The Strange Question

“Where… where should I do it?”

‘Oh, my goodness! My favorability really shot up!’ I mused. ‘It was just slow processing, after all!’

‘If it’s going to rise this fast, should I die a few more times?’ Of course, next time I’d have to prepare before I died. Even if they were NPCs, I couldn’t let my new recruits suffer for four days without food. Grinning, I tightly clasped Jack’s hand.

“No. It’s fine; I’ve confirmed it.”

“Uh… what? Confirmed?”

“You like me enough to at least give me a kiss, right?”

Though my favorability might plummet again as the story progressed, if it dropped too low to manage, I could always die a couple more times! Jack stared blankly at my words before his face crumpled into a frown. I couldn’t fathom what displeased him so, yet he remained silent. Truly, he was a troublesome fellow.

“Ugh, but there aren’t any decent dungeons around. I guess for now, I’ll just have to hunt demons myself and share the experience points.”

Was my level so high that only top-tier dungeons were available? If they had some knack for it, we could manage even with penalties, but these kids lacked any real skill. Then again, it was unreasonable to expect them to perform at a player’s level. I’d put them to sleep for now, and tomorrow, after they woke, I’d tour the demon nests to ensure they gained experience. Hopefully, the saplings would drop this time.

“Sir Haut.”

“Hmm? Why?”

“About… about those ‘demon worshippers’… how much do you know of them?”

My good mood instantly dissipated. Faust asked me with an utterly serious expression, a stark contrast to the juice stains still visible on his sleeve and chest.

“You realize that’s a very… strange question?”

For a priest to ask me about demon worshippers was truly… bizarre.

Demon worshippers were different from necromancers. Necromancers were what we commonly called black mages, a dark class that manipulated corpses and cast curses. They all utilized primitive shamanistic techniques, akin to mages or monsters.

Demon worshippers, however, possessed no exceptional individual combat prowess. Perhaps one or two mages among a large group, but the rest ranged from ordinary civilian NPCs to quite skilled warriors. They were incredibly diverse. Their unique ability was to summon demons through special powers, not magic.

“They are, quite literally, those who worship demons. They believe that when demons arrive on this land and destroy the world, it will be the salvation of a new world.”

“They can summon demons through human sacrifice, and the type of demon summoned varies with the level of the offering.”

I answered his question, but even as I spoke, I wasn’t sure what I was doing. Let’s assume all previous errors were acceptable. After all, I had confirmed things in Trimoss’s territory. Though chaotic, it was still functioning, not entirely different, despite being somewhat broken.

But this… wasn’t this utterly impossible? Was it not more than just a simple glitch?

“Log out.”

[Cannot execute. Please check quest.]

The message… wasn’t it a little strange? No, no. I’d decided not to think too deeply. Everything was fine.

The Faust here wasn’t the Faust I knew; he was an early-stage character. But had I confirmed the presence of the Faust I knew, the one who should have been in Hamman’s crusade? I don’t think I had.

Of course, all NPCs, including Faust, weren’t static. Their status and location could change based on leveling and my quest progression. If ‘Faust’ wasn’t at the crusade, it wouldn’t be strange.

It definitely, definitely wasn’t strange. If I were to think that way, where was this additional data being acquired from? I hadn’t considered that far. What player would question the very design of the game? Things existed simply because they were needed.

“…Haut… Sir Haut!”

Someone kept calling me. Something touched my arm. As it gripped and shook me, shouting, my mind suddenly snapped back.

Before me, a pale Faust stood close. I subtly glanced around to see Jack and Nocturne also looking utterly drained, their faces ashen.

Yes, I was wrong.

‘The problem was that I said I’d raise them as new recruits, yet unconsciously I was trapped by the stereotype of them being mere NPCs.’

The glitch had been there all along. The problem was that even knowing it was broken, I kept wishing it would calculate as I knew it should.

So what if they didn’t know? How could a database be properly connected to kids who couldn’t even recognize basic system commands? Thinking about it, it was only natural they wouldn’t know. I’d asked them so many things until now; what difference did it make if they lacked some information about demon worshippers?

“This won’t do. I need to pull myself together.”

Chop, chop, I lightly slapped my cheeks with both hands and rose to my feet. Then, from my inventory, I retrieved and donned the ‘Soft Slime Set for Adults Only (Rainbow).’

It was a masterpiece item that subtly shifted colors across the rainbow spectrum. It required slightly more seals than other regular slime sets, but it was well worth the effort.

“I don’t really get it, but what you’re wearing right now… Ugh!?”

“Whatever it is, don’t pour cold water on me just because you’ve come to your own conclusions and feel fine now. Honestly, both the boss and the subordinates are being utterly tactless.”

