Episode 4 — Leveling Up!
Shikigami
Is this... a basement?
Luka
This is the only safe place I could find in this mansion for now.
Luka
To make sure you know, this mansion is surrounded by some kind of shield. I heard it's because of some weird spell, but I don't know.
Luka
To make it short, we can't get outside, and people outside can't get in either. We're stuck.
Shikigami
Ah... Is that so...
I wanted to say that I know everything, but I can't. Because I don't know.
Why does this game suddenly change so much? Where's the previous contents?
The rules, the contents, and everything, changed!
That damned system admin. If you want to leave me here, at least provide me with some help!
I, the honorable mega whale, admit that I'm now clueless even in my own favourite game.
While I was cursing the system admin that didn't appear until now, I can feel someone's warm hand on my forehead.
Luka
Ah, I'm sorry. I always do this to make sure you're not a monster in disguise.
Shikigami
Why would you think so?
Luka
...Forget it. It's not important.
After he placed his hand on my forehead, he then cupped my cheeks and pinched it.
He pinched my cheeks so hard!
Aaahhh my precious cheeks!
I patted my cheeks softly after he pulled back his hands.
We sat quietly on the basement floor. I hugged my knees.
It didn't exist in the previous versions.
The system admin said it's only a gameplay beta test. But why did the whole game change?
Or is this a new main story chapter?
Luka
Ah, right. What's your name?
Luka
That's not... a local name.
Shikigami
‘Because I'm not from here.’
Luka
Your name is too long. I'll just call you Shiki.
Luka
This mansion has five floors.
Luka
Each floor has sheets of paper, that needs to be combined. After the papers are combined, it will make a spell.
No, no, no, why is it so complicated?
Luka
The spell is said to be able to break the shield around this mansion, and also get rid of the creatures in this mansion.
Luka
So, we need to look for it.
Shikigami
How did you know all of this?
Shikigami
Did someone tell you?
Luka
I told you I don't know.
Luka
It has already been in my head since I opened my eyes in this place.
I didn't want to ask any further. I'm worried that he will turn into a jerk again if he thinks I'm annnoying because I asked a lot of questions.
And I can't promise I won't kick him in the face if he becomes rude again.
Luka
So, what I'm saying is.
He looked at me, but for just a few seconds before he looked away.
Luka
...We need to cooperate in looking for those papers.
Shikigami
Do you perhaps, hate it that you need to cooperate with me?
He himself said loud sounds can attract those monsters.
So why don't you slow down your voice a little bit?!
He bit his lips and ruffled his own hair.
Luka
I don't hate it. So stop.
Shikigami
‘Haha, I didn't know teasing this kid is so fun. He's so sensitive.’
If I'm bored, I will tease him later.
And suddenly.
Shikigami
...I didn't hear anything.
Shikigami
Maybe you're mistaken.
Luka narrowed his eyes at me.
I smiled like an innocent girl.
Does anyone wonder what that sound is?
I mumbled softly, so that he won't hear what I'm saying.
I'm going to die in hunger even before I go looking for the papers.
Shikigami
‘I haven't eaten anything yet!’
Food is the source for energy.
To keep having energy to complete the main quests.
And get out of this game.
Luka
Come to think of it, have you eaten?
Shikigami
No. Eh, I mean, yes.
I would be so embarassed if he knows that it's my stomach's sound.
He shrugged at my answer.
Luka
I thought you haven't.
Luka
Because if you haven't eaten anything, I have some food.
Luka
Do you think you could lie to me?
Luka
There's no monsters that sound like that.
Luka
So I know you're hungry.
He said so, as he gently put bread into my mouth.
For a mansion full of monsters, their food is not as bad as I thought.
Well, this is a game after all.
I'm eating happily, when suddenly a status window appeared.
Shikigami
‘What did it say this time?’
[Character Leveled Up.
Level 0 — Level 3.
Second Ability Unlocked — Fearless Flames
(!) Main Quest Unlocked.]
I almost choke on my bread.
Shikigami
‘I leveled up? How? What did I do? How do I level up?’
Shikigami
Luka, can I have another bread?
He puts another bread into my mouth.
...You don't have to feed it to me.
Shikigami
‘Let's see if I can level up again.’
Shikigami
If I can level up, it means my conclusion is correct.
[Character Leveled Up.
Level 3 — Level 5
Third Ability Unlocked — Spell of Destruction
(!) Warehouse unlocked.]
My conclusion is correct.
By eating, I can level up myself.
Luka
Why are you talking with yourself?
This means that I just need food to keep on leveling up to the max.
And the rank I need to survive is SSR.
Suddenly, my motivation disappeared.
Shikigami
‘Every rank needs to be leveled up to Level 100. So even if I have maxed up till Level 100, at rank A and SR, I still need to keep leveling up.’
Does this mansion have enough food for me?
A status window popped again.
[Hello there. I'm your generous System Admin.]
Shikigami
‘Generous my ass.’
I stare at the status window in dissatisfaction and continue reading.
[You've found out how to level up! Congratulations!
But, we have some issues.]
[Ahem.
I'm sorry to tell you this, but currently our game system has been interrupted. There's a lot of errors that can't be fixed. Sometimes some anomalies can happen too. Please be careful, and wait until we give further notice.]
[Sincerely, System Admin— Don't grab this status window!]
Shikigami
What the hell do you mean errors? Anomalies? You said this is a new beta version, and it's only in testing!
Shikigami
How did you let your games that are under beta test get hijacked or whatever?
I shook the status window. But just when I was about to let out my frustration, the status window disappeared immediately.
Luka cautiously poked my shoulder.
Luka
Hey. Have you gone insane? Or are you too moved by bread?
Luka
Do you want any more bread?
Shikigami
...Please don't mind me.
Damn you, game developers.
Why did it have to be me...!
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