NOVEL WEB Chapter 130: Heartfelt Thoughts: Seeing My Sister’s Adorable Smile
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Chapter 130: Heartfelt Thoughts: Seeing My Sister’s Adorable Smile
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Ah, what a splendid time this is!
Yet, even though the system showers her with the allure of “pain points,” Xanthia remains steadfast, refusing to succumb to being merely a tool for it. She is the master of the system, not its servant. With the system at her disposal, she finds it much easier to grow stronger and enjoy a multitude of diversions.
Undoubtedly, her own happiness takes precedence.
At present, as she revels in the carefree, idyllic days of high school, she has no intention of changing her status quo. The golden item she had drawn—“Nightmare Phone”—pleased her immensely; it was yet another intriguing card up her sleeve!
Even without utilizing this system-branded phone to lure others, Xanthia could employ it as a “gaming console” or “handheld device” for sheer enjoyment, boasting top-tier performance.
It could not only download mobile games but also directly play PC games on Steam, including exclusive console titles. Don’t ask how she’d manage without a keyboard, mouse, or controller; simply put, it manifests directly in her consciousness. On the surface, it might look as if she were “playing with glass,” but she was genuinely wielding a keyboard and mouse!
When viewed from this angle, should she choose to play a shooting game on her Nightmare Phone, it would be quite unfair to other players, as they would be struggling while she revels in the advantages of her setup.
Speaking of which, the recent single-player monstrosity, “Beast Maniac,” has become wildly popular. While other players are confined to their computers, Xanthia can play directly on her Nightmare Phone, which is simply delightful!
If she felt the need to dominate Beast Maniac further, a simple text message to someone in her contacts could plunge them into a night of vividly realistic nightmares, transforming them into Beast Maniac, subjected to her whims and torments...
Of course, this would cost her some “pain points” as currency, and if the poor soul had longed to explore that game world as Beast Maniac, seeking the genuine landscapes born of its lore, she might inadvertently reward them instead.
With this golden item in her possession, Xanthia now has the ability to enable others to “transcend their dreams” while they sleep.
However, the protagonists in novels who traverse worlds are always blessed with destiny and an aura of favor, which must be quite exhilarating. But those yanked into “crossing over” by Xanthia will have a rather different experience.
At this moment, she fondled her striking red and black phone, feeling a delightful sense of mastery over it, her mood soaring.
It was high time for her to upgrade from the phone she had been using; replacing it with such a fantastical piece of cutting-edge technology was utterly exhilarating.
With a flourish, she instructed her Nightmare Phone to download a plethora of games, novels, anime, movies, and television shows from this world, vastly enhancing her entertainment options.
Simultaneously, she unwrapped the last blind box...
Having braced herself for the disappointment of the third blind box—“Shipwreck”—after the impact of the second gold item, she could hardly fathom the luck that awaited her!
Although she hadn’t drawn any more gold-tier items, she did unveil a purple item: the “Horror Brush.”
Its appearance was quite unassuming, lacking the ostentatious charm of the “Nightmare Phone.” Initially, it resembled a typical 2B pencil.
Yet, judging by its name, it was evidently not a benign tool. Given the system’s tendencies, it was surely another device intended to encourage players to extract pain points.
Xanthia suspected that her unwavering focus on acquiring joy might have led to a certain complacency in extracting pain points, adopting a rather laissez-faire attitude. This, she reasoned, prompted the system to grow impatient, thus delivering an array of items her way.
If that were indeed the case, she believed she ought to maintain this relaxed approach!
In doing so, her chances of drawing more valuable items would increase. After all, she wasn’t in a rush and didn’t mind an ever-growing arsenal of extraordinary tools. She simply relished the idea of accumulating more cards up her sleeve.
Upon scrutinizing the description of the “Horror Brush,” she discovered its function was delightfully straightforward!
The “Horror Brush” could morph into various writing instruments: pens, ballpoints, watercolor brushes, crayons, or even a stylus for digital screens. Its transformations were impressively realistic, convincing one that the player was merely wielding a typical artist’s brush.
Furthermore, it allowed Xanthia to create grotesque, terrifying, and nightmarish depictions of demons, hellish scenes, and the like with the utmost artistic skill. The horrific imagery produced would surely instil profound fear in anyone who laid eyes upon it!
If she ventured into the realm of Lovecraft, her works could truly inflict sanity loss—viewers might spiral into madness, plagued by paranoia, convinced the world teemed with oddities, strange rules, and anomalous entities...
Ah, Xanthia knew it!
The items drawn from the blind box were never protective tools; they were always intended for mischief or psychological manipulation, designed to rattle others and challenge their worldview.
However, upon seeing the skill boost attached to the “Horror Brush,” she was utterly thrilled!
This meant that should she choose not to craft horrifying imagery but instead create ordinary characters and scenes, she would possess Level 4 (Expert) artistic skill!
