Descenders
Kate opened her eyes and found herself standing amidst an endless plain of vibrant green, the gentle sway of the grass in the breeze adding to the serene beauty.
"This place is stunning," Kate thought, her gaze sweeping across the horizon.
Suddenly, a glowing panel appeared before her, its soft light contrasting with the natural surroundings.
"This is a Universe Leaf at Level 7 Low Rank. You will remain here for some time.
First Task: Reach the Town of Reflet.
Reward: One rank in the Body Tempering Realm."
"Town of Reflet?" Kate muttered, confused. "I don't even know where that is."
Her thoughts were interrupted by a distant voice.
"MISS! PLEASE WAIT!"
Startled, Kate turned to see a figure running toward her. Soon, the man stopped before her, panting heavily as he tried to catch his breath.
"Miss, I'm sorry, but I'm new here and don't know where I am," he said, his words catching Kate off guard.
"Why do I feel like I've seen him before?" Kate wondered.
"I'm sorry, but I'm also new here," Kate replied, scratching her cheek awkwardly.
"I see… Since that's the case, why don't we travel together?" the man suggested.
He paused, his eyes scanning her more closely, his expression shifting to surprise.
"Now that I look at her, she's stunning—by far the most beautiful person I've ever seen," he thought. "And what is she wearing? Isn't that a Hanfu, an ancient Chinese dress?"
"Wait… isn't that a Hanfu?" he asked aloud, curiosity lacing his tone.
Kate blinked, surprised. "You know this dress? That means you're from Earth!"
The man's expression brightened. "You know Earth? Then… you're from Earth too? I can't believe I've met someone from my world!"
Kate's excitement mirrored his. "So you're from Earth as well!"
"Since we're both reincarnations, let's help each other out," he suggested, a friendly smile spreading across his face. "By the way, my name is Mochizuki Touya. It's a pleasure to meet someone like me in this world. I hope we can support each other."
Kate bowed slightly. "I'm sorry for not introducing myself sooner. My name is Kate Apocalypse. It's nice to meet you too, Touya, and I hope we can help each other through tough times."
"Then… can I call you Kate-san?" Touya asked hesitantly.
Kate smiled warmly. "Since we're the only Descenders here, you can call me Kate directly."
The term caught Touya off guard. "Huh? Descenders?"
Kate chuckled. "Oh, right. I forgot to explain that part. But since we're in the same situation, you can just call me Kate. And I'll call you Touya."
"Fair enough," Touya said, his grin widening. "You mentioned descenders earlier. Did you not reincarnate here as well?"
Kate shook her head. "No, I came here from another world due to… certain circumstances."
Touya nodded. "I see. Well, since we've both found ourselves here, let's stick together."
He extended his hand for a handshake. "Friends?"
"Of course," Kate replied, shaking his hand firmly.
With their newfound camaraderie, the two began walking side by side, their steps guided by the unknown adventure that awaited them.
Not long after they began walking, a luxurious carriage pulled up in front of them, stopping abruptly. A man stepped out in a flurry of excitement.
"Hey, you two, please wait a moment!" the man called out, nearly stumbling as he approached them.
"What?" Kate and Touya said in unison, startled by the sudden intrusion.
"I want to ask about your clothes!" the man exclaimed, his eyes practically sparkling as he examined Touya's attire.
"What about them?" Touya asked, confused.
"This design is magnificent! The tailoring is exquisite! Where did you get such remarkable clothing?" the man said, circling Touya and inspecting his suit closely.
"Please hold on a moment," Kate said with a polite smile, pulling Touya aside for a quick discussion.
"Is something wrong?" Touya asked as Kate led him a few steps away.
Kate lowered her voice. "He's amazed by your suit. It looks like the technology here isn't very advanced yet. This could be an opportunity for us to get rich!"
Touya tilted his head. "What do you mean?"
Kate grinned. "We can reinvent the things and technology from our world—clothing, shoes, and more and introduce them here!"
"You mean we could start selling futuristic designs and products?" Touya said, catching on, his excitement growing.
"Exactly! We could build a money-making empire!" Kate said, her eyes gleaming.
Touya scratched his head, looking a little hesitant. "But I'm just a student, and you seem older and more experienced than me. Shouldn't you handle this?"
"Don't worry, I've got it covered," Kate reassured him before turning back to the eager man waiting by the carriage.
"Have you two reached an agreement?" the man asked, his curiosity still burning.
Kate nodded confidently. "By the way, my name is Kate, and I designed both my outfit and his. I'm currently looking for business partners."
The man's face lit up. "That's wonderful! With your talent, please join me as one of my designers!"
"I'm sorry, but I can't do that," Kate said, surprising both the man and Touya.
"Why not?" the man asked, his excitement faltering.
"I plan to establish my own business. However, you could become one of my exclusive sellers," Kate explained with a calm confidence.
The man's expression shifted to one of pure joy. "That's even better! I've been in business since I was young, and my instincts are telling me that you'll bring about great changes. I'd be honored to work with you as an exclusive partner!"
"Since we're just starting out, it would help us greatly if you could provide some initial support. In return, I'll give you one of his suits as a sample," Kate offered.
"That's a deal! Let me help you get your business off the ground," the man said, nodding eagerly.
"Thank you for your support, Mr. Zanac," Kate said with a polite bow.
"No problem at all!" Zanac replied, brimming with enthusiasm. "Let me take you to the Town of Reflet in my carriage."
"That would be most helpful," Kate said.
The three of them boarded the carriage, their partnership marking the start of an exciting new venture.
Once they entered the town, a new panel popped up in front of Kate.
"Congratulations! You've completed the task. You will now be granted the 1st Rank of the Body Tempering Realm," Kate read aloud.
As the words disappeared, she felt a sudden surge of energy coursing through her body. "Wow, this feeling... it's so nostalgic," Kate thought to herself, clenching her fist and sensing her newfound strength.
Soon, they arrived at Zanac's clothing store.
"Welcome back, Owner!" the workers greeted in unison.
"Good job, everyone," Zanac replied warmly. He then turned to his staff. "Prepare a new set of clothes for this gentleman and get 20 gold coins ready."
The workers promptly carried out his instructions, and not long after, the three of them stepped outside the store.
Zanac handed a small pouch to Kate. "Here are the 20 gold coins. Since you'll both be staying in town for a while, I recommend the Silver Moon Inn—it's in that direction." He gestured down the street.
"Thank you, Mr. Zanac," Kate said with a polite nod. "I'll contact you once I've finalized some of my designs."
"I look forward to hearing from you," Zanac said enthusiastically before returning to his store.
With their destination set, Kate and Touya began walking toward the Silver Moon Inn, ready to take their first steps in this new world.
While walking toward the inn, Kate kept glancing at the new panel floating in front of her.
"Your second task: Achieve your first monster kill. Reward: Second Realm of the Body Tempering Realm," Kate read silently.
"Look, there it is," Touya said, pointing at a sign that read Silver Moon Inn.
Inside the inn, they were greeted by a cheerful girl at the front desk.
"Welcome! Are you here for a meal or a room?" the girl asked warmly.
"We'll take two rooms. How much does it cost?" Kate inquired.
"With three meals a day included, it's 2 copper coins, and payment is upfront," the girl explained.
"How many nights does one gold coin cover?" Kate asked, causing the girl's eyes to widen in surprise.
