Little Pink Starfish

Even though Eagle looked pitiful and aggrieved, Pei Sen knew there was no way he could agree to the request. But he also knew Eagle well enough to understand that once the kid made up his mind, not even eight horses could drag him back.

The reality was, if Pei Sen didn’t take him along, Eagle would never let him leave.

Bear kid being a bear kid, as expected.

Pei Sen taught Eagle magic language with a troubled heart. But soon enough, he realized that Eagle’s talent was astonishing. Even the most obscure magical words, once taught, were memorized instantly.

“This isn’t difficult at all,” Eagle said proudly.

Pei Sen thought to himself, no wonder Eagle became the Lightbringer in the previous life. His innate aptitude must be top-tier; it was just his circumstances that prevented him from developing those talents.

“But learning the language is only the first step,” Pei Sen said seriously. “The real challenge is learning actual spells. It takes time. This trip is dangerous. I really can’t take you. If something happens, I’ll have to divide my attention to protect you. Next time, when you can protect yourself, I promise I’ll take you.”

Eagle responded coldly, “No. If it’s truly dangerous, then you’re not allowed to go either.”

He wasn’t that easy to persuade.

Pei Sen could only scratch his head in frustration.

Though he failed to convince Eagle, his attempt to trigger a life skills system mission while sneaking out to meet players went extremely well. It turned out Bix Magic Cube really was smart; its system was remarkably adaptive.

“Building a city isn’t something a few crafting skills can handle. Construction can be a major life skill category with many sub-branches.” In the top-left corner of the player panel, there was a small paper plane icon, supposedly to contact a GM. But from his past life, Pei Sen knew better: GMs never responded. While NPCs were highly intelligent, the GMs felt like ghosts. You could message them all you wanted—they’d never reply.

Now, he suspected that icon wasn’t to reach a GM at all, but to submit suggestions.

He wrote a detailed proposal. The idea had been forming in his head for a while, and he’d redrafted it multiple times. Pei Sen had a background in architecture; this was his domain. He knew if he didn’t present something valuable, nothing would happen.

Ten minutes later, a “ding” sounded.

“Player has independently comprehended the life skill ‘Construction.’ Can create subordinate life skill branches. Can teach life skills and their branches to other players (teaching may require prerequisites).”

This was just an experiment. Pei Sen chuckled. “Clever game.”

It was definitely doable. He remembered reading on the forums that players who demonstrated mastery of unimplemented skills had a chance of system recognition, triggering the creation of new life skills.

Others simply pestered specific NPCs until they learned something new. Like the blacksmith in Casey City: one player harassed him for over half a month until the blacksmith, on the verge of a breakdown, taught him Basic Smithing. When other players tried to learn from him, the blacksmith fled town overnight.

Luckily, with Casey City nearly flattened, its residents were living in temporary shelters outside, so there weren’t many players around to harass them now.

“If I want players to rebuild the city quickly, the prerequisites can’t be too complicated.” While considering that, Neil approached him, clearly hesitant.

Pei Sen looked at him. “What is it?”

Neil said quietly, “Only the City Lord’s Mansion in Casey City is still intact.”

Technically, it hadn’t been demolished. “City Lord Wallis deployed the Dragon Star Knights to protect it. The Bix people couldn’t get near.”

Honestly, they couldn’t do anything. Wallis didn’t want to go to war with Eagle, so he held back. Otherwise, blood would’ve already been spilled.

Pei Sen jumped on the forums. Sure enough, some players were streaming it live.

Casey City was almost leveled. Wallis was the most cautious of the three lords under Eagle, though he was the strongest—a formal knight with an entire Dragon Star Knights regiment. Despite that, he was the most cowardly.

Gold Rose Manor didn’t rely on Casey City for resources, but it was still nearby. Wallis would listen to anything he could, especially with the assassination incident causing political tension. He’d rather hide than provoke Leiser’s wrath.

Wallis was devastated watching his city get wrecked. Time and money—gone. But thanks to years of trafficking, he was wealthy enough to endure. Still, restoring the city would cost him dearly.

But the City Lord’s Mansion? That was his pride. His final shred of dignity.

“Let the Bix people clear the rest of the city. Leave the mansion. I’ll speak to the young master,” Pei Sen said.

Neil nodded and left. In Neil’s eyes, Pei Sen was like an imperial favorite rising to power by luck. Despite being nominally junior, Neil was incredibly respectful.

“Oh? Wallis won’t let the mansion fall and brought out the Dragon Star Knights?” Eagle closed his magic notes. “He had no backbone when he was needed. Now he gets tough.”

