According to Gui Qu Lai Xi's instructions, all he had to do was follow this cobblestone path to the very end to return to where he started. Lin Luo hadn't entirely believed it at first, but after walking for over ten minutes, a sudden flash of intense light blinded him. He instinctively shut his eyes, and when he opened them again, he was standing right near that familiar newsstand!

No torrential rain, no black holes, no valleys... only the ordinary street remained before him.

Spatial displacement? Or a hallucination?

Lin Luo was utterly shocked! If his body hadn't remained in its twelve-year-old form, he might have dismissed the whole thing as a dream.

"So, what exactly is the origin of Gui Qu Lai Xi, that she can pull off something this heaven-defying..."

Thinking this, Lin Luo became intensely curious about the woman named Gui Qu Lai Xi, and his belief in what she had told him deepened. How could someone with such immense power possibly be trying to fool a painfully ordinary shut-in like him?

Of course, he couldn't entirely rule out that she was just supremely bored... but the probability of that was infinitely close to zero!

"Fine, looks like I have to take this seriously. But since I have no experience with such bizarre events, I can only take it one step at a time... Well, things usually work themselves out; I still have a month, after all..."

Various thoughts drifted through his mind, and before he knew it, his doorstep was within sight. By this time, he had mostly calmed down. What was coming would come; worrying about it was useless.

However, there was one thing he absolutely could not let go of—the brand-new GAL game he had just bought was gone!

Damn it, he hadn't even torn off the plastic wrap!

Lin Luo gritted his teeth, consumed by frustration.

Pushing the door open, the house was as silent and cold as ever. Well, that wasn't surprising; he lived alone. His parents might only be seen around the Qingming Festival. As for relatives... if things went as expected, perhaps he’d have some in the next life.

Rummaging through the wardrobe, he pulled out a set of smaller clothes and changed out of the ones he was wearing. Lin Luo was relieved he didn't have a habit of tossing clothes after just one use, otherwise, he might have been forced to run naked. Even though this set looked a bit old and unfashionable...

He glanced at the wall clock: four in the afternoon.

According to the woman, Gui Qu Lai Xi, he was expecting a visitor tonight, probably related to that damned contract of his... Lin Luo felt a faint stirring of anticipation.

Tonight? That still left a few hours. Lin Luo decided to play some games first. Although that limited edition title was off-limits now, he still had several unwatched games on his hard drive. They'd be good for passing the time, and maybe he wouldn't get another chance later!

Thinking about that possibility sent a fresh wave of agony through him...

The sun sank in the west, the moon rose above the willows, and time flew by... Lost in the beauty of the 2D world, watching maidens dance and revealing glimpses of springtime on the screen, Lin Luo was completely immersed, unaware that it was already nine o'clock at night.

...The Hero unleashed the "Dragon Claw Hand of the Grasping Wave" with a single move, and the evil Queen collapsed in horror, her ruby lips glistening, looking pitifully vulnerable... Then, a dialogue box popped up on the screen: Congratulations on defeating the final B Tsundere Queen. The Queen has surrendered. You have three options: Kill, Humiliate, or **. Please select.

Lin Luo couldn't help but wonder if the development team had any heart. Players of this GAL game were ultimately here for the **, but the final options included killing, and the target was a supreme moe girl possessing both tsundere and queen attributes—it was simply too wasteful, too cruel! He decisively chose PA!

As for humiliation, that was the behavior of a Kichiku (sadist). As a warrior of love and the King of Conquests, he always followed the path of pure romance. How could he transform into a Kichiku? This concerned his professional ethics!

That left only one option. Yes, **.

With a click of the mouse, he entered the ** scene...

But just then, there was a sudden crackling sound!

The screen went black. Power outage!

"Son of a—!"

Lin Luo was devastated and furious. He had finally managed to trigger the perfect ending, poised to enjoy the most exquisite CG, only for such a wretched thing to happen. It was an abomination against the heavens!

Lin Luo mentally cursed the power company a thousand times! He wished he could transform into a Kichiku and give a "greeting" to all the female employees of the power company!

"What the hell? Why would the power suddenly go out? I'm not behind on my electric bill!"

Lin Luo fumbled his way out of the dark, deeply conflicted. But as soon as he opened the door, his heart tightened, and he instinctively dove into hiding.

Through the crack in the door, Lin Luo could see a shadowy figure lurking suspiciously in the pitch-dark living room.

A thief? Damn it, even my doghouse, home to a perpetual instant-noodle eater, is being graced by a burglar? You really think highly of me!

Lin Luo felt a strange flash of honor, but it was immediately replaced by a surge of anger... How could the power have gone out without reason? It must have been this thief's doing!

You son of a dog!

Lin Luo cursed internally. Anger welled up from the depths of his heart, and malice took root. He decided to give this person a good "lesson," but first, he had to gauge the relative combat strength of both parties.

Peering through the crack, he saw that the intruder hadn't noticed him. Whether possessed or just strange, the figure stood motionless... Lin Luo guessed they hadn't adjusted to the darkness yet.

