By the time Himeko finished the introductions and Anna learned that March 7th and Fu Hua were also Su Mu's wives, her pupils constricted. Her face instantly mirrored the same shock and bewilderment Misaki had shown when she first heard the news. Her lips parted as if to speak, clearly shaken by a relationship dynamic that defied her understanding.
However, seeing that everyone else took it as a matter of course and remained perfectly composed, she realized that as a newly arrived tenant—an outsider—it wasn't her place to pry. She swallowed her questions, casting her gaze downward to hide her surprise, appearing even more reserved than before.
The time that followed flowed gently within the warm atmosphere of Misaki's home.
The dining table was laden with home-cooked dishes, their aromas filling the air. As they ate, they chatted about apartment trivia and fragmented pieces of Anna's past. Misaki's culinary skills were grounded and comforting; after taking a few bites, Su Mu didn't hold back his praise, his tone sincere.
This appreciation clearly delighted Misaki. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and a smile touched her eyes. By checking the status panel, Su Mu noted that Misaki's favorability had surpassed 40 points—a tangible sign of positive progress.
In contrast, Anna's favorability was only in the low 20s, the lowest among the group.
Su Mu understood why. Beyond the fact that they were strangers, she was still reeling from the pain of losing her husband and seeing her friends and neighbors slaughtered. The shadow in her heart had not yet dissipated, leaving her somewhat detached and guarded toward her new surroundings.
Sure enough, just after lunch, Anna stood up and bowed deeply to the group. Her voice carried a mix of pleading and grim resolve. "My Lords, thank you for your hospitality. I... I would like to take my leave now. I need to bury my family and the people of my village."
"In that case, we'll go with you to help," Su Mu suggested, glancing at Misaki, who was busy clearing the table, and then at Yui, before turning back to Anna.
"This... this would be far too much trouble for you all..." Anna instinctively tried to refuse, her hands clutching the hem of her clothes in an anxious grip. She had already received so much help that her heart was heavy with guilt; she truly didn't want to be a further burden.
"But how can you manage it alone?" Su Mu shook his head gently, his tone pragmatic. "Besides, with so many bodies, a traditional burial is not a wise choice. Given the environment of your world, buried corpses run the risk of turning into undead monsters like zombies or skeletons. That would only leave a lingering threat. Cremation is the safest and most stable way."
"I..." Anna bit her lower lip, her teeth leaving a faint red mark as she struggled with her inner conflict.
On one hand, she knew she couldn't handle the funeral rites alone; on the other, she had a fierce desire not to owe anyone more. Ultimately, looking into the sincere eyes of Su Mu and the others, she finally relented and nodded slowly. "Then... I shall trouble you, My Lords."
"There's no need to be so formal," Su Mu said with a warm, steady smile. "As the Apartment Manager, fulfilling the reasonable requests of my tenants is part of my duty. Besides, in the future, we might need your help as well. Accept this with a clear heart, live well in the apartment, and focus on getting stronger."
"Yes! I will definitely work hard!" A light flickered in Anna's eyes, and she nodded vigorously. The pain of her loss remained, but this sudden kindness gave her a glimmer of hope amidst her despair.
"If it's to help, we can lend a hand too..." Misaki said, drying her hands as she walked out of the kitchen with a look of concern.
"That won't be necessary, Misaki-san," Su Mu interjected. "Anna-san comes from another world—a so-called 'Otherworld.' Currently, only the few of us can travel there."
"An Otherworld?!" Yui's voice rang out instantly, her eyes sparkling with curiosity as she fixed her gaze on Anna.
No wonder she had thought Anna's clothes were so strange. In this day and age, no matter how poor a person was, they wouldn't wear such coarse, homespun hemp. She was a tenant from another world!
This realization filled Yui with a sense of longing. She wondered to herself: What is an otherworld like? Is it full of adventures like the stories say? It's a pity I can't go see for myself... Yui suppressed her excitement and regret, choosing not to voice her thoughts as she stood obediently to the side.
"I see..." A flash of surprise crossed Misaki's eyes, but she didn't pry. Instead, she asked, "Is there anything else we can help with, then?"
"Yes," Su Mu nodded, organizing his thoughts. "Once Anna's affairs are settled, I want you, Yui, and Anna to form a team and go out hunting. With your current strength, dealing with F-rank monsters shouldn't be an issue. Moreover, by using the apartment's hunting function, you can return instantly if you encounter any danger."
"Alright, leave it to us," Misaki agreed immediately. Then, as if realizing something, her cheeks turned a faint shade of pink and she whispered shyly, "Um... come back soon."
"Mm," Su Mu acknowledged. He then turned to Anna. "Anna-san, let's head out now."
"Ah... yes, of course!" Anna seemed to have been lost in thought. Startled by Su Mu's voice, she quickly snapped back to attention and nodded. She turned and activated the world portal, returning to her own world.
She had been dwelling on the way Su Mu called her "Anna-san"—a term of address that felt so familiar and kind. For the first time since the massacre, the cold loneliness in her heart felt a little less heavy. Perhaps, she thought, this place really could become her new home.
As soon as Anna's figure vanished, Himeko pulled up the apartment panel and clicked the "Otherworld Exploration" option. Her body was instantly enveloped in a soft light, and a moment later, she arrived in Anna's world.
Su Mu immediately activated his talent, swapping places with Himeko. He then summoned March 7th, Himeko, and Fu Hua to his side in succession. The four of them were quickly assembled.
To perform a mass cremation, fire was the central requirement.
Su Mu had initially thought about buying gasoline from the apartment store, but as his gaze swept over the ruins of the village, he dismissed the idea. The village was of considerable size; between the villagers and the soldiers, there were over a hundred bodies. The amount of gasoline required would be astronomical. Based on the purchasing power of gold coins, it would likely cost thousands, if not tens of thousands.
Rather than wasting a fortune in gold, it would be better to use... a clone.
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