The focus is entirely on sincerity.

She tried walking a few steps, tapped on skills, opened the character list, and glanced at the various skill attributes and descriptions. Seeing so many specialized terms inside, she instantly lost interest in looking further.

Honestly, she wasn’t here to play the game—just visiting relatives. How long could she possibly stay at her aunt’s house? By the time she figured all that out, she’d be heading home.

As for her younger cousin’s outrage, she decided to simply placate her and wait out this period.

So, as she controlled the character to wander around gathering items, she enjoyed the scenery and the modeling, fully embracing the spirit of those who play games just for sightseeing or leisure.

The boy in front of her seemed familiar precisely because she had been controlling her younger cousin’s game characters. Among them, the blond-haired one looked uncannily like him, both in hairstyle and clothing. If the two-dimensional avatar had become flesh and blood, there might still be some differences—but the little girl floating beside him, wearing a star-shaped crown, was unmistakable. There was simply no way to feign ignorance.

Having confirmed their identities, she dismissed the possibility that she had been kidnapped. Yet, somehow, this was even worse! If she’d been kidnapped, at least there was hope for rescue—but what if she’d crossed into another world?

Pei Nana felt her mind go blank, stunned on the spot.

The soft, adorable floating girl exclaimed in wonder, “Traveler, traveler, look! She’s gone dumb!”

The Traveler: “…”

The Traveler, too, felt a bit hesitant. He hadn’t thought it would be so awkward, but as soon as he entered, he saw her climbing down clumsily like a little duck. Whether to speak or stay silent seemed equally awkward.

It was barely over a meter high—she could have just hopped down lightly. Why crawl down with hands and feet? When he’d helped her earlier, he hadn’t noticed any injury or disability.

He’d come in to check after hearing the commotion, somewhat shocked. Watching her careful, focused manner, he wondered whether he should go up and lend a hand, but worried that approaching suddenly might frighten her.

If she were startled and fell, even if he caught her, it wouldn’t be ideal.

But… this height, was it really necessary to be so cautious?

I don’t understand!

It made him reluctant to speak. Yet just watching was even more awkward, so he cleared his throat, suppressed his urge to make remarks, and in a composed, gentle manner asked, “Miss, may I ask who you are? Why are you here alone?”

Pei Nana: “…”

(If I really crossed over, can I ever go back?)

(I’ve heard the game’s background is rather dark, even a bit Lovecraftian…)

(What should I do…)

The Traveler, seeing her unresponsive, grew more cautious. “…Miss?”

The floating girl, furious, put her hands on her hips. “Hey! You’re so rude! The Traveler just saved you!”

The girl’s shout snapped her back to reality. She shivered, suddenly remembering something, and fixed her eyes on the young man with a burning gaze so intense that both he and the floating girl instinctively stepped back.

Pei Nana tried to restrain her excitement, not wanting to appear like a maniac, racking her brain to recall vague impressions from her cousin’s endless chatter. She eagerly asked, “Are you from outside this world? Searching for your sister?”

“You know where Lumine is?! You know her?!” The Traveler’s composure shattered; he rushed to her, grabbing her arm, afraid the precious clue would slip away.

“Ow… that hurts!” she cried, struggling to shake him off.

The Traveler quickly let go, stepped back, muttered a hasty “sorry,” and couldn’t wait to press her, “You know where she is, right? Please, tell me!”

His large golden eyes shimmered with hope, hands clasped before his chest in earnest plea.

Such a lovable boy making such a pitiful expression—it was simply unfair. Most women couldn’t resist.

Nor could Pei Nana, were it not for her dire circumstances.

She didn’t want to die, and in this dangerous, unfamiliar world, she had to grasp her only bargaining chip.

Steadying herself, she realized he was probably as desperate to find his sister as she was to return home. She didn’t play coy, but answered gently and earnestly, “About your sister, I don’t know much, but I do know some things.”

The Traveler immediately asked, “What is it?”

Pei Nana paused, pursed her lips, and said, “Like you, I’m from outside this world, but unlike you, I have no extraordinary power to cross worlds.

I don’t know why I suddenly appeared here.

And the reason I say I know about your sister is because your story has been made into a game in our world. I haven’t played it myself and don’t know many details, but my cousin is a player. I’ve heard her mention that the main plot is about a traveler searching for lost relatives and getting swept up in all sorts of unfortunate events.

Coincidentally, the character she controls is you, which is why I recognized you so quickly.”

“My cousin said your sister is in the Abyss! She even has a title: ‘Princess of the Abyss.’”

Her words were concise, not rambling, and in a few sentences she laid out the cause and effect clearly. The logic was transparent, but precisely because it was so clear, the enormous information contained within stunned the Traveler.

—Whether “outside the world,” “game,” or “Princess of the Abyss,” none were things easily explained or spoken of. Yet she stated them so simply.

For a moment, the Traveler felt as though his mind was overwhelmed, and after a while, he struggled to pick a priority from the three big questions and asked, “Did your cousin… say anything else?”

She smiled awkwardly, feeling guilty. “I thought she was too annoying at the time and didn’t listen closely. But…”

She tried to recall. “But my cousin said that at the start of the main story, you’d meet her, but because she thinks you can’t understand her, can’t empathize, she’s unwilling to see you.”

“Unwilling… to see me?” The Traveler couldn’t believe it. A haze of tears clouded his golden eyes as he murmured, “Why? I’m her twin brother—no matter what she does, I’ll always protect her!”

The floating girl also protested for him, “Exactly! The Traveler cares about his sister most! His only wish is to find her!”

Pei Nana thought for a moment, uncertain. “I guess… that’s probably where the problem lies.”

The Traveler was bewildered. “What?”

Pei Nana smoothed her clothes—the light green dress looked fresh and airy. She sat on a protruding stone, adopting a posture for a heart-to-heart talk.

“I don’t know much about you or this world, so I’m just guessing, sharing my thoughts. If I say anything wrong, please don’t be offended.”

Her voice was gentle and soft, like a feather drifting on a spring breeze, or a petal beneath dew—calm and harmless.

The Traveler realized he needed someone else’s perspective and, hearing her gentle yet rational tone, forced himself to calm down. He found a stone and sat, replying earnestly, “Please go on.”

Pei Nana said, “As I mentioned, regardless of whether this world is real, in our world, it’s presented as a game—a game my cousin can mention to our parents.

Adulthood is eighteen for us, but my cousin is only thirteen.

I don’t know about other countries, but ours has pretty strict regulations on entertainment, so for this game to be officially released, its values must be quite positive.”

The Traveler, having visited many worlds—some with games—understood and nodded. “I see.”