Chapter 147

After accepting the suggestion, we eventually continued the conversation further before silently reading our own manga that each of us had brought.

Even though I was curious about what manga my counterpart was reading, I feared being called out on it and, deciding not to check the title, I found out soon enough that there was no need to.

Most manga present worlds and settings drastically different from our own, making every manga intriguing. Time flew by merely by reading book after book.

Yeah, one of the advantages of coming to this world is this: games and manga are all fresh and exciting here.

However, perhaps because we talked too much about the proposal, not long after starting to read manga, our room’s time ran out, and we had to leave.

“…Now that I think about it, the person we’re dealing with has definitely been watching us meet like this, right?”

“Yes, I don’t know where they’re watching from, and I can’t hear anything through my ears, but if they’ve acted this way before, then it’s definitely true.”

It’s always awkward when walking silently. Even though I accepted the suggestion, I decided to ask a question that I hadn’t thought to bring up earlier.

The woman with earphones claimed she couldn’t hear if she was being followed, but despite this, I listened seriously. After all, if the opponent has the ability, they could hear everything regardless of whether or not she has earphones on.

“No, if I had rejected the suggestion, it was already set that I’d be harassed by you, right? In that case, I wouldn’t be getting your help.”

“In that case, I would have approached you more seriously. Having you stay at my place is also about protecting your safety.”

Since Han Ye-seul summoned herself, I can’t really blame her for not mentioning this beforehand when she called.

After all, she likely wanted to avoid others overhearing this conversation.

Though I’ve decided to act more proactively with the protagonist, my judgment still has many shortcomings, and I feel a lot of regret.

The main problem this time was a lack of information. I called Han Ye-seul, not knowing she was being stalked, so I had no choice but to accept her proposal from the start.

Next time, I’ll observe others more thoroughly before bringing them in.

I don’t know how likely it is that this will change…

A commonality between romantic visual novels and love is that actions based on simple feelings often yield better results than thorough calculations.

“…If you don’t feel like continuing now, you can stop. Looking back, ceasing might even be better…”

“Why are you suddenly so hesitant?”

We had agreed to just eat and part ways, but my counterpart suddenly got too apologetic, and I was getting the feeling I’d overeaten.

While keeping an eye on how many customers were in the restaurant and walking toward the place when it filled up, I glanced at Han Ye-seul.

I know she isn’t someone who gives up easily. If she were, she wouldn’t have pursued idolhood, scared by malicious comments.

Rather, her heart is more vulnerable to hurtful words than those posting the comments. I take that as proof that she considers me a friend.

It’s odd how easily she gives her heart to others, but that’s not something I, who readily allowed Inna, a potentially dangerous person, into my life as a friend, can criticize.

“Let’s eat and then part ways.”

Moving to a new accommodation isn’t as simple as Inna made it look. It’s not something I can arrange in a day or two. Even if I say I’ll start preparing tomorrow, it’ll take until school vacations start, at least. Inna could pack and move overnight, but that’s just strange.

“After all, we’ve had our fun, so don’t have any weird thoughts.”

“…I might bring this up again, but please be careful.”

About what? I didn’t ask, playing dumb.

If the person we’re dealing with noticed us walking around, or maybe even eavesdropped on our conversation…

Our opponent doesn’t use minor pranks that the average person could withstand; they’ll employ serious supernatural violence, targeting moments like the period before I enter her house.

Knowing that I’m targeted because of her, Han Ye-seul’s eyes were filled with worry, but I acted like I didn’t notice. Right, if trouble comes, sooner is better.

“Hey, that meat restaurant we ate at before was really good. Let’s eat there while we talk, shall we?”

“…You’re quite sincere about the food talk.”

It’s just that a mysterious heroine works there, so she recommended it. I’ll have to meet her again.

Though it’s unfair to be known as a food lover, since Han Ye-seul was already heading there, I didn’t bother with any excuses. After all, what matters is the result, right?

*

The girl parted ways with Han Ye-seul and was heading home when she bent over abruptly. A bat swung above her.

