I said you are all war criminals

Page 2

Behind the shelf stood a sweet-smiling girl, looking at him with a business-like smile.

The girl has long, smooth platinum hair and a pair of furry white horse ears on her head, which sway with her movements.

There was a name tag on her chest - [Ecclesia].

"Hand over the manifest!"

Bai Ye had just finished the simulation and had money in his pocket, making him rich and powerful.

Eclecia smiled like a little fox who had successfully stolen a chicken. Her eyes curved into crescents and two pointed little fangs appeared at the corners of her mouth.

"Happy to oblige!"

As she spoke, she pushed a thin sheet toward Bai Ye, the warmth of her fingertips still lingering on it. Bai Ye tapped the sheet on the screen, and the contents of the sheet appeared on the simulator. He took a quick glance and was nearly dazzled by the densely packed product names.

There are at least tens of thousands of things on it, piled up densely, making people dizzy and overwhelmed.

Most importantly, there are no categories.

"I say... you have too much stuff here, don't you?" Bai Ye couldn't help but complain, "Can't you just search by category? Or by world view?"

"Of course." Ecclesia blinked and tapped the air with her fingertips. "What kind of products would you like, sir? For example, a joke book from a comedy comic, or a strategy guide for a dating game?"

Hakuno rolled his eyes, "Who wants that kind of stuff? I want to see something practical!"

"Practical?" Ecclesia tilted her head, as if pondering the definition of "practical." "So, sir, do you prefer a star-destroying cannon or a stone mask that grants immortality?"

"None of them... Never mind, just sort them out first."

Ecclesia still maintained a professional smile: "Of course, how would you like to rank them?"

Bai Ye waved his hand impatiently: "Let's sort by price from low to high."

The products on the screen were instantly rearranged, with the cheapest products appearing in the most conspicuous position.

"Let me see... Devil Fruit? No no... Holy Grail? Too dangerous... Infinity Stones? Aren't those useless after they leave Marvel?"

Bai Ye muttered to himself as he quickly browsed the product list.

Most of the items here were items, all priced at [One Bronze Achievement]. However, their values varied widely, leaving Bai Ye a bit confused about the simulator's classification rules.

In short, he quickly scrolled down and looked at those more expensive items that required several or even dozens of bronze achievements to exchange.

Soon, Bai Ye reached the bottom.

There were indeed a terrifying amount of items, but they weren't inexhaustible. Bai Ye roughly estimated that there were about 10,000 to 20,000 items in total, with the highest price being 100 bronze achievements and the lowest being one bronze achievement.

After turning the page, Bai Ye couldn't help but ask, "Shopkeeper, I understand that bronze achievements are for buying things, but what are the uses of gold and silver achievements?"

"Gold Achievement..." Ecclesia raised a finger and gently tapped her cheek, the corner of her mouth curling up a little. "Gold Achievement can be used to improve the functions of the simulator! For example..."

She deliberately drew out her voice, her blue eyes gleaming with a cunning light, like a cat teasing its prey.

Bai Ye's heart was in suspense. He hated people who only spoke half of their words the most.

"For example, you can make your Sims stronger!" Ecclesia's voice trembled slightly with excitement. "More accurately, it can make them have greater 'potential.' Even if their starting point is the same, a Sim who invests more gold achievement points will become more successful and stronger."

"Strengthen the simulated character?"

The simulator that Hakuno obtained after traveling through time didn't simulate Hakuno's own life, but rather used other people as templates. For example, this time, he used Yamada Ryo as the simulation object.

So, will this potential strengthen Yamada Ryo?

"Of course it's true!" Ecclesia patted her chest and assured, "I never lie!"

"What else?" Bai Ye continued to ask. This guy looked dishonest and must be hiding something.

"Also, you can unlock more advanced simulated backgrounds!" Seeing Bai Ye's interest, Ecclesia opened up. "For example, you can only simulate some ordinary backgrounds now. This time, Cyberpunk is the best. But as long as you have enough gold achievements, you can purchase some more advanced world backgrounds, such as Warp, Magic, Superpower 2, and even..."