“What does the young master plan to do?” Pei Sen asked. He honestly wanted Wallis dead—real world or not.

Wallis had been involved in human trafficking for years. Letting him go meant risking more victims. Pei Sen didn’t believe he’d stop.

Eagle said casually, “What else? I’ll tell Kesso to bring the Mage Tower mages and kill Wallis. As for the Dragon Star Knights? Kill them all too.”

Pei Sen stared at him. Those cold words sounded like nothing coming from the mouth of a fifteen-year-old boy.

“Young master, just killing Wallis should be enough, right?”

Eagle chuckled. “Not at all. Their commander, Feil, used to serve that emperor. Who knows what connections still exist? The Knights are loyal to Wallis. They should die with him.”

Pei Sen sighed. This boy was a contradiction. Yesterday he pitied him, even gave him the Ring of Illusions. But today… he was honestly a little afraid. If Eagle didn’t become the Lightbringer like in his past life, who knew what he would become?

“Why are you going soft on them, Pei Sen?” Eagle immediately picked up on his mood.

Pei Sen gave a bitter smile. Maybe it was because he knew the “NPCs” in this world were real people. If this were just a game, killing the Knights wouldn’t matter. But this was different. Hundreds of real lives.

Eagle didn’t understand his mindset. To him, they were just nobodies. But strangely, he didn’t want Pei Sen to be unhappy. So the clever young master explained:

“They’re not worth pity. That guy Kui Wolf? He regularly sold people. The Dragon Star Knights disguised themselves as guards to help transport them. Otherwise, how could they cross borders so easily? Kui Wolf was just a newly advanced second-rank swordsman. He was weak. One knight could beat him with one hand.”

Pei Sen: “…”

Alright, sympathy gone. So the Knights were part of the trafficking ring.

Even if Eagle only said that to comfort him, Pei Sen felt better. At least the kid wasn’t killing recklessly.

“Fine. I’ll contact Kesso. Actually, the Bix people could help. They’re fierce and fearless. The Knights are strong, but not numerous. Let them assist the mages in surrounding the mansion, just in case.”

Eagle grinned. “If some escape, I can punish Kesso. I kinda hope a few get away.”

He looked like he was joking, but there was a distinct sense of authority in his voice.

Pei Sen sighed and left to send the messages. Behind him, Eagle quietly dropped the smile. His emerald eyes focused on the plain ring on his hand.

Peks, the fat cat, twitched and cautiously crept to a corner, curling up to minimize its presence. Unfortunately, it was still a fat ball.

“Pei Sen,” Eagle whispered with a soft laugh. “Do you like me better when I look weak?”

In Pei Sen’s view, a fifteen-year-old was just a kid. In modern society, they’re still middle schoolers—barely teenagers.

But in Arya Continent, fifteen was already adulthood. That’s why Eagle’s birthday was such a big deal. According to the traditions of the Kingdom of Esmia, he should have received a formal title and a scepter engraved with his name. But the royal family stayed silent, acting like Eagle was just a distant relative with no connection.

Never mind that his mother, Princess Carolina, was the Queen of Bonfrese!

With the royals ignoring him, the manor could only try to keep him happy.

Today, Eagle told Lady Mary he wanted to promote Pei Sen by one level. Technically, that broke protocol. Pei Sen was a civilian and had only been at the manor a short time. But given the timing, Mary couldn’t refuse. With Sadin’s approval, they planned to raise Pei Sen to the lowest rank of steward—making him a proper house manager.

Eagle was preparing a surprise.

But now, he had new doubts.

“Pei Sen is so kind to me. He even secretly gave me that ring. Is it because he pities me?”

Pei Sen had no idea the young master had caught on. He did pity Eagle—he thought of him as a poor kid. So in that sense, Eagle was right.

But Pei Sen was too focused on trying to trigger a player quest involving the destruction of Wallis and the Dragon Star Knights. He didn’t notice Eagle’s change in mood.

Truthfully, Pei Sen would rather go alone. But he knew the young master would never allow it, so he didn’t bother bringing it up.

Still, since he was the one triggering the quest, he would receive a reward no matter what. Sometimes quite generous.

Unfortunately, dungeons didn’t work that way. He had to be there personally.

“Wallis and the Knights are probably stronger than the players,” Pei Sen thought. “Even if they go, it’ll just be cleanup. Still, they might be useful. Those mages are powerful but fragile. Their apprentices can’t take a charge from mounted knights.”

