Of course, it might be possible if I had groveled even further and swallowed my pride, but I couldn’t stand it any longer.
‘So much for intimacy. It’s repulsive and unnecessary!’
Not a single player claimed to have become close with Cassel anyway.
Until the very end, he remained unmoved by sentiment and acted solely according to his own interests.
In other words, he was a cold-blooded person who would join forces with the enemy if that was the fastest and most rational way to prevent disaster.
‘Now that it’s come to this, let’s stick to a strict business route. Let me show you how ruthless human society’s business can be, you insignificant AI.’
He spouted childish thoughts that a third-rate villain might have, but I maintained a composed tone.
“Tonight, you can talk to me only when you’re sleepy and receive potions. Please refrain from any other conversation.”
“As you wish.”
He added, smiling coldly at my words.
“Let me warn you one last time. Whether it’s the Count or me, the best way to prolong your miserable life is to give up everything you have and run away.”
“I can’t do that.”
“Why not?”
“Because I need to check if you have developed immunity.”
“…”
When I repeated the words like an NPC, he sealed his lips with a cold expression.
‘Do you understand my feelings now?’
My blood boiled at the thought of being left speechless in every conversation we had.
I thought that was the end of the unspoken compromise between us.
“…Stop whining. You don’t even have the skills to back up your arrogance.”
Until he unexpectedly muttered something in a low voice.
While I was gazing into space, wondering if I had heard things, I stumbled and asked, “What did you just…?”
In response, he smirked and replied.
“I didn’t say anything. Are you hearing things?”
“What?!”
I gasped, grabbing the back of my neck in disbelief.
‘That… That was him mimicking me, right? This bastard…!’
The evil AI had fully learned and imitated my actions.
I knew in my head that I shouldn’t be influenced, but the human heart was not always easy to control.
“You’ve never seen me before, so how can you say I’m whining?”
“You?”
“Yes, me.”
“Oh, when you grovel and call me Sir?”
Raising an eyebrow, he snorted.
“Does Adam Hailey even know you’re being so condescending?”
「 [The Lord of Nightmares] is slightly intrigued
by your change in behavior. 」
Despite calling it ‘intrigue,’ it was clear that it was leaning toward the negative side, making me feel even worse.
“I only refer to those who show me respect as ‘Sir.'”
“That’s ridiculous. Who would show respect to a beggar like you?”
“Well, you’re the one who’s a s—!”
Just as I was about to retort with ‘What about you, who’s a sinner?’
⚋⚋⚋⚋⚋⚋⚋⚋⚋⚋⚋⚋⚋⚋⚋⚋⚋⚋⚋⚋⚋
― [GM Sera]: Junior, when in Rome, do
as the Romans do. It’s only right to show respect
to the Crown Prince of the Empire at all times.
― [GM Jinu]: If you can’t understand this level
of foreshadowing, then aren’t you just a gaming noob?
You won’t clear the ending!
⚋⚋⚋⚋⚋⚋⚋⚋⚋⚋⚋⚋⚋⚋⚋⚋⚋⚋⚋⚋⚋
Then, out of nowhere, the words spoken by the GMs flashed through my mind.
It wasn’t through voice but through text, and although it always sounded like a joke or mockery, it was better to listen carefully.
After all, they were the ones who created this game.
“What about you?”
As I spoke, he tilted his head as if he found me strange.
It seemed like he wanted me to keep talking.
‘I can’t let this go on any further…’
I glared at him with all my might with my eyes hidden under the hood and suppressed my ragged breath.
How many players have been horrified by the protagonist’s outrageous behavior and have been banned for saying things like ‘You sinner!’?
I had to resist unfair verbal abuse, but I also had to be careful not to cross any lines.
“…It’s nothing. I have things to do, so please rest.”
It was a polite way of telling him to shut up.
However, his intense, unrelenting gaze seemed to be asking, ‘What could you possibly have to do?’
‘Was the protagonist always this talkative and nosy?’
I suddenly wondered. When I watched him in short highlight videos, he seemed quiet as long as you didn’t provoke him…
But if he had been that well-behaved, all those players wouldn’t have caused such a fuss.
That’s when it happened.
[ Zenith Imperial Calendar, 13/20 ]
An announcement appeared in much larger letters than usual.
It was finally midnight, marking the passing of a day.
Ignoring the piercing gaze that seemed to be staring right through me, I stood up from my seat.
Then, I approached the sword stuck in the center of the prison.
The Greatsword Regeneration Quest could only be done once a day.
Originally, players would accumulate a lot of [Essence of Darkness] throughout the day and deal with it all at once. However, during the first half of the day after entering Count Hailey’s territory, most players didn’t even attempt it.
This was because most players were busy looking for food during the duration of the potion, so there was no time to collect the essence of darkness.
