Chapter 197: Crucial mission

Chapter 197: Crucial mission

Chapter 197: Crucial mission

Thankfully, the look on Ryan’s face wasn’t one of pity, and Alice found herself breathing a sigh of relief at that.

“Yeah, to be exact, it’s been 257 days.”

Alice spoke with a seemingly carefree tone, as if the matter was trivial, just something to chat about. But Ryan could detect a hint of loneliness and sadness in her words.

257 days. You wouldn’t remember so precisely unless each day felt like an eternity.

“That must have been tough.”

“So, do you want to go back to your old life?”

Ryan paused for a moment before continuing his inquiry.

From what Mia had hinted, Alice hated her current life, and returning to her ordinary life seemed like her desire.

Life in the gang wasn’t as thrilling as it seemed,at least Ryan didn’t enjoy it one bit.

The recent shootout, the “popcorn” moment, was still fresh in his mind. Although Alice had gotten him out early, it was clear without saying that Rocco was probably already being dealt with like chopped meat.

Such bloody violence was better suited for movies. In real life? Better not.

“Go back to my old life... Is that even possible?”

Alice repeated, then chuckled softly.

She had indeed thought about it. If Ryan hadn’t reached out when they first met, she might have actually done it.

Life was truly difficult, all because of her title as a “gang leader.”

Naturally, she also wondered if things would be better if she could go back to how they were before.

But then, Ryan had reached out to her, making her realize her previous life wasn’t much better either.

Without the title of “gang leader,” her life was somewhat normal, but her mother had passed away early, her father was always busy with work, and she was so introverted she didn’t have a single friend.

What was the point of returning to that kind of life?

Ryan would never know how much he had changed Alice’s life.

“But really, it’s not as easy to do as it is to say.”

Ryan mused to himself, and Alice didn’t rush to explain.

Going back to her past life wasn’t simple, but Alice had a way.

After all, Mia wanted to take over her position. Making a deal with her to hand over the leadership of the gang seemed like a good idea.

Alice paused, her lips parting as if she couldn’t quite get the words out.

Her eyes reflected Ryan’s image, and everything around her seemed to blur. Her head felt dizzy, and she could see nothing but Ryan.

“Do you really think I can do it? Are you not just comforting me?”

Alice breathed heavily, her pupils trembling. She no longer cared about propriety, her hands clutching at Ryan’s clothes.

Their distance closed, Alice pressing close enough that Ryan could feel her breath.

Miss Alice’s state... was so strange...

Her intense gaze nearly scorched Ryan, a fervor in her eyes he had never seen before.

It was as if she was about to combust, and before dying, she would take Ryan with her.

Ryan tried to look away, but Alice forcefully turned his head back, making it clear he couldn’t escape. Just as Ryan was about to nod, a system notification chimed in his mind.

Ding~

[Alice Crucial mission Unlocked: Help Alice complete her plan, ensuring she survives until the plan is completed.]

[Success Reward: Unlock a good ending for the mission target, Blessing Point +1 (fulfilling a wish, difficulty affects success probability)]

[Failure Penalty: Mission target dies, host dies (ignores main mission progress)]

[Accept Mission: Yes/No]

The system’s new prompt was loaded with information, flooding Ryan’s mind and leaving him momentarily stunned.

Alice’s face was already close, their foreheads touching, her state truly bizarre.

Ryan placed his hands on Alice’s shoulders, a bit intrusive, but necessary under the circumstances.

“Miss Alice!”

Ryan called out softly, pushing her slightly away, her gaze clearing a bit, though the flame in her eyes still burned.

[Alice Mood Level: ???/100 (Fervent)]

Now wasn’t the time to worry about this unusual emotional state. Ryan quickly pulled up the mission panel, carefully reviewing each line.

After fully understanding it, he looked at Alice and couldn’t help but take a deep breath.

Previous missions generally had no negative penalties, even the so-called main missions had no set time limits, just a vague “no resurrection.”

But this new “Crucial mission” actually involved failure, and the penalty was so severe that Ryan couldn’t bear it.