I Became a Fortune Teller in the Game My Little Sister Made – Chapter 40

This damned female-oriented dating sim created by my younger sister had many sub-quests.

Tasks like running errands, providing consultations, or helping others—small things like that.

And among them, the largest was the [Treasure Hunt] quest.

‘It was incredibly long.’

According to the setting, there were treasures like artifacts or jewels hidden by the Academy twenty years ago.

It was a series of quests where you had to find each one. It would throw out riddles, and if you went to the corresponding location, additional choices would arise.

The problem was… there were over 50 treasures, so if you weren’t careful, you might not be able to find all of them by the time you reached the game’s ending.

‘I remember 32 of them.’

I couldn’t remember all the treasures, but just in case, I jotted down what I could recall in my notebook, so there was no worry of forgetting.

So, what should I use these treasures for?

They’re either money or artifacts, so should I just wear or sell them all?

‘Unnecessary.’

Excluding skills that have no limits like Liu’s [Rich Tycoon] or [Royalty], regular skills for job holders are capped at two.

For me, my skills are <My Own Little Fortune Teller's Shop>, <Observation>, and an unusual case of <Cleanliness>.

‘There’s nothing among the other treasures that’s useful for me.’

Excluding the <Observation> I’ve dug up beforehand, the rest are skills that aren’t very necessary for me as a fortuneteller.

So taking away the artifacts, all that’s left are jewels or money.

‘The money issue has been long resolved.’

With a solid source of loans in Liu Yan, at least there’s no room for concern over money.

Still, if I find each one and sell it, I could make money, but there’s a much more useful way to go about it.

‘I’ll use the excuse of fortune-telling.’

Artifacts with skills that are hard to acquire and expensive are unnecessary for me. At the level of the Romance Academy, I could distribute these as treasures found by students in a treasure hunt.

What if I deceive them as fortunes and tell them the locations?

‘The treasure hunt craze isn’t over yet.’

While it did lessen a bit after class started, quite a few students were still wandering around looking for treasures during their free time.

The treasure-hunting craze inadvertently started by me.

…This is an opportunity.

‘A chance to become a “Treasure Hunt Specialty Fortune Teller”!’

So, I revealed the location of the <Glove of Tears> to Mandrick, who was sensing something was off.

‘<Glove of Tears> grants the <Frugal Growth> skill limited to Fighters.’

And the <Frugal Growth> skill, as the name suggests, increases the experience points gained through training.

The increase isn’t that substantial because it has the word “frugal” in its name, but…

‘It’s a misconception that he senses something off.’

Is he currently in last place? It’s just that right now, Mandrick is weaker than the other Fighters.

Instead, Mandrick is a named character among Fighters. He showcased his skills in the Midterm and Final Exams, rising to be one of the strongest in the first year.

I’ve given him an artifact that accelerates his growth, so he’ll surely advance quickly.

‘And he’ll think it’s all thanks to me.’

If he receives an artifact after coming for a reading and then experiences rapid growth afterward, the usual thought would be “Thanks to the fortune and the artifact,” not “I’m a genius; I would’ve gotten strong anyway.”

If I cleverly exploit that gap, a regular customer will be a snap to create.

‘Mandrick benefits by becoming strong, and I benefit by gaining a regular.’

Isn’t this a win-win situation?

‘As planned.’

I looked at a still-excited Mandrick while hiding my true feelings behind a smile.

He was a bit surprised when he first came to the fortune-telling shop, but since he’d confirmed he acquired an artifact, it wasn’t a problem.

“You’re really amazing, Sensei! How did you know there were artifacts like this hidden there!?”

“I merely listened to Mandrick’s worries and did a fortune to resolve them.”

“You’re truly the best fortuneteller…!”

Hmm, it seems he came just to say thank you.

Is he being a bit over-the-top? Is it because this is a female-oriented dating sim?

“If you want to thank me, I’d appreciate it if you could let others know about this fortune-telling shop.”

“Of course! If you need me at any time, just call! I’ll repay this kindness…!”

…He’s certainly overacting. Isn’t he secretly a born actor or something?

Anyway, as long as he spreads the word, I’ll achieve my goal.

But Mandrick alone has his limits in spreading the word. At most, he’d reach ten people, so I’d need to help him find a few more artifacts.

Just as I was feeling slightly weary from his overly high tension, Mandrick suddenly lifted his head as if he remembered something.

“Oh, by the way, there’s something I need to convey.”

“…Yes?”

Something to convey? A letter or something?

Is it from Liu or maybe from Rain or the Crown Princess? But those guys wouldn’t have any reason to go through Mandrick, right?

“Um, I’ll just speak as is.”

“Yes, please.”

“Uh… [Are you enjoying your time at the Romance Academy?]”

“………?”

Huh.

That annoying double expression… I’ve heard it plenty of times.

“[If you’re doing well there, it would make me really happy. I also had a tough time.]”

“……Oh?”

Wait a second.

This?

“[Forget this place and live happily there.]… That’s the end of it.”

“………That phrase.”

