Infinite Journey: Dark Souls

Xiaoyan's long black hair spread out as she lay on her side. The long hair, pressed beneath her, was like dark silk, gently cushioning her face, revealing the sweet sleeping face of the slightly curled-up girl.

Her hands were clasped together in front of her chest, as if she were holding something tightly, but judging from the curved corners of her mouth, she was probably holding something good.

Beside Xiaoyan, a bright red kimono was casually spread on the ground. Zhi had her arms crossed behind her head, comfortably resting her head in the crook of her arms. One leg was supporting her on the grass, and the other was draped over it. As she closed her eyes for a nap, she swung her leg back and forth contentedly.

The Intermittent World truly is the best gift given to the Ashes, allowing them to have such a place where they don't have to worry about enemies, invasions, their missions, or death; all they need is a secluded spot with some grass and trees, where they can get sunlight and hear birdsong, and that's enough for them to sleep for an afternoon.

This was probably Homura's intermittent world, though they weren't sure, because the flames had just dissipated, and what appeared before them was this peaceful park.

They greedily breathed in the peaceful atmosphere, neither of them intending to confirm anything. Even Xiaoyan suppressed her restless mood, which was rising because she was about to return to her own world, and peacefully enjoyed her long-awaited afternoon nap.

She probably had some inner conflict, hoping that this return would fulfill her wish, but also fearing that after fulfilling her wish, she would never have the chance to appreciate the scenery of another world again.

People are always so prone to worrying about gains and losses.

However, in general, the hopeful girl can still savor the happiness of having both in her dreams.

Zhi didn't fall asleep. She just listened quietly to the soft breathing of the girl beside her, quietly experiencing the feeling of... not watching from behind her, but actually lying next to someone she cared about.

The murderer who once only experienced the emotion of killing has now become a cheerful and somewhat eccentric teenager—no, more like an energetic young girl.

The blue sky during lunch break that I used to fear, and the sunset after school, have now become beautiful moments that I can enjoy peacefully.

Occasionally, she would fantasize about what it would be like if she appeared before Shi in her current body.

But she couldn't quite imagine it, because in that scene, Shiki, living with her dream, no longer needed an identical face with a cheerful smile next to his handsome upturned lips; since she had disappeared from that world, there was no need for Zhi to reappear.

She opened her eyes, turned her head to the side, and saw that Xiao Yan was facing away from her, her black hair flowing behind her, and she looked so at ease at that moment.

A bright smile appeared on her face. Even though Xiaoyan was about to return to her own world and the two of them might have to say goodbye, she wasn't worried at all. Although saying this felt a little unfair to Xiaoyan, who had been working so hard, she felt that she still had a long way to go and needed to walk with her.

She closed her eyes again, accompanying Xiaoyan through these final moments before she truly faced her destiny.

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However, Ash is an outsider after all, and this intermittent world has its predetermined course.

But at least what's going to happen in this park today is just a somewhat comical, yet heartwarming, romantic comedy.

On the railing of the lawn in the distance sat a handsome man in a suit with shoulder-length hair, flipping through an old booklet and occasionally taking a sip of his canned drink—as if waiting for someone.

Not long after, a stylishly dressed woman with short hair appeared in front of him.

"Oh, it's Ms. Nikaido."

Feeling the sunlight shining on the brochure being blocked by a figure, the man looked up and found that it was his colleague from the countermeasures office.

"Y-you...hello. Mee...Iizuka-kun...are you on patrol today?"

However, the lady referred to as Nikaido seemed a little nervous, and only after Iizuna Noriyuki greeted her did she recite her lines somewhat haltingly.

"It's quite rare to see Ms. Nikaido wearing a skirt."

Since she was an acquaintance, Ji Zhi didn't mind and started chatting with her.

"It's a little personal business."

"It's very beautiful. Wearing this to the countermeasures office once in a while would really enhance the workplace."

Take back what I said earlier; this isn't just casual conversation anymore, it's blatant flirting.

Zhi, who had sat up at some point, hid behind low bushes, observing the interaction between men and women in this peaceful era.

"It's working. Xiao Ji really is a playboy."

Meanwhile, two support staff members carrying out the script, observing the scene through binoculars from the other end of the park, reached a similar conclusion to Zhi.

"In short, the first phase went relatively smoothly, and then it was time for Isayama to witness this scene."

"Huang Quan will definitely be distraught!"

A girl who had a brief encounter with Homura was watching from the sidelines, eagerly awaiting the unfolding of the story.

"Attention all personnel, the second target is approaching!"

As the remote control on their walkie-talkies announced the arrival of the second target, the two men, who had been monitoring from a distance, raised their binoculars once more.

Beside the fountain in the center of the park, another girl who had been taught a lesson by Xiaoyan's shield parry happened to stumble upon the two men and women sitting on the lawn fence chatting.

"Oh, oh, oh, that girl must be the one that man is waiting for, isn't she? This is really something to be happy about... Ugh."

As the heir of the Ryougi family, Ori had hardly ever watched any romance dramas, but her gossipy nature was still burning. She excitedly muttered to herself, but quickly covered her mouth after feeling Homura roll over.

