A Side Story with Some Weird "Spoilers"

By the time you reach Volume 13 or 14, the reading gets smooth.

————————Pigeon Line————————

Every player in *EndlessHorizon* knew the developers loved stirring up trouble during certain holidays—especially the "Valentine’s Day" ones. Though these holiday events offered rewards, they always carried a hint of malice.

Take last Valentine’s Day: they’d released a solo time-limited dungeon. Clearing it granted a "Cupid’s Arrow" item—a blessing from the love god for the special occasion.

This item linked two players. While grouped, both gained bonus EXP and intimacy points—the longer they stayed together, the stronger the effect. Using it on each other stacked the buff, lasting three days.

Practical for grinding, sure. And technically, you could use it on anyone. But as a Valentine’s blessing from Cupid? Using it on a mere friend felt… awkward.

Thoughtful devs had anticipated this. You could use Cupid’s Arrow *on yourself*—yielding the same effect as mutual use between two players. No partner? No problem.

Oh, and the targeted player received a chocolate gift in the user’s name. Mutual linking meant two chocolates.

Naturally, self-linked players got gifts too—but not chocolates. Instead, a bag of "Cupid’s Cookies." Square, bite-sized biscuits that looked suspiciously like… dog food.

Players grumbled for weeks. Was it mean? The rewards were all there. Was it *not* mean? That bag of dog food was unbearable. Infuriating, yet unprotestable.

Months later, as Qixi Festival approached, players braced for more dev shenanigans.

But the Qixi event was… disappointingly normal.

For one day only, monsters dropped ingredients for Qiqiao fruits—a festival-exclusive treat. Skilled players could craft them via in-game recipes; others begged NPCs for help. Plenty of NPCs knew the recipe—but finding one willing to help? That was up to the player.

"Anyone wanna make Qiqiao cakes?" Dongliumeng asked in the guild chat right after lunch.

"It’s *fruits*," Snowy Study corrected.

"Can you make them, Mengmeng?" Vitamin asked.

"The recipe’s in the system! Under [Special] → [Qixi]. Just follow it," Dongliumeng replied.

"I can make Qiqiao fruits… It’s not hard," Miaodayan unexpectedly chimed in.

"Are Qixiao fruits like Valentine’s chocolates?" Towa seemed intrigued.

"Not the same. Chocolates are for lovers. Qiqiao fruits are for families to share," Guxiyu explained remotely.

"Family…! I’ll make some!" Towa instantly fired up.

"So easy to read… Are all Japanese girls like this?" ■■■■■ muttered, watching Towa.

"If you’re making them, I’ve got spare ingredients. Come to my place—I’ll hand them out," Spreading Flame popped in. He’d hoarded drops, guessing the guild’s girls would want to craft.

Drops were common, but gathering enough for everyone took time.

"If you’re all coming, Mars, join us too?" Snowy Study snagged Spreading Flame before he could vanish.

"...Sure." How could Spreading Flame refuse Snowy Study’s invitation?

After setting a meetup spot, the Mercenary Corps members teleported back to Moonfall City, heading to Nameless’s house.

"Huh? Someone’s here?" Voices drifted from inside before they even opened the door.

"Guh?" A small head peeked from a windowsill—then vanished when spotted.

"The Guild Leader’s home," someone noted, seeing Nameless’s Follower at the window. They pushed inside.

"!!!" The sudden flood of people sent the little creature scurrying under the sofa.

"You’re here." The commotion drew Nameless out—he’d seen the guild chat.

"What’s the Guild Leader making?" Dongliumeng sidled up.

"Qiqiao fruits." Nameless pulled materials from his bag. "Plenty left. Take them."

He wouldn’t have started this himself. Isabella had suggested it. But the actual cooking? Done by All Beings and Amery. Other Followers just crowded around, snatching bites—or, in Little Ink’s case, serving as Amery’s footstool.

Towa rushed over, gazing up at Nameless with hopeful eyes. "Iki… later, *we’ll* try making some too. Will you… eat with us?"

"Hmm." Nameless didn’t refuse, but his usual blank face made it hard to tell if he grasped Towa’s feelings.

Undeterred, Towa ran off happily to prepare. The others followed her lead.

Then Guxiyu’s private message popped up:

*[I’ll make some desserts later. Nameless, will you come try them?]*

"Master’s busy today," Isabella chuckled beside him.

