Easy.
A little Firefly—
completely handled.
No matter how you looked at her—
This fragile, soft girl—
Was impossible to associate with the infamous Stellaron Hunter: Sam.
No wonder Stelle was so shocked—
When Firefly got "killed" by Sleepie later.
Honestly—
Anyone would be.
Right now—
As Evan's gaze met hers—
The girl immediately shrank back slightly.
"I… I'm Firefly…"
"I'm an artist from the Iris Family…"
"Though I'm still just an intern…"
"And just now… thank you so much…"
She carefully observed Evan.
So this—
Was the genius Silver Wolf mentioned?
Could he really have…
What she needed?
"Evan. A Nameless."
"I'm Sparkle~"
Before Evan could finish—
Sparkle's little golden fish floated over—
Circling around Firefly.
Firefly couldn't help but glance at her.
"Hehe~"
"What a cute little girl~"
So—
This was her "client," huh?
Sparkle examined her carefully.
She knew exactly who Firefly was.
A Stellaron Hunter—
Yet beneath that armor—
Was such a fragile girl.
The contrast.
Too delightful.
Sparkle loved contrasts.
Glasses girls, schoolgirls—
And now—
mecha girl?
Even better.
"Firefly~"
"So what delicious food are you planning to treat us to?"
Sparkle asked cheerfully.
"…Huh?"
"T-two people now?"
Firefly froze.
Wait—
I only meant to treat him…
Why did another one suddenly join?!
"Hm?"
"What do you mean two people?"
"I helped too, you know~"
"Or… you don't want to treat me?"
"I—I understand… if someone helps me, I should repay them…"
Firefly panicked slightly.
She wasn't used to this.
"You… you're guests invited by the Family, right?"
"I… I can be your guide."
"Even though I got mistaken for a stowaway…"
"I'm actually a local…"
"…Well… a temporary actor."
Evan and Sparkle exchanged a glance.
Director.
Producer.
They already knew exactly who she was.
Only someone like Stelle—
Would actually believe she was a "local."
Firefly continued nervously—
"When I'm not performing…"
"I also do reception work around Glaux Avenue…"
"If you don't mind, I can show you around!"
"Reception work?"
"Y-yes!"
"Even in dreams… people still need to live…"
Seeing her obedient, careful demeanor—
Sparkle finally understood—
Why Silver Wolf asked her—
To ensure Firefly's three safe deaths.
Elio really knew how to use people.
Soon—
The three arrived at a restaurant.
"Here it is!"
"There's a saying—"
"In dreams, hunger is the finest seasoning."
"This place has most of Penacony's signature foods!"
"Clockie Pizza, Oak Cake Roll, Clover Salad…"
"And of course—SoulGlad!"
"Pick whatever you want!"
"I'll pay!"
Firefly clutched her small wallet.
200,000 credits.
That should be enough…
Right?
This was Silver Wolf's money after all.
Normally—
She could barely afford a single Oak Cake Roll.
"'Oak Cake Roll'? That sounds terrible."
Sparkle immediately judged.
Evan looked at Firefly—
Almost pityingly.
"You sure you want to invite her?"
"She eats a lot."
"I-it should be fine…"
"I have some savings…"
"Then I won't hold back~!"
Sparkle rushed forward—
Starting to order enthusiastically.
The restaurant—
Was called Clockie Restaurant.
Clockie—
Was everywhere in Penacony.
Across all Twelve Hours—
His presence was unavoidable.
Especially his animation:
"Welcome to Dreamtown!"
The story was simple—
Clockie arrived at the Reverie Hotel.
After waiting forever—
Just as he was about to check in—
A stone boss grabbed him—
And threw him aside.
Taking his spot.
Clockie got angry.
So he rewound time—
Sent the boss back outside—
And entered first.
The boss got his nose flattened by the door.
Later—
Clockie danced happily.
The boss attacked with pizza—
Missed—
Hit the Hanu Brothers.
They retaliated—
With rockets.
The boss slipped on pizza—
And got blown up.
Thus—
The restaurant's signature dish:
Clockie Pizza.
Perfectly sliced into 12 equal pieces.
Price?
3,000 credits.
"Give me this, this, this, this—"
"All three flavors of Dream Cones!"
"No Oak Cake Roll."
Sparkle showed zero mercy.
Ordered everything.
Evan added a few casually.
Meanwhile—
Firefly's face visibly stiffened.
Even though—
Total cost < 50,000 credits.
Even though—
She had 200,000.
Still—
Pain.
Visible.
"…Here."
"Extra cone. Want it?"
Evan handed her one—
Snatched back from Sparkle.
"I-is that okay?"
"I'm the one treating you…"
"Eat."
"Mmm—Evan, how's the Oak Cake Roll?"
Sparkle asked while chewing pizza.
"…Hard to describe."
Honestly—
Firefly's life here was rough.
A 10-billion bounty—
Reduced to scraping by—
Eating tree bark disguised as dessert.
"..."
Soon—
They sat down.
Left: Sparkle (Elation)
Right: Firefly (Finality's soldier)
Center: Evan
Nameless.
Memory Path.
Follower of Nous.
Genius Society No.85.
After eating—
Firefly wiped her mouth carefully.
"I… I'm sorry…"
"My work shift is starting…"
"I have to go…"
"Work?"
"Sparkle, weren't you looking for an actor?"
"She'll do."
"…Huh?"
Sparkle froze mid-bite.
Firefly too.
Actor?
What actor?
But—
She had a goal.
To get close to Evan.
To find a cure.
"…I can do it!"
"I'm from the Iris Family!"
"I can definitely perform well!"
"So… what do you need me to do?"
She tilted her head.
Evan smiled slightly.
"Shh."
"Keep your voice down."
"Our plan is…"
A few seconds later—
Even Firefly—
A Stellaron Hunter—
Was stunned.
"W-what?!"
"Kill… kill Miss Robin?!"
"Are you serious?!"
"Why?!"
"Why doesn't matter."
"What matters is—"
"How to kill her in front of everyone."
"I have an idea."
"Late at night."
"Sneak into her room."
"Then…"
"Send her to the sky."
Evan smiled.
A smile so calm—
Even Sparkle felt a chill of excitement.
"…This guy."
"Is more suited to the Tavern than me…"
And yet—
There was still no trace—
Of Aha's blessing on him.
Strange.
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