The Speedrun Manual of Miss Witch

Chapter 1: The Girl Just Wants a Peaceful Life

Saint Year 741, June 17. The city of heavy industry, Berren.

A red-haired girl pushed open the thick wooden door in front of her and stepped out of the noisy classroom.

Just as she was about to leave the room, a slightly nervous female voice called out from behind her.

“Ci… Ciel, I’d like to invite you to a tea party tomorrow afternoon at my house.”

Hearing the voice, Ciel turned her head slightly. In her dark red eyes, the reflection of the speaker’s noble azure gaze could be seen, as well as the gold-embossed black invitation she held in her hand.

“Thank you, Miss Amy,” Ciel turned fully around, smiling as she reached out to take the invitation. “If I have time tomorrow, I’ll certainly visit.”

Amy’s expression dimmed slightly as she noticed the girl had not explicitly agreed.

She understood that this polite response usually meant refusal—just like how Ciel had declined other people’s invitations before.

Still unwilling to give up, Amy persisted:

“It’s a tea party about further education. A few professors from Ansu University will be there… Ciel, don’t you think law is interesting? My father knows them well, so if you could showcase your intellect to the professors, you’re sure to get a recommendation letter!”

“And besides, school is almost over. Ciel, you’ve never been to my house, have you? It’s pretty big…”

At this point, Amy’s eyes lit up again.

Her meaning was as clear as day: as long as Ciel attended the tea party, Amy would make sure she secured a recommendation letter for the best university in the capital, Ansu—and in the field Ciel liked.

If Ciel could get that recommendation, they could leave this smog-covered city together and head to the capital for university!

Amy’s heart pounded as she looked at the beautiful girl in front of her, who stood in silence, lost in thought. Amy herself became somewhat dazed.

Ciel’s hair burned like flames, her curls glowing with golden-red light under the sunlight streaming through the window, as if each strand carried the heat and energy of fire.

Her skin was as pale as ivory, forming a stark contrast with her vivid red hair. Her features seemed sculpted to perfection, and her lips carried a faint smile, tinged with an air of mystery and elegance.

Especially now, her dark red eyes were slightly distant, deep and enigmatic, radiating an irresistible allure wherever they glanced.

“Ciel?” Amy called out instinctively, desperate to hear an answer. After all, no one else had ever succeeded in inviting Ciel.

“I…” Ciel’s wandering gaze focused again. She looked at the blonde girl before her, her smile fading slightly. Placing the invitation into her pocket, she said calmly, “I’ve never thought law was interesting.”

“Thank you for the invitation. See you at the graduation ceremony the day after tomorrow.”

Ciel gave a slight nod, turned, and left.

The hem of her black uniform dress rose slightly as she walked away, only to be pulled back to the ground by gravity, dragging Amy’s emotions down with it.

Amy raised her hand, as if wanting to say something, but after a long pause, she let it fall helplessly, watching the red-haired girl walk farther and farther away.

…

Having declined Friend A, exchanged pleasantries with Classmate B, chatted briefly with Teacher C, and finally bid polite goodbyes to Passersby D, E, F, and G, Ciel left Berren Private Academy and began her journey home.

Three years had passed since her soul had replaced that of this fragile girl, and by now, Ciel had grown accustomed to her new life and identity in this world.

This was a world that was both similar to and different from the one she had known—a place reminiscent of Victorian-era Birmingham, yet filled with subtle distinctions. For instance, there were numerous churches here with names she had never heard before, as well as architectural wonders built by those churches.

However, to her disappointment, over the past three years, she had found nothing related to extraordinary powers—no events, no individuals. It seemed this was just an ordinary parallel world.

As she walked out of the academy and along a paved stone road, Ciel passed through three neighborhoods. Her steps eventually took her onto a black gravel road.

Clock Tower District.

Compared to the serene, elegant stone streets near the academy, the Clock Tower District was oppressively hot, filled with the constant roar of machinery and the crackle of furnaces. The uneven gravel road emitted an indescribable acrid stench.

The Clock Tower District was a microcosm of Berren: machinery roared day and night, steam mingled with black smoke, and the entire city resembled a massive furnace, as if attempting to scorch the heavens.

“Ding-ling—”

A carriage sped past, splashing dirty water from a puddle. Drops of blackened liquid landed on Ciel’s pristine white stockings, leaving a dark stain.

Returning home from the academy felt like stepping from the set of Hogwarts directly into the grimy world of Peaky Blinders. It was hard to believe such contrasting scenes could coexist within a single city.

“Hey, little lady, are you alright?”

The carriage stopped not far behind her. A middle-aged man with a round face and a double-breasted suit (buttons straining to stay fastened) poked his head out of the window. Removing his top hat, he wiped the sweat from his forehead, his eyes fixed intently on Ciel’s back.

As if she hadn’t heard, Ciel pulled the brim of her wide-brimmed hat lower and quickened her pace.

She moved like a nature photographer on the African savanna, carefully avoiding all interactions with either amorous or non-amorous wildlife, adhering strictly to the principle of “non-interference in photography.”

Skillfully navigating through a series of alleys, Ciel reached another street.

The road was lined with houses of varying heights, their walls weathered and marked by the passage of time. The alleyway was thick with the scent of coal smoke and cooking.

Stopping in front of Number 44, Ciel took a deep breath and ascended the short flight of stairs leading to the door.

She pulled out her key but didn’t immediately unlock the door. Instead, she bent down slightly, inspecting the gap under the door. Carefully, she retrieved a single strand of fiery red hair from the crevice.

Having confirmed that the door hadn’t been tampered with during her absence, Ciel inserted the key into the lock, stepped inside, and locked the door behind her.

The door shut out the noise and stench from outside, allowing Ciel’s nerves to relax slightly.

The small living room before her was furnished with a crude wooden table and chairs, an old but well-maintained sofa, and a small fireplace adorned with some cute decorations. The simple layout exuded a cozy warmth.

The kitchen was connected to the living room, with a coal stove as the primary cooking tool. A bag of coal was piled in the corner.

Ciel went upstairs to her room, changed out of her uniform dress and apron, and put on a plain linen dress better suited for housework. She returned to the kitchen, lit a fire, and began preparing dinner.

If anyone from school—such as Miss Amy—were to see Ciel like this, they would be utterly shocked, perhaps even wondering if they were hallucinating.

How could such a beautiful girl, exuding an air of mysterious nobility, live in such a low-class neighborhood and be so skilled at housework?

Are you also unable to stand spring day shadows?

Ciel expertly prepared the evening meal: a stew made from potatoes, carrots, onions, cabbage, and scraps of lean meat, paired with thick slices of coarsely ground bread, lightly pan-fried.

After placing the small pot of stew and the plate of bread on the wooden table, Ciel wiped her hands on her apron, reached into her pocket, and took out an antique silver pocket watch.

This watch had appeared on her person the moment she arrived in this world. Its chain was missing, and its silver casing had oxidized and turned black. Still, since it kept time accurately, Ciel had decided to keep it rather than pawn it off.

For someone with a strong sense of time, having such a watch was invaluable.

“Six twenty-nine… a minute early.”

Perhaps her cooking skills had improved again—this time, she’d finished preparing dinner a minute ahead of schedule.

And yet, a single minute wasn’t enough to accomplish anything meaningful. Watching time slip by idly left Ciel feeling a subtle unease.

“No matter. Close my eyes and count down a minute. Big sister should be back soon.”

Ciel closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and let the ticking of the pocket watch’s second hand fill her mind.

59…

21…

1…

“Dong—Dong—”

The giant clock tower looming over the district rang out its deep chimes, marking half past six and reminding the residents of Clock Tower District of the hour.

The unusual commotion outside the door snapped Ciel out of her meditative state.

“Dong—”

A muffled thud was followed by an angry, raspy female voice.

“Get lost! Don’t let me see you sneaking around my door again!”

Big sister’s back?

Ciel stood and walked to the window. Peeking through the curtains, she glanced outside.

A blonde figure stood on the steps outside the door, her back to Ciel. In front of her was a tall, thin young man wearing a newsboy cap, sprawled on the ground.

As the man struggled to his feet, several others dressed similarly in newsboy caps, black suspenders, and white shirts emerged from various directions. One short, one-eyed man stepped forward to help the fallen youth.

Once he was up, the man immediately punched the one-eyed fellow, shouting, “What the hell, couldn’t you warn me she was here?”

The one-eyed man stepped back timidly, falling in line behind him.

Dusting himself off, the youth looked at the blonde woman in front of him and smirked lazily.

“Lichie, why so worked up? I just came to see my future wife.”

His flippant words drew raucous laughter from the men around him, one even whistling.

Lichie clenched her fists tightly, the veins on her forehead seeming ready to burst. But as if recalling something, she exhaled deeply, relaxed her fists, and spoke flatly:

“Beat it, Eddie. If I see you here again, I’ll tear your filthy mouth apart.”

With that, she turned away, unwilling to waste another word.

“Tsk.” Eddie spat on the ground, glaring at her retreating back. “Ugly scarred freak.”

As his gaze wandered, it landed on the petite red-haired figure peeking out from behind the curtains.

“Ciel~” Eddie exaggeratedly spread his arms wide and called out toward the window. “Long time no see!”

