Chapter 90

I couldn't overcome the curse of tomorrow or the day after...

However, thanks to that, the adjustment of the days until the book's release is perfect! ...That's what I'd like to say, but rather, because I slacked off too much, from now on I have to update every day, or else things will definitely go wrong, so I'll do my best!

Don't stop now...

"Hehehehehe"

Looking at the ring that emits a red light at the tip of my finger, the Level Stopper, I let out a laugh.

This ring, as its name suggests, has the effect of "preventing the level from rising while equipped," but to be precise, it prevents experience points from being gained when they are one point away from leveling up.

And when the experience points are almost full, it lights up red as if to prove it.

In other words, it seems I can finally reach level fifty-one.

Velter, the vampire lord and the mid-boss, is level fifty.

By defeating Velter, who is a boss character of the same level as the Doom Demon I defeated in the opening event, I finally managed to earn enough experience points for a level up.

(That was a long journey...)

When the Level Stopper is red, experience points are not distributed to the wearer, and that portion goes to the other party members.

So, I don't intend to level up for a while, but knowing that I can level up makes a difference.

(...But I can't get too carried away)

Thanks to the Rosette incident, the situation has definitely progressed.

The era has moved from I to II, and the number of things I can do has definitely increased.

Moreover, it has been proven that "it is possible to interfere with events other than character events" and "the content of events can be changed."

...And at the same time, the number of uncertain factors has increased.

That is, the vampire event occurred immediately after the event flag was set.

When an event flag is set, it means that the event will occur when the "protagonist" visits.

So, if my theory is correct, the event should not have occurred even if I, who am not the "protagonist," had visited Rosette, and Velter should have only come to Rosette when the event's time limit was approaching.

However, in reality, Velter came the night the event flag was set, and I happened to be there.

The hypothesis that the main event does not proceed even if someone other than the "protagonist" visits is either wrong, or...

(In this world, events may automatically occur the moment the event flag is set?)

It's not clear.

But it's better to move proactively and avoid making assumptions about the timing of events as much as possible.

(For that...)

When I arrived at my destination today, a certain restaurant, I saw a figure running towards me.

"---Mr. Rex!"

"---Lily"

She is Lily Harmonics, the bard who was transformed from a cross-dressing man to a real woman by the world's correction.

※ ※ ※

I always use a private room in a restaurant when I meet her.

Meeting in a conspicuous place might lead to strange rumors, which would be bad for her, and for some reason, I have a hunch that it's better not to let her meet Resilia.

Well, I think it's probably an unnecessary worry, but there's no reason to force them to meet for now.

I enjoyed a meal with Lily, who seemed excited, and savored the dishes for a while.

"---Regarding the search for people, there has been no progress yet."

After some small talk, she brought up the main topic.

Lily, who is not particularly skilled in combat, is definitely better than me in terms of information gathering and connections.

That's why I asked her to search for people.

I asked her to find three people.

The first is the exiled younger brother of the "Prince of Light, Ein," a carefree and puppy-like young prince of the kingdom.

The second is the future "Prince of Darkness," the second prince of the old Earth royal family, who is rumored to hide a large burn scar under a mask, but in reality, is a handsome young man.

In the game, I could only encounter them after becoming enemies, but if I can make contact now, it might be possible to bring them to my side.

I thought so and asked her to search, but unfortunately, there is little information on these two, and the only thing I know from the game is their faces.

So, the one I was counting on was the third person.

---The "protagonist" of this game.

Even as the era progresses and the situation changes, finding the "protagonist" remains the top priority.

After all, without the "protagonist," it's impossible to proceed with events stably, and I don't feel confident in winning the battle against the "Demon King."

The "protagonist" is indeed the most important character in this world.

However, searching for the "protagonist" is not an easy task.

There are a few things that are certain about the "protagonist," but they don't lead to a specific person easily.

Let's list the characteristics of the "protagonist" that don't change regardless of their background...

1. Gender is male

First, the basic and absolute condition.

While the game had some female popularity despite its genre, if a female protagonist had been an option, it might have sold better.

However, the only selectable "protagonist" is a male character.

Well, if both genders were selectable, the event branches and dialogue differences would become too complicated.

Perhaps if the production company had more money and people, such a future might have been possible, but it's too harsh to expect that from a company that went bankrupt shortly after.

