episode_0008

It was then that a towering figure over 2 meters tall, with thick, pale fur and claws and teeth the size of a palm, led a pack of werewolves into view.

“Werewolves are rare monsters unless it’s a night with a crimson moon in the sky. Why now?”

[‘Arisha (★★★☆☆)’ feels panic! All stats decrease by 50%.]

[‘Lucius (★)’ feels fear! All stats decrease by 20%.]

[Tip: Even heroes sometimes succumb to fear.]

Though we both fell into a state of distress, Arisha’s fear seemed more overwhelming than mine.

This was because she had encountered a werewolf monster that invaded the Yeongju Palace on a night like this and was attacked.

Back then, thanks to Lucius, who was a guard dog, barking wildly and alerting the knights, Arisha managed to avoid harm.

[The target temporarily snaps out of panic, releasing from the trance state.]

Roar!

At that moment, a terrifying howl tore through the air like a blade.

[‘Arisha (★★★☆☆)’ experiences indescribable terror! All stats decrease by 70%.]

“Lucius, I-I’m too scared…!!”

Arisha, suddenly plunged into a panic state, cowered behind me. However, as a Lycansrope ready to pounce on its prey, I remained unaffected by the escalating situation.

“I need to break this chain of fear first.”

I immediately activated the hypnosis app and showed the screen to Arisha.

“Stay calm. Let’s stand together and fight the werewolves! Show your courage!”

Arisha managed to nod slightly.

“Like back then…?”

Preparing for any unforeseen circumstances, I grasped two ‘daggers’ hidden in the ‘old backpack,’ a low-tier inventory pocket, with a calm demeanor, trying not to be overwhelmed by fear.

“It’s nothing, Mommy! We triumphed back then, didn’t we?”

To boost Arisha’s courage, I forced a faint smile.

“But back then, we were inside the castle walls. The knights came to our rescue.”

Encouraging Arisha, I raised my chin with determination.

“I don’t want to part ways again. Mommy…”

[‘Arisha (★★★☆☆)’ is no longer in a ‘fear’ state. Stats recover.]

[‘Arisha (★★★☆☆)’ gains the conviction ‘Spirit of Protection’ on her sword.]

In a moment sparked by the situation, I calmly aimed my dagger at the werewolves alongside Arisha, embracing the newfound sense of belief.

Could this be the trigger for a second awakening…?!

*

Before I could react, Arisha pushed me back.

With a sword in hand, Arisha boldly charged at the werewolf pack.

Startled by the swift counterattack, the wolves hesitated.

Some wolves fell to the ground, unable to move, upon contact with the red streak from Arisha’s sword. Others lowered their tails and began to flee.

Even if they were dimensionally superior beings compared to ordinary monsters,

in the face of an immediate threat to life, all creatures tend to react similarly.

However, some wolves targeted me from behind. Though they were Grade 9 predators, galactic wolves, even sustaining at least medium-grade injuries.

Moreover, despite being equipped with motion-sensing “haptic” controllers and battle-hardened experience from Nindo WE,

without any skills, I couldn’t handle the wolves rushing at me from various directions.

However, there is a way to make the skills of the genius heroines at the Academy mine.

I urgently activated [Hypnosis Catalog].

[Dedicated skill, ‘Hypnosis Catalog’ activated!]

1. Arisha von Stein (Affection level 82.4)

2. None.

[Summoning the skill list of ‘First Slave, Arisha’.]

[‘Skill Summoning’ activated!]

After confirming that there were three skills remaining, I immediately selected three of Arisha’s skills to summon.

+

1. A+ / Stein-type Swordsmanship Lv.5

2. A+ / Descendant of Sword Saint

3. B / Intermediate Magic Lv.6

+

Well, after summoning them all.

They were all special skills or passive skills that raised stats, but there was no other choice.

With my current magic value at 1 and no experience in using mana, I plan to gradually learn at the Academy.

Soon, wolves rushed towards me with sharp fangs and crimson gums aimed at my neck.

Using intermediate magic, I managed to evade by turning my body and head simultaneously.

As I dodged, my right hand spun along with my revolving body. The drawn sword, with centrifugal force, slashed straight towards the eyes of the second wolf that charged at me.

Swish!

Stein-type swordsmanship is not about brute strength or simple speed but a refined swordsmanship infused with precision in each step of the sword.

Swish!

The blade of the sword pierced the eye of the wolf. Disgusting crimson blood splattered in all directions.

[‘Silver Wolf’ has suffered a severe fatal injury!]

“Kkaegae-gaeng!”

Unable to bear the pain, the silver wolf rolled on the ground, howling in agony.

But that was just the beginning of the end.

“Did you take down one too? Lucius~♡”

Realizing our duo was formidable, the wolves hesitated.

Before they knew it, even the front line of Lycanthropes fell victim to Arisha’s hands.

