I Became a Fortune Teller in the Game My Little Sister Made – Chapter 91

“……….”

I’m waiting for Rain outside the annex, sitting anywhere I can find.

I can’t make out what they’re talking about inside, but I can’t hear the conversation since I’m outside, and all I can catch is the sound of the wind.

My wounds have healed, and I’m just left with a dull ache all over my body.

But honestly, that’s not the most important thing right now.

“Is this really the last objective…?”

No matter how much this game is a female-oriented visual novel, and even if the supporting female characters are of lesser importance…

Rain Arthur is the younger sister of Lucas Arthur, the main target for conquest, and she plays a significant role as a villain tormenting the heroine in the early to mid-game.

Well, truthfully, she’s a pitiful character too. Through the clichés, she becomes the heroine’s close friend later on…

Anyway, I had prepared myself for a considerable amount of time for Rain’s character event.

And here I am, already at the last one?

“Resolving Hector’s command… well, since I canceled the engagement, I guess that counts as completed.”

Next up is ‘Favorability with Rain at least as friends.’

Well… to be honest, I have become quite friendly with Rain.

It’s not like I can visually track favorability like in a game, but I thought we could at least be friends, so I’ll pass on that.

“And then there’s ‘Gain recognition from Hector in any way…'”

I guess that would be by winning the duel?

In the original game, winning the duel resulted in Hector becoming friendlier.

Still, the boss character ‘Hector Arthur’ is notoriously difficult, which is why most players tackled it differently.

Right, I can accept that far.

The problem lies ahead.

“Reaching ‘Lover’ status with Rain… is this right…?”

The favorability metric in the “Romance Academy” is roughly divided into five stages.

[Acquaintance], [Friend], [Close Friend], [Lover], [Life Partner].

It might sound odd, but there’s nothing I can do about it. Jisoo from Namgoong created this setting after reading female-oriented visual novels.

Typically, clearing character events raises favorability to at least [Lover], and if you choose the right target, you can reach [Life Partner] to see the ending with that character.

Of course, the ending targets are limited to male characters. There were no yuri scenarios of the heroine conquering supporting female characters.

Naturally, playing as a male protagonist means you can’t reach favorability as [Lover], resulting in always being alone at the end.

Now, through specific events, if I raise favorability beyond that, it leads to [Obsession] and triggers a bad ending.

“Lucas has ‘Cage’, Crown Prince Kim Sung-il has ‘Master-Servant Relationship’, the Hero has ‘Escape’… can’t recall the rest.”

Well, anyhow.

The issue isn’t having ‘Reaching Lover status’ as a goal for character events. Lucas’s character event is similar after all.

The real problem is…

I’m a guy, meaning I’m the male protagonist.

“Of course, there’d be a favorability lock.”

Up to [Close Friend] among the five stages, I could build my favorability to just about on the verge of becoming lovers, but I can’t actually do that.

That was confirmed through over 20 playthroughs as a male protagonist, and even Jisoo confirmed this when I asked.

Yet now, ‘favorability above Lover?’

And on top of that, it’s declared that it’s been achieved?

‘Is this an effect of reality? Did the favorability lock just vanish?’

Eileen’s excessive affection and this character event are getting to me.

The game’s transition into reality has changed many things, and now it feels like even the favorability lock I was certain about is cracking, making me anxious.

‘If Rain sincerely likes me more than just a friend… what do I do?’

What do you mean what do I do? I’m getting a cute girlfriend! Yay!

… But that’s where the trouble begins.

‘But I need to clear character events for other characters too, which means naturally my favorability would turn into more than just friends.’

Even when not included in quests like this Rain one, favorability increases as character event rewards.

I was always thinking that, in the original game, clearing supporting female character events as the male protagonist would stop at close friends.

In any case, to achieve a perfect ending, I’d have to win over the affections of multiple female characters…

‘A harem? How on earth do I manage that?’

I’m just not accustomed to such aspects personally.

And even if I did, with all my experiences being conversations with my younger sister, how am I supposed to maintain a harem until the end?

Just looking at the concubines from the Ottoman Empire, the origin of harem, it was all filled with murder, intrigue, and bloodshed, right?

Not to mention, why on earth does Rain like me…? I really… don’t get it.

‘…I seriously don’t know.’

For now… I’ll save that thought for later. I can think about it after wrapping up things with Rain and Hector.

After all, Rain’s character event isn’t entirely cleared yet.

[Next Objective: Help Rain Arthur realize the truth about her mother.]

[This is the last objective!]

“This is really… what?”

Rain’s mother is an important character, but she hasn’t appeared in Rain’s character event.

