One Week Later
Around a week had passed since the Nanoi people dried up the cosmic beast's seeds in the 0.1 dimension's solar system.
"...They really nabbed him."
Kim Jian, lounging in comfortable clothes in the single bankers' dorm for a rare leisurely weekend morning, muttered to himself with a mix of delight and awe on his face. Coffee in one hand. Morning paper in the other. The front-page story announced the emergency arrest of Ominai Baloma.
"This actually happened."
A mid-tier powerhouse in the ruling party—one of Great Huuriten's two major political parties—getting hauled off without any real resistance was highly unusual. As everyone knew, arrest consent bills for assembly members weren't exactly common. And near-unanimous votes cutting across party lines? Even rarer.
"Well, with all that bribery, tax evasion, breach of trust, embezzlement, and attempted murder solicitation... flashy crimes."
Thinking back, it made sense. Ominai Baloma was the mastermind behind a plot to wipe out tens or hundreds of billions in an entire dimension. After pulling that off, even in anonymous votes, it wasn't surprising if his own party mates cut him loose entirely. Trying to defend him half-heartedly would just get you dragged down too—it was obvious.
"...Other big shots must be tangled up in this."
Still, to Kim Jian's mind, something felt off about how the arrest consent bill passed. For one, every single member of Ominai Baloma's own ruling party had voted yes, signaling a clean break. Like they were all marching in lockstep to some colossal figure's command.
"With all those factions, is it normal for them to align this perfectly?"
Having grown familiar with Dimension 6-2's political scene, Kim Jian found the whole thing unnaturally synchronized. Sure, Ominai had taken point on the broadcast kidnapping plot, but looking back now, Kim Jian had a hunch there might be bigger fish behind him. Hell, Ominai could just be the tip of a massive iceberg.
"...Not my problem, though."
A regular banker like him pondering it wouldn't change a thing, so Kim Jian set the paper aside and flopped back onto the bed.
"Yawwwn..."
As he lay there, the spirits resting in a tiny forest by the window drifted over to join him.
"Hey, yeah, come here."
Smaller than their original forms, these spirits—now inhabiting furniture and crafts made from the World Tree—filled Kim Jian's lonely bachelor pad with endless cuteness and charm. The wind spirit, like a fluffy ball of fur, climbed onto his chest, flattening its sticky-rice-cake body for a nap. Next to it, the earth spirit rolled around like a ceramic bead. Hovering in the air were the water and fire spirits, tracing elegant oval paths above his head with their gemstone-carved beauty.
Whoooosh—
The gentle sea breeze from the window, mingled with the spirits' aura, began washing away the fatigue, toxins, and stress built up in Kim Jian's body. A soothing sensation like resting in Dimension 33's lush wilderness. The kind of attention and affection from spirits that only ancient elves of the World Tree could normally enjoy was now bestowed on one human. Just closing his eyes melted away all worries, clearing his mind in a mystical haze. Lately, this had been a big factor in his peak performance at work.
"Ahh... weekends are the best."
Kim Jian floated in blissful disbelief at this rare downtime, eyes shut, a rapturous smile on his lips. It had been months working at the Kikiwai Multidimensional Branch, but he'd never had a weekend morning this relaxed since arriving on the island.
"How long's it been since I actually rested? Ha..."
Recalling the grueling days past, he sank into thought. After weekdays, weekends meant rising early to study new job types he'd never encountered at the West Podoks Branch—or prepping for trips, cramming other dimensions' lore.
"......"
Especially after that Dimension 33 business trip, he'd keenly felt his gaps and devoured materials on environments, races, cultures across dimensions. His smooth dealings with the 0.1 dimension folk stemmed from that diligent prep post-trip.
"Wasn't for nothing."
Under Elama—who drove people to their limits with creative problem-solving beyond a banker's scope—Kim Jian hadn't broken because of this groundwork. Back in art school, he'd analyzed weaknesses and drilled relentlessly to improve. That drive hadn't changed. Leaving Earth (Dimension 3-1) for this unfamiliar world, adapting seamlessly and topping trainee camp? All thanks to innate diligence.
But that lifestyle weighed heavy on him.
"Ugh, why am I so wiped."
Drowsiness crashed back. Even on days off, he'd never fully unwound—now, after so long without real rest, his body rebelled against getting up.
"Nngh..."
No energy. Burnout... hit me hard.
Life at Kikiwai wasn't the paradise other branches imagined. Kim Jian was constantly pushed beyond capacity. Luckily, he'd nailed every loan so far. Processes were always dicey, though—and nothing guaranteed smooth sailing forever. Even with spirits aiding recovery, two weekend days barely scratched the surface of his exhaustion.
