Everyone wanted to thank Zeroy for the help she had given them.
But she had done too much… shelter, serum, a safe place to survive, even the hope of living on, all had been granted by her hands.
Without her, there would be no peace or warmth now.
This debt weighed heavier than a mountain.
They didn't know how they could ever repay her, even just a fraction…
What complicated their hearts further was that the cold, fearsome image she once projected was only a mask, a façade meant to keep more people alive.
When Zeroy removed that mask and revealed her true self, a gentle, lively, slightly immature girl—it left them even more unsure of how to face her.
Even if they asked Zeroy what she wanted, or what they could do for her, her answer was always the same: "Nothing. Just take care of yourselves."
And by now, what could they possibly offer?
After much thought, everyone decided to do everything they could to prepare a grand farewell banquet for her.
Even if they could not repay her kindness, at least they would send her off with warmth and laughter to remember.
...
As the banquet drew to a close and the sky darkened, it meant the time of Zeroy's departure had come.
"It's time to say goodbye."
The lively banquet instantly fell silent, as though a bucket of cold water had been poured over the bonfire, extinguishing all joy.
"Zeroy-sama..."
"Zeroy-sis, please take care of yourself..."
"We'll all be waiting for your return, Zeroy-sama."
"We wish you victory in battle!"
Everyone came forward to bid her farewell. Though it was the first banquet since the apocalypse, and though all had drunk, not a single person was drunk.
No one had the reason—or the right—to miss this last farewell.
Three in particular felt it most deeply.
—Alice Maresato, a child who couldn't think too deeply, but who clung to Zeroy most. With Zeroy leaving, her sorrow and reluctance made her burst into tears.
—Saeko Busujima, who had bent herself before Zeroy, managing to complete the journey from first love to widow within twenty-four hours. And regrettably, she and Zeroy had never gone further.
—The last was Saya Takag. "Hmm?"
Noticing this, Zeroy felt confused.
Why was this girl wearing the look of heartbreak?
The night before, Saya had never come to see her. Zeroy had slept alone in her room.
Because after Saya realized she had bent too, she had fallen into chaos… By the time she gathered her thoughts, it was late—nearly midnight.
Obviously, she couldn't possibly knock on Zeroy's door at that hour, saying she wanted to give her a massage or something.
And so, she missed her chance completely.
The next day, everyone was busy preparing for the banquet. She had no chance to be alone with Zeroy, let alone confess her feelings…
Not to mention, she didn't have the courage anyway.
Zeroy's departure was far too swift. She hadn't even had time to prepare her heart.
"I'll be back as soon as I can. Hopefully, our next meeting will come sooner than we expect."
[End this mission?]
[Yes / No]
"Yes."
...
A flash of white light, and Zeroy once again appeared in the Main God Space.
Before her was still the same shattered great orb of light, just as when she had first opened her eyes here.
[Calculating mission rewards…]
[Goal 1: Ensure the survival of humanity (Completed)
┗ Reward: 3000 Points]
[Goal 2: Ensure the survival of the main cast (Completed)
┗ Reward: 3000 Points (6 survivors)]
[Goal 3: Eliminate zombies
┗ Reward: 24,163 Points (1 Point per 100 zombies killed, 10 Points per high-level zombie killed)]
[Goal 4: Acquire one Virus Sample (Completed)
┗ Reward: 1 Special Item Draw]
[Evaluation: S+]
[Evaluation reward obtained: 1 High-Level Reincarnator Qualification, 1 Special Item Draw]
All rewards were delivered into her virtual Inventory.
Zeroy then realized she did have an Inventory—it just couldn't be accessed during missions.
She sighed. Even this had restrictions.
Regardless, the Main God wasn't human; such treatment was only expected.
She began to review her rewards.
The Points could wait. What drew her attention most was the [High-Level Reincarnator Qualification], given as an S+ evaluation reward—it had to be something significant.
Minutes later, Zeroy's expression turned strange.
This so-called qualification felt exactly like becoming a VIP.
Once used, she would become a VIP player.
The effects were numerous—
Can use Inventory during missions
Can access the shop during missions, with an extra 10% fee
Can avoid the death penalty upon mission failure 3 times; after 3 uses, the qualification is lost
Can recruit other Reincarnators as teammates; teammates also gain 3 death-penalty exemptions, which do not consume the leader's count, but once all 3 are used, that teammate can no longer receive the effect again
Mission requirement reduced: once every 7 days → once every 30 days; voluntary mission cooldown reduced: 5 days → 3 days
10% discount in the shop
Personal Space can be expanded from 100 square meters up to 1000 square meters (10 Points per square meter)
1 Artificial Human customization privilege (cost: 100–10,000 Points)
Can purchase Follower Qualification: 2000 Points per person (Followers can enter Main God Space with the user and stay indefinitely, but cannot participate in missions)
Can set World Beacons, allowing travel back and forth at will between beaconed worlds; cooldown 1 day; max 5 beacons; each beacon costs 1000 Points
More to be added...
'…Couldn't you just stay cold and mysterious, great orb of light?'
'Looking this unreliable only makes me anxious!'
"More to be added?" Even giving discounts in the shop? And only 10% off at that? How stingy can you be?
'This reeks too strongly… it feels like some cheap cash-grab browser game.'
Zeroy was at least certain of one thing.
The great orb of light really was in dire straits. From between the lines, all she could read was [money, money, money].
She even suspected this so-called High-Level Reincarnator status had just been cobbled together by the orb.
Nothing else to it—just a cash grab!
Perhaps also an attempt to win over Reincarnators as a group. She didn't believe she alone was worth such attention as a complete newbie.
If only she were taller, she would have liked to walk right up to that great orb, pat it, and say:
"Darling, was this really necessary?"
That would be the perfect chance to test the orb's attitude.
...
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