Erica’s weakness is before her supernatural ability activates. Her attacker struck to knock her out before her abilities could kick in.

The girl, who had anticipated this, weakly activated her protection while trying to turn around but was forced to keep dodging because the opponent swung the bat repeatedly, like trapping a rat.

A single hit seemed like it would knock her out cold, so Erica didn’t entertain the idea of taking one to strengthen her protections.

‘This isn’t just trying to knock me out; it’s a lethal assault.’

While making a quick U-turn, Erica positioned herself to shield against the bat, but instead noticed the woman who had kept her distance and fallen down.

[Damaged]

[Role: Underling of the criminal]

[Status: Compliance]

[Ability: Confusion (Transfer)]

It was someone she’d seen before.

More accurately, the client from her first job.

Judging by both her condition and the situation,

it’s absurd to call her a stalker.

Therefore, the stalker must be the one currently controlling her. There are so many people capable of manipulating others in this world for reasons she doesn’t understand.

Previously, this woman seemed to maintain some awareness, even speaking somewhat cunningly. Now, she has a chillingly expressionless face while attacking Erica.

Thus, if she doesn’t want to be a murderer, she must subdue her without killing. This isn’t a doll that can be shattered into pieces without committing a crime.

After assessing the situation, Erica tried to restrain the woman, but the attacker lunged at Erica first.

A bat swung at Erica so fast it was invisible to the n*ked eye, yet Erica somehow knew where to dodge and followed her instinct.

Dodge, dodge, kept dodging.

This girl was originally from the conventional heroine mold, meaning not only is she academically gifted but also excels in physical abilities.

The speed of the bat was comparable to lightning, yet Erica, who was much slower, managed to evade it continuously.

While the attacker may not know much about fighting, simply swinging the bat repeatedly, Erica isn’t exactly skilled in combat either.

Ordinarily, in such situations, the attacker holds the advantage, making Erica’s continuous dodging all the more peculiar.

However, Erica realized why she could evade the bat. It wasn’t some innate combat sense.

[bl**d Erosion.]

According to what Erica’s older sister once said, the ability bl**d Erosion kept her from d*ath, but Erica now understood that this ability not only handled bl**d manipulation or physical regeneration but also provided a ‘gut feeling’ about how to dodge or even attack.

‘They say abilities in this world are only as useful as the user makes them out to be…’

If bl**d Erosion could enhance instinct, how strong must her sister, the original owner of the ability, truly be?

The more she lives in this world, the more clearly she senses it: the foes within this body are incredibly powerful, beyond what she can defeat on her own. To prevail over them, she must seek help.

Yeah, if she wants to defeat those strong foes, then she’ll likely need the might of a true protagonist like Kim Ha-neul, who should be in her place here—probably.

Her upper body slightly bent, Erica charged forward, grabbing the part of the bat close to the handle.

“I can restrain someone like you.”

The grip was incredibly strong, causing Erica’s hands to bleed, but that bl**d fueled her protection, transforming into the energy to counteract the bat.

After being pushed with added force, the nameless stalker woman let go of the bat and attempted to lunge, but Erica anticipated her move and kicked her abdomen.

The stiff kick lacked power, but it was enough to make the woman wobble. Then, just as the woman tried to recover, Erica slammed her palm into her head.

“End.”

Thud!

Palm striking the woman’s head against the ground, Erica immediately deactivated her protection.

The woman, whose head was bleeding, fell hard onto the asphalt due to the resilience of a supernatural ability user, but her breathing remained even.

Also, the protections enhanced by both bl**d Erosion and protection left Erica slightly dizzy upon deactivating, though not enough to completely faint.

Even though the system identified the assailant as an underling, this was the first time Erica didn’t black out after defeating an enemy.

She paused her celebratory claps when she looked up and saw identical women encircling her, each a twin of the fallen assailant.

—This situation is familiar.

Just like when dolls surrounded her.

What’s different now is:

“‘I’ may not be enough, but ‘we’ will surely be able to defeat you.”

Destroying dolls would be considered property damage,

but killing these would be m*rder.

Erica sighed, looking at the starless sky.

“Insane.”