If this world truly shares the same settings as my novel, things aren’t going to go smoothly at all.
Well, I’ve never written slice-of-life stories, so that’s a given.
I don’t have a clear narrative in mind; I’m not well-versed in grim tales about the world ending or someone dying.
However, the very settings are designed to easily trigger events. That’s how stories progress.
Take Eve, for instance. For some reason, she’s going to cause a catastrophe that shakes the entire Labyrinth City.
Of course, I plan to prevent that from happening… but the chances of it happening are alarmingly high.
And these dangerous elements are hidden all across the Pan Continent.
The goals of the cult known as One Who Devours the Twilight, incidents in the Mage Tower, corruption in the Artisan Guild, secrets of the Labyrinth and the Goddess, and so on.
Now, I’m not saying all of these incidents will actually happen. After all, stories rarely unfold as the author intends.
I’ve simply sprinkled some plot points here and there to be useful in any situation. They’re meant to stand as obstacles in front of the Protagonist, no matter how the plot unfolds.
Obstacles equal growth. And growth equates to rewards.
The Protagonist will face some of the breadcrumbs I laid out, overcome them, and ultimately grab everything they want.
…However, the process will pose a serious threat to those who aren’t the Protagonist.
Ellie is one of those caught up in this. The support role means, in other words, she’s stepping into big events.
I have no idea if the incidents I’ve conceived will actually occur, I don’t even know what the Protagonist is up to right now, and even if I’m around, I doubt Ellie will try to get involved with the Protagonist…
But it’s clear that some form of power will be needed to survive everything that’s about to happen.
Well… of course, if it’s Ellie, she’ll protect me. That’s just how she is, and she’s capable enough to do so.
However, merely being protected doesn’t satisfy me.
It’s a matter of pride as a man with memories of a past life, and a sense of responsibility as the original creator.
Fortunately, the conditions to gain power are aligned now, so I have no more reasons to hesitate.
“Ellie.”
“Yeah?”
“I know that you feel sorry for me and think I’m cute.”
“Feeling sorry for you and thinking you’re cute… that’s not it. I…”
“It’s okay. No matter what the reason is, the important thing is that you like me, Ellie.”
“Jonah…”
“However, I don’t want it to stay this way. I want to be on equal footing with you, if possible.”
“Equal footing?”
“Yes. I mean that I’ll grow stronger than you and take you down.”
“???”
Ellie, puzzled by what she just heard, tilted her head. I stood on my tiptoes and whispered in her ear.
“No matter how guilty you feel, and how much of a coward you are at crucial moments… it doesn’t matter. I’ll just force myself onto you. How about it? Convenient for you, isn’t it?”
“W-wait just a minute. That’s a bit…”
“The next is Lydia.”
“…What?”
“I’m just a gluttonous Pinkie as Ellie said. I might not be satisfied with just you and might go after Lady Lydia too.”
“Jonah, did you just say that…?”
“But first, it’ll always be Ellie. The place I’ll return to will also be by Ellie’s side.”
“…….”
“I just wanted to say that.”
After saying that, I dropped my body. Ellie, who had been momentarily dazed, smirked and pulled out a Mana Herb cigarette from her pocket.
“…I’m not as patient as you think, Jonah.”
“Well, that’s good!”
“Hmm. Let’s see if you can say the same thing at that moment.”
With a fierce smile characteristic of a Wolf Hybrid, Ellie took out a lighter and lit the cigarette.
Now it was completely back to her usual self… wait, what’s that lighter?
“Ellie, I haven’t seen that lighter before.”
“Oh. I lost one recently and bought a new one. Pretty cool, huh?”
“…….”
I stared at the lighter she proudly showed me. It looked more expensive than the one I used before.
Suddenly feeling deprived, I casually placed my finger on the tip of the cigarette she was holding.
“Weak flame.”
Whoosh!
I activated my magic to its highest output, covering the lighter’s flame.
“Wha—?!”
Ellie was taken aback as the burning tiny stub ignited instead of simply catching fire. In front of her, I puffed air dramatically.
“Phew!”
With the flame I lit remaining, I nodded in satisfaction.
“Well, I’ll take my leave now.”
“Um… no, but what was that just now…?”
I let her bewildered words go in one ear and out the other as I headed for the second floor, not outside.
“Are you going back up? Didn’t you say you were going out for some fresh air?”
“Hmph! I don’t need to do that anymore!”
Forget retrieving the lighter.
Let’s roll the gacha instead.
Ding!
