Chapter 142: We are like that

The rhinoceros circled me in the center of the square.

Once, twice, three times…

From atop it, Senior Miya swung her arms and shouted,

“Woo…! Woo…!”

It resembled some kind of primal tribal ritual. I watched her quietly, then finally spoke.

“…What are you doing, Senior?”

Senior pulled on the reins, finally slowing down.

“Just… I was so happy to see Leah, I had to. Just admiring the view…”

Admiring the view? What was she talking about? I first pointed out what was clearly different from our last encounter.

“You’re not making fun of me for being jobless today?”

Senior was startled and quickly dismounted from the rhinoceros.

“No! Absolutely not! How could I dare make fun of Great Leah, who defeated Zerok-nim!”

“…That also sounds like you’re making fun of me.”

“No, no! I’m serious!”

Senior said, looking wronged.

“I’m a huge fan of Zerok-nim! That’s why Leah seemed even more amazing and impressive!”

So that’s why she was suddenly admiring the view. Senior had also reached Diamond in Origin Rift, so it wasn’t strange for her to be a fan of a famous player.

“I was even thinking, I received personal coaching from someone who beat Zerok-nim in a 1v1? I felt like I had become a test subject for a wicked and perverted mad scientist, but it turns out it was a truly valuable experience!”

“…So that’s how you’ve been thinking about my teachings. Even clear spring water becomes murky with a single pebble.”

“What’s that? An elven proverb? I don’t understand, but I feel like Miya’s the pebble.”

Senior tilted her head.

“You understood correctly. Well, diamonds are essentially minerals too. It’s not that strange for you to think like a pebble…”

“What!? Draw your sword! It’s a duel!”

• Miya-crybaby lol

• Posture correction during the collab? Wasn’t that the mad scientist part… lol

• After yesterday, everything Leah says about Origin Rift is true

• ??? : So have you ever solo killed Zerok?

Half-jokingly, I raised my bow and said,

“A duel… are you confident, Senior?”

“No! I’m not confident! Pretend I didn’t say anything!”

• Her attitude changes fast lol

• Challenging someone to a duel and then running away is okay?

• Well, that’s Diamond for you…

“Senior. I’m always open to teaching. If you want to transcend your mineral status, contact me anytime.”

“O-okay…”

• As if she would

I had a lot to do in Voxel Craft. I quickly left, riding my unicorn.

Getting a job wasn’t going well.

I found more dungeons and clearing them wasn’t difficult, but… I couldn’t change jobs to things like [Treasure Hunter], [Assassin], or [Dragoon].

When I gave up on the [Dragoon] job change, the chat became quite agitated.

• Kyaaaaa

• Giving up the Dragoon vibe? Giving up the Dragoon vibe?

• That’s clearly a hidden job;;

• [Mizuki Sara]: What are you doing, Leah, just give it to me!

• Are other people locked out of the Dragoon job change now?

• No, it’s available after a cooldown

• Leah just laid out all the requirements and gave up, doing a good deed for others

• [Tsubaki Koharu]: Okay, perfect lol Dragoon is mine ^^

• Koharu, go restore your weapon

• The annoying thing is that if something like [Hunter] appears, she’ll immediately change jobs…

• Giving up Dragoon at that point would be a riot lol

However, the construction of my residence, which didn’t involve any luck, was rewarded after several days of effort.

On the outskirts of the village, bordering the forest.

I looked at it and slowly inhaled.

A giant jungle tree towering high into the sky.

I raised my head.

A giant jungle tree that seemed to reach the very heavens. Much thicker and taller than normal.

It wasn’t just a matter of planting and growing four saplings. I had generously sprinkled the tree with a homemade growth enhancer – bone meal from wild animals, rare plant powder, and even Etherite dust.

I intertwined vines around each branch and rubbed crystal dust into each vine, embedding glowing lines.

I went up and down dozens of times, connecting rope bridges, adding platforms on top of the bridges, and building small shelters on top of those.

Not being accustomed to construction, I fell to the ground more than once.

Well, it wasn’t ever dangerous. Because I installed buckets of water during my falls and landed in them, performing a ‘water landing technique’ – which I never failed.

Still, I couldn’t deny that it was a long process.
After all that, now.
This sight unfolded before my eyes.

The Sky Garden.

With the massive jungle tree trunk at its center, vine-woven bridges stretched out in all directions. Glowstone was densely planted on the bridges, making them shine like stars in the darkness.

