My legs trembled at the sudden threat.
I tried remaining upright.
Failed.
I staggered.
Extenron supported me.
“Th-Thank—”
Whoosh!
Holloway immediately stole me from him.
My cheek ended up pressed flat against Holloway’s chest.
Firm.
Nice.
But I couldn’t exactly rub against the chest of a man who had just threatened my life.
I barely escaped him and stood on my own.
R-Right.
L-Let’s go.
Let’s find the other item……
Nothing happened.
Nothing at all……
[Holloway worries you might fall over like this.]
Would you talk that way to someone you’re worried about?
The accuracy of Holloway’s thoughts was supposed to be 85%.
That one is definitely wrong.
From now on, I’ll stop trusting any thought windows related to Holloway.
Especially anything claiming he worries about me or finds me cute.
Those are definitely lies!
If he really worried about me and adored me—
he wouldn’t threaten me like that.
Filled with rage, I swung the cue violently while searching.
Then accidentally struck a slot machine.
Clatter!
The impact made the machine vomit out chips.
This doesn’t look particularly different from Korea.
Are machines like these universal?
Rattle!
Rrrrrattle!
While I stirred through the endless chips with the cue—
something appeared underneath.
I immediately bent my knees and reached for it.
Another signet ring.
Intertwined plant stems.
……This is House Vesk?
No one in our group had the surname Vesk.
The instant I realized that—
the tension drained from my body so hard I nearly collapsed.
Thank God.
Maybe the worst-case scenario I imagined wasn’t true.
If House Vesk wasn’t represented in our group—
then there was a greater chance my family hadn’t participated either.
[Obtained ‘Signet Ring of House Vesk, Count’!]
[Signet Ring of House Vesk, Count
Feature: Signet ring belonging to Count House Vesk, which aided Albrecht, the founding Emperor of Balone.]
[Items Collected (2/2)]
[Sub Quest Complete!]
[The Cross-Shaped Shuriken is beneath the chips.]
I immediately pushed the chips aside with the cue.
A belt pouch containing the shuriken appeared.
Thank goodness.
I had wondered how I was supposed to carry something so sharp.
I opened the pouch and checked the contents.
[Obtained ‘Cross-Shaped Shuriken’!]
[Cross-Shaped Shuriken
Feature: No matter where you aim, it hits the target with perfect accuracy!]
For once, it gave me something good.
I expected it to make me yell some ridiculous spell to hit the target.
Just as I started feeling satisfied, another sentence appeared underneath.
[To increase Attack Power and Accuracy, make the sound ‘Shooong!’ with your mouth.]
That’s easy.
Still much better than ‘Ah-byoh.’
I strapped the pouch around my waist.
My fashion sense was collapsing.
But I didn’t have time to care about that.
I’m really using every possible weapon in this hotel.
Neither Extenron nor Holloway spoke while I finished fastening it.
……Mm.
Heavy silence.
Despite staying quiet, both of their gazes followed even the smallest movement I made.
Extremely uncomfortable.
Especially Holloway.
I never imagined I’d miss his child form.
The instant I thought that—
Holloway abruptly transformed back into a child.
I stared at him, confused.
He only smiled brightly.
“Split personality……”
Is it okay to be this different?
Then the casino door slowly opened.
I flinched, assuming it was a monster.
Instead—
an unwelcome plum-colored head peeked inside.
I tried hiding before he noticed me.
Unfortunately, our eyes met.
The man widened his eyes.
“L-Lady Evelyn!”
“Alhulf.”
Unlike me—
who was not pleased whatsoever—
Alhulf opened his arms and charged toward me.
Like someone reuniting with a long-lost lover.
I seriously considered drawing the shuriken.
Instead, I dodged the incoming hug and hid behind Extenron.
Alhulf looked confused.
But his momentum carried him forward.
“Uh, uh……!”
THUD!
Unable to stop himself, Alhulf slipped forward and fell.
“L-Lady Evelyyyyn……”
Ignoring his resentful voice completely, I muttered,
“Why do I keep meeting Alhulf?”
It’s hard enough meeting anyone else even once.
Alhulf flushed and cupped his cheeks.
“F-Fate……”
Say that word and see what happens.
I didn’t even let him finish.
I grabbed Holloway’s hand, shoved Extenron’s back, and left the casino.
Alhulf hurried after us.
[Beginning Project: Become Friends With ‘Demon of Sorrow’ Extenron.]
I’ll handle it myself.
Nothing good ever happened when the system interfered.
So I became nervous.
[‘Demon of Sorrow’ Extenron enjoys playing pranks.]
The unexpected message calmed my violently beating heart.
Oh.
Maybe it isn’t giving me some ridiculous quest.
He likes pranks?
What should I do?
[Favorability Increase Quest Triggered.]
[Rejection rejected.]
Hey.
Don’t mess with me.
[Favorability Increase Quest
Objective: Play rock-paper-scissors with ‘Demon of Sorrow’ Extenron.
The game will remind Extenron of old memories and make him happy!
Of course, you must win.
※However, if you fail to win even once within the time limit, Extenron’s terrifying forehead flick will explode your brain.]
You want me to play rock-paper-scissors with my life on the line?
I’m bad at rock-paper-scissors……
[Time Limit: 2 minutes
Clear Reward: Extenron’s Favorability increases!
Failure: Brain explodes and you die.]
A hollow laugh escaped me.
“Heh heh.”
Avoiding the gazes of the two people watching my despair, I tightly grabbed Extenron’s sleeve.
[For smooth quest progression, you will be transported.]
Whoosh!
