Starting From Firefly, Speedrunning the World

Firefly put down the book in her hands and spoke to her with a smile.

After Nene Arakawa calmed down, Firefly continued to ask, "Nene, how have your days been at the Arakawa Family's?"

"Not good at all."

Hearing this, Nene Arakawa thought about her situation at home these past few days. Her mother was practically watching her 24/7, not letting her disappear from her sight for a moment.

This was also the reason why, even though Nene Arakawa had the fox mask Firefly gave her, it was difficult to find an opportunity to leave.

Her mother's actions made her feel suffocated.

However, she hadn't been completely without gains during these days; she had also investigated many things.

"That must have been really tough!"

Sensing Nene Arakawa's unhappiness, Firefly reached out and gently patted her head to comfort her.

"You don't have to be like that."

Feeling Firefly's head pat, Nene Arakawa felt a little embarrassed.

After a few simple exchanges, Nene Arakawa sat down next to Firefly, looked at her, and her attitude became serious.

"Firefly-chan."

"What is it? Nene?"

Firefly quietly waited for her to speak.

"I've finished my investigation. The DGP Grand Prix is indeed a reality show for Future People, not some organization that saves the world."

"And even our Arakawa Family is involved."

Mentioning this, Nene Arakawa's expression was very serious, with a hint of hesitation.

If she hadn't accidentally discovered during her time at home that her father knew about the DGP, she wouldn't have known the Arakawa Family was involved.

Moreover, her father was a sponsor of the DGP Grand Prix.

Even her joining the DGP Grand Prix was influenced by her father.

"Mm."

Firefly naturally knew what Nene Arakawa was saying and wasn't surprised.

However, she hadn't expected Kōsei Arakawa to tell Nene Arakawa these things at this time.

Then again, since she had completely disrupted the plot, it wasn't strange for her to know in advance.

And judging by Nene Arakawa's reaction at this moment, she still didn't know that she wasn't Kōsei Arakawa's biological daughter, but a life created by the Creation Goddess.

Otherwise, she would undoubtedly be in immense pain.

Under normal circumstances, Kōsei Arakawa wouldn't reveal this secret; he intended to take it to his grave. He hadn't even told his wife, Nene Arakawa's mother.

In the original story, it was the Jyamato supporter and sponsor Beroba who insidiously exposed these secrets.

"I'm a bit curious, why would the DGP's operators, who can arbitrarily shape the world, choose to cooperate with the Arakawa Zaibatsu?"

The DGP's operators were from the future. With their absolutely superior technology and the Creation Goddess statue, they held this world in their hands. Everything in this world was merely a toy for their amusement.

Why would such beings care about the power of a "primitive era" Zaibatsu native in their eyes?

This was something Firefly couldn't understand when watching the show.

"Huh? That, I don't know either. They probably need the Zaibatsu's assistance to reduce the DGP Grand Prix's impact?"

Nene Arakawa hadn't really thought about this question carefully.

But it was probably something like that. The DGP's operators saw the Arakawa Zaibatsu's influence, which affected all aspects of Japan.

If the game environment was bad, they might find it troublesome?

After all, before the Desire God was born, deaths and destruction caused by the competition did exist. So, the Arakawa Zaibatsu was just a front to cover up the DGP's news without reshaping the world?

Although it felt a bit baffling, why would the DGP's operators care about this?

From their perspective, the world would be reshaped in the end anyway, so it seemed like an unnecessary effort.

Moreover, in the later plot, there was no concealment at all; they directly started destroying the world repeatedly, initiating a doomsday game.

"Firefly-chan!"

While Firefly was still thinking, Nene Arakawa placed her hands on Firefly's shoulders, her expression extremely serious.

"I now understand the truth about the DGP Grand Prix. Using our world to entertain those Future People is absolutely unacceptable."

"So, I will help you deal with the DGP's operators."

Upon learning the truth about the DGP, which was the same as what Firefly had said, Nene Arakawa felt a sense of relief. This meant Firefly hadn't lied to her!

Therefore, she naturally stood even more firmly on Firefly's side.

Chapter 52: A Wanderer in the Universe

"..."

Hearing Nene Arakawa's words, Firefly was a little surprised.

In the original story, even after discovering the truth about the DGP, Nene Arakawa still chose to continue the game.

She wanted to become the Desire God!

Yet now, she was saying she wanted to fight the DGP organization with me. This was too...

But after thinking for a few seconds, Firefly felt at ease.

