Prologue: Once a Traitor, Always a Traitor
One day, I was dragged into the game. A clichéd tale of a lowly-born protagonist overcoming endless trials to become a hero and slay the demon king. That's the game I ended up inside. What a joke... this time, right in the game world itself.
Human nature doesn't change that easily. Yeah, to put it bluntly... once a betrayer, always a betrayer.
Knock knock—knock knock—
"Ha..."
I let out a sigh at the persistent knocking and dragged myself out of bed.
Click—
"It's open! Ah!"
"Ah, hi? Tanas... have you been well?"
"It's been so long...!"
The moment I flung the door open, three girls bombarded me with words amid sighs of relief.
"......"
I'd wondered what could bring them here in the dead of night, but this pointless chatter? These familiar faces—how could I ever forget them? They'd mocked and tormented me for being weak, and now that the tables had turned, here they were, scrambling to cling on.
What must be going through their heads right now?
"...Can't you come back to the party?"
"To protect my family, we need you, Tanas. Please..."
"I, I've thought about you so much. I was way too harsh until now...?"
I hadn't come downstairs for this nonsense.
Seizing what they saw as their chance, the three girls unleashed a torrent of words they'd bottled up, gazing at me with desperate eyes.
"Remember? That promise we made that day... Ah, or could we talk alone for a bit?"
"Yeah... I wanted to congratulate you too... I heard about it this time. Can't you spare a moment?"
"I, I prepared something... I really want to show you."
Lame excuses, flimsy pretexts—that's what had dragged them here.
Did they still have a shred of conscience left? They couldn't even meet my eyes, dropping their gazes to the floor like guilty criminals.
"......"
They'd discarded me without mercy when I was useless, and now they came crawling back. Power sure is a mysterious thing. All the hell I've been through? It's all because of you lot.
I lowered my head, locking eyes with each one in turn.
"Ahh...!"
"Tanas... I swear, I'll do really well."
"Th-thank you. For forgiving me... hic"
Relief washed over their faces at my smiling expression. Did they still think they had a shot?
My words were already decided.
"Get lost."