“Yes?”

“That phrase, who did you hear it from?”

…Please.

Don’t say that name I know. Just let me think it’s my embarrassing misunderstanding.

“Uh, I don’t really know myself.”

“Yes?”

“When I went to the underground of the transmission tower, I suddenly heard someone’s voice from behind, and when I turned around… there was no one there, just a note on the ground with those words written on it.”

“…Can you give me that note?”

“Um, I clearly put it in my pocket, but at some point, it disappeared… I’m sorry!”

“No, that’s fine….”

…Wait a second.

Didn’t you say you heard a voice?

“Voice.”

“Yes?”

“You said you heard a voice. Was that… a female voice?”

“Oh, yes. It was.”

………Shit.

“…Thank you. Those were really important words for me.”

“It’s nothing! I’ll repay this kindness, I will!”

“Well, it’s about that time for me to start my divination study….”

“Oh! I didn’t notice! I’ll come again next time!”

“Yes. Please take care.”

After Mandrick, who kept up his high tension, left.

I thought.

“……Jisoo.”

I recalled my younger sister.

“Are you also here?”

……’It was a tough time,’ you say.

Now that I think about it, how did I get inside this game?

“And….”

Before I came here, what was I doing?

Was I at school? At home? Walking on the street? Playing this damn game?

Why hadn’t I thought to question all this?

“…Almost as if.”

As if I was intentionally made not to think.

Even though I hadn’t heard it directly from her, nor received a note, but only heard it indirectly.

It felt like memories and inquiries about Namgoong Jisoo were overflowing.

But amid all those questions, the one I was most curious about was.

“Why did you….”

Give the note to someone else instead of me?

In the end, it was a message meant for me, so why?

I buried my head in my hands.

Thoughts regarding my younger sister that I hadn’t once considered or suspected since entering the <Romance Academy>.

I was too busy thinking about that.

“Namgoong Min….”

“……Fortuneteller brat.”

Even with someone’s voice heard and the feeling of someone’s gaze upon me.

I couldn’t pay attention and was only able to chew on the same question.

That was my limit.

Mandrick couldn’t believe his situation at all.

Since he found this glove yesterday, it felt like he was living in a dream.

“Ugh!”

Boom!!

“Mandrick… 820 points.”

“Eight hundred, twenty points?”

“How did he get that score…?”

“Even during the evaluation yesterday, it was incredible!”

As part of today’s lesson, the students had to compete in Punch King.

After Eileen Teddy Bear set a record of 975 points, most of the Fighter students recorded scores between 500 and 600.

But just three days ago, Mandrick, who was in last place, had now recorded a score of 820, putting him third in class.

“Hmm, Mandrick! Truly impressive. What phenomenal growth!”

“Thank you, Instructor!”

“Your stance, balance, and power of the punch are flawless. So, it must be… because of that artifact, right?”

“I owe a great deal to it.”

The artifact on Mandrick’s hands, the <Glove of Tears>.

Thanks to Namgoong Min’s fortune, he found this artifact in the abandoned underground of the transmission tower and it officially became Mandrick’s after approval from the Academy.

‘Finally, I have a skill…!’

While a person can hold a maximum of two regular skills, most job holders find it hard to fill that limit.

Generally, skills are acquired through artifacts, except in rare cases where someone impulsively gains a general skill.

And that artifact costs as much as one could buy even if they saved their whole life.

‘This is the treasure from the rumors!’

Mandrick had heard about the treasure-hunting commotion. However, at the time, he thought it was nonsense and focused solely on training.

“<Glove of Tears>… Now I finally know about the treasure hunt I heard existed back then. After graduating and becoming a veteran, it might not matter, but at least during my time at the Academy, this will be the best item.”

“Indeed!”

“Congratulations! If it’s an artifact brought from the outside, it might be a problem, but if it’s something the Academy distributed, there shouldn’t be any issues at all. I look forward to seeing your future days!”

“Yes!”

“Alright, all of you take a 10-minute break before the next class!”

“”””Yes!””””

The skill contained in this glove, <Frugal Growth>, was perfect for him who had been stagnating in growth.

‘To find hidden treasures and, on top of that, to get an artifact that fits me just right…!’

As expected, the fortuneteller, the teacher, is amazing!

A brief moment of respite before the next class.

Bam!

As soon as Mandrick sat back down, the students from the class rushed towards him.

“Hey! Mandrick! What’s going on!”

“What happened yesterday during the evaluation!? What happened!?”

“How did you get that artifact!?”

“I’ll answer, so everyone quiet down.”

During the previous evaluation, Mandrick had worn the <Glove of Tears> and shot up from last place to the middle ranking.

Just that leap would be amazing growth, but today, even though it’s not a formal evaluation, he ranked third!

At this point, Mandrick couldn’t even understand it himself, much less the other students.

Most importantly, as the students who had worried about Mandrick, who had been downcast from being last, they were genuinely congratulating him while also being curious.

“As the Instructor mentioned, my growth is thanks to this artifact.”

