Idol Daughter's Dimensional Group Chat

--- Kakashi Hatake's POV ---

"But still, sorry for everything..." she said, her voice soft yet sincere. The smile on her face was radiant, drawing the attention of the entire group. It was the kind of smile that could silence a room, heartfelt and genuine. Even though I had already told her I didn't blame her...

Her eyes were different now—bright and clear, no longer shadowed by doubt or regret. It was as if a clouded star had suddenly burst to life, pushing away all the darkness. For the first time, she looked like she had found something precious: freedom.

I had assumed she was frustrated about not getting a Vision, but it turned out she had been weighed down by guilt over things I'd consider trivial. The first thought that crossed my mind was, So she can make that kind of face too. 

What a surprise. She could be... cute. Like a child, even.

We were captivated with her smile until something shone briefly on her hand. This feeling... Ha ha, this is also familiar, after all I also happen to obtain it just yesterday. A Vision, a manifestation of your ambition.

It felt strange. The composed, almost mature image I had of the admin was now replaced by this vulnerable, endearing side of her. But in that moment, I realized something important.

She wasn't some higher celestial being or a God. She was human, just like the rest of us.

"I suppose this is enough adventure for today."

-POV end-

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World Suspension.

In a realm where time itself grinds to a halt, the very essence of its passage becomes a distant memory. The natural flow of energy ceases, leaving everything—every person, every creature—frozen in place, trapped in a motionless void. They remain powerless, caught in an eternal moment, unable to act or break free from time's unyielding grip.

But within this stillness, a few beings remain conscious. Among them, only the oldest and most powerful spirits—those with unmatched wisdom and experience—can defy the frozen reality. These ancient entities, deeply attuned to the spiritual fabric of existence, can move and even influence the stilled world around them.

In the heart of this frozen domain, a lone figure muttered to himself. "Noisy..."

He stood tall, a strikingly handsome man with blood-red eyes and wavy, flame-like hair the color of deep rouge. At first glance, no one would suspect him to be the Red Primordial Demon, the "Mediator" of the Cardinal World—Guy Crimson.

"GAAAH! HOW CAN YOU BE SO CALM, GUY?! THIS IS BORING AS HELL-NODAAA!!!"

The voice belonged to a young dragonoid, her platinum-pink hair tied in twin tails that bounced with her every exaggerated movement. Her outfit could only be described as "skimpy," and her energetic presence was as loud as her words. She was Milim Nava, the ever-lively Demon Lord.

"How much longer is Velzard going to take with her investigation?!" she whined, her frustration evident.

"You could always call her yourself," Guy replied, his tone calm and unbothered.

"Kuuu—! Maybe I should just go see Ramiris-nanoda..." she huffed, crossing her arms.

Their exchange was almost comical, the tension of the still world broken by their banter. But then—suddenly—the air shifted.

The once stagnant magicules began to stir, a subtle yet undeniable sign.

"!!!"

Milim was the first to notice. "It's over!!!" she cried, her eyes lighting up as she dashed for the exit. Like a child finally released from a long punishment, she bolted to the outside world.

Beyond the Frost Palace, the still snow began to fall once more, and the world around them stirred back to life. Thus, the Time Suspension had lifted, and with it, the frozen reality was no more.

Meanwhile, somewhere deep in the Great Jura Forrest, a certain slime is transported once more into his reincarnated world. He shifted back into his humanoid form and brought a rectangular-shaped object near his face.

"I'm finally back..."

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--- Amethyst Hoshino's POV ---

Chirp, chirp.

Birdsong floated in through the window, filling my room with its soft melody. The walls, painted in a gentle pink, reflected the morning light. My hair, a tangled mess from sleep, brushed against my cheeks, making them itch. Ugh, irritating. I groaned and shifted under the covers. Time to get up. A bath sounded like heaven.

As I sat up, the memories of yesterday's quest hit me like a tidal wave. The exhaustion had been unreal. I barely managed to stagger home before collapsing face-first onto my bed, armor and all. No energy to even change.

After that ordeal? I deserve a month off—minimum. No quests, no tasks. Just peace and quiet.

Except, somehow, I'd slept through all of Saturday.

Ding.

A soft chime interrupted my thoughts, and a translucent screen appeared before me, hovering in the air.

[I see you've finally woken up.]

The system's message blinked at me, its once-silent presence now accompanied by an actual voice.

[Feeling better? Or are you planning to collapse again?]

"First of all, I didn't collapse. I slept," I muttered, rubbing my eyes. I'd ignored it yesterday because, honestly, who had the energy to talk after that mission? But now that I was awake...

"What exactly are you?" That was the first thing out of my mouth.

The system responded with another chime.

[It's me. You know, the one who helped you reincarnate?]

I blinked. The fog of sleep cleared, and I frowned. "Wait, you're... 'Death'? But you're—"

The image of him flashed in my mind: a man dressed like an aristocrat from another era, with sharp eyes and a commanding presence. Something didn't add up. His tone now was completely different, more casual, almost playful.

[Ah, him. No, no. That guy? He's not me. We've never actually met in person. Every interaction you've had has been through this system interface.]

"What are you talking about?" I asked, confused. "Then who was that man?"

[Just a nuisance. Someone I've been trying to kick out of the system for a while now.]

A... nuisance?

[Yes. Forget him. He's nothing but a pest. Listen, I'm the only one you can trust. Even if other Admins show up, they won't harm you. But you must trust me above all. Got it?]

The more the system explained, the less sense it made. Who was that man, then? The one who gave me this second chance? Who was really in charge here?

Ding.

[Individual Quest: Trust only me.]

[Prelisted Rewards: Exemption from the Seventh Awakening.]

[Yes] [No]

It even came with a reward.

I stared at the glowing options. My instincts screamed caution, but the promise of more power... well, that was tempting. Trusting people without needing to pry into their minds was something I had been working on. Maybe this was another step.

Hesitantly, I lifted my hand and tapped Yes.

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To be continued