I Became a Fortune Teller in the Game My Little Sister Made – Chapter 42

“But, will it be okay?”

“Excuse me?”

“That secret room.”

After sending off the masses of Fighter students who had descended upon us, Liu turned her head away from Namgoong Min, who was sipping instant coffee in his unlawfully occupied stronghold.

“I won’t ask why you’re looking for it, but isn’t it faster to find it with your own divination than to leave it to those guys?”

“…You have a point.”

No, I can’t find it.

Namgoong Min, whose blood had settled after a brief bout of anxiety due to the note, replied with a completely different response from his inner thoughts.

He couldn’t be honest about it.

“But a fortuneteller can’t read their own fortune.”

“…Ah, that superstition.”

“They say a fortuneteller doesn’t even know the day of their own death.”

A fortuneteller who predicts fortune and misfortune cannot read their own fate.

To be precise, it was closer to a taboo. The superstition that if you read your own fortune, your destiny will become entangled, or you will never be able to read again.

Of course, this was a pretty useful excuse for Namgoong Min.

“So, you mean that the secret room is related to you?”

“That’s correct.”

“Hmm. You’re admitting it easily?”

“Better than suspicious Liu-san, right?”

“………Hmm.”

Technically, it was a room that only the player could enter, so that did make it somewhat relevant.

But could we actually find the secret room—the developer’s room?

‘The chances of not finding it are high.’

Elements like the developer’s room only existed in the game; it would be odd for it to exist in reality.

However, even as he pessimistically viewed the existence of the room, it was also the reality he had to cling to.

‘How frustrating.’

He wished he hadn’t even mentioned it.

Namgoong Min felt a deep sense of frustration to the point of thinking like that.

‘Forget this place and live happily, huh?’

Making such a poorly made game while growing the blabbermouth unnecessarily.

As Namgoong Min mulled over the message that Ji Soo had sent, he let out a bitter laugh.

‘In the end, it’s about the ending.’

He would try, but he had a gut feeling he wouldn’t be able to meet Ji Soo until he saw the ending.

But once he saw the ending, he would be able to return.

Then, he could hear the whole story from Ji Soo.

In the end, it was a return to the beginning.

“It’s frustrating yet somewhat refreshing.”

“Eh? What kind of nonsense is that all of a sudden?”

“Just talking to myself.”

“Bastard.”

Thinking of Ji Soo and feeling annoyed, everything converges into the ending, which strangely felt relieving.

Having an already set goal became even clearer, providing that much more motivation.

He couldn’t dwell on it forever.

But then…

“Eileen?”

“……….”

“Eileen? Are you alright?”

“………Namgoong Min oppa.”

Huh? Oppa?

Didn’t she used to call me “you”?

“Oh, yes.”

“Oppa… you won’t leave, right?”

“……….”

At that somewhat sudden question, Namgoong Min could only blink in confusion.

Just then, Eileen, who was fiddling with the untouched instant coffee, lifted her head.

“Like… mom…”

“……….”

The mother of Eileen Teddy Bear, meaning the wife of Charles Teddy Bear.

He didn’t know who she was, not even her name… she was a character that didn’t even appear in the game.

But he knew well that Eileen lost her mother at a very young age.

‘And I know well how big of a wound that is…’

She still had her father, but what Namgoong Min had left was only his little sister.

So he couldn’t help but understand.

“…Of course, Eileen.”

“Yes, I will believe you. Because I have to…”

In the end, he would be returning to the ending, yet he wasn’t just mumbling irresponsible words.

Rather, he had to say it because it was the sorrow that Namgoong Min had also experienced.

‘What Eileen needs right now is certainty.’

Even if it turns into a lie later, or if she resents him for it.

She needed the conviction and hope to endure the current pain.

So that she could be strong enough to accept the sorrow of separation later.

Since Eileen had her loving father left, she would endure even if they had to part.

“You can trust me. I will stay by your side.”

“……Yes.”

Saying that it’s okay to trust him, that he will stay by her side.

It was a phrase that young Namgoong Min had desperately wanted to hear, yet in the end, he heard it from no one.

As if to repay his own childhood, Namgoong Min whispered.

“Do you believe me now?”

“……I will believe you.”

“Don’t worry. Ah, you don’t like coffee?”

“Oh, no… I like it now.”

“……Huh?”

“There are times when I pop up and can’t drink coffee for a bit.”

What on earth does that even mean?

Still, having calmed Eileen down, Namgoong Min smiled softly as he watched her take a sip of coffee.

If it hadn’t been for someone suddenly poking him in the waist, he might have kept staring.

