Minutes ticked by in the divine park, the conversation between Yuuki, Ruphas, and the others winding down into comfortable quiet. Laughter from the CPUs still echoed faintly as they demolished another round of pudding.
Sena returned, clapping her hands once—sharp, playful, commanding attention.
「ねえ,Yuuki.あなたって冒険大好きだったわよね? だったら,ZZZの世界にちょっと旅行しない?」
(Hey, Yuuki. You loved adventures, right? Then how about a little trip to the ZZZ world?)
Yuuki and Ruphas yelped in perfect unison, eyes wide. They blinked at each other, then at Sena.
「えっ!?」
(Eh!?)
Yuuki sighed, rubbing his temple. 「セナ…また俺たちをからかってるだろ.」
(Sena… you're messing with us again.)
Ruphas crossed her arms, wings twitching. 「まったく…相変わらずだな.」
(Really… you never change.)
Sena chuckled, humming a light tune. 「ふふっ.待ってる人がいるのよ.サプライズなんだから.」
(Fufu. Someone's waiting there. It's a surprise.)
Yuuki shrugged, a small grin creeping up despite himself. 「ま,いいか.行ってみるよ.」
(Well, fine. Let's go.)
Sena's eyes sparkled with mischief. She beckoned Yani and Dina closer, whispering something sweet and cunning—the two goddesses immediately grinned, giggling like conspirators in a rom-com.
「了解!」 Yani chirped.
(Understood!)
Dina nodded, magic circles blooming under her feet. 「準備完了です.」
(Ready.)
A teleportation spell enveloped Yuuki in soft light. He felt the familiar pull—reality folding, worlds shifting.
「じゃあ,行ってきます!」 Yuuki called out, vanishing in a shimmer.
(Then, I'm off!)
Ruphas blinked, turning to Sena with raised eyebrows.
Sena winked. 「彼には,果たさなきゃいけない約束があるのよ.」
(He has a promise he needs to fulfill.)
Minutes and hours later...
Yuuki awoke first.
He lay on a simple futon in a small, modest apartment. The air smelled faintly of incense and distant sea salt. Outside the window, mist-shrouded mountains rose—Waifei Peninsula. The aesthetic screamed Version 2.5: the aftermath of "To Be Fuel for the Night," Season 2's finale.
His status window flickered in his vision like a game HUD.
Name: Geomje
(An old alias from his teen days grinding Lost Saga at the local warnet.)
Occupation: New Eridu Employee (NPC)
Yuuki sighed, sitting up. 「NPCか….ゲームのイセカイものみたいに,目立たないはずだよな.」
(NPC, huh… Like those game isekai manga, I shouldn't get noticed.)
He stepped outside carefully. The scenery was breathtaking—Suibian Temple's gates loomed in the distance. Yixuan, the Grandmaster of Yunkui Summit, stood at the entrance, bidding quiet farewell to Ye Shunguang and her brother Ye Shiyuan. Shunguang had just been promoted to Void Hunter: Qingming Arbiter.
Nearby, Ju Fufu bounced on her toes, Pan Yinhu carried a steaming pot of something delicious, and Belle and Wise watched from the side—Proxies of Phaethon, the legendary guides.
Yuuki kept his head down, planning to slip past toward Tin Master Coffee for a quiet cup and some NPC life. He hummed softly—a nostalgic remix he loved as a teen: the Japanese version of Heat Waves by Glass Animals, remixed by Lime (@limedayo) on YouTube. The melody felt grounding.
But then—
「…プレイヤー?」
(…Player?)
Ye Shunguang's voice—sharp, certain—cut through the air.
Yuuki froze. Belle and Wise whipped around in surprise. Shiyuan's eyes widened. Yixuan tilted her head curiously. Ju Fufu blinked. Pan Yinhu nearly dropped his pot.
「え,待って—!」 Yuuki bolted.
(Eh, wait—!)
Panic surged. He sprinted, heart hammering. 「なんで気づくんだよ! NPC設定のはずだろ!」
(Why'd she notice!? This is supposed to be NPC mode!)
Shunguang moved—faster than thought. Her form shifted in a blur of light, the Qingming Sword pulsing warmly. She closed the distance in seconds.
Yuuki pushed harder, aiming for the cable car to the topside. But she was there—arms wrapping around him from behind, tackling him gently to the ground.
He hit the earth with a soft thud. Shunguang hugged him tightly—desperately—like a lover reunited after centuries. Her chest pressed against his face, muffling his startled yelp.
