat this? Let's go out for a meal in a bit. I savor the taste of the roast duck, looking up at him. I've eaten enough to keep working.
His handsome face put on a false calculated smile. Clearly, Calvin hadn't understood my words. He leaned in close to my ear, trying to please me with a whisper. Remember that private restaurant you tipped me to last time?
Today would be perfect to take Diana there. I had lost my appetite, but for the upcoming drama, I still finished the last two pieces of duck. Diana just snorted coldly, and Calvin immediately went to a paser five. Diana was beautiful with a fragile allure that instinctively made people want to protect her. Just like that, I patiently watched the warm scene of a brother comforting his sister. A delicate and beautiful vine clinging to a man.
Stealing my boyfriend was just a petty trick in the apocalypse. Five powerful men across three bases were madly infatuated with her. For her, Calvin took my last bottle of water and left me behind. For her, Cedric broke my right hand, rendering it useless with a knife.
For her, Declan designed an impossible mission for me in the wilderness, blinding my left eye. For her, Dean crippled my meridians. For her, Damon slashed my face and threw me out among the men outside the base in an apocalypse where ordinary people died screaming and helpless. You were born to be the heroine with a spirit spring space bracelet and five men to protect you. You are well-fed and warmly dressed, always clean. Even your hair smelled nice. Diana, how beautiful you are. You stood among the ordinary people, ragged and skeletal, with fresh corpses under your feet from just this morning. They were merely stiff, not yet fell. You cried pittingly, nearly gasping for breath, begging those men to save them. They all said you shouldn't have come. That you were too soft-hearted, kind and naive. Yes, you were soft-hearted, kind, and naive. But why didn't you take out the materials piled up like five or six football fields in your space? You clearly had a pawn-sized spirit spring in your space.
So why did you still manipulate Calvin to steal my last bottle of water? Six.
Eden, did you hear me seeing me staring at Diana? Calvin asked somewhat angrily.
I looked at him. That bracelet you bought yesterday at the stall. Give it to Diana. Why should I give her my things? What happened in my past life? I can't quite remember. As Diana started to cry and whine again, Calvin grew even angrier while he frantically comforted his dear sister. He yelled at me. What are you saying? Diana is my sister after all. That bracelet is only 20.0000 Yuan. Consider it a welcoming gift from your sister-in-law to Diana. Oh, now I remember in my past life how deeply I love this man before me. Whenever Calvin got angry, I would hurriedly take out the bracelet and compensate with several luxury bags and that limited edition hot couture white dress Diana is wearing now. That's mine, too. Living in my house, using my things, sleeping with my man. Not bad at all. Diana, I opened a bottle of cola for myself. It's been a long time since I drank something so intoxicating. Who would have thought that in seven days all of humanity's achievements would be destroyed in an instant? Brother, don't speak so loudly to Sister Eden, even though I saw the bracelet first. Diana nestled in Calvin's arms, looking up at him shily and timidly. Her voice was sweet with a fragile hint of crying. That last hesitant statement as if she was accusing me of stealing her stuff. I smiled faintly. "Okay, I'll go get it for you." Calvin wanted to say something else, but was stopped by Diana. I put down the cola and went back to get the bracelet. Calvin was gazing into Diana's misty eyes, filled with infatuation while the faucet in the wash basin was running full blast. Unnoticed by anyone, turn off the water. I burst their romantic bubble. If I hadn't come out, they would probably have kissed by now.
Calvin looked at me impatiently, annoyed that I disrupted his moment. Oh, it seems he forgot that he is still technically my boyfriend. I took out the bracelet. Diana tried to control herself, but her eyes inevitably showed a spark of excitement. Could it be that she already knew the secret of the bracelet? Won it. In our past lives, you used my love for Calvin to deceitfully take my bracelet, ensuring a smooth life for yourself. I wasn't going to hold a grudge, but you shouldn't have tormented me, yet not killed me. I put the bracelet on my own wrist and taunted her, not giving it to you. Diana's body swayed, and she cried, seeking Calvin's help. If you want it, come and get it yourself. Just a clinging vine without a man. Who could you rely on hearing my provocative words? Calvin came over to defend Diana. What nonsense are you talking about? Give the bracelet to Diana or we're breaking up. He's an athlete, nearly 6' 3 in and tall and looks even more intimidating when angry.
He spread his hands towards me, largest fans. If it were me at 19, weak and powerless, I'd be trembling with fear. I stepped back, sat on the sofa, and while reaching under it, I responded, "Your dear sister seems eager to take over.
Isn't she?" I found it. Calvin quickly looked back, saw Diana's tearful, agrieved face, and started scolding me.
Don't insult Diana. Me, insulting her.
Oh, right. Diana had strung along many guys with Calvin being the first to follow her, but the last she slept with.
So now, in Calvin's eyes, Diana remains a pure and virtuous little sister, maintaining the facade of siblings after having had enough. Right now, I took the baseball bat from under the sofa and swung it hard at Calvin's wrist with a crisp snap. Calvin held in pain, clutching his broken wrist and staring at me in terror, his eyes wide as if he were looking at a vengeful ghost.
Indeed, I was like a ghost freshly emerged from hell. One that even the king of hell wouldn't take in, sending me back to the mortal world to collect debts. "How could I let this opportunity pass? You crazy woman. Have you lost your mind?" he staggered back. And Diana behind him screamed in fright before he looked back. "Uh, when will they ever learn?" I swam a baseball bat again, leaping up to strike him on the back of his head. He fell to the ground, convulsing. And then I grabbed a chair nearby and smashed it down on him, silencing him completely. What a rush. I wonder if Cedric felt this exhilarated when he broke my right hand back. Then I picked up the baseball bat again and walked towards Diana, who leaned against the wall, looking pitifully vulnerable.
Please don't kill me. Her voice was so soft, her face so tempting, and her eyes so alluring. I dropped the baseball bat, kept her delicate face in my hands, and leaned in to look closer. How could anyone have such beautiful eyes? Diana's soft hands clung to my arm. She sobbed quietly. Sister, it's my fault. I shouldn't have coveted what belonged to you. I'll listen to everything you say from now on. Just please don't kill me.
I tenderly wiped the tears from her face, full of admiration. Our Diana, you're truly beautiful. I pretended to remove a bracelet. If you want this bracelet, sister will give it to you. A flicker of greed passed through Diana's eyes. Her throat bobbed twice, but she timidly refused. There. If you don't like the bracelet, how about I give you a better gift? I feed disappointment.
Shaking my head, then paused to think, seeing her curiosity, I told her to close her eyes. This gift will be even more precious than the bracelet. Diana closed her eyes and I held her hand, stroking it so smooth and tender. I neatly placed her hand on her knee.
Spread out. Good children shouldn't open their eyes. I pulled out a small knife from behind me. The blades gleam reflecting on her eyelids. She opened her eyes. I slashed her face forcefully, cutting deep to the bone. Bad children who open their eyes will be punished. A second later, blood surged from her wound, and the pain twisted her lovely face into a grimace, producing a scream sharper than Calvin's death cry, nearly deafening me. "Sh, don't wake the neighbors." I covered her mouth, smiling as we made eye contact. Even though this is a detached villa my mother bought for me. "Ghost, you're a ghost. How can you call me a ghost when you covered in blood look much more like one?" I let her go, watching as she stumbled towards the sink, turning on the faucet to wash the blood off her face and check her wound. I locked the front door, then walked over and turned off the tap. How many times have I said to conserve water, and yet you never remember? I led Diana by the hand to the basement.
Wasting water resources will be punished. I tied her up, satisfied with my handiwork. I then dragged Calvin's body in, still barely alive. more a half corpse, really heavy, but at least not cold. Diana, terrified, asked me, just because of a bracelet you want to kill us. I waved my hands hurriedly, trying to clear the misunderstanding. How could I possibly kill you after tormenting me for eight long years? How could I let you die so easily? I looked at her bloodcovered face with keen interest.
The tender red flesh underneath was turned inside out, making it look utterly horrifying. With your face ruined like this, how are you going to seduce men into dying for you? Diana, our story is just beginning with those words. I shut the door of the basement.
The apocalypse would arrive in 7 days. I turned off the TV and air conditioning, stepped out of the house, and walked among the crowd under the scorching sun.
I watched as parents played with their children outside. Young men and women sat opposite each other enjoying western meals and cars flowed in their respective directions. Everything in the human world was orderly. No one would have guessed that starting tomorrow temperatures would rise to between 40 and 45° eventually reaching 50°. On the fourth day, it began to rain, a continuous downpour lasting 32 hours, submerging 70% of the country. On the evening of the fifth day, all animals began to mate frantically, reproducing.
