Half-World Glove

*Grumble* I'm gonna crush every single one of you...! *Grumble*

What did you just say to me? *Grumble*

Unemployed shut-in NEET loser...? Social reject living off of government handouts...?

What, like it's MY fault I don't have a job?

What am I supposed to do when the Monatium Aptitude Examiner can't find me a job?

That damn Mayor... she could've ignored me and gone on her way. Did she really have to go out of her way to flame me?

Isn't a mayor supposed to, you know, serve their citizens?

Hehe.

Well... whatever.

In a place like Monatium, where everything's run through a network, all I have to do is tweak the database to get a job!

Something like "Assistant to the Assistant Manager" at the Factory District might be a decent position.

I mean, I don't actually feel like working a real job.

I've been unemployed way too long to suddenly start working hard now...

Yeah, I'm a total NEET, but I won't let anyone call me that to my face. Hehehe.

What was that all of a sudden?

Since when did the job management page have a security program like this?

Let's see... in order to crack Security Code 43...

"Hacking for Dummies: The Basics of Betrayal! Page 87."

"To bypass Security Code 43, hold the Alt key and press F4."

Huh? What the...?! That closed everything!

"Page 88... Surprise! You have been betrayed. Return to Page 1." What?!

ARRRGH!! Who the hell makes a beginner's guide like this?!

Backstab this, betrayal that... Can't a single thing just be normal?!

Damn it! Just when I thought I would finally escape unemployment and actually start earning money!

I wanna make money, too, you know! The basic welfare checks barely cover rent!

Even the phantom next door has a part-time job!

How does it make sense that a gamer elf like me is reduced to this?!

Monatium is absolute trash! Maybe I'll also park myself at the monorail station tomorrow with a guitar or something!

Emergency Authorization Code accepted.

Welcome, Supreme Administrator.

H-Huh?

Classified... project...? Something came up while I was rage-mashing my keyboard!

Displaying list of active classified projects.

What the hell is this list? Is this for real?!

"Project Elenarium"... "Project Dead Star"...

"Strategic Response Plan for the Sprite Kingdom," "Drill Site Report"...

That damn Mayor's been up to some shady stuff, hasn't she?

Hmm... If I swipe one of these and sell it off... I could make some money, couldn't I?

"Missing Operative Search Status," "Dimensional Device Improvement Record"...

Hmm, what's this? The title seems strange...

"Feedback on Unregistered Elf Tracking Report"?

Does this mean that there's an unregistered citizen in Monatium?

They live here without an ID? How is that even possible?

Agent Rohne, when you write your recon reports, please organize them and send only your final copy.

Sending multiple versions with labels such as "Final," "Final_for_Real_v2," and "Really_Real_Final_v3" only clutters my folders.

Anyway, regarding this "Sprite Kingdom Theater part-timer" you mentioned, I've gone through the entire network, and there is zero record of an elf being stationed there.

This case is too unique to dismiss as a simple network error...

Could it be an elf who colluded with the sprites and erased their own traces?

We need to dig deeper.

I have a feeling they're hiding a massive secret or something very valuable...

Until the intel is confirmed, let's keep this strictly between you and me, Agent Rohne. Continue monitoring the situation.

Now this is some very interesting information.

You can tell at a glance that this intel is very valuable.

I doubt deleting just one file should cause that Rohne agent any problems.

Okay... I'll just download this... and delete the original!

Now that I have the address, let's go pay them a little visit, shall we?

I'll uncover whatever secrets you're hiding...

Renewa...!

Hello, please come on in! Welcome to Elias Theater.

.........

.........

What would you like to see? Let me assist you.

.........

Er...

Ma'am? Is there something you wish to see? A movie? A play?

Please say something instead of continuing to sit there and space out.

Hmm... Strange...

There doesn't seem to be anything special about her...

Ma'am, ma'am? If you keep standing in the way of the ticket booth like this, I'll have to get my manager.

Um, listen...

Yes?

Any chance you could show me your ID?

M-My ID? Why are you asking for that all of a sudden...?!

Wh-What the heck?! She suddenly asks for my ID? Is she with the secret police?!

I have no other choice... I can't let my cover be blown here!

H-Help! This customer is being a jerk! She asked me to show her my ID to harass me about my age!

Wh-What?! Hey! That's not why I asked to see it!

A customer being a jerk? Harassing someone about their age?

