accompanied by the ethereal sound that resonated.
A phantom identical to Hiyakura appeared beside her.
This was no one else.
It was indeed the second personality disguised by Tao Yao.
As for why Tao Yao appeared here in this form?
That must be traced back to earlier events.
...
At that time.
Although Tao Yao quietly left the sight of everyone.
She did not truly leave.
Instead, she took a long detour to a hidden corner, quietly observing everything in front of her.
When Laurel resolutely stepped into the rift, a faint smile curved at the corner of Tao Yao's mouth, revealing a hint of mystery.
While everyone's attention was focused on Laurel, Tao Yao seized the opportunity.
She leaped lightly, gliding into the world within the rift like a silent falling leaf.
Her movements were so nimble that no one noticed anything unusual.
Just like that, Tao Yao quietly entered the rift, leaving no trace behind.
The scene inside the rift was shocking.
It was a chaotic and twisted space, filled with various strange sights.
Ruined building debris floated in the air.
In the distance, some blurred shadows could be seen.
Those were fragments of other worlds, remnants swallowed by the rift.
The most eye-catching were the countless disaster beasts.
They varied in form, some resembling gigantic insects, while others looked like twisted aberrant monsters.
These disaster beasts roamed within the rift, emitting chilling howls.
However, amidst this chaos, Tao Yao appeared particularly composed.
The Abyss Dragon beside her exuded a terrifying aura.
The surrounding disaster beasts seemed weak; although they watched hungrily, they dared not approach even the slightest bit.
Tao Yao gently petted the Abyss Dragon's head, a faint smile gracing her lips.
"Thanks!"
In response to Tao Yao's gratitude.
The Abyss Dragon let out a deep roar, its voice carrying a hint of joy.
Then, it nudged Tao Yao's hand with its head, like a pet cuddling its owner.
This action stood in stark contrast to its fierce exterior, making it appear somewhat comical and cute.
Just then, the system sprite Xiao Xiao suddenly popped out from Tao Yao's collar.
Flapping its tiny wings, it circled around Tao Yao and then perched on her shoulder.
[Master, are we just leaving like this?]
Xiao Xiao tilted its little head, looking confused.
[The boss fight just started; shouldn't you take this opportunity to die right in front of the players?]
As soon as the words left its mouth, Tao Yao extended her finger and lightly tapped Xiao Xiao's forehead.
Xiao Xiao covered its forehead in pain, its little wings fluttering in dissatisfaction.
"You're silly!"
Tao Yao chuckled lightly, "Of course I will die, but for such a crucial performance in front of the players, I must prepare a proper curtain call stage, right?"
[Curtain call stage?]
Xiao Xiao blinked in puzzlement.
"I'll ask you," Tao Yao retorted, "according to the game's setting, what is inside the rift?"
Xiao Xiao thought for a moment.
[The world inside the rift is the homeland of the disaster beasts?]
Tao Yao nodded, leisurely continuing to speak:
"In the original story background, it was simply mentioned that the rift is a mysterious space that has swallowed the remnants of the ancient civilization while also devouring one civilization and world after another."
"It could be said that it's as terrifying as hell; under normal circumstances, if humans from the outside enter here, they are likely to be crushed to bits, with even their bodies not found."
[I understand!]
Xiao Xiao suddenly realized, as if grasping everything.
[Does Master want to die here? Use this place as a stage?]
"Exactly." Tao Yao affirmed, "I can't think of any better stage for now besides this one."
[But will Hiyakura come in?]
Xiao Xiao asked hesitantly.
"She will." Tao Yao answered confidently, "Because... she has reasons she must come in."
Hiyakura is a standard protagonist; she is kind and brave.
This is also the protagonist that Tao Yao admires the most.
She firmly believes.
In order to close the rift and to save the potentially lost Laurel, Hiyakura will definitely accept the fairy's power and enter the rift.
Thinking of this, Tao Yao asked Xiao Xiao, "Xiao Xiao, the popularity points I have left should be enough to become Hiyakura's second personality, right?"
Long ago, Tao Yao created a dream for Hiyakura.
At that time, the popularity points were not many, just enough to construct a single dream.
But now it is different.
She can have a very good alternate persona accompanying Hiyakura.
[Um... it should be just barely enough.]
[It just means you can't completely control Hiyakura's body. If Master wants to perform other actions later, you will still have to consume popularity points...]
"That's enough; I'm not trying to replace her."
Tao Yao nodded in satisfaction, "Alright, Xiao Xiao, let's get started, let's properly guide our confused little fairy."
With that, under the system's operation, Tao Yao sensed Hiyakura's despair.
And it was precisely taking this opportunity.
Tao Yao appeared beside Hiyakura in the form of a second personality.
...
Inside the tent not far from the rift.
Hiyakura suddenly raised her head, searching for the source of the sound.
Looking at the figure that suddenly appeared beside her.
It was a white-haired girl identical to her, as if another version of herself had stepped out from a mirror.
"It's you!" Hiyakura exclaimed, her eyes filled with disbelief.
The White-haired Hiyakura smiled and replied: "It's me, oh, little fairy."
"You... weren't you in my dream? How did you come out?"
Hiyakura asked warily, instinctively shrinking back.
The White-haired Hiyakura shook her head gently, her eyes sparkling with mystery.
"I told you I'm you, and only you can see me!"
She slowly walked closer to Hiyakura, her voice soft and full of temptation:
"Little fairy, you want to save your senior sister, right?"
"Don't worry, just like I said before, you are a fairy; you are already very capable and can do many things that others cannot."
Hiyakura lowered her head, her voice full of hesitation.
"But..."
The White-haired Hiyakura interrupted her, continuing:
"As long as you use this power, you can save the person you want to save! Just think about it; you can save Laurel, protect Jasmine and Violet, and even prevent more disasters from occurring, safeguarding more beauty."
Hearing these words, a flicker of indecision crossed Hiyakura's eyes.
But soon, she shook her head again, resolutely saying: "No, I can't do that. I've already lost control once; if I lose control again, it will hurt others."
The White-haired Hiyakura laughed gently at this.
"No one is asking you to hurt others; we won't hurt anyone,"
She reached out her hand and placed it on Hiyakura's face, speaking softly:
"After all, as long as you don't lose control, isn't that enough?"
"With me here, you won't lose control."