Prism soon began to truly appreciate the food, and Tolly—if not for the presence of several powerful Rankers—would have probably leapt from her seat in pure happiness.
Watching the two of them so delighted, Renzo couldn't help but chuckle.
He himself, as a Z Ranker, had eaten truly exquisite meals before—dishes prepared by the finest chefs the Story World had to offer, from the organization known as the Thousand Tastes.
[Owl] would regularly reach out to them for extraordinary delicacies.
However, since the Thousand Tastes' main headquarters were located in the Crimson Stage, and [Owl] was no friend of the Laughing Court—an outright enemy, in fact—his connection to them could never be public.
Because of that, every dealing was conducted in the shadows, far from the watchful eyes of the Blue Trade Agents.
The three SS Rankers from the CEM Hunters organization kept trying to catch even the smallest hint or insight from Renzo.
Each of them wanted to grow stronger, and what better way than receiving advice from someone who already stood at the very top?
Beyond that, they were simply fans of his—like most people in the Story World.
They talked about this and that, trading thoughts and questions, while Prism and Tolly quietly enjoyed their food.
After some time, the chef himself came over to speak with Renzo, something the [Last Note of Black] didn't mind at all.
The chef was a Gourmet Story Owner, a B Ranker.
Renzo's little sister, Mera—the owner of the Gourmet Original Story [Bizarro Chef]—was still only a C Ranker.
So, being the good older brother that he was, Renzo offered the chef some advice, while also asking a few careful questions of his own—questions that might help Mera on her journey.
Once they were finished, Renzo bid the chef and the three SS Rankers of the CEM Hunters farewell, thanking them once more.
Prism and Tolly followed suit, offering their own goodbyes.
Before leaving, the chef knelt slightly and handed the two little girls something extra—a sweet he had crafted personally for them.
It was a delicate confection made from refined monster ingredients: translucent layers that shimmered like crystal, veined with warm, honey-gold hues.
A faint, rich aroma rose from it, sweet and savory at once, promising a flavor so deep and intense it almost felt wasteful to eat.
One bite was enough to melt on the tongue, releasing waves of taste that lingered far longer than it should have.
He offered one to Renzo as well, then paused and handed him a second.
This one, he said, was for Miss [White Severance].
Renzo smiled, thanked him again, and then led the girls into the elevator.
The doors closed, and they began their ascent.
Time passed as Renzo guided Prism and Tolly through several other floors of the Blue Tree of Life. Eventually, they reached one of the higher levels—not the highest.
They stopped there for a moment.
An open balcony stretched out before them, overlooking the entirety of the Fifth Floor of the Black District.
Prism and Tolly stepped forward, frozen in place as they stared down at the vast expanse below.
Tolly, especially, could hardly believe what she was seeing.
She had lived here her entire life—and yet, she had never once seen the fifth floor of the Black District from this height.
Renzo couldn't help but chuckle at the expressions on their faces.
He leaned slightly forward, a teasing smile tugging at his lips.
"Well, well," he said, glancing between them, "I was expecting amazement, but this? You'd think I just showed you the end of the world."
Prism stiffened, her cheeks instantly lighting up with a vivid violet blush.
Tolly, on the other hand, flushed a very human red and waved her hands weakly.
"Y-you're a Z Ranker," she said quickly, her voice small. "O-of course you wouldn't be surprised by something like this. You've probably seen way crazier things…"
The words barely left her mouth before her eyes widened.
"I—! I'm sorry! I didn't mean it like that—please forgive me!" she blurted out, turning so fast it looked like her life depended on it.
Renzo burst out laughing.
He reached out and gently patted her on the head.
"Hey, hey, relax," he said warmly. "You don't have to treat me like that. Just think of me as a silly older brother… or an uncle, or something."
Tolly froze.
For a brief moment, it felt like her heart had completely stopped.
An older brother.
An uncle.
The idea echoed in her mind, far too fascinating for her own good. If she could really have something like that… she'd give anything.
Renzo tilted his head, clearly amused, and opened his mouth to tease her again—but before he could, Prism stepped in, hurriedly waving her hands.
"S-stop messing with her!" she said, still blushing as she tried to pull Tolly back to reality.
Then...
Footsteps echoed behind them.
The three of them turned.
Prism's eyes landed on a young man approaching from the balcony entrance.
He had spiked, slightly whitish-blond hair and wore a black imperial uniform. Two swords were strapped at his sides, one on each hip, and a black cape flowed behind him in the wind.
