Chapter 76
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 76
Chapter Title: Liel
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Could I turn around and run away?
I gauged the distance.
It had taken a little over thirty minutes at a brisk pace to reach this point.
It wasn't that far if nothing got in the way.
But no matter how I thought about it, they weren't going to just let me go, so I tightened my grip on my sword.
"Isn't your investigation method a bit too sloppy? Something like this lurking in the sewers, and all you do is block the entrance?"
"I don't have much to say if you put it like that, but to make excuses for them, we already searched the entire sewer system yesterday. It came down as a request because we couldn't find it. Didn't expect it to show itself like this."
Helen answered nonchalantly as she sliced an incoming tentacle clean in half.
The tentacle's surface was covered in scales like armor plating.
Even when I struck with my sword, it didn't leave a scratch—just sparks flew. Each tentacle was like a solid chunk of metal.
Helen, who cleaved through it effortlessly, casually placed one hand on her hip and resumed her stance as if it were nothing.
"It's strong, but not as aggressive as I thought."
"...Yeah."
If it had gone berserk, I'd already be minced meat blended into the sewer walls by now.
The demon's movements were purely defensive, like it was protecting a broken doll.
It let out threatening noises and lashed out with tentacles, but never strayed from the doll's side.
It was strange.
For something this dangerous, the dice roll shouldn't have come up so low.
I didn't exactly trust the dice, but whenever they appeared, things never went smoothly—not once—so my distrust ran deep.
"Think we can back out while staying on guard?"
"Doubt it. It's reacting like that because I'm here. Same as with wild animals. You know what happens when the scared one shows its back."
"It charges."
"Exactly. If we turn and retreat first, it'll definitely come at us."
So, no escaping.
"Helen."
"Yeah?"
"If I stick with you, Helen, will stuff like this happen a lot?"
"...No? Even I don't run into things like this often."
"Good."
No matter how much I wanted to grow stronger quickly, that didn't mean I wanted to face crap like this head-on.
I wiped the sweat from my palms roughly on my clothes and stared down the demon.
It was covered in black scales that didn't reflect the light.
Dozens of eyes glared at us from the gaps between the scales, and just meeting that gaze made my stomach churn.
My head was spinning—was it the stench, or the demon itself?
Fog clouded my mind, dulling my judgment moment by moment.
I looked up at Helen.
Was I crumbling because I was weak, or was it inevitable for any human? I wanted to check.
"...This isn't easy."
It didn't seem to be just my problem.
Helen's refined features were creased in a frown.
But she didn't look like she was losing.
The corner of Helen's mouth was slightly upturned.
***
"Ah."
I let out a groan from a slight headache.
The connection to the doll was severed.
The doll must have been destroyed.
I had no idea how it happened.
The person next to it was surely a Gold-rank adventurer.
I could hunt Silver-rank adventurers without issue, so losing the doll so helplessly could only mean that.
"I must've been too blatant with my activities."
I'd planned to do it a few more times and then stop, but I hadn't expected a Gold-rank to show up and put the brakes on things so suddenly.
I clicked my tongue in regret, and a small voice came from beside me.
"Miss."
"Yes?"
I turned my head toward the voice.
A cute-faced maid with freckles was looking up at me.
I met her gaze steadily without looking away, and the maid bowed her head before delivering her message.
"The family head is calling for you. Please come properly dressed."
"Okay, thanks for letting me know."
I brushed back my hair and gave the maid a light nod.
Even at my small gesture, the maid's face flushed as if moved, and I sighed inwardly at the sight.
It was exhausting putting on this shallow mask and getting that reaction every time I said or did something.
I got out of bed and changed clothes.
It was a cute dress covered in frills.
Not my taste, but the fabric was good, so I could tolerate it.
The maid came behind me and brushed my hair.
She spritzed perfume and selected a necklace and earrings to match the dress.
Her touch was skilled, gentle, and quick.
"Nanya."
"Yes, Miss."
"Thanks, as always."
"Oh, it's nothing, Miss."
"Yeah, just felt like saying it."
Once Nanya finished brushing my hair, she stood, and I left the room.
Nanya followed three steps behind me.
What was Nanya's level, anyway?
I pondered briefly, then recalled the escort from the noble house I'd hunted this time.
About that level, maybe.
If I killed Nanya, would I reach the level I'd been aiming for?
Eh, borderline.
I wanted to grow stronger fast, but not enough to kill my personal maid over it, so I shook my head.
Regrettable, but I'd have to bide my time and plan more carefully.
The mansion was huge.
It took about thirty minutes on foot to Father's office, and over an hour to cross from one end to the other.
Two knights guarded Father's office. They gave me a light nod as I approached.
I returned the greeting with a nod and knocked—tap tap.
A few seconds later.
The door opened, and Father, who had been taking a break with tea amid stacks of papers reaching the ceiling, looked at me.
"Liel."
"...Yes, Father."
"That's not it."
His tone sounded harsh, but his voice carried a playful lilt.
I knew exactly what he wanted, so I obliged.
"Yeah, Daddy."
Disgusting.
The thought flashed through my mind, nearly cracking my facade.
Suddenly thrust into this game world, pretending this thing was my father—it only felt repulsive.
But I couldn't show it.
With my shallow mask on, I played the doting daughter and flashed a beaming smile.
"Why'd you call me?"
"Lately, there've been a string of murders targeting Silver-rank and higher experts near the capital. Know anything about it?"
"......I'll be careful."
"I'll clean this up for you this time, but from now on, you need to move more cautiously."
Father's words were endlessly kind.
He seemed to scold, but never raised his voice.
"At least two months. Stay quiet for two months."
"Thanks."
"You can go now, but let's have dinner together."
"Yeah..."
As I left the office at Father's words, Nanya, waiting outside, approached me.
-Was I too blatant with my activities?
The voice of the entity I suspected had thrown me into this game echoed in my ear.
I wasn't resentful...
This world was far better than reality.
Wealthy. If I wanted something, I got it. If I wanted to command someone, they obeyed.
The only issue was the slight loss of autonomy, but if that was the price for enjoying those luxuries, it was a decent trade.
So, no grudges.
Still, I couldn't help feeling a bit lonely and annoyed.
No matter how wealthy, it was just a game world.
Knowing that made even the riches feel trivial and hollow.
No matter how delicious the food, how extravagant the luxuries, or how the NPCs obeyed my every command—the satisfaction was fleeting.
For me, the only real satisfaction was...
Treating this game like a game.
Unfortunately, that'd be tough for the next two months.
But there were gains.
It was just for my amusement and the streamer's orders, but I'd encountered a real person like me.
A real person, not an NPC.
The streamer dismissed her as an 'ugly one,' but to me, she was the first real person I'd met in this game.
It piqued my curiosity.
Come to think of it, there was also a saint named Rie, not just the 'ugly one.'
Was that one real too?
The curiosity turned to a desire to meet her myself.
Unfortunately, I wasn't that free, so I kept it to myself.
"Whatever."
We'd meet again eventually—no need to rush it now.
I wanted to retrieve the demon I'd summoned from the sewers, but with the doll destroyed, there was nothing I could do. All I could hope was that she stayed alive until then.