Having said this, she deliberately lowered her voice and said mysteriously:

"You can even unlock some...O-anime backgrounds!"

Bai Ye suddenly spurted out.

What do I need an O-anime background for? I'm not the main character in the simulator!

"What about the silver achievement?" Bai Ye wiped his mouth and continued to ask.

"Silver achievements," Ecclesia shrugged. "Silver achievements can be exchanged for special permissions... For example, you can use silver achievements to exchange for permissions that allow characters who have appeared in the simulation to retain any memories of the simulation. They will feel like they have lived their entire life in a dream, and everything is so real that it seems real."

Hakuno's eyes lit up.

"Tell me in detail!"

Ecclesia seemed to see through his thoughts and explained with a smile, "Don't get the wrong idea. This permission isn't omnipotent. First, the [Protagonist] you simulate can't inherit their memories—because you're actually the one controlling them. That [Protagonist] doesn't have any thoughts or feelings; it's simply reflecting your manipulations."

This is a bit of a pity.

Hakuno's first reaction was to send this memory to Yamada Ryo. He was curious about Ryo's reaction after learning that he had destroyed the world.

However, on second thought, sending this memory to another person seems to be quite fun.

"Is there anything else I should be aware of?"

Although he was a bit anxious to transfer his memories, Hakuno still asked Ecclesia this question. After all, if there was a "first," there should at least be a "then."

"Hmm... This isn't really a 'note', it's more of a 'reminder'."

The platinum-haired horsegirl put her finger to her lips and gave Hakuno a smile.

"Don't forget, knowledge is power."

Chapter 3: Ichichi Hongxia

This building is called "Yamada Tower" because it is the tallest tower in Tokyo. From here, you can see the whole of Tokyo.

And now, the whole of Tokyo is burning, and even the torrential rain cannot stop the raging flames.

In this rainstorm that was almost like the end of the world, Hong Xia hugged Liang and felt her body temperature gradually getting colder.

Ijichi Hongka clearly realized that Yamada Ryo, who had been entangled with her for a lifetime, was dead.

Unexpectedly, Hongxia didn't feel sad at all.

Hongxia stared at Liang's lifeless face. The spark of life that once shone in her eyes was now replaced by a hollowness. An indescribable sense of emptiness coiled around Hongxia's heart like a venomous snake, slowly tightening.

Memories flooded back like a tide, dragging Hongxia back to that innocent summer. Back then, they formed a band, racking their brains to overcome all kinds of difficulties, sometimes laughing, sometimes in chaos... Back then, Liang's eyes shone with the light of dreams, a dazzling light.

A radiant light like a daydream.

If someone else saw her, they might think Liang was just an awkward woman who liked to borrow money.

But Hongxia knew that Liang actually cared more about ending the band than anyone else.

So…when did the light in Liang's eyes begin to change?

The image of Liang moving towards "success" step by step emerged in Hongxia's mind.

After enrolling at the University of Tokyo, Ryo enrolled in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. He developed a technology called "cyberprosthetics," creating mechanical organs capable of replacing and surpassing human limbs. What once existed only in science fiction is now a reality. Ryo's name has begun to appear frequently in the headlines of various financial magazines, technology forums, and even entertainment gossip magazines.

Hongxia remembered that Liang's original wish was very simple. She just wanted to use the power of technology to help those with physical disabilities so that they could live like normal people.

At that time, Liang's eyes still shone with pure light. Although she was no longer the power of dreams, it was the light of hope.

It was a dazzling golden color, like a daydream.

So, even if Liang gave up on ending the band, Hongxia never complained.

Hongxia believes that Liang is doing the right thing.

So, after graduating from university, Hong Xia joined the company founded by Liang. She didn't do anything particularly important, just served as a secretary, handling trivial matters for Liang.

