After the two of them quickly confirmed no one was nearby...
"This is way too cruel! How could you have the heart to hurt such a cute, beautiful girl? Doesn't your conscience hurt?" Sparkle pointed at the other with a look of utter heartbreak, a truly pitiable sight.
"Humph! Who told you to act like a female pervert? I... this was a reflex. Yes, a reflex!" However, Yunli didn't fall for her act at all. Yet, the crimson on her neck hadn't fully receded; she seemed a bit embarrassed. After all, it seemed she really had gone a bit overboard.
However, the two of them—or more accurately, the one person behind them—didn't dwell too much on the matter. They were somewhat excited at the moment. At the same time, they had roughly figured out the characteristics of the system's characters.
Taking Sparkle and Yunli as examples: First, different characters seemed to be independent; there was no shared perspective or shared consciousness. So there was no need for one person to play two roles, which effectively eliminated the possibility of talking to oneself and eventually developing a split personality when several characters communicate in the future. Furthermore, memories were not shared. Currently, they were unified by Acheron's previous memories, or perhaps the memories from before the characters were summoned.
Finally, and most importantly, was the power of the 'Path'! They now possessed extraordinary power! As a man... at least, formerly one, they had finally obtained this long-coveted power!
...After a brief moment of self-amusement, the two of them gradually calmed down. Like a child getting a favorite toy, the initial thrill of novelty had temporarily passed. Looking at the dilapidated alleyway around them, their gaze then shifted to the two corpses from earlier.
"...So disgusting." Yunli felt slightly uncomfortable, but remained relatively calm.
"Mhm, but... perhaps this world won't be too boring." After her initial surprise, Sparkle's expression quietly shifted into an indefinable emotion.
The 'two' of them chatting didn't feel awkward; that was the benefit of being independent. Yunli tried her best to remain calm and asked, "This counts as our first time killing someone, right?"
"Hurting our dear Mo Xi—this is the end they deserve." Sparkle wore a playful expression, her tone indifferent. It was as if she didn't care at all, like she had just crushed an ant.
Yunli didn't pay attention to Sparkle, and of course, she didn't care; at most, she might have been a little surprised. That's right. If the opponents had been ordinary people, Acheron might have just left them in the hospital for a few months or half their lives. But since 'extraordinary' powers existed in this world as well, and she was no saint, she would definitely not show any mercy.
A few seconds passed, and after thinking it through, Yunli's expression returned to normal. Meanwhile, the slight smile on Sparkle's face remained unchanged.
"It seems this world isn't as safe as it appears on the surface." Yunli suddenly realized another issue. Both of them called out to the system in their minds at the same time.
'System, open character panel.'
[Sparkle: 20%] [Yunli: 10%]
"Reasonably speaking, new characters should start from 0%, but even if they start from 10%, why is yours higher than mine?!"
"Maybe... it's because I'm cute." Sparkle: (≧∀≦)ゞ Yunli: ( ¬_¬")
How come I never noticed I was so... 'cute' before? Yunli massaged her forehead helplessly. "Forget it. I wonder exactly how strong these two are in this world."
"Feels like they're just small fry," Sparkle complained with a look of disdain.
Yunli was noncommittal upon hearing this. In her eyes, those two were indeed small fry—even smaller than small fry. If they were the bottom tier, she conservatively estimated she could probably rank as middle... or upper-middle. Sparkle and Yunli glanced at each other, both understanding that hidden dangers existed in the world.
"Well, it doesn't have much to do with us anyway." "Mhm."
The conversation shifted, and the previously serious atmosphere dissipated. She had promised to enjoy life in this lifetime; as for the system... she'd just let things take their course. Although she didn't know the purpose of the progress bar increasing or filling up, at least she had the ability to protect herself for now. So, she would just be herself. As for specifically role-playing... she would consider that when she was in a better mood.
At this thought, Yunli's expression relaxed, and a smile as bright as spring flowers involuntarily graced the young girl's lips.
"Eh, wouldn't having more characters mean multiple times the 'happiness'?" "Oh? Then this is going to be so much fun!" "By the way... have you thought about what you want to do later?" "Me? Let me think..."
'Nightlife in the evening, waking up naturally in the morning, eating and drinking the best, making bombs with my bare hands, Sparkle Plus Edition...'
Hmm? Did something strange get mixed in there? How could I have such wonderful... uh, evil thoughts? I feel like I'm turning into a bad girl, hehehe...
Sparkle: (⁄ ⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄ ⁄) Yunli: O_O
So scary! What are you laughing at? Why the heck are you blushing?! What on earth are you thinking about? I feel like you're turning into a yandere! Yunli quietly took a step back.
Thump, thump... The expressions of the two, who were just lighthearted, suddenly changed, and they both looked toward the street.
'Is someone passing by? No.' Although Yunli's five senses weren't as sharp as Acheron's, she could clearly hear the sound of running in the distance. At this distance, they were heading straight forward without hesitation.
Yunli glanced at the corpses on the ground. "Are they their accomplices?"
Sparkle shook her head, however. "Unlike those rats in the shadows, their movements are too obvious. They were likely attracted by the noise just now."
Hearing this, whether they were or not didn't matter anymore. In any case, it was better to leave first; Yunli didn't really want to get involved in such trouble. Then, Yunli leaped up, her bare little feet jumping back and forth between the walls on both sides, her movements skillful and without the slightest hesitation. In almost an instant, she leaped onto a nearby building and then disappeared from sight.
Sparkle watched the girl leap across the rooftops and leave, shaking her head. "Oh my, slipping away so fast! Honestly. Well, this is a good chance for me to see if there's anything interesting." Her gaze quickly swept across the street before she turned around...
"The noise from earlier was just ahead. Be careful and slow down." "Yes!" x3
Two men and two women slowly advanced toward the target. Arriving at the edge of the alley, they immediately discovered the cracked street and the broken trees.
"Yu Tong, did you find anything?" Chen Yuxuan asked cautiously.
Qing Yutong's pupils flickered with a faint light, and after careful observation, she gave her answer. "Nothing. It should have been caused not long ago."
Chen Yuxuan nodded. "Mhm, stay alert at all times. Hao-zi, same as usual, you take the lead." He issued an order to the man beside him.
Lu Hao's face turned bitter upon hearing this, but he had no choice. "Captain, Yu Tong, you guys have to protect me!" After saying this, the man cautiously poked his head out, and after confirming there was likely no danger, he slowly stepped into the alley.
Chen Yuxuan and Qing Yutong glanced at each other, both focusing intently on their surroundings. Only a petite woman remained, hiding worriedly at the back.