“No matter what, in this situation, let’s wake up Accelerator first,” Lin Luo sighed, foregoing any thought of cursing Liu Ziwen and his entire female lineage. He leaned down and gently patted Mikoto’s cheek, trying to rouse her.

“Mikoto, wake up.” …… “Onee-sama, Kuroko is… Kuroko is already burning with need…” …… “The great me is Suzuhara Hanayuri, Accelerator, ha ha ha ha…” …… “I will be the one to break your chastity (divine beast stops here), Friendship-Shattering Punch…” …… “Onee-sama… Misaka can no longer endure it,” Misaka 10086 said, drooling. …… “Mikoto, Onee-sama, Little Brother Angry-Tsundere sincerely calls out to you; please, for the sake of mercy, give me a response.” …… “There’s no reason for this…” Lin Luo frowned deeply, staring at the completely unresponsive Mikoto.

He had recited such ridiculously over-the-top lines, yet she still hadn’t woken up—this was truly disrespectful. “I wonder what’s wrong with Onee-sama.

Could it be a mental attack? If only I could see…” Saying this, Lin Luo’s eyes suddenly lit up, and he slapped himself hard across the face.

“I’m such an idiot! Truly!” Lin Luo suspected he might have a brain malfunction for forgetting to use the Book of Contracts to check Mikoto’s attributes.

…… Name: Misaka Mikoto. Race: Human.

Status: Weakened (Desolation). Strength: 1 Constitution: 1 Intelligence: 1 Attack Power: 1 Mental Power: 1 Vitality: 600 …… Looking at Onee-sama’s current status panel, Lin Luo felt an immense headache.

What kind of pathetic state was this ‘hanging on by a thread’? A forced marginal HP buffer?

The world is collapsing, humanity is collapsing, so why is even the status collapsing? She’s clearly on the brink of death, so why is her Vitality still maxed out?

Well, there were too many points to critique; Lin Luo didn’t know where to even begin venting! But… Vitality is still maxed out, so she shouldn’t actually die, right?

This brought Lin Luo a small measure of relief. Yet, just then, the owner of the delicate body beside him let out a soft groan, an ‘Mmm,’ and a sharp cry of pain, her whole body trembling violently.

“What is this…” Lin Luo’s heart immediately leaped back into his throat. He held the girl tightly against his chest.

“Mikoto!” “Nnngh-aaaaah…!!” A sharp sound tore from the girl’s throat. Her once peaceful sleeping face was now hideously distorted, filled with anger, agony, regret, and every imaginable negative emotion.

“What… what in the world is happening?” Lin Luo was horrified. Then, he noticed a faint white aura rising from the left side of Mikoto’s chest.

“Warning! Current World Heart Host, Misaka Mikoto, is experiencing mental anomaly, causing the Heart of Kindness to collapse.

Host-World Heart Synchronization rate has dropped severely, currently at—” Before Lin Luo could process it, a chime sounded in his mind—the alert from the Book of Contracts—followed by a rapid series of warnings: “Warning! If Host Misaka Mikoto’s synchronization rate with the World Heart drops below 50, the World Heart will detach from the host body, and Host Misaka Mikoto will die…” “Warning!

Host Misaka Mikoto’s synchronization rate with the World Heart has dropped below 70. Book of Contracts entering emergency repair state… Repair impossible… Repair impossible…” This barrage of warnings completely threw Lin Luo into disarray… Synchronization dropping?

World Heart detaching? Mikoto dying?… What the hell happened to this TD situation?!

“Mikoto! Pull yourself together, you jerk!… Damn it, what is going on!” Lin Luo shouted hoarsely.

“Warning! Host Misaka Mikoto’s synchronization rate with the World Heart has dropped below 60—” Only 6 points left!

Was all hope lost? Lin Luo was seized by despair.

However, to Lin Luo’s slight surprise, when the rate dropped to 55, it stopped plummeting and began fluctuating between those three values. It seemed Mikoto’s spirit was struggling, but the situation remained dire!

Do something! I have to do something!

But… how? Lin Luo felt his own powerlessness acutely.

“Book of Contracts senses the current World Heart Host’s spirit is in a state of extreme struggle. Repair is impossible under the current conditions.

Executing secondary protocol. Contractor has two choices…” There was still a way!

Hearing the voice of the Book of Contracts, Lin Luo instantly felt a surge of energy and listened closely. “First choice: The Contractor must enter the spiritual world of the current World Heart Host, Misaka Mikoto, and form a Heart Contract with her.

This can restore everything to normal… System calculates success rate for this option at 5%. Should this fail, the Heart of Kindness will utterly collapse, and the Contractor will die in 25 days.” Only 5?

Lin Luo paused, then heard the second option. “Second choice: The Contractor must personally extract the Heart of Kindness from the current World Heart Host and find a second host whose synchronization rate with the Heart of Kindness exceeds 80 within one month.

