Nikke, something’s seriously wrong with this evacuation point! Chapter 136 136: I’ve Got an Idea

This journey through Zone One turned out to be more complicated than expected–but also easier than expected.

He had originally thought it would be a "push-your-luck, barely-survive" kind of run.

In the end, it beca a near-carry.

And the MVP of that entire process had to be Rose.

Without her, Charon wouldn't have been able to progress even a single step inside the data-constructed Schale Tower. Even though his "T-6 gear set" allowed him to perfectly respond to most physical threats, any obstacle on the data layer itself required Rose's help to break through.

This expedition into Kivotos might not have been perfect, but it had achieved its core objective.

And the new system brought by the Shittim Chest was brutally simple–and extrely effective.

Especially the final feature: the gacha system.

Charon still wanted to try drawing again, but for so reason, the current status showed 1/1 Students. Any attempt to pull again would trigger an error. It seed he could only have one student at the mont.

The upgrade conditions weren't stated, so he could only figure them out slowly himself. If he could summon more students later, wouldn't he be able to bring an entire squad of tiny units into battle?

That would be both spectacular and ridiculous.

And the enemies, distracted by their appearance, would get absolutely destroyed.

Honestly, the damage wouldn't be low either.

At first, Charon was already thinking about assigning rooms for his two new companions.

But Rose imdiately declared that her "bed" would be the operation command capsule itself.

And as for Shiroko–

She directly turned into light and returned to the Shittim Chest.

After she went back, Charon learned that once the first student was obtained, a dormitory building had been generated inside the Shittim Chest's data world. Just like Schale in Zone One, she could freely enter and exit it.

He couldn't see inside the dormitory, but that was fine–kids deserved privacy.

As a side note, now that the Shittim Chest was fully restored, it had beco Charon's exclusive equipnt. Even if he failed extraction in a dungeon, it would no longer be lost. It now belonged to the Shelter system and could not be removed.

What he needed to think about next was how to survive the remaining 29 days.

And looking at his wallet, he had already made a decision.

...

A Quiet Morning

Charon yawned as he walked out of his room.

Every ti he returned to the Shelter, his ntal state relaxed completely. Especially now–with Sleeping Beauty's dog tag and the Shittim Chest, after repeatedly surviving high-pressure dungeons, his body had entered a kind of "post-stress collapse relaxation mode."

He looked nothing like the man who would throw himself into danger without hesitation to save soone.

Shoulders slumped. Eyes half-lidded. Steps unsteady.

He plopped into a seat in the main hall and pulled out the Shittim Chest, intending to order breakfast remotely.

The shop function was very convenient.

But just as he opened the nu, before he could even check the daily recomndations, a three-head-tall chibi white-haired loli suddenly popped up on the screen.

It looked like Rose–but stylized in the exact sa chibi format as Shiroko.

"I already made your breakfast. Don't go ordering random stuff yourself!"

"…."

Charon looked up and began silently counting invisible stains on the ceiling.

Great. First he was managed by Ana, now he's being managed by Rose too.

But honestly… it wasn't bad. At least Ana's food was good, healthy, and filling.

Just as he was expecting Rose to bring sothing over, he heard quick tap tap tap footsteps.

A small hand pressed against his thigh.

He turned.

There was Shiroko–now a three-head chibi–balancing a tray on her head. Because of her oversized head, it stayed perfectly stable.

On it: a toasted piece of bread and a cup of warm milk.

"Mhm. Mhm."

She nodded slightly, signaling that this was breakfast for him.

"Thanks, Shiroko."

Charon carefully lifted the tray from her head and gently patted her.

"Mhm."

Shiroko stood there with a poker face, but her tone carried a hint of pride.

At that mont, Rose walked out carrying a separate tray of extrely "standard breakfast."

Then she saw Charon.

And she saw Shiroko standing proudly beside him.

"…."

Charon looked at his bread, then at Rose's overly refined al, then at Shiroko again.

He nodded knowingly.

"So breakfast cos in dessert and main course versions. Got it."

"What do you even an by that?!" Rose imdiately exploded, cheeks puffed up as she stared at the tiny wolf girl hiding behind Charon's chair.

"You little wolf cub… I'm going to deal with you today!"

"Mhm! Mhm!"

Rose slamd her tray down and rolled up her sleeves.

Shiroko, as a combat-oriented data entity, proved extrely agile. Using her small size to her advantage, she dodged almost everything, turning the dining area into chaos.

Charon quietly continued eating Rose's breakfast as if nothing was happening.

…It wasn't really to his taste. Too "standard."

...

Later That Day

He did a quick loot run in Zero Zone.

Got lucky.

Made nearly a million.

After checking his collection room, ti was running out, so he made a decision.

He sold off all remaining high-value items–everything.

All red-tier collectibles.

Even the "Hero's Holy Sword."

Total liquid assets: just over 100 million Zero Coins.

His heart hurt a little seeing the empty collection room.

He also sold damaged armor, unused weapons, ammo, dkits, stimulants–everything he could justify parting with.

After daily expenses, he still needed about 3 million more to hit his target threshold.

He could probably grind it out in 29 days.

Or…

He could take bigger risks.

So he went to Rose.

...

"Rose, I've got an idea."

"Okay."

"…Wait, what?"

Charon hadn't even explained anything yet, and she already agreed.

Her expression was sothing he rarely saw–soft, warm, almost sunlight-like.

"You and I are already bound by fate," she said gently. "Whether it's to save my senpai, or for your personal goals… I'll go along with anything."

Then she looked at him seriously.

"So. What are we doing?"