Super Righteous Player-Chapter 1225 - 263 Main Quest: Sunset

After the sister’s voice suddenly rang out.

The refrigerator door in the living room swung open unexpectedly.

The "sister," with one bare leg, wrapped in chill and ice shards, emerged from within.

But the others did not seem surprised by her appearance.

Because at the same moment the "sister" appeared, everyone else became like frozen puppets—immediately still and silent.

Their faces grew blurred and indistinct, like that of the "Faceless Man." Including the yellow-haired one who was hung, no trace of Annan’s unique characteristics could be seen on them anymore.

The surroundings became tranquil in an instant, with only the light of the setting sun spilling into the room from outside.

Annan, sitting in a wheelchair, bathed in the sunlight’s glow, his expression calm to the point of serenity... while the sister stood opposite by his side, emitting a faint white chill—she was in the darkest corner of the entire room.

The two gazed intently at each other.

They were separated by half the room, yet it felt as though they were worlds apart.

"This must be our first meeting, right?"

After a brief pause, Annan was the first to break the silence.

He smiled gently.

That aged face bore a kind and amiable smile that instinctively inspired goodwill and approachability: "How should I address you?"

"How do you want to address yourself?"

The "sister" no longer hid behind a facade of gentle shyness, her expression turning cold: "Does a title—such a thing—hold any significance for us?"

Though not much taller in stature, that indifferent and emotionless gaze seemed to look down upon the mortal realm from the pinnacle of a summit.

"There still is significance."

Annan insisted firmly.

It was as if there was a glimmer in the depths of his pupils: "You and I are different—completely different individuals. Because our destinies are bound to take different paths.

"You are not my shadow, and I am not your substitute. We are both the same and different, intertwined as [Twins]."

"...Huh, the legend of Gemini."

Black Annan chuckled lightly, his arms crossed as if neither confirming nor denying: "The tale of the Son of God and Son of Man.

"Since I’m the one who ’died’ first, does that mean... I am the Son of Man, and you are the Son of God?"

Upon hearing this, Annan hesitated for a moment.

He retorted, "Don’t you have my memories?"

"Indeed."

Black Annan sighed, leaning back against the refrigerator: "So, actually, you’re right.

"After leaving this world, I haven’t progressed at all. Your experiences are uniquely your own... You truly are not my stand-in. From this perspective, we indeed have become completely different individuals."

"But we are still brothers closer than anyone else."

Annan said smilingly.

Black Annan exhaled deeply: "Why do you always view others so simply?

"Is it the reversed Heart of Justice that made you so naïve? Then I really should regret my foolish actions..."

"Rather than being simple or naïve, perhaps it’s more accurate to say I’m lax."

The almost tender smile on Annan’s face remained: "Because there aren’t that many who wish to oppose me.

"Everyone who is my enemy is also the enemy of the people. Because I’m on a path that leads to the happiness of the greatest majority... I am indeed the guiding star leading the way for people."

"A mere guiding star is far from worthy of my sacrifice. I could do as much," Black Annan sighed once again, his tone distant, "you need to become the sun... Annan.

"Will you... disappoint me? Will you make me regret, make me feel that my plan of self-exile was a mistake?"

"Why must you phrase it as a question?"

Annan countered: "Do you have so little confidence in me?

"Even the scheme you use to test me is so simplistic. It’s practically on par with a puzzle from a Detective Conan movie..."

Hearing this, Black Annan appeared momentarily perplexed.

He remained silent for quite a while before answering softly, "It has been a very, very long time... since I’ve heard a conversation like this."

"You are too lonely."

Annan also lowered his voice.

He recounted the story that happened to himself: "I have also faced a similar situation once. It was an enemy who tried to seize my body. He was an undead who had died, yet he gained my past experience and tried to come back to life."

"And what happened to him afterward?"

"Naturally, I defeated him. But before that, he became my mirror image—that is, a figure with hair and eyes of completely opposite colors. You know what I mean."

"Ah, I understand."

Black Annan immediately grasped Annan’s meaning.

"Every minute and every second, I grow stronger than the moment before. But by mixing his essence into the perfect me, the purity was instead lowered."

"So he asked me—is purity useful?"

"That’s wonderful..."

Hearing Annan’s narrative, "sister’s" face unexpectedly showed a hint of envy.

"So, I’m saying... you must be very lonely."

"Of course."

"Sister" nodded lightly: "There’s nothing to hide from oneself. And there’s no need to be stubborn... After all, you must have guessed it when you asked this question."

"Because the one who knows me best is you. And the one who knows you best is me. I am you, and you are me."

"—The person who pursues their believed justice, unafraid of all possible profanation?"

Black Annan subconsciously followed.

She gazed at Annan, and suddenly, both of them laughed at the same time.

The subtly opposing atmosphere dissipated instantly, and harmony was restored between them once again.

"...Since you’ve mentioned this, you must have guessed the nature of this nightmare."

Black Annan lamented, "You truly are another me."

"There’s nothing difficult to guess,"

Annan said softly, "It’s quite simple—according to what the Grey Artisan said, in order for you to come back, when I enter this Otherworld-level nightmare, I must do so with my true self. In other words, at this moment, my Heart of Winter has been replaced by the Heart of Justice.

"And you are not in my body... from the very beginning, it was impossible. You were placed in the Egg of Dream Condensation by the Grey Artisan in the form of ’Ashes of Memory’.

"In other words—you are an ’NPC’ that exists within this nightmare. And if I want you to join my ’party,’ I must pay a certain price."

"Or," Black Annan interjected, "become the ’reward of the nightmare’ itself."

"In either case," Annan continued, "you will be the [Questioner] of this nightmare.

"Although you are the one who understands me best, you couldn’t possibly pose a question that would stump me. Because you don’t hold a heart full of anger towards this world... you weren’t forced by anyone, you left voluntarily.

"But according to what I know about myself—you wouldn’t just recognize me outright. That would be too boring.

"You will interfere with this nightmare, hide a hint inside it that would allow me to recognize it at a glance. It’s like a secret code between childhood friends which is delightfully surprising.

"Since that’s the case... you definitely wouldn’t hide at the final level, watching me clear each stage. If it were ’me,’ I would no doubt enjoy participating. Therefore, you would be the first stage.

"That is to say, my experience in the ’first cycle’ was the question you posed to me. If I were truly dull and stupid, and didn’t recognize you by the sixth cycle, you would personally kill me in the seventh cycle—I’m not wrong, am I."

Although Annan was asking, the tone of his voice was declarative.

"Sister," who was being watched by him, remained quiet without uttering a word.

And in front of Annan, the main mission finally refreshed:

[Main Mission: Sunset]

Immediately after that line, a large amount of smaller text emerged:

[Find the Other Self (Completed)]

[Find the True Dead]

[Find the Truth]