On the sixth day, the temperature returned to a normal 28°, suitable for living beings. The receding flood waters filled with the corpses of various dead animals were perfect for breeding flies and insects. Humanity celebrated. The whole city was brightly lit and the streets were crowded. They celebrated rebirth until the stroke of midnight.
They came on the seventh day. The world ruled by humans was overturned and the warm human bodies became nourishment for parasites. I ordered a vegetarian meal as there were no ordinary vegetables left for humans to eat in the apocalypse. Many large animals had gone extinct but not plants. Plants had mutated into deadly weapons. I remember the three 000 year old goat tree at the temple my parents took me to when I was a child in the third year of the apocalypse. Its roots had taken over the entire city.
The ancient tree believed in the Buddhist principle of equality for all beings. Whether human or animal, mutated or ordinary, all were tightly grasped by its roots turned into nutrients. This place became a forbidden zone, splitting the nation in two, and until the year I died, no one could cross it. I couldn't change everyone's fate. But I still found an internet cafe and wrote down most of the future events, signing it as those who believe me survive at first.
It always made people laugh. Some even asked if I was writing a novel. But after the temperature started to rise the next day, some believed and began to stock up. On the third day, as the temperature continued to rise, volcanoes erupted on the Japanese islands, sinking the entire island. My post quickly rose to the top. Everyone finally understood this was not a novel, but a prophecy. A prophecy from someone reborn. On the night of the third day, masses fled the cities. Those who couldn't escape climbed high buildings, even mountaintops. Then it started to rain.
Those on the mountaintops watched as a swarm of flies and mosquitoes killed an elephant. When the rain stopped, they cut open the elephant skin. Underneath were wriggling larvi densely packed into the flesh. This video went viral across the internet. Some people saved themselves. Others waited for him to save them. Our beloved protagonist Diana on the night of the third day was rescued by the military from the basement. More precisely, she was carried out in the arms of a team leader, Declan. This life you two met almost half a year earlier than planned, but it's pretty much the same scenario as your past life. Just the typical hero saving the beauty trope. The delicate girl in a white dress adorned with bright red flowers, a scar on her face, tears in her eyes, and her damp lashes fluttering like butterfly wings. Her hands draped around the neck of a man whose face was stern, but whose eyes betrayed his tenderness, resting gently against his chest. Calvin was being carried by four men. Unconscious TSK.
Such a pity there's no white cloth covering his head. I turned off the camera at the main gate, grabbed a chainsaw, and stayed overnight in the temple. I disguised myself a bit and went to cut down the tree in the dead of night. The monks were all there sitting around the Goko tree in a circle. They chanted with wooden fish. The young monk opened his eyes and nudged the senior monk. The senior monk with the young monk bowed to me. All conditioned phenomena. I interrupted him. I don't believe in that. I don't believe in Buddha nor people. I only believe in myself. You are a savior. I shook my head and pulled out the chainsaw from behind me. I'm not here to save the world. This is purely personal. When Declan sent me here to complete the task, a fool tried to save me and got swallowed by the tree. The senior monk tried to stop me. I've killed many, but they all deserve to die. If you try to stop me from cutting down this tree today, then I'll have to cut you down as well. I switched on the chainsaw and it buzzed noisily. The senior monk was silent for a long time until the young monk handed him an axe. The young monk said, "If you hadn't come, we were prepared to cut it down ourselves." The senior monk took the axe. Looking up at the ancient tree he had watched grow from sapling to giant. Finally, he closed his eyes, wiped away tears, and chopped down with the axe. The surrounding yen monks also pulled out their axes and began to chop. By dawn, I made the final cut. This ancient tree which had stood in the temple for three.
000 years fell and destroyed the golden statues of Buddha and Bodhisad was the senior monk said, "From now on, this temple no longer exists. I had no interest in their mournful reflections.
It was time to move on to the next place. On the sixth day, I returned to the city. The city's population had greatly diminished. The streets were filled with military personnel. They protected the city with an electrical grid in the sky. But what about underground in the rivers? Nobody knew.
But overall, this time there were fewer deaths than last time. I opened the curtains and saw the streets covered with carcasses swarmed by fist-sized flies. I'd still be having nightmares about this four or 5 years later. The only consolation was their short lifespan. I went to a small villa in the city center and knocked on the door. A half naked man opened the door, his face beautiful like a poppy with eyes like peach blossoms. They filled with joy upon seeing me. I smiled sweetly at him.
Cedric, brother, I'm back. Cedric.
Cedric pulled me into his arms and held me tight. I could feel his heart beating wildly and the faint scent of a shower lingering. He was 5 years older than me and we grew up together. He gave me everything I wanted. But that day he said to me, "Eden, you can't compete with Diana. I am sorry." Then he broke my right hand himself. I lay on the ground watching his figure fade away. My childhood friend, my brother, my adversary, did you see the prophecy online? Things are so chaotic outside.
You should stay. Cedric put on his clothes and poured me a cup of hot water. I nodded and smiled as I took it from him. Of course, I wouldn't leave.
After all, you're still alive and well.
After my shower, my hair casually draped over my shoulders. I slipped into Cedric's clothes, rolled up the sleeves a few times, but they still hung loosely. The oversized collar revealed my pretty collar bones, and with a slight movement, half of my delicate shoulder was exposed. I smiled at my reflection in the mirror, squinting my eyes. Truly tempting. Cedric had prepared a table full of homemade dishes, including my favorite sweet and sour carp and spicy diced chicken along with three or four other dishes. He served me a piece of fish, encouraging me to taste it. Delicious. He served me another helping with his chopsticks, not eating himself, but watching me intently. Eden, did you break up with him? Yes. I continued eating the spicy diced chicken. Perhaps the last dinner before the apocalypse. Why didn't he cherish it? Cedric, somewhat agitated, knocked his chopsticks onto the bowl, then awkwardly bent down to pick them up. Could it be that he likes me? Likes me? It hurts me. Truly nauseating. I set down my chopsticks. He seemed at a loss.
Eden, why aren't you eating? I was about to say I was full, but then I changed my mind. I thought of something more amusing. It's spicy. I stuck out my tongue and panted, gesturing for him to pour me a glass of water. I gulped down the water too quickly, causing it to dribble from the corner of my mouth down to my collarbone, then slipping into my neckline. I didn't miss how his eyes darkened, his Adam's apple bobbing unconsciously. He handed me two napkins.
I didn't take them. Slowly, saying, "You wipe it." After a moment, just as I was about to take them from him, he suddenly withdrew his hand. "All right," Cedric knelt before me, devoutly wiping the droplets of water from the corner of my mouth, his fingertips grazing my face. I could feel the excessive heat from his body. "Eden." His voice had become horsero at some point. His expression was like a wolf yearning for food, but not daring to act without its master's command. I am here. I lowered my head, seeing my own face reflected in his pupils. A seductive enchantress, his hand pressed against the back of my neck. Then he kissed me. At first, I could feel his fear, hesitant to make any bold moves, as if afraid I would reject him. I closed my eyes, placing my hands on his shoulders. After the kiss, it was he who was breathless. His face flushed. He held my hand tightly against his heart. Eden, I love you. I laughed.
Who asked for your love? Imitating Diana. I wrapped my arms around his neck. Cedric, will you protect me? I will protect Eden for a lifetime. Cedric scooped me up and walked towards the room. He truly was a greedy wolf. I leaned against him, innocently looking up. If big brother Cedric fails, there will be a punishment, you know. He shut the door with his elbow, then gently placed me on the bed, pressing against my forehead as he solemnly replied, "If that day comes, no matter what punishment even gives me, I'll accept it." I couldn't help but laugh joyously.
It was so amusing wearing the heroine's bracelet, acting like the heroine, and even sleeping with the heroine's man.
But then Diana does like picking up after me, doesn't she? It's a deal. I kissed him willingly. I was already looking forward to the day I'd see Diana again. 26 men. Such annoying creatures.
After a whole night of fuss, he wouldn't even let me out of bed. Clinging like a dog. Constantly professing his liking.
His love me since we were little. I'm terrified it's all a dream. But dying in this beautiful dream would be worth it.
He endlessly brought up tales of me following him around as a child. I denied his kiss, pushing him away to the bathroom. Tomorrow the water will be cut off. Two continuous days of rain had already severely polluted the water supply. I wore his shirt which barely covered the bite marks on my thighs. I pulled open the living room curtains looking out towards the distant street.