The next moment, the curtains were drawn shut. But Eddie seemed unfazed, laughing as he continued shouting:

“Hey, I hear you’re graduating the day after tomorrow. Congrats! I’ll be there too, get to know some of your friends.”

“After all, you’ve got no family, right? I could bring a few of my pals along, make it a real event. Hahaha!”

The mocking laughter behind her felt like needles piercing Lichie’s brain.

Her scarred face twisted with rage, the marks on her skin like burns from acid.

All her hard work, all her sacrifices, were so Ciel could leave this place, escape this life, and meet better people.

If that bastard caused trouble at the graduation ceremony, what would Ciel’s friends and teachers think of her? The connections Ciel had worked so hard to build could be destroyed in a single day.

As Lichie’s hand reached into her work pants for a blade, the door opened. A pale, delicate hand grabbed her arm, pulling her inside.

Chapter 2: The Death of the Future

“You’re one minute late,” Ciel said as she locked the door behind her, pulling Lichie toward the dining table. “The food is getting cold.”

The hostility and violence from outside were swept away by her sister’s gentle voice and the warm atmosphere of their home. The contrast in emotions left Lichie momentarily dazed.

She let herself be led to the table, sitting down as Ciel withdrew her hand. Only then did she look across at her younger sister, speaking up:

“Ciel, don’t worry about him. There’s no way he’ll cause trouble. Just focus on attending your graduation ceremony.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Ciel shook her head and replied. “Even if he shows up, it won’t have any impact.”

“How could it not!” Lichie’s fists clenched again at those words. “That bastard will definitely spread nasty rumors and ruin your reputation! This could affect your university interview!”

“It’s fine.” Ciel gave a small nod, gesturing toward the stew with her chin. “Eat.”

“You... sigh...” Lichie wanted to say more but eventually fell silent. She picked up a piece of bread, dipped it into the soup, and took a bite, chewing sullenly.

Although her younger sister was small in stature, her mind was extraordinarily sharp, and her words were always persuasive. If they started an argument, Lichie knew she’d inevitably be convinced by Ciel’s calm reasoning. So, she simply chose to keep quiet.

Watching Lichie devour her dinner, Ciel fell into a quiet reverie.

Lichie, her elder sister who had been with her through thick and thin.

Although they weren’t related by blood, their bond was closer than that of biological siblings. Years ago, during a carriage accident, Lichie had pushed Ciel out of harm’s way, only to have her own face splashed with alchemical reagents as the cargo fell.

The accident had left her entire face and the left side of her scalp disfigured, burned beyond recognition. Her face now looked as terrifying as that of a ghost. Her hands, too, were horribly scarred, with the skin peeling and raw from chemical burns.

The burns on her arms had impaired the dexterity of her hands. Lichie was dismissed by the cruel factory owner of the textile mill where she had worked and was forced to take a harsher, more grueling job at a coal plant.

There wasn’t much difference between the two jobs—she’d merely moved from a dust-filled cotton mill to one filled with coal dust, each workplace equally punishing to the body.

Because she wasn’t as physically strong as the male laborers, Lichie had to spend more time completing tasks, only to earn a fraction of their wages. She worked tirelessly, just to avoid being fired.

The majority of her earnings—including the compensation from the chemical burns—had been spent on Ciel’s education. Over the past three years, Ciel had lived up to her sister’s expectations, excelling in her studies and standing on the brink of a promising future.

Lichie hoped Ciel would continue her education, become a lawyer or a doctor, and completely sever ties with their current life. That had always been her wish.

But Ciel clearly didn’t share this vision.

She had no intention of taking the entrance exams, nor did she plan to rely on recommendation letters. As someone with a clear plan, Ciel didn’t believe that pursuing higher education was a feasible path for her.

The tuition and fees for Ansu University could reach as high as 140 su pounds per year.

No matter how hard Lichie worked, even if she went without food or drink for an entire year, she’d barely earn 50 su pounds.

And that wasn’t even considering the exorbitant cost of living in the capital, Ansu. Attending university was an impossible financial burden for them.

Beyond the financial aspect, there were also the various overt and covert dangers in this impoverished neighborhood. For example, there was Eddie, the thug who had been pestering Ciel since half a year ago for reasons unknown.

Right now, the most effective way to change her life and social standing wasn’t to spend four or five years studying law at university, but to apply directly to the Berren City Police Department after graduation. That way, she could leave this dangerous and poverty-stricken neighborhood as quickly as possible.

As an outstanding graduate from Berren Private Academy, Ciel wouldn’t even need to take an exam. With just a recommendation letter, she could secure a clerical position at the police department, move out of this area, and gradually work toward a better life.

With the protection of the police uniform, the local thugs wouldn’t dare target them anymore. In a new environment, she could save up for university tuition, take the entrance exams later, and climb upward step by step.

“I’m sorry.”

Lichie’s raspy voice interrupted Ciel’s thoughts. She looked up and met her sister’s gaze.

“I want to do better, to work harder... but I don’t know how,” Lichie said, her voice tinged with frustration. The near-14-hour workdays had left her physically and emotionally drained, and her scarred hands felt powerless against the relentless tide of their harsh reality.

Seeing her sister’s self-reproach, Ciel felt a heavy pang of guilt in her heart.

Wasn’t she just as full of regret?

In the three years since she had arrived in this world, she had tried countless things... but crossing over wasn’t like the novels. She didn’t possess the “essential” knowledge that fictional transmigrators always seemed to have.

She didn’t understand firearms, couldn’t recite the operas or poetry popular in this world, and, despite her legal studies, knew nothing about physics or inventions. All she could rely on was her rote-learning skills, honed by her past life’s exam-oriented education, to continue excelling in her studies here.

This world’s chaotic security was far worse than her previous life’s, and as a law student, she couldn’t “cast spells.” Her prior knowledge was utterly useless here.

Ciel had even tried searching for supernatural powers or magic. She had visited countless magical societies, psychic organizations, and spiritualist associations, even attending their demonstrations.

But without exception, they had all been mere tricks—obvious, fraudulent magic.

This world had numerous churches, each distinct in its teachings. But from what she had seen, they were just ordinary religions. She couldn’t access the deeper layers of these organizations due to her current social standing.

It seemed she had truly transmigrated to a mundane, extraordinary-free parallel world—and one with a challenging starting point.

No wonder her predecessor had taken her own life. The pressure was more than most could bear.

“I’m heading out.”

Dinner ended in silence. After finishing her meal and reminding Ciel to lock the doors and windows, Lichie left for her night shift, which wouldn’t end until one in the morning.

At that moment, both sisters were lost in their own thoughts, each trying to find a way forward.

Left alone in the living room, Ciel sat on the sofa, staring at the cold fireplace. She absentmindedly rubbed the antique silver pocket watch in her hand, feeling the ticking of its hands beneath her fingers.

Graduation was just around the corner. Once she joined the Berren City Police Department, she’d have at least some basic means of self-defense. But how could she ensure Eddie wouldn’t disrupt her graduation ceremony?

“Caw!”

The sharp cry of a crow outside startled Ciel, making her flinch and grip the watch tightly.

“Hiss...”

A sharp pain shot through her right thumb. Looking down, she saw a small cut on her thumb, caused by the second hand she had been idly rubbing. Blood seeped from the wound and dripped onto the watch’s face.

Under Ciel’s gaze, the drop of blood seemed to come alive, flowing along the intricate grooves of the watch’s surface until it filled the entire face.

“Tick—”

The sound of the second hand echoed in Ciel’s mind, making her head spin.

No way... a bloodline bond? That cliché?

Ciel’s vision blurred as she felt her consciousness being drawn into a black void.

In the darkness, a silver-white screen lit up, displaying text in a language Ciel hadn’t seen in a long time: Chinese.

「Binding to user...」

「Activation successful...」

「Detecting transferable items... None.」

「Detecting fate points... None.」

「First simulation: 30 fate points granted as a gift. Please use them wisely.」

After a series of flashing messages, three options appeared before her:

「Future: 2 Days (Saint Year 741, June 19, 18:27) (Cost: 10 fate points)」

「Past: 300 Days (August 20, 740, 12:00) (Cost: 100 fate points)」

「Old Days: ***, *** Days (Cost: 10,000 fate points)」

「Note: Selecting ‘Future’ allows you to simulate the future, ‘Past’ allows you to simulate the past, and ‘Old Days’ lets you experience a period of ***. Please choose carefully... Though it seems you can only pick the first one ^」

The strange phenomenon left Ciel standing there, dumbfounded. After a long while, she snapped out of it and carefully examined the silver-white text before her.

Is this... a system?

And there’s only one choice...

“Future?” Ciel murmured the word.

If this was truly a golden finger, she had to test how it worked.

After making her selection, the silver-white text shattered and twisted, transforming into a rapidly spinning silver pocket watch.

The watch grew larger and larger in Ciel’s vision before exploding, engulfing her in a wave of dizziness.

...

When the blinding white light faded, the warm scent of wood and bread was replaced by the acrid stench of acid rain and dust.

Before her eyes, a glowing screen appeared.

「Future」

「Saint Year 741, June 19, 18:28」

「Countdown: 23:59:59」

Raindrops pattered against the glowing screen, smudging the date displayed.