"One gold coin? That would cover 50 days for a single room!" the girl exclaimed.
"In that case, we'll rent two rooms for 50 days," Kate said, placing two gold coins on the counter.
The girl's face lit up with joy. "Thank you! We haven't had many customers lately, so this really helps us out." She quickly jotted something down in her logbook. "Now, please sign your names here."
"Ah, we can't write," Touya said sheepishly. "Could you write them for us?"
"Really? Alright then, what are your names?" the girl asked.
"My name is Mochizuki Touya," Touya said.
"Mochizuki? That's an unusual name," the girl remarked curiously.
"Ah, no—my first name is Touya. Mochizuki is my family name," Touya explained.
"I see. So, are you two from Eashen?" the girl asked.
"Y-Yes, something like that," Touya replied hesitantly.
"And how about you, miss?" the girl asked, turning to Kate.
"My name is Kate Apocalypse," Kate said confidently.
"Apocalypse? Wow, that's... a bold name!" the girl said with a mix of admiration and intrigue.
After noting their names, the girl handed them their keys. "Thank you for your patronage! Here are the keys to your rooms."
"Thank you," Kate said as she and Touya took the keys and headed upstairs to the second floor.
In front of Kate's room, Touya gestured to the hallway. "This is where we'll be staying for quite a while. How about we finish looking around the town?"
"No, I need to finish some of my designs first. How about you help me?" Kate suggested.
"Well, I don't know much about design, but here," Touya said, pulling out his phone and offering it to her. "Since you came from an advanced society, you should know how to use this."
"A phone?" Kate said, her eyes narrowing as she stared at the device. A thought struck her. Wait, is this from that anime? No way, I didn't watch or read this series, she thought as she reluctantly took the phone.
"Thanks. If anything happens, just let me know," Kate said as she unlocked her room and stepped inside.
"I will. Do you want me to buy something while I'm out?" Touya asked.
"Right, here," Kate said, handing him nine gold coins. "I'd like it if you could find some blacksmiths for weapons. We'll need them."
"Good point. I'll take note of it," Touya said, pocketing the coins. "Then, I'll head out now."
Kate nodded, closing the door behind her. She sat at the table, pulling out a pen and paper. Examining the pen, she muttered, "Hmm, looks like this pen is enchanted with magic. I guess this civilization is set to evolve in ways our world never could, or at least not without magic."
Taking a deep breath, she began to sketch. "Alright, let's start with designs for everyday clothes," she thought to herself.
The next morning, downstairs in the inn, Kate handed the phone back to Touya.
"Here," she said, placing it in his hand.
Touya raised an eyebrow. "What happened? I didn't bother you last night since you looked so focused on drawing."
"Yes, I've finished five sets of everyday clothes for men and women, plus ten sets for children," Kate said with a satisfied smile.
"You actually finished that many? Wow, I guess you're really talented," Touya said, impressed.
"Not only am I talented, but look at my clothes. This design was made by me!" Kate said proudly, gesturing to her elegant attire.
"So, what's the plan for today? Did you find a blacksmith or something?" Kate asked.
"Yeah, and I plan to register as an adventurer. We can take on epic quests and earn some money," Touya said with excitement.
"I see. Then let's go," Kate replied, nodding.
"Wait, I'm waiting for someone," Touya said, glancing toward the door.
"Huh? Who are you waiting for?" Kate asked, her curiosity piqued.
Before Touya could answer, a voice called out from behind them.
"Touya, sorry for being late!" Linze called out as she hurried over. Both she and Elze stopped abruptly when they caught sight of Kate.
"Woah! You're so beautiful!" Linze exclaimed, her eyes wide in admiration.
"I... I see, thanks," Kate replied, slightly taken aback by the enthusiasm.
"What kind of dress is that? It's so detailed, but doesn't it look hard to move in?" Linze asked, inspecting Kate's outfit.
"This is a battle dress. It's called a Ruqun Hanfu an original design of mine," Kate said proudly.
"A clothes designer?!" Linze and Elze said in unison, their excitement palpable.
"E-Everyone, please calm down," Touya interjected, trying to rein in the energy. Clearing his throat, he continued, "Ahem! This is Kate, my companion on this journey. Kate, these are Elze and her twin sister, Linze."
"It's nice to meet you both," Kate said with a polite nod.
"Yes, it's nice to meet you too!" Linze said, smiling brightly.
"It's nice to meet you," Elze added with a nod.
"Are you planning to register at the Adventurer's Guild too?" Elze asked.
"Yes, since we're already here," Kate replied.
"Looks like we'll be together for quite some time." Elze said.
"This is who I was waiting for," Touya explained.
"I see. Then there's no problem. Let's go," Kate said as the group started walking together.
At the Adventurer's Guild...
"And that's all! You two are now registered," the girl at the front desk said cheerfully.
"Since we're done, let's go on our first mission!" Linze said excitedly.
"Let's check the quest board and find our first group quest!" Elze chimed in, her enthusiasm matching her sister's.
After some time spent browsing...
"I really think this is the best quest," Linze said, pointing to a specific task.
"Depends on you two. Me and Kate here can't read, so..." Touya admitted with a sheepish smile.
"I see. In that case, this quest requires us to subjugate some beasts in the Eastern Forest. It says to hunt five one-horned wolves. They aren't too strong; we should be able to manage it," Linze explained.
"Since that's the case, let's do that," Kate said, glancing around and getting everyone's approval.
"But first, let's stop by a blacksmith. We don't have proper weapons yet," Kate added as she began walking toward the exit.
At the Kumahachi Weapon Shop...
"Welcome!" the shop owner greeted.
"We're looking for weapons," Linze said as they began browsing the shop.
"You're free to look around," the owner said with a nod.
"Hmm, I can use swords. What about you?" Kate asked Touya as she examined a display.
"I'm not sure, but I want that," Touya replied, pointing at a katana mounted on the wall.
"That's an Eashen sword. No wonder you're interested in it," Elze said knowingly.
Meanwhile, Kate approached the shop owner. "Can you forge this for me?" she asked, handing over a detailed drawing of her Twilight Sword.
The owner studied the design carefully. "Hmm... I can make this, but the lack of a handguard is concerning, and it's about three inches longer than a standard sword."
"That's okay. I'm aware of the design's cons. I've used a sword like this for my entire life, so I'm familiar with how to handle it," Kate explained confidently.
"I see. Since that's the case, you can pick it up in three days," the owner replied.
Just then, Touya approached the counter, holding the katana he had chosen.
The owner handed Kate a basic sword. "Use this temporarily until your personal sword is ready."
"Thanks," Kate replied with a nod.
"You requested a custom sword?" Touya asked, surprised.
"Yes. I don't like using multiple swords, so I gave him the design for my sword from the past," Kate explained.
"I see. So, you're experienced with swords," Touya remarked, placing his katana on the counter for purchase.
"A katana, huh? That suits you perfectly," Kate said with a smile as she took her temporary weapon.
Outside the Kumahachi Weapon Shop...
"Alright! Now that we're prepared, let's go and finish our task!" Elze said enthusiastically, her energy lifting the group's spirits as they headed toward the Eastern Forest.
At the Eastern Forest...
"I can't feel a thing here," Kate thought to herself, her gaze scanning the dense trees surrounding them. How powerful is the owner of these panels that keep popping up? she wondered.
