The school bell finally rang, signaling the end of the day. But for Haruto, the exit wasn't going to be easy.
A massive crowd of students had surrounded the Three Goddesses, blocking the hallway. They were begging for attention. Haruto, feeling his patience won't last long, didn't feel like waiting in line.
–BOOM.--
He stepped into the center of the swarm. Without a word, he reached out, grabbed Ivory, Lustra, and Bellona by their hands, and physically pulled them through the wall of people. The crowd parted in shock as Haruto began to run toward the main gate, dragging the three of the most beautiful girls in the school behind him. But as they reached the grand entrance, a shadow flickered.
–DAM.--
Toya appeared out of nowhere, blocking the path. He didn't say a word; he just dropped into that same deep, respectful bow right in the middle of the gateway.
"Master Haruto," Toya's voice rang out, clear and firm.
"Please... I have waited all day. Give me your answer."
At the mention of the word 'Master,' the three Goddesses—Ivory, Lustra, and Bellona—exchanged a synchronized evil smile. They knew Haruto hated being called 'Master' in public; it made him feel like a protagonist in a cheesy RPG.
"Yes, Master Haruto," Lustra teased, her eyes glinting with mischief.
"The candidate is waiting. What is your answer, Master?"
Haruto's face twitched. "Shut up, you!" he snapped, turning his attention back to Toya.
"And you! Stand up! Don't call me Master. Just call me Haruto."
While Haruto was trying to downplay everything, Toya's mind was racing at overclocked speeds. He wasn't looking at a Level 3 student; he was looking at a mystery that defied the laws of their world.
(Toya's Inner Thoughts:) Nobody jumps levels like that unless they are already at the top, just 'Masking' their true stats. If he's staying at such a low level voluntarily, it means he comes from a Massive Underground Organization... or maybe even the Dark Council itself. He isn't just a student; he's a High-Level Wizard who knows how to 'destroy' the very system we live in.
He glanced at the three girls surrounding Haruto.
And those three... Ivory, Lustra, Bellona... Women of that caliber, with that kind of ethereal beauty and overwhelming mana, don't follow someone for money or status. You can't buy that kind of devotion. They aren't 'Bodyguards'—they are his 'Legions.' If he can command them to massage them in front of every one and they even thought for a sec of their respect while pretending to be a commoner, then his true rank must be beyond anything the Academy has ever recorded. Following him isn't just a choice... it's the only way I'll ever see the 'Real Game' behind this world.
Toya looked up, his expression dead serious.
"I cannot do that unless you accept me. Please, let me prove my loyalty. Tell me your answer."
Haruto sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Look, there's no need for all this drama. You don't need to bow, and you don't need to follow me."
"It is absolutely necessary!" Toya insisted, his voice filled with a stubborn determination that Haruto couldn't ignore.
Haruto looked around. The entire school was watching them. If he stayed here any longer, the 'social noise' would become unbearable. He realized there was only one way to settle this without a scene.
"Fine," Haruto muttered, defeated by Toya's persistence.
"Follow me. But we're finishing this conversation at my place."
As they began the walk toward Haruto's place, Haruto looked over at Toya.
"So, where are you staying anyway?"
Toya looked down, a bit embarrassed.
"I came here from a very long distance so I'm staying in a small rental room near the edge of the district."
Haruto stopped in his tracks, his eyes narrowing as he looked at the crumbling building in front of them.
(Haruto's Inner Thoughts:)I was going to take him to the Manor, but wait... if I bring him to my base right now, it might not be great. It's not safe to show him my real setup yet. I need to see where he's currently "staying" and check his environment first.
"Change of plans," Haruto said calmly. "Toya, take us to your place first. I want to see your base."
Toya's face went pale. He started waving his hands nervously.
"No, no! Haruto, you don't want to go there. It's... it's really not a place for someone like you. Please, understand!"
Haruto didn't budge.
"If you want my answer, you have to show me. That's the deal. Lead the way."
