65 - The Chains of Artificial Intelligence [▶Chat Window – ON]

Something about this game feels off—like I'm missing some key fact. I turned on the chat to tap into the crowd's wisdom, at least.

"I want to save Adella."

"What's different about the second run?"

This clearly isn't the exact same world. If I uncover its secrets, maybe I can save Adella.

"No, not that. You said the bosses' patterns change, right?"

Most viewers hadn't even touched Nightmare mode, let alone this. I'd have to figure it out myself.

"Remnant Academy looks like there's only one building in the capital's center, but there are actually several outside. Observatory to the south, guard barracks to the east, supply warehouse and admissions HQ to the west."

Daniel recited the plan word-for-word, just like before. The Gestalt branch chief stood with arms crossed, listening intently without a twitch.

Meanwhile, Adella and I sat side-by-side on her bed. Spotting a crescent-shaped comb on the table, I decided to untangle her messy hair.

To avoid startling her, I showed her the comb first, then gently started from the ends of her hair, smoothing it out.

Smooth— smooth—

"Hey, NoName? What're you doing to my hair, nyang?"

"Why? Don't like it?"

When I paused combing, her ears drooped.

"No, it's not that I hate it... ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Actually, I kinda like it, but it's so sudden for a first meeting...? Do elves normally do this to strangers, nyang?"

"Yeah."

"Weird culture. Well, not that I mind."

Viewers suddenly flooded out. The chat exploded again.

Oni-chan's full-power petting show.

"What're they saying?"

"Hm?"

"Never mind. Want me to comb behind your ears too?"

"Ah, there! Hnng... grrrrowl..."

I'd always hated anyone touching my hair, but holding someone else's in my hands? Incredibly soothing.

Adella squirmed a bit—it tickled, apparently—twisting every time the comb hit new spots. She was trying her best to hold still.

Takes me back. Hiasen and I used to flank Niobe, combing her hair from both sides. She was as lively as Adella, rarely coming back without dust or grass in it.

Difference was, Niobe was purity incarnate—unlike Adella. A girl sculpted from the whitest beach sands. Approach her, and life's storms blew away like sea breeze. My eternal friend from my past life's childhood, alongside Hiasen.

The combing paused.

I missed Niobe fiercely... Even if she had nothing to do with my current self, even shoving it aside as just my past life, the ache wouldn't fade.

Even if it meant taking the Demon King's curse again, I'd go back to when she lived.

"Grrrowl... NoName? Why'd you stop, nyang? Gotta finish or it'll tangle in the middle."

Stopping midway meant tangles—forcing a full restart. Like buttoning a uniform wrong: unbutton everything and start over.

Obvious logic.

"I'll start from the beginning, Adella."

"Haa... haa... huff."

Butterfly-patterned ceiling, Abyssal Inn bed again.

Run 2 ended the same as run 1. Only differences: boss clear time cut from three hours to one, and Adella's final smile—happier than before—as she chose suicide.

Adella was still too weak.

Run 3 started at -30% penalty. Perfect routes, optimal loot—still caught mid-escape due to stamina drain.

Adella was still too weak.

Unless Adella overpowers Jin Chronicle, no saving her. But guard EXP is capped. Yielding it to her weakens me.

Post-run 6, I'd hit -75%. My flailing becomes pointless—she'd have to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠protect me.

Headache.

Run 3 failed; no repeating run 4 the same. But no ideas.

Is she programmed to die?

I headed to Adella's room again.

"Don't just barge in without knocking—that's rude here. Anyway, forest keeper, what's your name, nyang?"

"NoName."

"Oooong. Rolls off the tongue nicely."

"...?"

Adella said it casually. Dialogue changed.

But the path here hadn't branched much?

"Why?"

"What, nyang?"

"My name—it's weird, right?"

"Not really? Feels familiar. Live in the capital long enough, you hear all kinds of crap names. Forest Keeper's tame."

Gulp gulp—

Adella downed the rest of her beer.

"Adella."

"Yeah?"

"Adella."

"Why keep calling me, nyang? You're embarrassing me. Spit it out!"

Not my imagination. No awkwardness in her demeanor now.

Did her body remember our bond from past runs?

Another reason not to abandon her.