Hajime notices the light glowing on his fingers and says,

  “Testing, testing—Morrigad, do you hear me?”

  A dark-colored text appears before him: “Yes.”

  Hajime asks, “Is there a way we can talk?”

  The text wall responds: “Yes.”

  “How?” Hajime asks.

  “This way,” she replies through the text.

  “Can you speak through this ring?” Hajime asks.

  “Yes.”

  “Then why aren’t you speaking?”

  “Don’t want to.”

  Hajime sighs. “Okay… it’s a pleasure working with you.”

  “Yippy. Goodbye.” and then the ring trembles slightly and stops emitting energy, ceasing all communication.

  Hajime mutters, “This reminds me of texting with my crush… sighhhh.”

  Valiant says, “You really shouldn’t say things like that Hero-kun. You’re just inviting trouble.”

  Caladblock adds, “Ara, Hajime-kun, you really shouldn’t express your thoughts so easily.”

  “Give me a break,” Hajime replies. “Reminiscing is part of human nature.”

  Valiant shrugs. “I won’t deny that. Just don’t voice it out loud please.”

  Hajime scratches his ear. “What now? Should I collect my tithe from the Inquisitor?”

  “Greedy guy,” Valiant says. “You haven’t even given him a week. Are you that starved for cash?”

  Hajime silently nods.

  “Just be patient… they’re not going to let you starve... Probably?” Valiant adds.

  “Are you sure…?” Hajime asks, as Valiant starts whistling suspiciously.

  Hajime glances at a donation box. It reads:

  “These funds are dedicated to the Hero Support Organization. All donations go toward the Hero and his quest.”

  Hajime immediately grabs all the money.

  “WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?! That’s for the Hero Support Organization!” someone screams.

  Hajime responds, “Yes. I’m the hero. These funds are for me.”

  The man fumes. “It’s for the organization! The hero hasn’t signed the contract yet, and this money is for the lavish welcoming party!”

  “These funds are destined for me, and I’m collecting my union dues,” Hajime says.

  The man pauses. “You’re from the Heroic Union?! That explains your open disrespect for our organization!”

  “It’s a figure of speech idiot! You’re using my title to siphon off donations meant for me.”

  The man’s eyes widen. “Wait… you’re the hero?! Excellent!! Please sponsor us at your official appointment!”

  He snaps pictures rapidly and runs off, leaving Hajime confused.

  “What the hell just happened?” Valiant asks.

  “Dunno. But I’ve got some cash.”

  Hajime heads to a vending machine and buys soda crackers, milk, and grape juice.

  “That’s not food Hajime…” Valiant complains.

  “I know. I’m buying quality stuff to survive whatever garbage they send me for my subscription tier.”

  “Are you sure you’ll survive?”

  “Maybe?”

  Suddenly, a commotion erupts in the lobby.

  “How dare you deny this esteemed one a premium reservation?! This is the first time in 800 years I’ve suffered such humiliation!”

  This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

  Hajime peeks over. A cultivator-looking guy with an absurd jade dragon sword—covered in wuxia-style advertisements—stands there surrounded by thirty beautiful, personality-less girls.

  “I better get out of here,” Hajime states.

  He heads for the elevator, trying to avoid eye contact. Just as he’s about to press the button, he hears:

  “Chun Bu, the Hero!!!”

  The elevator doors nearly close, but the cultivator’s jade sword extends and wedges them open. Hajime frantically mashes the button.

  “Lin Xi will correct this insult in my stead,” Chun Bu says to the secretary.

  A xianxia library-girl-themed cultivator with floating scrolls bows. “Of course, Chun Bu.”

  Chun Bu approaches. “Hero of this generation, we have matters to discuss.”

  “Fine…lets go somewhere private,” Hajime says.

  “Your quarters then.”

  Hajime silently presses the Dungeon Tier button.

  “What is this place?! Have I insulted your family pigdog?!” Chun Bu roars.

  “It’s my subscription tier… don’t blame me for my lack of perks,” Hajime replies.

