Chapter 4: To fall into darkness, you must take advantage of others’ misfortunes

Ying Ye, known as Shadow Night, was the third-ranked assassin on the “World of Fate” combat leaderboard—a master assassin who struck like a phantom and vanished without a trace, cold and merciless.

Her “phantom-like” reputation stemmed from her unparalleled skill in the game, lurking in unnoticed shadows, eliminating enemies with a single strike, and escaping effortlessly, leaving opponents helpless.

Her “cold and merciless” nickname, however, came from her most infamous feat.

Once, Ying Ye was a cheerful and innocent girl. 

That changed when she fell in love with a silver-haired, voluptuous girl in the game. 

The two were inseparable, indulging in all sorts of intimate, high-skill “maneuvers” in the game’s inns…

But one day, Ying Ye discovered her lover’s betrayal.

And not just with one other person—she was juggling over a dozen relationships!

Enraged, Ying Ye underwent a dramatic transformation overnight. 

She killed her cheating lover’s character ten times, reducing her to a whimpering, fully exposed apology on her knees before finally relenting.

From that day, Ying Ye’s personality shifted. 

She immersed herself in the art of assassination, swearing off love and earning her cold-blooded reputation.

You’d think the story ended there? 

Not quite. 

A month after their breakup, still fuming, Ying Ye teamed up with her ex’s other lovers and challenged her to a showdown at the game’s “Huashan Tournament.”

And… 

The silver-haired girl met her demise.

Yes, that girl was none other than Bai Yue Ling, and this was the story of her first “reincarnation.”

***

Now, reflecting on her past, Bai Yue Ling calculated that six of her nine “deaths” were tied to Ying Ye.

What a mess…

Based on her previous reincarnation experiences, Ying Ye wasn’t supposed to cross paths with her until at least a week into the cycle. 

Yet here they were, meeting on the very first day.

Of all the “big sisters” on her list, Ying Ye was the one Bai Yue Ling dreaded most!

But at this moment, that fearsome “big sister” was struggling helplessly before her, about to be devoured by a ferocious monster.

Bai Yue Ling hesitated.

Should she save her?

No… why not try Dark Fall instead?

A blindingly bright orb floated out from her staff, like a miniature sun, drifting slowly toward the Tree demon.

Then, Bai Yue Ling swallowed a wild fruit she’d been holding in her mouth, restoring the 20 mana points she’d just spent.

She locked eyes with Ying Ye. 

A dark halo materialized above her head, and invisible black wings unfurled behind her, revealing her fallen angel form.

“Consuming 99% of my health and mana, I activate the skill—”

“Dark Fall!”

***

Ying Ye never imagined she’d spawn in the depths of a desolate forest, nor that she’d step into a Tree demon’s trap.

She immediately shouted for help, hoping someone would come to her aid. 

But when she saw a priestess arrive only to fall into the same trap, despair set in.

Priests were the weakest combat class. 

Though this stubborn little priestess fired off a holy light orb, it was futile.

How much damage could a single holy light orb do?

As the Tree demon’s maw loomed closer, Ying Ye glanced at the priestess, wanting to thank her for trying.

Then, she couldn’t look away.

A strange, dark glimmer flickered in Bai Yue Ling’s eyes, flowing silently into Ying Ye’s through their locked gaze.

Ying Ye froze, her pupils dilating uncontrollably. 

In a daze, she glimpsed black wings behind the priestess and a tainted angelic halo above her head.

“Fallen… angel?”

She murmured unconsciously, her body feeling weightless, as if sprouting angelic wings to ascend to the goddess’s paradise.

Suddenly, an arrow pierced her chest, shattering her wings and dragging her into a cold, dark abyss.

“No… don’t…”

The endless sensation of falling filled her with instinctive fear. 

She wandered alone in the darkness, the dense aura of Dark Fall seeping into her mind, washing over her soul like a cascading waterfall.

As her soul teetered on the edge of turning black, Ying Ye shuddered. 

A dazzling light burst from the depths of her soul.

“No, I can’t fall into darkness…”

As a human, her instincts drove her toward the light.

The light in her soul began to push back the darkness, and her pupils gradually regained focus, on the verge of restoring her consciousness.

But at that moment, a far brighter light exploded—

[You have taken massive damage from “Holy Light Orb.” Your health is below 10%, entering “Weakened” state.]