The thought weighed heavily on her mind. They sealed everything—my cultivation, my race's skills and abilities, even my soul techniques. My Small Universe is locked away too...
Her introspection was abruptly cut short by a shout.
"KATE! WATCH OUT!" Touya's voice rang out, jolting her back to reality.
Kate's eyes widened as a one-horned wolf lunged at her from above. Instinctively, she raised her sword and attempted to swing at the beast.
Crap! I instinctively tried to use my World Force to make a sword slash! Kate cursed inwardly as the wolf descended. But my body isn't keeping up with me!
Suddenly, a ball of fire streaked through the air, hitting the wolf mid-leap. The beast yelped in pain as it staggered in its trajectory. Without missing a beat, Kate took advantage of the opening.
Unsheathing her sword with precision, she sidestepped the wolf's attack. As it landed near her, she swung her blade in a decisive arc, cleanly severing the creature's head from its body.
"One down," Kate muttered, steadying her breath before charging off to assist the others as they battled the remaining one-horned wolves.
After some time...
"Congratulations! You've finished the task. Since this was quite a difficult task for your current abilities, you will be given additional rewards as well," Kate read aloud as a panel popped up in front of her.
"Rewards: Initial Element Cultivation Realm, and the use of an ability of the host's choosing. You can also exchange this for a cultivation realm," Kate read, her eyes scanning the details.
I'll exchange this for a cultivation realm, she decided, her mind set. This world is quite weak; I don't need that much power yet. I'll focus on my cultivation first.
Another panel appeared.
"You have chosen to exchange this once-in-a-lifetime reward. As a result, you will be promoted to the Qi Transformation Realm," the notification read.
A wave of warmth and relaxation spread through Kate's body as she felt her cultivation advance.
"Ohhh, this feels so good," she murmured, closing her eyes momentarily. I can finally feel World Force again!
Her eyes shot open as she processed something. World Force? Shouldn't it be Yuan Qi? Kate frowned, pondering the inconsistency. Looks like the owner's power is limited...
"Kate, are you okay?" Touya's voice broke through her thoughts.
"Y-Yeah, I'm fine," she replied, trying to mask her surprise.
"We're celebrating our first successful quest!" Elze chimed in, raising her hand.
"I see! Cheers!" Kate said, joining in as they all exclaimed together, "Cheers!"
After some time, Kate suddenly remembered something.
"RIGHT!" she exclaimed, startling the group.
"Wha-What is it!?" Touya asked, his expression alarmed.
"I have to go to Zanac to give him my designs!" Kate said, her voice urgent.
"Oh, right!" Touya replied, quickly handing her the papers.
"Thanks," Kate said, clutching them tightly before walking briskly away.
"Zanac? As in the Fashion King Zanac?" Elze asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Yes, she's the new fashion designer for Zanac," Touya explained, watching Kate leave.
"With her dress, I bet she's designing clothes for nobles," Linze remarked, admiring the intricate details of Kate's attire.
"No, all the designs she's passing to Zanac are for everyday use," Touya clarified.
"I see! That's great!" Elze said, her excitement evident. "I can't wait to see their new releases!"
At night, Kate arrived back at the Silver Moon Inn and noticed Touya, Elze, and Linze engaged in a lively conversation. She approached the group, smiling as she joined them.
"Did you have dinner yet?" Kate asked as she reached their table.
"No, we were waiting for you," Linze replied with a warm smile.
"I see, sorry about that," Kate said, taking a seat.
"So, how did it go?" Elze asked, leaning forward in curiosity.
"Excellent," Kate said confidently. "There were just some minor adjustments to account for the materials, production costs, and other details."
"So, how much money will we make?" Touya asked, his eyes lighting up.
"Excluding all costs, it will be split like this: 10% for Zanac, 40% for you, and 50% for me," Kate explained.
"That's great!" Touya said, visibly pleased.
"It looks like it won't be long before we see our first profit," Kate said with a satisfied smile.
"That's good! I'm excited to see how people look in your designs once they're released," Elze added enthusiastically.
"So, what are your plans next?" Touya asked, curious about Kate's ambitions.
"Well, of course, it's to expand! Furniture, vehicles, and more," Kate replied, her eyes gleaming with determination.
"Indeed, there's nothing to do but expand," Touya agreed. "But we'll need to find more people to help with that."
"You don't need to worry. Zanac recommended a merchant who can assist me," Kate assured him.
"That's good to hear," Touya said with a nod.
"Tonight, I'll design some accessories for men and women since I have some free time," Kate said, already planning her next creative endeavor.
"Right, we also have a quest for tomorrow," Touya reminded her.
"I stopped by the guild for a moment and grabbed this quest from the owner of the Fashion King Zanac's store," Linze added, holding up a piece of parchment. "It's to deliver something to the capital."
"I see. That sounds easy enough," Kate said, glancing at the quest details.
"It will take about five days since we'll be traveling by horse carriage," Linze explained.
"I see. Then I'll design some products during the trip," Kate said, looking thoughtful.
With that, the group started ordering their meals, ready to enjoy a well-earned dinner together.
After some time, Kate sat in her room in a meditative position, legs crossed, her expression calm but focused.
"Looks like I was right," she thought, sensing the energy flow around her. "The World Force I can use is limited. With my Small Universe sealed, I can't generate any more. But since my World Force evolved from Emperor Qi, it seems I can utilize the Mana in this world. My World Force is composed of Emperor Qi, Honkai Energy, and Mana, so using Mana again should be possible."
She opened her eyes slightly, her gaze thoughtful. "I have to remember that my World Force is limited, so I should only use it when absolutely necessary," she reminded herself.
Kate attempted to cultivate, closing her eyes and focusing her breathing, but after a while, she frowned.
"Looks like I can't cultivate either," she said aloud, a hint of frustration in her voice. With a sigh, she stood up and moved to her desk.
"If that's the case, I have nothing better to do than design more products," she decided, her determination rekindling.
Sitting at her table, she began to brainstorm. "First, I need to design shoes. After that, I can move on to beauty products like lotions, makeup, and more," she thought, her mind racing with ideas.
Her hand hovered over the paper for a moment before she paused, a realization striking her.
"But I'll need Touya's smartphone to use as a reference for some of these designs," she thought, tapping the desk lightly.
Without dwelling on it further, Kate picked up her pen and began sketching, her focus entirely on creating her next line of innovative designs.
The next day, Kate stepped out of her room, a stack of papers in her hands.
"Good timing. I was about to head down too," Touya said as he noticed her. Seeing the papers, he offered, "Let me take those and put them in my inventory."
"Thanks, but I have my own way," Kate replied with a small smile.
To Touya's surprise, the papers vanished into thin air.
"Huh? Where did they go?" he asked, puzzled.
"Since I can use Mana now, I can operate my Space Ring again," Kate explained, holding up her hand to reveal a sleek ring on her finger. "This is called a Space Ring. It can store items inside."
"Whoa, that's awesome!" Touya exclaimed, leaning closer to examine it. "Can you make one for me? And how much can it store inside?"
Kate chuckled at his enthusiasm. "It can hold about as much as a small castle's worth of items. But it's made from Void Ore, and I don't know if that exists in this world."
"I see... Then I'll look into this Void Ore," Touya said with newfound determination.
Outside the Silver Moon Inn, Elze was waiting with Linze.
