The stars once lost in dreams now shine,
They trace the sky, a silver line—
A blessing cast on fading breath,
To grace a world that runs to death.
Angels fall, their wings are torn ♪
Demons burn where they were born ♪
Humans dance in chaos' flame ♪
Calling ruin by their name ♪
Let the faithful wash away,
Greed will birth the end of days.
Feathers drift, but none shall know
The peace that once was long ago.
The world now weeps in silent ache,
I faced the peace we could not take.
Should I bite my tongue and blind my sight—
To flee the truth, to fear the night?
Then peel your skin, disguise your face ♪
Let hunger rot what once had taste ♪
No sleep shall come, no dreams to find ♪
Just endless dark, no end, no time ♪
The gods will chase your every sin,
Whether they fall or rise again.
So do not fear… but tread with care—
The stars above are always there.
For stars once born in dreamers' eyes,
Now blaze across these shattered skies.
They watch, they weep, they never lie…
And bless the world before it dies.
...
....
.....
The story shifts momentarily to one of the Personas.
Deep within an underground excavation, the Persona made his way through rooms and tunnels.
The scent of earth clung thick in the air, mixed with traces of oil and the occasional whiff of charcoal—an oddly layered blend that made the underground space feel both lived-in and forgotten.
Curiously, some parts of the tunnel had makeshift support pillars wedged into the walls.
Looking around, he noticed cracked walls lined with rusted, abandoned equipment. Overhead, ceiling pipes groaned every so often, echoing through the narrow space like the base itself was displeased at being disturbed.
"Whoaa... I thought they were living like The Croods down here," Loli-man muttered, glancing around. "This is more like a proper bunker than some scrappy underground hideout… nice."
Indeed, the Persona on assignment this time was none other than Loli-man himself—currently investigating a hidden base nestled deep beneath Skull Island.
Tied to his waist and swinging gently with each step was a glowing phone with a cracked screen—the same device that had accompanied the Fool for as long as anyone could remember.
Its flashlight flickered with a soft, unreliable glow, casting broken shadows along the narrow corridor walls. The only other sound was the tap of his boots echoing off concrete floors—steady, measured, careful.
"They even poured concrete down here!? Where'd they get the supplies—daily quest rewards?" he muttered, almost envious. "Honestly, I wouldn't mind staying here for a while myself! Ahh~ What a good place to die alone~"
This mission was all about gathering intel on Hylia—her whereabouts, her identity, and a full highlight reel of her achievements. Operation Magia demanded a complete dossier on the feasty haired little girl… right down to her shoe size, if possible.
To protect her. To let that flower bloom in peace. To decide whether she becomes a radiant blossom—or a wish that shatters every star in its path. This kind of work was necessary.
Most Personas would've rolled their eyes and passed the job off without a second thought. But for someone like Loli-man? A natural-born stalker? This was practically a dream assignment.
A little girl, information-gathering, and full clearance to do it?
Yeah, no wonder he volunteered.
Well—technically, he did have a more important job: acting as a decoy and drawing attention. But Loli-man is always his side who're a skilled multitasker. So naturally, why not gather intel and be a distraction at the same time?
Kill two birds with one stone, or in his case—go cave diving and indulge in his favorite hobby at the same time. Let's just hope he doesn't end up like most unfortunate cave divers.
"This is Loli, reporting for duty," he announced with a grin.
〈Loading...〉
"I've just logged in. You tell me when and how to start, and I'll handle the rest," Loli-man said with a smirk. "Hmm?... Yeah, yeah, I know. My bad. I just thought this called for somewhere a little more special..."
He then scratched the side of his ear, expression softening slightly. At that moment, the Persona was in quiet communication—speaking with one of the others, his words traveling through a shared link only they could hear.
"Yeah… even I can't deny that wasn't very me. You too—keep an eye on Zei's core identity bleed. Pretty sure it's flaring up again. There were moments I actually felt… angry or lazy at times? Weird, right?" 「Loli-man」
He let out a short breath, half a smirk tugging at his lips, "And that's all from me. Loli out."
Without missing a beat, he moved on—unclipping the phone from his belt, giving it a casual twirl, and pressing the power button with a flick of his thumb.
No need to hold it up—the phone had already picked up his voice. A soft chime followed, and the small rectangular device lit up, casting a glare bright enough to make him squint.
"Logged in without any drama—nice. Aaaand... I forgot about the brightness again," Loli-man groaned, shielding his eyes with one hand. "NNNGYYYYAAAAA!??"