The surrounding buildings had vanished. Ciel found herself standing outdoors, her dress soaked by the fine drizzle.

Looking down, she saw a black robe clinging to her body and a graduation certificate, wrapped with a white ribbon, in her hand.

A graduation certificate? Isn’t this supposed to be handed out at the ceremony the day after tomorrow?

Ciel’s eyes widened as she quickly opened the certificate to check. Her name was printed clearly on it, alongside her photo.

It was undeniably hers... and the graduation date was June 19, Saint Year 741...

“Is this... two days later?”

Ciel looked up and scanned her surroundings, quickly recognizing where she was.

She was standing on the road leading into the Clock Tower District, facing the path home.

Given her personality, she’d likely have gone straight to request the police department’s recommendation letter after receiving her certificate, right?

Ciel jogged to a nearby awning and rummaged through her pockets, soon pulling out an oil-paper-wrapped letter. Seeing the envelope, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.

It seemed she had safely graduated and obtained the police department’s recommendation letter... just as planned.

She needed to share this good news with her sister right away, tell her to quit her job, and move together to a place near the police department.

With a light step, Ciel ran toward home. Even when her skirt was splattered with muddy water, she paid no mind. After living in rainy Berren for three years, she was well accustomed to such things.

“Dong—Dong—”

The dinner bell rang, signaling the factories to release their workers for mealtime. Ciel weaved through the streets, accompanied by the chimes, until she turned a corner. There, her pace slowed.

In front of Number 44, a crowd had gathered. People were murmuring among themselves, pointing and commenting on something within.

“Ciel’s here!”

Someone shouted, and the crowd turned to look at her. Those blocking the way instinctively stepped aside, creating a path.

At the center of the gathered onlookers lay four or five bodies. Blood mixed with the black gravel on the ground, washed by the rain.

On the outermost edge was Eddie, sprawled on his back. His white shirt was stained with blood. His throat had been slashed by a sharp blade, and his abdomen was cut open, intestines spilling out. His eyes remained wide with terror, even in death.

Next to him was the short man, his throat also expertly cut. He clutched at the wound with both hands, but blood continued to gush out. His body twitched as he struggled through his final moments.

Behind the corpses, on the blood-soaked white steps of the house, slumped a familiar figure. She held a dagger in her hand, her right eye pierced by a silver-gray hilt. Her scarred face was frozen in a twisted expression.

Scattered around her were a bouquet of blood-stained flowers and an overturned cream cake. Embedded in the cake was a sugar plaque that read, “Congratulations on your graduation, dear Ciel~.” The rain had dissolved the red lettering, making it flow like blood down the steps.

“Dong!”

Ciel felt as though a hammer had struck her skull, and the lighthearted mood from moments ago took a sudden, drastic plunge.

The cold rain beat against her face, yet her eyes burned as if scorched by the sun.

What... happened?

“Over there... Blackwater Gang!”

“Let’s go... Young lady, you should leave too.”

The arrival of a group of men caused the surrounding residents to scatter in panic.

In an instant, the previously crowded street became eerily empty. Not a single onlooker remained.

“6:31... Why was there a deviation in the ritual?”

“Click—”

An aged voice spoke from behind Ciel.

With a crisp click, the hammer of a gun was pulled back. The cold metal barrel was already aimed at the red-haired girl.

Is this a dream...?

An icy chill spread from Ciel’s heart to her feet and head. Her gaze remained fixed on the figure atop the steps, unable to tear herself away. The cold rain couldn’t wash away the horrifying scene before her.

What happened? Why... did it turn out like this?

“Bang—!”

The revolver’s gunshot echoed, and a searing pain erupted at the back of Ciel’s head. The world before her was engulfed in silver-white light.

When the light faded, the cold rain was gone. The old fireplace and the lingering scent of baked bread returned to her senses. She stared at the silver-white screen before her, her hands and feet ice-cold.

...

「Reality」

「Saint Year 741, June 17」

「Evaluation: You ran a little in the ‘Future,’ honing your jogging skills. Since it’s your first simulation, here’s a consolation prize... Don’t look so serious.」

「After all, nothing bad has happened yet, right?」

「Reward: Fate Points *1, 【Dexterity Lv.1】」

「Fate Points: 21」

Chapter 3: Future, Past, and Old Days

Her ragged breaths could not calm the fear gripping her heart. The agony of having a bullet pierce through her skull lingered vividly, and Ciel remained trapped in the shock of the scene she had just witnessed, unable to regain her composure for a long time.

Instinctively, she wanted to get up and run out of the house, to head to the factory and check on her sister’s safety. But reason held her back, forcing her to remain seated as she slowly adjusted her breathing.

What had just happened wasn’t real—it was merely an illusion, one so realistic that it crossed the line into absurdity...

“The pocket watch...”

Ciel looked down at her hands. They were empty, save for the cut on her right thumb—a lingering reminder that the pocket watch had indeed been there.

「What is it? Thinking about me?」

A bright silver screen unfolded before her, floating in the air. It followed the movements of her head and remained fixed in her line of sight.

Ciel recalled that after the pocket watch had been activated by her blood, some sort of binding information had appeared.

Was the pocket watch now bound directly to her body?

“System?”

Ciel tried calling out.

The screen flickered and morphed, revealing several options.

「Simulation」

「Skills」

「Inventory」

「Points Mall」

「Ps: Next time, just think it instead of saying it out loud :D」

It really was a system.

And a rather talkative one at that.

Ciel opened the 「Simulation」 interface directly. A familiar screen appeared before her.

「Future: 2 Days (Saint Year 741, June 19, 18:58) (Cost: 10 Fate Points)」

「Past: 1 Day (Saint Year 741, June 16, 11:55) (Cost: 10 Fate Points)」

「Old Days: ***, *** Days (???) (Cost: 10,000 Fate Points)」

「Ps: Your Future simulation is currently locked to June 19, 18:31. Make changes in the present to break the death ending and expand the number of future days available for simulation.」

Ciel noticed that aside from the simulation of Future, the dates for Past and Old Days had now been replaced with random ones.

「Until the host’s ‘death ending’ is resolved, the Future simulation will remain limited to the period before the moment of death.」

As if sensing her thoughts, the bright silver screen answered the question lingering in her mind.

In other words, unless she survives the death event two days from now, the simulated future will always remain limited to the period between now and 6:30 PM on the 19th?

「Correct.」

“System, if I go back to the past, can I alter the future?” Ciel instinctively asked.

This question was critical. Anything she did in the past could potentially create unpredictable butterfly effects.

「Both Future and Past simulations do not affect reality. As for Old Days, it only impacts ‘those’ who exist within the Old Days.」

So, it wasn’t possible to change the past...

She wasn’t sure if that was good or bad news. At the very least, her actions within the simulations wouldn’t cause any catastrophic disruptions in reality.

As for simulating the future, even without considering anything else, betting on horse races alone could make her filthy rich. As long as she kept a low profile, limited her wins, and frequented different racecourses, she wouldn’t even catch the attention of the gangs.

Ciel let out a slow exhale, exiting the simulation interface to process the information in her mind.

She didn’t want to dive into the future again just yet. Rushing two days ahead would accomplish nothing and only force her to witness her sister’s death again.

First, she needed to fully understand all of the system’s functions.

Ciel opened the second tab, 「Inventory.」 It displayed four small, empty slots—completely devoid of items.

This must be where items were stored.

Exiting the 「Inventory,」 Ciel accessed the 「Points Mall.」

A large interface unfolded before her, filled with numerous categories and grids. However, only the foremost few grids were highlighted.

「【.450 (11.43mm) Black Powder Bullet (Slightly Deformed)】」

「Fate Points: 1」

「【Berren Private Academy Graduation Certificate (Ciel)】」

「Fate Points: 1」

「【Berren Private Academy Graduation Gown】」

「Fate Points: 1」

「...」

Scanning through the options, Ciel found herself momentarily lost for words.

She recognized these items—they were all things she had been carrying on her person during the simulation.

What she didn’t expect was that the bullet that had entered the back of her skull could also be purchased.

A bit of dark humor, perhaps.

Still...

Was it really possible to bring items back from the simulation? Wouldn’t that create some kind of time-space anomaly?

「All purchasable items are system replicas. Unless marked with the 【Unique】 attribute, everything else can be bought.」

The system’s timely response quelled her doubts.

Ciel’s final curiosity naturally centered on the skill she had gained at the end of her last simulation: 【Dexterity Lv.1】.

As she thought about it, a silver panel appeared before her.

「Dexterity Lv.1: Slightly enhances your agility, making your movements more refined and nimble.」

Ciel clenched her fist, but she didn’t feel any increase in strength.

She decided to test it out. Standing up, she performed a few warm-up exercises. After a series of attempts, she noticed a clear change in her body.

She could now jump much farther and higher than before. Previously, the rafters 2.5 meters above her head would’ve been out of reach, but now, she could touch them with just her fingertips, without even exerting her full strength. Considering her unimpressive physical condition, this was a significant improvement.

Given her height, this was something she couldn’t have achieved before.

Additionally, her sense of balance had improved. Even when landing, her body instinctively used techniques to reduce the impact.

