Chapter 8-1 – Is That Just My Shadow?

My Legendary Pillow!

Who on earth stole it? Who could it be? Furious, I stormed out of my quarters to find Leticia. I knocked on her door, and she appeared in her nightgown, looking as if she was just about to fall asleep.

"Oh my, Hilda. Why are you here so late... Did something happen to the young master?"

"No, I just have something to ask. Could you tell me who borrowed the master key today?"

"Master key? What's the matter? You don't look well."

"Someone broke into my room and stole my pillow. I locked the door when I left, so they must have used the master key."

Leticia covered her mouth in surprise at my words.

"My goodness, stealing a pillow. We must find out who did such a terrible thing. Let me see, the person who borrowed the master key today... Richard borrowed it to check a rusty storage key, and Butler Alban borrowed it, but I was with him the whole time. Then there's Dolores..."

"Dolores? When and why did she borrow it?"

There's a saying that once a pillow thief, always a pillow thief. Dolores, who had stolen my pillow once when I first entered the game and a few times before that, was the most likely suspect.

"Dolores borrowed it around noon. She said she accidentally locked herself out of her room. But I heard she left early today to go back to her hometown..."

"Leticia, can I borrow the master key?"

"Of course. Wait a moment."

Leaving the door open, she went back inside. I heard the sound of drawers opening and keys clinking together. The soft shuffle of her indoor slippers followed. She returned with the master keys jangling on a large metal ring. As soon as I received the master key from Leticia, I headed back to my quarters.

"This must be the room."

I knocked, but there was no response, so I used the key to open the door. The long curtains from the window billowed in the breeze and slowly settled. As expected, the culprit had already fled. This increased the probability that Dolores was the thief by over 10%.

But the room was too clean.

It wasn't just that there was no one there; it was as if she had packed up and left entirely. An empty desk and wardrobe. Naturally, my legendary pillow was nowhere to be found.

Is it normal to pack everything when returning home? No matter how precious a 1,000-gold pillow is, taking it home seems excessive.

But who knows what a pillow thief thinks? If she ever returns, she better hope my legendary pillow isn't damaged. I won't let her off easily if even one feather is missing.

After some investigation, I found out that Dolores's boyfriend also worked here as a servant named Logan. They supposedly broke up recently, but gossip among servants is never reliable. I only guessed it was him because a sturdy man who had glared at me after the last pillow incident might have been him. If Dolores vanished or denied the theft, I planned to use him as well.

My pillow better not have a single scratch. If it does, I'll add her to my list of targets and make her work until she earns 1,000 gold. I'll show her the power of infamy that even villains admire.

"Hilda, you look very tired. Are you feeling unwell?"

Oh, right, I was with Adrian.

I snapped back to reality, grinding my teeth while mentally reviewing a hundred ways to exploit laborers. His concerned voice broke through my fiery rage as I gulped down my soup. His clear blue eyes, as transparent as the sky, quickly scanned from my face to my hands and back up. His soup hadn't decreased by a millimeter. I shook my head quickly.

"No, it's just that I didn't sleep well last night."

"Really? I couldn't sleep thinking about you, too."

Ah, an unexpected attack. I couldn't sleep because of my pillow, but...

I couldn't bring myself to say that to his shining face.

"Then it's true. I'm glad to hear we felt the same. But you should get some sleep. What if you get sick from lack of rest?"

"But if I sleep, I can't see you. How about appearing in my dreams, Hilda?"

Ugh, another deadly attack. Why does he ask with such sparkling eyes? It's not like I can decide to appear in someone's dreams.

Logical and wise as my answer was, I couldn't say anything, just mouthing silently. After a short, deep contemplation, I thought of a response he might like. After all, answering doesn't cost anything!

"Sure, if you try to dream, I'll show up and whack you on the head. I'll tell you to get some deep sleep. It won't hurt since it's a dream, right?"

"Hilda, you really lack romance."

"Then what should I do in your dream?"

"Really, no romance at all..."

Adrian muttered sadly, lowering his gaze.

I couldn't understand why he was so disappointed. I had given the most affectionate answer I could. Besides, what's the point of meeting in dreams when we can meet with our eyes open?

I had finished my soup and started slicing the main dish, dragging it closer.

Mmm, today's steak is excellent. The sauce is fantastic, it melts in my mouth. The deep rage brought by my missing pillow started to fade. Indeed, human goodwill comes from being full and content. If Dolores returns and confesses her crime, I might reduce her punishment.

If I had to pick the best part of being with Adrian, it would undoubtedly be the meals. At first, I just ate the leftovers because it was a shame to waste them, but as we grew closer, he ordered meals specifically for me. Although it was awkward at first when he ordered three servings and didn't say it was for me, Adrian never cared about such things. Thanks to that, I could eat two portions of high-class restaurant meals every time, which also increased Adrian's appetite when he saw me eating happily. It was a win-win situation.

“Hilda, have you finished your meal?”

“Excuse me? Oh, yes. Only dessert is left.”

Adrian, who had barely touched his soup, seemed somewhat surprised as I swiftly finished my main dish. He looked as if he wanted to ask if there was a monster inside my stomach. The last time he asked, I retorted by asking if he was making a joke, but it seemed he was serious. It's all because I have a lot of muscle, a high basal metabolic rate, and work hard day and night. It's unfair, truly unfair.

Although dessert was still left, it was a small cherry tart that I quickly devoured in one bite. The creamy almond filling, the crispy tart, and the tangy cherry popping in my mouth were delicious. The balance of flavors was perfect—I'd rate it 100 out of 10. Next time, I hope for a slightly larger portion.

“Hilda, if you’re done with your meal, could you help me?”

Normally, he would have told me to eat more slowly, but his unexpected request caught me off guard. Help? My eyes widened in surprise, and the spoon in his hand slipped and clattered loudly. With a heavy sigh, Adrian spoke.

“My hands have no strength. My arms have been numb since earlier…”

“What? Numb arms? Let me see. Are you experiencing paralysis?”

His trembling hands looked serious. As I hurriedly stood up and moved around the table, I wondered why the system hadn't alerted me. Even if the affection system was blocked, notifications about illnesses had always appeared.

“It's fine. There's nothing to worry about. I just need some help with eating.”

“Your hands are shaking like this, and you only need help eating? I think we need to call a doctor immediately.”

“No, Hilda. That's unnecessary. It's not paralysis, just my body feeling unwell. Look, the trembling has stopped.”

Adrian stretched out his hand in front of me and shook it slightly. The hands that had been trembling like leaves had indeed calmed down. If it was just that he was unwell, it made sense why there was no system notification… But was it really just weakness? I looked at him skeptically, but Adrian's eyes only grew more pitiable.

“Oh dear, I still have no strength. If this continues, I won't be able to eat.”

“But you need to eat something to feel better…”

“Exactly. That’s why I’m asking for your help. Please, sit here.”

He added as if he had been waiting, tapping the chair next to him. I narrowed my eyes. Something felt off…

“…Alright. I'll cut the meat for you, okay?”

“It’s a bit of a bother, but please.”

I started cutting the meat beside him, but my suspicion lingered. After slicing the meat into bite-sized pieces and spearing one with a fork, I hesitated. Simply cutting the meat wouldn't be enough, would it? He had said he had no strength, even dropping utensils, so would I need to feed him?

“Please, eat.”

Caught in indecision, I held the fork awkwardly. Adrian leaned in unexpectedly. Startled, I noticed the piece of meat was already gone from the fork. Glancing sideways, I saw him chewing with his mouth covered. Although he appeared focused on eating, his lips hidden under his long fingers seemed to be smiling.

“How is it…?”

“Mmm, I think I need another bite to know for sure.”

“Another piece?”

I speared another piece of meat and handed it to Adrian, who eagerly accepted it. His eyes sparkled with unhidden joy every time he took a bite. He must really want to eat despite his weakness.

Watching him accept the food eagerly, he looked like a cute baby bird. Well, if it's something simple like feeding him, I don't mind.

“It’s delicious, Hilda. It tastes even better because you’re feeding me.”

Just moments ago, he looked pale as if he might collapse, but now he was beaming. His dazzling smile was so bright and pure that my suspicious thoughts vanished. I even felt guilty for doubting someone so innocent.

Sure, maybe he truly lacked strength without any notifications. Sometimes, people lose their appetite for no reason. But if he doesn’t eat, he'll get sick again, and I’ll have to take care of him. I decided to stop jumping to conclusions.

With a cleansed heart, I continued feeding him piece by piece until the plate was clean. I even fed him the side dishes, which he happily accepted. Considering how well he ate now, it was strange he left his food untouched before.

“Adrian, do you have guests in the next room?”