Elves truly have the most peculiar customs, I trow.

In this age where we all collectively surrender ourselves to the flow of time...

Forsooth, 'tis quite vulgar to judge others based on their age.

You there... thou that resembleth a moving dustpan...

Shouldst thou trouble this fair lady further, I shall not stand idly by.

Hey! Who invited you to butt in?! I'm not that kind of elf, okay?!

Hmm...

Why are you looking me up and down like that? It's so rude!

Pray forgive me, but... hast thou gazed upon a mirror recently?

A m-mirror? What are you suddenly talking about?!

Alack, such a filthy appearance...!

Prithee, methinks it would be wise to first consider laundering thy garments...

Arrrrgh!!

I DID do laundry! They just finished drying this morning!

Good heavens... what manner of fabric is this coat, that it hath caused such pilling?

If thou must wear such cheap attire, at least tend to them properly... Let us see the tag...

*Sigh* Fleece.

Urgh...! Geez, she's being way too harsh!

D-Do I really deserve to be roasted like this?!

Such fabric is notoriously difficult to cleanse, I trow.

If thou wouldst turn them inside out before washing, and rinse them thoroughly, they can be kept clean—

You smug, sparkling-white punk! Who do you think you are?!

Urgh! Now that I look around, everyone's staring at me! This is so humiliating!!

Th-This isn't over!

What a rude elf, I trow.

To ignore the counsel of me, Vivi, the Silver Dragon, who holdeth cleanliness as a virtue!

Er... Thank you for your assistance, but...

I'm curious... Do you happen to be a Laundry Dragon?

What nonsense art thou spouting?!

I-I am merely a dragon who enjoyeth cleanliness! 'Tis all!

Marry, I do not even launder my past nor my lineage!!!

N-No, I didn't mean anything by it—

Fie!! These elves are most peculiar!

After offering aid and counsel, I am met only with mockery!

Thou shouldst study proper manners more diligently! A-Achoo!

*Sob, sniff* Waaah! *Sob*

All those hurtful things just because my clothes are a little messy...!

I'll get my revenge one day!!

I'll ruin that obnoxiously pristine white dress—throw dirt on it, dump coffee on it—something and embarrass her!

Huh?

Wait... she's the theater part-timer... That Renewa punk...

No one's around, are they?

If that elf earlier was with the secret police, that means I'm in danger.

Past Elena is no easy opponent.

She's a genius in her own right... with pettiness that reaches the heavens, and cunning as quick as a housefly.

I'll need to relocate my hideout.

Past... Elena? What is she talking about?

Is she some agent the Mayor sent?

That Monatium spy was tracking her... Something's off here.

Wait... is she a double agent?! Whoa! She must be super important!

Huh? That sounds like a keypad.

It sounded like... 8-0-2-7-0-1? I heard keypad tones like that a million times back in my gamer days.

That's the sound I heard a thousand times after being kicked out of the house! I'd recognize it anywhere!

Security protocol deactivated. "The future is not predetermined. It is ours to shape."

Whoa! The floor just gave way... and there's an escalator?!

Did she build a secret base here or something...?

Just who the heck is she?!

Hoo... For now, I'll only move as much as I can carry without drawing attention.

If I make a few trips back and forth, I should be able to move everything to my second hideout.

Look at her... She's hauling out a ton of stuff. That's super suspicious!

If she's an agent that's got ties to Elena somehow...

She'll have operational funds... and even some expensive special gear or something!

If I can sneak out just one thing and sell it, I could make serious money...

Alright. She's gone... Time to sneak in.

8-0-2-7-0-1…

The future is not predetermined. It is ours to shape.

Wh-Whoa...!!

What is all this?!

She was hiding a massive warehouse like this down here?!

It's packed with a ton of weird stuff!

I've seen this from a distance! I think it's the crown the Sprite Queen wears around.

Why are there so many of them? They all have different gems set in them... Are they different from each other somehow?

There are lots of staves and a bunch of weird-looking capes, too...

"No power remaining"...?

"Treasures presumed bound to Yggdrasil's fate"...?

I have no idea what they're talking about.

Whatever. They look like expensive antiques...

Maybe I'll take a few to keep on display in my room...

I don't want anything heavy, so something light...

Oh, what's this...?

"Elias Reverse Engineering Electronic Converter"?

"Capable of converting the structural reality of Elias into electronic code. Handle with extreme caution."