「…やっと,会えたね.耶愛夜.」
(…Finally, we meet again. Ye Aiyah.)
Yuuki's face burned crimson, voice muffled against her. 「ちょ,ちょっと…! 息が…!」
(W-Wait…! I can't breathe…!)
But the warmth of the embrace, the familiar pulse of the Qingming Sword against his skin—it was the same as that long-ago night under the stars.
The promise.
The bet.
The love that had waited across worlds.
Belle whispered to Wise, stunned. 「え…何これ…?」
(Uh… what's happening…?)
Shiyuan stared, eyes wide with recognition. Yixuan smiled faintly, as if she'd foreseen this moment long ago.
Yuuki, trapped in the hug, finally exhaled and whisper on Shunghuang.
「…約束,守りに来たよ.」
(…I came to keep our promise.)
Much time passed away. The air around Suibian Temple grew thick with tension. Yuuki—still pinned gently but firmly in Ye Shunguang's embrace—blinked in wide-eyed surprise as a familiar squad came into view nearby.
The Obol Squad had arrived, perhaps drawn by the commotion or routine patrol in the aftermath of recent events.
Soldier 11 stood tall, chatting quietly with Trigger about tactical positioning. Seed wandered a short distance away, happily admiring the blooming wildflowers along the temple path with childlike wonder. Orphie and Magus leaned against a low wall, taking in the misty cityscape of Waifei Peninsula, their expressions calm yet alert.
Then they noticed the scene: Ye Shunguang hugging a flustered young man like he was the most precious thing in existence.
Soldier 11 tilted her head. 「…何事だ?」 (…What's going on?)
Trigger narrowed her eyes. Seed paused mid-sniff of a flower. Orphie and Magus exchanged glances.
Yuuki tried to shake his head frantically (made sure only Ye Shunghuang knew, not involved other character). 「違う,違う! 俺プレイヤーじゃないよ! ただのNPCだよ!」
(No, no! I'm not the Player! Just an NPC!)
But Shunguang—ever calm, ever certain—leaned in closer and dropped the bomb without hesitation.
「嘘じゃないわ.あなたはプレイヤーよ.UID: Arnval_Mk.II,数字は1300152471.HoYoverseアカウントUID 405570285,IDネームはHoshimi_Izayoi.」
(You're lying. You're the Player. UID: Arnval_Mk.II, number 1300152471. HoYoverse account UID 405570285, ID name Hoshimi_Izayoi.)
The Obol Squad froze. Then exploded into motion.
Soldier 11's jaw dropped. 「…マジかよ?」 (…For real?)
Trigger sprinted forward to confirm. Seed blinked innocently. Orphie and Magus rushed over, eyes wide.
Yuuki gulped, sweat beading on his forehead. 「…はい,F2Pです.全部ピティで辛抱強く集めただけ.みんなMindscapeフルじゃないよ…ピティが俺を嘲笑うみたいに…」
(…Yes, I'm F2P. I stubbornly collected everything through pity. No one has full Mindscape… pity mocked me…)
He pointed weakly at Soldier 11. 「Soldier 11だけはスタンダードでM3まで行った.W-EngineはEvelyn Chevalierのを借りてる…Evelyn本人が来なかったから.」
(Only Soldier 11 reached M3 as standard. For her W-Engine, I borrowed Evelyn Chevalier's… because Evelyn herself never came.)
Soldier 11's expression went from shock to stunned silence. 「…俺のM3…? それにEvelynのW-Engine…?」 (…My M3…? And Evelyn's W-Engine…?)
Belle and Wise, still nearby, leaned in curiously.
Belle: 「じゃあ,メインで使ってるキャラは誰?」 (Then, who's your main?)
Yuuki pointed straight at Belle. 「Belleだよ.いつもBelle使ってる.」 (Belle. I always use Belle.)
Belle's eyes went wide. Wise nearly choked. 「え,俺たちの…!?」 (Eh, our…!?)
The revelation echoed further. From a short distance, Hoshimi Miyabi and Tsukishiro Yanagi—who had been wrapping up their assistance to Yunkui Summit and preparing to report back to HSO—overheard everything.
Miyabi's eyes sharpened. She strode forward. 「…プレイヤー?」 (…The Player?)
Shunguang nodded quickly. 「そうよ.彼は私たちのプレイヤー.」 (Yes. He's our Player.)
