VIP Chapter 110: The Shining Star of the Past
The Shining Star…
The story and origin behind this name are not simple.
The Shining Star was a team created by Xiu, his friends from school, and a few teammates who joined them. Their combat record was not weak, perhaps because both Xiu and his friend were particularly fond of dungeons and possessed considerable knowledge about them.
But…
During a dungeon exploration one year ago, the team, which had assessed the situation as unfavorable and prepared to retreat downward, was unexpectedly pursued by a BOSS.
The initial retreat was due to unclear information about the BOSS’s situation, and the process of resisting the pursuit revealed that their logistical preparations were insufficient. Ultimately, only Xiu survived. He didn’t even walk out of the dungeon; he essentially crawled out, as he was severely injured.
The Shining Star was completely extinguished after that, never appearing in any dungeons again.
After Xiu finally managed to reorganize his inner self, he returned to find his former team no longer existed, transforming him into an extremely obsessive individual. He believed it was their overconfidence in their judgment at the time that led to the dual deficiency in intelligence and supplies from the rear, as he and his friend were both on the front lines and responsible for logistics.
Therefore… He placed great importance on the work of logistics, even obsessively feeling that he could only handle logistics. For the memories he could no longer salvage, he was willing to endure and work for that ephemeral team name and the memories of their passionate adventures in the dungeons.
…
Wow, what a sad story…
To hell with that!! A character who inexplicably loses all their teammates, survives alone, and then becomes increasingly obsessive, burdened by responsibilities they shouldn’t have to bear, falling into depression and despair – it’s just too common. Especially if you add a bit more detail, like teammates being captured by the BOSS, torn apart on the spot, dying in front of you, and you reaching out but being powerless.
Echoing this, they visit every dream night after night… Each time, they wake up startled, looking at their palm, repeatedly thinking they cannot repeat the same mistake.
Wow, it’s a dagger!
Like hell it is! It feels like a cheap blade mass-produced in a general store.
This part of the story is revealed much later in the original work, serving as a patch to explain why Xiu possesses such strength yet has to tolerate a group of useless people.
However…
The three of them sat across the dining table from each other, with only a small portion of the meal just served.
“Young Master? Why have you been so quiet since just now? This is when we finally got our team name!”
“Although this name isn’t really your style. But well… it has a rather nice meaning, I suppose. Please, show us.”
“I really like the name, so, Teacher Will… don’t be dejected.”
Will looked at the three girls who had gathered around, unexpectedly worried about him. If, one day, he were the only survivor, how would his mental state be… Hmm… Worse than the original protagonist? Of course, it’s just an assumption. As a piece of trash fiction, those who were meant to die were already dead before the story began. The rest is a story of pure joy and satisfaction. The three people in front of him would also live on safely.
Actually, Will did feel a brief pang of heartache when he thought of that scene. In the past, for this world that existed within “the story,” a “fictional” world that he knew better than anyone had “loopholes” and “shortcomings,” a world he was involved in adapting, and even needed to add more to this fiction… Will had always been an observer. That’s why he didn’t detest the “fate” he couldn’t break, why he would wryly write the “Quest System,” and why he would slightly lower his expectations for his own supporting character’s fate.
But… He had spent a fruitful and deeply memorable three years with them.
“Huu…”
Will took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and tried to gather his emotions and words. Finally, he rested his forehead on his hand and spoke with feigned solemnity:
“You all don’t know, but when we established this team, we shouldered a arduous mission and purpose, embarking on this path filled with thorns and hardships, with no chance of turning back.”
The three girls exchanged glances, watching Will’s frozen pose in silence.
“Your large plate of fruits and vegetables has arrived!”
The waiter joined their conversation, disturbing Will’s buildup.
“Young Master! You’re alright, aren’t you! Just like before!” Iaar happily stood up and, like the usual personal maid, was the first to pick up Will’s bowl, serving him the newly arrived dishes.
“Alright, though it feels like it’s been a while since I’ve seen you like this. But if you were just depressed over such a small matter, you still have a lot to learn.” Liya sighed with relief, somewhat comforted.
“Are you really okay? Should I let… it take a look? It’s sensitive to emotions.” Treya’s fingertips emitted an ominous black mist.
“No, no, definitely not a demon! I’m really fine.” Will quickly ate a few bites of the food in his bowl to prove that he was indeed alright.
“Hmm… But, after forming the team, what should we do? Iaar is still not too clear…” After serving everyone and pouring the juice, Iaar sat down and asked, tilting her head.
Will wasn’t surprised by Iaar’s question. In the original work, her goal was indeed the weakest… As for the other two…
“To find more clues… about Mother.”
“To achieve a higher team ranking, to prove the Ninth Princess’s capabilities.” He answered without any hesitation!
“As an Adventuring Team, actually… the purest goal is to clear dungeons—not for any particular reason, but because they exist, because they are filled with all sorts of adventures. Even at the risk of one’s life, one must move forward step by step. As long as there’s another layer below, one will continue to go down, simply to clear it.”
Will spoke while gently raising his cup, holding it against the light as if delivering a profound statement. This was, in fact, an explanation that “seemed to say something but also nothing”—the most cliché explanation. How cliché? This statement lost its meaning seven or eight years ago when the dungeon economy was exceptionally developed, and the goods produced within it drove business and production. Not to mention the current era where anyone, like a cat or a dog, can visit a dungeon as if going on a tour.
However… This should indeed be the original intention of the dungeons.
“Wow, Young Master, you said it so well!”
“As expected of my proud student, so familiar with the textbook.”
“Learned something new!”
“It’s fine, you all pursue your wishes to your heart’s content. Pretend what I said doesn’t exist.”
“But… if that’s the case, why are we withdrawing after clearing the tenth floor? There was basically no loss… I think we should clear dungeons for the sake of clearing them—!!!”
Oh no, Will just said it casually, but Iaar actually believed him.