What a wonderful boon! While she had little interest in painting fearsome, sanity-defying images, the idea of sketching something not-so-odd filled her with enthusiasm! Her happy points would soar!
Xanthia envied those professionals who could create their own content; sadly, she was utterly clueless when it came to drawing and currently lacked the time to learn.
Now, however, armed with the “Horror Brush,” she could focus on non-terror-inducing scenes, utilizing her Level 4 artistry to garner a steady stream of happy points.
Clearly, the “Horror Brush,” much like the “Nightmare Phone,” could also be employed to accrue happy points!
Moreover, with her newfound Level 4 artistic skill, Xanthia could even earn pocket money through her drawings. True, AI art was all the rage nowadays, yet no matter how impressive it may be, it could never surpass the quality of a purple item crafted by the system—her “Horror Brush.”
One could only imagine the system’s exasperation, knowing full well that Xanthia’s luck had bestowed upon her such treasures, yet her intended use was to inflict pain upon the world. Instead, this cheeky girl was constantly seeking ways to entertain herself…
Lastly, the “Horror Brush” came with a rather amusing “Easter egg”—it could be used to play the game “Pen Fairy,” reliably summoning a “Pen Fairy” each and every time.
Alas, this so-called “Pen Fairy” would act solely according to Xanthia’s wishes, perfectly aligned with her mischievous aims, striking terror into anyone bold enough to play this game.
In reality, of course, pens lack such magical properties; the “Pen Fairy” is merely a psychological phenomenon, an illusion borne of the mind.
The “Horror Brush” boasted yet another feature: should Xanthia invest her “pain points” into it, it could transform into an extraordinarily efficient “AI artist,” surpassing all other AI drawing systems in the world, thus saving her time in creation.
Xanthia found the system rather cunning, always keeping a watchful eye on her stockpile of pain points, persistently tempting her into “spending.” It was as if it hoped that the more she consumed, the more inclined she would be to extract pain from others.
Yet, alas, Xanthia would never fall into such traps easily!
She maintained her own rhythm, centring her efforts on acquiring happy points, enhancing her strength, and mysteriously boosting her luck along the way!
As this new month commenced, none of the three blind boxes had yielded disappointments. Every item drawn had proven immensely useful—an excellent illustration of her good fortune.
Xanthia, the lover of fun, took great delight in seeing others become flustered; the more frantic they became, the more splendid the items she’d uncover. And so, she remained unfazed, effortlessly toying with the system as if it were but a pawn in her game. Such was the essence of her luck!
After drawing an exceptional item from the mysterious box, Xanthia awoke feeling utterly refreshed the next day. As she rose, the cheerful notification of increased happiness chimed in her mind. With a delightful yawn, she savored the scent of her own breath, enhancing her already buoyant mood.
Today was Saturday, and she had arranged with Dionysius to dine at a high-end private restaurant he had chosen. In the afternoon, he planned to take her ice skating, and naturally, he would be responsible for dinner as well.
Xanthia was quite pleased with Dionysius’s plans. After all, he was exceptionally agreeable; whatever activities she desired, he would strive to fulfil without a hint of objection. He seemed determined to pamper his “little sister” to the heavens.
It was precisely because of this willingness that Xanthia graciously provided him with an opportunity to prove himself further. If he remained sincere, she would be there for him if he ever found himself in a predicament—such was the benevolence of Xanthia The Great!
During her free morning hours, Xanthia stood before the full-length mirror in her apartment, armed with the “Horror Brush.” She created a series of self-portraits, which then magically transformed into a digital canvas projected onto her computer screen.
These self-portraits were not realistic; rather, they reflected her whimsical imagination in a two-dimensional style.
Perhaps it was the brush's eerie aura, but Xanthia felt her artwork exuded an essence akin to that of the “Hell Girl".
Regardless, the results were nothing short of exquisite. Her Lv4 (Expert) painting skills were no joke—the quality was outstanding!
Upon reflection, Xanthia realized that her portrayal fell short due to her body image insecurities.
Nevertheless, witnessing her previously unskilled self conjure such delicate self-portraits using the “Horror Brush” brought her immense happy!
The limited blind boxes she received monthly rarely yielded items to enhance her physical attributes or skills, let alone any protective gear. However, with the said brush as long as she wielded it with finesse, it was as if she possessed the artistic prowess of an expert, granting her an exhilarating sense of achievement!
What thrilled her even more was that using the item to create art would also boost her inherent drawing skills, allowing her proficiency and experience to grow as she practiced.
With time, she was confident that her skill level would eventually rise to the point where she could create exquisite artworks without the brush’s assistance.
To say she had struck gold with this purple item would be an understatement!
She had no intention of using it to create monsters or Lovecraftian horrors; instead, she painted delightful images to please herself, transforming the “Horror Brush” into the “Seductive Brush” or “Cheeky Brush!”
It was undeniable that the styles of playful art clashed with the horror genre. One could only imagine the system's dismay at seeing its carefully curated item being so misused. It seemed they would need to intensify their efforts next time!
