Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!

Chapter 963: Chapter 962: The Quintessential Bride (VI)

After completing several missions, Fang Zheng summarized the pattern of the task. Clearly, this mission was to send two players to a certain place, and then either defeat some creature, collect something, or reach a certain location. Then the next Second Phase task was basically, without exception, kissing.

And the completion criterion for this task was quite simple, as long as there was a kiss. It didn’t even matter whether the player kissed the cheek, the lips, or the tongue...

Hmm? You ask why Fang Zheng knew this?

Because he tried it with Eiriri...

However, what puzzled Fang Zheng and the girls was, after completing missions with Asuna, Black Cat, Eiriri, Leafa, and Shinong, none of them triggered the Third Phase task. Yui also confirmed that everything about the task progression was normal.

Looking at it now, if Fang Zheng guessed correctly, the Third Phase task should be initiated after everyone completed the Second Phase.

”Brother Zheng, what do you think the Third Phase task will be?”

Yuki opened her arms and curiously ran around Fang Zheng like a golden retriever chasing butterflies. Today was the third day of the task. Following the task guide, Fang Zheng and Yuki arrived at the 65th floor pond, where... they had to fish.

This was considered the most time-consuming task so far.

Thus, Fang Zheng cast a fishing rod into the ground, while Yuki, feeling bored, started chatting.

”It’s hard to say, but I always feel it won’t be that simple.”

Faced with Yuki’s inquiry, Fang Zheng shook his head. He had a strong sense of malevolence lurking in the task setup. The most important question...

Why could this task be completed by multiple people?

In principle, this task design wasn’t odd. But generally, even if triggering tasks by reading players’ emotions, it should select the highest value, right? Why was there a widespread approach? What was the core purpose of this task design?

Fang Zheng had a bad premonition. The Third Phase task... might be troublesome.

”But speaking of which, Yuki, why did you agree to the marriage proposal?”

Thinking of this, Fang Zheng was curious and looked at the vivacious Yuki beside him, much like a Husky. He had asked others the same question. Shinong answered she mistakenly clicked the wrong button, Leafa blushed and said nothing, and Fang Zheng knew what Eiriri was thinking without asking.

However, if Fang Zheng could somewhat understand Leafa and Asuna, Yuki’s case seemed strange to him. This child was innocent and lively, cheerful, and straightforward, not like Asuna or Leafa, whose thoughts had more depth. Instead, Yuki gave Fang Zheng the feeling of simply being an adorable sister, and Yuki had never shown reactions beyond this towards Fang Zheng.

So, Yuki agreeing to the marriage proposal genuinely puzzled Fang Zheng.

”Hmm?”

Upon hearing Fang Zheng’s question, Yuki stopped, turned, and cheerfully looked at Fang Zheng.

”Brother Zheng, saying it like that is quite sad. I am a girl too, always dreaming of a grand wedding and marrying someone I like. This isn’t strange, and besides...”

As she said this, Yuki suddenly looked down, gazing at her feet.

”...At least in the game... I too can experience the feeling of getting married.”

”You’re not of marriage age yet.”

Hearing Yuki’s answer, Fang Zheng raised an eyebrow. Yuki was only 14; marriage was still a distant future. However, her tone didn’t seem to resemble the youthful fantasy of Asuna or Leafa but more like... a hint of melancholy and regret?

”Hahaha, that’s true.”

Faced with Fang Zheng’s response, Yuki laughed and waved her hand.

”I wonder who I’ll marry in the future and how the wedding will be. Treat this as a rehearsal; my future wedding can be modeled after this!”

Despite Yuki putting on a vibrant appearance, Fang Zheng keenly noticed a touch of sadness and melancholy in her usually bright and lively eyes, as if deep within, this joyful girl had some hidden secret...

”Yuki...”

Just as Fang Zheng intended to speak with Yuki, suddenly, the fishing rod began to creak, and Yuki instantly darted to the water’s edge.

”Brother Zheng! Fish are biting! Quick, quick, or else the fish will get away!!”

Seeing the excited Yuki gesturing to hurry and reel in, Fang Zheng furrowed his brow but eventually concentrated on the fishing task ahead.

Soon, a shimmering silver fish leaped out of the water, announcing the end of the First Phase task.

Next, naturally, came the Second Phase...

”Ah... it turned out to be a KISS too...”

Looking at her task bar, Yuki turned her head shyly. She clenched her fists, anxiously glancing around. She seemed very nervous.

”Well... um... Brother Zheng, just a cheek kiss, okay?”

”Of course.”

To this, Fang Zheng was quite accustomed. In these tasks, other than Eiriri where he might have tried various postures, with others, it was mainly cheek or forehead kisses, after all, Fang Zheng was older than the girls, treating it as a brother-sister gesture was acceptable.

”Then... quickly.”

Meanwhile, as she spoke, Yuki closed her eyes while raising her head slightly, pouting a bit. Looking at the eager Yuki before him, Fang Zheng smiled and then lowered his head...

”No——!”

Unexpectedly, just as Fang Zheng was about to kiss Yuki’s forehead, Yuki suddenly opened her eyes, screamed, and pushed Fang Zheng away.

”...Yuki?”

Startled, Fang Zheng saw in front of him the girl who now lacked the previous cheerful spirit, instead, her face turned pale. Her petite body trembled incessantly, and her eyes even brimmed with tears...

”I-I’m sorry... Brother Zheng...”

Yuki seemed equally surprised by her actions. She looked down at her hands and then raised her head to gaze at Fang Zheng. Finally, Yuki bit her lip.

”I’m sorry...!”

With this, Yuki quickly turned and ran towards the distance.

Watching Yuki’s departing figure, Fang Zheng’s brows tightened with a serious expression. He could ascertain that Yuki’s gaze earlier clearly harbored unmistakable fear and panic!

What exactly was she afraid of?

Fang Zheng didn’t understand Yuki’s thoughts, but he could be certain that Yuki’s condition wasn’t normal.

She must be hiding something from him.