As he walked toward them, he calmly adjusted his glasses, his gaze already fixed on the trio.
Prism was instantly taken aback.
Even without releasing any aura, she could feel it—this man was strong. The sensation was eerily familiar, the same overwhelming presence she had felt from Miss Shizu.
That could only mean one thing.
An X Ranker.
For a brief moment, her thoughts came to a complete halt.
She was only an F Ranker… and yet, in a single day, she had met so many impossibly powerful people.
Renzo. Shizu. [Owl]. The man with the Cut. The three CEM Hunters.
And now this one too.
All of it—every absurd encounter—had happened simply because she was walking with Renzo.
Prism let out a quiet sigh.
Tolly, on the other hand, nearly fainted.
The moment she recognized him, the color drained from her face.
As a resident of the Fifth Floor, of course she knew who he was.
He was the ruler of the Fifth Floor of the Black District—a high-ranking member of the CEM Hunters.
An X Ranker, and the owner of the Original Story [CEM Seeker].
If not for Prism holding her in place, Tolly would have collapsed on the spot. She barely managed to steady her feet, her gaze dropping straight to the ground, not daring to meet the man's eyes.
The young man continued walking toward them.
He spared the two girls a single glance—no more than that—before dismissing them entirely.
The one person he focused on was Renzo.
He stopped a few steps away and gave a respectful nod.
"Mister [Last Note of Black]," he said, "I apologize for not arriving sooner. I was not aware that you were visiting the Blue Tree of Life, and for that, I hope you will—"
"Nah, don't worry about it," Renzo cut in casually. "I'm not here on business. I just wanted to give the kids an experience they won't forget, that's all."
The young man lifted his gaze, briefly looking at the two girls before returning his attention to Renzo.
He opened his mouth to speak—
"Oh, and I'm sorry for barging in without asking for permission," Renzo continued, cutting him off again. "I know I probably should've asked for—"
"No, no, Mister [Last Note of Black]," the man interrupted this time. "It is your right to come here. I have already made sure that no one will say a word if you wish to visit the Blue Tree of Life. It is free for you, of course—and for anyone who comes with you."
Renzo reached up and scratched the back of his head, a smile forming beneath his black mask as he let out a soft chuckle.
"Thanks, I appreciate it," he said, then added, "Also, could you just call me Renzo? I get uneasy when people keep calling me Mister [Last Note of Black]."
At that, [CEM Seeker] immediately shook his head.
"I simply cannot do such a thing, Mister [Last Note of Black]," he said firmly. "Someone as insignificant as me cannot—and should not—refer to a mighty being such as yourself so casually. In fact, I am already grateful that you even allow me to address you while looking you in the eyes. It is an extreme honor, and I thank you for it."
Renzo looked at the young man in silence for a moment. Then a quiet sigh escaped him.
"Alright," he said, giving a small shrug. "Have it your way, then. Thanks for the accommodation, though."
The young man immediately brightened and nodded enthusiastically.
"You are most welcome. If anything troubles you, or if you desire anything at all, please do not hesitate to ask. I will see it fulfilled at once."
His gaze then shifted to the two little girls.
"These two will be registered as VIP members immediately," he continued. "They may come and go freely, free of charge, to any floor they so desire within the Blue Tree of Life."
Renzo smiled and thanked him, then added, "Would it be alright if we had some privacy for now?"
"Of course, Mister [Last Note of Black]," the young man replied without hesitation.
With that, he excused himself—and in the very next moment, he was gone.
Renzo chuckled as he turned back to the girls and caught their expressions. Both of them were clearly stunned—though for very different reasons.
Prism spoke first. She pointed toward the spot where the young man had vanished and hesitated before asking, "Um… how come… he looked so afraid, Mister Renzo?"
Renzo smiled softly.
"Well," he said, "in the Story World, the more connected you are—and the stronger you become—the more you understand one thing."
He glanced out over the Black District below.
"Power is everything, whether you like it or not."
He continued calmly, "The [CEM Seeker] is part of the CEM Hunters. Their organization is one of the few that constantly fights truly terrifying beings… the CEMs. He's seen a lot. Monsters so strong you can't even imagine them yet. His life has been on the line more times than you could ever count."
Renzo looked back at Prism. "He's seen monsters at Z Rank. He's seen his captains—Z Rankers—fight at full strength. So he understands better than most just how strong Z Rankers really are."
