— — — — — —
Lower layers of the East Side — a shop flying the banner of the "Twin Goddesses."
This place was a branch of [Thousand Eyes], the community that the infamous Shiroyasha belonged to.
"R-Ryo, are you sure this is a good idea? Just walking in to see Shiroyasha like this? Isn't that kind of… reckless?"
Standing anxiously at the door was a rabbit-eared girl in a fancy black lace dress that screamed elegance— well if not for the way she was nervously pacing like a wreck.
Black Rabbit fidgeted nervously, clearly in a panic.
Next to her, Ryo, dressed in just a plain T-shirt and jeans, sighed and rubbed his temple.
"What are you so worked up about?"
"B-Because…"
Black Rabbit stumbled over her words, clearly trying to hide something.
Before she could explain, the clerk Ryo had asked to deliver his visiting card earlier stepped out.
"Lady Shiroyasha is willing to see you. Come with me."
"Thanks, Miss Julie."
Ryo gave a polite nod and started walking behind the clerk. After a few steps, he turned around and smiled at the frozen-in-place Black Rabbit, reaching out to grab her hand.
"Wait—! I think I'll just head back, actually~!"
Ignoring her protests, Ryo dragged her into the shop's backyard.
The moment they stepped through the gate, a blur shot toward them.
"Bunnyyyyy~!"
A tiny figure launched forward, giggling mischievously as she pounced—hands wandering with zero shame over whoever she'd latched onto.
Then she froze.
"…Tch. It's just Ryo."
The little girl clinging to Ryo like a koala clicked her tongue and jumped down.
He looked down to meet her gaze.
She had silvery hair, golden eyes, and two small horns on her head. Though she looked no older than ten, her appearance was unusually charming.
This was none other than Shiroyasha, a [Celestial Star Spirit] and a major heavyweight even in the upper levels of Little Garden.
More importantly, she was currently the most friendly high-tier figure toward Ryo's community, [No-Name.]
Even more crucial? The Divinity Ryo received last night—she was the one who crafted it.
By Little Garden's standards, Ryo could practically be considered her subordinate deity.
"Ugh, I didn't realize quick enough—it's such a disgrace that my perfect Black Rabbit sneak attack was ruined!"
Shiroyasha gnawed on a black folding fan from who-knows-where and shouted dramatically.
"You even ended up with the advantage!"
She huffed and unfolded her fan, eyeing Black Rabbit's dress with an amused smile.
"Hmm… even if it's not the maid outfit I gave her, this British noble-lady look suits her too. I guess I'll let you two off the hook, just for that."
Under her stare, Black Rabbit squirmed and hid behind Ryo, muttering, "This is why I didn't wanna come here..."
Shiroyasha was great at many things—but she had this thing for making pretty girls wear borderline inappropriate outfits, which Black Rabbit could never get used to.
But annoyingly enough, this same person had helped her out countless times. It left Black Rabbit frustrated, guilty, and just plain stuck.
Worse still, she'd just gotten a divine relic from Shiroyasha yesterday at an insanely low price. Now that they were face-to-face again, she had no idea how to say no if Shiroyasha asked for something in return.
Seeing Black Rabbit's tangled expression only piqued Shiroyasha's interest further.
"Oho~ Black Rabbit looks extra cute today. Totally has that 'easy to tease' vibe going on~"
The moment she saw Shiroyasha's gleeful eyes, Black Rabbit bolted back behind Ryo, not daring to show her face.
Ryo just chuckled. "Sorry, but I can't let you bully my bunny like that."
But as he spoke, he subtly curled his finger.
The message was clear: What's in it for me?
"OH~!" Shiroyasha snapped her fan shut, pulled out her wallet, and declared, "How much to buy the bunny? One-time offer!"
"That's horrible, Lady Shiroyasha! You know Ryo would never—"
"10,000 gold?"
"Deal."
Black Rabbit's words died in her throat. She stared at Ryo—who had just accepted the money—with a lifeless look in her eyes.
"Hahaha! Relax, I'm just teasing~"
Shiroyasha snatched the gold back, laughing and waving her fan. "C'mon, this isn't the place to chat. Follow me."
Ryo gave a small nod and tugged along the puffed-cheeked Black Rabbit, following Shiroyasha into a tearoom.
Once inside, Shiroyasha went straight to the tea table and poured three cups of freshly brewed tea.
"Right on time, just as I guessed. I figured you'd both show up around now."
Black Rabbit blinked in shock. "Wait—you knew we were coming?"
"Of course I did."
Shiroyasha rolled her eyes, hiding her mouth behind her fan as she smirked at Ryo.
"After all, a Divinity came from Canaria's stash? There's no way someone like you would be fooled, Ryo."
"I'm guessing you figured it out the moment Black Rabbit showed you the divine relic?"