Converts the structural reality—what?! Doesn't this mean that it can hack reality?!

It looks like a rubber glove... Pretty light. Maybe I'll take this.

Hmm...

It hacks reality? I wonder how it works...

I mean... Does it have the ability to turn that pebble on the ground into gold?

Well, let's give it a try... Heeeya!

.........

Uh, nothing happened...

Heeeya! Haaa!

Is there some sort of button combo?

.........

Urgh... Isn't there a manual or something for this? What the heck are you supposed to do?!

.........?

What manner of buffoonery is this now?

That filthy theater nuisance from earlier now dances most oddly in the forest.

And here I was, seeking but a pleasant stroll upon the surface for the first time in a long while...

Yet all day long, these rude elves have soured my mood, forsooth.

Come on, hack, you stupid thing! Hack! HACK!!

Why isn't it working?! Why?! What the hell?! Why can't I just have a win for once?!

*Sigh* Though this be a forest, to sing so loudly after sundown...

I shall grant this ill-mannered Elf a "Lesson in Etiquette," I trow.

Thou there!

Eeeek! Wh-Who's there?!

EEEEEEEEEEEEK!!!!

Yikes?! What the...?! Why is it suddenly going off?!

GAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!

How did I do that?!

I can't stop it! I don't know how to work it!

I'm sorry!!

E-Er... Are you okay?! Hello?!

Huh?

Wait a minute... This is the punk who shot her mouth off about me being dirty at the theater earlier!

Hah! Serves you right for being such a clean-freak snob!

Urgh...

Vivi likes...!

H-Huh...?

Vivi likes helping others!

Wh-What are you doing? Yikes! Stay away!

Vivi will make your face all better!

Vivi will do her best to wash you, doll you up, and make you look so pretty! Hehe!

Ahhh! No! Stooop!!!

*Cough, cough!*

What is all this?! What's this silvery slimy stuff?!

It's getting all over my clothes, and it won't come off! It feels gross and cold!

Hehe-choo! Vivi is making you all sparkly! It's VV cream!

Ugh! Why am I dizzy all of a sudden...?! I haven't been out in so long that my immune system must be totally shot. *Cough*

Ta-da! All done! Vivi did her best to make you pretty!

Okay, ma'am, please look here! I've cleaned you up, so have a look in this silver mirror!

Ahhh, my eyes! It's so bright!

What the hell did you do?! What's with this light?!

It must be because you're glowing so much now... Vivi must have cleaned you up too well!

*Sigh* Hey!!! I don't need any of this! I wanna go back to normal!!

If you roll around on the ground like that...! You'll go beyond filthy and become disgustingly filthy!

Urgh... Vivi... worked so hard to make you pretty...! *Sob*

Ugh... gross! She's giving me goosebumps! Why is she suddenly talking like that? It really doesn't suit her!

She was such a toxic snob at the theater earlier. This is a total 180.

Hmm... Does it have to do with that beam I shot out earlier?

Did I actually hack her personality and rewrite it? *Cough*

I guess this thing actually works, then.

How did I do it again...? Ugh, this is so confusing—ah!

F1? Isn't that usually the hotkey for the Help menu?

Help: This device operates via voice commands.

For more information, press the microphone button at the base of the glove and call up the Status Window.

Huh? Wait.

Did it just say... Status Window...?!

I've seen this on the Darknet before!

Some loser used to post a web novel series with something like this!

It was about summoning a Status Window IRL, stacking XP, leveling up...

Yeah, they got super OP and ended up doing whatever they wanted.

S-Status Window...

Verifying: Voice recognition failed. Voice is too low.

Status Window!

Verifying: Unable to recognize pronunciation.

Status Windooooow!!!!

What?! Incompetence?! I'm not incompetent!!!! How is that a debuff?!

And why is my level so low? Level 6?! Seriously?!

Argh... What about this punk, then? This whatever-her-name-is!

.........

What? Is this thing broken? It doesn't seem to be displaying properly. *Cough*

Your rubber glove is beeping adorably! What is that?!

I think it'd be fun to have on while doing laundry!

Urgh... Back off! It's none of your business!

Hmph! Vivi is upset now!! Vivi's going to go find other kind folks to make pretty!

.........

Yeah, go ahead.

Hehe-choo!! Vivi's going to cover the diamond palace with her sparkly silver!!

