The Calm Before Going To Picnic

A chuckle sound can be heard through the alley. A girl's figure can be seen the moment someone steps into the alley. There are a lot of red colors scattered on the floor of that alley. There's only a single person standing above it; she wears a crimson and black frills Gothic Lolita who is elegant. Her appearance when wearing the clothes radiates elegance. Her beautiful and astonishing face made it even better.

…Only if the portion of her face is not covered in blood.

She licked her lips as her body was covered in glowing light-like particles. In her hand, she held a phone, a cell phone to be exact. She smiled and placed her hand on her right cheek while reading something on her phone.

"A trip to another dimension… another world. Fufu, I hope it's satisfactory. I cannot wait when we visit another world."

Her clothes then changed. She wore a purple sleeveless pleated dress covered with a white dress. Not the elegant Gothic Lolita again like before. Her appearance completely changed to elegance and astonishing beauty.

She then walked away from the alley and ignoring the weird things behind her. It looks like some of the crime scenes. Instead of being horrified or anything, she just ignored it and focused on her phone right now. Because of that phone, or precisely a chat group inside the application inside the phone, she has friends… again.

It's been a long time since she had friends. She just hopes to feel the warmth like in the past, when her entire family is still there. That's the only thing she wants; a trustworthy and genuine bond.

Since the accident that led her to become Spirit, the sense of justice is gone, she began to mistrust anyone. Even further, she begins to dislike humanity since then and doesn't hesitate to kill anyone who gets in her way to reach her goal.

But when she obtained this 'special phone,' her days became a bit better. Smile is not forced anymore and naturally becomes better. She can laugh and be happy; she also felt sad and worried for her friends in the chat group.

She was sighing.

'Isn't strange? We're not even close, yet I felt that we are close enough. It's different when I'm with Shido-san and others. I only care about him because of his power, his ability. To hunt down the First Spirit, I need his ability. But… recently it doesn't matter anymore for me.'

At least she didn't become too soft, like hesitating when murdering someone. It will affect her a lot if that's happened. It's okay for her to gradually better from this lonely state and finally rely on someone. Surrounded by people who trust her and she trust is better. She also benefits from having many friends rather than becoming the lone wolf and doing everything alone.

Power of friendship… sounds cliché and cringy, also an overused concept, but sometimes it's true. Yeah, sometimes.

The beautiful girl was known as Tokisaki Kurumi just find it amusing. She already knew things like that and didn't want to acknowledge it, but after seeing what it could do from an individual named Itsuka Shido, she started to believe in it.

After all, the boy survived because of the so-called 'power of friendship' or specifically 'power of harem' just because all his friends are girls.

Maybe this time, she won't suffer anything alone. Won't be burdened alone and can seek help from her friends.

After she left the alley, her red-tinted eyes noticed something around her viewpoint. Her ears also catch up on a sound coming from it. It's a noise coming from a small animal, a black-night fur cat that walks closer to Kurumi and meowing; the cat then snuggles herself to Kurumi's legs and purring. The astonishing beauty had a warm and soft smile adored her beautiful face when seeing it.

She then picked up the cat and hugged it while stroking the cat's head with care.

"What a cute cat. You have beautiful fur. What are you doing in here alone?"

But the cat was just meowing, which made Kurumi chuckle.

"Well, if you're alone, how about come with me for the time being?"

The cat was meowing in agreement. Kurumi, who sees it, smiled as she left the alley while bringing the cat to her home today. She won't be lonely for the time being in her home since she will have someone accompanying her for a while.

----

Saturday. It's a day when Eleonora Pendragon is finally taking a break. Unlike the break she got when she went to work, this is a full day without working. I mean, maybe there's some work left to do, but it's not that many compared to her actual ones in the company.

On Thursday night, she already experienced an event that drastically turned her life. Her common sense is distorted because of the sudden impact that affects her realistic view. But she decided to accept it right away and was not in denial again.

There's clear evidence she witnesses, after all.

'But still… why there's something like goblin exist in this world? Has the world always been like this? If that's so, then a creature like a goblin may be hiding their existence or something like that.'

She still did not find any clue about it. But what shocked her a bit was the news.

The news in many media reported the finding of goblin and some corpses. The corpses died due to biting and scratching. Maybe the goblin bites its enemies and also attacks them with its claw. But there's also the corpse of that goblin seen in the news.

Many scientists, especially the top ones, are filled with curiosity and trying to figure out what of creature is. The internet is even filled with many comments about it. Especially the fans of fictional works suddenly became smart and smug, like they know what that goblin is.