"What took you two so long?" Elze asked, tapping her foot.
"We're right on time. You're just too early," Kate said with a slight grin.
"Anyway, we won't reach the capital right away," Linze said. "Our first stop is the town of Amanesque."
"I see. Then shall we?" Touya said, gesturing to the carriage.
"Let's go! We already rented a horse and carriage," Elze announced, leading the way.
As Kate and Touya climbed into the carriage, Linze explained, "We could only afford an open carriage."
"That's fine with me," Kate said as she settled into her seat. "It's actually better since we can enjoy the scenery."
Linze smiled, visibly relieved. "Thanks, Kate."
With that, the group set off, the journey to Amanesque marking the next step in their adventure.
After some time, Kate gazed at the passing scenery, her expression serene, while Linze couldn't help but stare at her.
"She's so beautiful," Linze thought to herself. "Skin so pale, hair so blindingly white with streaks of mysterious violet, and those crimson eyes... She's like a painting brought to life."
Unable to contain her curiosity, Linze leaned toward Touya and whispered, "Hey, Touya, do you know where Kate comes from?"
Before Touya could respond, Kate turned her sharp crimson eyes toward Linze, her voice calm but cutting. "You don't need to know where I come from. A human who knows too much often meets an untimely end."
Linze froze, startled by the sudden shift in tone.
"Have you ever heard the saying, 'Curiosity killed the cat'?" Kate added, her gaze unwavering.
"Ah... ehehehe... Yes, I have. I'm sorry for prying," Linze said, her voice trembling slightly.
Kate softened her tone but remained firm. "Me and Touya's situation is... complicated. We'd be grateful if you didn't ask too many questions."
Linze nodded quickly. "I see. I'm really sorry. Since that's the case, we won't ask again."
Elze, overhearing the exchange, crossed her arms and frowned. "Why are you threatening my twin sister? There's no need to scare her like that."
"I wasn't threatening her," Kate replied, her voice cool. "I was warning her."
With that, a pen and paper materialized in front of Kate. Ignoring the tense atmosphere, she began sketching and writing, her focus shifting entirely to her work.
After a long journey, the group finally arrived at Amanesque Town.
"I'll stay here at the inn," Kate said as she grabbed her belongings. "I won't eat since I'm quite busy."
"We can let you stay, but you need to eat something," Touya replied, concerned. "You don't need to force yourself like this."
"Do what you want," Kate said curtly before closing the door behind her.
Elze crossed her arms, frowning. "What's up with her? We're just worrying about her, you know."
"Just let her be," Linze said, gently pushing her older twin sister toward the inn's dining area. "She might just need some space."
"Let's just get her something while we eat," Touya suggested, following the two as they headed to dinner.
The next day, at the front of the inn, Kate stepped out to find a new face waiting with the group.
"And who's this?" Kate asked, her gaze landing on a woman standing confidently beside the others.
"She is Kokonoe Yae," Touya said. "We met her when we were eating last night."
"I see," Kate replied. She offered a polite nod. "Nice to meet you. My name is Kate, and you can call me Kate."
"Thanks! It's nice to meet you too," Yae said with a bright smile. "And you can call me Yae."
Kate's expression softened slightly. "Let's get moving so we can leave early."
With that, Kate climbed into the carriage, settling herself for the journey.
"Then I'll lead the horse," Yae said cheerfully, taking her position at the front while the others followed Kate into the carriage.
On the way, Kate was engrossed in sketching designs and crafting ambitious plans for the future. Touya and Linze, seated nearby, studied magic, while Elze chatted with Yae at the front of the carriage.
"Kate, since you heard Linze whisper yesterday, do you use magic, or do you just have really good hearing?" Touya asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.
"I just have really good hearing," Kate replied without looking up.
Touya leaned forward. "So, what are you designing now?"
Kate briefly glanced at him. "I'm planning and designing a network that will make us rich."
"How does that work?" Touya asked, intrigued.
"I can't tell you that," Kate replied curtly.
"How about whispering it to me?" Touya insisted, grinning.
Kate sighed, then smirked. "Fine. I'll give you the plan later. Whether you agree or not doesn't matter—I'm going to do it anyway."
"So secretive," Linze remarked, watching them.
"Just let them be," Elze said with a wave of her hand. "She's probably up to no good."
"Why is that?" Yae asked.
"I'll tell you later," Elze replied with a sly grin.
Meanwhile, Touya moved closer to Kate, curiosity still burning in his eyes. "So, what's the plan?"
Kate leaned in slightly, her voice low. "I plan to improve everything in this world, establish a monopoly on nearly everything, and create a bank. With that, I no, we will control the majority of this world's wealth."
"Uh… I don't see any good coming from that, and it's not as easy as it sounds," Touya said, uneasy.
Kate smirked, her crimson eyes gleaming. "I don't care what you think. Go back to your seat. Oh, and if you'd like, we can settle this with a battle of wits in the marketplace. But you'll lose after all, you're from what I'd call a baby civilization."
Touya frowned at her remark. "Baby civilization? Where does this girl even come from?" he thought, retreating to his seat.
As Kate returned to her designs, brainstorming fervently, a new panel materialized before her:
New Task:
Get your first human kill.
Rewards:
1 Minor Realm
Bonus:
If your kill causes a 100% shock value, you will receive a Transport Card. Use this to summon one of your followers: Dr. Mei or Huan Caiyi.
Kate's lips curled into an excited smile. "This is perfect timing! I can just summon Dr. Mei to manage my plans."
Suddenly, Touya interrupted her thoughts, his face tense. "This is the smell of blood."
Kate's eyes sharpened.
"Rush ahead!" Touya said urgently, turning to Yae. "There might be people getting attacked!"
Not long after, the group saw a luxurious carriage under attack by lizardmen clad in armor and wielding swords.
"There it is!" Touya exclaimed, pointing at the commotion.
Kate stepped forward, standing tall beside him. "Leave this to me," she said confidently.
Before anyone could react, Kate suddenly dashed toward the lizardmen at a blinding speed, leaving a trail of destruction in her wake.
"What was that?" Linze asked, her eyes wide.
"Is that Kate?" Elze said, startled.
"She's so fast!" Yae added, watching in awe.
Touya's gaze drifted back to where Kate had been standing, noticing the shattered wooden boards. "Looks like she's really powerful... and mysterious," Touya thought to himself.
"Faster! We need to help her!" Touya commanded, his voice sharp.
In the battle zone
"Don't falter!" shouted the leader of the guards, trying to rally his men.
Suddenly, a small explosion erupted near the lizardmen, throwing dust and debris into the air. The battlefield momentarily paused as everyone turned to look. When the dust settled, Kate stood in the center, encircled by the lizardmen.
Without hesitation, Kate dashed toward one of the lizardmen, grabbing him by the face and hurling him into three others with such force that their bodies crumpled on impact.
"What... what strength!" one of the guards stammered, frozen in disbelief.
It didn't take long before the lizardmen were all defeated, their bodies littering the ground.
"KATE, THESE LIZARDMEN ARE SUMMONED BY THAT MAN!" Linze shouted, pointing toward a robed figure trying to retreat.
Kate turned her gaze toward him. "That man?" she thought before disappearing in a blur.
In the blink of an eye, she reappeared in front of the robed man, who stumbled back in shock.
"Wh-who are—?" he stammered before Kate seized him by the face and lifted him off the ground effortlessly.
