Is this another one of those vile choices?
Bullying Keqing again?
When I was eight, even teaming up with a bunch of ruffians, I could barely overpower young Keqing. Now, after years of martial arts training, she'd destroy me effortlessly.
Besides, bullying a girl with other boys is bad enough—but doing it alongside other girls? If I stooped that low, I wouldn't have the face to show up at school again.
"I choose the third option."
[You step forward, push the girls aside, and declare arrogantly, "Get lost! Don't you know that in this school, only I am allowed to bully her?"]
[Being the school bully, your reputation precedes you. The girls hesitate, mutter a few complaints, and eventually leave. Xiao Wan, the beautiful leader of the group, throws you and Keqing a complicated look before walking away. You ignore her.]
Hey, pay attention to me!
This Xiao Wan girl looks straight out of a shoujo manga—a typical female antagonist. Don't just dismiss her like that!
[You reach out to help Keqing up, but she slaps your hand away. Her tear-streaked face twists with fury as she yells, "Stop pretending to be kind! Do you think I'll forgive you for this? Never! Everything that's happened to me is because of you! I hate you! I'll hate you forever!"]
Though these are just words, Nolan could almost feel her hatred.
She's right. Every misfortune Keqing suffers traces back to that punch I threw years ago.
If not for that incident, her talent and charisma would have made her well-liked—an exceptional student.
Even though we've developed a twisted sort of "friendship" over time, the truth is, I've always been a jerk, and Keqing has always resented me.
[Keqing runs away, covering her face. In her rush, she leaves behind one of her shoes. Your choices are:]
1. Chase after her and return the shoe
2. Take Keqing's shoe
3. Use Keqing's shoe for... something else
What the hell?!
The first two options seem reasonable, but the third? That's straight-up perverse!
Of course, Nolan is torn. The first option feels too redeeming for someone playing the villain. As for the third... while curiosity itches, it's bound to steer the story into bizarre territory.
"I'll take Keqing's shoe."
[You pick up Keqing's shoe without any further action.]
[Reward: Keqing's Shoe ×1 (Claimable after the simulation ends)]
What am I supposed to do with this reward?
[The next day, you arrive at school to find everyone giving you odd looks. To your horror, the bulletin board—and countless other places—are plastered with photos of Keqing feeding you lunch on the rooftop, accompanied by captions like "slut" and "shameless."]
[Back in class, you find Xiao Wan and her group bullying Keqing again. Waving the incriminating photos, they mock her cruelly, "Look at this little slut fawning over him! Disgusting! Who knows what they're doing on the rooftop every day?"]
[Keqing keeps her head down, silently wiping her tears. Your choices are:]
1. Kick Keqing while she's down
2. Beat up the girls bullying Keqing
3. Stay silent and act like you didn't see anything
Damn it! My blood is boiling! Wait...
Nolan suddenly realizes something.
If bullying Keqing counts as "villainy," doesn't beating up other bullies also qualify as "villainy"?
The system only requires evil acts; it doesn't specify who the target has to be.
A wicked smile spreads across Nolan's face as he makes his choice:
"Beat up the girls bullying Keqing."
[Without hesitation, you swing your fist. Despite never training in martial arts, an instinctive move—Charging Fist—comes to mind. Your punch smashes into Xiao Wan's face, leaving it bloodied.]
[Reward: D-Rank Blind Box ×5 (Claimable after the simulation ends)]
As expected—violence, regardless of the target, still counts as evil.
[The other girls recoil in shock. One stammers, "You're a boy! How can you hit girls?" Your response is...]
1. Because I'm uncivilized
2. Do I need a reason to hit you?
3. Are girls more precious than boys? I punch girls too!
Nolan chuckles darkly. Fighting violence with violence might be wrong, but it sure feels satisfying.
"Are girls more precious than boys? I punch girls too!"
[Reward: D-Rank Blind Box ×3 (Claimable after the simulation ends)]
[Provoked by your words, chaos erupts. The boys who usually follow you join the fight. Even Keqing, snapping under pressure, retaliates against her tormentors.]
[Though you win the fight, the consequences are severe. All participants, including you, are suspended for a month.]
[Being a spoiled rich kid, you spend the month enjoying yourself. But when you return to school, you discover Keqing has dropped out.]
Her departure leaves Nolan with an empty feeling.
Though he tried to defend Keqing, his actions only worsened her plight, forcing her family to leave Liyue.
