Set-chan recoiled from the group, her hand shooting up to cover her mouth as her jaw dropped and her eyes widened—an expression of pure, unfiltered shock. The colour drained from her face so quickly it was as if she'd just seen the dead rise.
"I know they look like a mess, but they're my ace in the hole. So don't worry, Set-chan," Pencilgon affirmed, assuming Setsuna's expression stemmed from a lack of faith in her team's abilities.
"No, on the contrary," she replied, quickly brushing off Pencilgon's assumptions. "You've brought together quite an incredible group."
The ghostly woman's eyes slid toward the bird-headed Sunraku. "A man bearing Sooty's mark—twice applied." Her gaze shifted, now fixed on the small bunny perched on his shoulder. "And accompanied by Cinderella's child, no less…"
She fell silent for a moment before turning to her next target—the raven-haired Kuro. "And this one… steeped in Sooty's presence, yet bearing no visible mark."
Then, as if a switch had flipped, her seriousness gave way to a soft, affirming smile. "I truly believe it's possible."
Pencilgon shot a glare at Kuro over her shoulder, her eyes like piercing daggers, and a grin so sharp it could cut through diamond. By her expression alone, it was clear that Kuro had just become much more interesting to her. What that meant for the unfortunate man… only time would tell.
"So, you've got a mark too?" Sunraku asked, leaning in closer to Kuro, his eyes wide with curiosity, and his blue bird mask tilting slightly, creating a rather unsettling sight.
"Uh, something like that, I suppose..." Kuro scratched the back of his head, the nervousness in his posture clearly feigned—something Pencilgon could easily see. He answered just enough to hint at the truth, but not enough to reveal anything of consequence.
"Eh! But why am I the only one stuck running around naked?!" Sunraku screamed, dropping to his knees and grovelling as he muttered something about the RNG goddess and curses.
A mischievous grin curled on Oikatzo's lips. He had been listening silently for the most part, but seeing Sunraku's antics, he couldn't resist taking charge. He immediately began throwing petty insults at the bird-headed man, which, unsurprisingly, led to an immediate retort from Sunraku and an eruption of banter.
Which Pencilgon completely ignores to continue her conversation with Set-Chan:
"Set-chan, I'd like to tell them about him too." Immediately, Kuro's ears perked, and he pulled his amused gaze away from the two still bantering. He still had no idea why he was here, though he suspected some sort of unique scenario was unfolding. It was crucial he listened. The sooner he completed his task here, the sooner he could escape the hell spawn standing just a few feet away.
However, before the conversation could even begin, a system notification suddenly popped up in front of him.
Unique Scenario EX
From The Living World, With Love.
Begin Now?
Staring at the notification felt like gazing into a bad dream for Kuro. The last time he had completed one of these, he had immediately become a well-known player. Hesitating, he reluctantly hovered over the confirmation button. Truthfully, he wanted nothing more than to log out and remain completely unknown in the game, but that was impossible.
He had no choice but to accept.
If he didn't, he'd never be able to enjoy the game peacefully, constantly tailed by players once Pencilgon inevitably released the photo of him and Lycagon. Then again, if he did complete it, he'd end up being chased around by players anyway.
'She truly has got me trapped.' A sigh escaped him, lifting a weight from his shoulders as the quest was confirmed. 'I hate you, Pencilgon...'
---
"Please put Wethermon..." She hesitated, searching for the right words. "Please... put my love to rest."
"Leave it to us, Set-chan!" Pencilgon announced proudly, her voice brimming with determination. "We'll put that jerk six feet under for making you suffer!" Her three human companions exchanged stunned glances, wide-eyed, as the alien words left her mouth.
"Did you hear that?" Sunraku asked, unsure if he was hallucinating.
"Is that really the Pencilgon we know?" Oikatzo replied, his tone confirming he had seen it too.
"I'm not nearly as experienced with 'Pencilgon' as you two, but I must admit, I'm in shock as well..." Kuro finished, his own surprise clear.
In each of their minds, an image of how they had always perceived Pencilgon flickered, but then they snapped back to reality, faced with this version. None of them could believe they were truly awake.
Sunraku and Oikatzo continued recalling the many evildoings Pencilgon had committed in other games, their focus consumed by the memories. Unfortunately for them, it distracted them from the spear she now held. With a single, decisive strike, the two were sent flying into the air. Kuro, however, had noticed just in time and narrowly dodged the attack.
Kuro watched as Oikatzo, Sunraku, and Emul were relentlessly pursued by the unforgiving Pencilgon, their energy spent as they collapsed, lying on the floor in a defeated submission pose. Unsurprisingly, he was relieved he hadn't continued to talk about her—he might have ended up in that same position.
"Alright, look, fine!" she shouted, her cheeks tinged pink. "I can get emotionally invested in the game now and then, too, okay?!" Her voice grew louder, the blush on her face deepening in colour.
Her reasoning was surprisingly simple—so much so, it caught Kuro off guard. It was hard to believe she had stalked him all the way into the rocky wastes, watched him for hours as he grinded just to get one blackmail photo. A photo she could have used to demand anything from him, and yet, she used it to ask for his help with an NPC in the game?
"That's perfectly fine by me!" Sunraku announced, bouncing up from his submission pose. "Getting serious about a game just makes it more fun!" He explained, essentially assuring her there was no need to be embarrassed.
"Taking your playtime seriously is what makes it fun," Oikatzo replied, seconding Sunraku's view. "Of course, that's also the job of a pro gamer like me." He ended, proudly pointing a thumb at himself with a smug grin.
"Pro gamer?" Sunraku mocked. "You haven't even found a single unique scenario!" He teased, a playful smirk tugging at his lips.
Ignoring the bickering between the two, Kuro took a step closer to Pencilgon. "Those two are right, you know?" Her eyes slid towards his in one fluent movement, announcing silently that she was listening.
"A game is much more enjoyable when you take the story seriously. I can imagine that's even more true in a game like this." Kuro paused before continuing, his voice steady. "In any case, if you really wanted my help with something like this... I would've happily complied without the need for blackmail."
(A/N) I skipped the explanation about Wethermon because that would've been like literally the exact same as Anime/Manga.
This one was fun to right. I'm not 100% on a release for the next chapter but motivation is at an all time high right now and I can already see a path for the next chapter, I'll have to work out a few kinks but its there.
Anyway see you all next chapter.