Chapter 36
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: I'm Pretty, Right?
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Two days had passed.
It would still take time for reinforcements from other cities to arrive.
"...So it expanded by about one step during yesterday."
The first thing we did upon waking was check how much the demons' territory had grown.
Since the expansion speed varied each time and wasn't consistent, we needed to check every hour.
Two steps two days ago, one step today.
The speed was slow, but the variability made it unsettling.
It meant they could suddenly expand their territory in an instant.
With the space divided right before our eyes, all sorts of thoughts and fears crept in, but this was something we had to do.
"As Shan said, the demons' space is an entirely different world."
What that meant.
I had a vague understanding.
Blood rain poured down relentlessly, yet not a drop flowed outside the space.
Even when I went to the riverbank to wash.
If that much red blood was falling, the river should have been dyed crimson too.
But the river water remained crystal clear.
It was as if an entirely separate world had been draped over the city.
So, if we could destroy that space, the overlaid world might vanish, returning the city to normal.
"...Then the sacrificed people..."
"Impossible."
Shan, who had approached me at some point, crushed my curiosity and hope.
"That space is like an animal's stomach. It expands because it's digesting the people inside."
Shan looked down at me and continued.
"But you know that pulling something out mid-digestion doesn't bring it back to life."
"...I know."
Tori and the kids' faces flashed in my mind.
They had liked me.
The kids were terrible at lying; even when they bluntly called me a creepy sister or whatever, they still followed me well.
My head spun, my chest tightened.
The thought that this was my fault reared its head and stared up at me.
I knew I was special.
I knew I had a game system applied to me.
So, whenever something happened.
I had wondered if my presence rolled the dice, leading to unwanted outcomes.
But I ignored it.
Situations warranting a dice roll were rare anyway, and even if one did worsen things, was that really my fault? There was some defiance in that thought.
Then what about me?
I never knew when or how the system would intervene and make things worse.
Should I hide in some mountain or just die?
Even if the dice showed 21 this time and caused this tragedy.
Was it truly my fault?
Even as those thoughts swirled, I was also recognizing it as my fault.
The dice rolled.
Why?
Because I was there.
A high number came up.
Why?
Because of my traits.
In the end, the roll and the high number were tied to me.
Even without intent on my part, was I truly innocent?
Could I boldly claim I didn't kill the city folk?
"......Dizzy."
My desperate struggle to survive seemed to only bring harm to the world, drawing a sigh.
The injustice and frustration were daily feelings, so it felt trite to voice them now.
"Is it wrong for me to just be alive?"
People often say someone breaks when they see defeat in their eyes.
But my heart had broken when I thrust my sword at Grandpa.
I've just been living that way ever since.
So.
Already broken, I don't break again.
But the agonizing guilt clawing at my heart like nails was another matter.
"Being alive alone isn't wrong."
Shan responded calmly, even as he suspected me.
It wasn't much comfort, but that's what made it true.
Right words never console.
Time to snap out of it.
The crisis was still looming before us; I could indulge in these pathetic thoughts alone after everything ended.
"Shan."
"What is it?"
"Tell me the traits of demon worshippers."
"...Traits?"
"I want to know why you're suspicious of me too."
At my question, Shan stroked his chin thoughtfully a few times before nodding.
He suspected me, yet we'd built some trust.
If not, he wouldn't have voiced his suspicion at all.
He knew I'd be on guard if he did.
This was suspicion tempered with belief.
"They gain strange abilities through horrific rituals. Could be one or many."
"...Strange abilities?"
"Powers that cause incomprehensible phenomena. Like the one you have."
"......Moving silently?"
"You can silence footsteps. I can silence weapon swings too. But both require mastery. No ordinary skill can achieve it."
Shan glanced at my sheathed sword and continued.
"But your swordplay I saw wasn't that advanced. It's too clumsy. You've won fights so far because of your weapon, not because you're specially strong."
His sharp critique made me bow my head.
I thought I'd improved a bit, but to a silver-rank adventurer, I was still bottom-tier.
"One of several reasons I suspect you."
"...Others?"
"Demon worshippers just feel off. Beyond reason, it's a gut sense. Some are outright repulsive."
"...Uh."
"Yeah, like you."
This fit my situation too perfectly; I had nothing to say.
It wasn't bad luck matching a few traits; it was a perfect overlap.
Shan was the odd one for suspecting without acting.
Then.
"Hey, I've only faced demon worshippers a few times myself, so it's awkward to butt in... but aren't you pushing too hard?"
The silver-rank adventurer with the spear.
Marcel, whose name I'd heard yesterday.
Marcel had overheard and intervened, perhaps to mediate.
"We all know the situation's fucked, right? Suspecting each other does no good now. You know that, so why?"
"Sorry."
"Don't be sorry; just don't do it. She's young and naive, fine, but you're older—why keep at it?"
"I-It's okay."
"I'm not okay. Situations can suck. Adventuring throws shit like this at you constantly; nothing new. But what really pisses me off is assholes who make fucked situations worse."
Marcel laid into Shan without a care for his rough language.
"Shan, I know the tragedy demon worshippers caused you in the past, but if you keep treating teammates like shit with suspicion, I can't stand it anymore."
"...Marcel."
"Plus, you know demon worshippers all have melted faces and wear masks. You're suspicious of her but won't touch her because of her looks, right? Face isn't ruined—hell, she's pretty?"
I glanced at Shan, wondering if that was true, and he gave a small nod of admission.
"No matter how suspicious, without solid proof, leave her be."
"Yeah."
"If you're that unsure, drag her to a temple instead of brooding."
Tsking, Marcel kicked a stone on the ground.
Still unsatisfied, he glared hard at Shan.
He seemed fed up with Shan's constant suspicion and pressure over the two days.
"Hey."
"...Yes?"
Marcel suddenly turned to me, startling me into responding. He paused thoughtfully, then approached and patted my shoulder.
"You're definitely suspicious as hell, yeah?"
"...Yes."
After two days of torment, I'd realized how many overlaps there were between me and demon worshippers. I accepted their suspicion as inevitable.
"But those guys' faces are basically fucked."
I didn't know much, but if he said so, it must be.
"So next time that asshole bitches, don't just take it—fire back."
"What do I say...?"
"'But I'm pretty!' That alone clears you of worshipper stigma."
"......Uh."
No way could I say something so embarrassing to grown adults. I ducked my head.
My face heated up for no reason.
"Embarrassed?"
"...A little?"
"Embarrassed my ass? Or wanna die?"
Can't argue with that.
"Embarrassed my ass."
"Good. Now go say it to him."
"...Yes?"
"Go on."
Marcel shoved my back toward Shan, who looked deep in thought.
Panicking, I glanced at Marcel, who mouthed his intent.
'Fucking do it; don't pussy out.'
If I didn't, I'd die to Marcel's fists, not Shan. Squeezing my eyes shut, I yelled what he taught me.
"I-I'm pretty, so I'm not a demon worshipper!"
Irresistible shame flooded me after.
I suppressed the urge to leap into the demon zone.
Seducing goblins, fooling around with kids—different from this.
I'd cursed in front of two silver-rank adventurers.
"...Fuck, for real!"
Luckily, perhaps.
Both Shan and Marcel.
Pretended not to hear my curse.