Popular NPC in a Gender-Reversed Game

Chapter 79

They say every meeting must end in parting.

In the end, I had to say goodbye to dear Happy.

No matter how much I wanted to keep her around, there was no justification to do so. I’d already received extra holy water, gathered unexpected information, and even had my selfish request indulged.

It was time to let her go.

Feigning tears, I bid her farewell.

“Goodbye, Happy. I’ll miss you... sniff.”

“For the last time, my name is...! Hah, never mind.”

Surprisingly, the parting wasn’t as bitter as I had imagined.

I thought she’d dash away the moment I released her, but she was surprisingly calm as she left.

She stretched in the morning light outside the cave, clearly stiff from days of restraint. I watched her, recalling the conversation we’d had a few hours earlier.

‘They’ve located Dantalion and plan to send a proper extermination squad soon.’

Although she didn’t have deep knowledge of the knights’ internal workings, her information was certainly helpful.

Dantalion had evaded capture because, unlike most demons, he kept hiding. This had minimized civilian casualties, but it had also kept other nations on edge, fearing he was amassing power somewhere in secret.

But now, they’d finally pinpointed his location, and the knights were planning an expedition.@@@@

‘I won’t have to worry about him for a while...’

Who knows how long that would last, though.

Beyond that, she had shared other interesting tidbits. The one that piqued my interest most was that she received a supply of holy water from the knights once or twice a month.

Even with three vials, I was still short on what I needed. Ideally, I’d establish a steady deal with her.

‘Should I ask...?’

I hadn’t brought it up yet. Despite everything, I did have some sense of propriety.

I had put her through a lot, so it felt wrong to ask.

‘Ah, just ask. Since when have I been one to worry about propriety?’

So I opened my mouth.

“Hey... what if we made a deal for that monthly holy water?”

“...What?”

“Don’t worry, I’ll pay handsomely. Higher than the market rate, at least.”

“Really now. Do you honestly think I’d trade with someone like you?”

She looked at me with a scowl, and I gave a little nod, disappointed.

“You’re right... Never mind.”

I wasn’t expecting much. After all, she was with the knights.

“Ahem...”

But then, she cleared her throat and spoke.

“Well... as long as you don’t pull any more stunts. I might bring some occasionally...”

“Oh, really?”

I lit up with excitement. Since I hadn’t expected a positive response, my joy was that much greater.

What could have possibly led her to accept? Stockholm syndrome, perhaps? Whatever the reason, it worked in my favor. Smiling broadly, I gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze.

“Oh, how could I ever harm my benefactor? Don’t worry and just bring it along.”

“Get off... Get off me...”

And with that, I secured a new supply route.

About ten days later, it was time to prepare for this month’s Frenzy.

This time, I planned to endure it in the cave rather than at the pit.

Last time, I’d realized that animals could wander in while I was vulnerable. I’d been mortified enough after a rabbit entered the pit—imagine if something more dangerous showed up.

So this time, I’d stick to my usual spot.

Though the location was compromised, the cave was comfortable. Besides, people were unlikely to visit at night.

Fortunately, no one had intruded in the past ten days.

Taking down the number-one-ranked Hanbyeol must have had an impact.

While the five million gold bounty on my head was certainly tempting, anyone charging in recklessly would lose out. Otherworlders knew to weigh their odds.

As a result, life had been unexpectedly peaceful.

‘Nothing special should happen this time either.’

Splash.

I thought this as I lowered myself into the spring water, enjoying my nightly bath after a long day.

Tonight marked the ascent of the Frenzy Moon, so I planned to finish early.

Stamina would be critical in enduring Frenzy A or B.

“Hoo...”

Dropping to her knees, she quickly apologized.

“I-I’m so sorry!”

“Haa...”

Yor sighed deeply, unsure of how to respond.

“So... why did you come here?”

After the brief mishap, we sat across from each other.

I decided to let the incident go.

After all, it was an accident, and my own carelessness had contributed. There was no point making an issue of it.

She, however, sat like a criminal, kneeling with a red face, clearly lost in other thoughts.

After waiting a while, I called out to her.

“Hey.”

“Y-Yes?”

“What brings you here today?”

Finally, she stammered out a response.

“W-Well... tonight’s Frenzy Moon, isn’t it?”

“That’s right.”

“I thought I’d come keep you company... like last time.”

Her words touched me. Her offer was kind.

But I was also hesitant. It wasn’t exactly a pleasant sight.

Last time, things had lined up so I could have her around. But Frenzy A wasn’t something anyone should see—it was exhausting to watch.

And with B being a likely outcome tonight, having her here would be... complicated.

‘No way...’

In that scenario, I wouldn’t be able to restrain myself.

“Thanks, but I’ll be fine on my own tonight.”

“Oh... alright...”

And so, I sent her back.

That night, Frenzy B struck.

After stepping out of the forest, Chae-rin logged out and lay on her bed, looking utterly miserable.

‘This wasn’t how it was supposed to go...’

Originally, she’d just wanted to chat a bit and keep him company during Frenzy.

But the unfortunate incident had only created tension between them.

Though Yor said he was fine, she felt guilty.

Yor was easygoing, but having seen him naked couldn’t be shrugged off lightly. Maybe that was why he’d turned her away.

Chae-rin berated herself.

‘If only I’d been more careful...!’

If she’d just watched her steps, the mishap wouldn’t have happened.

Though she had to admit...

the sight of him had been... incredible.

Enough to rank high among all the visuals she’d encountered.

The image was seared into her mind.

And one thought lingered.

‘He’s going through it alone... again.’

The memory of him slicing into his own flesh during Frenzy was seared in her mind—it had looked painful and lonely.

Now he’d be enduring it alone once more.

In [Demons’ Saga], time passed at a 1:1 rate with reality, whether or not you were logged in.

She imagined him struggling through the night, and a pang of sympathy hit her.

Of course, she’d learned some night vision, but hadn’t had a chance to use it.

After a long debate in bed, she finally made a decision.

Though he had refused her earlier...

‘I’ll just go.’

It was better to stay with him than to leave him to suffer alone.

She could also take the chance to apologize again for earlier.

With that, she stepped back into the capsule.

Once again, she set off through the dark forest toward Yor.