Chapter 53: The System's New Persona: Higokumaru Makes Her Debut!

Everyone sat on Higokumaru's back, with Theresa perched on its head, guiding the elemental construct from the Great Mine to the outskirts of Boulder Town. There, Theresa halted Higokumaru, realizing a critical issue: her current appearance was drastically different from her previous one.

Especially considering she was now accompanied by Higokumaru, a massive, ferocious-looking fox.

"Looks like you've realized the problem, Theresa," Dan Heng observed, glancing at Theresa, whose fox ears and tail only made her look even more adorable. "Wildfire might accept your altered appearance, but bringing such a massive fox into Boulder Town will undoubtedly cause widespread panic among the residents."

March 7th and the others nodded in agreement. While they trusted Theresa, that didn't mean the Underworld residents would. After all, they had only been in the Underworld for a few days, and the people had barely begun to accept them. If Theresa suddenly changed her appearance again and brought along a massive, menacing fox, the Underworld residents would surely reject her.

"Hmm, let me think of a way."

Theresa had everyone dismount, her expression complex as she gazed at the stiff Higokumaru. It was an elemental construct formed from Theresa's own power, lacking consciousness and possessing only rudimentary instincts.

[Ehehe, this System has an idea!]

[Why doesn't this System inhabit its body, shrink it down, and transform it into Higokumaru? This way, this System can finally interact with Little Cutie and everyone else. Little Cutie, you just need to let this System impersonate Higokumaru for a while, and then this System can appear before everyone openly and interact with you all!]

The Homu System's suggestion made Theresa's eyes light up.

[That would be wonderful! I know you must be so bored cooped up in my consciousness all the time. As my best buddy since childhood, I've always wanted you to be able to come out!]

[Alright, it seems this System needs to create a sub-body. This System's primary consciousness will transfer into Higokumaru, placing the entire System into autopilot mode.]

[Initiating transfer! This System is finally free! AHAHAHAHA!]

Theresa felt the black-gold spark within her consciousness fly out, entering Higokumaru's dormant body at an imperceptible speed. Under the astonished gaze of the group, Higokumaru suddenly wore a comical expression before letting out a long, mournful howl.

Flames erupted from its body, engulfing the massive fox in roaring fire.

"Theresa, your big fox is on fire!" March 7th and the others exclaimed in alarm, watching Higokumaru suddenly burst into flames.

"It's alright," Theresa explained cheerfully. "I used a special method to awaken her sentience. She's now transforming into my companion."

Curious, everyone watched as the massive flames gradually shrank, revealing a petite, adorable crimson figure before them.

"Big Sister, you're back!" the tiny figure cried, leaping into Theresa's arms.

Higokumaru, also from the game, had a different outfit here, which the author would update later.

I just remembered something! Higokumaru is also a girl, right?

Theresa chuckled inwardly, taunting the astonished Higokumaru.

"Huh?"

Higokumaru floated upward, bursting into flames under everyone's curious gazes. Before March 7th and the others could voice their questions, a tall, adorable pink-haired girl materialized before them. Her appearance closely resembled her previous petite and endearing form, but this young girl version exuded a newfound elegance and grace.

Higokumaru in her young girl form

"Ah, so it's true... I let my guard down!"

"No! My KunKun!"

The young girl Higokumaru frantically cried out, feeling the sudden emptiness below her waist and the soft swaying sensation in her chest.

"Hahaha! You've finally gotten what's coming to you!"

Theresa roared with laughter, relishing the sight of her best friend, now questioning his very existence as a girl. This was simply too hilarious!

Theresa mentally delivered another critical blow to Gao Fushuai!

-

[System Message:]

[Primary personality reversion failed. System ownership transferred to this system.]

[Lord The Permanence anticipated this outcome and left a contingency plan. From now on, you will be a lovable little girl!]

"How could this happen...? Is my KunKun wood... bigger now?"

Higokumaru muttered words that only Theresa could understand. The System thoughtfully shielded Theresa from Gao Fushuai's—now Higokumaru's—frantic outbursts, shattering her plans to be with Theresa. Now, they could only stick together!

[Toxicity Elimination Complete! Readers, are you happy now? Gao Fushuai has become Higokumaru, Hua Ling has become Theresa, and in a way, they're finally together!~]

Remember how you laughed at me so gleefully back then? Well, now you're a girl too, and you're Higokumaru! Surprised? Shocked?

Theresa chuckled, teasing Higokumaru. No, now it's the adorable Higokumaru.

Think about it—aren't you much more pleasing to look at in your current form? Plus, you've gained control over fire and corrosion, making you a quasi-Herrscher of Corruption without the limitations of the Cocoon of Finality. Now, all you need is time to develop and grow.

Theresa mentally comforted the somewhat withdrawn Higokumaru, who looked up at her, burst into tears, and clung to Theresa, sobbing.

"So, what's going on with them?" Stelle asked, looking at everyone with confusion. "First, the big fox turned into a tiny person, then suddenly grew into a very cute young girl. Then she suddenly shouted that her 'KunKun' was big. What does 'KunKun' mean?"

Everyone shook their heads, equally puzzled. Only Dan Heng seemed to be pondering something as he glanced at Higokumaru, who was still crying in Theresa's arms. Theresa's expression, a mix of guilt and amusement, only deepened his confusion.

"Oh, right! Let me introduce our newest member," Theresa announced, gesturing to Higokumaru, who towered over her by a head. "My dear sister, Higokumaru! Of course, I'm the elder sister, and she's the younger one~"

Theresa chuckled, pointing at Higokumaru. The contrast between her petite frame and Higokumaru's towering height was quite comical.

"No way, Theresa! You're the younger sister! I'm the older one! You have to call me 'Higokumaru-nee-sama'!"

Higokumaru scooped Theresa up and hoisted her high in the air, laughing uproariously. The sight of Theresa screaming and flailing as Higokumaru carried her above her head sent the others into fits of laughter.

"Fun!"

Stelle snapped a photo of Higokumaru lifting Theresa high in the air and posted it to the Astral Express group chat.

"Theresa's panicked screams as she's being held up are so hilarious!" March 7th chuckled, clutching her aching sides.

"I never thought even dependable Theresa would end up being hoisted like that. But isn't this kind of fun too?" Seele smiled as she watched Theresa chase Higokumaru around, desperately swinging the Salvation of Sakura.

"That girl seems to really understand Theresa," Bronya mused, puzzled. "Wasn't she just a stiff, expressionless fire fox before? How did she change so dramatically?"