With the groceries organized on the table, I asked Jarvis to arrange the list of dishes for dinner.

  I had asked Helena to send me a list of Aunt Leona’s favorite foods.

  In a matter of seconds, he responded.

  "Roast Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Simple Salad, Broccoli Rice, Roasted Vegetables, Parmesan Risotto, Mango Vinaigrette, Sautéed Spinach with Garlic." He said precisely, listing the recipes.

  At the signal that I was ready, Jarvis calmly asked,

  "Preparation order for the ingredients is set. Would you like to begin?"

  "Yes, of course." I replied, ready to start my culinary journey.

  "First, the chicken..." Jarvis guided. And so, with his meticulous assistance, everything began to flow.

  The chicken was the first to be seasoned. Just 10 minutes to combine garlic, lemon, olive oil, salt, black pepper, and herbs, and it was already in the oven. Meanwhile, I started on the mashed potatoes, peeling and boiling them.

  Next, I was instructed to wash and chop the vegetables for the salad and roasted veggies. Jarvis, always calculating time, reminded me to put the vegetables in the oven alongside the chicken, making use of the same cooking time. This way, the oven was running at full capacity while I began the other dishes.

  With the rice already cooking, it was time to add a special touch. The steamed broccoli pieces were mixed into the white rice, creating a nutritious and colorful dish.

  In the middle of the process, I prepared the mango vinaigrette. I chopped the tomato, onion, bell pepper, and mango, all seasoned with olive oil, vinegar, and cilantro.

  To finish, the sautéed spinach was the quickest to prepare. In just a few minutes, it was done, seasoned simply with olive oil and garlic.

  Thanks to Jarvis’s impeccable efficiency, I managed to finish everything in about four hours. It was already 6:30 PM when I wrapped up, except for the chicken, which was still in the oven.

  "It will be ready in just over 15 minutes."

  Now, all that was left was to wait for Leona and Helena to arrive so we could set up dinner. And why not set everything up right away? Because, according to Jarvis, doing it in their presence, especially in Aunt Leona’s, would make her happy to help.

  How or why that makes sense, I really don’t know, but Jarvis has never been wrong so far. If he says it works, then it must work this time too.

  With that in mind, I left the kitchen and threw myself onto the couch.

  "Open Outer Wilds profile." I requested from the system.

  Instantly, a holographic screen appeared in front of me.

  [Name: Outer Wilds

  Steam Rating: 4 stars

  Approval: Positive (89% of 4...)

  Number of Sales: 4,298,039

  Number of Players (Now): 934,742

  Number of Players Who Finished the Game: 3,424,721

  Number of...

  ...

  Total Sales Revenue: $85,960,780

  (Withdraw)

  System Points: 34,384,312]

  Even now, I’m still surprised looking at these numbers. In just two days, I sold over 4 million copies. This must have broken the sales record both in the UCM and in the real world.

  When the points surpassed 5 million, my first thought was to unlock the next universe right away, but I ended up holding back.

  I decided to wait for Outer Wilds’ sales to stabilize before making any rash decisions. If possible, I hope the points will be enough to unlock two universes at once.

  But, judging by how prices in the store are increasing, the difference between unlocking one universe and the next is probably exponential. Maybe the price is five or ten times higher than expected.

  Either way, before thinking about how to spend these points, I need to solve the more immediate problems. Especially the issue with my aunt and her suspicions. That needs to be dealt with before anything else.

  "Jarvis, why did the game’s rating drop from 'Overwhelmingly Positive' to just 'Positive'?" I asked since, until yesterday, the rating was perfect.

  "Some players are dissatisfied with the fact that there are rewards only for the top 10 players. This resulted in negative comments and ratings. However, this group represents a very small portion of the players, so it does not significantly affect the game's overall image." Jarvis explained.

  "Well... I kind of understand them."

  Honestly, if I were in their place, I’d be upset too. Seeing someone win a spaceship while you get nothing must make anyone envious. In fact, I’m envious right now.

  "Damn it, I want a spaceship too!" I punched the pillow, frustrated. "Open emails."

  [+999 unread messages]

  "Jarvis, open the messages you think I should read first."