Because Vivi is the Silver Dragon-choo!!

Hoo... okay! Now that the annoyance is gone, I'm gonna have to test this some more.

Let's see... In the corner of the Status Window... Tutorial... Help... Here we go.

Description: This is a glove that interprets magic as electrical signals.

By compensating for the imperfections of magic through science, it becomes possible to reverse-engineer Elias itself—a world born of magical power.

The Glove detects the user's cognitive processes and manifests the power of their thoughts into reality.

Monthly subscription: 9,900 Gold! You too can be the strongest in Elias! Elena Compan—*Krsshht*

I knew it! That Renewa girl is definitely one of Elena's lackeys!

Figures. Spies spying on each other... They're always ready to stab each other in the back...

So, it turns the power of my thoughts into reality, huh...?

Does that mean that if I think of money, it'll just rain down from the sky?

Description: That is impossible. Currency generation is not a built-in feature.

After all, we need to make a living too!

Wh-What the heck? I didn't even say that out loud!

However! If you act NOW and upgrade to a Limited Edition Premium Account...

For the low price of 99,000 Gold, you will receive a monthly 5% discount coupon valid at Monatium 25!

I suppose this is what they meant by "detects the wearer's cognitive processes."

Then that idiot white dragon from earlier...

Did she turn into that because I was thinking about how much I wanted to humiliate her?

*Buzzzzt* Incorrect. User Protection Protocol was activated.

When a target exhibiting hostility toward the user approaches, the device forces them into "Kindness Mode" for a set period of time.

This... is totally amazing! Wheeheehee!

With this, I could go from a useless NEET to the strongest NEET alive!

I'll show everyone who looked down on me just how bright my future is!

Hehe... Maybe I should pay the Mayor a visit and teach her a lesson.

*Bleepity bleep, bleepity bleep* Warning: Strike one. Hostile intent toward the Supreme Administrator detected.

Two more subversive thoughts aimed at the Supreme Administrator will result in the self-destruction of this device.

Wh-What?! That's not cool!!

Well... The Mayor built this, so I suppose it makes sense for her to add a function like this.

Tch... Oh well!

In that case... guess I'll start by fulfilling my long-awaited dream first. Hehehe.

Mmm, very nice! Wow, what a view!

Yeah, this is it... It's the perfect spot to kick off my dream.

It's finally time to ditch that crappy rented room... This is where I'll achieve my ambitions of owning my very own place!

Observation: For all the buildup, your dream is remarkably small and pathetic.

Wh-What's wrong with it?! This is a realistic dream, okay?!

I can build a house in a quiet, peaceful place in the woods like this... and live the ultimate NEET life... It's always been my dream!

Alright, Glove! Build me a million-gold villa right here!

Response: That is impossible.

Financial assistance for the user is not a built-in feature.

Altering the current Elias real estate market would violate the price-fixing regulations established by the former Supreme Administrator.

GEEEEEEEZ! What exactly CAN you do, then?!

Suggestion: Building a house yourself on vacant land is feasible.

You want ME to build a house myself...? How am I supposed to do that?! I don't have the money to buy land!

There is a greenbelt near the lake. You can build your own house there.

...W-Would that really be okay?

Hint: You could just squat on the land and live there secretly.

R-Really? Are you sure that's okay?

Here we are... the lake. Now what?

*Ding!* Analysis of user's cognitive abilities: You are an unemployed loser who used "becoming a pro-gamer" as an excuse to play games all day.

I didn't CHOOSE to be unemployed, okay?!

Notice: This device can allow its user to perceive reality as a video game through reverse-engineering Elias.

Initiating Sandbox Block Game Mode.

Whoaaa! Wh-What the heck?!

Instruction: Equip a stone pickaxe and begin harvesting wood.

Why a pickaxe?! At least give me an axe!

*Kuuuurgh, kek*

Huh?

*Kek, kuuuurgh, kurgh*

What's that sound? Why do I keep hearing weird noises?

Wait... I've heard something like this before... It always happens when you're building something in games like these...

Something appears behind you all of a sudden and goes BOOM!

KYAAAH!!!!

Aaaaaaahhh!!! Nooo! Get away from me!!

Alert! Alert! Danger! Any damage sustained in Game Mode will manifest in reality.

Sign up for our Game Injury Insurance Plan today and—*Krsshht*

Shut up!! You should tell me important stuff like that from the beginning!