"Ehhh?!" Black Rabbit's mouth dropped open. She turned to Ryo, who was giving her a look that screamed, 'You thought I didn't notice?'
"..."
Ahh... I seriously wanna die right now...
Seeing her wilt, Ryo chuckled, then gave Shiroyasha a respectful bow.
"Sorry for the trouble. Our dumb bunny means well."
"No worries~ I am a generous and beautiful woman, after all! Hoh hoh hoh~!"
Shiroyasha puffed herself up with pride, waving her fan dramatically.
Then she leaned in, eyes twinkling. "But back to business—since you've gotten your Divinity, I assume your Gift's awakened too?"
Ryo froze for a second, surprised Shiroyasha knew about the Dimensional Forum.
But then he realized he had misunderstood.
"Wait… so the Divinity awakens Gifts?"
"Of course! Why do you think divine relics are in such high demand up in the upper layers?"
Shiroyasha closed her fan, clearly proud.
"And the one you got? I personally made it. Even the most sealed-off abilities would get partially activated with that baby."
So she's assuming my Gift is crazy powerful, huh?
Ryo raised an eyebrow. "And what made you think I'd need a special artifact just to activate my Gift?"
"You've got it backwards."
Shiroyasha fanned herself and smiled.
"Anyone who comes to Little Garden from the outside world gets something called a Divine Spark—a mark that proves they exist here. It's what lets people use Gifts at all."
"And usually, that process activates a basic Gift or two."
"But if nothing gets triggered right away? That only means their latent talent is soimmense, it can't be awakened normally. Everyone in the upper levels knows that."
She paused, closing her fan and tapping her chin thoughtfully.
"When Canaria first picked you up, she noticed that right away. She wouldn't shut up about it over drinks that night—said she'd hit the jackpot."
…So that's why she was so insistent I stay?
Ryo twitched at the corners of his mouth. It all made sense now—why Canaria, strategist of the former Arcadia, brought a random outsider back and made sure he was healed.
She'd been eyeing his potential from the start.
"Whaaaat…"
Black Rabbit looked like someone had broken her soul.
She'd gone to Shiroyasha in desperation, trying to trade literal junk for a divine relic, practically groveling in guilt.
But now it turned out Shiroyasha already knew Ryo needed it. And even worse—she'd been the one to bait Black Rabbit into asking for it in the first place.
It was all one big setup.
This Celestial Star Spirit was way too twisted!!
"Hehehe~ caught on, have you?"
Shiroyasha let out a witchy cackle, then wiped the corner of her mouth and tilted her head at Ryo.
"So, what kind of Gift did you get? Bet it's pretty rare, huh? Wanna tell me? No pressure though~ I totally won't mind~"
"You say that, but it feels like you're definitelypressuring me."
Ryo gave a wry smile and leaned back.
"But hey, secrets like mine aren't free. They're worth something too, y'know?"
He raised a brow, smirking.
"So how about we do a trade?"
"Oho~ Sounds like your ability needs some special setup?"
Shiroyasha narrowed her eyes, intrigued. She'd lived long enough to pick up on subtleties like that.
So even with the divine relic, his Gift didn't fully awaken?
That meant it was even stronger than she thought.
"…Alright, I'll accept your trade. But I suggest you ask directly what intel you want. If it's too classified, I'd need to report it to Thousand Eyes first."
That put Ryo at ease.
Say what you will about Shiroyasha's personality—when it came to trustworthiness, she was solid. She'd never gone back on her word.
And Thousand Eyes? One of the most reputable intelligence networks in all of Little Garden. If they said they'd keep something secret, they meant it.
So with that assurance, Ryo took a deep breath, narrowed his eyes, and asked seriously:
"Then I'll get to the point—I want to know how to bring other worlds under Little Garden's observation."
Shiroyasha's hand froze mid-fan, her expression stiffening for a moment.
Then, just as quickly, she returned to her usual calm—smiling while gazing intently at Ryo.
("Canaria… you really did pick up a gem before you died, huh?")
She smiled slyly and spoke in a breezy tone.
"Well, as it just so happens, I doknow the answer to that. And I don't need permission to share it."
Ryo visibly relaxed, just as he was about to ask more—
"Buuuut...," Shiroyasha cut him off, "it's still way too early for you to know."
Ryo frowned. "Why?"
She picked up her teacup, squinting as she spoke:
"I get what you're trying to do. But right now, No-Name isn't ready for that kind of burden…"
"Let's make another deal."
She set her cup down, her tone suddenly serious.
"Earn enough resources in 7 days to keep No-Name afloat for a year. Do that, and I'll give you the info—for free. Deal?"
Ryo was silent for a moment.
Then he grinned.
"Deal."
.
.
.