  It would definitely be exhausting to open everything randomly, so it's easier to leave this task to him.

  "Okay, sir."

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  The first message that appeared was... unexpected.

  [What do you mean only the top 10 get a spaceship? You only have 10? Weren't you the Archmage God of technology? You’re a fraud, you son of a b—...]

  The message went on, but 80% of it was just the guy cursing at me and calling me a fraud. I couldn’t even finish reading it—it was too exhausting.

  "Is this the message I was supposed to read first?" I asked, because it was clearly not the kind of content I wanted.

  "This is just one of many similar messages, sir." Jarvis replied calmly. "I would like to ban these people, but I need your authorization."

  "Ah." I nodded. "You have full authorization for that."

  The next message was much more interesting.

  [Dear Maravilhador,

  I am praying that this message reaches you. I would like to start by thanking you for the item I received in the game (Luck Potion). I was extremely impressed when I used it—it was a unique and very fun experience!

  Additionally, I would like to express my great desire to conduct an interview with you. It would be an honor to learn more about your creative process, inspirations, and the challenges you faced.

  If you are willing, I would love to schedule a time. I am available to adjust to your preference.

  I eagerly await your response.

  Sincerely,

  Beatriz S. McBride

  Columnist for The Brooklyn Paper*]

  This was a very formal message, very different from the usual player messages.

  "An interview, huh?" I murmured to myself. "Jarvis, are there many messages like this?"

  "Yes, sir. Many newspapers and TV programs are interested in organizing an interview with you. 97.59% of these requests came by government order, but the remaining 3.41% are from journalists who played your games, like Miss Beatriz." Jarvis explained.

  "I see... Well, that’s impossible anyway."

  Barely had the words left my mouth when a holographic screen appeared out of nowhere.

  [New Mission!]

  [The Maravilhador's Tea Party.

  Mission Description: If they want a press interview, then give them a marvelous tea party.

  Requirement: Invite at least 5 reporters for an interview (Limit of 20).

  Details: A virtual space will be opened for the interview. The host may choose the date within the next 10 days.

  Reward: Random Purple Model Package.]

  I was a little surprised by the sudden mission. Strangely, this seems very much in the style of the Marveler, given how random he is.

  Maybe the system is being influenced by the image I have of the Marveler?

  "If it were in person, I’d refuse, but since it’s in a virtual space, it should be fine," I said to myself. "Even though I can invite up to 20 people, I think 5 or 6 is enough."

  Suddenly, Jarvis's voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

  "Miss Leona and Miss Helena are on their way, sir."

  "How far?" I asked, already starting to get ready.

  "173 meters, approximately two and a half minutes until they arrive."

  "I see." I got up from the couch, stretching. "Time to do the dishes."

  Heading to the still-messy kitchen, I started organizing the dishes in the sink, but it didn’t take long before the sound of the doorbell rang.

  I calmly dried my hands and went to open the door.

  In front of me stood two beautiful women.

  Leona, in her mid-40s, was the kind of person who drew attention effortlessly. She had a mature beauty, with striking features and a firm gaze—one of those looks that make you stop and pay attention as soon as she enters the room. The most curious thing, however, was the contrast between her almost intimidating presence and the natural kindness she exuded.

  Her hair was loosely tied, with a few strands naturally falling around her face. She wore a light blue blouse paired with a denim skirt, striking a perfect balance between casual and elegant. A discreet necklace hung around her neck, along with a simple pair of earrings, completing the look.

  Helena, on the other hand, had a completely different energy. She was a radiant and beautiful girl, always smiling. Her hair, flowing freely in the wind, made her even more attractive, giving off a sense of lightness. Her eyes, almost identical to her mother’s, had a natural softness that contrasted with Leona’s piercing gaze.

  She wore simple jeans, a casual red blouse, and sneakers. No extravagant accessories, just a casual backpack on her back.

  "Are you just going to stand there, or are you going to hug your aunt?" Leona asked, her familiar voice carrying a hint of authority.

  "Of course..." I stepped forward, hugging her with a smile. "Good to see you, Aunt Leona."

  She looked at me closely, analyzing me with that sharp gaze.