Ciel was certain these movements were not ones she had previously known. In the past, her athletic skills could only be described as non-existent.

It seemed that the 【Dexterity Lv.1】 skill had comprehensively enhanced her physical agility, making her far more flexible than before.

And to think, this was merely a consolation prize for running a little in the future simulation.

What if she completed more challenging tasks or achieved higher system ratings? Would she gain even more powerful skills?

This ability... was incredible.

Ciel came to this conclusion almost instantly.

Suddenly, she thought of something. She quickly left the living room, ran upstairs to her small room, and retrieved a stitched notebook with a hard cardboard cover and a graphite pencil from her drawer.

Opening the notebook, the faint smell of alum emanated from its pale yellow pages. Ciel raised her pencil and wrote a line in Chinese on the first page.

【Saint Year 741, June 19, 6:31 PM (Time of Death)】

This, roughly, was the time when the incident would occur, leading to the deaths of both her sister and herself.

After some thought, Ciel continued writing:

“From now on, I will record every significant event that occurs within a day in this notebook, without overlooking any abnormalities or intuitive details...”

Her neat handwriting flowed smoothly across the page. What she was writing was less a diary and more a set of warnings for her future self.

As she wrote, she paused for a moment. The silver system interface appeared before her again. She reopened the simulation interface.

Right now, she had no need to simulate the past. As for simulating the future, she’d still end up at the point where everything became irreversible.

The room for maneuver was far too limited.

This was because her memory during the periods between simulations was incomplete.

For instance, if Ciel placed a cake beside her bed today, on the 17th, but upon jumping to the 19th through the system, the cake was gone, she wouldn’t know who had eaten it or why it had been removed.

However, if she kept a record in her notebook, she could learn what had happened to the cake by reading her entries.

She could even leave instructions in the notebook, guiding her future self on how to handle the cake based on its contents.

This approach, compared to diving directly into simulations, would allow Ciel to gather more information—details the simulations alone couldn’t provide.

She needed “herself” to help herself investigate.

Across the silver screen, Ciel wrote on the paper at her desk using Chinese characters.

【Eddie will have a conflict with my sister on June 19, leading to her death.】

【Do not attend the June 19 graduation ceremony. Try to convince my sister to move with me to a different district, far from the Clock Tower District, to avoid the conflict.】

【It seems the Blackwater Gang may be involved. If possible, gather information about them.】

The Blackwater Gang was a local criminal group in Berren, controlling all the taverns and underground distilleries in the Clock Tower District. Ciel had no idea why she or her sister would be entangled with such a dark organization.

After all, Ciel conducted herself with extreme caution, even keeping her distance from the aristocratic and wealthy classmates at school to avoid siding with the wrong faction and attracting hostility.

With such meticulous behavior, what could have caused the Blackwater Gang to take an interest in her?

With these thoughts in mind, Ciel set her pencil down and refocused on the silver screen before her.

During her last simulation of two days into the future, she had no memories of the two days leading up to that point. She could only rely on this method to explore alternate routes in each simulation, documenting everything for analysis afterward.

Ciel didn’t know if this method would work, but everything was worth a try.

There was, however, another thing that puzzled her deeply.

Eddie had harassed her countless times before, but he had never escalated to outright conflict. His usual approach was to pester and cling. Why had this incident suddenly turned violent and bloody?

Could it be that he said something that utterly enraged her sister?

“No...”

Ciel instinctively shook her head.

Her sister would have taken her warnings to heart. It must have been the other side that struck first.

Although the revelation of her sister’s death in the simulation had nearly overwhelmed her, Ciel could still clearly discern what had transpired.

The Blackwater Gang had cleared the area, and the old man’s voice behind her had muttered something.

Carefully recalling the elder’s words, Ciel remembered the exact line:

‘6:31... Why was there a deviation in the ritual?’

Deviation... ritual... what deviation? What ritual?

Could it be that this confrontation, her sister’s death, and even her own death, were all part of a deliberate plan?

Ciel didn’t know, but she understood that she needed to investigate.

With this thought in mind, she picked up her pencil and wrote another line in the notebook:

【If time permits, investigate the Blackwater Gang and the so-called ritual in detail.】

After completing the entry, Ciel set the pencil down and reopened the system interface.

「Consume 10 Fate Points to travel to the Future?」

Ciel double-checked her notes to ensure nothing was missing before closing the notebook and nodding to confirm.

“Yes.”

The silver hands of a clock spun rapidly before her, growing larger and larger until her vision was engulfed by endless silver. She lost all sensation of her body.

When she regained the ability to move her fingers, the silver light before her dissipated rapidly. The faint sound of rain reached her ears.

The silver screen before her displayed her current time.

「Future」

「Saint Year 741, June 19, 18:29」

「Countdown: 23:59:59」

Chapter 4: The Murder and Vengeance Ritual

The fine rain pelted the cobblestone streets, collecting in small muddy puddles on the damaged portions of the road.

Though narrow, this was still a main road wide enough for carriages to pass through. The gas lamps lining the street had already been lit, casting a soft glow on the gloomy rainy night.

The street was muddy, but it didn’t carry the stench of the Clock Tower District where she currently lived.

A carriage approached from the opposite direction, and Ciel stepped aside, holding her black umbrella to give way.

The movement caused the cheap black canvas handbag in her hand to sway slightly, drawing her gaze down to the bag she was carrying.

It wasn’t her usual school bag... Was it a new one?

Ciel opened the canvas bag.

Inside were a few sharpened pencils and a familiar notebook. She immediately took out the notebook and flipped it open, finding the message she had just written on the first page.

She took a deep breath and turned to the first page. Only after seeing the fresh, elegant handwriting in Chinese did she slowly exhale.

It seemed this method worked.

She had begun deliberately using the notebook to record decisions that could influence her simulated self in the Future simulation, and also had her simulated self document the events as they occurred.

This way, Ciel could learn what had happened during the periods of missing memory in the simulation.

Ciel opened the notebook and began skimming through it.

【Saint Year 741, June 18, 3:00 AM】

【Nothing unusual happened last night. After my sister finished her shift at 2:30 AM, I spoke to her about the idea of moving out of the Clock Tower District.】

【Her intention was already to take me out of the district, so she had no objections to my suggestion to move early.】

【As for the matter of not going to university, I haven’t discussed it with her yet. This isn’t the right time for that conversation. She’s worked so hard all these years to send me to school, so I can already imagine how devastated she would be if I gave up on university. A cold war isn’t conducive to facing the challenges ahead together.】

Ciel turned the page calmly.

The thoughts conveyed in the Chinese characters recorded here matched her own perfectly. Simply reading the words made her feel as though she had personally experienced these events, leaving no sense of disconnection.

【Saint Year 741, June 18, 12:00 PM】

【I took the day off and didn’t go to the academy. According to the original plan, I visited the Cam Street District, where I’d scouted out a potential place to live. The landlady was very surprised to learn I was a student at Berren Private Academy. Not only did she reserve a large room that could accommodate two people, but she also gave me a discount on the rent. It wasn’t much more expensive than the rooms in the Clock Tower District.】

【Saint Year 741, June 18, 2:30 PM】

【Ever since experiencing the Future simulation, I’ve been on edge, observing my surroundings more carefully. Perhaps due to the enhanced perception from “Dexterity Lv.1,” I’ve felt like someone has been watching me all day.】

【On my way back to the Clock Tower District, I ducked into an alley and quickly climbed onto a rooftop, only to discover that someone was indeed tailing me.】

【I’ve been followed this whole time. Be careful. I have a feeling this surveillance didn’t start today.】

【I’m heading down now, pretending I haven’t noticed the follower, so as not to alert them.】

“A stalker?”

Ciel’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Someone was following her? Was it Eddie and his gang of thugs? Or someone from the Blackwater Gang? Why were they tailing her?

If someone had been following her all along, then moving to a new home would be pointless. Those lurking in the shadows would immediately know her new address, leaving her unsafe no matter where she went.

Faced with such a situation... What would I do?

I would find a place where I could lose the stalker without arousing suspicion—and also take the opportunity to gauge the extent of their influence...

As Ciel thought this, she turned to the next page, finding that the recorded actions aligned perfectly with her own thoughts.

【Saint Year 741, June 18, 7:30 PM】

【The invitation I hadn’t discarded proved useful. At 4:30 PM, I attended Miss Amy’s tea party in full view of the stalker. Upon entering her estate, the surveillance ceased. Standing by the window, I could see the follower below—a well-dressed figure wearing a newsboy cap.】

【Clearly, the stalker couldn’t infiltrate a noble’s residence. I’m 90% certain the follower is linked to the Blackwater Gang. Eddie’s gang wouldn’t care so much about appearances. What is their purpose in following me? Is it related to the ritual the old man mentioned?】

【The tea party was as dull as I expected. My mind was preoccupied with thoughts about the stalker, and I didn’t even notice how out of place my school uniform looked amid the lavish attire. Amy pulled me aside to her room, offering to gift me two dresses.】

【Taking advantage of this opportunity, I tentatively asked Amy if she had ever heard of any secrets related to rituals and mentioned the name Blackwater Gang. However, from Amy’s confused gaze, it was clear that she had no knowledge of these matters.】

【Perhaps wanting to answer my questions, Amy left the room to consult her father and never returned. Before the tea party ended, I was asked to leave by the butler, who informed me that Amy had been placed under house arrest.】

【It seems Amy’s father, the baron, is deeply wary of the questions she raised. But was he more concerned about the Blackwater Gang or the “ritual”?】

So even the nobles were unwilling to get involved in this?

