Volume 1.5 The Frail Young Man (1)

"Ple-please. Don't kill me." He looked at me, completely frightened.

Lustrous azure hair that was as clear as a pond. If it weren't for the lump on his neck, many would mistake him for a beautiful lady.

He looked more feminine, with long and thick eyelashes and terrified prominent round eyes that had the color of pristine ash.

I was slightly offended by his reaction right now. Like he was looking at some kind of monster. But, I suppose— it was a natural reaction for him to act in this manner, considering that many people were killing others right now in order to collect cards.

I didn't say anything as he stared at me in terror. Then my eyesight completely wandered whether there was any clothing I could wear inside the closet. However, aside from the frail guy, nothing could be seen inside the closet, which was upsetting.

When I glanced at him again, he flinched. I closed the closet again without saying anything, disregarding the fact that he was inside.

I retired to the bed, contemplating my next move. I could hear the creaking of the closet, but I was too preoccupied with my thoughts at the time. Aside from that frail man's conduct, I didn't think he posed much of a threat to me. Well, if he intended to do something, I just need to knock him out first.

"Are you not going to kill me? Don't you want my card?"

I returned my gaze to the frail guy who had emerged from the closet. He was still cautious and didn't dare to approach me.

There was a moment of silence before I finally decided to talk to him.

"What card do you have?" I asked, which made him flinch.

"Two-Two clubs." He stuttered.

"You'll be able to survive if you can hide here until the event is over," I said. I got to my feet and walked up to the sword that was hanging on the wall on the right side. The frail man step further away when I grabbed the sword.

I unsheathed the sword to observe its blade. It was dull and brittle; this might just be an ornamental decoration for this room.

However, it was preferable to having no weapons. It might still be used for self-defense. I used it to trim the white hems of my gown so that I could move freely.

"Ah!" The frail young man averted his gaze as he noticed me shredding some sections of my dress, but I simply kept doing what I was doing; it wasn't like I was exposing anything inappropriate.

I should go get some proper clothes. Even if I survive these events, I won't be able to stand up to my mother's wrath if she saw how unsightly I was. I couldn't help but crack a wry smile. That was merely an 'if,' but I would go to any lengths to see them again.

'No name character, NPC, or whatever you want to call me, I'm a real person now, and so is my family. I will never become a burden to them again. And this time, I want to see them reach their own happiness with my own eyes. Despite their strictness, I love my family here as much as I love my family in my past life as well.'

I had previously died young in my previous life, and I didn't want to die young again. Or, to put it another way, I didn't want to die with any regrets.

Never ever again.

Well, you could say that now that I had my memories, my goal was to reach a blissful old-age looking at my grandnieces, or if I had my own grandchildren. Thinking something like this, I really felt so old.

"I better move now."

I started to pull the table, and when I was going to open the door, someone grabbed my left arm to stop me.

"What are you doing?" I glared at him.

"Go-going outside is dangerous right now." The frail guy spoke up. His hands were visibly trembling, yet he still had the leisure to be concerned about someone. He even thought I was going to try to kill him earlier.

"I don't have any cards with me right now," I said, yanking his hands away from me, "and if the event runs out, I'll be a corpse by then."

"The event doesn't indicate that someone would die if they don't have a card," he said as he swept his hands, revealing the blue transparent screen to us.

〔•System• First Event: Royal Ball Hunt

Main Mission: You must have a card until the end of the event.

Sub Mission: Those who have the most number of cards will gain absolute power.

Reward: Ten gold coins

Event Failure: ???〕

"The event failure is unknown."

To be frank, he was right. I didn't know if those who didn't have cards for the first event would die or not. They simply vanished into thin air. Many players inquired the developers as to what had become of individuals who had vanished. But the developers never said anything about where those NPCs went or what happened to them.

Even when I repeatedly reached the three endings, there was nothing that depicted or explained what happened to those characters. And because they were merely NPCs with no significance in the game and only served to add a number to the guests of the ball, I didn't care all that much either. I just assumed they were dead as well.

But just now, the thing I assumed wasn't something I could simply dismiss.

"And that doesn't mean it won't lead to death as well," I added, peering at his scared ashen eyes. "Don't you notice how people at the ball are frantic to gain additional cards and even kill others? What are the chances that those who don't have any cards would not die in the same situation?"

The frail man's already horrified face worsened after hearing that. "Then please have my card instead." He reached the two clubs he had in front of me.

'Did he just hear what I said? I might die if I don't have a card. That might apply to him as well.' I sighed. To easily give his card like this. No wonder he was being ridiculed by those nobles before.

I don't know whether this was him being kind, or simply naive.

"If you give me that card, you will be the one who will die if you don't obtain other cards."

"Ah right?!" His eyes widened realizing my words. "Then-then I just simply look for other cards."

'Ah. No. He is simply a fool.'

I sighed and pushed the card back to him.

"Does it mean you are ready to kill other people to get their cards?"

He was frozen as if a realization hit him again. His reaction gave out the answer I needed from him.

"I need to leave now. Just lock this door, after I go out." I opened the door however before I could step out again. He stopped me once again. This time he grabbed my hand which had the wound from the dagger before. I clenched my teeth, to stop myself from letting any sound of pain.

'This is getting annoying.'

He looked extremely frightened and immediately let go of my hand, seeing that it was bleeding. "You-you're hand!"

"Hah! Congratulations genius, you notice!" I gritted my teeth, as I fixed the cloth bandaging my hand.

"I-I'm sorry." His eyes filled with worry. "But please let me come with you." He said firmly. "It is better having someone at your back, knowing that there are scary people roaming out there right now."

I took a deep breath to calm my nerves.

"Do you know how to fight?"

The frail man simply shook his head.

"Do you know any self-defense?"

He shook his head once again.

"Do you have any interesting talents that might help me?"

"I am well versed in painting." He said with pride. His ashen eyes glistened proudly at me.

"That's a nice talent to have," I said with sarcasm.

"Really?" His eyes sparkled even more hearing my praise.

I wanted to facepalm, seriously right now. He was so afraid a while ago and now a quick change to this dumb reaction.

Hah. He reminded me of my white cat back in my past life who has the same ash eyes as him. That cat when she caught a rat in our house, she always left it on our doorstep for us to see. And her same ash eyes as this man would also sparkle when we praised her about the rat she caught.

In other normal events, his painting skills might be incredible. But it was all useless in all the game events.

"But it is useless in any dangerous situation, right now," I said frankly. "So please just stay here, and don't be a burde..."

I paused when I realized that I would tell someone the word I hated the most. "This is the safest place for you," I said as I removed his hands from me. "So please just stay here."

I immediately left and slammed the door closed without waiting for his response.

I sighed as I double-checked the left and right sides of the path. They were both clear. I started running right away, with no reservations. I needed to get to the palace's highest tower as soon as possible. And get my hands on that Black Joker card.

***

{Event Time: 20 hrs: 34 mins: 16 secs.}