Stepping through the gate, I froze.
Darkness.
The entire Marine Kingdom had fallen into night.
The vast oceanic sky, once a shimmering blue expanse, was now studded with stars, their distant glow gleaming against the water-membrane above. The air had taken on a deeper chill, but not uncomfortably so—just enough to make the world feel alive.
And I also was so happy to be alive right now.
If a nation existed here, they'd be the luckiest people alive.
Wait—was this how it worked?!
"Levi, it's suddenly dark here too!"
"Yes Master Raven, I'm astonished."
You're astonished?!
This is your ability, right?!
You should be giving me answers!
Frustrated by the sheer weirdness of it all, I turned my attention to Alicia.
She needed sleep.
I would have preferred something softer and more comfortable, but the thick grass would have to do.
With a flick of a finger, I manipulated the earth, shaping it into a wide, dome-like igloo, spacious enough for the three of us. A makeshift cave, of sorts.
No need for magic to regulate the temperature.
Coastelle's air was already perfect—a gentle breeze slipping through the structure, cool but not chilling.
Alicia settled onto the grass, still clutching the Bone Saw in her hands.
…That thing wasn't going to hurt her, right?
She was too attached to it.
Within moments, she drifted off, her soft breaths the only sound in the quiet night.
I pulled out the sack Pluto had given me, draping it over her.
…Not that she really needed it.
Looking behind me, toward the entrance of the cave, I found Levi sitting quietly.
Was she still going on about that servant thing? Refusing to sleep just because she didn't need to?
Well, I wasn't having that.
"Levi?" I called as I approached. "Don't you want to try sleeping in your new form?"
"Ah, Master Raven, that's not the case."
Her yellow eyes remained fixed on the distant sky.
I followed her gaze—
An enormous whale drifted through the starlit heavens, its silhouette cutting through the oceanic sky like a phantom.
…Yep. Definitely a sea monster.
Smaller fish-like creatures swam alongside it, glittering like silver shards against the abyss.
No doubt they were monsters too—just distant enough to appear harmless.
Horrors made beautiful.
"I was never really attached to this place…" Levi murmured.
Her voice was soft, contemplative. "But I love it very much now."
I lowered myself beside her.
"Yes," I said, gazing at the expanse of Coastelle.
"It's a beautiful piece of work… however it was made."
Arms wrapped around my neck.
Scary! What's wrong?!
Was she about to express her emotions through pain again?!
My thoughts were chaotic, but Levi didn't try to strangle me.
She just… held me there.
Hmmm.
If she wasn't hurting me, I guess I could let this one slide.
"Levi…"
"Master Raven…?"
"…Remove your hand from my crotch."
*
We sat there staring at Coastelle in silence before Levi finally spoke again.
"I appreciate this place now… because it looks like me."
…Looks like her?
"How do you mean?" I asked.
Well, she was incredibly beautiful...
Levi turned toward me, her serpentine eyes glowing like molten gold in the dim starlight.
"It was dull and mundane before," she said. "But as it became involved with you… it started to shine. It's no longer just a space filled with water. It's a world of its own.
I want to believe that's how I am now.
I'm no longer slowly dying in isolation… I'm growing, glowing with life—because I found you, my love and Master."
"…"
"My Love and Maste—"
"I heard you the first time."
...C'mon!!!
Argh!!
I…
I don't…
I don't know how to respond.
Had I ever been told something like this before?
I'd commanded respect in those days—absolute respect—but nothing so touchy-feely.
Was I really the kind of individual people poured their hearts out to?
…Apparently, yes.
"Is that so?" I said, forcing my voice to remain calm. "Well, I'm glad you're happy with… the new you."
I turned to her and gave my brightest smile.
"Since we're companions now, let's take care of each other, okay?"
Sigh… Whatever.
She was cute, she was calm, and she was powerful.
I could live with her like this.
"Then…" Levi started, her yellow eyes gleaming mischievously. "Let's commemorate this day..."
Oh god.
She'd started stripping.
"Come! Make love to me, Master Raven!!"
Ah.
I forgot.
She was a pervert too!
*
We struggled.
It was an intense battle of wills and force—one where I had no choice but to go all out.
But in the end… I overpowered her and forced her to sleep.
Lying down next to Alicia, I barely had a moment to breathe before—
She dosed off.
…How tired was she?!
Did a mountain fall on her?
I glanced at both of them.
"…"
Hmph.
No matter how much I tried to ignore it…
I'd be babysitting these two from now on.
A series of headaches awaited me for sure…
But this life—
…it wasn't so bad.
Alicia: "Ruby, no… not there."
Levi: "Master, more, more… that's the spot, Master."
And these guys were here dreaming of me giving them a massage.
I sure hope it was a massage, at least.
With that thought, I left the cave.
.......
.....
..
A quick dash—several miles away from their location—leaving the wind behind me.
The silence here was absolute.
Not a whisper of wind. Not a rustling leaf.
Just… nothingness.
Perfect.
Now, let's see what changed here, since my last Pact.
Platform, arise!!
{...}
"..."
I felt heat creeping up my cheeks.
Uhm, Platform...
{Yes Master, you called...}
You meanie!
I was trying to look cool there!
{Don't be childish, Master. This is a different universe, and you're not solo leveling… you're babysitting.}
Way to kick me when I'm down!
Whatever...
I want to see those guys; My specter wolves.
{All 200 of them, Master?}
Yeah, all 200—
what?!
Weren't they twenty or so?!
{No, Master, you have 200 Specter Wolves... And also… that special summon is available now, the conditions have been met.}
I see... I never thought I'd get to access that summon so soon...
Anyway.
Bring them here.