Chapter 13
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Episode 4 - Assassin [3]
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A few minutes earlier.
"Clarisse, I'll get straight to the point. Help me kill Zeth."
"Uh..."
Clarisse was bewildered.
Why would they kill Zeth just like that?
But Yuri already had an explanation and didn't hesitate to share it.
"The reason is simple. When I met him, I saw it with my own eyes... he killed his comrades. Think about it, Clarisse. If Zeth decides to use us, he could kill us both without hesitation."
It was a solid justification, and Yuri was confident that Clarisse would support her without question.
Contrary to her expectations, Clarisse didn't respond. Her eyes fixed on the ground, thoughtful, her brow slightly furrowed. Her face took on a somber, almost menacing expression.
"And why would I help you?"
Yuri hardened her expression. Now she was seeing that Clarisse with a psychopathic mindset, the one she hid behind a mask of sweetness. But she knew it was easier to reason with this version of her.
She cleared her throat.
"As I said, he could kill us at any moment. Do you really want to take that risk?"
Clarisse remained silent. Then, she raised her gaze and looked directly into her eyes.
Her eyes, now colorless, were empty. Her face showed no emotion whatsoever.
The change was so abrupt that it alarmed Yuri.
But she didn't show it.
Then Clarisse's voice reached her ears, soft, expressionless.
"Alright."
Yuri smiled.
"Thank you for understanding."
It was the first time Yuri genuinely smiled. It wasn't a fake or forced smile like all the ones before.
Looking at Clarisse, she hugged her slowly.
"If we kill him, we'll be safer."
Clarisse didn't respond. She stood still.
Her eyes shifted slightly toward Yuri, who continued speaking with apparent sincerity.
'Why would I kill my Zeth?'
A maniacal smile appeared on her face, brief as a sigh, and then vanished.
Clarisse told a lie.
She wouldn't help Yuri.
Instead, she would tell Zeth everything.
"Let's go back. Zeth might get suspicious if we stay here too long."
Clarisse nodded.
But as they walked, a question crossed her mind like a restless shadow.
"Will we also kill Seth?"
Yuri paused for a moment. The name Seth echoed in her head.
Although Seth had made it clear he distrusted her, Yuri didn't dwell on it much. Seth was, without a doubt, more trustworthy than anyone else. Far more than Zeth.
She shook her head firmly.
"No. Seth is... a good person."
It was interesting that she used that phrase: good person. Because in a place like this, good people aren't always what they seem.
Like a villain who doesn't always act like a villain on the bad side.
"I understand."
Clarisse nodded once more, but this time her tone was drier.
The two returned, walking naturally.
Upon arriving, Clarisse glanced at Zeth out of the corner of her eye.
Her eyes lit up slightly. A faint blush appeared on her face, and a smile curled her lips, one she couldn't help.
***
A few hours had passed.
It might be the early morning.
Instinctively, I opened my eyes and looked toward where Yuri was.
"....."
"She's not there..."
Surprised, I didn't notice when she had moved from her spot.
I had my Instinct Master ability active in case Yuri tried to attack me.
But the ability hadn't reacted, and with it, I can sense the movements of people around me.
'Then...'
I looked toward Clarisse.
"....."
My heart skipped a beat.
She was sitting, completely still, staring at the room's exit, as if waiting for someone.
In her hand was a yellow dagger made of pure magical power.
That was her most powerful ability.
However, the most unsettling thing wasn't the dagger, but the twisted smile on her face.
A smile that showed no emotion, as if she had ceased to be human.
She had the face of a complete psychopath.
'What's happening? I should have everything planned, but...'
My thoughts cut off abruptly.
I quickly lay back down on the ground, pretending to be asleep.
At that moment, Clarisse turned her head toward me.
Thom. Thom.
Although I was stronger than her, her reactions made me shudder instinctively.
Tap. Tap.
"....."
Then I heard footsteps approaching slowly.
I closed my eyes tightly and kept my breathing as natural as possible.
Suddenly, I felt Clarisse's soft hand stroking my head.
Her breath brushed against my ear, warm and steady.
Thom. Thom.
I was about to grip my sword, but...
'It's not there...'
I opened my eyes just a sliver and could make out the glint of my sword, near my feet.
Too far to grab without raising suspicion.
'She's really trying to kill me...'
Just as I thought that, her breathing grew closer, almost whispering in my ear.
A few strands of pink hair fell in front of me.
Her face was inches from mine.
"Je, je, you're adorable."
"....."
"You look cute when you're sleeping."
I held my breath even tighter, my body tense beneath the blanket.
"I wish Yuri wouldn't bother you…"
"But…"
For a moment, my breath caught.
"…she wants to kill you, and I can't allow that."
She stroked my hair once more.
Her voice lowered, and I felt her face draw closer to my cheek.
"So I'll take care of it myself."
Her lips gently pressed against my cheek as her fingers slowly tousled my hair.
But…
'This is bad… She's going to try to kill Yuri.'
I can't let that happen so easily.
Yuri isn't a character who should die.
Because if she dies… I might die in the future too.
With the help of the main characters, my chances of surviving until the end are already pretty low.
If one of the characters who never dies, who's key to the story, dies today… it'll be a disaster.
'The story would change so much that even the guy behind the screen might react differently.'
I know whoever's behind the screen wants me to change the story… but not in a way that makes it awful.
I have to prevent that.
"I'll see you later."