27. The seventh day. Thankfully, I didn't see the kind of scene from my past life with streets filled with corpses and flies. There were still a few human bodies scattered here and they're holding liquor bottles. Seems they were enjoying the apocalypse's last rivalry. Good words fail to persuade the damned. My gaze then shifted to the opposite high-rise. Every household had locked their doors and windows, though occasionally someone looked out just like me, vomiting, screaming, collapsing in shako, and two people jumped from the building only to be swarmed by flies midair. A pair of hands covered my eyes, pulling the curtain shut, holding me.
Don't be afraid, I said. I'm not afraid, but you're trembling. It's excitement.
Cedric still doesn't understand what apocalypse means. 28. In one night, the bodies of the two who jumped were covered in dense flies as big as fists.
They began to mutate. I misspoke. For animals, this is called evolution. It took humans tens of thousands of years to reach today. But these insects just needed one night to topple what took humanity tens of thousands of years to build. The laws of nature are truly marvelous. I couldn't help but marvel.
Then looked towards Cedric. Quite shocking, right? And this is just the beginning. All my experience was pay for with the blood and lives of countless humans. I gave it back to humanity without asking for anything in return.
Unfortunately, the government censored the article I published afterward. They told the public it was just an insect plague, a disease. Once the military kills all these insects and disinfects the city, everything will be back to normal. The world ruled by humans will return. Thinking back, if I knew all this while I was still a sophomore, I wouldn't have had the will to live when the truth is obscured. What we see is a simple, beautiful wish. 29. The water stopped and I asked Cedric, feeling agrieved, "Brother Cedric, what should we do if there's no more water?" Cedric held me and gently stroked my head to comfort me. Don't worry then. I have saved some water. If we use it sparingly, it should last us for a week.
He loved holding me tightly, treating me as if I were a delicate doll, afraid that I might break or be taken away. I traced circles on his chest with my fingertips, but I want to take a bath.
He paused for a moment, then smiled and held my hand. No problem, Eden. Go ahead and bathe if you want to. After my bath, I found him too dirty and refused to let him hold me that night. I slept alone in a separate room, only for him to insistently join me in bed. Eden, I'm not dirty. Really? Can't we stay together? He whispered in my ear while kissing me. In a few days when the bugs are gone, let's get married. Okay, then I want us to be together forever. Eden won't stay with you. It's your Diana who will be with you forever. I closed my eyes and pretended to sleep. This is really annoying. This game needs to end.
Someone opened the door, stepped onto the street, and was immediately engulfed by swarms of insects, collapsing soon after. The hope for military assistance never arrived, no water, no internet.
Luckily, Cedric's little villa had its own generator, and the large kitchen on the first floor had natural gas.
Unfortunately, this 400 plus square meter place had barely half a basin of water left, which wouldn't last more than 2 days. Even with careful use, I accidentally knocked over the last bit of water, spilling it all over the pristine floor tiles. This is what they call spilled water cannot be retrieved.
Quite the cultured phrase I used. The basin clattered noisily across the floor. I heard Cedric<unk>'s frantic footsteps. And then, did you fall? He called out before he even arrived. He pushed open the kitchen door, saw the nearly dried up water on the floor, the empty basin, and me, the culprit standing beside it. I looked at him calmly, waiting for his anger to erupt.
He rushed over and scooped me up. The floor is slippery. Don't move around, I said. I spilled the water. He carried me to the living room. I saw. And then Cedric, what now? What are you pretending? Are you hopelessly in love with me? We have no water to drink. What should we do? I questioned him, my tone devoid of any remorse. Aren't you angry?
said Rick. This neighborhood was developed by me. I had installed a water reservoir near the central flower beds for watering the plants. I know where the switch is. Can you wait one more day? Then tomorrow morning we<unk>ll have water. I promise, Cedric said with a confident and gentle tone. strong yet vulnerable. How could there be such a deadly contrast? His beautiful thin lips cracked and bled, making his face look even more striking. Really? That's great. I happily pressed my lips against his. What a fool. With all those insects outside, getting entangled with them spells doom. Even if you manage to bring back the water, all the water outside is already undrinkable because it's filled with insect eggs. But do I care about that, Cedric? You're doomed. After one last indulgence of his relentless demands, I drifted into a deep sleep, he tucked me in and kissed my forehead, whispering softly, then I love you, although I'm tired of this, but I think this is the last time I'll hear it. I heard him pick up the bucket and quietly walk out the door. In my groggy state, a violent chorus of insect chirping erupted outside. I abruptly sat up, eyes wide open, looking toward the window.
Unfortunately, the thick curtains blocked my view. I couldn't see anything. I was so tired, too lazy to get out of bed. So, I just lay back down on my pillow and continue to sleep.
Cedric must be dead by now for someone who loved cleanliness. It's ironic that his corpse became a breeding ground for flies and insects. Dirtier than the filthiest suspit. I woke up and opened the front door. There was Cedric Perfectly sitting on the sofa. I paused in my tracks, so he's not dead yet. When he saw me come out, he hid his right hand behind his back and then with a flattering gesture pointed to the two full buckets of water in the middle of the living room. Eden, look. What luck!
Not only did he manage to carry two buckets of water without spilling, but the water was also clear to the bottom, miraculously free of insect eggs. It looks like the game must go. And I laughed and threw myself into his arms.
But before I could speak, I heard him sharply inhale as I pushed him down on the sofa. He helped me up and then stood a bit away from me. Eden, I've noticed that these insects are less active at night. It seems they also sleep. Take off your clothes. Cedric's face was pale, but he continued to speak with a smile. I'll go out early tonight to fetch more water. Keep it safe until the army arrives. I said, "Take off your clothes." I was really angry. It was annoying enough that he wouldn't listen.
He reached out to hug me, but stepped back instead. And then, "Please do as I say." I saw the wound on his hand and asked bluntly, "Were you bitten?" Cedric stiffened and with a grim smile said. I cut open the wound on my hand to remove the insect eggs. But there are too many on my back, and I was afraid of waking you. I stepped forward, grabbed his arm, and ripped his shirt. Don't look. It will give you nightmares. A joke. I've survived eight years in the apocalypse.
Am I afraid of these lowly insects? His back was covered in dense bumps with lentilsized eggs wriggling under his skin, feasting on his flesh. I felt a chill. The eggs hatch in 12 hours, and this batch will consume a living person.
This was the first time I truly detested insects in my previous life. I never even stepped outside until the first snowfall. Eden, I am Dian. He turned his back to me. I know. I cursed. I thought when Eden came back this time, we could be together forever. I listened silently as he spoke. Then I've connected the water pipe and there's a lot of food in the basement. When I'm gone, you'll have to learn to cook. When you die, I'll immediately move to the next place.
Cedric sure talked a lot from morning till night. After he brought back two buckets of water and reconnected the water pipe, he lay down at the front door, his face still hosting two blood sucking mosquitoes. I loved his face the most. How could I tolerate it being ruined? I shoot away the mosquitoes and crouched beside him. He reached out his hand to pull me. He murmured the word Eden, but before he could finish, he dropped his hands and closed his eyes.
Only 4 hours remained until the insect eggs were successfully hatched. Chapter 33. The first to evolve in the apocalypse were the flies, followed by other animals. Small to large, weak to strong. These creatures came to be collectively known as evolved beasts. It wasn't until the first snowfall that a small portion of humanity began to mutate, each gaining various abilities.
These individuals were called mutants, each ruled in their own right, establishing bases of various sizes in the post-apocalyptic world. By the sixth year, only three major bases remained.
You see, even if the heavens sought to exterminate a species, hope was given, and then extinguished over and over, reigniting a tiny spark each time, it felt much like a cat playing with a mouse before the apocalypse. Thoroughly enjoying the torment and the praise fear. Cedric, get up and cook. I nudged him. He climbed out of bed with a bewildered look, glanced at his hands, pristine as ever. in disbelief. Then he tightly wrapped his arms around my waist and muttered. I had a nightmare. I moved his hands away. It wasn't a dream. He ran to the mirror, shocked to see two massive skeletal protrusions and thin wing-like appendages on his back. What are these? Besides the evolved beasts and mutants, there was another even more dreadful entity. The symbiate living in symbiosis with animals, adopting their habits, occasionally going mad, rejected by all bases. If the balance was one strong and one weak, the stronger one dominated, if the animals side dominated, they were no different from the animals instincts. Merely inhabiting a human shell. In my past life, I encountered a black bear symbiote.
