Chapter 96
Fortunately, the misunderstanding was cleared up, and the chilly atmosphere disappeared. Now, everyone was smiling and exuding their usual warm demeanor.
“Did you come to the department store to buy gifts?”
“Yes, it’s Christmas, so there should be at least one Santa Claus, right?”
“Hehehe, is that so.”
Let’s see, there’s my younger sister, Nika, Lillian, the Heavenly Demon, Darami, Bel, and even the Administrator.
Looks like I’ll need a truck to carry everything.
Ah, should I get a gift for Yui as well?
As expected of the VIP room, it didn’t take long before they showcased various new items. I selected the ones that seemed fitting and asked for them to be wrapped. The staff told me to wait for a moment.
After a short while, they handed me several wrapped gifts.
“All the items are wrapped, sir.”
“Thank you.”
I handed one of the gifts to Yui, whose eyes widened in surprise.
“Merry Christmas.”
“Ah… thank you….”
She seemed taken aback, as though she hadn’t expected it at all. Was I too indifferent until now?
“Come visit next time. I’ll cook you a delicious meal.”
“Really? I’ll come! Definitely, I will!”
“Alright.”
After being escorted home by Yui, I found the house in utter chaos.
There were potions and various equipment scattered all over the living room. What is all this?
“Brother, are you okay? I was about to storm in since I couldn’t reach you!”
“Huh? I didn’t get any calls?”
When I showed her my phone, there were no missed calls. Suspicious, my younger sister checked my phone, and her expression turned incredulous as she looked at me.
“Who touched this last?”
“My phone? It was Tsurumiya Yui. Oh, right, about that….”
“My number is blocked!”
She got her revenge, huh?
Yeah, that’s something I need to address.
“So, did you block everyone else as well?”
“Huh?”
My younger sister looked at me with wide eyes.
“Is it hot in here? You’re sweating buckets.”
“Uh, yeah, the house is a bit warm.”
She fanned herself with her hand and tried to sneak away, but I debated whether to teach her a lesson. In the end, I decided to let it slide today.
It’s Christmas, after all.
“Don’t do that again. Now, everyone, gather around.”
I explained everything that had happened today to everyone present, and their expressions didn’t look great.
Among them, Bel’s face stood out the most.
“I said I’d leave it to Bel, but it looks like that’ll be hard. As soon as we reach the 89th floor, Nika will devour everything.”
“…….”
Bel silently pondered for a moment before finally nodding.
“That’s fine. Just don’t show any half-hearted mercy.”
“Of course.”
Time to lighten the mood.
I handed out the gifts I bought at the department store one by one, and everyone seemed pleased.
“Oh my, gifts? Thank you so much.”
“Hoho… I’ve lived a long life, but this is my first time receiving something like this.”
“Nyoooh.”
“Thank you.”
“Ah… there’s one for me too? Thank you so much.”
Lastly, I gave my younger sister her gift, and she looked delighted.
It was worth the effort.
“Everyone, tell me what you want to eat tonight. I’ll order everything.”
It’s Christmas, so we have to party, right?
I had already bought a cake and some other items on the way back, but it seemed like we were short on food. So, I told them to order whatever they wanted. Darami and the Administrator’s eyes sparkled.
“I’ve always wanted to try this.”
“Nyoooh.”
As I added items to the delivery app, the total displayed an amount I’d never seen before.
We’re probably the only ones who’d order this much at once.
The food started arriving one by one, filling up the dining table. Can we even eat all this?
“Alright, everyone, put everything aside and eat and drink to your heart’s content. Cheers!”
We raised our glasses cheerfully and started eating the food, but something felt missing.
If we had soy sauce egg rice, that wouldn’t be bad either.
“Brother, don’t tell me you’re thinking about ‘that’ with all this food around?”
“What’s ‘that?”
“Soy sauce egg rice.”
“…….”
How did she know? Scary sister.
“You know my preferences too well, it’s kind of scary.”
“Hehe, who doesn’t know that you love soy sauce egg rice, bro?”
With that, everyone continued eating, and I couldn’t help but laugh at Darami devouring the food enthusiastically.
“Oh, right. We have champagne too. Should we all have a glass?”
“Nyoooh!”
“Not you, silly.”
“Nyoooh….”
