Another day passed. The drizzle finally stopped, and the sky cleared.

After being released back to camp yesterday, Commander Puleman never sought me out again. To this day, I still don’t know what he made of Half Moon Outflow’s words.

The moment I found myself alone, the first thing I did was urgently verify whether all my Wish Powers remained intact.

I re-wished each ability, checking if Wish Points would still be deducted.

…………

After confirming every Wish Power, I realized I’d lost not just "Language Proficiency," but two others.

One was the danger-prediction ability. I’d already sensed its absence underground—no surprise there.

I reluctantly re-wished it for 1 point, restoring my previous state.

The other lost ability caught me off guard: the 2,732-point power that made my body immune to cold’s harm and lethality.

Once I’d reclaimed the lost abilities, I began pondering why only these three vanished while the rest remained untouched.

Perhaps…… the Fall of the Stars couldn’t steal *all* Wish Powers and Points.

If these three abilities shared a common trait…… they were the cheapest among all my Wish Powers.

Did the Fall of the Stars only steal the three abilities requiring the least Wish Points from a being? Or could it only take abilities below a certain Point threshold?

Both were possible. At least I now knew my other abilities were safe from it.

For someone who didn’t want to die, that was more than enough.

As for Half Moon Outflow’s situation……

**Seventh Ju:** Mr. Outflow…… no, "Uncle Half Moon."

**Half Moon Outflow:** What? So formal all of a sudden.

**Seventh Ju:** Now that you’ve lost your Wish Power…… is this how you’ll live from now on?

**Half Moon Outflow:** …………

**Half Moon Outflow:** What choice do I have?

**Seventh Ju:** If there *were* a way—

**Half Moon Outflow:** —If there were a way, of course I’d keep atoning.

**Half Moon Outflow:** This old man doesn’t believe dying solves anything. But now…… I’ll likely have to hand over this life eventually.

**Seventh Ju:** I see……

**Seventh Ju:** But Xiv might not see it that way, Mr. Outflow.

**Half Moon Outflow:** ……?

**Seventh Ju:** Honestly, I still prefer how you were when we first met.

Back then, after saying this, I clasped my hands together and closed my eyes.

…………

…………

This morning brought another massive assembly.

Unlike the hundred-strong forward scout unit last time, this force was far larger.

Even First Camp—the biggest settlement along the route beyond the great chasm—couldn’t hold everyone. Soldiers perched atop the camp’s fences.

Something big was coming.

A high platform stood in the camp’s center, draped with a large military map. Only the meeting’s host was missing.

Watching this scene, I couldn’t help but worry: Had the high-ranking officers reached the same conclusion as me?

……The Fall of the Stars was likely *alive*.

After deep thought last night, I’d arrived at the most plausible—though unproven—explanation:

The Fall of the Stars might be a **silicon-based lifeform**.

I’d learned this near-sci-fi concept from biology class and *Transformers* movies.

I recalled scouts with life-detection abilities reporting no signs of beasts beneath the Fall of the Stars.

That was indirect evidence too: if it *was* alive, it certainly wasn’t ordinary life.

Another clue was the silica on the ground.

All known life on Earth is carbon-based, relying on carbon for organic structures.

We breathe in oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide. Silicon-based life, if it had a similar respiratory system, would exhale silica.

Its subterranean hibernation might stem from an inability to tolerate oxygen-rich air or surface temperatures.

The plants covering its surface might even be part of it—a defense against surface threats, explaining their aggressive instincts.

Its decade-long, ten-kilometer crawl without geological upheaval strongly suggested biological movement underground.

If the Fall of the Stars truly was such an absurd organism, feeding on other beings’ Wish Points to survive was entirely possible.

But the most terrifying question was…… had it already amassed a colossal amount of Wish Points?

Did it possess the wisdom to wield them? What might it *do* with that power?

Just thinking about it chilled me……

……No, no. These were still just guesses. Such sci-fi concepts shouldn’t exist in this world, right?

This Wish Point world felt more like fantasy!

My grasp of this world’s science was shaky anyway—was I misapplying knowledge from my old world?

Just as these thoughts swirled in my head, Puleman strode onto the platform and began his address—

**Puleman:** —Based on confirmed intelligence, allow me to outline our operation.

**Puleman:** This explored "finger" of the Fall of the Stars…… we believe the source stealing Wish Points lies buried deep beneath it.

