Yena has been feeling pretty good lately.
Her guild, the -Y- Guild, is growing well, and thanks to Lily’s influence, her broadcasts are seeing unprecedented growth.
NewTube has skyrocketed due to algorithm boosts, while Twitch has gained anywhere from 20,000 to a staggering 40,000 to 50,000 viewers on busy days.
Of course, all of this is thanks to Lady Lily.
Lady Lily may not realize her position, but even at this very moment, there are countless people trying to connect with her.
Most of the emails coming in lately have been about “introducing Lily,” which makes up about 80% of the messages.
“What am I supposed to do with someone who’s not even my possession?”
Recently, Yena has had to repay Lady Lily for some copyright and NewTube-related work, but she wasn’t really looking for a reward.
After all, she was already receiving ample rewards.
No matter how often they collaborate, it wouldn’t be courteous to just set Lady Lily up with anyone.
“I should’ve asked her to come along.”
As Yena crossed the vast desert that blocks the Empire’s territory and the neutral city of Lunos, she swallowed her curses.
Of all times, the continent’s gate malfunctioned and dropped her right in the middle of the desert.
It’s a rare “malfunction event”…
Literally an event that sometimes teleports you to unusual places, which could be crucial for finding hidden dungeons or hidden pieces.
But since it happens really ‘rarely,’ it sometimes drops you in completely pointless locations.
“This is just a bust.”
Of all places, she managed to land smack in the middle of the desert.
Not a dungeon, not a hidden anything—just a desert.
Grinding her teeth, Yena resolved to demand a hefty compensation from the gate manager.
This isn’t a joke.
“Ugh… it’s hot…”
Whenever crossing desert regions, you should always bring heat-resistant gear, items, or consumable drinks.
But the only thing Yena had was two cups of “Blue Palm Aid” that she had packed from her last sea trip.
The effect is just a little sweet and refreshing.
She had originally planned to buy the local “Mirage Palm Drink,” only available in Lunos, right after arriving through the gate.
It costs about 3 gold, which is quite pricey, but it’s a magical drink that keeps your body temperature normal for three hours.
Moreover, it also increases mana regeneration, so sometimes users who trade come by Lunos to buy it in bulk…
“Ah, come on! I need to get 100 gold…”
It’s hot, hot, so hot…
It’s hot…
Yena lifted her head slightly.
Runeos, faintly visible.
I can see it, but it’s barely visible. I need to walk a bit further.
“…I really miss Lily.”
I want to see her even more today.
■
“Finally!!”
I’ve arrived.
Runeos is already bustling with people.
Yena quickly moved and reached the store selling Mirage Palm drinks.
“Hurry up, please!”
“Uncle, just three palm drinks!”
“Don’t you sell leaf fruits?”
“Get in line, get in line! Tsk. Outsiders.”
“Selling Mirage Palm drinks for 5 gold~”
The store is already chaotic.
The simulated siege war team selection is being held in the plaza, attracting many people to Runeos to spectate.
Renting out a neutral city isn’t particularly good for managing a territory, but since it increases the number of travelers, it’s beneficial for the city.
Moreover, users called ‘outsiders’ aren’t really on anyone’s side, so there’s no problem at all.
Yena tilted her head and looked at the line.
For some reason, it feels like waiting could take forever.
Just as she stepped outside the store and turned her head, she saw a familiar face.
“Selling Mirage Palm drinks for 5 gold~”
A user in front of her, shamelessly hoarding palm drinks and selling them like a merchant just a meter away.
It’s illegal, but maybe it’s so chaotic that even the owner doesn’t seem to care.
“Hey.”
“Yes! Drinks… Oh? Yena, is that you? Wow~ It’s been a while!”
The user hoarding drinks greeted her warmly.
Yena recognized him too.
He roams the entire region buying items and making a profit.
I remember him getting caught a few times for such illegal acts and ending up in jail.
Yena had purchased items from him several times.
The difference between him and a merchant is that the merchant brings in items from outside to sell, while this guy simply sells them at a higher price locally.
He’s just insane.
He’s insane, but I can’t deny it’s convenient.
“Uh, um… are you a merchant?”
“Oh! You remember! That’s right! I’m a merchant!”
Hahaha! The merchant greeted her cheerfully.
He scratched his beard and went, “Oh!” then clapped his hands.
“By the way, you’re participating in the simulated siege war, right? Wow! I’ll cheer for you!”
“Well, I appreciate that. I was just hoping to buy some Mirage drinks.”