I asked as I stood up after finishing Adrian’s meal.

“I’ve heard heavy thuds and knocks from there for a few days. Leticia said she didn’t know and mentioned it was by your orders. I was just curious.”

Initially, I wondered if the room was being decorated for me, but the noise persisted longer than expected. It was unlikely they were renovating just for me. Perhaps it was to host some artists, as Adrian occasionally invited them to the mansion.

“I was hoping for a very special guest. But no matter how many times I invited, they wouldn’t come. So, I was renovating the room.”

“Wow, if they refused even your direct invitation, they must be very high-status.”

“Yes, my precious lady is quite high-spirited. I can barely persuade her to take a walk. Do you think she would inspect the room if I asked?”

“Ah, it’s a woman… What?”

“Come here, Hilda.”

With a mischievous smile, he took my hand and led me. Before I knew it, I found myself in the next room where the noise had been coming from. The door quietly closed behind us. “So, what do you think?” he asked cautiously, observing my reaction. I was so surprised that I couldn't respond for a long time.

“You were decorating this room for me...?”

“Yes. I couldn’t let it stay shabby if it’s for you, so I gave it a quick makeover.”

“All this because of me?”

“You’re underestimating my confession, Hilda. It’s just ‘barely enough.’ I wanted to bring you the sky, if I could.”

“The sky... up there?”

Adrian smiled brightly, as if he had finally solved a lingering mystery. I was too stunned to know what to be more surprised about—the fancy room or his words. 

Adrian lamented that he could only decorate it this much, but it seemed excessive to me. The room was at least twice the size of my current one, with a bed big enough to roll over three times, and a flashy legendary pillow. The bookshelf had study materials and romance novels neatly arranged. 

Among them, "Sweet Heart" and "Kitty, the Garden's Poem" caught my eye, since Emily had whined about not being able to get them due to their high price, despite their popularity among the servants. His remark about bringing the sky wasn’t poetic but quite literal.

He had constantly nagged me to move to the next room, even just for a night, and it turned out he was serious.

“Hilda, do you like it?”

His blue eyes twinkled playfully. I felt like I was sinking into them, submerged completely. If he hadn’t been holding my hand tightly, I would have been lost. I do like it. But...

Imagining living here, the first thing that came to mind was Leticia’s daily sermons:

“Everyone! Never forget to be grateful to the Paltsgraf household every day! Think about the grace the Paltsgraf family shows our servants. Even grand ducal houses make male servants stay in the stables or basement and female servants in the attic. But look at the Paltsgraf household! Despite the number of staff, each person gets their own room. So, work harder every day, always grateful to the Count!”

Leticia always emphasized loyalty to the Paltsgraf family, worried about any inappropriate relationships forming between men and women. 

But a servant staying in the young master’s adjoining room? The household would be in an uproar. Leticia would immediately summon me to ask what was going on, and the other servants would either try to curry favor or spread rumors. Just thinking about it was tiresome and bothersome.

My current lodging isn’t unlivable, so there’s no need to take such risks...

“So, does this mean you’re considering moving into this room?”

I wasn't, but... Faced with his hopeful expression, I couldn’t bring myself to say it out loud. Ugh, what should I do? I’ve rejected him so many times, and he went to all this trouble. Ignoring it would be too disappointing. The sturdy branch started to bend like a reed. After a moment of contemplation, I nodded.

“...Alright. Since people will be leaving for the holidays soon, I’ll stay here for a while. There won’t be many eyes around.”

“Is that true, Hilda? You’re not lying, right? No backing out.”

It’s just the next room, but he looked so happy. As his face lit up again, my heart started to race. It seemed like a trivial decision, but seeing him smile like flowers blooming made me feel shy.

“I was prepared to be rejected several more times, so I’m glad. If I had known you’d agree this quickly, I wouldn’t have made other plans... I guess I’ll need to post a guard here.”

“Plans? Where are you going?”

“Just for three days. I have somewhere I need to visit.”

A soft light glowed, like the lanterns I had seen in the glass greenhouse recently. Though the surroundings were still bright, the light soon melted away.

“Hilda, those lights will keep watch over you at night and disappear by dawn. I’ve also arranged for the door not to open while you’re asleep, so you can rest assured.”

“Yes. But where are you going for three days?”

“Somewhere far. I need to visit Giovanni Academy.”

“Why? What’s the matter? I want to go too.”

“I can’t take my precious lady on a rough journey. Just help me with the preparations.”

Adrian gently took my hand and led me back to the room, behind the partition. As I followed him, I racked my brain. Giovanni Academy is where he sends his protégés to be trained. Why is he going there himself? To check if someone hasn’t paid their tuition? Or maybe...

“Adrian, are you going because of the disappearing protégés?”

“Yes, you knew? Who told you?”

“Inspector Harrison. He often comes by to pick fights, constantly suspecting you and the Count of being involved. He thinks the two of you are deeply connected to the protégés’ disappearances.”

“Hilda, could you help me with the preparations?”

His gentle voice came from behind the partition. Right, I had promised to help with the preparations. Shaking off my thoughts, I hurried around the partition, only to freeze in shock.

Why, why, why? Why is he undressing? Oh no... An embarrassing scream slipped through my lips.

“Why are you standing there? Come here.”

He knew how to smile in a way that could melt a person's heart. And he knew even better how much that smile could make someone's heart race.

At this rate, I might die of a heart attack. My face was already flushed, and my breath was getting short. Seeing him suddenly bare-chested was an overwhelming blessing. My heart pounded. I seriously felt my life was in danger. Simultaneously, an honest desire to see him more closely began to stir.

What’s there to be nervous about? I’m just helping him get dressed. I have no choice but to see and touch him... Everything is unavoidable. I swallowed hard.

“I just need to help you get dressed, right?”

“That’s right.”

When I quickly grabbed the shirt that was prepared beside him, Adrian obediently extended his arms. His smile deepened unintentionally.

As I slid his arms into the sleeves, adjusting the shirt... Swish. The sound of the fabric brushing against his skin was unusually loud in the otherwise quiet room.

Hand, wrist, elbow, arm... and shoulder. My eyes traced along the shirt, touching him with my gaze. Since he was always so frail, I expected his body to be as delicate as paper, but I was slightly surprised to find him unexpectedly firm.

Had he been doing push-ups despite being sick? Compared to Kazimir’s sturdy, muscular body, Adrian’s elegant and perfectly sculpted physique suited my aesthetic more.

This made me not want to dress him. Couldn't he stay undressed just a bit longer? I’ll only look, just look...

“But, young master, what’s this huge scar on your back?”

As I traced his body with desire-filled eyes, a large, long scar that I hadn’t noticed before caught my attention. It looked like a burn mark, dark and running along both shoulder blades. It looked incredibly painful. Had he been struck by a torch or something? The numerous cuts on his arms and torso seemed minor in comparison.

“It’s an old wound. It doesn’t hurt anymore.”

Kazimir’s voice, describing Satan, echoed in my ears. Ashen hair, red eyes, scars on his soul in the shape of wings.

“No, but still...”

“There’s no need to be surprised. As I regain my original power, the scars on my soul become more pronounced.”

So, they’ll become even more visible in the future? While it’s a relief that it no longer hurts... he must have kept his body covered to hide the scars. Without realizing it, I reached out and touched the black, rough scar.

“It tickles, Hilda.”

His back muscles twitched as he let out a sweet, dizzying laugh. 

At this point, it seemed like he was deliberately using his body to seduce me.

“Stop looking at it. It’s hideous.”

Since I was lingering behind him, he slid his other arm into the shirt sleeve himself.

Oh no, he’s putting the shirt on. Please don’t... He’s dressed. Please undress again... Just a hundred more times... Wait, what am I even thinking?

“How about you tie my tie if you’re done admiring?”

“Admiring...? What are you talking about?”

I protested, startled, as he buttoned his shirt and turned to face me. A mysterious smile played on his lips.

“I like the mischievous look in your eyes.”

If you like it, why not undress again...? Oh no, I’m going crazy. Let’s just tie the tie.

“You’re even cuter when you act sly.”

“Please, just lift your chin.”

“I like the sulky face you make when you get caught.”

“...”

“I’ll miss seeing this face for the next three days. I might collapse from the longing.”

If you’ll miss it that much, why not take me with you? His smile deepened as if he had heard my thoughts, but I kept my mouth shut. Well, fine. There’s no need to insist if he wants to go alone. Feeling slightly annoyed, I tied his tie messily, but Adrian looked in the mirror and said, “Perfect.”

“Um, you’re not going somewhere dangerous, are you?”

Unable to help myself, I reached out to fix the tie, but he stopped me. With a sweet talk of how any way I tied it was perfect.