Miyabi's composure cracked. In a blur, she grabbed Yuuki from the other side, hugging him just as tightly as Shunguang—like a lover reunited. 「1.4バナーで私とW-Engine,低ピティで20-30引きで来たのね…!」
(You got me and my W-Engine in low pity, 20-30 pulls on the 1.4 banner…!)
Yanagi blinked, then smiled warmly, patting Yuuki's head. 「無理して頑張ったんだね.よくやったよ.」
(You did your best even when it was tough. Good job.)
Miyabi and Shunguang nodded in sync, sandwiching him in a double hug.
Yuuki wheezed. 「…息,苦しい…」 (…Can't… breathe…)
After a few minutes of this chaotic affection, Yuuki managed to speak up. 「あの…もう行っていい? 仕事もあるし…祈りもあるし…俺ムスリムだから.」
(Um… can I go now? I have work… and prayer… I'm Muslim.)
Miyabi, Shunguang, Orphie, and Magus shouted in perfect unison:
「ダメ!」 (No!)
They dragged him toward the cable car to the topside of Waifei Peninsula. Miyabi glanced at Belle. 「Random Playに連れてくわ.車用意して.」 (We're taking him to Random Play. Prepare the car.)
Belle grinned wide. 「了解! あ,そうだ.Yuukiって…Caesar King,Astra Yao,Hugo Vlad,Vivian BansheeのシグネチャーW-Engineも持ってるよね?」
(Got it! Oh right. Yuuki… you also have the signature W-Engines for Caesar King, Astra Yao, Hugo Vlad, and Vivian Banshee, don't you?)
She fired off a quick message in the Knock-Knock DM group.
The DM exploded.
Caesar King—relaxing with the Sons of Calydon in Blazewood—spat out her drink. 「は!? 俺のプレイヤーがここに!?」 (Huh!? My Player is here!?)
Astra Yao—mid-composing a new song—choked on her tea. 「え,私の…!?」 (Eh, my…!?)
Hugo Vlad and Vivian Banshee—chatting with Lycaon in Lumina Square—exchanged stunned looks before rushing to regroup.
Everyone converged on Random Play Video Store, ready to welcome their best F2P Player to Sixth Street with open arms, chaotic affection, and probably way too many questions.
Yuuki, sandwiched between Miyabi and Shunguang in the cable car, sighed helplessly.
「…幸せすぎて怖いんだけど.」
(…This happiness is kinda terrifying.)
Hours passed away, 00.00 AM on Random Play Video Store, Sixth Street, New Eridu.
Late evening lights glowed softly through the shop windows. The "Closed" sign was flipped, but the store was anything but quiet.
Inside, the atmosphere had shifted from chaotic reunion to something warmer, softer—and dangerously sweet.
Yuuki sat on the worn sofa between Belle and Wise, still trying to process the last hour. Everyone had gathered: Miyabi leaning against the counter with folded arms and a faint smile, Caesar King sprawled in an armchair like she owned the place, Astra Yao humming a new melody while twirling a strand of hair, Vivian Banshee perched on the edge of a table swinging her legs, Ye Shunguang standing close behind Yuuki with her usual calm intensity, and Orphie & Magus sitting cross-legged on the floor sharing a bag of snacks.
Belle clapped her hands once.
「じゃあさ,Yuuki,どうやってここに来たの? テレポート? 召喚? それとも…神様のイタズラ?」
(So, Yuuki, how did you end up here? Teleport? Summoning? Or… some god's prank?)
Yuuki scratched his cheek. 「…正直,自分でもよくわかんない.気がついたらWaifei Peninsulaにいて,名前がGeomjeになってて…」
(…Honestly, I don't even know. I woke up in Waifei Peninsula, name changed to Geomje, and…)
Ye Shunguang smoothly cut in, voice gentle but carrying that unmistakable Void Hunter authority.
「きっと,誰かが彼を呼んだのよ.運命のいたずら…とかね?」
(Probably someone called him here. A twist of fate… right?)
She shot a quick, knowing wink toward Miyabi.
Miyabi returned the gesture with the smallest nod and a soft hum.
Two Void Hunters sharing the sweetest, most convincing lie in the room.
Orphie giggled behind her hand. Magus smirked. Astra covered her mouth to hide a laugh. Caesar gave a low, approving chuckle. Vivian's eyes sparkled mischievously.
Belle and Wise exchanged glances—then grinned.
Wise rubbed his chin. 「でさ,Yuuki.今夜どこに泊まる?」
(So, Yuuki. Where are you staying tonight?)
