episode_0022

A girl who keeps coughing, her face flushed as she looks at me.

I feel a considerable amount of guilt seeing her like that.

What should I do?

Hesitating, I lightly pat her back, hoping it might help even just a little.

“…Haa.”

After coughing for about ten more seconds, Karen finally seems to calm down, slowly catching her breath.

Then, she glances at my hand patting her back before suddenly flinching and slapping it away.

“Don’t touch me carelessly. I won’t warn you twice.”

“Sorry. You just looked like you were struggling.”

“Have you ever stopped to think about why I’m struggling?”

Her attitude toward me is as sharp as ever.

No—if anything, it’s even sharper than before.

I deliberately went to a quiet corner by the water dispenser, but this weirdo from yesterday followed me without a sound.

In a way, this reaction is only natural.

“…Yeah, it’s because of me.”

“At least you don’t seem shameless about it. So, what do you want from me now? You’re not seriously going to say you just happened to follow me all the way here, are you?”

She wipes her tears with her sleeve and snaps at me.

“Of course not. I followed you because I saw you. By the way, how’d you find this place? It’s nice and quiet.”

“Don’t change the subject. Answer my question.”

I tried to lighten the mood a little, but Karen draws a firm line, demanding an explanation.

“I just followed you because you came this way. Friends are naturally curious about what each other are up to, right?”

“I don’t remember making any friends. Are you confusing me with someone else?”

“Come on, we exchanged names, so we’re practically friends… Oh, wait, I guess we haven’t yet. I’m Park Junghyun. And you?”

I casually ask for her name.

“I don’t want to tell you, and I don’t have a reason to.”

“Don’t be so cold. Have you eaten yet?”

“It’s none of your—”

—Grrrroowl…

Just then, a faint stomach growl echoes from somewhere.

It’s definitely not mine.

Which means I don’t even need to ask whose it is.

“…I was just about to eat.”

Karen lowers her gaze and answers in a voice so quiet it’s like an ant crawling.

Finding it unbearably cute, I stifle a laugh and hand her a pizza bun and a carton of milk.

“Eat it now or save it for later—up to you.”

“Spare me the pity.”

“Oh? Should I really take it back, then?”

“…”

I shrug and take a step back, and Karen flinches before reaching for the pizza bun.

But her hand stops mid-air.

Pride? Or fullness? An internal conflict with no clear winner seems to be raging in her mind.

So I just place the pizza bun and milk in her hand.

“It’s not pity. Honestly, I don’t even know your name or your situation—wouldn’t it be weirder if I did pity you?”

“…..”

Karen lowers her head for a moment, staring at the food in her hand.

Then, with a small sigh, she looks up at me and speaks.

“Karen.”

“Huh?”

“Karen. That’s my name.”

Finally, she tells me her name herself.

I feel a little moved.

“Got it. I’ll remember it. So, Karen, we’re friends now, right?”

“I don’t get why you’re so obsessed with this ‘friends’ thing, but no. We’re barely acquaintances. That’s it.”

“Then why’d you tell me your name if you don’t like me?”

“I don’t like owing people. If I take something, I have to give something back.”

She’s still grumbling, so she hasn’t fully opened up yet.

But just a little—it feels like the wall has thinned.

Good.

I’ll be satisfied with this for today.

My main goal of treating Karen to a meal is accomplished.

“That’s a great mindset. Oh, I should get going now.”

“Good. I was just starting to want some alone time. At least you’ve got some awareness.”

“Living in this world as a human, you pick up on these things naturally. Have a good day—see you later.”

“Don’t say ‘see you later’ like we made some kind of promise.”

“So cold.”

I wave at her and turn the corner to head upstairs.

Then—

—…Haa, looks tasty.

Maybe because we’re indoors, Karen’s muttering reaches me.

I almost burst out laughing but clenched my teeth, afraid she might hear me.

“…The others are probably waiting.”

Barely holding back my laughter, I hurry toward the classroom.

—Crunch!

I drive a carving knife into the Corrupt’s body and tear through it like I’m sketching.

The creature opens its maw, trying to swallow my head whole, but—

—Stab!

My bloodied scissors pierce its throat.

The Corrupt shudders briefly before going still.

“……”

As the mechanical voice rings out, the Corrupt that had been lunging at me just moments ago vanishes without a trace.