Toya slumped his shoulders, defeated. He led them through a maze of dark, smelly alleys until they reached a shivering wooden door at the back of a broken-down Inn. When he opened it, the scene was worse than any low-level dungeon.
The room was a nightmare. The wallpaper was peeling off like rotting skin, and the air smelled like damp mold and old trash. There was a massive hole in the ceiling where dirty rainwater was dripping into a rusty bucket. In the corner, a "bed" made of thin, yellowed straw sat on the cold floor. A single, broken table held a flickering candle that was almost out.
Haruto stood in the center of the room, his face like stone. He was looking at the "Straw Bed" with a look of pure, cold fury. He couldn't believe the "System" of this world forced a Level 5 talent to live like a stray dog.
Ivory held a silk handkerchief to her nose, her eyes filled with disgust.
"This isn't a room. This is a trash bin. The mana in here is so 'corrupted' I can barely breathe."
Lustra looked at the leaking ceiling and the dirt on the floor.
"This is an insult to the word 'Living.' Even the rats in the streets live better than this."
Bellona didn't reach for her sword this time. Instead, she walked over to the "bed" made of thin, dirty straw and touched it with a gloved finger. She looked at Toya, her usual warrior pride replaced by a look of grim realization.
"I knew fate could be cruel, but showing us a place like this?" Bellona sighed, her eyes softening as she looked at Toya.
"Toya, I actually respect you for this. To sleep in a place where the air smells of rot and the floor is colder than a dungeon... and yet you still show up to the Academy with your head held high? That takes a different kind of strength. Most warriors would have 'Quit' the game long ago if they had to sleep here every night."
He stood in the corner, his head hanging low, his face burning with shame.
"I'm just a poor kid. This was all I could afford. I'm sorry you had to see this."
(Haruto's Inner Thoughts):This mess... It's familiar. Back in my old world, my room wasn't much better. Clothes everywhere, instant ramen cups piling up, the smell of a life stuck in a loop. I was just another 'NPC' working a shift at the Mart, coming home to a box. Seeing Toys like this... it's like looking at a mirror of the version of me I worked so hard to delete.
The disgust in Haruto's chest softened just a fraction, replaced by a strange sense of brotherhood. He looked at Toya, who was still trying to hide in the shadows of the corner.
"Toya," Haruto said, his voice less like a boss and more like someone who actually understood. "How much did you say this place costs?"
Toya flinched, his voice barely a whisper.
"It's... it's 10 credits per night. I know it's a dump, but the Innkeeper said it's the best he could do for someone with no background."
Haruto stopped in his tracks, staring at him in disbelief.
"10 credits? A Level 5 talent like you is living in a 10-credit dump?"
"Why?" Haruto asked, his voice softening with a hint of genuine sympathy.
Toya sighed. "Even though I have talent, my family is very poor. My father suffered and sacrificed everything just to pay my academy entrance fees. I don't have money for luxury. I just need a place to sleep so I can focus on getting stronger."
Haruto felt a pang of pity. He saw the world as a game, but he knew that some players started with a much harder difficulty setting than others.
"And you?" Toya asked, trying to change the subject. "Where do you stay, Haruto?"
Before Haruto could answer, Lustra leaned in with a mischievous giggle.
"Oh, we don't just stay somewhere. We have our own massive private mansion,"
she said, her voice dripping with pride.
Toya's eyes nearly popped out of his head.
"A... a mansion? In this sector?"
He knew that owning a mansion here required either legendary status or an astronomical amount of wealth. He looked at Haruto, realizing for the first time that his "Level 3" friend lived in a completely different world.
Seeing Toya look so overwhelmed and shocked, Haruto reached out and gave Lustra a light, playful flick on the forehead.
"Ow! Haruto that hurt!" she pouted, rubbing her head.
"Stop teasing him," Haruto muttered.
"He's already traumatized enough from seeing my stats earlier. Don't add a mansion on top of it."
He turned back to Toya, who was still staring in awe.
"Ignore her. Let's just get there."
Toya stumbled after him, his voice shaking.