"It's your bad day since you met me," Kate said, her voice cold and unwavering.
As her grip tightened, the man's muffled screams grew desperate.
"WAIT!" Linze cried out, running toward her. "We can't kill him! We need to interrogate him!"
Kate paused, her crimson eyes flicking toward Linze. "I see."
Turning her attention back to the terrified man, she asked, "Who ordered you to ambush this carriage?"
"I-I just got orders from a man! He didn't tell me his name!" the man stuttered, trembling violently. "That's all I know! Please, let me live!"
Touya arrived at that moment, wiping sweat from his brow. "I've already healed the injured. Looks like you're done here," he said, before noticing Kate lifting the man with one hand. "WHY ARE YOU SO STRONG?!" he blurted out in disbelief.
"This man has no useful information," Kate stated flatly.
"I see. Then put him down and give him to the guards," Touya suggested.
"No," Kate replied curtly, her eyes narrowing as a smirk played across her lips.
"I need him for the shock value," Kate thought as she channeled her World Force.
Before anyone could stop her, a sudden burst of energy erupted from Kate's hand, enveloping the man. In an instant, his body disintegrated, leaving only a gruesome splash of blood that painted the nearby trees and grass.
"KYAAAAAA!" a woman's scream pierced the air, cutting through the silence.
"Kate!" Touya shouted, rushing toward her. "WHY DID YOU KILL HIM?!"
Kate turned to face him, her expression cold and unbothered. "I don't have any living enemies," she replied, her tone devoid of remorse.
The group stared at her, their faces pale and twisted with horror. The smell of burnt flesh and metallic blood filled the air, making it impossible for them to hold back their nausea.
Touya doubled over, vomiting on the ground, quickly followed by Linze, Elze, and even Yae, who covered her mouth in vain.
"I can't... That was too much," Linze gasped, clutching her stomach.
"She just... erased him," Elze said shakily, her hands trembling.
"What kind of power does she have? That wasn't human..." Yae muttered, her voice a whisper.
"Looks like you've come from a peaceful world," Kate remarked, glancing at Touya as he wiped his mouth and glared at her.
"What do you mean?" Touya demanded, his voice hoarse.
"You don't need to know," Kate replied dismissively before turning and heading toward the carriage.
The group watched her walk away, their emotions a chaotic mix of fear, awe, and distrust.
"She's not like us," Linze finally whispered, voicing what they were all thinking.
After some time in the carriage, Kate sat quietly, her crimson eyes fixed on the glowing panel in front of her.
"Obliterating that man was a good decision," she thought, smirking to herself.
"Congratulations! You completed the task with astonishing speed. Rewards: 5 Minor Realms and the Transport Card," the panel displayed.
Kate read the message with satisfaction. "I'll use the Transport Card to summon Dr. Mei," she said aloud.
In an instant, the air shimmered as Dr. Mei materialized before her, kneeling immediately in reverence.
"Milady, it's been so long," Dr. Mei said, her voice filled with unwavering loyalty.
"Indeed," Kate replied curtly. She handed over a stack of neatly drawn papers. "You have new orders. This world is still in medieval times, and I want these plans implemented and improved. Make us the richest here."
Dr. Mei studied the documents briefly and nodded. "This is simple, Milady. It shall be done."
"Good," Kate said with a faint smile as Dr. Mei activated her powers, taking flight and disappearing into the horizon.
Not long after, Touya approached Kate, his expression dark and stern.
"Kate, I'm really disappointed in you," he said, his voice trembling slightly.
Kate didn't even look at him, her gaze cold and distant.
"You can't just kill a person like that! I don't know what you've experienced in your world, but this is a different issue!" Touya shouted, his frustration boiling over.
"KATE!" he yelled, hoping to provoke a response.
Finally, Kate turned her head slightly, her tone icy. "What do you want me to say? Just tell me, and I'll say it so we can finish this."
Touya blinked in shock. "What?! How can you be so indifferent?!"
Kate rose to her feet, towering over him as her crimson eyes bore into his.
"You," she said with disdain, "I remember what people said about you in the comment section. They called you a wuss, and now I see they were right."
Her words struck like a slap, leaving Touya momentarily speechless.
"You're just a spineless coward. In my world, we cultivate to reach heights where even gods tremble before us. Your meager power? It's nothing to me."
Kate leaned in closer, her finger pointing dangerously close to Touya's eyes. "This is a different world, Touya. When you hunt, there's always a chance you can die. And don't count on your god to save you because not even he can stop me."
Her words were sharp and unforgiving, cutting through any argument Touya could muster.
"If you want me to leave, I'll go," Kate continued, her voice as cold as ice. "We only met by chance anyway."
Touya stood frozen, his mind racing to process her words. "Cultivation? Does she come from a world like the manhua I used to read on Earth?" he thought, the pieces falling into place.
"That would explain her ruthlessness, her overwhelming strength... even her dress. She definitely comes from a manhua world."
Gathering his courage, he asked, "Tell me... do you cultivate the Evil Way or the Good Way?"
Kate raised an eyebrow, almost amused. "What a dumb question," she said with a smirk. "I cultivate both."
Touya's eyes widened. "What? How is that possible? That only happens to the main characters... don't tell me she's a protagonist in her world, too."
For a moment, Touya wrestled with himself. "If she really is from a cultivation world, her perspective and actions make sense... but I can't let her run rampant. I have to keep an eye on her. Maybe I can stop her when it matters."
Taking a deep breath, he made his decision. "I'll let you stay, but you have to promise no more killing!"
Kate smirked, flicking her hair back with a casual elegance. "As long as no one irritates this princess," she said dismissively, returning to her seat in the carriage.
Touya sighed heavily, turning to rejoin the others. "This is going to be a long journey," he thought.
"Everyone, are you all okay?" Touya asked, his tone laced with concern as he surveyed the group.
"What happened?" Yae asked, her voice calm but curious.
Touya sighed, gathering his thoughts. "She needs to stay so I can monitor her. She said as long as she's not involved, she won't do anything."
"I see. Then it's all good," Yae replied, her tone steady and understanding.
Touya turned to her, surprised by her composed reaction. "Looks like this isn't the first time you've seen someone kill another person," he observed.
Yae nodded solemnly. "Yes, I come from a family of samurai, so..." she explained, letting the implication hang in the air.
"I see. So that's why," Touya said with a hint of respect in his voice.
Turning to the twins, he asked, "What about you two?"
"We're fine," Elze replied, though her face was still pale. "It's just the way she did it... paired with the smell... it turned our stomachs upside down."
Linze nodded in agreement, looking a little queasy but steadying herself.
"So, I'm the only one who's never seen someone kill another person before," Touya thought, his mind drifting back to Kate's cold demeanor and her cryptic words.
"Comment section? What did she mean by that?" he wondered, recalling the way she had effortlessly dismissed him. "Looks like this is what she meant when she said I came from a peaceful world. She sees things so differently from me."
As he was lost in thought, a young girl approached him.
"Are you going back to the capital now?" Sushie asked, her presence snapping him out of his reverie.
Touya looked at her and smiled lightly. "Oh, it's you. Yes, let's get ready," he said, gesturing for everyone to prepare for their journey.
The group began gathering their belongings, their thoughts still lingering on the earlier events, but determination pushing them forward.
