episode_0117

I stared at the item I had stolen from Racter.

A string of garbled text in the system window.

I knew one thing about this.

[Encounter Quest]

You have encountered Chloe, who possesses the world’s ──.

Find a way to either capture her interest or make her lose it entirely.

When I first met Chloe, I had received such a quest.

‘What the hell is this?’

—A power that seduces people, it seems.

‘Seduces people?’

—What’s commonly called a “world’s beloved” constitution. No wonder that idiot was acting so foolish despite being somewhat capable. So it wasn’t just love after all.

‘……’

I glanced at Chloe, who was reaching a hand toward me from the side.

—Arthur. That wasn’t intentional. It’s all the more insidious because it wasn’t deliberate… but she probably did it unconsciously.

‘That’s possible?’

—That’s the nature of this kind of ability. The most troublesome talent. It’s fundamentally different from gifts modeled after divine power.

‘Hmm…….’

If that’s the case, then there’s no way to confirm it through something like a status window.

‘It’s truly malicious.’

The fact that Racter had changed like this meant Chloe possessed such an ability, yet she remained unaware of it.

It couldn’t even be checked with a Gift Card.

‘…….’

I already wasn’t thrilled about getting closer to Chloe due to the recent monster invasion incident.

‘I absolutely must not get close to Chloe.’

I made that resolution.

As I did, I looked at Heukmangong.

Heukmangong was staring at me with a complicated expression.

“Why are you making that face?”

“What face? You were the one who made that expression at the end, right?”

Heukmangong asked while looking at me.

If it was about that, then since I’d seen it twice now, he was probably certain.

First, stealing a dagger from his possession.

And recently, stealing the very seed of malice from the Seed of Malice.

“Well, yeah.”

“Just hurry up and leave. And they’re not dead, right?”

“Don’t talk as if I’m some kind of habitual murderer. I was already planning to go.”

As I walked past Heukmangong, I saw him let out a sigh.

‘Do I look like someone who kills people recklessly?’

—Not exactly. You’ve got a softer side than expected…

‘I am a bit soft.’

—A truly soft person wouldn’t be so composed. Well, judging from what I’ve seen of you so far, you kill those who deserve to die and spare those who don’t. That’s the kind of guy you are.

‘…….’

He’s really been observing me closely.

Feeling slightly awkward, I walked forward and saw Soyeonhwa hurrying toward me with quick steps.

“I saw everything.”

“Did you now.”

“But this time was a bit tough too.”

“You shouldn’t just steal other people’s things.”

—And that’s coming from you?

The Holy Sword retorted in a dry voice at my words.

What, why, huh?

Am I not allowed to say that?

And then.

I looked at Soyeonhwa.

“So, were you able to steal it?”

“Yeah. This time was a bit easier.”

“I see……”

—Come to think of it, this kid’s not bad either. Not on the level of the first generation, but she could be just below that.

‘How good are we talking?’

—Better than the second generation.

That’s pretty impressive, then.

But knowing what became of her, I felt a little wary.

Sure, I keep her close to monitor her, but…

‘The moment she turns into that “Annihilator” or whatever, she single-handedly destroys an empire.’

Even now, remembering that scene makes my legs tremble slightly.

Pathetic as it may be, her power is truly terrifying.

And when I tried to uncover the truth behind it…

‘Even the Holy Sword lost its memories for a moment.’

Or perhaps they were sealed.

Given that she’s the host of something like that, her talent must be monstrous too.

Leaving Soyeonhwa behind, the clan members congratulated me.

“As expected of my dear friend.”

A certain bespectacled man spoke in an annoyingly smug tone while adjusting his glasses.

“Honestly, I expected it, but it ended even more anticlimactically than I thought.”

Veronica sipped her drink as she spoke.

“Hic, let’s hurry back to the clan building and start the drinking party, hic.”

Rozante, already thoroughly drunk.

“I’ll take my leave now.”

Theresa spoke expressionlessly.

“Ah, I only managed to triple my money… sigh……”

Ermé stared blankly at the betting board with a despondent expression.

‘……Don’t tell me she was gambling?’

But since a lot of people already know I’m strong, would betting even work? I also wondered if I should’ve gotten in on it.

—You’re such a miser.

‘Better a miser than someone who runs wild with conviction or something.’

—To think a guy like you is the current Hero…

After spending some time in a daze, I turned my gaze to Racter.

The moment I stole the world’s ── from her, she collapsed unconscious.

Because of that, the fight ended without further escalation.

‘I wonder how she’ll change.’

As I was lost in thought while watching Racter, Vulcan and Cheongju were observing me while sipping cocktails.

“See that? He’s contemplating how to teabag the opponent he just defeated.”