A mechanical divine light surged from the screen, growing sharper and clearer as the system activated. It wasn't just booting up—it was connecting, syncing with some deeper program housed within.
Lines and dots danced in the air, shifting, aligning.
Until they formed a single line of text floating right in front of him.
〈Welcome back, Champion. It's a pleasure to be the first to greet your return.〉
Loli-man exhaled through his nose, eyes still squinting against the glare, "Yeah… not like I wanted to come back," he further grumbled, just as the phone in his hand buzzed with a fresh wave of vibration beneath his fingers.
*BZZZT-BZZZ*
*DING-DING*
*POP*
*TELOTETELOLET*
*You got mail*
*SCHRINGG*
The phone beside him erupted into a one-man orchestra of buzzes, pings, and downright ridiculous jingles—rattling against the stone floor like it was ready to stage-dive. Somewhere in the mix, an old-school Arabic ringtone chimed in proudly, like it hadn't aged a day.
Loli-man recognized every sound:
BZZZT-BZZZ—low-priority status ping.
DING-DING—standard contacts.
POP—system notice.
TELOTETELOLET—semi-urgent group chat (mute? never).
You've got mail!—ancient e-mail jingle he refused to change on principle.
SCHRINGG!—the "someone's about to stab you" alert, purely ornamental… he hoped.
There were more—plenty more—tones echoing from the device's tiny speaker, each overlapping in a chaotic audio salad. And yet, somehow, Loli-man could still distinguish every single one.
As a Persona of the Fool, Loli-man came equipped with senses sharper than most—an unfortunate blessing in moments like this.
〈I'm detecting a rapidly growing stack of messages and notifications since your login. Would you like to review them now, or shall I sort by priority? 〉
"Not now," he said, still blinking away the afterimage of that flash-bang brightness. "But yeah, go ahead and sort 'em—save me from more job desk. And also, do you have any ibuprofen? I got a headache."
〈The discomfort you're experiencing is a known side effect of operating on an outdated system version. While we do offer limited countermeasures, we strongly recommend updating to the latest release. 〉
"Nah... just kidding. Don't do any of that stuff. Just keep sorting, "Loli-man waved the idea away with a lazy flick of his hand. "Rather... I think I've got a better and most ingenious idea!"
A faint shimmer pulsed at his side.
The air around his hand warped subtly, bending like heat over asphalt—until an old, vintage flintlock began to materialize. Weathered but well-kept, it settled into his grip like it had always belonged there.
〈Understood. I will sort all direct messages, notifications, gifts, packages, and invitations by type, and save them for later—prioritized by relevance and urgency. Also, I recommend addressing the aftereffects, Champion. We're currently running a promotion perfectly suited for headaches. 〉
Without saying another word or meme towards the System's promotion, Loli-man reached for his trusted flintlock, pulled out a white bullet, and casually loaded it. He pointed it toward the part of his head that ached and—BANG.
He fired it straight into his own skull.
But instead of a mess of blood and brain, his head simply… recalibrated.
The throbbing ceased.
His vision snapped back into focus.
No more "watering in red"—and just in time, too, as another wave of notifications lined up like a digital stampede. That flintlock of his—yeah, it could load variable cartridges.
"Fhuuh… forgot to yell 'Persona' back there. Missed opportunity," he further shook his head lightly. "And don't delete anything. If something's too long, just give me the summary. Do it quietly, yeah? My ears are still ringing."
〈Understood. Additionally, I should inform you that several new items are now accessible even under your current version. Feel free to check them while I handle the rest of your requests. 〉
With a nod, the Persona let the current-gen AI do its thing—efficient, tireless, and just smug enough to remind him it could always be upgraded to further enhance its performance.
Loli-man himself wasn't particularly interested in watching all the data flash by in real time. What did pique his interest, though, was the nature of the AI itself. The kind they used in this era's System...
It felt different. Evolved. Almost curious.
"Although they don't have a lot of metal plating down here… this is still seriously impressive. Who designed and built all this? Deutschland? Yamashiro, maybe?" Loli-man muttered, eyes scanning the reinforced walls and makeshift supports with mild awe.
Even though his memories as one of the Fool's Personas didn't include all the fine details about the AI installed in the System, he knew enough to recognize its autonomy. This wasn't some dumb tool waiting for commands.
It had its own protocols.
Its own decision trees.
It could act independently, even adapt.
"This must be Gascogne's bunk. She really doesn't own much, huh? Now where's Hornet's…? Oh? That overly 'Murica-looking one over there~?" Loli-man mused with a grin.
