Chapter 81
Chapter 81
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 81
Chapter Title: Hang in There, Future Me
-----------------------------------------------------------------
●
[ Remaining Time Limit ]
[ 00 : 00: 29 ]
My vision spins wildly.
No, how the hell am I supposed to survive this...!
“Caliban, isn't there anything you can do to—”
[I’ve never really been in a relationship myself, so I can’t offer any proper help. Sorry.]
“...”
You worthless human.
What are you even good at besides being my guardian? Huh?
[...You’re being awfully harsh.]
Ignoring Caliban’s grumbling, I call out to another soul spirit inside the Soul Linker.
“Valkasus, what about you...!”
[...I can’t help you either. Sorry.]
“...”
Even Valkasus, the one I trusted, steps on my toes.
You’ve lived a long life...! You’ve got tons of life experience...!
Why can’t you give me even one decent piece of advice...!
[...I’ve never had any romantic experience myself. It’s truly beyond my abilities. Who’d ask a bachelor of over a thousand years for help?]
“...”
[How about practicing how to play dead from now on? If you act with total conviction, there’s a chance you could fool her...]
I’m never asking you for advice again.
At this rate, I’m really going to die, you guys!
[No, you won’t die. If you were the type to die here, you’d have done it already.]
[I agree with that. I have faith you’ll figure it out somehow.]
“...”
[I’m off to rest now. Staying awake this long is still a bit tough...]
With that, Valkasus’s connection cuts off immediately. He really went to sleep.
Why did I go through all that trouble to take these backstabbers as companions?
Amid the flashing in my eyes, I stare at Yuria Grayhauncher entering by ‘ripping’ the door apart in her grotesque state.
[Dawood, why no reply...?]
[ Remaining Time Limit ]
[ 00 : 00: 15 ]
Seeing the remaining time makes my blood boil fiercely.
Seriously, isn’t there any way out? Not even one?
-If you act with total conviction, there’s a chance you could fool her...
That’s when it hits me.
Valkasus’s words from moments ago flash through my mind.
Wait.
Acting?
“...”
I quickly scan my surroundings.
A suitable ‘prop’ catches my eye right away.
I frantically piece together a plan in my head.
I recall the setup. I analyze the ‘preferences’ of the girl in front of me point by point.
Honestly, this is ridiculous.
But to get past this moment, it’s the only option.
[...So, you’re just going to abandon me and leave again.]
In the meantime, Yuria’s hand, now right in front of me, slithers up my body like a snake climbing.
[ Crisis detected. ]
[ Judged as a direct threat to life. ]
[ Skill: Desperate Situation applied at EX rank. ]
As those windows scroll by, Yuria continues in a deranged tone.
[Rather than that, let’s just, together, forever—]
A chill reaches me. If this goes on, she’ll grab my throat and squeeze.
“...”
So, before that.
I gently grasp and stop that hand.
“That’s ridiculous, Yuria.”
[...Pardon?]
I desperately adjust my facial muscles. I craft an expression, the right voice tone and atmosphere.
First things first, before this act.
‘...Sorry, Elnor.’
She probably can’t hear me, but as a person, I have to apologize.
Sorry. I’m really sorry.
But to survive, I have no choice.
Please, buy it.
“Jealous over some ‘childhood friend nonsense.’”
The moment I say that.
Yuria’s eyes go wide.
●
[...]
Yuria’s mind was still ringing incessantly.
Like before, when she lived in that cluttered warehouse due to the Curse of Severance.
The sensation was strikingly similar to when she thought Dawood had completely left her.
‘...Huh.’
Yet, even in that state.
She hesitates.
At the end of her gaze is Dawood Campbell, smiling faintly.
Somehow, his vibe is completely different from usual.
Of course, he always had a huge gap between his serious and non-serious sides.
But now, what is it?
He’s radiating the aura of a blatant ‘heartbreaker’ from every pore.
“...”
She swallows dryly without realizing it.
For a moment, she’s overwhelmed by the atmosphere.
Of course, that doesn’t mean she can just let this slide.
The incessant ringing in her head demands she press on.
[What do you mean? Childhood friend nonsense—]
Before she finishes, Dawood grabs her chin and pulls her face close.
Our breaths mingle in an instant.
Close enough to see the colors in each other’s eyes.
“...”
Her mind nearly blanks out.
This man right now.
What did he just do?
No trace of his usual indecisiveness—just pure boldness.
‘S-suddenly, like a different person...!’
No, this is too different from before. Just moments ago, he was clearly flustered by her questions.
As her heart starts pounding harder, Dawood speaks flatly.
“That ring doesn’t mean what you think it does. I figured someone like you would understand without me spelling it out.”
