Chapter 174: Villain Simulator, Ch 173
Chapter 174: Villain Simulator, Ch 173
In the simulator, the corrupted dragon Ursa endured a thousand years of imprisonment while waiting for Lucas. But now, faced with indefinite torment, she had reached her breaking point. Death was a release for her.
The Fusion Form didn't respond verbally; instead, the sword of light in its hands pierced through Ursa's chest.
The impenetrable black scales on her body gave way like paper under the light blade.
However, the strike did not take her life. Instead, countless rays of light erupted from within her dark body, and when the light faded, she had reverted to her original form—a fragile girl.
At the same time, Lucas and Jean separated from the Fusion Form. Lucas immediately cradled Ursa in his arms and removed the mask covering her face. Upon seeing the scars on her pale cheeks, Jean's face contorted with horror.
Lucas, on the other hand, clenched his fists tightly, and the red haze of the Ring of Manipulation began to swirl on his wrist.
Her once-beautiful face was marred with wounds, and her lips bore clear puncture marks, evidence that they had been sewn shut at some point, likely to prevent her from biting anyone during her modifications.
"It's you... it really is you..." Despite her condition, Ursa's frail face broke into a weak smile when she saw Lucas. "I'm so glad... I finally found you again..."
She remembers me?
Though Lucas couldn't comprehend why, his heart ached. Seeing the lover who had once waited in silence for a millennium reduced to this state filled him with nothing but rage.
"Don't worry... You'll be fine," Lucas murmured, trying to reassure her. But deep down, he knew the truth. The battle had drained her life force, her organs were gravely damaged, and saving her was next to impossible.
"Tell me—who did this to you?" Lucas asked through gritted teeth. Though he had a strong suspicion, he needed confirmation.
For the first time, a fire of vengeance burned within him, brighter than ever.
"That person is..." Ursa began to whisper a name, but suddenly her eyes widened, her pupils dilated, and all life left her body. The hand that had been clutching Lucas's arm fell limply to her side.
"Unacceptable," the Doctor remarked casually from her distant location in the Goethe Grand Hotel, shaking her head. "Snitching is a no-no. Failed experiments should simply be disposed of."
At the exact moment Ursa had tried to name her, the Doctor activated the self-destruct mechanism implanted within Ursa's body, ending her life instantly.
Naturally, with Ursa's death, the shared vision link between the two was severed as well.
The Doctor felt no regret over Ursa's demise. Her interest had already shifted entirely to Lucas.
The Fusion Form, the mysterious element beyond the seven, the power to defeat Stormterror—everything about him filled her with a twisted glee.
"I'd love... to turn him into my own toy..." she murmured, her breath growing heavier as her fantasies took over.
Lucas stared at Ursa's lifeless body, unable to accept what had happened. To make matters worse, he hadn't even heard the name of her tormentor.
The others, unsure of the relationship between Lucas and Ursa, remained silent, watching him struggle with his emotions.
[Hey, don't be so down...]
Even the system, usually sarcastic, attempted to console him.
"Leave me alone..." Lucas replied internally.
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[If you keep sulking, this girl's body will start to rot.]
"...Do you even hear yourself?" Lucas groaned.
If the system had a physical form, he would've dragged it out and given it a beating.
[I'm serious. If you keep wallowing, you might miss your chance to revive her.]
"Revive?"
Lucas froze, a flicker of hope reigniting within him. He suddenly remembered—he had a skill that could bring her back. "Right! How could I forget?"
His abrupt shift from despair to joy startled everyone around him.
"Are you okay?" Jean finally asked, concerned. "You're not making sense. People—or dragons—can't come back to life..."
"Not necessarily." Lucas muttered under his breath.
"What did you say?" Jean blinked in confusion.
"Nothing!" Lucas quickly waved it off with a smile. "I just thought it was sad how she ended up like this. That's all."
"Lucas, you're too kind..." Jean sighed. "This dragon caused countless invasions of Mondstadt. Her death was inevitable."
"It's just a shame I couldn't finish her off myself..." Diluc approached, his expression conflicted as he gazed at Ursa's corpse. "Father... you can finally rest in peace."
It seemed clear that if he did revive her, it shouldn't be done here.
Regardless of what had happened in the simulator, in this reality, Ursa was an unrepentant villain with countless enemies. Her "death" might actually serve as a chance for redemption.
"You're right," Lucas said, lifting Ursa's body. "With her death, her sins are forgiven. You all head back—I'll see to her burial."
"Why go through so much trouble?" Diluc frowned. "Why not just burn her remains?"
"No!" Lucas protested. "What if burning her pollutes the environment?"
"Well, suit yourself," Jean said, though she suspected Lucas was hiding something. Thanks to their recent fusion, she had grown more attuned to his unspoken intentions. "Everyone's exhausted. Let's head back to recover."
"Take care of Dvalin too," Venti said as they prepared to leave. Then, lowering his voice, he added, "And don't do anything weird while she's unconscious."