"Wait... where are we going? Are we going to another Inn? Or the Academy?"
Haruto didn't even look back.
"We're going to my house, Toya. It's safer and, frankly, much cleaner than that 10-credit hole."
Toya stopped dead in his tracks.
"Your house? Like... a real house? Are you sure, Haruto? I don't want to be a bother. Your parents... won't they be angry if you bring a stray like me home?"
Haruto let out a short, dry laugh.
"I don't have parents here, Toya. I live alone. Well, alone with these three troublemakers. It's my property. So don't worry about it."
"I... I'm sorry, Haruto," Toya said softly, looking at the ground.
"I didn't know about your parents. I shouldn't have asked."
"Don't sweat it," Haruto replied, his voice indifferent.
"Like I said, it's my property. I make the rules."
But Toya still looked worried. He looked at the three Goddesses walking alongside them—Ivory with her elegant stride, Lustra with her playful energy, and Bellona with her hand on her sword.
"But Haruto... what about space?" Toya whispered, his anxiety spiking again.
"Are these three... really okay with a stranger like me moving into their home? I don't want to make things uncomfortable for them."
Ivory stopped for a second and looked back at Toya. Her expression was calm, but her words were sharp and clear.
"Listen, Toya," Ivory said, her voice smooth like silk.
"This home belongs to Haruto. He is the master of the house. If he chooses to bring someone here, we have no right to stop him or feel 'uncomfortable.' He makes the decisions, and we follow."
She stepped a bit closer, her eyes flashing with a cold warning.
"However," she continued,
"The only time we have a problem is when someone tries to enter against his will. If Haruto says 'no' and someone still tries to force their way in... then they have to deal with us. But since he invited you? You have nothing to fear from us."
Lustra giggled, poking Toya's shoulder. "Exactly! Stop acting like we're going to kick you out. Just wait until you see the place—'space' is the last thing you'll need to worry about."
Toya blinked, still trying to imagine how a house could have "plenty of space" for a stranger like him. "Why?" he asked, his voice small. "Is it really that big?"
Lustra's eyes lit up with mischievous excitement. She started counting on her fingers, her voice getting louder with every word.
"Big? Toya, our home is so massive the entire Academy could move in and we'd still have empty hallways! We have 10 guest rooms, each one five times larger than this dump and a thousand times cleaner. Then there are the 4 Royal rooms, which are basically houses on their own. And don't even get me started on the Queen's Wing—it's ten times the size of this room! Oh, and the King's Room? You can't even compare it to this hole; it's on a whole different level! There's a private pool as big as the King's room itself, and the kitchen is—"
"That's enough, Lustra," Haruto snapped.
Before she could finish her sentence, Haruto reached out and clamped his hand firmly over her mouth. Lustra started muffled, shouting and flailing her arms, trying to pull his hand away, but Haruto held on, looking completely exhausted by her big mouth.
Toya, meanwhile, had stopped walking entirely. His brain had officially hit a [SYSTEM CRASH].
He stood there, frozen, his eyes wide and glazed over. He wasn't just surprised anymore—he was traumatized. He had spent his whole life fighting for every credit, sleeping on straw, and worrying about a 10-credit rent. Now, he was being told that the "Fixer-upper" was basically an Imperial Palace with its own ecosystem.
(Toya's Inner Thoughts:)A pool... the size of a King's room? Ten guest rooms? Ten times bigger than my home? I thought I was joining a secret team, not moving into a legendary dungeon. Haruto... just who—no, what—are you?
"Lustra, you're scaring him," Haruto muttered, finally letting go of her mouth.
Lustra gasped for air, glaring at Haruto.
"I was just giving him the floor plan! He needs to know where the snacks are!"
Haruto ignored her and looked at Toya, who looked like he was about to faint.
"Ignore the numbers, Toya. Just think of it as a place with a roof that doesn't leak. Can you handle that, or do I need to carry you the rest of the way?".......
As soon as they reached there, Haruto opened the heavy mansion doors with a casual shrug.