"Maybe take some leave..."
This break was thanks to Elama's "insistence." He'd planned to study as usual, but Elama threatened him to drop work thoughts and rest. 'Skip this, and I'll make sure you rest forever.' Like telling a suicidal person to quit or he'd finish the job. Classic tsundere? He even okayed a couple extra days off, so defying the boss wasn't an option—hence this rare lounge.
"With results in, one day off... should be fine, right?"
Colossus Robotics had crowdfunded and shopped-at-home enough to mass-produce Colossus Mark 2s, winning the war. Lump-sum repayment? Expected. The Dimensional Credit Vault, which backed them extra, scored massive interest plus sponsor perks: limited editions with bank logos on the armor. Auction those to collectors, and profits would top loan interest. Plus, Nanoi free of cosmic threats meant prior loans repaid on schedule—straight to Kikiwai's books, especially Kim Jian's, since his idea to gamify the war for funds.
Elama knew he'd barely slept through it all.
"...One more day."
Elama greenlit through Tuesday, but four straight (Sat-Mon-Tue) risked dulling his edge. Three days max, he decided, burying his face in the pillow.
Ding-dong! Delivery!
And not three seconds later, the doorbell rang.
"What now? Lemme sleep, seriously..."
Scratching his head, Kim Jian fetched the package, checked the sender.
"Dr. Sau?"
Confirming it was from Levi Sau, he hauled the box inside and tore it open.
"...Whoa."
He lifted the unexpected contents, gasping in awe.
"Insane."
Pent-up fatigue vanished in an instant.
The Dimensional Credit Vault, Great Huuriten's (Dimension 6-2) colossal bank. Among all branches, Kikiwai Multidimensional Branch rivaled Linden HQ as the hottest career path. Its staff—minus two deputy managers—were top operatives from the bank's three factions. They kept a loose collab for branch results, but factions guD (Elama's harmony-pushers aside) eyed supremacy ruthlessly. Thus, pre- and post-hours without clients buzzed with tension.
Daily lobby snipes between Elama and the other two managers escalated to curses.
"Fighting again."
"Ignore 'em. Not our first rodeo."
Watching the veteran trio at each other's throats, Kim Jian and Isaac rushed end-of-day prep. Quick cash checks and chores done, they tossed casual goodbyes and bolted with bags.
"Aw... was gonna give him candy..."
The branch's sole teller, Pluto, retracted her candy-offering hand.
"Sigh..."
Eyeing the deputies vanish into staff corridors, she sighed softly.
Poof! Pop!
Recalling her power, her idle clones—watching the main body from afar—dissolved into pink mist.
"Good work! Heading out! Byeee!"
Pluto hollered teasingly at Elama in her usual playful tone and headed for the corridor.
Thwack!
A flying binder from behind—but she ducked casually, expecting it.
"Yesss, outta here...!"
Finally outside, Pluto stretched cat-like, pink bob swaying in the sea breeze. Eye-catching enough to draw stares. Her smile evoked a spectrum of emotions in beholders. Clients—male or female—zoned out facing her or her clones at the counter. Even complainers softened, murmuring through consultations without scowls. Despite her casual banmal (unfamiliar with polite speech), few could explain it. Probably only branch manager Elama—who hired her—or her family.
"Yawn. Hit the market later?"
Pluto ignored the gazes. She lived free as always. No polite speech ever. Clones roamed dimensions chasing fun. Now too: clones handled clients, swapped for shopping sprees or cafe sweets when stress built. Shared memories/emotions let her defy time/space. Rich family, vast influence. Her life? Pure "do what I want." Except... banking.
Her big sis forced idle-homebody Pluto into "economic activity," landing her this non-regular teller gig. Not fun at first, but now? Earning her own cash for treats brought new joys.
"I'm home."
Bus to her two-room rental. Foodie at heart, her market picks were fresh and prime. Post-work cooking was her simple delight. Months independent, no boredom in home-cooked meals.
"Hum de dum~"
Whistling, veggies into fridge, she changed in her room.
"Place is a mess."
Unannounced guest. Pluto faced the short-white-haired beauty waiting inside—no fluster, just chat. Family face, seen endlessly over eons.
"What? Text if you're coming."
The eyepatch woman: Dimensional Credit Vault president.
"Okerus sis."
Pluto Dis Pater's sole kin: Okerus Dis Pater. Big sister.