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"First question, for now, I don't particularly intend to do anything. Based on my observations, you and she indeed share a common origin—as negative personalities activated by the gemstone's power. I cannot directly eliminate you without severely harming her consciousness. As for the second question, why am I so dominant here... let me reiterate, every existence has its pathways. It's simply because I had extensively studied the consciousness domain beforehand. Essentially, it's just an extension of material information manipulation. Controlling this realm is effortless for me."
Zeke calmly sipped his tea while explaining.
Dark Wendy snorted dismissively.
"Hmph! That's as good as saying nothing at all, pure nonsense. If you've got guts, leave right now. Once I've dealt with her, we'll settle our differences out in the real world."
"Don't overestimate yourself. Even if you become the Herrscher of Wind, against MANTIS fusion, you're still just Little Sister."
"Don't compare me to that useless waste; I'm not like her!"
"Oh really?"
Zeke put down his teacup, staring at Dark Wendy with lifeless, dead-fish eyes.
After three seconds, the darkened girl averted her gaze.
"As you can see, there isn't much difference."
"You fucking @*&#$?%EUR..." Dark Wendy's Schicksal curse echoed with the same elegant and courteous tone as her original self.
Then Zeke grabbed her cheeks firmly.
"It seems you lack respect for me. Even when I entered earlier, I heard you badmouthing me?"
"You're just a bastard! No different from those disgusting creeps! You only crave the power of the Gem of Desire!"
"Hmm, mostly accurate."
"...Are you shamelessly admitting it?!"
"I've always been straightforward with people; even Otto would agree with a smile."
"And yet, you dare to demand my respect?!" Despite having her cheeks pinched, Dark Wendy maintained an unyielding demeanor.
Compared to the original Wendy, who had already lost her resolve under Zeke's influence, Dark Wendy undoubtedly displayed much greater strength. This made Zeke involuntarily frown.
He couldn't linger long in this consciousness realm, lacking the time to properly educate this stubborn child. So, how could he make her obediently listen?
"How about triggering a few more supernova explosions?" Zeke stroked his chin thoughtfully, seemingly nonchalant, addressing both Wendys simultaneously.
Both shuddered instantly.
"You...you...you better not mess around! It won't work; I will never surrender!" With her cheeks still held, Dark Wendy pouted defiantly. Though her voice wavered slightly, she insisted on maintaining composure.
Zeke raised an eyebrow and released his grip.
"Let's get down to business. You need to voluntarily sever your connection with the gemstone's power. I'll protect your consciousness while extracting the gem. This way, both your personalities can remain safe—it's the most secure method."
"Forget it! I won't let you succeed!"
"I'm not here to negotiate."
"And neither am I, goddammit!" Dark Wendy defiantly glared at Zeke, brimming with hostility, as if completely unafraid.
Zeke stroked his chin and furrowed his brow once more.
Dark Wendy was born from the gemstone's power, forming a particularly strong bond with the Gem of Desire, yet she also shared origins with the original Wendy.
If Dark Wendy refuses to cooperate, directly removing the gem would essentially erase her consciousness, simultaneously shattering the original Wendy's consciousness as well—this is why individuals fused with gemstones nearly always perish upon extraction.
While Zeke had alternative methods if necessary, none were entirely foolproof. Any mishap could irreversibly damage Wendy, an S-rank prodigy, resulting in a significant long-term loss.
Hmm, he merely cared about his own losses; it had little to do with Wendy herself. Everyone should believe this fact.
"Supernova..."
With this thought, Zeke extended his hand once more, conjuring the vast cosmos and a colossal star.
He decided to trigger a few more Supernova explosions, hoping they would tame Dark Wendy enough for her to listen attentively. Even a paramecium learns fear after repeated blows, Zeke believed. Regardless of how stubborn Dark Wendy's temper might be, he felt she'd learn her lesson more readily than Kiana ever did.
"Wait!" × 2
Just as Zeke was about to clench his fist, both the original Wendy and Dark Wendy simultaneously grabbed his hand, their expressions filled with terror, pleading him to stop.
"What do you want? Don't waste my time," Zeke impatience seeped into his words as he looked at them.
"Well... umm, we could actually discuss this further. Please give us some time, okay?" The original Wendy smiled awkwardly, trying to appease him.
Zeke scrutinized her, frowned momentarily, then nodded hesitantly. With that, he transformed the starlit sky back into the tranquil grasslands.
The original Wendy gave a meaningful glance to her other self.
Dark Wendy, expression grim, cautiously peeked at the emotionless Zeke before standing up, pushing the wheelchair carrying the original Wendy, and slowly moving away.
"Hmph! You spineless waste of space!" Once they were far enough from Zeke, Dark Wendy scornfully remarked.
The original Wendy rolled her eyes helplessly. "As if you're any tougher."
"...Well, at least I'm stronger than you!"
"Sure, sure. You must be the bravest and most fearless person under heaven and earth; truly admirable."
"Don't mock me!" Dark Wendy angrily stamped her foot.
Meanwhile, the original Wendy spun her wheelchair around, facing her other self directly with a gentle gaze.
"What's with that look?!"
"It's nothing, just finally confirming that you are indeed part of me too."
"Haven't I been saying it all along? I am your resentment, fear, sorrow, and despair!"
"But isn't it astonishing? This is the power of the gemstone—amplifying and personifying my negative emotions. As I increasingly align with you, I also come closer to becoming what they call a Herrscher. It's genuinely terrifying. Who can remain devoid of negative feelings forever? Especially in the harsh world out there."
Seated in her wheelchair, Wendy let out a sigh unusually mature for her age. Despite being young, the experiences and insights she had gained far surpassed those of many adults.
Hearing the original Wendy acknowledge their unity, Dark Wendy's lips involuntarily curved upwards momentarily before quickly regaining her stern expression. With irritation, she rebuked, "Since you know that world is flawed, then we should destroy it. Using our power, let's create a better one!"
"We can't do that; Zeke will stop us. Moreover... I want to retract my earlier statement. The world isn't inherently bad, just not perfect yet. Think about Seele, Big Sister Bronya, Rozaliya, Liliya, and so many others—there are countless people worth protecting. How could we decide to destroy everything merely because of some misfortunes?"
"They don't understand at all. Those carefree fools, what could they possibly comprehend? Your naive thoughts stem from not experiencing enough hardships!"
"But I was truly saved from that dark and suffocating place. Even though I can't walk, at the orphanage, I never feel sadness or loneliness." Wendy smiled gently, looking at Dark Wendy as if she were a naive child, her face radiating warmth.