Ciel frowned slightly as she read her own words.

She had known the matter would be complicated, but she hadn’t expected the hidden layers to be this intricate.

Was the lead cut off here?

Amy’s father clearly knew something, but Ciel’s social standing made it impossible for her to approach the baron.

During her time at the academy, Ciel had always adhered to a policy of keeping a low profile. She avoided offending anyone and refrained from forming deep personal connections. Among the aristocrats, officials, and wealthy merchants, their children engaged in both open conflicts and hidden schemes. Siding with the wrong faction could result in her demise as easily as stepping on an ant.

As for motives? A mere dislike of her could be considered reason enough.

Perhaps because of the simulation, her future self had felt emboldened to discuss the Blackwater Gang with Amy. Unfortunately, it had yielded little.

Ciel shook her head lightly.

Still, the actions of her simulated self served as a reminder to her present self: within the simulations, she could afford to act more boldly.

As long as the outcome was favorable, she could repeat simulations endlessly to find the optimal solution.

Turning to the next page, Ciel was momentarily stunned by what she read.

【Saint Year 741, June 18, 11:00 PM】

【A nervous maid knocked on my door, handing me a letter. The envelope bore no signature, but the family crest on the carriage the maid arrived in confirmed it was from Amy.】

【It seems Amy had someone investigate my address—or perhaps she already knew it. Being confined to her house, she could only send a message through her maid.】

【She had learned a lot from her father, and she detailed everything in the letter.】

【The Blackwater Gang is the largest criminal organization in the Clock Tower District. They primarily deal in illegal alcohol production and distribution, controlling all the district’s bars. Their leader, Braid Solari, has connections with several nobles.】

【Recently, her baron father learned that the Blackwater Gang’s leader had spent an enormous sum of money to forge ties with a certain church member, obtaining something from them. He warned Amy not to involve herself with the gang and specifically forbade her from meeting me or inquiring about their leader.】

【Amy ended her letter by asking if I was facing any difficulties. She offered to let me stay at her house for a few days—but that was out of the question. Given her father’s cautious nature, he’d hand me over to the Blackwater Gang the moment he saw me, just to wash his hands of the matter. He wouldn’t risk involving himself in these troubles for the sake of a commoner.】

【Saint Year 741, June 19, 6:29 PM】

【Eddie is dead. But this time, I was the one who killed him.】

【I still have too little information. The most critical issue is that I lack the strength to protect myself. Many investigations are out of reach for me, and acting blindly would be like a lamb entering a tiger’s den. It’s crucial to acquire stronger weapons.】

【For now, I’m sticking to the plan and doing my best not to reveal any weaknesses. Using my birthday as an excuse, I asked my sister to wait for me at a café in the city center while I stayed behind, lingering near the location of the new house I planned to rent.】

【This split action served as a control experiment to figure out whether the target of the “ritual” was me or my sister. It was obvious—the test worked. They changed their plan. The stalker provided information, leading the thug Eddie straight to me. They are coming for me.】

【I prepared a knife in advance. This time, Eddie came alone, without his gang of thugs. His strength was inexplicably weak, almost as if he had been sent to die. I stabbed him once, ensuring he wouldn’t survive. The bloodied knife is still in the inner pocket of the canvas bag.】

【Be careful.】

The last entry... was just moments ago!

“Dong—”

As the clock struck 6:30, the bell towers rang out across the city, their tolls heavy and oppressive in the rain-soaked night.

Damn it! Why is time so tight this time?

Ciel quickly reached into her canvas bag, her fingers closing around a sticky, bloodied wooden knife handle. Her gaze instinctively darted to her right, where several shadowy figures emerged through the rain, walking toward her.

Among them was a thin figure wearing a newsboy cap. It was unmistakably the stalker described in her notebook.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Ciel flung aside her umbrella, gripped the knife, and sprinted toward the road on her left. But she had only taken a few steps before spotting several figures waiting for her at the end of the street.

She stopped abruptly, standing her ground, her fists clenched tightly.

“6:31... Why was there a deviation in the ritual?”

The phrase she had heard before echoed once again. Familiar elderly footsteps approached her from behind, growing closer and closer. When the footsteps stopped, the all-too-familiar sound of a gun hammer being cocked reached her ears.

【It’s best to acquire stronger weapons.】

The words from her notebook flashed through Ciel’s mind.

“Braid Solari!” Ciel shouted loudly.

“Hmm?” The shout caused the old man holding the gun to falter slightly. He seemed puzzled as to how the sacrifice before him knew his name.

In that fleeting moment, Ciel turned around, knife in hand.

Less than two meters! So close! Just three steps away!

She lunged toward Braid, her bloody knife slicing toward his head.

Beyond three steps, the gun is faster.

Within three steps, the gun is both faster and deadlier.

“Bang—!”

A bullet howled as it tore into Ciel’s skull, shattering her cheekbone and lodging itself in her skull.

The searing pain nearly caused her to lose consciousness instantly. Yet her left hand had already gripped the warm barrel of the revolver.

The sudden turn of events startled Braid. Instinctively fearing that his gun would be taken, he moved to pull it away. But the girl before him moved even faster, pressing her forehead against the gun’s muzzle.

What’s happening? Is she insane?

Braid’s gaze locked onto the red-haired girl, half of her face covered in blood. In her bloodied, eerily calm eyes, he saw no fear, no panic—only a serenity that didn’t belong to someone on the brink of death.

The girl’s left hand gripped the barrel tightly, while her right hand released the knife and darted forward, pinning the trigger before Braid could withdraw.

“I won’t... let your ritual... succeed...”

“Bang—!”

The girl collapsed to the ground, lifeless. Rainwater washed over the blood pooling beneath her, while Braid, his face splattered with blood, stood frozen. His heart pounded wildly as he stared at the girl’s corpse, struggling to process what had just happened.

He hadn’t pulled the trigger—she had.

What was going on? How did she know his name, even about the ritual?

She even said she wouldn’t let the ritual succeed. But... she’s already dead!

And that calm gaze of hers...

“‘Vengeance’ has been completed. What are you waiting for?”

A black-robed figure emerged from the alley, snapping Braid out of his daze. He wiped the blood off his face with a handkerchief and took a deep breath, though he felt no sense of triumph or relief after this so-called “vengeance.”

“Bang! Bang! Bang—!”

Raising his revolver, he fired several more times into the girl’s lifeless body. Only when the cylinder spun empty did he lower the smoking barrel.

Just now, he had felt something he hadn’t experienced in a long time—a primal fear of the unknown. It was the same fear he had felt the first time he’d encountered the black-robed figure.

Chapter 5: Reversing Death

「Reality」

「Saint Year 741, June 17, 18:44」

「Evaluation: Compared to your first simulation, your ability to gather information has significantly improved during the second one. You’ve also begun to lose your fear of death... Is that really a good thing?」

「Take this as a reward for your fearlessness in the face of death.」

「Reward: Fate Points *3, 【Death Reversal Lv.1】」

「Fate Points: 14」

“Haah—”

A sharp intake of breath rang out as Ciel propped herself up with her hands, sitting up abruptly in bed.

The left side of her face still throbbed faintly with phantom pain. No matter how composed she had appeared earlier, the sensation of her flesh tearing apart during death was not something that could be dulled.

Ignoring the system’s evaluation, Ciel immediately summoned the system interface in her mind.

「Simulation」

「Skills」

「Inventory」

「Points Mall」

She focused her thoughts on the Points Mall. A silver-white, translucent list unfolded before her, and several new items appeared on the screen.

Her gaze swept past the clothing entries and immediately locked onto one particular item.

It worked...

「【.450 Revolver (Battle-Worn)】」

「Fate Points: 1」

What?

Ciel blinked, slightly disbelieving what she was seeing.

Previously, the school uniform and graduation certificate had each cost 1 Fate Point, which she had found to be an outrageous rip-off since they were just ordinary items.

But now, seeing that the revolver also cost only 1 Fate Point, she found it hard to believe.

If 1 Fate Point for a piece of clothing was a scam, then 1 Fate Point for a gun was an absolute steal.

Still, considering the system’s past behavior, she suspected there was a catch.

“How many bullets are left in the gun?” Ciel asked warily in her mind.

「It’s a five-chamber revolver, and three bullets remain.」

「If you want to buy bullets, they’ll cost 1 Fate Point each. Thank you for your business.」

Only a fool would buy them from you.

It was becoming clear that the system’s valuation didn’t align with a normal person’s perspective. Whether it was clothing, a gun, or bullets, the system seemed to view them as equivalent.

Only by encountering more items in the future would Ciel be able to better understand how the system priced different things.

Even though the gun only had three bullets left, Ciel still decided to buy the revolver.

So far, this gun was the only thing that could give her a greater sense of security. No matter what other uses her Fate Points might have, securing the revolver took priority.

“Purchase.”

