There is a memory that I’ll never forget.

A scene that remains as fresh as the scent of spring, even after all these years.

- "Always remember this, Irene."

The gentle touch of a hand ruffling my hair.

My master smiled warmly at me. Back then, I used to turn away, annoyed at the nagging, but now even those moments have become precious memories.

- "One day, there will come a time when you’ll want to give up."

The soft voice resonated, carrying with it the past of a young fox.

- "Irene, life is like the dawn of a storm."

- "No matter how hard you run, misfortune will eventually find you."

His wrinkled eyes held affection. The elderly master, lying in bed, struggled to sit up as he continued to speak.

- "It’ll hurt. It’ll be scary, sad, and lonely… You might even feel like giving up."

- "You may kneel before the storm raging in front of you."

- "Such is life."

But, Irene.

- "I hope you won’t succumb to it."

Be someone who stands tall.

Become someone who, even in the face of the storm, can raise her head and wield her sword.

- "It’s okay to be blocked by an unreasonable existence."

- "Even if everything about you is denied and all that remains is trembling helplessness."

Do not bend what you believe is right.

Be the pine tree that stands strong, not the reed that bends to the wind.

This is the sword I’ve taught you.

- "Swing your sword toward the storm."

- "Leave behind the cowardly comfort, and be the first tree to break."

This was my master's final lesson.

The most important things cannot be seen with the eyes. You must always see with your heart.

Even in the stormy dawn, life continues.

- "Just as ancient sailors found their way by the stars, life needs a direction."

- "So, Irene."

My master spoke these words, and his voice remains lodged in my memory to this day.

Like a signpost on a path filled with confusion, it supported my weak self.

- "Find your star."

Always, I wanted to be like you.

---

It was quiet.

"…"

Nothing could be heard.

In a world filled only with death-like silence, the fox stood alone in the darkness.

Her body was a wreck.

Irene staggered, her legs having lost all strength, but she somehow managed to stay upright. Only a sense of exhaustion remained in her fingertips. She desperately clung to her fading consciousness.

"Haa, haa…"

Her breath came in gasps, chasing her to the edge. Amid the heavy silence, a voice broke through.

"You seem to be struggling."

The figure in her blurry vision was the enemy—an overwhelming force, embodying all the world's unfairness.

A mocking whisper teased her ears.

"Just a moment ago, you said we should finish this. But if even holding your sword is too much for you now, what are we to do?"

The shadow smirked.

It was a blatant sneer, but Irene didn’t react. She didn’t see the need to.

It was a strange feeling.

Irene’s mind was utterly calm. Normally, such provocations would have set her blood boiling, but now, only a faint ripple stirred within her. She simply breathed.

"…"

Was this serenity the result of facing death? It was difficult to describe, but an inexplicable sense of peace surrounded her.

Her heartbeat rang loud and clear, echoing in her ears.

*Clack.*

She readjusted her grip on the sword she was using as a staff. For a brief moment, a tingling sensation ran through her arms.

*This is strange.*

Something seemed just out of reach, as if she was on the verge of grasping something. Irene shook off her dazed thoughts and raised her head. Fate was waiting for her.

*Death.*

Her shoulders trembled for just a moment.

She was afraid, but even so, there was a reason she didn’t retreat.

- "I hope you won’t succumb to it."

The nagging words echoed in her mind.

Irene smirked.

Of all things to think of now, why that?

*Of course.*

At the time, she didn’t understand those words, but now, she thought she was beginning to. The most important things can’t be seen with the eyes. They must always be seen with the heart.

It’s okay to be blocked by unfairness, for all your efforts to be denied.

- "Do not bend what you believe is right."

- "Be the first tree to break, leaving behind cowardly comfort."

Even in the darkest of dawns, life continues. If the star in your heart remains steady, the world won’t shatter. You just keep moving forward with your will alone.

"I…"

A pathetic kind of courage.

To others, it might seem like the worthless actions of a defeated person, but to her, it was her only guiding compass.

The faint light flickered.

"I’m still alive."

In that moment of realization—

*Spark!*

A flicker of light ignited at her fingertips.

Following the sharp, electrifying sensation, a dull light began to envelop her sword. The glow gradually grew stronger.

"Oh."

The snake observing her let out an exclamation.

Before long, the light covered the rusty sword, illuminating the surrounding darkness in a brilliant display. Shimmering white fragments flew in all directions.

What was this unfamiliar power?

For the first time, she felt a sense of omnipotence. Right now, she felt like she could cut through anything.

Awakenings come suddenly.

*Whoosh!*

Amid the deafening noise, the fox raised her sword.

Her focus was solely on the blade. She unleashed all the energy within her body.

This final strike would consume everything she had left.

- "Find your star."

This was the star Irene had chosen.

Resolutely, she spoke to the figure standing in front of her.

"Welcome to my star."

Her words echoed briefly, and the girl raised her sword. The entire tunnel lit up.

It was a dazzling, radiant slash.

