Acheron fell deep into thought.
Something's off.
Really, seriously off.
If!
Right now, the Galaxy Rangers are still active, and Tiernan is still roaming with them.
And if that big guy, Zulo, isn't dead yet…
Then what about Celenova?
Celenova became the Emanator of Destruction who replaced Zulo.
If Zulo isn't dead, then wouldn't Celenova still be back with the Family, acting as one of their leaders?
Damn!
This is gonna be a huge problem!
Bai Ming instantly realized something gravely serious.
If Zulo isn't dead, then Celenova hasn't been born yet.
In that case, her impersonation of Celenova isn't just about posing as an existing Emanator of Destruction.
It means this universe would suddenly have an eighth Emanator of Destruction out of nowhere!
Holy crap…
If things really go that way, then Nanook would definitely, one hundred percent, set his sights on her.
And more importantly, based on her past experiences, Bai Ming was sure—emotional value not provided by the person herself was shockingly low.
Heavens know how many strangers' emotional energy it would take to push the progress bar even one percent.
So here's the problem.
Since Celenova doesn't even exist right now.
Where is she supposed to find the "original" to provide that emotional value?
Without the real one to boost her progress bar…
How is she supposed to fill that gap?
Bai Ming felt the problem was utterly unmovable.
If she couldn't get emotional value from an original Celenova that didn't exist…
Just how big of a mess would she have to stir to make up for that deficit?
--+--
Acheron watched as 'Acheron' sank into bewildered thought.
She sensed something too.
This reaction of hers was strange.
Very off, in fact.
Still, she waited until 'Acheron' emerged from her thoughts.
Only then did she speak:
"You… know something, don't you? That's why you acted so strange earlier."
'Acheron' scratched her head awkwardly.
She had no idea how to explain. Should she say that at some unknown point in the future, the Galaxy Rangers would gather to wage war against the Emanator of Destruction, Zulo?
That many rangers would fall, becoming Sin Thirsters?
No, that's not right.
Then—a flash of insight.
That Emanator of Destruction, Celenova, if she remembered right, was born from the ashes of Aelenev, the Eternal Centurion.
Or if not Aelenev, then one of Xipe's avatars. Either way, she originated from The Family.
Which meant…
This Celenova, while an Emanator of Destruction, also had some command over Harmony.
Fitting her style of leading legions into battle.
Since Zulo wasn't dead yet, the Galaxy Rangers should still be fairly numerous. Which meant her act of posing as a ranger would likely be exposed by the real ones soon enough.
She could use that connection to get close to the rangers.
Then, under the identity of the Emanator of Destruction Celenova, lead them in a campaign against Zulo.
And if there was time to spare, use the same power to take Tiernan and stir up trouble on Penacony.
The death of Shuhu…could steadily provide several percentage points toward the progress bar.
Zulo was far more notorious than Shuhu.
If she could really lead the Galaxy Rangers to take down Zulo…
She might just fill the remaining progress bar.
The only risk was—
The moment she used the Celenova character card, Nanook would definitely appear.
Might even cause some real trouble.
And if she, as an Emanator of Destruction, moved against Zulo, what if the other Emanators caught wind and showed up?
That would be dangerous.
After all, Celenova was born from Harmony, and she favored group combat.
If she went up against someone like Zephyro, she'd definitely be on the losing side.
So…
'Acheron' lifted her gaze to the lady standing quietly beside her, waiting.
That formidable blade technique unique to Acheron—she had to obtain it when rewards were settled.
Otherwise, she really wouldn't feel confident.
Just then, a hand reached toward 'Acheron's' head.
Acheron ruffled her hair and asked with a smile, "What's on your mind? Your expression says it all."
"Thinking about what to do next."
Acheron heard this and asked curiously, "Going to impersonate someone else again?"
"Mmm… yes, and it's a rather troublesome identity."
"What identity?"
"An Emanator of Destruction."
"…"
Acheron didn't know why Bai Ming would choose such a dangerous role. But judging by her earlier behavior, maybe it wasn't entirely her choice.
"Are you confident?"
"It should be manageable. I'm just worried the other Emanators might gang up on me."
Acheron smiled faintly.
"If you can't win, run. Come find me here. But don't go doing evil in the name of an Emanator, or I'll have to fight you too."
It wasn't that Acheron thought she could take on several Emanators alone.
But this place was a gateway to the River of Forgetfulness.
This was her domain. In theory, no one else would dare go all-out here.
Plus, with Bai Ming's resistance and the Emanator she'd be embodying, driving off a few attackers shouldn't be a problem.
"Thank you, Mei."
'Acheron' looked at Acheron, deeply moved.
So much so that she couldn't help calling her by that name—Raiden Mei.
Acheron was caught off guard by the address.
Then she smiled and pinched Bai Ming's cheek.
"You've got nerve, calling me by my name like that."
--+--
More than ten days passed in a flash.
During this time, 'Acheron' devoted herself almost entirely to studying blade techniques.
Not only did she successfully develop her own unique style, even Acheron herself, with the aid of the pills that allowed full immersion in sword practice, reached new heights during their weeks of sparring.
Bai Ming glanced at her status panel:
--+--
[Role-Playing System]
[Name: Bai Ming (Acheron)]
[Lifespan: 240 - 59:53 (Paused) + 1 Day (Role-Play)]
[Transformable Roles: Big Herta (Charge: 35.2%), Acheron, Celenova]
[Gacha Attempts: 0 (50.4%)]
--+--
The role-play time showed one day left, but it was actually less than half a day.
Just about as she'd estimated.
Over these final twenty days, as news of Shuhu's death spread, her progress bar steadily rose to fifty percent.
But these last couple of days, it had slowed.
Probably because most who would be shocked by the news had already heard.
And the majority… simply didn't care whether Shuhu lived or died.
After all, what did it have to do with them?
Acheron observed Bai Ming's demeanor and guessed the time was almost up.
"Time to go?"
"Mhm. But with my resistance to Nihility, I'll be back often. Just… my face might be different each time." 'Acheron' nodded.
Then she stepped forward and hugged Acheron once more.
"Before you go, can I see who you'll become? So I don't mistake you for someone else." Acheron gazed at Bai Ming with a soft smile.
She truly wondered how the other managed such flawless impersonations.
"Of course. Watch closely, then."
--+--