By the sea. The beach. The sunshine.
Riku, wearing only swim trunks, lay on a beach chair, squinting comfortably behind his sunglasses. A chilled drink, still radiating a frosty mist, sat on the small table beside him. Aside from the lack of some bikini-clad scenery, everything was perfect.
"Daddy!"
"Daddy!"
"Daddy!"
A cute, tender, yet energetic shout came from behind him.
"Klee..."
Riku's tone immediately turned gentle, not the romantic kind of gentleness, but a parental affection. It was a feeling that no one but a parent could truly understand.
He naturally opened his arms, and a small, warm figure pounced into his embrace. Like a little kitten, she nuzzled around before picking a comfortable spot and sitting right down.
"Daddy!"
This exquisitely carved little person was a miniature version of Alice, her chubby baby cheeks looking incredibly adorable.
Riku's smile grew increasingly warm and kind.
Ten years had passed.
Well... actually.
Riku and Alice were both quite the characters. One was not exactly a career-driven person but was highly motivated, while the other was a mischievous, eccentric soul.
In short, both were professional troublemakers.
As a result, once the child was born, neither was in a hurry to do anything else. They planned to spend a few years properly accompanying their child through her childhood.
As for the [Longhuang Universe], nothing unexpected would happen for the time being.
Riku's arrival had extended its lifespan. Klee's birth had extended it even further.
Calculating by time, it would take an incredibly long period for Extinction to fully guide the universe toward its end.
"Daddy, Mommy told Klee she's going to take Klee to other universes to blast fish!"
Klee's big eyes blinked, her little face flushed with excitement. She looked absolutely thrilled.
Riku did not even pause, smiling directly as he said, "Of course you can."
Klee currently looked about the size of a four or five-year-old child.
Barring any surprises, it was unlikely she would grow much more for a very long time. Her life level was simply too high.
Alice was of the Elf Species, whose childhood was measured in centuries. As for Klee's childhood? That might last for billions of years, or even longer.
It could not be helped. As the "Daughter of the Universe," Klee's birth was akin to the universe gestating a new universe. That gestation period was simply too long.
"Yay!"
Klee cheered. She was still a child, after all; going somewhere new to play was naturally very exciting.
Since birth, Klee had lived on this planet created by Riku. It was not that the planet was not large, well, actually, it was not that big, only about one-tenth the size of Earth.
Riku had not intended to create a vast, majestic world; this was his home, and it did not need to be huge, just cozy enough.
But for a child like Klee, who was practically a carbon copy of her mother, ten years was enough to explore every corner. She naturally wanted to go out and play.
However, Riku and Alice had not dared to take her out before. They certainly had the power to protect their daughter, but there was too much Extinction outside. What if something happened?
She was their true treasure.
"Darling, Klee!"
As the father and daughter were happily chatting, the mother's call came from afar.
Riku picked Klee up and sat her on his shoulders.
"Horsey ride!" Klee shouted happily, waving her little hands. "Mommy, Mommy..."
"Klee is so cute!" Alice ran over and playfully tapped Klee's little head.
Klee held onto Riku's head with both hands and rested her chin on top of it.
Riku said amusedly, "What's this? Alice, you cannot hold back anymore and want to go out and play?"
"Darling..." Alice drawled playfully. "How can you call it playing? I am doing this to help provide for this family! Besides, Darling, don't you think this beach is missing something?"
Riku paused and instinctively asked, "Missing what?"
Alice blinked her eyes and giggled. "Missing bikini-clad scenery, of course!"
Riku could not be bothered with her. This woman had simply chickened out.
Yes, chickened out.
As a "talk-only" expert, Alice's "strength" was great, but she talked a big game and then lost every time. Eventually, she resorted to sleeping with their daughter to avoid him, acting as if she did not understand what he was talking about.
"The Universe Gate is completely finished. I have already tested it. The initial link is to two worlds. I have sensed one of them; that universe just had a bit of 'fun,' so you can go check it out."
Holding his daughter's leg with one hand, Riku flicked his other hand. A Universe Gate resembling a Myōjinmon landed on the beach.
Alice became even more interested, asking curiously, "What do you mean by 'had a bit of fun'?"
Riku began to explain.
For a universe to evolve, it needs the Universe Energy brought by the development of civilizations. But sometimes, what happens if a civilization stops developing?
Following the universe's instinct, it will begin to apply pressure. If the civilization withstands the pressure, they evolve. If they fail? They start over from scratch.
The universe does not care about the time it takes.
In a sense, Extinction is the final trial that sweeps across the entire universe.
"So, they messed up?" Alice's big eyes were already sparkling.
Riku nodded with a smile. "I have not looked into it too closely, but they probably messed up. It is perfect for you to go watch the show and handle things according to the plan."
Alice gave an "OK" gesture, indicating there was no problem at all.
"Eh?" At that moment, the little cutie tilted her head curiously. "Daddy, aren't you coming with Mommy and me?"
The little one seemed unhappy; she thought it was a family of three going on a trip together.
Riku patted her leg and said gently, "Klee, Daddy has a few things to take care of. It will not take long, and then I will take you and Mommy on a trip, okay?"
"Okay!" Being a child, Klee was easily distracted and her mood brightened instantly.