Chloe wore a newsboy outfit with suspenders and dungarees paired with a plaid shirt, the straps cinched around her slender yet strong waist. She stood beside Ashley, animatedly describing the scene to the tourists.
“Whoosh! A black shadow shot toward me! My head throbbed with pain as something burrowed inside! It was a tentacle from the demonic insect extending out of the terrifying Vortex of Sin! A hole was drilled right into the top of my head! Oh my God! I felt my brains being stirred around, and my ears were filled with the gurgling sound of boiling porridge. Then, my mind was controlled! My mouth opened uncontrollably, speaking a language I’d never heard before. But strangely, I could understand its meaning—that those in eternal slumber were not the dead. They would awaken from their sleep and crawl out of the chaotic abyss along the fissures…”
“Wow—!”
The tourists let out a collective gasp, staring at her without blinking.
“Then! Ashley charged over, wielding a treasure sword condensed from starlight! She said that since the stars could seal them away, so could she! The lightsaber swept past, severing the tentacle! I was saved! But but but! The severed part came alive! It swam around in my brains like a worm!”
“Wow—!”
Another wave of gasps erupted. Some ladies and misses fainted from fright, and their attendants quickly pulled out smelling salts to revive them on the spot.
“In the critical moment, she grabbed my little head and used the fourth way to drink Pop Soda! But what she was dealing with wasn’t a glass bead—it was a living thing!”
Ashley covered her face speechlessly. “Meow, this isn’t just adding your own spin anymore—you’re creating a whole world! When can I read your masterpiece?”
“Aaaah! They fought in my brain! Ashley launched a fierce offensive, forcing that thing toward my nostril. With nowhere to retreat, a bit of it finally leaked out from my nose. I seized the chance, pinched it hard, and yanked it out!”
Chloe pretended to pinch her nose, then suddenly shook her hand, flinging out a soft, damp black object!
“Eek—!”
The crowd scattered in panic, screaming and dodging clumsily. Some twisted their ankles, others fell flat on their butts, and a few split their pants wide open…
“Heh heh heh, what a bunch of timid weaklings!” Chloe laughed so hard she shook all over.
The unluckiest one was Amber, who had been standing in the crowd, listening intently. That wet, slimy black stocking slapped right onto her face.
Amber let out a sharp scream and fainted stiffly on the spot.
…
Some time later, Amber slowly came to.
Her consciousness was still steeped in lingering drowsiness, her eyes squinted shut—she didn’t want to wake up.
In her hazy state, she felt a springy sensation against the back of her head, incredibly comfortable, so she really didn’t want to get up.
Mmm… She’d never slept on such a soft pillow before. Amber couldn’t help but wriggle her neck, letting out a contented hum.
“Mmm… so comfy…”
She dozed off again in that half-dreaming state, her awareness gradually returning.
But Amber hated this clear-headed feeling. The pillow was just too comfortable—on a pillow like this, she wanted to live in blissful oblivion, never parting from it…
She rolled onto her side, pressing her cheek against it. To the side, there seemed to be an even softer ‘wall’ that was gently undulating, forming a warm little nest with the one below. Unable to resist the temptation, Amber buried her little face in it, humming happily.
“You’re getting addicted?” A voice suddenly came from above her head.
Amber jolted in fright and propped herself up in a fluster. Only then did she realize she had been sleeping in Ashley’s arms! And what she’d been using as a pillow was the other girl’s thigh!
She froze for a few seconds, her little face turning red like a ripe persimmon—hot, numb, and steaming. Her gaze went blank as her mind replayed the mortifying memories of her wriggling and rubbing on it, even drooling on it…
“Miss Amber has terrible sleeping habits,” Ashley said in a gentle yet helpless tone. Just as Amber was overcome with shame and on the verge of tears, Ashley suddenly changed tack. “But it’s very cute.”
“Wuu!”
Amber let out a tiny squeak of surprise, quickly pursing her lips. Her eyes widened, and a tingling sensation spread through her heart.
