Chapter 44
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: Reward Confirmation
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The priests seemed flustered by my sudden change of heart, but they didn't press the issue.
They were plainly thrilled just that I'd agreed to their proposal.
Shan was the only one who noticed something off.
Even Shan, having picked up on the weirdness, didn't seem eager to stop me.
[Good, so you've taken the request, right?]
Having already said it in front of everyone like this, there was no taking it back.
That's why I'd tried to slip away as quickly as possible, but why did they have to take an interest in me right at that moment?
It was too coincidental to chalk it up to the demon worshippers' items just entering my inventory.
[When she sneaks in, we'll pinpoint the location and attack with Rie.]
There was no malice in it.
That made it all the more repulsive.
Their gazes and words, treating me like less than human, stabbed deep into my chest like an awl.
[What are we gonna do with her? Nah, we're not gonna kill her or anything. Unless it's an unavoidable accident.]
Those casual words sent chills down my spine.
It sounded like they were planning to kill me and pass it off as an accident.
And it wasn't just me who felt that way. Rie raised her voice, arguing with the viewers.
[No, did I say I was gonna kill her? I meant in an unavoidable situation!]
Why did she hate me so much?
I didn't choose to end up like this. She was the one who'd turned me into this with her talk of how "games aren't fun if they're too easy."
Why did she hate me?
What had I done wrong?
If I could speak, if my voice could reach them, I could've vented for over ten hours straight.
But I was too weak.
I couldn't open my mouth, and even if I did, I knew it wouldn't get through, leaving me only with despair.
The situation started wrapping up quickly.
Once the capital incident was resolved, I'd infiltrate the demon worshippers' hideout with support from the temple folks.
Shan was too famous among the demon worshippers to come along.
This designated request was something I had to handle with my own strength alone.
I looked at the temple people.
They hid my eyes, full of injustice, behind sunglasses and ignored my body trembling faintly.
Just moments ago, I'd been refusing the request, but now that I'd suddenly accepted, they seemed eager to lock it in as fact before I could change my mind again.
What on earth did they expect from me?
Had I earned enough trust from them?
No way.
I was still suspicious, and even if I'd helped with the bait role this time, I hadn't gained enough trust for them to casually spill this info.
So what did that mean?
I swallowed a sob as I hung my head, thinking of my plight.
Did they think my lies would work on those guys?
Sure, that might be part of it.
But it was more the same reason as this time.
They were throwing me out as bait to gauge the reaction.
If I came back with info, great. If I failed, it wouldn't be a big loss.
It saddened me that no one saw me as a human being.
Up until now, I'd been fine.
I'd grown numb to the disgust, the beatings, the contempt—just months of telling myself it was familiar now.
But no.
Deep down, I knew.
No matter how much I pretended it was okay, the unfair treatment, the hurtful words and actions pouring down on me couldn't truly be fine.
I just shoved them into a dark corner of my heart and tried to ignore them.
But those buried wounds festered, reeking—how could that be okay?
"I'm a person too."
My mutter went unheard by anyone.
Without my input, the plan was set, complete with a timeline.
As their conversation continued in this irreversible situation,
Rie spoke up.
[She's got the lightning thing? I tried so hard to get it and couldn't—why does she have it?]
My hard-earned reward was casually dismissed.
[Lucky? That's not luck! It's bad luck! What if she's the reason Rie can't get the lightning?]
I had no idea why I deserved to hear that.
Irritated tones poured toward me.
I could tell she was holding back curses because it was live.
[And her swordsmanship is still D after all this time? What's she been doing, even picking up that villain trait...?]
It wasn't my fault.
I'd never done anything bad.
[Rie, you're at swordsmanship A now, right? And your trait is righteous... Total opposites. I just want to transfer that lightning to Rie... Man, I'm pissed. I suffered over five hours for that thing... And she just picks it up without a care. If she'd at least put it in her inventory, she'd have cherished it.]
Why should I hand over what I'd earned through my efforts to someone else?
[Venomous? Ve-no-mous? Do I look like I'm not pissed? You guys know how bad I wanted that!]
After huffing and swallowing her anger, Rie vanished with a sudden [Whatever!] as talk turned to proceeding with the request.
She'd probably reappear around when I infiltrated the demon worshippers' base.
Not to protect me or watch my actions, but to lead the saint there once the location was known.
I regained control of my body.
Attacking someone let me reclaim dominance with one strike.
But guiding a conversation meant I couldn't take back control.
I stood up.
There was no reason to stay now that they'd finished talking among themselves.
"I'll head back."
With that, I turned and left the building.
The city was just coming alive with the morning bustle.
Normally, I'd be starting my day around now too.
I was tired, and my heart ached.
I knew I couldn't skip training, but my body wouldn't cooperate.
Thud—someone shoved my shoulder.
Then, as if I had bad vibes for bumping into him, he glared, spat at the ground upon seeing my sword at my waist, and walked off.
He'd picked a fight but backed off upon realizing I was an adventurer.
"...I'm not asking for special treatment. I just want to be treated like a human. Why is it so hard?"
Something I'd normally brush off stung like a needle prick.
I knew why.
Rie had shown up and made it all too real.
I didn't belong in this world, and I didn't deserve this treatment—it hit me fresh, tormenting me.
What I'd merely ignored as "familiar" was shoved in my face.
Every day, every day, every day.
I trained 7 to 9 hours a day to get stronger.
But originally, I shouldn't have had to endure any of this.
Sure, I had severe narcolepsy, but it was hundreds of times better than now.
All the world's injustices felt heaped on me.
I knew it.
"Somewhere out there, someone must be suffering more than me."
But so what?
Even if they were in worse pain, it didn't lighten mine or make it vanish.
If someone told me not to whine because others had it worse, it wouldn't comfort me—it'd make me want to tear them apart.
"Whatever... I'll rest fully today and stop thinking."
I'd thought too much.
Worries chained into anxiety, gnawing at my body.
Moving to clear my head was best, but sadly, I had no energy today.
"Ellie."
"...Shan?"
Turning at the voice calling me, I saw Shan looking down.
In Shan's hand dangled a man whose limbs were twisted unnaturally, out cold.
It was the guy who'd bumped me and picked a fight moments ago.
Shan tossed me a coin pouch.
Flustered, I checked my inner pocket—my pouch was gone.
I'd been pickpocketed.
Normally I'd notice, but my mind had been elsewhere.
"...Thanks."
"No idea what's up, but be careful."
"Yeah..."
With that, Shan turned and walked off.
"...Huh."
Thinking about it, Shan's place was in the opposite direction. Him coming all this way—what did that mean?
Doubt? No reason to show himself or retrieve my pouch.
So then.
"...Is he worried about me?"
Given Shan's stiff personality, probably not, but if by some chance he was...
For some reason, my heart eased just a little.
"Whatever."
No more moping.
The situation had escalated faster than expected, and there was something I still hadn't checked properly.
Since I'd successfully hunted those demon worshippers this time, it was time to confirm the rewards.