Chapter 59
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: Eye for an Eye, Drug for Drug (8)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Idiot.
Those two words floated into my mind.
Standing before me, waiting for my answer, was Abera. A radiant young lady with beige hair that was a touch shinier and curlier than Dia's.
She gazed at me with eyes full of confidence, endlessly awaiting my response.
Yeah, total idiot.
I thought it again.
'She must think it's a perfect plan.'
By getting rid of Dia—who'd had physical contact with me—she could also hear me say I liked her.
It was definitely the best move she could come up with on her own.
And with this approach, she could even gain honor by calling in the heresy inquisitors.
The noble lady who swallowed her tears even after losing her sister, strictly adhering to principles and rules. That's the image she could project to those around her. She hadn't skimped on the scheming.
But from the start, this plan had a massive flaw.
Abera was already dependent on me. She wanted me badly.
'In short, she's not being honest.'
Instead of clinging to me, why go to such lengths to scheme?
Well, it was probably her personality.
The kind that believed every relationship had a dominant and a submissive. And she had to be the dominant one, possessing the submissive.
That mindset extended even to those she cared for—she wanted to turn them into complete submissives and own them.
What she wanted was for me to be endlessly grateful to her, clinging to her day after day.
But human emotions can't be owned. Especially not someone else's.
Can you force love? Force affection? Emotions can't be forced. And you shouldn't half-ass it.
Breaking through is simple.
Scare her like she's about to shatter. Make her feel like there's nothing left to lose.
I deliberately put on a cold face and shook my head.
"It's fine."
"Pardon?"
Abera's eyebrows twitched sharply at my words. A reaction like she hadn't seen it coming at all.
Soon, a voice thick with bewilderment slipped from her lips.
"Fine? This is a very serious matter, and I'm protecting you, Mr. Ganeghan..."
I bowed my head deeply, keeping my serious expression.
"Yes. That's why it's even more fine."
"What do you mean? Pardon?"
"As a mere personal physician, I've caused an unsavory incident and troubled you, Miss Abera. I think I should just accept the punishment I deserve. Even if it's death."
"No... Mr. Ganeghan..."
Abera called my name urgently, clearly shocked, then barely steadied her breathing before continuing.
"That's not why I said it. As long as you say you like me, everything will be okay."
Her voice grew frantic.
It had to. She wanted to possess me, not destroy me.
But I didn't soften my expression.
"Besides, this isn't entirely Miss Dia's fault."
"You mean..."
"Yes. I had some feelings for Miss Dia too, which is why it happened. You don't have to see me purely as the victim. No, you shouldn't."
"Mr. Ganeghan... then... Ah, wait a moment."
Abera's gaze suddenly flicked to the teacup on the desk.
She was the type to sip even the last drops carefully, but this time, clearly flustered, she downed the remaining coffee in one gulp.
She wiped her mouth with her sleeve—despite the handkerchief right there. Then her eyes turned back to me.
"Mr. Ganeghan... You liked Dia? What about me? What do you think of me? Aren't I better?"
I shook my head slowly.
"I don't even know anymore."
"...You don't know?!"
Bam! The desk shook violently.
Abera had slammed both palms down on it. Fortunately, the cup was empty, so no coffee spilled.
"You... You promised! When I got back, you'd sort out your feelings and tell me what you think! And now you don't know?!"
"...Embarrassing as it is, Miss Dia was my first experience."
Abera's movements froze abruptly.
Like time had stopped, she was stunned, letting me continue.
"Miss Dia said I was her first too. Even if I liked you more deep down, even if it was a mistake. Shouldn't I take responsibility for the first? That's the decent thing, right?"
I rummaged in my pocket and pulled out a syringe.
The one with Deadrin, the euthanasia drug—I always carried it just in case. I quietly set it on the desk.
"I promised an answer by today but couldn't give one, and even did that with Miss Dia. I don't want to trouble you more."
"Ganeghan..."
Abera looked confused.
Time to wrap this up. I softly called her name.
"Miss Abera."
"...Yes?"
"Forgive my honesty. Lying just to survive is too hard for me. Even if you stay by my side, the guilt over Miss Dia being taken away would leave me unable to do anything."
"No... I mean..."
"And would a trash who keeps multiple women in his heart suit you? Ridiculous. All I deserve is this syringe. I'll go die quietly alone."
"Why... Why do you keep talking about dying all of a sudden! Like you're really going to!"
"Because I will. I hate myself too much to live."
"...I'm, I'm sorry!"
Crash! The syringe shattered. She'd thrown it hard against the floor.
Abera rushed over and hugged me with all her strength.
"I... I just wanted you to care about me somehow!"
"Is the attention of a filthy guy like me even worth it? Find someone far greater, who suits you. I'm just worthless trash."
"No! I... I wasn't honest. I can't do without you, Ganeghan!"
She grabbed my cheeks firmly with both hands, turning my face so our eyes met.
Abera's pupils trembled violently. Filled with clear anxiety.
The fear that what she wanted to own would slip away forever. The impatience.
"Mr. Ganeghan... Yes. You need me! It's possible. Perfect people like me often have wandering types needing support. So...! You were just lost for a bit!"
"...Was it just wandering? That's who I am."
"It's okay! Calm down! I'm relieved, actually. A man needs that sense of responsibility...! You're too good, that's the problem! Just shift those feelings to me now...!"
"Can I even look at you? If Miss Dia dies..."
"Slowly! Look at me more and more! I won't mind being second! The first was just an accident! I'll save Dia somehow too! So...!"
Mwah. A soft, plush sensation touched my cheek.
It was Abera's lips. Full and red.
"...Don't talk about dying. Things can change. Forever. By my side."
"Haa..."
The moment the conversation with Abera ended, I went to the bathroom and washed my face.
The tension released belatedly, leaving me with symptoms like dehydration. Strength drained from my body all at once, making me feel like I needed a good long sleep.
Fortunately, things had worked out well.
As expected, the moment Abera sensed she might lose what she wanted, her anxiety surfaced, and she became honest. Lucky. Her dependency stat had done its job.
...If I'd entered this world without cheats, what would've happened?
I didn't even want to think. I shook my head and hurried off. Everyone else was probably gathered without me.
But then, I bumped into something.
"Ow!"
I was fine, but the other side wasn't. Something tumbled nicely to the floor.
A tiny kid. Or was it? Definitely a girl.
Because of her bizarre figure. She looked like a kid everywhere but her chest and thighs, which were huge—a body type almost nonexistent in reality.
Well, this was a game world, so whatever. Come to think of it, I'd rarely seen anyone here with a bad figure. With that thought, I just stood there.
The pink-haired girl jumped up right away. And glared daggers at me.
"You... crazy?"
"Sorry."
Someone brought their niece? I nodded roughly and tried to walk away. Time was short.
But suddenly, the kid grabbed my collar.
"Hey! Apologize properly, with sincerity! Do you know who I am?"
Rude kids exist everywhere. I clicked my tongue and swatted her hand away.
"Lucky I don't. I'm busy."
"What? N-No! Hey! Can you handle this? Ah, ugh! Bathroom at a time like this...! Hey! Just wait!"
The girl, who'd tried to argue, clutched her stomach and dashed to the bathroom, yelling.
"What a rude brat..."
I muttered as I walked down the hall.
Our first meeting.