Chapter 81

### Chapter 81: New Comrade

After entering my office, Armonia began to explain.

"This mission involves traveling to two different places."

"Two places?"

"Yes. However, we have a lot of prior information about one area, while the other area is almost unknown even to the Zodiac."

The first area was a world where humans and monsters were in conflict.

Dungeons were scattered everywhere, and people earned money by clearing these dungeons and selling the weapons they obtained.

Monsters also appeared, and their bodies could be sold after being defeated.

In other words...

"A hunter world, huh?"

"Fortunately, it's a familiar concept. The better part is that it runs parallel to the world you lived in."

"...Parallel?"

"To put it simply, except for the monster groups, monsters, and dungeons, most of the concepts are the same as the world you lived in."

"Oh... That sounds good."

The place I would warp to was also in South Korea.

"However, you need to be careful."

Armonia warned me cautiously.

"Although we will receive help from the Zodiac this time, you will be deployed as a member of the monster group."

There are various types of monster groups.

Real monsters with monster blood, and humans who are followers of monsters.

"You will be disguised as a human in the monster group, but if your cover is blown, it could lead to a troublesome situation."

"I understand, I'll be careful."

"I'll provide more details later. The real problem is the next world."

The second world.

It is a world where random characters from the universe are summoned to the World Tree Yggdrasil and must break through the layers inside.

In other words...

"This is a tower world."

"Fortunately, it feels familiar, but the information the Zodiac has is too uncertain to provide."

She explained that providing information might even lead to incorrect information, which could put me in danger.

"However, I will filter and provide useful information when the situation allows."

"Okay, I understand."

"Now, I will explain the precautions."

"Precautions?"

Armonia asked me to be careful about speaking carelessly during communication.

"Please be careful not to make the same mistake as with Luna Schtratfeld in Schtra last time."

"Um... I find it a bit awkward to think and speak, but I understand. I'll be careful."

Well... Isn't it more refreshing to speak out loud...?

But if there's a problem, I should fix it.

"Please only do so in places where no one is around, like a bedroom or a personal space."

"Okay, I'll be careful."

Armonia continued after hearing my answer.

"And I have something to say about the warp."

"Huh? Did the cost increase?"

I thought it might be because the number of people increased, leading to higher charges.

But that wasn't the case.

"The warp cost is fixed at 800 Enel. However, it's about the number of uses."

The warp function has a maximum number of uses, in addition to the Enel cost.

This wasn't a problem when I was the only one using it, but it was explained to consider the possibility of calling other comrades during the mission.

"The warp on our ship can handle up to 5 people per use, and it takes 12 hours to recharge once."

"And it can be recharged up to twice, right?"

"Yes. And the world we are going to now is one where digital video recording is easily available. Please be careful not to be detected when using the warp."

The issue wasn't the leak of the warp function.

If the warp was recorded and seen by the protagonist of the holy war, it could reveal our existence.

Armonia explained that it would be advantageous for our existence to be discovered as late as possible.

If they notice us, they might try to control us, causing trouble.

"And I have one last thing to say."

"Sure, go ahead."

"It's about Lena de Feron."

"...You don't mean...?"

I thought she was going to bring up the issue from last time.

The main reason for bringing Lena here was to help with Armonia's sleep problem.

The plan was for Lena to assist so that Armonia could sleep while I was fine.

Armonia answered expressionlessly.

"I've decided to step back, so I won't say much."

"Then...?"

"It's because of the two of you's night activities."

"...What? Why? Together? 3P? Wow..."

"..."

"...Sorry, that's not it."

Clearly, Armonia was expressionless, but I must have imagined the irritation.

Armonia continued the conversation.

"Lena de Feron currently doesn't have a personal living room. I won't stop you if you do it in the hallway, but please hold off until she has one."

"Huh? In the office...?"

"This place is not allowed."

Armonia interrupted me and spoke firmly.

The atmosphere she gave off was a clear warning that it was not allowed.

"Absolutely no activities in the office."

It wasn't a request; it was an order.

Well, if a superior orders it...

"Okay, I understand. Lena will have to hold off for now..."

"Thank you for your understanding. The mission starts tomorrow, so please rest well until then. That's all..."

Armonia bowed and left the office.

"What a waste. The facilities here are great."

Although the bed was single, the office facilities were the best on the ship.

When it was just Viola, we only used her living room, but with Lena, things changed.

"...If I really can't, should I do it in the hallway?"

It's a crappy thought, but when someone tells you not to do something, you often want to do it more.

But I quickly changed my mind.

"No... I need to earn money quickly..."

Feeling the heavy burden of being a provider, I left the office.

***

"Hmm... Huh?"

Viola, feeling the absence of the warm presence that should be in her arms, opened her eyes.

She was alone in the bed.

"Hmm... Where did he go?"

Feeling a sense of emptiness, Viola woke up and got out of bed.

She stood in front of the mirror in the living room, naked.

Her body, with its gravity-defying, elastic breasts, plump buttocks, and the symbol of beauty, the pelvic line, was flawless.