'Well… geeks are always weird. Fortunately, I'm not on that side. Sure, I watched anime, played some games, and read fictional books; but I always maintain the safe side. I don't want to end up becoming like them.'

Eleonora doesn't hate geeks, weebs, etc. She just doesn't want to be put on the same side of them.

But she also thinks about the case where Tokyo is filled with a creature like a goblin. If there's another place with something like that, she must investigate it for a bit. The biggest reason is she is worried about her girlfriends.

Girlfriends? Yep, you're not wrong, and your eyes are working perfectly.

She, 13 years old girl with someone in her early twenties, already had several girls as her girlfriend. It's not that weird for her family as the Pendragon family is already on the brink of extinction if she doesn't continue the bloodline.

But their bloodline cannot be continued since women only had XX chromosomes in their bodies and couldn't give birth to a baby unless they did it with a man who had XY chromosomes. That's why she already thought of this a long time ago.

She already built a research lab for it. The research is going smoothly; she will get the expected result within 5 years if no problem occurs and 10 to 15 years if there's a problem. The funds needed for this have already been handled, and it's not like she was poor or short in money.

Anyway, back to the topic.

One of her girlfriends, Kikuchi Sonoka, is the owner and head chef of a Western-style restaurant, Shunkatei, located near Tenjoyama Park and a 15-minute walk from Lake Kawaguchi Station, which will lead you to Mt. Fuji in about 15 minutes.

She's the kind of woman who is extremely shy and easily scared. If there's a creature like a goblin suddenly showed up near her restaurant or home, then she would be very terrified and couldn't do anything about it. Eleonora should do as a good girlfriend to warn her… at least if she's not near her.

Sonoka also always refuses to be given bodyguards since it would disturb her work as a chef.

"Better safe than sorry. I must give Sonoka-nee a call before it's too late."

She took out the phone from her table, dialed Sonoka's number, and called her. After a few seconds of waiting, the call picked up, and Eleonora could hear the owner of Shunkatei's soft and polite sound from it.

"Hello? Leo-chan, what's wrong?"

"Sonoka-nee, have you already watched the news? If not, then please watch it."

"Ah. The news about an unidentified creature that everyone's talking about? I have already seen it, and don't worry about me; I'll be alright."

Hearing the reassuring words from Sonoka made Eleonora a bit worried and unsure.

"But…"

"No buts. Please don't worry too much about me. If it's you, I know that you'll send bodyguards to protect me. It's good and all, but I'm uncomfortable by it, Leo-chan."

"…Then, at least please be careful about your surrounding. I don't want you to get hurt."

Sonoka chuckled when she heard her girlfriend's words and nodded.

"I will, and thank you for worrying about me. If anything happens, I'll definitely give you a call. Don't worry."

"…Alright. Please be safe, and I love you."

"I love you too, Leo-chan. Bye!"

After hanging up the call, Eleonora then picked up another call and decided to call the trusted bodyguard she knew. If she's not allowed to protect her openly, it's okay if the bodyguard protects Sonoka from afar or hides from her.

It seems she's a bit overprotective and… paranoid.

But someone will if they were witnessing a creature like that themselves. After all, Eleonora must try to unlock any supernatural abilities or anything to protect someone close and important to her.

An hour later…

Eleonora Pendragon let out a tired sigh. Even if today she's not working, she still feels tired. Maybe her mind is suddenly run out of gas for a while because of the current event that happened.

Aside from Sonoka, she also assigns several bodyguards to protect her other girlfriends. But she also makes sure to call them before that or she doesn't know about their current situation very well. Checking their condition through the phone is ineffective, yet she can't meet them now.

At least she can catch a glimpse of their condition to be safe and ensured. If she has the chance, she will go meet each of them. For now, she just sends bodyguards to watch over their safety to protect them from afar.

She was sighing again and shook her head.

"Alright. Looks like it's time to recheck the chat group. To know about a few methods or something similar to awaken my supernatural power… if I have one."

She decided to check on the chat group and figured out something amazing. Many files are listed inside the chat group, so she decided to check all of them since it might help her with the young CEO's current situation.

Her fingers were scrolling the mouse, and her eyes focused on reading each title of the files.

"[How to Make Delicious Pudding]… [A Guide to Becoming the Best Assassin - part 1]… [Fairy Tail's member list]… [How to Make Delicious Strawberry Cake] no, not that. Um-um… aha! This! This is what I wanted. [How to Unlock Your Magic Power]. I'll download and read it."

Saying that, she immediately clicked the download button. After a few seconds, the file had already been downloaded as she opened the file and read it carefully; she might miss an important step if she isn't focused.

Moreover, she is interested in magic since it should be fictional and not real. It is considered unreal since her world works in science and its purpose is very different from magic, which works supernaturally.

