I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 155

Chapter 155: Chapter 2 - Episode V (2)

Chirp— Chirp—

‘…Morning already?’

The chirping of sparrows heralded the arrival of a new day.

“Haa…”

I sat up in bed, stretching my stiff muscles.

And then, as always, I checked the status window.

▶ Sleep Deprivation: 26 ◀

▶ Fatigue: 30 ◀

“So it doesn’t go any lower…”

I hadn't expected to fall asleep properly. I had simply closed my eyes, rested. And yet, despite my lack of real sleep, the status ailments weren’t worsening.

Episode V was approaching, and these numbers were a concern. But it seemed like Carsein's body had gotten some much-needed rest.

“…Is it because of…?”

There was a potential explanation, a specific event that might have contributed to this unexpected improvement.

Yesterday.

I had fallen asleep, unintentionally, on Harnie’s lap, and I had slept for four hours straight. A deep, dream-filled sleep.

Carsein’s body must have recovered during those four hours, his fatigue and sleep deprivation alleviated.

“To think that falling asleep accidentally would have such a positive effect…”

-You need to get some sleep, Carsein. Don’t bury yourself in work all the time. Understood?

Harnie’s voice, a familiar scolding tone, echoed in my mind. I scratched the back of my head, a sheepish grin spreading across my face.

“It’s not like I could help it. I tried to stay awake, but…”

The numbers were manageable, my body wasn’t protesting, so I got out of bed and headed towards the bathroom.

My usual routine – a quick shower, a light jog, some exercise – was ingrained, an automatic start to every day.

But today was different.

I pulled up my hood, scanning the hotel hallway, and then, making sure no one was watching, I slipped out through a side door.

“You’re not allowed to leave, Young Master.”

“Camilla?”

It was early morning, even by my standards, which meant it was still the middle of the night for everyone else.

And yet, here she was, standing in my path, her hand on my arm, her eyes filled with concern.

“You’re planning on sneaking out, aren’t you?”

It was a question I shouldn’t answer, a secret I should have kept hidden.

But…

[ Camilla Deol ]

[ Affinity: 65% ]

With her affinity level this high, it didn’t really matter.

And I didn't want to lie to her, not to Camilla, my ally in this game.

“Yes, I need to step out for a bit.”

“Step out…? Is it… personal?”

“Yes, it’s something I don’t want anyone to know about, not even my family.”

“Not even your family…”

Camilla hesitated, and then, understanding, she began guiding me through the hotel, her movements swift and silent.

“Then we need to take a different route. This is where the maids and servants usually gather.”

As always, she was perceptive, observant. She led me through a maze of hallways, avoiding the staff and the other guests, ensuring my escape remained a secret.

“Take this hallway, and then use the back entrance. No one will see you. But, could you please send a message when you return? Through the front entrance?”

“Why?”

“If you return alone, Lady Arina will be suspicious. She seems concerned about yesterday’s incident, so she ordered me to follow you whenever you leave the Duchy.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

So she wanted to be informed, to know where I was going. She didn't trust me to tell her directly.

That was so like Arina.

I agreed, thanking Camilla, and then I slipped out of the hotel, disappearing into the pre-dawn darkness.

I checked my status window.

■ Carsein Bagrand ■ - 18 years old

Lv. 47

▶ Available SP has been automatically allocated to the ??? stat! ◀

▶ Strength: 5.77

▶ Agility: 7.02

▶ Endurance: 7.28

▶ Stamina: 5.35

▶ Immunity: 1.50

▶ ???: 47%

‘My stats have increased significantly.’

Was it because I was no longer relying on the game’s predetermined choices, because I was taking a more realistic approach? My stats were steadily increasing, despite the reduced gains after a certain level, thanks to my consistent training, my healthier lifestyle.

It seemed like I was ready.

-Ding!

▶ This area is a ── zone. ◀

▶ Are you sure you want to enter? ◀

I had reached my destination, a restricted area, a place I wasn’t supposed to enter. Not yet.

Danger Zones weren't all the same.

Some had time limits, others triggered choices. And some even locked the player in, forcing them to complete a sub-episode before they could leave.

But those were indirect threats. This… this was a direct threat.

But…

I didn't hesitate.

Whoosh!

I had barely stepped inside when an axe whizzed past my head, its blade aimed at my legs.

If it had connected, I would have been severely injured.

But…

-Clang!

I wasn't going to be taken down by something this slow, not after all the training I had endured.

My stats were high, and even without the system’s assistance, I could see the axe’s trajectory clearly.

I deflected it effortlessly, and a group of men emerged from the shadows, surrounding me.

