“...Boss? What are you doing here at this time?”

  “Oh, did I wake you? Sorry.”

  “Haa? Psh, it’s fine. I was about to wake up in a few hours anyway.”

  Julian had been standing silently inside their new shop for a few minutes now, his gaze on the weapons displayed across the walls. For the past few days, his only focus in Artemia had been crafting and forging, and it hadn’t taken long at all to fill their inventory.

  Of course, the inventory hadn’t lasted long, either.

  The people of Ethaca quickly discovered the shop and the exceptional quality of the gear they were selling. Soon, lines formed outside their door every morning, a steady stream of customers eager to own one of Julian and Juliet’s creations.

  It had been… a beautiful sight.

  Julian could have stayed in that moment forever, watching people appreciate and purchase his work. But, of course, he could not. He had other responsibilities, one of which was happening in a few moments—the Streamer Awards.

  “No…” Julian hummed, finally turning his gaze away from his collection as he turned his shoulder to Juliet,

  “...I’m actually about to go, I just came here to check on some things, I didn’t really mean to wake you… Have a good night, Juliet.”

  He turned away, but before he could head upstairs, Juliet caught his hand.

  “Wait, Boss.”

  “Hm? Did you need something?” Julian asked, glancing at her.

  Unlike her usual comfortable attire—baggy leather overalls and a loose shirt—Juliet was dressed in a thin, flowing white nightgown. The moonlight streaming through the window cast a soft glow over her figure, making the fabric appear almost translucent.

  Her bare shoulders and the delicate curve above her bosom were exposed; her hair, usually tied back and hidden beneath a bandana, now cascaded freely down her neck.

  Julian stared—not out of admiration, of course, but of intrigue.

  “I…” Juliet whispered, but his gaze made her falter. She noticed his stare, and her confidence crumbled. She let go of his hand, forgetting why she grabbed it in the first place.

  “...Have a good night, Boss,” she said instead, her voice accompanied by an awkward chuckle.

  Julian tilted his head slightly, watching as she retreated, her usual demeanor replaced by a rare moment of flustered vulnerability. For a second, he lingered, unsure if there was more to her hesitation, but ultimately, he simply nodded before heading upstairs.

  As for Juliet, she stared at her hand in disbelief, almost questioning herself why she would do such a random thing. But, was it really? Was it really random?

  What… did she even want to say to him that she had to grab his hand? Right now, at this moment when there were only the two of them at the darkest hour of the incoming day?

  And while Juliet wrestled with restless thoughts, all Julian needed to do was lie down and think of returning to his real body. And just like that, he was back in his real body.

  “Finished what you were checking?”

  As always, Ellie’s voice was the first to welcome him. This time, however, they weren’t in the comforts of a hotel room.

  They were inside a car, hovering mid-air in the midst of a convoy. The vehicles were surrounded by hundreds of people and drones, all vying for photos and videos; even though the car was sealed tight and no sound should be seeping from the outside, Ellie felt like she could hear the people calling and shouting.

  “Yes,” Julian replied, removing the LinkGear from his head. Ellie quickly—and carefully—tucked it into one of the car’s compartments.

  “Seriously, why would you even bring that?” Ellie shivered, the thought of its cost making her skin crawl. “That thing’s worth as much as a small apartment, Julian.”

  “We were so busy preparing all day,” Julian said with a faint hum. “I figured my clone might get thirsty. And… I wanted to check on my babies before the event.”

  “Pfft…” Ellie nudged his arm lightly, her laughter easing some of the tension in the air. “Anyway, are you ready? This is the first time you’ll be around so many people, right?”

  “No.” Julian hummed again as he recalled his public escort out of prison by the Order of Artemia.

  “Wow, look at you, Mr. Popular,” Ellie teased, her chuckle soft as her gaze shifted to the screen that showed the outside. Just a few more cars and it would be their turn to step onto the red carpet—literally.

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  “You’re nervous,” Julian said, tilting his head slightly as he heard her heartbeat quicken.

  “Hmn…”

  “You don’t need to be.”

  “I know. It’s just… I never thought we’d experience something like this, Julian.”

  “Hm.”

  Ellie smiled softly, her nerves settling slightly as she placed a hand on Julian’s cheek. Resting her forehead against his, she whispered, “I love you.”

  “And I love you,” Julian replied, his voice warm as they spoke at the same time:

  “Let’s… just get this over with.”

  And just like that, all the noise around them disappeared. Right at this very moment, there were just two of them and no one else.

  [Yes. Let’s just get this over with.]

  Well, MEGAN was also there with them sharing the peace, of course. This peace they were experiencing, however, was nowhere to be found outside.

  The reporters, paparazzi, drones, journalists, and everything and everyone one could think of were currently battling it out—wanting to get just even a single word out of the celebrities who were stepping out of their cars and walking across the red carpet.

  “Kitty! Here! Look here!”

  “Is it true that you and Peni broke up!?”

  “Was there really a 3rd party involved!? Did you cheat on her!?”

  “You’re in a polygamous relationship, right!?”

  “Some people said they saw you stepping out with 3 men the other night, is it true!? Did you design your dress yourself!?”