Ciel’s Fate Points balance dropped from 14 to 13. After exiting the Points Mall, she noticed a golden glow at the top-right corner of the 「Inventory」 tab.

Opening the Inventory, she saw that the previously empty slots now held an icon of the revolver in the first slot.

With a single thought, Ciel reached out her hand, and in an instant, white light coalesced. A black, old-style revolver materialized in her palm.

It had some heft to it, and the grip felt far from ergonomic. The gun’s body bore several scratches, and even the trigger was a little loose. However, it was well-maintained, with the metal surface faintly gleaming.

It looked like a weapon straight out of the 1800s, perfectly matching Ciel’s understanding of the era she was living in.

She had once thought she was living in a parallel version of London. But now, it was clear that this world was no longer the ordinary one she had believed it to be.

After all, a gang leader had orchestrated her murder under the guise of some inexplicable “ritual.”

Combined with what she had learned from Amy’s letter about the gang’s dealings with a certain church member—and the existence of the system itself—Ciel was beginning to suspect that this world truly harbored supernatural elements.

Regardless of the unknown dangers lurking in this world, her immediate priority was to survive the crises directly in front of her.

Ciel stored the revolver back in the Inventory and opened the 「Skills」 tab to check the new skill she had just acquired.

In addition to her initial skill 「Dexterity Lv.1」, a new entry had appeared: 「Death Reversal Lv.1」.

「Death Reversal Lv.1: When you are on the verge of death, all negative states will be cleared, and you will expend a significant amount of mental energy to forcibly maintain a near-death state for a brief period. If you fail to escape the near-death state after your mental energy is depleted, you will die.」

Forcibly clinging to life for a few seconds...

Ciel’s expression turned strange as she read the skill description.

If this were in a game, this skill would be godlike, akin to a trump card.

But for her current situation, the skill was almost useless.

In the simulations, dying meant nothing—those few extra seconds wouldn’t change the outcome, at best allowing her to gather a bit more information.

In real life, if she suffered a fatal wound, a few extra seconds wouldn’t be enough to save her. Performing life-saving measures within that timeframe was nearly impossible.

On the bright side, however, the skill could potentially be useful in simulations, allowing her to forcibly “lock her health” to steal weapons or other items, or even exchange her life for critical information.

If 「Dexterity Lv.1」 was primarily a minor enhancement to her physical capabilities, then 「Death Reversal」 was undeniably a supernatural ability.

Ciel also noticed a small golden “+” icon glowing beside the skill.

The moment she focused on the “+” icon, a system prompt appeared.

「Would you like to spend 10 Fate Points to upgrade 【Death Reversal】?」

No.

Ciel rejected the prompt without hesitation.

She only had 13 Fate Points remaining—barely enough for another simulation. If her next simulation didn’t yield significant progress, she would essentially lose the chance to simulate again.

So far, she had no other means of earning Fate Points, and the urgent situation left her no time to leisurely explore ways to obtain them.

Eddie had been targeting Ciel for half a year, constantly provoking her and her sister in a way that seemed calculated to push their buttons—almost as though he wanted to die. Now she understood this wasn’t just a coincidence.

The Blackwater Gang had taken action against her in the second simulation, but they hadn’t caused trouble in the bustling city center or targeted her sister. This marked a notable difference from the first simulation.

The only distinction between the two scenarios was that in the second simulation, it was Ciel who killed Eddie.

Could the “ritual” require either her or her sister to kill Eddie in order to initiate? Was that why Eddie had been so relentless in provoking them?

What if she and her sister stayed together in the bustling city center? At the police station? Or even at a noble friend’s residence? Would the ritual still proceed?

If possible, Ciel would test each scenario one by one.

But her dwindling Fate Points reminded her that if her next simulation didn’t lead to a major breakthrough or earn her more points, she wouldn’t be able to simulate again.

Rather than running away and gambling on the possibility of exploiting a flaw in a plan that had been meticulously crafted—down to the exact minute—over the course of half a year, Ciel leaned toward another option.

An option her enemies could never anticipate.

That option was to fight back.

Taking a deep breath, Ciel summoned the system interface and opened the 「Simulation」 tab.

Each Future simulation had been set at a different time. She needed to know whether the next simulation would place her on the following day, the day after that, or sometime today, so she could strategize accordingly.

「Future: 10h (Saint Year 741, June 18, 4:45) (Cost: 10 Fate Points)」

「Past: 30 Days (Saint Year 741, May 16, 7:30) (Cost: 100 Fate Points)」

「Old Days: ***, *** Days (???) (Cost: 10,000 Fate Points)」

Chapter 6: Taking the Initiative!

10 hours? Ten hours later?

Ciel opened the system’s time function and saw that it was currently 18:45, close to 7 PM.

She had activated the system around 6:30 PM, meaning only about fifteen minutes had passed. Aside from the time she’d spent idly in reality, the time spent within the simulation was almost negligible.

「There is a substantial time difference between the simulation and reality. The host need not worry about lengthy simulations impacting their real-world time ^^」

The system interface flashed before her, offering an explanation.

Ten hours later... That would be just before 5 AM?

She’d have 24 hours of activity time within the simulation—plenty of time to accomplish many things.

“System, if I’m in a state of mental exhaustion in reality, what will happen when I enter the simulation?”

「If the host forces themselves to stay awake, the simulation will reflect the same state of mental fatigue.」

So, states carried over...

“What happens if I exceed the allotted time without initiating a simulation?”

「If you fail to simulate before the Future simulation time【Saint Year 741, June 18, 4:45】, the Future simulation will reset to a new time.」

Ciel nodded and quickly devised her plan.

She needed to spend some time in her relatively safe room to finalize her strategy. Then, she’d ensure she got sufficient rest before initiating the simulation just before its expiration time.

This particular simulation was critical. It would be her longest simulation yet, and she had to alter the death outcome within it. Even if she couldn’t change her fate entirely, she needed to create enough impact to secure more Fate Points.

Ciel spent some time writing and sketching in her notebook, piecing together guesses and overturning them based on her current knowledge, hoping to formulate the best possible solution.

Unfortunately, the information she possessed was still too limited, and her lack of combat knowledge left her at a disadvantage. For now, she set aside the planning and grabbed some loose change to head out. From a street vendor, she purchased a short knife.

On her way back, while keeping an eye out, she once again spotted the tall, thin figure in the newsboy cap—just like the notebook had described. The stalker was still keeping watch, even late into the night.

After returning home, Ciel sharpened the short knife. She then attempted to store it in the system’s Inventory, but the attempt failed.

She tried storing several other objects, but all attempts were unsuccessful.

It seemed the Inventory could only hold items purchased from the Points Mall, which left Ciel feeling slightly regretful.

Having made all the preparations she could, Ciel returned to her room, lay down on her bed, and closed her eyes. In her mind, she initiated the system simulation.

“Future.”

As she silently recited the command, a hazy silver light bloomed in her vision, pulling her consciousness into the silver-white space.

The radiant second hand spun rapidly, stopping at a fixed position. The light in Ciel’s eyes faded, and she gradually became aware of the objects and temperature around her.

「Future」

「Saint Year 741, June 18, 4:45」

「Countdown: 23:59:59」

The silver-white space dissolved before her, leaving a faint screen displaying her current time.

She had arrived at 4:45 AM on the 18th, feeling fully refreshed.

Without lighting the kerosene lamp, she moved silently in the dark. She slipped out of bed, grabbed the sharpened short knife from under her pillow, and held it in a reverse grip as she cautiously opened her bedroom door.

Ciel quietly opened Lichie’s door, confirming her sister was still sound asleep inside. She gently closed the door and descended to the first floor.

Dressed in a gray linen outfit she had prepared earlier, she draped a worn, dark-gray cloak over her shoulders, pulling the hood up. She slightly parted the curtains and began observing the area outside through a narrow gap.

The street was deserted in the pre-dawn hours. Even the most exploitative factories had already ceased their operations, leaving the area quiet.

The Clock Tower District had no streetlights that remained lit throughout the night. As her eyes adjusted to the moonlit darkness, Ciel spotted a shadowy figure leaning against a wall in the alley directly across from her house.

Vagrants and orphans were so common in the Clock Tower District that no one would think twice about such a figure. However, the gray newsboy cap the figure used to cover their face betrayed their identity.

The sleeper in the alley was the same person who had been following her all this time.

If she wanted information, this person was her best target. Eddie might not know Braid Solari’s whereabouts, but this stalker definitely would.

With the night deep and silent, Ciel gripped her knife, opened the door, and descended the stairs with slow, deliberate steps toward the alley.

Thanks to the boost from 【Dexterity Lv.1】, she made no sound as she opened the door or walked, her movements light and precise.

She approached the figure quietly, stopping only when she was close enough to hear their faint snores. The man remained oblivious to her presence.

A faint silver light shimmered briefly, and a revolver materialized in Ciel’s left hand. Without hesitation, her right hand thrust the knife forward, sinking it into the stalker’s abdomen.

“Schlurk—”

Warm blood splattered onto Ciel’s hand.

“Urgh—!”

The man curled into himself from the pain, the newsboy cap slipping from his face and falling to the ground.

Clutching his stomach, he looked up sharply at Ciel, only to see the red-haired girl bathed in moonlight, calmly pointing a gun at him.