"Well, it's time to read and practice it until I unlock it. After that, I'll train more and even further to develop my abilities to a certain extent."

A happy smile adjusted to her beautiful face when she said it. She was finally able to learn magic and do any interesting things that she couldn't do at first.

And with that, she spends her day off practicing and unlocking the hidden potential within her.

-----

Loki Familia Area, Twilight Manor - Ais' Room

From here, you can see a beautiful woman with long golden hair, gold eyes, and a slender body who wears a white one-piece dress with gold lining. She has a rare expression on her face right now.

Her eyes were squinting; she was trying to think about what her 'foreign' friends said on Thursday back then. She, the one who usually prefers alone, finally has friends. Not only one but many, even if they're far away and cannot meet with each other, no doubt that they're her friends.

Yet one of the cheerful and energetic friends she has announced something that made her surprised.

Ais Wallenstein, the famous adventurer from Loki Familia, had been told that she would go to another world with her friends. To the world where Hajime True Soulmate lives to obtain materials needed to complete the dimension traveling machine; also for a picnic, enjoying themselves with the sight of a new and unknown world before them later.

Like the other members, she also has the magical phone in her hand right now. The phone is connected to the chat group where her friends are. It's somewhat convenient because only the chosen person or member of that chat group can actually use it. Although Ais was confused back then at the magical phone and didn't know how to use it, luckily, it's also provided a manual to make it easier.

It's normal since the world that Ais lives in now lacks modern technology such as this. But now, she is already good enough to use the phone, even she sometimes messes up with it because the young adventurer wants to know more than what the manual provided.

Her expression returned to normal, the usual stoic face she always showed to her people. It's rare for her to show any other emotion. Mainly because of her past life and what she went through to become her current self.

A small smile formed on her lips when reading the whole chat of the chat group. Her fans would be drowned in the sea of blood right now if they could see her beautiful smile, especially her lesbian friend, who always admires and has feelings for Ais.

'…Friend. They're my… friends? It must be.'

The concept of it is still strange to her. Sure, Loki Familia's member was always friendly to her, but she couldn't call them friends. More like comrade-in-arms who fought under the same god and lived together like from the orphanage, that's why when noticing that word, she felt strange within her heart.

It's a warm and pleasant feeling. Maybe people will mistake it as pain or harm since her heart became warm, but she didn't hate or dislike it. Instead, she grows to like it, and she cannot wait to meet her. Ais excited when thinking of that.

She kept looking at the phone she held.

'My friends… I have to be patient….'

A warm and adorable smile adorned her face. There's a hint of light blush over her cheeks as she's a bit embarrassed and happy at the same time. She is really like a child who cannot wait for her new toys. It's quite adorable and a feast for the eyes to see.

------

Hyperdimension, Gamindustri – Planeptune

A machine that allows you to travel in any dimension or world. Something that always showed up in sci-fi stories or movies. A machine that is hard to create since the idea of traveling to any dimension or world other than the one we live on is still practically impossible.

Maybe you would think the machine would be huge or have a hideous appearance that you always saw in many fictional works. But not all machines or powerful ones always have to be in that characteristic. Sometimes simple is the best and also minimalist. There's no need to be lavish or something.

"Just a little bit here and here. And… done!"

A dimension-traveling machine with such a simple design. Its appearance it's not too flashy or lavish. The designer seems to want to prioritize the performance rather than the design. Just like any modern technology should have; performance over the design!

It resembles a door. No, it's similar… to Anywhere Door from a certain robot cat. Instead of blue, the door has purple with a thick block-shaped cross above the door. The center of the door also has a block-shaped cross but with 'N' in its middle. It's quite futuristic design and really simple too.

"Nep.Jr! Hey sister, how ya doin' with the machine?"

Hearing the familiar sound, the one called then turned her head around and looked at the person. She gives the person a beaming smile as she nods her head in joy. Someone would easily be noticed that she's delighted.

The girl has a similar appearance to Neptune, albeit the height is higher than her. She has the height of a middle-schooler and has long blue hair that reaches her waist. Adored with a cute face, she basically the copy of Neptune but adjusted it to be a different copy.

"Big sis! Oh yeah, I am already fine-tuning it. Although it's still incomplete… because I don't have enough material to complete it. I'm sorry, big sis."

"Hey-hey! It's no problem, Nep.Jr! Have you forgotten what this little trip purpose is gonna do? It's to gather a similar or close enough material to buff up the machine! At least it's not like we can't recharge it, ain't it?"

