NOVEL NEXT Chapter 152: Special Feature
Talia gave a small nod, relief flickering in her eyes. "I was already planning to take Ivy with me."
The words had barely left her lips when both Silas and Daniel spoke at the same time, their voices cutting sharply through the air.
"No."
The word echoed in the room.
Daniel's jaw was tight. He was worried, and it was clear in his eyes. He did not believe Ivy could keep Talia safe if something dangerous happened.
To him, it was a huge risk that he could not accept. Silas also looked serious. His thoughts were different but just as strong. He simply did not want Ivy, his girlfriend, to walk into danger at all. His refusal came from fear of losing her.
Talia raised an eyebrow, her lips curving slightly. She found it interesting that both of them denied her idea so quickly. But she did not insist.
She was not the type to cry or throw a fit just because she did not get her way. She had only suggested it casually, so she let it go and changed the subject.
Instead, she turned her gaze toward Silas. "Then are you ready to go with me?"
Silas shook his head slowly. "I can't. I have a trip to take, and I don't know when I'll be back."
Hearing that, Talia shifted her eyes to Daniel. He nodded right away, his face steady. "I'll go with you."
At those words, Talia finally let out a soft sigh of relief. Her shoulders relaxed.
At least one of them was willing to go with her. Then she looked at Silas again.
"In that case, you should hurry and ask Ivy if she can leave or not. Consult her first."
Silas agreed without hesitation. "I'll depart now."
With that, he stood and left.
...........
Inside her rented apartment, Ivy sat down and let her consciousness sink into the temporal storage. She felt her body grow lighter, and in the next moment, she was inside the storage again.
The first thing she did was ask in her mind, "What new feature has been unlocked?"
[Right away, a calm voice spoke inside her head. Now you may review all the items built in the temporal storage. You may also restock or take away items directly from it.]
Ivy blinked, confused. "'What does that mean exactly?'"
But then it hit her. She could refill the grocery store straight from here, without going there in person every day.
She would not have to carry baskets, stock shelves, or rush out every morning anymore. Everything could be done with a single thought.
Her heart skipped a beat as her eyes lit up. "'This is so useful. It saves me so much time!'"
Then another thought came to her. "'Wait… if a building is made inside temporal storage, does that mean I can kick someone out of it?'"
The answer came back at once. [Yes.]
Ivy's mouth fell open, and a thrill shot through her chest.
"'That means I'll have complete control over the base. If anyone causes trouble, I can remove them immediately. I don't need guards or threats. I can keep the peace just by myself.'"
Her joy spread like warmth in her chest. The idea of managing the entire base and keeping the crime rate low filled her with confidence.
Then she asked carefully, "Can I also monitor the place?"
This time, the answer was firm. [No.]
Ivy's face fell a little. "'Too bad. That would have made things even easier.'"
But she refused to stay gloomy for long. She thought about the shop again and how she was selling groceries so cheaply. Then another idea popped up.
"'If I lower the rent for apartments, will that unlock something too?'"
Just as the question formed, she suddenly heard the faint sound of a bell ringing. Then, just as quickly, it vanished into silence, as if it had never been there.
Her eyes narrowed slightly. "'Strange. It feels like this temporal storage reacts to good deeds.'"
The thought struck deep, and again the bell rang once before fading away.
Her eyebrows rose. She understood now. From the very beginning, temporal storage had been guiding her toward karmic actions. It rewarded kindness and generosity.
Ivy stood there thinking. "'So, if I'm kind to the people who live here, I might unlock more hidden features. I don't have to expose myself or let people trample over me, but I can be fair and helpful. This space seems to like that.'"
That simple realization lifted her mood. A faint smile touched her lips as she decided it was time to leave.
She exited the temporal stage and returned to her apartment. Silas had not come back yet, so she went into the kitchen and began preparing food. Her movements were calm, and for once, she did not worry about running out of supplies.
After all, she had tomatoes today. She placed them gently on the counter and washed them. As she sliced them, she thought to herself,
"'I wonder what vegetable I'll get tomorrow. Something new, maybe… I'm looking forward to it."
The smell of cooked food filled the apartment. Ivy hummed softly as she stirred the soup and set the table. She had just placed the last plate down when the door opened. Silas stepped inside, his tall frame blocking the light from the hallway.
He stood there for a moment, watching her. Ivy looked so calm and focused, moving around the kitchen as if she had done it a thousand times. A small chuckle escaped his lips.
'She really looks like my wife right now,' Silas thought, warmth spreading in his chest.
Before Ivy could turn around, he walked up behind her and slipped his arms around her waist. She jumped a little, her cheeks turning pink.
"Silas! Let go," she whispered, struggling lightly.
But Silas lowered his head close to her ear, his voice a low growl. "Don't move."
Ivy froze at once. Her heart skipped a beat when she felt a strange stiffness pressing against her from behind. Her entire face turned bright red.
'Oh no… this guy… he's not... or is he!'