kscans

Chapter 82 - Aina

Two days later.

"Alright, shall we get started on making the buddy?"

"Let's do our best!"

Rena and I were back at our apartment base. Most of the items we acquired in dungeons were stored in our ‘Item Bags’. They worked just like in the game. As long as we were under the bag’s set capacity, we could store materials of any size without feeling their weight.

However, Item Bags could only be opened inside a dungeon or at the ‘Store’ in the plaza in front of a dungeon. So, we kept items that might be useful outside of dungeons at our base where they could be used anytime. We had set up a workbench in that item storage room so we could enhance and maintain our equipment.

I placed the buddy base model we got from the people dungeon on the workbench, about to start checking how many settings we could load into it, when.

"‘Alright’ is not the word! What is the meaning of this, leaving me unattended for two days!"

The door behind us flew open and Amaterasu-sama stormed in.

"Ah, Amaterasu-sama. Hello."

"Are you already done with the work of deifying the room?"

"I have long since finished such a task! Do not start something between the two of you without so much as a word to me, especially after returning with no notice!"

She was pouting, with her cheeks puffed out in anger. I felt bad, but she looked adorable.

"I'm sorry. I just never imagined such a difficult-sounding task like turning a room into a divine realm would already be finished…"

"I apologize."

"Hmph. Very well. By the way, is that the ‘buddy’ which I am to possess?"

"Yes. But it can't move freely as it is, so we plan to change it to a more human-like 3D model and give it a design inspired by you, Amaterasu-sama."

"We were about to check what kind of settings were possible."

If it was the same as the game, the degree of freedom should be quite high.

"So this is my new vessel. It is a bit vexing to enter something created by another god, but the quality seems fine. It is likely made of materials unobtainable on this planet."

"It should be fine for you to just possess this buddy when we enter dungeons, but are you planning to transfer over completely?"

"It depends on the quality of the finished vessel, but it was about time to replace my current one. The timing is perfect, so I think I shall switch over. For your information, this current body is a vessel made from wood and clumps of earth some five hundred years ago."

To think you can create such a beautiful body from just wood and dirt. As expected of a god. But on the other hand, it made me think we didn't really need to go get a buddy base model in the first place. You could have told us sooner.

"In this day and age, wood and earth would be rather dull, would they not?"

Ah, she read my mind a little.

"That said, a mechanical body has various limitations. This base model, however, should become a body I can control freely by applying settings according to its specifications. So I am counting on you, Hayate."

"You got it!"

"I'll help too."

The plan was to first create a 3D model, then implement the design. Until a moment ago, Rena and I had been about to investigate the buddy base model to figure out the requirements for having a 3D model made.

"I put out a call on my stream before, and some modelers who are pretty famous on social media have contacted me about handling Amaterasu-sama's 3D model. I was thinking of getting in touch with a few of them."

"Hayate. About that, there's someone I'd like to recommend."

"Hm? Is it someone you know, Rena?"

"Yes. She said she'd make an incredible model with all her might."

"Is she a professional modeler? Does she have a social media presence?"

"Hmm, not a professional, I guess. I don't think she has social media either."

For the sake of our future activities, I was hoping to have a famous person handle Amaterasu-sama's 3D model and design if possible. That said, it would affect the body's movements, so as long as the 3D modeler was skilled, they didn't have to be that famous.

"If you're recommending her, Rena, I'd like to check her modeling skills before we decide. Can we set up a meeting soon? Or maybe have her come here?"

"She can be here right away if I call her."

"Huh?"

Wait, what does that mean? Does she live nearby?

"Aina. Come out."

'Yes, Rena-sama.'

The television in the living room we were in turned on by itself.

'A pleasure to meet you. I am Aina, a next-generation AI.'

On the screen, a beautiful black-haired girl who looked like a slightly younger version of Rena was smiling.