**Puleman:** Likely…… at least 320 meters down.

**Puleman:** Safely exploring such depth with our current technology is nearly impossible……

**Puleman:** ……so our solution is to *amputate* it.

After a brief pause, Puleman pointed to one "finger" on the map.

**Puleman:** —More precisely: blast this small section *away* from the Fall of the Stars!!

**Seventh Ju:** ……!?

A tidal wave of cheers erupted from the soldiers.

**Camp Soldiers:** Blow it up—blow it up—blow it up—!

**Puleman:** Drilling through rock that deep while avoiding Wish Point theft seems impossible.

**Puleman:** Our solution: helium balloons carrying bombs for high-altitude strikes.

**Puleman:** Remotely controlled, unmanned balloons will drop specially modified explosives at their maximum operational altitude.

**Puleman:** Gravity will slam hundreds of kilograms of explosives into the ground, triggering a vertical blast.

**Puleman:** Engineering Corps—your precision calibration is key to our success.

**Puleman:** Today, every frontline pioneer works for you. We’ll build the modified balloons and bombs you need.

**Puleman:** If the severed section loses its Wish Point-draining effect as I suspect, we’ll conduct ground surveys.

**Puleman:** —Time to work, brothers!!

**Camp Soldiers:** ROOOOAR————!!

**Camp Soldiers:** Blow it up—blow it up—blow it up—!

**Seventh Ju:** …………

The camp buzzed with feverish excitement. Everyone treated this like a guaranteed victory feast.

But…… but……

Had Puleman realized the Fall of the Stars might be *alive*?

If my theory was right, losing a limb would never go unanswered……

What disaster would that unleash upon us??

…………

…………

That night.

Several large auxiliary camps had sprung up around First Camp within a day, housing hundreds—perhaps thousands—of soldiers.

Groups huddled around bonfires, laughing loudly, toasting to the day’s successful labor.

Of course, their cups held no alcohol—only *tree wheat juice*, a non-alcoholic drink tasting faintly of beer.

I’d heard this beverage sold like hotcakes in armies worldwide. Many merchants grew rich supplying just this staple.

I sat with friends, silent and brooding over the day’s worries.

**Li Weishe:** Hmph…… this hand’s mine. No way I lose.

**Half Moon Outflow:** Then show your cards or raise the stakes.

**Li Weishe:** …………

**Li Weishe:** Showdown!

**Half Moon Outflow:** Fold.

**Day High:** Behold—ahaha! I win!!

**Li Weishe:** What the—how’s your hand so good?!

**Half Moon Outflow:** A wise fold.

**Day High:** All part of the plan. Heh.

Everyone but Ink River played a gambling-like card game. I didn’t know the rules—and had zero interest in learning.

From their shouts, Day High dominated, Li Weishe suffered crushing losses, and Half Moon Outflow hovered between folding and small wins.

*I’d never gamble against a strategist…… that’s suicide.*

Glancing at other groups, they seemed engrossed in equally obscure games.

*Is this army life? Like a gathering of delinquent kids……*

**Puleman:** Oh? You’re playing "games" too?

**Ink River:** ……Sir.

Puleman and his deputy, Aiton, had been patrolling camp and now stood beside us, greeting us casually.

Puleman remained as composed as ever, radiating none of the tension expected before a major operation.

**Puleman:** How’s the card game, lads? Feeling Lady Luck’s favor?

**Day High:** Reporting, sir! Lady Luck’s grinning…… no, *dying* of laughter at me!

**Li Weishe:** Lies! Lady Luck called in sick today……

**Half Moon Outflow:** I only worship Divine Sivi.

**Puleman:** Haha. Your moods tell the whole story.

**Puleman:** Mind if I join? This game supports four players, right?

**Day High:** Oho—Commander Puleman’s here to *donate* money!

**Ink River:** You’re getting reckless, Day High……

**Puleman:** Donate money…… no matter.

**Puleman:** Aiton, give 1,000 Wish Points to each player.

**Day High:** !!

**Half Moon Outflow:** This……

**Puleman:** Consider it play money. Betting capital.

**Li Weishe:** Perfect! I can repay today’s losses!

**Day High:** But since the chance is rare…… we should bleed the Commander dry, right? Haha……

Puleman merely maintained his elegant smile at Day High’s transparent greed.