"It's not much," he said, trying to make it sound like a bargain.
"I picked it up for just 10 G-Credits because it's a bit of a fixer-upper."
Toya froze at the entrance, his mind racing. He wasn't a child; he knew the value of currency. 1 G-Credit was equal to 10,000 standard credits, making the price 1,000,000 credits. While that was a fortune to Toya, it was suspiciously cheap for a mansion of this magnitude. He knew the dark rumors—people considered this place haunted, a cursed estate that no sane person would buy.
(Toya's Inner Thoughts:)A mansion this size for only 10 G-Credits? The rumors must be true. This isn't just a house—it's the 'Cursed Estate.' People say anyone who stays here loses their mind or disappears. Haruto didn't buy a house; he bought a haunted dungeon.
(Haruto's Inner Thoughts):If I were in his shoes... Honestly, I'd feel terrible. But at the same time, I'd probably find it a bit exciting. His life is basically set to 'Extreme Mode'—no money, no items, just raw talent against a world that wants him to fail. It's a challenge I'd enjoy, but for him, it's just exhausting.
Haruto leaned against a marble pillar, studying Toya's face.
(Haruto's Inner Thoughts:)Should I really bring him into the team? If I'm being honest with myself... I actually want a friend. Someone who isn't a Goddess or a Spirit. Someone who just gets it. And looking at him, there's no malice in his eyes. He's not a 'corrupt file.' He's loyal, he's hardworking, and he's got the drive to survive. He's exactly the kind of teammate I need for the long game.
As they stepped into the grand, dimly lit foyer, the temperature plummeted. There, floating near the vaulted ceiling, was Asobi. She was in her translucent form, her body shimmering like pale mist as she drifted lazily through the air.
"GHOST!!" Toya shrieked.
In a flash of pure instinct, Toya summoned his sword. The blade hummed with his White Aura as he stepped in front of Haruto, ready to strike down the "spirit" haunting his friend's home.
Asobi slowly turned her head, her translucent eyes looking down at Toya with pure, unadulterated disgust. She didn't look like a terrifying wraith; she looked like a tenant who had just been woken up from a very expensive nap.
"Seriously?" Asobi's voice echoed through the hall, sounding hollow and bored.
"What is this 'specimen' doing in my hallway? Tell this noisy brat to put that toothpick away before I get annoyed."
Haruto sighed and pushed Toya's sword hand down.
"Relax, Toya. She isn't a ghost... Well, not the kind that kills you. She's just the resident."
Haruto looked up at Asobi.
"Stop acting like a hologram and come down here. We have a guest."
Asobi groaned, and suddenly, the mist around her began to solidify. Within seconds, she landed on the floor in her solid, physical form. She looked like a beautiful but incredibly grumpy girl. Without missing a beat, she reached into the pocket of her dress, pulled out an ornate cigarette pipe between her fingers, and lit it with a flick of her finger.
Puff.
She exhaled a cloud of smoke right into Toya's shocked face.
"Listen, Level 5," she said, her voice now sharp and grounded.
"In this house, I'm the one who decides who is a ghost and who isn't. You scream like that again, and I'll delete your vocal cords."
Toya stood there, paralyzed. He was a Level 5 genius, but in this house, even the 'ghosts' had more attitude and power than the top professors at the academy. He looked at Haruto, then at the three Goddesses who were already making themselves at home, and realized his life was about to become very complicated.
Toya was vibrating with confusion. He looked from Asobi to Haruto, his eyes wide.
"Wait... Haruto! How does she know my level? I never displayed my HUD to her, and I've not been suppressing my mana since we entered!"
Haruto leaned back, closing his eyes as Ivory continued to knead his shoulders.
"Relax, Toya. She has Stealth Skill. She saw through your suppression the second you stepped over the threshold."
Toya's brain felt like it was hitting a critical system error. He couldn't process the information.
"Stealth Skill?! Haruto, that's impossible! Only top-tier mazes above Level 75 can master Stealth Skill. What... what is her actual level?"
