Little Pink Starfish

The grave was just outside Casey City. It had no gravestone—just like the common folk of the city themselves, who couldn’t afford such things. Only the wealthy merchants and noble lords could afford to erect proper gravestones.

But the townsfolk still kept the area clean. Fresh wildflowers, speckled with raindrops, adorned the simple mound, lending the grave a serene and peaceful air.

The players stood nearby, watching in awkward silence as the townspeople mourned the “deaths” of the players—essentially, of themselves.

“I used to get emotionally attached to NPCs in other games too,” Lilith murmured, watching a young girl place flowers on the grave. Just days ago, she had woven a beautiful flower crown for that same girl.

“I’m actually a little touched,” Ivy said softly. “These NPCs… they’re really something.”

“Their AI is incredible,” someone added. “Even if they’re just people in a game.”

Then they noticed another sad-looking girl laying a bouquet at the grave. The players knew one guy had been grinding her affection level for a while now…

That player, who was nearby, looked heartbroken. “I worked so hard to build up her favor, and now it’s plummeted just like that? Shouldn’t dying increase affection points?”

What he didn’t realize was: the people of this world didn’t have the time or luxury to dwell on grief. They were practical, even the girl who had once liked him. She’d cry for him now—but soon, she’d forget and continue living her life.

Still, that player had been sincerely trying to raise her favor. Thanks to the game’s strict censorship system, there was no way to get close to NPCs in “that” kind of way. He wasn’t like Pei Sen, who had actual access to plotlines. Intimacy? Not a chance. So his feelings for the girl had been pure.

Many players had gathered here. Some even performed mock funerals for themselves, picking wildflowers to place on the mound.

Then, they cheerfully resumed chatting up the “NPCs” of Casey City, eagerly helping rebuild the town.

“It sucks that the Kesso mission rewards got nerfed because too many people completed it.”

“But I heard the player who first triggered the quest actually got praised by Count Eagle and Steward Pei Sen.”

“Yeah, but that was pure luck. Doesn’t look like there’s a follow-up.”

“Besides, Kesso came to us—we didn’t go looking for him.”

Most players didn’t care much about the new grave outside the city. What mattered to them was the loot and rewards.

That was the standard mindset for a player.

However, the kindness of the townsfolk had left an impression. Many players wouldn’t admit it aloud, but if anyone dared threaten the people of Casey City, they’d draw their swords without hesitation.

In other games, players had often grown attached to certain beloved NPCs. That was how fan-favorite characters were born. Now, players were genuinely starting to care about the NPCs in this world.

Back at the manor, Pei Sen casually observed the lucky player who had triggered the Kesso event. The guy was completely average—it was dumb luck that led him to Kesso. Pei Sen couldn’t bring himself to actually admire the guy.

So, following the game master’s instructions, he just gave him some token praise and moved on.

The players understood. After all, the quest wasn’t exactly something they solved proactively.

One of the game’s designers had already noticed something interesting. “These NPCs don’t seem affected by player-driven quests. The world doesn’t revolve around the players. They have their own lives. Even without us, Kesso probably would’ve come to Casey City anyway.”

“What does that mean?” asked Doodle, looking confused.

“It means… this game might actually give every NPC a complete life.”

The nearby players all looked stunned, but impressed.

“A complete life, huh…”

Pei Sen hadn’t yet read the forums. He didn’t know the townsfolk had made a grave for the players.

In the original timeline, none of this had happened.

There had never been a scenario where players razed and rebuilt Casey City. Relations between players and the natives had always been tense. From beta test to open launch, the conflict between the two sides had escalated. At one point, things were on the brink of outright war.

Back then, the Bix tribe had been seen as one of the most notorious “evil races” on the continent of Yali.

But now, things had changed. Perhaps intentionally so—after all, someone had allowed Pei Sen to operate with a very loose leash.

Sadin dragged in Kesso, disheveled and soaked. To be honest, Sadin had never seen Kesso in such a sorry state before.

They were both senior figures in the manor—Sadin the head steward, Kesso the deputy. They were used to living comfortably. Their relationship had always been fraught and complicated.

“These people with you… they’re from the Bellen Mercenary Group, right?” Sadin asked coldly. “Kesso, what exactly were you planning, bringing them here—only to get crushed by the Bix tribe?”

Kesso glanced at the magic-suppression ring on his wrist. “Nothing. Just bringing a few friends along. Is that not allowed?”