The remaining wolves, who had tried to leap towards me, began to retreat without their tails between their legs.

Looking at those wolves, Arisha wiped the blood on my lips as if worried, and said,

“Are you okay, Lucius? Any injuries?”

I reassured her jokingly, scanning my body and limbs while she anxiously checked me over.

“I’m fine, Mommy. But to clear the rest… the forest keeper must be having a hard time, right?”

Dimensional beings have stronger reproductive abilities and adaptability than ordinary monsters. If left alone, they grow into ‘Field Bosses’ that threaten travelers.

“Ugh… Where on earth is that forest keeper, who only cares about that woman?! Unforgivable! To see our Lucius in this state.”

Feeling like Arisha was being overly protective, I made a small request to her.

“Yeong-ae, I’m fine. Just grant me one favor.”

“Yeah, what is it?! If it’s a favor from our Lucius, I can’t refuse, right?”

During the following 912th episode of Resemara, I remembered Leona, the forest keeper’s daughter, who had shared meals with me several times and kept me company every night.

Leona was a rare beauty in the countryside, with delicate features. Moreover, her abilities were at a 4-star level, making her very useful.

Having the opportunity to conquer an attractive female character with good abilities early on was a big advantage.

The first heroine I published a strategy guide for on the community was none other than ‘Leona.’

In a way, she was the ‘Goddess of Free-to-Play Players.’

Thinking of one of my in-game girlfriends living in the forest keeper’s cabin, I spoke as a beggar.

“Do not ask the Forest Keeper about responsibility. Let’s just let this one slide.”

As we did so, Arisha Yeongae subtly nudged me in the direction of the Forest Keeper’s cabin.

“Why…? Could it be that you have feelings for the Forest Keeper’s daughter, Leona?”

Seriously.

Arisha Yeongae’s intuition is like a ghost.

With such developed intuition, don’t torment the protagonist in the later stages.

“Even though the Forest Keeper changed before, it was the same. And… this.”

After collecting some wolf skins, claws, and fangs from the lycanthrope’s body, Arisha and I divided them between us.

“After enrolling in the academy, these will surely come in handy.”

“Yeah, I believe you. Lucius.”

By the way,

After battling all night, dawn had already broken.

Looks like the additional H scene is out of reach now.

If we’re late returning due to making rice cakes in the morning, it’s certain.

Our parents, as well as Arisha’s parents.

They’ll probably think suspiciously and mobilize the town’s militia members.

Even now, the torches of some militia members were unusually approaching our direction through the forest.

*

I quickly took Arisha, covered in wolf blood, to the nearby lake to wash off.

Then, after dressing her in a neatly folded white dress from my backpack, I waved goodbye in front of her castle.

“Lucius, where are you going? We should enter the castle together!”

Racing to keep up with Arisha’s suggestion to enter the castle, I felt awkward.

It shouldn’t look like I’m a ‘dog’ even to others.

That would be unacceptable, especially since I was covered in blood unlike Arisha.

“Arisha, you have a smartphone too. Give me your number.”

“Oh, okay.”

Except for me, Arisha Yeongae’s family is the only one in this village with smartphones.

Because she belonged to a prominent noble family that ruled not just this village but several nearby villages and cities as well.

“Also, I’ll contact you. I need to take a walk alone for a bit.”

“Then make sure to come back at night! Don’t be late. Got it?!”

From a distance where the castle guards couldn’t see, I embraced Arisha tightly.

“Don’t worry, my lord. I go into heat every day.”

“Eh, really?! Not once every six months?!”

Blushing instantly, I waved at Arisha Yeongae as she retreated and then headed home.

‘As expected, I received a special reward.’

Due to my first combat experience without intentionally raising any stats, I received a [special reward].

+

【Hidden quest completed.】

[Special reward given. 5 stat points added.]

+

After completing this reward, I would receive an additional 5 stat points upfront. However, most ‘Hell Knight’ mode users tended to skip it because the probability of dying during the ‘first practice’ at the academy was close to 90%.

‘But I plan to assist Arisha Yeongae, so I thought it would be manageable… Wait, what is this?!’

At that moment, a new notification window appeared before my eyes.

[Sophia: Hello, author Seorin1004!? I wanted to inquire about a contract related to the game scenario….]

And there was a peculiar status bar displayed.

[Sales team member ‘Park Ayeong’ has left a 5,700-character long comment offering to possess this novel. Would you like to accept? (Y/N)]

Upon hearing the voice of my ex-girlfriend whom I had parted ways with, I reacted as if having a seizure. After calming down, I took a deep breath.

“Phew…”

Is this for real?!

Park Ayeong!

▼Arisa, engaging in a fierce battle with the dimensional creature alongside the protagonist…!!

And when she returns home, once again, she hangs her sword at the entrance.