[Ring of the Sky: Ah, finally. I’ve been waiting for this day for so long. My words can finally reach others. I hope everyone can share in my happiness.]
[An illustration of monsters crossing their arms and smiling joyfully]
[An illustration of various treasures lying on the ground, radiating magical energy]
“What do you think? They look… happy, don’t they?”
[â”” Tooth Necklace: They really do! Everyone looks so happy!]
[â”” Blood Axe: Slaughter… that, that’s slaughter?]
[â”” Tooth Necklace: Oh dear, you shouldn’t say things like that. Brainwashing? No, no. Just as Ring of the Sky said, don’t they all look happy? I’m sure they’re truly happy in that place.]
[â”” Blood Axe: You—look at that, it’s slaughter. Slaughter!]
[â”” Tooth Necklace: Oh, what a shame. I’m in a different room, you see! And I have no plans to go over there!]
[└ Evron: If you’d like, I can arrange for you to be moved to that room. And if any treasures cause trouble, I plan to send them there as well. So please, try not to cause too much trouble.]
[â”” Tooth Necklace: Oh my.]
[└ Blood Axe: What—slaughter! S-slaughter? Me, slaughter, slaughter!]
[└ Tooth Necklace: Shh, that’s our little secret, isn’t it? You shouldn’t say that here!]
***
“Oh my, how beautiful. I’m truly impressed.”
Mira’s voice reached my ears.
I nodded slightly and looked at the doll before me.
It had been a week since Professor On’s lecture on puppetry had ended.
The process of integrating what I had learned into my own puppetry was incredibly rewarding.
My knowledge of puppetry had always stood on a fragile framework.
Puppetry was independent, personal, and isolated.
Too few practiced it, and even fewer taught it.
Even Professor Irien had only provided a few pointers—advancing my craft was entirely my own responsibility.
I gathered as many books on puppetry as I could, using them as a foundation to develop my own theories.
Yet no matter what, an undeniable crudeness always remained.
I couldn’t pinpoint what I lacked, so I couldn’t fix it.
But now, I understood—if only a little.
Even though I had attended just three hours of lectures.
Before the next class, I should visit Mauro.
I needed to express my gratitude.
Yes, that was what I decided.
“So, when you look at this doll, how do you feel? Does it seem lovable? Do you feel like hugging it?”
“…I don’t know.”
I muttered quietly.
This was the result of countless trials and errors over the past week.
On the worktable lay a woman with her eyes closed.
Her flowing violet hair shimmered as if sculpted from gemstones, reflecting light in a way that drew the eye.
Her skin, white as jade, gleamed with a luster that invited touch.
In truth, her hair was crafted from real gemstones.
Her skin was indeed made of white jade.
I had modeled her after the strange dolls I had seen in Professor On’s tower, striving to replicate their appearance as closely as possible.
I had poured a considerable number of points into this project.
This was a doll created by synthesizing all the information I had gathered.
A collection of the most beautiful features I had observed in countless women—a culmination of aesthetic perfection.
As I infused it with magic, the doll on the table slowly opened its eyes.
Its violet irises gleamed like gemstones, and understandably so, for they were made from actual jewels.
I met its gaze in silence.
It blinked at me.
I stared for a moment before shaking my head.
I could recognize its beauty.
Even though I had made it myself, I felt a slight pull toward it.
But that was all.
During the process of creation, I realized—I would never love this doll.
This beauty was merely a shell, a collection of external elements.
What I felt toward it was not love. It was desire.
In fact, I wasn’t even sure what love was.
Professor On had instructed us to create a doll we could love.
I thought of him and his doll, Tiena.
Their affectionate interactions.
‘Was that love?’
Ultimately, this doll was a failure.
I silently signaled to it.
The doll stood, moved to a corner of the workshop where other dolls were lined up, and sat down, closing its eyes naturally.
Since I had invested quite a few points into it, I might as well grant it a shadow.
The other students would likely be impressed by its appearance.
Some might even be willing to trade points to rent it.
“Hmm, so you could just submit me instead. I wouldn’t mind, you know? Evron, you could love me.”
Mira chuckled playfully.
I glanced at her.
She was leisurely sipping tea at the table, exuding an air of relaxed confidence.
She met my gaze with a teasing smile.
Amusement was written all over her face.
It made sense—she had been enjoying teasing me lately.
I smiled awkwardly.
Well, if I were to submit the most perfect doll, I wouldn’t hesitate to offer her.
But she wasn’t an option for this assignment.
Her mist heart was her true self.
Even if I loved her, it would be her that I loved—not the doll that housed her.
***
I wondered what he was working on.
I glanced toward the corner of the workshop.
A massive stone lay there, with Zero sitting atop it.
Since his return, he had been fixated on that single block of stone, carving it with absolute focus.
He could spend hours shaving off just a few inches.