“Keep your voice down.” Ciel spoke evenly, maintaining a safe distance from the man.

She didn’t know where to strike to incapacitate someone without killing them. As a result, she’d chosen the soft abdomen, where no immediately fatal organs were located.

“Where is Braid Solari?”

The steady tone of the girl’s voice caused the man’s face to twitch. When he heard the name, panic and astonishment flashed unmistakably in his eyes.

“That church member tricked Braid. The ritual is fake. Tell me where he is, and I’ll spare your life.” Ciel spoke flatly, her tone devoid of emotion.

She had fabricated this information based on what she already knew, gambling that the man wouldn’t know more than she did—and that he’d value his life enough to talk.

The sight of the blood-dripping knife in her right hand and the revolver in her left made the man grit his teeth in hesitation. After a moment, he gave in.

“He... he’s at the Blackwater Tavern, the one on East Street... He’ll be there for the next couple of days... cough, cough...” The man’s voice grew weaker and more broken as he spoke.

The moment he finished speaking, a crisp “click” echoed—a warning as the revolver’s hammer was cocked.

“Lies won’t save your life. It seems my mercy was wasted.”

Ciel’s calm face showed a trace of “anger” as her left index finger rested on the trigger. She took a step forward, forcing the man to crawl back in panic.

Seeing this, his eyes widened in terror, and he began trembling and pleading desperately. His voice grew louder, even breaking into sobs.

“No... I’m not lying... cough, cough... I swear it’s true! He’s really at the Blackwater Tavern on East Street!”

Ciel paused momentarily before slowly lowering the hammer. She waved the revolver toward the alley.

“Get lost. Don’t let me see you again.”

“Th-thank you...” The man struggled to his feet, leaning against the wall as he limped into the depths of the alley. His frantic steps caused him to stumble multiple times.

When he had walked about ten meters, he mustered the courage to glance back, only to find the moonlit alley empty. The girl was gone.

Breathing heavily, the man tore off his sweat-soaked shirt and balled it up, pressing it against the wound in his abdomen to stop the bleeding.

Clutching his wound, he hobbled out of the alley and made a sharp left turn toward West Street. He never noticed the shadowy figure cloaked in black silently trailing him from the rooftops.

The man navigated several alleys before arriving at a brightly lit tavern with a sign reading “The Hammer.” Seeing the light, he quickened his pace and used the last of his strength to dash toward it.

“Almost there... Almost there... Boss Braid will call a doctor to fix me up...” His voice was slurred, his lips pale from blood loss. He muttered to himself as he staggered toward the beacon of hope.

“Thud...”

A sound of something heavy falling echoed from a nearby alley, causing the man to instinctively turn his head toward the darkness.

From the shadows, a bloody knife-wielding hand reached out. The hand rose slightly before plunging toward his throat in one swift motion, leaving only despair in his eyes.

“Guh...”

The man couldn’t even muster a scream before collapsing to the ground. His labored breathing, mixed with gurgling blood, was replaced by silence.

His lifeless body was slowly dragged into the alley, as if an unseen entity lurking in the darkness was claiming its prey.

After a few muffled sounds of a blade piercing flesh, the street returned to its eerie stillness.

About twenty seconds later, a red-haired girl emerged from the shadows of the alley. Her left hand held a blood-soaked knife, while her right hand wiped blood splatter from her face with a handkerchief.

As she stepped out, Ciel tilted her head back slightly, inhaling deeply the still-stale air devoid of any metallic tang. Her gaze, however, seemed slightly distant.

Though her notebook had recorded her killing Eddie once, this was the first time she had truly done it herself.

Even in the simulation, the sensation of blood splattering on her face felt so real. Even after wiping it away, the metallic stench of blood lingered, clinging to her nostrils.

“I just wanted to live a peaceful life...”

“I’ve tried my best to avoid provoking anyone...”

“Why did you have to come after me...”

“To shatter this peace...”

Her soft words didn’t sound like she was questioning any specific person. Rather, it was as if she were questioning fate or the gods.

After a long pause, she tucked the bloodied handkerchief away. At some point, a black revolver had materialized in her left hand. Holding it steadily, Ciel began walking toward The Hammer Tavern.

Chapter 7: Interrupted Ritual and an Unexpected Intruder

“Is everything in place, Braid?”

The bright lights of the tavern illuminated the black-robed man entirely, yet they failed to dispel the shadows that clung to his hooded face.

“Everything’s ready. They don’t suspect a thing.” Sitting across from him, Braid Solari wiped the glass in his hand with a handkerchief, then reached for a bottle of strong liquor from the shelf behind him. He poured it into the glass before downing it in one gulp.

The otherwise empty tavern was oppressively tense. The air seemed frozen, as neither man spoke for a long while. Eventually, the leader of the Blackwater Gang, Braid, broke the silence.

“‘Shadow,’ sir, I’m fully committed to this deal. This is my final move. I can’t wait any longe—cough, cough, cough...”

Braid suddenly doubled over, covering his mouth as a violent coughing fit wracked his body, as though he might cough his lungs out. When he finally recovered, the black-robed man spoke.

“As long as everything proceeds exactly as described in the ritual, there will be no problems,” said the black-robed man.

“This is already the third time.” Braid slammed the glass onto the bar counter, the heavy sound of its base striking the wood echoing in the quiet tavern. “First my son, then my brother, and now my nephew. After tomorrow, I’ll have no family left, ‘Shadow.’ Are you certain this is all part of the ritual?”

“The focus isn’t on your family; it’s on your feelings, Braid,” the man addressed as Shadow said, tapping his fingers lightly on the bar. “You feel nothing for their deaths, and that’s why the vengeance ritual has failed.”

“This time, we spent six months cultivating your bond with your nephew. Only when he is killed will you have a tangible sense of revenge, Braid.”

Braid gripped the glass tightly, veins bulging across his aging face as he stared intently into the shadowy void beneath the man’s hood, trying to discern something hidden within.

Braid was known for his ruthlessness, but he was also meticulous. To carve out a position for himself in this chaotic district, he had been willing to sacrifice anything—family and friendship included.

If there was anything that could drive him to irrational, all-consuming revenge after losing it, it would be either his own life or his wealth.

No.

There was also the man before him, the one who had taken most of his life’s savings while claiming to grant him power beyond ordinary comprehension. The enigmatic black-robed man.

If this ritual failed again, Braid swore, no matter what lay beneath that hood, he’d fill it with bullets and burn it all to ash.

“You want to kill me?” The black-robed man chuckled softly. “For such a paltry sum? Even if you donated all that money to the church, not a single transcendent would spare you a glance.”

The man extended a hand and slowly removed his hood. The warm light of the gas lamp illuminated his face, revealing a mass of writhing, flesh-like growths that seemed almost alive.

The growths pushed against his skin, squirming like countless tiny tentacles, thrashing wildly as if trying to tear through his cheeks and escape.

The sight was horrifying, beyond the explanation of common sense. Braid was once again struck dumb with shock. The silent, wriggling things seemed to emit a piercing shriek in his mind, leaving his thoughts muddled.

There was no doubt—this man possessed special abilities.

Braid’s illness, which was dragging him to the brink of death, could indeed be cured by this man.

As long as he followed the man’s instructions and completed the so-called “vengeance” ritual, he too could wield divine power...

Slowly, Braid released his grip on the glass, regaining his composure.

“Thud—”

Suddenly, the sound of something heavy hitting the ground outside made Braid flinch. The black-robed man swiftly pulled his hood back up and turned toward the street, his hands clenched into fists in apparent irritation at being interrupted.

“Your men?” the black-robed man asked angrily, glaring at Braid.

“Impossible. I dismissed them all,” Braid replied, though his thoughts seemed scattered, still reeling from the emotional highs and lows of their conversation. He stared at the glass in his hand and muttered, “Maybe it’s Pompey coming to report something.”

“I’ll check it out.” The black-robed man cast a quick glance at Braid, noting his dazed state, and walked toward the door.

“Ding-a-ling—”

The bell above the wooden glass door jingled as he pushed it open. He stepped outside and scanned the dark street, but saw no one. The street was devoid of pedestrians.

The quiet was punctuated only by the scurrying of rats or insects and the occasional snores from the neighboring buildings. Everything seemed as calm as ever.

The man, still facing the street, abruptly dropped to his knees without regard for appearances. Reaching into his robe with his left hand, he produced a translucent vial. With his right hand, he shoved his fingers deep into his throat.

“Urgh—!”

His stomach convulsed violently, as though provoked.

Then, with wild desperation, he began punching his stomach repeatedly, each blow harder than the last. Finally, with a retch, he vomited up a black mass of blood along with a fleshy, wriggling tendril.

“Plop, plop—”

The tendril twisted on the ground like a stranded fish, but the man quickly grabbed it and stuffed it into the vial.

Through the yellowish translucent glass, the tendril appeared to occupy only a small portion of the vial, as though part of it had already dissolved.

“Damn it... another failure...” The black-robed man’s shadowed face was now revealed—a gaunt, pale middle-aged man whose skin hung loose like that of a centenarian.

