Chapter 142: The Dust of Fireworks
“You…”
Yuliya carefully observed Sofia’s condition and noticed she seemed even more transparent than before.
“We ghosts can’t stray too far from our place of existence. If we don’t return for too long, our presence becomes thinner, and our consciousness gets fuzzier.”
“Why didn’t you say so earlier? Let’s get back now!”
Yuliya tried to drag Sofia back, but naturally, she ended up pulling nothing but air.
Sofia shook her head. “We can’t go back. It’s already destroyed.”
“Destroyed…” Yuliya froze for a moment, then, sobering up, she looked down and weakly asked, “Was it the magic circle?”
“Yep, that’s it.”
“But you’re right, you did the right thing! Anything that harms should be blown up! Or, I should thank you; without that explosion, I wouldn’t have made it this far.”
Sofia flashed a faint smile, not showing a hint of sadness.
“Let’s walk and talk. I really like the quiet and peaceful vibe of churches.”
“Uh-huh…”
“Honestly, I’m quite happy right now, so you don’t have to wear a gloomy face.”
Yuliya followed Sofia in silence, not as composed or calm. She couldn’t grasp Sofia’s current mindset; that’s why she couldn’t face it with ease.
Sofia didn’t mind Yuliya’s reaction and continued chatting away.
“I’m really happy. This period has been the happiest I’ve had in forever. Walking with you, I’ve seen sights I never dreamed of in my lifetime.”
“I wandered there for countless years, watching the unchanged full moon in the sky, gazing at the empty streets around me, feeling like I was trapped in a lonely nightmare I could never wake up from.”
“I thought it would go on forever, without end. But today brought some color; this is the fireworks you brought me.”
Yuliya scoffed and replied, “You call explosions fireworks? You really are sheltered.”
Sofia turned back and laughed, “Close enough! They’re gorgeous; the sparks can light up the longest night. Just being able to see this is satisfying; no regrets.”
“Aren’t you supposed to be looking for your dad?”
“I’ve known for ages that Dad is long gone; I just made up an excuse to chat with you. Maybe a monster is him, but what does it matter to me?”
“…”
Wow, so you’re playing mind games too!
With the ice broken, Yuliya stopped sulking. “You said you’ve been here a long time; how long exactly?”
“A long time, maybe a few hundred years? I don’t know the specifics; there’s no reference for time. Since that day, the sky has always looked like this, never changing.”
“How do you know it’s been a few hundred years?”
“Just counting the time when I’m bored.”
Now that’s boredom at its peak…
“Have you seen other people during this time?”
“I’ve seen a few now and then. But they seem to not understand what I say and even attacked me. Eventually, they went deeper and never showed up again.”
Yuliya’s brows shot up, sensing something odd.
Not understanding the language likely meant they came from outside. Their attacking indicated they weren’t players.
Yuliya had player traits, and she instinctively attacked at first, but since it didn’t trigger a response, Sofia was left untouched.
“Do you know about the Golden Kingdom?”
“Golden Kingdom? I’ve heard of it. Are you from there? But unfortunately, I don’t know much; I’ve hardly traveled far, today is the furthest I’ve ever gone.”
“Do you know what’s deeper in?”
“Of course—our beloved Lord of the City, the root of all problems.”
“He caused the misery of this city, huh?”
“Well, I don’t know. I’ve never met Lord City, so I don’t know what kind of person he is.”
As they chatted, they reached the nearest church.
Sofia floated right through the door, while Yuliya pushed it open and walked in.
“The feeling inside the church is lovely.”
“Yeah, maybe we are all under the Goddess of Life’s protection.”
Sofia nodded with a smile, “It must be so. You’ll go deeper too, right?”
“Yep. That’s why I came here.”
Sofia smiled wider, “That’s nice. You seem to always know what you want to do. Unlike me, I have no clue why I’m even here, since everyone I once knew is either dead or forgotten.”
“But I met you here; maybe that’s my mission.”
Yuliya bitterly shook her head. “Mission should not be thrown around too freely. I don’t really like that word—it feels like I’m being forced into something.”
“Eh? Is that so? But for me, it’s fine; it’s my mission. I can keep being your guide. I wish you could end this endless nightmare.”
“What?”
Before Yuliya could react, Sofia suddenly floated higher.
She spun around, her body glowing a brilliant blue.
The spinning speed picked up, and the light sparkled brighter.
Finally, it exploded, like dazzling fireworks in the night sky.
Yuliya froze. “Sofia?”
But there was no answer.
A feather slowly drifted down, a curtain call for the fireworks, a remnant of light and shadow.
Yuliya reached out, catching it in her hand—pure and beautiful.
[Item Name: Dust of Fireworks
Item Rank: None
Item Description: Fireworks buried deep in the mud just for a moment of splendor. Dust sent to a last friend; may she journey smoothly.]
Yuliya stood in silence.
She cradled the feather in her palm, watching it dance before settling, like a compass pointing the way.
Yuliya smiled, “Who guides like this? I’ll definitely give you a bad review when I get out!”
An unqualified guide but a qualified friend.
Yuliya didn’t have many friends—barely enough for a hand count.
And the only one she could chat with freely, without any reservations, was this girl she had just briefly met.
Just a carefree gamer, yet somehow packed with countless secrets in her heart.
She clasped her hands together in front of the Goddess of Life statue, saying a prayer, “May the goddess guide my friend to a peaceful cradle.”
As she stood up again, her face held more determination than usual.
“Alright then, let’s go, friend.”
Yuliya walked out of the church, glancing in the direction the feather pointed, and stuffed the Dust of Fireworks into her backpack.
The final BOSS of this city must be that so-called lord.
She really wanted to see what kind of sinister plot this city lord had going on.
She was a little angry; someone needed a good punching!
