[Congratulations on gaining +2 Karma!]
[Congratulations on gaining +4 Karma!]
[Congratulations on gaining +3 Karma!]
[Congratulations on gaining +2 Karma!]
Sienna couldn't keep up anymore at some point, and by the time eight minutes had passed, her Karma points had risen to a whopping 109!
As long as someone viewed her post, she gained Karma.
Of course, she was bound to get negative comments, and in reality, most of them were shunning her for lying and exaggerating. After all, it did sound unreal for something as horrendous as an apocalypse to happen. Moreover, she had no substantial proof to back her claims. If only intention wasn't rewarded and results were all that mattered, she'd probably have lost Karma instead.
Fortunately, there was no shortage of people who shared the same mentality as the first individual. They believed that since no one knew how long this extreme weather would last, they might as well grab food now in case it worsened. Sienna gained even more Karma from comments like these.
But soon enough, another ding rang out—and it wasn't good news.
[System notice: Popularity Boost Expired]
Sienna wasn't too worried. The earlier boost would carry her post for a while since she had already garnered enough popularity to keep it moving, as shown by the never-ending reactions and comments she was receiving.
Her total Karma had now reached 125. Without hesitation, Sienna bought Keen Eyes. The screen flickered, and with a soft ding, the purchase went through.
[Congratulations! Passive Skill Acquired: Keen Eyes]
[Level: Bronze]
[Effect: You can now view the stats of Awakened whose level is lower than yours.]
A sudden sharp pain shot through her eyes, like icy needles stabbing her retinas. Sienna immediately shut her eyes and covered her mouth to keep from crying out.
The first few seconds were agonizing, forcing her to grit her teeth. It felt as if someone was trying to shove their fingers into her eyes. But when the pain finally dulled and she snapped her eyes open, she saw something different.
Louisa—standing there, pointing a fruit knife at her.
Sienna blinked once, then twice.
The scene didn't change.
Louisa's eyes were chilling, stripped of their usual cuteness and coquettishness. Her stance made it clear she meant business.
"What's wrong?" Sienna asked softly.
"Who are you?" Louisa demanded, expression fierce.
Sienna's heart slowed, realization flashing in her eyes.
So, she found out?
She muttered, "Your sister… of course."
"No! You're not my sister." The little girl's voice trembled with rage as she pointed the knife dangerously close to Sienna's neck.
Sienna raised her palm. "What makes you say that?"
Louisa spat, "What kind of sister doesn't remember that her little sister can't play basketball?! How could a sister forget I even had to go to therapy because I was bullied so badly and had to change schools?"
"They called me names, locked me out of practice, made me cry in the locker room until I swore I would never touch a ball again. You—you were the one who held me that night when I said I hated basketball forever. How could you forget that?"
Her anger grew as she spoke, her voice rising. "It's not just that. You may look like her. You may sound like her. But everything else—your habits, your words, even the way you eat—it's all different! My sister was obsessed with Ashton. She would do anything just to make him glance her way. Any chance she got, she'd use it to win him over. But you? You're different! Ashton even called you earlier, and you pretended not to hear. How is that possible? I'll tell you how—it's because you're not my sister!"
Her words poured out like fire. "Tell me, how can someone change so suddenly? She used to cower at the sight of Camilla, but you didn't hesitate to fight back when she hit you. She used to go clubbing every night, but you stopped. And you know too much—the apocalypse, the future, how to drive perfectly. You're calmer, more confident, more relaxed—and just different! Where is my sister?!"
Sienna lowered her gaze as Louisa's spit landed on her face. She bit her lip, pondering.
She was at a crossroads.
Should she tell Louisa her sister was gone? That she had died while mourning their late father? That she would never see her again, though she herself would be there in her place?
But that truth might shatter the little girl, whose emotional anchor had always been the original Sienna.
As if sensing her hesitation, Louisa pressed on sternly. "I want the truth. If you lie…" The knife tip pressed against Sienna's skin, making her sigh.
At the same time, she activated Keen Eyes to check Louisa's stats—and what she saw left her stunned.
[Name: Louisa Song]
[Race: Human]
[Age: 13]
[Strength: 30]
[Agility: 37]
[Stamina: 35]
[Physique: 37]
[Level: –]
Sienna almost exclaimed.
This little girl was that strong?
It had taken her several days and nights of training just to reach almost the same level.
She really had to be careful.
Locking eyes with Louisa, Sienna spoke gently. "Since you asked, I'll tell you… but." She pushed the hand holding the knife away. "Step back first."
Louisa opened her mouth to argue, but Sienna cut her off. "I don't want any accidents. So, step back, sit down, and I'll tell you what you want to know."
Louisa's lips pursed. Hesitation flashed in her eyes, but seeing Sienna's firm expression, she finally relented and dragged a chair over.
Even as she sat, she kept the knife tightly in her grip. "Fine. I'm listening."
Sienna flinched inside, stung. To see the girl who had always been so clingy and sweet toward her now glaring at her like an enemy left her feeling hollow.
But she couldn't blame Louisa. To the girl, she was nothing more than a stranger occupying her sister's body.
After sorting her thoughts, Sienna finally began.
"So… here's what happened."