kscans

Chapter 102 - The Agaphanthus Amulet

After running across the rooftops under the gaze of the public for a few dozen seconds.

The destination, which wasn't far to begin with, soon came into view, and I landed in a strangely empty space amidst the clamor, almost deserted.

It was a decent size. A perfectly circular plaza, about a hundred meters in diameter, with a mysterious effect in the center—wait, what is that? There's like, a crack in space. Kinda scary.

But well, coming here, I could sort of understand the situation.

I had been wondering what a castle underground was all about, but the players who reached the outer edge of the plaza were being engulfed in a light of teleportation one after another and disappearing—and the single window that popped up in my vision the moment I stepped into this place gave the answer.

—Teleport to the Eastern Faction Wartime Base [Otherworldly Subterranean Castle - Ruvalest]?

It says it right there, Subterranean Castle. I had no way of knowing what it was actually like, but if the system declared it so, then it must be true.

"I see… very fantasy-like, and I approve."

"…Um, instead of looking so satisfied, could you please check on Nia-san?"

Sora, who had caught up a step behind me, showed off a smart landing unlike my own, her concern directed at the limp form of the indigo girl in my arms.

No, it's not like I forgot about her. I just had a feeling that if I put her down right away, she'd collapse in a dizzy spell…

"Uh… Nia-san? How are you feeling?"

"How do you think I'm feeling…?"

Right… Arcadia might be amazing, but it doesn't seem to support that level of comedic visual gags, yet I could practically see a massive irritation mark hovering over her head….

"C-Consider it one favor I owe you…"

"Hmph… are you sure you want to say that to Nia-chan? I won't forget this, you know."

Never mind just one, I already owed Nia two or three favors… and if it's something I can do, I would be more than happy to repay them.

Perhaps my unusually earnest attitude got through to her, as the sidelong glance Nia gave me from below was slightly less intense. It seemed she wasn't genuinely angry, which was a relief—

"Haru, how long are you going to stay like that?"

—but no sooner had I felt relieved than a sidelong glance from another direction hit me with high attack power.

It was hardly a case of jealousy over me holding another woman instead of my partner. I was fully aware of the nuance: "You shouldn't be touching a woman so casually for so long."

"My apologies. Nia, is it alright if I put you down?"

"Eeh? It's so nice, just a little long—whoa!?"

Though she was an artisan build, this girl was still a level 100 maxed-out player. The moment I judged she was back to her usual self, I let her go, and her ability to stick the landing on such short notice was quite impressive.

"Th-That's what I'm talking about! That part of you is not cool at all!!"

"I think that part of you isn't cool either."

Don't go casually teasing an adolescent boy. I'm the kind of simple-minded creature who falls in love just because someone picks up an eraser for me, you know. Probably.

"You two really get along, don't you?"

See, now Sora-san is laughing at us.

Glancing away from Sora, who was chuckling as she watched Nia and me with an amused smile, I turned my eyes to the mysterious effect in the center of the plaza.

What is it… it looked like a collection of transparent glass shards floating in mid-air. It was hard to describe, but it was a spatial rift that looked like it had a high attack power.

"Jeez… —Alright, then. Nia-chan's send-off ends here."

"Ah, right."

When I turned back at her voice, Nia had her hands on her hips, looking at me with a prim expression as if to say, "The tour is over."

"So, I just accept the teleportation here?"

"Yep. And since the selection match is going on, another selection screen should pop up. Just follow the prompts, and it should send you to the venue… or probably the waiting room at this hour."

I see.

Additionally, it seemed that the process from registration to block assignment was all done automatically. It was incredibly functional; no wonder they said entry wouldn't take long.

"Um, what should I do to… spectate? I assume I won't just be sent to Haru's venue without doing anything, right?"

"It's not complicated, so don't worry. If you're registered as friends, the system will guide you to fly to the specified venue based on that information."

So, it seemed Sora would be fine too. In that case—

"Well then, I'm off. Again, thank you so much for—"

"Annd, stop."

Just as I was about to say my farewells… my open mouth was sealed by a single index finger pointed at me. When I looked to see what was going on, Nia returned my gaze, looking somewhat fidgety.

"I'll be taking my payment, of course… but before that, let me put the finishing touches on that."

"Hm?"

What she pointed to was the [El-Gran Series] she herself had tailored. It was such a wonderful creation that just wearing it made me feel exhilarated… but it wasn't finished?

As I tilted my head, Nia took out something small from her inventory.

Reflecting the morning sun, it shone—

"A jewel…?"

"Yep, a final touch."

Closing the distance, Nia reached for my chest, near my left collarbone. I had no trouble guessing her intention, so I stood still and entrusted myself to the indigo artisan.

With a small click, the gem settled into the prepared setting. It emitted a deep blue glow, much like the hair swaying beside it.

"Go ahead, take a look."

"Ah, right."

Flustered by Nia's closeness as she looked up at me, I tapped the newly gifted ornament with my fingertip—

[Agaphanthus Amulet] Ornament: Accessory (Brooch)

A welcome to this meeting. Gratitude for this bond. A blessing upon this arrival.

May your path be filled with countless moments that make your heart race.

"Ah… h-hey, don't mind the flavor text! That's, you know, just the system writing something deep on its own…!"

Despite having closed the distance herself, Nia couldn't hide the blush on her cheeks as she tried to cover it up.

This indigo girl, I didn't know what she was making excuses for, but—

"Nia."

"Y-Yes…?"

Even if the system put it there on its own, that was that. You don't need flavor text to understand the feelings put into a gift.

We've only known each other for a short time, but after all this, I have no choice but to admit that she likes me. Though I still have no idea what it was about me that struck a chord with her…

"—Thank you. I'll do my best."

It's my principle to respond honestly to positive feelings.

When I put aside my usual banter and smiled, Nia looked down shyly.

"Yes, um… do your best, okay?"

She whispered, bestowing upon me her words of encouragement.