“Hey. Look over here.”

“Ugh, uh. Liu-san? Why all of a sudden…”

“I told you before, right? That girl might strike your head with a mace at any time?”

“……Being here and listening makes you cocky. Unbeliever.”

What’s going on?

Wasn’t it a somewhat warm atmosphere just a moment ago?

Why are they suddenly bringing out maces and artifacts?

“You’re saying it again. Aren’t you ashamed of calling me an unbeliever?”

“I’m just stating the truth, so it doesn’t affect me at all. Aren’t you the one who got caught hiding secrets from me?”

“Why, do you think I’m just going to shut up?”

“Ha.”

Hey, you guys! Even if you’re going to fight, do it outside!

This is MY place!

“Can you both sit down? This is my base…”

“You said well. Fortuneteller brat, just say it clearly this time.”

“Huh?”

“Is it me or that girl?”

“……………Yes?”

In a statement that sounded like something out of a morning drama, Namgoong Min’s brain seemed to short-circuit for a moment.

Not missing that chance, Eileen leaned towards Namgoong Min as well.

“Namgoong Min-nim, just be honest. The one who helps you the most is me, right?”

“Shut up. If it weren’t for my money, she wouldn’t even be able to set up a fortune teller’s shop.”

“What good is a fortune teller’s shop without customers? Lonely Rich Tycoon.”

“This girl?”

Ah, is it asking me to choose who’s more helpful?

For a moment, the thought crossed Namgoong Min’s mind, and he sighed in relief.

‘Since I’m a guy, the favorability doesn’t rise beyond friendship, right? I was worried for nothing.’

No matter how deeply he gets entangled, his relationship with her can only be more than a close friend.

Reflecting on that fact, Namgoong Min took a breath and turned to look at the two female students alternately.

“What a pity to only have friends to brag about. You’re saying you’re not helping the fortuneteller at all, huh?”

“If you put it that way, aren’t you just a corpse without the money? If you weren’t a Rich Tycoon, would you be worth seeing?”

“Haha, listen to this damn girl. You’re sure you won’t regret it?”

“I want to say the same back.”

“Please stop already…”

Why are they so at odds?

Why can’t they get along?

“Then you can just say it clearly. Between me and this girl, who do you—”

“Of course, it’s Liu-san.”

“—Uh, um. Right?”

He answered without a moment’s hesitation, catching Liu off guard, who lowered her head in surprise.

Eileen had indeed been quite helpful, but no matter how one looked at it, she couldn’t compare to Liu.

If it weren’t for Liu, he probably wouldn’t have broken the ice before the entrance exam, and without Liu’s reward, they wouldn’t have this base, after all.

Listening to Namgoong Min’s answer, Eileen scowled, unable to deny it, glaring at Liu with a fierce look.

“Well, yeah. Honestly, I didn’t think you’d say it so straightforwardly, but picking me is correct. Uh…”

“Of course.”

“………Ha, maybe I shouldn’t have asked? It feels a bit embarrassing to ask for something obvious.”

“You know that well.”

“Hey. Haven’t you heard that keeping your mouth shut is half the battle?”

“You’re telling a fortuneteller to be quiet…”

“Shut it.”

While she slightly flushed with color, Liu was still hurling around harsh words, causing a momentary bitter smile from Namgoong Min.

Ding.

Suddenly, a bell rang.

“Hm?”

“What’s that sound….”

“Oh, damn.”

Briefly questioning the sudden bell, Liu was the only one who guessed its meaning, frowning as she glanced at Eileen and Namgoong Min.

Then, with an expression that clearly showed her reluctance, she sighed deeply.

“…I’m leaving first.”

“Take care, Liu-san.”

“Goodbye, unbeliever.”

As soon as Liu stood up, she glared at Eileen, who was shifting to sit beside Namgoong Min, and gritted her teeth unconsciously.

Receiving Eileen’s triumphant gaze, Liu exited the building and continued walking far afterward.

Walking, walking, and before he reached the outskirts of the academy, almost nearing the forest.

“Come out.”

“Yes.”

Liu, having casually perched herself on a stump in an uninhabited area near the forest, wore a fierce expression.

Facing the girl who had rung the bell with fervent resentment, she kneeled down before Liu.

“First, put your head down.”

“Yes.”

“And roll.”

“Yes.”

The girl complied without a word, burying her head in the ground until she was covered in dirt.

Like a child’s tantrum, she submitted to Liu’s commands without any warning and kneeled again, now dust-covered.

With that sight, Liu’s anger seemed to decrease a bit, and she gestured with no further commands.

