Xu Xiaoyou turned off the TV screen and sighed softly.

On that beach, she had thought about agreeing to the other's request, but their identities were destined - that would only exist in unrealistic fantasies.

In the end, they still headed towards the crossroads of fate.

Anya, who was beside her, was awakened by the noise and, after mumbling a few incoherent words, opened her eyes.

Upon seeing Xu Xiaoyou was fine, Anya's eyes brightened slightly, and she pounced directly onto Xu Xiaoyou, burying her head in the girl's arms.

Xu Xiaoyou didn't say anything, gently wrapped her arm around Anya, and stroked the girl's hair.

Looking at the girl's twitching furry ears, she thought, the other seemed a bit too dependent on her.

Whenever she was in danger, Anya would act as if she had lost her mind, disregarding everything, even risking injury to stand in front of her.

This wasn't a good thing for the Snowfield Wolf.

The Snowfield Wolf is a social animal, tenacious and brave, loyal and unyielding, every Snowfield Wolf has beautiful, smooth fur, like wearing a colorful sunset under the early winter sun. They are beautiful creatures, but therefore coveted by hunters.

Every winter, hunters gather in groups of three or five on the snowfield to conduct a three-month-long hunt. They set up bases on the vast snowfields, light campfires, and use hunting bows and guns to continually shrink the wolves' activity area until driving the pack to places with scarce food and harsh environments.

During this time, snowfield wolves that are not strong-willed, aged, or sick will be caught by hunters for lagging behind the pack.

The fur of a Snowfield Wolf can often be sold for a high price in the upper society of Nest City, made into blankets, clothing, and various ornaments.

The world often harbors malice towards beautiful creatures.

Snowfield Wolf pups must endure tests from a young age; their mother will leave them a kilometer away from the pack. Before the blizzard arrives, they must learn to run, recognize hunters' traps, avoid danger, and obtain food in harsh environments. Only after overcoming these challenges and returning to their mother's side will they become part of the pack.

Nearly ninety percent of the wolf pups are eliminated in this process, freezing to death in the snowfields or perishing under the hunters' pursuit.

Ice and snow forge their steely will, while guns and hunting bows draw out their hot blood.

This Trial of Iron and Blood shatters all their beautiful fantasies about the world and makes them recognize the cruelty of fate.

It brands the malice of the world into their hearts.

Because they are beautiful creatures, shining with captivating radiance from birth.

Xu Xiaoyou thought.

They were meant to be creatures living in the ice and cold; warmth and dependency will only cause their sharp claws to dull, their tenacious nature to become indecisive, and lose their ability to judge.

If this continues, this dependency will slowly become a poison. If one day, she is no longer by the other's side, will Anya even have the ability to survive alone?

[Character Anya's favorability has reached dependency MAX.]

[Favorability plot: Prerequisite 1 for Trial of Iron and Blood has been completed.]

[Favorability plot: Prerequisite 2 for Trial of Iron and Blood: Obtain 'Heart's Desire' ticket pending.]

[Once the current prerequisites are completed, the favorability plot: Trial of Iron and Blood will be unlocked.]

[Through the favorability plot, character Anya will gain enhanced basic attributes, breakthrough attribute lock, breakthrough genetic restriction. Unlock advanced resonance: Endless Desire. Unlock mimicry: Abyssal White Flower. Awaken as the up character Other Shore White Flower — Angelina.]

Looking at the prompt box before her, Xu Xiaoyou's heart skipped a beat.

An indescribable emotion, like thick ink, dripped into her heart, spreading out.

So it means...

From the beginning, I didn't divert from the character, but instead obtained the character card in its infancy?

To be precise, Xu Xiaoyou looked at the new up character, the blue-haired girl on stage.

It was the growth phase.

Suddenly, everything made sense.

Why the small guarantee wasn't followed by a big guarantee, why after ninety draws, the count wasn't reset.

Because from the beginning, I already obtained this character.

No wonder Angelina's artwork also featured white wolf ears; the lance she held left a deep impression on her.

At the time, she found it strange that Anya was of the Gunman profession. The other side, staying with her until now, hadn't really used spear technique abilities, relying more on those sharp claws to tear apart enemies.

Thinking back to that big sister who hit her XP so hard turned out to be the little girl she spent a month with every day, and had sometimes dismissed for her weakness, complex emotions swelled in Xu Xiaoyou's heart.

Anya was holding her, tear stains not yet dry.

[Note: If character Anya cannot unlock the Trial of Iron and Blood or fails during the trial, she will permanently receive the 'Malicious Secret Toxin' effect.]

[Malicious Secret Toxin: Max attribute limit set at 65. Genetic lock sealed. Mimicry shatters, losing awakening ability.]

Xu Xiaoyou's gaze towards Anya changed.

"Trial of Iron and Blood, huh?"

...

The next morning.

Tender green moss grew on the steps, and the peeling walls were covered in graffiti and various slogans, some against the government, some denouncing Cosmic Heavy Industries, but most were curses against the world.

The post-rain dewdrops flowed down the greenish eaves, converging into a small stream, falling onto an iron plate, making a clinking sound; droplets sometimes fell beside the girl's legs, like cheerful elves.

"Hee hee, come catch me."

"Run faster, run faster, whoever gets caught is the ghost."

The joyful shouts of children came from the alley entrance, several kids scattered and ran in different directions, their light footsteps splashing in puddles reflecting their innocent faces, laughter echoing far in the long alley.

The white-haired little girl left behind covered her face facing the wall, counting down aloud.

When the countdown ended, the white-haired little girl turned around, sniffing the air lightly, soon finding the first little girl behind a box.

That little girl wore an adorable floral dress, like a delicate doll, resembling a small flower; even though her hands were covered in fine scars and calluses.

Anya, like a wolf pup catching its first prey, held the girl's hand, grinning wide.

Her smile...

Hmm, a daisy-like smile.

Whether because she was caught painfully or scared by Anya's daisy-like smile, the little girl's face turned slightly white, her lips quivered for a moment before bursting into tears.

Several children emerged from their hiding spots, casting strange glances. Anya felt a bit lost for words, fearing being considered a monster by the other children, unsure how to comfort the girl.

Finally, she mustered courage and gently embraced the crying little girl.

"My ears..."

"You can touch them."

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