“Well, well, well. Thought you were a black rabbit, but it seems you’re just a stray dog.”

“Doesn’t matter. You’re still prey.”

“Hey, newbie, it’s not too late to surrender. Hand over everything you have, and we’ll let you keep your limbs.”

“But you’ll have to leave in your underwear. Hahaha!”

▶ Bandits encountered! ◀

▶ Combat initiated! ◀

They were bandits, rough-looking men with weapons glinting in the moonlight.

The system notification confirmed it. They were a triggered enemy, their appearance tied to a specific location, a specific action.

Which meant…

I had known they would attack.

The Danger Zone warning indicated their strength, and I could have easily avoided this encounter. I had memorized every detail of this area, thanks to the countless retries, the endless hours I had spent exploring this game.

But I had deliberately triggered this encounter. And by deflecting that axe, I had gained a valuable piece of information.

▶ The Danger Zone level has been adjusted based on the player’s stats. ◀

▶ This area is now a Caution Zone. ◀

As expected.

“What the…? He’s laughing?”

“Lost your mind, newbie?”

“Don’t… don’t wet yourself. We need to sell those clothes.”

One of the men swaggered towards me, his hand landing heavily on my shoulder.

“Alright, alright, calm down, little doggy. Just give us what you have, and we’ll be on our way…”

-Swish!

Thud. Thud.

“Aaaaaargh!!!”

The man’s arm, severed at the elbow, fell to the ground, blood splattering the dirt.

And then, a scream, delayed, filled the air.

“Why don't you all attack at once?”

I could use my stats to neutralize the Danger Zone’s effects.

That was all I needed.

***

The Bagrand Duchy was stirring.

The servants, their day beginning, bustled around, preparing for the day ahead. Isabella, Arina, Claire, and even Flora, were slowly waking up.

It was time for Carsein to return.

‘The Young Master… he’s not back yet?’

Camilla, her anxiety growing, glanced at the grandfather clock.

One hour.

He had been gone for an hour.

‘When are you coming back, Young Master?’

She had managed to buy some time.

She had delayed breakfast, claiming he was still asleep, and then she had brought him a tray of food, which he had barely touched, pretending to eat.

And then she had stalled further, pretending to be busy with his laundry and his wardrobe.

But she was running out of excuses.

The Duchy members were still unaware of his absence, but they could discover it at any moment.

And then…

-Thud.

A hand landed on her shoulder, making her jump.

She turned, and a wave of relief washed over her.

“Young Master…!”

“Hmm, I’m late, aren’t I?”

“You think?!”

Her words, an unguarded expression of her true feelings, tumbled out before she could stop herself.

She quickly composed herself, picking up a basket she had prepared.

“You should go back to your room now. I’ll… I’ll tell them you were craving tea. That should explain…”

“It’s fine, Camilla. No need for excuses.”

“…What?”

“I have a legitimate reason for leaving.”

He patted the sword strapped to his waist.

The faint scent of blood…

“Let’s go, Camilla.”

“Y-Yes, Young Master.”

So, he had already taken care of everything.

She abandoned the basket, the flowers she had carefully arranged now scattered on the ground beneath a cherry blossom tree.

***

“So you’re saying… there was an attempt to attack a Lusmire merchant caravan?”

Arina’s brow furrowed as she listened to my explanation, her gaze fixed on the wanted posters in my hand.

“These are the culprits. They’re notorious bandits from the East. I heard about them and…”

“…So you left the Duchy because of this? Because of your territory?”

“What other reason would I need?”

Arina studied the posters for a moment, and then, glancing at me, she asked,

“Just curious, did you go alone?”

“Well, I…”

I was about to confess, but then I stopped myself.

It was better to lie.

“I went with Radiel.”

“…Radiel? Yes, she’s a skilled knight, the Captain of the First Squadron.”

She sighed, her shoulders slumping.

Lying had been the right choice. If I had told her I had gone alone, this would have been a much more difficult conversation.

I decided to use this opportunity to deflect the blame.

“Anyway, there’s something I need to discuss.”

“Go on.”

“As you can see from this report, there’s a discrepancy in Lusmire’s revenue. The actual amount I’m receiving doesn’t match the records. And—”

I added a few details about Lusmire, just to keep her distracted, and she didn’t press any further.

But…

Her final words were different.

“Don’t do anything reckless again, Carsein.”

Her red ponytail swayed as she left the room, her footsteps echoing through the hallway.

And then, a status window appeared.

[ Arina Bagrand ]

[ Affinity: 45% ]

…Why had her affinity increased?

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