After some time on the road, the atmosphere in the carriage remained tense.
"The silence is killing me," Touya thought to himself, glancing around the group. Just as he opened his mouth to speak, Yae broke the silence first.
"Kate, since you're okay with killing, I advise you to do it in secret. Of course, it would be better if you stopped entirely," Yae said, her tone measured but firm.
"As long as they don't insult me or cross my boundaries, I don't really care," Kate replied nonchalantly.
"RIGHT!" Touya suddenly exclaimed, standing up to break the mood. "I've already checked my affinity with elements, and I have them all!" he said confidently.
"What about you?" he asked Kate, turning to her with curiosity.
"Linze, can I borrow the magic stones?" Touya asked.
"Here," Linze replied, handing him a small pouch.
"Thanks," Touya said, retrieving a red magic stone from the pouch and offering it to Kate. "Here, you just need to pour your mana into it."
"Okay," Kate replied, taking the stone. As she poured her mana into the fire elemental stone, an unexpected reaction occurred. The stone began to emit a raging firestorm. With quick reflexes, Kate stopped the eruption before it could cause significant damage.
"Woah! What kind of reaction is that?" Touya exclaimed, wide-eyed.
"This is the first time I've seen something like this," Linze added, equally astonished.
"It seems your affinity with fire is quite extraordinary," Linze observed.
"Maybe because I have complete authority over fire," Kate thought to herself. "Too bad even that is sealed."
"Alright, next!" Touya said eagerly, continuing the test.
After trying all the elemental stones, it was clear that Kate had exceptional affinity with both fire and darkness.
"Another one with extraordinary abilities after Touya," Elze remarked, impressed.
"You're amazing since you can use every element!" Yae said with admiration.
"Then how about this?" Touya said, pulling out a white stone and handing it to Kate.
"What's this for?" Kate asked.
"It's for your null magic " Touya explained excitedly.
Kate took the stone and closed her eyes, focusing intently. After a moment, a name popped into her mind.
"Divine Divider," she murmured.
"What did you say?" Touya asked, leaning closer.
"Divine what?" Linze added, curious.
"I got it. It's Divine Divider," Kate said plainly.
"Huh? What does it do?" Touya asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Why are you so curious?" Kate asked, narrowing her eyes.
"Uhmm..." Touya stammered, scratching his cheek and avoiding her gaze.
"It's because he can use any null magic as long as he understands it," Linze explained.
"I see. So that's why you're trying to trick me into sharing my null magic," Kate said, feigning seriousness.
"N-No, I was just curious!" Touya protested.
"I'm just joking," Kate said with a smirk. "The Divine Divider can divide things."
"That's it?" Touya asked, unimpressed.
"Yeah," Kate replied, nonchalantly swiping her fingers toward a nearby tree. To everyone's shock, ten trees fell simultaneously, cleanly split in the middle.
"Wha-What the!" the group exclaimed in unison.
"The Divine Divider can split things down to their building blocks," Kate explained.
"So it can separate matter?" Touya asked, stunned.
"Indeed," Kate confirmed.
Touya eagerly tried the spell but only managed to cut halfway through a single tree before collapsing to his knees.
"W-What happened?" Touya asked, bewildered.
"Touya!" the group exclaimed, rushing to his side.
"I'm okay... my mana just ran out," Touya explained, catching his breath. "This technique uses far too much mana!"
"Of course it does," Kate replied coolly. "It's a powerful spell. No matter your protection, you'll be cut by Divine Divider."
"Then why are you fine?" Linze asked, her brow furrowed.
"My reserve is probably bigger than this entire world," Kate said matter-of-factly.
"You really have no shame when it comes to bragging, huh?" Elze remarked, rolling her eyes.
"I don't want to talk to a girl like you," Kate retorted, turning her back to Elze.
"Wha!" Elze exclaimed in frustration.
"You better not use this spell since you clearly can't handle it," Kate said.
"You're right," Touya admitted reluctantly.
"You can use it if there's no other way out, though," Kate added.
"You're right again," Touya said, sighing in agreement.
"But I'm impressed by your mana reserves," he said, giving Kate a curious glance.
"Well, I'm currently in a high-rank realm, so my qi is purer. I don't need to use much of it," Kate replied.
"What are you two talking about?" Linze asked, confused.
"It's nothing," Kate replied dismissively. "Just rest. I'll take guard for this huge party."
"Yeah, thanks," Touya said before falling asleep, exhaustion finally taking over.
"Miss Beautiful," Kate heard a voice from the other carriage.
"What is it?" she replied, turning to see the young girl, Sushie, peeking through the window.
"Will Touya be okay?" Sushie asked, her tone filled with concern.
"He will," Kate replied calmly as she leaned back into her seat.
"Since Dr. Mei will take care of everything, I just need to focus on the tasks," Kate thought to herself, letting out a quiet sigh of relief.
Suddenly, a glowing panel materialized before her eyes.
"New Task: Slay your First Phrase."
Kate read the words silently, her face betraying a flicker of confusion. "I'm screwed. I don't even know what that is," she thought to herself, furrowing her brows.
"Maybe I can ask Touya about it," she mused, glancing toward the other carriage where Touya was resting.
"I should've read the manga or watched the anime," Kate mused, irritated with herself.
"There are only about a hundred anime I haven't read or watched since the development of the Void Archives started," she thought with a sigh, her mind drifting briefly to the time-consuming project that had left her out of the loop.
At the Capital:
"Elze," Kate called out.
"What is it?" Elze asked, folding her arms.
"Take care of this idiot. I'll go around the capital first," Kate said, her tone sharp and direct.
"Huh? Wai—" Elze started, but it was already too late; Kate had vanished.
"Did she teleport, or is she just that fast?" Yae wondered aloud, blinking in surprise.
"I don't care anymore," Elze said with a huff, crossing her arms. "Acting all high and mighty!" she muttered under her breath.
"There's nothing wrong with it since she just assigned Touya to us," Linze said calmly.
"I just don't like getting ordered around," Elze grumbled.
At the Capital's Marketplace:
Kate walked through the bustling streets, her sharp eyes scanning every stall and display. Pen and paper in hand, she jotted down notes as she observed.
"I need to conduct market research and look for materials and resources," Kate thought to herself, her mind calculating as she meticulously wrote down her discoveries.
The vibrant marketplace was alive with chatter and the scent of fresh produce, spices, and crafted goods. To Kate, it wasn't just a lively scene; it was an opportunity a stepping stone for her plans.
After a long while, Kate spotted the carriage waiting at the city gates.
"Kate, you're late," Elze said with a hint of irritation.
"Did something happen?" Yae asked, tilting her head in concern.
"What happened?" Touya asked, stepping closer.
"I just did some research about resources and materials," Kate replied, her tone even.
"I see. Then get up, and let's head back," Touya said, offering his arm to help her up.
Kate reached for his arm but suddenly stopped, her expression freezing mid-action. In an instant, she disappeared and reappeared, now seated calmly in the carriage.
"You know he's just trying to help you up, right?" Elze said, crossing her arms.
"And you were about to accept his help what changed your mind?" Linze added curiously.
"I just thought it was inappropriate," Kate replied bluntly, avoiding eye contact.
"Inappropriate? It's just a helping hand. What are you, married or something?" Elze quipped, her voice tinged with sarcasm.
Kate stayed silent, closing her eyes and leaning back.