  Among the sea of flashing lights and relentless voices stood Kitty, the No. 1 Otherworld streamer. Slanderous and scandalous questions bombarded her from all sides, yet she remained poised.

  Kitty was a professional. She knew better than to let herself be provoked, fully aware that anything she said could—and would—be used against her. Instead, she focused on what she was there for: posing and promoting her dress.

  She was undeniably beautiful. Her small, delicate face was framed by silky dark hair styled in bangs, accentuating her almond-shaped eyes and porcelain skin. The simplicity of her hairstyle highlighted her elegance, a perfect complement to her striking presence.

  Yet, her petite face contrasted sharply with her figure—a body sculpted with curves that seemed almost unreal. Her long, red dress hugged her frame like a second skin, covering everything but hiding nothing. The fabric’s smooth contours showcased her shape as if it were meant to meld seamlessly with the red carpet beneath her feet.

  Kitty’s beauty was undeniable, but it wasn’t the sole reason for her fame. It helped, certainly, but it was her skill and dominance in the world of Artemia that truly set her apart.

  She knew exactly what she was doing. But still, even with her silence, the crowd continued with their questions.

  “Is it true you had an abortion!?”

  “What do you think about Julian Winters!? He’s going to be here today, any chance you’re going to talk to him!?”

  And there it was, a question that made her eye twitch a single millimeter—and of course, the journalists and paparazzi did not fail to notice that one single movement. They all focused their questions there.

  “What can you say about Cyrus!? He was the one who made you famous, right?”

  “You’ve been denying that the only reason you are where you are now is because of Cyrus—but now that he has made another person famous, people are saying that you’re full of yourself. What can you say about that!?”

  Of course, she still wasn’t going to answer anything… but it was close, it was so close. And it took everything in her to keep her smile as everyone kept saying that she didn’t deserve her fame at all.

  But fortunately for her, the questions just suddenly stopped. It took a moment for it to register to her since she trying her best to stay calm—but she soon realized that everyone’s attention was suddenly gone from her.

  Instead, the paparazzi and journalists were whispering to each other as they looked at the couple who just stepped out of their convoy.

  “Who… is that?”

  “I thought the beauty and fashion influencers were done? Were they late?”

  “Wait… that’s the one with the large billboard on Topside.

  “Billboard? Wait… It’s the Sword Junkie! What the fuck!? He looks better in person!?”

  “Sword… who?”

  “Julian Winters!”

  “He looks even better than the models earlier!”

  “What… are they wearing?”

  “Julian Winters! Julian! Look here!”

  “Who designed your clothes!?”

  And with that, they all turned their cameras toward Julian and Ellie, who had just stepped out of their car. And in truth, Ellie was already expecting to receive this kind of welcome.

  After all, the clothes they were wearing were quite… unique. She and MEGAN had this idea of mixing modern fashion with the fashion of Artemia, which was essentially similar to the fashion of the humans more than 10,000 years ago now.

  Julian was wearing a long, dark trench coat filled with sharp edges. It was gothic, featuring silver buckles across the chest and waist, accentuating his broad shoulders even more. He was also wearing a pair of silver greaves that reached up above his knees—partner that with his cane, well, he almost looked royalty.

  But perhaps what made him look even more royal was the woman walking beside him.

  Ellie had on a luxurious gown of deep burgundy and black, also adorned with intricate silver embroidery that flowed like vines over its sheer, fitted bodice that flattered her figure. The high neckline and sleeveless feature placed attention on her shoulders and arms, which were incredibly smooth and elegant. Partner that with her layered skirt that cascaded gracefully, shimmering with jewels—she looked almost like a queen.

  And the one who designed these clothes was currently laughing and drinking wine right now while watching the broadcast.

  “That’s… an Otherworld Streamer?”

  And those who were still unfamiliar with Julian were now searching and learning more about him.

  “Why is he wasting that kind of face!? His height’s not too bad too! Book him! Book him!”

  “I think he would smell manly. Do we already have a model for that perfume commercial?”

  “What was his name again…?”

  “Julian Winters! Look here! Look!”

  “Are you stupid? Why are you telling him to look!? He’s blind!”

  “He’s… blind? What!?”

  “Julian, what’s that on your shoulder!?”

  And it wasn’t actually just Julian and Ellie. It was Julian, Ellie, and MEGAN. Her hologram was currently projected on Julian’s shoulder, standing casually as she wore the same dress as Ellie, but in a bright orange hue.

  And of course, this wasn’t without purpose, she waved at the paparazzi and all the drones and cameras, and with a big smile on her face… answered all of their questions.

  [We’re wearing David Andrews’.]

  “Kitty is right over there! Are you going to greet her!? What does it feel like to suddenly become famous!?”

  [We’ve never met Kitty before, but we’ll be happy to meet and talk to her—we will actually be seated at the same table.]

  And while MEGAN was answering the questions, both Julian and Ellie just had to look good… and look good they did.

  And of course, Kitty did not like that at all. And for the first time, she glanced at one of the people from the crowd—and judging from how the man nodded, it would seem they knew each other.

  This man then made his way through the crowd, raising his hand and his voice as he asked,

  “Is it true that you’re a genetically non-viable individual, Julian Winters!? You’re not allowed to procreate because you have a mental illness!?”

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