NIKKE: Max Bonded but System Gone

The afternoon passed in the blink of an eye.

When the constant sky went dark, and the lights of the forward base flickered on, Green finally raised his hand to rub his dizzy forehead and sat up from the sofa.

"Client, are you awake?"

"Would you like a cup of hangover tea?"

Fresh from her bath, Dora brought Green a cup of hangover tea.

Green took the fragrant tea and looked at it in surprise. "Is this really tea from authentic leaves?"

"Of course, it's the real deal."

Dolla sat beside Green. She grabbed a hair tie from the sofa, pulled her long black hair into a ponytail, and smiled as she asked, "Mr. Green, haven't you ever had tea before?"

"It's not that. Yang offered me some once."

Green took a small sip from the cup. He wasn't fond of tea, but compared to the bitter and harsh "coffee" produced in the Ark, this was like a refreshing rain after a long drought.

"Ah… No wonder the aristocrats in the Ark are so fond of tea. After just one sip, I feel like my soul has been uplifted."

"Heh, that's how it should be. After all, it's a carefully selected fine tea. Only someone like you, sir, would deserve to taste it."

"Speaking of which, this tea must be quite expensive, right?"

Dolla gazed at Green's handsome profile with slightly raised eyebrows. After a moment, she smiled proudly. "It is quite expensive. A single pack of this tea, if sold to the nobles of the Ark, could fetch at least 200,000 credit points."

"200,000?"

Hearing this, Green, who had been savoring the tea, suddenly froze. So, one sip of tea had cost him 200,000 credit points?

Seeing Green's slightly hesitant expression, Dolla couldn't help but chuckle. "The tea is indeed expensive, but compared to you, this cup of tea is worth less than one ten-thousandth of your value to me."

"Dolla… thank you."

"No need to thank me, Mr. Green. As long as you continue to shine in the central government, that's the greatest help for someone like me, a Nikke."

Dolla closed her eyes slightly, and a faint smile curved her lips.

When she first met Green, she thought he was just a simple, cute man who could be easily manipulated. But the more she learned about his deeds, thoughts, and goals, the more Dolla realized that, despite her pursuit of wealth, she had unknowingly been caught in his net worth.

"Do you remember what you said to me when you were drunk back then? You said you wanted to free all the Nikkes. Don't forget your ideals and I won't forget mine."

Dolla put on her black suit, grabbed the large gun case containing her sniper rifle, and before leaving, kissed Green's cheek lightly like a dragonfly skimming the water. She whispered, "One day, I'll climb to the top of the Ark, and when I do, I'll invite you to be my special guest. Well then, goodbye, Mr. Green."

"Goodbye, Dolla." Green also returned the transaction with interest, giving Dolla a kiss on her lips.

Dolla chuckled before swaying her ponytail as she walked out of the private room. Green watched her graceful figure disappear around the corner, savoring the charm of the moment.

Dolla always presented herself as a shrewd businesswoman in front of others, but in private, she was unexpectedly cute and innocent. Just like her petite frame.

"Come to think of it, Dolla's weight is surprisingly light, only about 70kg or so. Is it because she's a non-combatant Nikke manufactured by Tetra Line...?"

Green finished his tea in one gulp and, after savoring it briefly, also left the private room, returning to the restaurant at the outpost base.

The holiday was still long.

Evenings without missions were leisurely times for Green and the Nikkes. After a rather unremarkable meal in the restaurant, Green headed to the dormitory to check on what the three members of the Counters Squad were up to. However, upon arriving at the dormitory, he sensed that something was slightly off.

Anis and Neon, the two troublemakers, were surrounding the recently returned Rapi inside the dormitory. One looked serious, while the other pushed her glasses up, imitating Detective Conan.

After a brief silence, Anis struck first. "Rapi! We're friends, right?"

Rapi looked puzzled. "Anis, what's wrong?"

Neon adjusted her glasses again, speaking seriously. "Rapi, playing dumb won't work now. We've already checked. Your name isn't on the list of those who drew a Commander Voucher, yet there's a generic Commander Voucher on your desk."

Anis added, "So, in other words..."

Neon grinned, "There's only one truth!"

Anis continued, "And that's Rapi abusing her power to seize a Commander Voucher for herself! The punishment must be immediate execution!"

Neon echoed, "Execution!"

Rapi, "..."

Anis then offered, "But fortunately, you have a chance to redeem yourself. As judges, we're very lenient!"

Neon nodded. "Yes, we're very lenient! As long as Rapi shares that Commander Voucher with us, your execution will be canceled~"

After being teased relentlessly by the two troublemakers, the usually quiet Rapi stood there for a moment before saying, "Anis, Neon, I—"

Anis interrupted, "Rapi! You can only answer yes or no!"

Neon chimed in, "You have the right to remain silent, but anything you say can and will be used against you!"

Just as the two troublemakers were about to pester Rapi further, Green cleared his throat and intervened. "Anis, Neon, stop messing around. That voucher was something I specifically gave to Rapi."

Anis's eyes widened, "Huh? Commander, how can you play favorites with Rapi?! Aren't I your favorite, too?"

Neon also nodded, "Exactly! Exactly! Master, I want one too~"

Anis and Neon rushed up, one tugging at Green's clothes and the other clinging to his arm, trying their best to act cute.

Green, however, put on a serious face. "But the monthly crowdfunding has already ended. Suddenly printing two more vouchers would be a bit tricky."

"Please, Commander~~~"

"Just one for me, Master~~~"

"If you don't give me one, I'll throw a sock on your couch every day!"

"Master, can you hear it? The soul of firepower in my gun is crying out! If you don't give me a gift, it might jam in the next battle!"

After being pestered for a while, Green finally relented slightly.

"Since you're begging so earnestly... Here's the deal. Tomorrow, you two help me run an errand. I've recently purchased some supplies. You'll be responsible for moving them to the warehouse. Once you've finished the task, I'll give each of you a Commander Voucher."

"Hehe, Commander, I knew you'd come through for us!"

"Master, the soul of firepower in my gun has already sung praises to you!"

Seeing the two goofballs cheerfully celebrating, Green couldn't help but let a smile play on his lips. It's good to have some cheering faces in these depressing times.