Ch.7676. Intersection (4)

“…hey, Riru.”

“What.”

“Do we really have to go like this?”

“Yeah. You can’t walk.”

“…”

No.

I think I’d rather die and walk than go like this.

Darwood Campbell, a fully grown adult man who had been legally recognized as an adult for quite some time now.

Was currently being carried piggyback by a woman who was at least 10cm shorter than him.

‘…I don’t know.’

It’s luxurious if you want to call it that, but if anyone sees me like this, I’m confident I’ll die of embarrassment.

To distract myself, I quickly check something else.

< Gift-Related Person Alert >

▼ Riru Garda

[ Curiosity Level 1 ] >>> [ Interest Level 1 ]

[ Reward available! ]

[ Affection has risen dramatically in a short period! ]

[ Special reward available! ]

“…”

It’s risen quite a bit.

I’m sure I saw a sentence about skills being conditionally implanted before, but even considering that, the increase is almost ridiculously large.

Actually, the Vessels have always quickly increased their affection whenever I do even the smallest things, but Riru is exceptional among them.

Isn’t she the one whose affection has risen the fastest, except for Elnore who started at Trust Level 1 from the beginning?

‘…I suppose that’s fortunate.’

Riru, who harbors the Blue Demon, is a powder keg that must be handled with extreme caution. It’s a good thing we’re becoming friends quickly, as it makes her easier to “manage.”

As I’ve said before, once things go wrong with her, she becomes the most troublesome demon along with the White Demon.

The Blue Demon. The Demon of Wrath.

Half-jokingly, users often say this one is scarier than the Grey Demon, who’s the final boss.

“…”

In other words, they’re half serious.

Actually, the Blue Demon itself doesn’t feel that threatening.

It’s not an exceptionally insane being like the Grey Demon when it “manifests” in its “true form,” nor is it constantly looking for opportunities to devour me like the White Demon.

If anything, its inherent nature is relatively the most mild-mannered of all the demons.

But the problem is.

The threshold for this one to go berserk is extremely low.

That’s the context for why it’s scarier than the final boss. Unlike other demons who are difficult to even see unless something special happens, this one will immediately manifest in the physical world if you make even the slightest mistake.

Especially if its Vessel is Riru.

“…”

There are various conditions for a demon inside a Vessel to go berserk, but most of those conditions are difficult to trigger on their own.

Elnore’s condition for going berserk is having her mind disturbed beyond a certain point.

Yuria’s condition is being separated from the object of her obsession for too long.

But the things that can effectively damage Elnore’s diamond-like mental fortitude are all related to me, and the object of Yuria’s obsession is also me.

In other words, there’s not much danger as long as I’m not involved.

However, in the case of the Blue Demon.

The condition for going berserk is simply ‘getting angry.’

As we can see from the recent case, if she gets angry enough to cross the threshold on her own, signs start to appear. If she gets even angrier from there, she’ll just go berserk and the demon will manifest.

Even half the anger that would make Elnore use her “Possession – Wrath” skill would be enough for the Blue Demon to have already scorched everything around it.

“…”

And.

The human harboring such a demon happens to be a tempestuous woman who seems angry all year round. To the point of being nicknamed “Mad Dog.”

That’s why I’m being dragged along without complaint now. Honestly, with injuries of this level, I could easily handle them on my own at this point after learning various protections, but I don’t want to reject her goodwill and risk making her angry.

This is someone who might get angry anytime, anywhere, for any reason…!

“…”

Well, that’s not the only reason.

If my memory serves me right, there’s someone I absolutely need to meet if I’m “invited” to Riru’s home.

Someone who will be of great help to my future actions.

“What are you looking at?”

“…Nothing.”

Does she have eyes on the back of her head?

As I silently stare at Riru, a curt sentence immediately flies back at me.

‘…Might as well claim the rewards.’

Trying to shift my attention away from her, I tap open the window to claim the rewards.

[ Claiming gift reward from ‘Riru’! ]

[ Receiving ‘Trait: Iron Man’! ]

< Mastery Info >

[ Trait: Iron Man ] [ Grade: Basic ]

[ Current Proficiency: 0% ]

[ Warriors of the Tribal Union constantly train by pushing themselves into extreme situations to develop their coping abilities. It’s extremely dangerous, but the effects are certain. ]

[ ■ Increases resistance to various injuries and pain. Reduces the degree of pain and allows for easier movement even in severely injured conditions. ]

[ ■ Effects are proportional to the Endurance stat. ]

“…”

Somehow, a trait that I could probably build proficiency in very quickly has popped up.

For someone like me who often gets their body wrecked, this feels like rain during a drought.

The only downside is that all effects are proportional to the Endurance stat?

‘I really need to increase my Endurance stat quickly…’

Thinking that, I move on to the next window.

For a reward from a dramatic increase in affection, it must be…

[ Receiving 1 ‘Skill Copy Token’. ]

[ You can copy 1 desired skill from the target! ]

This.

I expected this would be the same as what I received from Yuria and Elnore.

And unlike Elnore who used her copy token much later or Yuria who’s still preciously saving hers, there’s one skill I want to receive from Riru right away.

[ Trait: Martial Arts – Standing Style ]

[ These are efficient movements honed by a boxing genius throughout their lifetime. Despite not being fully completed yet, they can demonstrate tremendous power! ]

[ ■ Receive strength bonus in unarmed combat. ]

[ ■ Receive agility bonus for evasive movements in unarmed combat. ]

[ ■ Various movements included in this martial art can be unlocked through practice. ]

What’s notable is that unlike other traits, this one doesn’t have a “proficiency” level.

This means it’s a skill that must be learned simply through “practice” without the system’s backup. The reason I need to get it quickly is because it will take some time before it reaches its full performance.

