In a certain sense, what this cat-eared girl named Kal'tsit said wasn't entirely wrong.
Right now, he could no longer be considered a human, yet compared to the other inhabitants of this world, he was the most authentic human possible.
However, given her riddle-spewing tendencies, Steven wasn't about to take her words at face value and assume she truly knew everything.
After all, if you boiled her statement down, it was basically a meaningless platitude.
"Maybe it's true, maybe it's not."—most questions in the world could be answered with this kind of vague nonsense.
So, Steven simply smiled and tossed out another question.
"Well then, Kal'tsit, do you happen to know how I learned your real name?"
By bringing up a question tied to his Minecraft interface, Steven was curious about her answer.
If she could actually tell him that he saw her title using the Entity Information Display Mod, he might consider acknowledging her so-called claim of 'knowing everything'.
Otherwise, he'd just think she was capable, but not as all-knowing as she claimed.
"…"
"I don't know."
Kal'tsit delivered her plain answer without hesitation.
Yet, there wasn't a single trace of surprise on her face at hearing Steven call out her name.
Nor did she show the awkwardness or embarrassment that someone should have after getting exposed.
She acted like she was a completely different person from the one who had just claimed to know everything.
"Heh~ then next time, you might want to choose your words more carefully."
Steven grinned.
"You can eat recklessly, but you shouldn't speak recklessly."
"For a moment there, I almost thought you even knew what I had for breakfast this morning."
But just as he finished speaking, Kal'tsit casually responded.
"You had black bread—a specialty of Iberia's villages. It contains a higher proportion of sawdust than wheat bran."
"And, you're quite lucky—the villager who baked it used fresh sawdust, rather than some random scrap from a sweat-soaked piece of furniture."
She flawlessly called out exactly what he ate.
Even down to details Steven himself didn't know.
Though honestly, he'd have preferred not knowing.
Now it was Steven's turn to be stunned.
For some reason, he had the distinct feeling that this woman was holding a grudge.
Was she really this petty?
All because he asked her something she didn't know?
…Nah, that'd be too childish… right?
"…Alright, let's get back on track."
Steven thought for a moment and decided that verbally sparring with this enigmatic woman was pointless.
It was better to deal with business first—he could always chat with her later.
After all, if there was one thing Steven had plenty of, it was time.
"I fully agree with your suggestion."
Kal'tsit nodded, seemingly satisfied.
"Compared to such trivial inquiries, one's brief life should be focused on more meaningful matters."
Not only that, but she even graciously extended her hand toward Steven, striking a refined pose.
"I will answer any question."
"…Really?"
Steven smirked.
"Then tell me—can I buy that thing behind you? That 'Mon3tr' of yours—does anyone sell the same model?"
"…"
"No."
"It's not for sale."
Perfect.
He scored another win.
Kal'tsit hadn't expected this guy to ask such a ridiculous question at such a serious and formal moment…
No wonder she couldn't see through him.
Was there something wrong with his brain?
But Steven didn't care.
Wearing the satisfaction of victory on his face, he finally asked the real key question.
"So, Kal'tsit, what exactly are you here for? Are you planning to 'rescue' the Abyssal Hunter by my side as well?"
Steven turned his head slightly, glancing at Gladiia, who had visibly tensed at the mention of being taken away.
If she herself wasn't willing…
Then he would have no choice but to turn down this Rhodes Island woman.
Even if it meant ruining his plan to follow their organization and leech off the main storyline.
But between his adopted daughter and some random medical corporation, was there even a choice to make?
It was obvious who he'd pick.
"I'm only here to find my operator's missing kin," Kal'tsit responded calmly.
"But perhaps, in her current state, she doesn't need rescue—she needs treatment."
She briefly glanced at the girl hiding behind Steven, who was eyeing her warily.
Kal'tsit sighed.
This fragile, hesitant girl was nothing like the strong, decisive Abyssal Hunter she had envisioned.
She must have suffered a horrific attack to end up like this.
Such a tragic race… always plagued by an even more tragic fate.
"Well, that's up to her."
Steven shrugged.
"If you can actually cure her, I'd even thank you for it."
If Rhodes Island really had the means to restore Gladiia's lost memories, it'd save him a lot of trouble.
Though… if she regained her memories, she probably wouldn't recognize him as her dad anymore.
But that just meant he wouldn't have to worry about her as much.
A win-win, really.
Of course, this all depended on whether Gladiia was willing to trust Kal'tsit.
And right now, she was far from that point.
Luckily, Kal'tsit understood this.
After gaining Steven's approval, she stepped forward, approaching Gladiia with steady, measured steps.
"I don't know how much you can remember right now."
"But your comrades still need you."
"Laurentina. Skadi. They're waiting for you to return."
"Your subordinates need your guidance. And you—will you choose to run away from that responsibility?"
At the mention of those two names, a flash of confusion appeared in Gladiia's eyes.
It was as if something within her mind was beginning to stir—awakening.
She even managed to overcome some of her fear toward Kal'tsit.
"…Dad."
She tugged at Steven's sleeve, hesitantly.
"I… I want to meet the people she mentioned. Is that okay?"
Her hopeful gaze met Steven's eyes.
"Of course."
Steven smiled, his voice casual.
"Do whatever you want. After all, I'm your dad, aren't I?"
He had already said it—he had no objections to any of this.
With Gladiia's agreement, Kal'tsit's gaze shifted from her to Steven.
She pursed her lips slightly before speaking.
"In that case… may I ask you something now?"
This mysterious young man—wrapped in layers of secrets—had finally managed to pique even her curiosity.
"Sorry, but I won't accept any love confession, I still have some adventure left to do before settling down."
Kal'tsit's expression froze in pure confusion.
He scored another point again