--------
Most students at Tianquan Academy come from powerful families. Offending so many influential peers made it impossible for Keqing's family to remain in Liyue.
At this point, Keqing hadn't yet become the Yuheng Star of Liyue's Qixing. She could only accept her cruel fate.
[Age 14]
After Keqing's departure, you continued your reign of arrogance at school, but it somehow felt hollow. Unexpectedly, Xiao Wan confessed her feelings to you.
"It turns out I hated Keqing because of you," she admitted. "I've always liked you, Nolan. That's why I didn't hold a grudge over what you did to me."
Wait... what?
No wonder she always targeted Keqing. No wonder my punishment for the brawl was so light. She's been covering for me all along.
How much of a masochist is this girl?
Now Nolan understood why some delinquent boys seemed irresistible to middle-school girls—they were drawn to chaos and dysfunction.
Faced with Xiao Wan's confession, your choices are:
1. Sorry, I already like someone else.
2. Want me to like you? Then be my dog.
3. Get lost! I hate women the most!
Nolan couldn't stomach the thought of dating someone who bullied others, so he chose:
"Option 3."
[You glare at Xiao Wan and shout, "Get lost! I hate women the most!" She runs off in tears.]
[Reward: Talent – Heavy Punch]
[Effect: Increases damage to the opposite sex by 20%.]
[Age 15]
You graduate.
[Age 16]
You inherit the family business and begin dabbling in trade.
[Age 17]
On a whim, you ask someone to investigate Keqing's whereabouts. The news devastates you: her family has fallen, her father has passed away, and Keqing herself is missing.
[Age 18]
Using the connections you cultivated at school, combined with ruthless business tactics, you quickly establish yourself in Liyue Harbor.
[Age 19]
Despite receiving countless marriage proposals, you reject them all.
[Age 20]
The Abyss Order's activities in Liyue intensify. Ningguang deploys the Millelith to counter them, but they suffer heavy losses. Survivors speak of a mysterious, purple-haired female officer wielding the power of Electro—a figure they call the "Thunder Calamity Rakshasa."
[Age 21]
The Abyss Order becomes even bolder, exterminating entire families. Xiao Wan's family is among their victims. You realize the targets are all families tied to girls who once bullied Keqing.
[Age 22]
Unease gnaws at you. You hire bodyguards, but it's not enough. One day, while traveling in a sedan, you hear the sounds of fighting. Stepping out, you find your guards slain.
Approaching you is a figure you recognize instantly: Keqing.
Her once-familiar face is marred by blue Abyssal patterns, and one of her eyes glows blood-red. Despite the changes, her wicked smile is unmistakable.
"Nolan," she says, her voice laced with malice. "It's your turn."
Before you can speak, she lunges. Her sword cuts cleanly, and the world spins as your head separates from your body. The last thing you see is her bloodthirsty grin.
[Simulation Ended]
Cause of death: Killed by "Dark Keqing."
Overall rating: Never underestimate a woman.
Rewards have been distributed and can be viewed at any time.
"What... what the hell?!"
The ending leaves Nolan both frustrated and amused.
Who would have guessed that in this simulation, Keqing would fall to darkness and join the Abyss Order?
But wait—according to the lore, members of the Abyss Order are typically remnants of Khaenri'ah. How did a native of Liyue like Keqing join their ranks and gain such terrifying power?
The scenario doesn't make sense. Thankfully, it's just a virtual simulation with no real-life consequences.
Even though Nolan died at 24 in the simulation, the rewards were worth it.
[Please choose one of the following inherent talents for your next simulation:]
1. Evil Deeds
2. Notorious
3. Try Again
All three talents are purple, with no obvious ranking.
But in terms of utility, "Try Again" stands out.
This simulation system is unforgiving; one wrong choice can lead to a premature death. Having a chance to retry could be a lifesaver.
"I choose Try Again."
[Acquired inherent talent: Try Again]
[Try Again (Purple): Avoid death once per simulation. In reality, it has a one-month cooldown.]
What?!
Nolan's eyes widen. This talent works in real life too? And it isn't a one-time thing?
The long cooldown is understandable for such a powerful life-saving ability.
As for the remaining rewards, Nolan receives nine D-grade blind boxes.
[D-grade loot box: Opening it grants a D-grade reward. (Three boxes of the same grade can be combined into a higher-grade box.)]
"Combine them all into three C-grade boxes, then into one B-grade box!"
All in. Go all in!
[Opening B-grade loot box…]