Chapter 27
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: Precarious
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I want to help Ulpi. That's what I thought.
I didn't know much about Ulpi's backstory.
But even the little I learned made my heart ache terribly.
To the point where I couldn't just stand by. To the point where I was furious at the people tormenting her.
'Ulpi isn't kind.'
I wondered what that meant, but apparently she felt immense guilt for threatening others just to get money.
Ulpi only did it because she had no cash and no strength to move her body properly—yet she still felt guilty about it.
And more than anything, that neighborhood where Ulpi lived...
At first, I just thought it was a rundown slum where poor folks gathered.
I figured poor people aren't always good—some must resort to illegal, wicked acts.
That makes sense. Someone like me, raised in abundance from birth, has no business meddling in their way of life.
That would be arrogant. Violent, even.
...
But before heading home, I took a look around the place, and... well.
My mind changed.
No matter how tough life gets, that crosses the line—by a mile.
I don't want to see it collapse entirely. That would strip away the last refuge for the innocent ones.
Still, it can't be allowed to linger in that state forever.
This time, with volume 2, there's a specific reaction I want to pull from readers.
Immersion is key, of course—but that's a given for any writer.
I want to drive them insane.
Not just the mild "When's the next volume?!" from the end of book 1.
I want them yelling, "You bastard, how can you cut it off here?!"
Senyora's popularity is riding pretty high right now.
My novel dives deep into her actions with hyper-detailed descriptions, like you're right there observing her up close.
If readers don't feel drawn to Senyora herself, there's no hook to keep reading.
Anyway, picture this: in a moment like that, end it with Senyora's mental state teetering on the edge?
If it were just some generic peril, there wouldn't be much buzz.
Novels have their ups and downs by design.
Even slice-of-life stories aiming for calm vibes lose steam if they're too calm.
This might spark curiosity for what's next, sure—but that's all.
But what if the protagonist's psyche starts crumbling here!
That'll rattle the readers' nerves too.
People read novels by projecting onto the protagonist, after all.
Since the whole story revolves around her, any wobble in her state throws the entire flow off-kilter.
And worst of all, the terror of not knowing what the hell the author was thinking, dropping a twist like that.
For all readers know, I might veer into some bleak depressive turn on a whim.
[Don't read [Knight Kalt] guys...]
Just...
Something sad happened...
Please don't ask why...
Salute to the brave vanguard who read the novel first and paved the way for us all
Loyal!!Ty!!
We won't forget...
I'll explain it for you. In the latest volume, the protagonist suddenly starts throwing a guilt trip over killing some guy for no damn reason.
Hold on—did the protagonist accidentally hurt a kid or something? That'd justify some guilt.
No. Just smacked down a total scumbag like usual.
But what if that's when he realizes the value of life?
Nope. Zero reason—he just fixates guilt on that one guy. Doesn't dwell on past kills.
Ah...
Hell, in this isekai world, damage from those depressive turns hits all the time.
Think I'd bother writing my own novel for self-sufficiency otherwise?
Bleakness isn't some distant concept.
A character's mental health tanks? Boom, bleak. At least that's how I see it.
Whole right arm blasted off, but they just go, "Guess I'll eat left-handed now..."? Not bleak.
Finger nicked, and protagonist mopes, "My dream of winning the piano contest is shattered..."? Textbook bleak.
What I'm saying is: it's not what happens—it's how it hits them emotionally.
I'm adding another character.
Didn't plan it at first, but now vol. 2 features three major ones total.
This new one's gonna drag things into even darker territory than the first two.
Dog beastkin, drowning in massive debt, living a wretched existence.
Forced into illegal gigs, but too kind-hearted to harm other humans.
Wonder who inspired her. Obviously Ulpi.
I skipped adding Rapi here, though.
Sorry, but the story rolls on fine without. Might drag otherwise.
...Do I really need to apologize?
Anyway, dumping this tragic role on Senyora herself would amp the impact, sure.
But that's tough—insufficient page count to build up to it properly.
What I really want is to showcase a beastkin even more miserable than the Senyora we've seen so far.
I'll weave in plenty to rattle the mental anyway—no direct misfortune needed for her.
"Y-Yes...?"
Name... something lively-sounding: Rika.
Let's contrast her name with her vibe.
Originally bubbly personality, but the world's brutality ground her down into the opposite.
First encounter: make it intense.
Rika pickpockets Senyora's wallet.
"Wha...?"
Body bundled head-to-toe in clothes—no features visible.
Senyora gives chase, naturally.
The pursuit drags on long and grueling.
Senyora finally nabs Rika somehow.
But Rika's reaction isn't what Senyora expected.
"..."
First shocker: she's a beastkin.
Next: her physical state.
Bruises and scratches everywhere.
Cheek swollen like she'd been slapped.
And... why a bruise on her neck?
Doesn't look like from a blow. Then that means...
"Ugh..."
Senyora felt chills erupting all over her skin.
She prayed her suspicions were wrong, but dimly sensed they weren't.
Above all, what stunned Senyora most was Rika's demeanor.
Her eyes were vacant. Even pinned down, defenseless, not a flicker of emotion.
As if she'd burned out every last scrap of feeling just to survive.
...
Overall, I'd crafted a character straight out of Ulpi's despair arc.
Added blatant physical abuse marks.
Ulpi had bruises on her legs and hands, scrapes too.
Fingers plastered with bandages.
I'd overlooked them while hanging out, but seeing her surrounded and beaten made them jump out.
They screamed "injured in risky work."
But Rika? No. Those cheek and neck bruises reeked of straight-up abuse.
Mentally, she's shattered beyond anything Ulpi's dealing with.
Truth is, Ulpi's surprisingly resilient.
To where even I spot traits worth emulating.
Rika's despaired so utterly deep, she can't even muster despair anymore. Captured in those hollow eyes.
A walking bleakfest of a character.
And bleakness? It's contagious.
Senyora ultimately let Rika go.
No drive to interrogate her. Didn't even reclaim the coin pouch.
Rika blinked slowly, then rose to her feet.
She dipped her head in a small bow of thanks to Senyora.
Then shuffled off, unsteadily.
Looking ready to topple any second.
Senyora trailed after, mesmerized.
'Can't... just leave her like that...'
Anxiety gnawed: what if she suddenly collapsed?
They walked. Senyora realized she'd followed the dog beastkin into unfamiliar turf.
The vibe felt off. Locals stared.
Like she was some intriguing object, not a person.
Sure, Senyora never got friendly glances, but she'd always rated as a fellow sapient at least. She tugged her hat lower.
Further along, further along, Senyora witnessed it.
The dog beastkin ahead having her coin pouch snatched effortlessly by some human.
Attempting a protest—then getting pummeled for it.
She had to step in. That frail kid against a burly adult male? Disaster.
...
But she couldn't.
Frozen by fear—that meddling might backfire onto her too.
The man departed. Only the beastkin remained, crumpled and twitching on the ground.
Senyora rushed over. Her pouch was lost for good, but...
Regret or irritation? Not what filled her head now.
Just dizzying turmoil.
"Ahh..."
Clutching the limp girl,
Senyora stood lost in the middle of the street, at a total loss.
...
And that's volume 2.
Almost wrapped.
Just unpack Rika's tale, and done.