"It's okay," Touya said, his voice calm. "It's not worth getting angry over something like this."
With a sigh, he extended his hand and cast a spell. "GATE!" he called, opening a shimmering portal to the town of Leafrett.
"Wow, magic really is convenient, huh?" Yae remarked as she guided the horse through the glowing portal.
"Gate is a type of Null Magic. It lets me open portals to any place I've been, so yeah, it's pretty convenient," Touya explained with a smile.
Later, in Kate's room:
Kate lay on her bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. Thoughts swirled in her mind, her expression distant.
"What should I do about my Twilight?" she thought, her mind drifting to the memory of the child who had called her "Mother."
The image lingered in her thoughts, the faint echo of the word resonating in her chest.
"That child came from the fusion of my sword, Twilight, and a copy of my own Pharygon source. In a sense, she's a copy of me," Kate thought to herself, her brow furrowing slightly.
"What should I do with her? I could leave her inside my Small Universe to live among the researchers there... but is that the right choice?"
As her thoughts weighed on her, her body succumbed to exhaustion, and she slowly drifted into sleep.
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the curtains, bathing the room in a warm glow. Kate opened her eyes, the light soft against her pale skin.
"Dr. Mei?" she murmured, noticing the elegant figure seated at her desk.
"Good morning, Milady," Dr. Mei greeted, her voice calm and refined as she poured a cup of coffee. "Please, have some coffee first, Milady," she said, presenting a luxurious cup filled with rich, black coffee.
Kate sat up and accepted the cup, taking a slow sip. The bittersweet taste brought her fully awake. "What's the status of the orders I gave you?"
Dr. Mei adjusted her posture, her tone confident. "The task is progressing well, Milady. In about two months, production of every single product will commence, and the founding of the company is scheduled to happen in a month from now."
"Have you decided on its name?" Kate asked, setting the cup down gracefully.
"No, Milady. I came here to seek your decision on that matter," Dr. Mei replied.
"I see," Kate said, her gaze distant as if contemplating something beyond the room. After a brief pause, she spoke. "Name it the Voidenmoon Company."
"Voidenmoon?" Dr. Mei repeated, her voice laced with surprise.
Kate sipped her coffee, her eyes closed as the sunlight highlighted her delicate features. Her long white eyelashes, shimmering pale skin, and hair dancing in the gentle morning breeze gave her the aura of an ethereal goddess.
"Voidenmoon... a combination of two words that describe Milady perfectly," Dr. Mei thought, unable to suppress her admiration.
"You may leave now," Kate said, her tone commanding yet serene. "In the meantime, study this world's power and begin building an Ancestral Order here."
"As you wish, Milady," Dr. Mei said, kneeling before disappearing into thin air.
A soft knock echoed from the door, pulling Kate's attention.
The lock on the door glowed violet, unlocking with a soft hum.
"It's open. Come in," Kate said, her voice calm as she stood by the window, gazing outside.
Touya stepped into the room, holding his phone. "Hey, Kate. There's nothing to do today, so I thought I'd lend you my phone to help with your research," he said, closing the door behind him. The moment he saw Kate, he froze, momentarily captivated.
"She really is beautiful. I bet she had a hard time dealing with those stupid young masters in her world," Touya thought, shaking his head to regain focus.
"Just leave it there," Kate said, not turning to face him. Instead, she raised her hand, conjuring a ball of violet energy that swirled and pulsated. Slowly, the energy transitioned into a bluish-violet hue, its intensity captivating.
"What a dense composition of mana," Touya remarked, his voice tinged with awe.
"This," Kate began, her tone steady, "is a watered-down version of my World Force."
The energy ball condensed further, shrinking into a bead that shimmered faintly in the light. Kate turned and tossed the bead toward Touya.
"Here."
Catching it instinctively, Touya examined the glowing bead. "What am I supposed to do with this?" he asked, confused.
"That is an Ability Manifestation Bead," Kate explained. "It contains one of my attacks—a Primordial Spirit Explosion. Don't use it unless you're prepared for something to disappear entirely. It can easily annihilate half of the capital, so be careful."
The weight of her words left Touya stunned, his eyes wide. "I-I can't accept such a dangerous gift!"
"It's yours now," Kate said simply, turning her gaze back to the window. "You can leave."
Touya hesitated, still unnerved by the bead's destructive potential. "Then... I'll take it. Thank you," he said, slipping it into his pocket as he exited the room.
Later, Kate sat at her desk, staring at Touya's phone in front of her. She placed her hand over it, her expression thoughtful.
"I can't replicate this without the Void Archives... but I still have my brain," she thought, her eyes glowing violet as she initiated a complex process.
"Process One: Analyze the object," Kate murmured internally, her focus absolute. In an instant, billions of lines of knowledge flooded her mind, overwhelming her senses. Her head throbbed painfully.
"Process Two: Copy the information by recording it in the Information Tablet of the Universe," she continued, her voice trembling as her nose began to bleed. The pain in her head intensified tenfold, forcing her to her knees.
"Process Three: Rebuild the product's materials," Kate thought as her vision blurred, her ears and eyes bleeding now. The agony surged again, bringing her face down to the cold floor.
"P-Process Four: Rebuild the product," she whispered, summoning every ounce of her strength as her body trembled under the strain.
A few weeks later, Kate opened her eyes, the familiar ceiling above her coming into focus.
"You're awake!" Touya exclaimed, relief evident in his voice.
"Where am I?" Kate asked, her voice hoarse.
"You're in your room," Touya explained. "Elze found you collapsed on the floor in a pool of blood."
Kate blinked, processing his words, but before she could respond, Touya handed her a phone.
"This is yours," he said. "I bet you collapsed because you copied my smartphone. I examined the two, and there are no differences, so here you go. Oh, and we're heading out for a quest to slay a monster in the old capital."
"Wait for me. I'll come with you," Kate said firmly as she swung her legs off the bed and stood up.
"Are you sure you can move now?" Touya asked, his tone laced with concern.
"I'll come now, so don't bother stopping me," Kate replied, her resolve unwavering. "I've been lying here for I don't know how long, I need to move."
Touya sighed but nodded. "Since that's the case, suit yourself. You're not that weak anyway."
After some time, the group arrived at the old capital.
"So, do your thing. I'll just investigate the area," Kate said.
"That's good since if you kill every single opponent, we won't have the opportunity to grow," Linze replied.
"I know," Kate answered curtly as she walked away.
"The same as ever," Elze muttered.
"Anyways, let's go and kill that Ghost Knight or something," Yae said, pushing Elze forward.
Meanwhile, Kate sat on a stone amidst the ruins, staring at the crumbled architecture.
"My task is to slay my first Phrase, but I don't even know what that is. Could I at least get a hint on what it looks like?" Kate thought to herself, her eyes scanning the glowing panel in front of her.
"My reserve of World Force is about the same as a 7th Rank Open Heaven Master, so I still have plenty. But I must avoid getting hit to ensure my Yin Yang Divine Mirror doesn't activate and drain my reserve unnecessarily," she mused, her expression unreadable.
A distant shout broke her train of thought.
"APORT!" Touya's voice echoed.
Kate's eyes narrowed as she spotted a crystalline bug glinting in the sunlight.
"What is that?" Kate wondered, standing abruptly.
She rushed toward the commotion just as Touya prepared to destroy the red orb in his hand.
