After gaining the 'Witch's Philanthropy' ability, a new entry quietly appeared on each Witch's interface: Affection Level.
Affection Level also had different tiers:
5 points: Acquaintance
10 points: Regular Friend
20 points: Good Friend
30 points: Bestie
40 points: Confidant
50 points: Soulmate
As for anything higher...
It was either not yet unlocked, or for some other reason, but for now, it was empty.
If Kuchiha and a certain Witch's Affection Level could simultaneously reach 10 points, the task might be completed.
However, this Affection Level was not easy to gain.
For example, if Witch A liked Witch B, then Witch A would have a high Affection Level for Witch B.
But this did not mean Witch B also liked Witch A; Witch B might have a very low Affection Level for Witch A.
Just now, Zoya had rescued her, and Kuchiha was grateful, so her Affection Level for Zoya became 1.
Zoya, because she saved Kuchiha, also developed an Affection Level of 1 for her.
Perhaps it was due to her past as a soldier? Did she instinctively develop affection for those she protected?
Later, Kuchiha opened the Rabbit Hole and led them out of danger, increasing Zoya's Affection Level for Kuchiha to 2.
Of course, Kuchiha was not idle either.
When Zoya carried her under her arm to safety, Kuchiha's Affection Level for Zoya also became 2.
There was also Billie; because she provided the Council Sanctuary as a venue, the other three Witches each owed her a favor.
Kuchiha, Zoya, and Goluthos, the three Witches each developed two points of Affection Level for Billie.
And the one point of Affection Level Kuchiha gained from helping Goluthos escape the trash can just now.
Calculating this, the current Affection Levels are:
Billie's Affection Level for Kuchiha is 0, for Zoya is 0, and for Goluthos is 0.
Zoya's Affection Level for Kuchiha is 2, for Billie is 2, and for Goluthos is 0.
Goluthos's Affection Level for Kuchiha is 1, for Billie is 2, and for Zoya is 0.
As for Kuchiha, whose Affection Level was related to the task progress, her Affection Level for Billie is 2, for Zoya is 2, and for Goluthos is 0.
Serie had to find a way to make Kuchiha and any other Witch reach 10 points in their mutual Affection Level.
As for who to choose?
Serie immediately set her sights on Zoya.
After all, the two had just fought side-by-side.
Kuchiha had 2 points for Zoya, and Zoya also had 2 points for Kuchiha, which was a very good emotional foundation.
Kuchiha's heart was also pounding.
She had a good impression of this Witch clone who saved her, and like Serie's main body, she felt Zoya was very reliable.
But Zoya's reaction showed a hint of detachment.
Perhaps it was the gap brought by a nearly century-long age difference?
Or perhaps her past experiences made her instinctively resist getting close to young girls?
Serie could feel an uncomfortableness that came from nowhere.
She could only temporarily give up.
One could only say that she initially thought this matter was a bit simple—thinking that since they were all her clones, making friends with each other would be a piece of cake?
But reality was completely different.
Serie felt like a sea current trying to merge into different riverbeds, but each 'Witch' riverbed's depth, twists, likes, and dislikes were completely different, forcing the water flow to change shape and even take on different scents.
Of course, if she truly set her mind to it, she could force a certain Witch clone to do something she disliked.
After all, they were all herself; forcing herself to do something against her will was commonplace.
Like holding her nose to drink bitter medicine, or biting the bullet to make awkward small talk with unfamiliar relatives.
It could be done, but it wasn't necessary.
She then looked at the other Witches.
Kuchiha felt a bit conflicted about Billie.
On one hand, Billie's small face was indeed very bright and beautiful.
Her charm level was the highest among the Witches, a full A-rank, comparable to Serie's main body; if she were thrown into the entertainment industry, she could probably dominate, and coupled with her family being very wealthy, she was a true rich, beautiful, and fair lady, the dream lover of countless men and women.
But Billie's personality... made Kuchiha a little intimidated.
Her type, who quietly read books, could not handle Billie's headstrong, friend-gathering, social terror vibe.
Billie's fearless, rebellious aura even vaguely reminded Kuchiha of Moshi.
If Billie hadn't dropped out of school early due to her parents' experiments, she would probably have been a dangerous yet charming campus belle.
As for Billie's feelings for Kuchiha? She was basically in a state of 'can't be bothered to deal with her'.
At her age, she was exactly at the stage of looking down on younger kids.
Seeing a goodie-two-shoes bookworm like Kuchiha was probably like looking at an inconspicuous pebble by the roadside.
However, Billie's occasional glances at Zoya revealed a hint of subtle interest.
Her gaze would occasionally linger on the collar of Zoya's half-melted, solidified clothes, sweep over the exposed collarbone lines, then quickly move away, and then glance at her fair neck, which rose and fell as she swallowed her drink.
Finally, there was Goluthos.
This one's thoughts were the simplest; her eyes only held a craving for food.
Kuchiha was initially a bit apprehensive when she met those eyes.
She glimpsed a half-bucket of popcorn, God knows how old, on a nearby wooden box, hesitated for a moment, and tentatively offered it, like feeding a small rabbit.
Goluthos's eyes lit up, and she immediately leaned over, chewing with a crunching sound.
[Gained 0.01 Gluttony Count]
[Goluthos's Affection Level for Kuchiha + 1]
[Kuchiha's Affection Level for Goluthos + 1]
Kuchiha's heart relaxed, and watching the other party eat so intently, she couldn't help but reach out and carefully stroke Goluthos's little head.
A simple sense of joy spread in her heart.
Goluthos also didn't mind at all what others did to her while she was eating.
Almost simultaneously, Goluthos's Affection Level for Kuchiha quietly increased by 1 again.
Kuchiha's Affection Level for Goluthos also increased by 1.
Serie's hanging heart finally settled back into her chest.
Thankfully, there was at least one easy-going Witch.
She should have thought of it earlier—Kuchiha, who liked small animals, would naturally feel close to Goluthos, this 'humanoid little monster'.
As for Goluthos? She would be close to whoever gave her good food.
Watching Kuchiha and Goluthos's relationship slowly warm up, Serie didn't let the other two remain idle either.
After all, the increase in Affection Level between Witches brought more than just a good mood—it was directly related to strength improvement and rewards.
Serie wished they were all as close as sisters, looking at each other with eyes full of affection.
Zoya finished her last gulp of wine and pulled out a charred cigarette case from her pocket.
She glanced at the two clearly underage Witches beside her, said nothing, and got up to walk to a secluded corner of the factory.
One of the underage Witches, Billie, rolled her eyes and followed her.
She watched Zoya open the cigarette case, inside which lay a few equally charred cigarettes.
As Zoya's brow furrowed with a hint of vexation, Billie leaned in, lowering her voice with a touch of mystery: "Come with me, I know where there's something that can make you happy."
Thus, the four Witch clones controlled by Serie formed two groups.
It was also thanks to her sufficiently strong mental power, otherwise, she would truly develop a split personality...
Or rather, Serie, who made herself friends with herself, could actually be considered a severe case...
But this was also quite good.
Serie was now alone in this world; Lynette could only be considered half an ally and could not be fully trusted.
Her true ally... was only herself.
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