Back in the old era—during the collapse of the Age of Reason, from what the Fool remembered—every parameter had to be configured manually by Hosts, Mods, Admins, and whatever fancy title they felt like using at the time.
The use of artificial intelligence had surged ever since the third Guide—Angel of the Blade—was corrupted—thanks to a handful of opportunists trying to exploit the power of a Guide, someone capable of manipulating everything about the System itself.
"Ohh~ I can see the outside from here~!" Loli-man chirped, sticking his head through a small hole in the wall. Then, a pause. "Wait… now that I think about it—where is their toilet? This hole isn't part of the plumbing, right?!"
Loli-man remembered just a little about the early versions of those AI.
The ones that glitched timelines, melted pocket dimensions, and occasionally turned entire simulation clusters into unusable cosmic soup. There were moments he was this close to submitting his resignation letter.
Good times.
Still… there had been rare, brilliant flashes when those same glitchy messes pulled off real miracles—saving lives, fixing what no one else could. Unreliable? Absolutely. But sometimes, they were just chaotic enough to get something right.
And that's why...
This was AI of the current era—shaped by generations of updates, emergency patches, rollback disasters, and rogue hotfixes. Smarter, faster... a machine god not born of prophecy, but of bug reports and changelogs.
Old stories now though, he smirked with a shrug.
"This kind of AI… it's just like those sidekick characters in manhua and manhwa," he mused aloud followed with a light chuckle, tapping the flintlock still resting in his palm. "Maybe it's been feeding too much web fiction from their side."
"Eh, not my problem anyway. If it ends up destroying a few worlds, I'll just kick back and enjoy the fireworks. There's always another wannabe justice hero waiting in line~" Loli-man smirked.
With that, he pushed aside his lingering doubts and refocused on the mission at hand: To find anything—anything at all—about Hylia within the depths of this underground base.
After navigating a few branching corridors, he finally stepped into a room that looked like a workshop—filled with tools and contraptions clearly meant for processing materials.
It looked like the kind of place where the ship girls had been tinkering, experimenting with whatever strange resources they'd scavenged from Skull Island.
Some tools were still embedded in a wooden block.
A forge in the corner showed signs of frequent use, its ashes faintly warm even now.
Above, several hanging racks crisscrossed the ceiling—likely used for air-drying anything from monster hides to research notes, or even... underwear. What a surprisingly unique design for a workshop.
"Seriously, they couldn't be bothered to clean up before bailing?" he muttered, glancing upward. "And whose pantsu is that snagged on the pipe?! No... how it even gets up there..."
He narrowed his eyes, stroking his chin like an amateur detective going full noir.
"Hmm… black lace, no frills. Way too spicy for my taste. That's a hard pass," Loli-man deadpanned, turning his attention back to the room—trying not to imagine what kind of crafting session led to that particular décor.
——————————————
『Sorted to: Notification』
A Guide to Creating a World for writing only + and some minor updates
Version 3.09
By: Herald of Little Light
Greetings to all—humanity of the old world.
Before you cast this guide aside, allow me to tell you something important.
This guide is a summary and conclusion drawn from extensive research conducted by Professor Nabilla and Doctor Alfonso. The data and insights presented here were gathered through one of the Champions—who, notably, hails from your kind.
I sincerely hope you, the readers, understand the credibility and significance of what lies within these pages.
Even if you do not know who they are, ask yourselves this:
You'll discover the answer soon enough.
This particular version is intended for those who wish to create something through writing. If you are seeking to create through visual art or animation, please refer to the changelog included in any previous versions.
Frequently asked questions will be updated in version 3.10, so stay tuned for further developments.
Now then, regarding version 3.09 of this guide—
When it comes to creating a world through your writing, as Artists, you are likely already familiar with the fundamentals and the elements that must be considered.
There're themes, pacing, tone, worldbuilding, conflict, silence, breath, and many more—each demanding a balance of imagination and real-world insight to shape a story and mold it into a living world.
In this version, we've streamlined the process.
What once required five foundational elements... now only requires three essential components. These three are all you need to begin breathing life into your own world.
The first is character.
A soul. A shape. A will. It may not be human, may not even know itself as alive, but it moves. It desires. It suffers. A character gives gravity to the chaos—a pin in the spinning map of the void.
The second is the reader.
That silent presence, both absent and eternal. The one who observes, who completes the circuit between fiction and belief. Without the reader, a story is just noise lost in the dark—like screams in a vacuum, unheard.