Before I could complain—
Extenron and I alone were moved somewhere else.
“…….”
“…….”
Can you not do things this suddenly?
No time to panic.
The clock is running.
“Let’s play rock-paper-scissors.”
“……?”
[Extenron says, ‘Suddenly?’]
You’re the one who suddenly forced this on me.
“I want to. I’ll play scissors, so you play rock.”
It didn’t say I couldn’t do something like this.
Cheating should be allowed.
“Okay.”
Extenron answered obediently.
Maybe he really is nice.
“Rock, paper…… scissors!”
[Extenron: ✊ / Evelyn: ✌]
I lost?
Why?!
I thought I’d be able to clear this effortlessly.
Instead, I got angry at Extenron.
“I lost! Do what I tell you!”
[Extenron feels wronged.]
Why are you the one feeling wronged?!
[‘I’ll play scissors, so you play rock.’]
The system personally replayed my exact voice.
……Did I really say that?
“Sorry. I misspoke. I’ll play scissors, so you play paper.”
“Okay.”
[Extenron: ✊ / Evelyn: ✌]
I said it correctly this time!
What the hell?!
Time is running out!
“Why aren’t you doing what I say?!”
“The world of competition is merciless.”
“A minute ago you obeyed me! Now suddenly the world of competition is merciless?”
When I complained, Extenron avoided my gaze.
You little……!
I knew your insides were black.
“I’ll play rock, so you play scissors.”
“Okay.”
He answers so damn nicely.
But I’ll use my brain too.
I told Extenron to play scissors.
To beat me, he’ll probably play paper.
So I’ll counter his counter!
“Rock, paper, scissors!”
[Extenron: ✊ / Evelyn: ✌]
I lost again!
“Why?!”
[Extenron is also good at psychological warfare.]
Fuck!
There isn’t much time left.
[Extenron: ✌ / Evelyn: 🖐]
Ten seconds……
My brain is about to explode……
My heart tightened.
My eyes stung.
Extenron watched me and bit his lip.
[Extenron finds your reaction so funny he’s dying.]
Fuck.
What good does that do me……?
Extenron lifted one index finger.
Another round.
……Please.
Heaven and earth.
Every god in existence.
Please.
Please.
I clasped both hands together, thought solemnly about what to choose, then said,
“Rock, paper, scissors!”
[Extenron: ✊ / Evelyn: 🖐]
“Huh? I-I won……. I won! Wow!”
I won!
I grabbed Extenron’s hand and shook it wildly.
My brain doesn’t have to explode!
“I won! You saw that, right, Extenron?!”
“Yeah.”
“I won!”
I was so excited that he stroked my head with a satisfied expression.
I grinned at him immediately.
Extenron seemed like the type who couldn’t spit in a smiling face.
Seeing me like that, he hurriedly looked away.
Maybe I shouldn’t have smiled.
I quietly released his hand.
[Extenron feels disappointed.]
[Extenron’s Favorability has changed!]
[‘Demon of Sorrow’ Extenron’s Feelings ʕ´•ᴥ•`ʔ: For some reason, I can’t keep looking into her eyes.]
……That went up, right?
I had trouble interpreting what it meant.
[Extenron’s favorability has reached ‘Maybe it would be nice if Evelyn survived?’]
That counts?
[Story ‘????’s Past’ can now be collected!]
Anyone can tell that’s Extenron’s past.
[Proceed to ‘Laboratory 10’ in the basement. If you refuse, you will be forcibly transported.]
You want me to go back to that nightmare with my own feet?
[The basement is now open!]
N-No.
If I’m going there, I need to do something about the map first.
I earnestly asked Extenron to donate blood.
“Could you give me just one drop of blood?”
Instead of answering, he stared.
Then asked,
“Are you serious?”
“Yes.”
“No.”
The refusal was absolute.
He put the muzzle back on and turned away from me.
“B-But I really need it……”
“…….”
The rigid line of his back told me not to ask again.
[If you continue pressuring Extenron, his Favorability will decrease.]
Ah……
I’m going insane.
I need to upgrade the map.
But there was nothing I could do.
I would simply have to abandon map upgrades and enter the basement.
I still had the hand mirror.
The ring.
And now the shuriken.
I’d somehow manage.
“Then I guess we’re parting here. Bye!”
You won’t even give me blood.
Whatever.
I immediately went down to the first floor.
Extenron followed awkwardly behind.
I didn’t stop him.
Once he realized I was entering the basement, he’d probably run away on his own.
I had a feeling Holloway and the other demons disliked that place too.
I arrived at the basement entrance.
When I tried opening it—
Extenron blocked me.
His face went deathly pale.
He shook his head violently.
“You don’t want me to open it?”
Rapid nodding.
I stared up at him.
Just seeing the basement had covered him in cold sweat.
Drops gathered around his bangs.
I lifted my hand and wiped his forehead.
He flinched and hunched his body.
“It’s okay. I’ll go alone.”
He looked confused, as though asking why I needed to enter at all.
I couldn’t tell him about the quest……
“Maybe the escape gate is there……”
“N-No. It isn’t.”
“Then where is it?”
His eyes rolled around.
You don’t know either, do you?
I tried pushing his enormous body aside.
He didn’t move.
But even if you do that—
I’m still going underground anyway……
[The basement entrance is blocked by Extenron. For smooth quest progression, you will be forcibly transported.]
Whoosh!
See?
Blocking me accomplishes nothing.
I tried acting cheerful to suppress my terror.
Then stopped.
Directly beside me was an iron door labeled—
‘Laboratory 10.’
……Should I be grateful for the door-to-door transportation service?
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