*BOOM!*

A streak of golden light tore through the pitch-black darkness.

The snake, seemingly startled, tried to avoid the attack, but the fox was faster.

She finally reached him.

*I hit him.*

That thought crossed her mind.

In that brief moment, as she was about to cut through her opponent…

"This is the end."

The snake's lips moved.

Despite his earlier expression of surprise, he now stared at her with a composed look. For a moment, his narrow eyes opened slightly.

"Congratulations, you’ve passed."

His eyes, pure white, met hers. At that moment, cracks began to form in the empty space around them.

*Crack, crack!*

Like a mirror shattering, the entire background surrounding them broke into pieces. It was an unbelievable sight.

As Irene stood in shock, the snake whispered softly.

"It’s time to wake up from the dream."

*Snap!*

The world flipped back to normal.

---

*Snap!*

When Irene’s consciousness returned, she found herself standing in the tunnel.

Her vision flickered as she blinked in confusion.

"…Huh?"

She looked around, clearly not understanding what had just happened. Watching her dazed expression, I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle.

*She’s probably confused.*

Up until a moment ago, Irene had been trapped in a fabricated world. She had been caught in a battle for life and death inside an illusion I had created, made to feel as real as the world itself.

In short, she had fallen for my *Lies*.

From the moment she shouted for the young foxes to run and charged at me, she had been trapped in a mental illusion.

"Did you enjoy your little dream?"

I greeted her cheerfully.

In reality, almost no time had passed, and it was still early dawn.

"What… is this?"

The fox muttered in shock.

It didn’t take long for her to realize what had happened and for her expression to turn pale. Her black eyes fixed on me.

"…An illusion spell?"

"Bingo."

"No way… I didn’t feel anything strange at all."

"Haha, well, I’m quite special."

In fact, I was capable of destroying the world, at least according to the original game. Though I said nothing, I calmly watched her.

Her pupils were still slightly unfocused, the aftereffects of the illusion lingering. As I waited for Irene to regain her senses, I thought back to the previous scene.

- "Welcome to my star."

That calm phrase, followed by her shining sword strike.

Just thinking about it made my whole body tingle with excitement. I couldn’t hold back a smile.

"I was impressed."

*Damn, that was incredible. Sister, you’ve blown me away.*

It had been even more spectacular than I’d anticipated. To think I’d witness a glimpse of her awakening so soon.

It was a shame it had all taken place in an illusion rather than reality, but still… it was a grand moment.

*Ding!*  
[The target’s emotions are fluctuating wildly.]  
(Despair -> Resolve)  
[A large amount of *Lies* has been recharged due to the significant emotional change.]  
[Current Power Remaining: 100.0%]

Thanks to that, my power was fully recharged.

It had been a while since I’d completely refilled it, so it felt quite refreshing.

It had been such a powerful emotional surge. As I stood there, basking in the aftermath, a sharp scream pierced my ears.

"Hey! Hey, guys! Wake up!"

It seemed she had finally noticed the young foxes behind her.

They were all lying on the ground,

 unconscious.

For a moment, Irene was flustered. Then, fury filled her gaze, and she glared at me.

"You bastard! What did you do to the kids?!"

"Please, calm down."

"You hurt them, didn’t you?!"

"They’re merely asleep."

"…"

Irene quickly checked on the foxes. When she saw that all ten of them were unharmed, she let out a breath of relief, though her wariness remained.

"…What do you want?"

She asked, her voice trembling.

Given that I hadn’t harmed the unconscious children, she must have concluded that I wasn’t planning to kill her. The killing intent had already faded.

I smiled gently.

"First, why don’t you put the sword down?"

"And why should I trust you?"

"Hmm~ If we fight here, the children might get caught in the crossfire, don’t you think?"

"…Damn it."

*Clang!*

Reluctantly, Irene lowered her sword.

"Good. Now we can have a conversation."

"…"

"There’s no need to be so tense. After all, I do hold a bit of goodwill toward you."

"Goodwill…?"

"Yes, I promise I won’t harm you."

I raised my hands in a show of peace.

If I had wanted to kill the foxes, I could have done it with a mere flick of my fingers. Irene had no choice but to accept that.

"…What kind of conversation are we having?"

"Good question."

I stared at her with narrow, mischievous eyes.

Her flickering gaze still held traces of her recent awakening. Even at the edge of a cliff, she had maintained her dignity.

*How admirable.*

The swordswoman with an unyielding spirit.

It was such a cliché, but I loved stories like this.

- "Welcome to my star."

A star, she had called it. What a wonderful phrase. It was even more fitting because it had come from her.

She truly was a person who shone like a star.

Humans, when they see a light they don’t possess, often feel a desire to make it theirs.

I was no different.

"I’ll buy your star."

I had decided to make her mine.

"Won’t you let me tame you?"

It was a quiet question. I extended my hand to her, smiling with genuine affection, like the Little Prince who had tamed his fox.