[1-Star: Well-Dried Mana Herb]
[1-Star: Well-Dried Mana Herb]
[2-Star: Mana Herb Elixir]
[1-Star: Well-Dried Mana Herb]
[1-Star: Processed Recovery Herb]
[1-Star: Lowest-grade Recovery Potion]
[1-Star: Processed Recovery Herb]
[1-Star: Well-Dried Mana Herb]
[2-Star: Low-Grade Detox Potion]
[1-Star: Well-Dried Mana Herb]
[1-Star: Fresh Garland]
“Wow! That’s what I’m talking about!”
Two 2-Stars! That’s double the investment back! Nothing immediately useful, but all of them are good to have.
“The pawnshop lighter? Service terminated!”
Ellie can use her new lighter! I’m going to roll the gacha with that money!
After dancing joyfully, I sprawled out on the bed to check the results of the gacha.
I didn’t bother with the Mana Herbs and Recovery Herbs and just stuffed one in my mouth.
“Mmm…”
The bittersweet, yet refreshing flavor of the herb filled my mouth. It’s not meant to be tasty; medicine is not meant to be delicious, after all.
I munched continuously while examining the rest of the items I acquired.
Mana Herb Elixir, Lowest-grade Recovery Potion, Low-Grade Detox Potion, Fresh Garland.
The Mana Herb Elixir was a familiar item. It looked similar to the elixir I had commissioned recently made from Mana Herbs.
However, it wasn’t exactly the same; it looked much more luxurious. The capsules were thicker, shinier, and emitted a cooler fragrance.
Well, comparing it to something made by a cheap apprentice alchemist, anything would probably look better.
That’s just my guess, but it seems that the items from the gacha are of good quality.
Items like Mana Herbs and Recovery Herbs could easily be infested with bugs, but the herbs from the gacha had none of that.
Well… no matter how well-made, it ultimately comes down to being made from Mana Herbs. It’ll likely rank at the bottom among elixirs.
I’ve already tried one, so I won’t have high expectations, and I’ll just eat the herbs with it.
Next is the Lowest-grade Recovery Potion… not much to say about it. I just tucked it away in the corner of my belt. The same goes for the Low-Grade Detox Potion.
They’re all just emergency items for when things get tough.
…Speaking of which, since I now have a detox potion, I should try eating some suitable poison next time.
I need to confirm if I can digest it with Gluttonous Stomach. If not, I can just drink the detox potion afterward.
Lastly, the garland. It’s pretty, but I have no idea where to put it. After pondering for a moment, I casually hung it on the wall.
Normally, I would’ve hung it around Ellie’s neck and teased her a bit… but not now.
“All right. Time to sleep.”
Since I need to head back to the Labyrinth tomorrow, I should start adjusting my condition. After cramming the remaining herbs and the elixir into my mouth, I covered myself with the blanket.
*
The next morning, after a quick breakfast, I was on my way to Pangrave Square, following Lydia.
Noticing my glance, Lydia cautiously opened her mouth.
“Jonah. Did you make up with Ellie? She seemed fine when I briefly saw her.”
“We didn’t even fight, you know? We just had a bit of a difference in opinion.”
“Yeah. No matter what it is, I’m glad you two are back together.”
Lydia visibly relaxed. I smiled at her.
“That’s right, Lady Lydia. Didn’t you say you’d let me touch you when Ellie isn’t around? So, is it fine now?”
“…Not now, next time. There are too many people here.”
Lydia averted her gaze shyly. I glared at her, then spoke firmly.
“When is that ‘next time’? During our dungeon dive?”
“That’s…”
“In the dungeon, you’ll say it’s dangerous. Outside, you’ll say it’s not good because there are people around, and at Fairy and Silver Coin, you’ll say it’s not good because Ellie is there, right?”
“…….”
Lydia clamped her mouth shut, as if I hit the nail on the head. Meanwhile, her chest rhythmically swayed in sync with her steps, outstanding indeed.
The freedom of her chest outside the confines of armor is truly remarkable…
With a hand moved as if entranced, I quickly realized and casually brushed my hair back. Like I planned it all along.
Then, I casually twisted my bangs with my fingers and continued in a nonchalant tone.
“It’s fine. I don’t know why you’re avoiding me, and whether that’s really because of Ellie… but I’ve decided not to worry about it.”
“…Really?”
Lydia, mixing apologies and regret, gently swept her chest.
Before her, I raised both arms, appealing that I meant no harm.
“Even if touching isn’t allowed, just looking is fine, right?”
“It doesn’t wear out from looking, so I guess…”
“Promise me you’ll keep your word this time!”
I extended my pinky, and after a moment’s hesitation, Lydia linked her pinky with mine.
I crushed her pinky tightly, ensuring she couldn’t escape.
“Anytime and anywhere, Lady Lydia showing her chest to me! Thank you!”
“…I didn’t say that!”
Oh dear. I’ve already sealed the deal. It’s a firm agreement!
