Midnight Pursuit
“We’re off.”
With Luton’s signal, the carriage wheels began to roll. I turned my gaze out the window, taking in the dim cityscape bathed in moonlight. It wasn’t some renowned mage’s personal barrier or an illusion—no, it was just the dead of night.
Why travel by carriage in the middle of the night, you ask? Because someone’s ransom was filthily expensive, leaving me flat broke. I didn’t even have enough for a single night’s inn.
I turned my head the other way, and there she was—that “someone.” Jenia Lü Drvan. Auction price: 120 gold coins. Ten more than the estate I used to live in. Honestly, wasn’t that a bit too steep?
But there was another reason, too. Honestly, this one was even more important.
‘That crazy black magician won’t just sit still.’
The auction house only took responsibility for what happened inside its walls. Outside? If someone knifed you and stole your goods, or people dropped dead, they didn’t give a damn.
Truth be told, I’d planned to exploit that myself. If I hadn’t won the bid for Jenia, I would’ve snatched her by any means necessary. It was my absolute last resort.
And the flip side? That bastard would do the same. He’d try to rip her away from me, no matter what.
That’s why we were slipping out of the city late at night. We needed to put as much distance as possible, fast.
“Jenia.”
“Y-yes….”
Jenia flinched, answering in a cowed voice, like she’d committed some crime. I’d laid down the law earlier, telling her to respond clearly, but this was overkill even for that.
On the other hand, I got it. From her perspective, her new master had suddenly called her name. Considering what owners in this world typically did, tensing up made sense.
Of course, I’d called her for a different reason.
My eyes were fixed on the translucent display floating between us.
Good—no major red flags. Her emotions were pretty negative, but time would sort that out. The part about my looks being fierce stung a little—just a tiny bit—but since it wasn’t calling me ugly, I let it slide.
I was about to close the status window after checking her out when—
Jenia Lü Drvan (Slave) has joined the party.
Favorability for this member has been unlocked. Special rewards will be granted based on achievement levels.
I blinked twice, slowly reading the display that popped up.
I knew about favorability—it was in the original game. You know, chat with an NPC a few times, give some gifts, watch the bar fill up. Hit a threshold, get a trinket or whatever in return.
But I hated it. What you got back was peanuts compared to what you put in. Might as well skip it entirely.
Maybe Jenia would be different… Well, we’d see.
Anyway, who knew she even had a favorability meter? Did the devs plan for adding this unclearable plague bomb to a party?
‘Whatever, doesn’t matter now.’
This wasn’t a game anymore. Jenia was right here, slave and party member. Dwelling on it wouldn’t help—just gave me a headache.
So, mental reset complete!
“Jenia.”
“Y-yes?”
“What’s your favorite food?”
This was prime opportunity. In the game, dialogues were limited, but now? Free rein. Raising favor would be a breeze. Maybe hit 100 by tonight.
…That was wishful thinking from not long ago.
Jenia Lü Drvan: 0/100
Did they half-ass this system or what…?
We’d talked for a good while. Atmosphere was decent, I learned a bunch about her. So why hadn’t it budged even 1 point?
Jenia, we had a good vibe, right? Didn’t we?
That’s when—
Thud—BOOM—!
The carriage jolted violently, and my head slammed into the ceiling again. Felt like I’d grown a bit taller—thanks for that.
Jenia just startled a little—no biggie. Probably hit another rock. Dark night roads, it happens.
I was gonna shrug it off when—
“Young Master—!”
The small window to the driver’s seat slid open, Luton’s face appearing. Deadly serious.
“Something’s tailing us—!”
“What’s tailing us?”
“Yes, it seems like a four-legged beast, but shaking it is proving difficult—!”
I rushed to the window, peering back.
What the hell…?
Then clouds parted from the moon, bathing the world in light. And there it was.
Dark. Darker than the twilight sky. A wolf, black as ink, red eyes glowing, charging after us.
‘Knew it.’
One of the familiars summoned by black magicians. No doubt sent by that crazy bastard from the auction.
Typical forest-dweller bullshit. Lose fair and square? Man up, admit it, move on.
Sure, I had Gardnil’s help, but in a world where info and connections are skill, that’s not cheating. I’m righteous here.
Anyway, at this rate, we were screwed. We were keeping distance for now, but the horses wouldn’t last.
Just fight it? Fair point—one familiar doesn’t seem bad. But look at us: kid, geezer, me. We scream “no combat.”
That 58 from Jenia’s status? Proof. Weak? Nah, pathetic.
That’s why I scammed Gardnil bro.
I flung open the carriage door mid-gallop, leaning half out. Bumpy road—tricky—but no time to care.
Huu—.
Right hand bracing, left extended. Blue ring on my finger gleamed in the moonlight.
Other auction win. Begged Gardnil for it.
Magic tool: 1st-circle spell, Bolt, inscribed. Max 3 uses/day, resets at midnight.
With this, take down that thing…
That thing… How do I even use it…?
Game? Click shortcut. Now? Nope.
No talent to instinctively know. Total disaster.
Don’t they include manuals with purchases…?
Frustrated, I swung my hand through the air.
Crackle—!
Ring glowed blue, lightning arcing from my fingertips.
It worked? Am I a genius…?
No time to savor. Wild swing missed, obviously.
Prep next shot.
Huu—.
Deep breath, observe. It was straightforwardly chasing.
Raise left hand high, slash down, point at it.
Ring flashes blue—lightning shoots true.
Straight to the black magician’s familiar wolf.
Crackle—ZZZAP—Screee—!
1st-circle magic, Bolt, hit dead-on. Wolf crumpled.
Crackle—!
No follow-up? Cliché headshot from behind. Doubled down with the ring—confirmed it was toast.
Total victory!
Game would’ve blasted three giant gold stars.
“Woo-hoo—!”
First magic cast—thrill hit, plus mission success high. Nailed it on try two? Real talent?
Then carriage hit a rock, bucked hard. Half-out me nearly flew off, but recovered.
Almost died… Would’ve been 5-minute GG, not 5 years.
Anyway, crisis over. Shut door on fading familiar, settled back.
Huu—.
Sighed long, turned to her.
“So, what’s your favorite color?”
Gotta keep grinding. Favor’s a bitch.