Chapter 6
Chapter 6
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: Settlement
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Shaaaa!
A pure white light spread from the man's hand, gently enveloping the wound.
A warm glow, like spring sunlight, settled over the skin, unfolding a miracle that made even onlookers swallow hard.
Holy power.
A force wielded only by the pure faithful who believed in the gods.
As that grace, shaped from the mana of light, wrapped around my entire body, my bruised flesh regained its original form in an instant.
Crack, pop!
The sound of bones and muscles slotting back into place rang in my ears, and my limp left arm sprouted fresh flesh, gleaming with vitality—a power truly worthy of being called a miracle.
"That concludes the emergency treatment. Fortunately, there should be no threat to his life."
The elderly priest in white robes wiped the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand and caught his breath.
Aren, who had been watching from the side, asked the priest,
"When will he regain consciousness?"
"That varies from person to person, so I can't give a definite answer. But his breathing is normal and his pulse is stable, so let's just monitor him for now."
After his response, the priest rose from his chair on unsteady legs and headed for the door, supported by a young priest who had been standing by.
"Guardian, the patient needs absolute rest. Please wait with us outside the room."
"Understood."
Aren followed them out of the room.
"..."
Just before leaving completely, she glanced back at me with a lingering look.
Her expression, a mix of relief and worry, held until the door clicked shut.
Thud! The room door closed.
The space, filled moments ago with chatter, plunged into silence in an instant.
'They gone?'
I cautiously opened my eyes and scanned the surroundings.
A small but tidy single room, faint medicinal scent in the air, soft sunlight filtering through white curtains.
Not a soul in sight, even if I searched with wide-open eyes.
"They're gone."
Confirming no one was around, I bolted upright in bed.
"Playing dead is exhausting, seriously."
It was an act to emphasize just how drained I really was, but in hindsight, maybe it was pointless.
"Ughhh!"
I stretched out my stiff body with a long yawn.
Lying still in one position is no joke.
I'm the type who fidgets and jiggles my legs at every opportunity, so this was especially tough.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Activating Conqueror of the Abyss. Overcoming abnormal status: Fainted. Overcoming abnormal status: Berserk. Status... "This damn status window is noisy as hell."
I swiped away the status window blaring like an alarm.
Just like dragging useless files from the desktop to the trash.
'Anyway, the plan worked—got through the day just like I wanted.'
⚔ STATUS ⚔ ⚡ Name: Leon Star 💨 Race: Human ✨ Job: None 💪 Possessed Skills: Conqueror of the Abyss, Berserker's Fury Berserker's Fury
The first reward from my labyrinth exploration: charging alone into a monster nest under the labyrinth's curse, slaying foes, and turning the tables on them.
The effect is simple.
The more wounds I take, the stronger I get, and the damage I receive decreases.
Plus, a bonus feature to recover health after felling a certain number of enemies!
A skill that shines absolutely against groups.
Early in the labyrinth, monsters often swarm in packs, so nothing beats it.
Simple is best, but like all great power, it comes with great responsibility—and a fatal drawback.
The berserk state shown in the status window earlier: once a day, reason snaps, turning me into a bloodthirsty monster craving slaughter.
Thanks to Conqueror of the Abyss, I'm immune to abnormal statuses, but seeing the real-time "recovering from berserk" messages is still annoying.
Other than that, though? Solid skill overall.
With the pesky status window tucked away, nothing's bothering me now.
In other words!
'Under the covers is still the best spot.'
Finally, I can relax.
'Ah, so comfy.'
Pulling the cozy blanket up to my shoulders melted away my tension, drowsiness flooding in.
The soft bed cradling my back eased the deep fatigue built up in my body—what else could this be but heaven?
I wasn't sleepy before, but now I could drift off like this.
'In previous rounds, this kind of comfort was a luxury.'
Back then, entering the labyrinth meant holing up for at least a month.
Days of catnapping to dodge surprise attacks in a place where death could strike anytime.
Unfair bullshit deaths over and over, yet I never uttered the word "give up"—those resilient times.
I wanted to quit the endings and all, but I always stepped back into the labyrinth.
Time marches on unstoppable, and this world has an end too.
You can delay it with effort, but it comes eventually.
When the abyss sleeping at the labyrinth's end awakens, the apocalypse arrives.
One way to stop it: kill it before it surfaces.
But fail the conditions, and regression sends you back here even after killing it.
An endless marathon on this loop—how long must I run? I was exhausted.
But
'Not anymore.'
That was when I first stumbled into this world clueless.
What about now?
I know the game genre this world is built on.
'A dating sim.'
Honestly, never dreamed hearing that word would swell my heart with emotion.
It has this strangely moving ring to it.
The man's game everyone's tried at least once.
Spend time with girls, pick a lover via choices, head to the ending together.
I've played a major title from the industry, so I'm no expert, but I know the basics.
Dating sims come in many flavors, but I divide them into two.
One: heroines with individual routes, main story unfolds at the end, leading to the creator's canon girl. Orthodox style.
The rest: ignore all that, romance every heroine. The mainstream route.
And this world's game is definitely the latter. I'm sure.
Evidence? What happened in a previous round.
Once—just once—I dated multiple women at the same time.
Unavoidable circumstances, double life to hide it, but secrets don't last forever. It blew up.
I figured I deserved whatever beating came.
Apologized nonstop, bowing my head—sweat pouring down.
But surprisingly, they didn't mind how many girls I dated.
'Later, the three of us even shared a bed, shaking hips for three days and nights.'
Thinking back, that might've been a hint to the true ending.
I felt uneasy at how smoothly it went but brushed it off.
Because I grew up in a monogamy-valuing society?
Taught to cherish one woman, devote to that wife—harem never crossed my mind.
Early education's curse, really.
I regret it bitterly now.
Should've thrown guilt aside and gone for it.
No more mistakes like that.
'All the women in my arms!'
I won't be bound by common sense—I'll pursue women with full effort.
Obviously not just anyone.
No need to worry: dating sim heroines are stunning, beauty leagues above random extras.
Talented too, aiding the protagonist as supporters.
Like comparing a famous idol everyone recognizes to a nobody?
Bottom line: spot a "this is a heroine" vibe, go all in.
I already planted a good impression with Aren by saving her life, boosting affinity successfully.
The system recognizes her as a heroine!
'She's definitely unlocked now.'
⚔ AFFINITY ⚔ ⚡ Name: Aren Twala 💨 Race: Human ✨ Job: Mage 💪 Affinity: 10 (Interest) 🍀 Mental State: Locked (Affinity 50+) 🛡️ ???: Locked (Affinity 70+) ✨ ????: Locked (Affinity 100+) I examined the affinity window closely.
First time seeing someone else's basic info outside my own status—naturally drew my eye.
This confirms Aren Twala as an undeniable dating sim heroine.
'Even shows her feelings toward me.'
Interest, huh...?
Saved her life and that's it? But affection can spark from 1 to love in a flash, so not a bad start.
'If I had to nitpick, yeah, it's a bit lacking.'
Should've smashed a monster horde in front of her to win her heart?
Water under the bridge— no regrets.
Anyway, her current affinity for me is 10. Goal: max it to 100.
'Need a way to skyrocket this affinity...'
Crash!
"Hm?"
A glass shattering echoed through the room.
I whipped my head toward the sound reflexively.
There stood Aren, staring at me, teacup fallen from her hand.
"Uh, uh!"
"Hello. Nice to see you again."
I waved casually in greeting, unfazed by her shock.