After clearing the event, I can find records about her in an Easter egg format.

‘Once I find that, there was an option where I had to choose whether to tell Rain or not.’

However, unlike originally, there’s no option to ‘hide the truth from Rain.’

It’s just about making her realize the truth, and that’s it.

Wouldn’t this shatter Rain’s mental state?

‘How on earth am I supposed to tell her that her long-lost mother is dead, and that her abuser Hector seems normal in comparison? How can I convince her of that?’

It feels like I was just about to resolve one character event, but a colossal obstacle remains.

Right, this is one large-scale event to resolve the narrative of a single character, isn’t it?

“Should I talk to Hector…?”

While informing her seems easy, the question would be whether Rain would believe it or not.

If I tell her this, wouldn’t it drastically drop her favorability, labeling me as a liar?

…Huh? Perhaps it’s actually a good thing?

‘No, no. Regardless, there’s going to be a favorability increase as a reward, so it balances out…’

It’s making my head throb in confusion.

Just as the event started winding up, everything began to tangle in deeper complexity.

“…A fortuneteller?”

“………Liu?”

“Hey! Fortuneteller!!!”

Suddenly, Liu, who was walking over with a gloomy expression by the annex, noticed me and brightened up, running over to hug me tightly. Seriously, so soft!

Why is she so affable with physical contact, just like on the private jet last time…?

“L-Liu! Please let go, for now…!”

“Hahaha! Namgoong Min, Fortuneteller! You’re alive! You’re alive! So, did you win against that old guy?!”

“I-I did! I won, so please…!”

“I knew it! I believed in you! Hahaha!!!”

Whoa, wait! I’m struggling to breathe! Why is she so strong!?

Winning a life-and-death duel only to be suffocated in a hug by a girl? Talk about overdoing it!

“……Liu, I appreciate your happiness, but please let go of Namgoong Min. He’s really struggling right now.”

“Eh? Oh, right. Sorry, man. I got too excited.”

“Ugh… it’s alright…”

Princess nice!

I hadn’t noticed her behind Liu, who just charged in like that.

…But how did she arrive here?

“Um, how did you know the duel ended…?”

“Hah! It got suddenly quiet when you two were going at it, so I’d figured the outcome must be known! I was a bit late since the hotel is a little far.”

“Oh, then does Lucas know the result?”

“I ran into him on the way, but he seemed to not know yet. He probably won’t come over until the victor returns.”

Hmm, then I suppose I ought to head over.

Having defeated the head of the Arthur household, while I may not have killed him, there will still be a fallout of sorts, but…

Lucas can handle that!

‘I need to make my escape to the Academy.’

In the original game, there were no sequels or immediate consequences after a duel.

While pondering how to successfully escape without leaving a trace, I remembered I need to report something to Liu.

…Something quite unfavorable.

“Um… Liu?”

“Yes?”

“About that artifact you lent me…”

“Oh right, that. Can you return it? I’ll make sure it’s all fixed up.”

“One of them…”

“One of them?”

“It got… broken…”

The artifacts I borrowed from Liu were four in total.

Two earrings: <Protection in Darkness> and <Light's Guard>, one ring: <Maiden's Breath>, and one necklace: <Eating Artifacts>.

Each one is a top-tier artifact, and Liu wears them for self-defense, so their effectiveness is assured, but…

…that also means their price is assured.

With my head hung low, I shakily pulled out the shattered remains of <Eating Artifacts>.

“…How did this happen?”

“I was blocking an arrow shot down by the head of the family…”

Knowing that Hector always kills his enemies with arrows aimed directly at their hearts, I thought of using the necklace as a shield.

But I never imagined it would shatter an artifact.

Just how strong was that arrow?! It felt like it could pierce right through my heart!

Nevertheless… the damage is done.

“……Hmm.”

“How much is that? I’ll try to repay you as best as I can…”

“<Eating Artifacts>? I think it was around 1.2 billion. It’s one of only three in existence.”

“……….”

Now it’s down to two, huh?

Even though I was the one who won the duel, it feels like I’m the one being ruined.

My hands tremble, and cold sweat trickles down my back.

Just how on earth am I supposed to repay—

“Well, it’s fine.”

“….Huh?”

“Thanks to that, you saved your life, right? Isn’t that enough?”

“U-Um, yes, I guess so…”

“Then it’s all good. Keeping alive a fortuneteller like you for 1.2 billion is quite a deal.”

“Liu!!”

Wow, I can practically see a halo around Liu.

Is she some kind of deity? Just waving off 1.2 billion like that?!

Seriously, long live <Rich Tycoon>!