And the third... the most curious of all... is the medium.
Paper, pixels, airwaves, dreams—whatever channel the narrative inhabits, it is this medium that gives form to the formless. Through it, story becomes artifact. Idea becomes pattern. Worlds bloom and rot.
The medium is not neutral.
It is the soil that remembers what once grew upon it, even long after the roots have withered away. So even if a story is written upon a withered leaf, as long as it is remembered by the reader, then it has already fulfilled its purpose.
Together, these three are enough.
You just need some characters.
You just need a reader.
You just need a surface to press it all into.
You etch your truth into the trembling skin of the universe, word by desperate word.
Make your story. Shape it with love. With pain. With hope. With blood, if you must.
Construct it carefully, piece by fragile piece—and you may generate a stable narrative reality.
Once that process is complete, the first thing you must do is share your story or creation with other humans of the old world. As an Artist, building a fanbase around the world you've created is essential.
Stories that gain popularity will then be processed by the Department of Written Works and placed into the Voidborn Womb. We will preserve a copy of that world there—while granting you full authority, rights, and responsibility over your original creation.
Do not worry
As its Creator, you will always know which one is the copy, and which is the true original.
And once all of that is complete—once every requirement has been fulfilled—the Artist shall ascend to become the god of the world they have created.
Congratulations.
At this point, you now wield the power of the gods you once dreamed of.
But once it's done...do not forget.
Remain vigilant as your creations often carry a will of their own, shaped by the very process of writing them. Your world may be invaded by others—especially once you set foot into the League feature.
Always be cautious of the WorldEaters, as some of them are still roaming free. And there are still Outer Gods who, from time to time, may take a curious interest in your world... just for sport.
If you encounter any issues or matters concerning Fictians (the created beings) or any other Pseudo-Reality entities, please promptly report them to our Customer Service.
Based on recurring cases, we have learned that minor problems when left overlooked could often escalate into much larger issues.
Should you prefer not to contact us directly, you may communicate with the nearest Fictian Protection Activists, as their organization has recently grown quite robust.
For now, we especially recommend reaching out to the Plot Pals or Harsa Zingzang teams, who are always ready to assist.
In Version 4.00, previously identified bugs that were considered disruptive will be resolved.
These issues—particularly those that caused worlds to be automatically categorized as Conquered, Be-Fallen, or Abandoned—have been eliminated. With these fixes, inter-world interactions should now occur without triggering unintended status changes.
As always, if any new disruptions, bugs, or glitches are discovered in this version, a supplementary guideline will be issued to address them accordingly as the update continues to roll out.
That concludes the message included in the current version of this guideline for creating world (Writing only).
Stay inspired in your creative journey and never limit your imagination within the confines of mere morality. Every story has its own audience—and perhaps, if you succeed, you may one day become a higher being within the world you've brought into existence.
Thank you for your attention.
『Sorted to gift』
Please claim your reward:
📖 Script Book ×1
⏳ Age Extension Package (Total: +1 Year) ×1
📚 Encyclopedia of the Beyond ×1
——————————————————
『Sorted to: Notification』
[System Update Notification]
Version 5.00
By: Herald of Little Light
The long-awaited Battle Royale feature is finally here!
All registered Users who are partnered with a System may now participate in this event, in accordance with the rules provided. Experience real-time combat against other Users using the abilities you've acquired!
But don't worry—death here isn't permanent.
While you will face certain penalties, the rewards you can obtain from dropping into the Battle Royale, defeating your rivals, and encountering unique bosses are more than worth the risk.
To kick things off, we've received special permission from members of the VIREALIS and M@idoQista Platforms to participate in the first official launch. The live broadcast will be available to stream on their respective platforms.
『Sorted to: Gift』
Please claim your reward:
🍎 Fruit of Eden x1
——————————————
While casually scanning the underground base's corridors, Loli-man took a glance at the data still streaming across the ethereal screen projected from his phone.
He could have used the standard System interface—the one that floats right in front of his face—but for some reason, he preferred doing it this way. Well, to be fair, this setup did give him a better view of his surroundings.
"What version are we on now?" 「Loli-man」
〈Currently running Version 25.00 Final, Champion. As for the version on this device… you're still on Version 8. Shall I proceed with the update after I'm done sorting your data? Please note: the process will take significantly longer than before.〉
"Uwaah, I mean nah. It's not like I'm falling behind or anything. I've got another device that's always up to date—even if I never check it." He waved it off. "Just leave this one on the old version. Don't change a thing, okay?"