But that was by others' standards.

Viola had never felt pride or frustration about her body.

To her, her body was just a body.

She had never felt proud or deprived by comparing herself to others.

But there was a moment when she felt deprived for the first time.

"...She really is beautiful."

Viola thought of Lena, who was hugging Seung Su.

Although she had never seen Lena naked, the mere appearance was enough to make her feel inferior.

Viola's body was also surrounded by beauty, but to her, it only seemed lacking.

While Viola was examining her naked body in the mirror, someone knocked on the door.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Ah! Just a moment! Don't open it!!"

Worried that Armonia might force her way in, Viola quickly put on her clothes.

After changing, she opened the door.

"Uh..."

With a whoosh, the door opened, and Lena with her long pink hair stood on the other side.

Lena smiled gently and spoke.

"Would you mind if we talked for a moment?"

..

..

Lena entered the room, bowed 90 degrees to Viola, and apologized.

"I'm really sorry about yesterday."

"Oh, no! It's okay."

Viola was flustered by Lena's actions and helped her up.

Lena, with a serious expression, spoke.

"For causing harm to the master and hurting your feelings... I'm really sorry for my negligence."

"Ugh... I'm the one who's sorry."

Viola felt a sense of admiration seeing Lena's behavior.

The biggest charm Viola felt from Lena was this maturity.

A charm that Viola herself lacked.

A dignity so overwhelming that even someone as naive as Viola could feel it.

Lena placed her hand on her chest and spoke earnestly to Viola.

"If you feel uncomfortable, I will try my best not to draw the master's attention."

"No!? No, I mean... I don't... I don't mind."

Viola knew that Lena came because she liked him.

But she couldn't understand why Lena would do such a thing with her permission.

Lena, with a calm smile, said.

"I... am content just being by the master's side."

Lena explained everything about herself to Viola.

Her life, how she fell to the bottom of hell, and the person who offered her a lifeline.

She explained that just being able to look at the person who saved her occasionally was enough.

Viola was impressed.

'Really... She's an amazing person.'

Viola did feel a bit of jealousy, but it was only a slight ripple, like when water is poured from one cup to another.

Viola smiled wistfully and took Lena's hand.

"I mostly lived alone..."

This time, Viola explained her life.

Lena knew the general story, but this was the first time she heard it with heartfelt emotion.

After listening to Viola's story, Lena re-evaluated the hero she knew.

'...He really was such a person. We lived a peaceful life because of Viola's sacrifices...'

Lena genuinely felt sorry for Viola.

Viola concluded her story.

"...It might sound like an excuse, but I really don't know much. I'm not good enough, so please take care of Seung Su for me."

"But Viola's feelings...?"

"This is..."

"..."

Viola smiled brightly and held Lena's hands with both of hers.

"I'm asking as a friend. Hehe..."

"...Okay, I understand. I'll do my best too."

Lena shook hands with Viola, who was smiling.

***

"Definitely, it's inconvenient not having a living room..."

Viola and Armonia could go directly to their rooms if they wanted to, but the two had to walk aimlessly in the hallway.

If they were in different rooms, they might have to backtrack, which could be a problem.

As they headed towards the front, they saw Beatrice.

"..."

She was standing by the door on the side of the ship, watching the jelly-like creatures flying around.

'...Is she already bored?'

She seems to dislike being bored, but a day is too short...

I approached Beatrice and asked.

"What are you doing here?"

"Kyaa!"

Beatrice was startled and fell to the side.

Seeing me, she calmed down, brushing her chest.

"Phew... I was scared!"

"...Sorry, I just wanted to talk."

"Phew... I almost fell out...!"

"But why are you looking outside?"

This ship doesn't suddenly eject people when the door is opened.

But if you go outside, it's a real problem...

Once you step out, you're lost in another dimension.

You might be broken down into quarks and lost...

"I was just curious. Is that really stronger than the Demon King?"

"Ah... I thought you were just bored."

I thought she was just spacing out due to boredom, but it was out of curiosity.

"Right. So, be careful. If you go outside, you'll die."

"Wow... I understand... But!"

"Uh?"

Beatrice approached me, remembering something.

"When are you going to give me the clothes?"

"...Ah."

I had forgotten, but I thought that story was null and void.

Since we were going together, I didn't think she needed clothes. The purpose was to get pheromones from my body.

"I didn't forget. Since we're living together, I didn't think it was important."

"Ugh! That's true... Then!"

"..."

Beatrice hugged me and buried her face in my chest, sniffing.

"I can do this every time we meet!"

"What a strange girl..."

Seeing this, I wondered if I could have a relationship with Beatrice.

She seemed so innocent that I felt a bit of guilt.

'But her strange personality makes it hard to see a future...'

While I was hugging Beatrice and petting her head, a voice came from behind.

"...Lena, would it be strange to feel jealous of this?"

"I don't think so. By my standards, Viola is normal."

The two women were looking at me with a mix of emotions.