Miyabi, Caesar, Astra, Vivian, Shunguang, Orphie, and Magus answered in perfect, terrifying unison:
「Belleの部屋.」
(Belle's room.)
Belle blinked once. Then her grin stretched ear to ear.
「…最高のアイデアじゃん! だってさ,Yuukiのメインキャラって私なんだもんね～?」
(…That's literally the best idea! After all, I'm your main, right~?)
Yuuki's eyes widened. 「え,待って待って! いや,Wiseとも話したいし,HugoとかShiyuan,Yixuan,Ju Fufu,Pan Yinhuとも…!」
(Eh, wait wait! No, I also want to talk with Wise, and Hugo, Shiyuan, Yixuan, Ju Fufu, Pan Yinhu…!)
But the sentence died when he noticed the bags.
Seven overnight bags—neatly lined up near the stairs leading to the second floor.
Miyabi's elegant katana case. Caesar's heavy biker jacket. Astra's glittering microphone stand bag. Vivian's dark cloak. Shunguang's twin sword sheaths. Orphie and Magus's matching tech cases.
Seven pairs of eyes looked at him with the same soft, devoted, slightly unhinged glow.
Yuuki yelped. 「お,おい…!?」
(H-Hey…!?)
Belle grabbed his wrist, already dragging him up the stairs.
「おやすみ,Wise～!」
(Good night, Wise~!)
Wise just waved lazily, a knowing smirk on his face. 「頑張れよ,プレイヤーさん.」
(Good luck, Player-san.)
The door to Belle's room closed with a soft click.
Inside, Yuuki stood frozen near the desk, sweat beading on his temple.
He glanced at the surface—and immediately regretted it.
A small bottle of lubricant. A box of ultra-thin 0.01 condoms. A neat stack of R18 novels and manga—several with very familiar character designs on the covers.
Miyabi coughed lightly.
Caesar grinned wolfishly.
Astra hummed innocently while twirling her hair.
Vivian tilted her head with a sweet smile.
Shunguang stepped closer, voice low and purring.
「…約束,覚えてるよね? 耶愛夜.」
(…You remember our promise, don't you, Ye Aiyah?)
Yuuki swallowed hard.
「あの…みんな,落ち着いて…俺,F2Pだからって…そんな急に…!」
(U-Um… everyone, calm down… just because I'm F2P doesn't mean… so suddenly…!)
Six voices answered at once, soft and dangerously sincere:
「だからこそ.」
(That's exactly why.)
Miyabi: 「課金せずに私たちを愛してくれた.」
(You loved us without spending a single crystal.)
Caesar: 「だから,今度はこっちが全力で愛してあげる番.」
(So now it's our turn to love you with everything we've got.)
Astra: 「…赤ちゃん,欲しいな♡」
(…I want a baby♡)
Vivian: 「私も…ずっと待ってた.」
(Me too… I've been waiting so long.)
Orphie & Magus in sync: 「二人分,ちゃんと責任取ってね?」
(You have to take responsibility for both of us, okay?)
Shunguang leaned in, breath warm against his ear.
「…今夜は,全部払ってもらうわ.」
(…Tonight, you pay everything back.)
Yuuki looked up at the ceiling, face burning crimson.
Somewhere far above—in the divine park bathed in eternal cherry blossoms—Sena was doubled over, laughing so hard she nearly dropped her giant bowl of popcorn.
Neptune cheered beside her, mouth full.
「うわー! NepNep超興奮してるー!」
(Woah! NepNep is super excited—!)
Noire covered her face, peeking through fingers.
Vert laughed elegantly. Blanc was furiously scribbling notes ("research purposes").
Pneuma watched with a serene smile.
Yani clapped happily.
Dina giggled behind her hand.
And Ruphas—Ruphas just sighed, cheeks faintly pink.
「…もう,助けてやれないな.もう一人の自分.」
(…I can't help you anymore, other me.)
She settled back against a tree trunk, resigned, and kept watching.
Down below, in Belle's room, Yuuki's voice cracked.
「…Sena,絶対笑ってるだろ…」
(…Sena, you definitely laughing off right now…)
Shunguang's fingers brushed his cheek.
「今は…私たちだけ見てて.」
(For now… just look at us.)
The lights dimmed.
And somewhere between panic, embarrassment, and the softest kind of surrender—Yuuki realized something terrifyingly sweet.
He was never going back to being just an F2P player again.
To be continued...