Villain Simulator, Ch 246

Revealing even a hint of useful information would mean certain death.

Lucas could somewhat understand why Ningguang and Yelan treated him the way they did. From their perspective, he and his father were traitors who had secretly collaborated with Snezhnaya. Moreover, his personal history with Yelan only made matters worse. It was no surprise they wouldn't treat him like an ordinary citizen of Liyue.

"I really… don't know anything."

Though Lucas claimed ignorance, he deliberately darted his eyes around, feigning an expression as if he were hiding something.

Both Ningguang and Yelan were keen observers of human nature. Neither expected someone as young as Lucas to possess much cunning.

Ningguang shot Yelan a look before saying coldly, "In that case, he's yours to deal with."

"Hmph, don't worry," Yelan said, towering over Lucas. "Sooner or later, I'll make him spill every last secret. Oh, and as my pet, let me give you a little gift."

With that, Yelan produced a fearsome, iron mask with a grotesque oni-like design. Lucas recognized it as an onimask from Inazuma, though only the lower half of the mask remained. He couldn't guess what Yelan intended to do with it.

"This mask was custom-made using a mold of your face that I took while you were unconscious from your injuries," Yelan said, pressing the mask against Lucas's face. It fit perfectly. She smirked. "See? Doesn't it suit you?"

Lucas sneered. "Do you think putting a mask on me will forever hide my identity?"

"Of course," Yelan scoffed. "What if the mask could never come off?"

She picked up a pair of iron tongs and held the mask in the flames of the fireplace. Before long, the mask glowed red-hot.

"What are you doing?" Lucas's eyes widened in horror as he realized her intent. He struggled weakly, his body still too frail to resist. "This will kill me!"

"Waterweave Bindings!"

Yelan flicked her wrist, and thin, water-element threads wrapped tightly around Lucas, restraining him completely.

When the mask had cooled just enough to avoid instant incineration, Yelan pressed it onto Lucas's face. White smoke hissed into the air as the mask seared his skin. The room filled with the acrid stench of burning flesh.

Though the simulator dulled the pain, the visceral sensation of flesh burning and the overwhelming smell made Lucas's experience unbearably vivid.

[Exiting Immersive Mode]

[Switching to Text Mode]

"Hey, hey!" Lucas gasped for breath, his voice filled with indignation. "You could've described all that in text mode! There was no need for me to experience it firsthand!"

[Come on, it wasn't painful. Besides, exciting scenes like this aren't an everyday occurrence.]

"Yeah, thanks a lot!" Lucas snapped. "I really didn't sign up to become Liyue's You Tanzhi!"

In Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils, You Tanzhi had a helmet forced onto his head after offending Azi.

Here, Lucas had a burning iron mask affixed to his face after biting Yelan's foot.

Apparently, messing with feet always led to no good.

[As Yelan said, she not only seized control of the Yan Shang Teahouse but also bought out your family's estate, thoroughly usurping your position. You, meanwhile, became her "toy," subjected to her abuse.]

[After the mask was affixed, the intense pain caused you to lose consciousness for a long time. When you finally awoke, you found that you were still alive. However, the ordeal had deeply scarred you. Once a pampered scion, you were now a prisoner, both physically and mentally broken.]

[Age 20]: Yelan's torment was far from over. She chained your neck with iron links, confining you to a straw hut. Your "roommates" were two vicious, rabid wolfhounds. You knew they were there to guard you, ready to maul you at the slightest attempt to escape.]

[Oddly, Yelan seemed indifferent to whether you revealed any "secrets." She appeared to enjoy degrading and abusing you for its own sake. Her favorite pastime was forcing you to lick her toes, often drawing blood before she was satisfied.]

What's wrong with this woman? Lucas thought, baffled. Is she some kind of sadist? Does she keep me around just because biting her doesn't give her rabies?

[Your meals were scraps and leftovers. Occasionally, when Yelan was in a good mood, she'd toss you a piece of meat as a reward.]

[Age 21]: Over time, your gaze became clouded, and you stopped speaking altogether. By then, you truly resembled a dog more than a man. Coupled with the grotesque iron mask, even your parents wouldn't recognize you if they were resurrected.]

[Your movements were restricted, but one day, you caught sight of a group of new servants. Among them was Chuyi. Despite the two-year gap, you recognized her immediately.]

["Stop staring," Yelan sneered. "She already thinks you're dead. If you beg me, though, I might arrange for you two to reunite."]

[You quickly shook your head. In your current monstrous state, even being recognized would only cause her sorrow. It was better to remain dead in her memory as the young, handsome master she once knew.]

[Yelan seemed to have anticipated your response but wasn't content to let you be. To torment you further, she assigned Chuyi to clean your straw hut, telling her that you were merely a madman she had taken pity on.]

[To avoid being recognized, you hid from Chuyi whenever she approached, even avoiding her gaze. When she called out to you, you pretended not to hear.]

[The more anguish you felt, the hotter your hatred burned for Yelan and Ningguang.]