Liang can concentrate on his work.

Therefore, the changes in Liang are becoming more and more obvious.

She began to become ruthless and merciless, showing no mercy to those who stood in her way. The once gentle girl had become a cold-blooded machine. She used her skills and influence to suppress competitors, steal their research, and even resorted to creating "accidents" to eliminate dissidents. Furthermore, those whom Ryo had considered subordinates, those who had fought alongside her, and those who had once held high hopes for her, ultimately became victims of her success.

Hongxia became more and more scared.

So... she ran away.

Hongxia quit her secretary job, fled back to her sister's live house, and no longer went to Yamada's company.

…After that, Hongxia only saw Liang on TV.

The Ryo Yamada who only exists in publicity is completely different from the "real" Ryo.

A philanthropist, an entrepreneur, a gentle boss who cares about his subordinates, a powerful opponent who makes people feel like spring breeze... The coldness in the propaganda is basically an empty shell covered by layer upon layer of lies.

Later, Hongxia even stopped watching TV.

The days passed by monotonously like cheap creamer dripping into coffee.

The Live House is getting better and better under the management of her sister. During the performances, the deafening music and the cheers of the crowd seem to blow the roof off, but all this cannot touch Hong Xia's inner peace, or numbness.

Her sister would sometimes come over to see her and give her a steaming cup of honey grapefruit tea. Hongxia had never told her sister what she had seen, so her sister didn't know how to comfort her.

They were both right, but Hong Xia just couldn't let it go.

Until that man came to the door.

His name was Bai Ye, a man five or six years older than Hong Xia. He wore a wrinkled jacket, his hair was disheveled, and his face was filled with fatigue and anxiety. Although he tried hard to appear down and out, Hong Xia saw through his poor disguise immediately.

This man, like Liang now, is a guy who doesn't care about other people's lives.

Hakuno claimed that he was an old acquaintance of Ryo and had some information about Ryo, including information about cybernetics.

Hongxia didn't want to get involved in those things, but Bai Ye brought a piece of news.

Liang attacked Kita and wanted to replace Kita's entire body with prosthetics.

After hearing the news, Hongxia rushed back to Yamada Tower and wanted to find Liang to ask for clarification.

But she couldn't see Liang at all.

During the years Hongxia wasted at Starry, Yamada Corporation had gradually expanded into a major Japanese company. Hongxia could no longer just barge into Ryo's office like she used to, and couldn't even make an appointment.

There was no other way, Hong Xia could only dig out her previous secretary work ID, hoping to get away with it.

The result was unexpectedly smooth.

The work ID that should have been revoked long ago could be used to open every door. Hongxia used this work ID to go deep into the deepest part of the Yamada Tower and reached Liang's secret laboratory.

In the dazzling gold that is like a daydream.

Kita Ikuyo is dead.

...Now that I think about it, that was the beginning of it all.

This is the beginning of Nijixia becoming the leader of the "Anti-Yamada Army".

"Why did you kill Kita?"

Hongxia opened her eyes and looked at Liang in her arms.

Because of the high degree of prosthetic modification, Yamada Ryo looks very young, and even has some shadows of the time when he ended the band.

In reality, Hong Xia had no right to say she was cool; her prosthetics were no less than the other person's. If Hong Xia were to appear on the streets of 2022, she would surely be mistaken for a 24-year-old in her prime.

Their faces are still the same as they were back then.

But their inner selves are already very different.

"What on earth made you become like this?"

Hongxia asked Liang's corpse, as if she could really get up and answer the question.

So Hongxia closed her eyes and asked again.

"What made you like this?"

"It's Hongxia's fault."

Hongxia heard a serious reply.

That was a voice she would never mishear and would never forget.

"It's because Hong Xia spoiled me too much that I became like this. So, it's all Hong Xia's fault."

Hongxia opened her eyes.

At a distance where they could feel each other's breath, Liang's golden eyes flashed with dazzling light.