NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 296: Twilight
Ren saw the unease in her heart. It wasn't surprising – just months ago, she had been nothing more than an ordinary, vulnerable girl.
In the original timeline, even after the Lament of the Fallen, Mei had only hardened her resolve and attitude. Deep down, she remained that same schoolgirl, unable to break free from her past traumas.
Her determination had been little more than a facade built around her feelings for Kiana. Even after becoming the Herrscher of Thunder, she remained constantly shackled by emotional bonds, never truly finding her moment to shine or showing real growth.
But with Ren's intervention, while Mei's attachment to Kiana wasn't as intense, her personal growth had become far richer than in the original timeline. Everything from Ren's initial tough love showing her "she couldn't do anything," to arranging her meetings with various members of The Obsidian Concord – it had all genuinely transformed her mindset.
That's exactly why she could ignore the Herrscher consciousness's interference and achieve her awakening as the Herrscher of Thunder through conquering the gem.
Kevin's power was overwhelming – even Ren felt wary of it. It was only natural for her to feel unsettled.
But there wasn't time for her to adjust. Previous Era's Paradise held too many secrets, and Ren had to get involved no matter what. As the Thunder Queen of The Obsidian Concord, Mei would inevitably need to serve as an anchor point, entering World Serpent's radar first.
But Mei wasn't foolish enough to recklessly put herself in danger, nor would she carelessly engage with World Serpent just because of Pardofelis's information.
"Mei-nee, don't tell me you're with The Obsidian Concord too? Does the Eternal Paradise really exist?" Pardofelis asked, eyeing Mei curiously.
"I'm sorry, Felis. I can't tell you that."
Raiden Mei didn't reveal anything about The Obsidian Concord – not because she distrusted Pardofelis, but precisely because she sensed Felis was a good person. As a Herrscher, even if Mei did nothing, the storm would naturally find its way to her.
"Aw, no worries! I know curiosity killed the cat and all that. As long as Mei-nee promises to invest in my business later, I'll be more than grateful!" Pardofelis laughed cheerfully, quickly changing the subject without pursuing the matter of the Paradise further.
After all, Ren's intended message had been delivered. What Mei would do with it was her choice.
Seeing Pardofelis drop the subject, Mei felt relieved. She decided to properly thank her tomorrow before leaving. Over the years, Mei had saved up quite a bit of money, and she didn't mind investing it as payment for Felis saving her.
The next day.
Mei's injuries had fully healed. She woke up early but didn't hear Pardofelis's usual door creak.
After spending so many days together, Mei knew Felis's routine – she'd go out at night to "restock" and return home in the morning. During Mei's recovery, Felis had been taking care of her, and Mei had grown accustomed to that creaking door.
Sunlight was already flooding the earth outside, but still no sound of the door...
Mei stared at the closed door, an inexplicable unease growing in her heart.
She didn't have much time left, but she couldn't bear to leave without saying goodbye. Taking her weapon and no longer hiding her identity, she pushed open the wooden door. Like searching for a runaway cat, she began looking everywhere for Pardofelis.
"The Twilight District is a place without dawn. Here, there's only chaos and curtain falls."
"Then why did you choose to stay here?"
"Maybe because stray cats love freedom?" Pardofelis had answered with a smile, her eyes twinkling. "Cats are the best at reading situations – I'll definitely bolt at the first sign of trouble."
Mei recalled their conversation from yesterday as her anxiety continued to grow.
But what she feared most had already come to pass.
Even the most cunning stray cat has its moment of miscalculation. Even nine lives cannot defy the finale fate has written.
Among those piercing cries for help, the cat's free-spirited steps were finally bound.
"Felis!" When Mei finally found Pardofelis, all she saw was a girl barely clinging to life.
Even the most street-smart stray can't tell whether misfortune or freedom will come first.
While Pardofelis was out restocking, a building suddenly exploded. Such incidents weren't rare in the Twilight District, but this time it happened in a densely populated area.
It shouldn't have been Felis's problem – she had plenty of chances to escape. But when she heard the screams of a child trapped in the building, she couldn't keep walking.
The consuming flames devoured everything, burning memories to ash. Pardofelis, who should have escaped safely, chose to return to the scene to save that child.
But in sharing her luck with others, she forgot about herself. In the Twilight District, kindness was the greatest obstacle to survival, and Pardofelis had clearly failed that lesson.
"Mei-nee..." Pardofelis's face was drained of all color, blood constantly flowing from the massive wound in her thigh. But that wasn't the fatal injury – it was her broken spine, crushed by falling debris during the rescue.
Just hours ago, Mei had been suspicious of Pardofelis's unclear identity, finding both The Obsidian Concord and the Paradise too coincidental. Now, she didn't want to think about any of that. Only regret spread through her heart.
If she had just told Felis earlier that she was leaving, maybe Pardofelis wouldn't have gone out.
The Herrscher of Thunder's power continuously tried to repair Pardofelis's neural pathways, but no matter how hard Mei tried, the girl's body kept growing colder. Worse still, the Twilight District had practically no medical care. Even hours after the disaster, no ambulance had arrived.
It was too late. Wounded strays never come begging for help – they just find a quiet corner to lick their wounds alone.
"Mei-nee, I don't want to die."
The girl's voice was barely a whisper. Mei held her close, straining to hear her words. But there was nothing she could do. Even if she unleashed her full Herrscher powers and rushed Pardofelis to a hospital, she couldn't outrace the draining of life itself.
"The legendary Paradise... it must have so many treasures. Mei-nee, if you can... help me find them..."
Even in her final moments, Pardofelis maintained that curious cat-like nature. She gazed at Raiden Mei as the light in her eyes gradually faded until finally, there was nothing left.
"..."
Raiden Mei knelt there, holding Pardofelis's body until the sun set, until twilight fell.
The Twilight District never sees the dawn.
(End of Volume III: Moonlit Scar and the Heroic Shadow)