My Instant Death Doomed Firefly to a Lifetime of Regret

"You're impressive."

The man stepped back. "Call me Shadow, the Empire's shadow."

An Ming silently cursed not bringing his transformation device. With just a sword, escaping the Royal Court's ironclad defenses was fantasy. He'd hear Shadow out—for Liuying's sake.

Shadow smirked, knowing the girl was An Ming's only weakness. Gene-Hacks obeyed the Hive. Humans? They obeyed their hearts.

"Before the Propagation's demise, Gramr teetered on extinction. To combat the Swarm, we created the first Gene-Hack—Titanis."

An Ming's gaze flicked to the throne. So the queen's a hybrid—Swarm vitality fused with human emotion.

"Using Swarm remnants, we forged the original Molten Knight—a weapon only Gene-Hacks could pilot. But fuel wasn't just life. It required… burning emotions."

"We bred 100 A-Type Gene-Hacks, implanting fragments of Titanis' psyche to power the prototype. But they developed Entropy Loss—their bodies disintegrating under her emotional fluctuations."

Shadow's eyes glinted. "Until A07 survived. She resisted Entropy. Nurtured her own emotions. The perfect candidate for the prototype."

"Now, for Gramr's future: you or her. One must die."

His tone chilled. "Choose wisely, An Ming. Become Parliament's rising star—your parents' dream. Or throw it all away… for scrap."

"Two mistakes." An Ming stepped forward, sword humming. "First: She's Liuying, not 'scrap.'"

"Second."

The blade slashed, gouging the marble floor.

"My parents dreamed of this."

He turned, leaving Shadow with his answer etched in stone.

Shadow chuckled as Caesar emerged from the shadows. "You lied to him."

"Does it matter? I got my answer."

Only An Ming's burning heart could ignite the prototype. Liuying? Expendable.

"You're back!"

Liuying bounded over, clutching his transformation device adorned with iridescent wings. "Look! Firefly-inspired!"

Her grin melted his resolve. "Beautiful."

She blushed, snatching it back. "Forget you saw it! It's a surprise!"

"Saw what?" An Ming feigned ignorance. "I only see a certain lovely firefly."

She puffed her cheeks, failing her "no-laughing" challenge.

"Cake?"

"Strawberry. Extra berries."

"Yay!" Her joy faltered. "Do people… think you're keeping me? Like in those novels?"

An Ming spat his water. "Who's corrupting you?!"

"It said, 'Stay by Young Master An. Spend freely. I'll handle the rest.'"

He smirked. "You're the one keeping me. With something far more precious than money."

"What?"

"Secret~"

"Meanie!" She set down the cake, presenting the gift box with mock solemnity. "Congratulations, Graduate An Ming!"

Her radiance broke him. He pulled her close.

"W-what's this? Let go!"

She stiffened, cheeks aflame, box trapped between them.

"Meeting you… was life's greatest gift."