“Perfect timing, I’ve got just two left! You’re lucky.”
“Wow! You’re lucky!”
The merchant pulled out two drinks resembling the Mirage Palm drink from the ‘Ice Box,’ one of his job skills.
The cocktail-like beverage grants a special buff just by drinking it.
He smiled warmly while handing over the two drinks.
“It’s 10 gold, but since you’re a regular, I’ll give it to you for 9 gold.”
“Thank you! But please don’t mention the prison again.”
“I’ve built up a bit of strength to fend off the average guard soldier. I’m not the same as I was before.”
Yena chuckled softly at his hearty laughter and waved goodbye.
The merchant also said goodbye and left in search of new profits.
In Yena’s hand were the two drinks.
“One for me… and one for Lady Lily.”
Since Lady Lily said she’d turn on the broadcast when she arrives at Runeos, she could give it to her then—
“Hey! Lady Lily!”
She spotted someone in the distance who seemed to be Lady Lily.
With her blue hair reminiscent of the sea, even from afar, her pretty face and figure stood out.
Her pure white Saintess-like outfit suited her so well that it felt like it was made just for her.
Next to her was a little kid draped in a spirit—
“Huh?”
Could it be… Lord Leo?
“Lady Lily!!!”
—
“Ah, Miss Yena.”
In an instant, Yena, who had been far away, arrived in front of us.
Being an assassin, her speed was exceptional.
[Hey~]
[Yena, why are you running so frantically? LOL]
[I think I saw you at the gate.]
[?]
[LOLOLOL]
[Isn’t that a Mirage drink?]
[It’s two drinks.]
[Is one for Lily?]
Yena smiled and handed me one of the drinks.
“I was going to contact you, but you left first. Oh, and Lord Leo is here too.”
“Hello, Miss Yena!”
“I was hunting for a bit, so I went to another place. I got some help from Lord Leo here.”
“I see. Haha.”
Yena smiled awkwardly.
‘Are you not that close to Leo?’
I tilted my head and accepted the drink.
A small palm tree was placed on top of the shimmering blue ice glass.
The size was about the same as a ping pong ball.
The taste was reminiscent of lemonade… it was something special.
“It’s delicious.”
“It’s hard to come by, but I managed to get it with effort.”
Clearing her throat, Yena started recounting her difficult journey to obtain the drink.
Miss Yena recites her tale.
I heard there was a gate incident, and they had to cross the desert halfway…
“You’ve worked hard. I feel like I should repay you for this…”
“Crossing and drinks aren’t really related. I just happened to have two left.”
“In that case… I’ll gratefully accept.”
“Yup. Hehe.”
[That thing is hard to get]
[As expected of Yena-land]
[So jealous]
Squeak.
My sleeve is being tugged.
Looking down, I see Leo with a charming little face, his bright eyes staring straight at me.
More precisely, at the drink in my hand.
“I-I also… want to drink, please.”
Whoa.
[?]
[Whoa]
[So freaking cute]
[LOL]
[Emergency situation LOL]
[???]
[Wow]
[??????]
[Seeing something like that, there’s no way there can be a penalty]
[For real LOL]
[So scary LOL]
[Oh my god, Leo’s gone mad, so freaking cute, is this for real? LOL]
[Deoen has lost it]
“……”
I didn’t resist the tugging of my sleeve and knelt down on one knee to meet Leo’s gaze.
“Should I give it to you?”
“Yes!”
“Miss Yena.”
“…Oh, yes?”
“Can I have about half?”
Still kneeling, I looked up at Yena.
Since Yena had bought this with such difficulty, it wouldn’t be polite to just hand it over to someone else.
Yena, with a perplexed expression, looked back and forth between Leo and me, reluctantly nodded her head.
She pulled a glass from her inventory and filled it with about half the drink.
Leo happily gulped down the drink.
“…No. That can’t be.”
“What?”
“No! It seems like we’re about to start, so let’s go.”
Yena laughed heartily and led the way.
I followed Yena, still puzzled by her strange behavior, but focused on the drink Leo was eagerly enjoying.
[Now Lily has left…]
[LOL]
[But kneeling and asking if I should give it to you? That’s a legendary moment]
[For real LOL]
[Yena is scared of the emerging strong player…]
[If it’s Leo, then I understand]
[LOL]
[Yena, just give up]
[It’s been a while since Newdo Park has thrived]
[Don’t underestimate Yena-land]
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