This is Shadyna, the aspiring hero on the journey to get la… I mean, save the world!

And just like how main story quests usually go… I got sidetracked. Welp~

After accidentally curing a young girl of her illness, I received a few rewards from her mother, who was still thanking us profusely until the teleport back to the tavern.

Two [Karmic Fragment] for each of us. In addition, I was given two [Heart Core], while Cenny got nothing except for the trash material reward when she gave away the [Heroic Inspiration Course] earlier. They were compensation for the amulet, probably.

Honestly speaking, I don't think I deserved that gratitude. I made that item mainly for my own peace of mind. No matter how much HP one has, it is a losing battle once regeneration fails to keep up with the sustained damage. That's why her deteriorating HP was uncomfortable for me to look at.

Un, I didn't even know it was possible to cure her completely! I blame Cenny for that. Meta talk is not immersive!

It would have been rude to decline though, so I took the rewards and noted to self to look out for these hidden conditions in the future.

Another thing to keep in mind is not to flirt with the sole waitress in charge of the counter. We were scolded after returning for leaving the tavern unmanned, even though we were only out for 15 minutes! From what I heard, someone from the delivery team had to stand in for Cenny during that time due to the patrons protesting.

Dear degenerate patrons, do you have a codependency issue or something?! That was barely enough for a lady's bathroom break!

Since I was involved (the main cause) in her absence, I helped out in the cafeteria for the rest of the day. Being able to eavesdrop the patrons and their NPCs for clues may or may not have influenced my decision.

In the end, however, it was mostly for naught. The only thing I learned was that NPCs used "Sun Goddess" when referring to Sateri. Her light saved the world according to the lore, so it's a fitting nickname. Not sure how that knowledge would lead me to her though…

What does [Heart Core] do? Well…

_ Shadyna: [Summon].

As I command, two NPCs manifest into (virtual) reality.

The cores are [Summon Stone], but for NPCs, simply put. While NPCs from [Heart Core] can't be directly controlled, they do follow the summoner around similarly to [Domesticated] pets, and can be given new equipment. I do not know whether they can give more quest however.

So yeah, the number of my AI-controlled companions increased by two. One core is the quest giver woman, Ophilie, and the other one is her sickly daughter, Aenilie.

_ Ophilie: Good day to you, milady.

_ Aenilie: G-good day to you, milady!

Even the NPCs are trying to pay me with their bodies!!!

I asked Cenny if she would want to keep them, but she politely refused after seeing them greeting me like so. Splitting the loots didn't work either, since we couldn't bring ourselves to separate these two. I'm not that heartless, okay?

They are not properly equipped yet, so I cannot use them in combat at the moment.

Seriously, how am I going to train their skills? Putting Gelly into a lava pot is one thing, but asking a young child to sit in a lava lake is definite not something I want to have in my record, safe or not!

For the time being, I'm fine with them just joining me in my daily prayer to the statue of Sater, in my room.

Yes, I have her statue in my room.

I made it myself yesterday using [Construction]. Even if I can't (be bothered to) pray to the real thing in the marketplace, I had hope that my feelings would reach her, like what usually happens in final boss fights.

Those heroes were so underleveled, they cheated by abusing their relationships! I feel sorry for the romance options who had to deal with such abusive partners…

[Received Karmic Fragment x1]

I personally don't mind using such exploits for daily freebies though~

With the morning routine done, I call the mother-daughter pair back to the [Heart Core].

_ Ophilie: Please take care, milady.

_ Aenilie: Bye bye, milady~

What am I, a father going to work?!

…

Today's agenda is… Quintuple date.

_ Elri: That's wrong.

But I haven't said anything?!

Somehow, Elri and Hessy are glaring at me coldly! Thank you very much, although you should save that for our degenerate patrons instead!

_ Hessy: , you are aware that we are on a mission today, right?

_ Shadyna: Un, to sign our marriage registration form.

_ Hessy: TO MAKE A GUILD!

Aw~ Sad face~

_ Su: I'll gladly sign it~!

At least someone is motivated, even if she's a rotten elf!

_ Linista: You have not given me an engagement ring to begin with.

Such a materialistic reason?!

_ Shadyna: Got it, I'll make an engagement ring for everyone later. Please take good care of me, Linny~

_ Linny: Likewise, owner.

