112 Chapter 112: Strange World, the Herrscher Appears Only Once

It was the first time Bronya had seen the black-haired youth before her.

Before this, Bronya had often heard her Uncle Maxim mention the name of this person and frequently heard about his illustrious reputation in the industry—White Dove.

White Dove didn't necessarily symbolize peace; sometimes, it signified death.

This was a widely circulated saying in the industry, referring to the seemingly harmless young man in front of her.

The youth had a delicate face, attractive features, smiling like a spring breeze during laughter, and calm like a sentimental flowing river when silent. It made people easily develop a favorable impression at the first sight, thinking, "What a handsome boy."

No one would associate a cold and efficient killer with the sunny and cheerful boy before them.

Bronya was initially skeptical too. Compared to a cold-blooded assassin, the boy in front of her seemed more suited to be a good-looking neighbor. With his handsome appearance and a touch of ethereal charm, he could undoubtedly become the white moonlight in the hearts of many girls.

But when Maxim presented the facts to her, she had no choice but to believe.

Bronya unconsciously shrunk her neck, hiding her body a bit more. However, she couldn't help but be curious, quietly peeking at the boy in front of her. In the moment their eyes met, she suddenly resembled a startled little rabbit, immediately retracting her head.

White Dove became famous for assassinating a certain country's dignitary.

At that time, this highly lucrative mission was undertaken by a mere 9-year-old kid, causing quite a stir in the industry. Many thought this mercenary named White Dove was too arrogant.

While everyone was waiting to see a joke, he completed the assassination in the least expected way.

On that day, there was a routine public speech by the official. White Dove sneaked past the security check, boldly appearing at the scene.

With a white mask and black glasses, a gray short-sleeved canvas bag. He reached behind the official, and after two gunshots, he made a swift exit.

The first shot announced my arrival, the second shot declared your death. I don't have time to fool around with you.

No one knew how he bypassed the security check or where he got the heat he used at the scene. After that assassination, not only the industry but the whole world was in an uproar.

Because the speech was live-streamed worldwide.

Afterward, White Dove rose to fame, even dubbed the number one male sniper in the international arena by Chinese netizens. He grew rapidly over the next few years, with his status and abilities constantly climbing, leaving people amazed.

Bronya snapped back to reality and stopped thinking about it. The boy in front of her, after assessing her for a while, greeted her.

"Bronya?" The black-haired youth smiled warmly, "I didn't get the name wrong, did I?"

"Do you know Bronya? Did Uncle Maxim mention it?" Bronya was a little surprised and looked at Maxim, but the middle-aged man with a scruffy beard just stood there, smiling, neither denying nor confirming.

"Yes and no. Bronya, want to take a guess?" Maxim didn't say anything, and neither did Chase, maintaining their air of mystery.

Bronya's small mouth opened slightly. For a moment, she didn't know what to say. After a brief pause, she lowered her head, appearing to be deep in thought.

"Hahaha." A crisp laughter broke the brief silence in the room. Bronya was startled by this sudden laughter and looked at Chase, who had no expression on his face, but the gray eyes seemed to express the owner's current dissatisfaction.

"Bronya, call me big brother."

Bronya: "???"

...

This was the first meeting between Chase and Bronya. Although it was a chance encounter, it had been anticipated.

The simulation chapters revolved around the protagonist. The protagonist might be late or leave early, but he would never be absent. Sometimes, after wandering around, he would end up back where he started.

Just like the unexpected encounter in Berlin in the second simulation, if the first meeting in Berlin was intentional, then the second encounter was destined.

He could have quietly passed away, but the unexpected encounter that day disrupted all his plans. It was truly unexpected. After that, Chase thought about it for a long time and suddenly realized it while squatting on the toilet one day.

Perhaps, even if he hadn't gone to Berlin that day, he would still meet Sirin one day due to some unexpected event.

Maybe that day would be shrouded in thick fog, the world shrinking to only himself and the girl. Perhaps that day would be bathed in abundant spring sunshine, wildflowers on the grass spreading out shockingly, the sunlight revealing various expressions on the faces of boys and girls. Maybe that day would be snowy, the surroundings covered in silver, like a crystal maze, with footprints of a girl everywhere he had left his wheelchair.

In any case, they would eventually meet again. Maybe today, maybe tomorrow, but they would meet again.

All the beauty in life was unexpected, just like meeting Bronya now.

He couldn't help but look at the talent extracted by the simulator panel, called "Heaven-sent Sweetheart," thinking about its role in this simulation.

"Orphan" played its role normally, making himself an orphan. "Dragon King" allowed him to thrive in the mercenary world. The effects of "Bathed in Spring Breeze" and "Simple and Unpretentious" were similar, one boosting favorability and the other lowering vigilance. In Chase's view, these were a bit redundant, not as practical as talents like "Determination." At least, it greatly improved his combat efficiency.

As for "Calm Life," Chase couldn't evaluate it; it was subjective.

"Chase big brother, I heard that our parents were old acquaintances?" The girl's voice brought Chase's thoughts back. He turned to look at the girl, nodded, and acknowledged it.

"Speaking of which, the last time should not be considered our first meeting."

"?" The gray-haired girl tilted her head, looking puzzled. Her face was full of confusion. The turbines on both sides seemed unable to help her search for relevant memories in her brain.

"Do you remember, Bronya?" Chase smiled and asked, with a teasing tone, but Bronya didn't hear it. She just shook her head, and the spiral curls on both sides swayed with the movement of her head.

"Surely she doesn't remember. At that time, you hadn't been born yet. Your parents came to our house for a visit, and the conversation was quite harmonious..." Chase didn't continue. Seeing the girl's changing expression, he decided not to continue this topic.

