After receiving the new command from Diamond, Aventurine immediately began thinking about how to regain that aventurine gem.
Based on Diamond's tone, as long as they could obtain that gem capable of summoning the Amber Lord's projection, it wouldn't even matter if the Penacony mission failed.
But as a gambler, after spending so much time and effort in Penacony, how could he possibly give up the Penacony mission?
And considering how Pei Guang trusted him earlier, he felt he could hold a grand celebratory event for Pei Guang, and use that event in exchange for the aventurine.
Of course, Aventurine's target was not just any ordinary aventurine, but one that, like Pei Guang's, could cause a divine miracle.
In fact, in some sense, the moment Pei Guang acquired that stone, it had already undergone a fundamental change.
Never mind anything else: at the very least, aventurine gems never used to express emotions to him.
Aventurine began to think—thinking about every possible thing in Penacony that could be used.
After a brief moment of thought, he smiled.
Because he had come up with a method. He admitted the plan involved a gamble… but he had decided to personally take that gamble.
With that in mind, Aventurine approached Pei Guang. "Thank you for your help removing me from Harmony's control. I thought you would despise these broken stone fragments… I never expected that something useless to me would truly become something you like."
Pei Guang, still whipping the spinning top to play with the Amber Lord, looked at him with a grin.
"Of course, of course. Plenty of things that seem useless to you are super useful to me. If there's another job, you're welcome to come find me again."
Aventurine smiled. "Oh? Really? I do have a mission that I'd like to entrust to you. It's just… a troublesome one."
Pei Guang: "What?"
Aventurine: "Robin's death has already proven that the Family's claims of safety no longer exist. Yet Sunday, and even the Family, asked you to investigate Robin's death while suppressing the news.
"'m a company employee. I know the actions of some employees have given you a poor impression of the company. But I promise you: what I am doing isn't only to recover Penacony for the IPC. It is also for everyone living here. They have the right to know the truth.
So, I want to entrust you with this: once you uncover the truth behind Penacony's deaths, give that truth to me. At that time, I will use a grand performance to let everyone in Penacony know what truly happened.
And as a reward for this request, I will give you a gem similar to that aventurine gem. How does that sound?"
Aventurine didn't try to directly take back the aventurine gem, nor did he try to force the issue as a mission requirement, because from earlier, he already understood Pei Guang was capable of making its powers unusable.
As for how to properly harness its power and bring that power back to the company? In his view, he needed Pei Guang's recognition.
Only if Pei Guang acknowledged he was worthy to receive the gem would he truly be able to use its power.
Therefore, he needed a grand event, a grand show that players would enjoy, an event where he could gain the stone, while also letting the company achieve their initial goal.
To fulfill this, he would wager everything.
Seeing Aventurine's smile and hearing the mission, Pei Guang stroked his chin and thought seriously.
Firefly, standing next to him, stared at Aventurine with a hostile expression.
"Ah Guang, be careful. This guy is up to no good."
Firefly had dealt with IPC members plenty in the past. She admitted: some in the company were truly loyal to the Path of Preservation, working only to safeguard others.
Many planets were indeed protected under the IPC… but countless other worlds and lives had vanished because of them.
Pei Guang waved his hand dismissively. "Yeah, I can tell. He might even be our final boss. But it's fine. The mission rewards look great, and it seems like a quest chain. Even if he really is the final boss… I'm still taking it."
Firefly continued suggesting: "Then how about this: let's capture him first. That way, we complete the quest and get the reward, and if he becomes the enemy later, we can subdue him instantly."
Pei Guang: "Oh-ohh, that's a good idea actually~"
Hearing Pei Guang's praise, Firefly proudly lifted her chin.
Meanwhile, March stared wide-eyed at her.
"Hold on—how long have you even known Ah Guang, and you're already learning his tricks?"
Firefly: "A long time~ Even though only one day has passed in real life, I feel like I've known him for two months at least."
March: "Right, right! I feel that too. Even though it's only been a little over a month, it feels like a whole year. You don't even know: just this one month with Ah Guang has been more exciting and fun than the past few years combined!"
Ever since meeting Pei Guang, they didn't feel like time dragged on slowly… but every day felt like a whole month.
Every time Pei Guang walked out the door, something definitely happened.
Listening to their conversation, Aventurine wore a nonchalant expression, while Pei Guang finished thinking and accepted Aventurine's mission.
Pei Guang: "Alright, I'll take your mission. Don't forget the reward!"
Aventurine smiled. "Look forward to it."
He had no idea what Pei Guang was thinking. But no matter what Pei Guang did next, even if he captured him, Aventurine was sure he would find a way to get that gem.
A new mission and a gem identical to the treasure he just discovered: Pei Guang instantly became excited.
He had only tested the aventurine gem briefly and could already see how special it was. Just having one wasn't enough—not for him.
In fact, he felt like they needed at least one per person… and maybe even three per person just to be safe in case they lose one.
One mission here, another one there… wasn't that great? Pei Guang was even wondering if this mission could be farmed for special gems like this aventurine.
If it could, that'd be perfect.
While Pei Guang was entertaining that thought, Diamond, working elsewhere, suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. A bad premonition crept up on him.
Pei Guang had now parted ways with Aventurine, and besides Sunday's task, he had accepted Aventurine's as well.
Judging from the look of things, the two were linked. That made Pei Guang even more motivated.
To complete the task more efficiently, Pei Guang decided to go straight after Something Unto Death. This time, he planned to catch the thing directly.
And how would he catch it? Naturally, with his trusty plastic white lawn chair.
For those that don't remember, that chair had a strange power: it made any creature that saw it want to sit down and draw strength from it.
Noticing that Something Unto Death was still wandering around the dream-hotel, Pei Guang decided to set up his chair in one of the spots it often passed, to see if he could trap it.
Once he caught it, everything would be easier.
Whether he used it to enter a new area or… as food, it'd be a solid plan either way.
When they arrived at the hotel within the dream, its eerie atmosphere made March 7th shiver. "Eek! It's all still Penacony, but outside it feels so cheerful and fun, while here… there's this feeling of sadness."
"Hm?"
Pei Guang had thought March would give the same kind of answer that Firefly, he, and Stelle had before: but to his surprise, what she sensed was sadness.
Firefly also caught the odd tone in March's voice. "Just… sadness?"
March closed her eyes. "Not only sadness. There's also despair and… I don't know how to describe it. It feels like there are some cute little beings hiding here, trembling. Even though this dream should be able to contain everything, somehow… it feels like there's no place for them at all…"
Firefly frowned. "Huh? But other than the Dreamjolt Troupe and Memory Memes… are there other travelers hiding here?"
Pei Guang fell into thought. "Not sure. But March's intuition is sharp—if she says that, then something's definitely off. That means there are things here we still don't know about. Seems like last time we didn't search carefully enough."
Firefly asked, "Then what do you need me to do next?"
At this point, Firefly had gradually grown used to being part of the team.
Compared to burning oceans and fighting alone, she found it much happier to just stay near the person she liked in a normal, human way.
But even in that happiness, there was a faint sadness in her heart. She didn't know how long this joy would last… or how long she herself could hold on.