2. The total of their attribute values is twenty-five

This is the biggest hint for finding the "protagonist."

Considering that Rex's attribute values are nine and those of a general adventurer are around eighteen, this is an incredibly strong level.

Even random characters with high dice rolls and important unique characters in the story can have attribute values over twenty, but the highest is usually twenty-two.

Characters with a total of twenty-five are almost non-existent.

However, this is something only I can see with the "Insight" ability, and it's not very useful for searching by others.

Still, it's certain that they will become an excellent adventurer with a high probability, so I hope to find them through that aspect.

3. Possesses a unique light-based skill

The "protagonist," chosen by the "Goddess of Salvation," learns various light-based unique skills, including the "Sword of Radiance."

It's distinctive and powerful, so it should be recognizable to those who know... but unfortunately, it's not very useful for searching.

They will learn the "Sword of Radiance" after encountering the "Demon King," and it's unclear whether the "protagonist" has met the "Demon King" yet.

4. Appearance is unknown

The "protagonist's" face is determined by the player's character creation, and there is no default face.

They are generally handsome, but with a wide variety of face parts available, there are many variations.

The "protagonist" is often in their teens, but faces that look like they are in their forties, or even monstrous or kabuki-like faces, can be created.

Identifying the "protagonist" by their face is almost impossible.

In short, finding the "protagonist" without the "Insight" ability is difficult.

...But, there is one thing.

I have a "lead" that might help me find the "protagonist."

In the first place, it's unlikely that a world event wouldn't occur after three months, and it's also unlikely that the era would progress to II without the "encounter with the Demon King" event.

However, there is one special "background" that could lead to such a situation.

It is the "Dedicated Dark Child" start.

This "Dedicated Dark Child" background is a hard mode that is unlocked after clearing the game once.

It starts with the protagonist being captured by the "Cult of Eternal Darkness" and begins with escaping from a suspicious ritual that starts a week later.

Moreover, even if they manage to escape, they will be constantly pursued by the cult's people.

As a result, they can't easily use the adventurer guild or shops in towns, and the game progresses in a survival-like manner, but that's not the only challenge of this background.

The biggest feature of this start is that the game starts one year later than other protagonists.

Since the goal that should be achieved in two years must be completed in half the time, it's essentially an impossible game.

I tried playing it once, but after escaping from the cult and continuing to adventure for a short while, I gave up because it became too difficult.

And in this case, the initial era is III.

Incidentally, world events up to era II are automatically failed, so events like the Rosette event start from a very difficult situation.

Putting that aside, if the "protagonist" is the "Dedicated Dark Child," it's possible for the era to progress even if the "protagonist" is not active.

And if the "protagonist" is the "Dedicated Dark Child," identification is easy.

From the story's dialogue, it's revealed that the "protagonist" is a former noble and has a sister named "Linda."

So, I asked her to search for a noble family with a girl named Linda...

(Missed it, huh? No, it's too early to say that since not much time has passed.)

In this world, it takes a long time for people to move around.

Without phones or the internet, information travels with people, so it can take a month or more for information from far away to arrive.

"I'm sorry. I know you had high hopes..."

Lily bowed her head, but I shook my head.

"No, it was a long shot from the start. Lily has done a great job."

Moreover, I wasn't too disappointed.

There was nothing I could do in era I, but now that the era has progressed, there are many things I can do.

"...If we can't find them, we can just flush them out."

When I said that, Lily thought for a moment and then started to speak.

"While gathering information in this town, I've also picked up information about you, Rex. You bought an abandoned house near the orphanage at the edge of town, you're working with the guild to place monster repellent bags all over the town, and you're ordering your disciples to only hunt field bee monsters..."

Hearing Lily's words, I opened my eyes a little.

I didn't realize I was that well-known.

It seems I made the right choice in asking her for help.

"Rex, what exactly are you planning to do?"

In response to Lily's question, I shrugged.

"---Nothing much. Just a bit of pest control."

The next update is tomorrow!

The first volume of the book, which I've been repeatedly saying will be released on December 5th, has quietly been changed to December 4th on the official site!

Thinking back, I remember the editor once told me that if the release date falls on a weekend, it will be moved to Friday, so that's probably what happened.

So, please look forward to the first volume of "Not the Protagonist!" and the second half of the fourth part of the serial, which will be released on December 4th!