‘…This is amazing.’

It’s definitely worth investing time in, as the peak potential of this trait has already been proven beyond doubt.

The very reason Riru is considered a key character for Chapter 3 is precisely this.

There will definitely come a moment when this bizarre feature of dramatically increasing combat power in an “unarmed” state will shine.

And that moment will be during the most critical situation in Chapter 3.

“…”

Of course, to properly train this trait.

I absolutely need someone’s help.

With that thought, I look down at the back of Riru’s head.

‘…Well.’

The problem is that considering the background of this skill, Riru will absolutely never teach it to me.

But I’ve prepared a way to solve that.

I’m planning to use it soon anyway.

“…We’re here.”

My consciousness, lost in thought, is pulled back to reality by Riru’s voice.

After leaving Elphante’s academic building and walking for quite a while, we’ve arrived at the most remote area far from the downtown district.

There stands a building that looks like it’s about to collapse.

It’s even more dilapidated than the “storage room” where Yuria used to stay.

To the point where I doubt if people can actually live here.

“…”

I can feel Riru glancing at me from the side.

She probably thinks she’s not showing it, but it’s obvious. Having brought me here for treatment, she’s probably wondering if I’m mocking such a shabby building.

But I have no such intention.

“It’s a nice house.”

“…What?”

First of all, as I’ve repeatedly said, there’s no need to provoke this person. It’s best to be extremely polite no matter what happens.

And secondly.

Even setting that aside, there’s absolutely no reason to mock this place.

Probably, this is a building Riru built by herself without anyone’s help. That’s the “tradition” in this neighborhood.

“It’s not an extraordinary building, but I can feel the effort that went into it. Someone worked very hard.”

“…Shut up.”

Scratching her head vigorously, Riru spoke curtly and pulled me into the building.

Of course.

Despite her tone, she didn’t seem particularly upset.

●

As soon as we entered the building, Riru carefully put me down. Feeling the joy of regaining freedom after a long time, I stand firmly on both feet.

“Oh! It’s big sis! Big sis! Everyone, big sis is here!”

“Sis! Welcome home!”

“Oh! Sis’s boyfriend is here too!”

And as soon as Riru arrived, several children burst out noisily from inside the hut.

Must be Riru’s clan members.

“He’s not my boyfriend. Don’t bother the guest and go inside.”

Riru waved her hand at them as if annoyed. But what’s on her face is a “human warmth” she never showed at the academy.

Inside the academy, all this person ever showed were expressionless and angry faces.

“Lie down somewhere. I’ll bring medicine.”

With those words, Riru disappeared behind a curtain on one side, taking the children with her.

“…”

I look around with a wry smile.

Being left alone in the middle of the living room gives me the leisure to look around.

The inside of the building, which stubbornly adheres to the traditions of the Tribal Union, is steeped in its unique culture.

This must be exactly what the inside of a Native American hut feels like.

But among everything, one thing particularly stands out.

I look at the “necklaces” hanging on the wall and the “scented candles” lit in front of them.

“They honor those who have ascended to the heavens.”

It’s an old woman’s voice.

Turning my head, I see a small woman lying in the darkness. She has a pipe in her mouth.

“…”

No, describing her as “small” is somewhat inappropriate.

She clearly has a frame that must have been imposing originally.

But she’s missing both legs and one arm. As if someone cut them off.

“There’s been a lot going on recently. I’m sorry for bringing you to such a messy home, child.”

“…Not at all.”

I respond calmly.

“I don’t even remember the last time I entered such a warm space.”

In this completely dilapidated house, only the incense-burning apparatus and those necklaces are kept exceptionally clean.

It’s clear to see how diligently they’re being maintained.

It must be obvious what kind of relationship she had with the owners of those necklaces during their lifetime.

The old woman chuckled.

“You say kind words.”

The old woman slowly raised herself and approached me. It’s amazing that she can make such movements in that state. She supports her entire body effortlessly with just one arm.

I notice the scars all over her body.

It’s clearly a body that has overcome countless hardships. Though I pride myself on having been through some tough times recently, I can’t even compare to this person.

“Your eyes are full of spirit. You’re a child with great potential.”

The old woman, who had been examining my face for a while, said such words.

“So I’m even more curious. Why did you come here?”

“…”

“A child like you would surely know where this place is and what it means to be involved with this old body. Why?”

“…”

Can she tell all that just by looking at someone’s eyes?

All the “top-tier” beings in this world are strange people.

With a bitter smile, I continue speaking.

“I am Darwood Campbell. A man with no fancy background to introduce.”

I take out the lion’s necklace. It’s the token given by Hatan to me, a symbol given only to “promising talents” in the Tribal Union.

This grants me the “minimum right” to speak to this person from now on.

“Pleased to meet you, Kasa Garda.”

Kasa Garda. Riru Garda’s grandmother.

The world’s strongest boxer who has built up martial arts skills comparable to modern sword masters.

And the former chief of the Tribal Union who was ousted from her position by a “coup.”

“…I’ve come to talk about your granddaughter.”

I continue speaking to the old woman who is smiling faintly.

“About my granddaughter. Yes. What do you want to say?”

I organize my thoughts.

It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve been criticized for speaking poorly in situations like this.

So.

This time, I carefully consider and choose my words to ensure there’s absolutely no misinterpretation.

I must be perfect.

“Please help me develop a deep relationship with Riru.”

“…”

“I’d like to finish everything within 10 days if possible.”

“…”

No.

Judging by her reaction, this doesn’t seem right.

“…May I explain a bit more? I think I misspoke.”

Fortunately, I was able to add an explanation before Kasa split my head open.

●