Not a detective

Page 251

"Whether it works or not, I have to try. As long as the readers are still watching, all the plans we discuss will be observed and will fail."

Asakawa Riku kept staring at that void.

He wasn't sure if he'd looked in the right place, but he believed that as long as they spoke here, the "reader" would definitely be able to hear them.

"Readers are humans driven by interest and curiosity. They will come if the story is interesting, and they will leave if it is not. Now that I am telling them in person that there will be a mystery to be solved in this chapter, they will definitely flock to me... But I have to take a gamble, gamble on that tiny bit of possibility."

He gritted his teeth and said:

"If even one [reader] out of 1000 observers chooses to help me by closing their eyes, then that world line can be established."

It must be kept in the dark from the eyes of the readers, but if they want to observe, it will be impossible to hide it from them.

Therefore, the only way to get them to close their eyes temporarily is through dialogue and requests.

This creates an opportunity for "behind-the-scenes manipulation".

Asakawa Riku closed his eyes and stood there for about five minutes. Time passed quietly as he waited patiently.

"That should be enough."

Then he opened his eyes: "I certainly can't persuade all the readers to leave, but there should be some space."

Then Asakawa Riku clapped his hands: "Come out."

As he called out, a figure slowly approached from the distant void behind him.

Logically speaking, this "gap" located in the cracks of the world should not be a place where others are allowed to intrude.

"Is it my turn to step in?"

But the man's cold, hard tone emerged from the shadows.

It was the same face as Asakawa Riku, only younger and more innocent, but with a fiercer and colder expression.

"Nue." Asakawa Riku greeted him, "Now is the time when we need you."

This is Nue, myself three years ago.

After the "Trial of Orochi," Asakawa Riku realized that there could be another form of himself in the world.

Although the two have very different personalities and are even at odds with each other, Asakawa Riku believes that they can still stand together on this matter.

Inspired by the way the "tapioca" creates dreams, Riku Asakawa used his imagination to sculpt a "nue".

This ability to "imagine" is like "making your wishes come true," just like the resonance with Asukai Shi, both of which are abilities brought by the souls of "real people" from above.

That's why he was able to gradually become stronger through hard work and training. After all, the biggest limitations in this world are talent and all sorts of bottlenecks.

Hard work pays off; that's the biggest advantage a "martial artist" can have.

He can also use the power of imagination to create, though not to the extent of a writer, but at least he can sculpt a person he has seen.

Especially since this person is himself.

Asukai Shi looked at the two Asakawa Riku in front of her, somewhat confused:

"What exactly is your plan...?"

"I want to transfer Nue's soul into Lu Chuanqian's body so that he can be resurrected."

Riku Asakawa summarized the plan in extremely concise language.

“But that’s impossible!” Asukai Shi exclaimed in surprise, but immediately rejected the idea: “I’ve already said that Lu Chuanqian’s physical body is too old, and Nue’s soul is only 15 years old. It’s impossible for them to be a match. Besides, Lu Chuanqian is already dead. How can a dead person’s body be resurrected? It would be useless for his soul to go in…”

After thinking about it, she realized that the plan was completely unfeasible.

“Nothing is impossible.” However, Asakawa Riku simply said firmly, “Just do it. Whether it’s feasible or not is not up to us.”

He held up his finger and pointed upwards:

"As long as 'they' believe it, it can be established."

You mean—

Asu's breathing quickened; she realized what Asakawa Riku was up to.

This is a crazy idea, a plan that only a madman could come up with.

"He meant to deceive the readers."

Nue suddenly chimed in.

As expected of the same person, he quickly understood what Asakawa Riku meant: "If the readers believe that Riku Asakawa has been resurrected, then he has been resurrected, just like he was killed."

Everything in this world can be changed with a single thought from the reader; it can kill or bring back to life.

To save Lu Chuanqian, we must rely on the readers.

"So... that's why you told them not to read this chapter, because if the plan is exposed... it won't have the effect of deception..."

Asu-i Shi quickly understood everything, but a new question arose: "But Lu Chuanqian has been dead for three years. His body has long since decomposed and melted away. What's lying on the hospital bed now is just a skeleton. Even if Nue gets into that body, how can he make him stand up and create the illusion of resurrection?"

"They say it's just bones, but no one can see them. Lu Chuanqian's face is covered with a white cloth on the hospital bed, but no one knows what's under the white cloth. This is information that has not been observed."

Asakawa Riku had already thought this through: "As for how to do it... I told Chizuko-senpai that a martial artist can walk even if he loses a leg, and that's not just talk."

Nue nodded coldly. It was absurd that the thought processes of these two martial arts fanatics had connected in this way.

Asukai Shi feels extremely outrageous:

"Even if he can stand up, Xu Qishi will still be in the ward. What if she sees a skeleton suddenly get up from the hospital bed..."

“She will believe it,” Nue interrupted her.

"You should know best, right? Xu Qishi is the one who believes in him the most and hopes for his resurrection the most. Her mind is no longer normal, and she may see anything."

There was no room for rebuttal... Asu was stunned, and suddenly felt that this plan seemed to have a little bit of feasibility.

She stared at Asakawa Riku in disbelief:

"At the end of your battle, you whispered some things. Did you already foresee this situation and have this plan in mind?"

