If a Nightmare-tier divine penalty only deducted five percent of her wealth, how much would an Abyss-tier one take?

Rita started to wonder if Mistblade, Maple Syrup, and the others were actually as rich as they appeared. Then again, maybe they just kept their wealth hidden among trusted kin.

While her thoughts drifted, another Oasis Town came into view. She didn't bother using her disguise skill this time. Since she couldn't fool Dawn Cicada anyway, and since that woman was clearly targeting her, it was only a matter of time before this identity was exposed. Might as well save some Divine Points.

Even after they entered the new Oasis Town together, Dawn Cicada didn't say a single word to BS-Rita. It felt exactly like when they had first met during the GodDraw77 game—Dawn Cicada didn't care who she was. She didn't even have the slightest interest in talking to her.

Rita ignored her. She already had enough enemies in this game, one more Dawn Cicada wouldn't make a difference.

But when she found the game stele, she ran into Maple Syrup, who had arrived from another direction. To Maple Syrup's left stood Pine Bloom and Syntax. Rita wasn't sure if these Lania Kaia leaders had stayed together since meeting, or if it was just a coincidence.

Under the golden rain curtain, Maple Syrup spotted her too. Their eyes met across a short distance of barely ten meters. This was their first encounter since the Card Swap game.

The moment their gazes locked, a system prompt rang in Rita's mind.

[Congratulations, player BS-Rita. You have unlocked the SSS-tier skill — Nemesis.]

A flicker of surprise crossed Maple Syrup's face. Her first thought upon seeing BS-Rita had been, "If only I could kill her right now and stop her from taking first place." And just like that, this cursed skill bound itself to her.

They exchanged glances for a few seconds before turning away in silent agreement, both looking toward the game stele.

[Game: Knowledge Quiz] (Countdown: 00:06:57)

When the countdown ended, the free trade zone would seal and become a game zone.

Once the game began, each Mechanoid would take turns asking a question. Players had to write their answers on the provided holographic boards within the time limit.

There would be fifty questions total. Any player with an accuracy rate of 96% or higher would win and be allowed to claim up to 5 kilograms of materials from the trade zone.

The quiz would cover multiple fields—professional knowledge, war history, player gossip, the Divine Game system, and languages of all races.

Players could ask a Mechanoid to assist them throughout the quiz. The Mechanoid would help as much as possible, but regardless of victory or defeat, the player would have to fulfill one request from it afterward.

[Current players in this trade zone: 5152]

Rita finished reading the rules and immediately went browsing through the stalls. One quick lap around the marketplace and she felt her tension ease.

This trade zone had far more types of alchemical materials than the last one.

And since the rewards were measured by weight, it perfectly solved her hesitation about what form her Player Relic should take.

The golden drizzle drifted through the trade zone as she moved, drawing countless eyes her way.

Pine Bloom sighed softly. "She gets stronger every single game."

Maple Syrup, still distracted while observing Dawn Cicada, murmured absentmindedly, "Mm."

Ever since she'd seen Dawn Cicada enter the town with BS-Rita, the words that Dawn Cicada had once said in the world battlefield chat kept echoing in her mind.

"Are you not afraid? When Dawn conquers Lania Kaia, you'll be next."

Maple Syrup frowned. As impossible as it sounded, she finally voiced her suspicion. "Tell me, could Dawn's invasion of Lania Kaia actually be for the sake of BlueStar—the world BS-Rita belongs to?"

Crouched beside a stall, Syntax rose to her feet and nodded. "What a coincidence. Before today, I didn't dare think that, but after seeing the way Dawn Cicada looked at BS-Rita just now, I thought the same thing."

But Pine Bloom shook her head. "If I hadn't seen them meet during the GodDraw77 game, I might have thought that too."

Maple Syrup and Syntax turned to her immediately.

Pine Bloom withdrew her gaze from Rita and explained, "It was in a game called 'Who Hasn't Used a Divine Relic Yet.' Dawn Cicada and BS-Rita were both there. When Dawn Cicada looked at her, her eyes held no special meaning.

"She treated her like any other stranger. I'm sure of it—at that time, she didn't know BS-Rita personally. Maybe she'd only heard of her name, nothing more.

"You know how she is—arrogant, yes, but always polite. She even greeted me that day. If she'd known BS-Rita, she would've greeted her too."

Their expressions grew more puzzled. They trusted Pine Bloom's judgment, and that only made the situation seem even more complicated.

Before they could say more, the countdown reached zero.

In front of every player, a pale-blue holographic panel appeared. It was the answer board, with a floating pen hovering beside it.

At the same time, a Mechanoid's voice echoed above the trade zone.

"Question one: What star-tier is the world 'Fury'?"

A ten-second timer appeared at the top-right corner of each panel.

B8017913, who had been mentally preparing since reading the rules, immediately told Rita the answer. "Seven-star."

Without hesitation, Rita wrote it down.

This kind of quiz? Absolutely her home field.

Not far away, Pine Bloom—with her signature black diamond earrings—sat between Maple Syrup and Syntax. Both were shamelessly copying her answers.

As for Dawn Cicada, after so many years of playing Divine Game, these basic questions were child's play to her.

But halfway through the quiz, Rita sensed something off. She looked down and found a small robot standing beside her leg, staring up with a rather wounded expression.

Her pulse skipped. "Uh… who are you? Y128? Or 7777?"

The little robot gave its designation. "L175246."

Rita let out a quiet breath of relief. A stranger. She smiled gently. "Oh, hi there. Can I help you?"

B8017913's voice reminded her in her mind, "Empty capsule."

Rita cleared her throat and kept writing the next answer as she spoke. "I remember you. Did you ever open the capsule I gave you last time? Want a few more to try your luck?"

L175246 reached into its overalls pocket and pulled out a tiny cloth pouch. Opening it, the robot raised it high so BS-Rita could see what was inside. "No need. I still have the ones you gave me. …Do you need a pet? I could be one."

Rita caught sight of the cracked capsule shells inside the pouch and froze, her eyes softening. She crouched down, still scribbling answers with her right hand—the quiz was moving too fast—and with her left hand she quickly pulled out a few capsules filled with food and potions, handing them over.

She said softly, "Sorry, I already have B8017913."

L175246 clutched the capsules silently for a moment before saying, "I heard you're really good at making people happy. Then why don't you make me happy too? Why say something that hurts me instead?"

Rita stared speechlessly.

She suddenly recalled the bib-wearing Calico's complaint—"I knew those rumors couldn't be trusted."

Just how many ridiculous rumors about her were floating out there?

From her other shoulder, Nivalis piped up with amusement. "She always prioritizes her own people. If B8017913 weren't here, she might've cheered you up."

L175246 tilted its cube head. "So the reason she teased me at the amusement park was because B8017913 wasn't around?"

Rita hurriedly shoved a few snack capsules into its hands. "Watch your phrasing! I just thought you were cute and couldn't resist teasing you a little, that's all!"

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.