  "You look better than the last time I saw you," she commented. "This game-making thing is doing you good."

  "Yeah, I'm more at ease now," I replied, stepping back.

  "Being at ease is good, but no slacking off, got it?" Her tone shifted to something firmer, as always.

  I quickly nodded.

  "Got it."

  "And don’t I deserve a hug?" Helena’s voice carried a slight hint of resentment. "Got rich and forgot about me?"

  I laughed, hugging her.

  "Rich? Far from it..."

  But I stopped when I saw a strange smile forming on her lips, her brown eyes shining in a way that was... intriguing. Something about that expression gave me a bad feeling, but I couldn’t pinpoint why.

  We went inside, and Leona, with her usual practical gaze, asked,

  "How’s dinner coming along?"

  "Except for the roasted chicken, everything is ready," I replied casually. "I just need to tidy up the mess and set the table."

  "I'll take care of everything, go set the table with Helena," Leona said, already taking control of the kitchen with the ease of someone who’s done it for years.

  Soon, Helena and I started setting the table. The atmosphere seemed normal, but something was bothering me.

  She started bringing up my work. That strange, almost mischievous smile never left her face, making me uncomfortable.

  "So, Mr. Dev, how’s your game developer life going?" she asked, throwing the term out casually.

  "It’s going well," I replied, trying to keep my tone normal.

  "Good to know... Mom said you made 10 grand selling your game. That’s a lot of money."

  She continued, her tone relaxed, but her eyes, gleaming with amusement, made it clear that this wasn’t just an innocent question.

  "Ah, it’s nothing much..." I murmured while placing the cutlery.

  But before I could continue, I noticed her smile widen a little more.

  It was almost as if she was waiting for an opportunity. As if she knew something I wasn’t telling.

  The table was nearly set when Leona returned to the living room, drying her hands after tidying up the mess I had left in the kitchen.

  "Everything okay, Rick?" she asked, with her usual careful tone.

  I said yes, trying to stay calm. But Helena... she still had that damn smile that made me uneasy. I knew she was planning something—I just didn’t know when or how it would unfold.

  When we finally sat down for dinner, I already knew the main topic would be my job as a game developer. There was no escaping it, so I braced myself for the questions that would come as soon as the food was served.

  "How long did it take to complete the game?"

  "What were the costs?"

  "Did you have any help?"

  "What’s the name of the game?"

  I answered everything patiently, explaining the development process, the challenges, and the choices I made regarding the game’s genre and mechanics. I used my experience with Castlevania and Outer Wilds to give more credibility to my answers.

  And then, to finally put an end to Leona’s lingering doubts, I took out my laptop and showed them the game that Jarvis and I had made: Heroic Gargoyle.

  The name isn’t great, but it captures the game’s essence. And since Jarvis picked it, it’s fine.

  "I was waiting for this moment to publish it," I explained as the game ran on the screen. I needed to prove that I was actually doing something concrete.

  Leona watched intently, absorbing every detail. For the first time in a long while, it seemed like she truly believed in me. A slight smile of relief appeared on her face, as if she was finally convinced I wasn’t lying.

  But Helena... Helena still had that same enigmatic smile. While Leona praised the game and seemed satisfied with my explanations, Helena remained quiet, her gaze telling me she knew something more. Her smile seemed to suggest that, even with all the evidence in front of her, my story wasn’t convincing enough.

  Dinner ended, and when it was time for them to leave, Helena dropped something I wasn’t expecting.

  "I’m staying over tonight," she said casually. "I have the week off, and it’ll be good to spend some time with you."

  I was stunned, unsure of how to respond right away.

  Leona, always concerned about me being isolated, quickly agreed. "That’s a great idea. You two can spend some time together," she said, leaving with a satisfied smile.

  As soon as the door closed and Leona was gone, Helena threw herself onto the couch, still with that damn smile on her face. Except now, she looked even more relaxed, as if she was ready for whatever came next.

  Silence lingered for a few seconds, but I knew it wouldn’t lastlong.

  And then, out of nowhere, with an eerily calm tone, she finally dropped the bomb.

  "So... how exactly are you making so much money?"