Ch.343True Pinocchio (4)

*Ding!*

As the status window chimed, I immediately checked it. Lately, I’ve been hearing phantom notifications from the status window. If that’s not a sign of status window addiction, I don’t know what is. The thought crossed my mind without me even realizing it.

‘Sub-Quest <Tracing Back Past Memories> Cleared’

‘By glimpsing into hidden memories, you’ve come to better accept your past self. You’ve reached an amicable agreement with your ex-wife after centuries of bad blood. Isn’t that enough?’

‘You’ve acquired part of True Pinocchio’s memory. Collect 4 memories to fully unlock True Pinocchio.’

Wait. Wasn’t I supposed to get True Pinocchio right away? Do I need to collect three more memories? Well, I guess unlocking a psycho-robo with just one reconciliation would be too easy. It would feel like cheating.

I raised my head to look at the dungeon entrance where Violet and I had squeezed through.

Creeeeak—!

The appearance of the entrance door began to change gradually.

Creeeeak…! Creak…!

It transformed into a metal door, stained with patches of blood. Not only did it look brutal, but my swordsman’s instinct could smell the scent of blood from beyond the door.

“It seems we’ll have to conquer that place again to awaken True Pinocchio.”

I said, scratching my head as I turned to Bluebeard.

“I see. So once isn’t enough… I hope True Pinocchio is worth the effort.”

Bluebeard said with a grin.

Hmm. With “True” in the name, it’s got to be strong, right? It better be. Otherwise, I’ll break Pinocchio’s nose and shove it right up his ass.

“Then I’ll accompany you again.”

Just as I was about to enter the dungeon, Violet stepped forward.

“Hmph. You were so disgusted before… now you’re looking at him like a husband.”

Bluebeard said with a sly smile directed at Violet.

“S-Shut up!!”

Violet shouted, her face turning bright red.

I was grateful that Violet was willing to risk danger with me. However… this was a problem I needed to solve myself.

“No. It’s okay.”

I placed my hand on Violet’s shoulder.

“Shota…”

Violet looked at me with concern.

“It’s dangerous in there. I don’t want to lose my lovely wife again after just being reunited.”

I said.

“Oh my…”

At those words, Violet blushed. Wait. Can someone change this much after just one reconciliation? Women’s character development is truly terrifying… love is scary. I couldn’t help thinking that.

“Beating up monsters is my job. Violet, you just focus on being the memory conversion shuttle for the strong. That’s enough contribution.”

I said, then whispered to Violet.

“After the world becomes peaceful, you can give me a baby too. That’ll be double duty. Got it? Don’t overthink it.”

I said with a smile.

“…Understood.”

Violet blushed, then showed a slightly pleased expression. Good. Good. I like it when she listens well.

Anyway, to collect the remaining three memories, I opened the dungeon door.

———-

A battlefield unfolded beyond the dungeon door.

Corpses were everywhere, and the stench of blood filled the air.

‘Right. My past life wasn’t a harem isekai after all…’

Behind the happy harem was a battlefield.

Monsters were rampaging everywhere, and the kingdom’s soldiers were desperately trying to hold them back. It was complete chaos.

*Ding!*

As the status window chimed, map markers appeared in the corner of my vision. Three markers in total. I needed to go to those three locations to release True Pinocchio’s memories.

Shiiing—!

Since I had entered the dungeon empty-handed, I picked up a suitable sword from the battlefield. Wanting to finish quickly, I dashed across the battlefield.

———

When I reached the first map marker, a demon blocked my path.

“Huhuhuh. So you’re the hero. How brave of you to come alone. I acknowledge your courage and recklessness.”

The guy struck a pose while delivering his lines.

“However… turning me into your opponent was a mistake. To make an enemy of me, one of the 13 Executives.”

Then he immediately took a stance.

Fwaaaaaaah—!!!!!

A strange aura rose from his body.

This is… that scene from Dragon Ball, right?

“Uhuhuhuh. Are you speechless from witnessing my full power?”

He laughed arrogantly while maintaining his pose.

“As one of the 13 Executives… let me show you the power of Freeza.”

Freeza said, then raised his finger.

Beeeeeep—!

A ball of light condensed at his fingertip.

“That’s plagiarism!! You bastard!!!”

I immediately swung my sword and cut Freeza in half. First my master, now this guy—why is everyone trying to pass off plagiarism as parody?!

