Looking at her sparkly eyes, Chishiya Shuntaro instantly guessed what she wanted.
"You want to join?"
"Uh-huh!" Milim nodded enthusiastically.
Well, letting her participate wasn't out of the question.
It could even help train the adventurers a bit.
With Milim's strength, reaching the top of the rankings would be easy.
But… her ID had to change.
She couldn't just waltz in with her na out in the open.
If people realized their opponent was Milim, who'd even dare queue up?
Milim was basically the equivalent of bringing a Tiger Tank to a dieval battlefield... only to get hit by an interstellar battleship from the other side.
What kind of PvP is that?
Chishiya took a deep breath and nodded. "Alright, you can join."
"Really?!"
Milim practically launched herself into the air with joy.
She didn't expect him to agree so easily.
Chishiya added, "But on one condition."
"Huh? What condition?" She tilted her head.
"You have to pretend."
"Pretend? Why?"
Pretending wasn't her style.
If she was going to compete, she wanted to go all out—full na, full power, no holding back.
Milim was still a bit of a kid at heart.
And like any kid, she loved attention.
Not that Chishiya could bla her.
Who didn't like to show off? He did too, occasionally.
But if she showed off too much, he'd never be able to run this as a business again.
So…
Chishiya began what he called "reasonable persuasion." Others might call it high-level PUA.
"Milim, you know the strongest people are the ones who don't show off, right?"
"The more unassuming soone looks, the more terrifying they usually are."
He wasn't sure if Milim was following, but her eyes started going in circles.
She had no idea she was being gaslit into going incognito.
"Ahem..."
Once he felt she was fully cooked, Chishiya wrapped it up.
"Long story short, you're just too flashy. If you show up like yourself, everyone else will run away screaming."
"So you've got to tone it down. That's what real experts do."
Milim nodded slowly, dazed. "Is… is that so?"
"Okay... I'll listen to you then."
After all, Chishiya was her best friend.
He must have his reasons.
"Co on, let's get you a cool na."
Chishiya pulled up her panel.
Milim leaned in eagerly.
"Yes, yes! I want sothing domineering!"
If she had to hide her identity, then her ID had to sound like a boss.
Sothing that would shock everyone at first glance.
That was her bottom line.
Chishiya nodded and began typing.
"One word at a ti. Milk... candy... fun... lots... of it…"
Click, click, confirm.
[Milk Candy Fun] has logged in.
"There! Now that's a strong na," Chishiya said proudly, showing her the result.
Milim: "?"
She stared blankly at the screen.
Then at Chishiya.
Her brain was full of question marks.
Where's the "domineering" part?
She jumped up and squeezed his waist in protest.
"What's so domineering about this na?!"
"Change it! Change it now!"
Good thing Chishiya's physique had improved after awakening. Otherwise, she might've cracked a rib.
He calmly explained, "You don't get it."
"Powerful people always pick nas like this."
"The more contrasty and silly it looks, the more intimidating it is."
"Eh? Really?"
Milim slowly let go.
Deep in thought.
Contrast equals power?
This was the first ti she'd heard of such a thing.
And Chishiya wasn't exactly wrong.
Back in his world, the most cracked players always had ridiculous nas.
He gave a few examples.
"Like, you trust , right? There's Patrick the Bandit from Bikini Bottom."
"Even Happy Superman is still Superman... even when he's not happy."
"These are what real bosses go by."
Milim's head was spinning.
What kind of explanation was this?
"Ahem…"
Chishiya rubbed his nose, a bit guilty.
But the plan was set.
As long as Milim went in using the ID [Milk Candy Fun], people would think she was just a kid.
Her opponents would lower their guard.
Then boom—one punch, lights out.
Clip that mont, upload it to the [Forum]... viral hit guaranteed.
Once she reached the top of the rankings,
That contrast between her ID and her strength would beco the ultimate clickbait.
Milim continued to stare at her ID in silence.
Expression, complicated.
"If you really don't like it, we can change it," Chishiya said with a sigh.
"It's the first ti I've made an ID for soone... It's fine if it's not perfect."
Milim looked at his face. A little pitiful. A little self-conscious.
She hesitated.
"Wh-Who said I didn't like it?!"
"[Milk Candy Fun]... I... I think it's super domineering!"
"I love it, okay!"
Her voice trembled from effort.
She was clearly lying.
But this was Chishiya's first-ever ID creation...
And it was for her.
It felt special.
She convinced herself it was fine.
"I see. That's great."
Chishiya smiled.
"As long as you like it. I won't bring it up again."
"I need to brief everyone on their next assignnts. Want to co?"
Milim watched him wave and smile, but felt sothing was off.
Wait a second...
Was I just scamd?
"Would you like so strawberry cake?" Chishiya added casually.
Milim: "!"
Drool dripped from the corner of her mouth.
All doubt, gone.
Cake > Questions.
"Wait for ! I'm coming too!"
————————————
eting Hall
Everyone was excitedly playing with the virtual panels in front of them.
After wrapping up affairs in Falmuth, Diablo had returned and was lounging on a sofa nearby.
On another couch, Milim and Rim were happily swinging their legs while devouring strawberry cake.
Benimaru looked up.
"Chishiya-sama, can we also join the Arena?"
Chishiya nodded.
"Of course. These new features aren't just for adventurers. Anyone can participate."
"If you make it into the rankings, I'll personally give you a reward."
"But just one reminder. If you do compete, be sure to change your na and mask your identity."
Except Milim, obviously.
Benimaru, Shion, and Diablo—
These three were full-on battle junkies.
They all nodded in agreent.
They didn't care about covering their faces or hiding their nas.
What mattered was earning a reward personally prepared by Chishiya.
And more importantly...
It was a chance to show off their strength.
To him.
(To be continued.)
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