Leaving the disappointed Darami aside, everyone filled their glasses with champagne. When we toasted and took a sip, it was sweet and delicious.
It was an experience of daily life I’d never felt before.
This kind of daily life isn’t so bad.
“Brother, look outside.”
“Huh?”
Snow began to fall outside. The snowflakes visible beyond the window perfectly enhanced the Christmas atmosphere.
While everyone watched the snow, I found myself wishing this peaceful moment could last forever.
After finishing our meal, it was time for the gift-opening ceremony.
“Alright, let’s open the presents now.”
Starting with my younger sister, she unwrapped her gift to reveal a pretty necklace.
She turned to me with a suspicious glare.
“Who is she?”
“What?”
“There’s no way you’d have the sense to buy such a thoughtful gift. It must be Tsurumiya Yui, right?”
“…….”
My sister is terrifying.
Avoiding her gaze, I watched as everyone else opened their gifts one by one. Each contained accessories or items that seemed to suit them or things they might need.
I gifted a phone to Bel and a giant acorn plushie to Darami, both of whom seemed delighted.
“Oh, so this is a symbol of modern civilization and something humans use.”
“Nyoooh.”
Both were clearly pleased.
I gave a luxury tea set to the Heavenly Demon and various monster materials to Lillian.
“Oh my, I just ran out of these. Thank you.”
“Hoho, the quality is excellent.”
Lastly, I gifted the Administrator the latest gaming console, which they were thrilled about. Truly, the best gifts are the ones tailored to the recipient.
There’s no point in gifting what I want—it’s about giving what the other person likes.
Finally, I took out all the growth stones and magic stones from my inventory and handed them to Nika.
“Merry Christmas.”
【All of this is mine?】
“Of course, it’s all for you, Nika.”
【I love you, Master!】
Nika joyfully devoured everything in one bite. Was it really that good?
I’ve already fed her to the point where she shouldn’t be able to grow anymore, yet she continues to grow as if there’s no limit.
I wonder if there’s such a thing as a final form.
…I am curious.
After giving out Christmas presents to everyone, I sat idly on the sofa and watched the Administrator play their game when my younger sister approached me with a gift box.
“Ahem, this is from all of us.”
My sister has grown up.
Touched, I accepted the box, but it was heavy.
When I opened the lid, there were dumbbells inside.
“Work out more next year.”
“…….”
I’m tempted to teach her a lesson.
The 80th floor.
The floor we need to ascend to, where the “Otherworld Explorers” reside.
Although they claim to be our allies, just thinking about what they’ve done so far makes my blood boil.
Allies? Nonsense. They all need a serious education.
“Are you ready, Nika?”
【Of course.】
She looked determined, as if she was ready to devour everything.
“Enter.”
【Entering the Tower.】
【Would you like to enter the 80th floor?】
Accept / Decline
“Accept!”
【Entering the 80th floor: ‘Otherworld Explorers’ Domain.’】
【Floors 80 to 83 are areas where the Explorers live.】
【Show respect and courtesy to the Explorers.】
───────────────
【80th Floor Mission: Gain the recognition of the Explorers.】
【Time Limit: None.】
【Restrictions: None.】
【Equipment Limitations: None.】
【Regulation Restrictions: None.】
───────────────
I closed my eyes and reopened them to find myself in a world that seemed to combine various elements.
Should I describe it as a fusion of Earth and otherworldly planets?
There was a bit of everything.
Modern artifacts were present alongside what appeared to be otherworldly items.
Could there be a more chaotic world than this?
At that moment, beings appeared before us in radiant light.
These were the Otherworld Explorers—residents and rulers of this world.
“It’s been a while.”
Among them, I recognized a familiar face—someone who had once visited Earth.
“It has been a while.”
“Yes, as we said last time, we are your allies. Proceed without worry.”
Their tone and atmosphere were friendly.
At the same time, a message appeared.
【Mission Clear!】
Rewards will be distributed.
【80th Floor New Record Achieved!】
Registered in the Hall of Fame.
【Would you like to proceed to the next floor?】
Accept / Decline
I glanced at the glowing blue window and pushed it aside, tilting my head.
“Why aren’t you moving forward?”
“There’s something to settle first, isn’t there?”
“I don’t understand what you mean.”
If they don’t know, I’ll have to enlighten them.
“Nika.”
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