“That day in the movie theater, I was thinking how uncomfortable it must be sleeping on the chair. It’d be better if you slept in my arms. I didn’t expect my wish to come true.” Ashley pretended to blush and lowered her head shyly.
We were clearly there to catch the Great Raven…
Amber’s mind was clear enough. Being fooled in the same way twice would be too much.
She knew Ashley was lying, but… but it was still better than being ignored.
Wuu wuu wuu…
Realizing her own pettiness, Amber hung her head dejectedly, even her little ears drooping.
Ashley sneaked a glance and saw Amber’s lackluster reaction. Not getting the response she wanted, she felt a bit down too.
What’s going on? Has my charm decreased? Or does this silly loli not fall for it anymore?
The two harbored their own thoughts, making the atmosphere stagnant and awkward.
“I’m really sorry about that day… I wronged you without evidence…”
After a long while, Amber voiced the apology she’d rehearsed many times. She didn’t dare look up at Ashley’s reaction, afraid of seeing even a hint of disgust or impatience on her face—that would shatter her fragile heart. Her current anxiety felt like a prisoner awaiting judgment.
Ashley’s eyes lit up, her heart leaping with joy.
So there was no evidence after all!
Meow, the Trial Judge was bluffing me!
Ah~ my precious sea cucumber~
She held back her laughter to avoid giving herself away, turned her face aside, and huffed playfully:
“Hmph, you’ll have to give me a kiss to soothe my wounded heart.”
Amber trembled violently at the words, her cute little face still flushed from before, now adding a fresh layer of red.
“K-Kiss…”
She was so shy her little fingers curled up against her chest. She hunched inward, kneeling with her toes clenched tightly behind her butt, her breathing erratic as her thoughts waged war.
Finally, as her mind nearly overheated, she mustered immense courage to overcome the shame—like a gambler shoving all her chips into the pot. Her knees inched forward on the bench, slowly approaching Ashley.
Eh?
I was just joking!
Though Ashley flirted all day thanks to her good looks, it was all talk—she had zero experience. Watching those tender, trembling red lips draw nearer in the air, she panicked, her head spinning, her face flushing, her eyes swirling like mosquito coils…
What do I do… what do I do…
Don’t come over!
“I want a kiss too.”
Out of nowhere, Chloe squeezed between them, her eyes gleaming oddly.
This shattered the romantic tension, snapping them both back to reality. They awkwardly averted their gazes.
“I’m not kissing your stinky mouth!” Ashley shot her a glance and grumbled.
Oddly, Chloe didn’t bicker back. Instead, she stared blankly, her expression thoughtful.
Amber hurriedly changed the subject, asking about the Mutated Wriggler. Upon learning Ashley was hunting pests to boost her regional reputation, she blurted without thinking:
“I want to join!”
“You?” Ashley hesitated. Battling transcendent creatures wasn’t child’s play. Even a fierce beast like a tiger could burst at full speed to cover twenty meters in a second, shredding a person in the blink of an eye—not to mention transcendent beings, which vied with humans for the top of the food chain.
Most importantly, if Amber got hurt, Letisia would surely twist her little head off.
But… the Trial Judge would probably give her beloved disciple some protective treasures, right? Like an S-Rank Relic. If she could trick one out of her…
Ashley stuck out her little tongue and subtly licked her lips.
“Hee hee, the Great Raven only seats two,” Chloe said smugly, lifting her chin and leaning provocatively toward Amber. “Sorry, this is our adventure—no room for you!”
“Eh? Didn’t you say last time that if you take off your pants and hug together, the cockpit can fit two people?”
“Eh? T-Take… take… Did I hear that right?” Amber flinched like a startled bird.
“Just let me squeeze in with you reluctantly!” Chloe crossed her arms, pouted, and huffed.
“You’re riding on the undercarriage.”
Ashley turned to Amber and cautioned, “I’m not sure what the Trial Judge thinks, though. Amber, you’ll have to ask Lady Letisia first.”
“Eeee…” Chloe clenched her little fists, letting out an angry cat-like growl. “I’ve had enough! You two go ahead!”
Yet on the day of departure, she shamelessly showed up anyway.
