The Following Morning
Deep within the vast Forest of Nulam — Lichstein Kingdom.
In the heart of the forest, near the illusory barrier that protected the Secret Realm of the Nymphs, a multicolored light enveloped the area like an ancient teleportation circle.
The lights faded.
A mischievous smile. An irresistible presence. A curvaceous figure with an elegant, ethereal bearing. Dressed in black, skin like a pristine canvas, and pink eyes gleaming like gemstones.
She touched the barrier with graceful ease, and it yielded instantly to her hand. The Guardian Goddess Aphrodite stood before her—and the moment she recognized her, she rushed forward at full speed, brimming with excitement.
—Siiiiiister Liiilith!
Aphrodite showered her cheeks with kisses and wrapped her in a warm embrace. Lilith sighed, then returned the hug.
—Dite, at least invite me for some tea.
Aphrodite smiled and regained her composure.
—Fair enough. I have so much to tell you. But why didn't you come with Behemoth? I haven't seen that adorable little thing in ages.
—Ah. I left him with our sister Artemis before heading to investigate the Underworld. My apologies. I have plenty to share as well… it has been ten years, after all.
***
Port City of Cartag — O Dystychís Casino
I didn't sleep at all last night. I cried while everyone else slept.Still, after that intense and downright insane night of gambling, I feel calmer.
I decided to walk through the grand Dystychís suite once more. As I moved through the room, I saw Jeff, Neil, Debora, and Brock sprawled across the floor—collapsed like corpses felled by excessive mead consumption.
Everyone was still out cold after last night's chaos. Things spiraled fast once the drinking began. I didn't drink—and honestly, I don't think I ever will in this world. Not even when I turn eighteen… or twenty-one.
"I swear I'm not trying to stand out, but somehow my luck keeps dragging trouble straight to me."
If I hadn't restrained myself with that old man, this place would've turned into a massacre. Luck is literally a double-edged sword in places like this—for obvious reasons.
Anyway… for some strange reason, right when everything was going completely off the rails, I received a system message.It said I was still missing one condition to obtain a Luck-related skill.
I mean, last night I tried everything. I bet on every single game in the casino—and won every time. I made a fortune… but I had to split it with Brock and the others.(A real shame—I had to slash my profits pretty hard.)
When I finally stopped overthinking, I noticed Noelle standing out on the terrace. She was just letting the midday wind wash over her. I stepped outside and asked:
—What are you doing out here?
Noelle: —"Oh, Raymond… nothing. Just thinking."
—Last night was wild, huh?
Noelle: —"I never imagined you'd get along so well with Brock. Turns out you're just as much of a hardcore gambling addict as he is."
—Well… what can I say?
Noelle: —"Thank you. It's been a long time since I had that much fun." (I really miss my people.)
—You seem nostalgic. What's wrong?
From her expression, I could tell this was what Brock had hinted at earlier. After a few seconds of silence, she finally spoke.
Noelle: —"I need to tell you something."
—Your story?
Noelle: —"How do you know? Wait—who told you?!" (Jeffrey, you're dead.)
—No one told me anything. Brock just mentioned it once.
Noelle: —"I'll deal with him later." (Durham, you'd better apologize… so I don't have to hit you.)
—Alright. Go on.
Noelle: —"As you know, I come from the northern tribes—a group of settlements founded by my ancestors, where four clans coexist."
—And those are?(Furries are furries.)
Noelle: —"The White Fang Clan, the Dark Claw Clan, the Soft Ear Clan, and the Black Stripe Clan."
—I'm guessing they're all beastmen, just different races?
Noelle: —"Yes. My clan, White Fang, are wolf beastmen. Dark Claws are bears. Soft Ears are rabbits. Black Stripes are felines."
—And then?
Noelle: —"According to our tribal traditions, we didn't originally belong to this continent."
—What? (There's another continent besides this one?)
Noelle: —"According to the tribe's elder, our people arrived here over five hundred years ago."
—So what happened?
Noelle: —"Since the rise of the first Gregorian Emperor, we've been hunted and enslaved. Over time, forced interbreeding became inevitable."
—Wait… are you saying your race was originally fully humanoid beasts?
Noelle: —"Something like that. We had far stronger animal traits due to our previous environment…" (I swore to my tribe's chief never to use either beast form, no matter what… even if it means dying.)
—Go on. (Wow. The furry fascination exists here too.)
Noelle: —"Three hundred years ago, most of our race was exterminated by the Order of Light. We fled north, near Brock's kingdom—Nordkrieger."
—Why aren't you living in Nordkrieger?
Noelle: —"They were once known as the Northern Barbarians—our greatest allies."
—So… what changed?
Noelle: —"When they founded their kingdom, they forgot the alliance and friendship we shared for centuries. Now, during our crises, they remain neutral."
—How long has Nordkrieger existed?
Noelle: —"Only sixty years. Before that, they were still called the Northern Barbarians."
—Wait… are you that old?!
Noelle: —"No. My grandmother told me these stories."