Haruto let out a long, weary sigh.
"Her level? It's 90. She's basically a high-level boss who decided to retire and become a ghost."
"LEVEL 90?!" Toya screamed, his voice echoing off the high marble ceilings.
Asobi winced, her grip tightening on her cigarette.
"Your volume is peaking, kid, Keep it down." She hissed, her eyes glowing slightly.
Toya sat there, completely frozen. His eyes were wide, darting between Haruto's bored face and the translucent, beautiful woman floating near the window.
"Level 90... that's... that's God-tier," Toya whispered, his voice trembling.
"Why does she look like that? Is she... is she dead? Did she lose her physical form in a legendary battle?"
Haruto leaned against a pillar, watching the moonlight filter through Asobi's shimmering robes.
"I don't know her full age," Haruto said, his voice dropping into a mysterious tone.
"But she's not 'dead'. She belongs to an incredibly Rare Race—she is a High-Order Spirit. She is the living consciousness of this very house."
"So she... she is the house?" Toya asked, his brain struggling to process the data.
"Exactly," Haruto nodded. "This mansion isn't just stone and wood. It's her body. When I bought the property, I didn't just buy a building; I acquired a Level 90 Guardian."
Asobi let out a dry, haunting chuckle. "A 'Guardian'? Is that what you're calling me now, Boss? I prefer the term 'Property Manager with a License to Kill.'"
(Toya's Inner Thoughts:) A Level 90 Spirit... and she calls Haruto 'Boss.' If the servant is Level 90, then what in the world is the Boss's true level? I saw Level 25 before, but now... I'm starting to think even that was just a tiny fragment of his true power. Haruto isn't just a Wizard. He's the King of a Forgotten Era.
"Asobi, turn up the lights. It's too dim here."
Haruto muttered, then looked toward the dark corners of the hall.
With a lazy snap of Asobi's fingers, the mana lamps throughout the foyer flared to life, illuminating the gold-leaf carvings and expensive tapestries. Toya stood there, paralyzed by the sheer flex of power and wealth.
Haruto stood up and stretched.
"Look, just sit down and breathe. You're acting like a low-tier dum."
He turned to the Three Goddesses.
"You three, go and take a bath. You've been hovering over me all day. I'll talk to our guest while you're gone."
He then looked at Asobi, who was blowing another puff of smoke.
"Asobi, go to the kitchen and prepare something to eat. Toya is staying the night."
Asobi gave Haruto a look of pure, concentrated annoyance. She let out a sharp "Puff" of smoke, rolled her eyes, and muttered,
"Fine... but if he screams again, I'm putting salt in his coffee."
She flicked her cigarette and vanished toward the kitchen, leaving a trail of shimmering mist behind.
As the heavy silence of the grand hall settled around them, Toya suddenly jumped up, his hands waving frantically in the air.
"Wait! No! Haruto, please!" Toya stammered, his face turning a shade of pale that rivaled Asobi's ghost-form.
"There's really no need for that! I'm fine, really! I can just... sleep in the stables? Or maybe in a tree outside? I don't want to be a burden!"
Actually, Toya wasn't worried about being a "burden"—he was worried about his life. The idea of sleeping in a house where the 'Property Manager' was a Level 90 Spirit who clearly hated noise was terrifying.
"I... I can just head back to the Inn" Toya continued, his voice cracking.
"It's only a few miles. I don't want to take up your space, Haruto!"
Haruto didn't move. He didn't blink. He just sat there, the shadows of the grand hall dancing across his face. Slowly, he leaned forward, his bored expression shifting into something cold, sharp, and dangerously serious. The temperature in the room seemed to drop by ten degrees.
"Sit down, Toya," Haruto said, his voice dropping into a low, terrifying whisper.
"You know my secrets now. You've seen my real HUD. And you've seen a Level 90 Spirit serving me coffee." Haruto's eyes locked onto Toya's, pinning him to the spot like a bug under a microscope.