Once the Heart of Kindness synchronizes with the second host, the Contractor can instantly contract with them… System calculates success rate for this option at 95%.” “This…” Lin Luo’s body shuddered violently. Two choices: one with an extremely low success rate, and one that was almost impossible to fail.

Any normal person would know which one to pick, but… was he supposed to abandon Mikoto? If he chose the second option, Mikoto would undoubtedly die!

But if he chose the first, he would have a ninety-nine percent chance of dying! “Current World Heart Host’s mental capacity is nearing its limit.

System calculates that in 30 seconds, the Heart of Kindness will completely collapse. Contractor, please make your choice quickly.

System recommends the second option.” Ahhh! Only 30 seconds left?

Then there really is no other way. Indeed, a 5% success rate is practically no difference from failure.

The path forward seems incredibly clear. There are no saints in this world; no one chooses death for the sake of another’s life.

All people do is tread on others to secure their own survival… This is normal, after all. Even if one likes or loves someone, one’s self is ultimately the most important.

Who is foolish enough to sacrifice their own life for another? “Current remaining time: 20 seconds…” Haha!

It’s impossible that someone would be that foolish. This isn’t some fairy tale; how could such a person exist in reality!

Well, if such a person did exist… I would definitely want to meet someone that foolish. “Current remaining time: 10 seconds…” If they did exist, it could only be called a miracle.

Yes… only a miracle. “Current remaining time: 5 seconds…” But if miracles happen… “Current remaining time: 1 second…” “This miracle can only be created by my own hands!!!!” In that final second, Lin Luo made his choice without the slightest hesitation!

Immediately, he felt his head spin, his consciousness seemingly sucked into a colossal vortex. When he regained awareness, he found himself in an environment of absolute darkness.

Not a single ray of light, no hope whatsoever… only boundless darkness and… despair! “Is this… Mikoto’s spiritual world?” Lin Luo was dumbfounded.

He was shocked; he never imagined Mikoto’s mindscape would be so bleak. What exactly was she enduring?

“I see now… everything was caused by Onee-sama. Misaka was created… Misaka was killed… all because of Onee-sama…” At that moment, a girlish voice drifted through the silence, thick with resentment.

Lin Luo whipped his head towards the sound… A naked girl floated in the darkness, short brown hair, a beautiful face, a slender frame… It was Mikoto! No, wait!

Lin Luo quickly realized the girl resembling Mikoto was not Mikoto. To be precise… she was a Misaka Clone!

The mass-produced military clone of Misaka Mikoto! “Why is a Misaka Clone here?” Before Lin Luo could react, a horrifying scene unfolded before him.

The clone’s formerly smooth skin suddenly cracked open, and torrents of blood poured out, dyeing the entire figure crimson. “So… it was Onee-sama who killed Misaka!” the girl’s voice echoed with endless resentment and hatred.

Then, she reached out both hands into the darkness, dragging forth a figure—the true Mikoto! “Yes, it was all Onee-sama’s fault…” “Because of Onee-sama, the Misakas were brutally killed…” “Onee-sama, do you know how much pain the Misakas endured…” “Onee-sama, why treat Misaka this way…” “Onee-sama, it would be better if you didn’t exist…” Almost simultaneously, one, two, three… dozens of Misaka Clones materialized around Mikoto.

They were all dripping with blood and covered in scars, clutching at Mikoto’s body as they wailed their accusations. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry!

It’s all my fault, all my fault…” Mikoto didn’t dare resist. She curled into a ball, allowing the clones to pull and tear at her, crying out in near despair.

“This is…” Lin Luo felt his limbs turn cold. The Mikoto before him was utterly lost in the guilt she had manufactured.

She was unable to break free, being destroyed by her own imagination! Lin Luo could see that on the left side of Mikoto’s chest, the pure white World Heart was slowly turning black, tainted by the sins she had created herself… Was this the essence of Desolation?

Was this why the synchronization rate was dropping? Lin Luo finally understood, an immense pressure crushing him.

The cries of the Misaka Clones and Mikoto’s desperate struggle became unbearable! “You idiot!” Lin Luo lunged forward, shoving the clones aside.

He grabbed Mikoto’s shoulders firmly. “Misaka Mikoto, you fool, wake up and snap out of it!” “Lin… Little Brother Lin, why are you here?” Mikoto suddenly heard his voice and instinctively looked up.

Seeing the person before her, she was astonished. “This is clearly my…” “Yes, this is your spiritual world, right?

I know. That’s why I came in!” “How is that possible!

How could you enter my spiritual world?” “Nothing is impossible! As for why I’m here, why you suddenly lost yourself in your own mind—none of that matters right now!

