Chapter 46
It had already been quite some time since si-yeon became one of yu-jin’s Retainers.
During that time, she had gone through a great many changes.
She turned into a Vampire, and her physical abilities were vastly improved.
Blood became her staple food.
She had even been bestowed with mysterious abilities, like strengthening her fingernails into a Claw Hand, and shooting blood like Blood Bullets.
But the biggest change of all was this.
[…Master.]
She served the Master.
Si-yeon had lived her entire life in horrific abuse, forced to obey villains like the Boss of the Black Cow or the Sorcerer.
To her, the things yu-jin did for her were all incredibly unfamiliar.
They were feeding her delicious food, dressing her in nice clothes, letting her live in the same house, and even treating her with respect and love.
Yu-jin herself considered such things to be a given, and even felt sorry for not being able to take better care of her.
But si-yeon was so happy right now, feeling an overwhelming sense of joy.
It was to the point where she even felt a slight sense of anxiety.
[I am not strong like Lady Katarina… and I don’t have an affectionate personality like Riri to make things for Master or express my feelings for Master directly.]
Was it truly okay for me to feel this kind of happiness?
What if Master gets tired of me and throws me away?
Sometimes, such fears would wash over her.
However,
The words Master had recently spoken to her.
With that single phrase, all her fears vanished as if they were a lie.
[She said she would always be with us…]
It felt as if the anxiety and fear in the corner of her heart were melting away like snow in the warm Sunlight.
Moreover, it wasn’t just words.
She was dispatched to a gate for the first time after that.
Si-yeon was the first among the Retainers to witness a 'miracle'.
“Guwooooh!”
It was a B-rank Monster, a Grizzly Bear.
The massively mutated demonic bear roared and charged at her.
Naturally, si-yeon intended to handle it herself.
Because she had always done so until now.
She analyzed the situation with her [Appraisal Eye].
[Its hide is thick, so piercing it with Blood Bullet is impossible.]
[Once the distance closes… I will bring out Claw Hand and slash.]
It was right at the moment she was about to raise her claws.
Thud - - !
[Huh…?]
Before it could even reach her.
The giant bear was already completely dried up and collapsed on the floor.
And then, without even leaving a corpse behind, it turned into a handful of ashes.
It was unmistakably Master’s authority.
She had clearly seen the very same power in the Training Ground.
[…!!]
At that moment, si-yeon received another shock.
The fact that Master’s authority reached this far was astonishing, but what made si-yeon’s heart race even more was.
The meaning revealed by that phenomenon.
It was as if she was saying, “I am always watching you.” “I will help you directly with my own hands like this, so do not worry.”…
The sensation of being firmly protected under The Esteemed One.
That feeling was one she would never forget for the rest of her life.
Si-yeon’s loyalty to Master had already been at its peak, but lately, her mind was filled with nothing but thoughts of The Esteemed One.
“…Yeon.”
My light who saved me. My Absolute Being. My everything.
“…Si-yeon.”
I want to dedicate all of myself solely to The Esteemed One: the name The Esteemed One bestowed upon me, every drop of my blood, and even my final breath.
[Master… Master… Master…♥]
“Si-yeon? Can you not hear me?”
Snapping back to her senses, she saw Master standing with a puzzled expression, looking up at her.
“I apologize, Master. I was lost in other thoughts for a moment.”
Si-yeon immediately apologized.
To dare miss Master’s call.
It was a terrible blunder that should never happen, both for an Escort and for a retainer.
She hurriedly bowed her head, prepared to gladly accept whatever punishment fell upon her. But then,
“Fufu. What an unusual sight, si-yeon, for you to zone out.”
Master brushed off her mistake as if it were nothing, and instead gave a light laugh as if she found it cute.
[…]
The fact that every single one of those trivial actions was raising si-yeon’s loyalty to a somewhat dangerous degree.
It was something yu-jin couldn’t have even dreamed of.
* * *
[Huh? Why is she staring at me so intently?]
Looking at si-yeon staring blankly at me, I felt puzzled.
Is there something on my face?
I had just eaten a lot of congealed blood, so maybe a little bit got on the corner of my mouth.
Rub rub. Wipe wipe.
I naturally wiped the corner of my mouth a few times with the back of my hand.