[Denial. While the master possesses a truly wicked personality, that man is too weak to even warrant teabagging.]

“Oh-ho… As expected of something you created. Quite perceptive.”

Cheongju’s remark made Vulcan nod in admiration.

Is that really it?

While I was staring at them with that thought, Lucia began approaching me.

‘Wait, why does she look like that?’

—Has she lost her mind?

Both the Holy Sword and I were taken aback by her expression.

“What exactly did you say to my parents? Seriously.”

She seemed a little out of it.

“What do you mean, what I said?”

“Well, my parents have been acting… different. Starting with how they refer to you…”

“……”

What did I say?

All I did was promise to take good care of Lucia and crush Racter in front of them.

—You destroyed her ex-fiancé and vowed to take care of Lucia… If they’re the scheming type, they might think you’re planning to take Lucia for yourself.

‘……It’s not me who’d be living with Lucia, but Ermé.’

Because clan management is entirely Ermé’s responsibility.

I only ended up as the clan head because Ermé strongly recommended I take the role as the figurehead—otherwise, I would’ve dumped all the tedious work on her.

‘There’s some kind of misunderstanding here.’

—Then you should probably clear it up, no?

‘If I say it outright, wouldn’t that change the dynamic between us?’

—I’ve thought this for a while, but you’re truly a master of hope torture.

‘What are you talking about?’

As I bantered with the Holy Sword, Lucia quickly calmed down.

Though the way she looked at me had grown more affectionate—her gaze now tinged with obsession—which was a bit concerning.

‘……This is seriously bad.’

Before I could say anything, Lucia let out a happy hum, puffing her cheeks slightly.

Her expression made it obvious she was overjoyed.

Then, out of nowhere, she spoke.

“Let’s go on a date.”

Lucia said just that.

It wasn’t much of a date.

I went out with Lucia, and all we did was walk around the streets.

That was it.

“It’s been a wish of mine for a long time. Walking like this with someone I like.”

“……Someone you like?”

“Yes. Someone I like.”

When I stammered in response, Lucia smiled playfully and looked at me.

“You don’t have to answer now. I told you before, didn’t I? That I have ambitions.”

I don’t have any.

I just said that as an excuse.

“I have ambitions too. To stand on my own without being tied down by my family, then kick their backsides on my way out.”

That’s not an ambition…

‘Isn’t that just a bad personality?’

—It could be an ambition. Especially for those born and raised in noble families.

The Holy Sword spoke with a hint of bitterness.

Is this why medieval folks were hopeless?

“Hmph-hmph~.”

Watching Lucia hum cheerfully, I cut off my connection with the Holy Sword. It didn’t feel right to chat with it while she was this happy.

‘Focus on the present.’

After that, we didn’t do anything special.

Just eating something from a street vendor.

“Mmm, this pasta is delicious.”

“Yeah, it’s pretty good.”

“Though it’s a little bland. Normally, it’d be mind-blowing.”

As she said that, Lucia glanced at me.

She was another victim of the elves’ seasoning skills.

“Then should I make some for you next time?”

“Once isn’t enough.”

Lucia made a thoughtful face, then looked at me with a mischievous grin.

“How about for life? I might not know much about food, but I can at least provide clothes and shelter.”

“……You’re being awfully forward.”

“Watching how you act, I figured you’d never take the hint otherwise.”

“……”

I had no rebuttal to her knowing me so well.

—Heh, seems she’s taken a liking to you.

‘Well, I am good-looking.’

—That’s part of it, but there’s more, I think.

‘……’

I had nothing to say to that.

Given Lucia’s obsession with me, there wasn’t much else to add.

After finishing our meal…

“Mmm, this is tasty. Want a bite?”

We snacked at a street stall.

“How about this? Doesn’t it suit me?”

I bought her a hairband from a passing shop.

We spent our time like that.

—Uncharacteristically considerate of you.

‘Well, we won’t be seeing each other for a while.’

That’s why I’ve been paying extra attention to the clan members lately.

By the time night fell…

“It’s a shame. I wish we could stay out longer.”

Lucia expressed her reluctance.

I didn’t understand why.

Because.

“……Aren’t we just going back to the clan building together?”

Glasses had organized some kind of celebration, and Ermé had won big at gambling, so she was splurging on expensive alcohol.

“Being alone together and being in a crowd are different.”

“I guess.”

“Did you have fun, Yuseong?”

If she meant enjoyable, then yeah, it was alright.

A little bothersome at times, but…

This’ll become a fond memory someday, right?

Just as I was about to say that…

[You have thwarted Lucia’s engagement. Please check your rewards.]

I grinned silently.