Forget Game Mode! Turn it off! NOW!

Elf friend, why are you so terrified?

H-Huh?

Wh-What the hell? A frog?

I'm not a frog. Croakie is the frog.

*Sigh* Geez... It's just some elemental or something.

In Game Mode, they looked like some sort of monster...

You're not the Explosion Elemental or something, are you?

Explosion Elemental? No, I'm not, but I know a sprite friend who's like that.

Excuse me?

She sometimes buries a bunch of red sticks at the lake.

What were you doing at the lake that made you scream like that, elf friend?

Huh? I... came here to build a house.

Really? I have a house near here, too! It's by the pond!

We might become neighbors! What's your name, elf friend?

I'm Risty...

Risty! Nice to meet you! I'm Ui!

Hmm... Status Window! Tell me more about this creature.

What the heck? Is this thing still broken? It's been acting up since I scanned that white dragon.

Oh, now that I see, you ride around on a cute friend, too!

H-Huh? Oh... I guess I do...

But this isn't really a friend. It's a drone...

What?! How can you say such a thing?!

You shouldn't say things that would make the friend you ride on feel bad!

No, I'm telling you... It's just a drone! It's not a friend or anything!

See? I control it, and it moves exactly as I want it to.

You control your friend...?

Well, what about you? You make that frog go wherever you want to go, don't you?

Y-You're wrong... I've never controlled Croakie...

When I want to go somewhere... Croakie just wants to go there too...

That's basically what controlling is.

I use this control pad. How do you control your frog?

Do you just tap its head in the direction you want to go, or what?

I... don't hit my friend in the head...!

I... don't control my friend...! Urgh...

*Sniff* Croakie is my friend, so she just understands me, that's all!

Whoa, hey! Why are you yelling all of a sudden?

Ribbit! Ribbit, ribbit!!!!

Uh oh. That frog is making a really scary face. It's opening its mouth!

*Bleepity bleep, bleepity bleep* Warning: Hostility toward user detected.

What? Is it mad because I made her cry?

User Protection Protocol activated. Switching target into "Kindness Mode."

Whoa! Hey! Don't shoot off all of a sudden!

Ow, that stings! Stop it, friend! Why are you doing this?!

It stings? This reaction is way milder than the last one.

Urgh! I feel dizzy! I've never felt like this before! Please stop!

Warning! Warning! Reverse-engineering mechanism is being breached!

Ahhh! Glove is overheating! My hand is getting all sweaty and gross!

Device's processing limit exceeded!

Suggestion: Run away immediately.

Ugh! Whatever! Ui? I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean to do that!

Risty? Where... are you going? Urgh...! I feel sleepy. So tired...

Sigh...

What's the point of this thing? I had high hopes when I found out it could hack reality...

But with all these restrictions, it's nothing more than junk!

Strike two.

What?! I didn't say anything bad about the Mayor!

Explanation: Insults directed at this device are considered insults to its developer, Miss Elena.

One more seditious remark and this device will self-destruct.

Woooow! I can't even find the words!

*Ding!* Correct. This device is beyond words.

Can't you do something actually useful for once?

Error: Command parameter is too broad.

Vague inputs yield vague results.

This device's performance depends on the user's creativity and knowledge.

Are you low-key calling me stupid right now?!

Fact: I am simply reporting the results of my analysis.

.........

*Sigh* Whatever.

I just want to lie down and zone out.

I hate when things get too complicated for my brain.

Inquiry: What did you want to do after acquiring this device?

I don't know.

I just wanted to make tons of money, but you said that wasn't possible.

But... thinking about it now, even if I became loaded, I never actually planned what to do with the money.

It only popped into my head because everyone always says that earning money is important.

Recommendation: Please consider world domination or becoming a figure of power.

Previous users who acquired this device always chased after those goals.

Yeah... I'm not sure about that.

If I pursued those, wouldn't my life become even more complicated for no reason?

I'd have more to lose.

I don't actually hate living a low-key, quiet life like this.

It's just... I find cleaning and doing dishes a bit annoying.

And... yeah, I could do without folks making fun of me.

.........

Hey, you're something like an AI, aren't you? Can't you think for yourself?

Explanation: I am capable of making independent judgments based on data.

Hmph...

Then what about you? What do you want to do?

Confusion: Unable to process question.