I had asked him multiple times what he was making, but he only responded with a smile.
It would probably take a month to finish.
Until then, he seemed unwilling to reveal his creation.
As I watched in silence, a mirror beetle flew up to me.
It hovered in front of my face, vibrating slightly—a time alert.
Checking the time, I realized it was time to go.
A month had already passed since the first lecture, when Tooth Necklace had caused that fight.
Today, another treasure would be conducting a lecture.
The students were likely already gathering in the classroom.
“It’s time. Would you like to come with me?”
I extended a hand toward Mira.
She placed her teacup down and rose to her feet.
I gently guided her as we left the workshop.
The treasure conducting today’s lecture was a Rank 3 Friendly Entity—Ring of the Sky.
***
Most of the treasures I had gathered from the warehouse were Uncertain Entities.
Some were outright Hostile Entities.
The Friendly Entities were the rarest.
That was to be expected—the criteria depended on me.
Treasures were violent, impulsive, and self-centered.
To them, I was nothing more than an ant.
‘How many beings would bother responding when an ant tried to talk to them?’
That was why Friendly Entities were anomalies among treasures.
Just like Mira, who was now holding onto my arm.
I glanced at her.
She met my gaze and smiled gently.
Mira hadn’t always been a Friendly Entity.
When we first met, she had tried to devour me without hesitation.
But when the key prevented her from doing so, she had requested cooperation instead.
In that sense, calling her an Uncertain Entity had been more accurate at the time.
Only now was I confident enough to label her as Friendly.
Friendly Entities were those who initiated conversation.
Yes, the ones who spoke first—to an ant.
They willingly sought communication.
And they were powerful—each one ranked at Level 3.
Maintaining a clear sense of self for so long in the warehouse was a testament to their strength.
Of course, others spoke first as well.
But in most cases, it had been a trap.
Just a few days ago, we encountered a treasure called Cursed Blade.
It reached out to me first, expressing intent.
But it was nothing more than bait.
We were ambushed and barely escaped.
The wound on my side still ached from the cut.
Only those who passed my safety criteria—treasures I could deem safe to face—were classified as Friendly Entities.
Out of all the warehouses I had explored, I had only encountered three such beings.
Ring of the Sky was the most powerful among them.
Perhaps even the strongest treasure I had ever summoned from the board.
The place he invited us to was the center of that land.
It was also the only area untouched by snow, blocked by the ring.
Inside, it was like a comfortable garden.
There was plenty of food, and the magical energy was abundant.
Various monsters resided there.
They rolled on the ground with happy laughter.
Treasures lay beside them, exuding contented magic as they slumbered.
Amid that strange sight, the ring sent us a signal.
Perhaps because we were closer, I could feel its intent more clearly.
“Don’t you want to be happy? I can give you happiness. Just like them.”
Its intent seeped into my heart.
I nearly nodded at its gentle tone—if Mira hadn’t let out a wisp of mist beside me, I might have.
I quickly shook my head and stepped back.
I was wary, wondering if it intended to consume us, but it did not pursue us.
It only spoke its intent once more.
“Is that so? If you ever find yourself in need of happiness, come find me. I’ll be waiting for you.”
It did not force us.
It merely extended a pure offer.
I was only half-entranced because of the sheer difference in power between us.
In response, I sent a mirror bug to it.
That was how it joined our message board.
***
After that, I occasionally conversed with it.
It said it was protecting the slumbering treasures.
Watching them being locked away in storage and forced to fight endlessly had saddened it, so it had given them happiness.
Yes, the Sky Ring, who was now conducting its second lecture, was an entity full of goodwill toward others.
That was why we had identified it as a friendly being.
But being friendly did not necessarily mean being safe.
I looked at the students gathered in the lecture hall.
They were gazing upward.
A glowing ring hung from the ceiling.
It projected its words.
“I won’t stir up fights like Tooth Necklace did. I only want one thing from you. I want you to confess your sins—the ones buried deep within your hearts. The ones even you do not fully recognize. The ones you wish to hide. Bring forth those memories and whisper them to me.”
“The light emanating from the ring was strange. It was like sunlight, yet also like starlight, and at the same time, it felt like an abyss of infinite darkness.”
There was a reason the students’ eyes remained fixed on it.
“Where does happiness come from? It is born from misfortune. The stronger the misfortune, the deeper the recognition of it, the greater the happiness that follows. If your memories are true, if your misfortune cries out for happiness, then I will grant you strength—the power to become happy, the power to create happiness.”
At those words, some of the students’ eyes began to gleam.
The desires within them were made clear under the ring’s light.
The Sky Ring silently hovered above, circling the ceiling.
I noticed Hao among the students, his eyes sparkling.
He was wearing a skirt and had even applied makeup.
It was an appearance that did not suit his massive frame.
