A Small Follower of Irmana

Even though I tried to let go of my lingering attachment to that servant who wasn't really a servant, I couldn't completely shake the thoughts from my mind. On the way home, I considered all sorts of possibilities.

The extent of this achievement's power would depend on how much strength it could exert. It had never activated before. Since an A-rank bodyguard would have a fairly large gap in power compared to me, it could definitely prove useful.

'No need to kill the bodyguards... They're not evil. I have to handle them without self-destructing somehow.'

Once I changed jobs, the path forward might become clearer. 'Tomorrow I'll teach those Ilseom bastards a lesson, and if I'm lucky, I'll level up. After that, running a few dungeons shouldn't take too long.'

I calculated that I could take down the great villain Ha Se-rin within two weeks at the latest and stepped inside the house.

'What are they doing instead of sleeping?' My companions had all looked ready to collapse from exhaustion that afternoon, but the moment training ended, their eyes sparkled as they gathered in the living room, chattering away. From how much money the homeowner must have earned to afford such a nice house, to how long they'd keep working as hunters. Most of the conversation revolved around Yeon-hee, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the actual owner of the place. Yet every discussion eventually circled back to tomorrow's confrontation with Ilseom.

"Wait, they're literally walking into a trap with their own two feet. The Bijeon Guild isn't taking any measures? Is that their idea of training?"

"Aish, I already told you they'd send people. Top-tier A-rank hunters, no less."

"Still!"

No Hayun kept insisting that I could handle everything myself so there was no need to worry, while constantly slipping in and out of Yeon-hee's bedroom.

"Hey, No Hayun. Why are you so interested in Yeon-hee's bedroom?"

"It's just... I was imagining what it must feel like to do that kind of thing in a place like this..."

"What are you even saying? Speak clearly."

'......She's really something. Does she always have to fill in the blanks with her imagination like that?'

I shook my head and headed outside to perform the ritual for Irmana's consciousness.

Even from the front yard, the children's laughter spilled out like a song. 'How peaceful. I should invite the kids over to play more often. Yeon-hee seems to feel a different kind of joy when she's with me...'

With those thoughts in mind, I was just setting down Irmana's statue when a woman entered the range of my senses.

The woman who hid considerable volume behind her small frame was the Ilseom shadow operative who had been caught spying on our house before. The one I'd disciplined at the church and set up to work for me in my own way.

'Her name was Miyeon. She came quickly.'

I'd clearly told her to contact me if anything happened with Ilseom, yet here she was on the night before the duel. I used my remaining Mimicry to fly over to Miyeon. She greeted me with noticeably less tension than our previous meeting.

"Hello..."

"Why are you so late?"

"Eep... S-sorry..."

"Let's move over there first."

"Where—kyaa!"

I scooped her up and moved to the secluded spot where I'd activated Mimicry earlier.

Tap—

"Haa... eep!"

Even after we arrived, I didn't bother setting her down from my arms.

I had already confirmed how useful this effect was during our last meeting, so it seemed wise to charm her even more right now.

"Haaauu..."

When I gently wrapped my arm around her waist and gazed at her, Miyeon's pupils darted in every direction. After locking eyes with her for a moment and confirming that her focus was starting to blur, I spoke.

"Tell me the information you brought."

"Ah... um, y-yes. So what happened is..."

She seemed completely unable to collect herself, so I loosened my hold around her waist. Once some distance returned, she let out a trembling sigh and finally managed to extract meaningful information from her mind.

"The people participating in tomorrow's duel... aren't registered in the Ilseom Guild's official roster."

"...Outsiders?"

"N-not exactly... There's another shadow organization that focuses on pure combat strength. They're from there. People who have been training around hidden dungeons since they were children..."

"Ah... So they're specialists optimized for the location where we'll be fighting tomorrow."

"Y-yes. And I heard they selected the ones with the most outstanding talent."

"That's obvious. Is that all? That's something I could have predicted anyway. We have Arin, who's originally from Ilseom, so I already knew people who trained in that space would appear."

Strictly speaking, that was only half true. 'They've been deliberately raising talents there since ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠childhood? Did they gather orphans? What could they possibly gain from doing such things in secret? Unless the whole world changes into that kind of environment...'

My head grew a little complicated, but I focused on the present for now.

"O-of course there's more. This is actually even more confidential information..."

"Oho—good. Let's hear it."

"......Just like this?"

"?"

For a second I didn't understand what she meant, but then I realized Miyeon wanted something from me.

"...What do you want?"

I could have just intimidated her into talking, but she might prove useful in the future. It wouldn't hurt to hear her out.

"Your... contact information..."

'That's not happening.'

I literally couldn't give it to her. I didn't have a phone!

"That's not possible. Ask for something else."

"T-then..."

Though clearly disappointed, Miyeon quickly racked her brain.

"J-just your hand once..."

"What?"

'My hand? That's enough for her?'

"You want me to hold it?"

"Yes..."

