58. The Troubles of a Troublemaker and Aponia?
And so, after being saved by Aponia, you joined the sanatorium in Sundown Alley.
However, you didn't join as someone in need of help but rather intended to become a staff member and take part in the sanatorium's daily work.
There were only a few staff members here. In this chaotic area, no one was willing to be a useless do-gooder, taking care of a bunch of patients and children. The elderly sisters were already dim-sighted and frail, so most of the work here was handled by Aponia.
It was a difficult job. Although Aponia always wore a bright smile every day, the dark circles under her eyes couldn't be hidden by makeup. This nun and caretaker had been in a prolonged state of suboptimal health. If not for her youth, she would have collapsed long ago.
Therefore, you decided to help her under the pretext of repaying her life-saving grace, working alongside her as a caretaker in the sanatorium.
However, Aponia refused. She believed that children, especially those like you suffering from Honkai erosion, should live safely and carefree under her protection instead of engaging in strenuous work. She had an overwhelming protective instinct and always hoped that children would live orderly, rule-abiding lives.
So, from the very beginning, she had no intention of letting you work. Instead, she wanted you to enjoy a stable, peaceful, and relaxed life like the other children.
But you had no intention of truly acting like a ten-year-old. Kiana was already capable of taking down Honkai beasts solo at that age. Being forced to play house with them felt like torture.
Thus, with your rich experience as a caretaker, the candies you bought, and stories a hundred times more exciting than Aponia's, you quickly and successfully befriended all the children in the sanatorium. Many of them grew fond of you.
You naturally became involved in the sanatorium's work, skillfully adding various necessary facilities, purchasing medical supplies, and stocking up on all kinds of materials—tasks you had already mastered during your time at Cocolia's orphanage.
Not long after, even the other caretakers acknowledged your abilities. Only one person wasn't quite happy about it—Aponia.
Every time she found you working instead of playing with the children, she would confront you angrily. Her lectures were lengthy and tedious, often lasting nearly an hour, and her grip was incredibly strong—you couldn't break free no matter how hard you tried. You suspected that even as an adult, you wouldn't be able to overpower her.
Left with no choice, you honed your skills in apologizing. Every time Aponia was about to lecture you, you would give her a big hug, nuzzle against her, and say some flattering words. Once she was dazed by the praise, you'd make a quick escape.
Regardless, both Aponia and the other members of the sanatorium had come to accept your presence.
A clever little kid named "Zero."
And you, too, had adapted to this insane and desperate city—Sundown Alley.
Sundown Alley was not just a neighborhood but a city—a city that lacked Gotham's fate but suffered from Gotham's ailments.
It couldn't produce mega-wealthy families like the Bruce Waynes, but alleyways where parents died and people entered with four limbs only to leave with two were everywhere.
Even before the disaster struck, Sundown Alley was already a city in chaos—less a city and more a large slum.
Located at the crossroads of several countries, it was filled with refugees, fugitives, gangsters, and the discarded "garbage" of certain nations. In short, it was a lawless place that no one wanted to govern.
But even the remnants of society had to struggle to survive. They committed crimes and broke the law, yet at the same time, they fueled the city's growth. And so, a twisted, sprawling city came into existence in this world.
The outbreak of the Honkai forced countless people from their homes and, in a way, added a shovelful of fertilizer to the ground growing giant tree that was Sundown Alley.
A few months ago, the Far East, centered on East Asia, was hit with devastating blows.
Then, a massive hurricane outbreak almost instantly destroyed a superpower.
Many fled overseas and ended up in Sundown Alley.
To survive in Sundown Alley, you had to understand the city's unique rules of operation, know the territory and operations of every gang, skillfully build connections with every local power, and keep a low profile.
Or… you had to be strong enough to ignore those who caused trouble.
Thud—thud—boom!
The sound of heavy impacts echoed through a deep alleyway.
Not long after, a boy dressed in simple white clothes walked out of the alley with brisk steps, clapped his hands, counted a stack of bills, and stuffed them into his pocket.
