Chapter 11: An Unexpected Variable
"...Hero?"
As I introduced myself as the hero, the little girl widened her eyes and asked again.
"Yeah, just remember me that way."
"...Yes!"
She was so adorable that I gave her a fatherly smile and patted her head. That's when the information scan system I'd activated displayed her details right in front of my eyes.
And upon seeing that window, I immediately frowned.
'Are question marks the trend in status windows these days?'
I felt a moment of confusion at the question mark that appeared again, but only after seeing her special notes did I understand why it was there.
'This kid's a diamond in the rough.'
According to our ancestor's words in the Prophecy Book, the Mysterious Potential trait appears in children with extremely low probability.
If there's some trigger, that trait blooms into a powerful ability. Of course, without a system, you can't tell who has it, so most kids with it never awaken.
But the little one in front of me seems lucky.
'Her mana is a question mark... probably some powerful magical talent.'
Before parting with her, I opened the item shop window to give her one last gift, but I soon smacked my forehead and sighed.
'Right, I can only buy this once?'
To save Kania, whose curse was rapidly worsening, I needed to give the Elixir of Potential to her sister to quickly awaken her healing powers.
So... regretfully, I couldn't give it to this cute little one.
"...Little one."
"Yes?"
"Listen carefully to what big brother says from now on."
"...Yep!"
I decided to hint at her Mysterious Potential to increase the chances of her awakening it, but...
Sudden Quest: Rescue the Little One — Cleared Successfully!
🎁 Reward: Choose one of the following three items!
The system window popped up again with the reward list, so I fell silent and glared at it intently.
1. Villainy Points 500pt
2. 150 Gold Coins
3. Ring of Luck
'...Ring of Luck?'
The third reward had an eye-catching name, so I instinctively reached out, and its description appeared before my eyes.
◈ May bring luck to the wearer...?
I stared at the item, which even as a reward had a dubious effect phrased as a question. Then I fell into thought.
'Still, this ring must be worth at least 500 Villainy Points or 150 gold, right?'
I desperately needed Villainy Points right now, but I'd been ramping up my villainy lately, so I had a little leeway. And I had plenty of gold—I'd brought my entire fortune today to secure the item.
150 gold wasn't a big deal for me anyway.
So that left this suspicious ring... What if I gave it to the little one as a gift?
I couldn't give her the Elixir of Potential, but as a clear reward, the Ring of Luck might actually bring her fortune, as described.
And if that fortune triggered her Mysterious Potential... it would be the perfect gift.
"Um, hero?"
"Yeah?"
"What were you going to say? Why the pause?"
"Oh, sorry. Made you wait."
"N-No! It wasn't boring at all!"
"I didn't ask if you were bored."
"...Gasp."
Her mouth dropped open at my words, and she slyly looked away. I chuckled at her cuteness, selected the third reward—the Ring of Luck—and held it out to her.
"...Here, a gift."
"A-Again!? P-Please stop...! I could never repay you even in death...!"
"That's why I'm saying you don't have to repay me."
"B-But Mom said you have to repay any debts...!"
I was about to ask where her mom was now, but I remembered why kids like her end up abandoned on these streets.
She was probably abandoned by a mother who couldn't endure anymore, or left begging after her mom passed away.
Best not to dredge up that trauma.
"Then, when I become famous, come find me and repay then."
"...When you're famous?"
"Yeah. Soon the whole empire will chant the hero's name. If you really want to repay, do it then."
"Y-Yes!! I definitely will!! No matter what, I'll find you and repay my debt!!"
"No, don't force it if you can't afford it..."
"...Y-Yes."
"Alright, then you can take the gift now? Hold out your hand."
She hesitated at my words but cautiously extended her hand. I gazed at her skinny fingers, starved for food, then carefully slipped the ring on so it wouldn't hurt, and began speaking.
"...This is the Ring of Luck."
"...Ring of, luck?"