Since it was such a small thing, I immediately took her hand.

"Ah... wow......"

Contrary to my casual attitude, Miyeon looked deeply moved. She closed her eyes tightly, completely focused on the sensation. 'I don't get it. Did my charm skill actually affect her? It shouldn't be that strong...? To show personal feelings so openly toward a target she was supposed to be spying on.'

Miyeon kept fiddling with my hand for a long time. Before I knew it, the skin up to her neck had turned bright red.

'Now that I look, she's wearing a skirt.'

Only then did I notice her knee-length blue skirt, white blouse, and cardigan. Deciding this had gone far enough, I pulled my hand away.

"Ah! N-no!"

"What do you mean no?"

"That... ah... s-sorry—"

Her mouth opened and closed, but she couldn't bring herself to say the next words. 'She's surprisingly innocent. Or does my ability make people submissive?'

Since it hadn't been confirmed through a skill, I couldn't be sure.

"Now speak."

"Haa... There's... a consumable item. A special medicine."

"Medicine? What kind of effects does it have?"

"It temporarily enhances physical abilities, and I heard the side effects are almost nonexistent."

"Is it even possible to artificially boost combat ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠power without side effects?"

I tilted my head skeptically. Miyeon stared intently at my face and continued.

"I heard it's made by mixing ingredients harvested from hidden dungeons."

"Hmm... I see. Hidden dungeons, huh..."

'This is surprising information.'

I kept my expression neutral and said, "You must have gone through a lot. It doesn't sound like something you just overheard. You dug it up yourself, didn't you?"

Information of this caliber wouldn't be floating around as mere rumors. Miyeon quietly nodded, her face flushed.

"Manage your risks properly. Getting caught would cause all sorts of trouble."

"I'll be careful..."

"Good. If you come across any more useful information, come find me again."

"Ah, um, excuse me."

"Yes?"

"C-could we stay together for just ten minutes... No, five minutes?"

"You'll cause problems if you keep asking for more."

"Please, just once..."

I thought for a moment. Considering her cautious tone and overall behavior, she didn't seem like the clingy type, so I eventually agreed.

"But I won't say a word. You'll just sit quietly and then leave."

"Okay... Thank you..."

'Hasn't this changed too dramatically?'

It was the first time my own ability actually felt a little frightening. The place we were in wasn't far from the walking path, so we moved there and spent time quietly watching people pass by below. Sitting on the bench, Miyeon lightly swung her legs back and forth, openly showing her excitement.

I felt a slight pang of guilt, but the remaining mental contamination quickly washed that feeling away. 'Whatever. She's someone I could've killed without anyone batting an eye. Just sparing her life is already generous.'

I made excuses to myself while blankly staring at the sky. All the while feeling her gaze fixed on me and the faint scent of some unknown perfume.

'She even put on perfume. She's really lost her mind.'

A short while later, I returned home, leaving behind Miyeon who still couldn't bring herself to walk away. I could feel her eyes watching me from afar, but if she wanted to see me again, she'd have to bring another interesting piece of information.

When I arrived back at the house, the lively atmosphere was still in full swing. They chattered nonstop like girls on their first school trip. Even though the conversations weren't particularly interesting, laughter never ceased. Watching them lie around and talk among themselves, I felt an inexplicable sense of happiness rising within me. It was slightly thrilling yet carried a faint bittersweet feeling.

'A skeleton getting sentimental. How ridiculous.'

Not wanting to disturb them, I went out to the yard, placed my hand on Irmana's statue, and began the ritual. I still didn't understand why Irmana had given me a quest to meet her, but actually facing her only raised more questions.

'She looked really scared when she saw me... She wouldn't be calling us just because she needs a punching bag to vent her anger, right?'

The memory made me feel a bit intimidated, but I couldn't stop the quest I'd been working on for over two months.

'O goddess Irmana... This is a very pitiful skeleton who earnestly wishes to meet you...'

The same process as always. The familiar sensation ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠spread, and my vision changed once again.

Chirp chirp— The cry of some unknown bird. Two moons floating in the sky. The fresh scent of grass carried on a warm breeze.

'It's dark... Did I arrive during nighttime?'

Judging by the energy I could sense, it seemed I'd returned to the lake I'd seen before. And this time, not as a spiritual body but with my actual form manifested.

"Clack clack."

I carefully knocked my teeth together.

'...No reaction.'

After making the sound and waiting a while, no one came looking for me, so I walked wherever my feet took me.

'This is definitely the same place.'

Before long, the lake came into view.

'I'd believe someone if they told me this was the ocean.'

It even had tides like the sea, with water rising and falling repeatedly.

'How is this different from the water that came out of the kettle?'

Without much thought, I splashed the lake water onto my body.

Splash—

'......That surprised me.'

I never expected to gain an achievement by coming this far, so I clutched my startled chest. Suddenly sensing a strange presence, I hurriedly looked around.

'What was that? I felt something just now...?'