He paused for a moment, then added casually, "And me? I'm one of the strongest Z Rankers out there. In fact, among the CEM Hunters, only two of their five Z Rankers can actually fight me—their leader, the [CEM Hunter], who's way stronger than me, and their second strongest."
He shrugged lightly.
"So… of course he feels threatened by me. Even if I act nice."
Prism nodded slowly, then asked again, "Is… is that how people usually treat you?"
Renzo laughed and nodded. "Yeah. Other Z Rankers—unless we're close friends—are always very respectful. X Rankers, though? They're not just respectful, they're scared that a single wrong word might cost them their life."
He shrugged, his tone easy. "It's usually the weaker ones—the people who don't really understand how strong a Z Ranker is—who talk to me more normally."
A small smile formed beneath his mask. "Honestly, I enjoy that a lot more. I don't exactly like being treated like royalty. I just want to be a normal man. Someone who helps people when they need it. That's really all."
Prism stared at him in silence for a few seconds, letting his words sink in.
Then she asked, "What about Mister [Owl]?"
Renzo laughed. "[Owl]'s different. He actually enjoys being treated as someone superior. And to be fair, most Z Rankers do."
He paused, then added, "There aren't many like me. One other name that comes to mind is [Smile That Cuts All Things]."
Silence followed as Prism tried to process that.
Then Tolly broke it—ignoring the part that had shaken her the most and circling back to Prism's question instead.
She spoke softly, her voice small and earnest.
"I… I like Mister Renzo's way better," she said, fidgeting slightly. "He's really nice, and warm, and… the best."
Renzo laughed, a warm, rolling sound. "Hey, hey, you're gonna make even my mask blush like this!"
Tolly jumped, startled at first, then couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Prism chuckled softly beside her, the sound light and infectious.
Renzo turned to Tolly, his smile gentle. "So… what about you? It sounds like you also have something you want to ask about."
Tolly nodded, hesitating for a moment as she looked up at him.
Her voice was small, almost unsure.
"Did I… really just… become a VIP?"
Renzo laughed hard at that, and then nodded.
"Of course you did. The [CEM Seeker] is an honest guy. He keeps his word. And if he ever doesn't… you can just tell me, and I'll remind him."
Tolly's legs wobbled slightly, almost making her lose her footing, but Prism quickly steadied her.
She took a breath before asking, her voice barely above a whisper, "Does that mean… I… I can talk to you?"
Renzo's laugh was soft but genuine. "Of course you can. You're a friend of Prism's."
Tolly's gaze dropped to the ground, and after a pause, she asked quietly, "Would you… do the same for any child?"
Renzo thought for a moment, his expression thoughtful.
Then he shook his head. "Usually, I don't. It actually creates problems. If I gave every single child something special, their demands would never end. Even I—a Z Ranker—couldn't keep up. I usually just give some kids little things here and there, enough to make a difference without causing chaos."
Tolly seemed about to ask something else, but Renzo gently cut her off and continued.
"And no," he said, his voice calm, "I don't choose which kids. It just… happens. Whenever I can, I give."
A small smile formed beneath his mask as he spoke again. "As for saving every child… that's different. Because it's not really just every child—it's every person. I don't go out of my way to seek people to help, like the League of Heroes does. But whenever I see someone asking for help, I try my best to do it."
He reached up and rubbed the back of his neck, glancing down at the ground before meeting Tolly's eyes again.
"But that's also why I can't even visit most of the Great Territories anymore," he admitted.
"Every time I save someone, I end up causing trouble for the people who were doing wrong to them. And when those people are Z Rankers—or entire Factions with many Z Rankers—I end up in trouble too. So now… I can't go to certain places anymore. The Crimson Stage. Qingya Range. The Iron Expanse. And others besides."
Prism listened carefully to everything he said. Even though she didn't know that much about him, she still knew a few things.
One of them was that he was an enemy of several major Factions across the Story World—and in almost every case, it had been because of other people.
Only the Qingya Range incident seemed to be connected to his wife, Miss Shizu.
She found herself looking up at him.
After hesitating for a moment, she finally asked, "Mister Renzo… do you… do you not regret it?"
Tolly turned toward Prism, confused by the question, but stayed silent.
Instead, she shifted her gaze back to Renzo.
The masked young man was quiet for a few seconds. Then a soft chuckle escaped from beneath his mask.
He stepped forward, lowered himself to meet Prism at eye level, and gently ruffled her red hair.
Tolly couldn't see his expression—but somehow, she was certain he was smiling.
Finally, Renzo spoke, his hand still resting gently on Prism's hair. His voice was soft, steady, and comforting.
