If I were to rate the things that happened ever since I died from one to ten, with ten as the highest, I'd choose three.
Why?
I'm becoming more convinced that this was nothing but a mistake. Nichen was probably laughing his ass off at my expense.
And not going to lie, I could imagine him doing that with a freshly opened cocktail in an expensive-looking golden chalice.
I still gave them three because of Winter. She was the only good thing that happened, among other things.
Though, now that I think about it, I wonder what happened to her. The brief shift of my thoughts caused me to almost fall on the sand.
If not for Fifi, I would have lost my balance and burned my face with sand particles.
Sweat trickled from my forehead,
I avoided looking Fifi in the eye. In fact, I was avoiding looking at her at all costs.
It was fatal that I kept my thoughts clean. If this happened while I was in a dragon form, I might die in Fifi's hands instead of the monster I'd be facing.
With that in mind, I immediately took my arm away and looked in the other direction. Fifi must have noticed it, but I had no time to be a considerate human at the moment.
My morals were in danger, and I'm afraid I can't keep working with Fifi this way.
"You're mad at me, are you not?"
I imagined her letting the two ends of her fingers touch from point to point, finally taking into account how I must be feeling.
I wanted to correct her misconception but thought better about it.
Hence, I walked straight ahead, folding my arms over my chest.
A soft wind was whistling in the surrounding. Its breath was warm, not helping with the sticky feeling I was already experiencing.
The sun was high enough, letting me know it was not the best time of the day.
Still, I haven't seen any sign of life around. Or any architecture.
"How far are we from the closest city?"
Fifi harrumph. She muttered some words I couldn't understand. It left me feeling a little guilty for not telling her the reason why I couldn't look at her.
But I couldn't bring myself to be honest with her. Let her misjudge me, but I'm putting some self-restraint here. It was the right thing to do.
I consider myself a decent human.
Although, the term human in this situation seemed meaningless.
Am I even human?
I never gave it a thought.
First off, I already died. So, to put it lightly, I'm not supposed to be here.
Yet, Nirvana had other plans for me.
Next: the evolution.
A plain mortal couldn't do that. Could they?
Even Bronn had admitted before that he gave some things up to become the leader he was.
I think I understand what he meant now. But did that imply he happened to have died just as I did and acquired a system like Fifi? Does that make me half like him?
The idea prompted my lips to part into a smile.
Bronn had always been my hero. Aside from my parents, to who I owe my life and all. What kind of a child wouldn't be impressed by a man saving the Universe from getting invaded?
Additionally, the guy had it all.
The looks, the body, you can name it.
I glanced at my body and sighed.
Without even needing to check the profile, I was sure I was still the seventeen-year-old Exo, clueless and probably useless if not for keeping my brains intact.
Clearing her throat, Fifi caught my attention.
I gave her a backward glance, catching her glare before she fixed her expression into a grimace.
"Tollista is the closest. As I've told you, you could meet Bronn. But, please remember that you can't tell him who you are and why you're here."
I narrowed my gaze at Fifi, finally able to control my thoughts and where I was looking.
I need to focus on her face.
Her brows were arched beautifully, and her lips were curved in a frown. She could be mad or wear rags and have messy hair, but that wouldn't make her ugly in any aspect.
"Why? He and I might be on the same boat."
Fifi clicked her tongue, clearly annoyed. The look she was giving me told me how stupid she thought I was at the moment.
I earnestly wish her child-like and innocent version would replace the current one.
"Haven't you ever considered that we're in the past? You can't tell him about yourself, which would lead to a consequence you do not want to imagine."
"Well," I looked at Fifi, forcing my eyes to focus on her face. "Aren't we here to change history?"
Fifi snorted.
"Not entirely."
It was my turn to snort.
"Still, we are changing something. Didn't you tell me I'm not at that level where I can fight the higher-level monsters? Therefore, I need all the help I can find. Not to mention, Bronn was the one who closed the portal."
Fifi went silent. She pouted and walked ahead.
I opened my mouth to say something but stopped when I saw the first sign of civilization from a distance.
A broad golden gate gleamed, beckoning for any visitor to come and go inside.
"Wow," I whistled. "I never had the chance of seeing the outside of Tollista. I didn't even know they have a golden gate."
Fifi scoffed.
"You know nothing most of the time."
"Ey!" I clicked my tongue. "That's not true. And by the way, you haven't even responded to my question. Do you think I have forgotten?"
Fifi pretended to be deaf. She walked on, ignoring me for the most part until we got close to the gate.
I could hear some noises. A mixture of yelling and people talking.
There were also types of machinery whirring in the background.
Standing outside the gate, I noticed the intricate carvings on them. It was of a dragon circling each other while their mouths were wide open. A circular ball with flames was to be seen on each of them.
I had an odd feeling about that for some reason.
Fifi turned to me, her face a mask of all seriousness.
"Have you ever thought that there might have been someone else?"
I blinked, confused at her question.
With a sigh, she rolled her eyes and scoffed.
"Keep that in mind, Exo. And remember, do not tell anyone, especially Bronn, who and what you are."
With that, Fifi vanished before me, leaving a trail of silver sparkles in her wake.