Anyone who passed through its territory was devoured. The night before I was killed, I watched helplessly as a robust mentor open a living person's abdomen with his teeth, pulled up the intestines, and began to feast. It was an animal wearing human skin. In my previous life, Cedric stayed in a villa for 2 weeks before venturing out, coinciding with the life cycle of the flies. When I met him, he was already a well-known mutant at the base. I had heard his story. It roughly involved meeting our heroine Diana and Calvin on the way to the base. And over time, he fell for Diana and became utterly devoted to her. Thinking about the love he had for me that would one day be given to Diana made me sick to my stomach. However, I was curious whether Cedric had become a symbiote. Still shouted and fought in the apocalypse or remained a fly. I wondered if our clean and beautiful heroine could fall deeply in love with him again as she had in the past. Chapter 34. Eden. Don't come near me. Panic rarely seen crossed his usually calm face. I'm hungry, I said.
Better hurry up and cook. If it weren't for the lack of food, I wouldn't have saved you. This was the first time I used the spiritual spring in the bracelet. Truly a golden touch for the heroine to recruit troops and slaughter her way through enemies. In my previous life, I saw one of Diana's subordinates stunned by a evolved beast and begging for her life. She fed her a small sip of water and in no time, she was healed.
Also, Declan superior was bitten by some insect outside the base, rolling on the ground in agony for three days and nights, eventually swelling up into a festering corpse. and she leaning fearfully in Declan's arms, watched the man die in agony, shedding two tears, making the men around her so heartbroken, they hurried to comfort her and escort her back. The next day, Declan officially took over the base.
The first thing was to arrange for me to go into the wilderness with a bracelet on my wrist for life. I was curious to see if your path would still be so smooth. Stay in the house and wait for me. Cedric locked the door and left. I might as well have a dog that can cook.
I thought a monster's body. He was afraid of hurting me, so he stopped clinging to me. But it wasn't long before he could fully control his body joyfully. He took my hand and WPPD out the door. His wings flapped and the bugs around him followed suit. When he conveyed the thought of leaving, all the nearby bugs obeyed and flew away without attacking. Among his kind, he was one of the few symbiotic beings with advantages. Let's go outside and see.
The sun was blindingly bright, and swarms of flies densely covered the corpses and street lamps in the distance. The ground was teeming with them, still frantically mating. Their time was almost up. I shook my head, declining. I don't want to go out today.
Maybe tomorrow. Cedric never refused any of my requests. Tomorrow would mark the end of their life cycle. But no creature can calmly wait for death. The last frenzy before death would start tonight.
35. Many people survived. But resources were so scarce. Humans had come to understand the habits of the flies.
Venturing out silently in the deep of night, they wrapped themselves thickly, wearing goggles, clumsy like penguins, wobbling in search of water and food.
They moved slowly, afraid to wake the sleeping flies. The water source Cedric found attracted many people. It was like a silent plate as stone fell into the water. Everyone paused their movements, breathing lightly. Fortunately, the bugs just fluttered their wings without further action. The water collectors hurried one after another as panic spread. Clang. A bucket full of water fell to the ground and rolled a few times. But buzzing intensively, they all woke up. Then they pounced on this group of delicious lambs. One H100. Countless flies scrambled in the dark, forming a fastmoving cloud of man-eaters. This cloud began to strike windows, doors, any place that could lead inside. The homes where humans thought they were safe were overwhelmed by the insects.
Cedric pulled my curtains again and carried me back to the room to block the door. His tone was full of selfry roach.
Eden, I can't control them anymore. All those people are dead. The glass outside the living room curtains shattered in response, and I heard the loud and noisy screeching of bugs. A few bugs were also hitting the bedroom window, but he chased them away. How could you possibly save everyone? Cedric held me as if embedding me into his marrow. I'm afraid that one day his words disappeared in his throat. Afraid of what? Death. I opened the door, looking at the finely shattered glass on the ground reflecting the colorful sunlight. A few people aimlessly wandered the streets. With no sight of flies on the ground from somewhere, a loudspeaker urged everyone to leave the area, heading to the base.
I stretched lazily, greeted by another sunny day. The weather was truly delightful. To the surviving humans, congratulations. You've made it through the first wave of the apocalypse. Inside the house, Cedric packed up a heap of belongings and took my hand. Let's go.
It was time to move on to the next place. 36. We left the crowd and drove towards the Tomorrow Ark base. There was another base established by the government not far from here, but it didn't survive the first snowfall.
Cedric was a loyal dog, always putting me first, never asking why, even about the wings he was most curious about. He never questioned me about what happened after he passed out. Better that way. I couldn't be bothered to make excuses.
Many people died along the way. Insects had left the city, but the city was far from safe. Animals began to evolve. They moved in packs from the forests into the cities, becoming hunters. Human flesh was tender and defenseless. Apart from attacks by evolved beasts, there were also betrayals among our own kind, murders over a sip of water, submission for a piece of bread, and countless individuals abandoning their families to survive alone. In this apocalypse, firearms forged the strong among humans, and then the strong ruthlessly prayed on the weak. By evening, we found a motel to rest in. It had been ravaged by a leopard. Blood everywhere. A few men sat in the lobby, sharing the leopard's meat. Their eyes fixed on me as we entered. Cedric, unflustered, stood in front, shielding me. Their exchange was uneasy, and Cedric pulled me to leave.
Just then, two handsome young men supporting each other walked in. They looked someone alike. One man's shirt was torn at the waist, revealing a fierce gash. Uncle Dean got scratched by that female leopard. What a coincidence.
I paused, watching the men frantically tend to Dean's wound. Tsk, how pitiful.
I mean, for the leopards. A tragic pair.
One dead, one alive. Perhaps my gaze was too direct. Damian glanced at me curiously. Who are you? Just passers by looking to stay the night. Enemies wanting to kill you all. Hearing my request to stay. Cedric tightened his grip on my hand. Looking deeply at me.
But I was looking at Dean. Concerned. Is the wound not too deep. Seeing Dean's pale, sweaty face, I let go of Cedric's hand. Cedric, don't we have some medicine in the car? Bring it out for Dean. How do you know my son's last name is Lee? The man called uncle lipped wary. I attended Dean's birthday party with my parents once, so I remember him.
I mentioned my parents' names and his expression relaxed slightly, motioning for us to sit. Cedric stealthily slipped a stolen handgun into my embrace. Wait for me. I then chatted casually with Damian, his face filled with worry, unsure of what was to come. I softly comforted him. You two will definitely make it to the base. In my past life, that's exactly what happened. All the people around you sacrificed themselves heroically to save you both. After enduring many hardships, you finally reached the tomorrow arc base and won the love of our great heroine Diana, achieving great things truly touching. I wiped a tear from my eye with my fingertip. You both found love. And then, because Diana kept coming to me in tears, she accused me of singling her out to prove your grand love, one of you ruined my meridians, and the other left me a now useless man among strangers at the base. Eden, don't be sad since we're heading to the same destination. It will be safer to travel together from now on.
Damian handed me a clean handkerchief.
It's rare that Dean, even after bleeding so much, kept it hidden and didn't bring it out just as I was about to take it.
Another hand blocked his with a cold face. Cedric threw the medicine at him, then picked me up and walked past them into the building. Sorry, my wife is tired. We're going to rest now. Such a petty man. Emphasizing the word wife. I peeked over his shoulder and gave a big smile to Damian who was frozen in place.
Then why did you lie? You've never been to Cloud City. How could you know the Lee family? Cedric locked the doors and windows, then questioned me with my hands bound. A rabid dog biting a jealous mad rabbit dog. His eyes were blood red, and the wings that emerged behind him fluttered uncontrollably. Is this a characteristic of a symbiotic body sitting on the bed, I turned my head away in disgust. Ever since he became a symbiotic, I've avoided any intimate gestures with him, even hugs and kisses. Cedric let go of me and retracted his wings. His eyes still a pitiful bright red. Eden, don't hate me.
I know you like cleanliness the most later when I find other mutated animals.
I will definitely get rid of this thing.
I remain silent. Really annoying. Do you know what a symbiotic body is? Unless you die and your body rots, leaving only bones. You will be controlled by the other half of the symbiotic body. You'll be bound to a disgusting bug for life.
Eden, please talk to me. I won't ask anymore. Cedric knelled at my feet, looking up. I was just an ordinary human pampered by him. While he possessed great power, I was charmed by that face, held up his face, and gently pecked his lips. My hair fell on his collarbone.
His body tumbled slightly, wanting to follow me up, but restrained by my hand gently resting on his shoulder. I'll kill them. Good. I'll do it. Don't dirty Eden's hands. My hand slid down to his chest, feeling his heart beating wholeheartedly for me. Don't rush. Once they're gone, it'll be your turn. 38.
