When you're eagerly anticipating the finish line, a seemingly short stretch of road always inexplicably becomes impossibly long.
Black Tower listened to Qi Zhimu bicker with countless versions of himself for a full hour.
It never stopped, but it was actually quite good.
In such a bizarre scenario, cursing can be an art form.
"Mr. Creditor, maybe it's best not to bring family into this... after all, they bear your likeness."
"Oh, that? No big deal. Have you forgotten my origins?"
Qi Zhimu said nonchalantly:
"I'm a Virtual Substance Lifeform created by you humans. Where would I get a family register? I can curse to my heart's content."
They walked for another half hour.
Qi Zhimu's footsteps grew heavier and heavier.
Looking down, he saw the ground beneath his feet had, at some point, also turned into mirrors. Hands reached out from them, grabbing his ankles.
"Tch, petty tricks."
Qi Zhimu simply ignored them.
However, continuing on, it wasn't just hands reaching out anymore.
Figures from the mirrors emerged halfway, blocking the path. Their faces were frighteningly pale, twisted with deep-seated hatred, muttering incessantly.
"It's all your fault! The supernova outburst is nothing but a lie!"
"I hate you! I hate you so much!!!"
"Black Tower... stay... stay... You are destined to fail your mission..."
"Your family died saving Azure Star... If you don't stay, you'll die too..."
"Keep going, and your friends will die... and then it'll be your turn..."
"Your *Azure Star expletive* turn my foot!"
Qi Zhimu tried kicking, and unexpectedly, he really sent the thing blocking the way flying.
"Oh? Got a physical form now? Then let you things experience what 'Shadowless Kick' really means."
Although he could kick the blocking things into wisps of gray mist, the voices still spread, seeping inexorably into Black Tower's mind.
"Ghosts in every sense of the word. As everyone knows, Virtual Substance Lifeforms aren't invincible; many possess human-like intelligence."
"But why would even ghosts bully the weak and fear the strong? Could it be because the 'invincible' setting isn't allowed to exist and can't be replicated, so ghosts learned this instead?"
"Ugh..."
"Hey kid, if you're hungry, just hold on a bit longer. There's not much road left. Once we get through here, I'll give you something to eat."
"...The food you have stored... it's not human meat, is it...?" Black Tower covered her head.
"That's right. So, dare to eat it?"
"You... you keep it... I won't take what someone else cherishes..." Black Tower said haltingly.
"What a shame. Then let me tell you a not-so-heartwarming little story instead. The time... ah, I remember now."
Qi Zhimu thought for a moment and began narrating:
"This little story happened not long ago. A spaceship from your Azure Star encountered a rather troublesome Virtual Substance Lifeform, crashed deep into the illusory memory substance world. The ship was destroyed, but the people weren't dead."
"Before the engine power system completely failed, those inside sent a distress signal."
"Some time later, I saw several spaceships plunge into the illusory memory substance world, heading towards the deep crash site. Sadly, not a single one flew back."
"No one could find the people who sent the distress signal. Do you know why?"
Black Tower now knew Qi Zhimu loved to be cryptic and ask rhetorical questions, so she played along: "Tell me."
"Because that Virtual Substance Lifeform's setting is a vengeful spirit who died in a helicopter crash."
"You humans love creating ghost stories. Well, now you see the result. That vengeful spirit will chase and kill any vehicle it sees flying in the sky, not stopping until it brings it down."
"Perhaps the person inside was important. Several more ships went to rescue without hesitation later. Sigh, wasted lives."
"...Is this still a 'little story'? It should be called an 'accident'." Black Tower retorted.
"Makes sense, then 'accident' it is."
"Was that vengeful spirit's territory very large? As far as I know, rescue ships have tracking. Seeing so many people lose contact in the same area, they should have rerouted."
"Ah, kid, oh kid... have you ever considered one possibility?"
Qi Zhimu sighed and lightly tapped the girl's forehead with his index finger.
"The crash site of the distress ship is the very center of the helicopter vengeful spirit's territory. So, no matter how many rescue ships come, they're just delivering themselves to death."
"Unless that unlucky bastard being chased has accumulated virtue for several lifetimes like you, and encounters a reasonable Virtual Substance Lifeform like me, otherwise..."
Seeing Black Tower's low spirits, Qi Zhimu tapped her forehead again.
"I'm not saying this to discourage you, but to lift your spirits, to hurry and bring the news back to Azure Star."
"So many ships were willing to die to go in for rescue. It means what the unlucky bastard has is very important, or he himself is very important."
"Return to Azure Star earlier, and you can organize a rescue or find a way to recover the important items."
"Mr. Creditor, you make it sound so good. Actually, you want to eat me sooner, right?" Black Tower asked in return.
"Wow, you saw right through me! Oh dear, I really am too honest, can't hide my thoughts."
"...You'd better go back to telling bad jokes."
"You should have said so earlier! That's one of my strong character traits!"
When it came to bad jokes, Qi Zhimu's eyes lit up.
"Do you know why superheroes on Azure Star always wear tight suits? Because saving people is 'tight' (urgent)."
"Why are math books always so sad? Because they have too many problems."
"..."
Black Tower actually felt a bit of admiration for him.
The bad jokes poured out endlessly, with no repeats, though some she genuinely didn't understand.
Thus, under the bombardment of bad jokes and a flurry of Shadowless Kicks along the way, they reached the finish line.
A door suddenly appeared in sight and opened.
The noise, countless times more terrifying than a piercing shriek, abruptly ceased.
Qi Zhimu, finding his abilities restored, held Black Tower with one arm and turned to look back.
Those abominations that had been spewing curses were still there, just no longer speaking.
"It's better to resolve grievances than to hold onto them, and settling scores on the spot is most appropriate."
Tap—
A snap echoed.
A scorching heat surged from above.
Black Tower looked up and saw a fireball covering the sky descending, carrying an aura of world-destroying power.
"Is this your forbidden spell?"
"forbidden spells aren't that weak."
Two figures, one large and one small, passed through the doorway without a glance at the space behind them, which instantly transformed into a sea of fire.
Walking in the transition passage, Black Tower felt something suddenly being shoved into her mouth.
"...A lollipop?"
"That's right! Grape flavor. Do you like it?"
"Honestly, not really. But I don't have the luxury to be picky. I just didn't expect you to have candy on you."
"Life isn't easy, the mage sighs. Occasionally, I have to cosplay as Santa Claus handing out candy just to get by."
"Are you sure it's not about handing out candy to trick and eat pretty little girls?" Black Tower asked in return.
"A mere emergency ration actually understands me so well! You know too much! It seems I can't keep you around for long; I must eat you quickly!"