Chapter 99

### Chapter 99: One-on-One Duel (5)

"Ah... If this happens, I have to win for sure."

Actually, I thought it would be right to lose to Nam Da-eun in the final.

If I enter the Nam Da-eun route too early, it will get too complicated, and it's still too risky to make an enemy of the Buyer Guild, which holds Nam Da-eun's weakness.

Of course, if I mobilize all my connections, it might be doable, but I don't think it's necessary.

In any case, my position will be more solid in half a year, and my abilities will grow even more.

It would be much easier to face her then.

But all the heroines' affection levels are at 1...

"This is quite a challenge."

Currently, the heroines are Lucy, Rumi, Nam Da-eun, Ellis, Moon Soo-rin, Lim Sol, Liliana, and Baek Ah-young, a total of 8.

It's an 8-point affection quest.

"Hmm... Should I just win it?"

If I work hard, I can probably handle the Buyer Guild or anything else.

Starting something and seeing where it goes doesn't seem too bad...

Let's watch the match and think about it.

On the screen, Ellis and Nam Da-eun were facing each other in the training ground, already prepared.

As soon as the match started, Nam Da-eun closed the distance and charged at Ellis.

With agile movements, Nam Da-eun closed the gap first and swung her sword.

Ellis, who prefers to keep a distance, would rather clash swords and then create some space.

Because in a pure sword duel, she can't beat Nam Da-eun.

Ultimately, it's a matter of whether Ellis can get a chance to use magic, but Nam Da-eun won't give her that chance.

Vines sprang from the air, entangling Nam Da-eun's arms and hindering her movements. Nam Da-eun quickly cut the vines and charged at Ellis.

Ellis parried the sword and drew a magic circle, and soon a pillar of fire rose from the ground, forcing Nam Da-eun to jump back and create some distance.

"They're at a high level..."

Clearly, they are in a different league from the other students.

They continued to exchange attacks and defenses.

At first glance, it seemed evenly matched, but to me, it was clear that Ellis would lose this time.

Because of her congenital magic disability, she will soon reach her limit.

"..."

Ellis's expression stiffened for a moment as the magic power she had charged in the magic stone ran out.

From then on, Ellis adopted a more defensive fighting style.

She tried to parry Nam Da-eun's attacks and look for an opening, but Nam Da-eun didn't give her the chance.

Instead, she increased her speed and pressed the attack even more.

"Ugh!"

Nam Da-eun's spatial control makes her reactions faster within her domain.

Thus, the closer the distance, the more Ellis was forced back, and with her magic usage frequency decreasing, she couldn't hold out.

In the end, Ellis's body was covered in more and more wounds, and she finally allowed a large gash on her chest, leading to her defeat.

Ellis bowed her head in frustration, trembling, and then with a composed expression, she left the training ground.

"I definitely can't do it until her congenital magic disability is fixed."

I, of course, know how to fix Ellis's congenital magic disability.

It's essentially the core of the Ellis route.

The confrontation with her sister Irene and the treatment of the magic disability.

Completing these two tasks will almost complete the Ellis route.

The timing for the Ellis route is similar to Nam Da-eun's.

The villain who can treat the magic disability appears in the mid to late game, so until then, it can't be perfectly completed.

It was a very frustrating element in the game, but for me, this is better.

If I get too close to a heroine I can't攻略 (conquer), it just creates more work and trouble.

For some reason, Ellis's affection level has skyrocketed, which is a bit surprising, but if it stays this way until the route opens, that would be great.

After the semi-finals ended, there was about an hour of break time.

"What should I do now...?"

I came out of the waiting room. It was too stuffy to stay in there.

The main event waiting room is now only used by me and Nam Da-eun.

The other waiting rooms had no name plates and were empty.

In the quiet corridor, there was only a vending machine, and it was unclear who used it.

Maybe I should go to the spectator seats. Kim Young-han and Lucy Rumi might be there.

I went down from the floor where the waiting room was and headed to the spectator seats.

"Hello?"

At that moment, someone approached and spoke to me.

"Uh, hello. I watched your match well."

"Thanks. Even though I lost."

Ellis smiled and continued.

For her to greet me first, why has she become so kind?

★ Heroine Status Window

- [Affection: 62]

- [Lust: 25]

- [Hunger: 30]

- [Fatigue: 20]

Current Status: I should have a consultation with the Holy Lady.

'Consultation...?'

What kind of consultation?

And why is she thinking about it while looking at me?

I'll have to ask Baek Ah-young about this later.

"Where are you going now?"

Ellis asked first.

"Just to the spectator seats to see the others' faces."

"It's better not to go. There are reporters everywhere, and it's very crowded."

"... Then I'll go later."

If I get caught by reporters and make a mistake, it could be a big problem.

"Good luck in the final. But don't overdo it."

"Sure. Take care of yourself too."

Ellis waved and disappeared.

It's nice to see a pretty girl become kind.

But it's a bit disappointing. She had a charming attitude of being annoyed.

Since there are reporters at the spectator seats, I'll go back to the waiting room.

I retraced my steps.

I was about to meditate in the waiting room when I saw someone standing in front of the vending machine that was alone in the corridor.

'What?'

I instinctively hid behind the wall when I saw Nam Da-eun's side profile.

Nam Da-eun was staring at the vending machine and mumbling to herself.

★ Heroine Status Window

- [Affection: 31]

- [Lust: 20]

- [Hunger: 30]

- [Fatigue: 33]

Current Status: I want to eat sweet mint chocolate... but if I eat this, I have to walk to meet Da-hee...

Her affection level has risen from 11 to 31, probably because of the act of kindness at the mart yesterday.

