The Crispy Corners, who had been scurrying around in the coal slag heap, also heard the sudden sound of footsteps.
They all raised their heads and looked in this direction.
The little creatures merely watched the approaching Mono and Six curiously, showing no intention to flee.
But as soon as one of them caught sight of Mono's figure, it immediately turned around and hopped away into the distance.
The other Crispy Corners then also reacted, scattering one after another and hiding in the corners of the coal pile.
Mono noticed that the white body of the first Crispy Corner to flee seemed to bear a small shoe print.
Was this... the one he had kicked?
Was this fate?
Without time for further thought, seeing these little things were about to hide, Mono quickly shouted:
"Don't run, I mean no harm, really!" The last incident was purely out of self-defense.
After all, in such a dangerous place, in a dark corner, if something suddenly darts out, who wouldn't be startled?
It wasn't his fault at all, okay?
However, despite his words, the Crispy Corners remained well-hidden, with no intention of showing themselves.
Mono felt somewhat helpless. It seemed he was truly mistaken for a bad guy by these creatures.
This was genuinely disheartening news.
Should he catch one himself to take a closer look?
The Crispy Corners already seemed pitiful enough. Treating them with such violence again
didn't seem quite right.
As he hesitated, a small, pointed head peeked out from behind the coal pile up ahead, then slowly glanced over.
It was precisely the one Mono had kicked.
It poked its head out, cautiously watching Mono.
Mono also noticed it.
This guy actually hadn't run away?
Had his words worked?
"Um, I really didn't mean it. About last time, I'm truly sorry," Mono once again "sincerely" shouted to that Crispy Corner.
He didn't know if these creatures could understand, but it wouldn't hurt to try.
In the distance, the Crispy Corner slowly shuffled its feet, taking a few steps forward.
"Come here, I won't hurt you." Seeing this, Mono quickly called out again. After he spoke, the Crispy Corner stood still once more, seemingly hesitating.
Then, it looked up at Mono twice, stood motionless for a moment, and finally took a step, slowly walking toward Mono.
The other Crispy Corners, however, remained hidden behind the coal pile, silently peeking out and watching.
The white Crispy Corner walked up to Mono.
Mono examined the thing before him. This was his first close-up observation.
Little Six also watched the Crispy Corner in front of her with puzzlement, equally filled with curiosity. But after staring for a while without seeing anything unusual, she raised her head and silently glanced at Mono twice.
Why was mono so concerned about these white little things...?
A virtual screen had already appeared before Mono's eyes.
"Ding!"
"Character: Little White."
Race: Gnome (Little Person stripped of [Emotion], whose bodies have consequently undergone special changes, becoming not very intelligent. They like fire, light, and being kissed, and dislike staying still quietly.)
:10."10 centimeters."3kg."0.01."
0.25o"
0.01o"
A stream of information appeared before Mono's eyes.
"Stripped of [Emotion]?" Mono was taken aback.
Was this what the Ship Master of the The Maw had extracted from them...? So, that's why they had become like this?
As he pondered, the Crispy Corner—Little White—shook its head and looked at Mono twice, then suddenly raised its hand and pointed at its pointed hat.
"Hmm? What do you want to say?"
Mono looked at the Crispy Corner in front of him with confusion.
The Crispy Corner continued pointing at its cheek while also extending its hand.
Seeing these actions, a flash of inspiration struck Mono. He asked uncertainly, "You want me... to kiss you, right..."
The Crispy Corner jumped up, hopping around, looking very excited.
It seemed he had guessed correctly.
Mono, however, found it both amusing and exasperating. The requests these little things made were just too strange.
p But after a moment's hesitation, he still reached out and picked up the Crispy Corner named Little White, giving its pointed hat a kiss.
Then he let go.
As soon as Little White landed, it reached up and touched its head, falling into a daze, looking very satisfied.
o... Seeking flowers...
Mono breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed the Crispy Corner in front of him had forgiven him for kicking it last time.
He wanted to seize this opportunity to ask Little White about the situation on this deck of the The Maw.
But the Crispy Corners that had been hiding behind the distant coal pile suddenly all rushed out, gathering around Mono, hopping incessantly.
They also pointed at their hats one after another, opening their hands.
"Hey, what do you all want?" Mono broke into a sweat.
So many wanting comfort, his lips were going to get chapped.
The Crispy Corners continued hopping, clustering around Mono.
Clearly, they had just witnessed their companion being satisfied and now wanted the same.
Prompts also flashed continuously before Mono's eyes.
Most Crispy Corners had similar attributes. They each had their own names, likely given when they were still Little Person before being transformed into Crispy Corners.
Their attributes were mostly identical as well: their strength and spirit were terrifyingly low, but their speed was disproportionately fast.
They possessed no abilities.
They seemed like nothing more than little things
that were just a bit faster and a bit livelier in their movements.
Mono hesitated for a moment, then reached out and picked up one of them.
He remembered that these Crispy Corners played a significant role in the game. If they could help him, it would undoubtedly be very beneficial for his next actions.
So, if a kiss could earn their favor, making a small sacrifice for that wasn't a big deal.
However, Mono, who was fully immersed in observing these transformed Gnomes, failed to notice that as he acted, the small yellow figure constantly by his side had its tiny hands clenched into tight fists, cracking audibly.
And those always placid, pitch-black eyes were now continuously emitting a terrifying, icy aura that warned strangers to stay away.
A cold aura hid beneath the dark brim of the hat... spreading outward...
How could...
mono... how... could... kiss... anyone... other than her...
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