"WAIT!" Kate shouted, stopping him in his tracks.
"What's the big deal?" Elze asked, visibly annoyed.
"Give me that," Kate demanded, her tone leaving no room for argument. Touya handed over the red orb, confused.
"Do you know what this thing is?" he asked.
"No," Kate admitted.
"I couldn't damage it with my sword either," Yae added.
"It's so hard, and its features are unique. The guild might have some information about it," Linze said thoughtfully.
Kate ignored their chatter as she approached the crystalline bug. With a deliberate motion, she pressed her fingers against its body, and to everyone's surprise, they penetrated its seemingly impenetrable shell.
"This hardness is like the shell of a tortoise monster in the martial world," Kate thought to herself before shattering the bug completely and absorbing the red orb into her space ring.
"Since this bluish crystal is so hard, why don't you make a sword with it?" Kate suggested.
"Wait, you're right!" Touya exclaimed, his face lighting up. "If we can forge weapons from this material, we'll have a way to counter similar enemies in the future."
Kate quietly absorbed the crystalline remains into her space ring, her expression calm and composed.
A glowing notification appeared before Kate.
"Congratulations! You have slain your first Phrase. Rewards: 1st realm of the Qi Transformation Realm," she read silently.
"New Task: Befriend the princess of a kingdom," the panel added.
"It seems minor realms come with relatively simple tasks, but as I progress, the tasks will become more difficult," Kate thought, already strategizing.
Later, at the Silvermoon Inn:
"All right, everyone. I'll report this matter to the Duke first," Touya announced.
"Wait," Kate interrupted.
"What is it?" Touya asked, turning to her.
"You're going to the capital, right? Let me come with you," Kate said.
"Are you going to research materials again?" Linze asked knowingly.
"Yeah," Kate replied as Touya opened a Gate.
"Later," Kate said, stepping through the portal.
Stepping out of the Gate, Kate saw a familiar carriage waiting near the castle entrance.
"Kate, come up now. We need to hurry," Touya urged, motioning for her to climb aboard.
Instead, Kate vanished from her spot and reappeared seated inside the carriage in an instant.
"W-Who's this beautiful young lady?" Duke Ortlinde asked, his gaze filled with curiosity and admiration.
"Her name is Kate" Touya began, but Kate interjected smoothly.
"My name is Kate. It's nice to meet you," she said, her tone polite but commanding.
"Nice to meet you too," Duke Ortlinde replied with a nod.
"So, what's the matter?" Touya asked, steering the conversation back on track.
"My brother, the King, has been poisoned," Duke Ortlinde explained, his voice heavy with urgency, startling Touya.
Meanwhile, Kate sat calmly, her eyes fixed on the view outside the carriage window.
"This is definitely an opportunity to befriend the King's daughter," Kate thought to herself, her mind already forming a strategy.
After some time, they arrived at the royal castle. As they ascended the grand staircase, a man stood at the top, blocking their path.
"Well, well, if it isn't His Highness the Duke," the man said smugly.
"Count Balsar," Duke Ortlinde greeted curtly.
"We don't have time for pleasantries. Let's go and save the King first," Touya said firmly, trying to push past.
"You're right," Duke Ortlinde agreed, stepping forward.
"And who are you to speak in front of us nobles?" Count Balsar said, his tone dripping with disdain as he fixed Touya with a glare.
Kate stepped forward, her expression cold and unyielding.
"Let's go. A mere count shouldn't impede the Duke's path," she said, her voice like ice, each word laced with authority.
Count Balsar's composure faltered as a wave of pressure radiated from Kate.
"Wha-what is this pressure?" Count Balsar thought, beads of sweat forming on his brow. Unable to withstand the oppressive aura, he stepped aside, clearing the path.
Without another word, Kate strode past him, her presence leaving a profound impression. Duke Ortlinde and Touya quickly followed behind her.
"I'll take you two to the King's chamber. Let's go!" Duke Ortlinde said, quickening his pace as the group ascended the stairs.
When the two entered the King's chambers, Duke Ortlinde immediately rushed forward.
"Brother!" Duke Ortlinde exclaimed, his voice filled with concern.
"Touya-dono, please," the Duke urged, stepping aside to let Touya approach.
Touya sat at the edge of the King's bed and placed his hand gently on the King's chest.
"RECOVERY," Touya said, his hand glowing as the healing magic began to take effect.
Meanwhile, Kate sat at a table at another room, sipping tea as she glanced out the large window, a serene expression on her face.
"It's good that I didn't go with them," Kate thought to herself, watching the gentle sway of the curtains in the sunlight.
After some time, the group entered the room where Kate was seated.
"Looks like they're finished," Kate thought, calmly putting her tea down as they approached.
"Kate, looks like you're having a good time here," Touya said, noticing Kate sketching on some parchment.
At the same moment, Kate casually returned the parchment and her pen to her space ring.
"Are you done? Because of you, I didn't manage to research the market," Kate said, her tone as flat as ever.
"A-Anyway, let me introduce you," Touya said, recovering from the jab. "This is the King of the Belfast Kingdom, His Majesty Tristwin. And this is his daughter, the first princess, Yumina."
"I see. Nice to meet you. My name is Kate Voidenmoon," Kate said, taking another sip of tea, unfazed by the royal presence.
"Uh… this…" King Tristwin began, unsure how to address Kate's demeanor.
"I'm sorry, but the place where she came from is ruled by those with the biggest fists," Touya explained quickly, trying to diffuse the tension.
"I see, so that's how it is. Since Touya says so… but she'll need to adjust if she wants to live here," King Tristwin said with a sigh.
Kate's eyes narrowed slightly as she tilted her head. "Since this place won't accommodate me, then this place is not needed," she said coldly.
A violet orb suddenly formed in Kate's palm, its radiance growing ominous as she aimed it at the floor.
"WAIT!" Touya shouted, rushing to her side in panic.
The oppressive aura of the orb filled the room, and everyone except Kate found it difficult to breathe. Just as Touya reached out, the violet orb shifted, its glow softening to a bluish hue before compressing into a small bead.
"Huh?" Touya blinked in confusion.
"I'm just joking," Kate said with a faint smirk, tossing the bead lightly in her hand.
"Don't do that!" Touya snapped, clearly shaken.
"What kind of power is that? I truly felt like the world was going to collapse," King Tristwin said, wiping his brow.
Kate tossed the orb casually toward Princess Yumina. "Here," she said. "That is an Ability Manifestation Orb. You can erase a small city with it, so take good care of it."
"Y-Yes! Thank you so much!" Princess Yumina stammered, carefully cradling the orb with both hands.
"Anyway, I'm leaving. I still have to go to the market and do some research," Kate said as she stood up, brushing off her dress.
"Please wait!" Princess Yumina called out, stepping forward.
"Yumina?" King Tristwin said, clearly confused by his daughter's sudden urgency.
Kate turned her head slightly, her tone indifferent. "What is it?"
"Since you came here with Touya-sama, please hear what I'm about to say," Yumina said, her voice steady despite the weight of her words.
"Okay, but make it quick," Kate replied, her patience clearly thinning.
The room fell silent as Yumina took a deep breath.
"Father, Mother, I have decided to marry Touya-sama!" Yumina declared, her voice ringing with determination.
The bold statement left everyone in the room stunned, their expressions frozen in disbelief.