How to survive in the Romance Fantasy Game Chapter 655: Frozen Resolve

How many errors had I committed in the days gone by?

Was it one?

Two?

Perhaps three?

Or had the count become so vast that the very notion of keeping track had lost all significance.

Regardless of the tally, the conclusion invariably returned to a singular reality—to be human is to make mistakes.

Tripping, failing, and drowning in regret... these were not mere accidents, but certainties. There are those who find a way to live with them.

Some discover a sense of peace in conclusions they never desired, tricking themselves into believing that mere closure equates to joy.

They bury their burdens, locking the past away behind heavy gates to move forward.

However, I was never that kind of person.

I had faced failure across a multitude of worlds.

I made choices, attempted to fix them, and forged new paths—only to witness the exact same endings manifest time and again.

Though progress was achieved and wisdom gained, the final result remained stubbornly fixed.

No matter how cautiously I traversed the road, or how much knowledge I gathered, an inescapable fate always sat waiting at the journey's end.

That is precisely why this attempt had to be different.

There would be no further cycles.

No more regressions.

There was no remaining time to heal old scars or rewrite my past regrets.

Instead... this time, I would forge a new path entirely.

A trail blazed not from the desire to correct, but from pure determination.

Reality itself might shift. I might lose the memory of my true identity, shed pieces of my soul along the way, or transform into a stranger even to my own mind.

Yet, even if that occurred—even if the person I used to be dissolved into nothingness—one truth remained certain.

As long as I am tied to the destiny of this world,

I will defend it.

For the sake of the laughter shared with companions.

For the warmth discovered in brief, passing moments.

For the delicate happiness that people struggle so desperately to keep safe.

And... for my own sake as well.

That is why, when the moment finally arrives—when the decision can no longer be deferred—I hope my future self can find understanding.

That none of these actions were hollow. That none of it was a betrayal.

It was all performed for your benefit.

For the happiness of everyone.

.....

Evelyn—my clone.

She was created not just from physical matter or mana, but from the gathered memories of the many versions of myself scattered throughout shattered worlds.

Realities where I fell short. Worlds where I triumphed only to see everything turn to ash regardless.

She was intended to be the ultimate solution to all those failures—a flawless, more intelligent version of myself, forged through infinite cycles of destruction and rebirth.

Her thoughts were my thoughts.

Her ethics were my ethics.

Her devotion was absolute.

The idea of betrayal was impossible.

After all, even if she was a clone produced by my skill and shaped by my intent... she was still me.

"What exactly would you like to know, Original?"

Her tone was composed, nearly soft, as if this were a simple chat between peers rather than a confrontation sparked by suspicion.

"..."

"Everything."

She gave a single blink, followed by a subtle smile.

"That will be quite a lengthy tale," she remarked casually. "There is much I can pass on to you. But it would consume far too much time." She cocked her head, her blue eyes steady. "If you prefer, I could simply end my life and let you take my memories directly."

"...That won't be necessary."

I let out a sigh, massaging my temple while observing her.

A soft laugh escaped me despite the gravity of the situation.

Even with the realization that she was me, the experience was jarring.

The way she carried herself.

The natural ease with which she inhabited that body—as though being turned into a woman was a fact she had embraced long ago.

You were once me, you know...

Pushing the thought aside, I met her eyes once more, my gaze hardening.

"Evelyn," I spoke slowly, "I am certain—without a doubt—that whatever you are doing is for my benefit."

She offered no contradiction.

"However, keeping me in the dark," I went on, my voice firm yet chilling, "and pulling strings without my knowledge is not something I appreciate."

So, I had to discover just how much of me... she really is...

.....

Evelyn’s grin remained. If anything, it grew more gentle, radiating a warmth that felt strangely out of place amidst the tension.

"Whatever could you mean, Original?"

Her voice was airy, almost teasing, but Riley noticed the way her gaze sharpened—like a blade concealed beneath fine silk.

"First, there was Janica," he murmured.

"...."

"Then Stacia. And now Snow." His eyes stayed locked on hers as he spoke. "All of them have been quietly manipulated by you. I missed it at first, but the runes I can sense within their souls are abnormal. They aren't malicious—I can see that much—but there is a clear shroud of secrecy woven into them. It is intentional. So tell me, Evelyn... what is your goal?"

For the first time since their meeting, Evelyn went quiet.

She looked down, her fingers slowly lacing together as if she were sorting through thoughts too massive to be easily voiced.

A breeze swept by, ruffling her hair, and in that short silence, Riley felt the gravity of everything he had chosen to overlook until this moment.

He had felt it for a long time—those small doubts, the events that seemed just a bit too perfect.

He had ignored them, placing his faith in her because she was him.

Or at least, she was a part of him.

But after the events involving Stacia... after his own ascension...

After turning into something that even the gods viewed as a freak of nature rather than a man—

Was all of that part of her plan as well?

Her actions were subtle. Helpful, even. Anyone else would have accepted them with blind gratitude.

But if her schemes involved Erebil...

