"System, the Moogle isn't visible to just me, right?"
Lucas frowned. Moogles, according to the lore, weren't supposed to be seen by ordinary people. He was worried that if anyone caught him snuggling with it, they'd assume he was cuddling thin air and write him off as a lunatic.
[Ding~ Of course not. But only people inside Devil May Cry can see it. In other words, anyone not part of Devil May Cry won't see a thing~]
"So you mean Skye and I can see it, but people like Gwen and Peter can't?"
[Ding~ Correct~]
Lucas nodded, relieved. As long as he wasn't the only one, it was fine.
"Then how do I make it so they can see it too?"
[Ding~ Are you stupid, host? I already said—only Devil May Cry members can see it~]
The system even rolled its virtual eyes.
Lucas couldn't see them, but he could feel the disdain dripping off the system's words. His face darkened.
"You damn system! Don't play dumb with me. What I'm asking is—how do you count someone as a Devil May Cry member?"
If it weren't bound to him, Lucas would've gladly wrung its neck.
[Ding~ Idiot host. It's simple. Just make them your assistant~]
The moment the words landed, a glowing photo wall appeared on Devil May Cry's interior wall. It already listed Lucas' and Skye's names, and in the center was a single photo—of the Moogle, floating midair with its scepter, surrounded by seven other Moogles each with unique expressions.
[Ding~ Host can stick a photo on this wall. Once someone's picture is up, they're officially a member of Devil May Cry~]
"Ah, got it!" Lucas grinned, pulling out his camera for a selfie. But then he paused, smirked, and instead scooped the Moogle onto his shoulder.
"Kupo~!"
The Moogle squirmed, whacking his head with its scepter.
Click!
At that exact moment, Lucas hit the shutter. The printed photo showed him mid-bonk, face twisted in pain. Hilarious.
Before he could even grab it properly, the Moogle snatched the photo and zipped to the wall, slapping it on with a proud "Kupo~~."
Then it floated lazily back to its cushion on the display cabinet.
"You little pest! One day I'll stew you into soup!" Lucas gritted his teeth and stomped toward the wall, trying to peel the picture off.
[Ding~ Once posted, a photo can't be removed unless the person is no longer considered part of Devil May Cry~]
"Stupid system!" Lucas muttered, flopping angrily into his chair.
Just then, Skye walked in and immediately noticed the glowing wall.
"Huh? What's this…?"
Without looking up, Lucas said impatiently, "Take a photo and stick it up. That'll make your hiring official."
Her eyes lit up at the sight of the Moogle's picture. "That little bear is adorable! I want a photo holding it!"
She leaned closer, cooing. "So it's called a Moogle? Even the name is cute~~"
She looked around, searching for the creature itself—still unaware it was alive.
"No use looking. You can't see it yet. Once you're official, you'll be able to."
"I'm not official already?"
"Nope."
According to the system, you only counted after your photo went on the wall.
"So I just stick a photo up?"
"Exactly."
Skye nodded, struck a playful pose, and snapped a photo. She posted it under her name on the wall.
"Kupo~"
A sweet little voice chimed right into her ears. Following it, she gasped—spotting the Moogle lounging on the cabinet.
"No way! It's alive! And so cute!!"
She swooped it up into her arms and nuzzled her face against its fur.
"Kupo!!"
The Moogle wriggled and protested, but it didn't actually break free.
Lucas' jaw dropped. "What the—? You traitor! Heavy on the charm, light on the loyalty, huh?!"
Meanwhile Skye was utterly enchanted. "It's so soft~~" She even poked curiously at the pink pom-pom above its head.
"Kupo~~!"
The Moogle batted her hand away with its scepter, clearly forbidding her from touching the pom-pom.
"Oh, sorry, Moogle. I won't touch it again."
She continued hugging it anyway. And this time, the Moogle didn't resist, letting her hold it contentedly.
Lucas' eyes nearly shot flames. Why was he not allowed, but she could hug it all she wanted?!
Neither of them paid him any mind, giggling and cuddling away.
"Fine, whatever. It's just a Moogle. Who cares," Lucas grumbled, turning away and closing his eyes to avoid the scene.
By evening, Gwen, Peter, and their small group came by Devil May Cry. Skye was still clutching the Moogle happily.
The moment Gwen walked in, her eyes zeroed on Skye sitting on the sofa. A sharp wave of killing intent swept toward Lucas, enough to make even Peter flinch.
Lucas rubbed his nose awkwardly. "Uh… this is my new assistant, Skye."
Gwen nodded coolly, ignoring Lucas, and instead sat right next to Skye. Skye tore her gaze from the Moogle to greet her with a smile.
"Hi, I'm Skye, the boss's assistant. First day on the job." She extended a hand politely.
"I'm Gwen," the other girl replied warmly, shaking her hand.
Skye kept one arm wrapped around the Moogle. To Gwen, though, it looked like Skye was miming holding something invisible.
"What… are you doing?" Gwen blinked, utterly confused. Was this some kind of avant-garde performance art?
"You can't see it?" Skye asked curiously.
"See what?"
Gwen looked around, baffled. Skye turned to Peter and the others. "You guys can't see it either?"
They all shook their heads.
"Boss, what's going on?!" Skye asked, alarmed. Was it their eyes, or was something wrong with her?
"That thing you're holding is called a Moogle. It's a special being. Ordinary people can't see it—only Devil May Cry members can."
Lucas explained casually, but his eyes flicked toward Peter. Today, Peter wasn't wearing his usual nerdy glasses. The mutation must have cured his nearsightedness.
"No way! That's amazing!" Skye exclaimed, lifting the Moogle up proudly. To everyone else, her hands looked empty.
"Kupo~~"
The Moogle wriggled free, flapping back to its cushion to snooze.
"What's a Moogle?" Gwen asked curiously.
"That." Skye pointed at the photo wall, where the Moogle's picture sat in the center.
Everyone turned to look.
"Wow~~ it's adorable!"
The girls immediately squealed, wishing they could hug the fluffy little thing themselves.
Lucas, meanwhile, leaned toward Peter. "So, Peter. What happened to your glasses?"
Caught off guard, Peter stammered before blurting out an excuse: "I, uh… switched to contacts. Just like you said—looks cooler this way."
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