Swoooosh—!!!

With the flash of my sword, Freeza’s body was split in two.

“Gaaaah!!!”

Freeza screamed and collapsed to the ground.

“Ugh… This is… the hero… incredible fighting power…!”

Freeza staggered, trying to retreat.

“You’re just weak!!! If you’re going to die in one hit, why bother gathering energy?!!”

To be fair, if I hadn’t been at my current level, he might have been a challenge… but I’ve become too strong. I’ve grown to a level where I can slaughter most enemies. Actually, this dungeon was too easy. Given the timing, it should be an end-game dungeon… but there was zero tension.

“And what’s with this ’13 Executives’ nonsense?! That’s too many!! With 13 of you, you’re all just cannon fodder!!”

At least cut it down to under 10! I was dying to nitpick about this.

“Huhuhuh. I’m merely the weakest of the 13 Executives.”

The guy was about to deliver another cliché line.

It wasn’t worth listening to anymore. I thrust my sword straight into his neck.

“What kind of farce is this…”

I sighed and continued running across the battlefield.

“Hero!! Please!!”

“Help us!!”

Regular soldiers had no chance against monsters. The soldiers who were somehow maintaining the front line were being slaughtered one by one.

“Sorry! The sub-quest comes first!”

However, I didn’t have the luxury to worry about each of them. Getting the synthesis method for True Pinocchio was my priority. It’s not like I’m a psychopath, right? These are just fictional characters anyway. I’m not the bad guy here. Really. Nothing changes if I save them or not.

“Just skip the cutscene.”

I decided to embrace the Korean gaming virtue. Whether it’s the main quest or a sub-quest, bulldozing through is the true Korean gamer way.

———-

I arrived at the next destination.

“It’s you!! I’ll send you straight to hell!”

I shouted loudly, raising my sword.

There was a bespectacled demon there.

“Hey, hero. Don’t use such strong words? It makes you look ‘weak’.”

The demon looked at me through his glasses as he delivered his line.

“This is another parody…”

Are all these demons otaku? They sure spout these cringy lines in real life. Anyway, it doesn’t matter. I charged at him with the sole intention of getting this over with quickly.

“Kiii…!!”

I was about to charge with a satisfying battle cry, but my speed toward him was too fast.

Swoooosh—!!!!

And unintentionally, I killed him with a single slash.

Thud—!

With that, the glasses-wearing demon was sent to the Soul Society. He should learn Bankai there.

———–

After dealing with the last remaining target, the status window finally showed a change.

‘You have collected all four memories. You can upgrade Pinocchio to True Pinocchio by converting the memories through Violet in the Soul Room.’

Phew. Is it finally over? I sighed with relief and left the dungeon. Honestly, it took too long. I headed straight for the dungeon entrance.

“Ah. You’re safe.”

Violet started to run toward me with a happy expression, then stopped herself and put on a dignified face again. Bluebeard looked at Violet like a grandfather watching his granddaughter.

“Violet, can you convert the memories I’ve collected?”

I reached out my hand to Violet.

“Of course.”

Violet, still unable to abandon her dignified concept, wiggled her fingers at me. I immediately interlocked my fingers with hers.

However, I could tell that Violet had changed in subtle ways.

Squish—!

Violet guided my hand between her breasts. She even allowed it to enter inside her clothes. I could feel the warm softness of Violet’s chest.

“Violet…”

I felt the warm sensation of Violet’s breasts with my hand. Until now, she would have thrown a fit just from holding hands, but now she was subtly seducing me and allowing me to touch her intimate areas. This situation is quite arousing, you know.

“It’s easiest to convert memories when your hand is on my chest, you know?”

Violet said with effort, trying to concentrate.

*Ding!*

An effect showing the memory conversion appeared through the status window.

‘True Pinocchio Unlocked’

As this message appeared, True Pinocchio’s specs were displayed. So they want me to see the specs before the appearance… making me wait in anticipation.

The original Pinocchio had resistance to all elements. Performance aside, he was tough. True Pinocchio evolved one step further.

True Pinocchio had immunity to all elements. Except for fixed damage, all elemental attacks were nullified.

‘This… could be useful.’

It would be handy against the final boss who uses all kinds of elements.

There were no other new skills or abilities.

“Come out! Pinocchio!”

I called out loudly to Pinocchio. I was curious to see how much his appearance had changed.