[...]
“You listening, Yuria?”
Yuria stares blankly, barely stringing her thoughts together.
‘W-what...’
What was she trying to say here?
Her brain feels sluggish.
The impact of what he just did is no joke.
In fact, it hits harder than expected, and when she speaks again, the venom from before has largely faded.
[...Th-then, what does it mean—]
“It’s just superficial decoration.”
[Don’t lie. You were looking at that ring on your ring finger with such a happy face—how could it be—]
“Leaving it open to misinterpretation would’ve caused friction. Better to mislead preemptively.”
Yuria’s mouth drops open.
Wow.
What is this guy even saying?
‘Trash...!’
The word pops into her head instantly, and she continues in disbelief.
[Why would you do that...!]
“I had to coldly reject the Tristan Duchess, or she’d get jealous and become a real obstacle. Understand it as a rational choice.”
[...Pardon?]
With those words.
Something slithers onto the ‘collar’ she always wears.
[...]
Yuria’s eyes widen as she looks down. A plain scarf with a ring catches her eye. Nothing special at first glance.
But that ribbon bears the Campbell Baron seal. A family emblem fabric that nobles commonly carry.
Among academy students who can’t easily get heavy jewelry like rings, it’s a common token of ‘affection.’
Dawood continues, his eyes showing firm resolve.
“A ‘mere’ ring like that can’t represent my feelings.”
[...]
“My true intentions are here instead.”
Yuria’s eyes shake violently.
So.
This man is saying.
[I-if I’ve got this right. You’re saying...]
“Yeah.”
[Because the Tristan Duchess was clinging so desperately, you and I, you and I...]
The text pauses briefly.
Even without physically speaking, she has to catch her breath.
[That she’s just an obstacle interfering with our ‘true relationship.’ So you accepted it just to ‘placate’ her?]
Putting it together like that.
He really seems like a deranged piece of trash. That’s the thought.
No wonder her sister warns against him.
But.
“Yeah.”
His curt, decisive cut leaves her speechless.
Because, trash or not.
“...”
‘If it’s the trash that likes me the most.’
Her instinct tells her she could accept him any way.
Yuria touches the scarf on her collar, her face flushed.
He’s even given her proof that there’s no wavering in his heart.
“...For real?”
A ‘voice’ leaks out, not ‘text.’
That one phrase instantly silences the ringing in her head.
“Yeah. For real.”
“Really, truly?”
“Of course.”
“You won’t leave me for someone else, right?”
“Naturally.”
Her pounding heartbeat grows louder.
Yuria fiddles with the scarf on her collar like she’s entranced.
“...The proof of the promise between Dawood and me.”
Muttering it to herself.
It sinks deeper into her heart.
●
“...So at least until we graduate the academy, please don’t tell anyone. I plan to sort everything out smoothly and announce it publicly later.”
“...”
I struggle not to show the cold sweat pouring down my back like a waterfall, barely controlling my twitching facial muscles.
I somehow pulled off that uncharacteristic Casanova act earlier—can’t get caught now.
My desperate efforts seem to work; Yuria, clearly oblivious to my state, nods shyly with her whole face flushed.
The demonic aura radiating from her body vanished long ago.
“Feeling a bit better now?”
“...”
She nods again.
“...Alright. See you later.”
Another nod.
Yuria, ears red to the tips, shuffles out my door like an unoiled machine.
Even as she disappears down the hall, she’s clearly still processing everything she heard.
“...”
And I’m the same.
What the hell did I just do?
[Unbelievable, just unbelievable. I figured you’d survive somehow.]
I sigh at Caliban’s cackling words.
“...Caliban.”
[What.]
“What do I do now?”
[How should I know, you trash.]
“...”
I shut my mouth at the cynical reply.
I know I deserve the insults.
But how do I fix this?
[I’ve lived long, but I’ve never seen anyone two-timing demons. Can you handle it?]
“...Theoretically possible.”
Make both Elnor and Yuria believe they’re my ‘one and only.’
Until academy graduation ends all main scenarios, and per Atalante, the vessel of the demon and I bloom ‘true love’ to seal that power.
[So.]
Caliban drawls lazily.
[In other words, you just have to keep two-timing without getting caught?]
“...”
[Against two demon vessels who could end the world solo if they snapped?]
“...”
[Aren’t you heading to the tribal alliance tomorrow as an exchange student, including those two?]
“...Yeah.”
[So you’ll be seeing them both constantly?]
“...Pretty much.”
[What’s your plan?]
“Caliban.”
I take a deep breath and reply coolly and seriously.
“Stop explaining it so casually—it’s making me want to die.”
[...]
I don’t know either, you bastard.
I’ll leave it to future me.
●