"If you try to walk out of those gates tonight, I can't guarantee what will happen to you. This manor has a mind of its own, and it doesn't like loose ends. Whether it's Asobi's mist or my own 'Flash'... something will stop you before you reach the main road."
He gave a small, dark smirk that didn't reach his eyes.
"But you're a smart guy, Toya. You understand how this game works, right? Once you enter the 'Boss Room,' you don't just leave whenever you want. You stay until the quest is finished. So, stay. Eat. Sleep. It's for your own safety."
Toya felt a cold sweat break out across his forehead. He slowly sank back into the velvet chair, his legs feeling like jelly. He realized that Haruto wasn't just being a "host"—he was holding him hostage in a five-star prison.
"I... I understand," Toya whispered, his voice barely audible.
"I'll stay. I'm... I'm actually very hungry."
(Haruto's Inner Thoughts:)Good. Keep him close, keep him quiet. If he's under my roof, he's under my 'Firewall.' As long as he's with me, the world thinks he's just a friend. But if he becomes a 'Leaker,' I'll have to kill him myself.
As Haruto and Toya sat down in the grand hall, the silence felt heavy. Haruto looked toward the ceiling and called out,
"Asobi, increase the Mana Relief in the hall."
Instantly, a wave of soothing, cool energy washed over them. It felt like a physical weight had been lifted off Toya's chest, allowing his racing heart to finally slow down.
As the "Mana Relief" washed over the hall, Toya's breathing finally stabilized. The cooling energy felt like a system-reboot for his panicked brain.
Haruto leaned back, his eyes narrowing as he watched Toya.
(Haruto's Inner Thoughts:)I remember back when I worked at the Mart... the art of the 'Upsell.' You place the flashiest item at the window to lure the customer in. Once they step inside, they're already halfway committed. But to make them buy the whole stock—to make them stay—you have to show them the entire inventory. You have to make the experience so overwhelming that they can't imagine shopping anywhere else.
Toya is that customer. He saw the 'Void Reaper' at the window and walked into my world. Now, I have to show him the 'Warehouse.' I have to dump the weight of these secrets on him until he's so heavily invested that his only choice is to become my partner in crime. If he carries the burden of my truth, he'll be anchored to me forever. He won't just be a witness... he'll be my friend, because no one else in this world will speak his language anymore.
"Listen, Toya," Haruto said, his voice calm and serious.
"Delete everything you've seen so far from your mind. Treat it like a corrupted save file. If you want to understand the truth, you have to start from zero. Only then will you be able to connect the dots."
Over the next hour, Haruto laid out the entire reality. He told Toya that he wasn't from this world—that he came from a place where everything was different. He explained how he had fought and defeated the three Goddesses when they were at their peak, how he had claimed this "haunted" mansion, and the truth about Asobi's existence as a Level 90 spirit.
He explained that the Star Child title was his link to the system, allowing his level to fluctuate and glitch whenever his emotions—like that cold rage from earlier—triggered a spike in his power.
Toya sat there, his face pale, his hands trembling.
"So... Ivory, Lustra, and Bellona are actually Level 99 Goddesses? And Asobi is a Level 90 Spirit? And you... you are the Master of all of them?"
"Yeah," Haruto replied simply. "But here's the thing, Toya. If you join us, survival won't be easy. You're a Level 5 genius in the academy, but in this house, you're a low level person. The pressure of their mana alone could crush you if you're not ready."
Toya didn't hesitate. He looked Haruto in the eye, his gaze filled with a desperate, burning loyalty.
"I don't care about the danger. I've spent my life being 'talented' but poor. I want to see the world through your eyes, Haruto. Please... let me stay."
Suddenly, a transparent blue screen flickered in front of Haruto's eyes.
[NOTIFICATION]Earn Devotion: Level 4 Unlocked!
Option: Accept Toya?
Result: Team Formation.
Bonus:Devotion - Mana Rejection side effects will be negated for the new member.
[ ACCEPT ] / [ REJECT ]
Haruto stared at the screen. By accepting Toya, the system would automatically bridge their mana, meaning Toya wouldn't be crushed by the presence of the Goddesses anymore.
