I Can See Health Bars in Real Life-Chapter 347 - 15: Butterfly Effect?
"We’re here, this is the place..."
The taxi came to a steady stop by the roadside. The driver took a deep breath, trying not to look in the rearview mirror, and instead spoke as plainly as possible.
"This used to be an industrial area, rather prosperous, but as you know, in these past few years, the bubble burst, the economy collapsed overnight, countless people went bankrupt in an instant. There were so many suicides that people had to queue up to jump, so you can imagine what a grim scenario it is now..."
Saying this, seemingly reminded of some unpleasant memories, the driver glanced towards the pitch-black industrial area outside, visibly moved.
"It’s gotten a little better in the past couple of years, but only just a little..."
This area hasn’t been able to recover. Many factories have shut down, and come nightfall, the place is nearly deserted. The dim lights illuminating the streets only highlight the emptiness. The desolate buildings and factory facilities line the streets, each sight contributing to an uncomfortable atmosphere.
"So many people have committed suicide in these years?"
Sitting quietly in the backseat, feeling the convenience of modern transportation, and having witnessed the nighttime cityscape along the way, the Witch raised her eyebrows. Her mind and attention finally shifted from the shock and awe of the big city as she looked in surprise at the person beside her.
Throughout this journey, she had gained a firsthand understanding of how the world has evolved 500 years into the future.
Rows upon rows of skyscrapers, a crisscross of neat and level roads, the dazzling lights of myriad homes, and the constant flow of traffic on the highways... This incredible and orderly spectacle is something she has only just witnessed with her own eyes, a dazzlingly surreal vision.
Though everything feels incredibly unfamiliar, and many things and occurrences go beyond her comprehension, it doesn’t affect her realization of what this land has morphed into after 500 years of change, a scene of prosperity and peace beyond what anyone in her era could have imagined. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎
But... why?
Why does such a seemingly peaceful and prosperous world have so many suicides in these years? The Witch from the Warring States Era genuinely cannot fathom the reason.
"It’s the burst of the bubble economy; many people went bankrupt overnight and were laden with huge debts, suddenly falling from heaven to hell. The savings and achievements of half a life evaporated cleanly. Not everyone can bear such pressure, or has the courage to start again..."
Gu Mo said offhandedly, observing the Witch’s puzzled, frowning face, he could only shrug his shoulders—
"It’s hard to explain now, Kikyo, but just know that every era has its own unique problems. Living is both easy and hard. What can drive people to despair isn’t just swords and demons."
"..."
"..."
The Witch frowned, seemingly in thoughtful contemplation, but she slowly nodded, ceasing her questioning.
What are these two even talking about... The driver’s eye twitched unconsciously as he sat in the driver’s seat.
This is something that happened only a few years ago, shocking not only Japan but having a huge impact worldwide. Yet why does this Witch seem completely as if she’s only just heard all this, even showing a bewildered, puzzled look?
Could it be that she’s just so simple that she’s been deceived by this pretty boy?
Observing their expressions through the rearview mirror, the taxi driver instinctively gripped the steering wheel, speaking as if nothing were amiss:
"It’s quite remote here, generally, no one comes around, but you also know that in places like this, the security is terrible, with some heinous incidents happening, and there are unsavory rumors because many people have committed suicide here in the past few years..."
Perhaps driven by some instinct or decision, he felt he needed to ruin this pretty boy’s plan, this wicked scumbag must not succeed!
Such wickedness...
Throughout the journey, he had been secretly observing the Witch, simultaneously feeling awed and increasingly anguished.
No matter how much his heart ached along the way, cold reality slapped him back to awareness that he’d driven them to a remote spot... thinking about what might happen next, and glancing at the quiet Witch in the back seat, he felt he had to take action.
However—
"This place seems pretty nice too..."
Gu Mo looked at the surroundings through the car window, nodding slightly, satisfied.
Indeed, only a local taxi driver could find such a spot; if it were him alone, he’d likely have no sense of direction. This place seems devoid of life, almost eerily empty at night, just right for a battleground.
No, calling it a battleground is not appropriate; that gives those pests too much credit. It’s more fitting to call it a slaughterhouse...
Because while those things in the darkness are indeed drawn by the Four Souls Jade’s aura, and covet the Jade’s power, they pose no real threat. Were it not for Kikyo’s insistence, Gu Mo wouldn’t have bothered to come all this way.
