This Life, I Will Be the Protagonist

Maple Cang clearly didn't want to dwell on the topic. After giving a brief, almost dismissive answer about Maple Mu, she quickly shifted the conversation. "I can help you find an Owlcrow with an S-tier Divine Gift."

A traitor delivering herself on a silver platter, huh? But Rita wasn't naive. She understood that Maple Cang likely wanted to oversee her actions—keeping a close watch to ensure that Rita wouldn't backstab them at the last moment.

"Alright," Rita agreed, but added, "you'll have to write down the full version of Cheers and the method for igniting the orange-red wings first."

This was the perfect opportunity to verify whether the instructions Maple Burn had taught her were authentic.

If Maple Syrup truly wanted Maple Cang to create a skill on par with Cheers, then she definitely would've taught her Cheers in its entirety to give her a foundation to build from.

Maple Cang didn't hesitate. She immediately pulled out a scroll and feathered pen, using her palm as a makeshift desk to start writing. As she wrote, she explained, "I know Cheers, but I only know the method for igniting orange-red wings using wind elements. It's similar to the method for lightning elements, but if you don't trust it, you can always switch to training with wind."

Maple Burn interjected, her voice coated with sugar. "Don't worry. What I told you is absolutely genuine! My Sixth Sense Deluxe Edition tells me who I absolutely shouldn't offend, and you, my dear, are at the top of that list."

Rita was momentarily speechless.

She couldn't even muster the strength to feel envious anymore. Maple Burn's Divine Gift wasn't just S-tier Cotton Candy, no—this woman clearly had an SSS-tier Divine Gift: "My Owlcrow Empress Mother."

As Maple Cang continued writing, she glanced at Maple Burn and asked casually, "I know of several Owlcrows with S-tier Divine Gifts. Tell me, Maple Burn, what color wings do you like? And what kind of Divine Gift do you want?"

Maple Burn responded with a playful, almost flirty tone, "Whatever my big sister picks, I'll like~~."

Maple Cang smiled softly, shooting a brief glance at Rita. "What a sweet-talker."

The look in her eyes sent shivers down Rita's spine.

Nivalis, sensing the tension, used her tiny jellyfish tendrils to pat Rita's head. "Wow, such a sweet-talker… Hey, wait, why do you look like a dead fish now? Are you okay?"

Rita didn't respond. She silently scooped up Nivalis and clamped her hands over the little dragon's "mouth" to stop her from making things worse.

Leaning against the wall, she cradled Nivalis in her arms while listening to Maple Cang and her fancy new wings (aka Maple Burn) chat away.

In less than ten minutes, Rita began to notice stark differences between herself and Maple Burn. It became clear why Maple Cang was so confident that Rita's presence would alter Maple Burn.

For all their similarities—caution, selfishness—Maple Burn was vastly different in how she interacted with Maple Cang. Maple Burn trusted and depended on Maple Cang completely. Her love wasn't calculated or performative like the kind Rita had mimicked in High Tower. It was genuine, effortless, and deeply rooted in their shared history as family.

She shared everything with Maple Cang: her longing for her mother and sister, her feelings about waking up after so many years, her transactions and plans with Rita—everything. Without reservation. Without fear of judgment. Their relationship was purely familial, built on trust and unconditional love.

Even though Forest Sea had merged with Lania Kaia 67 years ago, and Maple Burn had died 82 years prior during Ruincore 7203, it was as though they'd only been apart for a weekend. There was no awkwardness, no distance.

"Maple Cang, do you still have the lucky Bear Cookies necklace I gave you?" "Of course I do! I found a way to preserve it. Mother wanted to eat it, though. She said eating it would be the best way to keep it safe, but I snatched it back. When you're revived, you'll have to bake more cookies for us." "No problem! I just hope everything goes smoothly, and nothing goes wrong."

Rita and Nivalis listened from the sidelines, growing more and more nervous with each passing moment.

Please stop talking! Why is every sentence a giant flag being raised? Are you trying to curse this entire operation?!

As Maple Cang worked on the training manual, Maple Burn casually mentioned a target for their mission: an Owlcrow named Maple Yaa, a descendant of Maple Cake.

Even after all these years, Maple Burn's tone still carried anger and hatred as she mentioned Maple Cake. "Mother killed all of Maple Cake's descendants, but we recently discovered one had been left behind. She's 16 years old, just like you, and she has an S-tier Divine Gift called Coconut Jelly. I remember you used to love eating it. Do you like that Divine Gift?"

"I love it~!"

Rita and Nivalis exchanged a silent glance, quietly preparing themselves for the chaos that would inevitably follow. Rita, meanwhile, rehearsed escape plans in her mind for once the deal was complete.
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When the sisters finally wrapped up their heart-to-heart, Rita seized the moment to make her next demand. "Oh, by the way, Maple Burn, hand over the 666 languages of all races now."

Since Maple Cang was here, Maple Burn didn't dare stall or attempt any tricks. "Are you sure you want it now? This is a massive amount of information to process."

Rita raised an eyebrow. "What happens if I receive it now?"

Maple Burn explained, "When I shared this knowledge with Mother, she fell asleep for several days. Then the skill connection abruptly ended."

All the more reason to do it now! Rita thought. If she waited until Maple Burn was resurrected, her leverage would be gone. And what if Maple Cang decided to betray her while she was in a weakened state?

Rita turned to Maple Cang. "My resurrection skill is still on cooldown. You find the target, and we'll meet in MoonFox City at an inn in 10 days."

Choosing MoonFox City was a calculated move. If things went sideways and the high-ranking players returned early from the World Battlefield, she could use the World Graveyard to summon Mistblade and buy herself some time.

Maple Cang, clearly annoyed, finally spoke up. "...You realize I'm strong enough to crush you easily, right? You should show some respect."

Rita, lost in thought as she combed through her plan for loopholes, nodded absentmindedly. "I know. I'm terrified. That's why I'm making preparations to defend myself."

"…"

Rita wasn't particularly scared, though. She knew Maple Cang wouldn't make a move—not yet. As long as Maple Burn was tethered to her, Maple Cang had no reason to act prematurely.

Still, Rita hesitated. Ten days might be too long. What if Maple Syrup returned during that time? In the end, she decided to prioritize obtaining the 666 languages while she still had leverage. Maple Syrup might not interrupt their deal, especially if she valued a "pure" reunion with her daughter.

The purer the love, the less tolerable the impurities.

Would a mother truly want her daughter's resurrection tainted by the soul of a stranger? Rita doubted Maple Syrup was as indifferent as she claimed. It was likely a ruse to make Rita lower her guard.

Maple Cang, eager to bring her sister back as soon as possible, wasted no time. She split off in Four Seasons City to begin the search.

Rita, on the other hand, returned to Blue Star. Instead of going home, she headed to the ocean depths and cleared out a 15-level dungeon. This underwater dungeon would serve as her temporary base of operations.

Given the current frenzy surrounding the radiant orange-red wings, she no longer trusted her rooftop sanctuary. Too many players were coming and going, driven by curiosity. Once she fully acquired the wings, securing her home would be her top priority.

She instructed Nivalis to stand guard and settled into a meditative position. "Alright, Maple Burn," she said. "Let's do this."

"Alright. During the transfer, if you lose consciousness or your sanity, the skill will automatically cut off," Maple Burn warned.