Arknights: I became an NPC in the online game

To be honest, the way Carnelian found Ivanova was thanks to her years of traveling across the continent.

Anyone could pick out Diamond from rubble—if it weren't caked in mud. But even buried beneath grime and filth, true value couldn't escape Carnelian's eyes.

Just like she'd seen the worth of that treasure map in Felix's hands with one glance, she saw the pink-haired, disheveled Lupo girl hiding in the slum sewers after the Ivanova family was wiped out—and immediately understood.

Pink hair? No way someone like that belonged in the slums.

It was too rare, too eye-catching. In the slave markets, pink hair was among the most highly prized—Senomi herself was once treated that way. Even though the girl wore a hood, a strand of pink hair still peeked out. That alone made it impossible for her to blend in.

A Lupo like that, if truly from the slums, would have long been captured by guards and handed over to some noble's house as a "gift."

But it wasn't just her appearance. Her expression—wary, bitter, filled with defiance—wasn't something the slum-born had. The poor of Ursus had long been reduced to numbness, eyes as stagnant as still water.

Carnelian wasn't some naive traveler. Years of walking the land had sharpened her instincts and her ability to read people. She knew how to judge danger, power, and potential with a glance.

And so, after the girl refused her invitation, Carnelian didn't bother convincing her again. She simply knocked her out, stuffed her in a sack, and brought her back to the hotel.

That explained the trembling look of fear the pink-haired Lupo was giving her now.

"I have to ask," Felix said, eyeing the girl, "where did you learn such a... direct approach? It wasn't from Degenbrecher, was it?"

"How could it be? Degenbrecher doesn't meddle in other people's business," Carnelian replied with a chuckle.

Felix nodded. "True."

He turned to the girl, whose face had gone ghostly pale after being identified. "Carnelian, you must've had some reason to bring her here. Did you think I'd find her useful?"

"Ah... I acted on impulse," Carnelian admitted, scratching her head. "It felt like a waste to let her die out there in the slums, so I brought her back. I'm the type to invest in potential more than immediate value."

She paused, then added, "The company's headquarters will be in Lungmen—not far from Ursus. Sooner or later, we'll have to deal with Ursus again. If we have someone on the team who understands their social structure, it could make a huge difference."

Felix considered her words and nodded. "That's a valid point. But I think you have another reason."

Carnelian grinned. "Does wanting to find Senomi a sister count?"

She didn't bother hiding it. "This girl's had a rough life. It reminded me of Senomi."

Carnelian had always gotten along well with the younger girls. She often said she had a beloved little sister back in Sargon. But ever since joining Felix's team, she'd found a new sense of family. Senomi, Mandragora, Susie, and Rafaela —each with their own charm and quirks—made her feel whole. As a self-proclaimed "sister-con," she couldn't resist the idea of adding one more.

Felix looked at the girl still kneeling on the ground. Though her face was pale and drawn, it was clear she'd heard everything they said. She didn't understand the parts about the company, but the rest—she caught well enough.

"You captured me… aren't you going to kill me? Or hand me over to the nobles for a reward?" Her lips trembled as she spoke, her voice full of fear.

"Little sister, our boss doesn't need your money," Carnelian interjected with a sigh.

Felix's tone remained calm. "I have no interest in those old Ursus nobles. As for me, I have no ties to Ursus. I came here purely for business."

He leaned forward slightly. "What's your name, survivor of the Ivanova family?"

The pink-haired Lupo stood shakily. Beneath the dirty fringe of her bangs, a pair of guarded pink eyes met his. Still wary. Still frightened.

"Avdotya... Avdotya Nikolayevna Ivanova."

"Miss Avdotya," Felix said evenly, "you have two choices. First, we pretend this meeting never happened. I'll give you a few days' worth of supplies and let you go. Don't worry—I won't inform the nobles. I'm not that petty."

He lifted a hand in a casual gesture, as if brushing away her fears.

"The second option: I'm in need of a guide. Someone who knows this region. Someone who can help with language and navigation. You take on the job. Once it's done, you're free to leave or stay. Either way, I'll still provide supplies."

Carnelian, reclining lazily on the sofa, nearly did a double take. She'd assumed Felix would push this girl away. But now it seemed she'd underestimated her boss's signature style.

She hadn't been with him as long as Degenbrecher had. If Degenbrecher were here, she wouldn't doubt Felix's ability to win someone over with a few words—especially someone like this fragile, cornered Lupo girl.

Avdotya stared at Felix's golden eyes, then her gaze drifted to the halo faintly glowing above his head. After a pause, she murmured, "I'll be your guide."

"Good," Felix nodded. "Carnelian, take her to get cleaned up, give her fresh clothes, and let her rest. We leave soon."

"Understood."

Carnelian stepped toward Avdotya. The girl immediately flinched, trying to shrink into the corner, hugging her head tightly. Her body still ached from earlier—she remembered swinging her only knife in a desperate attempt to escape, only to feel it hit something unyielding, like a wall of sand. The next thing she knew, she'd been knocked unconscious.

Felix and Muelsyse both turned silently to Carnelian, who laughed awkwardly.

"Ahaha… convincing this young lady took a bit of effort."

"I should call the police on you for child abuse," Felix said dryly.

"Yeah… I might've gone a little too far," Carnelian admitted, tapping her own head and sticking her tongue out. Then, turning to Avdotya—who was still visibly shaken—she softened. "I'm sorry for what I did earlier. From now on, we're companions. I'll always face you with my back."

Avdotya didn't respond, but her wary posture eased just slightly. She still looked like a frightened wolf cub—ready to bolt at any moment.

Felix glanced at Muelsyse.

"I know," she said with a warm smile before he could even ask. "Leave her to me. You focus on the Rhine Lab orders."