Even after Nocturne mercilessly jabbed him in the side, Jack seemed unable to tear his attention away from my attire. I stood proudly, hands on my hips, boasting.

“Where on earth do you get something like that?”

“It’s an outfit anyone can get if they just try a little! Unfortunately, it seems not many people were willing to put in the effort!”

[ ‘Soft Slime Top for Adults Only (Rainbow)’ — Normal / Top / Special / Set

Defense 0 / Weight 0 / Value 0 / Durability — (Infinite)

Description: This item was distributed during a special patch event celebrating the 5th anniversary of its release. It is made from a soft, transparent slime mass. It is extremely elastic. It is completely see-through! Among them, the Rainbow Set is responsible for the dreams and love of pure adults! Prove your passionate love with your enthusiasm! Do not squeeze too hard. Your hand may penetrate inside. This is the joy of adulthood!

Bonus Effects: Does not get dirty. / Immune to physical attacks (blunt weapons). / Emits a subtle glow. / Slowly changes through seven rainbow colors — speed adjustable.

This equipment is a set item. Top / Bottom.

Set Bonus: When both are worn: Charm +10% / Fascination +20% / Double effect on evil alignments / Can gain favor with cats.]

I didn’t recall clearly, but according to statistics released during the event period, fewer than 20 players, including myself, had acquired this outfit. I wasn’t sure why. It was a very simple event: just defeat 1,250 special boss-level demons that appeared exclusively for the event. Incidentally, other regular slime sets allowed you to choose one after catching only three or four event bosses.

Even though it was a game meant for enjoyment, everyone was so lazy! Things like this should be diligently pursued!

“You have so many magnificent clothes! Why do you keep stripping down to just those bizarre, skimpy undergarments?”

“Well, first of all, it’s only natural for a dignified demon hunter.”

“No matter how handsome you are, if you walk around naked, you’re just a pervert!”

“Functionally, taking off clothes also increases movement speed.”

Some people claimed there wasn’t much difference, but they were mistaken. There was a very clear difference. It was different when wearing regular attire versus armor, and it varied subtly depending on whether the outfit’s material was leather or cloth.

Numerous players had tested it, and the fastest speed was achieved when completely naked. The difference was particularly stark when running, rolling, and quick-stepping.

“Why wear clothes when you can just move fast to avoid attacks? Armor is for saplings like you.”

“Haa… I’m not just talking about combat! Your face is wasted… Ugh?!”

Jack was chirping loudly again, but Nocturne quickly cut in, asking me, “Sir Haut.”

“Hmm? Why?”

“That outfit, it’s the one from before, right?”

“Yes, though the color is different.”

“Then, can your hand go into the bottoms of that one too?”

I pondered his words for a moment, then found myself unable to maintain a neutral expression. A very uneasy feeling settled over me, but I answered anyway.

“Yes, it can, right?”

“Aren’t you going to tell me to touch it this time?”

Hmm, I didn’t know what he meant by that. It seemed like he was asking such a question because his favorability had increased, but I couldn’t easily answer.

Normally, I would have told him to touch it without a second thought, but then I remembered how he had fondled my chest for quite a while last time. I frowned, pondered deeply, and then spoke.

“This won’t do. I’m getting a dangerous feeling.”

Jack seemed about to say something, but Nocturne covered his mouth, so only muffled sounds escaped. I glared at Nocturne, then sighed, opened my inventory, and pulled out a plain ‘Noble’s Attire A (Male).’

It was a set item consisting of a green jacquard coat, black trousers, and a white ruffled shirt. It had no special functions, but the green color was hard to find, making it a moderately popular item. Suddenly, I began to put it on, meticulously buttoning the shirt all the way to my neck.

“With a fascination skill of only three!”

What was his attribute that he cast fascination on a male character of the same s*x, and even touched me in such an unsettling way! Even if he was an NPC, wasn’t that a bit dangerous?

But why were all their eyes so wide and round? If I flicked the back of their heads, they’d probably roll out.

I couldn’t believe I’d even put on clothes for this! Yet, taking them off again would be equally ridiculous, so I let it go. From my inventory, I pulled out blankets and sleeping bags, handing them to the three.

“Just sleep for today. We’ll think about it tomorrow.”

The time I had revived was also quite late. It was past their usual bedtime. They had woken up because of my event, and if I didn’t let them sleep properly, they’d be sluggish again tomorrow. The three of them, receiving the blankets I offered, looked at me with strange expressions.

Again, again! Making those incomprehensible faces! Honestly, these kids showed no development! I spread out my own spot, turned my back, and closed my eyes.