Under the moonlight, the buzzing insects flew into the small motel. People woke up screaming, trying to hide, but unable to resist, only to be devoured clean by these evolved beasts. Damian burst through the door, covered in scars, and fired a rocket at the swarm. behind him, blasting an escape route. He had awakened his special abilities earlier than in his previous life. Eden, the insect plague is here again. Follow me this way, he suddenly paused, staring wideeyed at Cedric standing next to me.
More precisely, he was staring at the huge wings behind him. Monster, he muttered, then quickly fired a rocket, which Cedric easily deflected. The insects behind swiftly pounced. Damon's abilities clearly just awakened. After launching two more rockets, he was engulfed. Insects tainted with flames threw themselves at him, one after another, forming a massive fireball. The air was filled with the smell of burning flesh. The corridor was covered in ashes, those of the insects in his own.
I am still quite kind-hearted, not like him, who could torture so relentlessly.
At the end of the corridor, a man walked in against the light. It was Dean. We bear no grudges, so why do this? He had lost all his relatives and was overwhelmed with grief. I too wanted to know. We bore no grudges, so I crippled my meridians. Cedric raised his pistol at Dean's head, but he didn't dodge.
Clearly resigned to death. A young insect clung to the wound on his waist.
I pulled Cedric away, saying lightly, "No need to waste bullets. He's already been parasetized by the eggs. Without the spirit spring in the bracelet, there would never be another case of symbiosis with the flies. I caught up on some sleep in the car while Cedric drove towards the base. As the sun set, I leaned on the window and watched a flock of large birds carrying goats fly by.
Then, are you happy now? Happy? How could I not be?" Suddenly, I regretted letting them die so easily. What should I do? But I no longer felt like tormenting them. How long until we reach the base? I didn't answer him, lazily squinting my eyes and stretching out my hand to feel the breeze. If the gas station ahead still has fuel, it'll only take two more days. He watched me through the rear view mirror. And after a long silence, he spoke again. Eden, no matter what you plan to do, I'll always stand by your side. His voice was soft, caught in the incoming wind and carried away by it. How touching. I felt moved.
Did you say the same thing to Diana in your past life? It makes me want to vomit. Cedric killed two reckless robbers he rarely kills, but those two are particularly foul-mouthed. He covered my ears and comforted me, saying, "We<unk>ll be safe once we reach the base." "Okay." I barely spoke to him during the journey. Not bothering with him. Receiving my response, he continued talking about what we needed at the base, wanting me to stay safely at home every day until he returned until the apocalypse was over. Perhaps then we could have two more children. His eyes were full of hope for the future. I stared at his face, as handsome as ever.
Even in these apocalyptic times, he managed to keep himself well-groomed.
Every meeting with him meant one less in the future. Sorry, but I never planned to enter the base with you. As we got closer to the base, the human conflicts intensified. Nobody wanted to fall just before dawn. Along the way, I casually saved someone we were supposed to meet only four years later. Now only 16. His dimpled smile was as adorable as ever, calling me sister. Just like in the past, his name was Carson, my little fool. With him around, my smiles became more frequent. At the gas station, we encountered a squad from the base on a mission. The leader told us that the thousand-year-old goat tree I had chopped down had finally turned into a demon. They plan to subdue it while it was still weak. Otherwise, they wouldn't be able to get the oil and other resources from the other side. He invited Cedric to join them, promising generous points for everyone who participated in subduing the demon tree winter was approaching. And without the resources to get through it, it will be freezing cold and many will perish.
Cedric wants to go, but I don't because in my past life, Carson died under that cursed tree. The boss said that he would have me and Carson stand aside in a safe spot as backup, and we would still earn points. Carson was moved and spent the whole night trying to convince me he had just been robbed and was penniless, relying on us for food without supplies.
Even if we reached the base, survival wasn't guaranteed. I had planned a deal with Cedric at the gas station. But now, with the delay and so many people around, it wasn't the right moment to act. I had no choice but to agree. The temple was entwined with the roots of this Jenko tree, and the monks had long vanished without a trace. The tree had grown incredibly fast. It had been almost 2 months since I last cut it, and now it had shot up a hundred yards. Its branches lush with leaves in the soil around its roots. rich. Fresh blood splattered on the nearby rocks. Not yet dried, the first snow was coming soon, and the cursed tree was preparing to hunt for its next evolution. I knew that its roots would begin to evolve after the first snowfall, leaving no living creature in its path. At the onset of the apocalypse, this tree wasn't so formidable. But it was still better to be cautious. I just glanced once and pulled Carson to a higher spot farther away to quietly watch their moves. The naive one beside me stood at the forefront, eagerly watching, ready to jump into action. If it weren't for me holding him back, he would have rushed forward long ago, the trunk was new. And as the boss swung his ax, the cursed tree began to shake. It was indeed evolving and had gained consciousness.
Feeling pain, the boss continued to chop, quickly cutting through half of it. The tree shook more violently, rooted in the soil and unable to move, helplessly watching as its body was severed. The vibrant green goko leaves quickly turned to scorched yellow, falling from the branches to the ground, covering the enemies at the treere's base. Unfortunately, the rounded goko leaves were not sharp like ordinary leaves and couldn't be used as weapons.
Cedric poured gasoline on the tree trunk and set it on fire. A loud noise came from below. This tree has really become a spirit. It even screams when killed.
People marveled, not expecting the task to be completed so easily. They were about to leave when suddenly the ground shook violently. Millions of roots of varying thickness burst through the soil like serpents in the sky, swiftly wrapping around the unsuspecting people.
I couldn't keep my footing and Carson, who was in front of me, fell onto the grass below. A root swung towards him, and I quickly jumped down to cut it off, then looked up briefly before quickly taking Carson and fleeing. This tree had evolved much sooner than expected.
Ordinary people couldn't withstand its attacks, and even the boss was swept away after cutting only two roots.
Cedric reluctantly revealed his wings, a look of urgency on his face as he flew towards me. Countless roots chased after us. With my current speed, I could escape alone, but carrying Carson slowed me down, but there was no way I could abandon him. Eden. Cedric flew to my side, trying to pick me up. I mercilessly pushed him into the ancient trees roots. If you love me, then die for me. He cut off the root that bound him and flew towards me again. More roots wrapped around his body, crushing his wings. Eden. His voice was heart-wrenching as the cursed tree dragged him into the soil. Seeing Cedric swallowed by the demonic tree, I didn't dare to linger. I quickly grabbed Carson and fled, we ran a great distance, not stopping until there was not a single sapling in sight. I found a relatively safe place to tend to the injured Carson. And unable to resist fatigue any longer, I fell into a deep sleep. This time, I managed to protect my dear fool, Aden. Ed then who is calling me? A man whispered beside me, "Eden, I love you."
Then I saw Cedric flying toward me, but just as I reached out, he was entangled by the roots of the demonic tree and slowly pulled away from me. Eden, a roaring sound jolted me awake. Carson was breathing steadily beside me. I pulled the blanket that was kicked aside over him to keep him warm. Sitting up for a long time, sleep eluded me. I wiped away the tears that had fallen on my face without my noticing. Ran to the door and yelled in the direction of the demonic tree who needs your love. I never loved you. From the first day I saw you again. I was just using you, tormenting you. Cedric, you disgusted me. Cedric, may you remain frozen in the moment you loved me most. The next day, I took my dear fool to the base. Outside the base, I encountered a girl holding a knife. It was mine. The knife that had been with me for seven long years in my previous life. I couldn't help but show my excitement. How do you have this knife? My brother gave it to me. A stranger shielded her and looked at me with displeasure. Mississippi, you must be mistaken. This knife was specially made to order, and there is definitely not a second one like it in the world.
After he spoke, he walked off in the direction we had come from. It wasn't him. Not that person in this life. I've met everyone I encountered in my past life early except him. His face was always covered with a black cloth, unrecognizable, but he always had a unique faint scent of herbs. Different from the bloody smell of most people postapocalypse, I had only seen him twice. I don't know his name, and he rarely spoke to me. The first time we met, he gave me water when I was nearly dying of thirst. Handed me a knife for self-defense and taught me some magical incantations without any special abilities. I relied on that knife to survive, Diana stole my belongings and played the victim, making others think I was bullying her. After Cedric broke my right hand, it became clumsy to wield the knife with my left. But I could still defend myself in the wilderness until Dean destroyed my meridians, making me completely incapable of leaving the base and reducing me to AI eaked out in existence until an Aaron forcefully took the knife from me. I became a pariah, despised and trampled upon by everyone. The winters were so cold, with no clothes, I had to strip them from the dead. I can't remember how long it had been since I last ate. As more and more people around me fell with the last bit of my strength, I bit into the warm flesh. I had to live. I had to survive. Diana was wearing a white robe, fluttering like a fairy in the snowy weather. Her crying was melodious, like that of a nighting gale. Her men surrounded her, whispering consolations.
