57. Gao Qi and the "Sinner".
"Mmm... Hah."
Gao Qi woke up, feeling extremely uncomfortable all over, as if Kiana were crawling all over him—it was downright miserable.
With great effort, he rolled over and sat up, letting out a yawn and stretching his arms wide.
The blankets were still soft and cozy, and the cool air from the air conditioner felt particularly pleasant, but Gao Qi wasn't all that happy.
After all, his simulation had failed, and he had died—again—at lightning speed.
[Sigh, forget it. I guess I just wasn't careful enough.]
Gao Qi felt that the smooth sailing of the previous four simulations had made him a bit complacent.
Honestly, he never expected that this time, his simulation would turn him into a frail little kid, unable to handle the burden of his previous strength. Failure was pretty much a given.
[Does that mean I should just give up whenever I randomly become a kid in the future? That doesn't seem right either. Kiana and Bronya were pretty tough even as kids—there's no reason I can't be too.]
Thinking this, Gao Qi decided that in future simulations, he would look for more powers that a child could use. Of course, he might also end up as an old man.
[Alright, enough overthinking. Time to cook for the hungry Valkyries.]
Shrugging, Gao Qi closed his eyes and began groping around beside him, trying to find his phone to check the time.
And then... Gao Qi seemed to touch something soft.
It was large, soft, yet equally elastic. One hand couldn't even fully grasp it, giving a rare sense of security.
This feeling was familiar to Gao Qi, yet not entirely familiar.
Most of that familiarity came from Mobius.
Although Mobius was completely devoted to her research, fitting the image of an evil, mad scientist, the two were still a couple. They still had their "little interactions."
Gao Qi could lie on the experiment table and let Mobius study him, but in return, as a couple, Mobius had to allow Gao Qi to "experiment" on her when she wasn't busy with research.
For example, testing how much salivary enzyme the human female salivary gland secretes under external stimulation, and investigating whether mammary gland stimulation actually contributes to breast development in adult women...
It's all for science! Gao Qi and Mobius usually conducted these studies in the dorm after work hours. If the Stigmata Project was for the future of humanity, weren't these projects too—laying the foundation for human reproduction and continuation!
At first, Mobius didn't seem too keen, always muttering that such behavior was pointless. Besides causing hormonal surges in humans, leading to decreased efficiency and affecting daily work, it had no constructive value.
However, whenever Gao Qi begged her, Mobius would always agree with a tsundere attitude—for no other reason than Gao Qi always knew how to please her.
And whether in terms of texture or size, the sensation in Gao Qi's palm felt all too familiar.
Could it be Rita, or Alvitr?
No way! Last night, Gao Qi had specifically visually estimated—although Rita had a great figure, it definitely wasn't at this level.
Rubbing his eyes, Gao Qi opened them.
Turning his head, Gao Qi saw what was in his hand—the soft, springy form wrapped in a black nun's habit. He couldn't help but give it another squeeze before quickly withdrawing his hand upon realizing.
It was a nun, deeply asleep. Her light brown hair cascaded like a waterfall, scattered loosely across the bed. Her full, mature body lay flat on the mattress, rising and falling gently.
Although Gao Qi's heart held only Mobius as his sun, he had to admit—this woman's figure was even better.
She was in a deep slumber, her delicate nose emitting faint breaths. Dark circles, likely from overexertion, framed her tightly closed eyes. Her beautiful face was exquisite and carried a sacred aura.
Sinful. This body was simply the embodiment of sin. Even Gao Qi, seeing her so defenseless, couldn't help but entertain the wicked thought of touching her again.
Fortunately, Gao Qi had always been a man of principle. He obediently withdrew his hand because he recognized the person before him.
Aponia, one of the thirteen Flame-Chasers of the Previous Era, rank 3, bearer of the Signet of "Discipline." The two above her were the overpowered Kevin and Elysia... How formidable she was could easily be imagined.
[Aponia, and looking like this... No Honkai energy reaction, yet she gives off a sense of intimidation... This must be the sanatorium in the Sundown Alley.]
Gao Qi carefully observed his surroundings. The room was somewhat simple and plain. Outside the window, down below, a group of children were playing and laughing on the lawn.
And on Aponia's body, there was none of the provocative attire from the future. Instead, she wore a particularly modest, traditional black nun's habit.
Come to think of it, of course not. A proper sanatorium caregiver wouldn't wear something so outrageous—that was definitely the twisted taste of a certain pink-haired elf and a red-haired artist!
Even though this black nun's habit covered her completely, her perfect figure still couldn't be entirely concealed. Gao Qi, being honest with himself, had a physical reaction.
[Calm down, calm down.]
Taking a deep breath, Gao Qi averted his gaze from the beautiful nun and looked at his own body. His current state was still that of a weak little child.