Happy face~

_ Elri: We are still going to make a guild right?!

_ Hessy: *Sighs* Let them fool around. We are still waiting for after all.

is the leader of the pizza delivery girls. All the soon-to-be managers will be joining me today, hence the quintuple date.

Speaking of the devil, she has arrived.

A young rogue player dressed in the familiar delivery girl outfit waves at us as she enters the room. I remember having thought that she was the protagonist in a sport-related movie when we first met, and that impression has not changed. Looking at her side ponytail, I sort of wonder if the delivery team like having their hair tied up for ease of movement. They are all speed demons so it's a real possibility.

_ Falyn: Hiyo, everyone~ Ah, owner is thinking something rude already!

I should switch headgear to one with opaque veil…

_ Shadyna: It's your imagination~ What kind of engagement ring do you want, ?

_ Falyn: Sapphire, same color as my hair.

_ Shadyna: Got it~

_ Elri: Why are… Actually, I don't even want to know anymore.

Elri, please don't give up! We need a sane (wo)man in the party!

_ Shadyna: By the way, where do we go to make a guild?

_ Hessy: You didn't listen to anything yesterday did you? We have to receive the guild quest from the weirdo NPC in the marketplace.

But I did! I was just too occupied with finding clues about Sateri, my brain filtered out all other information!

Sorry.

…

The marketplace shouldn't be called as such anymore. Due to the heavy traffic towards Sateri's statue, there is no place to setup shops. It appears that has converted the surrounding residential area to the new shopping district, according to the wooden sign I'm reading here.

Rent bill is going to skyrocket this month huh. Do your best, snaky merchants~

_ Su (Party): Ufufu, seems like my wife's little exploit is still unknown for the most part.

It's not exploit! It's common sense! Believers in real life don't travel half the planet for their weekly prayers, do they? They would build whatever they need in their neighborhood instead.

_ Elri (Party): Honestly, it's so dead simple, I'm surprised no one has posted it on the board.

_ Hessy (Party): The players degenerate enough to think of it are the ones who prefer the genuine article. It takes both degeneracy and laziness to pull that off.

That isn't a compliment at all, Hessy…

_ Falyn (Party): Shouldn't we do something about this crowd? The pizza is going cold.

Why do you have a pizza in your inventory?!

Still, going in the normal way is going to take hours. Because the NPC we need is right next to the statue, we will have to plow through this sea of worshippers.

_ Elri (Party): Don't worry, kindly lent me the solution for this.

Huh, I was going to propose [Friendship Engine], but Elri has that covered. Who are you and what have you done to my reckless elf in knight armor?!

____________

At the center of the town square, many guildmasters are struggling to approach the NPC in charge of handing out guild quest.

_ Maximus: Finally! , next time we do a guild quest, you go alone.

One of them is a certain warrior with an oversized [Artifact] sword. Due to 's prophecy, they postponed the creation of their guild until today.

At least one member is regretting that decision already.

_ Ignar: Ahaha, I don't mind, but don't you need the daily [Karmic Fragment] as well?

_ Maximus: Dammit! Maybe we should just force our way through next time…

It can be said that the true guild quest is getting to the NPC in the first place. For players with short temper, it is indeed a test of one's resolve.

_ Tippe: Crap, Max is going to become a criminal at this rate.

_ Maximus: You are one to talk!

Little did they know, another party has a similar idea.

_ Unlucky player: UWAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!

Without any ominous foreshadowing, a pitch black hole to abyss opens behind them. As it swallows up the players standing there, the culprits emerge from said gate.

When 's party turn around, they see the most terrifying monstrosity in the player base spinning in front of the dumbfounded players, with her usual trademark grin.

_ Shadyna: In the name of love and justice…

_ Everyone: YOU ARE THE LAST PERSON I WANT TO HEAR THAT FROM!!!

_ Shadyna: Eh~

And she is delusional today as well.

____________

Even though I did my best to make my entry like a normal magical girl, the audience wasn't happy with it.

Youngsters these days are too hard to please~

Next time I'll try an idol approach, un.

_ Player across the hole: Oh, you girls again. Hurry up will you?

_ Shadyna: Thanks~

I appreciate your understandi… Hold on a second, "again"?