“Thank you! I’m so grateful!”

“Well, if you know gratitude, make sure you do better moving forward. Hand over the remaining artifacts. I’ll fix them up and return them.”

“Uh, yes?”

She’s just going to give them back, huh?

Why…?

“What are you staring at? What if there’s another sudden duel and you can’t defend yourself? What then?”

“Uh… well…”

“So keep them with you. But remember, I’m letting you borrow them, so take good care of them. I’ve got duplicates of them for emergencies anyway, so no biggie.”

Is… is that how it works?

Didn’t she just say <Eating Artifacts> was worth 1.2 billion?

The other three artifacts would undoubtedly price even higher than <Eating Artifacts> combined…

‘Considering even the ‘inexpensive’ (?) <Protection in Darkness>, it has to be around 3 billion altogether?’

Am I some kind of treasure goblin now? 3 billion worth drops when I’m caught?!

Will I even be able to move around without fear now…?

“Aren’t you going to take them? If not, I’ll give you something even more expensive!”

“N-No! I’ll take them! Thank you!”

“Of course, you should appreciate <Rich Tycoon>‘s kindness.”

In a twist of fate, I ended up receiving three top-tier artifacts. Though it was a loan…

Honestly, it’s an enormous burden, but if I have them, I could at least defend myself against any monster or boss I encounter.

Not to mention Liu just waived a debt of 1.2 billion. I really need to treat her well from here on out.

I can’t help but feel some odd pressure standing before Liu since the financial gap we’re operating within is simply astronomical.

“…..Anyway, congratulations on winning the duel, Namgoong Min.”

“Ah, Princess. It’s an honor to receive your congratulations.”

“Your words flow so elegantly. But what about Lord Hector…?”

“Well, Rain came by first, and inside the annex, they were talking—”

Squeak.

Oh? Just as I’m explaining, Rain steps outside, smiling slightly.

“Rain!”

“Ah, Namgoong Min… huh…”

As I wave at Rain, she smiles back but suddenly drops her smile when she sees Liu and the princess.

…Is she jealous? Or just not fond of Liu?

‘This is making me more conscious of things.’

Normally, I wouldn’t have thought twice, but after seeing the affection gauge that states we’re more than friends, I can’t help but scrutinize every action she takes.

This is driving me insane.

“… What brings you here with Liu and the princess?”

“Ha, obviously to see if our Fortuneteller managed to win or die. What? Timid about it?”

“Don’t provoke needlessly. Rain, we came just as Liu said, worried about Namgoong Min.”

“………Oh, I see.”

Brrr, it’s really chilly. That cold wind is biting right through me.

Given her reaction, it almost seems like she truly cares about me? Or maybe I’m just overanalyzing?

But if we’re talking about a favorability gauge above friendship, then this means the lock on my favorability is utterly moot?

‘Uhm…’

Tsk, no matter how I think about it, I can’t reach a conclusion on my own.

Since I have the party involved right here.

They say to strike while the iron is hot.

“Rain?”

“Yes?”

“Do you perhaps… like me?”

“………..”

Suddenly, silence falls.

Not just Rain, but Liu and the princess next to her freeze too.

Well, I guess a surprise question like that would catch anyone off guard face-to-face.

‘It’s probably good to clarify now.’

After the duel, as the victor, I plan to make my escape, and both Lucas and Rain will be extremely busy afterward.

Lucas will be temporarily representing the head of the family, while Rain is here due to my duel.

If I bail out tonight, then who knows when I might see Rain again?

This is it. Now or never!

‘I need to confirm if the favorability lock truly exists.’

That way, I can strategically plot out my interactions when it comes to Liu, Eileen, or the princess’s character events.

Alright, then.

Please, answer me.

“… So, are you asking if I like Namgoong Min on a romantic level?”

“………That’s right.”

Hearing the confirmation feels a lot like my impending doom. Is Hector not around?

…Was it better to just ask later?

No. Then it’d be too late. I need clarity on this now so that I can plan accordingly…

“Well then.”

Rain closes her eyes for a moment, then glances around at Liu, the princess, and finally meets my gaze.

Since I’m looking directly at Rain, I can’t tell how Liu or the princess react.

After seemingly pondering, Rain reaches into her sleeve and fidgets with something.

‘That must be…’

…Is that a <Lover> card? Did she just reveal it to everyone?

Oh, surely she couldn’t actually be—

“……No. Not at all.”

“Huh, um?”

“I don’t like Namgoong Min at all.”

—She says this while smiling beautifully.

And I…

“Oh, I see…”

I genuinely feel like dying right now.

I need Hector’s arrow…