[Author's Note A/N: Forgot the upload time is now earlier by one hour due to daylight savings, but as always enjoy š¤āØ]
Meanwhile, even as Sally's thoughts circled round and roundā¦ Bob was also mentally replaying recent events, even as heā¦ frowned.
Everything had gone to plan. His [Flawless Perception, Flawless Judgement] Ability had kicked in, and he had done what he believed was best at the time, taking into account all the foreseeable factorsā¦
He had, in keeping with his goal of Preserving Possibility, and aiming for Win-Wins, engaged his [True Multiple Projection] Darken Mysterius to extract Itvasme, who was clearly in desperate danger, and also reciprocated Sally's support and Intention to Save and Protect in the process.
Yet, there had been a strange feeling, even as he seemed to successfully see off the Secret Island Saga. Why did it feel like he had missed something?!?! -Something that feltā¦ somehowā¦ important??
Eh. Then again. Bob reflected, as he engaged and then exited his [Expanded Awareness]. Knowing Author, It was probably because it was built into the Story!
It's probably because I'm not (yet) fully OP, Bob figured, even as he went back to his usual Rizz training, and promptly stopped thinking too much about it for now.
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*Secret Island Underground Network, Post-Central Convenience Store Collapse*
Itvasme *gasps* as she glances up at the Dark and Mysterious eyesā¦
"Y-you saved me? W-Why? W-Who are you?"
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Darken Mysterius sighs from behind his mask which has been worn to add more mystery and drama to his complex character.
"Well, yes, you were quite bad in that Showdown... but at the same time, Author explained that he couldn't kill you off... he allegedly claims that it's because you're a good source of Powerstones, and the esteemed readers would riot if you didn't make it."
Oh.
"I-I don't know what you're talking about!"
Yet another new addition to the steadily growing cast of Audience Members, Indiana Niall, or 'Indy' for short promptly denied Author's assertion, even as he clutched his limited edition Grand Dark Rizzard Itvasme figurine - yes, that's right, the one with the limited edition Dark Rizzard's Cloak and Dark Rizzard's Wand and which may or may not be on sale right now on the website!!! - closer to his chest, and tossed over some more Powerstonesā¦ š¤āØ (Thank you for your contribution! āØš„šš»)
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*A few minutes earlier*
Oh. Itvasme had very gradually calmed down even as she was swiftly extracted from the EVP Blueprint HQ in the arms of this total stranger.
Okay. So she was alive. Not isekai-ed, or at least it didn't seem like it. At the same time, it was actually kind ofā¦ comfortable. She surreptitiously flushed, as she felt kind ofā¦ good?! being carried like a princess in these arms by this cool, mysterious personā¦
Hehehe.
"What was that? Itvasme, are you all right?" The kind, yet strong voice asks from behind the mask.
Itvasme decides to continue to feign weakness, since it's really comfortable and she quite likes the feeling, like being weightless and being carried, as if in a dreamā¦
Subconsciously, without fully realizing, she latches onto the strong arms a bit more closely, and snuggles a little more into the sense of safety that she feelsā¦
"ā¦"
"ā¦"
*smooth sounds of Darken escaping swiftly with Itvasme in his arms.*
All right. That's it.
Itvasme gradually feels herself being gently laid down on a bed and propped up with pillows.
Mmmā¦ Comfortable. But she kind of misses the warmth, the comforting rhythm and sensations of being carried. Oh well.
She opens her eyes.
And thenā¦
Itvasme *gasps* as she glances up at the Dark and Mysterious eyes.Ā
"Y-you saved me? W-Why? W-Who are you?"
She murmursā¦
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