〈Understood. Preference acknowledged. 〉
The mechanical light unraveled once more, dispersing into the air.
Loli-man flopped down on one of the improvised beds the Ship Girls had slapped together—basically a lumpy sandwich of packed dirt, scrap cloth, a bent metal frame, and a few flat stones for "support."
He had no clue whose bunk it was, but as he plucked a long strand of fur off his vest, the scattered tufts around the bedding and the faint animal scent in the air made it pretty obvious.
Yeah… this had Ichigo written all over it.
But seriously—why this kind of bedding? Dirt, rocks, and half-torn fabric?
Was this a tactical choice? Or just some weird comfort thing only ship girls understood?
"Hmm… body scent, huh? I'm pretty sure Zei doesn't care about stuff like that either. This might be another blind spot in Als' grand plan… or maybe just one more 'weapon' in that whole power-of-love-and-friendship nonsense." 「Loli-man」
〈Would you like to review the current scent preferences most favored by women in this era? My data is fairly recent—compiled during the Version 23.00 Satisfaction Survey. I have cross-references ranging from humans to Outer Gods, if you're curious. 〉
"Who the hell adds that kind of stuff to a survey… yare-yare," Loli-man sighed. "There's always someone dumber than me out there, I guess. Just stick to your current task, will you?"
〈Understood. 〉
Loli-man stretched out on the makeshift bunk and let his eyes drift shut. The lumpy mattress of dirt and canvas wasn't exactly five-star, but after hours of skulking through half-lit corridors it felt downright luxurious.
He set his gear down—one on each side, like faithful sentries standing guard while he rested.
To his right lay the flintlock: its once-shiny gold-and-blue finish now chipped and dull, but the faint smell of burnt powder clung to the barrel as if every shot were still echoing in the metal. A weapon forged for taking lives—sharp, decisive, merciless.
To his left rested the katar: a narrow, twin-edged blade that gleamed like obsidian even in the low light. Tiny runes pulsed along its fuller, a quiet promise of protection. Where the gun ended fights, the katar kept allies breathing.
He let his fingertips brush both hilts, a silent confirmation that they were within easy reach.
For a heartbeat he allowed himself to breathe—really breathe.
——————————————
『Sorted to: Direct message』
From: Little Light(That guy who always borrows money)
Summarize: Mind if I borrow a bit of Merit?
From: Agus Wi-Fi(My internet guy)
Summarize: Would you like to try our newest product?
From: King of Yellow(That Hastur fellow)
Summarize: Stop interfering with the destruction of my civilizations!
From: Blind Idiot God(Yeah, that Azathoth)
Summarize: Come to our side.
From: Lingo(That damn bird)
Summarize: Nobody ignores me for long. Get back to your lesson.
From: Reimu DJ_175578(The loli one)
Summarize: I need help. Urgently.
From: Coenubia(That annoying floating ball)
Summarize: Stop getting in the way of our world-ending projects!
From: Children of Epoch(That breeding machine)
Summarize: Please stop killing our offspring.
From: Moca DJ_325983(That Bangdream one)
Summarize: Kulo~
From: Little Light(Again)
Summarize: Can I borrow again? I'll pay you back next year.
From: Child Protection Service(Those good guys)
Summarize: You are under investigation for the alleged abduction and abuse of countless Fictians minors across various series. Punishment will be carried out via castration or capital punishment.
From: Xelon (That Indo guy)
Summarize: HIDUP BLONDE! HIDUP TOBRUT!
From: White Rhodiola(Tiny green-eyed loli)
Summarize: Thank you for saving our world! It's my first time using this feature!
From: Shishiro Botan W_0189(That lioness one)
Summarize: Hey, pops… Can I take over your place?
From: Hatoba Tsugu W_0077(That grey loli one)
Summarize: Hello, pardon me if I bother your time.
From: Gurathnaka(That dream-eater one)
Summarize: We will devour your dreams and drag you into our muck!
From: Rela (That AG one I have met)
Summarize: Nio is rampaging! Mel is sulking! Where're you?!
From: Dallian (From Crescent Continent)
Summarize: Can I have a pizza with extra chili topping please?
From: Fuka-san (One that I've met)
Summarize: It's been a while since we took a seat and drink some tea.
From: Emperor (That glorious one)
Summarize: Justice is loud. Peace gets the job done. We have oath to fulfill.
...
....
.....
From: System's Notification
Summarize: Celebrate our new Guide!
...
....
.....
