Chapter 77
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: Comrades in Arms
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Data Archive.
"Eeeeek..."
Even I, who am usually so mild-mannered, was angry.
This is the first time anyone's been this rude to User!
Even back in our old trainee days, he was a jerk, but not this much...
I fell into deep thought.
Isn't there some way to punish him?
Of course, according to the system's Second Principle, "Prioritize resolving the client's deep desires and ensuring their well-being," I shouldn't...
But the First Principle is, "User's safety comes above all else."
And that client is clearly harming our User's well-being. Mentally!
And... and...
Honestly, I just don't like him personally!
"Hmm..."
It was right then, as I was pondering.
- Beep.
[Um... can I tell you something?]
The demon I'd [saved] in my database spoke up to me.
"Sure. Go ahead."
- Beep.
[That guy's already completely taken over by a demon...]
"?! Really?"
I asked, my finger hovering over the incinerate (🔥) button.
Don't you dare lie to me.
- Beep.
[Yeah, the truth is, the emotion amplification curse we spread is just the seed. The seed feeds on the host's strongest emotion, grows, and destroys the host's mind.]
[Then it slips into the cracks and tempts the target... uh..., hey, could you move that hand?]
Oho...
Interesting information.
I added a new note to my admin interface.
[Response Protocol Created: Target 'Choi Si-hyeok' reclassified from client to demon's kin.]
In that case, no need to be bound by client protection principles anymore.
Best to be ready to incinerate at any moment.
But the absolute best way is to report this to User, right?
My judgment as the system matters, but ultimately leaving it to User's decision is best.
Because I'm always on User's side!
[ (´｡• ᵕ •｡`) ♡ ]
That was when Choi Si-hyeok was provisionally cleared as uncontaminated and about to leave.
[Client Choi Si-hyeok shows high likelihood of complete corruption!]
"......"
Suddenly?
From my perspective, it was understandably disconcerting.
The terminal showed no reaction at all.
Still, I trust the system.
Even when it spouts quirky nonsense, when it comes to matters tied to my safety...
I believe it never speaks idly, so I can believe this too.
So I asked inwardly.
'What's the reason?'
Evidence would be nice, of course...
But even without, I won't ignore it.
The system responded to my question immediately.
[Loading related data!]
[Data Source: Testimony collected from curse entity, the demon.]
In that instant, a massive volume of information scrolled up before my eyes.
No need to read it directly.
In seconds, it organized and flowed neatly before me.
Entity Traits: Mental parasite that feeds on and grows from the host's strongest emotion.
Corruption Method: ① Massively amplifies the host's desires. ② Makes them realize it's impossible, inducing deep despair and mental voids. ③ Slips into the voids, corrupting the soul into kin in exchange for fulfilling those desires.
I grasped the curse's nature in one go.
Vicious.
Far more insidious than I'd thought.
No wonder a fully corrupted host doesn't trigger contamination detectors.
The curse really is gone, after all.
It's just been replaced by demonic slavery.
I silently thanked my capable partner.
'Thanks.'
[ (ว˙∇˙)ง ]
[No problem! Glad I could help!]
The system danced with an emoji waving its fists up and down, thrilled.
I smiled faintly too.
Then I turned my head.
Beyond the massive glass, Choi Si-hyeok was still sitting in his chair, staring daggers at me.
I met his gaze briefly, then turned and walked out.
All diagnostics complete.
With that, counseling sessions for all Haetae Guild members concluded.
I returned to the control room and shut the door.
I downed the cold coffee and stared at the array of monitors before me.
On the screens, all twenty-four hunters were either asleep in their rooms or blankly staring into space.
They looked peaceful. Heart rates and mana waves all stable.
In the end, no issues with the counseling itself...
But the biggest problem had arisen.
The curse was far more dangerous than expected.
Typical dungeon curses resolve with time.
Trust the hunter's own mental resilience for self-cleansing, isolate from external contact, and wait.
That had been the standard treatment.
Managing them to prevent outbursts until then was key.
But this curse was different.
Leave it be, and desires amplify, followed by despair amplification, potentially leading them to choose demonic servitude.
So, what to do?
I closed my eyes.
Options swirled and vanished in my mind.
The curse's effects would fade eventually.
The issue was surviving until then.
Find a way to prevent their emotions from plummeting into despair.
As I pondered that...
"How about... administering sedatives?"
The team leader standing beside me mumbled, gnawing on the rim of his paper cup.
I'd shared all info on the situation and curse traits with him.
He hadn't believed at first, but after cross-referencing the demon wave data from the system and the appraisal team's interim report, he grasped the severity.
Appraisal team was on final checks.
His suggestion was reasonable.
From a management standpoint, a sure way to restrain multiple unpredictable hunters.
A bit extreme, but hard to call it bad.
Still, I shook my head.
"Hmm."
Sedatives aren't a cure.
Plus, unknown if the curse progresses during sleep.
A fundamental solution seemed necessary.
All dungeon curses stem from unknown forces distinct from mana.
This one's source was clear.
'Demons.'
Then...
I formed a hypothesis.
Like using vaccines against disease, could we counter the curse with an opposing force?
'......'
As I mulled it over, the silent system popped up noisily.
[Excellent hypothesis, User!]
[Commencing simulation immediately!]
[🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥]
A small loading bar appeared in the corner of my vision.
[Simulation started. Target: Demon of Desire]
[Hypothesis #1: Inject fire-attribute mana.]
?
Inject what now?
[Kiiiiiaaaah!! It buuuurns...]
Some scream popped up before my eyes.
[Warning! External exposure of system log detected!]
[Oops? Sent the wrong thing!]
The log window vanished in a hurry.
After an awkward silence, the system reappeared as if nothing happened.
[Ahem... Currently verifying effects through rigorous testing! Please wait!]
[Thump thump...]
[ \_(▭-▭) ✨ ]
It couldn't actually have a real demon captured for experiments, could it?
...Probably not.
Moments later, it proudly briefed the final results.
[Two proven effective attributes!]
['Divine' energy of the gods and 'Anti-Demon' resistance to demons!]
[ (´｡• ᵕ •｡) ♡ ]
Simulation results were promising.
A simple hypothesis, but the approach checked out.
Divine.
Or... Anti-Demon.
Those were the ultimate counters to purify demonic curses.
Not many hunters wield them, but...
Fine. This was the Association. The vast database would yield something.
But one fatal issue remained.
Risk of contamination transferring to the treating hunter.
Like tossing a clean doctor into a plague ward.
The healer becoming another patient. A vicious cycle.
That was the plan's biggest flaw.
Unfortunately, I lacked both Divine and Anti-Demon...
"......"
Wait.
Come to think of it, I knew a hunter who fit both.
From the regulated world...
The fallen divine nation of Erebos.
Its sole survivor, an Otherworlder.
'Mary.'
She matched both conditions perfectly.
Mary was contaminated too, but that was no issue.
If anything, being already tainted meant no further risk.
Thus, only Mary could safely approach the others and use purification.
Stick right by Mary, monitor her status in real-time with my ability.
And treat the other hunters simultaneously.
If her mind wavers, I'll catch it first and control it.
Practically 24/7 by her side.
For any outbursts, pre-instruct the system.
Alert me to even the slightest emotional shift from baseline.
'Feasible?'
The system replied confidently to my question.
[Of course!]
I'll stick by Mary nearly 24/7, bolstering her mind.
Mary heals the other hunters' curses.
This seemed the most rational path.
Quick and decisive.
In other words...
'Battle buddies with Mary.'