If they put Snow at risk in any way—

Then that was a boundary he would permit no one to cross. Not even a version of himself.

"Original," Evelyn finally whispered, her voice losing its playful edge. "How many of the other worlds have you actually witnessed?"

"..."

"How many failures?" she asked softly. "How many conclusions where you struggled, bled, and sacrificed—only to watch the world fall apart anyway? How many times did you stand at the end of all things, knowing you gave your all... and still failed?"

Her words felt like a heavy, invisible pressure on his shoulders.

"I am certain there were many," she continued, raising her eyes to his. There was no mockery in them—only conviction. "After all, you endured the same tests as the rest of us. The same roads. The same hopelessness."

She moved a step closer.

"Only this time," Evelyn said gently, almost with a sense of awe, "you haven't lost yet."

Her smile returned, no longer playful, but full of warmth and devotion.

"Because you are our most precious star."

The wind died down.

And Riley understood that whatever Evelyn was orchestrating, it didn't come from malice or greed—but from something far more terrifying.

Certainty.

"You want to know my plan?"

Evelyn approached him, her steps silent and purposeful.

When she reached Riley, she gently placed her hand against his chest, right over his heartbeat.

The touch was warm—familiar in a way that disturbed him more than any threat could.

"I am planning to ease your burden, Original," she murmured. "For the sake of everyone."

Riley’s eyes narrowed slightly, not out of anger, but in a moment of quiet realization.

"...Is it because you aren't able to fully explain it?" he asked.

Evelyn’s mouth curved up slightly. It wasn't an arrogant smirk—no, it was something far softer, almost like pride.

"I appreciate how sharp you are," she answered. "Yes. Let us leave it at that—for the time being."

She walked past him, her eyes wandering toward the distant horizon where the academy’s spires pierced the clouds.

"Do not worry," she added. "All of us desire the same future you do. We simply... wish to find a happy ending this time."

She turned back toward him, her blue eyes meeting his without a hint of doubt.

"My ability to interfere is limited. I have already used every loophole I could touch without risk. From this point on, everything depends on those with power."

Her voice grew even softer.

"So rest easy, Original. I will not do anything drastic—nothing that would hurt those we cherish."

Riley frowned slightly at her statement, then let out a soft breath, shaking his head as if trying to clear the lingering tension.

"...Do I truly speak like this?" he grumbled, half-grinning and half-annoyed. "No wonder they get upset when I hide things from them."

Evelyn gave a light, musical laugh.

"Fufu~"

The sound drifted through the air, filled with affection and something much heavier—a weight of memories Riley couldn't see, but could feel lurking just under the surface.

And for the first time since she had appeared, Riley understood one undeniable fact:

Evelyn was telling the truth.

....

When the sun rose—

Snow gradually opened her eyes and sat up in her bed.

She scanned the silent room, a faint glow appearing on her lovely face.

Once again...

The same dream.

How long had this been happening?

Ever since the incident with the demon, these vivid dreams had returned nearly every day.

Always clear.

Always feeling all too real.

The images would sear themselves into her consciousness, only to shatter just as she was about to understand them.

This setting...

It was her private chamber within the imperial palace.

Snow looked over at the massive mirror positioned against the wall.

The glass showed her familiar reflection, yet her heart felt heavy for reasons she couldn't identify.

"What are you trying to reveal to me this time?"

Initially, there was no reply.

Then—gradually—the figure in the mirror began to move independently.

It smiled.

"Fufu..."

The reflection released a soft chuckle, one that sounded cold and mature, completely unlike Snow’s usual gentle demeanor.

The atmosphere shifted.

A chill flooded the room, creeping over the floors and walls like living frost. Before Snow could even react, the reflection disappeared from the glass.

And then—

She was right there.

Sitting on the bed right next to Snow.

Snow was paralyzed, unable to move as the woman—who bore her exact likeness—spoke in a low voice.

"There are many forces in this world that will seek to corrupt you," she stated calmly. "But you must stay faithful to your own will and heart's desire."

Her voice was velvety, yet held a sharp edge.

"Let your beauty be brilliant... yet frigid. As cutting as crystal ice."

Snow’s breath hitched as the woman went on.

"As you walk your path, never forget the light you have chosen. Master it. Embrace it."

She raised her hand, pointing a single finger.

"And keep in mind... sometimes a single finger is all that is required to pass a cold judgment."

The moment those words took hold—

Snow snapped awake.

Her eyes flew open as the real world rushed back in.

"W-Winner—Snow Luvenitia White Germonia Leven!!!!"

The announcer’s shout boomed throughout the arena.

The spectators exploded into a frenzy of cheers.

Snow blinked, her thoughts still clouded as she stared ahead.

What she witnessed stole the breath from her lungs.

The arena floor was gone.

In its place was a frozen wasteland—sharp crystal ice jutting from the earth in every direction.

At the center of the frost was the spot where her opponent had been, now entirely encased in ice.

Her arm was held high.

Her finger was pointed straight ahead.