Serving them right!

He spat inwardly and continued observing... The figure was about 1.6 meters tall, with a slender build. Based on his estimation, Lin Luo guessed the person weighed no more than fifty kilograms. They seemed to be wearing a hat, probably to conceal their identity?

Through this careful round of observation, Lin Luo quickly drew a series of conclusions: This thief was young, no older than sixteen, perhaps a student. They were thin, clearly malnourished—probably suffering from severe essence depletion due to excessive self-pleasuring—and obviously unable to adapt to the sudden environmental change, standing frozen for ages without adjusting to the dark.

...Cutting off my power for no reason. I say, aren't you harming yourself as well as others!

Lin Luo was filled with contempt, simultaneously guessing that this kid was probably here to moonlight because they couldn't afford games or figurines, hence their lack of professionalism!

While Lin Luo could sympathize with their motives, it didn't mean he would let them off the hook. Better to sever another's head than disrupt someone's maiden-wooing session—that was the moral code of a true shut-in.

Those who violated this decree faced only three words: Kill without mercy!

Moreover, based on his earlier observations, Lin Luo was confident he held every advantage: in build, strength, mental fortitude, and survival skills.

His mind settled, Lin Luo quietly eased the door open without making a sound, then used his positional advantage to circle behind the figure...

Seizing the opportunity, Lin Luo suddenly lunged forward, wrapping his arms around the person's neck and pinning their chest, while simultaneously sweeping his right leg out to strike where they usually held their pole...

Lunge, pin, sweep, kick—the sequence of moves was executed almost flawlessly in one breath. Lin Luo was certain that under this element of surprise, his combination attack would definitely take the other person down. He was just about to shout: "Thief, behold who your grandfather is!"

Suddenly, he felt something was wrong. Why couldn't his kick connect? Why wasn't the person being taken down? Why did it feel like he was hanging onto the other person?

This made no sense!

Ah! ...In a sudden flash, Lin Luo remembered, and finally understood why!

Because he had reverted to his youth and turned back into a twelve-year-old brat!

Oh, crap! Lin Luo's face instantly turned pale, his heart racing in panic!

And thus, the comparison of strength shifted once more: physique, power, mental fortitude, survival skills—all disadvantages!

I'm doomed!

Lin Luo was near tears. Why had he forgotten that crucial detail? This was a tragedy!

But regretting it now was too late. The other person had fully reacted and seemed quite skilled. Feeling someone clinging to them, they reacted instinctively with a shoulder throw...

Thud!

Lin Luo landed hard on his back, feeling pain in his flesh, his heart, and everywhere else!

"How dare you attack me from behind! Is that your standard combat style? But you clearly underestimated me!" The voice was clear and bright, carrying a hint of pride, but it was distinctly not a man's voice.

A female thief?

Lin Luo blinked, looking up. Because the room was so dark, he could only make out a pair of bright, sharp eyes.

For some reason, just then, the room lights flickered on. Lin Luo saw the person before him clearly.

She had short, tea-colored hair that reached her shoulders, tied back. A black hat sat atop her head. Her deep brown pupils were incredibly sharp, giving her an imposing aura. Her upper body was clad in a heart-print short-sleeved shirt, paired with light blue shorts for her lower half, and white sneakers on her feet.

The girl’s attire had a somewhat boyish flair. She was very young, perhaps fourteen or fifteen. For her age, she was quite tall, and her long, slender legs were nearly two-thirds exposed, offering an infinite view of spring splendor...

Lin Luo felt a pang of astonishment, yet something in his heart felt odd. This girl seemed intensely familiar, but he swore on his life he had never seen her before today!

"...Huh? Where is this place?" At this moment, the young woman seemed to realize something was amiss, her impressively spirited eyes showing confusion.

"This is my house," Lin Luo replied irritably. Although the girl's appearance brought him some measure of calm, anyone wouldn't be happy with someone who broke into their house in the middle of the night... Let alone giving him a shoulder throw!

"Your house?" The girl looked down at Lin Luo sprawled on the floor, her confusion deepening. "Little brother, who are you??"

The term "little brother" left Lin Luo conflicted, but he couldn't dwell on it now, given his obvious physical disadvantages. He shot her an annoyed glance.

"My name is Lin Luo, the owner of this house. So, as the owner, shouldn't you introduce yourself, intruder?"

"Oh, is that so? I... My name is Misaka Mikoto." The girl’s face was etched with bewilderment, and she subconsciously stated her name after hearing Lin Luo’s words.

But that name—a name that resonated with thunder!

"Tokiwadai's Ace, Level 5 Esper, Railgun—Misaka Mikoto?!" Lin Luo’s eyes widened in shock; he almost suffered a critical failure from the sheer surprise.

"Huh? You know me?"

Lin Luo was scorched inside and out, his mind momentarily frozen.

"Ding!"

Simultaneously, a cold, mechanical voice echoed in his mind:

"Identity authentication complete. Necessary conditions met. Contract System officially activating!"