Chapter 21: A Burst of Powerful Music Rings Out

The ancient Greek god of sleep once said, "When you're stuck in NIKKE, go to bed."

Back in the command room, Green seemed to drift off to sleep in a haze.

In his dream, a burst of powerful music played, and four blurry figures suddenly appeared at the foot of Green's bed.

Although the origin of the old song was unclear, a strange sense of foreboding crept over him. Green opened his eyes to see four NIKKEs clad in very minimal fabric. With lecherous gazes, twisted smiles, and domineering movements, they exuded an aura of both dominance and depravity.

"Darling~, you couldn't wait, could you?"

"Believer, you smell divine~."

"Newcomer, I rushed over as soon as my shift ended. You didn't wait long, did you?"

"Commander, what... what are you doing?!"

The NIKKEs' faces were blurry, but Green could make out Isabelle, Rapunzel, Yang, and Privaty.

Looking at them, Green's heart skipped a beat and he started to sweat profusely. Having these four embrace him seemed far scarier than battling a Tyrant-class Rapture. Well, Yang is fine but other three the force to be reconned with.

He didn't know what Yang was doing there. She didn't have much romantic feelings for Green. Perhaps, she smelled money. Rapunzel was just a perverted nun. She could stay in her fantasies but Privaty and Isabelle are different. Privaty might seemed like tsundere but there was a deep hungry wolf lay inside her. On the other hand, Isabelle was different. She was the real Demon King of the group. With her yandere personality, Green feared her more than anyone present.

He wanted to struggle, but his body refused to move despite his conscious mind being awake.

"Oh, dear believer, just look at your magnificent muscles~"

"Ah, such a powerful and invigorating scent!"

"Darling, won't you guide us~?"

One of them, whose identity was unclear, leaned in closer and plopped down on the edge of the bed.

As Green wrestled with his predicament, he managed to regain some control over his body. He shouted at the top of his lungs, "Rapi! Save me!"

"Commander?"

A familiar voice pierced the dream.

Green groggily opened his eyes only to see the soft morning light of the Outpost Base and Rapi's concerned face.

He rubbed his throbbing forehead and asked, "Rapi, when did you get here?"

"Since it's Marianne's reintegration day, I arrived early. Commander, you called my name just now—is something wrong?"

"Ah! Nothing, just a nightmare. Maybe I've been under too much pressure lately. I felt unusually heavy in my sleep. Was that just my imagination?"

"Ah, no, Commander. Actually, that wasn't your imagination—Anis and Neon were lying on you."

Sitting up, Green looked around.

Sure enough, Anis and Neon had pulled up chairs and dozed off by his bedside. Anis rested her head on his chest while Neon pinned his arm between her bosoms, both softly snoring with drool trailing down their chins.

No wonder he felt like he was being crushed by a bulldozer.

So it was you two playing phantom!

Rapi looked apologetic. "Sorry, Commander. Since today is a special day, I woke them up early. But Anis and Neon insisted on taking a nap and ended up on your bed..."

Green sighed and shook his head. "It's fine. Just wake me up too next time."

Rapi shook her head firmly. "Commander, you're human, after all. You've been running around tirelessly for us lately. If you don't rest properly, you might end up getting sick. Why don't you catch a little more sleep before Ingrid arrives?"

"Alright, I'll nap for a bit longer."

Green closed his eyes to rest while Rapi grabbed Anis and Neon by their shoulders, gently shaking them awake.

"Wake up, Anis, Neon. You two lying on the Commander gave him nightmares."

At least she tried but the two troublemakers didn't seem to have any concern for their commander.

"Commander, no more soda, I can't drink any more carbonated water~"

"Firepower! Such firepower! Is this the missile-like firepower of Master? Wait, Master, where are you aiming that firepower...?"

Rapi stared at the pair feigning sleep, her expression deadpan.

"If you two keep pretending and disturb the Commander again, I'll ask him to cut your soda and snack rations for the month."

Hearing this, Anis and Neon instantly sprang up like tightly wound springs.

"Rapi, if you keep being so ruthless, we can't be good friends anymore!"

"Yeah, Rapi! Deep down, don't you also want to snuggle up to Master, hmm?"

Rapi didn't deny Neon's claim, "Even so, we shouldn't disturb the Commander's rest."

While Rapi was undeniably strict, her vigilance kept Anis and Neon in check, allowing Green to enjoy a proper nap.

When Green woke again, it was already 8:00 a.m.

He rose, washed up, donned the Central Government uniform, and shaved the stubble that had grown untidy overnight. Though it was a simple morning routine, it swept away any remnants of fatigue from the day before.

In the mirror, a sharp, handsome face reflected back—a visage brimming with confidence and spirit.

Sitting on the sofa polishing her weapon, Neon squinted her eyes and teased, "Wow, Master! You just washed your face, but you look so dashing now~"

Anis chimed in with a giggle, "You were already super handsome before, but now, Commander, you're almost ridiculously good-looking! In that outfit, if you strolled past an entertainment agency, I bet talent scouts would be grabbing your hands, begging you to star as the lead in their movies!"

Amused by their flattery, Green chuckled, "You two are such shameless sycophants. But honestly, if a company did want me for a movie, I might just consider it."

Anis pouted, "Commander, I was just joking, but are you seriously thinking about it?"

Green sighed softly, "The Central Government's subsidies are just too meager. The last time we risked our lives on the surface, all we got was three million credits. Sure, for regular folks, that's a decent sum, but it barely covers our needs. The Outpost Base's daily maintenance alone costs hundreds of thousands of credits. Add in your food, equipment, and supplies, and we're running out of money fast. If we don't find a way to earn more, we won't even be able to afford soda soon."

Anis closed her eyes, imagining a bleak, snackless future, then resolutely declared, "A life without snacks and soda? No way! Commander, I fully support you going into acting!"

Neon nodded vigorously, "Master, go make some big bucks! Neon will back you all the way!"

Rapi, however, remained silent for a moment before voicing her concern. "Commander, while the Central Government doesn't prohibit side gigs, given your high-ranking position, it's probably best not to collaborate with entertainment companies, even if we're short on funds."

Rapi paused for a moment, her cheeks showed slight redness as she observed Green, "Moreover, considering your unique status... There will undoubtedly be plenty of opportunistic actresses trying to cozy up to you. As the NIKKEs' Commander, it's better to keep your distance from such frivolous individuals."