In the original story, the reason she still yearned to become the Desire God after learning about the DGP was because she knew her true identity. She hoped to become the Desire God so all her fans would forget her.

In her eyes, she was a fake Akari Arakawa, a fraud. But things were different now; she didn't know her identity yet.

"Don't you want to become the Desire God and fulfill your wish?"

Although she understood Nene Arakawa's thoughts, Firefly couldn't help but ask.

"As for wishes, it's not like I have none, but I'm happy enough as things are now," Nene Arakawa shook her head.

She wanted to find true love and meet her destined person. Deep down, what she truly craved was for someone to pull her out.

Now, she had obtained what she needed, even if it wasn't perfect.

She wasn't as fixated as before.

"If that's the case, then that's wonderful. Welcome aboard, Nene." Firefly expressed her welcome.

She didn't expect Nene Arakawa to do much, but as a recognized friend, Firefly just hoped she wouldn't become her enemy.

And that was enough.

As for anything else, Firefly hadn't even considered it.

"So, am I part of your organization now?"

"Uh... of course."

"Then... when can I meet that Mr. Sam?"

After receiving Firefly's affirmative answer, Nene Arakawa felt a bit awkward and embarrassed, but she still braced herself, took Firefly's hand, and asked with anticipation.

"Huh? Mr. Sam?"

Hearing Nene Arakawa's request, Firefly was taken aback, feeling a little lost.

"Yes! The Stellaron Hunter, Sam. He's in the same organization as you, Firefly." Nene Arakawa quickly explained. Then, perhaps worried Firefly might misunderstand or that she might expose her intentions, she quickly added, "I don't mean anything else by it, it's just... he saved me before, and I want to thank him in person."

"Uh..."

For a moment, Firefly didn't know how to respond.

"Don't you hate him?"

Recalling how Nene Arakawa had glared at Stellaron Hunter Sam after being wiped out by him, Firefly wondered why she now seemed to have some ulterior motive regarding Sam.

"How could I? I just didn't know his purpose then!" Nene Arakawa retorted directly. The next second, she looked at Firefly pleadingly, like a kitten, acting spoiled.

"So, can I? Firefly-chan?"

"I just want to thank him in person, absolutely no other intentions."

"This... we'll see! If there's an opportunity."

Not knowing how to answer, Firefly could only say this for now. She'd deal with the rest later. When she transformed into Sam, Nene Arakawa probably wouldn't be able to tell.

"Then, if there's a chance, you must tell me."

"I wonder what Mr. Sam is like under that Knight armor?"

Nene Arakawa was incredibly curious about Sam's true appearance. Was he a sunny young man, a mature uncle? Or perhaps a tough guy.

This sense of mystery, not knowing the other person's appearance at all, like an online romance, made Nene Arakawa even more excited.

"..."

Firefly really wanted to tell her that Sam wasn't some prince charming she imagined, but a beautiful girl.

And she was right in front of her.

"Oh, right."

"Firefly-chan, can you tell me now what kind of organization we are? And Stellaron Hunter Sam, what are Stellaron Hunters?"

Once she stopped fantasizing about Sam's true appearance, Nene Arakawa got down to business. She still didn't know what kind of organization Firefly's group was.

But opposing Future People, possessing power like Mr. Sam's, and the amazing items Firefly had brought out, they definitely weren't simple.

Were they also Future People? Or aliens?

Or perhaps they were the superheroes hidden in the shadows, protecting this world.

"...Yes, I can."

"You actually said it just now, the organization is the Stellaron Hunters."

After a moment of silence, Firefly didn't hide it from her anymore.

"Stellaron Hunters?"

So the organization was the Stellaron Hunters, not just Mr. Sam. Nene Arakawa suddenly understood, but she became more interested in the organization's situation.

"Actually, the Stellaron Hunters have very few members."

"We travel between different worlds, with hunting Stellar Cores as our main objective."

"Travel between different worlds? That's amazing!"

It was just like an organization from an anime; she couldn't even imagine what it would be like to travel between worlds.

She hadn't expected Firefly and the others to have such a significant background.

But…

"What is a Stellar Core? Like a planetary core?"

Clearly, the Stellar Core was the key.

Otherwise, why would they travel between worlds to hunt them?

"It's not a planetary core, but something very dangerous. Stellar Cores are seen as symbols of Destruction, because wherever they go, they bring ruin and devastation."

"Countless worlds have been destroyed because of Stellar Cores in the past."