"Yes. Keep wearing it, and... luck will come to you soon."
"R-Really?"
Her eyes widened at my words, so I replied confidently.
"Of course. The hero guarantees it. So wear it from now on."
She stared wistfully at the ring on her finger, then tilted her head and asked,
"Um... Don't you need something like this more, hero?"
"Huh?"
"Heroes have to fight bad guys... Wouldn't you need luck?"
I gave an enlightened smile and answered.
"I'm a bad guy, so I'm fine."
"...Pardon?"
"Ah, no... I have tons of stuff like this. You know I'm rich, right? No need to worry."
She nodded quietly at that, and I gave her head one last gentle pat before heading to the tavern exit with final advice.
"And you have talent for magic."
"...Me?"
"Yes, exceptional talent. After healing your sister and finding a home, study magic hard."
"......C-Can I really do it?"
She called out desperately from behind as I stepped outside, and I gave her my final answer.
"Yes. The hero guarantees it. You'll do great."
"......!"
"Take care."
With that, I quickened my pace, leaving our brief back-alley encounter behind to return to my original plan.
......
The stray girl Glare stared blankly at Frey's receding figure for a while. Once he was completely out of sight, she murmured softly.
"......I have talent for magic."
She caressed the ring on her finger—the gift from her savior, the hero.
"I-I'll do my best, hero."
She paused in stroking the ring, then carefully removed it from her finger, worried it might get damaged.
"I'll work hard, and..."
She slipped it onto her left ring finger and finished with a slight smile.
"...When you become famous, I'll definitely come repay my debt."
"...The interest can be me instead, right?"
A faint light was emanating from her body.
It was the moment a new turning point, unforeseen by the previous hero, Frey, or even the system itself, was etched into the worldline.
......
"Frey!! Where the hell have you been!!"
"...Just stepped out for some air."
"Nonsense!!"
I was getting scolded by Isolet right now.
Because I'd left her alone for so long.
In truth, I'd received a quest from the system to save the world, raided an illegal human trafficking ring, eliminated the Demon King's subordinate the Succubus Queen, and freed all the kidnapped women and children—but telling Isolet that would cost me life force.
"You really are...!"
"What, were you worried?"
"...Shut your mouth. I'm not in the mood to play around with you."
"Heh... young love, huh?"
I stared at the tsundere Isolet, then turned at the dying voice from behind.
"Perfect timing... perfect..."
The shopkeeper, collapsed on the floor in a dying voice, spotted me and grinned slyly.
"So, who's the lady?"
"...Academy professor."
"Ooh, forbidden love. But that makes it even more... Ack!"
The shopkeeper, chattering even on his deathbed, got his head smacked by Isolet's sheath and went limp.
"...You didn't kill him, right?"
"...Just knocked him out."
"Overkill?"
"...Justified action."
As Isolet replied coldly, the barely standing magic tool shop crumbled with a crash.
I pitied the now-homeless shopkeeper briefly, then realized Isolet's icy glare was still on me.
"...Tell me where you went, Frey."
"Told you, just some air."
"If you don't, I'll tell your father about the brooch."
"...Dirty."
I grumbled with a scowl, and she said sternly,
"Better tell the truth. I can tell if you're lying with my eyes closed."
"...Fine, fine."
I put on a helpless expression and recited the scenario I'd prepared.
"Actually, I went to the Information Guild..."
"Information Guild?"
"Yeah, where you buy and sell info. There are legal ones, but the back-alley guild has the most."
"...And what info did you get?"
"Uh... the biggest auction of the year opens in the back alleys today... and there might be a terrorist attack."
"...What?"
Her eyes widened at "terrorist attack," and I smirked inwardly, fleshing out the story.
"I'm super rich, right? So I asked for their top-tier info. Each piece is a weapon."
"And?"
"But the top info was this? Auction starts any minute... total waste of money."
Isolet looked dumbfounded.