I, who had tried tossing a single [Essence of Darkness] as an experiment, might have become the first one to execute the Greatsword Regeneration quest on the very first day.
Thinking back on the bunch of [Essence of Darkness] I had gathered, I felt a bit smug and took them out of my pocket.
「 Using 27 pieces of [Essence of Darkness] on the [Broken
Greatsword, Bereft of Light]. 」
Wooong—
The sword immediately vibrated along with a faint light.
「 The [Broken Greatsword, Bereft of Light] is resonating
with the evil energy. 」
「 The [Broken Greatsword, Bereft of Light] Regeneration 28/99. 」
‘That’s right, that’s right! You’re eating well, our Greatsword!’
I was extremely proud of the sudden increase in the numbers.
I internally applauded my splendid achievement.
Of course, I couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed.
‘If that bastard hadn’t consumed five potions, I could have gathered even more [Essence of Darkness] overnight…’
I tried to ignore the persistent, sharp gaze on the back of my head as I drowned myself in regret.
I had made a big mistake.
I expected the protagonist, who was known for not being in his right mind, to automatically consume the potions without any variables…
The discomfort of having to play both the role of a hero and an NPC became evident through this situation.
‘It can’t be helped. I’ll be more diligent in killing the monsters during the day.’
I had already found the suspected leader and the protagonist was able to consume potions alone.
Today was the day for the Essence of Darkness massacre party.
After completing the Greatsword Regeneration Quest for the day, I realized that a day had passed in the game without any game over.
It was much more challenging and exhausting than I had feared, but…
Now, it’s D-2 until the catastrophe arrives.
As I was finishing my contemplation of the first day of the game with a sense of accomplishment, a voice spoke up.
“…So they’re trying to recover the Greatsword.”
“…”
“It’s futile. There’s another condition after filling the [Essence of Darkness].”
「 [The Lord of Nightmares] finds your actions very suspicious. 」
A typical day in the gaming world had begun.
The guy who seemed to occupy most of the ‘What’s this?’ remarks made another irritating comment.
I swallowed a sigh and glanced back.
“…Are you still not resting?”
Either my voice filled with uneasiness didn’t reach him, or he simply chose to ignore it.
“There’s no need for that, but even if you’re a hero and not a beggar, you still won’t be able to accomplish it.”
“…”
“So stop doing useless things and use that time for what you were paid to do.”
He meant making potions.
Seeing the guy who was mocking me while hiding like me, the deep anger I had kept under control surged.
But I had prepared myself for this level of provocation, so I calmly spoke.
“I’m not doing this by choice.”
At that, a look of confusion flickered in his eyes.
“Then who ordered you? Was there someone else besides you who came along?”
“No.”
I replied through clenched teeth.
‘Why does he keep looking for someone other than me?’
Even though I was wearing a tattered robe and pretending to be an NPC, I was still the great hero!
「 [The Lord of Nightmares] finds your words very suspicious. 」
「 [The Lord of Nightmares] is suspicious of your identity. 」
I wanted to give him a piece of my mind, but with Casell’s persistent urging, I simply replied.
“Count Hailey ordered it.”
“…Adam Hailey?”
“Yes.”
Cassel’s eyes widened slightly in response to Adam’s name.
As long as he had both eyes wide open and was awake, there was no way to avoid his suspicion towards me performing the Greatsword Regeneration Quest.
There was no way I could suddenly claim to be a hero when I was known as the apothecary.
Fortunately, Adam doesn’t visit Cassel until after the catastrophe.
So, for now, the lie that I was ordered by Adam was the perfect excuse without the fear of being exposed.
Even if he found out later that my excuse was false, it wouldn’t matter.
‘I’ll tell Adam that Cassel made me do it.’
I admired my foresight while looking at the regenerating Greatsword.
Since it was done in good faith, I added confidently, more boldly than when I had previously lied about the head maid.
“Count Hailey also provided the Essence of Darkness.”
“He… caught the Dark-Eater centipedes?”
“Yes.”
Cassel seemed momentarily puzzled by my words, then he closed his mouth as if lost in thought.
It was a relief. Hopefully, this night would pass quietly.
Having completed today’s Greatsword Regeneration Quest, I sat back down in front of the door.
Then, a sense of discomfort suddenly washed over me, and I tilted my head.
‘But how does Cassel know about the Dark-Eater centipede?’
He had been trapped in the tower as a sinner all along, so he couldn’t have known what was happening in Count Hailey’s manor.
‘Is it because he’s a prince, so he knows the legends of Hailey? Or did the aide come all the way here and tell him?’
I silently nodded to myself.
Cassel had been cursed by an unknown, absolute evil.
If it was the boss, he might have come looking for Cassel. It made sense.
“Hey, apothecary.”
The moment of silence was short-lived.
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