Chương 62: Chapter 61

After Nina ensured that the personas had fully understood the situation, she did not allow them to remain in the conscious state. Instead, she forcibly sent them back into the subconscious state. Even though Lily wailed and begged to see the paintings in person, she still could not resist Nina's command. After watching them disappear one by one, Nina returned to the conscious state. Slowly but swiftly, she began moving all the paintings into a separate room before closing the door.

Even though the personas were no longer present, Nina created a rule that none of them would be allowed to open this door. These paintings were her secret. Even if they had seen them through her memories, she would rather have them experience them secondhand than face them directly. After finishing, the system descended to see the host. Seeing Nina's sudden actions, it opened its mouth.

"Host""Is there something you need, System." The system paused.

"You do understand that this place will soon no longer be available to you."

"I know. There are about two months left, right?"

"Yes. At the end of the year, this place will cease to exist." The system glanced toward the closed door that held the paintings.

"You should decide whether or not you wish to remove those. If they remain here when the agreement ends, they will be discarded."

"Understood." The system looked at Nina slightly.

"Are you not going to ask me to hold them for you?"

"No." Nina looked away.

"There must be a way in this world to store things like this."

"I suppose."

"And I cannot always rely on you." The system remained silent for a moment.

"You do not need to leave immediately. However, what I can do is delay taking the money you have earned during the following days." Nina looked toward the system. Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

"But I still have 470 silver pieces that you have not taken yet. I should be fine." The system stared at her before shaking its head.

"No." Nina looked confused.

"You should build a storefront."

"Just having a shabby stand makes things more difficult. If you have a storefront, you will be able to attract more customers. You will also have a place to stay."

"That does not sound great." Nina lowered her eyes.

"The outside world is filled with danger right now. This system home protects me from that danger. Why would I give it up?"

"That is true, but..."

"I understand. You do not need to explain." Nina stopped the system.

"Everything must come to an end."

"Over a matter of cause and effect."

"Yes." The system looked at Nina.

"You truly do understand, host." A brief silence followed.

"What have you been doing during your absence?"

"Oh, you noticed?" The system questioned lightly.

"I did."

"Nothing much. I merely investigated a few things."

"The sources from which the divergence points came?"

"You could say that."

"I see." The system paused.

"Did you speak with your personas?"

"I did."

"How was the meeting?"

"They were energetic as always," Nina stated. Turning away from the area, Nina began walking back toward her bed. It was still nighttime. Just as she was about to open the door, she stopped and called out once again.

"Hey, system."

"Hm?"

"... Thanks." The system paused.

"For what reason are you thanking me?"

"You did not allow them to experience the loneliness that I experienced. You did not leave them trapped for days without understanding what happened." The system became silent. As the host opened her bedroom door and walked toward her bed, the system watched her quietly. Just as Nina was about to shut down her body completely, the system finally responded.

"You're welcome." After saying that, the system departed once again. … A month had passed. Following the system's advice, and with some assistance from Mr. Hemmensway, Nina was able to find a suitable building for her store. It was located in a stable area of the commoners' district. It was close enough to the slums that the people she had originally done business with could still reach her shop without difficulty, but far enough away that nobles who needed her services would not hesitate to visit. With Mr.

Hemmensway's connections, Nina was able to purchase the building at a reasonable price. After moving in, the reputation of "Can't Make It, But I Can" began spreading once again through word of mouth. People from the commoners' district started noticing something unusual. Some days, nobles would enter the shop. Other days, people from the slums would walk through the same doors. Yet regardless of their status, everyone who entered was treated with the same level of respect.

This quickly changed how people viewed the store. The commoners saw that even nobles were willing to visit Nina's business, while the nobles saw that the store maintained a level of professionalism despite serving customers from all backgrounds. Slowly, the shop became known throughout the district.

"Can't Make It, But I Can" was no longer just a small stand. It had become an established business.