Nic was confused. "Huh, what do you mean by becoming my follower?? Look, I only intended to help, you don't need to repay me like that, seriously, hehe!"
But Cynthia shook her head. "You didn't just help me... I know, even though it looked strange, I saw you absorbing the pain I've felt all this time... why were you so reckless?"
Nic was silent for a moment, then turned around. "I just... wanted to help and, at the same time, eliminate the pain that Cecilia's mother has felt all this time..."
"And I also know what it feels like to lose someone you love very much. I just don't want Cecilia to feel that, even though she has actually felt it since long ago," Nic said.
Cynthia smiled. "Well, that's exactly why I want to follow you wherever you go... I won't be a burden. I can cook, fight, and I can even give you affection like your own mother."
Nic heard that and felt slightly embarrassed, remembering his parents. But the awkward atmosphere suddenly changed because someone arrived.
"Huft... Mom!? You're here... what are you doing with Nic up here!" Cecilia said.
"Um? Mom just wants to follow the person who saved me, that's all," Cynthia said casually.
"Heee!? No way!! Why are you acting like me!" Cecilia pouted.
"Like you? What do you mean?" Cynthia said, confused.
Nic explained that Cecilia was like Cynthia because Cecilia once said that she would follow Nic everywhere.
"Ohoho, so my daughter is imitating her mother's nature? Do you want to fight over him?" Cynthia teased.
Cecilia was annoyed and gently hit her mother. "Ishh, you're so annoying! Just you wait!"
Cecilia immediately left with heavy steps.
Her mother just stood there, slightly laughing at her daughter's behavior, which was so similar to hers.
Nic just gaped and tried to escape by jumping, but his shirt was immediately pulled by Cynthia.
"Where are you going, hmm?" Cynthia said.
"Eeee... ahah, I guess I can't escape," Nic said, resigned.
Cynthia insisted that she would always be by Nic's side and follow him everywhere. Nic finally gave up and allowed it.
Nic whispered in his heart, "Zeta... should I add a divorcée to my girlfriend list this time?"
[ Yes, Master Nic has previously added a married woman, and now Master Nic wants to add a divorced woman. Congratulations, that's a good achievement! ]
Zeta appeared in front of Nic with a mocking expression; it was clear Nic was being sarcastic.
"Huh, what an annoying system," Nic said, pretending to pinch the air, but what he was pinching was Zeta.
Cynthia was confused about what Nic was doing.
"???"
Nic quickly made an excuse. "Ah, the wind is cold, so I pinched it."
Cynthia just laughed and said Nic was unique, even though there was no wind and it was hot.
---
Unity City was visited by many people from other cities out of curiosity about how the Dead City, which always had a terrifying aura, could become this beautiful.
They even met the people who survived the dark tragedy and asked them important things about when they were forced and other details.
This city became both a tourist attraction and a place to live for people who had no place to stay because the city was newly inhabited by the old residents, and Nic accepted new citizens who wanted to move.
Nic instructed President Terry to let the citizens know that the one who brought the city back to life was King Raven, not himself, so he could be free without being questioned.
---
Nic met Cecilia and Giselle again, who were relaxing.
"What are you guys doing?" Nic asked.
Atha looked at Nic. "Oh Nic, we're just chilling... for some reason, it's so hot today."
Nic approached them and put his hands on both of their shoulders while attaching a sticker bomb from the Cupid Arsenal and boom!.
[ Ding! Congratulations Giselle and Atha 100% like and loyal to Master Nic! ]
[ Ding! Hearth Claim active! Giselle and Atha have been added to the girlfriend list. ]
[ Ding! Active skill transfer, get God of Military skill: Master Nic can get veteran military experience from commando and other ways! ]
"Wow, if it's this hot, wouldn't it be nice to go to the beach?" Nic said.
"Agreed!" Cynthia said.
Atha and Giselle were surprised Cynthia was there.
Nic briefly explained why Cynthia was there.
"Ah... I see... if that's the case, let's go there," Giselle said.
They went to the beach in the DP territory, and naturally, someone would follow.
From a distance, it was true that Cecilia was already following while biting her lip.
"Ugh, Nic is annoying... he didn't invite me? Just you wait," Cecilia said.
---
A moment later, they all arrived at the crowded beach, but the wind on the beach immediately felt better than in the city.
Cynthia spread her arms. "Wow... a gentle breeze..."
Giselle immediately pulled Atha to change into swimsuits.
Meanwhile, Nic looked around, and because no one was looking, Nic immediately activated the God of Fashion skill to wear a simple swimsuit swim trunks without a shirt.
His six-pack body looked so perfect.
After that, they started playing in the water and surfing. Atha and Giselle struggled, while Nic surfed easily.
But suddenly, Nic's surfboard seemed to be pulled, and he fell.
"FUAH! Huh? Where is my surfboard? It's gone..." Nic tried to dive and look around.
He only briefly saw a pair of feet heading toward the crowd.
"Hehe, you want to play games with me, huh... okay!" Nic smiled and returned to get a new surfboard.
Nic immediately surfed as usual and got ready.
"Come on... let's see if she dares to do it again," Nic said.
And Nic already felt someone swimming beneath him.
"HAPP, I KNOW YOU ARE CECILIA!" Nic pulled her hand and lifted her up.
But what he saw made him stare blankly.
"Eh... EHHHHH!?? A MERMAIDDD!!!??" Nic shouted.
But before his voice could be heard further, Nic's mouth was immediately covered by the girl in front of him.
"SHHHH!! MERMAID, MY FOOT! THIS IS JUST A COSTUME!" the mermaid girl said.
Nic nodded, and the girl released her hand.
"Hah, why did you play a trick on me while I was surfing?" Nic asked.
"No reason, just being playful, got a problem?" the mermaid girl said.
"Problem? Yes, obviously! What did you mean by that? That's dangerous, you know!" Nic said.
"Nyah nyah nyah, I don't care, wleee! Let me go!" the mermaid girl struggled.
Nic looked at her with an irritated gaze, then pinched her waist repeatedly until the mermaid girl laughed and gave up.
"AHAHAHA STOP PLEASE!!! DON'T PINCH MEEE AKHHH!!" The mermaid girl became more uncontrollable.
Nic finally threw the mermaid girl.
"Sigh, there's always something happening when I want to relax," Nic said, then lay down on his surfboard.
But suddenly, his board was pulled again, and Nic fell for the second time.
"AGHHH YOU MERMAID, I'M GOING TO EAT YOU!" Nic immediately dived and chased the mermaid girl, who was swimming away in fear.
But no matter how fast the mermaid girl swam, she wouldn't be able to beat Nic, who had activated the God of Swimming skill.
Nic pulled her mermaid tail and used Cupid Arsenal > Boxing Glove.
"Take that!" Nic slapped her mermaid tail repeatedly underwater.
"FORGIVENESSSSS!!!" the mermaid girl said.
[ Ding! Mitha is 100% loyal and in love with Master Nic! ]
[ Ding! Hearth Claim active! Mitha has been added to the girlfriend list! ]
"Hmm Mitha, no skill, Zeta?"
[ She is just a playful girl, Master Nic, you only get an increase in stats. ]
"I should have slapped her more times, Nic," Nic said.
The girl just cried underwater.
To be continued...