She turned and saw me gnawing on a corpse, trembling with fear as she burrowed into Damon's arms. Dean jealous grabbed my hair and dragged me to the outer wall of the base, then kicked me off. As I fell, I stared blankly at the blue gray sky. Why is fate so cruel? I just wanted to survive. I just wanted to live. What did I do wrong? I thought that day was going to be the end of my life. But I woke up again. It was that man who saved me. He healed my wounds, told me not to compete with Diana, and insisted that I go with him to the northern base. What was I competing with Diana for? I agreed, asking if tomorrow would be possible. He promised to come and take me away at noon the next day.
Early the next morning, I got up, disguised myself, overcame many obstacles, and made my way to Diana's estate at the center of the base in winter. We ordinary people had no food.
We were dying of hunger and cold, while she had a vast land just for planting flowers. When I arrived, she was watering her flowers with the spirit spring water from her bracelet. The flowers were blooming profusely, making her look even more strikingly beautiful.
I clenched the sword in my hand, which the man from last night had given me for self-defense. If fate was unjust, then I would seek justice for myself. I thrust the sword through her heart. Then, in her fearful gaze, I took the bracelet from her wrist and smashed it. I couldn't defeat her men. I never thought I'd make it out alive, so I simply slit my own throat. I just hoped that men wouldn't look for me. I still couldn't survive the winter. I fell to the ground and closed my eyes forever. I exhaled a breath, the white mist quickly dispersing in front of me with droplets condensing on the window. The weather was getting colder. On the third evening, after I settled Carson at the base, the first snow began to fall. I poured two cups of spirit spring water, one for him and one for myself. The next day, Carson happily told me he had awakened his special ability. The base called all those with abilities to register in the hall where I saw Diana again. Her outfit was almost the same as in my previous life when it snowed. The same ethereal white robe and a white veil without the bracelet spirit spring.
The scars on her face had not healed, but seeing her cuddle up to a man in military uniform with eyes full of tenderness, she was still as captivating as before. Although I had killed her other three men, it was strange to see Calvin not by her side. Wasn't he always Diana's most loyal follower, listening to the people around? Diana was referred to as the seer in the base, enjoying people's adoration. Originally, Declan came to my house because he discovered I was a prophet. But these details don't matter anymore. The higher you climb on me, the harder I'll let you fall. I smiled faintly and met her gaze, then watched her immediately shiver and hide behind Declan. Declan glared at me and asked, "Is it her?" Diana nodded timidly, her eyes red like a rabbit.
Declan stroed towards me, "Hand over the bracelet you stole." I raised my hand asking him this one. Return the bracelet to Diana and I might spare your life. I stole it. I pulled a receipt for the bracelet out of my bag and unfolded it for him to see. Look carefully. It's in my name. Declan obviously didn't expect that after all this time in the apocalypse. Through all the hardships, I would still have the receipt for the bracelet. Frustrated and embarrassed, he tried to grab it for me, but was pushed away by Carson. Carson stood in front of me. What are you doing? You think because you're an official, you can rob us ordinary folk? Declan's expression changed. A person with abilities. I noticed his reference. It seems many things have changed in this life. They didn't call them people with abilities in my previous life. Someone came to diffuse the situation, asking us to register our abilities. Seeing that he couldn't successfully retrieve the bracelet, Diana quietly cried and led him to leave. Carson said his evolution was strength. After registering, the administrator asked about my special ability. I replied leisurely. I'm just accompanying him. I haven't awakened any special abilities. The day after Carson left for a mission, the base assigned me a mandatory task to collect herbs in the wilderness. There were many people with me, including Diana and Declan. I intentionally strayed from the group, heading deeper into the mountainous area filled with large hard rocks. Declan pointed a gun at me from behind. I turned around and quietly observed Diana's distorted face. She wasn't wearing a veil and a long scar ran across her entire face. She wanted to take back the bracelet and also wanted my life calmly. I took off the bracelet and smiled. Is this bracelet really that important? Go ahead and shoot. Let's see if your gun is faster or if I can smash this first. I pretended to smash the bracelet. Diana, desperate, rushed over to snatch it and I took her hostage.
Such foolishness is incurable, she whispered. I know you're kindhearted and won't kill me. Just give me a cup of the spirit spring water to heal my face, and I'll make him let you go. Who gave you such confidence? I ignored her and signaled to an anxious Declan to throw his gun over. Don't hurt Diana or I won't let you go, he said. He threw his gun at my feet and stayed put, watching my every move. We locked eyes, a moment of deep emotional connection as I bent to pick up the gun. He quickly drew another from behind. Bang! I moved swiftly beside him, disarmed his wrist and stepped on his face. His voice was filled with terror. I thought you didn't have any special abilities. I didn't yesterday, but I just got them today. I shot him in the thigh and he clutched his wound in agony, his face pale, soon passing out. Diana stumbled over, pleading desperately for a cup of the spirit spring water. How did you know there was spirit spring water in the bracelet? Tell me, and I'll give it to you. Seeing her now devoid of any dignity, I felt disdainful recalling how this thing had fooled me completely in my past life. Last life, she was a deceptive damsel. Could it be that changing the time she met Declan turned her foolish Diana choked up? After waiting a while and knowing she wouldn't speak, I started to leave, but she grabbed my pant leg. I I'll tell you, I've been transported into this book.
This world is from a post-apocalyptic novel. Ridiculous. It's true. Afraid I would leave. She spilled everything. You are the real protagonist of this world, and the bracelet is your golden touch.
Calvin, Declan, they are all meant to be in your herum. Please just give me the spirits. Springwater, I don't want to compete with you for anything. I just want to go home. I can't stand this place anymore. A hypocritical liar claiming she doesn't want to compete.
Yet, she takes everything in the end.
Oh, the irony. I thought she was the heroine, but it turns out I am a heroine who has turned the tables. You want to go home, but what about me? I just want to survive. The pain you're experiencing now doesn't even compare to a fraction of what you put me through in our past lives. Can't handle it. I poured a cup of a spirit spring, then deliberately spilled most of it on a rock. Diana, desperate and devoid of any grace, licked the rock as the water quickly vanished. I crouched down and handed her the remaining half cup. I really want to see whether this cup of spring water will heal Declan's wounds or your face.
Diana shivered as she held a half cup of spring water. Sitting down in front of the unconscious Declan, silently shedding tears, she placed the cup against Declan's lips, hesitated for a long time before drinking the water herself. Threw the cup behind her and hugged Declan, saying, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Please don't blame me. I'll take you back to the base. Quite the spectacle. Declan has protected you for so long. Can you really bear to watch him die?" I stood by, arms crossed, sarcastically mocking, Diana murmured an explanation. No, he won't die. He's also a protagonist. Is that so? Your so-called protagonist. I've already killed three of them. Hearing disturbances from afar. I knew the climax of the drama was upon us. This place was the territory of the black bear symbiote in the last life. It seems it's here in this life, too. I quickly dodged behind a large tree. Diana also spotted the abnormal burly man walking on all fours and unable to drag Declan, she clung up the tree in desperation, mimicking my actions. Truly someone who knows the plot, the man stopped beside Declan, sniffing around him and then circling a few times before tearing his clothes and slicing open his abdomen.
Declan woke up in excruciating pain, staring straight up at Diana, who covered her mouth in disbelief, shock, and tears. Diana witnessed the protagonist she claimed would not die being eaten alive by the bear, leaving only his hands and head. Her support was gone forever. 43. I returned to the base with the main force and then began to contribute to the construction of the base, becoming its second in command and pouring the spirit spring water into the base as well. As more people developed special abilities, the base expanded in interactions with other bases grew more frequent. Two years later, I met an acquaintance at the entrance of the base. You're still alive. I greeted him.
Calvin had a buzz cut and looked very energetic. Eden, I finally see you again. He seemed thrilled, pulling me to a less crowded area. I didn't refuse.
After all, he was still alive, wasn't he? You haven't run into Diana. Have you? His question was odd, and I withdrew my hand with a sneer. missing her. Why didn't you follow her? Diana hadn't returned to the base in two years, as if she had vanished, but I knew she wasn't dead." Calvin glanced around cautiously, then said, "There's something strange about her, Eden. After all these years, you wouldn't believe me even if I spoke. Honestly, I love you, but I can't help being drawn to Diana, helping her as if under a spell. It's not what I intended." He spoke softly.