—Then that means… are you the chieftain's daughter or something?
Noelle: —"Yes…"
—I see. So where does your story begin?
Noelle: —"I was captured by slave traders and taken south… to the only kingdom beyond the continental sea—Kemet. That's where I escaped my masters."
—And that's how you reached Lichstein?
Noelle: —"Yes… though my master became obsessed with me and tried to track me down. He never found me."
—Why become a mercenary, Noelle?
Noelle: —"Like you said—it's the only way to make money. I want to earn enough to transport my entire people before slave traders wipe us out… but that takes an absurd amount of gold."
Hearing her story, a thought clicked.
"Wait… I'll need citizens if I'm going to build a city, right?"
"And I can do it. It'd be a massive draw for beastfolk settlers—and from what I've seen, they're outstanding warriors."
I reached a conclusion and told her:
—I think I have a way to bring your people here.
Noelle: —"Please don't say nonsense."
—It's not nonsense. I haven't told anyone this yet… but I'm the one who won the Coliseum.
She froze. Her nose twitched slightly as she fell into thought.
Noelle: —"Wait… are you telling me you're the—" (Why don't I smell anything?)
—Yep. That's how I had a thousand gold to start gambling. Please don't tell anyone.
Noelle: —"You're the worst. I hate you!"
—Wait, I don't get it.
Noelle: —"Don't call me that. You killed my people."
—I remember killing beasts… but not your kind.
Noelle: —"They were my kind! The leopard bears you killed—how could you not know?!"
If looks could kill, I'd already be decapitated. I should've asked Quincy. Still, I had to handle this—Rule Number Seven applied here:
"Every man lies when he's forced to."
—Listen, Noelle. I lived in the mountains. I worked in a damn stable. When I say I didn't know—I truly didn't know.
Noelle: —"You're serious?"
—Yeah. So if they were your people… does that mean you can shapeshift?
Noelle: —"Ah… but you destroyed the Guild Master."
—Correction. I'm the Guild Master's boss now.Now do you believe me? (Wait… did she just change the subject?)
Noelle: —"How can I trust your word?"
From the dimensional pouch I'd taken from Frank, I pulled out the Guild Master's emblem. When she recognized it, she nodded.
Noelle: —"Alright. I believe you. Once everyone wakes up, we'll return to Atris. I'll wait for you there so we can talk."
—Alright. I've got a commission to handle. Take care, Noelle. We'll see each other soon. (That wolf girl is sharp… she dodged the question completely. Can she transform or not?)
As soon as I left the Dystychís Casino, a system message appeared.
[Ding!]
[System Message: Great fortune gained through a good deed. Condition fulfilled. Your Luck stat has exceeded the limit. Passive Skill created: "Karmic Luck."]
—I just had to leave the casino… who the hell understands this system?
[Look on the bright side, Master. It's your first passive skill. ( ㆆ ‿ ㆆ )👍]
—You're right, Quincy. Let's check the details.
«Karmic Luck»
(EX Rank)
A skill that rewards good deeds… and punishes evil ones.
Records all good actions performed.Records all bad actions performed.
Permanent Effect:The records stack. When activated, the outcome is positive or negative depending on which record is greater.
[System Note: This skill affects penalties, curses, etc.]
—You know, Quincy…
[Yes, Master? (◉‿◉)]
—This skill would've helped when I was a kid… but it's too late now. I just hope it's useful.
[What will you do now, Master? (. > ᴗ < .)]
—We're heading to Ataxia. I've got what I wanted.
[Then—]
—If everything scales up… wait.
[What now, Master? (눈‸눈)]
—We need to wait for Artia.
[Seriously? (•_•)]
I'd completely forgotten she stayed at the Coliseum. More specifically, the drone housing her interface. I'd also forgotten about the communicator on my wrist—so I used it for the first time.
—Artia, come to my location.
[Understood, Marshal. En route.]
I moved somewhere secluded so no one would see her—though she had camouflage, so I'd worried for nothing. The drone arrived about six minutes later.
It was a rectangular box roughly thirty centimeters long, equipped with anti-gravity, stealth, surveillance, sound systems, and a display with a single yellow dot.
[Marshal, I have arrived.]
—Artia, how are the wall blueprints?
[They are complete. Awaiting your order to begin construction.]
—How long would it take?
[Using 2% of my machinery and resources… approximately thirty hours.]
—Your production capacity is terrifying.
[Thank you, Marshal.]
—For now, focus on building two high-capacity passenger ships with top-tier camouflage tech.
[I have designs prepared.]
—No. Follow designs from this era. Just expand capacity and add camouflage.
[Understood. Completion in two days.]
—Why two days?
[Reverse engineering, redesign, optimization, then production.]
—Fine. One last thing—how fast can the drone travel?
[Maximum speed: 780 kilometers per hour.]
—Good. I'll carry you. Power down.
[I trust you, Marshal.]
I grabbed Artia and took off at full speed.
[Basic Skill «Infinite Speed» activated]