“Remember when Count Palzgraf transferred all the protégés to my care?”

I vaguely recalled hearing something like that while struggling with the system. When I nodded slowly, Adrian’s eyes curved gently.

“I’ve always been someone who could die anytime in this house. That means I’m a convenient scapegoat for any crime.”

“Why... Why would you say such things?”

“Hilda, I’ve already reached the answer. This trip will confirm it. After that, I believe I’ll find a way to protect you.”

“Protect me?”

“I’m willing to do anything to protect you. Literally anything.”

The conversation about the disappearing protégés suddenly shifted to me. He said he would protect me, but from what? I can take care of myself, and I would do anything to protect him. However, Adrian’s intention was on a different, more fundamental and desperate level. At times, he seemed to struggle alone on the edge of a cliff, which was heartbreaking... but asking wouldn’t get me any answers.

“...Just don’t get hurt. And don’t skip your meals,” I said, brushing his hair away and catching his hand as it softly grazed my ear. He quickly flipped it over and held it tightly.

“Even now, you’re worried about me. That’s adorable. Don’t worry, I’ll think of you feeding me every meal.”

At that moment, he glanced at me briefly, which was uncharacteristic. Before I could wonder why, a familiar rose scent filled the air. Before I could look up at him, a soft, warm kiss landed on my forehead. It was a light, gentle kiss, like a spring breeze. He smiled against my now-burning forehead.

“I’ll be back, my Hilda.”

His low whisper clung to my ear. His lips moved down from my forehead to my eyelids, eyelashes, and the bridge of my nose, leaving tender kisses. It was affectionate, like a couple parting ways, yet insistent. It made me feel dazed, as if intoxicated by strong liquor. My heart felt like it might burst.

A kiss on the forehead isn’t a big deal. It’s just a casual greeting. So there’s no reason for my heart to pound this much.

This was dangerous. He finally let me go after lingering for a while. His voice was full of reluctance. I wanted to ask how it was dangerous, but I was too busy suppressing the smile trying to creep up on my face.

I must not smile. I am a wooden block, a wooden block... Frowning as hard as I could wasn’t enough, so I scrunched up my face. Adrian found it amusing and chuckled, calling me cute.

The culprit never learns to reflect.

Three days felt like an eternity. Adrian’s departure made even half a day feel long. After resting for two days, I got bored and started tackling the tasks I had been putting off.

First, I made the knot craft item that Letitia had been begging for. Putting a 1-gold rope into the workshop resulted in a finished product popping out, but that wasn’t the end. This time, I decorated it with gold thread and blue imitation jewels to match Adrian’s style. Letitia clapped her hands in delight.

“Hilda, your skills improve day by day! Gold thread and such brilliant blue jewels. The Duchess would love this.”

“I’m glad you like it. I made quite a few this time.”

When I handed over thirty craft items, wondering if they would all sell, Letitia’s face lit up.

“Oh my! So many! Perfect timing. The Duchess has been showing them off, and the noble ladies are going crazy trying to find the maker.”

“Crazy... really?”

“Absolutely. They’re desperate to figure out how you made such beautiful knots. No one has managed to replicate it yet. It’s wonderful.”

"You've received gold and an advance payment for selling 30 craft items."

"Gold +21,070G"

I couldn’t take my eyes off the gold glittering at the top of the screen. Adding this to the 5,450 gold I had saved, my total was now a staggering 26,520 gold.

I couldn’t believe my net worth had five digits. Putting a 1-gold rope into the workshop and decorating it to sell for 700 gold... Even the shady money that Kaiden and Grover brought in seemed trivial in comparison.

“Even if you’re excited about handling a lot of money these days, Hilda, remember this. Even though your crafts are quite popular with the nobles, don’t get carried away and leave here. Trends among the nobility can change like the wind, but the Palzgraf family is like a sturdy chair that isn’t easily swayed. Understand?”

Letitia’s loyalty to the Palzgraf family was evident, but she had a point. You don’t give up a steady job with benefits just because a stock is booming. I wouldn’t leave the mansion because of Adrian anyway, but I nodded as if deeply moved. Letitia seemed very pleased.

“Good. Remember what the Palzgraf family does for you. Next, we should think about selling these crafts even further. Make hay while the sun shines, right?”

“Hmm... How about featuring them in a magazine?”

“In a magazine?”

“Yes. Even if noble trends are short-lived, there are many more people who will try to follow them. We could mention the Duchess who first took notice of the crafts without naming her explicitly. That way, it would spread further as people try to figure out who it is. I’ve heard ‘Sweet Heart’ is very popular these days; maybe we could feature it there.”

“Oh, that’s a great idea. I’ll look into it right away. By the way, Hilda, have you been feeling unwell? You don’t seem to be eating much.”

“No, it’s just that I’ve lost my appetite recently.”

“You? Lost your appetite? Could it be a serious illness?”

“No, it’s nothing like that! Don’t worry.”

Seeing her genuinely concerned eyes pricked my conscience. In reality, Adrian had been feeding me double portions every meal, leaving no room for more. Letitia, who couldn’t imagine me dining with the young master, must have thought my food intake had drastically decreased. I finally managed to calm her down from calling a doctor and left the kitchen.

"Ah, the weather is so nice," I said, stretching as I stepped into the garden, looking up at the clear, cloudless sky. The weather was great, and I thought I might go to town to spend some money.

"Hilda, where are you going?" The head servant of the laundry room spotted me as I was about to catch a ride on the carriage. I carefully diverted the conversation and pulled my arm free. Letitia had tipped me off that the laundry and kitchen staff were especially eager to recruit me for work since Adrian had been away.

If Adrian hadn’t given me paid leave, I would probably have been dragged into the laundry room to work by now.

The kitchen was the same. The head servant of the kitchen tried to persuade me every chance she got, whispering that it was easy work if I only used my hands. I never believed her. The countless silverware, brassware, and copper pots that needed polishing with soap and vinegar, and soaking my hands in soda water until they were chapped and sore—it was incredibly painful. Last time, my hands were swollen.

Besides that, there were endless tasks: cleaning the fireplaces in the banquet hall, library, drawing room, and waiting room; sweeping the carpets; cleaning the bedrooms; taking down and washing the curtains; disassembling and cleaning the furniture; sewing tablecloths, napkins, and sheets; cleaning the bathrooms...

They called me to work all over the mansion, but since there was no bonus for taking on the tough jobs, I didn’t want to bother with it.

It’s not about working to get paid. It’s about working as much as I get paid.

Following this strict capitalist principle, I ignored the longing looks from all directions and boarded the carriage. My shoulders had been stiff from using a low-quality pillow instead of my legendary one, so I thought I’d buy some new equipment while I was at it.

"Sir, please take me to Aida Village."

The first place I headed in town was the bedding shop I had visited recently. Although my legendary pillow had been stolen, I didn’t need to wait for Dolores to retrieve it. With 26,000 gold in hand, there was no reason not to buy a better pillow.

Having the necessary amount of money when needed meant I had more options and didn’t have to fumble within limited choices. Just as I didn’t need to cling to the stolen legendary pillow, my thick wallet allowed me to move on.

"Welcome! Ah, you’re here to look at pillows again today?" The shopkeeper remembered me, probably because I had boldly spent a thousand gold before. Ignoring her hospitable comment to look around freely, I headed straight for the pillow display. Regular pillows, high-quality pillows, rare pillows... I skimmed through the lower-grade pillows, which now existed only in my memories, and finally reached the highest grade, the throne.

"Mythic Pillow - 10,000G, the ultimate pillow said to take you to heaven while you sleep. Enchanted with the sleep magic of the great mage Janice, it is the only pillow of its kind on the continent."

Wow, my heart raced. I could hardly breathe.

A mythic pillow, the ultimate pillow... The description alone was awe-inspiring. I didn’t know why the only pillow of its kind on the continent was in this small village, but the important thing was that I now had the wealth to buy mythic-grade equipment.

The only mythic pillow on the continent would belong to me! I couldn’t wait to see what heaven looked like every night.

"I’d like to buy this pillow."

"Oh my, goodness! The mythic pillow? I’ll prepare it for you right away."

The shopkeeper, who had expected me to choose a legendary pillow again, was surprised but quickly moved to get the mythic pillow. She even put on gloves and carefully opened the display to take it out. The mythic pillow, with its subtle golden glow, was reverently placed in a sacred pillow bag and handed over to me.

I now owned a mythic-grade item! Although 10,000 gold was deducted with a clinking sound, leaving me with 16,520 gold, my total wealth was still at an all-time high. As I reverently accepted the mythic pillow, white letters appeared, as if blessing me.

"You’ve gained 3000 experience points for acquiring your first mythic-grade item."