**Puleman:** No need to hold back. Win as much as you can from me.

**Puleman:** I hope you’re still this cheerful when the game ends.

**Seventh Ju:** ……?

Fifteen rounds later.

**Half Moon Outflow:** …………

**Li Weishe:** …………

**Day High:** …………

The three players sat ashen-faced, exchanging hollow stares. Only Puleman remained unscathed.

**Puleman:** Ah, I can’t linger much longer. Office duties await.

**Puleman:** Aiton, settle the accounts.

**Aiton:** Yes, sir. Half Moon Outflow: minus 2,300 Wish Points. Li Weishe: minus 4,100. Day High: minus 8,600. Commander Puleman: plus 15,000.

**Puleman:** Mm. After reclaiming the 3,000 I gifted you earlier, you collectively owe me 12,000 Wish Points.

**Puleman:** I’ll collect another day. Aiton, let’s go.

Aiton: Yes, sir.

Seventh Ju: ...

Seventh Ju: ........

Ink River: This isn’t a game—it’s a slaughter.

Li Weishe: I just... paid off my debts...

Half Moon Outflow: In my whole life... I’ve never owed this much...

Yeah, they’ve been crushed so hard their words stumble...

Seventh Ju: And Day High, the strongest one, seems to have lost the most...

Day High: What the hell...

Day High: We didn’t bet that big... Why did we lose... so much?

Day High: This skill rivals the Gale Empress...

Seventh Ju: Gale Empress?

Day High: She’s a gambler from Technica, a neighbor bordering my homeland Numeria. Her skills are unmatched.

Day High: Legend says she’s never lost, except when cursed with impossible odds from the very start.

Day High: A true master who relies purely on skill, not luck. Her fame lasted years.

Day High: Anyone forcing her to go all out loses everything—even their clothes—left shivering naked on the street... Hence “Gale Empress.”

Seventh Ju: “Empress”... so she’s female?

Day High: Yeah, I hear she’s young. But she quit gambling recently. You won’t find her in Numeria or Technica casinos anymore.

Day High: If we judge by winning efficiency, Preman’s skill might even earn him “Gale Prince.”

Seventh Ju: ... Instead of praising others, figure out how to repay our debts.

Day High: True...

Day High: Hey, Seventh Ju, visit Numeria someday. I’ll show you our casinos. It’s far from Sincere Kingdom, but the sights and culture are totally different.

Seventh Ju: After seeing your disaster, do you think I’d repeat it??

Ink River: Learning a bit of gambling isn’t bad. Small bets are a social skill.

Seventh Ju: I don’t need that kind of socializing...

Seriously, everyone’s lost in the game’s thrill. No one worries about tomorrow.

Even pre-battle indulgence feels excessive.

The unease from my worries won’t fade.

Because...

Thud—

A soft knock on the heart’s door.

...I decided to talk to Preman.

If the Fall of the Stars lurking underground is truly alive and reacts unexpectedly to “cutting fingers,” regret will come too late.

After the next gambling round began, I slipped away from my friends and headed alone to Commander Puleman’s command tent.

Aiton: ...Seventh Ju. What brings you here?

Seventh Ju: I have urgent news for Commander Puleman.

Aiton: I see. Take paper and pen. Write a formal report.

Aiton: Commander Puleman is busy with critical duties. He can’t receive visitors.

Seventh Ju: ........

Seventh Ju: It’s too vital to write. I must report it verbally.

Aiton: Tell me. I’ll relay it to Commander Puleman.

Seventh Ju: ...Let me speak to Commander Puleman directly.

Aiton: Seventh Ju, army discipline is strict. No.

Preman: — Enough, Aiton.

Suddenly, Preman’s voice echoed from inside the tent—he’d heard the commotion.

Preman: Let Seventh Ju in.

Aiton: ...Yes, sir.

After Aiton stepped aside, I entered the tent. At the far end, Preman sat bent over his desk, buried in paperwork.

Preman: What’s your report?

He didn’t look up, scanning documents. He seemed genuinely occupied.

Seventh Ju: ........

Seventh Ju: Commander Puleman, please cancel tomorrow’s operation.

Preman’s hand froze. Slowly, he raised his head.

Seventh Ju: Rushing in could unleash unpredictable dangers.

Preman: ........