Ch.174174. War Preparations

Gilbert had somewhat given up on the sub-scenarios. Since his absence often led to sudden increases in distortion values or forced acceptances, he had naturally come to this mindset.

Of course, he hadn’t completely abandoned clearing the scenarios, as the world might end if he did. He had a clear goal of returning to his original world, so the destruction of this world wasn’t something he wanted.

Even beyond that, Gilbert had grown attached to this world and couldn’t just stand by and watch it be destroyed. He had simply become less reactive when things progressed regardless of his will.

Setting aside complaints about the situation, he focused on understanding what was happening. The notification about the “First Seeker” meant there must have been some change in Seraphina’s state of mind.

< Sub-Scenario – Seekers of Twisted Possession >

Type: Sub

Clear Condition: Guide the Seekers to the right path.

Seekers: Seraphina, ???, ???

Reward: Reward grade determined by progress (F~S)

– ???

Progress: 20%

Information:

– The Seekers have lost their way due to their twisted hearts.

1. Seraphina – Distortion Index 80%

– Princess Seraphina, one of the Seekers, has become twisted due to her overwhelming possessiveness.

– Her once brilliant eyes have become eyes of insatiable desire, unable to stop until she obtains what she wants.

– First crossroad has been selected.

You, the object of her possessiveness, refused to become hers. (Distortion Index increased by 30%)

– Second crossroad has been selected.

You proposed to serve her if she becomes Emperor.

– Third crossroad has been selected.

Seraphina reflected on her feelings and realized her true heart. (Distortion Index increased by 10%)

* You must guide her to the right path so she doesn’t stray from righteousness.

* When the Distortion Index reaches 100%, the Destruction Ending begins.

2. Briana – Distortion Index 40%

– Briana, one of the Seekers, has become twisted due to her overwhelming desire for a companion to share her sword path.

– The once cold-headed woman is likely to break if she cannot walk with the only companion she acknowledges.

– First crossroad has been selected.

You, the object of her possessiveness, agreed to walk the path of the sword with her. (Distortion Index does not increase.)

* You must guide her to the right path so she doesn’t stray from the path of the sword.

* When the Distortion Index reaches 100%, the Annihilation Ending begins.

3. ???

Gilbert focused on Seraphina’s third crossroad. He had thought her Distortion Index increased without any warning signs, but that wasn’t true. The last person she met before her Distortion Index increased was none other than Gilbert himself.

It was reasonable to assume that something he did triggered the increase in Seraphina’s Distortion Index. While it was unclear what specific action triggered it, at least he knew the cause was related to him, so he needed to review his actions.

“All I did was try to give her a massage?”

Gilbert’s only actions during his audience with Seraphina were reporting about Horizon and placing his hands on her shoulders for a massage.

It didn’t make sense that his report about Horizon would increase her Distortion Index, so it must have been when he placed his hands on her shoulders.

However, he questioned whether simply placing his hands on her shoulders could increase the Distortion Index. If this had any effect on the Distortion Index, he would need to be careful about physical contact with her in the future.

“Could simple skinship really affect the Distortion Index?”

Gilbert shook his head. Even if the sub-scenario progressed without warning signs, there was definitely a reason he hadn’t realized. The Seekers of Twisted Possession arose from people with excessive desires or obsessions.

Seraphina craved talented individuals, while Briana yearned for swordsmanship. Both exceptionally talented in their fields, they were always thirsty for more. Despite meeting many talented people, it was difficult for them to find someone who could quench their thirst.

Then they met Gilbert, who knew more about this world than anyone else. Although it was a game, he had proven his in-game abilities in this world he was possessing, catching the attention of both women.

It was somewhat natural that they showed obsession toward Gilbert.

Even if it could potentially threaten the world.

“Camilla has arrived!”

“What have you come to report this time?”

Gilbert sighed as he saw Camilla appear with her hands on her hips. She had a knack for showing up at just the right moment when his mind was troubled.

“If you look that annoyed, I’ll get hurt too, you know?”

“With that grin, it doesn’t look like you have anything serious to say.”

“Ah, you caught me.”

Her giggling was just like that of a child. Seeing her unchanging demeanor, he couldn’t help but smile.

Was the comfort he felt whenever he saw her like this due to nostalgic memories from the past?

Or was he influenced by Camilla’s bright energy?

Gilbert decided it didn’t matter. He felt grateful to her for easing his troubled mind, even if just a little.

