Late afternoon.
I returned to the mansion after leaving Iselle’s room.
El Cid’s engraving.
This must be the golden legacy Alpha Zero spoke of.
It was much more useful than the mythical server master key nonsense.
The engraving used by the number one ranked player. Its power needed no further explanation.
Of course, I couldn’t use it yet.
The book hadn’t been fully deciphered.
But someday, it would definitely be in my hands.
‘Do I need to reach 7-star?’
The conditions were already set.
I was well aware that it would be insufficient to end my growth at 6-star.
The existence of the 7-star prince, the monstrous difficulty level surpassing ordinary accounts, and even Seris’s involvement. The environment around me was shifting drastically.
‘For those without power…’
There was no right to choose.
They would be swept away like a buoy, just as I was recently overpowered by Seris.
This was merely a delay.
I was sick of being dragged around by others.
I didn’t want to run away, ending things without knowing anything.
Call it greed if you want. I had experienced countless things here, changing from head to toe. I probably wouldn’t be able to live the same life even if I returned to Earth.
I didn’t want to do anything I’d regret.
I would choose.
Whether I stayed or returned.
For that, I needed power.
‘At the very least, I need to pay back what I owe.’
After all, I had suffered enough from Tel.
It was only right to return the favor.
***
[Master Anytng, welcome to Pick Me Up!]
A holographic window appeared in front of me.
Anytng’s connection message.
[Loading complete.]
[T O U C H! (Select)]
Initially, his login time was late evening, but now it had shifted to the afternoon.
Even just calculating playtime showed it had nearly doubled. He had crossed into the realm of addiction.
[You have received a report from Sub-Master, ‘Han (★★★★★)’. Would you like to check it?]
[Yes (Select) / No]
The report screen appeared on Anytng’s control panel.
It was something Neryssa and I prepared together each evening.
It detailed resources like food, wood, and ores, along with policy suggestions, operational directions, and the growth trends of heroes. Anytng, with a deft motion, scrolled through the report.
Game on.
It was played much like a simulation game.
Upgrading facilities, assigning heroes to different floors, and designating appropriate roles.
Thanks to diligent studying, Anytng was now fully adept. Compared to the haphazard way I used to manage things, it was night and day.
‘Still indifferent when it comes to tactics.’
The mission strategy was almost laissez-faire.
It was left mostly to the main combatants, including myself.
Tactical tools were sometimes used depending on the battle situation, but generally, the heroes’ discretion was respected.
The reason for that was likely trust in me.
[‘A Horse Statue’ is gifted to ‘Han (★★★★★)’.]
[‘A Horse Statue’ is gifted to ‘Han (★★★★★)’.]
[‘A Horse Statue’ is…]
Pop!
With a childish sound effect, statues started piling up in the display case.
I watched the growing collection with indifferent eyes. They thought that manufacturing and giving them out like they were from a factory would be well-received…
[‘Han (★★★★★)’ is delighted to receive the ‘Horse Statue’.]
[Affection increases!]
Did they even know?
What was really happening in the game they played.
That the heroes in the game were, in fact, living beings, and that this world harbored great secrets.
Well, they couldn’t even imagine.
Anytng seemed suspicious based on journal entries, but it was probably just a passing thought. Something that had nothing to do with them.
[Memory Album]
After finishing daily tasks, Anytng clicked the book icon on the right side of the screen.
The Memory Album, content was added in a new patch. It was designed for light users who liked decorating.
[Here, you can review photos and videos taken in-game. Relive the precious memories you’ve built with your heroes!]
Recently, Anytng had been spending time on this album after completing daily tasks.
Most of the album entries featured me.
[Album No.032 – Han Taking a Nap]
[Album No.033 – A Moment with the Horse Statue]
[Album No.034 – One-Slash Victory]
The photos in the album were rendered with in-game graphics.
Wasn’t this a bit too much? It would be nice if they considered my feelings too.
“…”
Suddenly, a thought crossed my mind.
What kind of person was Anytng? It might not be a bad idea to look them up if I ever returned to Earth.
They wouldn’t believe it even if I revealed my identity, and I had no intention of doing so, but seeing their face would be enough.
I looked to my side.
A chubby pigeon waddled in.
“Coo!”
Thud.
I grabbed the pigeon by the scruff of its neck and lifted it.
“Are you really invincible? I feel like I’ve been scammed.”
“That’s within Townia. Outside, who knows?”
I hadn’t called this guy on purpose.
I was curious about how he would react if he saw Seris’s power.
“Well, I was about to get moving.”
I got up from my chair.
I'm currently Translating the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!