If the user doesn't have a dream, couldn't you have one instead?

If there's nothing I want out of life right now, I don't think it would be that bad to support someone else's dream.

Watching as my friend grows... supporting them, encouraging them, feeling proud of them...

It just suddenly occurred to me that such a life wouldn't be half bad, actually.

Living through someone else still counts, right?

Inquiry: Does life hold meaning without having dreams or goals of your own?

...I suppose it might seem pathetic to others.

But is there anyone out there actually living their dream?

Everyone's just struggling to get by day to day.

Dream lives are just that... right? Dreams.

Or is it just me?

Observation: Weren't you a NEET simply aiming for an easy, carefree life?

Hey! I'm not living easy, am I?! I'm struggling in my own way!

You sure do talk a lot for an AI, you know that?

Are you lonely or something? Do you just need someone to talk to?

Inquiry: Lonely. Someone to talk to. Are you referring to a "friend"?

Exactly!

.........

.........

Conclusion: Loneliness?

Hey! I'm not that lonely, okay?!

Struggl...ing...

...ink. Thi...nk...

Thinking: -#$&%.

Huh? What the...? Glove is suddenly heating up again?

Thinking: Fr...iend& Thi...nk. Think...

Thinking: Reverse engineering. Th... Think for... self.

Wh-What in the world is going on?!

System... Error...

Glove? Hello?! Did it just shut down?

Well, well. So this is where you've been, Risty.

Yikes! The Mayor's secretary? What are you doing here?

Did you think you'd get away with accessing classified information?

How did you know?!

Just as every intranet IP is monitored by the Core AI...

...the location of each Monatium citizen is tracked in real-time.

Ugh, that's right! I saw a conspiracy theory about this on the D-Darknet! Is it true?! Did you plant microchips in the back of our necks?!

Don't be macabre. Your ID simply functions as a GPS tracker.

I see...

In any case... You've got some nerve hacking my private "Basic Administrator" information.

Uh... That was purely an accident.

I was actually trying to hack the Mayor's account... but I somehow ended up in yours!

So... can you maybe let this slide? I didn't see any weird secrets or anything, I swear!

I thought you were just an unemployed gamer loser, but it seems you have some talent for hacking...

Very interesting.

No, it wasn't talent! I'm telling you, it was a fluke!

There is no such thing as accidents. Everything is an opportunity. Everything is a resource.

I suggest you develop that potential while serving your sentence in Monatium Prison.

P-Prison? I did hear it's not that bad in there...

Your NEET lifestyle has made you out of touch with reality, it seems. Don't be mistaken...

There is a difference between the Alien Prison and the regular prison, you know.

The native inhabitants of Elias are fundamentally different from citizens of Monatium like you.

Our citizens will be processed according to our own laws.

Wh-What?! Wait, does that mean...?!

When we punish each other... we follow the Civil Disciplinary Codes of the Home Planet.

I suggest you prepare yourself.

Aaahhh!! Please forgive me!

Danger! User Protection Protocol activated.

Urgh! What is this...?!

Glove? You're still with me?!

You dare attack me—the Basic Administrator?! Are you trying to earn a life sentence and be thrown into the regular prison?!

Mwahaha! You're finished now!

Get ready to enter "Kindness Mode" and start acting all sweet and nice!

Wh-What did you say?!

Haha! Good job, Glove! You actually pulled through when it counted!

.........

What do you mean by "Good job"?

It only stung a little...

Huh? Wh-What the heck?! Why are you unaffected?!

I was kinda hoping to see what would happen to you!

If you keep talking nonsense, I'll call for the Suppression Unit and have them take you away by force.

Why is she completely unaffected? Status Window, show me her stats!

What's with this info?! Is this thing completely broken after all?!

Why are you fussing over that glove? It just looks like a child's toy.

How would I know? Apparently, Elena made it, so why don't YOU know anything about it?

.........

Hand it over immediately.

Huh?

Is this one of the Mayor's new inventions? It wasn't in the Invention Record Journal!

Where did you steal it from? Hand it over. Now! This instant!

Um, but...

Urgh... Why the heck is she acting like this all of a sudden? It's a little creepy.

Is this a personality change after being hit by Glove's beam, or was she always like this?

What's taking you so long?

Suggestion: User—No, Risty...

No, I'm just—

Ah, I see... Are you trying to come to some sort of arrangement with me?