I look at Elri, waiting for an explanation, but she just turns away without saying anything.

used [Deep Tunnel] yesterday to jump the line as well, didn't she…? Let's have a talk with her later so she doesn't unknowingly cause public disturbances in real life, un!

_ Ignar: Eh…

What a coincidence, is here too. Didn't he create a guild before the patch?

_ Shadyna: Please go ahead first. I don't mind waiting for a bit.

Players from across [Deep Tunnel]'s entrance, please don't glare at me with that "Are you seriously saying that?" look~

By the way, the rich old man NPC we needed was talking the whole time. Not to me or , he was simply talking.

_ Rich old man: Praaaaaaaaaay to the Sun Goddess, my children! Praaaaaay, as her light guiiiiiides us through the eternal darkness!

Dear Sateri it's the annoying preacher type!

He wears luxurious clothing which give an impression of someone with high social status. I suppose he is at least the equivalent of a bishop?

Sateri, couldn't you choose someone with a normal personality to handle guild quests…? A cute and helpful priestess for example. Having to endure his endless speeches whenever a guild-related problem comes up is not something I look forward to.

_ Ignar: Excuse me, I would like to create a guild.

_ Rich old bishop (?): Welcome, great warrior! The Goddess blesses your endeavor to restore our gloooooooooorious golden age. I take it that you want to raise a new banner in her name, to bring us closer to our final victory?

_ Ignar: Uh, yes.

I feel exhausted just listening from the side. Can I go home now?

_ Rich old bishop (?): The Sun Goddess asks for a tribute of one silver coin in exchange for a fragment of her power. A smaaaaaaall price to pay for what you will get back in return.

Are you a salesman?! What's next, a discount for every other player invited to your pyramid scheme?!

_ Ignar: Not one gold coin huh. Here you go. *Mumbles* Anything to get me out of this…

Don't worry, . The NPC probably won't understand that even if you say that straight to his face.

_ Rich old bishop (?): May the Goddess watch over you, great warrior. Take this token as proof of your tribute. Now, go out there with your allies, great warrior. Slaaaaaaaay the enemies, and once the token is filled with their souls, you can craft the rallying banner you wished for.

Okay, what kind of genocidal bureaucratic procedure is this?! Why do we have to murder stuff to create a guild?!

_ Ignar: *Checks inventory* Ten enemies. No problem then. Max, , let's go.

_ Maximus & Tippe: Oh!

_ Ignar: Ah, , mind if we use this hole to get out?

_ Shadyna: Of course~

I thought they were hardcore grindy type, but they are surprisingly flexible when it is convenient huh. That's okay, I totally get that feeling~

Now that his party has left by using [Deep Tunnel], it is our turn.

_ Shadyna: Hello~ I would like to create a har… I mean, a guild, please~

_ Hessy: You tried to say something else didn't you?!

Don't mind, don't mind~

_ Rich old bishop (?): Heeeeeeeretic!!! Even now, you dareeeeeeee show up before the Goddess after all you have done?!

_ Shadyna: …Eh?

What's with the difference in attitude? A few seconds ago he was still unironically calling a great warrior, and now he does a 180-degree switch?!

_ Rich old bishop (?): If it weren't for her boooooooundless mercy, I would have struck you down on the spot! As much as I want to banish you from this land for an eternity, she is willing to give you a chance.

_ Hessy: He doesn't like you at all.

_ Shadyna: You don't say…

Worse still, I have no idea why he is so pissed. Is it because of me getting lovey-dovey with Sateri? In that case, feel free to be jealous!

_ Jerk bishop: Pay one silver coin, for that is all the Goddess asks for.

Pretty sure the only one emphasizing the tribute thingy this whole time was you, jerk.

Nevertheless, let's give him the coin to get this over with.

[Received Hollow Guild Mark (0/500) x1]

_ Jerk bishop: Get out of here, and slaaaaaaaaaaaay the foes of the Sun Godde…

_ Shadyna: Uhm, why is it 500, not 10? And I'm a pacifist. Is there any other way to do this?

I'm sure this number is what was talking about. Thing is, my number is somehow 50 times his?!

_ Jerk bishop: INSOLENCE! How DARE you question her greaaaaatness?! You got off lightly despite your sins, and you still want more?!

Can this guy talk for ten seconds without berating me? This is getting annoying.