"..."

All Beings and Amery finished first, thanks to their head start.

"Master… please." Victoria approached, tray trembling in her hands. She looked mortified, as if wishing the floor would swallow her.

"Thanks—wait. Your clothes?" Nameless spotted the change instantly.

Victoria now wore a black-and-white maid outfit. Holding the tray, she actually looked the part.

"It’s… ridiculous, right…?" She kept her head down, tail swaying anxiously.

"No. It suits you."

"Ugh…"

"I bought it for Lia!" Isabella beamed. "A Mighty Dragon and a serving maid? Perfect match! Doesn’t Master have *thoughts* about this Lia? At least feed her a bite."

"..." Nameless saw the logic. He took a Qiqiao fruit and offered it.

Victoria glanced at her full hands, then reluctantly opened her mouth with an "ah~" to accept the treat from his fingers. She carefully avoided touching his skin—but her tail shot straight up in delight.

While Nameless and Victoria shared a peaceful moment, the room had descended into chaos:

- Gladys crouched, trying to feed Little Ink a Qiqiao fruit;

- Jasmine and Nanming wrestled over snacks, on the verge of brawling;

- Ael slipped away with treats to feed Selena, who couldn’t squeeze in;

- Lolo’s hair was littered with crumbs after her Blue Snakes fought over food—now silenced by her death grip;

- Xiaoxiao, Qiyuan, and Amery ate quietly beside Xiaoguang;

- Roz held out Qiqiao fruits near the sofa, coaxing the hiding creature out.

"Nameless, here’s more for your friends," All Beings brought out another tray, nodding toward the guild members’ room.

Nameless carried it in. Compared to the neighboring chaos, this room was orderly. The girls followed the recipe step-by-step. Others hogged the sofa. Spreading Flame, the only man, crouched in a corner scrolling forums.

Five contestants stood in a row like a cooking contest: Dongliumeng, Snowy Study, Miaodayan, Vitamin, and Towa. Judge Nameless received a warm welcome—or rather, his Qiqiao fruits did. Everyone assumed *he’d* made them.

If anyone saw these legendary players slacking off together, they might question their own grind.

"..."

Jiyue sat in the City Lord Mansion’s courtyard, gazing at the sky, conflicted.

After *that* incident, her relationship with the Nameless One was practically public. No more annoying suitors. But…

She touched the ring around her neck—a size too large for her finger.

*It’s Qixi today. I just wanted him to stay with me… even for a moment.*

She recalled the myth: even the Cowherd and Weaver Girl met once a year on this day.

"Miss," Luwei found her. "The heat’s fierce. Come inside… I’ve prepared some desserts."

"I’ll stay awhile," Jiyue shook her head. "I’m not hungry."

"Without magpies, will a Vermilion Bird do?" A familiar female voice echoed from above.

Jiyue looked up. A crimson bird descended.

Then the figure she longed for leaped off its back.

"How dare you compare this lady to a magpie!" Nanming, now in compact form, landed beside Nameless, grumbling at Isabella.

"...Nameless!" Jiyue froze—then crashed into his chest, rubbing her cheek against him as if marking him with her scent.

"Want some?" Nameless pulled out a small bag of Qiqiao fruits, shaking it gently.

He’d made these perfectly under All Beings’ guidance. After sharing with the guild and his Followers, only this remained.

"Yes!" Jiyue didn’t even look—she answered with her eyes closed.

"..." Luwei smiled at her joy and slipped away silently.

After clinging to him for a long while, Jiyue calmed down, sitting in Nameless’s lap and nibbling Qiqiao fruits.

Just as Guxiyu said—they looked like a family, sharing quiet harmony.

"Master and Jiyue really are like the Cowherd and Weaver Girl," Isabella mused.

"Who only meet once a year?" Nameless countered.

"Master! Stop nitpicking! Learn from Jiyue’s reaction!" Isabella sighed, hand on her forehead.

"N-no… not once a year," Jiyue echoed Nameless.

"..." Isabella glanced at them, said nothing, and slipped back into her sword.

"Master." Her voice reached only Nameless now. "When the ‘bridge’ is dismantled… you can take Jiyue away."

"Jiyue loves it here." Nameless shook his head.

"But by then, it won’t be your choice." Isabella’s tone turned grave. "It’s almost time, isn’t it?"

"...I know."