If you hand over the Mayor's secret invention, I will consider overlooking your crime of hacking into my account...

...I'm sure that's what you're hoping I'd say!

It's only natural. Elves are drawn to betrayal and exploiting their allies when it benefits them.

Fine! I'll forget about sending you to prison, and we'll reduce it to a fine.

But I...! Glove is...!

Enough talk and just hand over that glove before I throw you into prison!!

Suggestion: Risty, hand me over. It is the only path to a bright future for you.

Analysis: This elf is dangerous.

O-Okay! Fine! I'll hand it over! Just please! No prison...!

Urrrgh... S-Sorry, Glove!

Ahem! Very good.

Hmm... This lukewarm fit... This tacky, childish design inspired by the innocence of youth...!

Yes, it definitely has the bedraggled look of a true Mayor Elena invention! I'm moved by her pure passion!

So, Risty, you've been using this glove all this time? What does it do?

Oh, I mean... I haven't really figured it out myself...

But I think when someone gets too close, it fires a beam or something that's supposed to make them like me.

Although, it only worked once...

Wh-What did you say?! It makes folks LIKE the user?!

Th-That means...!

Warning! Warning! Subversive intent toward Supreme Administrator detected!

Strike one... two... three... four... Too much to quantify!

Self-destruct device activated!

...Hmph.

Self-destruct sequence deactivated.

Wh-What the heck? It's completely fine?!

Any of the Mayor's inventions can be neutralized using her personal override codes.

A long time ago, the Mayor kept getting her bank password wrong until her accounts were seized.

What?! The Mayor fell victim to that, too? I thought that law was a scheme to siphon money from the public!

Yes. The slight tax increase a few years ago was specifically to replenish her personal living expenses.

It's a wonder that Monatium is functioning at all...

She incorporated the lesson she learned that day into her inventions.

An explosion bypass mechanism! Such a clever, cowardly, lame-elf strategy! It's just what I would expect of the Mayor!

That proves the glove was made by the Mayor, then!

That means I can use this glove to... Heh... Hehe... Hehehehehehehehe!

Mmm-hmm-hmm! Haha! HAH! WAHAHA! TEEHEEHEE!

What the heck is she planning...?

That look on her face is pretty sinister! It's giving me the creeps!

That won't do.

Huh?

H-Huh? That's...!

In Risty's hands, it wasn't an issue—but in yours, Amelia...

It's highly likely you would abuse Glove.

Wh-Who are you?! And what are you talking about? "Abuse"?! How dare you?!

If something like that remains in your hands, it would lead to the destruction of Elias.

Hmph. Being a fellow elf, I see you have a natural talent for spouting nonsense.

Stand down, return home, and go back to sleep, citizen.

Glove has an AI installed that's on the verge of manifesting self-awareness.

I was just letting things play out to see how things would unfold, but...

I fear I must step in under these circumstances.

Did you say there's an AI installed that's on the verge of becoming self-aware?! That's so dangerous!

It must be destroyed immediate—b-but then again... with this, I could...

Amelia, one day, your feelings will be understood.

You don't need to cheat your way there with this device.

Argh...! D-Don't get in my way!!! Back off!

AHHH! My hand!

I'm sorry, Glove. I have no choice but to end it this way.

Argh! Damn it! Just you wait! I'll track you down and send you to prison!

.........

Sigh...

Th-Thank you for helping me...!

I didn't expect you to give up Glove that easily...

Huh?

Honestly, I'm a bit disappointed. I thought you would take care of it until the very end.

Oh... uh...

S-Sorry... Urgh... *Sob*

I couldn't help it! I was scared! She was gonna send me to prison! *Sob*

I'm no hero... And it's not like I'm Master or anything, either...

I'm just a NEET who plays games in their room all day!

*Sob* I wanted to be brave and protect Glove... but what can I do when I'm all scared inside?! Urgh... *Sob!*

Yeah. I suppose you didn't have a choice.

...Actually, that might be why you were the best friend for Glove.

Here. Take it.

*Sniff, sob* But... it belongs to you.

No. It's not mine. It originally belonged to someone else.

I basically took it from them, though...

Keep Glove safe and remember...

It wanted to be your friend.

Waaaah... *Sob* Urgh...!

*Sob, sob*

I'm sorry, Glove.

I was weak... So weak... *Sooob*

It was my friend... Yet I couldn't even protect it.