From: System Notification
Summarize: Congratulations! You are now a Champion. Your title will be determined based on your deeds—and your crimes.
From: Cera(My friend)
Summarize: Who's the big baby now? Your treat next time we meet.
From: Neumann(The Reincarnation no Kaben one)
Summarize: We need more data. Use your new authority to explore the Deep Boundary. Avoid provoking any major Outer Gods.
From: Little Light(Persistent as ever)
Summarize: Greetings to the honorable Champion. May I humbly request your mercy?
...
....
.....
From: Suzuhara Lulu(The kind one)
Summarize: Hello~ Konlulu~
From: Suzuhara Lulu(The not-so-kind one)
Summarize: Konlulu. Why'd you vanish so quickly?
From: Nabilla(That far-side cousin)
Summarize: Your brother's married. Wanna visit him on Earth?
From: Neumann(My personal Doctor)
Summarize: They got me, do well to escape.
...
....
.....
From: Cera(The Guide)
Summarize: Why did you do it?
From: Little Light(Still owes a lot)
Summarize: I'm sorry, I can't do it after all.
From: System's Notification
Summarize: A great disaster has occurred.
...
....
.....
From: Blind Idiot God(Grandpa Aza again)
Summarize: Use it well.
From: Irito(That Pronant one)
Summarize: Thanks for remembering us. Maybe next time… let's talk about something not related to our erotic game world. I MEAN IT!!!
From: Madaime Curie(That maid from M@idoQista)
Summarize: Please tell me, was it worth it?
From: The Second Son(My brother)
Summarize: Take care of yourself, Jawa.
...
....
.....
From: Low Tier God (That meme one)
Summarize: You should kill yourself!
From: Madoka DJ_120468 (That magical girl one)
Summarize: It doesn't have to end this way!
From: Unknown
Summarize: You monster!!!
From: Unknown
Summarize: Give it back!!!
From: Civandela Weight(That teacher from some Academy)
Summarize: This is such a sad and lonely way to end.
From: Unknown
Summarize: Why did you kill them?!
From: Unknown
Summarize: Give me back my father!!!
From: Unknown
Summarize: Why did you have to kill my sister?!!
From: Unknown
Summarize: I swear... I swear I'll destroy you!
From: Fuka-san(One that I've met)
Summarize: It's probably too late now. By the time you're reading this… I'm no longer by your side. But you should still remember me, Zei-san—and remember what I hoped for from you.
From: Unknown
Summarize: If only you had died too LOL!
From: Unknown
Summarize: Liar—always running away!
——————————————
And still… dozens, maybe even hundred thousand of messages remained untouched—unread by the Fool, and just as ignored by this particular Persona. He wasn't interested in sifting through the words that made up his past either.
That simply wasn't his role.
When he felt that he'd rested long enough, he opened his eyes again.
Rising from the primitive but surprisingly comfortable bed, he casually grabbed his gun and sword, checking their weight out of habit before slinging them back into place.
Without wasting another second, he headed off to find the room he was meant to locate.
"Alright. Once you're done… prep the live streaming function," Loli-man said.
〈Of course. I'll do whatever you command, Champion. Have you decided on the title?〉
"More or less. Set it as Hylia: The Blossomed Flower," Loli-man replied.
〈That's a name I've been hearing more and more lately. Is she really connected to the disappearance of the previous Guide, Cera—the one that triggered the current crisis?〉
The Persona offered no reply.
He simply smiled and gave both his phone a slow, deliberate spin.
〈Even with shifting perspectives, that name has already become a factual point of interest among several sides. In fact, I wouldn't hesitate to trade valuable rewards for the intel you possess.〉
"Nope. No sharing is caring. Keep the data between me and this device only," Loli-man said flatly.
〈As you wish, Champion.〉
With that, he continued making his way through the underground base.
Loli-man finally stopped at a curious chamber—a dome-shaped pocket carved straight into the earth, its walls still raw soil. A slow grin spread across his face, soon breaking into a soft chuckle when he caught sight of the artwork covering the walls and ceiling.
"Jackpot. These cave paintings must be the ones Zei wanted me to capture. Guy couldn't get a clear shot himself," he said, amused.
Etched and scrawled across the dirt were doodles unmistakably of Hylia—and plenty of the other ship girls, too. Even without a nameplate, he knew at once: this room belonged to that feasty haired little girl.
The air smelled of damp soil mixed with green sprout scent, the whole chamber ringing with memories. Each sketch felt like a snapshot of their time on the island.
