(Spy-Sry folks seems like a super rushed ending, I wish it was better, but it is what it is.)
(Author Friendly Reminder: This chapter lies between the main narrative and a detailed outline, commonly referred to as "outline dodging"—an ultimate secret technique! If you want a general sense of the upcoming plot developments, you can read it, but please don't hit me; I'm afraid of pain!)
Next,
Cifera, under the guise of "Aya," used Aglaea's Rapier with elegant precision to utterly defeat Kawaguchi Tokushi. No matter how formidable his Ninjutsu techniques were, they proved no match for "Aya," who toyed with him like a puppet on strings. After an agonizing internal struggle, he reluctantly surrendered.
Nie Bing apprehended Kawaguchi Tokushi and contacted the Pursuit Team to take him into custody. The Japan Region's top competitor was eliminated in utter humiliation.
Kawaguchi Tokushi's defeat plummeted the reputation of Japanese Ninja to new lows.
The live stream's Chinese audience erupted in jubilation, while the Japanese viewers were left numb, no longer daring to boast and shrinking back in shame.
Kawaguchi Tokushi's father, Kawaguchi Urasuke, and the Japan Region's Chief Director, Tsukikyo Mari, both fainted from rage and were rushed to the same hospital.
Aya's reputation in China, and indeed the world, soared once more. Netizens hailed her and Cifera as China's peerless twin prodigies!
But only those who knew the truth—Little Ya, Nie Bing, and a few others—truly marveled at Cifera's brilliance.
With Nie Bing taking Kawaguchi Tokushi away, Lu Yue seized the opportunity to escape the Cat's Eye Clan—a place that made him deeply uncomfortable.
Little Ya didn't stop him. Her entire focus was now on Cifera, leaving her no time for Lu Yue. Moreover, with Lu Yue present, the Production Team's Heaven's Eye System would continue filming, making certain conversations inconvenient.
Once Lu Yue and Nie Bing were gone, Cifera reverted to her original form.
Little Ya and her parents eagerly pressed her for explanations: how she controlled the cats, and how she had cheated her way through Nie Bing's verification.
Cifera, of course, didn't reveal her secrets so easily. She merely left them with the cryptic remark, "I'll tell you when Little Ya catches me as a Pursuit Team Expert," before vanishing from the room with a magician's flair.
This caused another wave of shock among the Cat's Eye Clan members. Little Ya noticed Cifera had left behind her magnificent gown, understanding it was a gift. Her heart fluttered with warmth as she thought, We'll meet again soon, Cifera.
With the 24-hour pursuit window for the Starry Light having expired, Cifera successfully earned a staggering sum of Wealth Value, sparking another wave of public debate.
To maximize the show's impact, Cifera deliberately informed the Production Team of the exact time and location for returning the Starry Light.
Liu Ruyan once again orchestrated a grand handover ceremony at the Starry Building, with the mysterious buyer also in attendance.
At the ceremony, Cifera remarkably appeared as "Aya."
As everyone puzzled over her identity, Cifera revealed her true face before the crowd, causing an "instant explosion" both on-site and in the live stream!
All the fame, prestige, and support that "Aya" had accumulated instantly transferred to Cifera.
Cifera's popularity skyrocketed once more!
The Pursuit Team members at their base were stunned. They had never imagined "Aya" could actually be Cifera. The realization of having been outmaneuvered yet again filled them with bitter frustration.
Nie Bing was equally shocked. She had never anticipated Cifera would expose her own alias. Concluding that Cifera's actions were a deliberate provocation, Nie Bing swore anew to capture her.
Cifera announced once again that all the Wealth Value earned from stealing the Starry Light would be donated to the "Cifera Children's Charity Fund." This meant that every sale of the Starry Light would directly contribute double the astronomical sum to the foundation as a charitable donation!
This announcement stunned everyone once more!
Only then did they understand why Cifera was so determined to steal the Starry Light. Beyond showcasing her skills, her primary motivation was to secure more funding for children in need.
At that moment, a mysterious buyer emerged: Little Ya!
Moreover, Little Ya was wearing a gown strikingly similar to one Aya had worn before, only several sizes smaller. She had spent an entire day meticulously replicating the dress Cifera had left behind, and the result was an astonishingly accurate imitation!
This showcased the sheer terror of her talent.
Little Ya had Cifera personally fasten the Starry Light onto her, stunning everyone present.
Then, Little Ya revealed her true identity—she was the Mysterious Seventh Person, the expert from the Pursuit Team!
This revelation sent shockwaves through the crowd once more!
Little Ya declared to Cifera, "Once you leave this place, I will lead the Pursuit Team to capture you within 24 hours!"
Little Ya's audacious declaration sparked immediate reactions from all sides.
Back at the Pursuit Team's base, Nie Bing gritted her teeth in fury, realizing she had been completely outmaneuvered by Little Ya!
Liu Shanhe and the others were equally frustrated, but Lin Zhiyuan's eyes lit up with excitement—he recognized Little Ya.
This was his idol!
The absolute genius of China's detective world!
He immediately began extolling Little Ya's legendary feats to the rest of the Pursuit Team.
Viewers in the live stream and Nie Junfeng's group in the broadcast studio listened intently to Lin Zhiyuan's explanation, gaining a clear understanding of Little Ya's extraordinary abilities.