Xanthia even used it to craft an exquisitely detailed two-dimensional character—a “Cosplay Person.” She intended to launch her singing videos under the account name “Xanthia The Great Meow”
Initially, she contemplated naming her account simply “Xanthia The Great”—it was straightforward and powerful. Alas, that name had long been claimed.
She then considered using the nickname “Little Xanthia,” inspired by Luciel, but that too was unavailable. Thus, she settled on the cute yet commanding name “Xanthia The Great Meow”
Utilizing a virtual character was all the rage among MeTube’s two-dimensional creators. Regardless of her actual appearance, the whole “Cosplay Person” persona kept her trendy—an advantageous move indeed.
Since she possessed the “Horror Brush” that enabled her to create a splendid avatar, she aimed to leverage that advantage to the fullest.
As for her real appearance, she kept it as a trump card, saving it for crucial moments to attract fans. Such tantalizing tactics would surely enthrall her followers and, with a bit of luck, yield a fair share of pain points.
That said, with her current looks at around a seven out of ten, especially in an online landscape where everyone utilized makeup and filters, she realized she wouldn’t stand out. It was wiser to continue developing herself before revealing her true self.
After a preliminary exploration of the brush, Xanthia decided to play with her nightmare phone.
In that moment, she felt like a jubilant gamer who had just discovered a new title. The thrill of her newly dubbed “Cheeky Brush” and now the “Cheeky Phone” kept her captivated, a source of endless happy and rising happiness levels.
Originally designed to extract pain points from others, these divine items had morphed into delightful tools that catered to her whims, turning her into the sole beneficiary of their powers—a truly delightful irony!
The “Nightmare Phone” was undeniably potent. At present, however, she found herself indulging in pvp games relishing the fact that the phone boasted infinite battery life, never overheated, and operated with exquisite smoothness. This enhanced her gaming prowess immeasurably!
Using the “Cheeky Phone” also allowed her to increase her gaming skill proficiency and experience points. Currently, her gaming skill had reached Lv2, and when she finally advanced to Lv3 (Professional Level), she could potentially make a living from gaming and step onto the professional esports scene!
After all, her worthless father, Demetrios, was a shareholder and owner of the WE team. Perhaps she could leverage her connections to stroll into the competitive arena with an air of confidence?
That would surely trigger system missions and offer intriguing entries, along with more happy points.
Regardless, Xanthia felt that acquiring happiness points through gaming was quite a cost-effective strategy, honing her skills while enjoying herself. Additionally, she could mess with her teammates' minds and siphon off a few pain points—three wins from one effort!
Before she knew it, the clock had ticked past ten, and Dionysius had arranged to meet her at 10:30. He would personally collect her from Cardinali Square.
He was well aware of Xanthia’s residence in the commercial apartment, having noted it in his memory long ago.
In truth, he thought it was rather unfair for her to live in such a hotel-style apartment, yet her stubbornness had led her to insist on living alone. What could he do about her fierce independence?
By around 10:20, Dionysius arrived downstairs, sent her a message, and prepared himself for a wait of up to half an hour, knowing how convoluted it could be for a girl to get ready.
To his surprise, Xanthia appeared at precisely 10:25, early instead of late. This punctuality was utterly charming!
While boys might tolerate a girl’s tardiness to demonstrate their sincerity, consistent lateness would undoubtedly wear out their patience over time.
Was their time not valuable as well?
As Xanthia stepped out, her convenience was noteworthy. She didn't even have to ponder what to wear.
Opting for the most comfortable “System Standard Gear,” she deemed it sufficient for a day of enjoyment. After all, she wasn't dressing to impress but merely to enjoy herself; the aesthetics of her outfit mattered little as long as she felt comfortable.
She also didn’t need to apply makeup. Even without it, her natural appearance, albeit not as striking as when she was fully made up, would still hover around a seven out of ten. No one would criticize her; rather, they would comment on her lack of style—her outfit resembling a “standard issue” uniform.
Understanding these system-standard garments as akin to the “simple starter outfits” from games made it easier to envision what she wore.
As Xanthia descended in the elevator, she spotted Dionysius standing nearby, engrossed in his phone. She approached him, slyly maneuvering to his side, and lightly tapped his shoulder while standing on tiptoe, her smile radiant. “Hey! Did I scare you?”
As she greeted him, she effortlessly employed her newly acquired skill from the little flying insect.
Dionysius certainly was not startled. In his mind, he had seen her emerge from the elevator, relishing her stealthy, whimsical approach. It was amusing, so he feigned ignorance to play along with her.
But witnessing his sister's endearing grin made it all worthwhile!
Then, without hesitation, he voiced his thoughts aloud.
Dionysius’s words left him momentarily bewildered, his cheeks flushing crimson with embarrassment—a humorous sight indeed.
Xanthia pretended to be astonished, regarding her brother with a bemused expression.