Sitting nearby, Eagle chuckled. “Kesso, I never liked you. And now I think even less of you. You came here to capture me and steal something of mine, didn’t you?”

Kesso’s expression faltered. How did he know…?

He glanced at Pei Sen beside Eagle. “You already figured it out?”

Pei Sen smiled. “You mean the thing you hid in the magic book?”

Kesso clenched his teeth and stayed silent.

He realized that from the moment he set foot here, his fate had been sealed. No wonder the Bix tribe was onto him from the start.

The truth was—his plan had already been exposed.

Pei Sen wanted to laugh. Kesso, you’re overthinking it… The players didn’t know about the ring. They caused chaos simply because they always cause chaos. Even if you hadn’t hidden the ring, they’d still have stormed the place.

Sadin glanced between Kesso and Eagle. Clearly, there was more going on than he knew.

“Kesso,” Eagle said, “how long have you been deputy steward of Golden Rose Manor?”

“Seven and a half years,” Kesso replied.

He had come here when Eagle was exiled to this remote land. They’d traveled west together, all the way from the fertile lands of Grand Duke Burke Angre.

Back then, Kesso had been a rising star in the Royal Mage Corps—young for a high-level mage, and highly talented. No one understood why he’d voluntarily leave it all behind to accompany a child into exile.

No other mage would have made such a sacrifice. Leaving the capital meant giving up a life of privilege and cutting off access to magical research. For a mage, it was practically professional suicide.

Why had Kesso thrown away his future? It had always been a mystery.

Eagle might not have thought much of it at the time. But now, he knew there had to be a reason.

He and Kesso were strangers back then. There was no way Kesso would make such a selfless decision out of loyalty.

And Eagle didn’t believe Kesso was loyal enough to Leiser to make that kind of sacrifice either.

Over the years, Eagle had known exactly who Sadin worked for—Burke Angre—and Sadin never tried to hide it. But Kesso? He had always kept his thoughts concealed. That made Eagle deeply distrust him.

“Did you follow me here under orders from the original owner of the ring?”

Sadin raised his eyebrows in surprise. He, too, had always found Kesso suspicious. But since everyone assumed Kesso worked for Leiser, Sadin had never challenged him directly.

Now it seemed that assumption might’ve been wrong.

Kesso didn’t deny it.

Eagle stood and looked Kesso in the eye. “I’m surprised. Why would he give the ring to me?”

“I don’t know,” Kesso replied calmly.

“Then let me ask you this—was it just you who wanted the ring? Or were those mages from the Magic Association after it too?”

Kesso chuckled. “You really are smarter than I expected. Yes, they wanted it. But they weren’t sure it was in my possession. They sent people to investigate. Now that I’ve gone missing, they’ll know for sure I had it.”

The implication was clear: his disappearance was just too perfectly timed.

Sadin’s expression shifted. He remembered the six mages the association had sent—and who Eagle had driven out.

So they’ll be back…?

“Oh, I figured as much,” Eagle said, unfazed.

“I hadn’t planned on telling you anything,” Kesso said. “I brought the Bellen Mercenaries here only for the ring. I never intended to harm you, young master.”

He called Eagle “young master” now with suspicious ease.

Eagle smirked. “You’re really something, Kesso. Sly and shameless. You never called me ‘young master’ so diligently before. You wanted to steal from me, and now you act like it was for my own good?”

“I would’ve left as soon as I had the ring,” Kesso said. “Even if the Magic Association came, you could’ve just blamed everything on me. That ring isn’t of much use to you anyway.”

“Oh, so I should thank you for thinking of me?” Eagle’s voice was ice-cold. “You brought a mercenary group here to capture me, force me to register you in the sigil ring. And if I refused? Don’t pretend you’d have gone easy on me.”

Kesso stared at the boy he’d watched grow up—a boy once quiet, reserved, and fragile, now sharp-tongued and unpredictable.

He had always underestimated Eagle. Assumed he’d never rise above his lowly station. That’s why Kesso had dared to plot against him, to steal what had been left for him.

Because deep down, he’d never respected him.

But now… he realized this boy was not so simple.

“Last question. Who was the original owner of the ring?”

Kesso shook his head. “I can’t say.” Then emphasized, “Not won’t say. Can’t.”

“Secret vow?” Sadin asked.

“Secret vow?” Pei Sen echoed. Another term he didn’t know.

