Nikke, something’s seriously wrong with this evacuation point! Chapter 144 144: Ana, You’ve Grown Up

The reason beings like Nikkes stand out so much is because, during normal deploynt, their equipnt and attire emphasize exactly what they are. But if they intentionally try to hide it and change into ordinary clothes, then unless they ntion it themselves, they can pass as humans.

Just like Abe. If she didn't say anything, almost nobody would be able to tell what she really was.

And this ti, Cinderella, Hansel, Gretel, and Siren were all dressed like ordinary people…

…though saying that still felt a bit forced.

Four youthful, dazzling beauties, their eyes filled with innocence and curiosity toward the world, carrying an untouched purity completely untainted by society's darkness.

And there were four of them, each with completely different charms.

A lineup like that attracting troublemakers was basically inevitable.

Fortunately, the one leading them was Abe, who thoroughly understood the ugliness of the world, along with Cinderella, who had learned a great deal about reality from a young age. The trip went remarkably smoothly. Even when tails appeared behind them, they easily shook them off.

Though honestly, it was too smooth.

The second-generation Fairy Tale Nikkes were all confused, while only Abe seed to know soone was helping them behind the scenes. But she said nothing, rely urging the girls to keep moving forward.

The comrcial district's decline was already impossible to hide.

Shop after shop had either fled or shut down entirely. The few businesses still operating on the streets now were mostly governnt-run necessities related to civilian life.

But everyone knew that once the Ark's gates opened, all of these stores would shut down as well.

At that point, money would beco nothing more than worthless paper.

"We're here."

Only after reaching the very end of the street did Abe finally stop.

Beside them stood a still-intact café with a "CLOSE" sign hanging on the door.

"Doesn't look like anyone followed us." Abe swept a sharp gaze around the surroundings, making sure no idiots had slipped through unnoticed. "Go in. Cinderella, you first."

"Yes."

Cinderella instantly entered combat readiness.

Although she wasn't carrying her weaponry, her mind had already entered a fully focused state. Even in pure hand-to-hand combat, she likely wouldn't lose to the first-generation Fairy Tale models.

Seeing that, Abe looked like she wanted to say sothing, but ultimately only waved her hand.

"Everyone maintain formation. Enter in order."

The other three exchanged puzzled looks.

Especially Siren.

She seed to realize sothing, yet still obediently chose to follow orders. There was even a trace of envy in her eyes as she clasped both fists before her chest, nervous and excited at the sa ti.

Lowering her center of gravity, Cinderella carefully observed the café.

The inside was completely dark.

Then she slowly pushed open a crack in the door.

Because of the poor lighting, the deepest part of the café was shrouded in darkness, but faint candlelight flickered there, adding an eerie atmosphere to the surrounding silence.

She took a deep breath.

Then stepped inside.

The instant her foot touched the floor, she heard a crisp click.

The next second–

POP! POP!

Two sharp explosive sounds suddenly rang out above her head.

Enemy attack?!

Cinderella instinctively tried to activate "Crystal Shoes," but imdiately realized she hadn't brought any weaponry this ti.

Her arm reflexively shielded her head, preparing to take the hit directly.

Only when colorful confetti landed in her palm did she finally realize sothing was wrong.

She slowly raised her head.

Above her were two automatically triggered party cannons.

Colorful paper scraps and strears fluttered through the air, falling onto her dazed face and silver-gray hair.

Then, in the very next mont–

The café lights turned on.

The once pitch-black room instantly beca brightly illuminated.

A man vaulted out from behind the counter, spreading his arms wide, his face overflowing with a smile.

"Happy birthday, Ana!"

At the sa ti, the café speakers began playing the Happy Birthday song, transforming the cold and desolate atmosphere into sothing warm and affectionate.

But Cinderella, the center of it all, no longer had the attention to notice any of it.

Because her entire body had already frozen.

She blinked rapidly, as though trying to confirm whether what stood before her was real or rely an illusion.

Her blinking grew faster and faster.

Her eyes reddened more and more.

Until finally, her expression still wore that sa blank innocence–

yet tears had already burst through like a collapsed dam.

Cinderella's mind went completely blank.

She could barely form coherent thoughts anymore.

That overwhelming surge of emotion poured uncontrollably through her tears.

And by the ti she realized it–

she had already pinned that man beneath her.

She had no mory whatsoever of what happened in between.

Her body had moved faster than her brain.

"Mr. Charon… Mr. Charon…"

Lying atop his broad chest, she softly repeated his na over and over while listening to the sound of his heartbeat, allowing her tears to completely soak his clothes.

"Ana…"

Charon simply lay flat on the ground, feeling the trembling body in his arms.

Completely ignoring just how astonishingly she had matured over the years, he rely gently stroked her head and back.

Every place touched by Charon's large hand sent a tingling numbness through Cinderella's body.

But she didn't want to leave.

For a period of ti, she had deeply regretted her choice.

Regretted leaving Charon behind.

Life beside Abe had indeed felt more stable and real–

but that person wasn't there.

The one willing to risk his life for a complete stranger.

Her father and mother were already gone.

Back then, Charon had been the only person she had left.

Now she had Abe, Siren, Hansel, Gretel, and eventually Red Shoes too.

She wasn't lonely anymore.

But Charon would always remain the very first person in her heart.

"Ana… you've grown up."

After a long silence, Charon finally let out a soft sigh.

"I don't want to grow up. Not at all."

Cinderella's muffled voice ca from against his chest.

"The world after growing up… isn't beautiful at all…"

"Then make it beautiful. That's the reason you beca a Fairy Tale Nikke in the first place, right?"

Truthfully, Charon had never expected Ana to reach this point.

The strongest first unit among the second-generation Fairy Tale models.

He felt so proud he almost wanted to jump up and celebrate.

Even though they hadn't spent that much ti together, Charon truly considered Ana one of his own.

The stronger she beca, the happier he felt.

At that mont, a shadow fell across Charon's vision.

"That's wonderful and all, pervert."

Abe's rcilessly mocking voice rang out.

"I thought you'd call this girl 'Mommy.' That would've been more in character for you."

"Wah… wow…"

A look of utter shock appeared on Siren's face.

"Wow, a pervert. Hansel and Gretel are both very scared."

"Perverts are terrifying."

Hansel and Gretel clung to each other, pretending to tremble in fear, though the smiles at the corners of their mouths made it obvious they were having a great ti acting.

"Can we not tease at a mont like this, Lady Abe…"

Charon raised both hands in surrender.

Then he looked down at the girl in his arms.

"Ana, you can get up now, okay?"

If she didn't get up soon, this was going to beco a serious problem.

Her developnt was honestly outrageous.

Her figure was even better than Liliweiss's.

And he was still a normal man.

You know.

He was already nearing his limit.

"That's fine too."

But instead of getting up, Cinderella moved even closer.

Her soft red lips approached Charon's ear.

"Mr. Charon… you can call Mommy if you'd like…"

Charon's entire body froze.

Abe's expression solidified completely.

The younger Fairy Tale sisters all wore different expressions–

but every single one of them looked at Cinderella with stunned admiration.