Chapter 149
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 149
Chapter Title: Punishment for the Runaway Child (1)
Things turned out far better than I'd imagined.
"For this new rift and the opening of the third zone passage, the top contributor is the rookie, Kang Ihyeon. Any objections?"
"Of course not! Without him, we'd still be clearing out those webs."
"Right, right! Feels like I'm using up two months of vacation in advance! Tomorrow, I'm holing up at the casino for the first time in ages!"
"...The last one, stay behind before you go."
My name was boldly and clearly etched into the official Pioneering Corps report. It was listed under the 'combat' section, which was exactly what I'd wanted.
I didn't want any unnecessary aggro drawing extra attention to how my skills reflected in the performance metrics.
'With this level of achievement, getting into Class A at the academy should be no problem.'
The Pioneering Corps' workload fluctuated with the cycle of new rifts—rising and falling repeatedly.
It had elasticity, in other words.
Class 5 was mostly students, so missions tapered off after the semester started. I needed to squeeze every last bit of performance out of this vacation period.
"Congratulations, Master. You're one step closer to the plan."
"Thanks, Aira. It's all thanks to you."
"Not at all. It was only possible because of your abilities, Master."
On the way back to the Pioneering Corps headquarters, we discussed the 'Semi-Permanent Operation' skill.
My new acquisition and how to use it going forward.
As the conversation wrapped up, Aira suddenly brought up something else.
"And Master, before we head back, there's something I need to tell you."
"What is it?"
"The 'virus' I've been developing is finally complete."
"Virus...?"
For a moment, I couldn't grasp what she meant.
"Masha Leosica. It's about my former mentor."
"Ah."
Aira's unique ability that only applied to machine-made dolls.
Memory Overlay.
I'd told her to turn it into a virus form right after learning most of Masha Leosica's body was mechanical.
"It's finally done?"
"Yes."
"So, what memories did you set it to overlay?"
Aira shook her head at my question.
"I haven't set specific contents yet. I only induced a minimal 'arousal' state. Do you have any particular specifications in mind?"
Her question gave me pause for thought.
Did it have to be like before, overlaying myself onto Yoo Yejeong's memories to play the 'divorced ex-husband' role? Was that the only way?
"Does it have to make her fall in love with someone, or something like that?"
"No, Master. Not necessarily. It's possible to warp parts of her knowledge, values, or tendencies in the direction you desire. Of course, the deeper the alteration, the more likely her original personality will resist as a side effect."
"I, is that so?"
Her words sparked a wildly creative idea in my head.
Why not create something more intriguing than a Masha Leosica who simply loved me—a more entertaining toy, perhaps.
'Yeah, this idea might actually work.'
Right then.
Swoosh—
I spun around reflexively.
Huh?
A quiet alley heading to the Maker Sect's lab.
Something had definitely just whizzed by.
Was it my imagination?
"Who's there?"
Aira, standing beside me, murmured softly in response to my mutter.
"Three-Eyed Witch Rauphey. It matches several of her characteristics, Master."
"What? Rauphey? Ha, but she was short."
"That's why I said several characteristics match. She looks even younger than when I first created her."
Her body had shrunk—or rather, she'd gotten younger?
I'd heard the version that appeared in Paradise lately was quite different from the one I'd seen at the mansion...
"Wait, more importantly, if the witch showed up here..."
"Yes. I'm referring to the clone I personally created before."
The Three-Eyed Witch Rauphey, trapped in the swamp mansion.
I'd accepted her proposal since she couldn't leave the mansion, and sent Aira down to create her clone.
For communication with the outside and transactions, of course.
Though I knew it also served to monitor and check us.
'That's why I didn't care if her clone wandered off on its own.'
Whatever her clone's intentions for solo action, it was better than surveillance.
Maybe she just wanted to sightsee outside Nocturne Town?
It didn't matter.
The problem was her sudden appearance right in front of me now.
Something had clearly gone wrong.
'What happened?'
Was the witch's clone finally approaching to monitor me?
As I harbored that suspicion, the tiny figure darted around again, circling like a butterfly.
Then, she peeked out from behind a dumpster in the alley corner, staring right at me.
"H-Hey... you..."
Rauphey's clone.
She seemed hesitant, faltering as she spoke to me.
Her voice was small and trembling.
'What's wrong...?'
The Three-Eyed Witch Rauphey, who struck fear into all of Nocturne Town.
But the one before me now seemed far from majestic.
Her clothes were torn in places, her face caked in dirt, looking utterly grubby.
Like a lost stray cat.
'Has she even eaten?'
I wondered if I should say it.
No matter that it was just a clone, showing pity to a witch could invite disaster.
But in the end, I followed my gut.
I crouched down to her eye level, extended my hand, and asked in the gentlest voice I could muster.
