Chapter 137
Chapter 137
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 137
Chapter Title: Accident
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[But still, you doing something dangerous isn't exactly new.]
Such a voice flew out from inside the amulet.
[How about trying to have a little self-awareness for once?]
“What?”
[You've stuck two vessels of the devil on you at the same time. Isn't it a bit too optimistic to think nothing will happen?]
I let out a sigh in response to Caliban's voice.
“...It's just about sticking together a bit during the exam. It's not that big a deal, right?”
[The other side is a vessel of the devil. Don't you remember what happened last time you messed around with one of them?]
“...”
Well, I did get split in half.
Truth be told, I somewhat agree with his concern.
Not for any other reason, but because of this.
[Gift-Related Character Alarm]
▼ Feynol Lifec
[ No Affection Level ]
[ Related Event in D-5 ]
Five days from now—that's the day of the practical exam.
Something's going to happen with this guy around then...
“...I don't think it'll get that serious.”
[You always think that way, right up until you get hit in the back of the—]
“No. If the target is Feynol, that absolutely won't happen.”
I cut off Caliban's suspicion with a firm response.
[What makes you so sure? Didn't you say he's the most dangerous if he goes berserk?]
“...He's kind of special.”
In fact, considering that a devil's rampage depends heavily on the vessel's 'mental state,' it's even more true.
A guy who can't feel any emotions at all basically has no conditions for rampaging, in principle.
[Then why are you going out of your way to grant his request? Why not just leave him be?]
“If I don't listen to him, the thing inside will start acting on its own.”
I sigh as I reply.
With all three fragments gathered, it's as good as having a 'complete' devil inside him now. It's entirely different from an ordinary vessel.
Given the red devil's tendencies, it's probably straining right now to descend into the material world through Feynol.
'...The Devil of Hatred.'
I frown as I recall its epithet.
True to its name, the red devil is driven by blind hatred toward all living sentient beings.
That's why, compared to other devils tangled up in complex factors, it's simply and utterly evil. When it rampages, it tries to burn everything around it to death.
The problem is that the red devil, along with the gray devil, is one of the only devils in the game scenario that 'forces' a rampage.
And Eliya Chrisanax suppressing it with the holy sword is the core of Chapter 4.
So.
Feynol giving me a one-month deadline—well.
It's the ultimatum period until that 'predestined' rampage.
He's saying that if I don't kill him within this time, something big will happen.
“...”
What a pitiful guy.
Forced to die just to avoid killing others—such a fate.
And he didn't even choose to become a devil's vessel.
[...]
“You seem a bit displeased.”
[Spot on.]
Caliban responded in a slightly subdued voice.
[You seem to think that guy's pitiful or something?]
“...”
[The mastermind behind the Night Disaster. That woman.]
Well, yeah.
It wouldn't feel good to see me siding with the person who killed him.
And setting that aside, as Caliban said, Feynol is the human who caused a catastrophe that swept up tens of thousands.
But.
“...I won't deny it.”
[What?]
“Feynol is pitiful. The one that's evil is the thing 'lodged' inside him, not Feynol himself.”
I can say with confidence.
Among all the vessels in this game, Feynol is the most pitiful one.
Being killed once and resurrected definitely wasn't his own will. The devil forced it.
His outward demeanor doesn't give off that vibe at all, but knowing his 'backstory,' I can't say anything else.
“So, yeah.”
I scratch my cheek and continue.
“It might be a sorry thing to say to you, but I do want to help him. Because he's pitiful.”
[...]
Caliban fell silent for a long while after my words.
[...You're saying that because you have your reasons, I get it.]
“I'm sorry.”
[Fine. Just make me understand properly later.]
I chuckle at Caliban's grumbled words.
This guy really has a big heart.
Even after all this time together, for him to try understanding after hearing something like that.
'So...'
This 'event' will probably be the major trigger for awakening Feynol's affection toward me.
From my experience, if it pops up as a related event like this, it's highly likely tied to the target's affection level.
I know everything about his character from A to Z. Handling it appropriately to fit the situation won't be hard.
'...The stumbling block, though.'
Is this one.
▼ Seras Evatrice
[ Curiosity Level 5 ]
[ Rewards available for collection. ]
The purple devil lodged inside this one—what can I say.
