Pet Knight (3)
"You really don't get tired, do you... Your stamina is amazing."
Lying beside me and turning to face me, Yustia said. Bathed in the soft lighting, she gleamed like a jewel. I couldn't help but think how beautiful she was. It was a sentiment I'd felt countless times before.
"Well... I wasn't like this originally. Looks like I'm under the app's influence too."
"The app. It's changed so much. Me, probably you too."
The silver knight turned her head to gaze at the ceiling as she spoke.
"If I'd stayed in that world forever, I never would've known feelings like this. Or known so much about this world."
"Couldn't you go outside through the ark?"
"Go outside...? That's absurd. When I'm summoned to other worlds through the ark's contract, it's not me—it's a clone. I share some memories out of necessity, but they don't tolerate personal emotions or impressions."
Her words sounded stark and impersonal. Were we the same, using each other for our purposes?
"So... thank you. For bringing me—the real Yustia—out here."
The silver knight turned back with a smile.
I stared blankly until I snapped out of it and grumbled peevishly.
"You're saying that to the guy who made you piss yourself in public?"
"Th-that... it was too much. But... I didn't exactly hate it."
She scratched her cheek with an awkward expression. Even with her personality swapped, her lewdness and exhibitionist streak remained intact. That gap made her even hotter, in a way. A unique flavor.
But for now, this would do. This 'silver knight' version was too serious, stirring up unnecessary thoughts in me.
"Back to normal."
I snapped my fingers right in front of her eyes. For a moment, Yustia's face went blank. Then she grinned slyly.
"Darling♥ You played with me again without asking?"
She said it accusingly, but her tone was anything but. Yustia threw herself into my arms, rubbing her cheek against mine. If the silver knight felt like a dignified large breed dog, this Yustia was a perfectly obedient puppy. How could a mere shift in demeanor change her impression so much?
"But it's okay. Yustia's your toy, Darling. So play with me rough♥"
She wiggled her hips as if shaking a tail that wasn't there. She looked up with demanding eyes, begging for a kiss. I stroked her head and kissed her. Our tongues intertwined in a deep, passionate kiss. When we parted, Yustia let out a squeal.
"Kyaa. That was so romantic. My brain was melting. You too, right Darling?"
"Shut up."
My pride wouldn't let me admit it, so I snapped instead. Sensing my feelings, Yustia giggled.
"Darling's such a grump."
"Keep talking nonsense and I'll make you go down to the first-floor lobby like this."
"Oh? You think I'd actually be scared of that? You're the one who trained me personally."
Yustia shot back leisurely. My threat fell flat.
"I'll happily do anything Darling asks. You're all that's in my head now."
It might sound empty from anyone else, but not from Yustia. Still, it was a little scary. Like intense obsession.
"So... wanna do more? Darling♥"
"Nah. I'm tired. Gonna sleep."
"Aww. Sleep later."
"No, sleeping now."
I closed my eyes.
"So mean~."
Yustia grumbled, then went quiet. Wondering if she was sulking, I cracked an eye open. But contrary to my expectation, she stared somewhere with a serious face.
"What, horny again?"
I joked, but she didn't smile.
"Darling, there's someone outside the door."
"Some other guest? Wrong room maybe."
"No. They have a weapon. Hostile intent. Hiding their presence on purpose."
Now I had to get serious too. Yustia wouldn't joke about this. I sometimes forgot, but she was here to protect me—always by my side for that reason.
"From the ark?"
"Doubt it. I'd never notice them so easily."
"Then what?"
"Better back off for now. I'll handle it."
"Got it."
If I were more righteous, I'd jump in to fight. But I'm not passionate, exemplary, or that stupid. Even if a hundred of me ganged up, I'd lose to one Yustia. So I obeyed without protest.
Right on cue, the doorbell rang. Yustia got up from the bed and headed to the door in heavy steps.
"Hey, put some clothes on."
I never thought I'd be the voice of reason.
"It's fine."
She replied without turning. Well, the intruders might not like it, but if they're attackers like she said, who cares. The doorbell rang again, urging her to open. Yustia cautiously opened the door, and a group in uniforms burst in.
"Hands up! Police!"
They even had guns. What, here for the outdoor exposure? No, common sense said they wouldn't bring guns for that. And not in such numbers.
Before their warning finished, Yustia lunged, swinging a hand chop. If it were an amateur civilian, they'd be subdued instantly—rubber bullets or whatever. But Yustia, as she said on the street, was a living weapon. They'd needed machine guns, not pistols. Even then, no guarantee of winning.
Thud, gag, thwack, urk, splat.
Primitive violence mixed with screams faded after a few dozen seconds. Only one remained standing amid the pile. Needless to say, Yustia.
"This world's defense force...?"
She muttered, checking the fallen cops.
"Close enough."
"Why target you, Darling?"
"Guess we'll find out. Bring one over."
"Okay."
Yustia dragged one unconscious cop to the bed. I shoved their dropped guns aside and picked one up. Filled a glass with ice water and splashed the cop's face.
"Gah?!"
The cop jolted awake, eyes widening in confusion. He didn't even know what hit him.
"How...?!"
"Cut the crap."
I approached, aiming the gun.
"No long story. Why are you here?"
They burst in armed—not tasers, real guns. Maybe blanks, but still. Not normal procedure. Some serious motive or backing ignored all steps.
"...You're wanted for murder, sexual assault, threats, and false imprisonment. Make that one more from this."
He glared tensely despite my gun. Prepared. Not a rookie, despite looking young.
"Never murdered anyone. The rest... whatever. And last I checked, Korea doesn't draw guns first on suspects, even for those crimes."
"Depends on the severity."
So I was deemed shoot-on-resist level scum. Lots to say—no, nothing really. I'd deserve it. But the real issue: how'd they find out?
I'm not clean, but I've worked hard to seem so. Minor slips like the exposure, sure—but nothing major. I've hidden the big stuff meticulously. Exposed now? Unacceptable. For my comfy life ahead, no way.
I scratched my forehead.
"Evidence?"
"You'd have heard if you surrendered nicely. Still not too late."
He bluffed coolly.
"Darling."
Yustia whispered, approaching.
"That woman smells like him."
"Him?"
"The ark's manager. I dealt with him once, so I know. Faint trace."
"From the ark? Too sloppy for that."
"Maybe not directly. Leave her to me? I'll interrogate."
"Yeah... go ahead."
"Thanks, Darling."
Yustia kissed my cheek and turned to the cop.