Clarisse pulled her face away from my cheek, and after a few seconds, I heard the sound of her footsteps fading.
I opened my eyes wide and looked around.
"She's gone…"
I quickly grabbed my sword and approached the hallway.
I couldn't see Clarisse anywhere, so I had to recall the sound of her footsteps as she left.
'Left.'
I carefully walked toward the left hallway. Clarisse had left with quick steps… she must be somewhat far by now.
'This is annoying.'
Cold sweat ran down my forehead. My back was drenched, and the silence of the place made everything worse.
Not even a monster was nearby.
'It's not that there are no monsters… they're dead.'
Looking down, I saw several werewolves lying on the ground.
'Judging by their cuts… it wasn't Clarisse. It was Yuri.'
It seems Yuri noticed the monsters near us. To ensure she could kill me along with Clarisse and avoid interruptions, she went out to hunt them.
But that wasn't the only reason.
'Also to level up.'
The monsters in this Detour had much higher levels than those in other places.
A single level 20 monster granted an overwhelming amount of experience.
Seth, for example, reached level 50 in this Detour, but since he could no longer increase his stats, he decided to head to the ruined city.
'Each level grants one randomly assigned stat point… Assuming Yuri's current level…'
Her stats must already be above 70, if that's even possible.
Considering they should be around 40 to 50 right now, there's no doubt.
To ensure I die, she decided to become stronger.
A smile crept onto my face.
'You're not stupid… but the variable here is Clarisse.'
If they fight, the outcome could be really bad.
They might even… both die.
Even one of them dying would be a huge, huge problem for the future.
I quickened my pace.
All my skills were already active.
As I kept observing the werewolves on the ground…
「Stigma: Requiem of Devoured Souls has been activated」
I didn't hesitate to max out my stats.
Soon, a screen appeared before my eyes.
「Stats have increased」
「Strength Lv 87 → Lv 100」
「Endurance Lv 90 → Lv 100」
「Agility Lv 84 → Lv 100」
「Magic Power Lv 92 → Lv 100」
「The 'Chosen One's' stats have reached the maximum for F-rank」
「It is recommended to reach level 50. Something interesting might happen」
「Only the first to meet the requirements will obtain something interesting」
Upon seeing the notifications, a wider smile spread across my face.
I was close… very close to obtaining a special Mission.
The requirements were simple: maxed-out stats and level 50.
However, that mission would only be available to the first person to meet them.
The second to achieve it would only have access to a regular advancement mission, not the special one.
'With this, I'm one step away from the first goal… now the main thing is this.'
I set off in search of Clarisse and Yuri.
That's when I stopped dead in my tracks. I held my breath.
And then… I heard it.
Yuri's voice, confused, speaking to Clarisse.
"What are you doing here, Clarisse? You should be watching Zeth while I deal with the monsters that might interfere!"
While Yuri spoke, Clarisse remained silent.
"Come on, let's go back. Zeth might be awake and get suspicious if he doesn't see us… He could escape."
Just when I thought Clarisse wouldn't say a word, her voice rose coldly.
"There's no need."
"What…? Why is there no need? And what are you talking about? Also, why do you have that dagger?"
I gripped the hilt of my sword tightly.
Clarisse was about to act.
I could imagine that chilling smile on her face at that very moment.
Clarisse was a psychopath… she didn't even try to hide it.
"Why are you smiling…?"
Yuri's voice cut off abruptly.
Then Clarisse spoke.
"There's no need for you to go to Zeth."
"Why not? You said yourself you'd kill him! That's impossible without my help!"
"No, I didn't kill him."
"Then…"
Yuri's voice trembled.
"That's because… I'm going to kill you, not Zeth."
"What did you say…?"
Before Yuri could finish, I heard the whistle of the wind being sliced.
'CLANK! CLANK!'
The sound of iron clashing echoed through the air.
"What are you doing? Why do you want to kill me and not Zeth!?"
I stood still. Not just out of surprise… I also wanted to hear Clarisse's response.
And then, it came.
"That's because… I like him. He's adorable and sweet. He's the first person who's given me a gift… and smiled at me genuinely."
'So it was because of the ring…'
I smiled, surprised. I never thought giving her that ring would spark such feelings in Clarisse.
"Ha… that's absurd."
Yuri's voice sounded wounded.
"Not only does Seth distrust me… but now it turns out you're in love with Zeth and want to kill me. How ridiculous!"
I heard her mutter something under her breath.
"Why did I end up with people like you…?"
Yuri has always been the most sentimental. Though she acts cold, she's fragile.
The one who could break most easily.
'She's letting it all out… right now.'
'I guess… I should step in.'
I took a step, but stopped abruptly.
"Then kill me…"
Yuri's voice sounded resigned.
"If everyone distrusts me and no one believes me… just kill me."
That… that was different from what I expected.
'Why is she giving up so easily…?'
I didn't hesitate any longer.
I ran at full speed.
Then I saw the blade of Clarisse's dagger, about to plunge into Yuri's chest.
I reached out my hand.
And…
'THUD!'
The impact coursed through me. I felt pain. Something wet ran down my back.
I didn't have time to react, I didn't manage to use my hand.
I simply threw myself forward.
"Zeth…!"
"W-what are you doing…?"
Yuri asked, her eyes wide open.
Her face was full of shock, which made me smile.
Anyway, I was on top of her and couldn't even move.
"Really… you two are such a hassle…"