At this moment, Huang Quan had already walked up to the two of them, and the playboy, unaware of the impending doom, casually greeted her.

"Operation begins, Xiaotong, Phase 1!"

Unbeknownst to those around him, Kirito Nikaido received an order from the mastermind in his earpiece.

"Phase 1, I understand."

She answered quietly, then suddenly closed the distance between herself and Iitsuna Noriyuki, squeezing right next to him.

The scene fell silent. Ji Zhi stiffly turned his head and looked at her shyly with some surprise.

Huang Quan, who witnessed this scene, was completely stunned, his mouth agape.

"Waaaaah!"

This is the rhythm of a battleground! I screamed in my heart, but because I covered my mouth, I could only make some strange noises.

Xiao Yan rolled over again.

"You're not being bold enough. Attack again! Move the attack to Phase 2!"

The mastermind's orders came through the earpiece again. Tong paused for a moment, then resolutely wrapped her arms around Ji Zhi's neck and tackled him to the ground.

The empty beverage bottles were picked up by the two of them and dripped down to Huang Quan's feet.

"Ugh! ...Pfft!"

Seeing this scene, Zhi was the one who made the biggest commotion. She couldn't even muffle her excited voice. Coupled with the sound of two people falling to the ground in the distance, it completely woke up Xiao Yan.

Disturbed from her sweet dreams, Xiao Yan punched Zhi in the stomach without saying a word. After silencing her, she rubbed her eyes and looked at the place where the incident had occurred.

"It's so noisy! Can't people even take a nap?"

At this moment, Huang Quan's mouth was closed, and she stared wide-eyed at everything that was happening before her eyes.

"The second objective is, as always, silence."

"It's alright, he must be wavering. Attack into Phase 3!"

The command came through the earpiece again, and Tong suddenly pressed down on Ji Zhi, blushing as she uttered the following words.

"Ji Zhi, let's stop having a secret relationship."

"What? No... what are you talking about?"

The effect was remarkable. Huang Quan's eyes, which had been wide open, were now slightly closed. He then turned around and walked to the vending machine.

Is this some prime-time romance drama from somewhere?

Xiaoyan clearly recognized Huang Quan in his uniform, but after only glancing at the scene, she gave him a deadpan look.

"Right? Right?! It's so melodramatic! I never thought I'd see this kind of plot in your intermittent world!"

Huang Quan bought a bottle of green tea from the vending machine, took a few steps to the side, assumed a baseball pitcher's stance, turned around, gathered his strength, stomped his foot, and threw the ball! The beverage bottle spun and flew towards Ji Zhi, who was getting up from the lawn and patting his suit.

"What...what was that just now?"

"That's...there are many reasons..."

He was trying to get Tong to explain, but the next moment, a beverage bottle flew at high speed and exploded on his head.

A beautiful pitch, and Izuna Kiichi was instantly knocked out.

"Wow! What a brilliant strike!"

"Shut up and watch the show quietly."

While Xiaoyan and Zhi were making their comments, the conflict between Jizhi and Huangquan had completely escalated. The two walked towards each other face to face, accusing each other fiercely.

Can you explain what's going on?

"What?"

"What the hell! He already has a fiancée and he's still flirting with other women!"

"What's wrong? Are you jealous?"

"Jealous? What's that? You've misunderstood something."

While they were arguing, Tong quietly left the park alone. After meeting up with her companion at the station, she quietly squatted down to one side.

"Misunderstand?"

"I have no feelings for you. I'm just following the marriage agreement my father made. Don't get too confident in me."

The argument between the two was escalating, and Huang Quan even shoved Izan Kiichi while talking.

"Me too! I can't disobey my dad, I can only obey him!"

After being shot in the head, Ji Zhi's anger level was now at its maximum. Taking advantage of his height and size, he charged back.

Whether it was the violent action or the tasteless words, Huang Quan couldn't hold back any longer and slapped him across the face.

Having been attacked again, Iizuna Noriyuki gritted his teeth, lowered his head, and surprisingly slapped back.

boom--!

Suddenly, a gunshot startled everyone, and before Izuna Noriyuki's hand could reach Yomi's face, it was deflected by a purple magic bullet.

The atmosphere paused again. Huang Quan turned his head and saw only a tuft of black hair fluttering in the bushes in the distance.

A heavy punch landed on Izuna Noriyuki's abdomen. Yomi, who had attacked in shame and anger, unconsciously imbued his fist with spiritual power. Noriyuki, who had taken the blow, clutched his stomach and squatted on the ground, unable to get up for a long time.

The headsets of the personnel involved in the operation had exploded, and chaotic information was being transmitted through them. Several logistics personnel immediately set out and rushed to the location of the gunfire.

"Hey! Was that a shooting just now?"

"The target is Xiao Ji! Is he injured?"

"The attackers were witnessed; they were fleeing out of the park!"

Huang Quan looked at her colleagues who appeared on the scene with some confusion, and then, combined with what happened with Nikaido Kiri earlier, she suddenly understood something.

At this moment, Kagura did not chase after Homura at all. She hurriedly ran to the two of them and immediately bowed and apologized.