Lowered Eye Level

The sudden emergency room confinement lasted quite a long time.

I’m not sure what they said or how they said it, but they performed every test possible in the emergency room.

The highlight was, of course, the blood test.

“I’m fine, I’m telling you I’m fine!!”

“It’s really just a tiny prick and then it’s over, Lua. So, close your eyes and count to five…!”

Watching Irina trying to brainwash me into believing it wouldn’t hurt, I viscerally understood what it meant to be exasperated to death.

I couldn’t exactly reveal the skill that activates even with the smallest scratch on my body.

No, even if I did reveal it, it was unclear whether these people would believe me.

In the end, I had no choice but to watch the sharp needle penetrate the back of my hand with a tearful expression.

But strangely, the nurse who stuck me with the needle didn’t fall into a state of confusion, nor did any message window appear.

“H-huh…?”

“See? It didn’t hurt much, right?”

For a moment, I felt like a fool.

My cheeks naturally flushed bright red.

Not long after, my ears began to burn as well.

“Wow, our Lua is so brave. The Irina in front of you used to whine about being scared of needles until middle school—”

“H-hey, that was ages ago!”

However, I got caught up in the sudden competition between Diaz and Irina to expose each other’s embarrassing past.

Somehow, I was appointed as the judge to determine whose past was more embarrassing.

The only problem was that we were in an emergency room where “silence” was required.

Finally, after a nurse firmly cautioned us, the nutritionally empty argument ended.

But even though the meaningless bickering had ended, there were still many topics left to discuss, so it wasn’t quite time to be quiet yet.

Once again, questions that would be disappointing if left unasked reached my ears.

“Hey, Lua. Do you like fish?”

“Yes.”

“Then, how about mice?”

“…Not really.”

“I’m kidding, just kidding~”

Similar questions continued to flow in afterward.

Despite this, I only spoke honestly because… the attention given to me wasn’t entirely unwelcome.

“So, what kind of hunter do you want to become in the future, Lua?”

“A tank! Like Uncle Diaz… I mean, like Big Bro Diaz.”

“Like me? Wait, what did you just say?”

When he begged me to say it just one more time, I deliberately avoided his gaze and kept my mouth shut.

Even for me, saying the word “oppa” (big brother) twice was a bit much.

I-I mean, once is enough for that kind of thing…

“Honestly, men are excessively obsessed with being called ‘oppa.'”

“Then why don’t you try being called ‘auntie’ instead of ‘unnie’ (big sister)?”

Almost simultaneously, Irina’s hand covered my mouth.

Even though I had no intention of saying the word “auntie” out loud.

“See? You’re just as obsessed with titles as I am.”

“…Shut up.”

Right after that, news came that the test results, which would obviously show nothing wrong, were ready.

As someone who appeared to be a doctor approached, the two anxious faces were quite entertaining to watch for various reasons.

“The child is perfectly fine. No, rather, she’s TOO perfectly fine, which is the issue…”

The story that followed didn’t deviate at all from my expectations.

It seemed my cheat-like stats were directly reflected in the test results.

They just couldn’t express them in exact numbers.

Anyway, it was now clear that there was absolutely no need to stay in the emergency room any longer.

“…I told you I was fine…”

I deliberately rubbed the spot where I had received the injection earlier as I gently reprimanded Diaz and Irina.

They looked embarrassed and apologetic.

Although it wasn’t really necessary, they offered to buy me any snack I wanted as compensation for the trouble, so I quickly named the most famous franchise bakery in <Another World>.

“So, does that mean you forgive us?”

“What’s there to forgive… You two didn’t really do anything wrong.”

It was all because you were worried about me. For some reason, after I innocently said these words, I was lifted up once again.

And then, nuzzle.

“Ughh—”

Irina hugged me so tightly I could barely breathe.

“Ah, I really want to kidnap her…”

I pretended not to hear Irina’s sincere mutter that slipped out.

There seemed to be nothing good that would come from asking what she meant.

Right after that, a sound that was familiar but one I didn’t expect to hear right now reached my ears.

–Ding.

[You have evoked possessiveness from sincere gazes.]