"No," he said quietly. "I do not regret it. Not in the least."
Prism stayed silent for a moment before asking again, "Not… at all?"
He shook his head.
"Not at all."
Silence lingered between them for a few seconds before Renzo spoke again.
"I was saved by someone when I was much younger. Back in my Original Fragment…" His voice softened further. "That man taught me everything about life. He was a hero. My hero."
He paused, as if lingering in a memory too precious to rush past.
"Before he died… he made me promise him one thing. To help anyone in need, just like he helped me—even when it only brought him trouble."
Renzo let out a quiet breath. "Since then… that's how I've lived. I won't lie and say it hasn't caused me problems. But I don't mind."
He looked at the two girls, his voice turning almost reflective.
"The smile people give you afterward… their thanks… It's not something you can get from anything else in life. No amount of money. No amount of love. Nothing fulfills me the way saving someone does."
He shook his head slightly. "I don't call myself a hero. Because I don't go out of my way to look for people to help. I still live for myself."
His voice dipped lower. "But if someone is in need… I… I can't turn them away."
After he finished speaking, silence settled between them for a few moments.
Then Renzo let out a quiet sigh.
He stood up, gently ruffling Prism's hair once more.
"Don't think of yourself as a burden, Prism," he said. "I promised I'd help, and I don't go back on my promises."
That was all he added before turning back toward the balcony, overlooking the entirety of the Fifth Floor stretching out below.
Tolly didn't know what to say.
Part of her wanted to fangirl and completely lose it—but she tried her absolute best to keep herself calm.
Prism, however, stayed silent.
Her expression was distant, almost as if she wasn't fully present with them in that moment.
After a while, she slowly lifted her head and looked at Renzo's figure.
Then, in a soft, gentle voice, she said, "Thank you, Mister Renzo."
Renzo turned back toward her, letting out a light chuckle.
"You're welcome, Prism."
...
Time passed quickly as the three of them stood together, overlooking the Fifth Floor.
Before long, Renzo guided them back to the elevator, taking them through several more floors and introducing each new place along the way.
Hours slipped by almost without them noticing.
They ended up spending a long time on a floor dedicated to virtual games.
There, Tolly and Prism teamed up against Renzo in a shooter game—and won.
Of course, Renzo had let them win, and even though the two girls knew it, they still couldn't help but smile when it was over.
Eventually, instead of returning to the first floor, Renzo brought them back to the floor with the balcony.
He led them toward one of the quieter areas and showed them something hidden there.
Beneath a bench was a special button.
If activated using personal Cores, it would summon something unique: a large cat-like creature that acted as a mount, capable of flying you directly to the Fifth Floor.
Tolly stared in absolute disbelief as the creature appeared—a massive purple cat with soft, glowing fur.
It let out a gentle meow in her direction.
She squealed and jumped in pure delight.
Beside her, Prism swayed slightly, looking like she might faint from the sheer cuteness in front of her.
Renzo simply crossed his arms, watching the two of them with clear amusement.
Before long, they climbed onto the cat's back.
The creature crouched slightly—then launched high into the air.
A bluish barrier formed around them, keeping everyone safely in place. Tolly and Prism widened their eyes in amazement as the cat stepped through the sky as if invisible stairs existed beneath its paws.
Step by step, it descended smoothly until they reached the ground once more.
Tolly hesitated when it was time to get off.
Part of her really didn't want to disembark—especially not from such a cute cat.
But she eventually climbed down with Prism and Renzo.
Moments later, the creature faded away, disappearing as if it had never existed at all.
Tolly couldn't help but keep staring at the spot where the cat had vanished, as if it might suddenly reappear.
Renzo noticed immediately and smirked.
"What's wrong?" he teased. "Thinking of running away and living the rest of your life as a mysterious cat rider?"
Tolly jolted and waved her hands quickly.
"N-no! I was just—"
"Well, of course she's stunned," Prism cut in, standing a little straighter as if defending her friend's honor. "Anyone would be! I mean, I was too!"
Renzo turned to her slowly.
"Oh?" he said, clearly amused. "So you're saying you were about to faint because of the cat, huh?"
Prism froze.
"I—I didn't say that!"
Both girls burst into laughter at the same time, unable to hold it in.
Renzo chuckled along with them, the sound warm and easy.
After a moment, his gaze drifted upward toward the ceiling of the Fifth Floor. The artificial lights above were dimming one by one every few minutes—a clear sign that night was approaching.
