Yet, beneath the coldness, Valentina sensed a gentleness, a quiet kindness that softened the sharp edges of her demeanor. It was a complex and intriguing combination, and Valentina found herself instinctively drawn to the girl's enigmatic presence. A flicker of curiosity sparked within her, a feeling she hadn't experienced in a long time.
"Hello," the girl said, her voice a melodic whisper that seemed to echo slightly in the grand foyer.
"My name is Xiao Fuji." She offered a slight, almost imperceptible bow of her head, her gaze unwavering as she met Valentina's. The name – Fuji – clicked into place in Valentina's mind. This was her sister. The fragmented memories she'd experienced earlier suddenly sharpened into focus, coalescing around this striking young woman.
"Elder Sister," Valentina said, the title feeling surprisingly natural on her tongue.
Xiao's eyes widened slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing her face before she blinked, regaining her composure. She nodded her head in acknowledgement, a subtle gesture that conveyed both politeness and a hint of reserve. Then, unexpectedly, she walked up the stairs, her movements graceful and silent.
Valentina, acting on impulse, reached out and gently grasped Xiao's hand. The contact was brief but surprisingly warm, a silent offering of connection in the vast and impersonal space.
Inner voice: Ah, this elder sister is so beautiful but has a tragic ending.
Xiao's eyes widened further at the unexpected touch. A subtle frown creased her brow as she tried to decipher the strange sensation that had just washed over her. What was that voice? Who was talking? She frowned, a perplexed expression clouding her features.
She was sure this girl hadn't spoken a word, yet she distinctly felt a presence, a thought…almost like a whisper in her mind. It was fleeting, intangible, and utterly unsettling. She shook her head slightly, attributing it to a trick of the light or perhaps just her imagination running wild.
"My name is Valentina Fuji," Valentina said, releasing Xiao's hand and offering a small, polite smile. She consciously kept her thoughts carefully shielded, not wanting to overwhelm her sister with the chaotic torrent that usually flowed through her mind. The words felt almost rehearsed, a practiced formality masking the swirling emotions beneath the surface.
"It's…nice to finally meet you."
Valentina sighed, her gaze drifting towards a glass of apple juice placed on a nearby table. She sat down on a plush velvet armchair, gazing out the window at the deepening twilight. The sprawling gardens were now bathed in the soft glow of strategically placed lights, creating a scene of serene beauty. With a flick of her finger, she summoned a holographic screen that materialized in the air before her. It displayed a wealth of information, data points that detailed her current existence and the bizarre circumstances surrounding it.
Host Profile:
Name: Valentina Fuji (Currently)
Original Identity: Demonic Immortal Ancestor Fairy Goddess
Current Status: Reborn Villainess (999,999+ Attempts)
World: Mythical Novel World (Tyrannical Script)
Level: 1
Attributes: 99
Strength: 10
Agility: 8
Intelligence: 276 (Inherited from Goddess status)
Charisma: 75 (Naturally intimidating, amplified by current persona)
Luck: 1 (Pathetically low, as expected)
Skills:
Sarcasm Mastery (Max): Unparalleled ability to deliver cutting remarks with effortless grace.
Procrastination Expert (Max): A talent for delaying tasks to an art form.
Spicy Food Consumption (Level 3): Ability to withstand extreme heat levels in food.
Gossip Gathering (Level 2): Adept at extracting information from unsuspecting sources.
(Locked) Demonic Energy Manipulation: Currently dormant due to weakened state.
System Energy Points: 400
Mooching Energy: 278
System Coin: 2,300,000
System Points: 12,000,000,000
"Maw Maw, you need to upgrade," Valentina said, her voice laced with a hint of exasperation. She addressed the unseen entity that governed her system – a benevolent but often frustratingly slow artificial intelligence she'd nicknamed Maw Maw due to its tendency to dole out resources sparingly. The chubby Persian cat that sat perched on the table, diligently crunching on dry fish, perked up at the mention of upgrades, its tail twitching excitedly.
Maw Maw, manifesting as a shimmering, holographic projection of a fluffy Persian cat, promptly pounced onto Valentina's lap, kneading its paws into her thigh with surprising force. The catlike AI purred contentedly, its digital eyes glowing with an almost unsettling intelligence.
"Host, host!" Maw Maw exclaimed, its voice a cheerful chime that contrasted sharply with the villa's opulent silence.
"I will explain how to use the system energy points, mooching energy, system coin, and system points—and also how to use the System Mall!"
The holographic cat settled more comfortably on Valentina's lap, its tail swishing back and forth as it began to elaborate.
"System Energy Points are your daily operational currency. They power your basic abilities and allow you to perform minor actions within the world.
"System Energy Points are your daily operational currency. They power your basic abilities and allow you to perform minor actions within the world," Maw Maw explained, its holographic form shimmering slightly as it spoke. "Think of it as your stamina. Using your Sarcasm Mastery, for example, consumes a small amount of System Energy Points. They regenerate slowly over time, but you can accelerate the process with certain items from the System Mall."
The cat paused, allowing Valentina to absorb the information.
"Mooching Energy," Maw Maw continued.
"Is a unique resource. It's passively generated by observing and absorbing the emotions and experiences of those around you. Essentially, you 'feed' off the drama and intrigue of the world. The more intense the situation, the more Mooching Energy you gain. It's primarily used to unlock memories from your past lives—specifically, those related to your original identity as the Demonic Immortal Ancestor Fairy Goddess. Think of it as unlocking fragments of your power."
The holographic cat paused again, its digital whiskers twitching thoughtfully.
"System Coin is your standard currency for purchasing items in the System Mall. You earn it through completing quests, influencing events within the novel world, and… well, occasionally manipulating people for personal gain," Maw Maw added with a playful wink.
"It's quite versatile."
"And finally," Maw Maw concluded, its holographic form radiating an almost palpable excitement.
"System Points are the big leagues, Host. This is your longterm investment currency. They're earned through major accomplishments—significantly altering the plot, achieving significant power milestones, or successfully completing challenging quests. System Points are used for permanent upgrades, unlocking powerful skills—like Demonic Energy Manipulation—and purchasing highend items from the System Mall."
The cat paused, allowing Valentina to process the deluge of information.
"The System Mall is accessible at any time by simply thinking 'Mall.' It contains a vast array of items, ranging from basic consumables to legendary artifacts. You can use System Coin for everyday purchases and System Points for the truly gamechanging items."