An insider even revealed how Little Ya had effortlessly crushed all competitors at the World Junior Detective Championship and then skipped the awards ceremony, fueling speculation that Japan had dispatched Kawaguchi Tokushi for revenge.
Public opinion exploded once again. Little Ya's popularity skyrocketed, while Japan was once again subjected to relentless online criticism.
At the hospital, Kawaguchi Urasuke and Tsukikyo Mari, both preparing to be discharged, crossed paths. Gritting their teeth in renewed fury, they plotted to send more Japanese contestants to attack the China Region and reclaim their lost honor.
But Cifera's next announcement left them shaken.
Addressing everyone, Cifera declared that Little Ya might be disappointed.
"Since the Chinese believe in reciprocity," she stated, "I will now pay a proper visit to the Japan Region myself."
The Chinese audience erupted in cheers, while the Japanese side felt their hopes crumble.
Everyone knew the Japan Region was doomed.
Cifera would never show the same courtesy she had in the China Region.
What followed was—
Cifera successfully broke through the Pursuit Team's blockade led by Little Ya and arrived in Japan.
Lu Yue, having learned that Cifera was Aya and that she intended to wreak havoc on the Japanese, casually stole a few items to complete his two successful heists and followed her.
To capture Cifera, Little Ya and Nie Bing applied for cross-regional pursuit. Though the Japanese authorities were reluctant, the show's rules permitted such action, forcing them to comply.
In the Japan Region storyline, Cifera unleashed her full power, stealing only the most valuable Japanese treasures. The Japan Pursuit Team was utterly humiliated.
Lu Yue, demonstrating his lineage as the Grandchild of the Phantom Thief, grew in skill and became another thorn in the Japan Pursuit Team's side.
Ironically, while Little Ya and Nie Bing were often isolated by the Japanese Pursuit Team, they repeatedly cornered Cifera into dangerous situations (or so they believed), nearly capturing her.
The stark contrast between the two regions sparked a massive online backlash.
Voices began to emerge in Japan, daring Cifera to prove herself in the USA Region.
That very day, Cifera announced her next stop: the United States. Lu Yue accompanied her.
The Americans were arrogant, dismissing Cifera as an easy target who had no idea about the intensity of their region.
By this time, Cifera had already amassed immense popularity in Japan, acquired a variety of new abilities, and successfully mastered Godspeed.
In the USA Region, Cifera unleashed Godspeed, completely dominating the competition and securing the undisputed championship title.
Finally, the world realized Cifera's superhuman strength. She was no mere mortal; she was a god!
The United States convened an emergency meeting of the Terran Alliance, demanding Cifera's immediate arrest and confinement in a laboratory for study, declaring her a global treasure belonging to all humankind.
But China firmly opposed this proposal!
Just then, Cifera declared, "I'm done eating beef!"
By taming the United States of America, Earth's global bully, Cifera had amassed terrifying popularity, and the trust in her various abilities had reached its peak.
Wielding godlike power, she warned the United States: "Shut up if you don't want to vanish from Earth!"
The United States refused to comply. Overnight, Cifera disarmed the entire nation—literally. Every weapon in the United States disappeared without a trace.
The United States wept.
"Weapons are a God-given right! How dare you, Cifera!"
Cifera replied:
"Apologies. From today onward, I am Earth's God!"
Having completely subdued the United States, Cifera became Earth's literal God.
Yet Little Ya and Nie Bing never abandoned their pursuit of Cifera.
When asked why they continued chasing her even after the Production Team had disbanded and Cifera had ascended to Godhood, a gray-gaired crossdresser would always interject before they could answer: "Because, you see, the Big Sister stole their hearts!"
"Little Granddaughter!"
"Lu-Yue!"
"You're dead meat!!!" (They shouted in unison!!!)
On a nearby high-rise, Cifera watched the scene unfold, a blissful smile spreading across her face.
But...
Cifera seemed unaware that a dark rift had suddenly appeared in the air behind her.
The unknown darkness had found her...
Yet!
"Sorry, but...
"This world is under my protection.
"If you don't leave now, even this cat will give you the elbow~"
The moment her words left her lips, the rift behind Cifera seemed to sense a terrifying force and instantly contracted!
Everything returned to normal.
"Meow~ That's more like it."
Cifera raised her arms in a wide, lazy stretch as she stood up.
Then she turned to face a spot on the rooftop where a group of familiar figures—men and women of varying heights—were standing, and she smiled brightly:
"Everyone, are you satisfied with this world free from the Flame chase?"
---(The End)
-
(Spy- Author note here)
Alright, time for a little side story—and a chance to tug at your heartstrings!
Due to circumstances beyond my control, the story had to end in this regrettable way.
I desperately wanted to continue writing, but alas, the mechanics of free-to-read platforms are what they are.
The revenue from consistent readers simply can't compare to the income generated by new traffic.
Yet traffic itself is something authors can't control; Tomato distributes it entirely based on its algorithms.
This means that even if I continued writing, even if I reached a million words, my daily income wouldn't increase significantly.
Of course, we can't entirely blame the website. It's simply that my capabilities as an author have reached their limit here.
Moving forward, I'll continue to strive to write better works, though I may not publish them on Tomato anymore. (As for where I'll go, I certainly can't reveal that here!)
Finally, thank you once again to all the readers who have followed this story to the end!
It's because of you that I found the motivation to keep writing.
Until our next book, may fate bring us together again!