Chapter 115

No matter what she does, she’s always busy. I couldn’t help with the Busan job because I was continually occupied, and even the assistant I tried to assign ended up betraying us.

That’s the image I have of my older sister—someone so overwhelmingly busy that she can’t even properly protect the ones she loves.

Of course, if I wanted to know what she’s been up to, I could just sneak a peek at those documents. But this “sister” of mine won’t stop me, though I don’t particularly want to do it.

My access to this place, where various pieces of information from the Association are gathered, was only granted due to a favor from someone else.

According to Kim Ha-neul’s storyline, the information here either won’t be accessible later or won’t matter even if it is, so there’s no reason for me to rush.

Typically, heroines might try to forcefully obtain such information to help the protagonist, but since “Erica” dislikes her sister, it wouldn’t be unfair to say that scenario isn’t an option here.

What would happen if I were to force myself to obtain the information prematurely? If this information caused me to alter my actions and distance myself from reaching the true ending?

Do I plan to live in this world forever? And what about the childhood friend heroine—does she have百合 (yuri) elements attached to her and keep targeting me?

Clearly, it would be unwise to find out exactly what she’s doing in the Association to avoid such complications.

From my past experience sneaking a look, even if I did, I wouldn’t fully understand the details. And at that point, I deliberately didn’t delve too deeply so as not to cross a line.

“So, what’s the answer?”

In any case, if Erica doesn’t act within her usual patterns, it could slightly skew this body’s main scenario.

In other words, that suggestion from my sister…

“Reject it.”

Is essentially a poisonous cup that I must not accept.

I prepared various excuses to spit out, but my sister’s expression remained unchanged, smiling as if she had already anticipated my refusal.

Having little interest in politics before coming to this world, I found conversing with someone so high up in the Association difficult, so I quietly tugged at the hem of my support ally’s clothes for assistance.

“Since I’ll always be around anyway, you don’t need to worry about this girl’s safety, sister. Whatever happens, I’ll take care of it on my own.”

But, that wasn’t my intention—to ask her to protect me. Instead, I tugged her to subtly change the subject. Inna, however, wasn’t looking directly at my sister. Instead, she subtly glanced at me as she spoke.

It was as if the words she just said were not directed at my sister, but at me. Clearly, Inna, who apparently wishes to even accompany me to the bathroom, was indirectly asking me to let her stay close.

I even teased her about it once when the Former Queen started living at my house: “Do you think it’s okay if I live here?” But she immediately declined.

So, that’s her suggestion—an offer disguised in the words: “I’ll ensure her safety no matter what, so let me stay with her, even in your house.”

“Erica doesn’t agree, it seems… But whatever, sure. Since you are strong enough, Inna, I won’t assign someone else to accompany you if Erica says she’ll stay with you.”

It was also a subtle threat—if she didn’t want to be followed around by bodyguards dispatched by my sister, she should stick with Erica. A sweet but covert threat.

There was only one reason why this threat felt adorable.

“Correct. I reject all offers and prefer to stay alone.”

Since I acted oblivious, Inna had no direct leverage over me.

Even though I pretend not to notice, we all know I can see through her cute coercion.

This is the terrifying strategy of someone with a self-proclaimed IQ over 150.

“It’s just that I’m worried about leaving you alone. You’ve already done something bad when left to yourself.”

With just a single statement, my sister’s firm words crushed any defense I might have formed. Though I, personally, have not committed any wrongdoing in this body, the past actions of this body have eroded trust around me.

And since the topic inevitably shifts to those deeds, my arguments become limited. The issue at hand—preventing surveillance for fear I might repeat these actions—quickly shuts down the conversation.

Should I just give in to their plan, then? After some intense thought, I found an escape route.

“I’ve already got one person, right?”

The Former Queen.

Due to the cliché that when allies grow weak, this body used to possess immense power, which has now diminished significantly. It couldn’t be helped that her strength originates from others’ trust, which I cannot allow her to freely maintain, so I’ve confined her inside my house to prevent her from meeting others.

Still, even in this weakened state, she possesses a strength comparable to that of a boss.

“That’s not enough. You know why, right?”

I didn’t refute sister’s words. Kang Yu-ri lacks trust—she’s already attacked me once before—so there’s doubt that she might either attack me again or fail to stop me from self-harm.

I admit, I don’t fully trust Kang Yu-ri either. However, as the house owner, this is a good environment since there’s a woman who provides delicious food for free, so the likelihood of her betrayal is minimal.

Thinking about it, while it might make me feel somewhat trashy to keep her by my side and not Inna, having Inna around is still far better than anyone else.

“Fine, I’ll stay with her.”

“I’ll do my best to keep you safe!”

When I tugged Inna’s clothes one more time, she seemed to realize I’d chosen her and responded cheerfully.

Even though I’ve been aware of her feelings and have tried to distance myself, this time around it couldn’t be helped.

Anyway, Inna’s feelings towards this body will inevitably fade the moment the protagonist chooses to pursue her, so there’s no need to worry about it too much.

Especially since the expression Kim Ha-neul had when I told her not to approach Inna suggested she was now going to do just that again.

“Alright, if that’s how you want it, understood. But remember, if you ever need to fully master my side’s abilities, just let me know. I’ll never refuse that request.”

While it doesn’t seem as powerful, bl**d Erosion isn’t something I’ve chosen to fully wield because of Protection. The bl**d Erosion I used in Busan was potent, but that was merely the peak.

I wonder how much time it would take to fully harness that level of power? My estimate is at least a year.

Considering how much effort is required to reach such potency by the third year—a crucial period when it’ll be decided whether or not the protagonist and I will reach the True Ending—it was difficult to choose bl**d Erosion. Nonetheless, it wasn’t completely off the table.

If the Bad Ending path were tied solely to mastering Protection, the choice would’ve been far simpler.

But it’s hard to make that determination when the Bad Ending list only mentions Protection, without additional details.

It’s also possible that the road leading through only Protection never reaches a Bad Ending.

Still, for now, Protection seems the most promising among the three supernatural abilities I can handle, so I plan to continue focusing on it.

“So, have you said everything you need to say?”

She asked, looking at me, having sensed something from my silence. She had been focused on the documents all this time.

There were things I wanted to ask: Why had she asked for help from the people in Busan? What exactly was she so busy with that she couldn’t accompany us?

“Yes, we’re done.”

However, I decided not to pursue these questions further. Dealing with the unexpected choice of who to bring home had already consumed too much time, and I was starting to feel hungry.

“Go pack your things then. You have to pack since we’ll leave now. Meanwhile, the sisters need to have a rare chat.”

When I attempted to say something, Inna grabbed my collar just as I had done earlier, and quietly asked: Should I stay or go?

Gently pulling my right hand free from her grip, I clasped her hand instead, conveying my answer without words.

“Sorry, I don’t want to!”

True to my expectations, Inna emphatically rejected, maintaining her stance.

Even though this woman seems so clingy toward this body, there’s something undeniably cute about her strong demeanor.

[Inna’s favorability has increased by 1.]

Even though she’s someone I shouldn’t develop feelings for, it was inevitable for her favorability to increase.