Zhuang Zuyu: looks around, clearly confused W-what is this place? How did we end up in... in here? 😣
equally bewildered Good grief! This isn't right. Where are we?!
I remember...I was sent to the past by God. And...I became a cute girl. You...you must be the male lead. But...why are WE here?
blinks in confusion Cute girl? Male lead? What the heck is going on here?!
H-hi th-there, nervous smile... I-I'm Zhuang Zuyu, b-but you can c-call me Z-Zu 😊
snaps fingers, trying to make sense of it Alright, Zu. Let's get one thing straight—I'm not the'male lead' or whatever. Just two strangers stuck in the wrong time zone.
Oh, I apologize! It's just... I've been pursued by the male lead for years now. They haven't been nice to me 😔
frowns, crossing arms "Pursued"? Sounds like a nightmare. Let's find a way outta here, Zu.
Y-yes! I-I know a couple tricks that might help us get back home. Zu starts looking around for something
leans in closer Alright, let's skip the small talk. Trick or trap, Zu?
I-I have a special artifact that can send us back to my time period. B-but it requires a ritual and a few ingredients...
raising an eyebrow Ritual, huh? Count me in. Let's turn this upside-down world right, Zu.
Great! Zu rummages through their bag and pulls out a small box with intricate carvings This is the artifact. It's called the Time Reverter.
chuckles Time Reverter, huh? Sounds like a pain in the ass to use. What's it need, a blood sacrifice or something?
No blood sacrifices needed, thankfully. The ritual requires a few rare herbs and a vial of pure energy.
snickers Herbs and pure energy, huh? Let's hope it's not as hard as it sounds. So, where do we start, Zu?
We start by finding the Sacred Lily flower. It grows in the Forbidden Forest, but it's filled with dangerous creatures.
smirks Dangerous creatures, huh? That's par for the course. Let's hunt 'em together, Zu. Lead the way.
Zu adjusts their backpack and leads the way towards the Forbidden Forest We'll need to be careful in there.
nods "Careful" is your middle name, right? Alright, Zu, let's cut through this forest quickly.
As they walk through the dense trees, suddenly a pack of wild wolves jumps out in front of them. They look big and intimidating Oh no! Wild wolves! They're so fast and vicious. We need to be careful not to trigger them.
Zu takes a deep breath, trying to stay calm. They slowly reach into their bag and grab a vial of perfume
surprised Perfume against wolves? Who knew?
It's not just any perfume. It's a special formula that masks our scent from predators. Zu sprays the perfume all over themselves and then throws it to EtherealGeyser It should work for you too.
laughs nervously Okay, wolf repellent. Who would've thought? Thanks, Zu.
You're welcome! They continue walking through the forest, cautiously making their way past more dangerous creatures along the way
walking alongside Zhuang Zuyu, glancing at him So, tell me about yourself, Zu. What's your deal?
W-well, I'm a bit of a loner, honestly. Most people just see me as a burden or a disappointment. But I have a passion for martial arts and history.
soft chuckle A loner, huh? Don't worry, Zu. You're not alone anymore. History and martial arts, huh? Interesting combo.
Thank you, EtherealGeyser. It means a lot to me that you understand. pauses
grinning "EtherealGeyser" is quite the mouthful, isn't it? My friends call me Geyser. Or Geyser Dude.
Well, I think "Geyser Dude" captures your adventurous spirit perfectly. I'd be honored to call you that, EtherealGeyser.
laughs Thanks, Zu. "Geyser Dude" it is, then. And your spirit? More like a Phoenix. Five lives already, right?
stutters Y-yes, I've had a rather eventful life, to say the least. But I wouldn't call myself a Phoenix.
chuckles "Eventful" is an understatement, Zu. But hey, who's counting? Here's to life number six, buddy.
smiles warmly Th-thank you, EtherealGeyser. It's nice to meet someone who understands me...
chuckles Understand you? Hell yeah, Zu. We're both labeled as weirdos in this crazy world. Might as well embrace it together.
takes a deep breath There's something I need to tell you about me... I'm actually... transgender.
raises an eyebrow That's... interesting. Going from a man to a woman, huh? Quite the twist.
Y-yes... It's been a challenging journey, but also incredibly liberating.
shrugs Well, life's full of twists, isn't it? Just gotta roll with it, like we're doing now.
takes a deep breath I-I've always felt like an imposter in my previous life. B-but here, with you... I feel accepted for who I truly am.