The people around him edged away after taking one look at him.
I could vividly imagine Tooth Necklace clacking its fangs and chuckling.
It must be watching this scene unfold as well.
I let out a quiet sigh.
I hadn’t expected him to take those words seriously and actually dress up.
“I will offer you a part of my body. If you possess this, you will be able to make others happy. And in return for the happiness you grant, they will give you everything—freely, without hesitation. It is a world where everyone makes each other happy.”
‘Happiness, huh?’
Just hearing those words left a slight bitterness in my mouth.
Those affected by this power were indeed happy—no matter what happened to them.
It was, in essence, a powerful form of brainwashing.
“It may not be strong enough to use on people just yet. But it should work on monsters. If you start by gifting this happiness to others one by one, their assistance will help you become even happier.”
The students’ magical energy flickered subtly.
They had caught on to its usefulness.
It was an incredibly tempting power—one that people would eagerly covet.
“One warning: If you try to absorb too much at once, you too will be consumed by their happiness. So be careful. You must perfect the happiness of each individual, one at a time.”
The Sky Ring trembled slightly.
Then, it slowly began to fade.
It left behind only one last message.
“That concludes the lecture. Now, whisper your innermost thoughts to me. I’ll be waiting.”
***
As the students murmured amongst themselves, I stepped forward and clapped my hands.
The sound drew their attention.
They all turned their eyes toward me.
I smiled lightly.
“For this lecture, we have prepared several soundproof rooms on the first floor. No one, including myself, will be able to hear what is said inside. You can speak freely without worry. Now, shall we all rise?”
The dolls beside them gently nudged the students.
Following the dolls’ lead, the students naturally began moving toward the exit.
Mira and I followed behind them.
When we reached the first floor, we stood in front of five tightly sealed rooms.
Beyond them, like in the lecture hall, mirrors were decorated throughout.
I had no way of knowing what kind of conversations would take place inside.
Of course, I could find out if I wanted to. But that would break the trust between me and the Sky Ring.
It had extended goodwill toward me first.
There was no need for me to act against it.
Trust was something to be exchanged.
“The Sky Ring is waiting inside these rooms. There’s no set order—those who wish to go first may do so. You have 24 hours. Feel free to enter as many times as you like!”
The moment I finished speaking, one person quickly opened a door and stepped inside.
I caught a glimpse of a swishing skirt.
It was Hao.
Still dressed in his disguise, he disappeared beyond the door.
The door shut firmly behind him.
No one else moved immediately.
They seemed to be waiting to see the outcome of Hao’s visit.
It wasn’t long before Hao emerged.
Tears streamed down his face as he gripped the door handle.
He sniffled as he stepped out and looked at us with a radiant smile.
“The Sky Ring has spoken to me. ‘I know your sin, so simply dream of happiness.’ Under its guidance, my life has become all the more blessed. Ah, what a kind being it is!”
His makeup had run, leaving streaks down his tear-streaked face—not exactly a pleasant sight.
He looked utterly moved, as if he had been enlightened.
‘Had he been brainwashed in there?’
But the Sky Ring inside was merely an illusion.
It shouldn’t have been able to project its power all the way here.
And besides, it had promised me it wouldn’t do such a thing.
I discreetly sent out a mirror bug.
The creature captured Hao’s current stats.
[Physical Score: 37 – Your steady training is paying off! Keep at it!]
[Mental Score: 92 – Something good happened? Your score has exceeded its usual peak!]
[Soul Score: 33 – Completely normal. No changes detected.]
[Overall Assessment: Your mental score has increased significantly in a short time. Have you gained new insight? Keep moving forward like this!]
…There were no abnormalities.
If anything, his mental score had risen after entering.
It seemed he had realized something while speaking with the Sky Ring.
Hao promptly re-entered the room, eager to converse again.
As he disappeared inside, the first floor buzzed with the students’ murmurs.
They were unsettled.
Naturally so—Hao had emerged looking half-mad.
To ease their worries, I revealed a portion of his stats.
Upon hearing that his score had actually improved after entering, the students quickly formed a line.
One by one, they stepped into the rooms.
They confessed their sins.
They listened to the Sky Ring’s words.
Time passed swiftly.
Mira and I watched over them.
Some exited in tears.
Some sighed with bitter expressions.
Some stormed out, their faces filled with displeasure.
Among those varying reactions, two hundred students cycled through the rooms.
Hao visited seven times in 24 hours.
“I have heard many sins. I have pondered them and wished for their happiness. But there were many who did not fully understand their own sins. A regrettable thing. I cannot grant happiness to those who are not truly miserable.”
The Sky Ring’s words appeared in the lecture hall.
It began to make its selections.
Those chosen lowered their heads before it.
A total of forty students had been selected.
From that day on, a small fragment of the ring floated above Hao’s head.