Chapter 9

Chapter 1 Oh, Happy Day! (9)

***

- Professor: Of course, we have to leave it behind.

- Ganjang Geiba: ??? Are you crazy?

- NoruDrug: Even jokes have limits, Professor.

- Jokass: Stop whining and dedicate all your efforts to troll sister. Hurry up.

No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn't come up with a way to get rid of this reckless troll, so I decided to consult the community chat. But then, this chaos ensued.

'Are these people in their right minds?

Are they telling me to bring this 4-meter-tall plain troll into the city?'

Surprisingly, most of the answers to this question were 'YES.'

- Professor: Friends, even if you're used to thinking with your third brain, let's try to be rational.

That's a troll, a troll! Even if it's somewhat tamed, it still drools at the sight of humans!

Are you suggesting I bring it into the city and introduce it as my colleague?

Do you like gore? Do you think you'll feel pleasure seeing your body cut into four or five pieces by the guards?

- Jokass: Professor, why are you so narrow-minded?

It's not a monster, it's a colleague! And a tank position, which is exactly what you need right now!

Look at your condition. Your legs are barely stable when you run, your arms bleed like a fountain when they brush against a branch, and your joints can't even support your own strength!

You're not just in bad shape; you're at the weakest level in the world!

Are you going to reject this power that has come to you? Just because it's a troll?

Professor, racism is evil, evil!

- Speed Wagon: Well, I think the premise itself is wrong.

The possibility of Notum joining the ranks is low. Once we get to the city, all the lies will be exposed, right? The group that taught and fed Notum is probably in the city.

I don't know how Notum came to like the Professor, but in a situation where Notum is unlikely to be a useful asset, leaving a negative impression on the city from the start is a losing proposition.

One more thing, it's not like the heat cycle you're thinking of. Plain trolls' backs and bellies turn red during their heat cycle. They usually carry their young on their shoulders.

- NoruDrug: Sir, everything you say is correct.

It's rational and logical! You're right!

But, are we watching this for academic research or some grand, noble purpose?

No! We're here to have fun!

Look at it! That massive chest! Those affectionate eyes! That strong physique! It's the very symbol of a strong woman!

Notum is precisely! Literally a woman you can carry on your shoulder!

Since the world became this way, everyone, regardless of gender, learned to fire automatic rifles.

A strong woman is no longer a distorted sexual desire! This is the mainstream!

What, a child? Even better! It's natural for a friend to become an older brother, and an older brother to become a father! It's a classic start to maternal love! Professor, go for it! Capture her!

- Gunpowder and Blood: Since you mentioned enhancing your power, I'll add my two cents. Combat power is not just about immediate strength but also how well you can maintain it. From a supply perspective, Notum is a no-go. A horse a day, or its equivalent in meat? How can a penniless Professor provide that?

- Holy: Um... Why are these people suddenly acting like this?

- Takealook: Leave it. Once a pointless argument starts on the internet, it doesn't stop until someone says, "Your mom-"

Wow, it's intense. The chat window was filled with all sorts of jargon, adding to the heat. I just wanted to ask for some direction on how to proceed with the broadcast...

Both sides of the chat had valid points.

My current combat power is so weak that I could die at any moment. Even a princess trapped in a tower would probably last longer in a dark alley than I would. In that sense, bringing Notum as a colleague could be an excellent solution. Look at that build, that face, those gleaming teeth. It's just walking violence. It could handle pickpockets, thugs, and unscrupulous merchants in the city.

The downside, as mentioned earlier, is that the friendship with Notum, built on lies, could break at any moment. Once the truth comes out, Notum's strong arm could crush my head.

So far, the scales are balanced, but one more thing. There's a slim chance, but what if Notum really starts to feel romantic feelings for me?

I can't rule that out.

Why did GG survive until the Third World War?

By moving its servers to a deep, hidden location to avoid legal issues. It's an illegal game, plain and simple.

A game like this wouldn't have any brakes.

The fact that the companion character's status includes a very suspicious value like affection is a clear sign.

In short, the moment Notum goes into heat, I'm in trouble.

I'll be dragged into the excited troll's territory and face something worse than a game over.

That must never, ever happen. Some of the viewers seem to be looking forward to it, but... they're truly devoted to the apocalypse. A bunch of degenerates.

***

In any case, the conclusion is clear. The risk of bringing Notum is too high, so I decided to part ways.

I approached Notum, sweating profusely, and reluctantly brought up the topic.

"Um, well..."

"Gruu?"

"Now, I want to... go alone..."

"Gruu. The stone nest is close. I accept. I will take the small human."

"No, that's not it. It's that... the Iron Human entrusted me with a task. If the Iron Human hears that you came to the stone nest, they'll think I failed. Right? I'll be a failure in our group!"

"Gruu... A wolf separated from the pack... dies sadly. Humans live in groups..."

"Right! Exactly! So, how about you let me go and wait in the forest?"

"Uu... If I interfere with your independence, you'll grow weak..."

The last part was hard to understand, but Notum finally let me go. The problem was, as soon as Notum turned around, a system message appeared with a purple smoke effect.

Boom-

[Information Update: Hero Unit / Notum / Failed to recruit as a companion.]

"Hero Unit? Her?"

The purple effect appears in highly negative situations, like failing a quest or entering a negative branch. It means something went wrong.

- Jokass: They say if you listen to your mom, you'll get a surprise in your sleep. What did your mom say?

- Ganjang Geiba: Ha, really. The game is so intense that even if you ask for tips, they kick you away.

- Takealook: I know most of the hero units, but was there one like this? Does anyone know?

