Amane Towa, the charisma model whose fame dominates magazines and media. Her stunning beauty turns every candid shot into a best shot, earning her a near-deified status among fans. "If you're stuck on fashion, buy what Towa models—it's a sure bet," they say, especially among teen girls who adore her.
But even if I pissed off every one of her fans, I'd say it: Your eyes are blind.
When I was in kindergarten, the Amane family—four, including Towa and her brother—moved next door. At first, she was just the older girl next door. We got along okay, playing retro games, racing bikes by the river, or messing around with hide-and-seek and tag.
Then one day, Towa got attacked by a dog, and apparently, I jumped in to save her. I barely remember it, but that moment was the start—the trigger for why I can't stand her.
She'd lure me into traps, laughing her ass off as I fell into pits. She'd cackle when dogs chased me, nearly biting. Worst of all, she sold my hard-earned ultimate gear—stuff with brutal reacquisition conditions—right in front of me, for all my party.
She was a monster who thrived on others' misery.
Worse, she planned it all meticulously, executing her schemes with silver-tongued precision. Her twisted nature was infuriating. I holed up at home, grinding old games to avoid her, sharpening my skills in the process. That's the only thing I thank her for.
Still, she'd exploit any gap, dragging me out for more chaos. I went along grudgingly, piling up miserable memories. When my dad's job forced us to move, I told her on the last day, "Finally free from your face. Bye." I unloaded years of resentment.
For some reason, she bawled and ran off, saying something I still can't recall.
"Long time no see! A-kun, you've grown!" Arthur Pencilgon cooed.
"Wish I'd never seen you again…" Pepper muttered.
As she tried to pat his head, Pepper resisted, but the level gap left him helplessly ruffled.
"So, what's a world-famous killer model doing harassing a citizen mining in the boonies? Scouting? Hard pass."
"Aww, shot down before I could even offer Big sis is so sad Boo-hoo~!" Towa fake-cried, her theatrics clearly mocking him.
"Though, I was gonna scout you."
"Rendezvous with a murder squad? No thanks."
"Haha! Knew you'd say that!"
This was what he hated—her knack for hiding her true intentions, manipulating with words, and using everything and everyone. Before you know it, you're dancing in her palm.
Towa's essence: a mastermind, living for the thrill, laughing at control.
"God, this is fun. Messing with A-kun makes me feel alive~!" she giggled.
"You damn demon…!" Pepper growled.
Her taunts dredged up memories, stirring his frustration. He considered venting by smashing rocks when she dropped a bombshell.
"I came from Fifthisia hunting a unique weapon holder. Didn't expect it to be you, A-kun~!"
"What's wrong with it being me?"
"…No, I'm glad it's you." Her cheeks flushed faintly, unnoticed by Pepper.
"Hey, A-kun, wanna make a deal?"
"A deal? For what?"
"Simple. Sell me—just me—info on your quests."
Her intentions were murky, but she lobbed an even bigger bomb.
"If the info's valuable enough, I'll let you in on Unique Monster: Wezaemon the Tomb Guardian'."
"What did you just say, Towa?"
Unique Monsters, like Lycaon of the Night Raid, are ShFro's strongest class. Little is known—species, locations, numbers—shrouded in mystery. They're uniformly unfairly strong.
Black Wolf's elite squad got bowled over by Lycaon. A golden dragon incinerated a random party with its breath. Despite 30 million players, no Unique Monster has been defeated, their strength too absurd.
"Wezaemon the Tomb Guardian…?" Pepper repeated.
"Yup. My clan, Ashura-kai, keeps it secret. No other players know—super rare info~!" Towa grinned.
A normal player might jump at the chance, but Pepper knew her tricks. I see your game, Towa.
"Goddamn it, Towa… I can't read your mind, but hearing this, I've got no choice but to cooperate to survive."
He didn't know Ashura-kai, but with PKer Towa in it, it was likely a PKer clan. Refusing her could lead to "Wezaemon's info leaked on the boards!"—making him a hunted man. Respawn camping would be the least of his worries. She'd cornered him, blocking all escapes.
"Well, look at you, grasping the situation quick! For such a smart A-kun, big sis Pencilgon grants you the honor of being my friend~! Cry with joy!" she teased.
"Wanna yeet myself off a cliff, more like… Fine, I'll friend you. If I don't, you'll pull some crap, right?"
"Caught me~!"
"What were you gonna do…?"
The thought was chilling. Knowing her, it'd be bad. Clicking OK on her friend request, Pepper's first ShFro friend became his nemesis, Arthur Pencilgon.
"…Fine. As promised, I'll spill my quest info. Listen up."
"Yay, been waiting~!"
"The Lock-On Breaker, my unique weapon, came with a Secret Manual after clearing the first special quest stage. It's PK-immune and non-discardable, and only I can view it."
Towa's eyes widened. You've screwed me over plenty. Ready to get screwed back?
"So… I'd have to give you materials to craft it?" she asked.
"Yup. My current quest needs 200 Mad Frog hides. It's likely a multi-stage deal—gathering, testing, combat, probably."
It was a guess, but similar quests in other games made it plausible.
"And this special quest? I think it's a staged unlock quest. Each stage triggers new quests, granting massive benefits to ShFro players. It could impact the world's lore, NPCs, even monsters—not changing the world outright, but worth pursuing."
"Wow… Bigger than I expected. Alright, deal's on. You're in on Wezaemon," Towa said.
"Deal." Pepper shook her hand with his left, stowing the Lock-On Breaker to hide his marked right.
"By the way, why hide your right arm with the cloak?"
"Don't you know? It's the hot new trend among ShFro newbies: one-arm cloak style," he lied.
No way he'd admit Lycaon's mark. That'd invite more trouble. Better to keep secrets hidden.
"Report by carrier bird when you hit Thirdrema~!" Towa called, heading off.
"Ughhh… Finally over…" Pepper collapsed in a Secandil back alley, sighing heavily.
"Goddamn, her playing ShFro was way out of left field. And that avatar? Insanely detailed."
Her mirror-perfect avatar screamed effort, though it reeked of her twisted desire to play herself. With the mark, his rising notoriety, and now 200 hides to gather, how would he—
A black rabbit darted by. It noticed him, beckoned, and vanished around a corner.
"Wait, what!?" Pepper activated Accel, chasing it.
At a dead-end alley, the rabbit conjured a door in the wall.
"What the hell!?"
Before he could ask if it was magic, the rabbit slipped inside, beckoning before closing it.
Unique Scenario: Invitation from the Rabbit Kingdom
"Unique Scenario…!?"
A wild turn. Mid-special quest, learning of Wezaemon, and now a Unique Scenario? His brain was at capacity, but that didn't matter.
"Rabbit or snake, let's find out!"
Seeking the unknown, forging the world—that's a pioneer. He couldn't call himself one without diving in. Pepper flung open the door and leaped inside…
He didn't know then that this scenario was recommended level 80+, a monstrous challenge. Combined with his ongoing special quest, it would ripple through Shangri-La Frontier, breaking the gears that kept the world static…
Uniques Call Uniques, and Uniques Chain