The Vixen's Gambit: Tonight We Hunt

So, what did happen?

Indeed, on present-day Earth, little could threaten Lihua under [Lee]'s protection. Being near [Lee] was practically the safest place on the planet; her power was nothing to sneeze at.

But the problem was, when there was no danger, she became the biggest danger…

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Not long ago, in a distant city in China, another dimensional breach occurred.

The enemy was powerful—at least by the standards of ordinary humans and someone like Lihua.

A two-legged wyvern, hailing from some fantasy world, materialized next to Lihua while she was filming [Lee] showing off against some skeleton warriors. Despite her quick reflexes, Lihua was grazed by its claws.

Daring to injure someone under [Lee]'s protection, the wyvern's fate was sealed. Enraged, [Lee] diced it into bite-sized pieces like a seasoned chef preparing Bai Zhan Ji (white cut chicken).

The enemy was eliminated, and Lihua, though slightly injured, was fine. Her regeneration would take care of it in minutes. It was just another ordinary incident, over and done with—that's how it should have gone.

Unfortunately, with [Lee] involved, nothing was ever normal.

"Lee, I'm really fine! You don't have to do this!"

Lihua hurried after the sternly marching [Lee], showing her nearly vanished scratches. "It was just a small scratch! It's already healed!"

"Lihua, you don't have to say anything more."

[Lee]'s expression was as cold as Kevin's. "I understand now. This world's government is no different from Earth's. My leniency was a waste. Making someone as weak as you fight for them… hmph, a bunch of shameless exploiters!"

"That's not it! I was the first otherworlder they could communicate with. I might be weak in your eyes, but I'm strong to them, the only one who can fight these invaders. It's normal for them to rely on me a bit." Lihua tried to placate the child—ahem, elder, and prevent any drastic actions.

"As for fighting… they never asked me to. They wanted me to stay safe, away from danger zones. I'm the one who can't sit still… I can prevent disasters. If I have the power and don't use it, I'd feel responsible for any tragedies. That's why I asked to be involved in security, not because they forced me—"

"Enough, Lihua, no more excuses—you're too soft, too lenient!"

[Lee] interrupted angrily. "When you saw me slicing up that ugly dragon, your first reaction was to tell me not to be so brutal—it was a beast, an enemy! You actually sympathized with it?!"

Actually, I was sympathizing with the street cleaners… You practically turned it into mincemeat, splattering me with blood, and I can't even comment?

Oblivious to Lihua's inner thoughts, [Lee] continued her lecture. "Leniency is meaningless! This world won't repay your kindness, especially not those scumbags! No matter how much you give, it's never enough. You think they'll be grateful you're protecting them? No! They'll just take advantage of you, exploit you—just like they did to me!"

"Lihua, you're too young. When you're older, when you've lived as long as I have, experienced what I have, you'll understand."

Watching Lee lament her hardships like a wizened elder, Lihua felt her inner tsukkomi (the straight man in a comedy duo) screaming.

Reaching your age might be a bit difficult… I'm already past my one-month birthday. Can't exactly age backward.

To Lihua, no matter how mature [Lee] pretended to be, her behavior was pure childishness.

Children were masters of deflecting blame, shifting responsibility for their mistakes onto others, even convincing themselves of their innocence.

This was a classic case. Lihua's injury was ultimately [Lee]'s fault. Without [Lee]'s video request, Lihua could have easily dodged the wyvern.

But admitting that meant admitting her own mistake… and getting the childish, yet prideful [Lee] to admit fault?

This was someone who believed she could rule the world and fix everything. How could she possibly accept responsibility?

Her next course of action was obvious—it wasn't her fault, it was the government's for sending Lihua on a mission!

Evil Earth! Must enact my plan to fix this flawed world!

Thus, [Lee] remembered her original plan, abandoned after discovering the internet.

Overthrow all governments and organizations, take control of the world, and guide everything towards a brighter future!

Lihua couldn't accept that. Forget whether such a dictatorship would even work; she didn't trust [Lee]'s judgment.

Childish, addicted to the internet, impulsive, and with violent tendencies… She dreaded imagining an Earth ruled by such a person.

But having her true self intervene wouldn't be appropriate. Better call in some outside help first.

Anyway, [Lee]'s plan wouldn't get far anytime soon. Why? Because she'd chosen the most "danmaku-heavy" approach…

The esteemed Herrscher of Sentience will deliver her inaugural address via global livestream.