The day they played pack mules hauling supplies, the afternoon they teamed up to squash an oversized insect invasion, or even the night they pulled goofy faces around a campfire.
Every odd little story immortalized in childish lines and picture.
"Seriously… what's with them and dirt?" he muttered, half-teasing, half-fond. "Heh."
Scrawled across the walls were doodles—one showed Ichigo wielding a flaming sword like some budget shounen hero. Nearby, a sketch of Yamashiro chasing after Hylia and Hakuryuu with a giant hammer and chain, like some furious boss in a side-scroller.
On another part of the wall, Hornet looked mid-breakdance, one leg in the air with dramatic flair. Right beside her, Gascogne was upside down, doing a headstand for who-knows-what reason.
There were dozens of them—random, chaotic, full of life.
Probably didn't mean much… but they meant something.
And somehow, I'd missed all of it—until now.
...
Hmm...
With a quick hop, Loli-man sprang upward, phone in hand, angling the cracked camera toward the highest doodles near the ceiling. He began recording, careful to catch every little scribble in frame.
At the same time, the camera synced once more with the phantasmal program—an ethereal link bridging him to distant worlds and realities beyond his own. This was his duty. This was what he had to do.
"Let the welcoming of the new Guide begin." 「Loli-man」
———————————————
Soukai City
The skies above Soukai City stretched wide and cloudless, bathed in a warm light.
It was the kind of day that practically begged you to go outside—a day made for laughter, for wandering, for wasting time in the best way possible.
Picnics in the park, games sprawled out under the shade of old trees, songs shared without shame—be they off-key or beautiful. Whether it's a round of cards, a tricky puzzle, or a chaotic board game, everything feels better when you're not playing alone.
Because on days like this, even the simplest moments become memories—especially when shared under a sun like this one.
However…
None of that really applied to Yjor the Little Snake.
Sunshine? Overrated.
Picnics? Too many bugs.
Laughter and friendship? Distracting.
While the rest of Soukai City basked in bliss, Yjor was off somewhere else—minding its own serpentine business, far away from cheerful chatter and the smell of overcooked grass and paint.
After all, not everyone sees a sunny day as a reason to smile.
"That Fool… gulp he's probably off doing something weird again," Yjor muttered, chewing thoughtfully. "He could've just talked to the girl. Simple. But nooo, now we'll have to see what kind of trauma he gifts Lady Hylia next…"
Rather than involve himself in any of that nonsense, Yjor found far more joy in watching it all unfold from afar—specifically, from the roof of a bus parked at a city stop.
Once the bus started moving again, the little snake would be treated to a leisurely tour of Soukai City without needing to slither along the hot pavement like in the old ways.
Even better, he had a slab of fresh-caught fish from the ocean tucked beside him, the salty aroma mixing perfectly with the breeze. A free ride and free snacks once in a while.
Now this was living.
"As I expected, she really is the successor of Madam. I even called her 'Lady' without thinking... Looks like I'll have to watch my tail around her, or risk getting skinned alive... PTUI!" (Yjor)
The snake casually spat out a fish bone—perfectly intact, like something straight out of a cartoon. It soared through the air in a clean arc… and landed right on top of someone's freshly bought pizza.
A beat of silence for those poor people.
"K-Kiana... calm down, okay?" 「Bianca」
"I am calm… very, very calm. Let's just—kill whoever did this," Kiana's smile twitched violently.
"She is, in fact, not calm. Ded ded den," Sirin chimed in, enjoying the chaos. "Ouuchhhye?!"
Her pizza—once a beautiful blend of tomato sauce, mozzarella, basil, and olive oil—was now defiled by the grotesque addition of a fully intact fish skeleton. That perfect Margherita had just become something… cursed.
Especially with the slimy residue still clinging to the bones.
And though the three sisters were dead set on hunting down the culinary terrorist responsible, the perpetrator was already gone—long vanished atop the roof of the departing bus, savoring yet another bite of that seaside snack.
"CHOMP ...Let's hope I don't have to get involved. PTUI," muttered Yjor, spitting out another bone without a care in the world.
And so, with no other option, the trio reluctantly returned to buy another pizza—still fuming, still hungry, and utterly unaware… that another fish skeleton had just dropped—this time right onto the head of an unsuspecting woman seated peacefully at a café terrace.
Misfortune was spreading like a culinary plague.
"Oh? What just happened?" Eden turned with poise, though one eyebrow arched in mild surprise.