Eagle explained, “It’s like a binding oath. If someone breaks it and reveals the secret, they die.” He turned to Kesso with a smile. “You’re going to die anyway. Might as well tell me.”

Kesso turned even paler than before. He was already soaked and shivering, but now deathly white with fear.

He said nothing.

Eagle grew impatient and turned to leave. “Sadin. Kill him.”

Sadin hesitated. Was it really time?

Eagle didn’t look back. “You’ve always wanted to kill him, haven’t you? You just never dared because of who backed him. But that person is dead now. Kesso is no longer under Leiser’s protection. What are you afraid of?”

Pei Sen, following behind, understood the reasoning. It was a pity to kill a high-level mage—but letting him live would only invite trouble.

Kesso had clearly planned to torture Eagle if he refused to comply.

He deserved to die.

Sadin drew his sword. “Kesso… I didn’t think you’d die like this. Sorry, but I must obey the young master.”

Kesso sneered. “Don’t act like this is some tragic farewell. You’ve always wanted to kill me. Let’s not pretend otherwise. I lost, and I’ll pay with my life. But I wonder what fate awaits you… Don’t think I don’t kn—”

Sadin struck like lightning, ending Kesso’s life swiftly and cleanly. He gave his old rival a merciful death.

Pei Sen raised an eyebrow. Sadin had deliberately silenced Kesso. What didn’t he want him to say?

Did the manor’s head steward have his own secrets?

Eagle left the interrogation room, and Pei Sen followed.

“Where’s the ring?” Pei Sen finally asked.

He hadn’t seen Eagle wear it during the entire interrogation. Eagle had even avoided saying the name “Berfield” in front of Sadin—probably to keep things quiet.

“Pecks has it,” Eagle replied casually. “I told him to guard it last night.”

“…Pecks?” Pei Sen blinked.

“What, you wanted me to sleep with that filthy ring on?”

Pei Sen: “……”

That cat is completely unreliable…

Meanwhile, the six expelled mages were making their way back to the Association, looking grim. Royce and Jonna were deeply ashamed. As senior mages, this was the first time they’d bungled a mission this badly.

“We can’t report this over magic transmission,” one of them muttered. “He’ll send us straight back to Lanor.”

And just as Kesso predicted, the Magic Association… wasn’t done with them yet.

But to Eagle and Pei Sen?

It was just a minor inconvenience.

The ring was in hand. Kesso was dead. The players were still here.

Everything was in their favor.

Pei Sen followed Eagle into the bedroom, only to find Pecks still snoring away—on his back, belly up, limbs sprawled in the air—completely lacking any awareness of being a magical beast.

“So… this is what you call guarding the ring?”

Speechless, Pei Sen walked over and picked up the fat cat.

Pecks, half-asleep, was jolted awake by the sudden lift. It blinked innocently. “Meow?”

Then Pei Sen spotted the ring—rolled into the corner of the cat’s nest, flattened under its massive body.

Good thing it was still here. Expecting this unreliable cat to guard something was a joke.

Right then, Pecks suddenly remembered what its master had told it last night. It leapt down and saw the ring, visibly relieved.

It puffed out its chest, raised its tail proudly—The cat did a great job! Master told the cat to watch the ring, and the cat watched it!

It batted the unimpressive little ring forward with a paw and waited eagerly for praise.

Pei Sen picked up the ring, cast a Cleaning Spell to sanitize it, and handed it to Eagle.

As for the fat cat now circling his feet, meowing loudly in hopes of being praised—it was completely ignored.

That cat was useless. It had just slept the entire time. Pei Sen was certain that if someone had tried to steal the ring, they would’ve succeeded easily.

Guard something? Not with this cat.

Eagle took the ring. “Now I really want to know what’s inside it that made Kesso so desperate.”

Kesso had said the contents were useless to Eagle—which was a kind of insult, implying Eagle was just a spoiled and delicate young master.

But the truth was far from that.

If you asked Pei Sen, his young master was a natural-born talent—someone who could cast advanced divine magic even as a beginner mage. And he progressed frighteningly fast.

To this day, Eagle studied magic with Pei Sen daily, never slacking.

One day, those who had underestimated him would pay the price.

Pei Sen watched the boy in front of him with quiet pride, filled with a strange sense of satisfaction—raising him had truly paid off.

His young master was destined to astonish the world.