I only want to know one thing…” At this point, Lin Luo roared his question, “Is that truly what you think? Is that really what you believe?!” “Wh-what?” Mikoto clearly couldn’t grasp his meaning.

“Them!” Lin Luo gestured toward the surrounding clones. “Do you truly believe they resent you?

Hate you? Do you truly believe you are unforgivable?” “Of c-course.

I killed them. Over ten thousand lives—I killed them all.

How could someone like me… ever be forgiven?” “Did you see it with your own eyes? Did you see the hatred in their eyes?

Did you hear it with your own ears? Did you hear their words of grievance?

This is all just your imagination, isn’t it!” “Imagination or not…” Mikoto struggled. “Even if I didn’t see it or hear it, they endured such immense suffering; how could they not harbor hatred?” “Yes, they certainly endured tremendous pain, but…” Lin Luo emphasized his tone.

“When people are alive, they naturally experience joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure. You saw their sorrow, you felt their anger, but why can’t you see their joy and happiness?” “Joy?

Happiness? How could such things exist… They are being killed, every single day, over and over in countless different ways.

How can they be happy living such a painful existence…” “Even in such a painful existence, moments of joy can occur… To live vibrantly under the sun, to feel everything life has to offer, to go from nothing to something—isn’t that something to be happy about?” “It’s different, it’s completely different! A life created only to be killed—how could one be happy living like that… So, towards me, the main culprit, they must be filled with resentment.” “I told you, this is just your imagination.

If imagination could become reality, then I could imagine every person in this world as my slave, and every woman as my sex (still a divine beast) slave. Would that fantasy also become real?” “This… this is completely different…” “There is no difference.

It’s the same. You are bound by your own imagination.

So… wake up!” “No, it’s just like that. They must resent me.” As she spoke, Mikoto suddenly struggled violently and roared at Lin Luo, “What do you know!

You know nothing! About everything concerning me, about everything concerning them… How dare you assert that our lives must be filled with joy!

You know absolutely nothing!” “Of course I know. I know everything—the clones, you, and that entire experiment.

I know it all, so stop shouldering all this guilt yourself.” “Wh-why? Why would you know these things?” Mikoto abruptly lifted her head, looking at Lin Luo with disbelief.

“Because this is your spiritual world. The moment I entered, our spirits merged.

Therefore, I can know everything about you,” Lin Luo said, unable to reveal the full truth. “Is that so?” Whether Mikoto truly accepted this reason was unclear, but her voice was laced with deep sorrow.

“Since you know all this, you should also know how unforgivable I am. It was because of my naivety that so many clones died.” Lin Luo shook his head.

“We have a saying in China: doing bad things with good intentions is not evil. Your starting point was good, wasn't it?

It was to help others. Although you bear responsibility for this series of tragedies, it isn't your fault.

The ones at fault are those researchers! If you truly feel guilty, then use your power to save the clones who are still alive; pull them out of hell.

That is what you should be doing, not just waiting here to die!” “Right now, I don’t… I don’t have the qualifications to help them.” Although she was still struggling, Lin Luo could feel her inner resistance wavering. “Qualifications are not granted by anyone; if you want to do something, just do it.” “Just do it, but…” “The clones are living in agony, yet they still strive so hard to live, even if death awaits them the next second.

Can you feel that? The first clone you met—wasn't she so vibrant, so dazzling!” Lin Luo spoke loudly.

Hearing this sentence, a spark of light flashed in Mikoto’s ashes-like eyes. “Why are the clones striving so hard?

It can’t be for the sake of the experiment. They strive to live!

Therefore, you have a responsibility to save them and let them live a normal life. If you die here, who will save them?

A person like that—you would be the one they resent!” “But I…” “Don’t say ‘but.’ If you want to do it, then do it. If you feel guilty, then risk your life to protect them.

If you feel your own power isn't enough, then seek help from allies. Asking ‘help me’ isn’t so hard to say, is it?” “Protect?

Help? Can I… really do it?” “Of course you can!” Lin Luo stated firmly.

“But no matter how hard I try, with my strength…” Mikoto’s voice held deep despair… but it wasn't entirely without hope. “Then try hard one more time.

Don't mope around here, and stop deceiving yourself. Let’s go again!” Mikoto’s eyes widened because of that sentence… “You wouldn’t go back on your own words, would you?” Lin Luo smiled at her, extending his hand.

“This time, you aren't alone. Let’s… start over together!” Mikoto’s body trembled slightly.

She looked at Lin Luo with shock, then at the hand he offered… hesitating. Lin Luo didn't rush her, just watched quietly.

After a long moment, as if drawing on all her remaining strength to make a decision, Mikoto reached out and firmly clasped his hand, a brilliant smile spreading across her face. “Yes, let’s start over!” (This chapter is long; humbly requesting recommendations and collection support…)