_ Jerk bishop: If you won't take their lives, then hide behind others like the coward you are or fill it with your own blood!

My own blood? Is he saying that [Hollow Guild Mark] can be filled not only with dead mobs, but also dead players?

_ Linista: Owner, let's leave. 500 mobs are not that hard. We will do the killing for you so…

_ Shadyna: Thanks for your consideration, Linny. However…

My managers pull back a bit in surprise as I turn to them. What kind of expression am I making to have them react like that, I wonder?

_ Shadyna: I am a pacifist, and will do the quest the pacifist's way.

The true pacifist me would not kill, and even the technical pacifist me would not retaliate unless attacked first. Honestly speaking, I would have been fine with my managers doing the dirty work, if this jerk here hadn't treated me like trash.

Even if he regrets it now, it is already too late. Ufufu… Commence maniacal laugh!

_ Hessy: *Mumbles* Stupid NPC. Whatever happens after this will be your damn fault.

I can hear you there, Hessy~

____________

In a certain maid café, the day is slowly passing as usual.

Or, to put it in another way, they can really use a few more customers.

_ Depraved maid: Uuu… At this rate we will be in the red today too…

There is no lack of degenerate patrons who want to eat handmade lunches from cute girls dressed in maid costumes. However, once the novelty wore off, the degenerates quickly went back to the cafeteria, which offers stronger food buffs, and the essential [Recall] service.

As a result, the maid café has been struggling financially. The Unity of Mankind makes sure they won't go out of business, but the depraved maid knows she is being a burden to others.

Next to her, the kind maid is diligently preparing food for the few patrons in this place.

_ Kind maid: I did tell you that appeals alone won't be enough.

_ Depraved maid: Uuu… I know… Maybe we will need to sell our bodies to make ends meet after all…

_ Kind maid: Please keep your depraved imaginations to yourself.

*Tinkling*

As soon as the bell above the door rings, smile returns to the depraved maid instantly.

_ Depraved maid: Welcome back, maste…

And disappears just as fast the moment she sees who were entering her café.

--- Topic: NPC Trade Hub #1 ---

## Silver Merchant

Topic to buy/sell Heart Core (not Soul Core) introduced by the new patch (1.0d33). Due to the randomness of NPCs, please provide screenshot and Inspect result of each NPC on sale.

Soul Cores (and quests) have their own thread here: [Link]. They are the only way to acquire Heart Cores as far as we know.

EDIT: To secret agents, we are trading virtual NPCs, not real humans!

##

## Manly Warrior

Let me start this with my spare NPC! ^_^

Appearance: [Pic]

Stats: [Pic]

Summary: Tanky type. Overlap with my role in party so I am selling him.

PM me for price. Accept ranged NPCs as payment.

##

## Nearseeing Sage

WTB little girl NPC. (*^0^*)

PM price to me pls.

##

## Fire mage of Justice

Reported. Damn lolicon. (－‸ლ)

I haven't seen many NPCs with such appearance, let alone acquiring their Heart Core.

##

## Mage of Sin

Admittedly, they are a rare breed. Has anyone acquired one? Usually the combat-capable NPCs are the one giving Heart Cores.

WTB beautiful female NPC ＼(^o^)／

##

## Heaven Piercer

One day into the patch and we already have a humanoid trafficking ring. (・・;)

##

## Silver Merchant

I could have sworn the idea sounded saner in my head…

##

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--- Topic: Cute girls appreciation thread #85 ---

## CuteIsJustice

Last time guys. Do NOT post pics of NPCs here. They have their own thread here: [Link]

Violating posts will be removed. You have been warned.

##

## Shining Knight

Thank you for your hard work. (￣□￣;)

Saw these girls jumping the line in the marketplace just now. [Pic]

##

## Heaven Piercer

That's Black Mantis. She has her own thread here: [Pic]

Is it me or her smile there is a bit… chilling?

##

## CuteIsJustice

After 24 hours of cleaning up the NPC pics, a misplaced pic of her is a sight for sore eyes. Just remember to use the correct thread next time.

@Heaven Piercer: Not just you.

##

## StoneHoarder

The smile of a cute psychopath who is about to end your life, probably. (^o^)

This one was taken in the maid café. [Pic]

Virtual cookies for who can guess what happened to that poor maid afterwards. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

##

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