From the Abyss of Stars

094. Jane. Neria

 

All carbon-based life originates from a single cell.

 

No one knows why this cell appeared, especially in the primitive, dark depths of water. Some mystic enthusiasts believe it was divinely orchestrated, but it's more likely that countless base pairs and purines came together by chance.

 

From the beginning, life was filled with absurdity, comedy, and uncertainty.

 

One day, this solitary cell decided to split itself.

 

What was the point of that?

 

Today, it's hard for people to imagine what reason a brainless cell could have had to decide to "split" itself in two.

 

But regardless, from the moment it decided to divide and replicate itself, the once lifeless, turbulent ocean would become vibrant and colorful billions of years later.

 

Absorb energy, shape, divide, replicate, absorb energy, shape, divide, replicate, aggregate, combine, form tissues, cell differentiation...

 

"N... Nomi..."

 

Amino acids, calcification, bones, muscles, amniotic membranes, egg membranes, oviparous, mammalian, nerves, spinal cord, myelin, mandible, expanded skull, teeth differentiation, stereoscopic vision—

 

"Nomi!"

 

Eyes moved, pushing out crystalline secretions, eardrums resonated, brain information storage mobilized, synapses fired, bioelectricity flowed through nerves, reflex activated, brain request: Open eyes.

 

Brain replied: Permission granted.

 

She slowly opened her eyes, her eyelids sticky with wet tears, the glaring fluorescent lights piercing her eyes, and her pupils adjusted.

 

Iris pigments settled, reflecting a deep purple, and her optic nerves resumed normal function.

 

"Welcome back."

 

She muttered, slowly lifting her head, her brain rapidly processing, scanning mechanically left and right, her vision instantly capturing two human figures.

 

The left target appeared to be a male human, armed, about 185 cm tall, gray eyes, black hair, pale skin, almost wrinkle-free, highly attractive, causing her hormone levels to spike.

 

Retrieving information—matching target: Li Aozi.

 

The right target appeared to be a female human, about 171 cm tall, red hair, light eyes, holding her hand, visibly emotional, tears in her eyes.

 

Retrieving information—matching target: Qiu Ran.

 

"Thank goodness, Nomi, you're finally back!"

 

Qiu Ran hugged her tightly, crying with relief.

 

"Nomi?"

 

A strange, low voice sounded. Li Aozi looked up in surprise, staring at her with confusion.

 

She slowly turned her head, pushing Qiu Ran away. In Qiu Ran's light eyes, she saw her own reflection:

 

Deep purple eyes, long silver-gray hair draped over her shoulders, sharp features, not exactly beautiful, with slightly high cheekbones giving a cold, metallic impression.

 

"Nomi..."

 

Qiu Ran said in confusion.

 

"I'm not Nomi. You’ve got the wrong person, comrade."

 

She covered her chest with her hand, looking up at Li Aozi, her deep purple eyes conveying friendliness:

 

"Please find me some clothes, after all, there's a difference between men and women, Mr. Li Aozi."

 

Li Aozi frowned, the unfamiliar tone, appearance, and voice all felt strange.

 

He used gravity to pull over a hospital gown, and as she changed, he suddenly thought of something and asked:

 

"Neria?"

 

"It's me, Mr. Li Aozi."

 

She put on the gown, stood up, her height just a head shorter than his, and her purple eyes looked at them, her mouth curling into a cheerful smile. She saluted and said:

 

"Sergeant Jane Neria, scout of the 'Barbed' Guerrilla Squad under the Rose Army, thank you both for saving me."

 

Qiu Ran was stunned, her outstretched hand awkwardly placed on her chest, staring at the unfamiliar, mature, and valiant Rose Army soldier.

 

"You're... not Nomi?"

 

"I'm afraid not."

 

Jane Neria shook her head.

 

"Then who are you—and where is Nomi?" Qiu Ran hurriedly asked.

 

Jane Neria looked at her with regret and said:

 

"Neria is Neria, and Nomi is Nomi. Although we share the same body, the same brain, and the same interests, we are different individuals."

 

"You mean, you have multiple personalities?"

 

Li Aozi glanced at the team information, seeing only that her 【Constitution】 had increased by 11 points, reaching 30, and her age was now 19—otherwise, her panel was unchanged. He thought for a moment and suddenly realized something:

 

"Do you know Vlovoa?"

 

"Of course," Jane Neria replied cheerfully, "He is the god of raiders, and many of us revere him."

 

Li Aozi nodded, but his expression grew even more perplexed.

 

"What's going on, Li Aozi—how did Nomi become a different person? What happened?"

 

"Biologically speaking, she is Nomi." Li Aozi carefully chose his words to explain, "Nomi was employed as a 【Raider】, and this class typically has the ability to plunder others' traits."

 

"But among 【Raiders】, there is a group who worship Vlovoa, promising to share half of what they plunder with other faithful."

 

"But what does that have to do with Nomi?" Qiu Ran asked, puzzled.

 

Li Aozi didn’t answer directly, instead, he looked at Jane Neria and asked:

 

"When did Nomi get sent to you?"

 

"A few months ago, when I was captured by Abyss Humanitarian and awakened my Omega energy," Jane said calmly, "She arrived with my Omega energy."

 

"That's not your Omega energy," Li Aozi understood, "That's Nomi's Omega energy."

 

Qiu Ran was utterly confused, but Jane's sharp tone made her uncomfortable. She instinctively clutched Li Aozi's shoulder and said:

 

"Li Aozi, this woman must be some kind of monster, she’s taken over Nomi's body, she's up to no good..."

 

"Sorry."

 

Jane said coldly:

 

"Nomi is the intruder."

 

"What are you talking about!" Qiu Ran protested, "Nomi is our friend—"

 

"Enough, Qiu Ran."

 

Li Aozi pressed Qiu Ran's shoulder, his tone complex:

 

"She’s right."

 

"Nomi Anderson Guestet might have been something taken by another Raider and given to Jane Neria."

 

"—What does that mean?"

 

Qiu Ran stared at Li Aozi, pointing at Jane Neria:

 

"You mean, Nomi was just a soul residing in her body—taken and given away?"

 

"Yes."

 

Jane Neria said calmly:

 

"This body is mine, it was just used by Nomi."

 

"Then, where is Nomi?"

 

Qiu Ran's lips trembled, her pupils dilated, and she said in disbelief:

 

"If Nomi was a soul sent to you, then what happened to the real Nomi?"

 

Li Aozi opened his mouth, voicing the thought in her heart:

 

"She died long ago."