"Thank you for your sponsorship of the sanatorium, kind folks. Next time, remember to bring more people. Oh, and please send my regards to the godfather—and to his child, who's being protected in a cabin in the woods. I can visit anytime."
Turning around, the boy, barely over ten years old, tipped his small top hat and bowed to the adults lying haphazardly on the ground behind him, their clubs and machetes dropped.
Gao Qi walked to his small cart, checked the vegetables and meat he had just bought, and nodded in satisfaction.
"Since you only meant to scare me this time, I'll just let you off with a beating. Next time, I'll invite you to Miss Aponia and let you listen to her holy words—I assume you've heard the rumors?"
Gao Qi had become weaker, but this weakness was relative to himself and the formidable men and women he knew.
Even without the power of a MANTIS and having turned into a child, Gao Qi's strength far surpassed that of ordinary people. Not to mention, after experiencing so many life-and-death battles, his understanding of combat had improved by leaps and bounds.
Moreover, in his last simulation, Gao Qi had struggled as a mercenary in the lawless, chaotic region of Siberia. He was intimately familiar with the ruthless methods Cocolia employed—he just didn't like using them.
But there was no helping it. Gao Qi's current childlike appearance often made people think he was easy to bully.
The sanatorium didn't belong to any of Sundown Alley's factions. All the "godfathers," "bosses," and "hall masters" showed superficial respect for the place, but secretly, everyone hoped to bring it under their control.
After all, in this dog-eat-dog city, it would be even better if the people in the sanatorium—whether patients or children—could serve their own faction.
Of course, the rumors about the nun Aponia were quite frightening.
Thieves caught by her would weep bitterly, begging to be sent to prison rather than endure another lecture.
Many who went to her for confession would suddenly undergo drastic personality changes, as if possessed. Yesterday's scoundrel would become an upstanding, positive person overnight… which was pretty terrifying, no matter how you looked at it.
These rumors made those with ill intentions toward the sanatorium wary, leading them to constantly test its limits. And a certain "little one" who often went out alone became the target of these tests.
Clearly, they had picked the wrong person.
Soon, pushing his small cart, Gao Qi returned to the sanatorium.
"Brother, brother, you're back! Did you bring anything tasty?"
"Brother Zero, Sister Aponia is telling those old stories again. They're so boring! I want to hear about the Coconut Sheep—do Coconut Sheep really exist?"
Soon, a group of chattering children eagerly crowded around.
In the past, if it had been the old Gao Qi, he would have bent down and patted each of their little heads one by one. But now, Gao Qi was about the same height as them and was almost instantly buried within the group, looking rather helpless.
Most of these children suffered from the Honkai disease, with purple markings visible all over their bodies. However, being so young, they were still unaware of the threat this illness posed and continued to live happily day by day.
"Sister Aponia is coming, everyone, run!"
But soon, with the sound of approaching footsteps, the children in the sanatorium immediately scattered in all directions.
Shortly after, Aponia walked gracefully up to Gao Qi. With a calm expression and in a slow, elegant tone, she expressed her dissatisfaction with him.
"Zero, you went out to buy things on your own again. I told you it's dangerous. If something terrible were to happen to you, I would be very sad."
Aponia had always been like this. The children rarely saw her angry. Even when expressing displeasure, her voice remained gentle, as if reciting elegant poetry.
Gao Qi, without hesitation, put on an innocent smile. While sincerely apologizing, he wrapped his arms around Aponia's waist and gave her a big hug.
"Sister Aponia, didn't you say the sanatorium is short on supplies lately? I just went out to buy a lot of things. It was my fault. I'll listen to you obediently from now on. Please forgive me, okay?"
Filled with sincerity, Gao Qi buried his face in Aponia's chest, enjoying a moment of soft comfort. Then, lifting his head from the embrace, he met her gaze, his eyes full of pitiful apology—he was a good, obedient child! He shouldn't be scolded!
Honestly, Gao Qi thought playing the role of a child seemed much more interesting than playing the role of a father.
Aponia hesitated for a moment, her expression as calm as ever. She had always been this composed, seemingly emotionless. But Gao Qi knew that this nun's emotions were richer than those of ordinary people—and more... sorrowful.
