His eyes landed on Kamisato Ayaka's name.
"…What the hell? Why did her Corruption Value spike this much?"
Ayaka's Corruption Value had already been dangerously high at 90. Now it had shot up to 99.9.
Just a sliver away from 100.
[Ayaka's emotions from the life simulation have been projected into reality. Her Corruption Value has been projected as well.]
[Recent events in the real world have intensified her emotional state. She is on the verge of irreversible corruption.]
Real events…
Kael immediately thought of Kazuha on the Alcor.
This must be connected to Inazuma's Vision Hunt Decree and Sakoku Decree.
[If Ayaka reaches a Corruption Value of 100, she will fully corrupt and become a villain. Once she reaches 100, her personality shift becomes permanent.]
"You mean she won't ever turn back?"
[Correct. System calculations show that a corrupted Ayaka would cause catastrophic consequences for Inazuma and possibly all of Teyvat.]
Kael wasn't surprised she had that kind of potential. Her gentle personality hid incredible intelligence and power.
If someone like her turned into a villain… the damage would be unimaginable.
Kael frowned. "So what do I do? Sail to Inazuma and lower her Corruption Value?"
[No. Too late. She could hit 100 at any moment. And since you haven't unlocked Inazuma's map, sailing from Liyue would take at least three days.]
"So I'm just supposed to watch her fall apart?"
He'd hurt her in the simulation once already. Now reality wanted to break her too?
[There is one remaining option. I can reopen that segment of the life simulation. Host will re-enter it to continue the story and erase Ayaka's Corruption Value.]
"Do it."
Kael agreed instantly.
"Boar King Brother?"
Klee tugged his sleeve. "Weren't we going to Liyue?"
Kael patted her head.
"Of course. I was just thinking about where to take you."
"Hehe. Klee wants good food! And new friends!"
"Okay. I'll make sure you get both."
Once he soothed her, he spoke to the System silently.
"What now?"
[The previous life simulation has already closed. Your body and soul in that world have dissipated. To reopen it, you must enter through Sensory Mode and live in that timeline for a while.]
[I'll copy your consciousness and decision-making.]
[When the copy completes, you can exit. The replicated consciousness will take your place.]
Kael exhaled slowly.
"Fine. Let's do it."
[Life Simulation restarting. Objective: eliminate Kamisato Ayaka's Corruption Value. Begin now?]
"Yes."
The world froze.
Leaves hung suspended midair. People stopped mid-step like statues.
Even Klee's leg, lifted to kick a pebble, froze in place.
[Life Simulation has begun. Host may activate Sensory Mode at any moment. This Sensory Mode will not consume Attribute Points. The System will… co…ver… the cost.]
The System's voice glitched with mechanical distortion.
Kael could practically feel its resentment.
This Sensory Mode must be long…
And expensive.
[The Traveler, Lumine, defeated the Raiden Shogun within the Plane of Euthymia. Not long after, the Vision Hunt Decree and the Sakoku Decree were officially abolished.]
[The Raiden Shogun has begun reexamining the meaning of "eternity." Inazuma may soon enter a new era.]
[The Traveler visited the Kamisato estate, sharing the good news with Kamisato Ayato and Kamisato Ayaka, who had supported her throughout the ordeal.]
[Ayato smiled with relief. "If Kael were here, he'd be thrilled. His dream has finally been fulfilled. Ayaka, you can finally…"]
[Ayato froze mid-sentence.]
[He saw his gentle, elegant sister staring at the Traveler with a gaze so cold it could pierce bone.]
["Why didn't you kill her?"]
[The Traveler blinked, stunned. "What?"]
["You defeated her. Why didn't you finish her off?!"]
[Ayaka's expression twisted into something unhinged.]
["A new beginning for Inazuma? Don't make me laugh! What has the so-called Archon ever brought us?"]
["For the sake of eternity, she ignored calamities, treated her people like livestock, and forced all of Inazuma to live under the shadow of Musou no Hitotachi!"]
["She is the source of every tragedy!"]
["And now, with one flimsy promise to 'reconsider eternity,' all her sins are forgiven?!"]
["The dead will never return!"]
["He will never return!"]
[Ayaka's bloodshot eyes locked onto the Traveler. "You wasted the perfect chance."]