"Thanks. I owe you."

With the help of Muelsyse and Carnelian, the last surviving member of the Ivanova family finally bathed and changed. When Felix saw her again—her long pink hair now clean and dry—he couldn't help but nod in quiet approval.

It wasn't just her beauty, which could make any man look twice. It was the aura she carried: a noble presence, half-wilted, like a literary girl torn from her storybook and cast into reality. The air of nobility lingered around her—but now, layered with tragedy.

An air that made people want to protect her.

There was nothing she could do about the way she looked now.

Maybe once, she'd enjoyed the afternoon sun filtering through lace curtains, sipping warm black tea on snowy days. But now, all of that was gone. She had nothing—not even the strength or power to talk about revenge.

And revenge? That was never simple. It wasn't just about the nobles who moved openly on the chessboard. There were others—hidden, watching, manipulating everything from behind the scenes.

Still, Avdotya wasn't some pampered noble girl who had everything handed to her. Though fear still showed in her stiff posture and pale expression, she quietly changed into the clothes Carnelian had bought for her and sat obediently on the sofa. Her small hands rested on her thighs. Her bangs fell forward, hiding her eyes, sparing her the need to meet anyone's gaze.

She didn't know Felix's intentions. In fact, she didn't even know his name—he hadn't introduced himself. And that left her confused: what value could she possibly have that made this man ignore the hefty noble bounty on her head and choose instead to protect her? Even at the risk of drawing their wrath?

The first thing that came to mind was her body. Not because she believed Felix was some depraved man—no, it was because in the world of Ursus nobility, this kind of transaction was all too common. Women, just like resources, were bargaining chips. Men didn't even bother hiding it within their families.

She had once considered herself attractive. Among the young noblewomen in Samara, she'd stood out. But when she looked at the green-haired woman who worked with this Sankta man—who spoke calmly and elegantly, as though born to command—Avdotya realized she couldn't compete.

If not for her body, then what? What did she possibly have to offer?

A local guide? Did they really need someone like her?

She curled up tighter on the sofa, arms wrapped around her knees, her soft pink Lupo tail tucked in close. She buried her face in the shadows of her arms. The confusion, fear, and pain tangled in her chest until she could no longer think clearly.

Felix and Muelsyse exchanged a glance. Muelsyse sighed quietly, ready to approach the girl—only for Felix to gently stop her.

He shook his head and scribbled something on a scrap of paper: "Let her have this moment to herself."

"But…"

"This land is cruel. So is life. Gains and losses—they're unpredictable." He glanced at Muelsyse, then added, "If this girl has to walk alone again someday, her current softness could be her undoing. Let her rest now. We'll comfort her later in the truck."

Just as he wrote that, Muelsyse tugged at his sleeve.

Felix looked up and saw that Avdotya had fallen asleep, still curled in the same position.

Hiding in the slums these past few days must have been a nightmare. In her previous life, she would've been an ordinary high school girl at this age. For someone so young to endure the destruction of her family… in truth, she was already doing better than most.

Later that night, Felix and Carnelian quietly ate dinner while Muelsyse looked after the sleeping girl. Avdotya, being a light sleeper, stirred just as they finished.

She sat up, dazed, still blinking off the fog of sleep.

Felix said nothing.

He simply pushed a steaming takeout box in front of her, handed her a knife and fork, and waited.

When Avdotya caught the scent of food and felt its warmth in front of her, her tears began to fall silently, like a snapped string of pearls.

She didn't sob. She didn't make a sound. She simply picked up the knife and fork and began shoveling the food into her mouth with no regard for etiquette.

"I thought you'd sleep a little longer," Felix said gently.

Avdotya quickly swallowed what was in her mouth and lowered her gaze. "Because… you said we'd be leaving tonight. I didn't want to hold you up."

"You…" Felix paused for a moment, then smiled faintly. "I don't think I've properly introduced myself to you yet. My name is Felix, Codenamed Pioneer. No need to be so formal—just call me by my name."

"I understand… Brother Felix… sir."

She caught herself quickly, eyes widening, then looked down again. She reminded herself not to get carried away just because of one moment of kindness. She had nothing now—no name, no power—and the man before her was her savior. She had no right to speak to him as if they were equals.

"Brother… Do you have a brother? I mean, in the Ivanova family?"

Avdotya shook her head slightly, her eyes dimming. "I'm the eldest. I had two younger brothers… and two younger sisters."

"…I'm sorry for bringing it up," Felix said softly. He stepped forward and gently placed his hand on her head. It was a gesture he often used with Senomi, Mandragora, Susie, and Rafaela—and one that always seemed to work.

His voice lowered. "As for 'brother'—call me whatever you like."

Avdotya opened her mouth but stopped herself. She bowed her head, murmuring, "That's very rude of me, Mr. Felix."

Carnelian chuckled. "The boss already has too many little sisters."

"There's also Feist…" Felix added thoughtfully, "Ah, but he calls me 'teacher,' so that's different."

To sneak Avdotya out of the city, they had her hide in the back of the Military truck. Felix had deliberately stocked the vehicle with goods from several noble houses in Samara—specialties they would recognize. When the patrolling noble guards saw that he was Sankta, and that the trunk was filled with their own kind's merchandise, they didn't bother with a detailed inspection. A few glances and a wave of the hand were all it took to let them pass.

Avdotya lay curled up in a cardboard box, feeling the vibrations of the truck rumbling beneath her.

She might never return to Samara.

Her home was gone—and there was nothing left to go back to.

The truck's radio played soft music in the front cabin. She was thankful for that, at least. It meant Felix and Carnelian couldn't hear her quiet sobs as she wept in the dark.