"People could die in a terrorist attack... and you're lamenting lost money?"
"Eleven gold pouches gone! Do you know how serious—"
"Enough. Tell me the auction location now. You leave this place."
"What, worried about m—"
"Frey!!!"
I paused at her shout, scratched my head, and spoke again.
"...But even if we go, what can we do?"
"What do you mean?"
"It's sealed with powerful magic—only pass holders can enter. Even imperial mages would take hours to dismantle."
"Tch..."
She bit her lip quietly. Sensing she was almost convinced, I drove the wedge home with my final act.
"...Oh! There is one way in..."
"W-What is it?"
She asked urgently, and I replied calmly.
"If you and I... professor and I register as lovers."
Silence fell between us.
- Shing...
"Wait, wait! Not a joke—it's real! For real!!"
She slowly drew her sword in the quiet, and I backed away desperately.
"...Explain."
She sheathed it and spoke, so I sighed in relief and began.
"See, I have a pass."
"Good. Hand it over now."
"Useless to you. Passes are user-only."
I grinned slyly at Isolet.
"But if we register as lovers or a couple in the auction system, we can enter together."
"...Security that tight, but the system's sloppy?"
"Passes aren't handed to just anyone. Only select nobles with wealth and fame get them—and perks like that."
".........."
"So, if you want in, act like my lover inside. Or we'll raise suspicion."
I smiled at Isolet, whose chronic condition was flaring—face flushing—and added,
"Looking forward to it, Isolet."
The next moment, her sheath slammed into my head hard.
......
"Register Frey Raon Starlight and Isolet Arham Bywalk as lovers."
"...Impressive. Finally reconciled?"
"Sell that info to a guild, and I'll bury you in our ducal underground tomorrow."
"Not funny—scary. Go in."
We passed the attendant, donned our prepared black robes and masks, and entered the auction hall.
"...D-Do we have to link arms like this?"
"Look at the other pairs... that one's full-on hugging."
"Ugh..."
Isolet groaned at the couples' displays and averted her eyes.
"...Too stiff. Loosen up, make it natural."
"...H-How would I know if I haven't tried?"
"...Sigh."
Feeling like I had a stiff log under my arm, I sat in our seats and scanned the crowd.
People hid behind robes and masks, but my information scan ignored that.
'Counts, Magic Tower elders, imperial finance officials... the empire's core gathered here.'
Scanning quietly, I smirked inwardly at the empire's elites crammed in this small hall.
'The item's value isn't known yet... real competition's external, not internal.'
I brought Isolet to block the Demon King's forces targeting my item soon.
I was exhausted lately; using Blessing of the Stars here could lead to sudden death.
The incoming Demon King's squad wasn't elite like before—it was quantity over quality, draining my power.
Isolet could handle fodder easily, so while she fought terrorists, I'd secure the item.
With it, I'd nail the commoner dormitory raid for sure...
"...Huh!?"
"Eek!"
Spotting someone while scanning, I yelped in shock. The rigid Isolet beside me let out a weird scream too.
"............"
The hall's occupants turned quietly, forcing us to bow our heads for a while.
"...What the hell was that?"
"............"
Isolet whispered bitterly, but I ignored her, clutching my head in panic.
'Why is Kania here?'
No idea why, but scanning the person next to Isolet brought up Kania's info.
Hoped it was a namesake, but stats and notes matched.
What the hell?
".........!"
Thinking exhaustion caused a glitch, I checked again—and Perloché's info popped up from the person in front.
"...Excuse me a sec."
"...O-Okay..."
Mentally processing that, someone tried sitting beside me. I shifted and looked—and Clana's info appeared.
"...Problem?"
"...N-No, ma'am."
I whispered lowly to the puzzled princess, glanced at bewildered Isolet, then at the main heroines infesting the auction, and muttered inwardly.
'.......This game's utterly fucked.'
Something had gone terribly wrong. Way wrong.