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Remilia Scarlet Race: Vampire, Devil Ability: Manipulation of Fate Occupation: Mistress of the Scarlet Devil Mansion Residence: Scarlet Devil Mansion Unlock Condition: Plant a Tea Bush.
The majestic Mistress of the Scarlet Devil Mansion stood with her hands clasped behind her back, chin tilted upward, looking down at Leo.
Or at least, she was trying to look down at him.
In Leo's eyes, she was just a little girl in a pink frilly dress, staring at him with big, crimson eyes. The harder she tried to act serious, the cuter she became. The urge to give her a headpat was overwhelming, but the cold, silver flash of a knife from the Maid standing in the shadows made Leo wisely abandon that suicidal thought.
Sakuya Izayoi Race: Human Ability: Manipulation of Time Occupation: Head Maid Residence: Scarlet Devil Mansion Unlock Condition: Work for 30 consecutive days and deplete Stamina to 1 point daily. (16/30)
Leo checked the progress bar. He was halfway there.
Although he spent most of his time wandering around, he made sure to burn his Stamina bar every night. It was a waste not to. Every evening, before bed, Leo would maniacally chop trees until he passed out.
Wood was the ultimate bottleneck. Kegs, buildings, chests, flooring—everything needed wood. Even reforesting the map couldn't keep up with his consumption.
He glanced at the bench in the gazebo. A girl in pajamas lay there like a corpse, face buried in a book to block out the sun.
Patchouli Knowledge Race: Witch, Magician Ability: Manipulation of Elemental Magic Occupation: Librarian Residence: Scarlet Devil Mansion Unlock Condition: Donate 5 Lost Books to the Museum. (5/5 - COMPLETE)
Leo had unlocked her ages ago. Lost Books were common drops from Artifact Spots. He had thrown them into the library without reading them; as a veteran player, he knew the tutorials by heart.
"I have waited for you here today only to give you something," Remilia spoke, her voice melodious and haughty. "The Dragon God entrusted me with this task. Only I can grant you this power."
Flap.
The bat wings on her back twitched, and she floated up until she was finally at eye level with Leo.
At this moment, a true sense of majesty radiated from her. The aura of the "Scarlet Devil" finally surfaced, replacing the image of the "Weak Sister" who cried when Flandre ate her pudding.
"Ten thousand threads... at my fingertips."
Remilia raised her right hand.
A point of crimson light gathered on her fingernail.
From the empty air, countless red threads emerged. They tangled and wove together, converging on that single point of light. The visual effects blew away any Marvel movie Leo had ever seen. The air hummed with the vibration of destiny being rewritten.
Remilia's eyes glowed with an ominous red light. She stared intently into Leo's eyes, preparing to deliver a line that would change his life.
Leo stared back, focused entirely on her hand.
"Your nails are a bit long," Leo noted earnestly. "You should probably trim them. It's unhygienic."
"Our fates, intertwi—"
Remilia choked. She rolled her eyes so hard it looked painful.
She had intentionally paused for dramatic effect, expecting awe, fear, or gratitude. Instead, she got a hygiene tip.
I am a Vampire! Long nails are standard equipment!
"Just take it!"
She poked her finger violently against Leo's forehead.
Zing.
The ball of light sank into his skin.
Instantly, Leo's vision shifted. He saw the world as a web. Countless red threads extended from the void, from Remilia, from Sakuya, all gathering and plugging into... his phone.
The interface shimmered, and the threads faded.
"What is this?" Leo rubbed his forehead. "Your finger is really cold. You should drink more brown sugar ginger tea."
The sensation of her icy skin against his forehead lingered.
"This is Fate," Remilia huffed, floating back down to her chair. "I have shared a portion of my ability with you. With these threads, your world is now a 'Fishhook'."
"A Fishhook?"
"It can attract other worlds to bite," Remilia explained, picking up her teacup. "It links your reality to others."
Leo pulled out his phone.
A new tab had appeared next to the [Villager] and [Quest] menus.
The icon was a networked globe—the symbol for Multiplayer Mode.
[Universal Market: ONLINE]
His shop was no longer limited to the phones of Gensokyo youkai. It was now listed on the shopping apps of various dimensions. If someone from another world bought a parsnip from Leo, a connection—a thread of fate—would be established.
"By the way," Remilia added, sipping her tea. "Other people's abilities can also be shared with you, depending on their willingness. The Dragon God has already paid my 'Appearance Fee.' As for others... it depends on whether you can afford their price."
She glanced at Sakuya, then back to the river view. She didn't specify the price, but Leo could guess.
"I have a question," Leo sat down opposite her. "Do you drink blood? Besides human blood, is animal blood okay?"
Remilia raised an eyebrow. "It is better to have it, but not strictly necessary. I don't rely on it to survive. And I don't drink animal blood. It tastes... muddy."
She leaned back, relaxing. It felt good to enjoy afternoon tea without Flandre tackling her.
"When I link to a normal world, I'll buy you some medical blood bags," Leo promised.
Remilia's ability was a game-changer. Selling produce was secondary; buying was the priority.
Gensokyo was stripped bare. Leo had asked Ran if he could buy chickens. Ran had laughed. "Chickens? We ate the last egg three hundred years ago."
If Leo wanted to raise animals, he needed to import them from other dimensions.
He needed chickens. Eggs. Mayonnaise. Fried Chicken. The chicken was the most versatile animal in existence. A farm without chickens was just a garden.
The group sat in the gazebo, enjoying the rare peace. Outside, the Little Fairies and the Flandre-Clones were running wild in the fields.
"Big Sister! I'm here~~!"
A wicked little hand shot out from behind Remilia's chair.
Snatch.
The last butter cookie on Remilia's plate—the one she was saving for last—vanished.
"Nom."
Flandre Scarlet popped the cookie into her mouth, crumbs falling onto Remilia's shoulder.
Remilia froze. Her majesty shattered.
"FLANDRE!"
The vampire lord stood up, small fists trembling.
"Don't force me to smack you right when I'm trying to look cool!"