"Are you really ready?" Haruto asked.,
"Yes I am." Toya replied.
(Haruto's Inner Thoughts:)Ivory told me once that high-level spirits like Asobi are like an endless pool of energy. If I connect Toya to my own power, he won't just be protected—he'll be flooded with that energy. His body is Level 5, but with my connection, he might be able to jump levels instantly. He won't just be a student anymore; he'll be a monster in a human shell.
Haruto gave a small, tired smirk and tapped the [ ACCEPT ] button in the air.
"Fine," Haruto said as a faint golden glow momentarily linked the two of them.
"Welcome, Toya. You're officially part of the team."
As soon as Haruto tapped the [ACCEPT] button, the air in the room didn't just vibrate—it roared. A tether of pure, unfiltered energy snapped into place between Haruto and Toya.
Toya's eyes flew open, his pupils glowing a blinding white. He felt a surge of power so violent it felt like his veins were being rewritten. His mana core, which had been a small flame, suddenly felt like a sun had been shoved into his chest.
The system numbers above his head began to spin frantically: Level 5... 15... 30... 45... and finally, it stabilized at Level 60.
"What... what is this?" Toya gasped, falling to one knee as he gripped his chest.
"Just by becoming a part of your mana chain... I jumped fifty-five levels?"
He realized then that the "Level 25" he saw earlier was just the tip of a massive iceberg. No wonder this man had crushed three Level 99 Goddesses at Level 10—his "quality" of mana was from a different dimension.
Just then, the doors to the hallway opened. Ivory, Lustra, and Bellona walked in, fresh from the baths. They were wearing comfortable lounge clothes—soft silks and loose robes—looking breathtakingly beautiful and relaxed.
Ivory stopped mid-step. Her eyes narrowed as she felt a new, powerful resonance in the room. She instantly activated her Stealth Skill to scan the environment.
"Wait..." Ivory's voice was filled with shock.
"Toya? How is your Level 60? "
Lustra and Bellona stepped forward, their eyes widening. The "weak human" they had brought home was now radiating a pressure that could rival a High Commander.
"He's part of the team now," Haruto said casually, waving a hand as if he hadn't just performed a miracle.
"I've linked him to the system. From now on, he stays here."
He turned to Asobi, who was leaning against the kitchen doorway with a fresh cigarette.
"Asobi, show him his room. And make sure it's a good one."
Haruto then stood up and stretched his back, looking at Toya.
"Alright, brother. Get settled and let's hit the baths now. I need to wash off the 'boredom' of this school day."
Asobi let out a long puff of smoke, looking at Toya with a slightly more respectful—but still annoyed—gaze.
"Fine. Follow me, Level 60 but don't trip over the carpets; they cost more than your previous life."
After the bath, everyone gathered at the massive dining table. The room was filled with the aroma of the food Asobi had prepared.
Toya walked into the dining hall, his hair still damp and his skin glowing from the most intense bath of his life. He looked completely dazed, like a player who had accidentally wandered into a high-level cutscene.
Toya whispered, his voice trembling with awe. "That wasn't a bath. That was a literal lake. I thought I was going to drown in luxury. The water was... it was infused with mana, wasn't it? I feel like my fatigue from the last five years just evaporated in ten minutes."
He looked around the massive dining room, the gold-trimmed walls reflecting the soft light of the floating candles. His mind kept flashing back to the 10-credit dump he had just left—the leaking roof, the smell of mold, and the cold straw.
(Toya's Inner Thoughts):I'm really staying here? In a room five times bigger than my old shack? This isn't just a mansion... it's a sanctuary. Haruto said this is my 'Base' now. Does that mean... I actually call this place home? No more shivering at night? No more hiding from the rain?
He sat down at the edge of the massive mahogany table, almost afraid that if he sat too hard, the whole dream would vanish.
Asobi walked in from the kitchen, wiping her hands.
"I've already retrieved Toya's belongings from that cheap inn." she said, her voice echoing slightly.