His dehydration had stopped; it seemed he had been given water and food. Although the stripes of Honkai sickness were still on his arms, the throbbing pain had disappeared, as if he had been given painkillers.
Quickly, Gao Qi assessed his condition. His health was temporarily stable, but he was still weak. He was a bit more agile than children his age, but he still couldn't use any of his powers—if he unleashed his strength, Gao Qi would accelerate his death. He could only use it when burning his lifespan.
He was still that little kid, weak and helpless, but he had encountered a kind-hearted soul.
After raising children for so long, I finally get to be treated like a child myself. In a way, does this count as the wheel of karma turning?
"Ah, you're awake, child. That's wonderful."
Just as Gao Qi was still pondering his situation, a low, gentle, yet somewhat faint female voice sounded by his ear—calm and steady, but with a hint of excitement.
Then, a gentle embrace wrapped around him, pressing his small head firmly against a soft chest.
"Don't be afraid. This place is safe. I brought you here, child."
A surge of overwhelming softness almost instantly engulfed Gao Qi. He couldn't help but struggle, waving his arms. The arms holding him appeared slender, but they were like iron clamps, impossible for a child like him to break free from.
"Mmph—air!"
Gao Qi flailed his hands a few times before Aponia, somewhat belatedly, loosened her grip and offered an apologetic smile.
"Ah, I'm sorry. I just wanted…"
But Gao Qi simply retreated slightly, looking at Aponia's chest with a touch of awe—truly a lethal weapon!
"N-no, it's fine… Thank you for saving me—Big Sister?"
Gazing at the young woman before him, Gao Qi suddenly felt… a bit uneasy.
After four simulations, he had grown accustomed to being the elder who took care of others. This time, however, he had become the weaker one, someone in need of protection from a big sister. It was a shift in perspective he found hard to adjust to.
Yet, in Aponia's eyes, his conflicted expression was nothing more than the caution and fear any child would feel in an unfamiliar place.
"Don't worry, don't be afraid. This place is safe. We're in the sanatorium of the Sunset District. I'm a caretaker here, and everyone is kind—but be careful not to go outside casually, and don't let others see your arm."
Softly extending her hand, Aponia gently ruffled Gao Qi's hair.
"My name is Aponia. I'm here for everything, so rest assured. I will protect all of you, forever."
Repeatedly emphasizing her ability to protect the child before her, Aponia wore a serene smile. In her eyes, the child must be feeling utterly helpless and terrified.
"Mmm…"
Having his hair ruffled, Gao Qi still felt rather odd. Yet, somehow, he could sense a strange power emanating from the girl before him.
Aponia… sigh.
Looking at this familiar support character from the Elysian Realm, Gao Qi recalled the story he knew.
This young woman was, in truth, more stubborn and kinder than anyone else. She possessed the ability to observe fate, yet fate always led her step by step to commit "sins" she never wished to commit.
In terms of how intimidating she could be, Aponia and Mobius were practically on par. If Mobius could physically transform a person, then Aponia could permanently change someone from the depths of their soul.
Even without undergoing the MANTIS surgery, Aponia already possessed a certain terrifying talent.
Gao Qi realized that he, who aimed to defy fate, shared some similarities with her, yet they were not entirely alike.
Recalling the future events Aponia would face, Gao Qi, saved by her, resolved to repay this kindness properly.
"Mhm, thank you, Sister Aponia. But… you look very tired. Your daily work must be exhausting, right?"
Smiling gently at the girl before him, Gao Qi lightly took her hand with his small one.
"To thank you for saving me, let me help you with your work… How about that? I'm quite good at taking care of others too! You can call me Zero."
Having played the role of a father figure enough times, Gao Qi thought that occasionally being a little brother wouldn't be so bad either.
Seeing the child's gesture, Aponia's eyes widened slightly.
She saw it—the threads of fate intertwined with her own, which were connected to this child, had now transformed into chains, firmly linking them together.
This was a talent she had possessed since birth: the ability to observe the fate of others. Though vague, it was enough.
She had seen the "fates" of many people—all leading to unknown places and abruptly severed at a certain point.
She had seen her own "fate" as well—destined to lead to an abyss, destined to be rugged and harsh.
But the fate of this child before her seemed as if it had never had a future of its own; it existed only by attaching itself to hers.
This made Aponia both worried and curious. She decided that she must take good care of this child.
"Well then, welcome to the Sunset Alley Sanatorium, Zero."
And so, a nun bound by the chains of fate and you, who seeks to break free from fate, became partners.
The Sunset Alley welcomed a new guest.
Sorry for not uploading yesterday I was playing canto 9 of Limbus Company
Note: I'm new to translating so please be kind and tell me any mistakes you all find, I will try to release a chapter a day but don't expect much
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Raw: 崩坏模拟器,你找的人是我么?