Sparkle was naturally very satisfied with everyone's reaction.
What pleased her even more was Nero's performance. Her little coworker was so reliable, he acted so convincingly, as if he really didn't know anything.
Which, in fact, was true. Nero really didn't know anything, so he was genuinely interested.
But Sparkle would never think that way. This was her little coworker, after all, the same little coworker who had put Sampo through hell. How could he possibly know nothing?
Sparkle was someone who lived for acting, yet even she couldn't help praising her little coworker's acting skills.
Now that she had everyone's attention, she spoke again.
"Come on, you three, let old Sampo show you what the adult world is really like!"
With that, Sparkle led the three of them away.
Firefly, who knew the most, hesitated before speaking.
"Um... Mr. Sampo..."
"Is something worrying you, Miss Firefly? Don't worry. Everything's perfectly decent and above board!"
The three followed Sparkle to Clockie Plaza. Below them stood Clockie's statue.
The detour was too long, so Sparkle simply had everyone ride a pinball launcher across to the opposite street.
Nero didn't actually need it. He could have crossed on Black Cutter instead. But he was here to have fun, so he got on the launcher as well. From the ride alone, it was a pretty thrilling attraction.
After getting off, they headed down the nearest path toward the underground section of the Oti Mall.
According to Sparkle, they were going to Pepeshi's Salon down below.
She claimed that, aside from Pepeshi, only people with VIP cards were allowed inside.
The group soon arrived at the entrance. Sparkle greeted the staff, looking like she was quite familiar with the place.
Even so, a VIP card was still required to enter. The Sampo she was playing naturally had one, but the others didn't.
Specifically, that meant Stelle and Firefly. For some reason, the bodyguard didn't seem to have any intention of stopping Nero.
But it would be troublesome if they couldn't all go in together. Sparkle had apparently prepared for this beforehand. She had the bodyguard notify someone inside, then retrieved several items that had been left with the owner for safekeeping.
The people inside also seemed to know what she intended to do, so they sent over something called Shattered Dream as well.
For the time being, Firefly, Stelle, and Nero had no idea what any of those items were for.
Afterward, Sparkle brought them to an arcade machine.
It was called an arcade machine, but it looked more like a television. Sparkle said it was the kind of game that better suited the Dreamscape, unlike the electronic junk over in Punklorde.
Firefly's expression didn't change, but she felt a little conflicted inside.
If their communications were connected right now, she wondered what Silver Wolf, who treated games like her life, would think after hearing that.
Sparkle invited Stelle to touch the TV.
But looking at Sampo's face, Stelle felt like something was off.
"I'll do it!"
Nero shouted and reached out to touch the TV.
The next moment, his body changed.
The TV... or rather, the arcade screen, seemed to project some kind of effect. Then, right before everyone's eyes, Nero transformed into a short, big-nosed cool guy wearing a black trench coat, a black top hat, and sunglasses.
The other three reacted differently to his transformation, wearing expressions of gloating amusement, surprise, and eager anticipation.
Nero was still wondering what had happened to him when he saw Stelle dash over and voluntarily touch the TV.
She transformed into the same kind of cool guy.
When only Nero had transformed, it wasn't obvious. But now that Stelle had transformed too, the comparison made it clear.
The fur on Nero's transformed body was smoother and shinier, and he even had a sparkling effect that Stelle's version didn't.
Nero looked at Stelle.
Now they really were the Hanu Brothers.
Sparkle laughed for a while before explaining the basic story of the game called Little Hanu Action to the two of them.
She said she had something interesting to show the three of them, but it required the reward from clearing the arcade game.
Stelle and Nero exchanged a glance, then casually walked toward the game's entrance, a spot that looked like either a dog hole or a drainage pipe, with artwork of the Hanu Brothers pasted above it.
It was another long-awaited co-op adventure.
The tiny world was a lot of fun.
Unfortunately, the game's restrictions didn't really affect Nero.
His very existence was practically a bug. Even in the Hanu Brothers' tiny bodies, he could casually move around the stacked books and balloons however he wanted.
Nero didn't know whether the NPCs reacted in real time, but he only remembered that after kicking away the books and casually tossing aside the balloons, the Stone Boss gradually stopped talking.
There was originally an iron gate that players were supposed to cross by using a rocket launcher.
Normal players would naturally ride the rocket across.
Nero simply tore the rocket off its mount and used it like a shell to blow up the iron gate.
While normal players were still sneaking around like secret agents...
The Hanu Brothers played by Stelle and Nero looked more like a pair of bandits.
While normal players carefully searched for treasure chests...
The Hanu Brothers played by Stelle and Nero had already started robbing the Stone Boss's house.
Other players climbed walls, hid themselves, and carefully opened treasure chests.
Wherever Stelle and Nero went, nothing was left behind.
'Mine, mine, all mine! If I see it, it's mine!'
After all, they had no idea what item Sparkle, or rather, Sampo, actually needed.
So they simply took everything they saw that looked even a little special.
This time, they really proved the Stone Boss's line at the end of the game true.
"Oh, damn those Hanu Brothers! You've ruined my plans again, and you've stolen all the treasure I worked so hard exploiting people to collect!"
Stelle was delighted.
Playing games with Nero was always the best.
Outside, Sparkle and Firefly watched Stelle and Nero's performance through the TV... arcade machine.
Their expressions were priceless.
Right before their eyes, those two had somehow turned Little Hanu Action into The Hanu Brothers: Annihilation Gang.
What was that like?
It was like playing a game where you're supposed to be an imperial constable, yet you spend the entire game acting like a mountain bandit.
After finishing the game, Stelle and Nero obtained the Emotion Prototype: A Moment of Freedom.
Perhaps that was what Sparkle had wanted all along.
Firefly had originally been a little worried about Stelle.
But after watching the entire performance, her feelings had become rather complicated.
Sparkle, on the other hand, was overjoyed after getting the item.
"My dear, you're amazing!"
Then she added, "Everything's ready. All that's left is the dream."
With that, she led the three of them back upstairs to the Dreamscape Shop, where Doctor Edward was.
"Welcome to the Dreamscape Shop. Doctor Edward is at your service," Doctor Edward said.
Looking at the giant eyeball, Nero exclaimed, "My goodness, Cirrus, you two look so alike!"
A faint ghostly flame floated out of Nero's pocket, and the atmosphere instantly froze.
The two giant eyeballs stared at each other.
After a long silence, Cirrus finally spoke, "The person who designed you must have excellent taste."
"I agree," Doctor Edward replied. "Madam, you have excellent taste as well."
The four people behind them looked at one another.
The sight of two giant eyeballs having a conversation while staring at each other was just too strange.
Sparkle's eyes rolled as her gaze landed on Nero.
After watching both the Hanu Brothers and now the Eyeball Brothers, she was completely convinced that her little coworker had a real talent for stirring things up.
After Cirrus and Doctor Edward finished exchanging commercial compliments, Doctor Edward greeted Stelle, whom he had met not long ago.
Only then did Sparkle, still wearing Sampo's face, call out loudly, "Hey, Doctor Edward. I'd like to let my friends experience something... interesting. You know what I mean."