That’s right.

I’m logged into the virtual reality capsule.

Right after class ended, I headed to the training grounds to gauge how strong of an enemy I could handle now.

Maybe because it’s the first official day of school, but there weren’t many capsule users.

Why isn’t anyone using this amazing thing?

“…With a 2-Star Persona, 7th-Class is pretty much my limit.”

Muttering to myself, I pick up the carving knife and scissors from the floor and stash them in my tool belt.

The fight just now made one thing clear.

The Artist Persona is undoubtedly stronger in combat than my other Personas, but it’s not without flaws.

The Artist Persona excels in human combat but struggles against Corrupts and monsters.

Partly because of the weapons it uses, and partly because the experience and techniques ingrained in this Persona shine brightest against human opponents.

Not like I plan to rely on the Artist Persona forever, but for now, it’s the only combat-ready one I have—which is frustrating.

“…Ah.”

Then, a brilliant idea strikes me.

Honestly, it’s so simple I’m surprised I didn’t think of it sooner.

When I borrow a Persona, my body and mana change to match theirs.

So, if I borrow a Persona with a stronger body than mine and fight using my past life’s experience, shouldn’t that work?

In my past life, I reached A-Rank Hunter through sheer effort.

Even without deep thought, it’s obvious my combat sense surpasses that of the Artist and other Personas.

“…I’ll know if I try.”

I summon a one-handed sword through the VR panel.

It materializes mid-air before clattering uselessly to the ground.

Now that I think about it, it’s been two weeks since I last held a proper sword.

Has it really been that long since I possessed this body?

I bend down and pick it up.

“…?”

My head tilts on its own.

This is a sword I’ve gripped and swung hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands of times in my past life.

Yet, it feels as awkward as a child learning to use chopsticks for the first time.

“……”

No.

It’s just my imagination.

I shake my head.

Taking a deep breath, I steady my rattled mind.

I summon the same Corrupt I fought earlier.

—!!!

The beast-type Corrupt charges at me with a roar.

In situations like this, it’s better to disrupt its balance with the sword rather than attack recklessly—

—Stab!

“…!?”

Its sharp claws pierce my forearm.

Since it’s VR, the pain isn’t severe, but the mental shock is unsettling.

I know exactly how I should move, but my body won’t obey.

It’s like reading sheet music but playing the piano for the first time—a bizarre sensation.

Why is this happening?

Is it because of Persona Borrowing?

Persona Borrowing overlays another’s life and experience onto my body.

So, while borrowing a Persona, I can’t use my own skills… Is that it?

“…Huff!”

I kick the creature’s face to create distance and cancel Persona Borrowing.

My outfit, body, and mana return to normal.

“Phew…”

Steadying my breath, I attack the Corrupt again—this time, without borrowing a Persona.

Using only my power.

The sword’s trajectory toward its weak point plays out in my mind.

But my body still moves clumsily, far from ideal.

The sword swings like a complete amateur—utterly inefficient.

My face twists into a scowl.

Even without Persona Borrowing, my movements are like this?

Something is very wrong.

Panicked, I end the training session.

The Corrupt vanishes as I input the command.

“…Why is this happening?”

I keep swinging the sword at the air, but my true skill refuses to surface.

It’s like something intangible is restricting my actions.

This indescribably strange sensation is disgusting.

I was perfectly fine when fighting that Demon King.

If only I could talk to someone about this.

The frustration is driving me insane.

If I were any weaker mentally, I’d have collapsed in tears by now.

It’s like everything I’ve honed over a lifetime has evaporated overnight.

This suffocating feeling is vile.

Why has my combat sense—no, my body—suddenly gone haywire?

Still unsettled by the sword’s unnatural feel, I keep thinking.

But no answers come.

Is this a side effect of possession?

Or is this world imposing some kind of restriction on me?

I entertain wild, baseless theories.

“Like that’d happen… Yeah, right.”

What are the odds of something like that?

Then again, worrying about probability after possessing someone is laughable.

‘Ugh… I’m going crazy.’

Then—

[….Hidden Condition (Awareness of Sealed Past-Life Senses) Fulfilled]

[ Hidden condition met. Main Quest and Persona Restoration Quest unlocked. ]

“…Huh?”

Messages I never expected appear before my eyes.