Chapter 118
Chapter 118
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 118
Chapter Title: Villainess
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I gazed at the item I'd stolen from Racter.
The text in the system window that wasn't displaying properly.
There was one thing I knew about it.
📜 ENCOUNTER QUEST 📜 You have encountered Chloe, who possesses the world's ──.
Capture her interest in any way, or eliminate it.
The first time I met Chloe, I'd received a quest like that.
'What the hell is this.'
-It's the power to seduce people.
'Seduce people?'
-You know, the kind of constitution that's loved by the world. No wonder that talented guy was doing such idiotic things—it was amusing. Guess it wasn't just simple affection after all.
'......'
I looked over at Chloe, who was waving at me from the side.
-Ignore it. That wasn't intentional. The fact that it wasn't intentional makes it even more vicious... She probably did it unconsciously.
'Is that even possible?'
-That's the type of ability it is. The most troublesome kind of talent. It's different in nature from gifts modeled after divine power.
'Hmm......'
That meant there was no way to confirm it through a status window or anything like that.
'It's truly malicious.'
The fact that Racter had changed like this proved Chloe had that ability, but she herself was unaware of it.
Gift cards couldn't even read it.
'......'
I'd already been reluctant to get close to Chloe after this monster invasion incident.
'I absolutely cannot get friendly with Chloe.'
I resolved myself like that.
As I made that vow, I glanced at Heukmanggong.
Heukmanggong was looking at me with a complicated expression.
"Why are you making that face?"
"What face are you talking about? It was that at the end, right?"
Heukmanggong asked, staring at me.
If it was "that," then since I'd seen it twice, he was probably almost certain.
Stealing a dagger from his pocket.
And recently, stealing the seed of evil from the seed of evil itself.
"Yeah, whatever."
"Just get going already. And you're not killing him, right?"
"Don't talk like I'm some murderer who does it for breakfast. I'm going anyway."
As I brushed past Heukmanggong, I saw him sigh.
'Do I look like the type to casually commit murder?'
-No, you're not. You have a softer side than I thought...
'I am a bit soft.'
-A soft person wouldn't be so composed. Well, based on what I've seen of you so far, you kill those who deserve it and spare those who don't. That's the kind of guy you are.
'......'
He really observed me closely.
A bit embarrassed, I kept walking forward, and Soyeonhwa came trotting over.
"Did you watch?"
"Yeah."
"But it was tough this time too."
"You can't just steal other people's stuff."
-Is that coming from you?
The Holy Sword spoke to me in a voice chilled with disdain at my words.
What, why? Can't I say that?
And then.
I looked at Soyeonhwa.
"So, did you steal it?"
"Yeah. This time it was a bit easier."
"I see......"
-Looking at her, she's pretty good too. Not quite at Invitation level, but better than anything below it.
'How much better?'
-Better than Second Generation.
Then she's incredible.
But I knew what happened to her later, so I felt a bit wary.
For now, I was keeping her close to monitor her.
'The moment she turns into something like Mugglewang or whatever, she single-handedly destroys an empire.'
Just recalling that scene made my legs tremble a little.
She might look unassuming, but her power was truly terrifying.
And when I tried to find out what it was.
'Even the Holy Sword lost its memory for a bit.'
Or got sealed.
Being a vessel for something like that meant her talent was equally monstrous.
As I passed by Soyeonhwa, the clan members greeted me with congratulations.
"As expected of my close friend."
Glasses said it in a somehow sleazy voice, pushing up his glasses.
"Honestly, I expected it, but it ended even more anticlimactically."
Veronica said, sipping her drink.
"Cluck, let's get back to the clan building and have a booze party already, cluck."
Rozante, completely wasted.
"I'm heading out."
Teresa said expressionlessly.
"Ah, only tripled the intake... Ha..."
Ermé stared at the scoreboard with a dazed expression.
'...Did she bet on it or something?'
But since everyone knew I was strong, did it even make for good odds? That thought crossed my mind.
And they didn't even include me.
-You're really worldly.
'Better than zealots rampaging with convictions.'
-To think a guy like you is a hero of this era...
I spent a while in the chaos, then looked at Racter.
The moment I stole his "world's ──," he passed out.
Because of that, the fight couldn't continue and just ended.
'I wonder how he'll change.'
As I thought that and watched Racter.
