Chapter 56
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: Reward (1)
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Hello. This is the System Administrator^^7
We sincerely apologize for the damage caused by an unexpected error!
We have confirmed multiple bugs occurring to 'Entity Name: Roel Griffith' and have applied patches.
Below is the patch history.
1. Fixed the bug where 'Avatar Retrieval' was not occurring in certain situations.
This bug was due to a system error, and the same issue will no longer occur.
"Uwaaaah!!"
The demon that had been slammed into the wall let out a monstrous scream.
It picked up the sword it had dropped on the floor and charged forward with terrifying momentum.
It was clear it fully intended to kill.
2. Fixed the bug where the same role was 'duplicated' within the worldview.
And then it collapsed.
It rolled across the floor before curling up and twitching.
The hand monsters that had charged alongside it were scattering as well.
"No, no...!!"
The entity sharing a role with Possessor has been found to have used illicit methods.
Per Management Clause 37, an access ban has been issued to 'Entity Name: Primordial Second Demon'.
I could feel the demon's existence being steadily pulled out, in line with the system's words.
"This can't happen. This was originally my role!!"
The demon wailed in a voice that sounded like it was being torn apart.
Well, it must feel wronged.
After all, some stranger had suddenly stolen its home and everything else.
Maybe its attempt to kill me was just a desperate struggle to survive.
"Do you want to live?"
"...You bastard."
The demon's gaze locked onto me.
Cold sweat poured down its face as it barely clung to its existence.
It ground its teeth in frustration before forcibly prying its lips apart.
"...Spare me."
I just gave a small smile.
"You're actually doing it."
Well...
Your grievances are your own problem.
Honestly, it's none of my business.
The demon's eyes instantly turned bloodshot.
Its face was a raw display of rage, and I felt a slight thrill of pleasure.
"I'll definitely kill you."
Those were its last words.
The demon's soul was completely extracted from Roel's body.
I knew well what happens to a soul that loses its vessel.
"Farewell."
The faintly visible soul soon vanished from sight.
It had probably been utterly annihilated.
"I thought I was dead..."
Finally able to relax, I collapsed onto the floor with a long sigh.
I'd somehow resolved that hopelessly dire situation.
I was proud of myself.
Currently using Avatar.
Remaining usage time: 01 min 32 sec
I wanted to lounge around and rest, but that wasn't an option.
I dragged my weary body over to the fallen Roel.
I checked her condition.
There was a stab wound through her abdomen, but it was slightly healed.
The system's 'Life Support Function' must have kept working even under the demon's possession.
For me, that was a huge relief.
Otherwise, Roel would have died the moment the possession ended.
I sprinkled potion over the wound to ensure it soaked in properly.
Now new flesh would grow, and her twisted organs would realign.
Remaining usage time: 01 min 04 sec
That should do it for Roel.
Next up was that one.
"Stop sleeping and wake up."
I nudged the fallen Sitla with my foot.
Sitla stirred a bit before slowly opening her eyes.
"Gasp."
She bolted upright, claws at the ready.
She didn't drop her guard.
"Where's Master?!"
Well, now.
"Hey."
"M-Master! You're safe!"
"Stop acting."
Sitla froze and retracted her claws.
She fidgeted awkwardly before slyly slipping to the side.
"Clever girl."
"Hehe..."
"No lectures this time, just follow orders better from now on."
"Yes."
Sitla gave a curt reply and quickly hid in Roel's shadow.
One left, huh.
I needed to deal with the demon that the demon had been stomping on moments ago.
It wasn't in any shape to do much, but just in case...
Damn, if only I had a bit more time.
"You...?"
That was when it happened.
A familiar voice came from behind.
"Wh-Why are you here── Urk."
Roel tried to get up in a hurry but fell back down.
She'd used potion, but her wound wasn't fully healed yet.
Sudden movements were still too much.
"Who the hell are you...?"
Roel asked in a trembling voice.
Desperation to know.
Sadly, I couldn't answer that longing.
"When the chance comes, I'll tell you then."
That was all I could vaguely promise.
