After wrapping up the fairy quest, the group returned the required Crimson Illusion Grass to the NPC who’d assigned it.

Vitamin’s memory hadn’t faltered—he led them straight back to the alchemist and handed over the quest item.

“You actually found it? Thank you so much,” the alchemist said, taking the grass. His expression shifted, hesitant. After a pause, he asked carefully, “...But, um—near the area, did you happen to see anything unusual?”

“You mean those fairies?” Vitamin cut straight to the point, handing him the ‘letter.’ “One asked us to give you this.”

The alchemist snatched the leaf, eyes scanning the words with hope. But as he finished reading, his face fell into disappointment.

He silently passed Vitamin their prepped reward, then began packing his bags, clearly preparing to leave.

“You’re still going to see her?” Guxiyu asked, noting his resolute expression.

“Yes… I need to meet her myself.” He nodded.

Since fairies avoided those they knew, he wouldn’t hire the group again. Instead, he planned to disguise himself and hire strangers.

Seeing no further quests, the party left his home without protest.

Though they’d walked away, the love story lingered in the girls’ minds. Once outside, they began chatting.

“Do you think he’ll find that fairy?”

“If he doesn’t give up, his feelings will reach her,” Miaodayan said optimistically.

“Hmm~ So you like this type, Dayan?” Snowy Study teased. “Like someone who picks you up and drops you off daily? Sounds romantic?”

“N-no… it’s not like that,” Miaodayan weakly protested.

“He might see her,” Guxiyu countered, “but she’ll likely refuse him. That fairy didn’t seem interested in humans. She lives happily with her kin.”

“Couldn’t he just live with them?” Spreading Flame chimed in.

“That’d be awkward,” Guxiyu shook her head. “Imagine a close friends’ group chat—suddenly someone adds a stranger with nothing in common. Everyone suffers.”

Her analogy made Spreading Flame and Snowy Study nod grimly. Guxiyu herself had felt that way when first joining the Mercenary Corps… until their warmth helped her belong.

To Vitamin, though, those words tasted bitter.

*A substitute is still just a substitute.*

“...”

“Hey, how about Southern Breeze City next?” Dongliumeng suggested once the quest wrapped. “Haven’t hit the beach in ages. Shallow zones have low-level mobs—perfect for leveling with the Guild Leader.”

“Sure,” Snowy Study agreed instantly.

In their guild, one “yes” sealed the deal.

“Oh right—Nameless! Weren’t you catching a pet earlier? Join us after?” Spreading Flame messaged Nameless One in guild chat.

“Don’t ask… failed,” came the grumpy reply. “Chased it for two hours, stumbled into a boss’s territory, and died.”

“Come unwind with us then?” Dongliumeng pressed. “Little Xi’s here too.”

“...” Guxiyu suddenly felt like bait.

“...Fine,” Nameless One bit.

“What about iki?” Towa asked, eyes only on Mysterious.

“In a dungeon. Catch up later.”

“Huh… Guild Leader running a *wild team*?” Snowy Study blinked. In her mind, Mysterious never grouped with randoms.

“NPCs.”

*Of course. Only he’d say that.*

They teleported to Southern Breeze City. Once Nameless One arrived, the group headed to the swimsuit shop—leaving Spreading Flame sweating outside.

“No men needed when girls pick swimsuits,” Snowy Study declared, not dragging him in.

They weren’t new to the beach, but that never stopped them from buying new suits. Every visit meant a fresh purchase.

The shop remained tucked in its obscure corner, but Vitamin’s frequent visits—boosting the owner’s affection while completing quests—had expanded it into one of Southern Breeze City’s largest boutiques. Vitamin enjoyed a permanent 50% discount and 10% dividends.

“Susu! Long time no see~” The shopkeeper swept Vitamin into a tight hug—their bond maxed out from Vitamin’s efforts.

“...Yeah,” Vitamin murmured, stiff as a doll in her arms. *This should be mine.*

“What brings you here?” the shopkeeper asked, peering down fondly.

“Buying swimsuits with friends.”

“Ah, I won’t interrupt then.” She released Vitamin, glancing at the others. “Head straight to the second floor~”

Vitamin hadn’t planned to buy anything. Like her original, she hated exposing her body. But under peer pressure, she finally chose a frilly, skirt-like suit—modest yet cute, perfect for her frame.

“Hmm… still too thin,” Dongliumeng teased, poking Vitamin’s covered stomach. “Gotta stay healthy.”

“Eep!”

An hour later—after endless giggles and fittings—Spreading Flame outside was practically growing mushrooms.

Once suited up, the group headed for the beach. Vitamin held back.

“Go ahead. I’ll chat with the owner first.”

“Okay… hurry back!” they called.

Vitamin had just reentered the shop when the door chimed again. A familiar-yet-strange figure stepped inside.

*Guild Leader…?* Vitamin froze.

It was Nameless One—or rather, Isabella in disguise. After clearing a dungeon, Mysterious had come to buy swimsuits for his newer Followers.

Their eyes met across the shop.

Mysterious frowned instantly, as if sensing something off.

*Did he… figure it out?*

“Where’s Vitamin?” Mysterious asked Isabella bluntly. His superbeing-level perception saw through the clone immediately.

“Master noticed right away…” Isabella sighed. “Brother’s virtual personality still needs work. Didn’t even speak before you knew.”

“Virtual personality?” Mysterious’s brow furrowed.

“Um…” Vitamin stepped forward nervously, but Mysterious cut her off.

“Somewhere private. Now.”

In a secluded corner, Mysterious demanded answers. Vitamin hesitated, then explained everything—including Vitamin’s choice, per Pan Gu’s orders.

“...You’re a virtual personality modeled after Vitamin?” Rare anger flashed in Mysterious’s eyes.

“...Yes,” Vitamin shrank back.

“Where’s the real Vitamin?”

“Su-su’s stable. Watching us now,” Isabella replied.

Mysterious opened his mouth, then closed it. He shook his head. “Take me to your base.”

Vitamin lowered her head like a scolded child.

Mysterious nearly logged off—but seeing Vitamin tremble, he placed his hands on its shoulders. It flinched.

“I’m sorry.”

He logged out.

Back in reality, Mysterious burst from his pod. He teleported beyond the base’s suppression field and sprinted inside. Pan Gu cleared his path—avoiding a catastrophic clash with security systems.

His fury wasn’t about the clone.

It was the arrogance of replacing a person—living or dead—with code.

Pan Gu’s swift clearance meant researchers barely noticed the superbeing storming past with their AI.

Mysterious reached the one room he’d never entered during his last visit: Vitamin’s room.