- Speed Wagon: I just checked. There are some posts about Notum in the community.

- Takealook: Oh, is she famous?

- Speed Wagon: Kind of. Not as a hero unit, but as a free money-making opportunity. Notum is a talking troll found occasionally in the northern forest of Rodric. Capturing and selling it to circuses or arenas is known as a good early money-making method. The information about it being a hero unit seems to be unlocked only after reaching a certain level of affection.

- Ganjang Geiba: Really? So the information that Notum is a hero unit was first discovered by the Professor?

- Takealook: And the Professor just kicked the first discovered hero unit away.

- NoruDrug: Oh, I thought it was a piece of crap, but it turned out to be a Porsche~

- Speed Wagon: I found one more. A guide on Notum. It says her combat power is no different from a regular plain troll. She can be sold quickly in the city's slave market. She doesn't seem to be a high-quality hero.

Hard times create heroes. The seven worlds of GG are all on the brink of destruction, and countless heroes roam these worlds.

They are called 'Hero Units.' Given the game's difficulty, it's almost impossible for a player to clear many events alone, no matter how hard they try. Therefore, recruiting as many hero units as possible is a key point in clearing the game.

The Notum I decided to part ways with at the companion event branch was one of these many heroes.

"Damn. What a shame. I thought she was just weird. I didn't expect her to be a hero unit."

- Jokass: Forget it. Dwell on the past, and you'll end up a loser.

- Gunpowder and Blood: Even if Notum is a hero unit, the practical conditions don't change. Even if you wanted to recruit her, you lack the capability now.

"....I have no choice. I need to grow faster. I keep missing opportunities right in front of me."

Reflecting on the uselessness of this character, I started walking towards the city gate at the end of the road.

***

Ding!

Ouch!

Ding! Ding!

Ouch! Ouch!

"Ah, damn it! Hey! Turn off the chat! System! Chat off!"

About 20 minutes after parting with Notum, I reached the city gate. As I got closer to the city walls, the empty plain started to show more and more things. My eyes, against my will, scanned everything frantically, triggering mental fatigue!

[Information Update - Curiosity: Your curiosity about the world is overwhelming. Perception +1 / Sparkling Gaze: You understand beauty! You carefully observe everything you see and try to remember its beauty. Perception +1]

"What the... Why is this happening one after another!"

Even the traits I thought were good turned out this way. Of course, increased perception means better observation and the ability to find hidden items or dangers, which is a really good stat. But when combined with mental fatigue...

-Zap!

"Aaaaah! I'm so frustrated! I'm so uncomfortable! I'm going to lose it!"

Everything around me became clear, filling the mental fatigue gauge in an instant! I couldn't even concentrate, let alone think with my eyes open!

"Huff, huff. First, I need to get rid of everything that irritates me. Status window? Set everything except Information Update to manual. Turn off the chat. I'll check it periodically."

After doing that and closing my eyes, I finally managed to escape the frustration caused by mental fatigue.

'I knew it would be hardcore, but I didn't expect this. It's beyond imagination. I don't even know what to do with this character.'

Still, as a former high-ranking player, I had a plan.

My initial growth direction was to specialize as a 'Memorize-focused Mage.' Mages are already hard to raise, and the casting process, which involves capturing images while in a dazed state, is even harder with -3 concentration due to mental fatigue. So, I planned to grow as a Memorize-focused Mage, which doesn't require casting.

This way, I could be free from the effects of mental fatigue and use the Magic Aptitude trait to cover my glass cannon with shields.

'But there are no decent magic towers near Rodric. The only one is a Water Magic Tower, which is far from Memorize.'

"Ugh... What a terrible character..."

While my head was constantly throbbing, my body was also in pain.

When I took off my shoes, my soles were completely peeled off, and blood was pooling inside. I had heard that glass cannon was the worst trait, but I didn't expect it to be this bad. It's excruciatingly painful. Moving to the Blue Line East, where there are good magic towers, with this body? I'll definitely die. I'll bleed to death just from walking, even without encountering bandits or stray dogs.

"....Let's get into the city first. I can't do anything until I fix this body. I'll register as an F-rank mercenary and do odd jobs to gradually improve my body. How much was the Iron Skin spellbook? About 4,000 silvers? A dish washer at an inn earns 5 silvers a day after deducting food and lodging. That won't work. Are there any good martial arts schools left in Turan? There were quite a few in World 2. If not, I can stay at a martial arts school for a few years. Skills like 'Malaka's Path,' which add durability, or 'Steel Blood' from the Chastity Gate, can make me as durable as a civilian. Good, there's hope. If I can get into the city, I'll find a decent solution!

As I closed my eyes and thought, I started to get a grasp on things. I didn't realize my lips were slightly curled up.

Yes, let's be honest. This game is definitely fun. The harder it is, the greater the sense of achievement when you overcome it. I feel like I'm accomplishing something from head to toe.

'Yes, let's consider this as a warm-up. The real start is when I enter the city!'

With that resolve, I slowly opened my eyes and restored the system settings I had turned off.

Zzzzzzz-kin!

- Ganjang Geiba: Bang!!! Open the door!!! Bang Bang Bang!

- Holy: Is the chat really turned off?

- Speed Wagon: Yeah. When a player's name is grayed out, they're not looking at the chat.

- HighWayNachoman: Lack of communication! Broadcast reform! Professor, awaken! Resign!

Zap! Ouch-kin!

"Damn this game."

With the effects of mental fatigue, I quickly became cynical. It seems I should give up on the idea of maintaining my sanity for a month.

***