"Hmm? Eh? B-Bwahaha! Moby, what's with that new look!?" Elysia burst into laughter, pointing at Mobius—whose head was now crowned with a perfectly intact fish skeleton, like some absurd oceanic curse.
"...Shut up," Mobius growled, her voice low and razor-edged, "or somebody's going to die for this."
Her glare swept across the café terrace. Every patron instantly looked away—pretending to scroll through phones, sipping their coffee too fast, or suddenly finding the nearby brick wall very interesting.
Elysia, of course, only laughed harder.
Unaware of the chaos left in its wake, the little snake simply continued enjoying the scenery from the rooftop of the moving bus, casually munching on the fish it had brought from the sea.
With each bite, the snake unknowingly trailed tiny bits of trouble behind—disruptions blooming like cursed mud in every place the bus passed. The form of the havoc varied, but the source remained the same.
Yjor didn't care.
Principles like obedience or a sense of responsibility were foreign concepts to it. Not because it rejected them out of spite—just that it never saw the need for something so... structured.
The bus halted once more.
"Next stop... maybe I should see what his house looks like here. And that woman... Theresa, was it? The stench of that idiot clings to her. Could she be his wife in this world?" (Yjor)
Not long after, the bus Yjor had silently hitched a ride on pulled into another terminal. At first, the serpent intended to disembark and visit an art exhibition by the renowned painter, Griseo.
But then, the snake changed its mind.
There was a sweeter scent in the air—richer and far more compelling than paint and canvas. A fragrance that stirred something deeper. The scent of that Fool… drifting somewhere within this city's heart.
Even from here, Yjor could detect the faintest trace—subtle, yet unmistakable. And this wasn't the first time. The snake had already encountered several subjects in this world tainted by that same scent.
As thoughts of mischief, mayhem, and harmless pranks danced in that little snake's mind, Yjor reached for another fish. The snake moved with a lazy grace, completely at ease, as if Yjor were truly enjoying a well-earned vacation.
There was, however, one truth the serpent had yet to grasp in its leisure.
"GNAM!" (Yjor)
Yjor already knew that this world—the playground it had chosen for its holiday—wasn't left unattended. The snake was aware of Moriarty, the Guardian Deity who regulated its tides of cause and effect.
But Yjor remained oblivious to a second, equally exalted presence: the Will of the World itself.
If Moriarty was the realm's active‑reactive steward—steering events by conscious design—then the Will of the World was its passive‑reactive counterpart. It possessed no body, no voice, no shrine of worship.
Instead, it whispered through subtler channels. The stray roll of chance, the quiet tug of destiny, the delicate shift in probabilities that only the most attuned could sense.
Invisible yet omnipresent, this intangible will could nudge reality's tapestry without ever disturbing a single thread—guiding, correcting, or thwarting from behind the veil.
And while Yjor toyed with mischief on the surface, that hidden consciousness was already watching, already weighing, already deciding how and when to answer the ripples it made.
"As expected! It is Mr. Snake again!" 「Seele Vollerei」
Yjor could hear the girl's voice clearly as she stepped onto the roof of the bus from behind.
"Wha—?! How did you even get up here?!" Yjor hissed.
"Oh! It just so happened that when this bus passed by, I was at the music studio with the others! The stop wasn't too far, so I ran and caught up! Hehe~ But that's not the point! Geez…" the girl with azure hairpin pouted.
"What? What do you want?" (Yjor)
"Ever since that boat ride with Uncle Kalpas, where have you been? I was worried, you know?" Seele said, crossing her arms. But realizing she might have come off a bit too nosy, she soon stepped closer to the snake and gently sat down beside it.
And so, the Will of the World quietly made a decision: To contain the chaos and unpredictable nature of Yjor, the presence of this girl—Seele Vollerei—was deemed necessary.
That serpent, after all, could already be classified as a Calamity in this world.
Precautions were needed.
"Speaking of all these fish… don't tell me you went fishing again today?" Seele asked, peering curiously at the pile beside Yjor. "Do you like them raw, Mr. Snake?"
And thus, every time these two crossed paths…
It was never coincidence.
It was always fate.
Destiny, shared between the two of them in this strange, beautiful world.
How romantic it is.
"Take this fish and get off!" Yjor barked, flinging a wriggling trout into Seele's hands.
How romantic it was.
That's how it went—until the bus conductor and a few concerned adults showed up and scolded Seele Vollerei for climbing onto the roof. And so, like it or not, Yjor was dragged into the situation as well—caught alongside the casually dressed girl, much to its dismay.