New York is okay today?

Chapter 5

The arrow pointed to the edge of the rooftop, where a location was marked with a golden circle. Laleye walked to the circle and looked down, observing the city lights twinkling in the night. The shimmering waves of the Hudson River sparkled amidst the lights, resembling a reflection of the starry night sky.

"Throw him into the Hudson River," New York said, with a cautious reminder, "Try to aim as accurately as possible."

Laleye hesitated for a moment, glancing down at the distant ripples. From this height, whether he fell to the ground or into the water, it didn't make much difference; it was just a matter of dying more or less gracefully... No, do you really want to save him? Do you have any grudges against each other?

"This is New York," sensing Laleye's hesitation, New York said, "I am New York."

This reason was quite compelling, so Laleye stopped her inner monologue, lowered the boy from her back, lifted him over her head, and forcefully threw him towards the Hudson River.

As she threw Peter away, footsteps sounded from the stairs behind her, indicating that the enemies had found their trail again.

"What about me?" Laleye heard the footsteps and consulted New York, "Should I jump down too?"

She was about to leap when New York shouted, "Wait."

Laleye paused, waiting to hear what else New York had to say.

"The target has been rescued, and I have restored my previous attitude," New York said, with a hint of smug arrogance, "How could you just jump down like that? You are my proxy, and your exit must be stylish."

Laleye: "..."

Laleye: "Huh?"

"Aren't you going to negotiate with me?" New York disdainfully remarked on Laleye's lack of decorum, "This time you did okay. Our deal can continue. Since that's the case, you are now my proxy. You represent me from now on, not just some random insignificant character. Your behavior must conform to my image."

Laleye was somewhat stunned.

With that, New York paused for a moment before saying harshly, "So, hurry up and suck up to me."

Laleye: "Um..."

She felt like she heard a notification sound.

【You have passed New York's test of will, and New York's will has acknowledged your existence. You have gained his favor.】

Now, being talkative might just lead to death. Laleye was very self-aware.

Before she could come up with a suitable response, New York had already moved past his previous emotions and began urging her, "Create an image for yourself and say a cool line."

...I'm already an adult, I have some dignity. Laleye thought deeply.

"Too slow! Do you want to be shot on the spot?" Before she could even finish constructing her image, New York shouted again, "Hurry up!"

Laleye: "...Who's the one dragging their feet?"

A few seconds later, armed militants rushed to the rooftop. Dozens of guns quickly found their target, all aimed at the figure standing at the edge of the rooftop, wearing a tall hat.

The city lights created a golden outline around the figure's pitch-black trench coat, also outlining the crow mask of the plague doctor on his face. The tall, slender figure stood in the wind, his right hand pressed against his chest, as he bowed respectfully to everyone from a distance.

Before the bullets caught his coat, he fell straight back, plummeting from the rooftop edge towards the Hudson River.

In the air, Laleye looked away and asked, "Can I go now?"

"Go back?" New York asked strangely, "The mission isn't over yet."

Laleye: "?"

At the edge of her field of vision, the starry lights abruptly vanished, replaced by the dark, engulfing waters of the river crashing towards her. Amidst the deafening roar of the splashing water, she plunged into the river, descending downwards, surrounded by the silent and icy currents. The water's surface severed the sound of the rustling wind, leaving an unsettling silence that sent shivers down her spine.

Two hundred meters high, but only a matter of seconds in free fall. The city's will wasn't omnipotent, but there were certain things New York could control. Like the omnipresent wind before, the impact of the fall into the water didn't harm Laleye, and she speculated that Peter, thrown in before her, wouldn't be harmed either. This realization eased Laleye's mind. After a brief adjustment, she discovered she no longer needed to breathe underwater and there was no risk of drowning. With that in mind, she began to swim vigorously, intending to find a place to come ashore.

After swimming for a while, Laleye noticed the water from all directions starting to flow towards a certain direction. Suddenly, strong undercurrents surged from behind her, catching her off guard. She was swept away by the violent currents, tumbling and rolling helplessly.

As she involuntarily tumbled in the dark currents, she unexpectedly collided with a dark silhouette, vaguely discerning it to be human-shaped. Acting on instinct, she reached out and felt, realizing it must be Peter, whom she had thrown into the water earlier following New York's instructions. With that in mind, she grabbed onto his clothes, preventing him from being swept away by the current.

Not long after, at the deserted lakeside, the water churned violently as a figure emerged from the water, dragging a body onto the shore with difficulty. After tossing the person aside, the figure suddenly knelt down on the soft mud of the shore, retching.

After tumbling in the water for so long, Laleye felt nauseous. Although she was good at swimming, it didn't mean she could withstand being tossed around like this.

Sixty-seven. She thought. Thirteen times.

After finally suppressing the urge to vomit, she sat down next to Peter. She casually checked his forehead for temperature, while inquiring about the voice that had started disappearing from her mind, "New York?"

The fever seemed to have subsided, as he didn't feel as hot as before. Laleye withdrew her hand and looked up, only to suddenly see a small animal squatting several meters away.

The lakeside was dappled with tree shadows, and the moonlight cast vague shadows. Laleye couldn't make out the appearance of the small animal clearly, but a chill crept up her spine.

Despite the heightened senses provided by New York, Laleye still didn't detect the approaching movement of the small creature. She squinted her eyes, carefully scrutinizing the unexpected visitor.

It looked to be about the size of a small cat, crouching in the shade of a tree. At first glance, it seemed like a squirrel, but regardless, it was that kind of cute little animal, staring eagerly in this direction, seeming very anxious, yet hesitant to approach. Its paws scratched the ground, leaving no traces behind.

Laleye didn't move, wanting to see what it intended to do.

After a few seconds, the small creature couldn't hold back any longer, suddenly leaping out of the shade, rushing over in a single bound, and running to Laleye's side, calling out to the unconscious boy on the ground, "Xiu Xiu Xiu!"

In the moonlight, Laleye saw its appearance clearly, her expression momentarily blank.

The small creature, indescribable in nature, certainly wasn't a squirrel, given its rabbit-like ears. It had round, emerald eyes, pointed ears with delicate white fur at the roots, and thick, soft fur throughout its body, except for a mix of gray-black on its back and tail, which resembled that of a fox. Its tail was fluffy and soft, resembling that of a fox. It was quite a beautiful sight.

It looked somewhat like a cross between an Eevee and a Siberian forest cat.

Laleye didn't know how to react, just staring as the creature urgently called out to Peter Parker, "Xiu!"

Its soft paw landed on the boy's arm, suddenly becoming transparent, as if it didn't exist.

Laleye's pupils slightly contracted at the sight.

The creature, named Eevee, seemed accustomed to such occurrences, showing no surprise. It called out more urgently, chasing its tail in circles, before glaring at Laleye and calling out fiercely, "Xiu! Xiu!"

Laleye: "He's fine."

Eevee eyed her with suspicion, ears twitching, before looking back at the unconscious boy, slowly retracting its front paws. It squatted like a cat, swishing its big tail and then raised its chin towards Laleye with a "Xiu."

Laleye had a rather ominous guess.

She asked cautiously, "New York?"

Eevee snorted, "Xiu."

Laleye: "..."

Things were getting interesting now — how could New York be a cat?