“Oh, you smiled. Did you solve your problem?”

“You knew?”

“I just had a feeling. I’m Gilbert’s best friend, so I can tell!”

Her smug “hmm-hoo-hoo” laugh annoyed Gilbert a bit, and uncharacteristically, he lightly flicked her forehead. This was a habit he had shown occasionally as Kang Do-jun before his possession.

“Ow!”

“You’re exaggerating.”

“Exaggerating? I thought my head was going to split open!”

Gilbert chuckled at the sight of her clutching her forehead and groaning. He closed the mission window he had been looking at. Although the Distortion Index had entered the danger zone, staring at it wouldn’t solve the problem when he didn’t know the cause of the increase.

“Is it because of Professor Horizon?”

“Hmm?”

“I can’t think of anything else that would make Gilbert worry.”

“I’m not saying I’m not thinking about Horizon, but that’s not the reason.”

“It was something else? Well, you wouldn’t tell me even if I asked, right?”

Sharp observation.

Camilla sometimes acted oblivious, but she wasn’t actually unaware.

Her priority was her own interests, so her behavior pattern was to be true to her own emotions rather than considering others’ feelings. It was actually unusual for her to be considerate of others’ moods like this.

“Come to think of it, I’m curious. Camilla, weren’t you the type who doesn’t care about others’ feelings?”

“When you say it like that, it makes me sound weird.”

“Good thing you’re aware of it.”

“Don’t say it like that. Anyway, it’s just because I like Gilbert.”

“You like me?”

She had occasionally mentioned being his best friend, but this was the first time she said she liked him. Even when he had opened her romance route in Tactical Combat, it hadn’t started like this, so Gilbert found her words intriguing.

“Yes, I really like you, Gilbert.”

“…”

Gilbert carefully studied Camilla’s smiling face, trying to grasp the true meaning behind her words.

He tried to deduce whether her definition of “like” was romantic or about the friendship between them, but failed. Camilla maintained her smile throughout, simply looking up at his tall figure.

“I still remember, you know. Do you remember when I ran away and left you behind?”

“As I said then, that wasn’t running away…”

“I know. But that doesn’t change the fact. Objectively, that’s what it was, and more importantly, that’s how I felt.”

“Camilla.”

“Listen to me a bit more. After that incident, I reflected on myself. How irresponsibly I had been living. Whether everything I enjoyed was built upon someone else’s sacrifice.”

The smile had disappeared from Camilla’s face. It was quite different from her usual smiling demeanor.

“And I realized. That I couldn’t stay like this. I finally properly faced the duty I needed to shoulder. And you, Gilbert, were the one who showed me that.”

“Duty…”

“Remember? After that incident, you forcibly dragged me out when I was immersed in training.”

Gilbert recalled the time he had taken her out for a meal to guide her toward proper growth. That must be what she meant by being forcibly dragged out.

“That day, you told me. That I went on the mission to protect the peaceful streets. That my cowardly actions were for that purpose.”

An awakening event?

Gilbert retrieved knowledge from deep within his pre-possession memories. There was an event where Camilla, who had been showing mediocre growth, developed into an S-class companion through a specific trigger.

While the situation wasn’t exactly the same, the context was similar.

A catalyst for her to reflect on herself and decide to move forward.

“And finally, you said. If I was anxious, I should follow behind you. So I decided.”

Camilla, who had been somewhat stiff, smiled more brightly than usual. It was the same radiant smile one could see when successfully clearing her romance route.

“To follow behind you. So how could I not like you? That’s why.”

“Camilla, you…”

“Now my greatest interest is you, Gilbert. I really like you.”

Her straightforward attitude, not backing down or turning away from her feelings.

Gilbert stared at her, forgetting what he was about to say.

***

[The progress of Sub-Scenario “Seekers of Twisted Possession” has significantly increased.]

[The information for Sub-Scenario “Seekers of Twisted Possession” has been updated.]

[The fourth branch point for the first Seeker in Sub-Scenario “Seekers of Twisted Possession” has been reached.]

[The Distortion Index of the first Seeker in Sub-Scenario “Seekers of Twisted Possession” has significantly increased.]

[Warning. The Distortion Index has reached a dangerous level.]

Gilbert could sense Seraphina’s presence watching them from afar.

It was the moment he realized the cause of the increased Distortion Index in the worst possible way.