"Anything else, boss? Or can I go back to rest, in peace?"
Haruto looked at the long table.
"There are twelve chairs here and only five of us. Grab a chair, Asobi. There's no harm in eating together."
Asobi rolled her eyes and leaned against the wall.
"I am the energy of this manor. As long as these walls stand, I don't need to eat like a mortal."
"Can't you ever say anything normal?" Lustra teased, poking at her food.
"Always acting like 'Miss Blah Blah Blah'," Ivory giggled, joining in.
"Whatever," Bellona muttered, though she had a small smirk on her face.
Toya sat there, still dazed by the surroundings. He looked at his hands, feeling the Level 60 power humming in his veins, and then looked at Haruto.
"Haruto... I have to ask. Why me? Why did you give me this power and tell me your entire life story? You barely know me."
Haruto leaned back, his expression calm.
"Before we even became friends, I had Ivory read your mind. While everyone else was looking at me with greed or jealousy, your mind was clear. You didn't want my power; you just wanted to support a friend. When I saw that pure feeling, I couldn't turn you away when you needed support."
He took a sip of his drink and continued,
"I told you my story because I wanted you to know my reality. I didn't want you to follow me because you were 'impressed' by my Level 25 form. I wanted a friend who knows who I really am, not just a fan of my stats."
Toya felt a lump in his throat. He had never met anyone so honest, yet so powerful.
However, the touching moment didn't last long. The Three Goddesses noticed that Haruto was giving Toya way too much attention. They hadn't fought a war across dimensions just to be ignored at the dinner table.
Suddenly, Ivory, Lustra and Bellona stood up and physically nudged Asobi aside and moved behind Haruto's chair. Before he could react, six hands were all over him. Ivory began massaging his neck, Lustra took his arms, and Bellona started on his shoulders.
"Whoa, what are you doing?" Haruto asked, feeling a bit awkward as they swarmed him.
"We couldn't finish your massage at school because of all those annoying students." Lustra whispered in his ear, her voice playful.
"So," Ivory added with a sweet, devious smile,
"We're going to finish it at home. Consider this a 'mandatory update' to your relaxation."
Haruto sighed, looking at Toya, who was trying to hide his laughter.
"See? This is the 'reality' of my life. It's a crowded mess."
Later that night, the manor was silent, but Haruto's sleep was interrupted by a frantic pounding on his bedroom door.
—Thud! Thud! Thud!---
Haruto groaned, burying his face in his pillow.
"It better be a world-ending threat or I'm killing someone,"
he muttered. He didn't even bother getting up.
"Asobi... open the door."
With a faint shimmer of mana, the heavy bedroom door creaked open. Toya was standing there, looking stressed and slightly embarrassed.
"Haruto! Sorry to wake you, but I'm stuck," Toya said, breathless.
"I stepped out to get some water, and now my room door won't open. It's like the house itself is rejecting me. I've tried everything, but the lock won't even budge!"
Haruto didn't even open his eyes. He stayed facedown on the bed and just shouted at the ceiling, his voice muffled by the mattress.
"Asobi! Stop messing around! Stop playing pranks and give Toya full access to his room and the rest of the house!"
For a second, there was silence. Then, a translucent, shimmering head poked through the wall near Haruto's bed. Asobi appeared, floating horizontally with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Ugh, fine," Asobi pouted, making a series of annoying, exaggerated faces at Haruto for ruining her fun.
"I was just testing his Level 60 'compatibility' with the security system. No need to yell, Boss."
She turned her gaze toward Toya, looking at him like a bug she was forced to tolerate.
"Come on, brat," she muttered with a sharp puff of phantom smoke.
"Follow me. I'll unlock your 'room' since the boss said so."
She vanished through the wall, her voice echoing back,
"But if you trip in the dark, I'm not helping you up!"
Toya gave Haruto a look of pure exhaustion. "Is it always going to be like this?"
"Welcome to the game, Toya," Haruto grumbled, pulling the blanket over his head.