"Um, if you'd like, would you care to join me for a meal?"
Rauphey scowled as if humiliated by my offer.
"Tch...! Don't you dare treat me like a beggar...!"
But the loud gurgle from her stomach told a story far removed from her pride.
In the end, after hesitating, she shuffled timidly toward me.
"I-It's not like I like you or anything. I'm just going along out of courtesy for your offer, that's all!"
"...Of course."
I stifled a laugh inside.
'The first time we met, she was taller than me, with bigger breasts—a mature woman who even spoke politely.'
How did she end up as this bratty little kid?
For now, I took her to my private lab.
I instructed Aira to wash her up and prepare food.
A few hours later.
Munch, gulp, smack smack.
The pint-sized witch Rauphey sat at the table, devouring food like someone who'd starved for days.
Her tiny mouth was stuffed full, cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk.
She ignored me watching from across the table, lost in her feast.
'She looks much better cleaned up.'
I rested my chin on my hand, watching her, then asked.
"So, how did this happen? Lady Rauphey, you've got plenty of money, and a private organization under you. Why was a great witch like you starving?"
She nearly choked on her food at my words, thumping her chest with ugh, ugh sounds, then gulped down water.
Snorting, she replied.
"I can't ask those idiot subordinates! If they knew I was out, they'd go, 'Ooh, Lady Witch! You've finally broken free of the curse! Time to show the world your greatness!' and complicate everything! I just wanted to quietly sightsee!"
"What about that butler? He seemed pretty dependable last time."
Mentioning her butler made Rauphey's face fall even more.
"He's my main body's butler. I can't just steal him... "
"So in short... you've been wandering penniless this whole time?"
"N-No!"
Rauphey flushed red and yelled.
"I brought plenty of money! It's just... I used a lot of magic wandering around."
"Magic?"
"Yeah! Then I caught the association's eye... They called me a witch's lackey and such!"
"So you became a fugitive."
"Sh-Shut up. If I weren't weakened... Argh!"
She hung her head and mumbled.
Her state was definitely abnormal.
'Even with her combat power halved, Rauphey shouldn't end up like a beggar just from surfacing. Something's off.'
The witch knew about my Clone Creation skill.
I knew about her Reality Manifestation skill.
That info exchange was part of our deal.
We'd swapped status window details and knew each other's skills.
And Rauphey's Reality Manifestation was a top-tier Myth grade, just like mine.
There had to be another reason for her sorry state.
'The curse's influence after all?'
Whoever cast it, if it was too potent to fully shake even as a clone, this could happen.
As she rose from the swamp toward Nocturne Town, her personality grew freer, her body younger accordingly.
"If it was this rough, why not come to me sooner?"
"It's my first time on the surface in decades. In a new body the curse doesn't affect. You wouldn't have done different, right? A few days of fun should be fine."
"Sure, sure, ditching the main body's tasks."
"...I'm not talking to you. I'm eating."
Sigh.
I kept watching her wolf down the food.
Her body getting younger must've regressed her mental age too.
Looks like I'd have to look after this bratty little witch for a while.
From what she said, she hadn't even properly contacted her main body.
Ha, headache.
In the end, I'd have to contact the main body at the mansion myself to report the clone's safe arrival.
'Well, considering the massive funds coming from our deal, it's not a big deal.'
The enormous capital flowing through Nocturne Town's black market.
For that, this much effort was worth it.
I reminded the gluttonous girl, once she'd finished eating, of her duties going forward.
"Lady Rauphey. Time to fulfill your original purpose."
"Original purpose?"
"Yes. The deal between Swamp Witch Rauphey and Arbiter Guild. You need to ensure it goes smoothly. Just act as a liaison between me and the main body, monitor the transactions. Not hard, right?"
She pouted like it was a hassle but didn't argue.
That was the clone's purpose, after all.
"Fine, fine! I was gonna do it anyway, no need to nag!"
Rice grain stuck to her mouth, she replied irritably.
But then, her eyes sparkled as if struck by an idea, and she proposed something.
"Wait, you. How about we change things up?"
"Change what?"
"If I monitor you, it's awkward for both of us. Do we really need the hassle? Right?"
The clone defying the main body's will to propose a new deal?
This was intriguing.
"Go on."
She stood and went to the window, gazing outside as she spoke.
"Now that I'm on the surface, I want to enjoy it properly. I'm sick of the swamp's damp, gloomy views. I want to live under this blue sky every day."
Her voice carried genuine longing.
"So let me join your guild instead. I'll earn my keep! This body is way more useful than you think."
"...You serious?"
"Dead serious. Just give the main body a vague report. Saves you worry, lets me earn and play freely!"
Her eyes shone like a kid's.
This witch meant it.