"Until then, don't die."
The red-haired demon lay collapsed, barely breathing.
I hoisted it over my shoulder.
Remaining usage time: 00 min 17 sec
Then I leaped with all my strength.
I soared through the air like a bird, quickly putting distance between me and the territory.
Boom!
I crash-landed quite a ways away and immediately swung my sword.
Remaining usage time: 00 min 3 sec
I severed its breath in one stroke.
Panting heavily, I looked up at the sky.
It was clear blue.
2 sec
I wonder if there'll ever come a day when I can gaze at that sky in peace.
1 sec
Who knows.
Avatar usage time fully consumed.
This avatar will now be deleted.
"L-Lady...!"
The Griffith knights came rushing in droves.
They were a bit—no, quite late—but I had no intention of scolding them.
They'd been evacuating the territory's residents until now. They'd probably rushed over the moment that was done, so I was grateful instead.
"I'm fine. Please collect the residents' bodies."
To begin with...
Roel's mind was elsewhere right now.
She fiddled with her now fully healed abdomen.
That man must have done something.
Considering the injury she'd sustained in battle, surviving was a miracle.
"I got help again..."
The man hadn't said a word, but she could infer from the circumstances.
"He must be the one who held me back too."
No more bodies had piled up.
This time, no one else had been hurt.
"..."
What the man had protected wasn't just her life.
He'd safeguarded Roel's convictions and the 'will' that remained.
This was already the second time.
She was more grateful than words could express.
'This is weird.'
Her heart wouldn't calm down.
The man's face kept coming to mind.
Was it just gratitude?
Roel pounded her chest.
"Lady?! What's wrong?!"
"N-Nothing!"
Once she pushed back the crowding knights, her heart finally settled.
"...He said he'd tell me when the chance comes."
She didn't know what 'chance' the man meant.
But if he'd said he'd tell her...
Roel had to wait.
"I'll definitely survive."
She had a new goal.
One she had to achieve no matter what.
Roel clenched her fist tight.
"Ughhh..."
I buried my face in the pillow and let out a tired groan.
The softness enveloping my whole body. I always think this, but I'd have gone mad long ago without it.
"I'm gonna die..."
Even after lying down for ages, my body still ached.
Considering that my inner-world self was just a 'soul', this meant the mental fatigue from this ordeal was immense.
So, for the time being, I'd just lie here like this.
I'd keep the screen on in case of emergencies, but...
Ah.
Please.
"Let me just lie down..."
I plugged my ears with the pillow.
But it didn't block much sound, so the monitor's alerts kept ringing.
"I really need to smash that thing."
I finally got up and sat at the desk.
Muttering complaints, I opened the alert window to find a message from the system.
Hello. This is the System Administrator.
"Administrator?"
Did they still have business with me?
I didn't have fond memories of the system.
As long as it wasn't something weird...
I'm reaching out like this because I want to properly apologize for this incident.
Thankfully, my worries didn't come to pass.
First, we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused by our company's inadequate response. On behalf of the <[Possession Management Association]>, we offer our deepest apologies.
However, words alone are cheap—anyone can apologize. The injustice you suffered as a Possessor can't be atoned for with mere words.
"...What? Are they actually decent?"
I'd just thought of them as kidnappers who'd tossed aside all morals.
Maybe they had some common sense after all.
To that end, using administrator privileges, we will provide you, Possessor, with a modest gift.
Below is the list of 'rewards' for this incident.
"Oh?"
My eyes lit up for a moment.
Well, hard work was hard work!
If they were giving rewards, it wasn't so bad!
First, we are providing 50,000 Points.
A whopping 50,000 points.
My mouth fell open at the massive sum, the largest I'd seen since possessing.
Second, we are providing one 'High-Grade Avatar'.
This pleased me too.
High-grade ones weren't disposable anymore.
Couldn't use them indefinitely, but they lasted twice as long as mid-grade.
Now I was excited for the final reward.
With a pounding heart, I scrolled down.
Finally, we are providing a Meeting Ticket with the Author!
......
What?
Do you accept?