[A token of longing is bestowed upon you, who continues to provoke exclusive desire.]

[You have acquired the title “Everyone’s Rose.”]

–Ding.

[“Everyone’s Rose” title acquisition]

[1/1]

“…Huh?”

I just blinked blankly at the unexpectedly achieved accomplishment.

Even when we arrived at the bakery shortly after and I selected only the most delicious-looking breads.

Even when Diaz’s car, which had dropped me off at the Lunatic Guild headquarters entrance, drove away into the distance.

I was more bewildered than happy about the achievement I hadn’t even thought about.

Honestly, I didn’t really know exactly what terms like possessiveness or exclusive desire meant.

Either way, it was good that I had one less achievement to complete, but…

…Hmm…

I don’t know.

So, after returning home and hiding the leather bag containing the transformation potion in the safest and deepest place possible.

Since the day wasn’t over yet, I headed back to the elevator, planning to spend the remaining time with Asha, when—

–Tap tap.

Someone tapped my shoulder a couple of times.

As I slowly turned my head around, I faced a sight I had never once anticipated.

“Ms. Lua. Come with me for a moment.”

He was smiling… at me.

That cold-blooded Tana.

Smiling at me…

–Gulp.

“…Yes…”

I was scared.

More scared than ever before.

Considering what I had done just a few hours ago, my heart sank even more.

So, I quietly entered the elevator, following Tana, who silently led the way.

The illuminated button indicated a floor several levels below where I usually went.

Even after exiting the elevator, I continued to follow Tana, walking endlessly.

Eventually, we arrived at a small room that appeared to be Tana’s personal office.

Well, it was called an office, but it was no different from a document storage room.

The only office-like interior was a small desk located at the very back.

Actually, since he was always in Asha’s office, he didn’t seem to need a separate office…

But still, he was the Vice Guild Master.

Even if he didn’t use it, wouldn’t they normally make it a bit larger?

“Hmm… It’s smaller than I expected…?”

“No, it’s adequate.”

For a quiet conversation between just the two of us. I swallowed dryly once again at Tana’s not-quite-a-mutter that seemed to contain many implications.

So, how much time had passed since I quietly sat down on the makeshift chair in the corner of the office?

“Ms. Lua, could you give me your device for a moment?”

A request—or rather, a command disguised as a request—came from Tana, who had found something like a round wireless charger in his drawer.

Of course, I didn’t have a choice from the beginning.

It was literally a situation where the answer was predetermined.

I obediently removed the device I was wearing like a wristwatch and handed it to the person who was still uncharacteristically smiling with his eyes.

Then, plunk.

As my device was placed on top of the round electronic gadget, something like a screen unfolded in midair.

The problem was…

[-Creak.]

[“Y-you think I’ll just take this!”]

[-BOOOOM!!]

A recording of the situation from a few hours ago.

And it started playing… in extremely good quality.

“The technicians call this a ‘backdoor.'”

Tana’s voice, as calm as ever, put the final touch.

Almost simultaneously, my heart began to race.

My gaze, with nowhere to go, was finally trapped on the office floor.

Not long after, the sound of footsteps approaching me began.

Only the screen, which had clearly shown the entire situation, remained suspended in the air, paused.

–Step.

“I opposed giving an unverified prototype to Ms. Lua when it was suggested… It seems intuition is not something to be ignored.”

–Step.

“Of course, the Guild Master doesn’t know yet. …And she shouldn’t know going forward.”

–Step.

“If by any chance Asha finds out what happened today, even I won’t be able to handle what comes after.”

–Step.

“She might imprison you in a room surrounded by CCTV. She might handcuff her wrist to yours. She might even demand reports on your breathing rate. That’s the kind of person Asha is.”

–Step.

“The leader of the Lunatics is a more terrifying person than you think, Ms. Lua. You shouldn’t take her affection lightly.”

–Step.

“So, tell me now. Honestly. Without mixing in any excuses or justifications.”

–Step.

As the footsteps finally stopped right in front of me, I lowered my head even more.

However, the shadow cast over me also slowly lowered until it finally matched my eye level.

“…Why did you do it?”

In the end, even the final option of keeping my mouth shut escaped me.