Each connected shelter was tiled with blue lapis lazuli, and arch-shaped pillars were erected on top of them using emerald blocks and Etherite fragments.

The Etherite fragments emitted a soft light, subtly spreading beams of light with the slightest breeze.

In the center, a pond filled with clear water.
White, cube-shaped water lilies floated on the water. And crystal fragments, scattered on the surface, sparkled as if filled with starlight.

I carefully approached and extended my hand over the pond.

Small ripples spread from my fingertips.

“…Finally.”

I inhaled.

“I’ve created a place for spirits to rest.”

Between the sky and the forest.

A place infused with countless hours, countless touches, countless hearts.

Shining particles slowly scattered into the sky, as if tiny lives were acknowledging this space.

• Congrats congrats congrats congrats

• Finally!!

• Last place in house building among the 10 members! Leah!

• Makes sense considering the scale lol

• From other streams, it looks like a World Tree appeared in the village

• It’s a landmark lol

• It’s gorgeous…

• It’ll be even more amazing at night

• It feels like just yesterday she became a phantom thief to build this…

• Right, memories lol

• I diligently uploaded blueprints to the cafe, feeling proudㅎ

Yes. This wasn’t just my creation.

A place deeply imbued with the time spent with my Pia for nearly three weeks, working together, putting our heads together.

They offered design advice during the streams, recommended materials, and sometimes even encouraged reckless challenges.

It was our garden, completed by the gathering of countless hands and hearts.

If my Pia represented spirits, then in that sense, this truly was a sanctuary for spirits.

I carefully opened my mouth, filled with gratitude. For some reason, it took longer than usual to speak.

“…This is your space. Come visit anytime.”

• How…?

• We’re not Blooming Core Vtubers…

• Give us server invitations first!!

• (You guys can’t come here, can you?)

• Casual teabagging lol

“No, I didn’t mean it like that…”

I considered adding an excuse,
but decided to change my words.

“…Yes. Since you Pia can’t come anyway, I’ll just invite those who can.

📢 [Esumi_Ria]: The Sky Garden is complete. Anyone who wishes to entrust themselves to the winds of the sky – now is the perfect time.]

• What?

• Anyone (except Pia)

• Are there any male Blooming Core Vtuber auditions?

• She was planning on teabagging from the start…

• Does it make you happy to tease your Pia! ㅜ

Yes. Even without persuading each other with earnest words, we were fine. We understood each other’s jokes and could convey our feelings with lighthearted words rather than emotionally charged ones.

Because that’s the kind of relationship we had.

The first visitor to the completed garden was a bit unexpected.

“Hello…”

It was Kagetou Noah, a 2nd generation, hikikomori oni (ghost) senior.

Pale gray skin, long purple hair, small, pointed horns. Long, drooping sleeves dangled from her hands.

“Welcome. It’s nice to meet you, Senior. I didn’t expect you to be the first to visit.”

Had I now met all the 2nd generation members?

“…They say it’s hard to find if you hide in the Sky Garden…”

Senior spoke at a pace that would be frustrating if it were any slower.

“Why do you need to hide?”

“Because I like being alone… It’s not because I’m being hounded by debt collectors…”

• Earn money instead of coming here!!

• The reason for visiting a junior’s house for the first time: Hide me

• That’s just being a burden

• Useless senior lol

“Yes. I understand. Do you need a tour of the house?”

“No… I’ll go up alone…”

The next visitors were Senior Ena from the 1st generation and Senior Ayame from the 2nd generation.

“The result of laying hands on a senior’s belongings… I can’t say I disapprove. Truly magnificent.”

“The size, the detail, the beauty… rivaling my grand palace. You have the makings of a maid, junior. Aesthetic sense is essential. By the way, I haven’t given up on educating you, so just you wait.”

Those were Senior Ena and Senior Ayame’s words, in that order. Then Senior Ena added,

“Like I said before, I’m still grateful that you stole from me, Leah! Because of that, I was able to meet Lumiere de Savanna Blackfeather the Second!”

“…Is that the panther’s name?”

Among my colleagues, Karen was the first.

“Leah! The house is important, but you know enhancement is really urgent, right?”

“Is that the first thing you say when you see me? How much do you want to see my weapon break?”

“That’s a misunderstanding! I’ll be cheering you on!”

• (For destruction)

• It’s hilarious how she insists on staying at +5 while encouraging others lol

I shook my head and said,

“What? Really?”

Crafting the final weapon, that too, could be achieved through effort rather than luck.