Chapter Three: The Mysterious woman

"It could be that they're just so rich, they spend money without thinking." Mo Ying said, after all, some wealthy people's thoughts are beyond her comprehension, and it's their money anyway.

Mo Ying looked at the empty garden, except for the two of them, and suddenly asked, "So, there's no one else here besides us?"

"That's right. I asked around, and since it's not tourist season, it's just the two of us staying here right now," Kagumo replied.

Hmm, I still don't know what these rich people are thinking...

Although the hotel staff said we could pick any flowers, neither of them picked any.

"I prefer them when they're growing in the soil," Kagumo said.

"Tending flowers is a hassle," Mo Ying said.

Afterward, they left the garden to wander around.

When Mo Ying walked into the gym, Kagumo, with great foresight, gently pushed her back out.

"I just wanted to have a look," Mo Ying said, innocently blinking her eyes.

"No, I've seen plenty of people like you who don't follow doctor's orders. Absolutely not," Kagumo shook her head, sending Mo Ying back to the room and heading to the gym herself.

Sigh, Mo Ying thought, walking over to the window.

Beep. The door opened as someone used a room card, followed by the sound of footsteps. Mo Ying quickly turned around.

The person entering was a mysterious woman wearing a long dress, leather shoes, and a veil.

"How's everything? Is your stay comfortable here?" The woman asked, her voice slightly low but captivating.

Mo Ying didn't answer, just watching her warily.

"Don't be nervous, I'm the owner of this hotel," the woman said with a soft laugh.

Since she came in using the room card, it confirmed her identity. It wasn't unusual for the owner to have a room card.

"Is there something you need?" Mo Ying asked, relaxing slightly.

The woman looked at her and nodded. "Just as I thought, you're very beautiful."

Mo Ying showed a puzzled expression, not understanding what the woman meant.

The woman didn't elaborate, instead walking elegantly toward her. Mo Ying stayed still, not moving.

"You still haven't answered my question," the woman said.

"It's good." Mo Ying replied. "The conditions here are quite nice. If I had to rate it, I'd give it 4.5 stars."

The woman smiled, pleased. Her eyes, not covered by the veil, twinkled. "I'm glad you like it."

She got closer, almost close enough for Mo Ying to see her real face through the veil, but at the right moment, she stepped back.

"There are some people nearby, it seems like they're searching for something, or someone." the woman said.

Mo Ying furrowed her brows immediately, her nerves tensing. "Looking for someone?"

The woman nodded. "Yes, looking for someone. They'll be here soon."

"Why are you telling me this? Who are you?" Mo Ying stepped forward.

The woman took a step back, still composed and graceful. "There's no particular reason. Perhaps you'll know later."

It was as though she had said nothing at all. She didn't seem to want to tell Mo Ying anything.

"I have a second-hand car here; you can take it directly." the woman offered kindly, knowing what Mo Ying was planning to do next.

The mysterious woman turned toward the door, ready to leave.

"Don't worry, you'll see her again, and you'll see me too," she said, glancing back before leaving.

The door softly closed. Mo Ying opened the computer that Kagumo had given her, erased her usage history, and returned it to its original state. She then closed the computer and placed it on Kagumo's bedside table.

She wrote a quick note for Kagumo, thanking her and explaining that she was leaving.

Mo Ying looked down at the envelope that the woman had slipped into her coat pocket earlier. Inside was some money.

Once again, I still don't understand what this wealthy person is thinking... She obviously has a Fate-Affinity. Mo Ying chuckled softly, slipping the envelope back into her pocket as she left the room.

"If what she said is true, I'll definitely repay this favor later."

Thirty minutes later, Kagumo returned to the room, finding it empty. She looked around before discovering the note.

Kagumo held the note, her temple twitching slightly.

"Her injury isn't fully healed yet, and this disobedient person isn't following the doctor's advice!" Kagumo growled, angrily lifting the bedside table.

"Please put the table down. I'm sure you don't want to pay for that," the woman in the long dress and veil suddenly appeared.

Kagumo froze, slowly setting the table down. No, don't get me wrong—she wasn't trying to smash the table. She was just a delicate, cute girl who knew a bit of medicine.

"I'm the owner of this hotel. Don't blame her. She left because of me," the mysterious woman said.

"Because of you?" Kagumo was confused.