Nep.Jr nods her head in agreement which makes Neptune smile in satisfaction. She was really proud of her little sister, who could help her with the machine and the Nep.Jr, aka Nepgear, also felt happy to help her sister with her talent.

"Yes, big sis. We can recharge it after the energy is used for dimension traveling. It will need at least 14 days to complete the recharge, but if the machine is completed, we only need 3 days. It's quite a big leap."

"It's really is! This machine would be more amazing if we completed it. I'll be able to travel to any world out there than just this or dimension that only exists within Gamindustri!"

Nepgear, who sees her sister's reaction, just sweatdrop and let out a small laugh. Her sister always likes this and will give anyone trouble which also came up with another one. That's why people around her find that she's quite annoying and a troublemaker.

But this dimension traveling machine also lit up the excitement and interest of Nepgear. She never made something like this—not on this big scale project at least—that's why she found it quite satisfied… for now.

"I cannot wait for it, Nepu!"

She said that with excitement in her tone while Nepgear, who just watched her, chuckled at her big sister's childish behavior.

-----

Another day for no workday is a blessing in disguise for Eleonora, the young CEO of Roozlent Company. It's also a blessing day for other workers, especially those with a demanding job and some difficulties when doing such work.

There's one thing she has already done while preparing for the dimension trip: she has already assigned a professional martial artist or instructor to teach her about martial arts. Let's not forget about the CQC instructor too. She must not come without any preparation, and one of her talents, Quick Learning, made her easy to learn anything and progress much faster than anyone.

If it takes anyone 30 to 70 years to reach mastery in martial arts, she would only take a week or a month. The longest she takes to achieve mastery in something that needs years to complete with continuous training is only a month.

Her talents are ridiculous. As if she has the gods' support and them watching her from afar. But she didn't know that and didn't bother to trouble herself with that kind of thing since it never brought her real trouble. Because her life so far hasn't any difficulties as it moving in normal flow and pace like anyone else, albeit she can be considered too lucky.

The quickest time she has to master the martial arts and CQC would be two weeks or a week—if she pushes her limit a bit—but she is not in a hurry since the situation around here is still okay. Still, Eleonora also couldn't sit that out and do nothing to prevent the future outcome that might be happened.

"Well, I think that wrap up things I need for now. Maybe I should take a look at the chat in the group. Maybe they will mention the date or when we should depart."

Saying that, she then quickly open up her laptop and chat group to see anything in the chat group. Maybe there's valuable information mentioned or told in the chat group she might miss. She absolutely doesn't want that.

Pudding Lover: "Hey-hey! I have a piece of good news for any of you, especially those who included in our dimensional trip party!"

Hajime True Soulmate: "…Oh? What's that?"

Pudding Lover: "We can depart a month from now! So use your time wisely for our trip, or you will regret it!"

Sword Princess: "…Understood. I'll prepare for it in the meantime."

Pudding Lover: "Good! Good! Intentionally I'm thinking about fastening our time to travel, but it would be unwise if I did that, so I prolong the time to preparing for our wonderful trip!"

The Nightmare: "Oh my, is that so? Thank you for considering that, @Pudding Lover-san. Also, how are we able to travel between dimensions? I know that we will use the machine, but how exactly can we access that?"

Pudding Lover: "Thanks for asking, @The Nightmare! I already consider that. I'll give you an URL address, site, link, or whatever you call it. That URL address already customized for the one who already in the party, so if someone who isn't included in the party we arranged then they can't use or travel with it."

Demon Mommy: "Oh my. Such a marvelous way. It was sad that I can't go with you, but mommy will definitely come next time!"

Strongest Ice Queen: "But there's so many people who want to go too, @Demon Mommy. I think we should do it fairly."

Demon Sword Muramasa: "@Strongest Ice Queen. Who are you, and what did you do to the original?"

Strongest Ice Queen: "I am is me, and I is myself. There's no such thing as the original for me. @Demon Sword Muramasa, I already changed for the better. The Empire is definitely rotten and bad. I already knew that for long, but I pretend not to realize it."

Demon Sword Muramasa: "Then how come you're still alive? I'm pretty sure I kill you back then with the poison from my sword."

Strongest Ice Queen:"… That will be a story for another time. Changing the subject, we should vote for the people who would go next time we have another dimensional traveling. I know it's too early, but it's better than late."

Eleonora snort in amusement when seeing the chats.

Again. The whole chat group is filled with lively talk, and Eleonora, who sees that, could only be amused by it. She decided to reveal herself later when the time came, maybe after the whole dimensional traveling for the first time done.

This time she isn't doubting anything said by anyone in the chat group because she is already convinced and believed the truth that happened here. It would be stupid if she was still in denial after all of that.