"Your level has increased to 33. (Title: First Lover of the Devil)"

"You can now purchase ancient-grade equipment."

With a loud, dramatic sound effect, a new grade I had never seen before opened up. Just when I thought mythic-grade equipment was the highest, another path appeared, typical of a tactic used by game companies to boost sales. Where did they learn such tricks?

But how much would ancient-grade equipment cost? If mythic-grade items were over 10,000 gold each, would ancient-grade be around 100,000 gold? Even though I was making easy money with my knot crafts, that was too expensive. No, I’d be content with my mythic-grade equipment.

“Also, I’d like two more legendary pillows, please.”

“Two legendary pillows...”

The shopkeeper was stunned as I nonchalantly bought the legendary pillows after the mythic one. The legendary pillows were spares. One to use in emergencies, or maybe to prop up my legs while I sleep! The improvement I felt when using the legendary pillow for my head made me curious about how legendary the blood circulation in my legs would be.

Next, the clothing shop! 

I carefully placed the purchased pillows in my bag and headed enthusiastically to the next destination. Although it was an equipment shop for users, I called it a clothing shop for convenience. With more than 10,000 gold left, I considered buying a mythic maid uniform. After briefly contemplating it, I decided to buy a few more pieces of legendary equipment instead. I couldn’t give up the full set effect of legendary gear and wanted to try out the enhancement system.

“Let’s try enhancing now.”

Buying seven legendary maid uniforms, legendary gloves, an apron, shoes, and a headband cost me 12,000 gold. It was an enormous amount, but I didn’t regret it at all. I had lost money to the system before. Once I maxed out my equipment enhancements, if I still had money left, I planned to invest in real estate. I was a rising star of corruption!

Arriving at the café, I got my coffee and sat down. Now, let’s see, I could enhance in the 'Blacksmith' section.

“Select the equipment to enhance.”

The flower of enhancement is definitely armor, right? I selected the legendary maid uniform from my bag, and white letters appeared saying, ‘Select enhancement material.’ Choosing another maid uniform activated the ‘Enhance’ button. Thankfully, enhancing from +0 to +1 had a 100% success rate. Except for the enhancement target, I could possibly go up to +6 if I was lucky. Alright, gathering my energy in my fingers, here we go!

“The legendary maid uniform is enveloped in a radiant light.”

“Enhancement successful!

Work efficiency 50% → 52%”

“Do you want to enhance the legendary maid uniform (+1) to (+2)?

Enhancement success rate: 90%”

A 90% chance is practically a guaranteed enhancement. As soon as I confidently pressed the enhance button, two hammers appeared and struck down. Just as I thought they put quite an effort into the enhancement effect, the maid uniform was surrounded by black smoke and shattered with the sound of breaking glass.

“The legendary maid uniform shone brilliantly before shattering and disappearing.”

The +1 maid uniform and the one used as enhancement material vanished with the white letters. What the heck? Failing with a 90% success rate and having the equipment break? It’s harder to fail than succeed with those odds, and yet I managed to do it. This game has terrible luck mechanics.

Stupid developers... May the game company flood and go bankrupt. Cursing everything under the sun, I put another maid uniform into the enhancement material slot.

“Do you want to enhance the legendary maid uniform to (+1)?

Enhancement success rate: 100% (Guaranteed)”

“The legendary maid uniform is enveloped in a radiant light.”

“Enhancement successful!

Work efficiency 50% → 52%”

“Do you want to enhance the legendary maid uniform (+1) to (+2)?

Enhancement success rate: 90%”

“The legendary maid uniform is enveloped in a radiant light.”

“Enhancement successful!

Work efficiency 52% → 55%”

“Do you want to enhance the legendary maid uniform (+2) to (+3)?

Enhancement success rate: 70%”

“The legendary maid uniform is enveloped in a radiant light.”

“Enhancement successful!

Work efficiency 55% → 60%

Defense +10 (New)”

This time I succeeded with a 70% chance! Now this is what I call a great game! I am the loyal servant of the game developers. Where should I bow? Please accept my reverence.

I mentally bowed to the developers in all directions and straightened my posture. Some might say my reaction changed like flipping a switch, but in probability-based enhancement, success makes it a great game, and failure makes it a terrible one. Anyone who’s blown up equipment in enhancements will understand my feelings.

After enhancing to +3, the maid uniform looked even more sacred. It wasn’t quite like the mythic pillow, but a subtle golden aura wrapped around it like grains of sand. I was curious about what additional effects would appear if I enhanced it to +20 later.

I spent more money than expected, but I was satisfied with the result. It was a relief not to have failed all enhancements and gone back to being a free-to-play player.

“...Why are you like this these days?!”

I had just finished applying guaranteed enhancements to the remaining equipment when an angry voice echoed from afar. Along with it appeared white text.

“An adversary is approaching.”

“There you are, Harrison! Stop right there! Don’t you hear me?”

A name that spelled trouble echoed loudly from the main street. Harrison... it’s you again.

I turned my head slightly and saw Inspector Harrison storming towards me, followed by Sergeant Jeffrey and an older man who looked like Harrison’s direct superior.

“Why are you doing this? I thought you reflected enough during your last suspension, but here you are attacking another civilian!”

“Inspector, please ask for forgiveness. Please? We’re out here investigating, but this time you really went too far.”

“Can’t you see? That guy is the criminal, that guy!”

“Ah, Harrison. If you keep this up, it won’t end with just a suspension this time.”

“Why do you keep ignoring all the evidence and witnesses pointing to that man? Huh? Did you take money again? Have you been living so corruptly that they’ve got something on you?”

“Inspeeeector! What are you saying to the Superintendent?! Calm down, okay? Calm down and cool off.”

I always thought Sergeant Jeffrey had the hardest time because of Harrison. From the first time I saw him, I never saw him working comfortably. Stopping his superior from rebelling against the highest-ranking officer, that must be hell.

By now, I had an idea of what Harrison’s presence meant among the police. A troublemaker, a problem child, a rebel, uncontrollable... Was he not being ostracized?

“Watch your mouth, Harrison! I’ve told you many times that there’s no decisive evidence to make an arrest! What’s gotten into you lately? You never used to jump to conclusions and accuse people without proof.”

“Superintendent, please give him one more chance. You know better than anyone how righteous and capable he is. I became a police officer because of him.”

“And what about Lyle? Billy? Morgan, who deserved to be beaten to death? I caught them all, but you let them go. How many more additional victims were there? A brother and mother were murdered, and the father, left alone, hanged himself. If proper punishment had been meted out, they wouldn’t have died. Even if they lost their loved ones, they could have lived together, relying on each other. And you want me to catch the criminal? Only for you to release them again?”

“Oh, come on. You keep bringing up the past! So? Are you making excuses for not having any achievements lately? What about the investigation into the devil worshipers? The missing persons cases! You haven’t made any progress!”

“Ha! And when I find something and report it, do you hand out proper punishment?”

“You’re impossible! Get out, just get out! I don’t want to see you!”

The superintendent, who had burst into a roar, stormed off in a rage. Harrison, also consumed with anger, stood there as Jeffrey, who had been anxiously trying to decide whom to follow and calm down first, eventually ran after the superintendent.

As the surroundings grew quiet, the sergeants, who had been hiding, came out in droves. Harrison didn’t seem to care at all, even as his colleagues glanced at him and whispered. What’s this… He talks about upholding justice all by himself, but it seems like he’s really an outcast.

I don’t know whose side is right, but seeing him left alone like that is kind of pitiful.

Still, I have to do what I came for. Since Harrison hasn’t noticed me yet, this is the perfect opportunity. Quickly using the ‘Eyes of the Seer’ skill from my skill window, I saw multicolored signs of malice appear all over the place.

Who would have thought that this small town had so many criminals and so much malice hidden within it? It made the comparison to Adrian’s refrigerator and pantry feel spot on. The malice of the serial killer I encountered last time was a gloomy, dark purple.

I hid behind my coffee cup and secretly checked out Harrison, but there wasn’t even a trace of purple. It seemed he wasn’t carrying anything with malicious intent… Should I approach him and provoke some malice? Every time he sees me, his eyes seem to blaze with hostility. But I’d rather not get too close; he doesn’t look like he’s in a good mood...

While I was lost in thought, Harrison turned and started walking away. It’s disappointing, but I’ll have to wait for another chance. I’m sure we’ll cross paths again. Watching his receding figure, I absentmindedly rolled the empty coffee cup in my hands.

If even the superintendent is talking about demon worshipers, it must be serious. Now that I think about it, there seems to be more graffiti on the walls too.

