episode_0043

Although it seemed like there was nothing particular to do, time flew by in the blink of an eye.

Alia’s ambition (?) to become famous was progressing smoothly, and I was spending my time in my own way.

I couldn’t continue spending time with her, so I had to distance myself.

Watching Alia slowly gain popularity, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of urgency.

If possible, I wanted to stand by her side not as an ordinary Hunter A when she introduced me to the public, but as a famous Hunter who suited her.

With that in mind, I was also busy spending my time.

“Sigh… Your girlfriend is quite formidable.”

“Yes, so please give up now.”

There were some awkward moments, but I was smoothly carrying out my duties as a Hunter, and then…

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– The user is moved to the matching location.

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There was a top-ranked individual spending time with her in the world of Murim.

Apart from having to match with her once a week, it was time to start paying attention to her satisfaction score.

So, after nearly a week, I matched with her again and…

“…”

I found her lying unconscious on the cold floor.

Despite deliberately trying to wake her up, she didn’t regain consciousness.

Upon confirming her condition, it turned out she was sick.

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– Pestering (C)

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She was sick.

Her forehead was so hot that it could only be seen as a sign of illness.

“….Doesn’t she have a blanket?”

Taking a closer look, I realized that her house, where she was sleeping on the cold floor while sick, was not a livable place.

I knew she had her reasons, but why did she have to live in such a rundown house? Pondering over this, I searched her house and found a blanket to cover her with.

“No, this is too much…”

After checking, it was clear that this house was not suitable for living.

In the end, I bought a blanket set from a store and laid it on the floor for her to lie on.

“She looks so pretty like this.”

Looking at her, who had a different charm from Alia, I couldn’t help but feel a bit swayed.

And at that moment…

“Huh? Who…?”

She blinked her eyes and sat up, starting to show signs of wariness towards me.

But seeing her like that, I couldn’t help but feel unjustly accused. I hadn’t done anything wrong… I mean, I even bought a blanket for her using my hard-earned points, so to receive such a reaction…

Then, she noticed the blanket covering her body and fell silent.

“Is this… Did you bring this?”

“Yes, I brought it.”

“Why…?”

“I noticed last time that your living conditions seemed inadequate…”

Honestly, I had just found out how rundown her house was, and whether it was a valid reason to bring a blanket was up for debate, but she didn’t seem to think that far.

She spoke with a slightly softened voice.

“Why… Why are you taking care of me like this? What do you want, what are you aiming for, what do you gain from constantly doing these things for me? It’s not just today. You’ve brought me medicine twice since the day you mixed the sword. What benefit do you get from doing all this…!”

I interrupted her and said, “Do you always have to want something?”

“That’s… that’s only natural, isn’t it? If there’s nothing to gain, I wouldn’t show this kind of favor to others… It’s because there’s something to gain that I’m showing this favor, isn’t it? Human relationships… they’re all like that…”

True.

I’ve always felt that she’s quite calculating.

I said, “Just your favor will do.”

Really, if she just opens up a little, that’s all it takes!

Her satisfaction with our meeting directly benefits me, so I didn’t really want anything from her.

No, more than anything, I feel sorry for taking something from her while living in this house.

But she misunderstood something and started talking while undoing her clothes.

“My heart, my favor… my trust. What are you aiming for by gaining them? Ah, I see. Are you also after my body? In that case, go ahead. It’s perfect timing. If you say you’ll take my body in exchange for making me better, I’ll gladly give it to you. So hurry up and take this body…”

“No, no, it’s okay.”

And I quickly covered her revealing clothes.

While using the app, there may come a time when I have a deep relationship with someone other than Alia, but at least not today.

Since the woman isn’t in a hurry, I don’t want to hold her like this.

“Ugh.”

Then she started lying down completely and throwing a tantrum.

“Why, why aren’t you holding me? I’m fine, so why are you rejecting me so much? Are you really impotent?”

No, what baseless insult to a healthy adult man…

…But why is she acting like this, contrary to the image I first saw.

When I checked her condition again, I could see that several additional mental states were present.

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– Mentally unstable (B)

– Delusion – Infantile regression (C)

– Delusion – Depression (D)

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It’s understandable to have a mental illness, but why is she experiencing infantile regression?

“Do I have to want something desperately?”

When I asked, she answered as if she didn’t need to think about it.

“Of course. One-sided favors can always transform into something else, so it’s not strange. Such superficial relationships can break at any time, so I want to receive your medicine a little longer…”

Yes, her words weren’t necessarily wrong, I think.

Sometimes, relationships tied to clear interests are more stable than the ambiguous concept of affection.

But still.

Living believing only in such relationships isn’t that bleak.

“There are also relationships where you give and receive unilaterally.”

“Hmph. Don’t say unnecessary things. Even if such relationships exist, does that mean you’ll be that person to me?”

“Yes.”

“Why on earth?”

From my perspective, she was someone I met through a dating app.

Well, I haven’t asked for Alia’s permission or approval yet, but even if I have this kind of relationship with her, it shouldn’t be a big problem.

It’s not a girlfriend, just making a female friend.

“I want to be friends with you.”

Then she hesitated for a moment at the word ‘friend.’

Then she said, “Friend, comrade. Ah, what a hollow word. It’s a word spoken at this point, but it’s not me as a comrade but just myself, right? As a comrade, I won’t need myself now, right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“…Well, that’s why it’s harder to believe. By the way, I don’t even trust friends.”

“…Not even friends?”

Heh, it’s really hard to score points.

But her words weren’t over yet…

“….So I’ll keep an eye on you. Whether you’re expecting something in return or not. Whether I can trust this relationship or not.”

“Do as you please.”

“….In that sense, I won’t even charge you for the blanket.”

“….Do as you please.”

She then tightly held the blanket I gave her as if it were precious and said, making her look so pitiful…

The app called her the best in the world, but she looked so pitiful that there was no trace of such a title.

She reached out her hands and said, “I wish I had received the medicine you gave me before.”

“….But I didn’t say I would give it to you yet.”

“….You’re not going to give it to me?”

As I hesitated to give it or not, she suddenly made a pitiful face.

No, even if I don’t want to give it, I can’t help but give it when she looks like that.

I quickly bought a [Low-Grade Elixir (D)] from the store and handed it to her.

“No, I will give it to you….”

She happily took the medicine.

“Even though I’m taking things from you so easily, will you come find me again?”

“Yes.”

“Hmph. Even though I hit you with my fist and acted badly, you’ll still come back?”

“Yes, I will come back often.”

“Goodness. You’re a fool, a real fool.”

….Wait, is there such a thing as making someone happy while deceiving them?

I was aware that I was falling for a scam, but seeing her so happy didn’t make me feel any ill will towards her.

No, no. Those who take advantage of people without gratitude and without recognizing the kindness they receive are the ones who truly deceive others.

Instead, she sincerely appreciated what she received from me, knowing that it wasn’t something to be taken for granted, and with just a slight difference, she made sure the recipient didn’t feel like a fool.

“Are you crying?”

“….Who said I’m crying?”

No, there are tears in your eyes, aren’t there?

She wiped her eyes and said, “I’m just sleepy, that’s all. Anyway, you’re really a fool. To just give things away so easily because you want to be friends with me….”

Well, that’s true.

Even though I’ve said it a few times, I didn’t feel bad. In fact, I felt good.

Knowing how to appreciate what you receive. Just seeing that can make a person feel the value of giving.