Pick Me Up Infinite Gacha! Novel - Chapter 313
Pick Me Up – Chapter 313 – Ashes (3)
Anything.
Siris murmured this unfamiliar name to herself.
It wasn’t the first time she had heard it.
She had researched the Lobby where the Master resided.
According to her investigation, Anything was a weak Master who solely depended on Loki.
‘I should have investigated more thoroughly.’
Siris knew the basic outline of Taonier, but she hadn’t fully understood the four ancient races and the associated imperial mythology. If she had studied Taonier in detail, she might have avoided the Master’s betrayal.
But that was all in the past now.
Siris shook her head and opened her mouth.
“I heard that Master was suspended. Isn’t the access server already closed?”
<Lifting a suspension is something I can do with my authority. It’s not difficult to connect Anything. I still have some gems available.>
Siris’s eyes narrowed.
How did Masters treat their heroes?
As disposable pieces. As toys. They only cared about their own enjoyment.
Except for some like Loki, Masters generally didn’t treat their heroes as living beings.
‘Even so, I can’t refuse it.’
Han, your hero, needs help.
Even though there was a high probability that Anything wouldn’t believe her, it was better to try than to do nothing.
“I’ll contact that Master.”
<Understood. I’ll provide the link as soon as the call ends.>
“……Thank you.”
<You’re welcome. I also have a debt to repay.>
Siris inhaled deeply.
Now the main part began.
“Explain to me how to save the Master.”
<I must warn you that this is just a hypothesis. If we fail, you could end up like Master Loki.>
“I’m willing to take the risk.”
<Then, first…>
Sijel began to speak.
Siris memorized every word of the long explanation.
It was a completely unverified method. It could almost be considered an unrealistic fantasy.
<That’s why I warned you it was impossible.>
“…….”
<Even though Niflheim has overcome countless S-rank missions, can you meet the conditions of this mission?>
Siris closed her eyes.
The probability of success was minuscule.
But…
“I will repay this debt without fail.”
<If you need my help, don’t hesitate to ask.>
Beep.
The communication was cut off.
‘It’s not a matter of if we can do it.’
It’s something that must be done.
Siris opened her eyes.
[Siris, what was the conversation about…?]
“What time is it?”
[Uh, it’s 2:35 in the morning.]
“Gather the members of Group 1.”
Nisel looked at her in surprise.
Then nodded frantically.
[Understood! I’ll call them now!]
Pof.
Nisel disappeared in a cloud of stardust.
“This is…”
The last mission of our Niflheim.
Her emerald eyes sparkled with determination.
Siris pinned the red insignia symbolizing her rank to her uniform and wrapped herself in a black cloak. Then, she fastened Lævateinn to her waist.
“Let’s go.”
By now, the order to gather should have reached the other four.
The meeting point was the Garden of Mist on the 13th floor of Niflheim.
The place where Yurnet welcomed Loki.
————
“……Ha.”
Siris filled her lungs with fresh air.
She had reached the clearing in the center of the garden, following a dirt path. It seemed Yurnet and Nisled had had a meeting, as there was a teapot and cups on the white wooden table.
‘Master.’
Siris decided to acknowledge it.
Her mistake.
‘The reason the Master kept me by his side…’
As Lidygion had said, this wasn’t her first mistake.
From the first summoning and in several important missions, Siris had made critical errors. But what was important was….
‘What you do after making a mistake.’
Not repeating the same mistake twice.
Finding a solution even in the most impossible situations.
Never giving up.
That was the way of Siris Agentheim.
The reason she was recognized by the ancient spirit of fire that once ruled Niflheim.
Swish.
The wind blew, rustling the leaves.
Siris stood still in the center of the clearing.
“I have something to say to everyone.”
Even though the garden was empty.
Siris opened her mouth.
“First, I’m sorry. It was my mistake. Lidygion was right. It was a mistake to suggest expelling the Master that way.”
There was no response.
Even so, Siris continued.
“Although we have reclaimed our homeland and can maintain the Lobby, without the Master here, it means nothing to me.”
Rustle.
The flowers on the right side of the garden swayed violently.
“Please, give me another chance.”
Siris’s low voice echoed.
Then, it seemed the garden became disorderly.
“Is that why you woke me up suddenly?”
A girl with silver hair jumped out, dressed in a black uniform.
The girl narrowed her eyes, looking like an angry cat.
“This doesn’t suit you, Sirini.”
“……Nihaku.”
“I’m not very smart, but I know your concern for the Master isn’t wrong. It’s just that your method was a bit twisted.”
Nihaku Guestfel.
She was the daughter of a courtesan who faced the White Demons in Niflheim.
Nihaku’s mother had her tongue cut out since she was born. Siris initially didn’t understand why Nihaku spoke that way, but now she accepted it. It was an expression of longing for her mother.
“The Master is cold, but I think he’s a good person. I don’t want to part with him either. I haven’t even said goodbye properly.”
Crackle!
Nihaku waved a hand in the air.
A bright lightning bolt appeared, revealing a golden bow.
“Isn’t that right?”
Nihaku smiled as she looked around.
“Did you find it that quickly? Do you already have a plan?”
Lidygion appeared from beyond the dirt path.
His cold eyes scanned Siris’s body.