  They sit in a dusty torture chamber, surrounded by screams. Chun Bu bellows:

  “Silence rats! Or I’ll advertise your castration across the Seven Realms!”

  Everyone immediately shuts up—including Hajime.

  “The great Dao divined your arrival,” Chun Bu continues. “I am happy you’re here.”

  “Okay… so what do you want esteemed one?”

  “Blue Star.”

  “Blue Star??”

  “Earth.”

  “Ah. So you got dragged here too?”

  “Indeed. After surviving a death blow from my most hated foe.”

  Hajime blinks. “I’m getting seriously lost. What’s your story?”

  Chun Bu materializes a tea table and rice crackers.

  “I was once an author of a cultivation fanfiction…”

  “Understandable,” Hajime says.

  “The God of the story punished me for shipping a heroine with a mob character. Petty, I know.”

  “Yes, very petty.”

  “I received the Infinite Love System as my cheat—she evolved after I gathered my vast party.”

  “Do you like the system?”

  “Hero-kun… I’m a pure-love kind of guy. You think the God would spare me after writing that ending?”

  “Guess not. How do you deal with your party?”

  “I don’t. I say a random name and one of them fixes whatever I need.”

  “That’s kinda sad.”

  “Tell me about it.”

  He leans closer.

  “I need a favor. Please don’t pick the cold beauty for Saintess.”

  “Done.”

  “So easy?! I thought I’d have to grovel or blackmail you!”

  “I have my own problems. My party is… difficult.”

  They share a moment of mutual trauma bonding.

  “Since you’re from a cultivation story—how’s immortality going?” Hajime asks.

  “I’ve already built my golden core, now progressing to Nascent Soul.”

  “So you're in the 300th chapter of your novel, got it.”

  “My rapid progression is all thanks to the Infinite Love System. She’s currently screaming at me not to trust you right at this moment.”

  “Do you have a Grandpa in a ring?”

  Chun Bu freezes. “…You know about that?”

  A ghostly old man materializes.

  “A wise young man you’ve befriended, Chun Bu.”

  “Yes, System—no, I won’t kill him for guessing right!”

  “When was your first power-up?” Hajime asks.

  “After my spirit roots were destroyed. I found Grandpa in a box by a waterfall.”

  “Odd. Did you hear a ding?”

  “I… think yes?”

  “Is Grandpa your only male friend?”

  “Yes! He has been my mentor and role model for years!”

  “Chun Bu… I’m sorry to say this. You’re being tricked...”

  “Explain, you're not making sense.”

  Hajime coughs.

  “Are you happy with Grandpa?”

  “Yes… I don't see the problem but continue.”

  “Grandpa has a dark secret.”

  "A dark secret? No he wouldn't???"

  "Are you sure?"

  Creeping dread start gnawing at Chun Bu's heart.

  “GET ON WITH IT, don't delay much longer!!”

  “Grandpa is… Grandma.”

  Chun Bu laughs hysterically for a few minutes—until Grandpa gasps in horror,

  “How did you know?!”

  “WAIT—it’s TRUE?! NOOOO!”

  Grandpa transforms into an immortal empress.

  “I’m sorry, Chun Bu. I missed my timing to reveal myself after you told me I was the person you trusted the most.”

  “You watched me during… everything!”

  “It’s worse, Chun Bu.” Hajime warns.

  “How can it be worse?!?”

  Hajime points.

  “She’s on your ring finger.”

  Chun Bu screams and tries to remove the ring, but it doesn’t budge. He collapses, crying like a true protagonist betrayed by fate.

  “I’m truly sorry… bro,” Hajime says quietly.

  Chun Bu wipes tears.

  “Your insight is… impressive. The Dao didn’t lie.”

  “If you want… I might be able to help,” Hajime offers.

  “The system screams for me to kill you, but… I feel you may be the key for my freedom.”

  “If you doubt your plot, we can theorycraft a solution friend. Damage is already done, but we can prevent future issues.”

  Shun Bu smiles.

  “I’ll trust you for now. Please… help me.”

  Hajime nods.

  “Sure. But first… can you buy me some lunch?”