〈laudate satanas!

laudate satanaslaudate satalaudate satanas

laudateudate satanlaudate satanas〉

The repeated phrase "praise Satan" was obsessively scrawled over itself so many times that the original words were barely visible. The fanatical devotion and worship were etched into the wall without any space left. With such content, it felt like the whole town was chanting praises to Satan. It gave me the creeps.

“Hello there!”

As I was following the graffiti with my eyes, a cheerful voice suddenly greeted me from below. Startled, I looked down to see a child with bright, sparkling eyes looking up at me. The child looked somewhat familiar. Just then, a familiar voice reached my ears.

“Eden! Didn’t I tell you not to wander off alone? Oh, Hilda.”

“Hilda! It’s Hilda!”

“Hello! Hello, Hilda!”

“Hello again!”

As Kazimir acknowledged me, the kids around him greeted me and even the child in front of me gave another deep bow. I wonder who they got their manners from, Kazimir or Avril? While I was exchanging greetings with the children, Kazimir strode over. His towering height felt like a parasol unfolding in front of me.

“Hilda, what are you doing here? The young master isn’t around, and you’re by yourself.”

“The young master had some business to attend to, so I came out to buy some things. What about you? I haven’t seen you around the mansion lately.”

“Oh, I’m just taking the kids for a walk. The town has been dangerous lately, so I can’t take them out unless it’s in small groups. Haven’t you heard from the young master about the mansion? He said there might be some business in town soon, so I’m waiting here just in case. He told me he’d contact me if needed.”

“Business? What kind of business?”

“How should I know? How could I guess the young master’s deep thoughts?”

Kazimir spoke proudly, but the more I listened, the weirder it sounded. Waiting around… It sounded more like he was being told not to come to the mansion.

“Hmm… So, you’re saying you’re waiting here for some unknown business that might happen at some point? The young master said so himself?”

“Of course! He said there’s no one more reliable than me. Hahaha! It’s quite an honor. Hilda, have you ever received a letter from the young master? If you ever do, hang it on your wall like I did. Just looking at his elegant and powerful handwriting makes you want to do that.”

It wasn’t just similar; it was definite.

Kazimir, I think you might have been fired.

I opened my mouth to say something but then closed it again. Kazimir would be deeply hurt if he found out, so I couldn’t tell him the truth.

I’d have to talk to Adrian seriously when he got back. I should also tell him to be nicer and stop hitting Kazimir. He likes Adrian so much… One word from Adrian, and it would be like a trip to heaven without needing a mythical pillow.

“That’s good. I had so much work piled up at the orphanage while I was away. Alright, kids, go play over there for a bit. Don’t forget to hold hands.”

Kazimir waved his hand as he sat across from me. The kids cheered and ran off like little rice cakes rolling away. How cute.

“You said the town’s dangerous? What happened?”

“Just look at that alley. It’s full of demon worshipers. They say those bastards kidnap kids for sacrifices, so we have to be careful when we take the kids out.”

He talked about the kids as if they were puppies being taken for a walk. No wonder he was so cautious when I first met him. It’s because the orphanage kids are easy targets.

“Kazimir, what do you think when you see that graffiti? You’re a demon too, after all.”

“I wonder how they found out about the young master’s greatness. His fame really does spread everywhere…”

“Hey, stop being so proud.”

“I think humans are worse than demons. I’ve heard they split open their stomachs, peel off their skin, and use the blood for rituals. No matter what, demons don’t harm young ones… Humans are ruthless.”

“Peeling off skin… Does the young master like such things? Is that why they’re doing this?”

“No. That’s why it’s stupid. The young master would be disgusted if he saw it. Any demon would.”

It felt strange to hear that even demons thought demon worshipers were worse.

"How do those people even know about the young master? It’s not like he ever appeared before them. They said he’s always been in Hell.”

"Who knows? Maybe they’re treating him as a general symbol of demons rather than identifying him specifically. I don't know the details. He used to come up often saying he wanted to grow some green plants. Everyone tried to stop him, but he was determined. He might have encountered them a few times.”

Coming up from Hell to find plants—his love for plants had been longstanding, and the action was so characteristic of him that it made me laugh.

One thing is certain: Adrian would have no interest in blood-soaked rituals. He loves being neat and well-dressed. Politeness, elegance, silence, green gardens, plants, the sound of tea being brewed, the quiet sunset… Those were the things he loved.

Listing these one by one made me feel like Satan wasn’t an evil or ominous being. Spending daily life with him, talking and joking, he just seemed like an ordinary person.

“Hmm… There’s no way those people could be the young master’s enemies.”

I was slightly surprised by Kazimir’s words, spoken absentmindedly as he was deep in thought. I always thought he just took on tasks without much thought, but it seemed like he was actually trying to do his job properly. This was great. I was at a loss on how to figure things out by myself anyway.

“Speaking of which, Kazimir, do you have any idea who the young master’s enemies might be?”

“Well, demons’ enemies are usually angels, right? They don’t get along at all.”

“What? Angels? There are angels here?”

“How would I know? I couldn’t even recognize a little demon living right next to me.”

“But you just said the enemies might be angels?”

“That was just a guess.”

He answered with a serious face, but it was a completely useless answer. It was such a letdown. Our puppy Kazimir is really no help, huh?

“No, it can’t be angels. They’d be too scared of the young master to be enemies. What could it be? Lilith must have done something. She wouldn’t have risked her life for nothing. I have no idea what picture she was trying to paint.”

“Right. What did she do, anyway?”

And what is Adrian trying to do? I took my eyes off Kazimir, who was deep in thought, and looked back at the alley. The fanatical praise for Satan seemed to claw at the walls as if it were alive.

How tiring it must be to live a life where simply existing creates blind hostility or worship. I hadn’t seen all of Adrian’s long life, but I could feel that fatigue.

I wished he could just spend peaceful, happy times, but the world wouldn’t leave Adrian alone. I sighed in frustration.

[ hey there, sorry for disturbing your reading! I'm just here to make sure you are reading this from my website (https://tlbyviridescent.blogspot.com/p/surviving-as-maid-in-horror-game.html) and not somewhere else where it got reposted without my permission... that's it! ]

The conversation with Kazimir continued until evening. The serious talk about demon worshipers and enemies quickly turned into a competition over who knew more about Adrian. If the kids hadn’t come back with sleepy eyes, we might have talked all night.

“Bye, Hilda!”

“Goodbye!”

“See you next time!”

I waved at the children who were giving deep bows one after another, and watched Kazimir holding their hands as they walked away. Though there seemed to be a lot of kids for just the two of them to look after, the fact that there wasn’t a shadow of gloom on any of their faces showed how loved they were growing up.

That’s what family is. Watching them, connected by invisible ties, I instinctively thought of someone.

My hand… had it always been this cold?

I stared at my palm, gradually darkening in the dusk.

Was my side always this empty? Was my day always this dull?

“Adrian.”

I called his name several times, but there was no answer. It felt strange.

“...Miss!”

“...”

“Miss Hilda, Sister Hilda!”

“Huh?”

“Over here, over here!”

Following the familiar voice, I turned my head to see someone waving from the alley I had just passed. A plump arm and bronze skin. It was Grover.

Oh, right. He was also in this town. I had been so busy lately that I hadn’t paid attention.

I quickly glanced around to make sure no one was watching and then hurried over.

“Grover! What are you doing here?”

“Sister! Just in time. There’s something I must show you, but I wasn’t sure how to contact you.”

“Something you must show me?”

“Well, uh…”

Usually more laid-back compared to Kaiden, Grover was sweating profusely. He was muttering about being sorry to disturb my grand visit and whether it was right to report such things in detail. Fidgeting like a cornered man, his fingers twitched nervously. It felt even more ominous, like a criminal about to confess a murder and ask for help cleaning up. Surely, he hadn’t killed someone and needed my help with the aftermath, right?

"First, let's go into the alley. I'll explain as we go."

"Why? What's going on?"

His hesitation was making me more anxious.

"You asked me for a favor, right? A proxy kidnapping. Yes, you did."

"Y-Yes, I did."

"You know that proxy kidnapping is similar to contract killing. Sometimes we kidnap someone directly based on the client's information, and other times we transport someone who's already been kidnapped to a specific location. This time, it's the latter... which is usually not too difficult. If the destination is close, it can be done in half a day."

"I see... It sounds easy enough."

As we went deeper into the alley, we moved further away from the lively and bustling atmosphere of the village. A thin mist began to cloud my vision, and a sense of foreboding grew stronger.

"When transporting, the kidnap victim often tries to talk more, hoping for negotiation. It's relatively easier to deal with them. Usually, I don't pay much attention, but this time I had to listen. He claimed to be a servant of the Paltsgraf family. He begged me to spare him, offering me anything in return."

