Chapter 108
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 108
Chapter Title: Anonymous 6
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Speak of the tiger and it shall appear, huh.
It's been a while since I last pulled out that saying.
There are similar proverbs in this world too, but no such beast as a tiger exists here.
For some reason, it left me feeling a touch nostalgic for a moment.
What is this.
You're back again?
It felt like quite a while since Anonymous 6 had joined for me, but it seemed different for the others.
To them, Anonymous 4 and 5 were the new arrivals, so they probably thought the group had grown by one after a short interval.
When I first joined, there were only two ahead of me... Seeing us at six already means it's growing pretty fast.
How many more will join?
I thought '0' was finally starting to move, is this the effect?
As Anonymous 1 predicted, maybe '0' is finally making a real move.
How many Apostles are there?
I thought it was a small elite group, but later on won't there be hundreds of Apostles?
Already worrying about that?
I think we're still plenty small as is.
Meanwhile, the actual newcomer, Anonymous 6, hadn't said a word.
Anonymous 2 was the same.
That made sense for Anonymous 2.
A while back, I'd heard from Maron via communication orb.
He said he wouldn't have the bandwidth to pay attention for a few days, so to lay low.
I interpreted it differently—as preparing to finally execute the plan against the elves.
So I'd warned Anonymous 2 in advance to prepare.
His silence was probably because he was busy as hell right now.
Even if we don't ask for intros since it's anonymous, this one's pretty cautious too.
And right as Anonymous 1 finished saying that, the first message from Anonymous 6 arrived.
You're using Habdelier.
What's this now?
Like this?
Oh.
Ooh, it works.
Amazing.
...Nope.
Does this work too?
( ＾◡＾)っ ♡
Oh my.
It works.
Nice to meet you all.
(((o(*ﾟ▽ﾟ*)o)))
...
...Was that even possible?
Manaphone text input basically works by drawing mana flows, like etching letters by hand.
In theory, that means pictograms like those are possible too... but I'd never seen anyone actually do it.
Not that I knew if this one was even human yet.
Anyway, a weirdo had joined. Not that I minded— the group was already full of oddballs—but this one stood out even among them.
Mentioning Habdelier suggested they weren't a regular human either.
No greetings?
What should I call you guys?
Anonymous 1? Anonymous 3?
I'm Kamia, from the southern hemisphere.
No need to give your name.
Oh yeah?
But names can be remembered or forgotten, so they don't mean much anyway.
Bluntly dropping her name was unexpected... but you could tell someone who'd lived ages just from how they spoke.
I somehow sensed that weight in Anonymous 6's short messages.
Another Transcendent?
How were Transcendents the only ones picking this up?
Excluding the Anonymous 4 and 5 I'd intentionally invited, every random who stumbled in here was a Transcendent.
I'd hidden the Manaphone so only mana users could find it... but had I hidden it too well?
There must be some effect, but what were the odds?
Or maybe it was a good thing now?
'The southern hemisphere... not far from here.'
Well, this place was pretty far south itself.
Kamia, huh...
You're the only one who's said their name here, so it won't be forgotten.
If you remember, that's an honor too.
(*^▽^*)
Anonymous 1's prickly words didn't faze her at all—she seemed tough. Sure, no one here got pushed around, but her light tone hid a subtle confidence.
Normally, Anonymous 1 would grumble territorially while spilling info, but strangely, they went quiet.
This was a first for Anonymous 1's reaction.
So I chimed in as Anonymous 4.
That was one reason I'd added Anonymous 4 to this chat—to steer the vibe directly as the room took shape.
Since hiding the Manaphones relied on chance.
When Rozelin joined, Anonymous 1 handled it, and though they seemed mismatched, they actually clicked well.
But with Anonymous 6, they were like oil and water.
You don't seem rattled for a first-timer.
Oh, Anonymous 4's here too.
Come to think of it, I'm the sixth.
Aren't you curious who we are?
I am.
But I'm the first to reveal a name, right?
We're chatting without even knowing names, aren't we?
Then the format itself isn't unfamiliar?
It's intriguing.
That's why it's fun.
First time seeing something like this.
Who knew magic could do this. Mind-blowing.
( ⸝⸝•ᴗ•⸝⸝ )੭
Adapting at an astonishing speed.
If I still had my original goal from when I scattered these beta Manaphones across the continent, I'd be purely thrilled right now.
A user who actually loved the features I made.
Affinity stack +1... or something.
First time hearing the term "mana pattern" too.
So the Empire calls them "patterns"?
Definitely not human.
It's in Habdelier script, but not everyone here is a human from the Empire.
Oh, really?
Even better.
Quick to adapt, taking everything in with interest.
But types like this are the hardest to read deep down.
You have to watch them over time to see their true value.
Still, when I checked the mana pattern Anonymous 6 registered, no evil faction matches came up.
That alone qualified them for long-term observation.
Suddenly, I wondered what would happen if I paired them with Anonymous 2's calm personality.
So what am I supposed to do here?
Nothing in particular.
Huh?
Didn't you call me here because you want something from me?
...Wasn't it just a coincidence you found it?
No way something like this is a coincidence.
The more intricate the magic, the less room there is for calling it chance.
It's wiser to believe stars would fall into the sea first.
...Sorry, but it really was a coincidence.
At that point, Anonymous 1 jumped back in. For their personality, waiting this long was rare.
I thought your head was full of flowers, but nope.
You know what you know.
As Anonymous 4 said, there's nothing specific to do— that's true.
But if you want, you can do anything.
Anything?
What does that mean?
I want a lot of things.
If you want a lot, pay the price and take it.
'0' especially has the power to make anything happen, yet mercifully allows it all.
So that's how Anonymous 1 saw '0'...
...Talk about burdensome.
Especially coming from Anonymous 1.
What's '0'?
You'll find out soon.
They'll appear when the time comes.
Some great being?
Exactly.
I knew it.
The description wasn't casual.
But there's a great being here too?
Yes.
If you want something, ask them.
Of course, the price is clear.
And you can make 'deals' with us the same way, not just '0'.
The chatty Anonymous 6 went silent right then.
Probably pondering in their own way.
A beat later, Anonymous 6's messages resumed.
What kind of price are we talking?
'0' called you for a reason, so it might differ from what they want.
I don't know either.
But right now, we're searching for the Oracle Stele on '0's orders.
The Oracle... Stele?
You mean the relic containing Sephirot's oracle?
You know Sephirot?
Yeah.
You know it too?