“You can’t just talk. If you’ve gathered us, you must have some idea.”
Siris exhaled deeply.
Then she spoke.
“There is a method, though it’s unverified.”
“An unverified method?”
“I can’t guarantee the probability of success. But it’s better than doing nothing.”
“Anything is better than doing nothing.”
Lidygion leaned against a nearby tree.
“What is the probability of success of that method? Have you already found the specific means? How will you start, what’s the plan…?”
“That’s my responsibility.”
From the mist beyond the garden, a woman in a robe walked forward.
When she lowered the hood, her pure white hair became visible.
“I’ve also been personally looking for a solution. If you have a method, I will verify its feasibility. As always.”
Yurnet Sid smiled gently at Siris.
“I made the same mistake too. There’s no need to blame yourself completely. We’re all guilty here.”
“Hmm?”
“Do you have something to say, Lidygion?”
“Well, I also share responsibility for not stopping you.”
Lidygion smiled bitterly.
Nihaku raised her fist high and shouted.
“We all made mistakes. No need to blame anyone. Let’s fix it.”
“How do you plan to fix it?”
“I’ll present a plan tonight. I ask you to review it.”
“Yes. Let’s make a viable plan.”
Yurnet cleared her throat and looked at Siris.
“Does the plan include Anything?”
“Yes, it does.”
“It seems we’re thinking along the same lines. It shouldn’t take long.”
“But you must know that if the plan fails, we don’t know what will happen to us.”
Siris lowered her gaze.
She didn’t hesitate to fall into the abyss alone.
But this mission involved everyone’s lives.
“If anyone wants to go home, raise your hand. I won’t say anything. Even though we’ve sworn loyalty to the Master, you also have your own lives. The Master would understand.”
“Their own lives…”
“This is the last chance.”
Siris looked at her companions.
No one reacted.
They just looked at her with determined expressions.
“Our fate is sealed.”
Except for one person.
“Then, where is our younger brother?”
Nihaku scratched her head as she spoke.
Only four people were gathered in the garden.
Someone who should be there was missing.
“There’s no news from Muden, who went to Taonier. He was supposed to return today.”
Siris looked around.
Nisel’s gathering order should have reached Muden as well.
But the fact that he wasn’t there meant….
“Does he plan to follow his own path?”
Siris smiled bitterly.
That man often told Siris.
That if he suddenly disappeared, not to look for him.
“I’ve searched again, but it seems he’s not here.”
“This is a problem. If someone’s missing…”
Siris shook her head.
“We must respect the personal decision. If he has decided, we must let him go.”
“But isn’t it strange? At least he should have said goodbye to us. We won’t stop him. We’ve seen each other so much that we’re already fed up.”
“Personal decision?”
Lidygion clicked his tongue.
His eyes reflected a feeling of regret.
“Did he reach his limit?”
“Limit? What do you mean?”
“Nihaku, I’ll explain it to you later.”
The matter of Muden can wait until tomorrow.
Even if he’s not here now, it won’t be a problem if he joins later.
“Anyway.”
Srrng.
Siris unsheathed Lævateinn.
The red blade shone ominously.
“From now on, we are a team. The four people here must prioritize the success of the mission.”
“And that mission is…?”
“To save the Master.”
There were many tasks to resolve.
Loki had lost his humanity.
The fragments found at the border.
How to get there without a portal.
What to do once facing the Master.
“One thing is certain.”
That she would keep moving forward.
Siris pointed the blade of Lævateinn forward.
“Exactly.”
Lidygion smiled coldly.
“It’s not bad to do this after so long.”
Clank.
With a metallic sound, he unsheathed his sword.
The silver blade crossed with Lævateinn’s.
“I will no longer retreat.”
Yurnet opened a book.
The Naglfar Book was placed on the sword.
“Is the younger brother not coming?”
“…….”
“It’s a pity, but let’s do this first.”
The golden bow positioned at the top.
Siris looked at the three one by one.
“From today, we will not hesitate.”
“Yes.”
“Understood.”
“Of course.”
“Then…”
Ding.
A sharp sound.
Siris caught an object flying towards her face.
‘This is.’
A purple metal badge.
In the center of the badge was a figure of a lamb.
“……!”
Siris looked ahead.
The dirt path leading to the garden entrance.
A young man with a spear was walking towards them.
Upon reaching the garden, the young man looked at the four and closed his mouth.
“Eh, is that spear…?”
Nihaku looked at the young man with her mouth open.
“Isn’t it the younger brother’s? Where did you get it?”
“The Master gave it to me. He said he left it in my care.”
Aaron spoke coldly.
“The younger brother…?”
“…….”
Siris observed the man in front of her.
Muden had talked so much about him that she recognized him immediately, even at their first meeting.
The firm eyes. Although he always seemed carefree, the young man was serious.
Siris spoke.
“Can you handle it? That spear is not light.”
“I was prepared.”
If Muden had really left Ruin to that young man, Siris had no right to refuse him.
Nihaku, who had been confused, also hardened her expression.
It wasn’t the time to talk about Muden.
“Why are we here?”
“To…”
Aaron corrected his expression.
Then he drew his spear and placed it on Brionac.
“To save the Master.”
“Good.”
Siris smiled.
“For our king…”
The voices of the five united.
“Victory.”