Grover's voice lowered to a whisper at the end, causing me to widen my eyes in surprise.

"A Paltsgraf family member? Are you sure?"

"Yes. He was crying and begging, saying he'd surely die if I didn't help... I couldn't just ignore him, thinking he might be an acquaintance of yours. We're here, miss."

Grover, who had been walking straight ahead, suddenly turned sharply and stopped in front of a wooden door. Creak. The rusty hinges squeaked as a faint light seeped through the mist.

Ugh, I really don't want to look.

Nervously, I craned my neck and peeked inside. In the small, narrow stone-walled storage room, there was indeed someone tied up. They were blindfolded, gagged with a cloth, and had their hands and feet bound with ropes. Anyone could see they were a kidnapping victim.

Muffled groans came from the person, who seemed to sense the door opening and began to tremble. I never expected to witness a kidnapping so directly.

I gestured with my eyes for Grover to turn on the light. Sure enough, she was wearing the gray maid uniform of the Paltsgraf family. Her messy, dull blonde hair looked familiar. I strained my memory and then instinctively asked,

"Dolores?"

"Mmmpf, mmmpf! Mmm!"

"Grover, untie her quickly."

As soon as I spoke, Grover knelt in front of the small storage room and started untying the blindfold. Next, he removed the gag and then untied the ropes around her wrists and ankles. Once free, she slowly stood up, and I could finally see her clearly in the light. It was indeed Dolores.

"Dolores, why are you here? Didn't you leave to visit your hometown? That's what Lady Letitia said."

"Oh, Hilda. Please, save me. Save me..."

She tried to stand up but collapsed twice before crawling to grab my shoes and bursting into tears. I checked her over to see if she was injured, but apart from the bright red rope marks on her wrists, there were no visible injuries.

Considering how she used to glare at me after the pillow incident, it must have been truly terrifying for her. Not knowing where she'd be taken or what would happen, buried in the dark. I crouched down and gently patted her back.

"Grover, where were you supposed to take her?"

"To Lukeville. The third alley next to the Oldiman Tavern, at 1 AM."

[Map Unlocked! You can now travel to Lukeville.]

"Who made the request?"

"Logan! It was Logan!"

Dolores, who had been crying face down, suddenly lifted her head and shouted. I was startled. Wasn't Logan her boyfriend?

"And his friend Kyle too! Those two maniacs planned to sacrifice me! They tricked me, saying they'd take me to a nice place..."

Tears streamed down her face as she trembled.

"Wait, Logan and Kyle both work at our mansion, right? Are you saying they planned to sacrifice you together?"

"Yes! Logan kept saying we had to worship a demon to receive true salvation. It scared me, so I broke up with him. But he begged me to meet him one last time. Reluctantly, I went, and then something hit me on the head... I don't remember anything after that. But I clearly heard them saying they'd sacrifice me."

"So, based on what you've said, they are demon worshippers and planned to use you as a sacrifice."

Having demon worshippers right under my nose felt surreal, like not recognizing a celebrity right in front of me.

"It seems so. Sometimes they said weird things, but I never thought it would come to this. They kept knocking me out whenever I tried to regain consciousness. They really intended to kill me."

Tears welled up in her dark eyes and streamed down her face. Her shoulders started shaking violently, probably from recalling the moments of terror. She had indeed suffered greatly. Almost dying, it was no wonder she was in shock.

Looking closer, I noticed a blood clot tangled in her hair. Thankfully, the bleeding had stopped, but she must have been hit hard.

"Hilda, if it weren't for you, I would've really died. I'd have been sacrificed in some bizarre ritual... Everyone thought I had gone to my hometown, so no one would have looked for me. By the time someone noticed something was wrong, I would've been long dead..."

"It's okay. Nothing will happen to you now."

"Thank you, Hilda. Thank you for saving me... Even though I stole your pillow..."

I was comforting the trembling Dolores when her last words made my eyes widen. The sympathy and pity I had felt for her evaporated instantly.

"You... stole my pillow?"

"Yes, Hilda. I took your pillow. I'm sorry. I was jealous of you having such a good pillow, so I..."

I knew it! Once a pillow thief, always a pillow thief. They say stealing pillows is as hard to quit as drugs or gambling. That’s why she faced such retribution. Like the saying goes, a petty thief becomes a grand thief. But I couldn’t bring myself to say those harsh words to someone who had just narrowly escaped death. After all, a 10-gold pillow might be appealing when compared to a 1,000-gold legendary pillow.

"Hey, did you really want my pillow that badly? So much that you secretly stole it with the master key?"

"..."

Dolores, still hiccupping even after stopping her tears, slowly nodded. Grover, behind her, was about to step forward, exclaiming, "How dare you take our sister's pillow!" but he quieted down when I raised my hand.

I briefly contemplated Dolores' punishment. It was infuriating that she had stolen someone else's pillow, but I now had a surplus of Mythic and Legendary pillows, so there was no need to take it back. However, there was no reason not to extract some compensation.

"Would you like to add Dolores as a Favor Target? (2/6)

Category: Wicked, but not cunning servant

Traits: Shares only with the user and gold"

"Dolores has been added as a Favor Target."

"Current Favor Level for Dolores: lv.1 (0/10)"

"Dolores, about that pillow. You can keep it."

"W-What? You're just going to give it to me? Something so nice and... expensive?"

"Yes, you can have it. But can you do me a favor in return?"

"Of course, of course! I'll do anything, Hilda. Anything!"

"Dolores' Favor has increased by 3000."

"Current Favor Level for Dolores: lv.10 (MAX)"

Great, I’ve gained another loyal slave. I expected a significant increase in favor since it's a legendary item, but it worked especially well because it was a pillow. Honestly, I wanted to put her to work immediately, but I let her off because she was injured.

"Dolores, for now, it's best if you don't return to the mansion."

"Why? I can walk now."

"Fool, what if Logan and Kyle are at the mansion? If they know you escaped, they might attack and kidnap you again. Just in case, go to the security team and explain everything. I'll go back and inform Lady Letitia."

"B-But Hilda, that's the same for you. If there's another victim at the mansion—"

"Another... victim?"

"Yes. Those two seem normal on the surface, right? It's a festive time, so it wouldn't be strange if someone disappeared. I doubt they'd be satisfied with just one. There might be someone else they've tricked, or they might be targeting someone even now."

Dolores’ sharp words made something flash through my mind. No, it can't be. There's no way. I forced down my anxiety and quickly looked at Grover.

"Grover, can you take Dolores near the security team and hide for a while? If the clients find you, they might seek revenge."

"Understood, sister."

Dolores seemed a bit surprised at Grover's loyal attitude, willing to even roll on the ground if I asked, but now that she was also a slave at maximum favor, she wasn't much different. After repeatedly asking Grover to look after her, I swiftly left the alley.

I need to get back to the mansion... quickly. That thought dominated my mind. Why did I feel so uneasy? The moment I heard there could be another victim at the mansion, my heart started pounding wildly, refusing to calm down.

I should have pressed Emily about the person she's seeing, even if it was a secret. No, nothing will happen. With so many men at the mansion, it couldn't possibly be Kyle or Logan. Demon worshippers... no, it can't be.

"No, it can't be. It mustn't be."

I quickly ran to the village entrance, jumped onto a carriage, and opened the Favor Target window. The previously bustling list now showed five targets, accompanied by emoticons.

『Emily: (❁ᴗ͈ˬᴗ͈)⁾⁾⁾ On her way to meet Kyle... lv.3 (10/30)

Caden: (т﹏т。`) Looking for Grover and saddened that he couldn't find Hilda... lv.10 (MAX)

Grover: ─=≡Σ((( つ•◊•)つ Diligently organizing the warehouse... lv.10 (MAX)

Rosie: ✧(´✪▽✪`)✧ Eyes sparkling while admiring new firearms... lv.10 (MAX)

Dolores: (›´⌓`‹ ) Waiting for Grover and suffering from hunger... lv.10 (MAX)』

『Emily: (〃艸〃)♡ Happy to meet Kyle... lv.3 (10/30)

Caden: (ﾉД`*ﾟ)ﾟ･:｡. Unable to hold back tears, crying... lv.10 (MAX)

Grover: (º ﾛ º;　)三(　º ﾛ º) Looking around to see if anyone hears Caden's crying... lv.10 (MAX)

Rosie: (´✪▽✪`)... Angry about not being able to buy new firearms... lv.10 (MAX)

Dolores: ╭( ๐_๐)╮ Debating whether to eat a fallen candy... lv.10 (MAX)』

『Emily: (´×○×`) Staggering after a sudden attack... lv.3 (10/30)

Caden: (っ﹏<。) Being comforted... lv.10 (MAX)

Grover: (´︵｀; ) Comforting... lv.10 (MAX)

Rosie: ︻╦╤─ ҉ - - - Firing gunshots... lv.10 (MAX)

Dolores: ╭( ๐_๐)╮ Still debating... lv.10 (MAX)』

『Emily: _(´ཀ`」 ∠)_ Losing consciousness after a head injury... lv.3 (10/30)

Caden: (っ﹏<。) Being comforted... lv.10 (MAX)

Grover: ( ˙灬˙ ก) Wondering how long he needs to comfort... lv.10 (MAX)

Rosie: ✧(´✪▽✪`)✧ Happy after acquiring new firearms... lv.10 (MAX)

Dolores: (›´∀`‹ ) Enjoying a tasty candy... lv.10 (MAX)』

『Emily: (✘﹏✘) Being dragged somewhere... lv.3 (10/30)』

"No, Emily!"