"Zero, the number of times you've listened to me doesn't even add up to ten... I just hope you'll listen to me just once."
Her light blue eyes fixed on Gao Qi, Aponia felt somewhat helpless.
This was the first time she had encountered a child so "free-spirited" and "disobedient."
Similar to her ability to perceive fate, Aponia had possessed the power to "persuade" others since her birth in the Backstreets. Her words, once spoken, unconsciously made people want to comply. And if Aponia wished, this "persuasion" could even transform into a "command."
This was also why the sanatorium had been able to exist peacefully until now. Everyone who came looking for trouble had come to recognize their mistakes under her guidance.
Aponia did not reject her two talents. She once believed she could use her persuasive ability to help others change their predetermined fate.
However, so far, such attempts had not been very successful.
But at the very least, she could persuade the children in the sanatorium to stay safely inside, enjoying a happy life under not-too-strict constraints.
In her view, the evil of the Backstreets residents lay in their "freedom." Human actions lead to mistakes, and unrestrained freedom only allows wicked thoughts to grow in people's hearts. She believed this so-called freedom was meaningless and would only harm others.
Everything she experienced in the Backstreets only strengthened her belief in this idea.
Until... the appearance of this child before her.
Aponia's persuasive ability had no effect on the child named "Zero." He had always been disobedient, helping her entirely on his own.
And Aponia could not bring herself to blame him for it. She could only reluctantly accept his help. She had to admit that everything this child did was out of kindness, for her sake and for the sanatorium.
Thinking of this, Aponia could only sigh softly and pat Gao Qi's little head.
This child's fate was tied only to hers, yet he never listened to her. Sometimes, Aponia wondered if the meaning of his existence was to punish her or... to test her?
"Don't say that, Sister Aponia. I've always been thinking of you. Look, aren't the dark circles under your eyes lighter? And haven't all the children been much happier lately?"
Gao Qi had always been aware of Aponia's abilities and understood her troubles. In fact, he was intentionally being a disobedient child.
"Sister Aponia, each of us is an independent individual. No matter how closely connected we are, one person can never act entirely according to another's wishes. Otherwise, we wouldn't be separate beings. It is this very freedom that brings us both suffering and joy, isn't it?"
Gently holding Aponia's hand, Gao Qi, who knew of her future "sins," understood that he couldn't completely persuade her. But he only wanted to slightly change this sister's perspective.
At least... so that she wouldn't have to endure so much pain in the future.
"Such a silver tongue, Zero. I'm just afraid you'll get hurt. If you keep saying such strange things, I'll have to send you to the confessional."
As expected, after carefully considering Gao Qi's words, Aponia merely shook her head gently. Then, holding his hand, she walked with him toward the sanatorium.
"Tonight, as punishment, you'll help me cook. Next time, even if you go out, you must at least tell me in advance—and no more sneaking out by climbing through the window at night. For the next few days, you'll sleep with me!"
To this, Gao Qi happily agreed, obediently letting Aponia lead him to the kitchen.
"Yes, yes, Sister Aponia. I'll listen to you. I'm a good child!"
Watching Gao Qi, who was still pretending to be obedient, saying "yes, yes" but clearly unrepentant, Aponia could only sigh helplessly.
Although she had initially been resistant, unknowingly, Aponia had already come to see him as someone who, like herself, could take care of the children.
"Lately, the weather seems to have turned colder... It's supposed to be summer. How strange. I should remind the children to wear more clothes. Zero, you must dress warmly too."
Suddenly, Aponia shivered and couldn't help but remind Gao Qi.
"Yeah... the weather has turned colder."
Holding Aponia's hand, Gao Qi took a deep breath, feeling the dropping temperatures over the past few days, and narrowed his eyes.
The Herrscher of Ice was about to awaken in the Backstreets, and with it...
Two major characters would arrive.
Gao Qi knew that he might have to get busy soon.Note: I'm new to translating so please be kind and tell me any mistakes you all find, I will try to release a chapter a day but don't expect much
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Raw: 崩坏模拟器,你找的人是我么?