He suddenly remembered Kesso’s scheming nature. The other mages followed Kesso’s lead. For example, when players sent resources from the Starfall Plains to the Mage Tower as Eagle ordered, nothing happened without Kesso’s direct approval. They obeyed, technically, but progress was slow.

Pei Sen could tell Eagle wasn’t pleased.

“Is that why?” he muttered.

Could it be that the young master wanted the mages to suffer losses against the Knights?

If it was only Wallis they were killing, Kesso could handle it. But if they had to kill the entire Knight regiment without help, there would be casualties.

“No way,” Pei Sen said to himself. “I’m probably overthinking it.”

After informing Kesso, Pei Sen also notified the players. A quest appeared soon after:

“Timed Mission: Assist the Mage Tower in attacking the City Lord’s Mansion in Casey City. Eliminate City Lord Wallis Barkrot and the Dragon Star Knights. Time limit: 24 hours.”

Since Pei Sen triggered the quest, he’d receive a cut of the players’ contribution rewards—even if he didn’t participate directly. Still, he really wanted to go watch.

Oh well. With the young master’s magic eye and player livestreams, he wouldn’t miss much.

Players were thrilled. For most second-wave players, this was their first big event. Even players still stuck in Starfall Plains rushed toward Casey City.

Compared to hunting rabbits in the wilderness, fighting a City Lord and a knight regiment was way more exciting.

So far, players only encountered three enemy types in the plains: Savage Jump Rabbits (Level 1), Flying Fang Rats (also Level 1), and Scorchwhip Trees (mutant plants as dangerous as Level 2 beasts). Beyond that? If you met anything else, you ran.

Players below Level 10 wouldn’t lose XP when dying, only gear (which friends could recover). But above Level 10, dying cost half a level’s worth of XP.

Most first-wave players were now Level 10–15, while second-wave players were under 10. Teams often mixed experienced and new players.

Combat in a hyper-realistic holographic game was hard. Most got their butts kicked by rabbits before they learned how to fight.

BraisedSpicySnack adapted quickly. His squad was top-tier among players. He made a deal with Designer: if they found the dungeon and got the first clear, they’d split the loot.

Designer couldn’t fight due to his low level, but he was better at finding clues.

“We can level up during this mission. It’ll make the dungeon run safer,” BraisedSpicySnack said.

His teammates were the best-adapted fighters, though even they needed five or six people to take down a single Level 1 rabbit reliably. Pei Sen, at their level, could massacre them solo.

There was still a long way to go before players fully adjusted.

Designer’s group found the mission very interesting.

“Why does it feel like quests in this game trigger at random?” asked Architect.

“That’s because most games revolve around players,” said Designer. “But Bix Magic Cube seems to center around NPCs. We can participate, but I don’t think we’re the protagonists.”

It was an astute observation, especially this early in the game.

The players arrived before the mages. Kesso wasn’t eager to kill a city lord, but Eagle gave a formal order—signed and sealed with the Thorned Rose wax mark. Kesso had no choice but to obey.

He might not respect the little count, but ignoring a signed command would be open rebellion.

Kesso didn’t care about Wallis. Kill him, fine. He was just annoyed. The other mages dragged their feet, so they arrived late.

The players were more anxious. It was a timed mission. Some even suggested storming the Mage Tower to drag them out.

Finally, the mages arrived. Kesso was surprised to see the Bix people already surrounding the mansion—and Wallis looking worse than ever.

The pampered mages were not happy. Many had never killed before. Some apprentices hid in the back, reluctant to fight.

They had never seen the Bix people. Kesso handled it fine, but the others were nervous. The ragged-looking warriors seemed dangerous.

“Okay, the mages are here. Can we attack now?” a player with a greatsword asked.

Besides the quest description, there were no other prompts.

“Do we need an order from the vice steward?”

“He looks like he thinks we’re useless.”

“I think so too.”

“So he won’t direct us. He’ll only command the mages.”

“Then what do we do?”

“Well… ATTACK!”

“Yeah!”

Kesso turned to Wallis, ready to say a few words. They had known each other for years. Wallis was a noble, after all. Kesso figured he’d offer some formalities.

Then chaos exploded.

The Bix people raised their weapons and charged the mansion, shouting wildly. They didn’t care at all about the fully armed Dragon Star Knights guarding it.

“Dibs on the boss! Outta my way!”

“Whoever gets the kill gets the loot!”

“CHARGE!”

Two thousand players surged forward, drowning the unprepared knight regiment.

Kesso: “…”

The mages: “…”

Who were the main force again? Wasn’t this supposed to be our mission? Are these Bix people okay? Who launches a full assault without warning?!