Weakened, the light in her soul dimmed significantly. 

The sensation of Dark Fall overwhelmed her, plunging her into the dark abyss.

Simultaneously, a system prompt sounded in Bai Yue Ling’s ears—

[You have successfully applied the “Dark Fall” status to the target “Ying Ye.”]

***

After casting Dark Fall, Bai Yue Ling felt her mind on the verge of collapse.

Why did the skill description only mention consuming health and mana, not that it would be this mentally exhausting?

The last thing she saw was the Tree demon disintegrating under the holy light orb’s blast. 

Since the Tree demon absorbed most of the damage, Ying Ye survived.

Then, Bai Yue Ling fainted.

She felt like she had a long dream.

In it, the “big sisters” who had caused her deaths were all dressed in provocative maid outfits, tenderly serving her as she sat on a throne.

This is the life I want… 

Bai Yue Ling sighed, throwing herself into Ying Ye’s embrace.

“Master~”

Ying Ye called her title gently, letting Bai Yue Ling rest on her black-stockinged thighs.

“Big Sister Ying Ye~”

Bai Yue Ling happily enjoyed Ying Ye’s lap pillow, ready to drift into a blissful nap…

Then, she woke up.

“Ugh, what an incredible dream…”

Bai Yue Ling stirred from her slumber, rubbing her eyes and gazing dazedly at the sky.

For some reason, a large patch of the sky looked black, as if two mountains loomed over her head.

Then, she felt the back of her head resting on something soft, like a big sister’s thighs.

“Hmm… feels just like in the dream,” she murmured.

“It’s not a dream.”

“Not a dream? Then I’m… wait, what?!”

Bai Yue Ling’s mind buzzed, and she jolted upright in panic.

There, kneeling on the grass and tilting her head, was the terrifying Ying Ye, watching her.

Shadow… 

Ying Ye! 

Why was she here?

I remember… 

I used Dark Fall on her, then passed out.

Did… did Dark Fall work?

Bai Yue Ling’s breath quickened nervously. 

She squirmed backward, her soft backside brushing against the hard pebbles on the ground, snapping her to attention.

“Thank you.”

Ying Ye extended her right hand with a gentle smile. 

“Thank you for trying to save me earlier.”

Contrary to her ominous name, Ying Ye was a vibrant, cheerful girl. 

Her smile was warm and radiant, like a spring breeze.

“N-no need to thank me,” 

Bai Yue Ling said, grasping Ying Ye’s hand and forcing herself to stay calm. 

“As players, we should help each other.”

“Speaking of which, I somehow fainted earlier, and when I woke up, the Tree demon was gone,” 

Ying Ye said, puzzled. 

“Do you remember what happened before we passed out?”

“Nope, maybe an NPC passed by and saved us,” 

Bai Yue Ling replied casually.

“An NPC? That makes sense…” 

Ying Ye smiled.

 “Let’s introduce ourselves. I’m Ying Ye, from Novice Village 4444.”

“I… my game name is Priest Hero, also from Novice Village 4444.”

“Priest Hero?” 

Ying Ye giggled. 

“Why such a weird name?”

“Uh… the system picked it for me,” 

Bai Yue Ling said, scratching her head awkwardly, unwittingly lowering her guard.

This early-game Ying Ye was so gentle, a far cry from the future cold-blooded assassin who killed without blinking. 

She felt more like the friendly neighbor who’d cook for you.

Hehe~ 

Gentle big sisters are the best. 

I wanna snuggle up to her and be spoiled…

Suddenly, Bai Yue Ling pinched her pale thigh hard, wincing and half-kneeling in pain.

Bai Yue Ling, you can’t let your guard down!

Have you forgotten how these big sisters killed you before?

Don’t be swayed by their curves or sweet words.

When you see them, run far away!

As far as possible!

With that thought, Bai Yue Ling instinctively tried to stand and put distance between herself and Ying Ye.

But at that moment, Ying Ye, seeing Bai Yue Ling collapse to her knees, assumed she’d fallen and leaned forward to help her up.

Unable to dodge, Bai Yue Ling could only watch as Ying Ye’s ample, black-clad curves loomed toward her face like two towering mountains—

[You have applied the “Stunned” status to the player “Priest Hero.”]