Chapter 18: Foreseeing the Future

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Rumble, rumble...

The carriage shook as Wang Xi leaned back against the wooden panel and closed his eyes.

A fissure in his mind spat out words:

“Projection has arrived.”

“Current world: Fairy Tale.”

“Exploration progress: 0.34%.”

“Legend level: 0.”

“Would you like to settle this journey and permanently retire?”

‘Legend level? Retire?’

Wang Xi stared at the new entries and prompts in surprise, feeling somewhat puzzled.

‘These weren’t here before...’

“Legend level: Represents the projection’s achievements, reputation, influence, and legendary aura in the other world. It can only be earned by guiding or participating in historic events, or by defeating powerful enemies (legendary figures or creatures). Upon reaching certain thresholds, corresponding ‘Legend Chests’ are awarded.”

“Retire: Permanent custody. Your exploration and legend levels will be settled, granting a ‘Retirement Chest’ of corresponding rank, but you will lose the right to project again. (Retirement is irreversible; please choose carefully!)”

Suddenly, Wang Xi understood.

This so-called retirement was akin to the “early termination” option found in some text-based games.

If one missed something or deviated from the best ending during gameplay, they could choose to “end early.” The storyline would then be simulated further until a conclusion was reached.

These simulations contained certain plot clues, making it easier to achieve a good ending upon restarting.

The difference here was that once a projection retired, it was irreversible, and the chance to project again was lost forever.

‘Who retires right after leaving the newbie village?!’

Wang Xi silently scoffed.

At that moment, his attention fixed on retirement. The fissure representing Kaerus in his mind gently opened, bursting into a dazzling spectrum of dreamlike colors.

In an instant—

A series of blurry images flashed by like a lantern reel.

Wang Xi was suddenly startled.

“Retirement preview: You traveled with Godaril to the Stag King’s capital, but the caravan was ambushed in the outskirts near the capital.”

“The guard squad suffered heavy casualties. You fought desperately to survive but were gravely wounded. During the ordeal, Godaril took a fatal blow meant for you and collapsed in your arms.”

“To your shock, Godaril’s eyes turned gray, like a pair of dull gemstones.”

“A passing bard discovered you and took Godaril away, promising to do everything in their power to save her. They vanished like a whirlwind before your eyes.”

“Because you protected the Spinning Wheel Guild’s valuable cargo, the surviving steward White gave you a large sum of money. However, your injuries left you disabled, forcing you to endure pain while searching the capital for a way to lift the curse.”

“Months later, you found nothing. You witnessed Queen Xiana’s grand wedding and saw a meteor-like inferno descend from the sky...”

“You died in the blaze.”

“At the moment of death, a familiar figure appeared before you again. Godaril, in a gray dress, cradled your body, crying hysterically.”

“She charged at the red-dressed girl who conjured the flames, seeking revenge for you. But the newly empowered ‘Cinderella’ was no match for the red dress girl; they both were burned to ashes.”

Wang Xi awoke from the vision that foretold the future.

His heart was filled with shock.

He would die in the capital?

Burned alive in a sudden inferno?

Godaril would die avenging him?

‘Not only that! This retirement preview seems to predict the future and hides many useful details!’

Wang Xi immediately grew serious.

First, the Spinning Wheel Guild’s team would be ambushed near the capital outskirts by a well-prepared and powerful enemy.

The guard squad would suffer heavy losses, and he would barely survive. Godaril was near death but rescued by a passing bard.

Second, Godaril was not an ordinary person; months later she reappeared wielding magic.

‘Cinderella...’

Wang Xi repeated the name in his mind.

Could she be the Cinderella he remembered?

After all, this was a fairy tale other world.

But the signs and details failed to link Godaril with any known fairy tale character; there were no similarities.

Lastly, who was the red-dressed girl who conjured the terrifying fire? Why attack at the queen’s wedding? And the bard...?

Questions swirled in Wang Xi’s mind.

He took a deep breath.

“I refuse to retire. Kaerus, send me back first.”

…

…

When Wang Xi returned from the other world, it was already past three in the afternoon. The dim sunlight filtered through the window, casting an orange-yellow glow over the living room.

“Huff...”

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He opened his eyes, exhaled deeply, and rubbed his temples as he sat on the sofa.

He had spent two and a half days in the fairy tale world as a projection, yet only seven hours had passed in the main world.

Still, he felt somewhat exhausted.

Rumble in his stomach.

At that moment, a pang of hunger echoed within him.

“Well, it’s come to this. Time to order some food.”

Wang Xi smiled, took out his phone, and was about to open the food delivery app when he noticed a red exclamation mark in his chat app.

An unread message.

Opening it, he saw the sender’s avatar was a cartoon goofy goose, with the nickname “Xiao Nai.”

