The next day.
Kurose Akira sat in the classroom, his thoughts entirely occupied by the game's storyline.
He had already successfully completed the Sunset City commission. At this point, only two F+-rank commissions remained, along with Ivsha's character quest.
As for the hidden White Rose quest—that was still beyond his current strength, and the timeline for it hadn't arrived yet.
"First, I'll start Ivsha's character quest. If there's time, I'll clear the two F+ commissions and unlock an E-rank evaluation special mission…"
Akira methodically organized his next steps in his mind.
"Kurose Akira?"
At that moment, someone sat down in the seat directly in front of him.
"Hm?"
Akira looked up and found a delicate, refined face staring straight at him.
"Liu Xue? What's up?"
He was slightly surprised by her sudden approach.
Under normal circumstances, Liu Xue wouldn't主动 talk to him in class—nor would she speak to him at the noodle shop, for that matter.
But ever since they had discovered that they were both players of the same game, she seemed like a completely different person—clingy in a way she'd never been before. Just like now.
"I want to ask you something."Liu Xue adjusted the black frames of her glasses, adding to her scholarly aura.
"What is it?"Akira asked casually.
"I…"
She was about to speak when she suddenly noticed the strange looks around them.
Their classmates were clearly sensing the sour scent of romance in the air.
"I'll message you on WeChat," she said quickly, pulling out her phone.
"Oh."
Akira nodded, unconcerned, and took out his phone as well, waiting for her message.
But he waited… and waited… and nothing came.
Until Liu Xue finally muttered,"I don't have you added on WeChat!"
"..."
Why didn't you say that earlier?
After they added each other, a message from Liu Xue immediately popped up.
Cute Bunny Kana:"My second recruited adventurer is a Rare-quality Flower Fairy! I'm a bit confused about her abilities, so I asked around in a game group to see if she's worth raising. Because… she doesn't seem to have any combat power at all. But someone actually offered 20,000 to buy her from me! Do you think I should sell? I mean, 20,000 isn't a small amount."
"A Flower Fairy?"
Akira felt a ripple stir in his heart.
After thinking for a moment, he typed back:
"What exactly are her abilities? There's no way she's completely useless, right?"
Cute Bunny Kana:"She has one ability—she increases mission rewards and Luck by 20%."
Akira's eyes flashed with surprise.
He immediately grasped the value of that ability.
Increased mission rewards and Luck—this was absurdly powerful, especially in the long run. It meant higher income, better drop rates, and a dramatically increased chance of obtaining rare items and equipment.
Without hesitation, he replied:
"Don't sell her. Not casually. Her ability is extremely strong—far rarer than ordinary adventurers."
Cute Bunny Kana:"Really?!"
"Yes. Even if her effect doesn't feel obvious right now, once you reach the mid-to-late game, she'll be completely broken."
He even sent a thumbs-up emoji to emphasize his point.
Cute Bunny Kana:"Okay… I understand. Thank you!"
"No problem. If you get the chance later, let me borrow your Flower Fairy sometime."
Cute Bunny Kana:"Mm! Sure!"
Akira took a deep breath, unable to hide his envy.
A Rare adventurer that boosted both rewards and Luck—she had really struck gold.
Good thing borrowing was an option. If he ever ran into an especially rare mission, he'd absolutely have to bring Liu Xue's Flower Fairy along.
Out of curiosity, he glanced at her WeChat avatar.
Why was it just… pure white?
Such a plain profile picture…
The dismissal bell rang.
Akira immediately slung his backpack over his shoulder and rushed home, looking so hurried it was as if a beautiful, married woman were waiting for him there.
After getting home, he tossed his bag aside, ate something simple, and put on his VR headset.
The moment he entered the game world, his gaze went straight to Loserine, who was sitting inside the guild hall.
She was still focused on assembling a puzzle. Judging by her progress, she was already halfway done.
It seemed that absorbing a memory fragment had significantly improved her intelligence.
"Hm? A letter?"
Akira noticed an envelope on the wooden table.
He walked over, picked it up, and opened it.
From: Natasha
Dear Mr. Kurose,
After you left last night, many things happened within the Yerman Family. Roxia personally led the family's knights and arrested her uncle, Mero. Just as you suspected, it was indeed Mero who hired adventurers to obstruct Roxia's ascension as a Vowbound Knight.
I was both shocked and furious. To think that Mr. Mero—someone the family trusted so deeply—would do something like this… it truly made me angry.
Because you left in such a hurry, Roxia didn't have the chance to say goodbye. She asked me to send you her regards. Additionally, she has already sent the Vowbound Sword to your guild, saying that it should be returned to its rightful owner. That child still isn't very good at expressing her feelings—please forgive her~
Oh, and I baked a delicious apple pie~ If you have time, you're always welcome to come to Sunset City and enjoy it with me.
"The Vowbound Sword?"
Akira looked around the guild hall, but didn't see it anywhere.
Then his gaze shifted to Loserine's waist.
A golden sword was already hanging there.
"..."
Akira sighed.
Ever since regaining part of her memories, Loserine wasn't quite as pure and innocent as before.
He waved his hand and summoned the second memory fragment, letting Loserine absorb it.
Afterward, her all-attribute stats increased by another +20.
However, her Favorability only increased by +10 this time.
It seemed that unlocking Loserine's character quest wouldn't be easy—at least one more memory fragment was required.
Notably, after absorbing the second fragment, the color of Loserine's soul grew even more vivid.
It looked a bit like…
A water slime.
Just then, Ivsha entered the guild with a bright smile.
"Good morning, Mr. Kurose~"
"Morning."
Akira replied softly, noticing a cross pendant hanging on her chest.
With a thought—
[Holy Light Pendant (Rare): Reduces the effects of Holy Light by 50%.]
"This pendant is…?"Akira asked curiously.
"Sister Carrie asked me to wear it. Today, all the nuns in the church must undergo a Holy Light purification ritual," Ivsha explained.
"Holy Light purification?"
"Yes. It dispels worldly impurities and has a restraining effect on evil creatures," Ivsha nodded, then added,"Mr. Kurose, there's no need to worry. Although I'm a succubus, I've lived in the church for nearly twenty years—I'm no longer afraid of Holy Light."
"Can I observe the purification?"Akira asked, even though he knew she was immune. He still wasn't entirely at ease.
"Of course!"Ivsha beamed."The ritual simply involves standing beneath radiant holy light—it's nothing private. If you'd like, after the nuns finish, you could even experience it yourself~"
"I'll pass on personally experiencing it."
Akira rejected immediately.
He had no desire to lose his wicked thoughts.
"It's really not as scary as you think~"
Ivsha stepped closer, gently pressing her lips to his ear as she whispered softly,
"If you're scared, I can hold you tightly. That's a special service our church offers just for Mr. Kurose~"