14 The Ties that Bind

I could hear voices speaking, but I couldn't make out what they were saying. One clearly belonged to a man, but the other sounded like Lily's. I tried to open my eyes, but they wouldn't listen to me.

"----------------!"

It was Lily. I don't think RED was translating for me. That was unfortunate. I didn't know why, but I thought she was saying something important.

"-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-!!"

It was the man's voice again. Whatever he said was followed by the sound of cheering in the background.

"---------!"

Lily's voice sounded sad. I think she was crying.

Then there was silence for a while. I didn't mind the silence, but it felt oddly ominous.

The silence was broken with a very distinct noise. It was the sound of someone getting hit, followed by a scream. I wasn't able to tell what was happening because of the background chorus growing louder.

[Solution: The user is being threatened while in an unresponsive state. Initiating Manual Override.]

The chorus stopped. My body felt strange. Something that sounded like glass breaking echoed next to my head.

"----iope -top!!" Cried Lily's voice. I was almost startled. I could begin to understand what she was saying. She was saying my name.

"Calliope! Wake up! Please…"

This time I understood her. I felt the cogs in my head beginning to turn again. My memory flooded back.

Tears flowed down my face.

[Solution: The user is no longer in an unresponsive state. Deactivating Manual Override.]

I opened my eyes. My left hand was wrapped around a thin man's throat. His neck was twisted full circle. At my feet laid the bodies of four adventurers. Each one more broken than the last.

Lily was hugging my arms, trying to pull my fingers free from the dead man's neck. She was crying too.

It seemed, when I passed out, several men tried to attack me. Lily's face was bruised bad. Someone hit her.

I loosened my grip and the man's body dropped to the floor. My hair was disheveled. I probably looked like a complete mess, huh?

[Solution: Data not found.]

I really messed up, didn't I?

[Solution: Data not found.]

'Fuck you, RED. Even if those men attacked me they couldn't kill me. My constitution stat was so high I doubted their blades would even get past my skin. Why did you kill them?'

[Solution: This guide, while in manual override, responds to violence with equal levels of violence.]

Was it possible to change that setting?

[Solution: This guide cannot be altered by the user in any way. Only Lord Nox has that privilege.]

How could I find Nox?

[Solution: Data is classified.]

How could I un-classify data?

[Solution: Data not found.]

'Can you lie to me, RED?'

[Solution: Data not found.]

Because I've been wondering for a long time now just what you are. No computer program as advanced as you exists in my world. You clearly show signs of a personality underneath all your bullshit jargon.

'RED, how did Nox make you?'

[Solution: Data is classified.]

'Get out of my head.'

[Solution: Proposition is impossible.]

'GET OUT OF MY HEAD!'

[Solution: This guide can enter a low power mode. The user will not be able to access any functions for a set period of time. The only active feature during this time would be the passive translation system. Would you like this guide to enter low power mode?]

Yes.

[Solution: Please indicate the length of time the user would like this guide to enter low power mode.]

Forever.

[Solution: Error. Please input new data value.]

One hundred years.

[Solution: Proper value accepted. Now entering low power mode...

Goodbye, Calliope.]

I waited for a moment, but nothing else happened.

'Are you really gone, RED?'

…

'Good. Don't come back.'

I looked around the room. It seemed everyone scattered to the four corners. The look in their eyes made me want to cry, but I couldn't find any tears. I didn't feel anything right then. It was probably due to my racial skill [Combat State]. Lily was sobbing on my shoulder. It was a bit awkward because she was taller than me.

"LILY GRPHYN GRANSUS, GET IN MY OFFICE THIS INSTANT!" Cried a very angry voice. I looked over to the door in the back of the room and saw an old man with a terrifying expression on his face. He was probably Endyrion.

He looked far older than I had anticipated. His head was shiny from baldness, but he had a perfect wizard beard hanging to his knees. His nose was bulbous, and his cheeks were flush with rage.

Perhaps the most memorable thing about the man was his beady gray eyes and the gnarled cane in his hands.

He pointed the cane at me.

"YOU COME TOO, DEMON CHILD."

To be honest, I didn't really want to meet Endyrion anymore. The only thing I wanted to do was run to the nearest mountain range and become a hermit. I could level myself up to maximum and maybe raise some pets… But if I did that, what would happen to Lily? She'd probably have to take responsibility for my murders considering she brought me here. If I abandoned her now, would I really be able to ever clear my conscience?

I didn't know how, but I could feel two paths spreading out before me. If I went into that old man's office, there was no turning back. I would get tied to this country through bonds of blood and retribution…

I looked down at the mangled bodies and felt the urge to vomit. Could I bear the weight of those sins alone?

If I left now, I didn't think I'd ever be able to forgive myself.

With my head high and my cheeks wet, I took Lily's hand and walked with her into Endyrion's office.