I couldn't close my mouth as I stared in shock at the status window.

"Mister, please go to the mansion. Hurry!"

I shouted so loudly that it could be heard beyond the window, and the carriage started moving. I gritted my teeth so hard they might break and kept my eyes glued to the Favor Target window. I anxiously waited, hoping for any clue about where Emily was being taken, but the emoticons and favor levels gradually disappeared, leaving only a short sentence.

『Emily: (Unconscious)』

"Ha..."

A sigh escaped my lips.

I'm really going crazy. According to Delores, Emily has been knocked out each time she regained consciousness. As long as Emily doesn't wake up, I can't get any help from the status window, nor can I expect any lucky breaks like with Delores. First, I need to go back to the mansion and look for any trace of Kyle. But what if they have already taken Emily away...

From the beginning, when I first entered the game and was confused and making mistakes, Emily was the only one on my side. Every time I couldn't remember something and asked her annoying questions, she never frowned. At my birthday party, when I was struggling alone, she stepped in and took over the work, letting me rest. She is an endlessly kind and gentle friend. Even when I was only seeing the world as data, it was natural to feel human affection for her.

What should I do, Emily? I keep having bad thoughts. Your face gets mixed up with all the corpses I've seen, creating horrible images.

I quickly closed my eyes and shook my head. No, that won't happen. Wherever you are, I'll come to save you. But if anything bad happens to you... I won't let Kyle get away with it.

With my fists clenched tightly, I stiffly stared at the status window. While the emojis of all the other affection targets were lively and active, Emily's status remained as "unconscious."

"How long until we arrive?" I muttered that about 145 times before the carriage finally stopped. I threw the door open and ran into the mansion. The first person I looked for was Leticia.

"Yawn, Hilda... What's going on at this hour?"

But it was Katarina who came out of Leticia's room. She appeared in her pajamas, rubbing her sleepy eyes.

"Where's Leticia? Where's Emily? Sis, do you know where Emily is?"

"Huh? Leticia is sleeping elsewhere tonight. She went to some duke's place, I can't remember the name. Emily should be in her room. Why?"

"Kyle! Do you know a guy named Kyle? Where's his lodging? Do you know where he is now?"

"If you mean Kyle, he said goodbye and left for his hometown earlier."

Katarina yawned widely. I grabbed her sleeve and urgently asked.

"Where? Where did he go? What about a guy named Logan?"

"I don't know where exactly he went. Logan left a while ago too. What's going on? If it's not urgent, can we talk later, Hilda? I'm so sleepy..."

They already left? Leaving the yawning Katarina behind, I ran back down the stairs. Maybe they just said goodbye and stayed hidden in the mansion. It wouldn't be easy to move around with an unconscious woman without being noticed.

"Kyle? Logan? Both of them left a while ago. Kyle left so quickly on horseback that we couldn't even say goodbye."

If the mansion had been bustling with servants as usual, my guess might have been correct. Unfortunately, it was the period when the mansion was least occupied, so it was possible that Kyle had taken someone away on horseback without anyone noticing. How am I supposed to follow them now? I don't even know where the demon worshippers gather...

"It's in Lukeville. The third alley next to the Oldiman Tavern at 1 a.m."

That's it. They don't know Delores has escaped yet. Logan or Kyle will show up at the meeting place to hand over Delores. If I catch one, the other will follow. Maybe there will be a fight in the process. I hoped to save Emily in time, but it seems that hope might just be a dream.

I went to my room and opened the wardrobe. The wardrobe, which was already full with just five dresses, was about to burst open from Adrian's constant gifts. I couldn't bring myself to sell them, and I had no reason to wear them, so I carefully took out each legendary dress. As I handled each one, a small window popped up showing the increased stats upon wearing it. I compared each dress and selected the three with the highest stats.

"Sorry, Adrian..."

Despite Adrian's generous gifts, I ended up using most of them as reinforcement materials. I couldn't sell them because I had no money and didn't want to part with them. I grabbed a few dresses that didn't make the cut and hesitated for a moment, then thought of Emily and opened the "forge" menu.

I had to leave one with the highest reinforcement level, so I decided to reinforce the light blue, black, and green dresses in turn. I started with a guaranteed 1-star reinforcement. Luckily, the 2-star reinforcement also succeeded. And then the critical 3-star attempt.

"Would you like to reinforce the Legendary Dress of Agility (White)(+2) to (+3)?

Reinforcement success rate: 70%"

Did it work? Did I get the 3-star?

"The Legendary Dress of Agility (White) shattered into pieces with a brilliant light."

It worked. My face turned pale.

Wow, it broke at 3 stars. The 4,000 gold I invested shattered brilliantly... Well, considering I failed at 90% last time, it's not even surprising anymore. I want to curse this luck-based game, but there's no time for complaints now.

I carefully continued reinforcing, and miraculously created two 6-star dresses.

"Would you like to reinforce the Legendary Dress of Evasion (Black)(+6) to (+7)?

Reinforcement success rate: 50%"

"The Legendary Dress of Evasion (Black) is enveloped in a brilliant light."

"Evasion +70% → +73%"

"Would you like to reinforce the Legendary Dress of Evasion (Sky Blue)(+6) to (+7)?

Reinforcement success rate: 50%"

"The Legendary Dress of Evasion (Sky Blue) is enveloped in a brilliant light."

"Evasion +72% → +75%"

"Oh, wow."

The fact that two 50% chances succeeded consecutively after failing at 90% was astonishing. While I should be celebrating, a part of me felt uneasy. What if I forgot to collect the gold for these reinforcements and the system took it all away later? This system has always surpassed my expectations in terms of unfairness, so I couldn't let my guard down. The developers and planners who made players so distrustful should really reflect on their actions.

Despite that, having two 7-star pieces made me wonder what to do next. Should I keep them both or try for an 8-star? While 7-star was good, aiming for an 8-star was irresistible.

Should I go for the 8-star? Yes, let's try it. Reinforcements are all about no risk, no reward. Those who settle for 7-stars will never achieve 8-stars.

Women should go straight ahead!

"Would you like to reinforce the Legendary Dress of Evasion (Black)(+7) to (+8)?

Reinforcement success rate: 50%"

"The Legendary Dress of Evasion (Black) shattered into pieces with a brilliant light."

"Would you like to reinforce the Legendary Dress of Evasion (Sky Blue)(+7) to (+8)?

Reinforcement success rate: 50%"

"The Legendary Dress of Evasion (Sky Blue) is enveloped in a brilliant light."

"Evasion +75% → +80%

Strength +40% (New)

Natural Recovery Rate +30% (New)"

This is crazy! It succeeded! An 8-star success!

I was so ecstatic that I cursed out loud, hugging the dress and running around the room. Wait, I can't wrinkle the dress. I carefully held the dress by its hem. The 8-star legendary dress glowed with a gentle golden light and fluttered elegantly.

Not long ago, even dreaming of a legendary item was impossible, but now I had an 8-star item. It's a tear-jerking growth saga.

But once you achieve 8-star, you start eyeing the 9-star. I fiddled with the material selection button, but barely managed to suppress my gambling urges. Reinforcement addiction is real.

I changed from my maid uniform into the sky blue dress and left the dormitory. It was 10 p.m. The meeting was at 1 a.m., so it was a good time to wander around the village.

The status window I opened showed no change from "unconscious." While it was disappointing not to get more clues, it might be better that Emily remains unconscious. It's better than her experiencing the violence and fear.

When she wakes up, I hope everything will be resolved. I want her to wake up to a normal day, just like any other, aside from a bit of a headache. I've had enough nightmares for both of us.

Lukeville had a distinctly different atmosphere compared to the previous two villages. Aida Village was small and cozy, while Millard Village, larger and more barren, had plenty of sights and food. Lukeville was medium-sized but much busier and more lively. The streetlights were bright, and people gathered in groups at the taverns, chatting loudly. The sound of wooden cups clinking and beer foam bubbling was deliciously resonant.