Bluish veins throbbed visibly beneath his skin. His hair was completely gone, replaced by fist-sized black and red cyst-like growths resembling parasitic eggs. He looked neither human nor ghostly.

Shaking, the man stood up, holding his forehead as though battling a severe headache.

Once he steadied himself, he scanned the empty street with a venomous gaze, muttered a curse under his breath, and returned to the tavern.

He pulled his hood back up, sat down at the bar, wiped the black blood from his lips, and spoke as though nothing had happened.

“Is everything in place, Braid?”

Braid, still dazed, hesitated at the question. After a long pause, he seemed to recall something and responded blankly, “...Everything’s ready... They don’t suspect a thing.”

The conversation repeated itself, but this time, the black-robed man refrained from provoking Braid further. Instead, he guided the discussion, prompting Braid to reiterate the plan in detail.

“Ding-a-ling—”

As their conversation neared its end, the sound of the tavern door opening interrupted them again, snapping the black-robed man out of his momentary stupor.

“Who’s there?”

The man turned sharply toward the door, but before he could fully face the entrance—before he even had a chance to rationalize the situation—a bullet, accompanied by the roar of gunfire, tore through the air toward his chest.

“Bang—!”

The searing pain sent him sprawling to the floor, his body curling into a fetal position. He glanced toward the window and saw her—a red-haired girl draped in a black cloak, her revolver aimed at him with an emotionless expression.

It’s her?!

Braid, hearing the gunshot, flinched but remained frozen in place, making no move to act.

The intruder was Ciel.

To ensure her shot wouldn’t miss, Ciel had aimed for the torso, the area with the largest target.

After incapacitating the black-robed man, she quickly pivoted and aimed at the stunned Braid. Without hesitation, she fired.

“Bang—”

The bullet left the barrel, trailing smoke. Aimed initially at Braid’s chest, the shot veered slightly upon firing, burying itself in his throat.

“Schlurkk—”

Blood, frothing with bubbles, sprayed from his throat. His eyes, which had begun to focus, glazed over again. Clutching his neck, he slowly collapsed behind the bar.

Despite eliminating the threats, Ciel felt no relief. With only one bullet left in the revolver, she made a quick decision. Switching the gun to her left hand, she pressed the muzzle against her temple while pulling a dagger from her belt with her right hand.

To ensure no possibility of failure, she kept the final bullet for herself—a guarantee of escape through death if needed.

Chapter 8: The Night of Boiling Blood

How did she find this place?!

She should have died without ever knowing anything!

The black-robed man stared in horror at the red-haired girl before him. His brain, already wracked with intense pain, couldn’t begin to process how she had managed to track him down here so precisely.

And the girl—after executing a perfect shot that blew Braid’s head apart—had turned the gun on herself... Was she insane?

No... If she wasn’t insane, there was only one other possibility.

Someone capable of such bizarre, out-of-the-ordinary actions—if not insane, could only be a transcendent being.

But how was that possible?

Braid had carefully selected this girl as the sacrificial lamb for the ritual. She had no background, no connections—she was the kind of person whose death would go unnoticed by anyone. How could she possibly complete the Vengeance Ritual? What path had she taken?

Could it be that... her apparent mediocrity was itself part of the ritual’s design?

Watching the girl slowly approach, the black-robed man realized he couldn’t afford to waste any more time.

The Vengeance Ritual wasn’t complete yet, and he wasn’t about to die here!

Without further hesitation, he reached into his robe, shattering the small translucent vial containing the flesh-colored tendril.

The vial broke, shards slicing into his fingers. The flesh-colored tendril inside squirmed like a worm, violently thrashing as it burrowed into the wound on his hand.

“Wait... my lady... Your Excellency!”

“I... I have a complete set of Vengeance Ritual notes and potions. They’re yours! A token of my foolish apology!”

The black-robed man raised his head to look at the red-haired girl. His gaunt, grotesque face began to fill out with writhing, fleshy growths...

...

Ciel stared at the black-robed man, who lay sprawled on the ground, barely clinging to life. Her heart rate quickened slightly.

When he had collapsed after being shot, his hood had fallen back, revealing a face so hideous it made her stomach churn.

His emaciated cheeks, the sagging skin that refused to cover his muscles and bones, and the pustule-like growths on his scalp that pulsed grotesquely—just a glimpse was enough to unsettle her to the core. Her steps, which had been inching toward him, faltered.

The half-man, half-ghost figure before her made Ciel question whether her gun or knife could even inflict real harm on him.

In her moment of hesitation, the black-robed man propped himself up with one hand and spoke in a trembling voice:

“Wait... my lady... Your Excellency!”

“I... I have a complete set of Vengeance Ritual notes and potions. They’re yours! A token of my foolish apology!”

He slowly raised his head, his yellowing sclera and lifeless pupils locking onto Ciel’s gaze. In that instant, a deafening hum filled her mind.

“Braid was merely a pawn for my Vengeance Ritual. After I’d guided him, he acted alone. I didn’t expect him to target you.”

“This potion was only a tool I used to manipulate Braid. If Your Excellency desires...”

“This potion and the notes are yours...”

The black-robed man’s voice echoed in her head. In her vision, everything blurred into indistinct patches of color. The only thing she could clearly see was his face, grotesquely bulging with flesh-like growths, drawing closer with every flicker.

Ciel felt the whispers in her mind grow louder, drowning out her thoughts. Her body stiffened, and she began to lose sensation in her limbs.

What... is this power?

Is this... transcendence?

Potion... notes... Vengeance Ritual... manipulation...

These fragmented terms struggled to piece themselves together in her mind.

In her distorted vision, even the blurred colors began to warp, leaving only his terrifying face, growing closer with each flicker.

No... I have to move... I have to do something...

Ciel’s mind screamed in alarm. As that grotesque face drew nearer, a horrific hallucination began to take shape in her mind—flesh-like growths tearing through his cheeks, sprouting barbed tendrils that gnawed at her own face...

There’s still... the skill...

Death... Reversal...

Summoning the last sliver of her strength, Ciel pulled the trigger of the revolver pressed against her temple.

“Bang—!”

The hammer struck the primer with a sharp crack. Black powder erupted in a cloud of smoke, propelling the bullet forward as flames from the muzzle scorched her hair. The round tore into her skull, churning through her brain with violent force.

The gunshot roared like a thunderclap in her ears, shattering the whispers and hums in an instant.

As brain matter and blood sprayed from her head, her vision returned to normal.

She saw the black-robed man clutching his wound, limping toward her.

His face, distorted with flesh growths, strained as the tendrils writhed violently, seemingly desperate to break free. Ciel could even see blood seeping from his eyes, along with a barbed tendril beginning to protrude from his eye socket.

Fear and pain didn’t break Ciel. Instead, she entered a state of eerie calm, as if she were already dead.

Under the black-robed man’s stunned gaze, she raised her left hand, now holding an empty revolver, and hurled it at him. Her right hand, gripping the short knife, slashed forward with deadly precision, drawing closer with unnerving speed.

The blade cut across his neck, leaving a deep gash.

Ignoring the foul black blood that sprayed onto her, Ciel struck again and again, her knife slicing relentlessly into his throat. Even as the flesh growths on his face erupted in a frenzy, she didn’t falter.

In this moment, Ciel was already a dead woman. And as the dead, she had nothing to fear.

“Schlick—schlick—”

Thick, dark blood splattered across the floor. The black-robed man’s neck was nearly severed, hanging by only a thin strip of skin after the ferocity of her strikes.

He had long since perished. His skin sagged once more, the pustules on his scalp bursting, spilling black blood and small, translucent egg-like objects across the ground. A flesh-colored tendril began to coalesce in the pool of blood, glowing faintly with a pinkish hue.

Ciel finally halted her assault. She had no heartbeat, no breath, and no fear of the gruesome scene before her. Her dark red pupils began to lose focus.

Her control over her body slipped away, her consciousness drifting.

Is the simulation ending...? The thought flitted through her mind.

I wonder if killing them earned me enough Fate Points... But since I died too, I probably didn’t get much...

Oh... the potion...

Ciel used the knife to cut open the black-robed man’s garment, her stiff movements revealing a black, translucent vial. Inside wasn’t liquid, but a swirling mass of what appeared to be gas.

In addition to the potion, she found two notebooks, which she clutched in her left hand, intending to store them in the system after the simulation ended.

Her gaze caught the flesh-colored tendril lying in the pool of blood. Slowly, she extended her right hand, using the knife tip to lift the tendril. Summoning every ounce of strength, she staggered to her feet.

Hmm...

Ciel’s thoughts began to slow. Her cognitive abilities were rapidly declining.

She stared blankly at the tendril on the blade, her muddled mind circling around a single question.

Can I send this to the system store without touching it?

Probably need direct contact...

But my left hand is full, and my right hand’s holding the knife. If I drop it, I won’t get it back...

Ciel slowly raised the knife, inching the pink tendril toward her mouth.

It touched... Perfect...

“Ahhhhhhhhhhh—!”

A blood-curdling scream suddenly rang out from the tavern entrance.

Ciel, now devoid of rational thought, awkwardly turned her head toward the source of the noise.

She froze in place, head tilted at an unnatural angle.

The once-still, deathly quiet street began to stir, boiling over in chaos sparked by that single scream.