Chapter 8: Initiating Transmission...

The moment the flowing light entered his mind, Ye Xingchen felt a wave of dizziness, as if the world spun around him. When he regained focus, he found himself beneath a familiar star-filled sky. A cool breeze brushed over his body as he lay on soft grass, his clear eyes gazing upward, waves of exhaustion washing over his spirit.

He instinctively attributed this sensation to the aftereffects of accepting the system. Shaking his head to clear it, he finally took in the scene around him—a landscape so familiar it felt etched into his very being. Everything around him was unmistakably the scenery from within his own Night Shadow Star Domain.

“Are you satisfied now? We used the most beautiful scene in your heart as a template to create this system space! It took us a considerable amount of energy and effort,” said Ruoxing, proudly running up to Ye Xingchen with an expression that seemed to demand praise.

“Why hasn’t Xiaobai woken up yet? Is her injury that serious?” Ruoxing’s beaming face was utterly ignored as Ye Xingchen held the little fox, worry etched across his features.

“Hmph! She’s not in any real danger! You ought to worry more about yourself right now!” Seeing Ye Xingchen overlook her to fret over a fox, Ruoxing was irked, her voice tinged with sourness.

“What do you mean? I feel like my body’s fine,” Ye Xingchen checked himself—all he found were minor wounds, easily healed, nothing as grave as Ruoxing made it seem.

“Most of your physical injuries have already been healed by us. The real issue is that your soul has suffered severe damage. You don’t feel much because my sister and I have been suppressing it for you. You should notice your mental exhaustion by now, shouldn’t you?” Ruoxing, still upset, kept silent; Ruocheng, gentle and warm, explained patiently.

From their brief interactions, Ye Xingchen could already deduce the twins’ personalities. The elder was straightforward, radiating youthful energy, her thoughts written on her face. The younger was gentle and attentive, always smiling softly, her wisdom concealed beneath a calm demeanor.

“So that’s the reason? No wonder I feel so tired. You’ve only been suppressing the injury, not healing it, which means you can’t actually fix it, right?” Analyzing calmly, Ye Xingchen sought confirmation.

“Yes, and we can’t suppress it much longer. We don’t have enough authority over the system. Once it truly activates, we won’t be able to help you anymore! But don’t worry, your life is never at risk. You have some time left—you may ask three questions you care most about.” The two girls exchanged glances and nodded.

After a brief silence, Ye Xingchen raised three fingers. “Three questions. First: What does the system require me to do, or rather, what is its purpose?”

“The system itself doesn’t have any special purpose. Its main function is to provide convenience for you, sometimes issuing tasks—all to help you. The fundamental matter is…that we cannot say. But we assure you, the system will never harm you!” Ruocheng answered smoothly, as if it were instinct. Just as she was about to reveal the fundamental truth, Ruoxing quickly tugged at her hand.

After a moment’s hesitation, Ruocheng chose not to speak further. Her beautiful eyes shone with sincerity and resolve as she made her promise to Ye Xingchen.

“Second question: Is C.C. safe in that world now?”

“She’s very safe—you know her abilities. As long as she wishes, nothing in that world can threaten her.” For most, such precious questions would be spent on themselves, but Ye Xingchen used one to inquire about C.C.’s safety, a clear sign of how important she was to him. Ruocheng’s reply carried a hint of bitterness.

“Final question! What are your names?” Observing their reactions, Ye Xingchen slowly asked his last question.

“I’m Ruoxing!” “And I’m Ruocheng!” The moment Ye Xingchen asked, any lingering bitterness vanished. The adorable twin girls beamed, revealing their names.

“Ruoxing, Ruocheng?” Ye Xingchen repeated their names, pondering the coincidence—his own name was Xingchen, while theirs were Xing and Cheng. It felt too serendipitous.

He didn’t press further, instead joking, “Nice to meet you! My name is Ye Xingchen. It seems fate has drawn us together!”

“Of course! Without fate, how could you encounter us and gain the system? You should celebrate your good fortune!” Ruoxing replied smugly.

“Heh, indeed, I’m lucky you two took a liking to me. Shall we begin?” Ye Xingchen, feeling genuine affection for his saviors, played along before reminding them.

“It might be painful—you must endure it!” Ruoxing and Ruocheng naturally understood what Ye Xingchen meant, and they released their suppression over his injuries.

Instantly, Ye Xingchen felt excruciating pain deep within his soul, as if something was forcibly tearing it in half. No—not as if—it truly was being split apart. Ye Xingchen didn’t know why, but he could see his soul dividing into two spheres, one black, one white.

As soon as the spheres separated, they tried desperately to merge again, but a transparent barrier kept them apart, leaving them to circle each other closely.

A long time passed. When Ye Xingchen opened his eyes again, he realized he could no longer call himself Ye Xingchen. “What do you think we should be called now?”

“…Could you focus on how to fuse us back together, instead of worrying about names?” After a moment, a cold, resigned voice echoed in his mind.

“Even Ruoxing and Ruocheng couldn’t help—what can you do? Why don’t you try swallowing me?” The gentle, calm voice sounded as if the notion of being devoured didn’t bother him at all.

“What are you saying! We’re the same person—how could we do that?” To both, the other was as much family as themselves.

“How about this: you call yourself Ye Xing, and I’ll be Ye Cheng. That way, we split the original name, but together we’re still Ye Xingchen!” Ye Cheng’s eyes sparkled as he proposed.

“Do as you like. My side’s depleted, so I’ll leave the body to you for now.” Ye Xing replied, then went silent, likely slipping into sleep to recover.

“System operating—issuing first task: Save or Destroy. The host will be transported to the Angel Beats world. Please wait…” The so-called system suddenly appeared, without warning, and bundled Ye Cheng away for transmission…