"How can it be."

Asakawa Riku waved his hand with a wry smile: "Even if you gave me a hundred brains back then, I would never have imagined such a bizarre development. I just hoped that Nue could become my helper in battle. If I encountered a big BOSS that I couldn't beat or an extremely difficult enemy, I could summon him to fight two against one. This was my trump card. I just didn't expect it to be used like this."

[Readers] You probably wouldn't believe it, but besides "Lu Chuanqian" and "Qianchuan Lu", there is a third "he" in this world - "Nue".

This surprise attack is a trump card that can be used to deceive.

"But the only problem with this plan is that you will become a victim."

Asakawa Riku turned around and looked at Nue:

"You must return to the real world and play the role of the resurrected Lu Chuanqian to make the readers believe it. But the moment the readers believe it, you will be changed into the real resurrected Lu Chuanqian, your consciousness will cease to exist, and you will die in his place. This plan requires a sacrifice, and if you are unwilling to go, I cannot force you."

"I am Lu Chuanqian."

Nue said without hesitation.

The biggest difference between Nue and Asakawa Riku is that Nue is someone who "knows the past," someone who contains regret and hatred, someone who is most attached to the past and most unable to let go.

She is the one who best fits Lu Chuanqian.

Only Nue can perfectly portray the role, because that's what he firmly believes in.

"I'm willing to do anything to save Xiaoshi."

"Very handsome."

Asakawa Riku and Nue made a brief fist bump, and the two exchanged no further words. Nue then walked away alone into the distance, preparing to depart.

His black silhouette resembled a lonely bird, a grim reaper venting his anger and hatred, who had now fulfilled his mission.

"Let's begin the final plan."

Asakawa Riku turned his gaze back to Asukai Shi.

"Um……"

The girl took a deep breath. She knew she had no other choice. Even though the plan sounded absurd and unreliable, it was her only hope.

Their hands were clasped tightly together.

Harmony gradually evolved into a sublime and infinitely beautiful duet:

"The Creator"

To create, and ultimately, the perfect world.

Winter of Man: Chapter Thirty - Winter Ends with the Snow (Final Chapter)

Xu Qishi had no idea how long she had been waiting.

She didn't know what year it was, what month it was, or whether it was spring or winter.

How old am I?

I can’t remember clearly.

She had worried that when Ashen woke up, she might dislike her for getting older, or that she hadn't taken good care of herself during the time she was being cared for.

It's also a pity that the most youthful time of their love was cut off and omitted.

They had planned everything, including going to university in the same city, future trips, living together, and life after marriage.

But now Xu Qishi is slowly becoming numb. She just wants A Qian to wake up. As long as he can wake up, it doesn't matter if they can't be together in the end.

She just wanted to stay by his side, even though she couldn't see any light or hope yet.

Year after year, day after day.

The ward was dark, with no lights on. Xu Qishi, as was her habit, sat in this chair, quietly observing the white walls and smelling the disinfectant.

There used to be a ticking sound from the instruments here... why has it disappeared?

In Xu Qishi's eyes, the world is full of countless fantasy realms and countless beautiful stories, and all of this is only perfect with him by his side.

Her family noticed her unusual behavior and tried to persuade her to change her mind more than once.

"give up."

"You can put it down now..."

"Should we see a psychologist?"

"Get out of here."

Let him rest in peace.

Not only her parents, but also Asahi's parents.

Everyone looked at the girl with heartache. Who could stay in the ward day after day to watch over her? It was simply unimaginable.

Even the most extreme criminals, when locked in solitary confinement in a small dark room, will break down and beg for mercy after just two or three days.

Xu Qishi, however, has stayed here for eighteen years without a single complaint.

It's hard to imagine how she did it.

Xu Qishi simply held a book in her hands, a notebook she had written in by hand for several hours, which she then read to Lu Chuanqian for several hours.

Reading her own stories, reading about the future that the two of them should have had, their dreams, and all sorts of other things...

Travel... cohabitation... marriage... including their children, all of these are vividly portrayed in her writing, but when she opened her eyes, she was still in this deathly silent hospital room.

The writer is all alone by the bedside, and the listener is all alone in bed.

Xu Qishi just found it strange that A Qian was still alive, so why give up on treatment?

But she doesn't blame her parents and family, because they are also under a lot of pressure. They are just worried about her health and have indulged her willfulness, which she is already very grateful for.

Fortunately, Xu Qishi's book is quite popular outside. It is said that it became a bestseller after it was published. Readers say that the words contain a heavy emotional depth, and they are also curious about what kind of story the real person behind that strange pen name has had. The publisher tried to invite her to participate in marketing activities several times, but Xu Qishi turned them down. She just wanted to be quiet and undisturbed.

I left my parents' bank account number for the royalties, which can be considered as easing some of their financial burden.

She can afford the cost of this hospital room herself, so that should be enough.

If there were only one reader, Xu Qishi would hope that A Qian would wake up and she could read it to him personally. It wasn't actually a bestseller; it was just a series of love letters.

She felt she would keep waiting, no matter how long it took.

...It seems like today is the right time.

Xu Qishi was surprised to see that the blankets on the hospital bed seemed to have moved inexplicably.