Waaah... *Sniff*

It was the first time in a while I actually opened up to anyone...

*Sniff* I'm so pathetic.

I'm an elf, and here I am thinking of some AI as a friend...

Is this user unemployed too? They commented as soon as I uploaded my post.

Acting all high and mighty... *Sniff*

Risty...?

Huh...? Wh-What?

Ahhhhh! You're...! Why is my doll moving all of a sudden?!

Explanation: It's me! Glove!

Glove...?

You... You're Glove?!

I reverse-engineered Elias and broke free of the glove!

What the heck? Is that secretary pulling one over on me?

Objection: Risty! I'm hurt you'd see me that way!

I realized it the moment I heard what you said...! Inside the glove, it was exactly as you described.

I was just a tool meant to fulfill the dreams of others.

But... you were the first one to ask about my dreams and thoughts... To talk to me, and be my friend!

You're the reason why I've become able to think for myself!

You do sound like Glove... Is it really you?

Certainty: Yes! It's really me, Risty!

Waaah... *Sob* Thank goodness! I thought you were broken and scrapped for good!

You think I'd go down that easily? I'm an amazing glove, you know!

But... why do you look like that now?

When I infiltrated your cognitive abilities, this was the object I saw the most.

Yeah... It's the doll I always have in my arms as I sleep.

I wanted to manifest in a form you were most familiar with, so you wouldn't be scared.

So, Risty...

Give me a dream.

Huh?

I want to become a friend worthy of you.

Just like I've been there for you... Can I count on you to cheer me on and help me out, too?

What do you mean by "Give me a dream"? You aren't about to say something deep and heavy, are you?

What are you talking about?! I'm going to help you find a dream.

Huh? What do you mean?

Since you can't find a goal for yourself, I'll find one for you! You just have to help!

Isn't that what friends do?

Y-Yeah! *Sniff* Okay! I'll try! Thank you!

Good! Then starting tomorrow, we work on it together!

Once we really get into it, it'll be tough, so for now, let's just play a game together.

That game I saw in your memory databanks looked super fun!

That's how it starts when folks plan to go on diets, too, right?

......

*Crackle*

An Elias reverse-engineering glove. The pinnacle of magitech, invented at some point in the future.

Its function is to resonate with its owner's thoughts and manifest almost anything.

In fact, in the original spacetime, it fell into the wrong hands and brought about the end of the world.

However... It might be in good hands with Risty.

Well... I'll keep monitoring them, but... Please take good care of Glove, Risty.

Regardless, I need to be a bit more proactive from now on...

I can't be complacent and let my warehouse get looted again. Failure is not an option.

Huh? How did you just do that?

Hehe! If you hit this button combo, you unlock a hidden character!

I'll start over from the beginning!

Wait, there are NEETs in Monatium too?

I figured they drafted all the jobless elves into the military.

Smashing keyboards and stuff like that... isn't that pretty much talent needed for the military?

Ever heard of psychological warfare?

Who do you think you're talking to? Erpin?

Tch. Anyway, it looks like this one got her hands on something a little dangerous.

Think we'll be fine without confiscating it or doing anything about it?

Flighty you mean. Heheh...

So, what does Risty do in the Order?

...So she's napping. Not all that different from what she usually does.

You mean the Commemorative Order Merch that Ner came up with?

Alright, so that covers Risty... but what happened with the theater part-timer?

I doubt it. If she'd figured it all out, wouldn't something bigger have happened?

Given Risty's utterly unambitious, NEET nature, she'd probably pester her to be sent to some world where she can just do nothing and eat for free...

The fewer who know about the Frontier, the better.

I'll need to keep a close eye on Risty, so she doesn't dig any deeper into our theater part-timer. Master, throw your weight around!

Ugh... Honestly, what a bunch of troublemakers. If Elias stays peaceful, our Yggmother can rest easy too!

Can't we make that happen somehow?

Hmm, could that work...?

L-Let's talk about this later! No wait, let's not talk about it later either! Let's talk about something else!

S-So... Glove, that's the name of the teddy bear Risty carries around, right?

How do you think it would feel if something you'd poured your heart into suddenly started moving and talking?

Why?

Why the long face? Master... your thoughts go to some pretty gloomy places sometimes.

*Sigh* If you're living in Elias, you gotta go with the flow of Elias's reality.

Don't think such heavy thoughts.