"Because of what I said, she hurriedly left. She must be trying to avoid someone," the woman explained.

Kagumo glanced at the note, noticing the hurried handwriting. It was clear that Mo Ying had left in a rush, and Kagumo could tell that Mo Ying was a person full of secrets. She sighed.

"I understand now. Too bad, I was planning to ask her if she wanted to join me in some action," Kagumo tossed the note into the trash and started packing her things. Since Mo Ying had left, she had no reason to stay.

The woman in the long dress left the room.

"The gears of fate are beginning to turn. Moirai, great goddess of destiny, what kind of future do you see? Is it the end of the world, or rebirth?"

Silence. The gods didn't respond, or perhaps they couldn't hear the pleas of mortals.

The woman closed her eyes. "I have foreseen the death of the world, the path remains unclear.Gods, where are you?"

"The gods have long disappeared, but one place still holds their trace."

On a busy street, Mo Ying, holding the phone she had just purchased, was searching the map.

"The legacy of the God of Death remains in this world. It's a place where nothing enters, and no one leaves."

That was her destination.

The Primordial God shaped the heavens and the earth, creating all things, and among them, His most cherished creation: humanity. For humans were the most like the gods.

Satisfied with the world He had made, the Primordial God watched as it functioned as intended before departing the planet.

When the Primordial God formed the world, He left behind His power to safeguard it, hidden at the center of the boundary between the Eastern and Western continents, a place also regarded as the center of the world. It took the form of a stone, faintly glowing.

The power of the Primordial God spread across the land, giving rise to the Affinity Users. These individuals followed paths suited to them, and a few of exceptional talent and fortune journeyed far, rising to godhood.

Currently, there are fifteen confirmed gods.

These gods once watched over the planet, answering the prayers of the people, but about a hundred years ago, the prayers ceased to be heard. The gods seemed to vanish, no longer offering their protection to the world.

The stone left by the Primordial God suddenly lost half of its power.

People could no longer receive gifts from the gods and had to fend for themselves.

The importance of Affinity Users increased, and over the past century, technology made a leap that could only be described as monumental.

A woman with black hair and purple eyes set down her history book and walked out of the bookstore.

She was tall, wearing black Docs and a long black coat, and her striking appearance caught the attention of many men and women.

The woman, Mo Ying, entered a café.

It had been three years since Kagumo saved her, and she had changed greatly since then.

"One fruit tea, please," Mo Ying told the server.

"Sure."

After receiving her drink, Mo Ying sat by the window.

Outside, people bustled around. In a world no longer protected by the gods, humanity continued to live on. After the Primordial God's departure, the world had survived without the gods before.

"Recently, an unknown armed group has been spotted in the West Continent, causing casualties. It's confirmed that there are Affinity Users among them." the news headline on Mo Ying's phone read.

Looks like the chaos didn't end with the disappearance of the gods, Mo Ying thought.

She frowned as the location of the armed group in the news seemed... not too far from here.

Hmm, she had a bad feeling, and that feeling was confirmed when she heard gunshots.

What seemed like a group of young adults chatting casually suddenly pulled out guns and began shooting.

People fled in panic, and the café staff quickly locked the doors. However, when they saw some people trying to take refuge, they looked outside for a moment before opening the door to let them in.

Mo Ying seized the opportunity to slip out.

"Ma'am, it's dangerous outside!" the staff called.

At the same time, a person shot by a bullet screamed and collapsed. A petite figure quickly rushed to their side.

"Shot in the abdomen. Don't move, I'll help you," the small girl said as she moved the injured person to a sheltered spot by the roadside.

Using her ability, she stopped the bleeding and then grabbed a knife.

"It'll hurt, hang in there," she said calmly, swiftly removing the bullet. Thanks to her ability, there was no massive blood loss.

"An... Affinity User?" the injured person asked.

The girl nodded, ready to heal the wound, but as she looked down, she saw the injured person show a panicked expression, his mouth opening to say something.

Turning around, the girl saw one of the armed group's members aiming a gun at her.

The girl froze. Although she was an Affinity User, her abilities were limited to healing, not defending against bullets.

Bang. A gunshot rang out, and the armed group's member had a bullet hole in his hand, the gun dropping to the ground.

Mo Ying, holding the gun, had saved her. 

What a coincidental meeting, Kagumo.