Chapter 402: Sugar and Spice

When Rika turned the key, the room that greeted her was—filled with intense humidity and emitting a strangely sweet, cloying odor.

"Ugh...?"

For a moment, I thought it was some kind of poison gas.

"Relax. It's harmless."

Rika stepped inside without hesitation.

Following her, I took a step forward and swallowed hard.

Here it comes, at last.

The time I spend in this strange "kingdom" is finally coming to an end.

When I first arrived, I entered with great difficulty, but as I regained my memories, I came to realize something.

Those days here were never truly painful.

In fact, they seem to belong to the more enjoyable category among the adventures I remember.

The last day of a carefree summer vacation.

That's how I felt as I slowly looked around the room.

The space was likely the attic room atop a turret in the center of the castle, a place probably once used to store staff supplies.

Because access was so inconvenient, dust had accumulated heavily in the corners of the room.

"Um, here we are."

When Reika flipped on the light switch, a beam of illumination, reminiscent of a theater spotlight, shone brightly in the center of the room.

"This is..."

What stood there was—nothing like the sci-fi-sounding name "Soul Replicator" would suggest. It was an odd sight.

A cauldron, bound by tubes, resembling a witch's kettle. That was the best way to describe it.

The black, steel cauldron was gently warmed by a modest flame, bubbling softly—most likely the source of the dampness in the room.

The cauldron bore clear signs of having been used countless times before, with charred marks—like those left after failed cooking—stubbornly clinging to various spots.

I felt it was just like the attractions I’d seen before.

"Really... is this...?"

It was nothing like I’d imagined.

Rather than a machine, it felt more like a hybrid of the occult and science.

"Yeah. By the way, this is the final version—the original prototype, so to speak. Basically, it's just a rough draft, a preliminary assembly."

"Huh."

"Try to handle it carefully when you use it. It's extremely fragile."

"...Yes."

Apparently, it wasn't anything like I'd imagined—a simple, convenient button-push kind of thing.

First, let me explain the liquid inside the cauldron. This is... well, the substance that was originally present when the "Achievement Reward Item" was first issued. Probably something irreplaceable, so be careful.

Is it really safe to use over and over again?

Yeah. Probably.

Probably... that's it.

Then, I'll explain the procedure from the beginning. Pay close attention.

Yes

First, when performing resurrection, the procedure differs slightly depending on whether the person is male or female.

If the one being resurrected is a girl,

1. Put some sugar, spices, and two or three character-themed dolls into the pot at random.

2. Place a parchment inscribed with the resurrecter's name in blood into the cauldron.

3. Wait about thirty minutes. A human shape will gradually form at the bottom of the pot.

4. Once complete, a human will emerge through the tube at the bottom of the pot. That's it."

Sugar and spice, is it?

"Shall we try it? For a boy, first you add a frog, a snail, and then a puppy's tail, right?"

"Wow, clever."

"Mother Goose is the bible of shy girls, after all."

And 'Powerpuff Girls' too, of course.

"These guys are way more restricted in their conditions, so I decided only girls would be on the land side."

Ah, so it's a kind of joke-based pattern—'achievement reward items,' huh.

Incidentally, I use the [Achievement Condition Reference] skill right before entering the room.

This [Achievement Condition Reference] is a skill that lets you see how to obtain any 'achievement reward item' you're looking at.

If possible, I thought about mass-producing the Soul Repair Machine...

— "Soul Replicator (Prototype Version)."

Achievement Condition: "Mid-sized Enterprise"... an achievement granted to players who have created an organization generating over one billion yen in annual sales.

Seeing that, I let out a startled gasp.

A shock ran through my entire body, as if I'd been pierced through by a lightning-element spell.

All along, I'd been suspicious of Shizukawa Reika's behavior.

Now, the reason finally clicked into place—like a missing puzzle piece snapping into place with a sharp click.

"Ufufufu..."

Then Reika smiled at me with an expression so chilling it sent shivers down my spine. "Nikkoo... ooo..."

"So that's how it is..."

I furrowed my brow slightly,

"Knowing this now... I can't possibly kill you anymore."

"Wah! Just as I expected—you're exactly as I thought! Really sharp, and... such a clever child!"

Being praised like this? I don't feel the slightest bit happy.

I rubbed my temple, feeling cold sweat trickle down from my forehead, as I took a moment to gather my thoughts.

First of all.

This "achievement condition"—at present, it's virtually impossible to meet for any other "players," given how difficult it is.

And secondly.

This is likely the same as the achievements I previously obtained—“Total Damage: One Billion Yen” and “Total Damage: Ten Billion Yen”—where the rank of achievement rewards increases step by step.

If there exists a higher-tier version through the "Soul Restoration Machine," then there's no reason not to acquire it.

And to do so, the most direct path is to utilize the "Unreal Kingdom" and Shizukawa Reika.

This means...

I must become her guardian—starting right now, in this very moment.

"But why?"

"Hmm?"

"Why did you deliberately show this to me?"

She didn't change her expression at all as she replied.

"Because my life needed your presence."

"……………Hmm."

Was that a confession of love?