Coincidentally talking about Bronya's parents, Chase couldn't help but sink into thought.

This world is strange.

It is now 2009, and Chase is 11 years old, while Bronya is 7.

According to the normal development of the world, Bronya's father would have died before she was born, and there would be no situation where he was imprisoned for selling military weapons. Bronya would have received professional training at a very young age and become the famous Ural Silver Wolf.

Although Chase's existence itself is like the wings of a butterfly, he has never interfered with Bronya's family. The only connection is that their parents are good friends and often visit each other.

But these are not the weirdest things. Chase's brows furrowed even tighter.

Why didn't the Second Eruption happen?

This has been a question that has troubled him for a long time. After becoming a mercenary, the first bucket of gold he earned was spent on collecting intelligence, and the results were unexpected.

So far, there has been only one Herrscher in the world.

The first agent Herrscher—Welt Joyce. As for why he is called the first generation, it's because Joyce ultimately did not escape Otto's clutches. He sacrificed heroically in New York while protecting the city. His successor, Welt Yang, remained the same person who excelled at sit-ups.

As for Sirin, the girl from Siberia is now managing a tailor shop with her mother, aspiring to become the best tailor in the world and working hard towards that goal.

Chase had visited there before, quietly sitting in a corner of the street, silently observing the girl's meticulous and serious appearance with needle and thread. He didn't rashly go to see her, just leaving a back view after a knowing smile, waving lightly, not taking away a single cloud.

Life is like a journey, and Chase is destined to be a passerby.

The current life of Sirin is what Chase has been striving for all along...

In a world without the disturbance of the Eruption, Sirin's mother remained healthy, and a girl with dreams worked hard towards her goals. It was ordinary yet warm, everything flowing naturally like snow melting in warm spring, clear and full of vitality.

There were no experimental subjects named Sirin, and there was no second Herrscher named Sirin either.

This was good, wasn't it?

After all, the clothes Chase wore from then on were all custom-made by the girl.

The Stigmata Mark on the palm of his right hand tingled for a moment. Chase withdrew his thoughts, feeling a bit helpless and a little funny.

It was the first time he felt a hint of jealousy, even toward himself.

His little sister was truly capricious. Chase sighed.

[Brother is the one! Clearly, there's Sirin, yet he flirts everywhere, recognizing sisters left and right, completely disregarding me, his sister!] A slightly irritated voice echoed in his mind. Just as he was about to retort, Sirin's subsequent words left Chase momentarily speechless.

[Even when Sirin is around, it's like this. When Sirin is not around...]

[I dare not even think about when Sirin is not around!]

Alright, Chase didn't argue further because he realized he might not be entirely right in this matter. After all, it was him who initially had Bronya address him as a brother.

Now that the simulation's assist function was activated, there was no reason not to call Sirin over, especially since it was agreed upon earlier.

The original plan was to have Sirin by his side as a bodyguard until the simulation ended, but plans were always subject to change.

Chase discovered another use for "Tranquil Life."

[Tranquil Life (Purple): You yearn for a peaceful life and strive to maintain it. You dislike disruptions to your peaceful life and the people and things that cause them. (A peaceful life and you mutually benefit. What sinister thoughts could you have? You just want a peaceful life.)]

[Note 1: Tranquil Life has limited self-regulation ability, with a certain resistance stability and resilience. (Tranquil Life will actively help correct threats to a peaceful life. Don't expect too much; it's useful, but not overly so.)]

[Note 2: A peaceful life is desirable, so try your best to uphold it. You won't lose out. (Since luck can be accumulated, why not accumulate some other things? Just don't overdo it?)]

Chase once tried to directly bring Sirin over, but "Calm Life" timely issued a warning.

It advised against Chase's actions.

Advice? Chase was least inclined to follow advice. Don't visit a suggested website—would you choose to exit? Of course not. Ignore the risks, persist in visiting! So, regarding the advice on talents...

He could only compromise and settle for Sirin willingly returning to the Saint's Mark, even though she wasn't happy about it. Sirin had wanted to hug her brother from childhood, but it seemed this wish could never be fulfilled.

No choice, right? When teachers suggest buying study materials, can you refuse?

As for being a mercenary, this talent was like it had died, showing no reaction whatsoever. Apparently, to it, being a mercenary was just part of the job.

Sighing helplessly, Chase looked to the side at the duck head...

At this point, Bronya was still a bit sulky. When she noticed Chase looking at her, she complained, "Big Brother Chase was teasing Bronya again just now. How impolite."

"I apologize." Chase sincerely apologized.

It had been some time since Maxim brought Bronya over. The two had become quite familiar with each other during this time, and Bronya no longer had the initial sense of unfamiliarity. She liked to visit Chase's house when she had nothing to do, sometimes sitting there for an entire day, chatting with Chase about various topics while enjoying the snacks he made. She seemed to be in a good mood.

The time spent together allowed Bronya to understand that appearances could indeed be deceiving.

Just like Chase—outwardly simple and harmless, truly an optimistic and cheerful young man despite his notorious reputation. And Maxim even tried to deepen the relationship between the two children, revealing that their parents had once arranged a childhood marriage, seemingly eager to play matchmaker and assuming the role of a priest, making Chase sweat profusely and consoling the little angel in the Saint's Mark.

(TN: Saint Mark or Stigmata Mark)

Maxim, some things are better left unsaid.

"Okay, Bronya accepts your apology." The little duck head nodded in satisfaction, clearly pleased with Chase's display of weakness. Unconsciously lifting her duck neck, she stood with hands behind her back, proudly stating, "Bronya wants compensation."

"As you wish." Chase humbly agreed.

"I'm hungry."

The little duck head said so, leaving Chase slightly stunned, then nodding. He found an apron and walked straight into the kitchen.