Well, anyway.
Today was finally the day to resume Tower Climbing!
It was the day to enter the second chapter of the Nightmare 5th Floor.
I once again recalled the memories of the first chapter.
[It was a total free ride.]
To put it in a word, it was the epitome of “forced favoritism”.
I didn’t do anything, yet the Tower Residents all treated me kindly.
Thanks to that, I achieved a whopping score of 111 points, and even obtained the Hidden Piece, the Blood in the Stele, allowing me to get my hands on the Death Scythe.
[But what was up with that Vampire?]
On the other hand, I also had this thought.
Just what kind of being was that legendary Vampire, for its blood to be so good that it was judged as High-grade Blood?
It meant it was a being with a status higher than an S-rank Monster.
I was curious, but it was a question I couldn’t answer then.
Anyway, it would be great if things went that smoothly today as well, but…
Even for me, not everything will go perfectly.
Especially since this chapter was going to be even harder for me to clear.
“Then let us go.”
Having finished my mental preparation, I entered the tower accompanied by my Three Retainers.
[You have entered the Trial 5th Floor, Nightmare Difficulty.]
[The second story begins.]
[Objective: Listen to the Lord’s story and assist him.]
My vision brightened, and the familiar sight of the Lord’s Manor came into view.
Chapter 2 of the 5th Floor officially begins its quest here by listening to the Lord’s story in detail at the Lord’s Manor.
As for the temporal setting, it was a few days after I finished clearing Chapter 1 and returned.
It seemed the situation had worsened in the meantime.
The Lord greeted me with a much more haggard complexion than last time, and explained the current situation.
“Distinguished One. The enemy’s movements are unusual. The forces of the Neighboring Domain gathered near the border are growing day by day, and have now far surpassed the Military strength of our Territory.”
As expected.
It was flowing exactly like the War Scenario I had read about in sol-Peul-jeon-Sa’s strategy guide.
In the case of war, in particular, it was tricky to resolve with just individual martial prowess.
There were more factors to pay attention to, such as managing the soldiers' morale, training, and securing Military supplies.
“Furthermore, the Holy Imperial Church is backing the enemies.”
The Lord clenched his fists and spat out with a sorrowful voice.
“However, I can never hand over this land inherited from my ancestors to those bastards…!”
The Lord’s resolute determination.
Regardless, I also had to help him in order to clear the quest.
In other words, it meant I had to help with War Preparation.
Grasping the level of the soldiers and improving the quality of their training would be the first priority to prepare for war.
[Shall I then try strengthening the Army first?]
I spoke in a deliberately dignified voice.
“Let us take a look at your Army.”
“Ah, yes. I shall guide you immediately!”
Guided by the Lord, we arrived at the Parade Ground where the most outstanding Elite Unit in the castle resided.
Holding my parasol, I followed behind the Lord and stepped up onto the podium.
And from above, I swept my gaze across the wide Parade Ground.
“Ha-ap!”
“Euryat!”
Knights were sweating as they swung their swords, and numerous soldiers were lined up in formation, devoting themselves to Swordsmanship and Spearmanship training.
[Hmm.]
It seems like they’re training well in their own way, but…
What would I know just by looking?
In truth, there was no way I would know what made for good training or bad training.
Originally, it was said that a Player had to fully mobilize their skills, items, and combat knowledge to elevate the soldiers' prowess.
I planned to leave such complicated tasks to my Retainers.
If Katarina and si-yeon acted as instructors, wouldn’t they naturally get stronger?
It was right when I was about to skim over them roughly and move on.
A Female Knight swinging her sword alone on one side caught my eye.
[Huh?]
I was startled when I saw her.
“Lord. Who is that person?”
When I pointed at the Knight and asked, the Lord narrowed his eyes to check.
“Hmm. As far as I know, she is a new recruit who recently joined. She is merely an Apprentice who has not yet received her Official Knighthood Investiture, but… is there perhaps a problem?”
“Bring that person here right now.”
There was a reason I gave the instruction so urgently.
It was above the Parade Ground where hundreds of soldiers were sweating.
Only above her head, seen through my [Appraisal Eye]…
[Blood Fiend Potential: S]
Because a status window like this was floating there.