“Report.”

“I found the location of the artifact you mentioned, Liu-nim.”

“…You found it?”

Really?

Liu’s expression showed some surprise because she hadn’t expected much from the girl before her.

She had only tossed her a clue in the form of a photo of a sarcophagus in a cave, yet she managed to find it?

“And the item?”

“It seems that it registers immediately as its owner’s possession once taken out of the sarcophagus, so I couldn’t bring it with me.”

“Is it a bound artifact?”

Among many artifacts, they were unique items that could only be bound to a single user.

Even Liu herself had several, and no matter how far the user is from it, they can summon it when needed.

Usually, when removed, skills acquired from the artifacts would disappear, but unlike those, once registered as a master, you would permanently gain the skills contained, making it a rare item.

Even in the Romance Academy, to keep such a valuable bound artifact for a treasure hunt was unexpected.

‘No wonder it looked golden even on the photo.’

Liu’s “Eyes for Wealth” can ascertain the truth only when seen directly.

You could see a golden shine through photos or videos, but unless the item was extraordinarily valuable, it usually appears faint and difficult to discern.

However, the sarcophagus on the other side of that photo radiated a clear golden hue, so Liu had initially guessed it was something expensive.

But she didn’t expect it to turn out to be a bound artifact.

“Where is it?”

“Near the Great Lake south of the Academy. If you want, I can take you there right away.”

“Um, sounds good.”

Even as Liu listened to the report, which should have made her happy, she maintained a somewhat dull attitude while fiddling with a ring on her right hand.

The artifact “Swallowing Serpent.”

Swish!

“Ugh!? Wh-what the!”

The ring, shaped like a white serpent biting its tail, suddenly transformed into a long serpent that coiled around the girl.

Though thin, even thinner than an average wrist, it was still an artifact, and so it constricted with force far beyond what common sense could allow.

“Liu-nim! Why are you doing this!”

“Because you lied to me.”

“……!”

Ignoring the shocked cries of the girl trapped in the serpent’s coils, Liu crouched down in front of her.

The girl’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Did she really think Liu wouldn’t know?

“Hey. Have you forgotten what you were doing?”

“……….”

“You got caught up in gambling, chewed through your parents’ wealth, and then tried to flee after borrowing money from me.”

“…….”

“Who caught you when you tried to run away then? How can you come to me with such a transparent lie?”

The cold gaze pierced through her, forcing her to bow her head.

Gripping her hair, Liu forcibly lifted her chin, forcing her to meet her eyes.

“I had already seen it in you. But you managed to pass into this Academy as a profession, huh?”

“………….”

“If you had just done what you were told quietly, I would’ve been giving you your meager earnings regularly. Was that not enough to gamble with? Or do you hold a grudge against me?”

“……….”

“It’s the latter. Ungrateful little brat.”

Thud.

Releasing her grip on the girl’s hair, Liu returned to her seat on the stump.

Now revealing her malignance, the girl glared at Liu, still bound by the serpent.

“You devilish girl…!!”

“Isn’t the devil you, who squandered your parents’ entire fortune? You’re one of the least capable idiots among the fools I have to deal with.”

“Shut up!!”

The roar that radiated with rage caused the back of her hand to glow a deep blue.

The bound artifact she had acquired long ago was about to activate—

“Fool.”

“…Huh? Huh?”

“You think I’m naive enough to let you have your way?”

She should have activated it, but why isn’t it working?

For the girl who looked bewildered, Liu lifted a similarly glowing necklace.

Did she really think Liu wouldn’t know?

“Did you not realize there are artifacts that counteract other artifacts? Or did you just not want to think about it?”

“………….”

“How many artifacts do you think I’m holding right now? Stupid girl.”

Three bracelets on her left wrist, the necklace called “Eating Artifacts,” and an earring with protective light dangling from her right ear.

If Namgoong Min saw, each one would cause him to smirk; they were treasures glowing in various places on Liu’s body.

“……Kill me.”

“Huh?”

“I’m tired of being a dog under a girl like you!! Just kill me!”

“Wow, I didn’t expect you to be even crazier than I thought.”

However, such words had no effect on Liu; she remained uninspired.

“I don’t need a master who bites back. I’ll spare those who keep quiet, but I don’t need one that rebels.”

“……….”

“You don’t need to worry. You’d probably have a better life by dying anyway. But you do have a profession, so I’ll send you to the Gate to repay your debts until I can use you as a pack mule…”

“Liu-san.”

“………Huh?”

Namgoong Min?

…Why are you here?