"Who would do anything weird?!" Lucas snapped, exasperated. "She's a dragon!"
Wait... dragons? Both Kisara and Ursa were dragons, weren't they?
"Besides, isn't she your familiar?" Lucas asked. "Why leave her with me?"
"Eh~ I already released her," Venti replied breezily. "Now that she's regained her mind, her future is her own choice. And besides... back then, she called you her master, not me."
He overheard that?
Of course, Venti wasn't entirely altruistic—he just didn't want the hassle. He could barely take care of himself, let alone a dragon.
Once everyone left, Lucas moved both Dvalin and Ursa into the Serenity Pot.
Raiden Mai, who had grown accustomed to her master bringing back strange girls, looked at Ursa's lifeless body and raised an eyebrow.
"This one's beyond saving," she remarked, her tone flat. "Shall I turn her into a puppet while she's still fresh?"
"Stop saying such horrifying things so casually..." Lucas groaned.
"Just take care of Dvalin for now," Lucas said, handing the dragon over before carrying Ursa into a separate room. "And don't let anyone disturb me, no matter what happens."
Raiden Mai rarely showed emotion, but hearing his words, a faintly complex expression flickered across her face.
Lucas noticed the unusual expression on Raiden Mai's face and asked, puzzled, "What's wrong? Do you have any concerns?"
"I just didn't expect you to be interested in a corpse, Master," Raiden Mai said blandly. "But whatever you decide to do, I'll support you. Should I fetch some slime mucus to use as a lubricant?"
"That's absolutely unnecessary!" Lucas retorted, his expression a mix of frustration and disbelief. "Just wait outside!"
"As you wish," Raiden Mai replied with a nod, adding, "Also, Master, be mindful of the body's stiffness to avoid getting stuck."
SLAM!
Raiden Mai's comment was met with a door slammed in exasperation.
"Would you like an expander?" Mai called out from outside.
"No!" Lucas's despairing voice came through the closed door.
Staring at Ursa's lifeless body, Lucas couldn't help but feel nervous.
Though he had resurrected countless undead soldiers in the simulator as the "Doctor," this was his first attempt in real life.
"Activate Resurrection."
[Analyzing target for compatibility...]
[Analysis complete: Target qualifies.]
[Note: This skill has a lengthy cooldown. Confirm use on this target?]
As expected, a skill as miraculous as reviving the dead came with numerous restrictions. While creating undead warriors wasn't difficult, true resurrection was another matter entirely.
Additionally, the skill was limited to recently deceased bodies. If the body were too damaged or the death too prolonged, resurrection would be impossible.
Placing his hand on Ursa's body, Lucas watched as a soft glow emanated from his palm, gradually sinking into her.
The wounds on Ursa's body began to heal at a visible rate. Her once-pale complexion slowly regained its natural color.
Finally, Ursa's tightly closed eyelids fluttered, and moments later, she opened her eyes.
The dark irises shimmered with life, and for the first time, Lucas saw the familiar glint of the ever-hungry dragon girl he had come to know.
Overcome with joy, Lucas pulled her into a tight embrace. "You... you're alive again!"
But rather than sharing his excitement, Ursa pushed him away with a frown. "Who are you?"
Her reaction left Lucas stunned.
[Relax. She just revived. Her brain hasn't fully recovered yet, so her memories are incomplete.]
"What should I do?" Lucas asked anxiously. "Will she ever remember me?"
[Try doing something familiar that might jog her memory.]
Something familiar? From their time together?
Destroying Mondstadt together?
No, a bit excessive.
Traveling together?
Feasible, but too time-consuming.
Eating... chicken together?
Well, that might work.
"Ursa, listen to me," Lucas said seriously, gripping her shoulders. "We're very important to each other. You've just forgotten for now."
"Really?" Ursa tilted her head, a hint of trust in her eyes. "I haven't read many books, so don't lie to me."
"I'd never lie to you," Lucas assured her, clearing his throat. "Do you want to remember me?"
"Of course! If what you're saying is true, then I really want to remember!" Ursa nodded eagerly. "But... how?"
"The process might be a bit uncomfortable," Lucas warned. "But you have to promise not to bite me."
"What if I can't help it?" Ursa asked innocently.
"Then... you can bite lightly," Lucas replied with a wry smile. "But definitely not in certain places."
"What places?" Ursa asked curiously.
"You'll find out soon," Lucas said as he lightly traced his fingers along her collar. "What I'm about to do may seem strange to you."
"What's so strange about it?" Ursa said, giving him a look as though he were an idiot. "You just want to sleep with me, don't you?"
"Eh?" Lucas froze, his face flushing. "Aren't you supposed to have amnesia?"
"I lost my memory, not my mind," Ursa retorted, furrowing her brow. "Common sense like that doesn't just disappear."
But where had she learned this "common sense"? Ursa couldn't quite recall.
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Author's Note: Snu Snu
Extra Chapter at 300 p.s