The time you beat me half to death and locked me in the basement. I was conscious. I'm not blaming you. I've moved on. I clearly heard Diana calling something a system. The clearest thing I heard was if I can't get the bracelet, my charm skill won't upgrade. And to think this Calvin strategy didn't work at all. He looked at me. I put down my gun. Go on. Later, she told the system to switch to strategizing for Declan, using my favorability to attract Declan.
After I recovered, I left the military and joined this base. Eden, I owe you an apology. I'm sorry. Calvin stood up and bowed deeply at 90°. You can go now. I locked myself in my room for a whole week until Carson broke the lock on the door, saying the base was surrounded by evolved beasts, the woman sitting at top the king of beasts. It appears that Diana has shockingly allied herself with beasts. I must have made a mistake. Even if I were to kill Dean Damian or even Declan, who was deeply in love with Diana, she would remain unharmed. My error was absurd, hand over Eden. Her voice was full of emotion, brimming with hatred and jealousy. Carson organized the psychics to stand ready on the wall, prepared to attack at any moment. I ordered them to open the gates of the base. I needed to go outside. They resisted, rushing forward in their eagerness. The evolved beasts now had crystal cores in their heads, which were essential for upgrading their powers.
However, the mutants I had created were somewhat excessive, making the scene rather bloody. Initially, the mutants were overpowering the evolved beasts.
But then, a group of highlevel evolved birds arrived, turning the humans and beasts on the ground into their prey.
Diana escaped on a lion, protected by a few animal symb. I followed her trail, only showing myself when they had run far and began to rest. She lay scarcely clothed among four men, which was truly disgusting. "Is this the charm skill the system granted you? You're really not picky." She hastily adjusted her scant clothing, her voice sharp. "Kill her.
Kill her for me." The animals symbience lunged at me, but I swiftly dodged and retreated. They caught up to me and just as our claws were about to tear through my shoulder. I teleported next to Diana, this expression of yours. It's as if I'm responsible for your current state. I snapped her neck, her eyes widening bizarrely with a flash of electronic light which quickly disappeared. I guess that was her system. I chose a direction and ran. The farther from the base, the better. After her death, those loyal animal symbants she had summoned were still after me. Relentless in their pursuit, caught off guard, one symbient shredded my arm. Using my last strength, I teleported twice. Finally spotting a grand gingo tree, dragging my wounded body, I walked towards it slowly, calmly, I arrived ahead. The roots of a sinister tree emerged from the soil, swiftly extending towards me with the symbience relentlessly pursuing from behind. This was it. My revenge was complete. In this life, I only regretted not meeting the person from my past life who had always helped me. But otherwise, I had fulfilled my desires. I closed my eyes, listening to the rustling of the wind. The symbience and the trees roots entangled, attacking each other wildly, perhaps because I offered no resistance.
Only a thin root coiled around my ankle.
The pursuing symbience became nourishment for the sinister tree. A thick root wrapped around me, gently placing me under a towering goko tree covered in leaves, then released me and burrowed into the soil. Only the thin root at my ankle tightly coiled around as a fearing that I, its reserved food, might escape. I lay curled up quietly on the thick layer of ginko leaves with no desire to struggle. In a days I seem to hear someone calling me Eden, I love you. The pain was unbearable, worse even than my torn arm. As my consciousness faded, I began to recount what happened after my rebirth. Cedric, if only I had killed you right after my rebirth.
Instead of toying with you, only to end up trapping myself. I deliberately spilled the water, sending you to your death. But in the end, I softened, wanting to give you a few more days to live. Cough. I didn't mind your dirtiness. I intentionally didn't speak to you on our way to the base because I was afraid I'd soften again. You were so obedient when I told you to kill the Lee family. You did it without hesitation.
You didn't understand why I wanted them dead. You don't know why I want to kill you. Oh, it hurt so much. Cedric, if only you could love me forever. But you fell in love with Diana. You broke my wrist, turned me into a and left me to be bullied by Dean and the others.
That's why I ended your lies in this lifetime. I burst into laughter, laughing so hard that my lungs and chest act. But Calvin told me that your love for Diana was controlled by the system.
It was all because of her. Now she's dead and I'm about to die, too. You've never seen our home at the base. I arranged it just as you described with warm goose yellow tones for pillows too big and too small, and a pair of wings hung on the wall as a specimen. My movements became fierce as the roots slowly climbed up my legs to my face. I let my hand drop to the side. It's okay.
We'll be meeting soon. Tiny roots burrowed into my skull. A sharp pain bringing forth a new memory in my mind.
A memory that belonged to Cedric. 45.
After I pushed Cedric away, he was engulfed deep into the trunk by a demonic tree. And everyone else died.
Since he was a symbiote, although his body was corroded by the trier's digestive juices down to the bones, he could still be conscious as long as his head was intact until another group came to chop the tree down and were killed by the demonic tree which gather their bodies deep inside as reserve food. The girl with the knife who I had met just once outside the base tried to save that man and resolutely plunged her knife which could slice through iron into the heart of a demonic tree only to be killed as the frenzy tree corroded her.
The demonic tree released him and he drank its green blood, crawling into its heart. When the first snow fell, Cedric merged with the demonic tree, swallowed its consciousness, but returned to his previous life, transformed back. There was only him at home without me, fearing that two of him in the world would cause chaos. He masked himself and came to my house, rescuing me, who was barely alive in the villa. I told him how I was betrayed by my boyfriend. how the other woman not only took the bracelet but also took all the survival supplies. His form was unstable, constantly at risk of being pulled back into the tree. Despite his reluctance, he hastily left resources for me along with the cultivation secrets passed down from the demonic tree and the knife from the girl in that lifetime. In that life, he was a tree desperately growing to break away from his plant nature. But unable to leave, he struggled against the consciousness of the demonic tree, gradually falling into slumber until Carson and I came hunting near his territory and woke him. He saw Colton stabbed my eye and started to extend his roots desperately towards them. The group was shocked, tried to run but couldn't escape his roots as the roots were about to catch Colton. Colton dragged me in front to block and Carson, seeing this desperately pushed me away to escape, then got entangled with Colton by the roots. Even the strongest plant can never escape the bonds of the earth. I ran desperately. He wanted to keep me, but the roots reached their limit and couldn't move forward any further. Helplessly watching as I walked away, badly injured, he waited 2 years and finally it snowed again. This time he succeeded, he defeated the consciousness of the demonic tree and transformed a second time. He wanted to be by my side as a human. But he found that another hymn was strangely in love with Diana and was always against me. He dare not tell me he was Cedric. He fed me his blood, healed my wounds, and said he would take me to another base because his form was again unstable due to injuries. He had to leave first, promising to come take me away tomorrow.
He thought that this time, after all the hardships, we had finally come together.
Filled with joy, he arrived at the base only to find my cold skeletal remains hanging on the wall of the base. He was just one step away. Only one step, Cedric's body was filled with violent emotions. The demonic tree's consciousness took over, and he slaughtered everyone at the base, gathering my bones close to his heart.
The memory shown to me by the demonic tree abruptly ended there. The person who saved me in a past life turned out to be Cedric from another parallel universe who endured immense suffering and desperately tried to reach me. And in this life, I personally killed Cedric, who loved me with all his heart.
He never changed his feelings. The roots of the demonic tree gently supported me as I cried my heart out. It must have been so painful when he was alive, and his body was slowly corroded by the tree. A tender branch poked my forehead, transmitting to me another vision.
Cedric, carrying me to the bedroom, said, "I will protect Eden for a lifetime, whether in this life or the last." Cedric is the only plant symbiote in this world. He first merged with insects, his ability being insect resonance, which allowed him to transmit his commands. After merging with the demonic tree, this ability remained and enabled him to convey his memories to me through the roots. The Goko tree, just like in the past life, was located in a forbidden zone. But in this life, the zone included me. Cedric built a small house for me under the Goko tree with his roots, and I settled down there occasionally. Returning to the base, I left my bracelet to Carson, who now took over my position. Carson always urged me to stay, always worried about the demonic tree going mad. He won't, I said, because he is the love of my life whom I will spend my life with. I will stay with him until he transforms again.
One year, 10 years, 100 years, I can wait. 3 years later, everything at the base was on track. Humanity's development was rapid, adapting to the post-apocalyptic world, and technology had made significant breakthroughs.