What's sweet mint chocolate?

I don't know. Let's approach her first.

"Hello?"

"... Hello."

Nam Da-eun blinked at my sudden appearance.

Well, it is a bit strange to act friendly with someone you're about to fight.

I naturally brought my smartwatch to the payment tab.

- Please select a drink.

Among the drinks, there was a sweet mint chocolate. I was about to choose the banana milk next to it, but I pretended to slip and pressed the sweet mint chocolate.

"Huh?"

Clunk-

"Oops, I pressed the wrong button."

Clunk-

I took out the banana milk and said awkwardly.

"What should I do with this? I don't like mint chocolate. Do you want it?"

It was a very natural act, even to me.

"Uh...?"

Nam Da-eun seemed awkward at my sudden question.

"I don't like mint chocolate, but I accidentally picked it."

"... I'll eat it if you give it to me."

Nam Da-eun blushed and took the mint chocolate.

Why is she blushing?

★ Heroine Status Window

- [Affection: 31]

- [Lust: 20]

- [Hunger: 30]

- [Fatigue: 33]

Current Status: Did I show how much I wanted it so much that I even pretended to pick it by mistake?

'How did she not notice?'

The act was perfect... She's definitely perceptive.

"Sorry if it made you feel bad. I just wanted to buy it for you. There's no other meaning."

If the act was noticed, I should apologize.

If she thinks I bought it out of pity, she might feel bad.

"I'll drink it well."

Fortunately, she didn't seem upset.

"I have to go back to the waiting room. See you later."

Nam Da-eun was about to leave, but I felt a bit disappointed.

With only the final left and her affection level rising, it would be good to talk more.

Such opportunities don't come easily.

"Nam Da-eun."

"Uh?"

In the end, I stopped Nam Da-eun, who was about to enter the waiting room.

"Since there's still time until the final, do you want to talk?"

It doesn't seem like she'll agree, but it's worth a try.

"... Okay? Then come to my waiting room."

What? It worked?

Nam Da-eun went into the waiting room first, and I followed.

As expected, the structure was the same as mine.

"..."

"..."

But what should I say?

"Uh, I watched your match with Ellis well."

"Thanks. You did well too."

"..."

What was Nam Da-eun's hobby again? Housework? Shopping for sale items?

'I can't talk about that now.'

Ding-

Nam Da-eun's smartwatch rang. A message had come in.

She glanced at me, as if my presence was bothering her. Maybe it's time to talk to her sister.

"If it's urgent, I'll go. See you later."

"Lee Ho-yeon. Don't you want to be first?"

Just as I was about to leave to avoid making her uncomfortable, Nam Da-eun's words stopped me.

Nam Da-eun called me by my name for the first time. It seems important.

"Uh, yeah. It would be good to be first."

I can't say no here. It would make my climb to the final seem strange.

"Something I've never shown anyone... sigh."

Nam Da-eun suddenly started a video call on her smartwatch.

"Uh...?"

- Big sister!

I closed my mouth at the cheerful voice of her younger sister from the smartwatch.

I'm sitting next to Nam Da-eun, but I'm out of the camera's view.

It's not wrong for me to be here, but it feels like I shouldn't be seen.

"Are you doing well?"

- Yes! I watched your semi-final video! You were so strong!

"Already?"

Nam Da-eun continued the call with her younger sister, ignoring me.

- Do you want to see this? I drew a picture of you winning the final!

"Hehe. Cute. Is that the guy lying down my opponent?"

- Yes! A handsome guy. But he can't beat you!

"..."

A single woman was doing a victory pose, and a man with X eyes was lying down.

Is that me?

Nam Da-eun talked to her younger sister for over 10 minutes.

"Big sister, I'll go now. I'll call you after the final."

- Yes, you must win! Big sister! I love you!

"I love you too, Da-hee."

Ding-

Nam Da-eun ended the call, closed her eyes for a moment, and then looked at me.

"That's my younger sister. To support her medical expenses, I have to be first in the practical exam. That's why I need to be first."

"... I see."

"I'm sorry for not cooperating in the group project. I'm just... sorry."

Nam Da-eun is opening up to me. Maybe the image management I did earlier really worked?

Of course, she didn't reveal everything, but this is a big step forward.

"So... if I become first, don't blame me."

Maybe she's already at her limit?

Human hearts are not simple. Small stimuli can cause big changes.

Like a butterfly's small wing flap causing a big storm, something like that might have happened to Nam Da-eun.

How should I respond to this?

I don't want to say something strange and make things worse.

Knock knock knock.

At that moment, a knock on the door interrupted my thoughts.

"Student Nam Da-eun~. It's the final medical check before the match."

"Yes, come in."

Clunk-

"Uh?"

"Hello, Nurse Baek."

Baek Ah-young, seeing me in Nam Da-eun's waiting room, was surprised and her pupils dilated.

"Y-You were here. Student Lee Ho-yeon."

★ Heroine Status Window

- [Affection: 87] (+0.4)

- [Lust: 73]

- [Hunger: 30]

- [Fatigue: 35]

Current Status: I was going to finish quickly and come find you... Why are you here?

She's coming to find me again.

Is she trying to make up for what she couldn't do with Lim Sol earlier?

"Nurse Baek. If it's a medical check, we can do it here together."

"Uh? That, it's better to do it separately... "

Baek Ah-young has a 'This isn't right...' expression.

Sigh. I can't tease her more with Nam Da-eun watching.

"I'm joking. I'll wait in the waiting room."

"Uh, uh. I'll finish quickly and come."

'I hope you can control yourself before the final.'

I need to manage my condition too.

When she comes to my waiting room, I'll tease her and send her off.