(Closing the diary)
(Sigh)
Vicente didn't know what to say about his current situation.
He first looked at the records left behind by the previous artifact spirit, then at the progress bar floating before him, which had already reached 99%.
After a moment, he put the diary away.
As written in those records, the previous spirit had been completely refined within him — in a way he still didn't fully understand.
With its disappearance, a new spirit was being generated.
An artifact of this level could not exist without an administrator.
Even though such an existence wasn't strictly necessary at the moment, Vicente was already preparing for the distant future. When he was cultivating, training, or simply busy, it was always better to rely on someone of his own rather than an outsider.
And that someone would be a new spirit.
Just like a blank sheet of paper.
It would grow alongside the artifact's rank and his own strength. Many trivial and tedious tasks could be delegated to it. Yes — and he had already configured its appearance.
A little girl with long pink hair, blue eyes, and white wings like an angel. A small pink dress completed the image.
Her personality would be cheerful and lively — a girl who wouldn't let anything get her down, always smiling.
Of course, she would be a self-aware being. She could feel sadness, anger, or pain. But it would be difficult to see her fall.
Even so, Vicente himself still possessed all the emotions of an ordinary human.
She would become the mascot of the Supreme Store.
Whenever customers entered with familiarity, they would see that little chibi version smiling at them.
They would feel that cuteness.
And yes — one of her main tasks would be to be cute.
However, the real reason Vicente chose to create a spirit now was different.
He didn't cultivate.
He was just a normal person.
Even after fusing with the artifact, he felt like a paraplegic — he knew his legs were there, but he couldn't use them yet.
In the early stages of his growth, he would need her help to operate the store.
If it had been the ancient spirit, he might have worried about betrayal. But this new spirit…
He would be her creator.
Still, to prevent any unforeseen issues, he embedded absolute loyalty as the fundamental rule during her creation.
For a brief moment, Vicente felt guilty.
Forcing a living being — one with no choice — to serve him forever didn't feel right.
But then he remembered:
This artifact was part of him.
In some sense, this spirit could be considered a clone.
Not exactly… but close enough.
The guilt disappeared.
To serve him was, in a way, to serve herself.
Extremely reasonable.
These thoughts felt long, but in reality, they lasted only an instant.
The progress bar silently rose to 100%.
Then—
BOOM — BOOM — BOOM
Fireworks exploded throughout the white space.
An egg-like sphere of light appeared at the center of the room and began to crack.
From inside it, a small girl emerged.
She was so tiny she could fit in the palm of his hand. White wings, long straight hair, and an exquisitely delicate face.
She was simply—
CUTE.
Cuteness was an eternal supremacy.
Vicente's efforts had not been in vain.
Just like creating a character at the start of a game, he had adjusted every detail to what he personally found the cutest.
And he had succeeded.
He decided to name her himself.
Her name would be Eliel.
Her nickname: Ellie.
The name came from an RPG character he had played in the past.
The system for creating a spirit was remarkably similar to that game.
He missed those days.
As that thought passed, cheerful music filled the space.
Confetti and fireworks continued to explode, and large glowing letters appeared in the air:
ELIEL — BIRTH OF THE ARTIFACT SPIRIT
Their little pink angel had been born.
"Hello, Ellie. You already know about our situation, right?" Vicente said.
Before he could finish speaking, he stepped forward and gently picked her up.
Using his authority over the space, he increased her size until she was large enough to hug. He simulated a physical body and pulled her close, squeezing her tightly.
He took a deep breath.
She smelled like roses.
(Ellie's eyes widened in shock.)
Eliel, who had only just been born, froze for a moment — then slowly returned the hug.
She understood.
He was her master.
And also her destiny.
After a warm, comfortable embrace, Vicente gently let her go.
Eliel extended her hand.
"Hello, my dear master… or creator. As you know, I don't need much introduction, since I was born from you. I only hope you will take good care of me from now on."
Vicente carefully took her hand.
"Of course I will. Our fates are bound together. And I would never let someone so cute go hungry or be treated poorly."
Cute things were one of the few things that genuinely made him happy.
An unclear, yet undeniable truth:
Cuteness is justice.
"So, my dear and precious Ellie," Vicente continued, "could you explain our current situation to me once more?"
"But this time… please make it simple. And include anything that wasn't recorded by the previous spirit."
Ellie smiled and nodded.
"Of course. With pleasure, my honorable master."
(End of Chapter)
Author's Note:
The spirit's original name is Eliel, but I personally prefer the nickname Ellie because it sounds cuter.
If this explanation felt a little strange, please be patient with the author — this chapter was modified to clarify that point. Thank you for reading.