Humanity returned to its pre-apocalyptic glory, destroying most of the evolved beasts. In this life, the plants mutated very little. In fact, only one GKO tree developed consciousness, but it was devoured by Cedric 2 years later on a day when heavy snow was falling. I had just left the base when I saw him. His lean silhouette and the faint scent of grass and trees, just like in the past life, he turned around and reached out his hand to me. I smiled and took his hand. This day was the day Cedric and I in a past life had agreed he would come to fetch me. My life has been deeply hurt twice. The first time my lover pushed me towards death with her own hands. I called out her name loudly, but she coldly left with another man decisively, not even turning her head back. This was one of only two instances where things were beyond my control since becoming a symbiote. The last time was at my home where the swarm of insects outside went out of control and killed many people. I held Eden tight, murmuring that I was afraid that one day. But I never finished that sentence.
I was afraid that one day we too would part. But this unspoken fear eventually became a cruel reality. The outside world is so dangerous. But fortunately, I evolved before ordinary people.
Although the wings behind me are ugly, they are surprisingly strong, making my journey to the base smooth. I had even planned how Eden and I would live at the base, how we would decorate our little home. Until this moment, my wings, along with the foolish thoughts in my head, were shattered by the demonic tree, but they could not outweigh the one a million pain in my heart when I saw her leaving. Does she despise me? Despise me for mistakenly becoming an insect symbiote. Eden loves cleanliness despite living symbiotically with such a disgusting thing. I see a hidden hatred in her eyes beyond the disgust.
Sometimes I curse how sensitive our shared perception is. Eden hates me and this realization saddens me. I don't know why she harbors this hatred. All I can do is watch as she becomes more indifferent towards me. No matter what I say or do, she remains aloof as if ready to leave me at any moment. Even has many secrets. I suspect her reasons contributed to my becoming a symbiote, but she doesn't talk about it, so I don't ask. But why does she know the Lee family? And why does she harbor such intense hatred towards them? The girl who used to secretly free the rabbits bought by the cook now tells me she wants to kill someone. Still, I ended up killing them myself. I didn't want Eden to get her hands dirty. It was enough for her to stand by my side, clean and uninvolved. As I let her pass the dying Dean, her gaze shifted from Dean to me.
It was only then that I started to panic because the way she looked at me was no different from the way she looked at the Leaf family until the moment of my death. I never understood why my lover hated me. We were childhood sweethearts.
I indulged and favored her, doing everything to protect her. Despite all I did, she never accepted my love. The second time I struggled immensely to return to her side, only for her to break her promise and leave alone for the underworld. By a twist of fate, I returned to that lifetime. In that world, Eden had never sought out Cedric.
And it was here that our destinies diverged. In that lifetime, I accessed the memories of those consumed by the demonic tree and gradually pieced together the origins of my lover's hatred. In that life, Cedric hurt her for someone else. But Eden, I am not him. Even if you kill me for someone else, I have never harbored any hatred towards you. I equally despise everyone who hurts you. Fiercely competing with the demonic trees consciousness and ultimately returning in physical form. I caught you, Eden. I healed her wounds with my heart's blood, but didn't restore her meridians. selfishly hoping we could interact as we had in our previous lives. I cautiously asked, "Eden, shall we go to another base together?" She smiled and answered, "Yes, can we go tomorrow?" I suppressed my excitement and agreed, losing so much heart's blood that I almost couldn't resist the demonic trees consciousness and had to hastily say goodbye. A day's delay didn't matter. We would have plenty of time. We would start a new life at another base. I could hunt like the mutants of the base, and Eden could freely do what she liked within the base. A bright future awaited us both until I saw the cold skeleton hanging outside the base, its clothing stained dark red with fresh blood dripping drop by drop onto my heart, shattering my dreams. You who loved cleanliness and feared pain so much I fed her all of my heart's blood. Even cut the flesh for my body, but still couldn't mend the large hole in her neck. Helplessly watching her turn to dust to love but not be loved in return. To pardon life and death, missing by just one move. Eden, Eden, I'm here. What's wrong? Did you have a nightmare again? I open my eyes to search. And there she was, my lover, wrapped in a red blanket, sitting up and looking at me worriedly, her soft and warm fingertips, gently wiping the tears from the corners of my eyes. I tightly grasped her hand, greedily gazing at her lively and spirited face. "My Eden, right here beside me. Is it because it's too cold here? Not suitable for the tree to grow. Let's head back after watching the Aurora," she suggested. I shook my head. "I<unk>ll go wherever you want to go. It's been 4 years since we left.
It's time to check back at the base.
I'll listen to my wife. I embraced her, savoring the cozy warmth. Eden seemed resigned. Although I didn't want to see that scoundrel who tried to steal my wife. The current success of the Tomorrow Ark base owed much to Eden. It was only right for her to return the Aurora appeared, and I took her hand and walked out of the tent, watching her lively, childlike smile. I briefly let go of the nightmares of another life.
Why are you looking at me? You are the one who insisted on seeing me. Aurora, you're beautiful. She snuggled into my arms. And as I followed her gaze across the snowcovered fields in the starfield sky, a bright magical Aurora tore through the mysterious purple gay heavens. In western mythology, there's a legend that if two people in love see the northern lights at the same time, they are destined to be together and will find eternal love. Eden turned to look at me and slowly said, "You seem to know a lot." Diana told me, "This world is like a novel. Do you think you are my destined one? I'm certain of it. So sure, in our last life, you ran off with her." Eden, I am me. He is not me. Eden turned back to the horizon and after a long pause said Cedric this life and the last have changed drastically except for our complicated entanglements. Everyone else is innocent. Dean and the others didn't harm me in this life. Yet I killed them out of hatred. Eden, the millions of humans who survived because of you in this life far outnumber those in the last. I killed those people and I will bear any resentment they might hold. No, a mistake is a mistake. If there's another life, I'll repay it then. Then I will share that burden with you. Eden smiled and agreed. Then tilted her head and suddenly said, "If this really were a novel, wouldn't this be the perfect ending? The atmosphere is so good. Shouldn't we kiss?" She tiptoed and kissed me. And I bent down to embrace her as we stood under the northern lights, immersed in what she named the grand finale of a kiss. But I think the story isn't over yet. I returned to the tomorrow ark base with Eden. Carson, anxious and eager, stood at the entrance and ran towards us from afar, expressing his longing for Eden. I stood in front of him, blocking his view, his face weary as he asked, "What are you here for? To get married?" I replied expressionlessly and then walked into the base with Eden. It was my first time entering the home I shared with Eden. It was clean and cozy. A framed pair of wings had fallen behind the door. I picked it up. Eden embarrassed.
Snatched it away. I teased her as I followed. Didn't you find wings disgusting before? Why keep a pair in the room? She didn't answer. So I asked again, "When did Eden fall in love with me?" Eden threw a pillow at me. Its pattern very similar to the ones we had at home. And the entire room's decor resembled our previous residence. All those changes I mentioned, wanting to make in the car, the curtains I wanted to replace. She had remembered them all.
I embraced this contradictory woman and kissed her. There was a knock at the door. I helped Eden tidy her disheveled clothes and opened the door to find Carson standing outside. I closed the door in a foul mood. The door slammed loudly. Cedric opened the door. I'm looking for my sister, even came out, kissed me on the cheek, and ruffled my hair, which calmed me down a bit. Carson walked a distance with my wife before whispering, "Sis, are you really going to marry him? He's like a capricious monster. I'm truly afraid he might lose it and devour you, "Who's the monster?"
My fur bristled again. Eden knocked on his head and chuckled. Even if he wanted to eat me, could you stop him? Watching Carson's indignant face, Eden added, "Come on, you'll have to call him brother-in-law. Don't always be at odds with him, especially since you can't beat him. If it weren't for Eden's sake, I would have turned Carson into my nourishment long ago, just like I did in another life." Carson stubbornly nodded his head after some resistance. Eden and I had our wedding, making it known throughout the base. Carson only called me brother-in-law after extracting two rare evolutionary beast cores as a wedding gift from me. His voice was as faint as a flies and his expression was awkward, but I was quite pleased. I wanted everyone to know that Eden was mine. On our wedding night, as Eden and I lay in bed, I said, "What if I can't resist the demonic tray's consciousness and go mad again?" Eden wriggled out of my embrace and playfully hit me. You've been eavesdropping again. I held her hand earnestly. I'm serious. She looked at me for a long time. If that day really comes, then I'll be with you. I covered her mouth before she could finish. Actually, I have an idea. You could keep me tethered. Eden looked puzzled. With what? I leaned closer and whispered in her ear. Perhaps by having a child or
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