I created the myth of the Great Old Ones.

Lu Ban placed the knife on the cutting board and gently raised his hand.

Why did you come here?

Although he and she lived across the hall from each other, they weren't actually from the same family. Why would she be here in the middle of the night when she had already gone to bed?

Could it be that the version of herself in this illusion had done something beastly, and that every night she would sneak over and do bad things when the adults weren't looking?

“I had this uneasy feeling, so I came to check, and I just happened to see you, Lu Ban, just now…”

She explained.

Oh, it seems I'm worse than an animal. Never mind then.

"I just wanted to eat something, so I tested the knife."

Lu Ban comforted her.

"But there's nothing in your refrigerator."

She persisted.

"I learned this in the hospital. It's called visualization practice. Because there are many restrictions in the hospital, you can only use your imagination to simulate things. Like just now, I was hungry, but there was nothing to eat at home, so I imagined myself cooking to relieve my hunger."

Lu Ban explained in a serious tone.

"really?"

The girl looked at Lu Ban, her eyes still red and moist, reflecting the moonlight.

"If you want to learn, I can teach you."

"No way!"

She was amused by Lu Ban, and with a mix of anger and amusement, she lightly punched Lu Ban's shoulder, sniffed, and said.

"If you're hungry, I'll cook you noodles."

"It's so late, it's not very convenient."

Lu Ban politely declined.

"It's okay, I'm hungry too, you can eat with me."

She said it in an unyielding tone.

"OK then."

Lu Ban waited for a while, and the girl took two bags of instant noodles from her house and quickly started cooking them in Lu Ban's house.

Two pots of instant noodles were quickly served.

Lu Ban took a bite.

He quietly put down his chopsticks.

"What, doesn't it taste good?"

The girl asked somewhat anxiously.

"Not really."

Lu Ban took another bite.

He finally understood why she had suggested going to the school cafeteria without even thinking when they got home.

This was the first time Lu Ban had ever met someone who couldn't even swallow a bowl of instant noodles.

You could say he's a culinary genius in reverse.

"Then let's eat it while it's hot."

The girl started slurping the noodles, making slurping sounds, completely lacking the elegance and quietness of a typical girl.

Perhaps it's because she's too familiar with Lu Ban.

Seeing her struggling to slurp the noodles, Lu Ban could only finish the instant noodles with tears in his eyes.

Everyone has a future where they can enjoy noodles.

Lu Ban soaked the bowl in water, intending to wash it tomorrow. He turned around and saw that the girl showed no sign of leaving.

"Go back to sleep."

Lu Ban said something, and then added something at the end.

"I promise you, I won't do anything strange."

"I don't really believe it."

She said she felt like she was going to stay here tonight.

"I need to keep an eye on you, otherwise I won't be able to sleep soundly."

"Uh... but there's only one bed here."

Lu Ban looked at her light blue cat-patterned pajamas and felt a little worried about his safety.

"Then let's sleep in the same bed, isn't that what we always did before?"

She said it as a matter of course.

So he was still a beast after all?

"The 'back then' you're talking about... is it the elementary school?"

Lu Ban asked hesitantly.

"kindergarten!"

She immediately retorted.

"So you're still worse than a beast."

Lu Ban muttered something.

"What's worse than?"

She didn't hear clearly and pressed for an answer.

"fine."

Lu Ban thought for a moment. Although this was an illusion where he could do whatever he wanted, he was, after all, an upright person. So he pointed to the sofa.

"I'll sleep on the sofa."

"...That's okay too."

Without hesitation, she closed both doors and lay down on Lu Ban's bed.

The door wasn't closed, so the girl lying on the bed could see Lu Ban on the sofa.

Lu Ban could, of course, see that side as well.

The curtains were drawn, and the cool air from the air conditioner lingered under the temperature indicator light. In the dim light, her slender ankles and rounded toes could be seen. As if noticing Lu Ban's gaze, her toes curled up slightly, as if shyly hiding under the covers.

"...Are you asleep?"

Suddenly, the girl asked.

"not yet."

Lu Ban responded.

Do you still think everything right now is an illusion, a facade?

She asked, her voice softer than the moonlight, and before Lu Ban could answer, she continued.

"For the past year, you have refused to acknowledge that this world is real. In your mind, only the world full of dangers and adventures, with monsters and superpowers, is real."

"I heard you say that in that world, both I and Hongye died, and died tragically. There were others too. You were always alone in that world, facing the departure of everyone."

"But I really exist."

She sniffed, unsure whether it was because the air conditioner was too cold or something else.

"I grew up here. When I was in elementary school, I would secretly watch TV and get scolded by my parents. When I went to junior high, I was forced to get a bowl cut and I cried for a long time. I love the fried skewers made by the grandma at the school gate. They're so delicious with the chili sauce. I want to study hard and try to get into Jiangcheng University so I can be your junior..."

"Are all of these fake?"

Lu Ban did not answer.

"We are all real people..."

Her voice trembled slightly.

“Originally, I thought the doctor had cured you, but I didn’t expect that you would still be so distant from us, treating us as people in your dreams, as illusions, and not valuing your own life and life.”

"Please, please wake up."

Lu Ban remained silent for a long time.

"it is good."

He responded with a sound, and all he heard was the other person sniffing.

They looked at each other in silence.

Lu Ban lay on the sofa, seriously considering the current situation.

What he experienced in the past was definitely not a figment of his imagination.

And now, the world seems to have its own logic.

At least if he tries to hurt himself again, this girl will definitely stop him.

The most crucial question is, what is he going to do now?

If Lu Ban gives up completely and sinks into oblivion in this world, what will he lose?

He no longer needs to think about saving the world, face the dangers of other realms, or confront those indescribable great beings. Although he has lost his identity as a great director and those extraordinary powers, in this world, the people Lu Ban once encountered are all living happily.

This exchange seems pretty good?

Lu Ban has always wanted this kind of life.

The illusionary realm perfectly realized this, even resurrecting the dead.

What else do I need to fight?