"Ikaros, to recruit new clients, you first need to understand their deepest desires—what they believe is their purpose in the world," Shen Mo said, stepping forward. "Every living being has a reason for existing."
His telekinesis formed an invisible barrier, deflecting the howling wind and sand.
It looked as if the sand parted around them.
"Purpose?" Ikaros's beautiful eyes flickered with understanding, her melodic voice drifting to Shen Mo through the wind. "Ikaros's purpose is to follow Master's orders. That's why angel-type machines were created."
Her tone was soft, flat, yet carried a trace of confusion.
For some reason…
Amid the endless sand and her enchanting voice, Shen Mo felt like he was in Nier: Automata.
A desolate world, machines fighting through their own confusion.
"That might've been true before," Shen Mo said, gazing at the city emerging in the distance, his back to Ikaros. "But I didn't buy you to have a machine that just obeys. I genuinely look forward to the charm your beautiful soul will shine with."
"My… beautiful soul?" Ikaros stared at Shen Mo's back, dazed.
"Exactly." Shen Mo turned, flashing a bright smile. "You're my companion. I want you to be happy and grow by my side, not just follow orders."
"…"
Ikaros looked at his smile, stepping closer, a hint of nervousness in her voice. "Then… does Master feel happy with Ikaros by his side?"
"Of course!" Shen Mo gave a thumbs-up. "I'm thrilled."
"…"
Ikaros fell silent, but her radiant eyes shimmered as she faced his smile.
She had an emotion module.
In her past memories, she felt only sadness, pain, loneliness.
But now…
Ikaros touched her chest.
Was this happiness?
A faint smile curved her lips, unbidden.
Shen Mo grinned, delighted.
Flirting with a pure, adorable robot angel had its own charm.
Especially seeing her beautiful smile.
And he meant it.
Having bought her, he owed her a life no worse than her original fate.
Life was getting more interesting.
With a cheerful mood, Shen Mo looked toward the horizon.
At that moment…
Hidden Sand's sentries spotted the two figures and a cat approaching through the sandstorm.
"Who are they?"
"No idea, but… the sand's avoiding them?"
"It really is!"
To desert-dwellers, Shen Mo and Ikaros's anomaly was obvious.
The rushing sand parted around them.
From afar…
They looked like a vacuum zone moving through a sea of sand.
Their clothes were pristine, their steps leisurely yet unnaturally fast, closing distances in blinks, not quite Body Flicker but eerily swift.
"Alert! Alert!" the lead sentry shouted.
Ninja on the walls sprang into action, pushing giant crossbows loaded with explosive tags, more gathering.
In this world…
No village let down its guard for just two people.
As they drew closer…
The surreal feeling intensified.
Clothes unfit for desert travel, a woman too beautiful to be real, no footprints—they seemed from another dimension. Each step covered dozens of meters, yet not vanishing like Body Flicker, indescribably strange.
It sent chills.
"Hey—!" the lead sentry called out. "This is Hidden Sand Village! Who are you!?"
Shen Mo didn't stop.
With his final step, space seemed to warp, crossing dozens of meters without vanishing, landing right before the sentries.
Yes, right in front.
The two stood calmly in midair.
Sand and wind didn't touch their clothes or hair.
As if standing on invisible ground.
The ninja stared at Shen Mo, staff in hand, a gentle smile on his face, their nerves taut, suppressing panic.
This was too bizarre.
Even in the ninja world, it defied most understanding.
"Who… are you?" the lead ninja asked, tense but softening his tone, clinging to duty.
Shen Mo chuckled at the question.
"We're traveling merchants," he said, his calm voice echoing as if spoken in each ninja's ear.
They looked at Shen Mo's warm smile, then at Ikaros, impossibly beautiful and demure.
Traveling merchants?
The lead ninja swallowed hard.
He couldn't read them, had never heard of them, but this was clearly abnormal.
That technique…
And this maid-clad woman's unforgettable beauty—they couldn't be obscure.
Yet he pressed on, voice steady. "What's your purpose in Hidden Sand?"
"No need to fear," Shen Mo said, smiling, his gaze sweeping over them.
Each person he looked at…
Felt drawn into his deep, dark eyes.
Then they heard his voice in their ears.
"I'm here to trade—deals that fulfill your deepest desires and change your village's fate."
This time…
Shen Mo didn't hide his presence.
Nor did he appear only to a few.
It was as if his trade was with the entire village.