Volkan and Cheongju were drinking cocktails nearby, looking at me.
"Did you see? That guy over there, pondering how to trash-talk the opponent who just beat him."
[Denial. The master truly possesses a wicked personality, but that man is too weak to even feel worth trash-talking, he conveys.] "Hah... As expected of something you made, it's smart."
Volkan nodded in admiration at Cheongju's words.
Is that right?
As I shot them a dubious look, Lucia was heading my way.
'No, what's with her?'
-Her eyes are gone weird?
It was enough to fluster both me and the Holy Sword.
"What did you say to my parents, seriously."
She was a bit off.
*
"What did I say?"
"No, my parents have changed a bit. Starting from the title they use for you..."
"......"
What did I say?
I'd just promised to take good care of Lucia and smashed Racter right in front of them.
-You smashed her fiancé and promised to look after Lucia well... Any scheming parents might think you're planning to run off with her.
'...I'm not living with Lucia; it's Ermé who's doing that.'
Because Ermé handled all the clan management.
I only sat in the clan leader seat because Ermé strongly recommended it for my figurehead role; otherwise, I'd have dumped that hassle on her.
'They're misunderstanding something.'
-You'll have to clear up the misunderstanding, right?
'If I say it straight out, won't it change things between us?'
-You've always been like this; you're a master at false hope.
'What did I do.'
As I bantered with the Holy Sword, Lucia calmed down quickly.
The way she looked at me grew more affectionate, turning into an obsessive gaze—which was a bit concerning.
'...This is really bad.'
Before I could say anything, Lucia was humming and snorting happily.
Her face screamed, "I'm super happy right now."
Suddenly, Lucia spoke up.
"Wanna go on a date with me?"
Lucia said that.
*
The date wasn't anything special.
I went outside with Lucia, and we just walked down the street.
That was it.
"It's been my dream since forever. Walking like this with someone I like."
"...Someone you like?"
"Yes, someone I like."
As I stammered in surprise, Lucia smiled with her eyes and looked at me.
"You don't have to answer now. I told you last time, right? You have ambitions."
I don't.
I'd just made it up on the spot.
"I have ambitions too. Breaking free from my family, becoming independent later, kicking their asses on the way out, and leaving home."
That's not ambition...
'Isn't that just a bad personality?'
-It could be ambition. For those born and raised in noble families.
The Holy Sword said it somewhat bitterly.
Is that why medieval folks are no good?
"Hum hum hum~."
Looking at the delighted, humming Lucia.
I cut off the connection with the Holy Sword. She was so happy; it didn't feel right chatting with him.
'Focus for now.'
After that, we didn't do much.
Grab something from a nearby street vendor.
"Mm, this pasta is tasty."
"Yeah, it's pretty good."
"But it's a bit bland. Normally it'd be mind-blowing."
As she said that, Lucia glanced at me slyly.
She was one of the victims of elven cooking skills.
"Want me to make it next time?"
"Once won't be enough."
Lucia made a thoughtful "hmm" face, looking at me playfully.
"How about a lifetime? I might not cook forever, but I can handle clothes and a house."
"...You're coming on too strong."
"Seeing your attitude, Yuseong, I figured anything less and you'd never budge."
"......"
I couldn't retort to her tone, like she knew me too well.
-Heh heh, looks like that girl has taken a liking to you.
'I'm pretty handsome.'
-That's true, but there's more to it.
'......'
I had nothing to say to that.
With my [Villainess's Obsession], I had no other words.
After eating.
"Mm, this is good. Want some?"
Snacking at a street stall.
"How's this? Doesn't it suit me?"
Gifting Lucia a hairband from a passing shop.
We wandered around like that.
-You're surprisingly compatible, unlike you.
'Well, I won't see her for a while.'
That was why I was paying extra attention to the clan members.
As dark night fell.
"It's a shame. I wanted to stay longer."
Lucia expressed her regret.
I didn't get it.
Because.
"...We're just heading back to the clan building together?"
Glasses was holding some festival celebration, and Ermé had won big and was making expensive booze.
"Being just the two of us is different from a group."
"I see."
"Did you have fun, Yuseong?"
If it was fun, it was decently so.
A bit annoying at times.
But this too would become a memory once it passed.
As I tried to say that.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [You have prevented Lucia's engagement. Please check your reward.] I grinned broadly without a word.