What Did Kressa Smell

【You have undergone a long simulation】

【Your small step is a giant leap for mankind】

【In a post-apocalyptic world where humanity has perished, you are the sole survivor. Your actions carve out the history of humanity, and everything you experience becomes the continuation of human existence】

【Rising from obscurity, you dominate the wasteland and embark on an expedition across the stars】

【When you face death, the history of humanity comes to an end with you】

【You possess an extraordinary talent, comprehending and mastering numerous scientific principles as a mere mortal. The depth of your knowledge rivals that of an entire civilization】

【You are an expert in exterminating insectoid species, preferring to communicate through headshots】

【You are a peculiar creator, bestowing names upon household AI and nurturing their humanity. You succeed, achieving what was once deemed impossible】

【You pass away with a sense of peace, offering one final warmth to your AI companion, ending your life as your soul withers】

【The simulation concludes, and the highlights are being tallied】

【Simulation evaluation in progress...】

【Simulation rewards being generated...】

The golden warmth of the sun gently falls on Xu Xi's nose, dispelling the desolation of his decaying soul and awakening the immortality within the divine.

In that silent tranquility, Xu Xi opens his eyes.

The simulation has ended.

The scene before him shifts back to the courtyard of the real world.

And there, two girls await.

Krisha stands quietly, while Wu Yingxue chews on roasted dragon meat.

They are carrying out Xu Xi's request before he initiated the simulation: to observe any changes in the simulator's activation.

"...Mentor?"

Xu Xi, having just concluded the simulation, is about to speak.

He intends to ask the two girls if they have discerned the nature of the simulator.

But before Xu Xi can utter a word.

The witch takes a step forward.

With a puzzled expression, she approaches Xu Xi, her small nose sniffing lightly.

The gesture is endearing, like a small animal wary of impending danger.

"Is something wrong, Krisha?"

Xu Xi is confused.

"There's a strange scent on you... something ominous."

Krisha tilts her head slightly.

Her vacant eyes reveal deep bewilderment, her silver-gray hair cascading onto Xu Xi's neck as she moves.

"Really?"

Wu Yingxue, curious, also leans in to sniff Xu Xi.

But she detects nothing.

Xu Xi ponders for a moment, thinking perhaps the witch's intuition is sharp, allowing her to sense the peculiar presence of the life simulator.

Thus, he smiles and reassures Krisha, telling her not to worry.

"Krisha, Yingxue, can you tell me what you've observed?"

The simulator is currently tallying the results.

In the meantime, Xu Xi decides to ask Krisha and Wu Yingxue if they have uncovered the essence of the simulator.

At the same time, he is concerned about the future of his AI companion.

In the cold, desolate universe, where no life exists to communicate with, such solitude would be unbearable for Ailei, and it worries him.

The good news is.

Given her unique life form, Ailei can survive and protect herself in the perilous cosmos.

...

The sun sets.

The night breeze brings a chilling cold.

The cold is so penetrating that even the overheated core of the machine cools down.

Her silver-blue eyes are dull, her exquisite face expressionless.

Her hands tremble.

Repeating the same motion over and over.

Trying to grasp the hand that has turned to ash, to once again feel the familiar touch on her face.

Finally, the AI companion completes the arduous task.

In the pale interior of the cabin, she holds the wrist of the one who has long passed, allowing the withered fingers to once again touch her cheek.

"...Master."

"...Welcome to the intelligent assistant AI, Ailei, at your service."

"Please... use me... once more..."

The delicate face, touched by the hand.

Displays a sorrowful smile.

No tears, but the profound grief, the mournful resonance within her system, far surpasses mere tears.

There is no response.

In contrast to the AI companion, who radiates intense emotion.

On the bed, the one who burned out his soul has become an empty shell.

He will never wake again, never smile warmly, never teach the AI how to be human, never wipe away the blurred face of sorrow.

Yes.

Never again...

"Ailei, it pains me to serve you," the overwhelming sorrow causes her expression to collapse completely.

Ailei tightly clutches Xu Xi's hand, letting the cold, lifeless palm linger on her face a little longer, a little more.

As if by doing so.

The scattered ashes would gather once more.

Emit a warm light.

But, such a thing is impossible.

Thus, the loyal AI companion can only, in the passage of time, repeatedly regret her own inability, her failure to keep the one who mattered.

"I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry... Master... I'm sorry."

The sound of apology echoes endlessly within the cabin.

Time becomes eternal, no matter how the sun and moon revolve outside, the AI companion within the cabin clings tightly to Xu Xi's hand.

Until the genetically modified body.

Succumbs to the erosion of time.

Begins to show signs of decay.

Only then does the AI companion rise from the ground, with just the right amount of force, she lifts the empty shell, walking out of the escape pod into the world outside.

She does not attempt to preserve the shell for eternity, nor does she consider cloning.

The AI companion simply, in the quiet of a melancholy autumn.

Buries Xu Xi's empty shell.

Previous attempts have become prisons, trapping the one who mattered, causing him great pain.

Now, the AI companion neither wishes nor desires to create a new cage, to confine that gentle light.

"Master..."

"What... is love..."

Outside the pod, the land, nurtured by growth agents, is covered in a sea of blue and purple flowers.

In the gentle breeze, Ailei gazes quietly at a mound of earth, her silver-blue eyes now still, no longer reflecting their former brilliance.

Whoosh—

Whoosh—

The wind grows fierce.

Sweeping across the sea of flowers, tearing petals, creating a shimmering spectacle of blue and purple.

Ailei extends her hand, and several beautifully contoured petals dance into her palm.

Loyalty, freedom, and eternal love.

This is the language of the meteor flowers.

To this day, in the realm of 【love】, the AI companion has long had her own understanding, but that understanding is one-sided, limited to Xu Xi.

"Master, I... love... you..."

There is no response.

Only the howling of the wind.

The AI companion waits quietly, she believes Xu Xi's words, believes that he will surely revive.

It's just that the time of revival will be a bit longer.

Until then, blind waiting is not a good thing.

Ailei bends down, plucking a full cluster of meteor flowers, letting the blue and purple splendor adorn the mound of earth.

"Master, all factors that may threaten your safety, Ailei will eliminate them for you."

"All, every single one, without reservation."

The AI companion murmurs softly.

She lifts her head, gazing at the boundless starry sky.