It's a bit unique.
Not as blatantly dangerous as the red devil, but in terms of its tendencies, it's extremely toxic to me.
[By the way, the Devil of Submission or whatever, right?]
Caliban asked in a puzzled voice.
[Why does a devil have such an... unfitting epithet?]
“...Ah, that?”
Most of them have grim names like Devil of Wrath, Devil of Obsession, Devil of Hatred, so yeah, 'Submission' stands out.
But.
“It's exactly that.”
[What?]
“It's optimized for subordinates, or whatever... It finds someone worthy of serving and does just that.”
Sounds like it wouldn't be harmful—in fact, only helpful.
But there's a reason Seras was ranked as 'top mine' for Savior Rising players.
Blind loyalty to its master is fine and all.
“...But it's optimized for causing trouble.”
The direction of that loyalty is just a little—
terrifying.
[What?]
Thinking about its behavior in the game, it would 'voluntarily' go around doing all sorts of things for the object of its loyalty.
The problem is, from the recipient's perspective, it's like hitting a suicide switch.
[...I don't quite get it.]
“Let me give you an example.”
I scratch my head and continue.
“Me, right now, I'm walking this tightrope trying not to get caught managing my devil fish pond.”
[Yeah?]
“That guy, if it knew, would go to the other devils saying, 'You fools who don't even know your place—stop trying to monopolize the master and join the harem!' while stirring everything up.”
[...]
“It'd meet every single vessel without exception and do that.”
Caliban was silent for a long time before speaking.
[...Got it. Touch it wrong, and you're dead.]
“Right?”
This guy gets the danger in one shot.
Truly terrifying, that purple devil.
[Then why bother going to meet that one right now? Shouldn't you avoid it as much as possible?]
Caliban followed up in a bewildered voice.
While Talion was off fetching Feynol, I was heading to the building where Seras was attending lecture.
There are various reasons, but...
[System Log]
[ Target 'Seras' wants to learn more about you actively! ]
[ Greatly increases frequency of contact with you! ]
Once something like this pops up, avoiding it entirely was doomed from the start.
Contact is half-confirmed, and with my constitution, that means getting deeply entangled inevitably.
So, I need to prepare a solution for that.
“The other devils are the same, but leaving them alone makes things blow up way worse.”
[Devil of Submission, right? Just order it to stay put.]
“If you don't give it any tasks at all, it rampages. Says there's no reason to serve.”
[...What a pain, really.]
“...”
It doesn't feel right to talk about devils so lightly, but I agree with the word choice.
“...So, anyway, keeping a moderate distance is best.”
Teetering on the edge, not too far, not too close.
Like friends but not quite—maintaining that perfect distance is key.
With my constitution, it'll inevitably stick to me wanting to 'submit,' but keeping a proper distance so my sensitive info doesn't leak to it is vital.
If I push it too far away, it rampages; too close, and it'll cause all sorts of incidents on its own, saying it's for me.
Teaming up for the exam this time is also to properly instill that distance in it.
To seize control of the relationship, it's easier if I'm the one steering the situation rather than letting accidental contacts happen.
“...Alright.”
I take a deep breath in front of the classroom where Seras is attending lecture.
Base level of familiarity is fine, but a business relationship with clear boundaries is ideal.
As I'm thinking that.
A scream suddenly erupted from outside the classroom.
“Kyaaaaah!”
“Someone go call for help quick!”
“...”
Hm.
Feels like something's gone terribly wrong right from the start.
I hurriedly fling open the lecture hall door and go in.
The sight that greets me makes my head spin.
Seras standing in the center of the classroom, holding a bloodied dagger.
In front of her, a man collapsed in a pool of blood.
I have no idea what happened, but from the circumstances, it's clear Seras stabbed him.
And the system window popping up before my eyes.
[System Message]
[ Target 'Seras''s mental state is extremely unstable! ]
[ Related event is urgently generated! ]
! Emergency Quest !
[ Target 'Seras' is in dire straits! ]
[ Rescuing the target will greatly increase affection! ]
[ Rescuing the target will start the exclusive quest 'Betrayal'! ]
[ Failure to rescue will cause the 'Purple Devil' to rampage! ]
“...”
Yeah.
Of course it's me.
No way it'd be easy.
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