He looked back down at Tolly.
"Hey, Tolly," he asked gently, "you said your parents come back by night, right?"
Tolly's eyes widened as realization hit her. "Oh no!" she gasped, jumping in place. "They must be worried—I didn't meet them yet!"
She turned to Renzo in a panic. "Please, Mister Renzo, explain to them!"
Renzo gave a small nod. "Alright. Where do you usually meet them?"
Tolly quickly pointed down the street.
Not long after, the three of them arrived at the spot.
Two figures stood waiting in the dimly lit street ahead. Around them, other families were reuniting as well—parents returning from a long day of work in the mines on the Fourth Floor, finally meeting their children as night settled over the Fifth Floor.
Tolly hurried ahead toward her parents—two blond figures standing out in the dim street. A middle-aged man and woman, their clothes covered in soot, hands and faces marked with black smudges here and there from a long day's work.
She threw herself into their arms, hugging them tightly and speaking in a rush of quiet words.
Renzo and Prism didn't follow.
They stopped a few steps back, giving them space.
After a moment, Tolly's father stepped forward. He nodded his head toward Renzo and spoke earnestly. "Thank you, Mister [Last Note of Black], for taking care of my daughter. And please forgive us if she caused you any trouble—"
"Not at all," Renzo cut in immediately. "She was a sweet girl. And if you don't mind, please just call me Mister Renzo."
The man hesitated, clearly struggling with the words, before finally managing, "…Mister Renzo."
He thanked him again, then returned to his wife, waving goodbye.
Tolly said a few more words to her parents before running back. She stopped in front of Renzo first.
"Thank you, Mister Renzo," she said, her eyes shining. "This was one of the best days ever."
Renzo ruffled her hair with a soft chuckle. "You're welcome."
Then Tolly turned to Prism, smiling brightly. "I'm really happy we're friends now…" She hesitated for just a second before asking, "Can we… exchange contacts?"
Prism hesitated for a moment before lowering her gaze.
"I'm sorry…" she said quietly. "I can't."
Tolly's expression immediately fell, and Prism felt a sharp pang of guilt.
After a second, she slowly reached out, hesitated—then gently placed her hand on Tolly's shoulder.
"I'm really sorry," Prism said softly. "I can't… but… we can still be friends."
Tolly's expression lifted a little.
She nodded, thinking for a moment before asking, "Then… how about we meet by the tree tomorrow morning? Around nine?"
Prism turned toward Renzo.
He gave her a small, reassuring nod.
She looked back at Tolly and nodded firmly.
Tolly's face lit up again.
She stepped forward and hugged Prism tightly.
Prism smiled and returned the hug, holding her just as firmly.
After a moment, Tolly let go.
She waved energetically at both of them before hurrying back to her parents, disappearing with them into the dimly lit streets.
Renzo smiled beneath his mask as he watched Tolly's figure disappear into the distance.
Then he gently ruffled Prism's hair, teasing her.
"Look at you," he said lightly. "Making new friends already."
Prism's cheeks tinted with a soft purple blush against her red skin.
She didn't reply right away.
After a moment, she lifted her head and said quietly, "Thank you for today, Mister Renzo."
Renzo simply kept smiling beneath his mask as he nodded. "You're welcome, Prism."
With that done, the two of them started walking.
After a short while, Prism looked up and asked, "Where to now?"
Renzo paused and opened his Story System Interface for a moment. It was black—of course it was black, Prism thought—as she chuckled quietly to herself.
Renzo scanned through the many messages he had received throughout the day, skipping most of them and focusing only on two.
One was from Arden—his brother, the Half-Wolf X Ranker with the Original Story [Eyes That Never Sleep].
The other was from his wife, Shizu—the X Ranker with the Original Story [White Severance].
Arden's message was simple:
Yo Ren, lil bro — you coming by Mera's stall tonight or what? She's been experimenting again and I'm 90% sure she's gonna make me taste-test something illegal. If you don't show up, I'm blaming you when I suffer.
Shizu's message said:
Honey. I have concluded my investigation at the Information Market and returned home. Where are you and Prism currently? If you have not eaten dinner yet, inform me.
—End of Chapter.
-------
So... Okay?
Gara: Alright, this was somewhat fun... Is this event really just going to be chill?
Renzo: Yup, otherwise... You can't really do much when you have me around all the time.
Gara: Well, you can... But that'd impact the world too much, and no one can do that but me.
Renzo: Not true, but believe whatever you want.
Gara: I will.