Isn't it okay to be pure white all the way through?
*
Chu Zhibai is a hugely popular character in Orange Cat Scoundrel's new work, The Silver Descendant. He captivated countless fans from his very first appearance with his stunning looks and incredible strength. At the same time, his iconic pink hair made countless people suspicious of him.
[Is Chu Zhibai secretly black-hearted beneath that pink hair?]
[Everyone knows pink-haired characters look innocent, but they're all black inside.]
[Hahaha, just wait until my Zhibai shows his true colors!!]
It wasn't just the manga readers who were suspicious. Even the manga's main cast suspected he had ulterior motives. Everyone's suspicions came to an end only on the day the sky was stained with blood.
"Don't cry." The crimson sunset was sinking, and a faint, tender smile appeared on his pale face. "I sincerely hope... all of you get what you wish for."
The next moment, pursued frantically by the main cast, he fell into the deep sea. His beautiful pink hair traced a blood-red rainbow across the sky.
When the manga update came out, everyone went crazy. They couldn't believe it. They had never imagined Chu Zhibai could be a purely good character, but unfortunately...
Once something is cut open, you can't put it back together.
*
Chu Zhibai returned to his true body and opened his eyes in the Cursed Tower. The System's mournful sobs filled his ears, and excruciating pain wrapped around his entire body. He slowly blinked, peering through a narrow slit in the tower at the azure sky and the mountains and seas beyond.
The world outside is so beautiful. So vivid, so full of wonders, so captivating. He loves all of it, from the plants and animals to the people outside.
But...
"...It seems like everyone dislikes me." The young man, whose true name was Ci Yuan, lowered his eyes. "Is this a curse?"
[Host!!] The System panicked. [Don't think that way! Everyone likes you! The manga readers do too. They all miss you so much!!]
But Ci Yuan no longer believed it. He didn't want to read the manga anymore, yet he still put on a mask and cloak and quietly slipped out of his prison tower.
Even if no one likes me, I still want to save this innocent, beautiful world. If I hide everything about myself, I won't have to suffer everyone's hatred, will I?
*
A few months later, the new character introduced in The Silver Descendant caused an uproar.
[Wait, what's with this new character? Trying to ride on our Zhibai's popularity? Zhibai has suffered enough already.]
[Everyone else, get lost!! Leave Zhibai alone! Scoundrel, what the hell is this supposed to mean??]
[Wait, do you think we're blind? You think we won't recognize him if you just put a cloak on him? Damn it, you can tell from the color page that the masked guy has pink hair too! What is this supposed to be!!]
[Don't use Chu Zhibai as a stepping stone to promote someone else, ahhh, Scoundrel, go die!]
[I'd jump off a cliff! Die out there! I absolutely will not accept a replacement!!]
[Holy crap, this is good.]
Reader's Guide:
1. My take on a pure-white-through-and-through protagonist, an absolute believer in putting the world first.
2. The protagonist's true form is at the pinnacle of combat strength, incredibly powerful.
3. Everyone gets a crematorium arc. They want to make amends after learning the truth, only to realize it's too late. What's broken can never truly be put back together.
4. Screenshot taken on 2025/03/10.
5. Haven't decided yet. To be added.
Theme: Saving the world is our duty.