The Oldiman was at the far end of the tavern alley. It was small inside and had few customers, being at the end of the food alley and barely noticeable. Beyond that, the road became so dark that it was barely visible, making it an ideal spot for shady activities.

I quickly surveyed the area and settled at an outdoor table at a tavern across from Oldiman. I ordered a beer and pretended to enjoy solitude, sipping and scanning the surroundings. Those up to no good wouldn't show up exactly at 1 a.m. They might sneak around earlier, checking for any law enforcement. Kyle and Logan, one of them should be caught.

At first, I worried about how to identify

 them among so many people. But a little thinking revealed an easy solution. I didn't need to ask each person their name; I already had a means to find out.

"Would you like to add Gertrude as a target of affection? (1/6)"

"Would you like to add Myler as a target of affection? (1/6)"

"Would you like to add Anne as a target of affection? (1/6)"

The confirmation window for adding a target of affection popped up. As long as I stared at someone for five seconds, this window would appear, allowing me to identify them easily, even if their face was covered or it was hard to approach them. People can lie, but the system doesn’t. Although it can sometimes be infuriating, the system can be quite useful if used properly.

Gertrude, Myler, Anne, Janey... I craned my neck to look as far as possible towards the distant tavern, but neither Logan nor Kyle were in sight. How do these kidnappers and demon worshippers expect to survive in this harsh world with such laziness? 

Back in my day, we used to show up an hour early to prepare for the ritual. Maybe it's because they don't have a demon breathing down their necks. Adrian is terrifying when he's watching you with those eyes.

"Would you like to add Logan as a target of affection? (1/6)"

Then, I saw a tall man cloaked from head to toe appear on the street. It's Logan, it's him! I quickly downed the rest of my beer and stood up. Following the plan I had devised during the carriage ride back, I opened my skill window.

"Shadow Concealment

Unlock Condition: Lv 30

Duration: 2 hours

Cooldown: 12 hours

Do you want to follow someone without being seen? Want to discover their hidden secrets firsthand? 'Shadow Concealment' will be a great help.

Choose a target and use the 'Shadow Concealment' skill to hide in their shadow. While the skill is active, no one can see you, and if you move more than 10 meters away, you'll be summoned 1 meter in front of the target. To stop following, simply press the 'Cancel Skill' button. However, when canceling the skill, you will become visible at your current location, so it’s recommended to do so from a distance unless you want to reveal that you were tailing someone!

Note: If the target becomes aware of you and physically attacks you, the skill will automatically be canceled. The skill only hides your appearance, not your sound or presence."

I read through the warnings again and pressed 'Use' on Logan. My already dark vision became even murkier as I received a strong signal that I had entered the shadow. Since sounds and presence weren't hidden, I followed him on tiptoe. Even though walking like this slowed me down, the buff from my legendary shoes allowed me to keep up with an average person's pace.

Logan, who seemed quite experienced in wrongdoing, entered the alley leisurely, with no trace of a kidnapper's tension. I followed quietly, making as little noise as possible. The system's auto-follow feature, teleporting me near the target if I fell behind, was incredibly convenient.

Logan hid himself in the shadows, waiting for Delores to be delivered, while I stood beside him, quietly breathing. Despite my presence, he kept looking around as if he were alone in the alley. 

Even when I waved my hand in front of his face, he didn't see me. 

He really can't see me. Good, I'll continue to follow him from the shadows. If he can't hand over Delores, he'll have to meet up with Kyle, and I can find out or follow them to where Emily is.

Despite the plan being hastily made, I thought it was a pretty decent strategy until a white message appeared suddenly.

"UNKNOWN_ERROR_NO_RESPONSE"

"'HIDING_IN_THE_SHADOW(SKILL)' can't be sync'd or run with this client program."

"An unknown error has occurred. The skill will be stopped."

What is this? Suddenly, the timer counting down from 120 minutes disappeared from the right side of my vision. 

"...What? Where did you come from all of a sudden?"

A startled gasp came from beside me. Forcing my sluggish head to turn, I saw Logan staring at me in shock, eyes wide.

I forgot. Systems don't lie, but they can have bugs...

Developer, you need to fix this bug immediately. This is unacceptable!

"There was no one here just a moment ago..."

Logan looked like he had seen a ghost, but I was equally shaken by the unexpected bug. There had been no issues until now. What on earth is happening? After calling this game broken so many times, it really is breaking now. Still, canceling a skill mid-use is too much!

"Who are you?"

"....."

"Who sent you? Answer me!"

What should I do now?

"Uh, are you Mr. Logan from the Palzgraph family?"

"....."

I tried to stay calm and introduce myself. Maybe there's a chance he's just someone with the same name. Logan froze and stared at me with a hardened expression. His initial confusion quickly turned into a deadly serious demeanor. Looks like he really is Logan from the Palzgraph family.

"I'm here to find Emily. If you just hand her over quietly..."

"Legendary Dress of Evasion (Sky Blue) buff applied."

"Dodged."

Before I could finish my sentence, a fist whipped past my face with a harsh gust of wind.

Humans are social animals because they can communicate, but it seems this guy isn't human, since he can't understand words.

"Dodged."

Another punch aimed straight at my face missed, slicing through the air. Logan couldn't hide his surprise after his two consecutive attacks failed. His attacks were sharp and fierce; if they had landed, I would have been on the ground with a bloody nose by now.

"Why on earth..."

"Dodged."

"Dodged."

"Dodged."

"Why aren't my hits connecting after so many attempts?"

Logan looked at his fist and then at me, bewildered after throwing all his might into his punches.

Isn't it annoying? It must be.

This is exactly what I aimed for by enhancing my Legendary Dress. Although there were many good options, like the 3-star Maid Outfit or other dresses with great bonuses, I chose the one with the highest evasion, considering the possibility of a battle. 

Whether it’s PVP (Player vs. Player) or PVE (Player vs. Environment), I used to enjoy enduring as an infinitely healing zombie, but since I have to fight directly now, I chose to maximize my evasion to avoid getting hit at all.

"Why! Won’t! You! Get! Hit!"

「Dodged.」

"Why aren’t you getting hit?!"

「Dodged.」

"Argh!"

He seemed to have forgotten his original intention to handle this discreetly, now screaming in frustration. He swung his fists wildly, trying to land a hit, while I dodged like crazy. Don't underestimate the power of an 8-star Legendary Gear.

"Huff, huff... huff..."

His wild punches gradually lost strength, and his breathing became ragged. Of course, I remained perfectly fine, thanks to the effects of my Legendary Gear. It was worth gathering and enhancing all those pieces.

「Dodged.」

「Dodged.」

「Dodged.」

「Dodged.」

Wow, even with an 80% evasion boost, I didn’t expect to dodge everything. I guess my base evasion stats, which aren’t visible to me, must be quite high. If I ever get fired from the Palzgraph family, maybe I'll really consider becoming a mercenary.

"Huff, huff... damn it, damn it... why can’t I land a single hit..."

While I was lost in thought, he had swung his fists over ten times, and now he finally collapsed, panting heavily. From his neck to the tips of his ears, he was flushed red with rage. It’s such a familiar and endearing sight.

It reminds me of the days when I used to infuriate other players with an invincible zombie party and an evasion party. It was so fun and fulfilling...

Ah, now's not the time to be lost in memories.

"Hey, where did you hide Emily?"

"I, I don't know... huff, huff... I don't know anything..."

"Then where's your friend Kyle? He hit our Emily and kidnapped her."

As I mentioned Kyle, the memory of Emily getting hit came rushing back. The more I thought about it, the angrier I got. How dare they hurt our Emily!

"Aren't you going to talk? We know you two are in on this together."

In a moment of rage, I kicked the collapsed man. The combination of my natural strength and the strength buff from my 8-star gear caused Logan to spit blood and collapse.

...Well, that wasn't my intention.

The amount of blood was alarming. I tried to lightly kick his shoulder with as little force as possible.

"Hey, you can’t die yet. You need to spill everything you know first."

"Who... who are you!"

As I examined the squirming Logan, a shout echoed from the opposite end of the alley. It seemed someone was coming this way but stopped when they saw Logan getting beaten up. Who could it be? It was too dark to see clearly.

"Would you like to add Kyle as a target of affection? (1/6)"

Ah, it's Kyle. Perfect timing, you bastard.

"Uh... uh? D-don't come any closer!"

As I approached, he held something out, trembling with fear. The silver glint suggested it was a small pocket knife. I couldn’t help but laugh a little.

Does he really think he can take me on with that?

"Don’t come closer, don’t come... argh!"

「Dodged.」

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