“Brother Xi, long time no see. I’m back in Gu City. Want to meet up tomorrow? (Cute smiley face)”

Xiao Nai?

Wang Xi’s eyes glazed over.

But soon a delicate, fair-skinned girl’s face surfaced in his mind. Among her flowing black hair was a streak of silver. As a child, Wang Xi often teased her by calling her “Nai Nai Gray,” which always left her feeling sad and upset.

Her pale blue eyes were the most memorable — soft yet tinged with subtle sadness and determination.

And the teardrop mole at the corner of her eye.

“Chu Nai...”

Wang Xi murmured.

“She’s back after graduation?”

Chu Nai was his genuine childhood friend.

Their parents were both researchers at the Maze Institute, which was how they met as children.

Unfortunately, their parents died in the same accident.

They became orphans who shared the same pain.

From kindergarten through elementary and middle school...

Chu Nai attended the same schools as Wang Xi.

But unlike Wang Xi’s “clumsiness,” this childhood friend showed exceptional academic talent, always ranking at the top and drawing school attention.

Wang Xi copied her homework countless times back then.

By university age, at just fifteen, Chu Nai was selected through rigorous exams and recruited by Dongzhou University for advanced studies.

That took her thousands of kilometers away, and they lost contact.

Four years passed with nothing between them but emptiness.

“All right, where shall we meet?”

Wang Xi snapped out of his thoughts and sent a message.

Almost immediately after he sent it, a beep sounded, and the reply came:

“Finally replying after so long?”

Beep — another vibration.

“With your girlfriend?”

Wang Xi raised an eyebrow.

Instant reply...

He glanced at the timestamp of the first message; it was sent early afternoon. He had taken two hours to respond, yet Chu Nai replied instantly, meaning one thing—

Chu Nai had been glued to her phone.

He recalled she didn’t like playing with phones much; it was just a communication tool for her, mostly used for studying or reading.

“I was just taking a nap,” Wang Xi lied.

Beep.

Another reply popped up:

“Ohhh.”

After a moment.

Beep.

“Then if you come out to meet me, won’t your girlfriend mind?”

Wang Xi couldn’t help but grin.

With his experience, he could clearly see the other’s subtle intentions.

“No worries. I won’t tell her.”

Wang Xi teasingly replied.

Then, he switched apps to order takeout.

He chose the nearby “Fiery Sweetheart” again but was more modest this time, selecting a meal around 50 credit points.

Two meat dishes, one vegetable, and a soup, with an extra box for leftovers.

Perhaps thanks to the “Randall Body Conditioning Method,” Wang Xi felt his appetite had grown.

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After ordering, he switched back to the chat app.

Chu Nai still hadn’t replied.

Wang Xi raised an eyebrow.

Thinking it over, he decided to initiate a video call.

Beep—

Only a few seconds passed.

Click.

The video connected.

Wang Xi stared at the phone screen, stunned.

A silver-haired girl appeared, similarly dazed as she looked at him. Her pale blue eyes were as gentle as ever, the sadness in them untouched.

But now her eyes were red-rimmed.

Wang Xi realized something.

“Xiao Nai?” he tried calling her.

The silver-haired girl snapped out of her daze.

She gasped softly and quickly turned her head away.

“Brother Xi, you… haven’t changed at all.”

Her voice was soft like a clear sky and white clouds.

Like a mountain spring—pure and serene.

“Is that so?” Wang Xi smiled. “You’ve changed quite a bit; your hair’s all silver now.”

“Hmm...” Chu Nai whispered.

“It’s because of the ‘Stigma.’”

“Stigma?” Wang Xi frowned. “What’s that?”

“A kind of universal skill technique.”

Chu Nai wiped her eyes quietly, then turned back and smiled as she explained.

Wang Xi was surprised.

“You’re not a professional adventurer now, are you?”

“I’ll tell you tomorrow.”

Chu Nai’s tone was playful and low.

Wang Xi didn’t press further, only replied:

“All right, see you tomorrow.”

“At our old elementary school. There’s an abandoned playground there. Remember?”

“Of course I remember,” Wang Xi smiled.

“Then it’s settled. Ten o’clock tomorrow morning. Don’t be late.”

“Okay.”

The video ended.

Wang Xi waited a moment and sent a message:

“Xiao Nai, I was just joking earlier.”

About half a minute later.

Beep.

“I know.”

Wang Xi was taken aback.

Beep.

“(Sad face)”

“But I’m still a little upset.”

Reading the message, Wang Xi felt his joke might have been inappropriate.

“Sorry.”

He sent a message.

Beep.

“Bring me breakfast tomorrow and I’ll forgive you.”

“Deal.”

After Wang Xi sent the last message, Chu Nai replied with a goofy goose emoji spinning in place.

“(Happy)”