“Unbelievable…!!”

“Isn’t an artifact related to growth super expensive? How did you get one?”

“Idiot! Even if he bought it, it’s not like he can use it inside the Academy! Of course…!”

“Treasure Hunt!? How did you find it!?”

“Of course, I wouldn’t have found it alone! I received help!”

With Mandrick all fired up, the other students chimed in.

It’s typical for combat jobs, but especially for Fighters who exert the most physical effort, most of them are actively engaged in various ways.

In response to Mandrick’s voice, all sorts of replies poured forth.

“Wow, Mandrick! You got incredibly lucky!”

“Hey! If you had money, you should have returned what you borrowed from me first!”

“Did Mandrick get money? I trusted you! Today’s a treat!”

“Mandrick’s treating us!”

“Mandrick! Mandrick! Mandrick!”

“Definitely not, you guys!”

Among the students, there were no outsiders or loners, everyone shared camaraderie.

In general, it’d be tough for even simple-minded Fighters to get that close, but it was possible thanks to their shared experience from the entrance ceremony maze when they all cooperated to break down the common enemy (the walls of the maze).

No matter how awkward their conversation was or how hard it was to become closer, just mentioning the entrance ceremony allowed everyone to strike up a friendly chat!

“I didn’t buy information or anything; I went to find a celebrity of our Academy!”

“…Celebrity? Is it that Rich Tycoon?”

“Or maybe the Royalty? The Saint? The Psychic?”

“All of them are from Special Class, right?”

“If it’s a celebrity, of course, it’s from the Special Class, right?”

“That’s right, it’s from the Special Class. But there’s still someone I haven’t mentioned yet?”

“…A fortuneteller.”

At that answer heard from somewhere, the students displayed an “aha” expression.

The other celebrities, students from Special Class, were already the upper crust of society, creating a bit of a distance——

“Namgoong Min!”

“You went to Namgoong Min!? Is that true?”

──The fortuneteller Namgoong Min was a different matter.

He was none other than the star of the entrance ceremony!

“That’s right. Eileen mentioned it, right? The fortune-telling shop set up by Namgoong Min, where I got this artifact from after seeing the fortune!”

“Is that… even logical?”

“Finding treasure through fortune-telling?”

“I had my fortune read too and was there when Mandrick found it, so it’s true!”

“Even Layla? That already makes two of us?”

The disbelief regarding Mandrick’s words was dismissed with Layla’s endorsement.

“Oh, I’ve heard about it. Originally, the first person to find treasure was Namgoong Min.”

“Was that for real!?”

As rumors about Namgoong Min’s fortune-telling began swirling around the Academy, curiosity grew.

Murmurs filled the air.

Most of the students, being the center of attention led by Eileen, had heard about the fortune-telling shop, but more than half simply treated it as a fun story.

They acknowledged Namgoong Min’s leadership, but many felt burdened or regarded the act of visiting the fortune-teller as meaningless.

However, today, there was a beneficiary of that fortune: Mandrick.

Furthermore, it was an artifact, and if the treasure-hunting trend continued among students——

“I want to go! Where’s the fortune-telling shop!?”

“Isn’t it something Eileen would know? Where did she go?”

“Did she leave early after Punch King? I think she said she was going to see the Saint for treatment?”

“Then Mandrick! You guide us!”

“Haha, don’t worry. I’ll take you all!”

“”””Waaaah!!!””””

──Of course, anyone would try to go at least once.

Namgoong Min was confident in his plans, but there were two things he overlooked.

“Everyone, let’s go! Follow me!”

“Let’s follow Mandrick!”

“He’s a god! He’s a god!”

First, it’s because the artifact was found by Mandrick, who was an easily swayed student from the Fighter class.

“Oh? Suzuka, aren’t you going?”

“I don’t believe in fortunes. I think I’ll just rest here.”

“What are you talking about! Everyone! Grab Suzuka!”

“Uh, hey!? You guys!”

“If we’re going, we should all go together! Let’s go, everyone!!”

“Hey!!!”

Second, it’s because that class had grown close due to their experiences during the entrance ceremony maze.

Though there are four Fighter classes and about 50 students in each, Mandrick’s class alone was 50 strong.

It was far beyond Namgoong Min’s expectations of notifying a couple of people; the numbers were soaring.

“Let’s tell other classes too!”

“If we want to claim the treasure, it should be our <Fighter>’s!”

“Hey! Everyone pay attention! Namgoong Min’s fortune for treasure hunting is that incredible!”

“Huh? Really?”

“Seriously? Should we check it out?”

The numbers were increasing in real-time.

Considering there are four <Fighter> classes, and each has about 50 students.

In all seriousness, nearly 200 Fighters were heading to the fortune-telling shop…!

“………Oh.”

And while watching the rampaging classmates, Layla, who had kept her spot, spoke.

“It’s still… not time for class to be over?”

Since she had already had her fortune told, she was able to keep her composure, along with those who had been with her.

“Hey! Where are you all going together!!!”

Naturally, everyone was caught.