Land a bombshell punch on the scheming mastermind.
Thirdrema, back alley, Snake Apple.
Having learned from Arthur Pencilgon how to confront Wezaemon the Tomb Keeper through their unique quest deal, Pepper now faced an unexpected complication. His conversation with the unique NPC Setsuna of Distant Days, Wezaemon's lover, had revealed the existence of his Lycaon's afterglow weapon, forcing him into a "talk" with Pencilgon.
Sitting across from her in a corner of the Snake Apple, Pepper felt like a frog stared down by a snake. Pencilgon's smile was deceptively warm, but her aura was pitch-black, her eyes those of an apex predator. Escape was not an option.
"Alright, A-kun," she began, cutting to the chase. "No beating around the bush. What's this 'item imbued with strong intent' Set-chan mentioned?"
As expected, she went straight for the jugular. Like his talk with Saiga-100, Pepper weighed which cards to play and which to hold. His top priorities to protect were Rabbits and Aitoile.
"An NPC you're so invested in got your attention, huh, Towa-san?" he deflected, buying time.
"Duh," she replied. "Set-chan mentioned 'Kuro-chan,' which I'm betting is that Night Assault Lycaon you discussed with Saiga-100 in my presence. So, what's the deal?"
He really didn't want to spill about the afterglow weapon. A top-tier item that could summon Unique Monster: Night Assault Lycaon at night, anywhere, anytime, was a game-changer. In the wrong hands, it spelled nothing but trouble. But this was Pencilgon—half-baked answers wouldn't cut it. She'd dig until she unearthed everything, and then some. Sweating nervously, Pepper opened with caution.
"…The 'item imbued with strong intent' Set-chan mentioned? A certain blacksmith warned me, repeatedly, not to show or use it at night…"
"Oh?" Pencilgon leaned in, intrigued.
Beckoning her closer, Pepper whispered, "In short… a dagger that can summon Lycaon to its owner at night."
Her reaction was instant—she reeled back, practically flipping like a slapstick comedian. Critical hit, Pepper thought smugly. Take that.
"You always blow past my expectations, A-kun…" Pencilgon groaned, regaining her composure after a few minutes. She sipped cold water—courtesy of the Snake Apple's master—cradling her head.
"I'm gonna be honest," Pepper said. "I don't want this getting out. People would react like you just did."
"No kidding," she shot back. "Who wouldn't flip out over something like that?"
Exactly why he'd kept it under wraps. But Pencilgon had demanded the truth, opening Pandora's box herself. Her fault, really.
"I didn't mention the dagger to Saiga-100," Pepper continued, "but if it went public, people would offer fortunes for it—or worse, resort to force."
"True," Pencilgon nodded. "Saiga-100's the most obsessed with taking down Lycaon. She'd stop at nothing to get that weapon."
People driven by singular goals often snap when the means are within reach. The explosive potential of someone like Saiga-100, handed a surefire way to summon Lycaon, was terrifying. She might even leverage her clan, Black Wolf, to secure it at any cost.
"For now, Pepper-kun, keep that afterglow dagger hidden," Pencilgon said. "It'll be our trump card someday."
"Obviously," Pepper replied. "Between the unique quests and everything else, I don't need more headaches."
Beyond Wezaemon, Pepper was juggling the Invitation from Rabbit Country unique scenario, a quest with benefits for all Shangri-La Frontier players. He had plenty of secrets to guard, but keeping Rabbits and Aitoile from Pencilgon was a win.
"Let's wrap this up," Pencilgon said.
Relieved to head back, Pepper suddenly remembered something. "Oh, wait, Pencilgon. I forgot to give you something."
"Hm? What's that?" she asked.
From the depths of his item inventory, he pulled a box containing a necklace crafted from Marsh Digger's Pure Fang and handed it to her.
"I had the Enhance Guild make this as an apology gift. It's called a Pure Fang Necklace. Apparently, it's got debuffs for high karma values, so it's probably a bad fit for you right now. I didn't know that when I got it made, but I'm really sorry. If you don't like it, sell it for funds or whatever."
He bowed, bracing for her to capitalize on the moment—maybe a screenshot or months of teasing. With Pencilgon, it was inevitable.
"…A-kun," she said softly.
Pepper looked up.
"Thank you… I'll treasure it."
Her eyes glistened, cheeks flushed, and her smile radiated genuine joy. Pepper's—no, Azusa's—heart skipped a beat.
This wasn't the wicked grin of a schemer or the polished smile of a charismatic model. It was the pure, untainted smile of Towa Amane from their childhood, unmarred by cynicism.
"Uh… wha—?" Pepper stammered.
"What's wrong, A-kun? Smitten by me? Your face is all red~" Pencilgon teased, her usual mischief returning.
"N-no way! It's not like that!" he protested.
"Then what is it, hmm? Spill it to big sis Pencilgon Come on"
Flustered, Pepper couldn't find words. What was this feeling? Annoyance? Confusion? It churned inside him, elusive.
"Come on, A-kun It'll feel better if you say it" she pressed.
"I'm not saying anything!" he snapped.
(But… for that moment, you were…)
"…beautiful."
The word slipped out unintentionally. The Snake Apple fell into a deeper silence. Pencilgon froze.
"…W-what did you just say?" she stammered, her face turning tomato-red.
Their eyes met, and with a whoosh—like a steam explosion—she bolted out of the shop at breakneck speed.
"What the hell was that?" Pepper muttered.
No answers came. He paid the master, reunited with Aitoile, and returned to Rabbits. After saving and logging out, he was back in the real world.
But Towa's unprecedented expression and the unfamiliar emotions swirling within him left Azusa restless, barely sleeping the next day.
May That Gift Be Blessed
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